To the righteous jews of the day, it seemed like Jesus’ ministry was relaxing or undermining the covenantal laws that they had been living with for generations. But Jesus had quite the opposite intention. Instead of relaxing the law, he wanted to reestablish what the true heart and obedience of the law.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20