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Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles
1. Matthew 5:18
KJV: 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.
Greek: αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται
2. Context of jots and tittles
3. Letter of intent
The terms "
jot" and "
tittle" have to do with letters or parts of letters.
The Greek letter "
delta" as "
Δ" was used to describe a river "
delta". Many English (and some Greek) letters have meanings based on their shape.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
How many letters have meanings based on their shape?
A-frame H-beam I-beam K-turn O-ring S-curve T-shirt U-turn V-sign X-ing Z-twist
What does OZHOZ mean?
ONION spelled vertically (with the I as a sideways H, Z as sideways N).
4. Matthew 5:17 Leave the light on
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
Paraphrase:
Do not Think (law wise) that I came to reside (make a nest as a bird) in the law or the prophets (like a bird in a nest). I came not to reside but to complete (which may require taking some things away).
What things might need to be taken away?
Can those things be taken away?
The next verse helps answer these questions.
5. Usage - come into being
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
The
"law" in this verse may be related to the
"law" in the previous verse.
The ancient Greek word
"γένηται" ≈ "come into being, take place" from
"γίγνομαι" ≈ "come into being, take place". This word appears as the "
born again" in John 3. In Matthew 4:18, the "
all" will
"come into being" and did
not exist in that form until then.
6. Come into being
*G1096 *665 γίνομαι (ghin'-om-ahee) : a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
The ancient Greek word
"γένηται" ≈ "come into being, take place" from
"γίγνομαι" ≈ "come into being, take place". This word appears as the "
born again" in John 3. In Matthew 4:18, the "
all" will
"come into being" and did
not exist in that form until then.
7. Matthew 5:18 Amen to you
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἀμήν" ≈ "amen" (
verily) and comes from the Hebrew.
At some point in the Middle Ages, the Greek
"amen" spoken by Jesus at the start of a statement was changed to
"verily" or
"truly". Some people say that
"amen" means
"so be it" but this fits only at the end of a statement. The meaning
"it is so" fits at both the beginning and end of a statement.
[Great vowel shift, "came", "made", etc.]
8. Matthew 5:18 Amen to you
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
"ἀμήν" ≈ "amen" (verily) and comes from the Hebrew.
"ὑμῖν" ≈ "to you" (plural) and is a play on words with "amen".
Play on words: The two different English pronunciations of
"amen" go back to the "
Great Vowel Shift".
amen I say to you ...
amen I say (amen) ...
(to you), I say to you ...
(to you), I say (amen) ...
The Greek word "
say" is the source of the English word
"legacy" as in something "
said" about a person.
9. Until when
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
The Greek combination of «
εως αν» means
"until if" or
"until when".
"εως" ≈ "until" and "αν" ≈ "if, when".
"εως αν" ≈ "until if/when".
The
KJV (King James Version) translates «
εως αν» as
"till" but appears to leave the conditional
"if" or
"when" untranslated.
What is the
difference between
"if" and
"when"? Is there a difference? Just say
"when".
10. If and when
In English natural language:
"if" has the idea of "it may not happen".
"when" has the idea of "it will eventually happen".
Saying; Not if but when.
However, the semantic meaning of "
if" and "
when" in logic are the same as in the following (pseudo-code) programming statements that express the same computation.
if statement:
if B1 then
S1
elseif B2 then
S2
...
else
S3
endif
|
select statement:
select
when B1 do
S1
when B2 do
S2
else do
S3
end select
|
In program language correctness terms:
1. Partial correctness: When (if) the program stops, the correct result is achieved.
2. Total correctness: Partial correctness and a proof that the program stops.
|
In general, showing that a program
stops is harder than showing partial correctness.
11. Strongs - pass away
- *G3928 *29 παρέρχομαι (par-er'-khom-ahee) : from G3844 and G2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert:--come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress.
- παρελθη *6
- Matthew 5:18 ... and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise ...
- Matthew 24:34 ... This generation shall not pass, till all ...
- Mark 13:30 ... this generation shall not pass, till all ...
- Mark 14:35 ... it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
- Luke 21:32 ... This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
- παρελευσονται *5
- Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
- Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
- 2 Peter 3:10 ... in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements ...
- παρελθειν *4
- Matthew 8:28 ... no man might pass by that way.
- Matthew 26:42 ... cup may not pass away from me, except ...
- Mark 6:48 ... the sea, and would have passed by them.
