Hermeneutics with Jim Leffel - Week 6 - Introduction to Gospels

Hermeneutics
with Jim Leffel

Week Six: Introduction to Gospels

Review and conclusions: interpreting the prophets

What is a gospel?

Theological narrative emphasizing the actions and teaching of Jesus

Purposeful, selective account (John 20:30, 31; Luke 1:1—4…)

High level structure of gospels

Chronological vs. thematic (a synoptic problem?)

See "the problem of apparent chronological contradictions…"

Chronological blocks with minor internal variation

Hermeneutical Principle #1: selection and arrangement of events and teachings fits into the broader argument of the gospel

Implication for interpreters: why is this pericope here?

Interplay of narrative and didactic "pericopes" (see Appendix A)

Parabolic acts of Christ as teaching devices

Hermeneutical Principle #2: actions of Jesus are to be understood as advancing his teaching ministry against the background of contemporary Judaism (note the importance of cultural/historical studies)

Implication for interpreters: first concern for exegesis is "why was this significant to Jesus’ original audience?"

Eating at Zaccheaus’ house showing "sinners" are included among God’s people (Lk. 19:1-6, cf. Lk. 18:9ff)

Talking to the Samaritan woman showing universality of God’s plan (Jn. 4:7-27)

Healings and miracles ("signs") as proof of the messianic kingdom (Mt. 11:4-6; Lk. 5:17-26)

Sermon on the mount—a new Moses for a new people of God (Mt. 5—7)

Recognizing structural clues

Implication for interpreters: flow of the gospel observed from authorial devices that advance drama and provide context for Jesus’ actions and teaching

Authorial comments: (see Appendix B)

Changes in audience, geography, time, subject

Audience change often represents a shift in subject

Geographic change is transition in text

Time change reflects transition: "then" "and when"…

Summary, transition, conclusion, introduction statements

Key insertions of summary statements help "block" pericopes into thematic units

E.g.: Mt. 4:23—25 summarizes Jesus’ early success, proof that God was truly with him

E.g.: Mt. 7:28—29 summarizes Jesus’ unique authority as a teacher

E.g.: Mt. 8:17 summarizes Jesus’ healings from 8:2—16

E.g.: Mt. 8:27 conclusion put in the mouth of disciples

Repetition provides continuity:

Event: healings, exorcisims, cleansings of temple …

Underscores Jesus’ authority at key moments of his ministry

Language: kingdom of God, fulfillment …

"Fulfillment" provides the general meaning around which events/teachings are framed

E.g.: Luke repetition of the divine necessity of Jesus’ death in fulfillment of God’s plan (Lk. 9:22; 13:33; 17:25; 22:37; 24:7, 26,27, 46… )

Every aspect of Jesus’ teaching/ministry relates to the Kingdom

Broad thematic concerns of gospels interpretation

A. Unique person and purpose of Jesus

Jesus as teacher

Jesus as rabbi (teacher): "Teacher" used 40 times in Gospels (Mt. 23:8; 10:24,25)

Implication for interpreters: Awareness of common rabbinical modes of communication is crucial for exegesis

Usually a single general point is made and the context is crucial in understanding that point. E.g.: Luke 18:25

Figure of Speech	Definition	Text
Overstatement/hyperbole	Exaggeration to make a point	Lk. 14:26; Mt. 5:29,30
Pun	Play on words	Mt. 23:23,24 (salma vs. samla) Jn. 3:8 (spirit and wind)
Simile	Comparison using like or as	Mt. 10:16; Mt. 12:40
Metaphor	Comparison not using like, as	Mk. 8:15
Proverb	Wise saying, aphorism	Mt. 6:21; Mt. 26:52
Riddle	Puzzling story with a deeper meaning	Mk. 14:58; Mt. 11:12
Paradox	Statement that seems contradictory, but isn’t	Mt. 5:1ff; Mt. 16:25
A fortiori	"how much more… "	Mt. 7:9—11; Mt. 10:25
Irony/sarcasm	Unexpected result	Mt. 16:2,3; Lk. 16:20
Question	"Who do you say that I am?" "Can a man have two masters?"	Mk. 8:27—32; Mk. 3:1—4; 9:50
Poetic parallelism	Repetition used to advance, contrast thought of first line	Mt. 7:7,8; Mk. 9:37; Lk. 16:10
Parable	Extended metaphor with single meaning, or allegory	Mt. 13; Lk. 15:4—10

Ex: Parables—Lk 15:4—10 (note narrative intro)

Jesus as prophet (Mk. 5:15; 8:28; 14:65; Lk. 7:16; Mt. 21:11, 46)

Prophetic signs and miracles (Lk. 17:16; Jn. 3:2)

Message inspired by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 12:18; Lk. 4:16-30)

Divine calling and message (Lk. 4:18; 10:21; Mt. 5:21 see Matt. 23—25)

Rejected like the prophets (Lk. 13:33-34;)

Unique authority of Jesus

"You have heard… but I say (Mt. 5:21,22; 27,28; 31,32; 33,34; 38,39; 43,44) See also Mt. 7:28, 29

Testimony of John the Baptist (Jn. 3:31-36)

"I AM" sayings in John 8, 10

Unique identity of Jesus

Deity

Direct claims ("I AM" sayings of John 8, 10)

Indirect evidence of divinity (Mark 2:1—13)

Attestation by the Holy Spirit after baptism, Moses, Elijah at mount of transfiguration

