Author: Holy Branches

Many of Jesus’s most well-known words have even more meaning than we initially understand. Many Christians wonder, “Did Jesus quote the Old Testament?” The answer is yes, dozens of times. He often quoted the Old Testament in his teachings, bringing its laws and lessons to the forefront of the Christian faith.

The Torah

The term Torah most commonly refers to the first five books of the Bible, Genesis through Deuteronomy, also known as the Books of Moses. Sometimes people use the word more broadly to refer to the entire Hebrew Scriptures (the Tanakh), though this is technically a different collection of books. In Jewish tradition, Torah can also refer to both the Written Torah (the first five books) and the Oral Torah, the body of rabbinic teachings passed down alongside the written text. In this article, we’ll focus specifically on the times Jesus quoted the Written Torah, though He also frequently quoted and referred to the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Some believe that the Old Testament no longer plays an important role in the Christian life. Proponents of this way of thinking argue that, because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and the resultant New Covenant, the Old Testament and its archaic commands and stories no longer influence our faith. I couldn’t disagree more with this way of thinking! This does not mean that believers are saved by keeping the Law. Rather, the Torah continues to reveal God’s character, His wisdom, and His instructions for holy living. God’s Word makes clear in both the New and the Old Testaments that the Old Testament is indeed quite relevant to our Christian walk when it says the following:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

Jesus and the Torah

But more importantly, our Savior Jesus himself saw the importance of the Torah. He told us specifically that he didn’t come to abolish the Law (Matt. 5:17) and that it’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away than even one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail (Luke 16:17). 

He not only directly told us of the value of God’s Laws, He quoted the Torah, where we find these Laws, a LOT. Most of his well-known quotes are either direct quotes from the Old Testament or are references to verses throughout it. He knew that much of his audience was of Jewish heritage, like himself, and that they knew the scriptures very, very well. As Gentile Christians, we are sometimes confused by his Old Testament references, but his Jewish audience would have understood completely what he was referencing and why – even though some of them disagreed and thought him blasphemous.

But Jesus didn’t just include references from the Old Testament in his teachings for the audience present at the time; he included them for us, too! He knew that his words would be recorded and read for millennia, and he said exactly what he knew all of us would need to hear. This happened more times than I’m able to list here, but below are just a few of the times Jesus refers to the Torah to make his point.

The Greatest Commandment

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘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 foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40 and Mark 12:28-31)

Judaism traditionally has 613 laws, and in this situation, Jesus’ Jewish audience tested him to see if he knew the correct answer to their question. Of course, he did, and he quoted what’s known as the Shema from the book of Deuteronomy.

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut. 6:4-5)

He also adds the second most important commandment from Leviticus.

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. (Lev. 19:18)

During the Sermon on the Mount

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes some well-known parts of the Torah and extends obedience to them even further. He encourages his audience to not only do the minimum to obey these commands but to really take the commands to heart and not even come close to disobeying them.

In reference to the command not to murder in Exodus 20:13, Jesus says:

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matt. 5:21-22)

Yikes! That’s convicting to pretty much all of us. But he goes on from there to cover more of the commandments given in Exodus.

“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. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matt. 5:27-30)

Then, he refers to a command in Deuteronomy (24:1) that deals with fair divorce and provisions for women when a man leaves her. He extends the divorce requirement from mere obedience to a heart matter when he points out that a man can’t leave his wife just on a whim or because he’s lost interest in her.

“It was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Matt 5:31-32)

When Tempted

During the 40 days that Satan was tempting Jesus, Jesus rebuked Satan when he twisted God’s words to try to trip Jesus up and cause him to sin. His responses remind himself, Satan, and us what God really said and where Jesus’s allegiance lies.

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” (Matt. 4:3-4 and Luke 4:3-4)

Here, Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 8:3, which says, “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”

Then Jesus uses words from the Torah to again refute Satan.

Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You’;

and

‘On their hands they will bear You up,

So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'”

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'” (Matt. 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-12)

 Jesus’s response points to Deuteronomy 6:16, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'” (Matt. 4:8-10 and Luke 4:5-8)

During this last test, Jesus once again takes a command from the Torah and holds it up against Satan’s temptation. This one comes from Deuteronomy 6, also. This time, it’s from verse 13. It says, “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.”

Jesus quoted the Torah because it reveals the heart and character of God. From answering questions about the greatest commandment to resisting Satan in the wilderness, He continually pointed people back to the Scriptures they already had. He didn’t treat the Torah as outdated or irrelevant. He used it to teach truth, correct error, and call people to faithful obedience.

As followers of Jesus, we should treasure the same Scriptures He treasured. The more we understand the Torah, the more clearly we understand His teachings, His mission, and the rich biblical foundation of our faith. If you’ve never taken the time to study the Torah for yourself, there is no better place to begin than with the words of the One who quoted it so often.

