MATTHEW—NOTE ON Matthew 5:18 until heaven and earth pass away. Jesus confirms the OT’s full authority as Scripture for all time (compare 2 Timothy 3:15), even down to the smallest parts of the written text. An iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (compare the yod of the Hebrew alphabet). The dot likely refers to a tiny stroke or a part of a letter used to tell the difference between Hebrew letters. not... pass from the Law. The OT remains an authoritative account of divine testimony and teaching. Some of those teachings, however, such as sacrifices and other ceremonial laws, foreshadowed events that would be accomplished in Jesus’ ministry (see note on Gal. 4:10) and therefore are not required of Christians. Until all is accomplished points to Jesus’ fulfillment of specific OT hopes, partly through his earthly life, death, and resurrection, and then more fully after his second coming.

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