The Interpretation of Old Testament Prophecy in the New Testament

The New Testament is comprised of 278 verses cited from the Old Testament. In addition to these verses, there are many more allusions to Old Testament scripture. In fact, over 4.4 % of New Testament scripture is derived from citing the Old. The interpretation of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament is done in several different ways. One must understand these methods, the reason behind the use of the Scriptures themselves, and the perspectives of the authors who penned them.

TYPES OF INTERPRETATION:

There are four main ways that Old Testament Scriptures were interpreted by New Testament authors. Not each verse referenced is quoted verbatim, nor are the verses quoted consistent from book to book within the New Testament. The reasons for this are varied and debated, but it can generally be assumed that it is due to the fact that the language of the Old Testament was originally Hebrew and the New Testament was penned mainly in Greek. There have also been questions raised because of the lack of punctuation in Hebrew. Although some of the authors of the New Testament might have had access to the LXX, not all did, and not all felt that is was the most accurate portrayal of the original intent of the Scriptures. As a result, there are some extremely accurate quotes, some paraphrases, and some allusions to the Old Testament.

Literal Interpretation:

The first method used to determine the meaning of Old Testament prophecy is that of literal interpretation. This method was used most specifically when referencing the Pentateuch, or Books of Law. This approach is the foundation for all other interpretive methods. The author of New Testament writings would quote a verse from the Scriptures and then take the text plainly and literally, using a combination of the texts themselves and the Mishah (a collection of halakot, or oral traditions, passed down to explain the meaning of the Torah) to explain its purpose within the passage.

Midrashic Interpretation:

The second method employed by New Testament authors is known as midrashic interpretation. This is a general approach to prophecy interpretation, taking not only the obvious meaning of a Scripture, but also the subtle and slightly hidden connotation into account. This method starts with a basic assumption that there is a deeper meaning and then sets out to find it. The author can do this in one of two ways. He can either take the broad meaning and narrow it down, or take a minute detail and expound on it. Either way, it is through careful dissection and application that this 'hidden' nuance is discovered.

Pesher Interpretation:

This method seeks to uncover the eschatological meaning behind any given Old Testament prophecy. It is derived from the Hebrew word pesher, which means interpretation. This method has less of a concrete foundation, and is largely subjective. The confidence one places on the interpretation is not so much based on the words themselves, but on the interpreter. One knows that the Bible is given by inspiration of God, and therefore all pesher interpretation done within the pages of the New Testament is authoritative. The Old Testament showed expectancy for the Kingdom of God, but never saw its reality. The New Testament represents the completion of God's saving work by showing its fulfillment.

Typological Interpretation:

The final method utilized in uncovering prophetic meaning is typological interpretation. This method refers to the symbols, or types, in the Old Testament. New Testament authors, and indeed Jesus Himself, used this method by opening the eyes of the reader to events and characters in the Old Testament that were representative of God's saving grace in the New. These people, places, and occurrences are either analogically or functionally similar to their corresponding partners in the New Testament, and in some cases the end times.

USES OF OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE:

While nearly all of the verses quoted from the Old Testament in the New are prophetic in nature, their individual purposes vary. Jesus used Scripture to give authority to His teachings and actions. His support of Scripture was unqualified and total; He believed it to be the authority in any situation. The authors of the New Testament followed Jesus' example when they, too, ascribed total validity to the Old Testament.

By Jesus:

Jesus Himself deferred to the Father's authority by using Old Testament Scripture as His measuring stick in all situations. When He was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan, He used only three verses from the Old Testament to establish His authority as the Son of God (Matt. 4:1-11). In situations where His actions or teachings were questioned by the Jewish leaders of the time, He in turn referred them to the Old Testament from which they based every aspect of their lives (Matt. 9:13; Luke 5:27-32). While they might find fault with the man, they could not argue against the infallible Word of the Lord. Jesus never contradicted the Old Testament, but instead brought forth the meaning intended by God; He gave the Scriptures a richer, fuller purpose.

This respect for the authority of the Old Testament seen in Jesus' teachings and behavior lent credence to the prophecies that He then began to quote. Jesus took passages not only from the Law, but also from the Prophets. His ministry was built systematically on Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment of them. His very conception to a virgin was a fulfillment of prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14 (Mt. 1:23). His birth in Bethlehem and journey into Egypt were also a direct confirmation of known prophecies. John the Baptist leading the way for Him was yet another fulfilled promise (Isa. 40:3; Mt. 3:3).

This solid foundation of confirmation gave validity to Jesus' claim that He was the Son of God. His ministry included healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and many other miracles and signs. These acts are a direct fulfillment of Isa. 61:1-3. His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection were also all in accordance with prophecies from the Old Testament.

