In Galatians 4:3, Paul says something that has compelled not a few commentators to spill not a minor amount of ink. Having finished his illustration of an heir who has not yet come of age, Paul begins to apply the import of this illustration to his audience, saying, “In the same way we also, when … Read more
As the consensus of scholarship rightly recognizes, Acts 13:46-47 represents a crucial theological and narrative juncture in Acts with regard to the mission of God and Paul to the Gentiles. The consensus of scholarship also rightly recognizes that Paul and Barnabas are portrayed as seeing themselves as carrying out the role of salvific agent to … Read more
In this presentation, I argue that Matthew portrays faith as the individual virtue of discipleship directed toward God—that in trusting Jesus, motivated by one’s love for God, the disciple himself becomes righteous. First, I give an overview of the concept of faith in the ancient world. Second, I survey Matthew’s presentation of faith throughout his … Read more
Since the publication of Ernst Käsemann’s “Wandering People of God,” the wilderness motif in Hebrews has gained recognition among scholars. However, it is commonly seen as just one of many significant themes, not the central foundation of the text. Harold Attridge reflects the consensus among scholars, suggesting that Käsemann may have overemphasized the importance of … Read more
Recent literature on the use of the Old Testament in Hebrews makes frequent reference to “prosopological exegesis” (PE)—that is, the idea that the author of Hebrews inserts new speakers into old scenes such that, for example, the speaker in Psalm 40:6–8 (LXX 39:7–9), cited in Hebrews 10:5–7, has become Jesus rather than David. The question … Read more
Intertextual approaches have long been the primary interpretive angel for understanding the significance of the closely-related feeding of the five thousand and walking on water pericopae in Mark. Interpreters hear echoes of the OT in the rich imagery and themes found in both passages. An interpretive key may be found in the narrator’s comment at … Read more
In this essay, I use Beale and Gladd’s understanding of mystery and cognitive peripheral vision to illuminate Jesus’ self-presentation as the messiah through his statements in Matt 12:42 considered in the wider context of Matt 12:1-45. By his claims in Matt 12:42 Jesus hinted at multiple mysteries of the messiah–namely, that the messiah will have … Read more
Jesus’s stilling of the storm (Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25) is often seen as one of clearest demonstrations of his divinity. To support this view, scholars typically appeal to OT passages that assert YHWH’s authority over the sea (e.g., Job 26:12; Ps 104:7) or even portray a similar situation of stilling a storm (Ps … Read more
Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) is a pivotal text in Jewish apocalyptic literature, which has been interpreted in Christian theology as prophetic of Jesus Christ. This vision is particularly referenced during Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin in Matthew 26:63-64, where Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man seen coming on … Read more
Central to understanding John’s Gospel and his presentation of Jesus Christ as Son is the idea of Jesus being sent from the Father. The sending motif is an axiom to John’s narrative, Christology, and Theology Proper. This one motif touches every other conceivable Johannine theme and even acts as a unifier to weave different themes … Read more