- Luke 16:17 ... for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle ...
- παρηλθεν *2
- Matthew 14:15 ... and the time is now past; send the multitude ...
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 ... he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- παρελευσεται *2
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
- James 1:10 ... as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
- παρελθων *2
- Luke 12:37 ... them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
- Luke 17:7 ... when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
- παρελθωσιν
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
- παρελθατω
- Matthew 26:39 ... it be possible, let this cup pass from me: ...
- παρερχεσθε
- Luke 11:42 ... all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love ...
- παρηλθον
- Luke 15:29 ... do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: ...
- παρερχεται
- Luke 18:37 ... that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
- παρελθοντες
- Acts 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
- παρεληλυθεναι
- Acts 27:9 ... because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
- παρεληλυθως
- 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice ...
12. Usage - pass away
*G3928 *29 παρέρχομαι (par-er'-khom-ahee) : from G3844 and G2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert:--come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress.
|
Words: παρελευσεται=2 παρελευσονται=5 παρεληλυθεναι παρεληλυθως παρελθατω παρελθειν=4 παρελθη=6 παρελθοντες παρελθων=2 παρελθωσιν παρερχεσθε παρερχεται παρηλθεν=2 παρηλθον
|
13. Usage - pass away
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
*G3928 *29 παρέρχομαι (par-er'-khom-ahee) : from G3844 and G2064; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert:--come (forth), go, pass (away, by, over), past, transgress.
The Greek word translated as
"pass" or "
pass away" means to
"pass by".
"pass away" means "disappear".
"pass by" means to "travel past".
The Greek word literally means
"come beyond" which is what happens to
"pass by" or
"travel past". The idea of
"passing by" is dependent on a
point of view such as an
inertial reference frame.
14. Job 14:16
Job 14:16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? [kjv]
ηριθμησας δε μου τα επιτηδευματα και ου μη παρελθη σε ουδεν των αμαρτιων μου [lxx]
But you have numbered my devices: and not one of my sins shall escape you? [bs3]
15. Job 14:16
KJV: For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
Hebrew: כי עתה צעדי תספור לא תשמור על חטאתי׃
Greek: ηριθμησας δε μου τα επιτηδευματα και ου μη παρελθη σε ουδεν των αμαρτιων μου
Brenton: But you have numbered my devices: and not one of my sins shall escape you?
16. Isaiah 26:20
Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. [kjv]
βαδιζε λαος μου εισελθε εις τα ταμιεια σου αποκλεισον την θυραν σου αποκρυβηθι μικρον οσον οσον εως αν παρελθη η οργη κυριου [lxx]
The ancient Greek word
"παρέλθη" ≈ "pass by, come by, come beyond".
17. Isaiah 26:20
KJV: Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Hebrew: לך עמי בא בחדריך וסגר דלתיך בעדך חבי כמעט רגע עד יעבור זעם׃
Greek: βαδιζε λαος μου εισελθε εις τα ταμιεια σου αποκλεισον την θυραν σου αποκρυβηθι μικρον οσον οσον εως αν παρελθη η οργη κυριου
18. Isaiah 28:17
Isaiah 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. [kjv]
και θησω κρισιν εις ελπιδα η δε ελεημοσυνη μου εις σταθμους και οι πεποιθοτες ματην ψευδει οτι ου μη παρελθη υμας καταιγις [lxx]
And I will cause judgement to be for hope, and my compassion shall be for just measures, and you° that trust vainly in falsehood shall fall: for the storm shall by no means pass by you, [bs3]
Do the "waters" in the KJV (from the Hebrew) or the "storm" LXX (Septuagint) (from the Greek) relate to the "house" built on "sand"?
How does "trust vainly in falsehood" relate to various parts of the Sermon on the Mount?
19. Isaiah 28:17
KJV: Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Hebrew: ושמתי משפט לקו וצדקה למשקלת ויעה ברד מחסה כזב וסתר מים ישטפו׃
Greek: και θησω κρισιν εις ελπιδα η δε ελεημοσυνη μου εις σταθμους και οι πεποιθοτες ματην ψευδει οτι ου μη παρελθη υμας καταιγις
Brenton: And I will cause judgement to be for hope, and my compassion shall be for just measures, and you° that trust vainly in falsehood shall fall: for the storm shall by no means pass by you,
20. Matthew 5:18 Verse parts
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
Here are the parts of the verse.
