The Righteousness That Surpasses: Understanding Matthew 5:17-20

A Moment of Shock

Have you ever heard something so shocking that it made you stop in your tracks? Sometimes, a statement, a moment, or even just a sound can stop everything.

I had a moment like that while teaching middle school in Montana. If you remember the bottle-flipping craze, you can imagine my frustration when my students were more focused on flipping water bottles than on learning. One day, while writing on the whiteboard, I heard a student declare, “Oh, you think that’s impressive? Watch this—I can flip a chair!” Before I could react, a plastic chair soared through the air, crashed into a light fixture, and landed in the middle of a group table. I momentarily froze in stunned silence, realizing how absurd the moment was. That feeling of shock—that what just happened? moment—is exactly what many people likely felt when they heard Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-20.

A Radical Statement

Jesus had been teaching the crowds, sharing what we now call the Beatitudes—statements that turned cultural and religious expectations upside down. His words were countercultural, challenging the deeply held beliefs of the religious leaders and common people alike.

At this point in His sermon, Jesus anticipates the thoughts running through His listeners’ minds: Is He rejecting the Law of Moses? Is He overturning everything we have been taught? He addresses these concerns head-on:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17, ESV)

This was a shocking statement. The Jewish people were deeply committed to following the law, believing that their righteousness depended on their ability to adhere to its commands. But Jesus was telling them that righteousness wasn’t about strict rule-keeping—it was about something deeper.

What Does “Fulfill” Really Mean?

Many misunderstand Jesus’ statement about fulfilling the Law, thinking that it means He made it obsolete. But fulfill here means to bring it to its intended goal. The Law and the Prophets had always pointed forward to Jesus. Every sacrifice, every command, every prophecy—all of it was leading to Christ, the perfect fulfillment of God’s righteous standard.

Think about Romans 10:4:

“For Christ is the end of the law with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Here, end doesn’t mean the law disappears—it means its purpose finds its completion in Christ. Jesus obeyed the law perfectly, something no human could ever do. And not only did He fulfill its demands, but He also took upon Himself the punishment for our failure to keep it. The law required justice for sin, and Jesus bore that penalty on the cross.

Through faith in Christ, His righteousness is applied to us. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says:

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The Call to Greater Righteousness

In verse 20, Jesus raises the bar even higher:

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The Pharisees were known for their strict observance of the law. They meticulously followed every command, down to tithing their herbs. Yet Jesus said that wasn’t enough. He wasn’t dismissing obedience—far from it. Instead, He was revealing that true obedience flows from a transformed heart rather than mere external compliance. The Pharisees were focused on legalistic rule-following, but Jesus was calling people to something deeper: a heart fully devoted to God.

This kind of righteousness is impossible to achieve on our own. The good news? It’s not about what we can do; it’s about what Christ has already done. Through faith, we receive His righteousness. And through the Spirit, we are empowered to live lives that reflect God’s holiness—not out of obligation, but out of love.

The Role of the Moral Law

So, what does this mean for us? How do we relate to the law as Christians today? While the ceremonial and civic laws of Israel were fulfilled in Christ, the moral law—God’s standard for holiness—still reflects His character and remains relevant. Why? Because moral commands, such as do not murder, do not commit adultery, and ultimately loving our neighbors as ourselves, are rooted in God’s unchanging nature. They were not given arbitrarily but reveal what it means to live in harmony with God’s righteousness.

Instead of viewing righteousness as a checklist of dos and don’ts, we should see it as an invitation to walk in faith. The Spirit, which Jesus promised to believers, is meant to teach us, convict us, and empower us to live in a way that honors God. Rather than trying to prove ourselves through our efforts, we trust in the work Christ has already done on the cross and the work the Holy Spirit continues to do in us.

Pressing into Faith

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17-20 challenge us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on our own ability to be good enough for God? Or are we resting in the righteousness that Christ freely gives?

Here are some practical steps to take this week:

1. Examine Your Heart – Ask yourself, Where am I trying to stand on my own before God? Are there areas where you’re relying on your own goodness instead of Christ’s righteousness?
2. Engage with Scripture – Don’t just read the Bible as a duty. Read it with the expectation that the Spirit will use it to transform you.
3. Pray for Transformation – Instead of simply asking God to help you do better, ask Him to change your heart to love what He loves.
4. Trust the Spirit’s Work – God’s Spirit is actively at work in your life, shaping you to reflect Christ. Press into that process with faith.

Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law—He came to fulfill it. And through Him, we are invited into a righteousness far beyond anything we could ever achieve on our own. Let’s be people who walk by faith, trusting in Christ’s finished work and allowing the Spirit to shape us into His likeness.