Since I got born again, I have always strived to live a life that pleases God. One of the things that guide me to achieve this is following Jesus’ teachings.
Since I am passionate about the Christian faith, I wanted to instill this principle in my kids and started teaching them about what Jesus taught. I remember my 8-year-old son asking me, “What are Jesus’ commandments?”
Jesus’ commandments are mainly about love. According to John 15:12-13, the Bible implies that Jesus’ new commandment is we love one another just like he loved us and gave his life for us. Also, in Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus gave two commandments of loving God and neighbors as the greatest commandments of all.
In this article, I will shed light on whether Jesus’ commandments uphold the Old Testament commandments. Join me in this exploration to find out the commandments that Jesus gave in the New Testament and much more!
Do Jesus’ commandments uphold the Old Testament commandments?
Jesus’ commandments are a summary of the Old Testament commandments. Jesus gave the two most outstanding commands of love of God and one’s neighbor.
These two commandments uphold the Old Testament Commandments since, according to 1 John 5:3, the Bible implies that the love of God is keeping and obeying his commandments which are the Ten Commandments. The verse says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Many believe that Jesus gave his commandments to replace the ten commandments in the Old Testament though that is not the case.
According to Matthew 5:17, the Bible states, “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.”
From this verse, we learn that Jesus came to emphasize the law of the prophets, which is the Law of Moses. The Law of Moses is the Ten Commandments.
He did not come to replace the commandments of God but to show how they can be fulfilled.
Also, according to Mark 10:17-19, the Bible suggests that a young man went to Jesus and asked him what he was supposed to do so that he could inherit the kingdom of God, and Jesus told him to follow the Ten Commandments.
Jesus even mentioned some of the commandments that were given in the Old Testament. It shows that Jesus was perpetuating the Old Testament Commandments.
He assured the young man that he would inherit the Kingdom of God if he followed the Ten Commandments.
However, some commandments that Jesus gave contradict the commandments in the Old Testament. The Bible suggests that in the Old Testament, it is said that whoever divorces his wife should give her a certificate.
In Mathew 5:31-32, the bible says, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
However, Jesus says that whoever divorces a woman except for sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Also, in Matthew 5:43-48, the Bible implies that it was said to love your neighbor and hate your enemies, but Jesus says that one should love and pray for their enemies. Jesus changes some of the commandments in the Old Testament and gives new ones so Christians can lead righteous life.
How many commandments did Jesus give?
Jesus is believed to have given more than 40 commandments. However, he gave two significant commandments. According to Mathew 22:36-40, the Bible implies that Jesus gave His first and second commandments about love for God and neighbor.
Jesus gave many commandments to both the people of God and his disciples. He gave his disciples the commandments to continue to teach his teachings to the people of God after his death.
As for God’s people, he gave them his commandments so that they could follow them and inherit the kingdom of God.
Throughout the teaching of Jesus, he mentioned some of the commandments that Christians should keep and follow. Jesus taught the things that Christians can and cannot do.
He even mentioned some of the commandments of God in the Old Testament and said that one should follow them to inherit the Kingdom of God.
What is Jesus’ greatest commandment?
The greatest commandment of Jesus is love. Matthew 22:36-40 reads, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments depend on all the Law and the Prophets.”
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus by asking him questions they thought he could not answer. They both went to Jesus and asked him for the greatest commandment according to the law.
They both believed that Jesus would find one of the Ten Commandments Moses gave the Israelites in Exodus 20:2-17 and provide it as the greatest commandment.
However, Jesus gave a different commandment that implies loving God and one’s neighbor and said it was the greatest and first commandment in the law.
According to Matthew 22:34, the Bible implies that there is a reward for following the first and greatest commandment of Jesus. One scribe told Jesus that following this commandment of loving God and one’s neighbor was much better than burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Jesus was impressed with his wise words and told him in verse 34, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” From this conversation between Jesus and the scribe, Christians learn that following this commandment will enable them to get a reward which is the kingdom of God that we know from the Book of 2 Peter 1:11 that it is an eternal kingdom.
What are the commandments that Jesus gave in the New Testament?
Jesus gave many commandments that Christians should follow and keep. According to John 14:15, the Bible suggests that Jesus said one could show their love for Jesus by following his commandments.
The following are the commandments that Jesus gave in his teachings that Christians are expected to follow.
Love the Lord your God.
Matthew 22:37-38 reads, “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Love your Neighbor.
Matthew 22:39 states, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Do not swear.
Matthew 5:34-37 say, “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ for whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
Do not lust for another person.
Matthew 5:27-28 reads, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Do not Judge
Matthew 7:1 states, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”
Repent your sins.
Matthew 4:17 reads, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Love your enemies and pray for them
Matthew 5:44–46 says, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Do not be angry without a cause.
Matt 5:22-24 “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hellfire.”
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar.
Do not resist an evil person.
Matthew 5:39-42 reads, “But I say to you, do not resist the evil one. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you and does not refuse the one who would borrow from you.“
Seek first the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6:33 reads, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Ask, and it will be given.
Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Do unto others what you wish to be done to you.
Matthew 7:12 says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Enter using the narrow gate
Matthew 7:13-14 reads, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide, and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter by it. For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Partake the Holy Communion.
Matthew 26:26–28 says, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing, it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
References
The greatest commandment of Jesus
Jesus reciting the commandments in the Old Testament
Jesus came to fulfill the commandments in the Old Testament
The Commandments in the Old Testament
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