The start of "verily" or "truly" as "amen" as "it is so".
"Until if/when" "heaven" "passes by".
"Until if/when" "earth" "passes by".
Not one "jot" "passes by" "from/away" the "law"
Not one "tittle" "passes by" "from/away" the "law".
"Until if/when" "all" "comes into being".
Let us look at
"jots" and
"tittles" and then analyze how each part does or does not
"pass by".
What is a "
jot"? What is a "
tittle"?
21. Matthew 5:18 The true reality of jots and tittles
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
A
"jot" or
"iota" could refer to an unneeded Greek letter combination that was phasing out. It can be compared with a "
spot" or "
blemish" or "
personal opinion".
A
"tittle" meant a
"horn" or
"antenna" (e.g., of an insect) or, in writing. a "
hook" on a letter. To be "
without horns" is to be without unnecessary rules.
Does Jesus mean the
"tittle" as an added part of the law or God's law? The Greek word translated as
"fulfill" is that of
"coming into being" and not of
"completing"
22. Strongs - jot
- *G2503 *1 ἰῶτα (ee-o'-tah) : of Hebrew origin (the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet); "iota", the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part of anything:--jot.
- ιωτα
- Matthew 5:18 ... earth pass, one jot or one tittle ...
23. Usage - jot
*G2503 *1 ἰῶτα (ee-o'-tah) : of Hebrew origin (the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet); "iota", the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part of anything:--jot.
|
Words: ιωτα=1
|
Whenever a word appears only once (or twice) and in the same context, the meaning may not always be clear.
Keep in mind that in the Bible, there is the obvious literal meaning, but there may be other not-so-obvious meanings. And it may happen that more than one meaning is a valid interpretation.
24. Iota subscript
|
Words: ιωτα=1
|
ᾳ = α + ͅ = ᾳ = ᾳ
ῃ = η + ͅ = ῃ = ῃ
ῳ = ω + ͅ = ῳ = ῳ
|
|
At one time in ancient Greek, the letter "
ι" as English
"iota", when following the Greek letters "
α" (alpha), "
η" (eta), and "
ω" (omega), had a distinguishable sound.
Eventually, the sound difference disappeared but the iota was still written. Once learned, academics (scribes)
never give up the complexity.
Sometimes this
iota subscript analogy is used by pastors but this iota subscript did
not exist in
GNT (Greek New Testament) or
LXX times.
25. Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, the iota was kept but moved to below the preceding letter, as a subscript, and made smaller. In modern Greek this distinction has disappeared, but is kept in ancient manuscripts. Here are the changes (with Unicode codes in parentheses)
αι to ᾳ (codes #945 #953 to #945 #837)
ηι to ῃ (codes #951 #953 to #951 #837)
ωι to ῳ (codes #969 #953 to #969 #837)
Note that some browsers will not place the iota subscript in the proper place when it is a separate postfix character. This is especially apparent as the font size gets larger.
26. Unicode
The Unicode character encoding supports the iota subscript in two ways.
As a separate character encoding - about 30 lower case and 30 uppercase variants.
As a single character, called the "combining Greek ypogegrammeni", code #837 (above), that follows the letter (in the text sequence, as above) and is placed below that character. Technically, that single character has no width and a negative placement - not all editors support that convention.
27. Strongs - tittle
- *G2762 *2 κεραία (ker-ah'-yah) : feminine of a presumed derivative of the base of G2768; something horn-like, i.e. (specially) the apex of a Hebrew letter (figuratively, the least particle):--tittle.
- κεραια
- Matthew 5:18 ... jot or one tittle shall in no wise ...
- κεραιαν
- Luke 16:17 ... to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
28. Jot this down
Some 500 years earlier, the Greeks took the Semitic alphabet from the Phoneticians, dropped letters not needed or duplicate, and developed their written language.
Some think that the English
"jot" or Greek
"iota" refers to the Hebrew
"yod", the 10th and smallest of the 22 Hebrew letters.
|
The Hebrew word "י" (yod) ≈ "yod". The numerical or gematria value of "yod" is 10 which often has a special meaning.
|
Since Jesus grew up speaking both
Aramaic and
Greek (and later some
Latin), the
"iota" could have meaning
without reference to the Hebrew
"yod". As is often the case, it could have
multiple meanings.
29. Greek language at the time of Christ
Hebrew: not spoken or written at the time of Jesus.
Aramaic: adapted during the 70 year Babylonian Captivity (597-548 BC).
