The biblical phrase “not one jot and tittle” uses old, funny-sounding words to say something we must remember today. So, what do these words mean?
Which Bible Translation Says 'Not One Jot and Tittle…'?
The phrase “not one jot and tittle” can be found in the King James Bible translation.
While the phrase “not one jot and tittle” is well-known due to its use in the King James Version, other Bible translations convey a similar message using different wording. For instance, the New International Version (NIV) translates the verse as: “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.”
In both the KJV and other translations, the underlying message remains consistent: Jesus emphasizes God’s law has eternal validity and importance.
God’s word is powerful. When he speaks, light breaks into darkness, and life is created. He doesn’t speak randomly or waste a word. God is intentional with every thought and choice, and his every intention is goodness and righteousness.
Furthermore, God’s word doesn’t return void (Isaiah 55:11), which means his word won’t come to nothing. Since God doesn’t waste any effort or intention, even His Word’s smallest details will come to pass.
The phrase “not one jot and tittle” memorably highlights the unchanging nature of God’s Word and its enduring significance for believers.
What Is a Jot and What Is a Tittle?
A “jot” and a “tittle” convey the smallest details and strokes within written text, particularly about the Hebrew alphabet and script.
The term “jot” derives from the Greek word iota, the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. In the New Testament, the term “jot” represents the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet: yod. The yod is a tiny letter that appears as a simple vertical stroke or a dot in many Hebrew scripts. It’s often used as a prefix to words or as part of grammatical constructs. Despite its size, the “yod” carries significant linguistic and grammatical importance in Hebrew.
A “tittle” refers to a small distinguishing mark or stroke differentiating one Hebrew letter from another. In Hebrew script, many letters have similar shapes. The addition or absence of a tittle can change the letter’s sound and meaning. “Tittle” is used metaphorically to denote a written character’s smallest stroke or mark. It highlights the meticulous precision and attention to detail required in copying and transmitting sacred texts. Jesus’ use of the term “tittle” emphasizes preserving the law’s most minute details.
The phrase “not one jot and tittle” is a powerful way to express that even the smallest components of God’s law are essential and will remain unchanged and fulfilled. This teaching underscores divine principles are permanent and God’s commands never change.
The use of “jot” and “tittle” in Jesus’ teachings also reflects the cultural and linguistic context of the time. In a society where people meticulously copied texts by hand, each letter and stroke’s accuracy was vital to ensure the integrity of sacred writings. The Jewish scribes were responsible for transcribing the scriptures, and their attention to detail was paramount.
Furthermore, by using these terms, Jesus emphasizes that his teachings are not a departure from the established Law but fulfilling its purpose. He aligns his message with the authoritative foundation of the Hebrew scriptures.
The Meaning of Matthew 5:8 in Context
The phrase “not one jot and tittle will disappear” is found in the New Testament, in Jesus’ teachings. The context in which this statement appears underscores its significance in understanding Jesus’ teachings regarding the Law and its fulfillment.
The passage containing the phrase “not one jot and tittle will disappear” comes from 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.”
This declaration fits within the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus expounds on the Law’s nature and meaning for his followers. In this verse, Jesus conveys the unchanging and eternal nature of God’s law, emphasizing that not even the smallest detail will be voided until all the Law stands for has been fulfilled.
The overarching message behind the phrase “not one jot and tittle will disappear” is that Jesus affirms the authority and perpetuity of the God-given Law. He presents himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, showing that he came not to abolish but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus brought a New Covenant, a revolutionary way to deal with God. The New Covenant included a different understanding of many of the old Jewish traditions God had given. Jesus didn’t want people to conclude he meant the Old Covenant was being dismissed. On the contrary, the Old Covenant was being fulfilled, expanded, transformed, and not destroyed.
This statement reflects Jesus’ intention to emphasize the Law’s lasting significance and the continuity between the Old Testament and his teachings. He connects his teachings to the Law’s foundation and underscores that they belong to a larger divine plan.
