What Does It Mean? Jot and Tittle

"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." Matthew 5:18

A "jot" is an "iote" (found in early King James Version editions), "iota," "ἰ," the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and similar to the י
"yodh," the smallest Hebrew letter.  Think of the English apostrophe ('); something considered to be almost insignificant.

A "tittle"is a horn shaped mark used in Hebrew as an accent mark.  The Greek word used is κεραία, a "horn."


Jesus here declared that the Mosaic Law is still in effect and will not pass away, even in its smallest parts, until the fulfillment of time.     If a person kept the entire law, with never a single lapse, they would be saved, but, all have sinned and fallen short.  (Romans 3:23)  "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

The Law is in fact a gift from God which points us toward God's grace. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9