Greek: spoken for 350 years in the area since Alexander the Great (332 BC).
Reading and writing:
Hebrew: Only the religious ruling class, very difficult
Aramaic: Very difficult, many multiple sounds for consonants, no vowels
Greek: Very easy (compared to the others), few letters, one sound per letter.
30. Horned antenna
*G2762 *2 κεραία (ker-ah'-yah) : feminine of a presumed derivative of the base of G2768; something horn-like, i.e. (specially) the apex of a Hebrew letter (figuratively, the least particle):--tittle.
|
Words: κεραια=1 κεραιαν
|
The modern Greek word
"κεραία" (keh-REH-a) ≈ "antenna"is from the ancient Greek word
"κεραία" ≈ "little horn, antennae of an insect" and anything projecting as a (small) horn. This word is found
2 times in the
GNT and both times translated as
"tittle".
These words derive from the ancient Greek word
"κέρας" ≈ "horn" which is related to the English word
"cornet".
[Boy Scout after repairing the car horn]
The word "
tittle" appears twice in the Bible in somewhat similar verses in Matthew and Luke. The word "
jot" only once, in the Matthew verse. In both cases, it as important to try to determine the meaning of the words when the verses were spoken instead of the meanings ascribed to those words at a later time.
31. The title
The Latin word
"titulus" ≈ "title" is the origin of the English word
"tittle", which can mean something insignificant or, in typography, a small diacritical mark that modifies the meaning of a letter.
Many pastors will describe the verses with an analogy to the "
dotting of an i" or the "
crossing of the t", but this is a modern concept in English as the word "
dot" did not exist until the 1700's. Before that time, one could
"tittle" an "
i" rather than "
dot" an "
i".
A logical issue with this common analogy made by many pastors is that dotting an "
i" or crossing a "
t" is
adding something that was forgotten or otherwise left out.
Jesus appears to be referring to added things that needed
removed in order to be
complete.
Whenever Jesus speaks, he appears to be referring to something, the law, for which nothing will be removed or "
pass" until all is "
fulfilled".
Jesus appears to be saying that not
one "jot" or
"tittle" will
"pass by" the law. The assumption is that of "
removal". Why then is the analogy made as to
add something (to the law) as in "
dotting an i" or "
crossing a t"?
32. Dot above
In English, the "
j" was originally an "
i" which did not have a dot over it. The same letter "
i" (without dot) was used for two sounds. Eventually, the "
j" was developed as an "
i" with a hook. The dot was added as otherwise the letters were easy to miss.
These characters exist as separate characters in Unicode, but the dotted version can be created as a composite character.
Here is the "
dot above" character (#775) that follows the "
dotless i" character (#305) and "
dotless j" character (#567), both Latin characters from a time when the dot was not yet used.
i = ı + ̇ = ı̇ = ı̇
j = ȷ + ̇ = ȷ̇ = ȷ̇
|
Note that the characters need to be adjacent to see the desired effect.
33. Browser support
Not all browsers will display as desired.
Firefox (older version) displayed as desired. (as of 2021-01-19)
Chrome made the entire composite character on the right blue rather than a red dot and a blue body. (as of 2021-01-19)
Midori (used for certain debugging reasons) offset the rightmost red dot more than necessary. (as of 2021-01-19)
Lack of uniform browser support appears to be why Wikipedia uses an image to display the same example using a red dot on a black body. See
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tittle. (as of 2021-01-19)
34. Composite characters
There are times when it is easier to have two separate characters that are combined into one character than to have an (intractable) enumeration of all possible combinations.
Diacritical marks are one such example. Let us look at some specific examples of how Unicode handles this problem as displayed by HTML.
There are more than a hundred such diacritical marks. Only a few will be covered here. For more information, see, for example,
https://www.w3schools.com/charsets/ref_utf_diacritical.asp. (as of 2021-01-19)
35. Hebrew letters
Another common comparison of a
"tittle" is the similarity of many Hebrew letters, which can be difficult to distinguish unless one looks carefully. Consider "
bet", the second letter, and "
kaf", the eleventh letter.
Consider "
heh", the fifth letter, "
chet", the eighth letter and "
tav" the twenty-second (and last) letter.
36. Tilde
A tilde character is the "
~" character.
The Spanish word
"tilde" ≈ "tilde" where the English word "
tilde" was borrowed from the Spanish "
tilde". The Spanish word came from the Latin word
"titulus" ≈ "title" (as above, the source of the English "
tittle").
