Luke 16:17

Modern

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

Traditional

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Literal

But it is easier for the heaven and the earth to pass away than one stroke of a letter of the Law to fall.

Latin

Facilius est autem cælum et terram præterire, quam de lege unum apicem cadere.

Greek

English

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

This does not mean the Law has lost its power. The new covenant fulfilled the Old Testament laws and prophets, but the Law remains (however, compare Acts 15:23–29).
God will cause heaven and earth to pass away and replace them with a new heaven and earth at the end of the age (Revelation 21:1). But God's word lasts forever (Psalm 119:89, 160; Isaiah 40:8; 55:10–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Matthew 5:18
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
1 Peter 1:25
…but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Romans 3:31
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
Psalm 102:25–27
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”