JESUS AND THE LAW William Loader A detailed discussion of the question of the historical Jesus and the Law might properly begin with a consideration of such important matters

A detailed discussion of the question of the historical Jesus and the Law might properly begin with a consideration of such important matters as sources, criteria of authenticity, and review of previous research. It should also include some discussion of the quest for the historical Law, which has become equally problematic. Within the brief compass of this paper it is possible to do little more than flag these issues and assume an appreciation of their significance before proceeding to the discussion of the material. Whether to rebut Jewish criticism or to confront Christian laxity, or, more likely, both, Matthew has Jesus assert: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfil” (5:17). With this form of words Matthew introduces a saying in 5:18 which occurs in variant form also in Luke 16:17. 5:19 shows that Matthew intends by 5:18 total observance of the Law and that to think otherwise makes one least in the kingdom of God or perhaps even ineligible to belong. The focus on complete adherence finds confirmation also in 5:20 and in the antitheses which give a radical interpretation of the demands of Torah. While there have been attempts to interpret 5:18 as limiting such strictness to a past era from the perspective of Matthew, the most natural reading is to see in the saying an affirmation that every bit of Torah retains its validity. This is most likely to be the point of the saying also in Luke 16:17. Some take it as an observation that setting aside Torah, which must now happen since Christ has come, is extremely difficult— but necessary. This usually depends on a reading of Luke 16:16 along the lines that the Law and Prophets were valid up until John, but are no longer valid.1 It is much more likely that 16:16–17 are meant to convey the message that as the Law and the Prophets faced resistance, all the more so does the message of the kingdom.2 16:17 reaffirms that