The Gospel of Matthew and the Pesher Interpretation

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dc.coverageSUBBTO 68, no. 2 (2023): 21-36, DOI:10.24193/subbto.2023.2.01en-US
dc.creatorIATAN, Cristinel
dc.date2023-12-30
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-21T23:35:28Z
dc.descriptionThis study explores the pesher interpretation, a method of biblical exegesis used by the Qumran community, and whether early Christians like the author of Matthew's Gospel employed similar techniques. Since the 1950s, scholars have analysed the so-called “formula quotations” in Matthew, finding parallels with the pesharim commentaries found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Krister Stendahl argued Matthew comes from a “school” using pesher to radically reinterpret Old Testament passages as fulfilled in Jesus. Others like Richard Longenecker also find Matthew employing this Second Temple Jewish method, especially in texts with “fulfilment formulae”. However, objections have been raised. Joseph Fitzmyer notes the differences between Qumran pesharim and Matthew's use of scripture. Norman Hillyer wonders if the fulfilment formula indicates a distinct hermeneutic, not pesher. Ulrich Luz stresses Matthew proclaims fulfilment, not hidden meanings like pesharim. In conclusion, applying the ideas of pesher from Qumran to the New Testament raises problems. Similarities between pesher and Patristic exegesis are noted, but determining dependence requires examining the original historical meaning versus the contemporary application of prophecies. More analysis of whether early Christian use of scripture mirrors Qumran pesher or develops its fulfilment hermeneutic is needed.en-US
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://studia.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/index.php/subbtheologiaorthodoxa/article/view/7014
dc.identifier10.24193/subbto.2023.2.01
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14637/3402
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherBabeș-Bolyai University / Cluj University Pressen-US
dc.relationhttps://studia.reviste.ubbcluj.ro/index.php/subbtheologiaorthodoxa/article/view/7014/6767
dc.rightsCopyright (c) 2023 Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Theologia Orthodoxaen-US
dc.rightshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0en-US
dc.sourceStudia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Theologia Orthodoxa; Volume 68, No. 2, December 2023; 21-36en-US
dc.source2065-9474
dc.source1224-0869
dc.source10.24193/subbto.2023.2
dc.subjectpesheren-US
dc.subjectfulfilmenten-US
dc.subjectformula quotationsen-US
dc.subjectMidrashen-US
dc.subjectexegesisen-US
dc.subjectQumranen-US
dc.subjectEschatologyen-US
dc.subjectSecond Templeen-US
dc.subjectMatthew's Gospelen-US
dc.subjecthermeneuticsen-US
dc.titleThe Gospel of Matthew and the Pesher Interpretationen-US
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.typePeer-reviewed Articleen-US
dc.typetexten-US

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