Context matters when it comes to understanding historical or religious texts.
And when it comes to the New Testament, it’s no different. The New Testament of the Bible was written within a specific cultural and religious framework. It’s a written work set within a place and a time. And understanding its context is a key piece to interpreting it.
One of the greatest discoveries that sheds light on this framework is the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the 1940s and 1950s near the Dead Sea. These texts, linked to the Qumran community, provide valuable insight into the Jewish world during the time of Jesus and the early church.
Dr. Craig A. Evans, in an interview with Dallas Theological Seminary, explains:
It’s a library that sheds light on both Judaism and Christianity.
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide us with a depth of information and insight into the world of the early Church, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and the New Testament period.
How the Dead Sea Scrolls Help Us Better Understand the New Testament
The Dead Sea Scrolls greatly impact our understanding and interpretation of the New Testament.
Providing Historical and Religious Context
The Dead Sea Scrolls give us a detailed snapshot of Jewish beliefs and practices in the 1st century.
They reflect the worldview of the Qumran community, which was likely a community of people known as the Essenes, who separated themselves from mainstream Jewish society. The Qumran community were strict in their interpretation of Jewish law, focused on ritual purity, and lived with apocalyptic expectations.
This context helps us understand the religious environment in which Jesus and the early Christians lived.
The Qumran texts also reveal that Judaism was deeply divided, with various groups debating how to interpret scripture and live according to God’s law. And we see similar religious tension in the New Testament, where Jesus frequently challenges religious authorities over issues of the law and prophecy.
By understanding these divisions, scholars are better able to situate Jesus and the early church within a proper context.
As theologian N.T. Wright explains in his book Jesus and the Victory of God:
The emergence of Christianity can only be understood against the background of the Judaism of Jesus’ time. The diversity of Jewish thought and practice provides the context in which the New Testament writers were making their claims about Jesus.
The Dead Sea Scrolls help us see how early Christianity was shaped by, and at times responded to, the broader Jewish religious landscape.
Understanding Textual Variations and Interpretations
The Dead Sea Scrolls also give us access to some of the oldest known copies of biblical texts.
These manuscripts, many centuries older than the traditional Masoretic Text, contain significant variations in wording and phrasing. And these differences are important for understanding how the New Testament writers engaged with the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Qumran community maintained its own versions of certain Old Testament books, which reflect their unique interpretations of Scripture. Their copies of the Psalms and the Prophets often contain variations from the standard Hebrew text. Which tells us that multiple versions and interpretations of scripture coexisted in the 1st century. And the New Testament writers, familiar with these differing traditions, frequently quoted or referenced scripture in ways that reflected this diversity.
By understanding these textual differences, we can better appreciate how early Christians interpreted scripture and why certain Old Testament passages were seen as pointing to Jesus.
Exploring Messianic Expectations and the Role of Jesus
The Dead Sea Scrolls also reveal a great deal about the messianic hopes of 1st-century Judaism.
The Qumran community, like many other Jewish groups of the time, was waiting for a Messiah. But, in their case, they were waiting for two Messiahs. One who was expected to be a priestly figure, and the other a king who would establish God’s kingdom on earth and bring final judgment.
While the New Testament doesn’t reference these dual Messiahs, it does reflect the broader messianic expectations of the time.
However, Jesus’ portrayal in the Gospels differs significantly from these expectations. Rather than leading a political or military revolution, Jesus emphasizes humility and sacrificial love. This reinterpretation of the Messiah’s role was both compelling and controversial.
The Scrolls demonstrate that there was no single, agreed-upon vision of the Messiah in 1st-century Judaism. This helps explain why Jesus’ message resonated with some groups while being rejected by others. His life and teachings both fit within and challenged the existing religious landscape of the time.
Understanding the Context of the New Testament
The Dead Sea Scrolls give us a clearer picture of 1st-century Judaism, helping us understand the world in which the New Testament was written. They reveal religious debates, different scriptural traditions, and the expectations people had for the Messiah. And it’s these insights that help shape how we see early Christianity.
By understanding the context revealed through the Dead Sea Scrolls, we gain a clearer appreciation of the New Testament’s message and the transformative impact it had in its time.
If you’re ready to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls, sign up for our free online course The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament.
In this course, Dr. Dominick S. Hernández engages in a fascinating conversation with Dr. Craig A. Evans, leading New Testament scholar and authority on the Dead Sea Scrolls, to examine the writings, doctrines, and practices of the Qumran community as portrayed in the Dead Sea Scrolls in an attempt to conceptualize the Jewish world into which Jesus came.
Offered through AWKNG, this course is part of a growing collection of online Bible courses designed to deepen your understanding of Scripture and its historical context.
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