Commentary on the new testament use of the old testament

The New Testament (NT) authors frequently allude to, quote, and interpret the Old Testament (OT) in various ways. This phenomenon is known as "Old Testament use" or "OT use." Here's a commentary on the NT's use of the OT:

Purpose: The NT authors used the OT to:

  1. Establish the authority of Jesus Christ: By citing OT passages, the NT authors demonstrated Jesus' fulfillment of OT prophecies and his divine authority.
  2. Illustrate Jesus' teachings: The OT was used to illustrate Jesus' teachings, such as the importance of love, forgiveness, and righteousness.
  3. Prophesy the coming of Jesus: The OT was used to prophesy the coming of Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection.
  4. Provide moral guidance: The OT was used to provide moral guidance and instruction for early Christian communities.

Methods of use:

  1. Quotations: The NT authors quoted OT passages verbatim, often with slight modifications, to emphasize their relevance to Jesus and the early Christian community.
  2. Allusions: The NT authors alluded to OT passages without direct quotation, using similar language or themes to convey their meaning.
  3. Typology: The NT authors saw OT events, people, and institutions as "types" or foreshadowings of Jesus and his work.
  4. Midrash: The NT authors used midrashic techniques, such as interpreting OT passages in light of Jesus' life and teachings, to create new meanings.

Examples of OT use in the NT:

  1. Matthew 1:22-23: Jesus' birth is seen as fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel."
  2. John 1:1-14: The prologue to John's Gospel alludes to Genesis 1:1-5, highlighting Jesus as the Creator and the Word.
  3. Hebrews 1:5-13: The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 2:7-8, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you," to demonstrate Jesus' divine sonship.
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:54-55: Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, "O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" to emphasize Jesus' victory over death.

Challenges and controversies:

  1. Interpretation: The NT authors' interpretations of OT passages were not always uniform, leading to differences in understanding and application.
  2. Contextualization: The NT authors often took OT passages out of their original context, which can lead to misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
  3. Christological interpretation: The NT authors' emphasis on Jesus' fulfillment of OT prophecies and his divine authority has been criticized for being overly Christocentric or even supersessionist.

Conclusion: The NT's use of the OT is a rich and complex phenomenon that reflects the early Christian community's understanding of Jesus, his teachings, and his relationship to the OT. While there are challenges and controversies surrounding OT use, it remains a vital aspect of the NT's theology and message.