Matthew, Disciple and Scribe Read online

  © 2019 by Patrick Schreiner

  Published by Baker Academic

  a division of Baker Publishing Group

  PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

  www.bakeracademic.com

  Ebook edition created 2019

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  ISBN 978-1-4934-1812-1

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations from the Old and New Testaments are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016

  Quotations from the Old Testament Apocrypha are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

  To Jonathan Pennington

  and my teachers at Southern Seminary, who taught me the wisdom of the Scriptures

  Contents

  Cover i

  Half Title Page ii

  Title Page iii

  Copyright Page iv

  Dedication v

  Preface ix

  Abbreviations xi

  Introduction 1

  Part 1: The Scribe Described 5

  1. Matthew, the Discipled Scribe 7

  2. The Scribe’s Convictions and Methods 37

  Part 2: The Scribe at Work 63

  3. Jesus and the Journey of the Davidic King 65

  4. Jesus as the Ideal and Wise King 101

  5. Jesus and the Mosaic Exodus 131

  6. Jesus and Abraham’s New Family 169

  7. Jesus and Israel’s Destiny 207

  Conclusion 241

  Bibliography 255

  Index of Authors 268

  Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Sources 271

  Index of Subjects 281

  Back Cover 290

  Preface

  Expectations are key. Though the title of this book might compel you to think this is a work on authorship or even Matthean priority, that is not the case. The pages before you focus more on the theology and narrative of Matthew. Though I do think it was Matthew––the disciple and scribe––who wrote the First Gospel, my argument does not depend on Matthean authorship, nor will I spend time arguing for Matthean authorship. My aims are broader than this.

  Two brief notes should be made before I begin. First, the work before you is more constructive than deconstructive. Though it undoubtedly has elements that work against certain tendencies, the aim of this work is not to take a theory and overturn it. Rather, I present one way to view Matthew’s narrative. This means I don’t begin by identifying a problem nor developing tension and then spend the rest of the work trying to solve it. Rather, I put forward my argument, hoping that it will bring some light to Matthew’s narrative.

  Second, though I do support my assertions with footnotes, I have tried to limit repeated references and not to log what each commentator says about each passage. Therefore, some statements stand without a reference at all, even when I make statements like “many commentators” or “most scholars.” I realize that this is an academic faux paux, but it has helped keep it at a manageable length. In addition, the initial plan was to be more introductory, but it quickly took an academic turn, and therefore the book at times straddles both worlds. I realize that this could be a stumbling block for readers, so I hope you are the type who reads the preface.

  This book was birthed out of a love for the Gospels and an affinity for Matthew more specifically—a love that has continued from the days of my seminary course work and doctoral thesis. In many ways, the book does not feel complete, because I discover something new each time I read and study the Gospel. I recognize that the editing, organizing, and clarifying of this work could continue ad infinitum. In many ways, no book is ever done; it is simply due.

  * * *

  Many helped me improve this work. Jonathan Pennington read an early and later version and provided both structural and more detailed comments. My father, Thomas Schreiner, also read many chapters as I finished them and enhanced the project on many levels. My colleagues Josh Mathews and Todd Miles also read parts of the book and pointed out areas that could be strengthened. Nathan Ridlehoover read sections and pointed me to other parts of Matthew that aligned with my argument. Peter Gurry helped me on the chapter concerning scribes, and Chris Bruno gave me some structural suggestions and noted places where I needed more clarity. Adam Christian read a section of the book with the oral tradition (rather than written) in mind. Chad Ashby gave me feedback in the initial stages, and Katlyn Richards completed the Scripture and author indexes. Bryan Dyer was instrumental in getting this project off the ground and provided good feedback along the way. The editors at Baker also improved the work, especially Wells Turner, who provided an editorial eye and double-checked my cross-references. I would be remiss not to mention my wife and children as they endured many late nights and coffee shop trips as I worked through this material. I could not have completed any of this if my wife were not such a stabilizing force at home.

  My prayer as you read this book is that you too will follow the teacher of wisdom by paying close attention to the scribe’s recounting of Jesus’s life. Matthew, as the disciple and scribe, wrote about Jesus in a unique way to make disciples of future generations (Matt. 28:18–20).

