Matthew 5:18

Matthew 5:18

“Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” emphasizes the permanence and precision of Scripture. A jot (small Hebrew letter) or tittle (diacritical mark) signifies how even the smallest detail remains authoritative until God’s redemptive plan is complete. The verse links the enduring authority of the Law to the ongoing work of fulfillment in Christ. It guards against a dismissive attitude toward Scripture and anchors Christian confidence in God’s fidelity to his Word. The statement also points to a sweeping arc: the Law’s purpose culminates in Jesus and the kingdom he inaugurates.

This verse upholds the integrity of Scripture and foregrounds the continuity between the Old and New Covenants. It asserts that God’s plan is unfolding with precision and that Jesus’ mission is the fulfillment of what the Law and prophets anticipated. It grounds confidence in God’s unwavering fidelity to his Word.

Practically, this calls for careful biblical interpretation and steady reliance on Scripture in faith and practice. It discourages cherry-picking or dismissing parts of the Bible when they seem inconvenient. It invites daily engagement with Scripture, prayerful discernment, and fidelity to its teachings, even when countercultural. A concrete example: when forming personal or communal ethics, test decisions against the biblical text and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, rather than expediency. This also strengthens Bible study in communities, encouraging rigorous, reverent engagement with the text.

Cross-References:

- Psalm 119:89

- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

- Matthew 24:35

- 1 Peter 1:24-25

- Isaiah 40:8