Fulfillment In Matthew As Eschatological Reversal -- By: Brandon D. Crowe

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 75:1 (Spring 2013)
Article: Fulfillment In Matthew As Eschatological Reversal
Author: Brandon D. Crowe


Fulfillment In Matthew As Eschatological Reversal

Brandon D. Crowe

Brandon D. Crowe is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary. An earlier version of this article was presented in the Gospel of Matthew section at the 2011 SBL Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Gospel of Matthew, and one that has led to much lively discussion, is the Gospel’s portrayal of Jesus as the consummate fulfillment of the OT Scriptures. This is seen most clearly in Matthew’s fulfillment formula citations, though Matthew certainly has an understanding of fulfillment that goes beyond these ten (or so) formulaic texts.1 In this article I would like to suggest a nuance to Matthew’s understanding of fulfillment as it is found both in his fulfillment formula citations and more broadly throughout his Gospel, namely, that fulfillment involves a reversal of the negative aspects of Israel’s history in Jesus as derived from the OT prophets. This reversal is related to Jesus as the recapitulation and τέλος (end, goal, purpose) of Israel’s history, which is understood by Matthew diachronically.2 In sum, I am arguing that for Matthew, the fulfillment of the

Scriptures has in large part to do with the overcoming of Israel’s disobedient history in the wide-ranging obedience of Jesus. Indeed, we see in Matthew that every aspect of Jesus’ life conforms to Scripture. To my knowledge, this perspective of fulfillment-by-reversal as a thoroughgoing element of Matthean fulfillment—particularly in reference to the formula citations—has not heretofore been suggested. To be clear, I am not arguing that this reversal is all that Matthew intends by fulfillment. Instead, I am simply proposing that this is one important aspect of how the Scriptures are consummately realized in Jesus.

This study will begin by considering the contours of Matthew’s fulfillment formula citations. After explaining the range of these citations, I will provide an exegesis of Matt 2 to illustrate the approach I am suggesting. Here I will particularly focus on the three fulfillment citations in Matt 2, and I will argue that these exhibit a pattern in which prophetic texts underscoring the covenantal infidelity of Israel find their resolution in the life of Christ. Next, I will briefly survey the rest of Matthew’s fulfillment citations, along with other relevant Matthean texts, to test whether this pattern can be pressed further. Finally, ...

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