Texts in Conversation
In John, the faithful are promised eternal life and happiness, language similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls where the faithful are rewarded with eternal peace and light. Both reflect Jewish traditions that developed rewards for those who suffer in life.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
1QS 4:6
Community Rule
Dead Sea Scrolls, Sectarian and Community Texts
5 intent with a steadfast inclination, and abundant kindness toward all the sons of truth, and a glorious purity that detests all the idols of impurity, and walking modestly 6 with prudence in all things, and concealing the truth of the mysteries of knowledge. These are the counsels of the spirit for the sons of truth in the world. And the visitation of all who walk in it is healing 7 and abundant peace in length of days, and fruitful seed with all everlasting blessings, and eternal joy in life without end, and a crown of glory 8 with a robe of majesty in eternal light.
Date: 160–100 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
John 4:36
New Testament
33 So the disciples began to say to one another, “No one brought him anything to eat, did they?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Don’t you say, ‘There are four more months and then comes the harvest?’ I tell you, look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest! 36 The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together. 37 For in this instance the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”
Date: 90–110 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... For the righteous, the eschatological era is marked by everlasting peace and great joy (Jubilees 23:29-30; 1QS 4:8; 1QM 17:6-8; Testament of Levi 18:4-5; 2 Baruch 73:1-6; Sibylline Oracles 3:371-80) as well as eternal abundance and plenty ... The righteous will receive rewards in heaven ... (5:12; Luke 6:23; 10:41-2; Mark 9:41; 20:28; compare also Luke 6:35; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 3:8, 14; 9:17-18; 2 John 8; Revelation 11:18; 22:12) ... (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). In 12:36, 16:27 and 20:8, this verb is used in the extended sense of payment or repayment, either reward or punishment, at the time of the eschaton (compare Romans 2:6; 2 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 22:12) ..."
David C. Sim, Apocalyptic Eschatology in the Gospel of Matthew, SNTSMS 88 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), 49–50; 141.
* 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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