Online Journal Article: "Matthew 27:51–53: Meaning, Genre, Intertextuality, Theology, And Reception History " JETS 59/2 (2016): 271–86

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From the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS)

JETS 59/2 (2016): 271–86
"MATTHEW 27:51–53: MEANING, GENRE,
INTERTEXTUALITY, THEOLOGY,
AND RECEPTION HISTORY"
by CHARLES L. QUARLES
Abstract: Matthew 27:51–53 is characterized by Matthean vocabulary, style, and theological themes that support viewing the passage as Matthew’s composition rather than an early
scribal interpolation or pre-Matthean tradition which he adopted. The structure of the text presents the account as historical narrative rather than poetry. The earliest extant interpretations
treated the passage as literal history rather than fiction. Matthew viewed the resurrection of the
saints at the time of the crucifixion as a fulfillment of Ezekiel 37 which signaled that the era
of the new covenant and new creation had arrived.
Key Words: Matthew 27:51–53, Ezekiel 37:12–13, genre, intertextuality, resurrection of
the saints, history of interpretation.