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The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas

The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.

The Spirit of prophecy

Jews of Jesus' day linked God's Spirit above all with prophecy. Many believed the prophets had fallen silent long ago, and they looked for the day God would pour out his Spirit again.

Jewish life and lawWhat people were waiting for

First, in plain English

The phone had not rung in four hundred years, and then it rang three times in one family. In the Old Testament, when God's Spirit came on someone, they often spoke for God. By Jesus' day many Jews believed real prophecy had stopped after the last prophets and would return only when God restored Israel. Others thought the Spirit rested only on the holiest people. So when ordinary people in Luke start speaking by the Spirit, readers would notice.

What it meant then

The Old Testament often joins the Spirit to prophecy (Numbers 11:25-26; 1 Samuel 10:6, 10; Joel 2:28-29). Early Jewish circles stressed that role even more consistently, though often about the prophets of the past; the Essene writings are the main exception. Many Palestinian Jews believed prophets in the Old Testament sense had ceased. The ESV Study Bible says most Jews believed the Spirit had not been active in Israel for more than four hundred years, since Malachi. Most people believed the Spirit had departed, rested on a few of the holiest people, or belonged to the community, as the Dead Sea Scrolls held. The prophets had promised a future pouring out of the Spirit (Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29). In Scripture only God pours out God's Spirit. In the Old Testament the Spirit came on a few selected people. Prophetesses appear in the Old Testament, but in the Jewish tradition of this period they were much less prominent than male prophets. Few if any movements had many prophets at once, though Josephus says many Essenes could prophesy. Most Jewish teachers held that the Spirit came only on the most pious or belonged to the age to come. So its coming on uncircumcised Gentiles showed that God accepted them (Acts 10:45-47). Heiser reads the wind and fire of Pentecost as the imagery of a divine council commissioning. Keener calls claims of prophecy rare and sometimes marginal in Judaism but apparently common in early Christianity. His notes know of no other ancient group in which prophecy was so widespread.

The bridge to today

An analogy: a nation whose last great statesman died generations ago, where the old speeches are still read aloud but nobody expects a new one. Then someone stands up and speaks in that voice again.

What it changes in the reading

Because the Spirit meant prophecy, people filled with the Spirit in Luke's opening chapters, as at Luke 1:67, speak for God, a sign that the long silence is ending. Acts 2:17 quotes Joel to say the promised outpouring has come on all God's people, and 1 Corinthians 14:1 tells a whole church to seek to prophesy.

Where the analogy breaks

Not one new voice. The analogy pictures a single successor taking up an old style. In Acts the Spirit comes on whole communities, Gentiles included, and the sources know of no other ancient group where prophecy was so widespread. The voice was also taken to be God's own.

Where scholars disagree

How silent the Spirit was thought to be. The ESV Study Bible says most Jews believed the Spirit had been inactive for over four hundred years. Keener's background commentary gives a range of views: some believed the Spirit had departed, some that it rested on a few of the holiest, and the Dead Sea community that it belonged to them; his notes add that Essene writings did not tie the Spirit so narrowly to prophecy.