The Spanish "
ñ" is an "
n" with a tilde "
~" over it and modifies the sound. It originally started as an "
n" over an "
n" (for words of Latin origin) and developed into the tilde "
~" form used today.
37. Comparison in Luke
38. Tittles in Luke
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. [kjv]
ευκοπωτερον δε εστιν τον ουρανον και την γην παρελθειν η του νομου μιαν κεραιαν πεσειν [gnt]
The "
it is easier" appear to be a mistranslation, through Latin, that meant "
which is the better toil of the two".
1. heaven and earth to pass by. Which heaven and which earth?
2. one tittle of the law to fall. Which law?
Luke reports what people remembered some 20 years later. What people remembered may or may not be what was said. Only the
"tittle" was remembered. Not the
"jot".
39. Luke 16:17
KJV: And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Greek: ευκοπωτερον δε εστιν τον ουρανον και την γην παρελθειν η του νομου μιαν κεραιαν πεσειν
40. Matthew 5:18 Questions
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
Some obvious questions arise, not involving
"jot" or
"tittle".
What is the
"law" to which the passage refers?
☐ God's law.
☐ Man's additions to God's law.
When is the
time that "
all" will be
"come into being"?
It would appear that if any part of the
"law" has changed and "
all" has not
"come into being", then perhaps some assumptions of what
"law" is meant may need adjusted.
As with many Bible passages, commentators may fixate on parts of the passage without insuring that all other parts are clear and that the entire passage makes sense with their chosen interpretation.
Let us look at the other verse.
41. Psalms 12:6-7 God's word
Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [kjv]
τα λογια κυριου λογια αγνα αργυριον πεπυρωμενον δοκιμιον τη γη κεκαθαρισμενον επταπλασιως [lxx]
12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. [kjv]
συ κυριε φυλαξεις ημας και διατηρησεις ημας απο της γενεας ταυτης και εις τον αιωνα [lxx]
The ancient Greek word
"λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, word".
In Genesis, God spoke the heaven and earth and everything in it into existence. One viewpoint is that nothing of God's word will be changed, as in Psalms 12:6-7.
42. Psalms 12:6
KJV: The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Hebrew: אמרות יהוה אמרות טהרות כסף צרוף בעליל לארץ מזקק שבעתים׃
Greek: τα λογια κυριου λογια αγνα αργυριον πεπυρωμενον δοκιμιον τη γη κεκαθαρισμενον επταπλασιως
43. Psalms 12:7
KJV: Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Hebrew: אתה יהוה תשמרם תצרנו מן הדור זו לעולם׃
Greek: συ κυριε φυλαξεις ημας και διατηρησεις ημας απο της γενεας ταυτης και εις τον αιωνα
44. Words and meanings
The viewpoint of Psalms is similar to what Jesus says in Matthew 24:35.
45. Comparison
Sermon on the Mount: (ministry start)
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
Olivet Discourse: (end times)
24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. [kjv]
ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσεται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν [gnt]
The
"pass away" is that of
"pass by".
What is "heaven"? What is "earth"?
The "words" or "rational explanation" is information that transcends time and space as we know it.
46. Matthew 24:35
KJV: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Greek: ο ουρανος και η γη παρελευσονται παρελευσεται οι δε λογοι μου ου μη παρελθωσιν
Latin: caelum et terra transibunt verba vero mea non praeteribunt
Luther: Himmel und Erde werden vergehen, aber meine Worte werden nicht vergehen.
47. Genesis 3:19
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. [kjv]
εν ιδρωτι του προσωπου σου φαγη τον αρτον σου εως του αποστρεψαι σε εις την γην εξ ης ελημφθης οτι γη ει και εις γην απελευση [lxx]
Is it possible that the "
law" is the law of the curse of which nothing will "
pass" until "
all" is "
fulfilled" and a new heaven and a new earth are created?
That original "
law" of the curse is a "
thorn" in the side.
But what of the "
thistle"? More on thorns and thistles later.
