Did Jesus' answer to the Pharisees put him on record equivalent to making it a legal command? A command is a lawful order given by an authority. In scripture it is an "ordinance of God" (Ro 1:32). Laws are legislated and rules are either followed or broken with consequences. The purpose is that "the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us" (Ro 8:4). A requirement is what has been established as to have legal standing. In Abraham's case God said "Abraham obeyed Me and kept my charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws" (Ge 26:5). In Zacharias and Elizabeth's case "they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord" (Lk 1:6).

Do commands in the New Testament have a "do it this way or else" connotation? Paul categorized his teaching as "instruction as to how you ought to walk" (1Th 4:1). In the following verse he defined it as "commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus." In 1 Corinthians 7:10 he said "I give instructions, not I, but the Lord." The seriousness of it is shown by Jesus saying "'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (Jn 14:15). It's not that we are ignorant of them because we "know the commandments" (Lk 18:20). The crux of the matter is whoever does not keep them has not come to know God (1Jn 2:3-4).

God had established the commandments in the Old Testament for Israel's good (Dt 10:13). Included in the requirements were offerings to atone for the sin of violating them (Nu 15:22-31). "The first covenant had regulations" (Heb 9:1) and blood was offered "for the sins the people had committed in ignorance" (:7). It sounds as though our obligations are just as demanding as those of the Old Covenant. All those who hope in salvation keep God's commandments (Ps 119:166). So when Jesus answered the Pharisees it seems that he was just reaffirming what everyone already knew. But there is a difference. In Ephesians 2:15 there is a change of direction. "By abolishing in his flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances . . . [Jesus makes] the two into one new man, thus establishing peace." "Now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets" (Ro 3:21). They are fulfilled in Jesus because salvation history culminates in his messianic appearance. Perhaps the Pharisees were expecting leniency from Jesus when they asked their question. We are only human, for Paul says "I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate" (Ro 7:15). However, many of today's Christians expect leniency and quote "you are not under law, but under grace" (Ro 6:14). We are covered by "the Spirit of grace" (Heb 10:29). However, if we know what we are considering would be sinful then we should not do it knowing that grace would cover us (Ro 6:1).