In one of the most important programmatic statements of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the nature of His relationship to the Law and the Prophets. The grammar of Matthew 5:17 — Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι — is rich in negative imperatives, complementary infinitives, and parallel contrast. The syntax not only clarifies His intent but builds tension and resolution through repetition and emphasis.
The Greek Text in Focus
Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι (Matthew 5:17)
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
Grammatical Highlights
- Μὴ νομίσητε — aorist subjunctive, 2nd plural; “do not think” (prohibitive construction).
- ὅτι — conjunction; introduces indirect speech: “that.”
- ἦλθον — aorist indicative active, 1st singular; “I came.”
- καταλῦσαι — aorist infinitive active; “to abolish / destroy.”
- τὸν νόμον — accusative masculine singular; “the Law.”
- ἢ τοὺς προφήτας — accusative masculine plural; “or the Prophets.”
- ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι — conjunction + aorist infinitive active; “but to fulfill.”
Negative Subjunctive: Μὴ νομίσητε
The verb νομίσητε is aorist subjunctive second plural from νομίζω (“to suppose, think”). With μή, it forms a prohibition often translated “Do not even begin to think.” The aorist subjunctive implies a strong command against a false assumption — a theologically significant one.
Complementary Infinitives: καταλῦσαι… πληρῶσαι
Both καταλῦσαι and πληρῶσαι are aorist active infinitives, functioning as complementary to ἦλθον: “I came to…” The verb καταλῦσαι means “to destroy” or “abolish,” used of tearing down structures or nullifying contracts. In contrast, πληρῶσαι means “to fulfill,” “bring to completion,” or “fill out.” The parallelism — “not… but…” — highlights a purpose contrast using identical grammatical structures.
Object Pairing: τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας
Jesus mentions τὸν νόμον and τοὺς προφήτας — the two traditional divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Torah and Nevi’im). They share the infinitive καταλῦσαι as their object, showing that Jesus is not targeting one section of Scripture but the whole covenantal revelation.
| Phrase | Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Μὴ νομίσητε | Aorist Subjunctive, 2nd Plural | Prohibitive command | Do not think / suppose |
| ὅτι ἦλθον | Conjunction + Aorist Indicative | Indirect speech | That I came |
| καταλῦσαι | Aorist Infinitive Active | Purpose of ἦλθον | To abolish |
| τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας | Accusative Phrases | Objects of καταλῦσαι | The Law or the Prophets |
| ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι | Adversative + Aorist Infinitive | Contrastive purpose | But to fulfill |
The Grammar of Continuity and Fulfillment
Matthew 5:17 shows Jesus’ precision not just in theology but in syntax. He negates the notion of abolishing the Law with a powerful subjunctive prohibition. The infinitives clarify purpose — not demolition, but completion. And the carefully ordered objects declare continuity with Scripture. Jesus’ grammar reinforces that the kingdom He brings is not a break from the Law, but its deepest fulfillment.
