Was the Bible Used by Jesus Christ?: Diving into Historical and Scriptural Context

The question of whether Jesus Christ used the Bible is a complex one that delves into both historical and scriptural contexts. This article aims to explore the prevailing historical and scriptural perspectives, shedding light on the roles of the Old Testament, the Tanakh, and the Septuagint in the life and teachings of Jesus.

Context and Historical Accuracy

According to historical and religious texts, Jesus would have used the Tanakh, so-called Jewish scriptures, which are equivalent to the Old Testament. The Tanakh contains the Torah and is regarded as the foundation of Jewish faith and practice.

However, it is crucial to note that the Bible as we know it today was compiled more than 300 years after the alleged time of Christ. The process of establishing andEditing the biblical canon was ongoing, and various versions existed during Jesus' time. Notably, the Old Testament in its entirety was not yet in a fixed form.

The Role of the Tanakh and Torah

The characters in the New Testament would have been following the Torah or Tanakh. However, the early Christian community significantly diverged from many traditional Jewish practices, such as the Passover observance and the Sabbath, and introduced new concepts not present in the Tanakh, like the idea of the holy spirit.

It is important to understand that the term "holy spirit" as used in the New Testament is distinct from any mention of the spirit of God in the Old Testament. The spirit of God is described in Genesis 1:2, where the Hebrew text states "vdx hhvb" which means the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. This is not the same as the concept of the holy spirit.

The Use of the Septuagint

Additionally, Jesus likely used the Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. The Septuagint was prevalent in Egypt, where Jesus grew up. This translation has several divisions:

Torah: This section includes the Books of Genesis (Bereshit), Exodus (Shemot), Leviticus (Vayikrah), Numbers (Bamidbar), and Deuteronomy (Devarim). Nevi'im: This section encompasses the Books of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Ketuvim: This final section includes the Books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles.

Together, these sections form the Tanakh. It is worth mentioning that some books are divided into two sections due to the limitations on the length of scrolls at the time.

The Affirmation of the Jewish Bible

There are several passages in the New Testament that affirm the authority and centrality of the Jewish Bible, particularly the Old Testament. One interesting example can be found in Matthew 23:29-35, where Jesus addresses the scribes and Pharisees:

Matt 23:29-35 (LSB): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous. You say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you bear witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers.

Here, Jesus emphasizes the continuity and responsibility of the Jewish people, invoking the historical events from the first book of the Hebrew Bible, Genesis, to the last book, 2 Chronicles.

The Divine Sent Prophets

Another striking element in Matthew 23 is the statement that Jesus himself sent the prophets. Jesus says, “I am sending you—prophets and wise men and scribes,” highlighting his divine role as the sender of these prophetic figures.

This passage not only underscores the historical context of the Tanakh but also reinforces the belief in Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. It serves as a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament, illustrating the continuity of God’s revelation.

In Conclusion

While the Bible as we know it today was not part of the available literature during Jesus' lifetime, he used the Tanakh and the Septuagint, which are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Through these texts and his teachings, Jesus reinterpreted and fulfilled the old covenant, paving the way for the new covenant as outlined in the New Testament.

The exploration of these historical and scriptural elements helps us better understand the context in which Jesus lived and the books that he and his followers revered. Understanding these nuances is crucial for appreciating the enduring legacy of Jesus Christ and the unique contributions of the Old and New Testaments to religious and cultural history.