Apr 08 2008
Understanding the New Testament use of the Old Testament
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
G.K.Beale and D.A. Carson, Editors
Baker Academic & Apollos (imprint of InterVarsity Press), 2007
ISBN: 0-8010-2693-8
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My work with New Covenant House, an evangelistic outreach giving priority to reaching Jewish people, requires a working knowledge of the way the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) anticipate the New Testament. But in the same way that evangelical Christians reject (rightly so in my view) the divine origin and authority of such texts as The Book of Mormon, the Jewish community discounts the divine nature of the New Testament. And though I believe that no one ultimately accepts the authority of the Scriptures (OT & NT) apart from the regenerating and illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, it remains a challenge for me to show Jewish inquirers how deeply connected both the Old and New Testaments are.
In light of this ministry challenge, I was delighted to procure a copy of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Nearly ten years in the making, this volume explores every NT text that quotes or alludes to the OT. From the Gospel of Matthew through the book of Revelation, readers discover a unique commentary described by Richard Bauckham as a
“continuous exegetical reading of the way each New Testament book quotes, alludes to, and evokes the Old Testament Scriptures.”
However one might view the books of the Bible, Beale and Carson ask readers to “begin by extending to the writers of the New Testament the courtesy of trying to understand how they saw their task as they cited and explained the documents associated with the old covenant, the documents that they revered as … ‘the Scripture’.”
The eighteen contributors to the commentary, recognized scholars in their fields, approached their discussions of each quotation or allusion by means of six questions:
(1) What is the NT context of the citation or allusion?
(2) What is the OT context from which the quotation or allusion is drawn?
(3) How is the OT quotation or source handled in the literature of Second Temple Judaism or (more broadly yet) of early Judaism?
(4) What textual factors must be borne in mind as one seeks to understand a particular use of the OT?
(5) What is the nature of the connection as the NT writer sees it?
(6) To what theological use does the NT writer put the OT quotation or allusion?
Several features add to the user-friendly approach taken in this commentary. Greek and Hebrew terms are transliterated, making reading smoother and easier for those lacking facility in the original languages. The discussion of each NT book is followed by an extensive bibliography for reading desiring to go deeper in the matter. And finally, readers will find a large Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings at the back of the book.
Darrell L. Bock says this commentary is
“thorough yet concise, clear yet detailed. All will be led into helpful reflection on this important area of study. Well done to the editors and authors of the useful and unique commentary.”
This volume is destined to spend more time on my desk than on my shelf.
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Purchase this book now by clicking on the title below.
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament
By Edited by G.K. Beale & D.A. Carson / Baker Academic
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