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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 5:17–20

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 17

  1. Romans 10:4Rank 1 from verse 17
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    4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

  2. Luke 16:17Rank 2 from verse 17
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    17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

  3. Galatians 4:4–5Rank 3 from verse 17
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    4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

    5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

  4. Romans 8:4Rank 4 from verse 17
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    4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

  5. Romans 3:31Rank 5 from verse 17
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    31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

From verse 18

  1. Luke 16:17Rank 1 from verse 18
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    17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

  2. Isaiah 40:8Rank 2 from verse 18
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    8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

  3. 1 Peter 1:25Rank 3 from verse 18
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    25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

  4. Psalms 119:89–90Rank 4 from verse 18
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    89For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

    90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

  5. Matthew 24:34–35Rank 5 from verse 18
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    34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

    35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

From verse 19

  1. Deuteronomy 12:32Rank 1 from verse 19
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    32What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

  2. James 2:10–11Rank 2 from verse 19
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    10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

    11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

  3. Matthew 28:20Rank 3 from verse 19
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    20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  4. Romans 13:8–10Rank 4 from verse 19
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    8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

    9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

    10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

  5. Matthew 11:11Rank 5 from verse 19
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    11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

From verse 20

  1. Romans 10:2–3Rank 1 from verse 20
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    2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

    3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  2. Philippians 3:9Rank 2 from verse 20
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    9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  3. Romans 9:30–32Rank 3 from verse 20
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    30What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

    31But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

    32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

  4. Luke 16:14–15Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    14And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

    15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

  5. Matthew 23:2–5Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:

    3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

    4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

    5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:17

COMBINED MEANING

think

↗

1. To form or hold a thought. 2. To judge or suppose. 3. To intend. 4. To consider or remember. 5. To imagine or esteem.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

destroy

↗

Sense 1: To ruin, demolish, consume, or lay waste. Sense 2: To kill or cut off. Sense 3: To cause a thing's structure, use, activity, or present condition to cease.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fulfil

↗

To fill up, complete, accomplish, perform, satisfy, carry out, bring to the appointed end, or cause a word, promise, prophecy, desire, duty, time, measure, or work to come fully to pass.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:18

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

till

↗

Sense 1: To cultivate, plough, dress, and work soil for crops. Sense 2: As a time or limit word, until, up to, or as far as the stated point, condition, or event.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

pass

↗

To go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fulfilled

↗

Filled up, completed, accomplished, performed, satisfied, expired, or brought fully to the appointed result, measure, time, or realization.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:19

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

break

↗

1. To separate, fracture, burst, or open. 2. To interrupt or violate. 3. To subdue. 4. To burst forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

commandments

↗

Commands, orders, or prescribed requirements issued by one who commands.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

teach

↗

To instruct, inform, train, show, counsel, or communicate knowledge or doctrine.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:20

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

except

↗

Sense 1: Unless; with the exclusion of; apart from. Sense 2: To exclude or leave out. Sense 3: To object or take exception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

case

↗

Sense 1: A condition, circumstance, matter, or stated set of facts. Sense 2: In the expression in any case, certainly or without exception.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

enter

↗

To go or come in; to penetrate; to become an ingredient or constituent part; to enter the mind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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Surrounding Verses

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16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Selected passage

18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Selected passage

19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Selected passage

20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Selected passage

21¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

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