Jesus was very literal in His approach to interpretation, but he also used allegories and types, making some of His explanations typological. He did at times use the pesher method of interpretation, but not as frequently. Jesus also applied the midrashic approach by giving a more well-rounded understanding to previously obscure verses. The authors of the New Testament followed His example and used all four interpretive methods.

By Authors of the New Testament:

The Apostles viewed the Old Testament in light of a new revelation. Having encountered the promised Messiah, they were able to understand more fully all that had been previously revealed about Him. Their use or interpretation of Old Testament prophecies was not in light of anticipation, but rather in view of realization. They understood that Jesus had come to complete God's as yet unfinished work of redemption.

Paul used the Old Testament prophecies given to Abraham to show how the Gentiles would be included in God's plan of salvation. The book of Romans has the greatest density of Old Testament verses in all of New Testament books. Paul also uses it to show how the Law is not meant for condemnation and death, but rather through faith in Jesus it brings life. Paul's main approach was typological, but he also approached the cited verses midrashically.

Peter referred to the prophet Joel and his foretelling of the end times when he spoke in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. He took a literal approach and showed the people how the promises of a long ago prophet had come to pass before their very eyes. He took that prophecy and not only moved it into the present, but made sure that the listeners understood that it would be fulfilled many times in the succeeding generations. His purpose in using this prophecy was to erase fear and confusion and lend credibility to what was occurring. Peter also intended that the use of Scripture would lend authority to the move of God.

INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY:

Progressive Revelation:

Progressive revelation approaches Old Testament prophecy with an expectancy. Here the interpreter realizes that although the Scriptures are to be taken literally, there is also a deeper meaning that will come to light when all of the pieces are put together. This is where the New Testament begins to interpret and not just reiterate the Old. The New Testament authors understood that there was a new dimension that had been previously lacking because the prophecies had been waiting for fulfillment.

To approach the Scriptures progressively, one must approach the Old Testament prophecies from both a forward and a backward direction. One must look forward from the Old Testament, realizing that it is preparing the way for the New. Conversely, one must also look backward from the New Testament to see that it is the finale, or completion of previously given prophecies. When studied from both perspectives, a complete picture is viewed. It would be impossible for one to examine and fully understand Old Testament prophecies without reading the New Testament. In the same way, without referencing the Old Testament, the New Testament lacks much of its relevance and significance to the Christian reader.

Apostolic Interpretation:

The authors of the New Testament approached interpretation both progressively and with an inspired perspective. They were able to relay to their readers not only the message that the Messiah had come, but also the teachings of Christ. This approach to Old Testament interpretation is accomplished in three ways.

The first approach was to examine prophecy in light of Christ. Jesus was viewed as the key to unlock the mysteries of the Old Testament. The Christological perspective examined God's promises through the eyes of fulfillment. They understood that since Christ had already come, each promise of God was now accessible. Like a riddle that needed to be solved, they were able to apply the answer that had been revealed to them.

Secondly, the historical approach was applied. The Old Testament was more than an archive of Israel's history; it was also the account of God's redemptive endeavors. Previously misunderstood or puzzling actions were brought to light. In view of Jesus' prophetic fulfillment, the authors of the New Testament were able to show the unity of God's deeds.

The last manner in which the Apostles approached the interpretation of prophecies was from the eschatological perspective. This approach examined the promises about the Kingdom of God. The Old Testament anticipated the Kingdom of God, but never attained it. The New Testament revealed the expected Kingdom as having come. The Jews of the time did not fully understand that Jesus was the Messiah because they expected a mighty ruler and a grandiose kingdom. The authors of the New Testament, primarily Matthew and Paul, used the Scriptures to show how Jesus did indeed represent the coming of the Kingdom of God. They revealed that it was a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one.

CONCLUSION:

The Old Testament prophecies interpreted in the New Testament were revealed in numerous manners. There were several approaches to interpretation, as well as different perspectives. No single interpretation or approach was any more valid than the other, or more accurate. All of them incorporated into the New Testament create a complete picture for the reader. The purpose of interpretation is to show how God has kept His promises, and to explain the fulfillment of the previously given prophecies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Erwin Penner, "Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy," Direction Journal 6, no. 2, (1977):

38-47.

2. Steve Moyise, The Old Testament in the New (London: Biddles, Ltd., 2001).

3. Barry D. Smith, "The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament," (2005), Online:

http://www.abu.nb.ca/courses/NTIntro/IndexNTIntr.htm [November 29, 2005].

4. M. J. J. Menken, Old Testament Quotations in the Fourth Gospel: Studies in Textual

Form (Kampen: Kok, 1996).