Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis

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This fitting and well-deserved tribute to Harold Hoehner is at the same time a first-rate textbook on the interpretation of the New Testament. It is a contemporary application of Pauls charge to Timothy to study to present himself to God, approved as one who correctly handles the word of truth. Highly recommended!

Andreas J. Kstenberger, Professor of New Testament and Director of Ph.D. Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

This how-to guide provides significant step-by-step help for first-year seminarians. It should prove very helpful.

Klyne Snodgrass, Paul W. Brandel Professor of New Testament Studies, North Park Theological Seminary

This is an exceptionally helpful and practical manual on New Testament exegesis written by interpreters well known for their skills and their respect for the Word of God. This volume will prove to be not only an excellent textbook but also a useful refresher for pastors and teachers engaged in the weekly study of the text for ministry.

Clinton E. Arnold, Professor and Chairman, Department of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Many handbooks on New Testament exegesis are full of dense discussion of method but short on practical illustrations from Scripture. Here is a pleasant exception. Fanning and Bock have compiled an all-star cast of lucid writers on exegetical method and appended a mini-festschrift for Harold Hoehner, with like-minded writers illustrating good interpretations of texts and themes from throughout the New Testament. Its really two books for the price of one, with each one made better by the other!

Craig L. Blomberg, Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

This is a book of significant value, displaying the strengths of its honoree and his colleaguesnamely, sound methodology and theology, and exegetical examples. It covers the exegetical landscape admirably.

B. Paul Wolfe, Associate Professor of New Testament, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Sound exegesis is the indispensable tool for determining the meaning of the biblical textthe foundation for all Christian faith and practice. Unfortunately, exegesis is becoming a lost art for many in the church. This excellent collection of essays provides a solid foundation for all whose goal is to hear and obey Gods Word.

Mark Strauss, Professor of New Testament, Bethel SeminarySan Diego

Accurately hearing and understanding Gods voice in the Greek text of the New Testamentthis is basic to every pastor and Bible teachers mandate from the Holy Spirit. Harold Hoehner has spent a lifetime teaching us how to do this, and here his best students and eminent evangelical scholars honor his effort by placing in your hands a tool that takes you into the best New Testament classrooms for the simple price of one volume.

David Wyrtzen, Adjunct Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary; Pastor, Midlothian Bible Church

A comprehensive, thorough, and excellent guide to exegetical method that I am happy to recommend with enthusiasm!

Donald A. Hagner, George Eldon Ladd Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

INTERPRETING THE
NEW TESTAMENT TEXT

Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis
Copyright 2006 by Darrell L. Bock and Buist M. Fanning
Published by Crossway Books
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by USA copyright law.
Cover design: Jon McGrath
Cover photo: PHOTOS.com
First printing 2006
Printed in the United States of America

With the exception of the Scripture quotations in chapter 9, unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are the authors translations.

Scripture references marked NIV are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from The New American Standard Bible. Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Scripture references marked RSV are from The Revised Standard Version. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Scripture references marked NRSV are from The New Revised Standard Version. Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Scripture quotations marked NET are from The NET Bible copyright 2003 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.netbible.com. All rights reserved. Quoted by permission.

Scripture references marked NLT are from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Ill., 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture references marked JB are from The Jerusalem Bible. Copyright 1966, 1967, 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and Doubleday & Co., Inc.

Scripture references marked NEB are from The New English Bible The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press, 1961, 1970.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the authors.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Interpreting the New Testament text : introduction to the art and science of exegesis / Darrell L.
Bock and Buist M. Fanning, editors.
p. cm.
Includes indexes.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-408-0 (hc : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-58134-408-2 (hc: alk. paper)
1. Bible. N.T.Hermeneutics. 2. Bible. N.T.Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Bock, Darrell L.
II. Fanning, Buist M.
BS2331.I58 2006
225.601--dc22

2006024375

LB 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

I. HOWARD MARSHALL

NARRY F. SANTOS

JOEL F. WILLIAMS

EDWIN M. YAMAUCHI

DON N. HOWELL, JR.

DAVID CATCHPOLE

SCOTT S. CUNNINGHAM

HELGE STADELMANN

TIMOTHY B. SAVAGE

E. EARLE ELLIS

DONALD J. VERSEPUT

W. EDWARD GLENNY

HERBERT W. BATEMAN IV

I (Fanning) recall the conversation well, even though thirty-five years have passed between then and now (as this is written in Spring 2006). Picture a group of first-year seminarians complaining over lunch about whether we could survive New Testament Introduction and whether it was worth the effort! Our young professor, Harold Hoehner, had been taking us through the intricacies of intertestamental history and culture, textual criticism, the Synoptic problem, NT authorship issues, and other NT questions that we never knew existed. Our heads were spinning. But somehow, in spite of ourselves, at least some of us found it fascinating and saw the connection to the primary passion that had brought us to that class, that is, a hunger to know the Scriptures, to live by them, and to see others lives transformed as ours had been. There was something about our professors own fervor for ministry as well as scholarship that helped us to find our way.