Passages where it appears

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-2-21-40\/","n":"Luke 2:21-40, Two birds, Simeon and Anna","s":"Jesus is circumcised and named on the eighth day. At the temple his parents make the offering the law allowed the poor, and two old people waiting for God's comfort, Simeon and the widow Anna, speak about the child.","r":"Luke 2:21-40"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-4-16-30\/","n":"Luke 4:16-30, The year of the Lord's favor in Nazareth","s":"In the Nazareth synagogue Jesus reads Isaiah's promise of good news for the poor and release for captives and says it is fulfilled today. When he points to Elijah and Elisha helping foreigners, the town tries to throw him off a cliff.","r":"Luke 4:16-30"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-15-18-16-15\/","n":"John 15:18-16:15, Hated by the world and put out of the synagogue","s":"Jesus warns that the world will hate his followers as it hated him, that they will be put out of the synagogues and even killed by people who think they are serving God, and that the Advocate will prove the world wrong.","r":"John 15:18-16:15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-20-19-31\/","n":"John 20:19-31, Locked doors, and my Lord and my God","s":"On the evening of the first day Jesus stands among the disciples behind locked doors, shows his hands and side, sends them as the Father sent him and breathes the Spirit on them. A week later Thomas sees the wounds and confesses him as Lord and God.","r":"John 20:19-31"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-1-1-11\/","n":"Acts 1:1-11, The kingdom question and the cloud","s":"Luke's second volume opens with the risen Jesus speaking about God's kingdom for forty days. Asked whether he will now restore the kingdom to Israel, he promises the Spirit, sends the apostles as witnesses to the end of the earth, and is taken up in a cloud.","r":"Acts 1:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-2-1-13\/","n":"Acts 2:1-13, Pentecost and the nations","s":"On the day of Pentecost wind and fire come on the gathered believers, and Jewish pilgrims from every nation hear them speaking in their own languages.","r":"Acts 2:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-2-14-41\/","n":"Acts 2:14-41, Peter's sermon: the Spirit poured out","s":"Peter explains the scene from Joel: God has poured out his Spirit, the crucified Jesus is raised and exalted as Lord and Messiah, and three thousand are baptized in his name.","r":"Acts 2:14-41"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-8-4-25\/","n":"Acts 8:4-25, Samaria and Simon the magician","s":"Philip preaches the Messiah in Samaria, and even the famous magician Simon is baptized. When Peter and John lay hands on the Samaritans and they receive the Spirit, Simon offers money for the power.","r":"Acts 8:4-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-10-24-11-18\/","n":"Acts 10:24-11:18, Peter in Cornelius's house","s":"Peter enters a Gentile home, preaches Jesus, and sees the Spirit fall on the uncircumcised listeners. In Jerusalem he is criticized for eating with Gentiles, and his account silences the critics.","r":"Acts 10:24-11:18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-11-19-30\/","n":"Acts 11:19-30, Antioch, and the name Christian","s":"Scattered believers bring the message to Gentiles in Antioch, where the disciples are first called Christians. When a prophet foretells famine, the church sends relief to the elders in Judea.","r":"Acts 11:19-30"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-15-22-35\/","n":"Acts 15:22-35, The letter to the Gentile churches","s":"The council sends Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to carry a letter to the Gentile believers of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. It is read to the church at Antioch, who rejoice at its encouragement.","r":"Acts 15:22-35"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-12-1-31\/","n":"1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Mute idols and one body","s":"Paul reminds the Corinthians that as pagans they were led astray to mute idols, describes the many gifts of the one Spirit, and pictures the church as one body whose weaker and less honored members are indispensable.","r":"1 Corinthians 12:1-31"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-14-26-40\/","n":"1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Order when the church meets","s":"Paul regulates a meeting where everyone brings a hymn, a teaching, a revelation or a tongue: speakers take turns, prophets weigh one another's words, women are to be silent and ask at home, and everything is to be done decently and in order.","r":"1 Corinthians 14:26-40"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-12-19-13-14\/","n":"2 Corinthians 12:19-13:14, Two or three witnesses","s":"Paul warns that on his third visit every charge will be established by two or three witnesses and that he will not spare the unrepentant, then closes with a call to restoration, the holy kiss and a threefold blessing.","r":"2 Corinthians 12:19-13:14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-3-1-14\/","n":"Galatians 3:1-14, Who bewitched you? Abraham's blessing and the law's curse","s":"Paul asks the Galatians who has bewitched them, since they received the Spirit by believing, then argues from Abraham that those who believe share his blessing, while Christ took the law's curse by being hung on a tree.","r":"Galatians 3:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-5-12-28\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Leaders, prophets, a holy kiss and a letter read to all","s":"Paul asks the church to honor those who work hard over them, to warn the idle and help the weak, to rejoice, pray and give thanks, not to quench the Spirit or despise prophecy but test everything, and to have the letter read to all.","r":"1 