Last Sunday we spent some time talking about a few instances of remezim in the New Testament. By way of reminder remez (hint) was a technique used by Jewish teachers where they would quote only a portion of a scriptural text in a discussion, with the assumption that the hearer would be able to take the partial reference and fill in the larger context- kind of like Bible shorthand. This of course required that the hearers had an extensive knowledge of the scriptures, which was the case in the Judaism of Jesus’ day. Some scholars believe that Jesus used this method well over 200 times in the gospels. The value of remez is that it calls us us to “network” the scriptures and have a broader overall understanding of God’s word.
Here are some examples of remez that we didn’t consider last Sunday.
1. Jesus uses the title “Son of man” 85 times in the New Testament. Many have used this title to argue that Jesus was not divine but only a man and a great “moral teacher” completely missing the point of the reference. The title ”Son of man” hearkens back to Daniel 7:13-14:
“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”
In using the title “Son of man” Jesus was in fact not affirming his humanity but his divinity.
2. Another example is what we read in Matthew 5:1-2 as Jesus prepares to deliver the Sermon on the Mount.
“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…”
The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus’ introduction as an authoritative teacher. In fact when Jesus finished the teaching Matthew relates that “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matt. 7:28-29) The concept of authority (shmikah) was an important one in the Judaism of Jesus day. Rabbis generally reiterated the teachings of the rabbis before them. A teacher with “authority” would make his own pronouncements. Very few rabbis historically were said to have had shmikah. We see Jesus exercising this authority for example when he says “you have heard this said… but I say… .”
There are several “hints” of note in the Matthew 5:1-2 passage. First of all “he went up on the mountain.” This is meant to call to mind Moses going up Mount Sinai to receive the law from God. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is presenting a new interpretation of the Law.
Next, the verse says “after He sat down.” Why is this important? Why mention it? Sitting has an important connotation in the scripture. For example, the Bible says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God- not standing but sitting. In our culture a teacher will stand to deliver a message. In Jesus’ culture a teacher would sit. This is a sign of authority. Synagogues in Jesus day would have the figurative “seat of Moses” where a rabbi would teach. In fact at the ruins of the synagogue at Capernaum you can still see the “seat of Moses” today. When Jesus is condemning the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 he says: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” (Matthew 23:1-3).
By mentioning Jesus sitting Matthew is again drawing a parallel to Moses delivering the law.
Finally, the text says: “He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying….” This seems superfluous right? Have you ever said anything without opening your mouth? Maybe if you’re a ventriloquist. Why mention this? Again, this is a remez, it is the Biblical indicator of “speaking authoritatively” adapted from the Hebrew “VaYa’an vaY’omer.”
3. One more. In Matthew 11:2-6 we read:
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
John’s disciples ask Jesus a simple question: “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” The phrase “one who is to come” is from the Messianic Psalm 118
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” (Psalm 118:26)
It seems that a “yes” or “no” answer would be appropriate but instead Jesus offers a bit of a cryptic response. Again this is an example of a remez. The various parts of Jesus’ response would bring a number of Messianic passages from the Old Testament to the mind of the hearers that would answer the underlying question “are you the one” with a resounding “Yes!”
Let’s look at these parts:
The blind see, deaf hear and the sick are healed:
“In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel. ” (Isa 29:18-19)
“Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.” (Isa 35:4-6)
The poor have the Gospel preached to them:
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God.” (Isa 61:1-2)
These are all powerful verses that speak of Jesus as both Messiah and as God. Cool stuff.
These are just three examples but there are many, many more instances of remez in the NT.
Challenge: Why don’t you find one and share it with the readers!
Blessings
wes