Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 86:2 (Fall 2024)
Article: Resurrection In The Book Of Daniel And The Gospel Of Matthew
Author: Hyoun Jung

WTJ 86:2 (Fall 2024) p. 237

Resurrection In The Book Of Daniel And The Gospel Of Matthew

Hyoun Jung

This study looks at Matthew’s use of Daniel in his portrayal of resurrection. I argue that Matthew alludes to Daniel at key points in his portrayal of both the death and resurrection of Jesus and the teachings of Jesus referring to the end-time general resurrection. This should not be surprising, since Dan 12 is widely considered to be the clearest expression of resurrection hope in the OT.

In order to understand how Matthew shapes his message of resurrection through these allusions to Daniel, it is important first to study how Daniel itself portrays resurrection. Daniel 12 expresses hope of an end-time bodily resurrection of all people for judgment, leading to the eternal life in glory of the righteous and the eternal condemnation of the wicked. This expression of Dan 12 is the theological climax of the book foreshadowed by the earlier portions of the book. The stories of deliverance from death in Dan 3 and 6 are “quasi-resurrection stories,” foreshadowing the end-time resurrection through the same themes and motifs found there. These stories lead to the vision of the Son of Man in Dan 7, which uses the same themes of the persecution and suffering of the righteous and their vindication and exaltation. This suggests that the suffering of the Son of Man prior to his vindication and exaltation may be implied in Dan 7 as well.

Matthew uses these resurrection portions of Daniel in key points in his passion-resurrection narrative. He alludes to Dan 7 at Jesus’ trial (Matt 26:64), at the empty tomb (28:3), and after the resurrection (28:18), pointing to the partial fulfillment of the vision of the Son of Man in the resurrection of Jesus. He also alludes to the story of Daniel in the lions’ den several times throughout the passion-resurrection narrative, thus portraying Jesus’ resurrection as the typological fulfillment of Dan 6. Finally, Matthew alludes to Dan 12 at Jesus’ death, suggesting that Dan 12’s time of the end begins with Jesus’ death and resurrection.

WTJ 86:2 (Fall 2024) p. 238

In Jesus’ teaching on the general resur...