Publication details
Jewish Law in the Gospel of Matthew
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Argumentation 2017 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Keywords | Jewish law; the Gospel of Matthew |
| Description | The Bible has been among the most read books throughout centuries. It is an unique masterpiece of world literature, since inspiration and educational examples are being found in it by people regardless of their origin, belief and opinion. In my paper, I will be dealing with the Old Testament as a source of legal rules governing Jewish law, or Mosaic Law in particular. From the text of Old Testament books, I will point out the passages that are directly or indirectly quoted in the Gospel According to Matthew. Jesus himself claims that he doesn´t come “to destroy the law, or the prophets: (...), but to fulfil” (Matt. 5:17) and that “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:18). So, a “legal” part of my contribution on the Law and Literature conference encompasses the examination of selected rules of Jewish law that were kept in the time of Jesus. From all four gospels I have selected a Matthew´s one for a “literary” part of my paper, because the author aimed at particularly Jewish audience. That is why his gospel entails the major number of links to the Old Testaments texts, which the author puts in context of the life of Jesus and the teaching of Jesus. Jesus himself quotes the Old Testament to show how the interpretation of Pharisees, who have created a long list of rules, has become burdensome. The final passage of each of all four gospels, the proceedings with Jesus and his crucifixion in particular, demonstrates the co-existence of Jewish and Roman law in then Jerusalem. The strict distinguishing between the two legal systems, and emphasizing the acts and failings of those who bore responsibility, is apparent from the gospel endings. |