Matthew 5:18

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For it is true when I say, not one little letter or even a portion of a letter will be removed from the Law of Moses until everything is accomplished [that is required by them]. [When that happens, then] heaven and earth will pass away [i.e., be destroyed. See II Peter 3:12].

Cross References

Luke 16:17

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away [i.e., to be destroyed. See II Pet. 3:3], than for one portion of a letter of the Law of Moses to be dropped.

1 Peter 1:25

But the word of the Lord continues to live on and on [forever]. And this word is the good news that was preached to you people.

Mark 13:30

Truly I tell you, the people of this generation will not [all] die off before all these things [i.e., mentioned above] happen.

Revelation 20:11

Then I saw a great [i.e., huge], white throne and Him who was seated on it [i.e., probably Christ]. Earth and heaven fled from His presence and they were not found anywhere [again].

John 5:19

So, Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son [of God] cannot do anything on His own [i.e., independently of the Father]; but [He does] what He sees His Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does as well.

Matthew 17:20

He answered them, “[It was] because you had such little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith as [small as] a mustard tree seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to that place over there’ and it would move. And nothing will be impossible for you [to do].”

Matthew 16:28

It is true when I tell you; some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”

Matthew 13:17

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people have desired to see the things you are seeing, but did not get to. They desired to hear the things you are hearing, but did not get to.

Matthew 10:23

When they persecute you in one town, run to the next one, for it is true when I tell you, you will not have traveled through [all] the towns of the Israelites until the Son of man comes [i.e., in His kingdom].

Matthew 6:2

“Therefore, when you give money to help poor people, do not blow a trumpet in front of you [i.e., to call attention to it] as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets. They do this in order to win praise from people. It is true when I say to you; they have [already] received their reward.

Matthew 5:26

It is true when I say to you; you will not be released from there until you have paid the last coin. [Note: The coin mentioned here amounted to about ten minutes’ worth of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $1.50 in 2005].

John 21:18

Truly, truly, I tell you [Peter], when you were young you used to fasten your belt around you [i.e., to get ready] and travel wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you [away] to where you do not want to go.”

John 16:23

At that time [i.e., after my resurrection], you will not be asking me [for] anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything [then], in my name [i.e., by my authority], He will give it to you.

John 16:20

Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection].

John 14:12

Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes in me will perform the deeds that I do also; and he will perform even greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. [Note: The “greater deeds” are probably evangelizing the world].

John 13:38

Jesus answered him; “Will you [really] die for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times.”

John 13:16

Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater [in importance] than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him.

John 12:24

Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat drops into the soil and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, [then] it will produce many grains.

John 10:7

So, Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep [i.e., to enter the corral].

John 10:1

“Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who does not enter the sheep corral through the gate, but climbs over another way [i.e., over the fence], is a thief and a robber. [Note: “Thief” suggests quiet subtlety, while “robber” suggests open aggression].

John 8:58

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.” [Note: The words “I am” were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14].

John 8:51

Truly, truly, I tell you, if a person obeys my message, he will never die [i.e., spiritually].”

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.

John 6:53

So, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to “body” and “blood” throughout this section probably allude to taking Jesus’ life and teaching into one’s heart. See verse 56].

John 6:47

Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes [in me] has never ending life [See note on 5:24].

John 6:32

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not [really] Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who is [now] giving you the real bread from heaven.

John 6:26

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you people are looking for me because you got to eat the loaves of bread and were satisfied and not because you saw [miraculous] signs [See verse 14].

John 3:11

Truly, truly, I tell you, we [i.e., Jesus and His disciples] speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony.

John 3:5

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.

John 3:3

Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above.” [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth].

John 1:51

Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up [from] and coming down on the Son of man” [i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus’ needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43].

Luke 23:43

Then Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise [Note: This is a place in God’s presence, referred to as “the third heaven” (II Cor. 12:2-4), and where overcomers will be able to eat from “the tree of life” (Rev. 2:7)]. ”

Luke 18:29

And Jesus said to the disciples, “Truly I tell you, there is no person who has left his house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord],

Luke 18:17

Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God the way a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.”