  Abbreviations

  Bibliographic and General

  ANE ancient Near East

  ANF The Ante-Nicene Fathers: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325, ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, 10 vols. (New York: Christian Literature, 1885–87; repr., Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994)

  AT author translation

  BBR Bulletin for Biblical Research

  BDAG W. Bauer, F. W. Danker, W. F. Arndt, and F. W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000)

  BECNT Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

  BETL Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium

  Bib Biblica

  BTB Biblical Theology Bulletin

  BWANT Beiträge zur Wissenschaft vom Alten und Neuen Testament

  BZNW Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

  ca. circa, about

  CBQ Catholic Biblical Quarterly

  cf. confer, compare

  chap(s). chapter(s)

  ConBNT Coniectanea Biblica: New Testament Series

  DSSSE The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition, ed. Florentino García Martínez and Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar, 2 vols. (Leiden: Brill, 1997–98)

  ed(s). editor(s), edited by, edition

  Eng. English versions/versification

  esp. especially

  ESV English Standard Version

  et al. et alii, and others

  ETL Ephemerides Theologic
ae Lovanienses

  ExpTim Expository Times

  FOTL Forms of the Old Testament Literature

  frag(s). fragment(s)

  GCS Die griechischen christlichen Schriftsteller der ersten [drei] Jahrhunderte (Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1897–)

  HALOT The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, by Ludwig Koehler, Walter Baumgartner, and Johann J. Stamm, trans. and ed. under the supervision of Mervyn E. J. Richardson. 4 vols. (Leiden: Brill, 1994–99)

  HBT Horizons in Biblical Theology

  HTR Harvard Theological Review

  IBS Irish Biblical Studies

  ICC International Critical Commentary

  Int Interpretation

  JBL Journal of Biblical Literature

  JETS Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

  JGRChJ Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism

  JMT Journal of Moral Theology

  JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament

  JSNTSup Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series

  JSOTSup Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series

  JSP Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha

  KJV King James Version

  LCL Loeb Classical Library

  LNTS Library of New Testament Studies

  LXX Septuagint

  MT Masoretic Text

  NA28 Novum Testamentum Graece, ed. Eberhard Nestle, Erwin Nestle, B. Aland, K. Aland, J. Karavidopoulos, C. M. Martini, and B. M. Metzger, 28th rev. ed. (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012)

  NABRE New American Bible, Revised Edition

  NAC New American Commentary

  NASB New American Standard Bible

  Neot Neotestamentica

  NETS New English Translation of the Septuagint

  NICNT New International Commentary on the New Testament

  NIDNTTE New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, ed. Moisès Silva, 2nd ed., 5 vols. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014)

  NIGTC New International Greek Testament Commentary

  NIV New International Version

  NovT Novum Testamentum

  NovTSup Supplements to Novum Testamentum

  NRSV New Revised Standard Version

  NSBT New Studies in Biblical Theology

  NT New Testament

  NTS New Testament Studies

  OBO Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis

  OT Old Testament

  PG Patrologia Graeca [= Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Graeca]. Edited by Jacques-Paul Migne. 161 vols. (Paris, 1857–86)

  PNTC Pillar New Testament Commentary

  RBL Review of Biblical Literature

  repr. reprinted

  SBLSP Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers

  SBT Studies in Biblical Theology

  SJT Scottish Journal of Theology

  SNTSMS Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series

  STDJ Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah

  Them Themelios

  TJ Trinity Journal

  trans. translator, translated by

  TynBul Tyndale Bulletin

  v(v). verse(s)

  WBC Word Biblical Commentary

  WTJ Westminster Theological Journal

  ZAW Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft

  ZNW Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der älteren Kirche

  Old Testament

  Gen. Genesis

  Exod. Exodus

  Lev. Leviticus

  Num. Numbers

  Deut. Deuteronomy

  Josh. Joshua

  Judg. Judges

  Ruth Ruth

  1 Sam. 1 Samuel

  2 Sam. 2 Samuel

  1 Kings 1 Kings

  2 Kings 2 Kings

  1 Chron. 1 Chronicles

  2 Chron. 2 Chronicles

  Ezra Ezra

  Neh. Nehemiah

  Esther Esther

  Job Job

  Ps(s). Psalm(s)

