The Supernatural in Jesus' Ministry is Evidence of Intertestamental Jewish Beliefs

The Intertestamental period, the roughly four hundred years between the closing of the Old Testament and the opening of the New Testament, was a time of significant theological development within Judaism. During this era, various Jewish texts and traditions flourished, expanding the religious understanding of supernatural elements such as angels, demons, miracles, healings, exorcisms, and eschatology. These beliefs set the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ, whose ministry vividly demonstrated these supernatural themes. This blog post uses the Bible to explore how Jesus' ministry exemplified and fulfilled these Intertestamental Jewish beliefs.

Angels and Demons Intertestamental Beliefs

During the Intertestamental period, Jewish writings such as the Book of Enoch and the Dead Sea Scrolls elaborated extensively on the roles of angels and demons. Angels were seen as messengers and servants of God, while demons were considered malevolent spirits opposed to God's purposes. These beings were believed to interact regularly with the human world, influencing events and individuals.

Scriptural Demonstrations

Matthew 4:1-11

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness, a direct encounter with a powerful demonic entity. This passage reads:

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you," and "On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus said to him, 'Again it is written, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."' Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him" (Matthew 4:1-11).

This narrative highlights the reality of demonic influence and the authority of Jesus over such entities, aligning with Jewish beliefs about the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Mark 1:13

Mark 1:13 records another significant interaction, where angels minister to Jesus after His baptism:

"And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him" (Mark 1:13).

This verse underscores the active role of angels in Jesus' life, providing divine support and care, consistent with Intertestamental Jewish angelology.

Miracles and Healings Intertestamental Beliefs

The Intertestamental period also saw an increased emphasis on miracles and healings as manifestations of God's power. Texts like the Psalms of Solomon and various pseudepigrapha celebrated the expectation that God's chosen ones would perform miraculous deeds, affirming their divine mission and authority.

Scriptural Demonstrations

Matthew 8:23-27

In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus calms a storm, demonstrating His divine control over nature:

"And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, 'Save us, Lord; we are perishing.' And he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'" (Matthew 8:23-27).

This miracle illustrates Jesus' mastery over the natural world, reinforcing the belief in His divine nature and mission.

Matthew 9:20-22

Matthew 9:20-22 recounts the healing of a woman with a bleeding disorder:

"And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, 'If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.' Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, 'Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.' And instantly the woman was made well" (Matthew 9:20-22).

This healing demonstrates Jesus' compassionate power and the faith required to receive God's miraculous intervention.

John 11:38-44

The raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11:38-44 represents the pinnacle of Jesus' miraculous works:

"Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out.' The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go'" (John 11:38-44).

This act showcases Jesus' authority over life and death, clearly indicating His divine identity and power.

Exorcism Intertestamental Beliefs

Exorcism, the practice of casting out demons, was a common theme in Intertestamental Jewish literature. The Dead Sea Scrolls and other texts detail rituals and prayers used to expel evil spirits, reflecting a widespread belief in the need to combat demonic forces actively.

Scriptural Demonstrations

Mark 1:23-28

Mark 1:23-28 provides an account of Jesus casting out an unclean spirit:

"And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be silent, and come out of him!' And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 'What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee" (Mark 1:23-28).

This episode illustrates Jesus' authority over demons, directly fulfilling the Jewish expectation of a powerful, divinely appointed exorcist.

Matthew 12:22-32

In Matthew 12:22-32, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute:

"Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, 'Can this be the Son of David?' But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.' Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven'" (Matthew 12:22-32).

Jesus' ability to cast out demons and His teaching on the subject affirms His divine authority and the presence of God's kingdom, challenging contemporary beliefs about the source of His power.

Eschatology Intertestamental Beliefs

Eschatology, the study of the end times, was a central theme in Intertestamental Jewish thought. Texts like 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra reflect an intense expectation of a coming Messiah, the final judgment, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. These beliefs were widespread and deeply ingrained in Jewish religious consciousness.

Scriptural Demonstrations

Matthew 24-25

In Matthew 24-25, Jesus delivers a comprehensive discourse on the end times and the coming of the Son of Man:

"Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, 'You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.' As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' And Jesus answered them, 'See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

'So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!" or "There he is!" do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look, he is in the wilderness," do not go out. If they say, "Look, he is in the inner rooms," do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

'Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

'But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

'Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, "My master is delayed," and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 24:1-51).

This passage reveals Jesus' detailed teaching on the end times, which resonates with Intertestamental eschatological expectations and affirms His role as the awaited Messiah.

Mark 14:61-62

Mark 14:61-62 records Jesus' claim to be the Son of God during His trial before the high priest:

"But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' And Jesus said, 'I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark 14:61-62).

Jesus' affirmation of His messianic identity and His reference to the eschatological vision from Daniel 7:13-14 confirmed the Jewish hope for a divine deliverer and judge.

Conclusion

Jesus' ministry undeniably demonstrated the supernatural beliefs prevalent during the Intertestamental period. His encounters with angels and demons, His performance of miracles and healings, His acts of exorcism, and His teachings on eschatology all align with and often surpass the expectations set forth in Jewish thought during this era. By understanding these connections, modern Christians can gain a deeper appreciation of the continuity and fulfillment of Jewish theological themes in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the perspective emphasizes, Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, vividly illustrating the reality of the supernatural and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and hopes.