Articles
A Clearer Picture: How Scripture Uses Itself
A Christian’s duty is to know and live the words of God (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16f). How does one go about accomplishing this task? Surely it is not a mere superficial glance (i.e. reading the entire Bible once and never picking it up again). Knowledge and wisdom of Scripture comes about through continuous, deep study. Part of this includes: breaking down passages for exegetical purposes, researching the original languages, and making the necessary connections between the Old and New Testaments. The focus of this article will be to analyze a number of ways that the writers of the NT used the OT.
The NT writers looked to the Scriptures that were already written for a variety of usages. Today, when individuals study the applications between the two Testaments, some things need to be considered such as: 1) What was the context of the NT passage? 2) How was the OT context being used within the particular NT passage? 3) Why were OT quotations used and what were their connections to Jewish thought at the relevant time period? 4) What textual source was being used (i.e. Masoretic or Septuagint)? 5) Why and how the NT writers were using the OT? and 6) How does one determine the significant theological uses of OT allusions and quotations in NT passages? Additionally, other focal points of NT authors include: 1) certain books which use different OT quotes and/or allusions, while others cite parallel accounts; 2) that they confirm OT fulfillment in the NT (e.g. Jesus being called YHWH, the church as true Israel); 3) having the understanding of the means of salvation as portrayed in the OT and NT; 4) using OT passages, which explained by NT authors to establish their meaning (e.g. comprehending the “mystery” that was previously hidden); and 5) the ways that scholars and students of Scripture today have to use multiple methods (i.e. grammar and historicity of the Bible) to grasp the text to the best of one’s ability (G.K. Beale & D.A. Carson, “Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament”, pp. xxiv-xxviii). The remainder of this article will emphasize the usages of OT in the NT. This will by no means be exhaustive because the amount of information available is voluminous.
At times there are instances in the NT where the OT citation is clear; at other times, where it can be uncertain. Passages can reference a person (e.g. Moses, David, or one of the prophets) in regards to the quotation, or it can appear vague (e.g. “it is written”). This reality adds a degree of complexity to Scripture. For example, Heb. 1:6 says, “And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, ‘And let all the angels of God worship Him.’” This verse has a specific quotation attributed by some to be from Ps. 97:7, but there is a significant difference in the Septuagint. With that in mind, the more appropriate reference is in Deut. 32:43. To be sure, both of these OT Scriptures may be correctly applied to Jesus, but it is preferable to see the latter as the true source for the Hebrews quotation.
At times, there are passages that appear to be a specific quote, but in reality they are from an alternative source. In Jude 14-15, “It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” No canonical OT passage can be referenced here, but it is most likely a quote from a pseudepigraphal book (sp. 1 Enoch 1:9).
Another category of so-called “non-existent” Bible quotations can be described as a general summary. Mark 14:21 says, “For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” This is describing the impending betrayal of Judas, which then leads to the crucifixion of Christ. Right here there is no direct correlation with a certain OT passage. Similarly, there are passages that not only include a summary, but also have interpretation as well. An example being, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43). Jesus echoed this notion before the Jews as He gave a defense for His testimony (cf. Jn. 5:39).
Two other examples fall under this umbrella: allusions and interpretative paraphrase. Paul wrote, “For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness” (Rom. 10:5). Here he is alluding to Lev. 18:5 without actually quoting the passage. Lastly, in regards to Interpretative paraphrase, it is potentially the most challenging. One such passage comes from Jn. 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” There is no definitive OT verse to serve as a source for this passage. It may be referencing Isaiah and Joel (cf. Is. 44:3; Joel 2:28).
In addition to non-existent quotations, there are scenarios that occur in the NT which seem to misquote OT passages. Firstly, textual variants will be considered. Amos 9:11-12 reads, “In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by My name, declares the Lord who does this.” Compare with what is written in Acts 15:15-18, “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,’ says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.” To give a little context, Luke transcribed what James articulated at the council at Jerusalem. James saw that, in Christ, God had fulfilled that all mankind would be able to seek the Lord, which was alluded in the Amos passage. It is important to remember that the apostle would be intimately acquainted with this particular passage, and another factor is that the Hebrew words for “Edom” and “mankind” are similar to “Adam”. Even with a slight variation in wording, the overall meaning of the passages is the same.
There is an aspect also to consider when one passage expresses multiple elements of other Scripture, otherwise called composite quotation. In Mark 1:2-3, “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’” This passage combines the ideas of Is. 40:3 and Mal. 3:1. Not only is this found within the NT, but the OT itself uses this methodology (e.g. 2 Chron. 36:21 with Jer. 25:11f, 29:10).
Misattribution can really throw off a believer, because someone who is a skeptic can hone in on a passage like Matt. 27:9-10 and make a case for contradiction. The passage reads, “Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.’” Nowhere in Jeremiah or Lamentations is this referenced, but the passage is similarly stated in Zech. 11:13. Just because it is not found in Scripture within Jeremiah’s writings does not mean that he did not speak this prophesy. It is reasonable to note that not everything that is said or done by a certain prophet or person in Scripture is written down!
One final example to mention that falls under the category of misquoted passages is fulfillment reversal. Matt. 2:5-6 says, “They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.”’” Here the Evangelist reveals the true fulfillment of Mic. 5:2. The difference lies within the words “by no means least” from the Matthew passage and “too little” written in Micah. This does not make the Scriptures untrue. God brought forth from a seemingly insignificant town—the Messiah.
Finally, one of the most challenging types of quotations to consider is when it appears that the NT writers have taken OT Scripture out of context. Skeptics will jump all over this to prove that the Bible contradicts itself, and so the faithful, studious Christian must be prepared to give an answer. Matt. 2:15 is an example that people struggle with because it seems to connect with Hos. 11:1. The passage in Matthew reads, “He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’” In Hosea, the Scripture refers to Israel, which was a type of Christ. Another instance comes from Gal. 3:16, “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ.” It would appear that there is a problem with the use of seed in the plural form; however, Christ did come from Abraham’s line of descendants (“seeds”). Here Paul harkens back to Gen. 13:15f, and other similar passages (e.g. Gen. 17:7f; 22:17f). The true seed of Abraham is the Messiah, Jesus, to whom all nations of the world would be blessed (Tom Hamilton, “Use of the OT in the NT”, pp. 1-12).
Much more can be said on this subject and it is the Christian’s duty to be about doing the necessary research to prepare to fight this spiritual battle by understanding the connections made throughout Scripture. The devil has his forces constantly at work and it is essential that God’s army be always striving to fight off Satan’s attacks. Let the church do everything it can to understand the word of God and to share it with all the world. Hopefully this short article has helped the body grow in areas that it may not be really familiar with and challenges the faithful to dig deeper into the Bread of Life.