48. Genesis 3:19
KJV: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Hebrew: בזעת אפיך תאכל לחם עד שובך אל האדמה כי ממנה לקחת כי עפר אתה ואל עפר תשוב׃
Greek: εν ιδρωτι του προσωπου σου φαγη τον αρτον σου εως του αποστρεψαι σε εις την γην εξ ης ελημφθης οτι γη ει και εις γην απελευση
Latin: in sudore vultus tui vesceris pane donec revertaris in terram de qua sumptus es quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris
49. Matthew 5:17-18 Observations and analysis
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
5:18 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. [kjv]
Since the
previous verse referred to the
law as man's (additions to) God's
law, that assumption is made here. There are (at least) four things that involve "
passing by".
"heaven": literal "air", "kingdoms" as in "candles", etc.
"earth": literal "earth", "blooms" and "works" as in "salt", etc.
"jots": man's opinions of God's laws, spots, etc.
"tittles": man's additions to God's laws, invalid logic, etc.
"ἑν" ≈ "one" (masculine grammatical gender)
"μια" ≈ "one" (feminine grammatical gender)
Not
one will
pass by. Perhaps
all will
pass by.
[
One cookie rule, not
one shred of evidence]
50. One cookie rule
To handle the "
jots" and "
tittles", it appears that the "
one cookie rule" can be used.
Growing up, the siblings would often leave the last cookie, piece of cake, etc., not eaten (which annoyed mom).
So, if we were asked "
Did you eat all of the cookies?" we could say, "
No, I did not have one of them". If pressed, we could point to the "
one" cookie that we did
not eat. If we had eaten than
one, then they would be
all (i.e., gone).
Sometimes it is the "
one cookie" that is
not eaten that is important.
There are two general forms of the "
one cookie rule" where the
exceptions are important.
"not one cookie ..." (negative statement)
"one cookie ..." (positive statement)
In general, this is called an "
equivocation" in that it could deceive the listener. Equivocations can be used to hide double meanings as in a code or secret code.
Equivocations can be used as jokes which some people like and some do not.
51. Matthew 5:18 Not one jot or one tittle
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
A
double negative, translated as
"no wise", is used in Greek to be an emphatic negative as in
"absolutely no way".
"ου" ≈ "no" and "μη" ≈ "not".
"ου μη" ≈ "no not" and appears in 137 verses in the GNT.
Using the "
one cookie rule", the emphatic
not "
one"
"jot" and
not "
one"
"tittle" shall
"pass by" means the following where there appears to be a double meaning here.
God's view: All the "jots" and all the "tittles" shall "pass by" (since they are man's additions to God's law).
Man's view: None of the "jots" (personal opinions, blemishes) and none of the "tittles" (invalid logic, extra rules) shall "pass by" (since man's organizations do not to change what they using to oppress others).
52. Observations and analysis
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
Using the "
salt" (5:13), "
light" (5:14) and "
candle" (5:15) verses, just a few verses before, one can observe the following in a
negative sense.
Salt of the earth: The "false works" of the "false salt" of the "earth" will "pass by". (pigs)
Light of the world: The "false light" of the "false mountains" of the "world" will "pass by". (fish)
Kingdom of heaven: The "false candles" of the "false kingdoms" of the "heaven" will "pass by". (birds)
53. Observations and analysis
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
Using the "
salt" (5:13), "
light" (5:14) and "
candle" (5:15) verses, just a few verses before, one can observe the following in a
positive sense.
Salt of the earth: The "true works" (as accomplishments) of the "true salt" of the "earth" will not "pass by". (sheep)
Light of the world: The "true light" (as in Jesus) of the "true mountain" of the "world" will not "pass by". (sheep)
Kingdom of heaven: The "true candles" of the "true kingdoms" (of God) of the "heaven" will not "pass by" (but will be re-created or resurrected). (sheep)
The
"come into being" refers to the summary verse of the "
true works" (new "
earth") and the "
true kingdom" (new "
heaven").
54. True light of reality
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
There is only
one "
reality". There are many
perceptions of "
reality".
The "light" is the "true light" or "truth" or "reality".
The "false light" is "darkness" or "false reality" which does not exist.
The "
reality" or "
true reality" (Jesus) will
not "pass by". Any "
false reality" is a
perception and can take two forms of
deception that will
"pass by".
Added rules/requirements: "invalid logic" as in "antennas" or "horns" or "tittles".
Added opinion/glory: "empty opinion" as in "spots" or "iotas" or "jots".
