Notes for Episode #82
Featuring the key texts mentioned on this program with numerous Old Testament references. You'll also find additional quotes from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Aramaic Targums, Augustine, and more.
Shane’s Translation of Luke’s Opening Prologue
Lk 1:1 Insofar as many have endeavored each to set in order an account of the events that have been completely fulfilled among us, 2 just as those—who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and guardians of the word—transmitted to us, 3 it seemed good also to me, as one who had been a follower from the beginning, to write everything accurately and orderly for you, most noble Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you’ve been told.
Promise/fulfillment Theme in the Gospel of Luke
Lk 1:1 “…the events that have been completely fulfilled among us…”
Lk 1:54-55 “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Lk 1:68-70 “[The God of Israel] has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old…”
Lk 3:4 “…as is written in the book of Isaiah…” (cf. Is 40:3-5)
Lk 4:21 “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (cf. Is 61).
Lk 7:27 “This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’”
Lk 9:31 “[Moses and Elijah] appeared in glory [with Jesus] and spoke of the exodus he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.
Lk 18:31 “all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man must be fulfilled.”
Lk 21:22 “…all things which are written must be fulfilled.”
Lk 22:37 “that which is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For that which concerns me must be fulfilled.”
Lk 24:44 “all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
The Words of Gabriel’s First Annunciation (i.e., Daniel 9)
Dan 9:21-27 “While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. 22 He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, I am now come forth to give you wisdom and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell you; for you are greatly loved: therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision. 24 Seventy sevens (i.e., seventy periods of seven years; cf. Lev 25:8) are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish transgression, and to put an end to sin, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25 Know therefore, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the coming of the Anointed One the prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks...26 After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One shall be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end of it shall be with a flood, and even to the end shall be war; desolations are determined. 27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out on the desolate (cf. Dan 8:16, Lk 1:19, 26 for other biblical references to Gabriel).1
An Interpretation of Daniel 9 from the Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 100 BC)
[The jubilee] applies to the Last Days and concerns the captives, just as Isaiah said: “To proclaim the jubilee to the captives” (Is 61:1, cf. Lk 4:16ff)…Melchizedek…will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them the jubilee, thereby releasing them from the debt of all their sins. This word will thus come in the first week of the jubilee period that follows nine jubilee periods. Then the “Day of Atonement” shall follow at the end of the tenth jubilee period, when he shall atone for all the Sons of Light and the people who are predestined to Melchizedek…For this is the time decreed for “the year of Melchizedek’s favor” (Is 61:2) and for his hosts, together with the holy ones of God, for a kingdom of judgment, just as it is written concerning him in the Songs of David, “A godlike being has taken his place in the council of God; in the midst of the divine beings he holds judgment” (Ps 82:1). Scripture also says about him, “Over it take your seat in the highest heaven; a divine being will judge the peoples” (Ps 7:7–8)…This visitation is the Day of Salvation that He has decreed…through Isaiah the prophet concerning all the captives, inasmuch as Scripture says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your divine being reigns’” (Is 52:7). This scripture’s interpretation: “the mountains” are the prophets, they who were sent to proclaim God’s truth and to prophesy to all Israel. And “the messenger” is the Anointed of the Spirit, of whom Daniel spoke, “After the sixty-two weeks, an Anointed One shall be cut off” (Dan. 9:26, cf. Is 53:8). The “messenger who brings good news, who announces salvation” (Is 52:7) is the one of whom it is written, “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn” (Is 61:2)…“Your divine being” is Melchizedek, who will deliver them from the power of Belial.2
The Words of Gabriel’s Second Annunciation (c. 4 BC)
Lk 1:26-33. “Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God (cf. Dan 9:23). 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’3 32 He will be great (Mic 5:4, Is 9:2), and will be called the Son of the Most High (Ps 2:7). The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David (2Sam 7:12-13, Is 9:7) 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his kingdom” (2Sam 7:16, Is 9:7, Dan 2:44, 7:13-14, 27)
The Prayer of Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 600 BC)
“May the house I have made endure…to all eternity, O Marduk…May my posterity rule over men forever and ever.”4 Click here for additional discoveries related to this king.
