14-6-3-1 Paul's Quotations from the Gospels: Analysis and Implications
Letters (listed chronologically) (1) | Number of verses | Number of allusions to the Gospels | Average number of verses / allusion |
|
Paul's recorded speech in Acts (from conversion in AD 37 to first imprisonment) (2) |
164 |
37 |
4.4 |
|
Galatians (AD 57) |
149 |
19 |
7.8 |
|
1 Corinthians (Spring AD 57) |
448 |
71 |
6.3 |
|
2 Corinthians (Winter AD 57) |
255 |
32 |
7.9 |
|
Romans (AD 58) |
433 |
61 |
7.0 |
|
1 Thessalonians (AD 59) |
89 |
22 |
4.0 |
|
2 Thessalonians (AD 59) |
47 |
11 |
4.3 |
|
Colossians (AD 62) |
95 |
21 |
4.5 |
|
Ephesians (AD 62) |
155 |
27 |
5.7 |
|
Philemon (AD 62) |
25 |
2 |
12.5 |
|
Philippians (AD 63) |
104 |
17 |
6.1 |
|
Titus (AD 66) |
46 |
7 |
6.6 |
|
1 Timothy (AD 67) |
113 |
25 |
4.5 |
|
2 Timothy (AD 68) |
83 |
21 |
3.9 |
|
Hebrews (impossible to date) |
303 |
54 |
5.6 |
The above research was done completely independently. Only subsequently did I come across a similar study by Arnold Resch, which detected a total of 1158 allusions by Paul to the Gospels. He detected 64 allusions to the Gospels in Paul's speeches in Acts, compared to my 37 (3). The point is, Paul almost certainly made more allusions to the Gospels than I have catalogued; his mind was even more saturated with the record of the Lord's life and work than I have shown. It must be remembered that this list is only of verbal similarity. A profitable study could be made of how Paul's actions, not only his words, reflected his saturation with the Gospels. The way he shook off the dust of his feet against Antioch was a clear reference to Mt. 10:14; and the way he fled from city to city, still preaching the Gospel under persecution, was surely in obedience to Mt. 10:23.
Notes
(1) These dates are quite standard. Justification for them is well presented in W. Johnson, The People's New Testament (London: Bagster, 1892). However, note should be taken of the thesis of John Robinson in Redating The New Testament (London: SCM, 1976) p. 84. He reaches the following dates:
AD 50 1 Thessalonians
51 2 Thessalonians
55 (spring) 1 Corinthians
55 (autumn) 1 Timothy
56 (early) 2 Corinthians
56 (late) Galatians
57 (early) Romans
57 (late spring) Titus
58 (spring) Philippians
58 (summer) Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians
58 (autumn) 2 Timothy.
The data of Paul's allusions to the Gospels, and indeed my whole thesis, could be re-worked using these datings- fair homework for the enthusiast.
(2) The following are the verses which contain Paul's direct recorded speech: Acts 9:5,6; 13:10,11,17-41,46,47; 14:15-17; 16:31,37; 17:22-31; 10:1,4; 20:10, 18-35; 21:13,39; 22:1-21; 23:1,3,5,6,17; 24:10-21; 25:10; 26:2-29; 27:10,21-26,33,34; 28:17-20, 25-28.
(3) For those who wish to really develop this research, Resch's paper is 'Der Paulinismus und die Logia Jesu', in Texte und Untersuchungen, No. 27 (Leipzig, 1904). The whole issue is also usefully discussed in D.L. Dungan, The Sayings Of Jesus In The Churches Of Paul (Oxford: O.U.P., 1971).
