Opening the mouth in parables
Matthew connects Jesus' parables with the psalmist's telling of ancient mysteries.
Historical context
Asaph's teaching psalm recounts Israel's history so a new generation remembers God's acts and avoids the ancestors' disobedience.
Tradition note
Begin with each Old Testament passage in context, then examine the New Testament's wording and argument. Explicit fulfillment citations, apostolic applications, and typological comparisons carry different kinds of evidence; Protestant approaches to particular passages vary.
Avoid overclaiming
The psalm is historical instruction, not originally a schedule of Jesus' teaching. Matthew's fulfillment use draws its teaching voice into the Gospel.
Key points
- Fulfillment citation
- Matthew 13:34–35 (Fulfillment citation) — Matthew explicitly uses a fulfillment formula to connect Jesus' parables with Psalm 78:2.
Doctrinal connections
- Matthew explicitly uses a fulfillment formula to connect Jesus' parables with Psalm 78:2.
Scripture
- Psalm 78:1–4 — Asaph's teaching psalm recounts Israel's history so a new generation remembers God's acts and avoids the ancestors' disobedience.
- Matthew 13:34–35 — Matthew explicitly uses a fulfillment formula to connect Jesus' parables with Psalm 78:2.