The phrases “the law” and “the prophets” are used frequently throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament. But what exactly do they mean in context? Let’s take a look.
The Law
In the Old Testament, the law refers specifically to the laws, commandments, statutes, precepts, and teachings that God gave to the people of Israel. This includes:
- The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
- The Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33)
- The Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26)
- The Deuteronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12-26)
Collectively, these laws provided instruction to the Israelites on how to live righteous lives, worship God properly, and maintain order in their society. The law functioned as Israel’s constitution and legal code. It regulated religious practices, social norms, judicial procedures, and day-to-day life in the community.
Some key aspects of the Mosaic Law include:
- Moral laws prohibiting idolatry, murder, adultery, theft, etc.
- Religious laws about sacrifices, festivals, dietary restrictions, priestly duties, etc.
- Civil laws concerning property, contracts, injuries, marriage, governance, etc.
Obedience to the law demonstrated Israel’s commitment to God’s covenant. The law was an expression of God’s will and holiness. It revealed his standards for righteousness. Keeping the law was tied to blessings, while disobedience resulted in curses (Deuteronomy 28).
Within Judaism, the law continues to be revered and studied in texts like the Torah and Talmud. It provides guidance on how to properly interpret and apply God’s commands.
The Prophets
In a broad sense, “the prophets” refers collectively to the writings of the Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the twelve minor prophets.
More specifically, it is a reference to the second major division of the Hebrew Bible known as Nevi’im, or the Prophets. This section includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets.
Chronologically, the prophets delivered messages from God to Israel and Judah between about 800 BC – 400 BC. They called the nations to repentance and warned of coming judgment. They also foretold the future redemption God would bring through the Messiah.
Some key roles and themes of the OT prophets include:
- Acting as God’s messengers and spokesmen
- Calling Israel to moral and religious reform
- Warning against sin, idolatry and injustice
- Prophesying coming punishment and exile
- Promising future restoration and deliverance
- Providing visions of the coming Messianic age
The prophets were inspired to speak truth, expose sin, and point people to God. Their messages called Israel back to faithfulness towards God and his covenant.
“The Law and the Prophets”
Now that we’ve defined these key terms, we can better understand “the law and the prophets” when used together in the Bible.
This phrase refers to the whole of the Old Testament. It is a division Jesus references:
“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)
The Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Nevi’im) were the two main divisions of the Hebrew Bible in Jesus’ day. He uses the phrase as shorthand for the entire OT.
Some other examples where “the Law and the Prophets” refers specifically to the Old Testament:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45)
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18)
In the Old Testament era, God’s revelation focused on the law and the prophets. They pointed ahead to the coming of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled what was written about him in the law and prophets through his sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection.
So in summary, “the law and the prophets” refers specifically to the Old Testament scriptures. It highlights the two main divisions – the law/Torah and the prophets/Nevi’im. When used together, the phrase encompasses the entirety of the Hebrew Bible and God’s revelation to Israel under the old covenant.
Fulfillment in Jesus
A key theme in the New Testament is that Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets. He did not come to abolish them, but to bring them to completion and provide their definitive interpretation.
Jesus fulfilled the moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of the law. He lived a perfect life, upheld God’s standards, and served as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. As the promised Messiah, Jesus also fulfilled hundreds of prophecies that pointed to him. Here are some examples:
- Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)
- Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
- Healing and ministry miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6)
- Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9)
- Betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13)
- Pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22:16)
- Vicarious suffering and death (Isaiah 53:5-6)
- Resurrection from the dead (Psalm 16:10)
By perfectly keeping the law and accomplishing redemption through the cross, Jesus succeeded where Israel failed. His life, death and resurrection inaugurated the new covenant and a new era of salvation by grace through faith.
As a result, Christians are no longer under obligation to the Old Testament law. Its civil and ceremonial regulations were temporary, fulfilled by Christ and discontinued in the new covenant era. The moral aspects of the law endure as guiding principles, but believers are not justified by law-keeping. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 10:4).
Through his fulfillment of the law and prophets, Jesus accomplished God’s redemptive plan promised under the old covenant. A new covenant was established through his blood. And the Holy Spirit was sent to write God’s law on the hearts of his people (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
So for believers today, the law and prophets provide indispensable background to the mission and accomplishment of Christ. While containing timeless moral principles, they are no longer binding codes for justification or sanctification. We follow Christ who fulfilled them completely.
Using the Phrase Today
Because “the law and the prophets” refers specifically to the Old Testament, we need to be careful about using the phrase “law and prophets” more broadly.
For example, some religions claim to have received special laws and prophetic guidance that add to or supersede biblical revelation. But the Bible contains the definitive law of God and revelatory prophecies pointing to Jesus Christ.
While God continues to guide his people through spiritual gifts like prophecy, any new prophetic words must align with the revelation of the prophets recorded in Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:29; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
And the completed canon of Scripture contains everything we need for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). There is no need for additional law, prophecy or revelation beyond what we’ve already been given through Christ and the Spirit who inspired the biblical writings.
The phrase “law and prophets” should continue to be associated specifically with the Old Testament and God’s revelation to Israel under the old covenant. While containing timeless spiritual wisdom, the law finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, not an expanded code or novel revelation.
As Christians, we revere the law for what it teaches us about God, sin and righteousness. We praise God for the prophets who pointed to salvation through Christ. But we ground our faith in the gospel and new covenant Scriptures given to guide Christ’s church (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Conclusion
When the Bible refers to “the law and the prophets”, it is specifically pointing to the Old Testament scriptures. More precisely, it references the two major divisions of the Hebrew Bible – the Law/Torah and the Prophets/Nevi’im.
The law provided Israel with God’s instructions for righteous living and worship. The prophets called the nation back to covenant faithfulness and prophesied the coming redemption through the Messiah.
Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law through his sinless life. He also accomplished everything prophecied about the Messiah through his atoning death and resurrection. This brought the old covenant era to completion and inaugurated the new covenant of salvation by grace through faith.
While containing timeless principles, Christians are no longer bound to keep the law and prophets as binding legal codes. But we revere them as God’s revelation that points to Christ, in whom the definitive fulfillment is found.
The completed canon of Scripture contains everything we need for salvation, godliness and obedience to Christ. The law and prophets bear witness to Jesus and the new covenant that supersedes the old. We do not seek additional revelation or prophecies, but ground our faith in Christ’s finished work.