* **The law and the prophets** - This refers to all of God's word that had been written up to that time.
* **John came** - This could be translated as "John the Baptist came and preached."
* **the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached** - This could also be translated as "we are teaching people about the gospel of the kingdom of God."
* **everyone tries to force their way into it** - This could be translated as “many people are doing everything they can to enter it.” This refers to the people who were listening to and accepting the teaching of Jesus.
* **it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for** - “just as you know that heaven and earth cannot pass away, you can be sure that”
* **one stroke of a letter** - "the smallest part of a letter." This could also be translated as "the smallest detail of the law."
* **to become invalid** - "to be removed from the law"