The Intertextual Chain of the Prophets and Apostles

The prophets did not “speak better than they knew.” They were theologians who

intended their texts to have implications for progressive revelation, and they understood the general direction and ideals involved. They knew the big picture.{1} As I meditate on these declarations in Abner Chou’s book, The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers, I also think about the word chain Chou frequently mentions. Specifically, I recognize how the chain was laid out for the apostles to build upon in the New Testament.

Accordingly, there are various examples of how the prophets arranged for later writers to

comment on their texts. One example is Isaiah 7:14, which is reused in Matthew 1:23 (the Virgin Birth). Like other prophets, Isaiah’s mentality focuses on the present and the future. The context of Isaiah 7 shows Isaiah’s historical redemptive awareness. The immediate context suggests the present situation relates to something grander; he is not just speaking about the present situation. Additionally, the language used earlier in Isaiah (cf. 1:26, 27; 4:3) shows that the situation in chapter 7 is not just about the present but God’s greater agenda for exile and restoration. Likewise, Isaiah’s use of the “House of David” evidences that he believed the current situation threatened Ahaz and the entire Davidic dynasty (7:2). Furthermore, Isaiah knew complex theological concepts like the Messiah. His writing develops that idea, and he is aware that his words will have a bearing on the future.{2}

And so, the apostles would pick up on the chain laid by the prophets. One way to review the hermeneutical disposition of the apostles is to examine how they introduce their Old Testament quotations. For example, a standard introduction is “for it is written” (cf. Matt. 4:10; Luke 4:10, Acts 1:20; Rom. 8:36; Gal.3:10). Other prescriptions are shorter with only “because” or “for” (cf. 1 Cor. 6:16; Gal 3:11; Heb. 7:17; James 2:11; 1 Peter 3:10). These are a few just examples of how they claim the Old Testament is the basis for the apostles’ reasoning.{3}

Among many insightful observations and topics interwoven between the Old Testament

and the New Testament, perhaps one of the most impactful on this reader is understanding how the apostles’ use of the Old Testament seems to stem from how Christ used the Old Testament. Jesus identified Himself as the Stone, prophesied in Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16 (cf. Matt. 21:42), and Peter restates this illustration in Acts 4:11. Jesus refers to Himself as the Servant who comes to die for the many (Mark 10:45, cf. Isa 53:11). The imagery continues into Acts.{4} Ultimately, this understanding shows how the apostles revered the Lord’s words and acknowledged His divine authorship of the Old Testament.

Beyond their harmony with the prophets, the apostles were consistent with each other.

This is due to their focus on God's intention. The uniformity of the apostles is extraordinary. Obviously, the apostles were assisted by the Holy Spirit, but they held a deep underlying hermeneutical method and logic. This stemmed from their awareness of how the prophets wrote and used Scripture. As such, prophetic and apostolic hermeneutics validate the Old Testament and serve as a canonical consciousness for the entire Bible. This fact is awe-inspiring for the Christ-follower.

{1} Chou, Abner. The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers: Learning to Interpret Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2018), 102.

[2} Chou, The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers: Learning to Interpret Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles, 113-119.

{3} Chou, The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers: Learning to Interpret Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles, 123.

{4} Chou, The Hermeneutics of the Biblical Writers: Learning to Interpret Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles, 160.

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Psalm 119:160

The sum of Your word is truth,

And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:19-21

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.