Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Must Christians Keep Kosher? Decoding Matthew's Answer
Jan 20, 2026
Join Bart Ehrman, a renowned New Testament scholar and bestselling author, as he delves into whether Christians should keep kosher. He explores the historical context of Jewish law and its evolution. Ehrman dissects Matthew’s interpretation of law, emphasizing love of God and neighbor as central. He argues that Gentiles can enter the faith without strict adherence to rituals. The discussion highlights important themes of inclusivity and moral responsibility, illustrating how Matthew's teachings resonate beyond ethnicity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Law Intensified, Not Abolished
- Matthew's Jesus insists followers keep the law and even intensifies moral commands like 'do not murder' into 'do not be angry.'
- Intensifying the law focuses on inner attitudes, not abolishing Torah obligations.
Matthew Omits 'All Foods Clean' Line
- Matthew keeps Mark's controversy about handwashing but removes Mark's line that 'thereby he declared all foods clean.'
- This omission suggests Matthew avoids explicitly abolishing kosher rules.
Textual Additions Reveal Jewish Presuppositions
- Matthew inserts references that presuppose Sabbath restrictions, like adding 'or on the Sabbath' to a flight instruction.
- Such additions imply Matthew values traditional Jewish practice even while reshaping its meaning.