Thessalonians 5:12-28"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-1-12-20\/","n":"1 Timothy 1:12-20, A blasphemer shown mercy, and two men handed over to Satan","s":"Paul thanks Christ for taking a former blasphemer and persecutor into his service as an example of mercy, then charges Timothy to fight the battle well, as the prophecies about him foretold, unlike Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul has handed over to Satan.","r":"1 Timothy 1:12-20"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-4-1-5\/","n":"1 Timothy 4:1-5, Deceiving spirits, no marriage, no foods","s":"The Spirit warns that later on some will desert the faith for deceiving spirits and demonic teaching, banning marriage and certain foods, though God made food to be eaten with thanks.","r":"1 Timothy 4:1-5"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-3-10-17\/","n":"2 Timothy 3:10-17, Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, and the sacred writings","s":"Timothy has followed Paul's teaching, life and sufferings, as in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra; he is to continue in what he learned, knowing from whom he learned it and how from infancy he has known the sacred writings, for all Scripture is God-breathed.","r":"2 Timothy 3:10-17"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-1-1-12\/","n":"1 Peter 1:1-12, To the exiles of the dispersion","s":"Peter writes to God's chosen exiles scattered through five provinces of Asia Minor, blesses God for a new birth into a living hope and an inheritance kept in heaven, and tells them their trials test their faith as fire tests gold. The prophets searched for this salvation, and angels long to look into it.","r":"1 Peter 1:1-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-4-1-11\/","n":"1 Peter 4:1-11, The neighbors' parties and their abuse","s":"Armed with Christ's attitude, the readers have done with the life of the Gentiles, its debauchery, drinking parties and idolatry, and their old companions are surprised and heap abuse on them; they will give account to God. The end of all things is near, so they must be sober, love one another, be hospitable without grumbling, and use their gifts as stewards of God's grace.","r":"1 Peter 4:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2peter-1-1-21\/","n":"2 Peter 1:1-21, A reminder before the tent is folded","s":"Simeon Peter writes to those who share a faith as precious as his, through whom they may share in the divine nature, and urges them to add virtue to virtue. Knowing his death is near, he means to remind them, for he was an eyewitness of Christ's majesty on the holy mountain, and the prophetic word is a lamp in a dark place until the morning star rises.","r":"2 Peter 1:1-21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-4-1-6\/","n":"1 John 4:1-6, Test the spirits","s":"The readers must test every spirit instead of trusting each one, since many false prophets are now abroad. A spirit that confesses Jesus Christ as truly come in the flesh is from God, and one that refuses is the spirit of the antichrist. God in them is greater than the power in the world, and this is how the Spirit of truth is told from the spirit of error.","r":"1 John 4:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2john-7-13\/","n":"2 John 7-13, Deceivers at the door, paper and ink","s":"Many deceivers who refuse to confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh are abroad in the world; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Whoever runs ahead and does not keep to Christ's teaching does not have God, and the readers are not to take such a person into the house or greet him. The elder would rather not use paper and ink, and hopes to talk face to face.","r":"2 John 7-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/jude-14-25\/","n":"Jude 14-25, Enoch's prophecy, scoffers, and a closing doxology","s":"Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about such people that the Lord comes with his countless holy ones to judge all and convict the ungodly. The apostles foretold scoffers in the last times; the readers are to build themselves up, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in God's love and show mercy, snatching some from the fire. Jude closes with praise to the one able to keep them from stumbling.","r":"Jude 14-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-18-29\/","n":"Revelation 2:18-29, Thyatira, the guilds and Jezebel","s":"To Thyatira the Son of God, with eyes like fire and feet like bronze, praises a growing church but rebukes it for tolerating Jezebel, a self-styled prophetess who leads his servants into immorality and idol food. Those who hold fast are promised authority over the nations and the morning star.","r":"Revelation 2:18-29"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-10-1-11\/","n":"Revelation 10:1-11, the mighty angel and the little scroll","s":"A mighty angel robed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, plants one foot on the sea and one on the land, swears by the one who lives for ever that there will be no more delay, and gives John a little scroll to eat, sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach.","r":"Revelation 10:1-11"}

Sources

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Luke 1:67, 2:26, 3:16 and 11:13
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Luke 1:14-15, 1:67, 2:36, 3:15-17, 9:18-19 and 11:11-13
ESV Study Bible, study note on Luke 1:5-25
CSB Study Bible, note on Luke 2:25-26
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Acts 10:45-47 and 11:27
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Acts 10:45 and 11:27
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 34, Infiltration
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:1
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:1

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