Let’s talk about something that’s easy to misunderstand: Was Jesus Christ born under the law? And what does that even mean for us today? You might have heard people say, “Jesus kept the law, but we don’t have to—He did it all for us.” Well… that’s actually not true, and understanding why is super important if we want to truly follow Him.
What “Under the Law” Really Means
When the Bible talks about being “under the law,” it’s not just about following a bunch of rules. Paul explains it clearly in Romans: being under the law means being under condemnation. Everyone who has ever lived—except Jesus—has broken the law and is guilty of sin. The law points out our mistakes, and if we break it, we’re under judgment. That’s why Jesus’ life is so unique.
Some people quote Galatians 4:4 to say Jesus was “born under the law.” On the surface, it sounds like He was bound by all the Old Testament rules—circumcision, sacrifices, rituals, and traditions. But that’s not what Paul meant. The word “born” there is better understood as “made to be” or “brought into being.” The verse is really saying: Jesus came as a human—flesh and blood—just like every other person, but without sin.
He wasn’t born guilty. He wasn’t born under the condemnation of the law. He didn’t need to perform the Old Covenant sacrifices or rituals. Those rules were meant for Israel to remind them of their need for a Savior. Jesus, the Savior, didn’t need them.
So Why Did He Appear to Follow Some Rules?
You might point out: “Wait, didn’t His parents have Him circumcised? Didn’t He go to the temple for festivals?” True—but here’s the key: Jesus wasn’t doing these things for Himself. His parents were following the Jewish customs, and He was just a baby—He wasn’t making a choice. Later, when He went to the temple, it was often to teach, not to fulfill ritual obligations.
Even His baptism? He didn’t need it—He had never sinned. He did it to set an example for us. Every part of His life is meant to show us how we should live, not give us excuses to do less.
The Big Lie
Here’s where things get tricky. Some people teach that because Jesus “did it all for us,” we don’t need to live like Him. But the Bible says the opposite. True Christianity is about following Christ in every detail, letting His life be lived in us through the Holy Spirit. John warns us that anyone who teaches otherwise is following the spirit of antichrist (I John 4:2-3).
Jesus didn’t just die so we could skip the hard parts. He lived perfectly so we could imitate Him. He showed us how to obey God, keep the Sabbath, honor holy days, and live a sinless life—so that with the Holy Spirit, we can do the same.
Why This Matters
If we misunderstand Jesus’ life and think we don’t need to follow Him, we’re missing the point of being His disciple. Being a Christian isn’t about coasting on what He did—it’s about walking in His footsteps, letting Him guide every part of our lives.
So remember: Jesus was not born under the law. He never sinned. Everything He did was perfect, and everything He did is meant to be our example. Don’t fall for the teaching that says, “He did it all, so you don’t have to.” That’s a lie. If we want to truly follow Christ, we must do as He did—every part of the way.