As Believers, we value the words of the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. We know the Old Testament Law points us to God’s holiness and our need for a Savior, and it’s fascinating to see how the Apostle Paul, discussed it in his writings. Some might think Paul was all about ditching the law for grace. He emphasized we’re saved by faith in Christ alone, but he also had a deep respect for the Old Testament Law. In fact, he often upheld it as good, holy, and even something we establish through our faith.

I want to walk you through some key passages from Paul’s writings where he supports and affirms Old Testament Law. We’ll stick to his authenticated letters (like Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, 1&2 Timothy, and Titus). The verses are listed below but, as with everything in the Bible, make sure to take some time and read these verses in context to gain a much clearer understanding of what Paul intended to convey in his writings.

Romans: The Law as Holy and Established by Faith

Paul’s letter to the Romans is a theological masterpiece, written in midrashic style, typical for his time and Pharisaic training, and he spends a good chunk of it discussing the Law. He makes it clear that faith doesn’t cancel out the Law; it actually confirms it. Here are example verses:

• Romans 3:31: “Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the law.” Here, Paul is adamant—faith in Jesus doesn’t make the law irrelevant. Instead, it upholds and fulfills its purpose, showing us our sin and leading us to Christ.
• Romans 7:7: “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the law; for I would not have known about coveting if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'” Paul quotes directly from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17) to illustrate how the law reveals sin, which is a good thing because it drives us to repentance.
• Romans 7:12: “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Straightforward praise here—Paul calls the law holy! He sees it as reflecting God’s perfect character.
• Romans 7:14: “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” The law isn’t the problem; our sinful nature is. Paul affirms the law’s spiritual depth.
• Romans 7:22: “For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man.” Deep down, Paul delights in God’s law, echoing the psalmist’s love for it (like in Psalm 119).
• Romans 13:8-10: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Paul quotes multiple commandments (from Exodus 20 and Leviticus 19:18) and ties them to love, showing how the moral heart of the law endures.

1 Corinthians: Keeping God’s Commandments Matters

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses practical church issues but still nods to the law’s importance.

• 1 Corinthians 7:19: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.” Even amid debates about Jewish customs, Paul prioritizes obeying God’s commands, rooting this in the Old Testament’s moral framework.
• 1 Corinthians 9:8-9: “Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or does not the law also say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.’ God is not concerned about oxen, is He?” Quoting Deuteronomy 25:4, Paul uses the law to support fair treatment of workers, applying it broadly.

Galatians: Fulfilling the Law Through Love

Galatians, also written in typical midrashic style, is where Paul fights hard against legalism, but even here, he doesn’t trash the Law. He shows how it’s fulfilled in Christ.

• Galatians 5:14: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Another nod to Leviticus 19:18, emphasizing love as the law’s essence.
• Galatians 5:23: Speaking of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), Paul adds, “against such things there is no law.” In other words, living by the Spirit aligns perfectly with the Law’s righteousness.
• Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” While this points to Jesus’ teachings, it builds on the Old Testament’s call to love and community, showing continuity.

Ephesians: Honoring Specific Commandments

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is full of practical advice for Christian living, including direct quotes from the Law.

• Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” Straight from Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, Paul upholds this commandment and its promise, applying it to Believers.

1 Timothy: The Law’s Proper Use

In guiding young Timothy, Paul clarifies the Law’s role without diminishing it.

• 1 Timothy 1:8: “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.” Paul affirms the Law’s goodness when applied correctly, not for justification, but for guiding righteous living and exposing wrongdoing (verses 9-10 list sins echoing the commandments).

Wrapping It Up: Paul’s Balanced View

Isn’t it encouraging to see how Paul weaves Old Testament Law into his teachings? He never pits grace against the Law; instead, he shows how faith in Jesus fulfills its deepest intent. The Law reveals God’s standards, convicts us of sin, and points to the Savior who perfectly kept it on our behalf. As we walk in the Spirit, we naturally live out its moral principles through love.

Although we’re often taught that the Old Testament upholds God’s Law and the New Testament says it no longer applies, we can see from the verses above that Paul’s writings don’t contradict the positive view of the Law in the Old Testament. Neither do Jesus’s teachings on the Law. For further reading on this subject, see Does Old Testament Law Apply to Christians?

Part of the Grafted In Bible Study Series

What if the Sabbath is more than a command… but a gift?

The Sabbath is one of the most talked about—and often misunderstood—parts of Scripture. Some see it as outdated. Others as essential. But what does the Bible actually say?

