Texts in Conversation
In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches how to resolve conflict, using language similar to the Community Rule in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Both require trying to resolve privately before making public accusations, suggesting that Jesus is following existing tradition.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
1QS 6:1
Community Rule
Dead Sea Scrolls, Sectarian and Community Texts
1 bear iniquity because of him. And also, no one shall bring a matter against his fellow before the many unless it is with reproof before witnesses. In these ways 2 they shall walk in all their dwelling places, everyone who is found with his fellow. The lesser shall obey the greater in work and in money. Together they shall eat, 3 together they shall bless, and together they shall take counsel. And in every place where there are ten men of the council of the community, there shall not be lacking among them a man who is 4 a priest. And each shall sit before him according to his rank, and so they shall be asked for their counsel in every matter. And when they set the table to eat, or the new wine
Date: 160–100 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 18:15
New Testament
13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost. 15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others with you, so that at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 19 Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... These words are very close to those attributed to Jesus in Matt 18:15-20. Indeed, it is a reasonable inference that the two texts are both developments of a common Jewish tradition, especially when one takes into account what the Dead Sea Scrolls have to say on the subject of reproof ..."
Dale C. Allison, Scriptural Allusions in the New Testament: Light from the Dead Sea Scrolls (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2019), 26.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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