I’ve run into several people recently who quote Matthew
5:17, and use that to say that the OT Law is still valid.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the
Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” [MT 5:17]
They’re saying “Fulfilled means it’s still valid. You’re
still obligated.”
Others say, “No, Fulfilled means it’s done, it’s concluded.
It did its job, and now it’s over.”
So I thought, Let’s see how that word is used in other
places in the Bible. That should give us an idea of what it means here.
So here’s a list. This is just part of the New Testament
list, but the Old Testament use of the word is similar. (See the links to the
full list in the footnotes)
Suggestion: For each verse, ask: “Does ‘fulfilled’ mean
‘It’s still in power; you’re still obligated’? or does ‘fulfilled’ mean ‘It’s
done, concluded, and here’s the result’?”
Mat 2:15
where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was
fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of
Egypt I called
my son.”
Mat 2:17
Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was
fulfilled:
Mat 2:23
and he went and lived in a town called
Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said
through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Mat 13:14
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be
ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never
perceiving.
Mat 13:35
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I
will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation
of the world.”
Mat 26:54
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it
must happen in this way?”
Mat 26:56
But this has all taken place that the writings of the
prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Mat 27:9
Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
“They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of
Israel,
Mar 13:4
“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be
the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
Mar 14:49
Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and
you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
Luk 1:1
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things
that have been fulfilled among us,
Luk 1:38
“I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to
me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luk 4:21
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is
fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luk 18:31
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up
to
Jerusalem,
and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be
fulfilled.
Luk 21:24
They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners
to all the nations.
Jerusalem
will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are
fulfilled.
Luk 22:37
It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors';
and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me
is reaching its fulfillment.”
Luk 24:44
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still
with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of
Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Jhn 17:12
While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe
by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to
destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
Jhn 18:9
This happened so that the words he had spoken would be
fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”
Jhn 19:24
“Let's not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let's decide
by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled
that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”
So this is what the soldiers did.
Jhn 19:28
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so
that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Jhn 19:36
These things happened so that the scripture would be
fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”
Act 1:16
and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be
fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning
Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.
Act 3:18
But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through
all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.
Act 13:27
The people of
Jerusalem
and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled
the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
Act 13:33
he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up
Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my son; today I have
become your father.'
Act 23:1
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My
brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”
--
Which is it?
Still in power; still obligated?
or
It’s done, concluded, finished?
-----
So here’s a list.
This is just part of the New Testament list (whole NT list:
http://bit.ly/1MbLMaf),
but the Old Testament use of the word (whole OT list:
http://bit.ly/1MbLMqF) is similar.