"Not One Jot and Tittle" Mean about the Old Testament
Scholars have spent much time debating the phrase “not one jot and tittle will disappear from the law.” People particularly discuss how it applies to Old Testament laws (such as dietary laws) and their place in modern Christian life. Understanding the context and principles behind this statement can provide insights into how these laws are viewed within Christianity.
Different Christian traditions interpret this statement in different ways. One key principle in interpreting Old Testament laws’ role today appears in Jesus’ summary of the Law itself: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). This “Great Commandment” is central to Jesus’s teachings and serves as a guiding principle for when to apply Old Testament laws.
Further, Jesus teaches during the Sermon on the Mount that he didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20). To understand this statement, we first look at the word fulfill. Jesus uses the Greek word ginomai, which means to come to pass, happen, and be born. Strong’s Concordance says it is sometimes used in Hebrew narratives to begin a new paragraph or section.
In other words, Jesus says he didn’t come to do away with the Law but to transform it into something new for it to be new. The Law will be born again, as it were.
Jesus reveals his meaning through the Sermon on the Mount. “You heard it said not to kill, but I say don’t hate. You’ve heard it said don’t commit adultery, but I say don’t lust.” The Old Testament gave an external view and commanded not to kill or commit adultery. However, the root of murder is hate. The root of adultery is lust.
The New Covenant deals with a new heart, renewing and empowering us to follow the ways of the kingdom. Dealing with the evil of our hearts will change our behavior.
Regarding dietary laws, many Christians interpret Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law as releasing them from the Old Testament’s ceremonial aspects, including dietary restrictions. In Acts 10:9-15, the Apostle Peter receives a vision from God, demonstrating that dietary restrictions are no longer to be observed. Jesus’ teaching further supports an important point: what comes from people’s hearts defiles people, not what comes from their mouths (Matthew 15:11).
The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the early Christian communities, further elaborates on the relationship between the Law and faith in Christ. In Romans and Galatians, Paul discusses how salvation comes through faith in Christ rather than adherence to the Law. He distinguishes between timeless moral principles and ceremonial practices fulfilled in Christ.
What Does This Mean to Christians Today?
With all this in mind, there is a significant danger in taking God’s word and dismissing or marginalizing parts we don’t like.
When we treat one of God’s commands as optional, we undermine the security in all of his Word. Just as changing the jot or tittle in Hebrew changes the word’s whole meaning or pronunciation, one dismissal dismisses all of God’s truths. God’s Word and Truth emanate from him as a person, and they have integrity. All individual truths are interconnected as one complete Truth. Undermining one undermines them all.
Generally, we start compromising on God’s commands to accommodate cultural changes or societal pressure. Christians often get demonized if we begin to teach something different than our time’s prevailing or popular notions. This has happened throughout history. Yet, lying to people about God’s truth is not progressive. God’s truth is designed to save, to protect, to warn. To undermine that isn’t love.
It’s not love to accept racism as okay. It’s not love to accept oppression in the name of capitalism. It’s not love to accept adultery and other sexual sin in the name of progressivism.
Two final notes. First, the idea behind “every jot and tittle” also means every person matters. God cares about everyone, regardless of their social standing, talent, strength, or weakness. All are important to God, from the unborn to the kings and leaders of nations. All have value to him. To devalue one life is to devalue all life, no matter the reason.
Finally, this phrase also means that if we move and act within God’s Spirit and his ways, nothing of our lives is wasted. We have hope that nothing we give to God, despite the outcome in this world, will be wasted or cast aside. God gives eternal worth to even the seemingly insignificant moments done in relationship with him. In Christ and his purpose, all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Further Reading:
Is God the Same in the Old and New Testaments?
5 Reasons We Still Need the Old Testament Today
Do Christians Need Both Testaments of the Bible?
What Is the Law, and Does it Have Purpose for Us Today?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Mara Fribus
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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