Davidic son

Messianic ministry

Qualifies to be messiah

Performs messianic signs

Cleansing the temple

Healings, exorcisms

Messianic secret/paradox

Luke 18:31—14 disciples did not understand (Mk. 9:32…)

B. Fulfillment of Old Testament

"fulfill" (pleroo): Mt. 5:17; Lk. 18:31—33; 24:44

A unique problem for interpretation

Mt. 2:15 cf. Hosea 11:1

Principles for interpreting Old Testament citations in the New

Use of OT language and citations as a vehicle of expression

Allusion expresses a similar thought or draws analogy to a similar situation

Mk. 14:34 cf. Ps. 42, 43

Application or accommodation of an Old Testament principle

Principle relates to a situation not envisioned by the original author

1 Cor. 9:9 cf. Deut. 25:4

1 Cor. 10:26 cf. Ps. 24:1

Old Testament text cited to represent opponents’ view and often given more central meaning

Mt. 5:21,22; 27,28; 31,32; 33,34; 38,39; 43,44

Direct fulfillment in which events or prophecies recorded in the New Testament fulfill the clear intended meaning of the Old Testament author

Lk. 4:18 cf. Is. 61:1,2

Matt. 8:17; Lk. 22:37 cf. Isaiah 53

Ac. 2:17 ff. cf. Joel 2:28-32

Fulfillment of Old Testament passages not immediately tied to the explicit historical intent of the OT author, but which implicitly means what the New Testament interprets. See 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Motif: Themes carried through the Old Testament and into the New Testament, fulfilled by Christ or others—NT authors employ the OT prophetic hermeneutic of history

Example: "seed" (cf. Genealogy, birth…)

Example: "out of Egypt"

Example: Last Supper (cf. Passover)

Note: Read Matthew 1—5:1 with "Israel motif" in view

Apostolic authority and the limits of interpretation

Implication for interpreters: crucial to determine how the Old Testament text is being used or "fulfilled" by New Testament authors

C. Kingdom of God

Note frequent usage of "kingdom" or "kingdom of God" in the gospels

See handout

Kingdom of God and Old Testament prophetic hope

Technical expression "kingdom of God" is not in the OT

The crucial elements of Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom are rooted in OT:

God is King over his people (Exod. 15:18; Num. 23:21; Is. 43:15; 2 Sam. 8)

At Sinai (Ps. 68:7,8; Deut 33:2,5…)

God’s rule includes his protection (Ps. 18:7—15)

"Day of the Lord" is God’s visitation on the peoples when he establishes his rule (Joel 2,3; …)

God is the earth’s King (2 Kgs. 19:15; Is. 6:5; Jer. 46:18), yet in a unique way, will become the future king of the earth (Is. 24:23; 33:22; 52:7; Zeph. 3:15; Zech. 14:9)

The "malkuth" or rule of God is all over the OT (Ps. 145:11, 13; Ps. 103:19…)

God’s rule is David’s rule (1 Chron. 28:5; 2 Chron. 9:8; 13:8; Ezek. 34:23,24…)

Davidic Branch is Branch of Yahweh (Is. 4:2; Jer. 23:5,6; 33:14—22; Zech. 3:8). See also Ezek. 17:22—24 cf. John 7:41,42.

Kingdom in contemporary Jewish expectation

Intertestamental period developed apocalyptic outlook:

Future and present are unrelated

Present is evil and age to come is a time of blessing for God’s people and judgment for his enemies

Ethical passivity: Rigorous individual faithfulness to the Law is only duty

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Kingdom in Jesus’ teaching

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Blessings of the kingdom

Enter the kingdom (Mt. 25:34; 46)

Kingdom is a gift (Lk. 12:32) to be sought and received (Mt. 7:7; 13:44—46; 6:33) of salvation (Mk. 10:17—30)

Entering into eternal life (Mt. 25:46; Mk. 9:43) or the "joy of the Lord" (Mt. 25:21,23)

Resurrection (Lk. 20:34—36; Mt. 12:24—27)

Evils purged (Mt. 25:34,46)

Restoration of fellowship with God (Mt. 13:30; Mk. 4:29; Lk. 22:30; Mt. 8:12,12; Mt. 22:1—14; 25:1—12)

Assignment: Read Matthew 8—13

1. Outline the text by "pericopes"

2. How is "Kingdom" described by Jesus?

3. Identify each citation/allusion to the Old Testament—how is it fulfilled in Jesus or his ministry?

Bibliographical Resources for Gospels:

Jack Dean Kingsbury, Matthew: Structure, Christology, Kingdom (liberal)

G.E. Ladd, The Presence of the Future

Douglas Moo, "The Problem of ‘Sensus Plenior’"

F.F. Bruce, New Testament Development of Old Testament Themes

Robert Stein, The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teaching

Grant Osborne, The Hermeneutical Spiral

Fee and Stuart, How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth

Robert Gundry, A Survey of the New Testament

Bibliographical Resources for OT narrative and prophets:

Robert Alter, Art of Biblical Narrative

Michael Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (liberal)

W. Kaiser, M, Silva, Biblical Hermeneutics

Abraham Heschel, The Prophets, v. 1,2

Leon Wood, Survey of Israel’s History

H. Bullock, OT Prophetic Books

Daniel Fuller, The Unity of the Bible

Walter Kaiser, Toward An OT Theology

Bruce Waltke, Introduction to the OT (tape course on closed reserve)