Exegetically Speaking

Following his resurrection in Luke 24 Jesus startles his disciples by appearing among them when they are talking about him. By v. 41, properly understood, they are still not believing. Luke's implicit argument about what finally brings them to faith requires close attention to the Greek wording and clues as to discourse structure. Dr. J. D. Atkins is Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, and Chair of the Department of Biblical and Exegetical Studies at Tyndale Theological Seminary. Among other things he has authored, The Doubt of the Apostles and the Resurrection Faith of the Early Church. He is working (coauthor) on Forty Questions on the Gospels (Kregel). In this episode, Dr. J. D. Atkins concludes his discussion of Luke 24:41-45. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Z9V1kg M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4jzKnwy

Following his resurrection in Luke 24 Jesus startles his disciples by appearing among them when they are talking about him. By v. 41, properly understood, they are still not believing. Luke's implicit argument about what finally brings them to faith requires close attention to the Greek wording and clues as to discourse structure. Dr. J. D. Atkins is Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, and Chair of the Department of Biblical and Exegetical Studies at Tyndale Theological Seminary. Among other things he has authored, The Doubt of the Apostles and the Resurrection Faith of the Early Church. He is working (coauthor) on Forty Questions on the Gospels (Kregel). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4qfstlu M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4jv2tQk

In Matthew 6, is Jesus talking about "healthy" and "unhealthy" eyes, as translations sometimes have it (e.g., NIV, ESV, NLT), or is the Greek expression an idiom that Jewish listeners would have readily understood in another way? Dr. Brad H. Young is Emeritus Professor in Judaic Christian Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Literature at Oral Roberts University Graduate School of Theology and Ministry, and Professor at Jerusalem Seminary. Among other things, he has published Jesus the Jewish Theologian and The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation.

Baruch Kvasnika, President of Jerusalem Seminary and an expert in biblical Hebrew, joins to explore the nuances of work prohibited on the Sabbath. He delves into the meanings of the Hebrew terms 'melecha' and 'avodah,' clarifying why certain creative tasks are forbidden. Baruch examines how these concepts are drawn from Genesis and Exodus, highlighting the interpretive layers added by rabbinic traditions. He emphasizes the practicality of Sabbath laws, balancing sacred rest with the need for sustaining work.

Toward the close of his short letter to Philemon, Paul offers to pay any debt Onesimus may owe Philemon, and adds (ESV), "I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self." The last words are often viewed as heavy-handed, but are better understood as an instance of paralipsis in which Paul "brings up something without bringing it up." He is employing a tactful approach to mention a delicate matter. Dr Seth Ehorn, an alum of the MA in Biblical Exegesis program at Wheaton Graduate School, is Assistant Professor of Classics and Biblical Languages at Houston Christian University. Among other things, he has published 2 Maccabees 1-7: A Handbook on the Greek Text and 2 Maccabees 8-15: A Handbook on the Greek Text, both in the Baylor Handbook on the Septuagint Series. He is currently working on a commentary on Paul's Letter to Philemon. He has contributed several previous episodes to Exegetically Speaking.

In an important line, Paul is frequently understood to be referring to at least two laws, the law of Moses, which the apostle is no longer "under," and a law of Christ, which he is still "under" (1 Cor. 9:21). Jewish parallels and the Greek words Paul uses suggest, however, that it is Paul's commission to preach the gospel that can override some Mosaic laws when they hinder his mission. Paul appears to be a transgressor of Moses' law but he insists he is conducting himself lawfully with respect to Moses because of Christ who commissioned him. Dr. Paul Sloan is Associate Professor of Early Christianity at Houston Christian University. He has published Jesus and the Law of Moses: The Gospels and the Restoration of Israel within First-Century Judaism. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4raJmyq M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4piXJQ9

In the opening line of Mark's Gospel Jesus is referred to as "the Son of God," except that the Greek phrasing in this instance, somewhat non-typically, lacks any definite article. That this idiom echoes imperial propaganda is seen to be likely when a Roman centurion employs the same wording as he observes how Jesus died on their cross. Dr. Christopher Hays, a return contributor to this podcast, is president of Scholar Leaders and host of Faith on the Road Podcast. Among his publications are When the Son of Man Didn't Come: A Constructive Proposal on the Delay of the Parousia and Eight Million Exiles: Missional Action Research and the Crisis of Forced Migration. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/49x9aP4 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3XH7R8U

When the king of Egypt is first introduced in our OT book of Exodus he is not named, nor thereafter. But the book itself in Hebrew is called "Names," and even the midwives are named (Exod. 1:15). Egyptians tended to treat the kings of their enemies the same way. Dr. Oliver Hersey is the 11th president of Jerusalem University College. This college, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Zion, equips for ministry by providing immersive study of the ancient and modern contexts of Israel and the surrounding regions for a deepened understanding of God and his word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4qXJAsL M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4i2FEmo

John's longer letter begins with a series of clauses headed by neuter relative pronouns without clear antecedents. In particular, the neuter gender draws our attention. To what do they refer and how does this relate to John's larger concerns? Dr. Elizabeth Mburu, who contributed earlier to this podcast, is Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya, and is the regional coordinator for Anglophone Africa for Langham Literature. She is on the board of the Africa Bible Commentary and is the editorial coordinator and New Testament editor for its revision. Her publications include Qumran and the Origins of Johannine Language and Symbolism and African Hermeneutics. She is currently writing the commentary on 1-3 John for the Word Biblical Commentary Series. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4qL6SBW M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3XePdVF

Andrew Perrin, Professor of Humanities and a Dead Sea Scrolls specialist, delves into the fascinating world of ancient manuscripts. He discusses how the Dead Sea Scrolls enhance our understanding of biblical texts and scribes’ techniques. Perrin highlights intriguing details from 4Q Jeremiah A, including a notable variant at Jeremiah 14:6 involving a 'bald donkey.' The conversation emphasizes the significance of messy manuscripts for textual development and the ongoing necessity of text critiques in biblical studies.