  Prov. Proverbs

  Eccles. Ecclesiastes

  Song Song of Songs

  Isa. Isaiah

  Jer. Jeremiah

  Lam. Lamentations

  Ezek. Ezekiel

  Dan. Daniel

  Hosea Hosea

  Joel Joel

  Amos Amos

  Obad. Obadiah

  Jon. Jonah

  Mic. Micah

  Nah. Nahum

  Hab. Habakkuk

  Zeph. Zephaniah

  Hag. Haggai

  Zech. Zechariah

  Mal. Malachi

  New Testament

  Matt. Matthew

  Mark Mark

  Luke Luke

  John John

  Acts Acts

  Rom. Romans

  1 Cor. 1 Corinthians

  2 Cor. 2 Corinthians

  Gal. Galatians

  Eph. Ephesians

  Phil. Philippians

  Col. Colossians

  1 Thess. 1 Thessalonians

  2 Thess. 2 Thessalonians

  1 Tim. 1 Timothy

  2 Tim. 2 Timothy

  Titus Titus

  Philem. Philemon

  Heb. Hebrews

  James James

  1 Pet. 1 Peter

  2 Pet. 2 Peter

  1 John 1 John

  2 John 2 John

  3 John 3 John

  Jude Jude

  Rev. Revelation

  Old Testament Apocrypha

  Bar. Baruch

  2 Esd. 2 Esdras

  2 Macc. 2 Maccabees

  Sir. Sirach

  Wis. Wisdom of Solomon

  Old Testament Pseudepigrapha

  2 Bar. 2 Baruch

  1 En. 1 Enoch

  2 En. 2 Enoch

  Ezek. Trag. Ezekiel the Tragedian

  Jub. Jubilees

  Pss. Sol. Psalms of Solomon

  Sib. Or. Sibylline Oracles

  T. Jud. Testament of Judah

  T. Levi Testament of Levi

  T. Sol. Testament of Solomon

  Other Ancient Sources

  Abr. Philo, On Abraham

  Ant. Josephus, Jewish Antiquities

  1 Apol. Justin Martyr, First Apology

  CD Cairo Genizah copy of the Damascus Document

  Dem. ev. Eusebius, Demonstration of the Gospel

  Exp. Ps. Chrysostom, Expositiones in Psalmos

  Haer. Irenaeus, Adversus haereses (Against Heresies)

  Inst. Quintilian, Institutes of Oratory

  Mos. Philo, On the Life of Moses

  Progym. Aelius Theon or Hermogenes, Progymnasmata (Preliminary Exercises)

  1QSb Rule of the Blessings (Appendix b to 1QS)

  4QFlor Florilegium

  4QpIsaa Isaiah Peshera

  11QMelch Melchizedek

  11QPsa Psalms Scrolla

  Sel. Ps. Origen, Selecta in Psalmos

  Spec. Laws Philo, On the Special Laws

  Strom. Clement of Alexandria, Stromateis (Miscellanies)

  Virt. Philo, On the Virtues

  Introduction

  I don’t think I quite understood the beauty of the Gospels until I grasped that they were laced with the Jewish Scriptures. Don’t get me wrong. It was not that I had been reading them in isolation from the OT, for I understood that the Gospels continued the story of Israel. I read them as answering the hopes of the Jewish people. I comprehended that the evangelists presented Jesus as the solution to Israel’s plight, and I sought to read Jesus in light of his historical and ethnic background.

  What I had failed to see was that Jesus was presented as the continuation of the story in the form the story was written. The truth of a story is often carried in its arrangement, in the inspired world it evokes. It was not merely Matthew’s words, but also the placement of those words, the portraits the evangelists painted, the way they told their stories that revealed their convictions about him. If we can compare the First Gospel to an oil painting, earlier
I understood that I was looking at a Jewish painting through which the author expressed certain convictions about Jesus of Nazareth, but I neglected to step closer and concentrate on the brushstrokes to see that each drop of paint was chosen with care and had certain resemblances to previous portraits.1 The artist had put together a portrait that made sense if you stepped back, but treasures could be brought forth if one moved a little closer and lingered for a moment.

  This book is simply an attempt to step closer to the First Gospel’s portrait. My claim is that a close analysis of Matt. 13:52 reveals that Matthew becomes a teacher in the style of Jesus:2 “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Luke 6:40 says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Matthew expounds the wisdom of Jesus by becoming a scribe and teacher to future generations, mediating the instruction of his sage. To put this in the First Gospel’s terms, Matthew is a “discipled scribe” who learned to bring out treasures new and old from his teacher of wisdom (13:52).3 Jesus formed an alternative scribal school; one of the main ways he instructed them in the paths of wisdom was to reveal the relationship between the new and the old, with himself at the center.4 Matthew was one of these trained scribes who passed on Jesus’s teaching to future generations. He wrote about Jesus’s life in a rich and multilayered way, incorporating the new (found in Jesus), and the old (how Jesus’s life fulfilled the story of Israel).

  Person Description Task

  Jesus Teacher-Sage Offers wisdom instruction concerning the new and the old (the secrets of the kingdom)

  Matthew Discipled Scribe Learn, write, distribute, and teach the material from his sage

  Though Jesus as a teacher of wisdom plus Matthew as a scribe is not the only lens through which we should look at the First Gospel, and these images certainly don’t exhaust the content of Matthew, they do provide an entry point into Matthew’s aims and theology.5 This study could take many detours and turns, some of which I was tempted to explore, but my aim is specific and narrow: to focus on how Matthew as the scribe passes on the wisdom of Jesus—listening to his use of the new and the old.6 I attempt to pay close attention to the OT echoes in Matthew’s writing style and attend to the development of the Jewish story in and around Jesus. In this sense, I am asking questions revolving around the topics of biblical theology and hermeneutics.