In this work the following thesis will be defended: In Matthew 2:23, Matthew makes a theological link between Jesus and Samson in order to substantiate his understanding of Christ as Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer par excellence. Therefore where Samson failed to deliver his people as Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer, Christ does not. Not only should Christ be viewed theologically as NT Prophet, Priest, and King par excellence, but also as Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer par excellence.
The significance of this project is two-fold. First, the confusion surrounding Matthew 2:23 is well-documented and dates back to the earliest days of Christian interpretation. This dissertation hopes to build a linguistic, exegetical, and theological case for a Samson-Jesus typology. Second, understanding and appropriating Matthew’s statement correctly has a bearing on the entire interrelationship between OT and NT. If Matthew indeed intended a Scriptural link between Jesus’ identity as a Nazarene and Samson’s role as a Nazirite/Judge/Deliverer, than a trajectory of Christ as Nazirite can be added to the larger trajectory of Christ as Judge/Deliver for his people. Ascertaining exactly what Matthew meant by his OT Scripture-fulfillment statement is important because of the definitive way that Matthew makes his OT citation (i.e. “so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled”). How this statement is understood and theologically fleshed out in the person of Jesus helps us understand Matthean theology and how he viewed the OT in light of the revelation of Christ.
Advocates for a connection between Matthew 2:23 and the Samson narratives have built a strong linguistic/exegetical case (e.g. Sanders, Prabhu, Menken). Others have built a strong theological/typological case for the connection (e.g. Calvin). But no extensive treatment has brought these connections together in a comprehensive way. And questions still persist. For example, what exactly does Matthew hope to accomplish by linking Christ with the Samson narrative? Surely he’s doing more than just punning on the Nazarene/Nazirite similarity! This project hopes to explore the broader theological implications of the Jesus/Samson connection, and presents nineteen conclusions that (when taken altogether) substantiate the above thesis.