Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament: (A Comprehensive Bible Commentary on Old Testament Quotations, Allusions & Echoes That Appear from Matthew through Revelation)

`Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament', edited by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson supports the idea that given any approach to the examination of the New Testament you may think of, someone has written a book about it. And a superb book it is, if you have need for an examination of this subject from almost every angle. I say almost, because there is actually one thing I would like to have seen in this book, and it is not there. More on this anon.For the lay reader, be aware that this is a scholarly book, with all the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and (I suspect) even Coptic terms used freely, just when I've gotten in the habit of tracking down Greek, I have to deal with two even more difficult languages. I mention that primarily for those who are allergic to footnotes and phrases in languages other than English. Otherwise, I am delighted in how easy the reading is in all the contributions from eighteen (18) major scholars on the New Testament.Much of this is attributable to the marching orders given to the writers by the two editors. This list of guidelines makes the diverse contributions very uniform, which contributes to the value of this book as the guide to a specialized type of Bible study based on this book's subject.Anyone who has tracked down more than a handful of OT passages used in the NT will realize that the NT writers often take some liberties with their interpretations, reading in a prophesy about Jesus which, in the original text actually referred to something completely different. And, one has also run across a wide range of different ways in which OT texts are used, from `exact' quotes to paraphrases to allusions.The editors address this range by asking all authors to address their OT citations from at least five different points of view. These are:1. What is the NT context of the citation? What is the genre and literary structure of the book or chapter?2. What is the OT context of the citation? Do these Markan citations come directly from Exodus, for example, or are they quoted from Isaiah's use of Exodus verses?3. How was the OT quote handled or interpreted by Second Temple Judaism, or early Judaism in general?4. From what text is the OT quotation copied. The Septuagint (LXX), the Masoretic text, or a Targum (scripture translated into Aramaic or Coptic).5. What is the ultimate use or connection being made by the NT author's use of the OT. Is it simply to emote a connection, is it a use of a common OT idiom, is it a parable use, shorthand to evoking an OT story, or is there a belief that events in NT times fulfill a specific OT prophecy.Of course, many commentaries on individual NT books do this as well, but most do not go into detail on points 2, 3, and 4.In looking at those parts of the NT I know best, I find this book delivers everything it promises on these five points, but that the book cannot replace good commentaries and study Bibles for NT books. In looking at one of the most famous uses of OT scripture in Luke, at 4:18 - 19, where Jesus teaches from Isaiah 61:1 - 2, the authors, David Pao and Eckhard Schnabel cover all the editors' points admirably, including references to important opinions by famous scholars such as Rudolph Bultmann. For this passage and for all others in this chapter on Luke, the actual passage is NOT presented in any translation. Therefore, one has to have a copy of the Bible open to the passage, as you read the authors' interpretation of it. Less important is the fact that the explanation of this section of Luke on Jesus' teaching in the Nazareth synagogue says nothing about the puzzling climax, where the congregation turns on Jesus. But that is a logical limitation of the approach, and is not relevant to the subject of the book.The introduction to Lucan passages was illuminating, as it tells us that even though one of Luke's primary objectives was to show the resolution of OT prophesies, Luke actually uses fewer OT quotes than Matthew. This is rarely discussed in commentaries on Luke.So, especially with regard to the synoptic Gospels, this would be an excellent book to use as a guide to OT references in the NT. For the scholar, there is the usual tower of bibliographical references after each article, plus the usual index to Biblical citations at the back of the book. There was just one thing I wanted which is missing. This is a `reverse' index, if you will, of OT books, with the number and locations of where verses are cited in the NT. The reason for wishing such an index is as a guide to selecting which OT books may best be studied together, as with Luke and Deuteronomy (some commentators claim the 10 chapter journey of Jesus to Jerusalem is patterned after Deuteronomy).Ultimately, this is a great reference if you make a habit of studying NT scriptures in depth, as either a pastor or bible study teacher.

This book was properly NOT entitled "Commentary on the New Testament Exegesis of the Old Testament." It is a well studied and scholarly look at how the New Testament writers made USE of the Old Testament Scriptures. And they did make use of those Scriptures is varied and instructive ways.Beale and Carson have compiled and edited articles from numerous trustworthy believing scholars which explain where, how, and why specific passages of Old Testament texts were employed by NT authors. These articles are careful to cite OT and NT contexts, predominant Middle Eastern scholastic thought prior to the 1st Century, and provide an analysis of what style was likely being used by the NT author (for example: typology, compare / contrast, poetic / emotive, prophetic fulfillment, simile, and at times even exegetical / interpretive).Such varied approaches by the NT authors to acquiring and working with OT passages begs the question of whether we ought to handle the OT in the same manner as did they. This commentary fairly well states that the answer is, "Yes...but." Yes, if we were to be as careful as they in understanding that we are not always merely quoting and interpreting the OT nor making absurd allegories of the OT texts but using them as instructive examples, poetic bursts of emotion, and historical typographic illustrations then we should indeed use the OT in the same way.Often the articles and entries in the commentary are long. This is not a dictionary and does not lend itself to quick reference lookups. Such attention to detail and depth enhances the experience of using this volume as it unearths elements and aspects of the Old Testament references that we rarely attempt to see from a 1st Century perspective today.Its overall format is rather straightforward. Identify a NT passage and look it up in the commentary in the passage's traditional Protestant biblical order. Generally only OT passages that are directly quoted, paraphrased, alluded to, or cited by the NT are expanded upon in the commentary. If an OT passage is merely somewhat similar to or has only surface resemblances with an OT passage (giving one the feeling that it is being brought to mind for evocative or emotive reasons alone) then the commentary may not touch on it.In general this is a very useful collection of articles. Its heart is not on being a commentary on the entire New Testament but is focused most narrowly on how the New Testament writers put the Old Testament to work to illustrate Jesus as the Christ, the evils of rebellion and sin, and the complex intricacies of God's epic sweeping salvific plan for humanity.

