But Israel had not perceived the spiritual nature of the law, and too often their professed obedience was but an observance of forms and ceremonies, rather than a surrender of the heart to the sovereignty of love. As Jesus in His character and work represented to men the holy, benevolent, and paternal attributes of God, and presented the worthlessness of mere ceremonial obedience, the Jewish leaders did not receive or understand His words. They thought that He dwelt too lightly upon the requirements of the law; and when He set before them the very truths that were the soul of their divinely appointed service, they, looking only at the external, accused Him of seeking to overthrow it.

På bjerget blev Jesus nøje overvåget af spioner, og under udfoldelse af retfærdighedens principper lod farisæere hviske rundt omkring, at hans lære var i strid med de påbud, Gud havde forkyndt på Sinaj. Frelseren udtalte intet, der kunne svække troen på den religion og de forordninger, der blev givet ved Moses; for hver eneste stråle af guddommeligt lys, som Israels store fører havde meddelt sit folk, stammede fra Kristus. Mens mange siger i deres hjerter, at han er kommen for at bortskaffe loven, åbenbarer Jesus sin stilling til de guddommelige bud med ord, der ikke kan misforstås. »Tro ikke", sagde han, »at jeg er kommen for at nedbryde loven eller profeterne.«