Luke 13:35

Look, your house [i.e., the Jewish Temple] is being abandoned [by me (?)]. You will not see me until [the time when] you will be saying, ‘Praise the One who is coming in the name of the Lord.’”

Luke 12:37

Those slaves whom their master finds being watchful when he returns are [certainly] blessed. Truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt [i.e., get things ready] and have them recline [at his dinner table] and will come and serve them.

Luke 11:51

Yes, I tell you, this generation will be punished [for the death of the prophets], from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who died between the Altar and the sanctuary [i.e., in the Temple area]. [Note: This punishment began about 37 years later in the war with the Romans, when Jerusalem was destroyed].

Mark 14:30

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today, in fact this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny [knowing] me three times.”

Mark 14:25

Truly I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine [i.e., grape juice] any more until that day when I will drink it again [i.e., figuratively] in the kingdom of God.”

Mark 14:18

As they reclined at the table to eat, [Note: See Matt. 23:6] Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with me will turn me over [i.e., to the Jewish leaders].”

Mark 14:9

For truly I tell you, wherever the Gospel message will be preached throughout the whole world, what this woman has done [for me] will [also] be told about as a memorial of her [kindness to me].”

Mark 12:43

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has thrown in more than all the rest who are throwing [money] into the treasury.

Mark 11:23

Truly I tell you, whoever will say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the ocean’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he said will happen, he will have his request granted.

Mark 10:29

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, no one who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children or property for my sake and the Gospel’s sake [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord],

Mark 10:15

Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God as a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.”

Mark 9:41

Truly I tell you, whoever will give you [even] a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his [temporal or eternal] reward.

Mark 9:1

And Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some people standing here who will surely not experience death until they see that God’s kingdom has come in [a demonstration of] power.”

Mark 8:12

Then He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation of people look for a [supernatural] sign? Truly I tell you, there will not be any [supernatural] sign given to this generation.”

Mark 6:11

And the people from whatever place that does not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off from under your shoes as evidence against them.” [Note: This was a Jewish custom showing disdain and intended to suggest their unworthiness].

Mark 3:28

Truly I tell you, all of mankind’s sins and the abusive language that they use in speaking against God [and men] can be forgiven.

Matthew 25:45

Then the Lord will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, since you did not do it for one of these least [significant brothers of mine], you did not do it for me.’

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer them and say, ‘Truly I tell you, since you did all this for one of my least [significant] brothers, you did it for me.’

Matthew 25:12

But he answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’

Matthew 24:47

Truly I tell you, he will put that slave in charge of his entire estate.

Matthew 24:2

He responded to them by saying, “Do you see all these structures? Truly I tell you, there will not be one stone left on another here that will not be thrown down.”

Matthew 23:36

Truly I tell you, this generation will bear [the guilt for] all these things.

Matthew 21:31

Which of these two sons did what his father wanted?” They answered, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes [will] enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith, without doubting, you will not only [be able to] do what was done to this fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the ocean,’ it will happen.

Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God’s people].

Matthew 19:23

Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:18

Truly I tell you, whatever [truth] you disciples require [of people to believe and obey] on earth will have [already] been required [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people to believe and obey] on earth, will not have [already] been required [by God] in heaven.

Matthew 18:3

and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility].

Matthew 11:11

It is true when I tell you, among [all] those born of women, no one greater than John the Immerser has come along. Yet the least significant person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 10:42

Truly I tell you, whoever gives a mere drink of cold water to one of these least significant [disciples of mine] because he is a disciple, will certainly not lose his [temporal or eternal] reward.”

Matthew 10:15

It is true when I say to you, the districts around Sodom and Gomorrah [i.e., despite their gross sins] will be shown more leniency than that town on the Day of Judgment.

Matthew 8:10

And when Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those who were following [along], “It is true when I tell to you, I have never found [anyone with] such great faith, not [even] among the Israelites.

Matthew 6:16

“In addition, when you fast [i.e., go without food and/or drink for religious reasons], do not be like the hypocrites with long faces; for they go around with gloomy expressions on their faces in order to advertise that they are fasting. It is true when I say to you; these people have [already] received their reward.

Luke 4:24

And He said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his own home town.