I got that I expected

It's just an outstanding commentary on the NT use of the OT. God's Word is mis-interpreted when one takes the verse out of context or 'asaumes' what a passages must be saying. Many are prone to use a bible concordance (mostly from a chain-referance bible) and mis-quote, mis-interpret, and mis-apply the Truth. This book provides almost an exaustive study on how each books of the NT quotes, alludes, and apply the OT.Easy to understand, easy to follow, and a great help personally to me and am sure, if you get one, you will never regret.Sadly, the copy I got was slightly damaged. But the content of the book bypassed even that.Thank you, Dr. Carson and Dr. Beale for gathering this treasures and making it available to the church!!

Handwerkzeug für den TheologenDieses Buch gehört zum Grundbestand meiner Theologen-Bibliothek. Ich habe es zuerst dreimal getestet, indem ich bestimmte Stellen in der Bibliothek nachschlug. Zudem ging ich ein ganzes Bibelbuch (Jesaja) anhand der Häufung der Erwähnungen im Bibelstellenregister durch. Nachdem die grundsätzliche Beziehung zwischen Altem und Neuem Testament geklärt ist - sie besteht, wie Mark Dever in  Der große Plan. Von Gott. Für uns.  schlüssig darstellt, in einem Verhältnis von Verheissung zu Erfüllung. Das Alte ist also durch die Brille des Neuen Testaments zu lesen - und keinesfalls umgekehrt. Dieses Werk hilft uns bei der Frage, wie wir dies tun können. Sämtliche Zitate und Anspielungen werden systematisch betrachtet. Schon wer einzelne Teile durchblättert, wird schnell feststellen: Die Vernetzung ist sehr dicht. Feine Fäden werden überallhin gesponnen. Das wiederum bedeutet, dass wir auf der einen Seite genug weit gehen sollen, jedoch nicht zu weit. Hierin ist das 1200 starke Buch eine grosse Hilfe.Ein Beispiel: Kolosser 3,9-10 Erschaffung/Neuschaffung des Menschen in Gottes BildDer Autor, G. K. Beale, bringt sofort Kol 1,6+10 (Frucht bringen und wachsen) ebenfalls mit dem Schöpfungsbericht in Zusammenhang, ebenso mit Kol 1,15, wo Christus als Bild des unsichtbaren Gottes vorgestellt wird. Er spannt dann den heilsgeschichtlichen Bogen, indem er die Aufgabe des Menschen entfaltet, Gottes Herrlichkeit zu reflektieren. In der neuen Schöpfung geschieht das durch die Identifikation des neuen Menschen mit Christus.In der Einleitung stellen die beiden Editoren, G. K. Beale und D. A. Carson, die sechs Vorgaben an die Autoren vor:1. Darstellung des NT-Kontexts2. Darstellung des AT-Kontexts inkl. Entwicklung innerhalb des AT3. Umgang und Interpretationen im Judentum des zweiten Tempels4. Verwendete Textvorlage(n), z. B. Septuaginta oder Masoretischer Text (MT)5. Der genaue Gebrauch im NT (z. B. in Form eines Erfüllungszitats)6. Der theologische Gebrauch (z. B. der direkte Bezug von Jahwe zu Jesus)Die Editoren weisen zudem auf einige Charakteristiken der Zitate hin:1. Es existiert bezüglich Zitaten eine erstaunliche Breite. Man bedenke dabei Matthäus, Kolosser und die Offenbarung!2. Mit Leichtigkeit wird Jahwe mit Jesus, Israel mit der Kirche oder Israel mit Jesus identifiziert.3. Der heilsgeschichtliche Rahmen der NT-Schreiber beeinflusste diese bei der Interpretation des AT.4. AT Texte werden so angewandt, dass sie nur im NT-Kontext verständlich werden.FazitLeider wird das Alte Testament unter Christen stark vernachlässigt. Es erscheint uns als ein ödes Land mit langen unfruchtbaren Strecken. Viele ziehen sich aus dem Terrain zurück. Damit verlieren sie aber Wesentliches im Neuen Testament. Dieses bezieht sich auf Schritt und Tritt auf das Alte Testament. Wer diesen Querverbindungen nachgehen will (und im Falle des Predigers soll!), dem leistet dieses Werk unschätzbare Dienste. Der große Plan. Von Gott. Für uns.

The Holy Spirit long ago inspired a commentary on the Old Testament, and was even kind enough to leave us with a copy (it's the New Testament, of course!)Every NT reference to the OT, allusion, and rather a lot of links that are probably not in the text can be found in this compendious volume, and is treated with the kind of scholarship you'd expect from the chaps involved.Every exegete and pastor should have this and use it every time they teach on the OT.

This was a gift for someone having difficulty connecting the stories of the New Testament with the long ago stories of the Old Testament. It is an exceptional book extensively researched by Biblical scholars.