Texts in conversation

Compare Testament of Zebulun 5:1 and James 2:13

Pseudepigrapha, Testaments · New Testament

Summary

James reflects the same measure for measure principle found in the Testament of Zebulun, where showing mercy to others results in receiving mercy. Both traditions emphasize the importance of treating others fairly and compassionately.

Passages

Testament of Zebulun 5:1

Pseudepigrapha, Testaments · Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs

1 Now, my children, I urge you to keep the commands of the Lord, to show mercy to your neighbors, and to have compassion on all, not only on people but also on animals. 2 For all this the Lord blessed me, and when all my brothers were sick, I came through without illness, for the Lord knows the intentions of each person. 3 So have compassion in your hearts, my children, because whatever a person does to his neighbor, the Lord will do the same to him. 4 The sons of my brothers grew sick and were dying because of Joseph, since they showed no mercy in their hearts; but my sons were kept free of sickness, as you know.

100 BCE – 100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Testament of Zebulun

James 2:13

New Testament

11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. 12 Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food,

80–90 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in James

References

"... The problem of determining whether this aphorism is reliant on a Jesus logion is even more severe. All commentators agree that the conception expressed in this verse is conventional in Jewish thought and literature from the prophets to the rabbis (Sirach 29:1; Testament of Zebulon 5:1; compare Tobit 4:10-11). For example, J. H. Ropes notes that its performance in "Jerusalem Talmud Baba Qama 8:10. 'Every time that thou art merciful. God will be merciful to thee; and if thou art not merciful, God will not show mercy to thee,'" is very close to the performance in James 2:13. Betz correctly sums up the evidence: "for all branches of Judaism the exercise of mercy was one of the preeminent religious and social duties. This duty was based on the belief that God is a God of mercy. Early Christian theology continued this tradition in a variety of ways." ... with respects to James 2:13. the well-worn argument and widely accepted view is that James draws on Jewish tradition rather than a Jesus saying. The Jamesian performance certainly reflects, thinking similar to the thought emanating from the pre-Matthean SM ..."

Bruce Chilton and Craig A. Evans, eds., Authenticating the Words of Jesus, NTTS 28.1 (Leiden: Brill, 2002), 448.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Testament of Zebulun10 chapters

Compare Testament of Zebulun 5:1 and James 2:13

Summary

Passages

Testament of Zebulun 5:1

James 2:13

References

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