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Quotation, Allusion, and Echo in the Synoptic GospelsNick Elder

4.16.2011The Iliff School of Theology

In addition to the citation of 1 Enoch in Jude, that some of the Pseudepigrapha were readas sacred Scripture in the early church is demonstrated by the use of the Greek Scripturesin the NT writings, the inclusions of some of these books in the Greek biblical codices,

allusions throughout the NT corpus, and the continuing inclusion of these books in thelists of Scripture by the early church fathers. (R. Timothy McLay, The Use of theSeptuagint in the New Testament in The Biblical Canon, 231.)

It is essential that we examine carefully both the NT writings and the early churchfathers on how each source is quoted, cited, or alluded to before drawing conclusions

about the scope and identity of Jesus sacred ScripturesOnly after carefully examiningeach context can we draw responsible conclusions about how such ancient references

were viewed by their users. (Lee McDonald,The Biblical Canon

, 192)

Instructions:In your groups compare, first, the intertextual relationships McDonald proposes between

non-canonical literature and the gospels and, second, the intertextual relationships

between the LXX and the gospels. In your groups answer/discuss the following

questions:-How would you classify the relationship? As quotation? Allusion? Echo? Something

else?

-Why do you classify the relationship this way? (Verbal resonances? Ideologicalresonances?)

-How does the evoked text function in the alluding text? In other words, why is the text

utilized? What does it gain the author? (It may be helpful to look at the larger context)

Group OneIntertextual Relationship #1

Tobit 12.15 and Matt 18.20/Luke 1.19Tobit 12.15 , , .

I am Raphael one of the seven holy angels who report the prayers of the holy ones andenter before the glory of the holy one.

Matt. 18.10

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Be watchful that you do not despise one of these small ones, because I say to you thatthe angels themselves in the heavens are always looking at the face of my father who is inthe heavens.

Luke 1.19

And the Angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, the one who stands before Godand I was sent to speak to you and to announce these things to you.

Intertextual Relationship #2

Sirach 10.14 and Luke 1.52Sirach 10.14

The Lord destroyed the thrones of rulersAnd he has set the gentle against them.

Luke 1.52

,

He brought down the powerful ones from thronesAnd he lifted up the humble ones.

Intertextual Relationship #3

Deut 6:4b-5 and Mark 12.29-30Deut 6.4b-5, .

Hear Israel: the Lord our God is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all ofyour heart and will all of your soul and will all of your power.

Mark 12.29-30

, , , .

Jesus answered that the first is, Hear Israel: the Lord our God is one and you shall lovethe Lord your God will all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your

strength.

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Group TwoIntertext Relationship #1

Wisdom 16.26 and Matt 4.4 (Compared to Deut 8.3)Wisdom 16.26 , , ,

, .

In order that your sons might learn, those you loved, Lord

Because the offspring of the crops dont feed a personBut your words maintain those who are believing in you

Matt 4.4

, .

And he answered (and) said, It has been written, not only on bread will a person live, buton each word which comes from the mouth of God.

Compare to LXX Deut 8.3:

, .

Not only on bread will a person live, but on each word which comes out from the mouth

of God will a person live.

Intertextual Relationship #2

Psalm of Solomon 5.3 and Mark 3:27Psalms of Solomon 5.3

, , ;

For a certain one will not receive plunder from a powerful person[so] also who will receive from all (these things) which you made, if you do not give

(them)

Mark 3:27

,

, .

But no one, entering into the house of a strong one, is able to plunder his objects if he

does not first bind the strong one and then enter into his house.

Intertextual Relationship #3

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Psalm 6:9 and Matt 7:23 , ,

Depart from me, all those who make lawlessness

because the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.

Matt 7:23

.

And then he will profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, all those makinglawlessness.

Group 3Intertextual Relationship #1

Sirach 4.1, Exod 20.12-16, Deut 5.16-20 and Mark 10.18-19Sir 4.1, .

Child, do not defraud the life of the poor personAnd do not keep needy eyes waiting

Exod 20.12-16 , , , . _

. _. _. _ .

Honor your father and mother, in order that it make be well with you and in order thatyou may live long in the good land which the Lord your God is giving to you. Do not

commit adultery, do not steal, do not do not murder, do not wit witness falsely againstyour neighbor (as a) false witness.

Deut 5.16-20

, , , , . _. _. _. _ .

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Honor your father and your mother (in) the way the Lord your God commanded you sothat it may be well with you and in order that you may live long in the land which theLord your God is giving to you. Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do

not witness falsely against your neighbor (as a) false witness.

Mark 10.18-19 ; . , , , , , .

And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God.You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, donot witness falsely, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.

Intertextual Relationship #2Sirach 29.10-11 and Matt 6.20

Sirach 29.10-11 , . , .

Lose silver for the sake of a brother and a friendand do not let it rust under a stone to destruction

Give your treasures according to the laws of the most high

And it will be better for you than gold.

Matt 6.19-20

,

But store up treasure for yourself in heaven, where neither a moth nor (another)consuming insect (can) ruin (it), also where thieves can neither break in nor steal (it).

Intertextual Relationship #3Isaiah 29.13 and Mark 7.6-7Is 29.13

, , .

And the Lord said this people draws near to me, theirlips honor me, but their heart is farfrom me. Vainly they worship me teaching commands and teachings of men.

Mark 7.6-7

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, [] , .

And he said to them, the prophet spoke well about you hypocrites, as it is written, Thispeople honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Vainly they worship me,

teaching teachings and commandments of men.

Questions for Discussion:-How convinced are you that there is a relationship between the gospel writers and the

non-canonical material presented by McDonald? What does this relationship look like?-What does a quoting a text say about that texts authority? What does alluding to a textsay about its authority? What does echoing a text say about its authority?-How much resonance do two texts have to have in order to be considered in a causal

relationship?

-What can quotations, allusions, and echoes tell us about the authority of various texts for

the NT authors?-Do quotations, allusions, and echoes inform the process of canonization of the HB?