Dictionary of Bible Themes – 2333 Jesus Christ, attitude to OT
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2333 Jesus Christ, attitude to OT

2333 Jesus Christ, attitude to OT

Jesus Christ’s teaching was based largely on the OT, which he treated as God’s inspired and authoritative word, but which he had the authority to interpret.

Jesus Christ recognises the OT as Scripture

Jesus Christ calls the OT “Scripture” Jn 10:35 See also Mk 12:10,24 pp Mt 22:29; Lk 4:21; Jn 5:39; Jn 7:38; Jn 13:18

Jesus Christ underlines the authority of the OT

Jn 5:46-47

The OT is authoritative over Jesus Christ’s opponents Mt 23:23 See also Mt 5:19-20; Mt 23:2-3; Mk 2:24-27 pp Mt 12:2-6 pp Lk 6:2-4

The OT is authoritative over Satan Mt 4:4 pp Lk 4:4 See also Dt 8:3; Mt 4:7 pp Lk 4:12; Dt 6:16; Mt 4:10 pp Lk 4:8; Dt 6:13

Jesus Christ regards the OT as being fulfilled in himself

Jesus Christ regards his ministry as fulfilling the OT Mt 5:17-18 See also Mt 11:4-6 pp Lk 7:22-23; Mt 26:56 pp Mk 14:49; Lk 4:17-21; Isa 61:1-2; Jn 15:25; Ps 35:19; Ps 69:4

Jesus Christ regards his death as fulfilling OT prophecy Lk 18:31-32 See also Mt 12:39-40; Mt 26:28 pp Lk 22:20; Mt 26:31 pp Mk 14:27; Zec 13:7

Other aspects of the OT fulfilled or affirmed by Jesus Christ Mt 7:12; Mt 11:10 pp Lk 7:27; Mal 3:1; Mt 13:14-15 pp Mk 4:12 pp Lk 8:10; Isa 6:9-10; Mt 17:11-12 pp Mk 9:12-13; Mal 4:5; Mt 24:15 pp Mk 13:14 pp Lk 21:20; Da 9:27; Da 11:31; Da 12:11

Jesus Christ confirms the OT teaching about judgment

Mt 12:41-42 pp Lk 11:30-32 See also Mt 11:23 pp Lk 10:12-15

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching about the Sabbath Mk 2:25-28 pp Mt 12:3-8 pp Lk 6:3-5

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching about religious practices Mt 9:13; Hos 6:6; Mt 15:7-8 pp Mk 7:6-7; Isa 29:13

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching about purity Mk 7:18-19 pp Mt 15:17

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching about family life Mt 5:31-32; Mt 15:4-6 pp Mk 7:10-13; Ex 20:12; Dt 5:16; Ex 21:17; Lev 20:9; Mt 19:1-9 pp Mk 10:2-9

Jesus Christ interprets OT teaching about retaliation Mt 5:38-42

Jesus Christ refers to the OT in his teaching

Mt 19:18 pp Mk 10:19 pp Lk 18:20; Ex 20:12-16; Dt 5:16-20; Mt 22:31-32 pp Mk 12:26-27 pp Lk 20:37-38; Ex 3:6; Mt 24:37-39 pp Lk 17:26-27

Jesus Christ uses the language of the OT

Mt 27:46 pp Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1; Mk 4:29; Joel 3:13; Mk 8:18; Isa 6:10; Mk 9:48; Isa 66:24

Jesus Christ appeals to the OT in its entirety

Lk 11:50-51 The murders of Abel and Zechariah occur in the first (Ge 4:8) and last (2Ch 24:21) books of the Hebrew OT (Chronicles comes at the close of the OT according to the Hebrew arrangement). See also Lk 24:27,44 The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms are the three divisions of the Hebrew OT.

Jesus Christ treats the OT as a true historical record

The patriarchs: Mt 8:11; Jn 8:56,58 Moses: Mt 8:4 pp Mk 1:44 pp Lk 5:14; Mt 19:8 pp Mk 10:5
Mt 6:29 pp Lk 12:27 Solomon The prophets: Mt 5:12 pp Lk 6:23; Lk 4:25-27; Jn 6:45

See also

1611Scripture, inspiration & authority
2354Christ, mission
2363Christ, preaching & teaching
2366Christ, prophecies concerning
2530Christ, death of
2575Christ, temptation
4126Satan, resistance to
5496revenge, examples
5675divorce
5731parents
7552Pharisees, attitudes to Christ
9210judgment, God’s

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