When Matthew quotes a brief passage from the Old Testament, he wants to call into his readers' minds a much broader context, sometimes the preceding 5-30 verses or, sometimes the subsequent 5-30 verses.For extra credit, please look at a couple of the Matthew Old Testament references (the list below will give you a start), then look at the Old Testament context.below. Comment on that context: what ideas does Matthew want to bring to his readers' attention? In what ways are these ideas particularly important in Matthew's attempt to reach a Jewish audience?
- Matthew 2:17 citation of Jeremiah 31:15
- Matthew 1:23 citation of Isaiah 7:14
- Matthew 2: 6 citation of Micah 5:2
- Matt. 2:15 citation of Hosea 11:1
- Matt. 27:43 ref. to Psalm 22:8
- Matthew 4:4 citation of Deuteronomy 8:3
- Matthew 3:17 hint of Psalm 2:7
- Matthew 4:16 reference to Isaiah 42:7
Matthew 2:17 citation of Jeremiah 31:15
ReplyDeleteThe reference I believe Matthew is trying to make can be found in Jeremiah 31:17 where he says “your children shall return to their own territory.”
This would be very important and resonate with the Jewish listeners who have been longing for their homeland and to be free from oppression for many years.
Matthew 4:4 citation of Deuteronomy 8:3
The reference is being made towards 8:6 where it says therefore keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.
This is a reminder to the Jews to always follow God’s commandments if they wish to enter the kingdom of Heaven for at the end of their lives God’s law will be the only law to have mattered.
Matthew 3:17 hint of Psalm 2:7
In this reference, Matthew is referring to the entire Psalm, as it clearly reflects the situation in which he finds both himself and Christianity, where “the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one”, Jesus. The psalm also calls its audience to “Submit to God’s royal son”, which adds in a new context when considering Jesus’ declaration of being the Son of God and descendent from the line of David.
This also can be referred to the first chapter of Matthew when he discusses the family tree of Jesus. The Jews believed in the power of lineage and knew that the Messiah was foretold to come of David’s bloodline
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Matthew 4:16 reference to Isaiah 42:7
The reference Matthew is making in 4:16 comes from the preceding verses, discussing God's Chosen Servant, “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.”
This would be important to the Jews because it tells people to look to Jesus for strength for he is the Messiah.
Matthew 1:23 citation of Isaiah 7:14
ReplyDeleteHere Matthew is trying to point to the prophecy being fulfilled by the life of Jesus. He shows that, as Isaiah predicted, Jesus was indeed born of a virgin mother. The name Immanuel also translates to mean God with us. The name indicates that Jesus is God born of human flesh.
Matthew 2: 6 citation of Micah 5:2
This particular reference is also trying to point to the fulfillment of prophecy. It does this by showing the lord and savior's birthplace, the same as the place in which Jesus was born.
Matt. 27:43 ref. to Psalm 22:8
This is not prophecy, as the other two passages I have discussed are. Instead, this is how satan tries to deceive Jesus by quoting scripture. Although Jesus quickly brushes this off as he knows his father's words better than anyone. So he knew quickly the words of his father had been twisted.
Tanner Simon
Mathew 2:17 citation of Jeremiah 31:15
ReplyDeleteJesus' dad Joseph, was just told by an angel to flee Bethlehem. He leaves Bethlehem, and Herod has all the children under two killed in the city. This fulfills the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted , because they are no more." Mathew includes this, because it shows that even right after he was born, Jesus has prophecy fulfilled around him.
Mathew 4:4 citation of Deuteronomy 8:3
Jews would take note of these lines not only because it's Jesus resisting satan, but because Jesus does what their ancestors couldn't do. Jesus is hungry, thirsty, and tired, but he doesn't give up, complain or waiver. He's being tested. He's tested in all the ways the Israelites were, and he doesn't fail like they did. He doesn't succumb to temptation, grumble, or complain.
Mathew 4:16 citation of Isaiah 42:7
The Jews and gentiles did not get along in the time of Jesus. It would have been very common to have flat out disgust for anyone not of jewish descent. So when Jesus goes and witnesses to the gentiles, Jesus is throwing a hand grenade into the social structure of the Jews at the time. Another thing Jesus is doing is, Jesus is acting as God's servant. He goes to all people, this includes the Gentiles. That image of people being set free from dungeons, would have also been powerful to the Jews. The Gentiles are now free to accept Jesus' message.
Walker Larson