Matthew 5:17 - 20

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus lived his life on earth in subjection to the law of Moses. His teachings were that men should respect and obey that law.

He did give many instructions which were not specifically set forth in that system because he was getting ready to bring forth a new law or religious system.

He did not come to destroy the old law, but his life and actions fulfilled predictions which were laid out in the old law. These predictions foretold the Messiah which would come forward through the line of David and would bring a new religious law. His life and teachings filled the old law and opened the new law by his death and resurrection.

Jesus is saying the old law will not be repealed until it is fulfilled, Even if the heaven and earth is destroyed, the old law will still remain in effect if it has not been fulfilled. Not even the smallest part of the law, the punctuation marks will be destroyed before the law is fulfilled.

The old law is not in effect in the time of the kingdom of heaven (church). The idea is that any person who would break the old law and lead others to do as well shows a person who does not rank very well in the new kingdom.

This shows that followers of Christ need to have a spiritual quality which is of a higher standard than the one of the quality exhibited by the Pharisees and scribes.