55. A dark and enigmatic praise
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. [kjv]
βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι τοτε δε προσωπον προς προσωπον αρτι γινωσκω εκ μερους τοτε δε επιγνωσομαι καθως και επεγνωσθην [gnt]
… speculum … enigmate … [v]
The ancient Greek word
"αινείτε" ≈ "praise" is related to the ancient Greek word
"αἴνιγμα" ≈ "riddle, taunt, dark saying" and is the source of the English word "
enigma".
The word the
KJV often translates as "
darkly" has the idea of an "
enigma" which is the original Greek word.
56. 2 Peter 3:13
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [kjv]
καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει [gnt]
57. 2 Peter 3:13
KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Greek: καινους δε ουρανους και γην καινην κατα το επαγγελμα αυτου προσδοκωμεν εν οις δικαιοσυνη κατοικει
58. Revelation 21:1
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. [kjv]
και ειδον ουρανον καινον και γην καινην ο γαρ πρωτος ουρανος και η πρωτη γη απηλθαν και η θαλασσα ουκ εστιν ετι [gnt]
Rather than
"passed by" (prefix "
beyond") the word is
"passed away" (prefix "
away from").
What does "heaven" represent? (birds, Jesus as head and eyes)
What does "earth" represent? (pigs, sheep)
What does "sea" represent? (fish)
59. Revelation 21:1
KJV: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Greek: και ειδον ουρανον καινον και γην καινην ο γαρ πρωτος ουρανος και η πρωτη γη παρηλθεν απηλθαν και η θαλασσα ουκ εστιν ετι
60. 1 Corinthians 3:15
1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [kjv]
ει τινος το εργον κατακαησεται ζημιωθησεται αυτος δε σωθησεται ουτως δε ως δια πυρος [gnt]
The "
false works" and even "
true works" will be "
burned". The "
fire" of the "
Holy Spirit" as in "
salt of the earth" will "
save".
Lot is an example of Paul's statement.
61. 1 Corinthians 3:15
KJV: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Greek: ει τινος το εργον κατακαησεται ζημιωθησεται αυτος δε σωθησεται ουτως δε ως δια πυρος
62. Revelation 4:10-11
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, [kjv]
πεσουνται οι εικοσι τεσσαρες πρεσβυτεροι ενωπιον του καθημενου επι του θρονου και προσκυνησουσιν τω ζωντι εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων και βαλουσιν τους στεφανους αυτων ενωπιον του θρονου λεγοντες [gnt]
4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. [kjv]
63. Revelation 4:10
KJV: The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Greek: πεσουνται οι εικοσι και τεσσαρες πρεσβυτεροι ενωπιον του καθημενου επι του θρονου και προσκυνουσιν προσκυνησουσιν τω ζωντι εις τους αιωνας των αιωνων και βαλλουσιν βαλουσιν τους στεφανους αυτων ενωπιον του θρονου λεγοντες
64. Revelation 4:11
KJV: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Greek: αξιος ει κυριε ο κυριος και ο θεος ημων λαβειν την δοξαν και την τιμην και την δυναμιν οτι συ εκτισας τα παντα και δια το θελημα σου εισιν ησαν και εκτισθησαν
65. Matthew 5:17 Leave the light on
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
Paraphrase:
Do not Think (law wise) that I came to reside (make a nest as a bird) in the law or the prophets (like a bird in a nest). I came not to reside but to complete (which may require taking some things away).
What things might need to be taken away?
Can those things be taken away?
The next verse helps answer these questions.
66. Matthew 5:18 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:18 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. [kjv]
Paraphrase:
It is so that until heaven and earth pass by, not one jot (spots, blemishes, empty opinion) nor one tittle (horns, invalid logic, extra rules) will pass by from man's viewpoint (but all will pass by from God's viewpoint) until all (the new heaven and new earth) come into being.
Will the religious establishment be upset if you try to remove any
"jots" (blemishes, personal opinions, etc.) or
"tittles" (extra rules, invalid logic, etc.) that are used to oppress the faithful and support their (false) house (nest and belly)?
How might the religious establishment react? What might they do?
Jesus addresses this in the
next two verses (and thereafter).
[What to call this content?]
67. Matthew 5:19-20 Righteous commandment breaking
Matthew 5:19 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. [kjv]
5:20 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. [kjv]
Which commandments are being broken? The word in Greek can mean "solve" or "resolve".
Which commandments are being taught and followed?
What exactly is the "kingdom" of "heaven"?
Who is doing the calling? (peacemakers 10 verses earlier)
What righteousness is in question? (man's, God's, both, neither)
Context is important!
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