Matthew 5:33–48_The last THREE antitheses

28/11/22

Matthew 5:33-37: Oaths and Truth-Telling»

Wisdom Within Laws About Oaths, Retaliation, and Enemy Love»

Questions

1. How does Jesus contrast the traditional teaching on oaths with his own instruction? Are there exceptions to Jesus’ interpretation?

2. What is the significance of turning the other cheek in the context of Roman society?

3. Was "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" a code for personal revenge? How was it in fact quite the opposite?

4. How does Jesus challenge the traditional interpretation of "love your neighbor and hate your enemy"?

5. What example from nature does Jesus use to illustrate God's love for all people?

6. What example does Jesus use to illustrate God's indiscriminate love for all people?

7. How does it mean to be perfect [τέλειος] as your [s.] heavenly Father is perfect [τέλειος]?

More

In Second Temple Judaism, the concept of "power in heaven" was a subject of significant interest. Some Jewish writers during this period explored the idea of a "second power in heaven" or a "second YHWH¹" which they associated with various biblical figures or angelic beings. This concept was often linked to the idea of God's co-regent or a divine intermediary. Jewish writers suggested figures like Adam, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, or angels such as Gabriel, Michael, and the "Prince of the Host" from Daniel 10 as potential candidates for this role². The notion of God's Word also featured prominently in Second Temple literature, sometimes portrayed as a distinct entity with personal traits and actions, again reflecting beliefs of a “second YHWH”³. However, it is important to note that these ideas were part of a diverse range of reflections within Second Temple Judaism on how God interacts with creation and his chosen people, rather than a universally accepted doctrine. The exploration of these concepts within Judaism eventually became a point of contention with emerging Christian beliefs about Jesus' divinity⁴.

1. Segal, Alan F. Two Powers in Heaven: Early Rabbinic Reports about Christianity and Gnosticism. Reprint edition. Waco, Tex: Baylor University Press, 2012.

2. Michael S. Heiser, “Divine Council,” in The Concise Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2021)

3. David E. Wilhite and Adam Winn, Israel’s Lord: YHWH as “Two Powers” in Second Temple Literature (Lanham, MD: Fortress Academic, 2024), 39

4. James D. G. Dunn, The Partings of the Ways: Between Christianity and Judaism and Their Significance for the Character of Christianity, Second Edition. (London: SCM Press, 2006), xxiv.