The image of Jesus as the Prophet like Moses in Luke-Acts as advanced by Luke's reinterpretation of Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 in Acts 3:22 and 7:37
Abstract
To determine whether Luke promotes Jesus as the Prophet like Moses after his resurrection, this dissertation examines Acts 3:22 and 7:37, two Lukan texts that contain Dt 18:15ff. The topic is analyzed in three stages. Dt 18:15, 18 in its original context as well as Old Testament traditions associated with prophecy that were utilized by Luke; Luke's treatment of Dt 18:15,18 in Acts 3:22 and 7:37; and his use of the title and traditions of "prophet" throughout the gospel. The Mosaic text, Dt 18:15,18, originally authenticated God's occasional sending of a prophet to Israel. Luke, however, alters its meaning in Acts 3:22 and 7:37 to include the Prophet Jesus. Further, Luke combines the formerly separate OT traditions of the rejection and the murder of the prophet and applies them to Jesus. Luke identifies Jesus as the Prophet like Moses in Acts 3:22 more clearly than in any other text in Lk-Acts. More importantly, Luke specifically presents Jesus in this Mosaic role in his risen state. In addition to Dt 18:15ff Luke employs other Mosaic and prophetic titles and traditions to characterize the risen Jesus in Acts 3. Later, in Acts 7:37 Luke repeats the prophecy of Dt 18:15ff within Stephen's programmatic speech. In a synthesis of the themes of rejection, murder, and Jerusalem. Luke culminates and terminates his promotion of the title of Prophet like Moses for the risen Jesus. Luke's interest in the Mosiac title for the risen Jesus, however, does not come as a surprise in Acts. Rather, prophetic texts and themes throughout the third gospel prepare for the Mosaic title in Acts 3:22 and 7:37. In this way Luke presents a master plan to describe Jesus as "prophet" from his earliest ministry to his resurrection, when the risen Jesus fulfills the role of the Prophet like Moses in Acts 3:22 and 7:37.
Subject Area
Theology|Bible
Recommended Citation
Schubert, Judith M, "The image of Jesus as the Prophet like Moses in Luke-Acts as advanced by Luke's reinterpretation of Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 in Acts 3:22 and 7:37" (1992). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI9223825.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI9223825
