Christ Fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17–20)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 16 (on Matthew 5:17–20) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf110.iii.XVI.html

On why He says not merely that He does not destroy the Law, but that He establishes it:

For He said not only, "I do not destroy it;" though this had been enough; but "I even fulfill it:" which are the words of one so far from opposing himself, as to be even establishing it.

On the manner in which He fulfilled the Prophets and the Law:

The prophets He fulfilled, inasmuch as He confirmed by His actions all that had been said concerning Him ... But the law He fulfilled, not in one way only, but in a second and third also. In one way, by transgressing none of the precepts of the law.

On the jot and tittle that cannot pass away:

Now what He saith is like this: it cannot be that it should remain unaccomplished, but the very least thing therein must needs be fulfilled.

On the righteousness that must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees:

For if He were threatening with regard to the ancient laws, how said He, "except it shall exceed?" since they who did just the same as those ancients, could not exceed them on the score of righteousness. But of what kind was the required excess? Not to be angry, not even to look upon a woman unchastely.

Blessed Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, Book I (on Matthew 5:17–20) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 6. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf106.v.ii.viii.html

On the twofold sense of fulfilling — adding what is wanting, which confirms rather than destroys:

In this sentence the meaning is twofold ... for he who adds what is wanting does not surely destroy what he finds, but rather confirms it by perfecting it

On the iota and the tittle as a figure of the Law's completeness:

Then, as to what He says, "One iota or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law," nothing else can be understood but a strong expression of perfection, since it is pointed out by means of single letters, among which letters "iota" is smaller than the others, for it is made by a single stroke; while a "tittle" is but a particle of some sort at the top of even that. And by these words He shows that in the law all the smallest particulars even are to be carried into effect.

On the greater righteousness that goes beyond the outward act to the heart:

The righteousness of the Pharisees is, that they shall not kill; the righteousness of those who are destined to enter into the kingdom of God, that they be not angry without a cause.

St. Jerome (c. 347–420)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 5:19) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.v.html

On the teacher whose life must not undo his teaching:

It is directed against the Pharisees, who, despising the commandments of God, set up traditions of their own ... The learning of the master if joined with sin however small, loses him the highest place, nor does it avail any to teach righteousness, if he destroys it in his life. Perfect bliss is for him who fulfils in deed what he teaches in word.

St. Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 5:18–19) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.v.html

On what it means that heaven and earth shall pass:

From the expression here used, "pass," we may suppose that the constituting elements of heaven and earth shall not be annihilated.

On the least commandment understood as the confession of the cross:

He calls the passion, and the cross, the least, which if one shall not confess openly, but be ashamed of them, he shall be least, that is, last, and as it were no man; but to him that confesses it He promises the great glory of a heavenly calling.

St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604)

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 12 (on Matthew 5:19) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.v.html

On the kingdom of heaven understood as the Church, and the teacher who is called least:

by the kingdom of heaven is to be understood the Church, in which that teacher who breaks a commandment is called least, because he whose life is despised, it remains that his preaching be also despised.