• Abolishers of the Law in Early Judaism and Matthew 5,17–20

    Author(s):
    Matthew Thiessen (see profile)
    Date:
    2012
    Group(s):
    Ancient Jew Review, Biblical Studies, Religious Studies
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Jewish law, Matthew, parting of the ways
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6MT1C
    Abstract:
    Matthew’s use of (kata)luō in Matt 5:17-20 needs to be understood in light of other occurrences of these words in Jewish literature. This paper focuses on two historical events around which these words cluster: the Antiochan persecution and the destruction of the Temple. Since Jewish literature characterizes the Hellenizers of the Maccabean period as law abolishers, labeling others as law abolishers implicated them in endangering the nation. After the Jewish War, as Josephus demonstrates, law abolishers would have been blamed for the Temple’s destruction. Consequently, Matthew addresses the charge that Jesus abolished the law and therefore endangered the Jewish nation.
    Metadata:
    Published as:
    Journal article    
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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