The Words of Mary’s ‘Magnificat’
Lk 1:46-55 Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord (Ps 98:1). 47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (Ps 106:21, Is 43:3, 11, 45:15, 21, 49:26) 48 For he has looked at the humble state (Is 66:2) of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49 For he who is mighty (Ps 50:1, 132:2, 5) has done great things for me. Holy is his name (Ps 30:4, 145:21). 50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him (Ex 20:6, 107:1). 51 He has shown strength with his arm (Ps 89:13, 98:1 Is 40:10, 52:10). He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart (Ps 94:2, Prv 21:4, Ezk 28:17). 52 He has put down princes from their thrones (Ps. 107:40, Dan 4:37, Hag 2:22). And has exalted the lowly (Ps 18:27, 107:41, Is 57:15). 53 He has filled the hungry with good things (Ps 107:9). He has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has given help to Israel, his servant (Ps 115:9, Is 41:14), that he might remember mercy (Ex 33:19, Ps 25:6, 98:3), 55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever (Gen 12:7, 15:6, 26:24, 28:10-17, Dt 9:5-6, cf. Gal 3:8).
The Words of Zachariah’s ‘Benedictus’
Lk 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people (Gen 48:16, Ex 6:6, Ps 111:9, 130:7, Is 29:22, 44:6, 52:9); 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (Ps 18:2, 2Sam 7:12-13) 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old (Is 9:6-7, 11:1ff, Jer 23:5-6) , 71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us (Ex 15:6, Is 11:6-8); 72 to show mercy towards our fathers (Ps. 25:6, Mic 7:20), to remember his holy covenant (Ex 2:24, Dt 4:31, Ps 98:3, cf. Gal 3, Heb 7:22, 8:13), 73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father (Gen 26:3, Dt 7:8, Jer 11:5), 74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies (Num 24:17), should serve him without fear (Gen 26:24, Is 43:1-5), 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life (Ps 96-9, Ezk 20:38-39, Mal 3:3-4). 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way (Mal 3:1, cf. Mt 11:10, Lk 7:26), 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people (Ps 98:2, 14:7) by the remission of their sins (Ps. 130:4, Is 53:6, Jer 31:34, Dan 9:9, 24), 78 because of the tender mercy of our God (Ps 25:6, Is 30:18), whereby the dawn from on high will visit us (2Sam 23:4), 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness (Is 9:2, 49:6) and the shadow of death (Ps 23:4); to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Is 52:7, 59:8).
The Angelic Announcement to the Bethlehem Shepherds
Luke 2:10 And the angel [told the shepherds] “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news (Is 40:9, 41:27, 61:1, cf. Lk 4:43, 8:1, 16:16) of great joy (Is 52:7-8) that will be for all the people (Ps 22:27, Is 24:16, 45:22, 49:6, 52:10, Mic 5:4, Zec 9:10). 11 For unto you is born this day (Is 9:6) in the city of David a Savior (Is 43:11, 45:21, Zeph 3:17) who is Christ the Lord (Is 9:6-7, Dan 9:25)…13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest (Ps 79:9, Is 60:19), on earth peace, good will toward men” (Is 9:6, 52:7, 53:5, Mic 5:4).
Aramaic Targums of Isaiah 9:6 & Michah 5:2
Isaiah 9:6 “The prophet said to the house of David that a boy has been born to us, a son has been given to us, and he has received the Torah upon himself to keep it. And his name has been called from before the One Who Causes Wonderful Counsel, God the Warrior, the Eternally Existing One—the Messiah who will increase peace upon us in his days.”
Mic 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrath, you were as too small to be numbered among the thousands of the house of Judah. From you shall come forth before me the Messiah to be executing rule over Israel, whose name is uttered from former times, from the days of antiquity.
