Theological narrative emphasizing the actions and teaching of Jesus

 

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

 

 

Chronological vs. thematic (a synoptic problem?)

 

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)

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

Messianic secret/paradox

 

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

Mt. 2:15 cf. Hosea 11:1

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

• Application or accommodation of an Old Testament principle

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

Kingdom in Jesus’ teaching

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)