The Blessing of the Seventh Day invites you to explore the Sabbath through the lens of all of Scripture—from creation to covenant, from the words of the prophets to the life and teachings of Jesus. Rather than relying on tradition or assumption, this study guides you back to the Word of God to discover His heart for this set-apart day.

Through eight weeks of Scripture-based discovery, you will:

• Trace the Sabbath from Genesis to the New Testament
• Explore its role as a sign of God’s covenant
• Examine what Jesus taught about the Sabbath
• Consider what it means to be “grafted in” to God’s promises

Whether you are new to this topic or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this study is designed to help you engage deeply with Scripture and respond in faith.

This is not about legalism or earning salvation.
It’s about rediscovering a rhythm God created for your good.

Come and see the Sabbath not as a burden—
but as a blessing.

Part of the Grafted In Bible Study Series.

Click here for the instant file download.

Many Christians are taught that Jesus came to move God’s people away from the Law. Yet when we read the Gospels carefully, an unexpected pattern emerges: Jesus repeatedly affirms God’s commandments, assumes their ongoing validity, and calls His followers to obedience rooted in love.

This article gathers Jesus’ own words, across all four Gospels, where He speaks in support of God’s Law, righteousness, and commandments, not as a means of earning salvation, but as the faithful expression of life in God’s kingdom.

Obedience and Eternal Life

(Matthew 19:16–17)

A man approaches Jesus with the most important question anyone can ask:

“Teacher, what good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life?”

Jesus’ response is direct and striking:

“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
– Matthew 19:17

Jesus does not dismiss the question, nor does He say the commandments no longer matter. Instead, He affirms them as relevant to life with God. He then proceeds to quote specific commandments from the Torah, treating them as authoritative.

“I Did Not Come to Abolish the Law”

(Matthew 5:17–20)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the Law explicitly:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
– Matthew 5:17

He immediately adds:

“Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law.”

Rather than minimizing obedience, Jesus warns against relaxing even the least commandment and ties faithfulness to status within the kingdom:

“Whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19)

Jesus then deepens the Law, moving from outward actions to heart-level obedience, demonstrating that fulfillment means living it fully, not setting it aside.

Righteousness as Kingdom Living

(Matthew 5:6, 10, 20)

Jesus repeatedly blesses righteousness:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
– Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.”
– Matthew 5:10

He even warns that entry into the kingdom requires a righteousness that surpasses mere external observance (Matt. 5:20) – not less obedience, but truer obedience.

In Scripture, righteousness is inseparable from living according to God’s instruction.

Lawlessness and Final Judgment

(Matthew 7:21–23)

Jesus offers one of His most sobering warnings:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father.”

He concludes:

“Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
– Matthew 7:23

Notably, those rejected are religiously active and verbally devoted. Their failure is not belief, but lawlessness – living without regard for God’s will.

Love for God Defined by Obedience

(John 14–15)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly defines love in covenantal terms:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
– John 14:15

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.”
– John 14:21

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments.”
– John 15:10

Jesus presents obedience not as legalism, but as the natural expression of love—modeled after His own obedience to the Father.

The Greatest Commandments Come from the Torah

(Matthew 22:37–40)

When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus quotes directly from the Law:

“You shall love the Lord your God…”
– Deuteronomy 6:4–5

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Leviticus 19:18

Jesus then concludes:

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
– Matthew 22:40

Love is not presented as a replacement for the Law, but as its summary and foundation. “Love God and love people” are not commands given to replace the Law but as a summary of God’s Laws, fully dependent on and not functioning outside of the Laws as they were originally given.

Mercy, Justice, and the Weightier Matters of the Law

(Matthew 23:23)

When rebuking the Pharisees, Jesus does not criticize obedience itself, but imbalance:

“You have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
– Matthew 23:23

This is one of Jesus’ clearest affirmations of the Law. He explicitly says the commandments should be practiced – rightly, not hypocritically.

Jesus Lived in Obedience to the Law

Jesus consistently presents Himself as obedient to the Father:

“I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
– John 8:29

“I have kept My Father’s commandments.”
– John 15:10

He celebrates the Passover (Mark 14:12), attends synagogue regularly (Luke 4:16), and teaches from the Law as authoritative Scripture.

A Final Reflection

Jesus never speaks of God’s Law as obsolete, burdensome, or irrelevant. Instead, He:

• affirms it
• teaches it
• deepens it
• lives it

He warns against lawlessness, praises righteousness, and defines love in terms of obedience.

This does not contradict salvation by grace. It clarifies what grace produces.

As Jesus Himself says:

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
— Luke 6:46

Grace does not lead away from obedience—it leads us into faithful, transformed obedience, empowered by the Spirit and rooted in love for God.

For more about Christians and the Law, read Does Old testament Law Apply to Christians? and Paul’s Affirmation of the Old Testament Law: Insights from His Letters