The Prayer of Simeon
Luke 2:29 “Lord, let your servant depart in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation (Ex 14:13, Ps 98:3, 52;10), 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples (Ps 22:27, Is 24:16, 45:22, 49:6, 52:10, Mic 5:4, Zec 9:10); 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Is 9:2, 42:6, 49:6, 60:3), and the glory of your people Israel (Is 60:1-3).” 33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel (Ezk 34, Zeph 3:11) and for a sign which is spoken against (Ps 22:6, 118:22, Is 53:1-3) 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul (Ps 22:16, Is 53:5, Zec 12:10), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Augustine on the Conversion of the Nations
What can our deluded adversaries say to such plain examples [as I have shown from the Scriptures], which leave no room for perverse denial, or even for skeptical uncertainty. I call on the Manichaeans to begin to inquire into these subjects, and to admit the force of these evidences…For instance, every reader can understand the words, “He was led as a lamb to the slaughter (Is. 53:7),” and the whole of that plain prophecy, “With His stripes we are healed (Is. 53:5)” — “He bore our sins (Is. 53:6, 11).” We have a poetical gospel in the words: “They pierced my hands and feet. They can count all my bones. They look and stare upon me. They divided my garments among them, and cast lots on my vesture” (Ps. 22:16-18). The blind even may now see the fulfillment of the words: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord, and all kingdoms of the nations shall worship before Him” (Ps. 22:27)...5
Longing for the Redemption of Jerusalem
Lk 2:36-38 “There was one Anna, a prophetess (Joel 2:28) the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher who was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years, who didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.” The longing for “redemption in Jerusalem” is likely an allusion to Is 52:9-10 which speaks of the coming redemption (specifically in Jerusalem) as if it is a completed event: “Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
SHOW NOTES
Articles
Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth, Shane Rosenthal
The Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah 5:2, Shane Rosenthal
Justin Martyr on the Importance of Fulfilled Prophecy, Shane Rosenthal
Proof of the Gospel (PDF), selections from Justin Martyr, Eusebius & Augustine
Finding Christ in All of Scripture (PDF), Shane Rosenthal
Why Should We Believe The Bible? (PDF), Shane Rosenthal
Israel: The Story Behind Jacob’s New Name, Shane Rosenthal
Archaeological Discoveries Related to Nebuchadnezzar II, Shane Rosenthal
A Pre-70 Date for the Gospels & Acts, Shane Rosenthal
The Implications of 70 AD on the Date of the Gospels & Acts, Shane Rosenthal
The Date of John’s Gospel, Revisited, Shane Rosenthal
Is Luke a Trustworthy Historian?, Sir William Ramsay
Books
Jesus in the Old Testament, Iain Duguid
Journeys with Jesus, Dennis Johnson
Echoes of Exodus: Tracing the Theme of Redemption, Roberts & Wilson
The Angel of the Lord, Matt Foreman & Doug Van Dorn
The Jewish Gospels, Daniel Boyarin
A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Gospels, Craig Evans
Proof of the Gospel, Eusebius of Caesarea
Luke’s Key Witness, Shane Rosenthal
The Messiah of the Targums, Michael B. Shepherd
Audio
Christmas: Legend or History? episode #64
The Messiah’s Redemptive Mission, episode #72
In the Beginning was the Word, episode #75 with John Ronning
The Angel of Yahweh, episode #70 with Foreman & Van Dorn
Did The Exodus Ever Happen? episode #69 with David Rohl
Jacob’s Ladder, episode #63 with Richard Bauckham and others
Babylon, episode #66
Decoding the Prophecies of Daniel, episode #68
Signs of the Messiah, episode #74 with Andreas Köstenberger
Jewish Views of the Messiah, episode #38 with Daniel Boyarin
Were Jews Expecting a Suffering Messiah? episode #47
Video
Discovering Bethsaida, Shane Rosenthal
Rethinking Luke’s Prologue, Shane Rosenthal
Prophecies of The Messiah’s Birth, You Can Handle The Truth
Christmas: Legend or History?
This special Christmas edition of the podcast features Shane’s man-on-the-street interviews that he recorded at a local Christmas festival. In particular, he asked whether the holiday, with all its m…
For a selection of ancient comments about this and other passages in Daniel, click here.
Selections from The Melchizedek Scroll (11Q13). In this scroll, the name Melchizedek is used as a metanym for Israel’s divine Messiah. This translation is by Michael O. Wise from his book, The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation (New York: HarperOne,1996, 2005), 590-593. For more information about this Qumran scroll, see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11Q13
Yeshua in Hebrew means “Yahweh saves,” or “Yahweh is salvation.”
Augustine, “Reply to Faustus the Manichaean,” Nicene & Post Nicene Fathers Vol. 1, Augustine: Confessions & Letters (Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI), Book 12, sections 43-45.
Amazing to see the ‘in bold’ references to the Hebrew Scriptures in these Lukan passages. Thank you for preparing this…