Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 5:17

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil." — Matthew 5:17 (ASV)

Think not that I am come, etc. Our Saviour was just entering on his work. It was important for him to state what he came to do. By his setting up to be a teacher in opposition to the Scribes and Pharisees, some might charge him with an intention to destroy their law, and abolish the customs of the nation. He therefore told them that he did not come for that end, but really to fulfill or accomplish what was in the law and the prophets. To destroy. To abrogate; to deny their Divine authority; to set men free from the obligation to obey them.

The law. The five books of Moses, called the law. .

The prophets. The books which the prophets wrote. These two divisions here seem to comprehend the Old Testament; and Jesus says that he came not to abolish or destroy the authority of the Old Testament.

But to fulfill. To complete the design, to fill up what was predicted, to accomplish what was intended in them. The word fulfill also means sometimes to teach or inculcate (Colossians 1:25). The law of Moses contained many sacrifices and rites which were designed to shadow forth the Messiah (Hebrews 9:1–28). These were fulfilled when he came and offered himself a sacrifice to God—

"A sacrifice of nobler name,
And richer blood than they."

The prophets contained many predictions respecting his coming and death. These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by his life and his sufferings.