It can be demonstrated that Luke wrote his gospel using Philo's "Rules for the Allegorical Interpretation of Scripture."
They are an easily followed set of rules that lead to "The Truth" Luke promised to provide to Theophilus.
THE WAY OF THE NAZARENES
PART 1
Matthew 2:22-23 : But when [Joseph] heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
According to Matthew, Jesus was called "the Nazarene" because he lived in a city called Nazareth .
Luke seemed to have different information concerning Nazarenes:
Acts 24:5: "For we have found this man…a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Acts 24:14: "But this I admit to you, that according to The Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing
everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;
According to Luke, Nazarene denoted a member of the sect of Nazarenes; they believed everything that was in accordance with the Law and the Prophets.
Luke named two other sects: Sadducees; Pharisees. Philo of Alexandria added a third sect: Therapeutae. Josephus alluded to a "fourth sect" but failed to name it. According to Luke, that fourth sect was Nazarenes.
What was reported concerning the sect called Nazarenes and their Way of Life?
Acts 19:23: About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning The Way.
Acts 22:4: "I persecuted The Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons,
Acts 28:22: "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against
2 Peter 2:2: Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them The Way of the truth will be maligned;
"The Way of the Nazarenes was "persecuted, " "spoken against," and "maligned." It was blamed for causing "no small disturbance. "
Why, then, did Matthew tell a story that resulted in the Christian world believing that Jesus was called a Nazarene because he was from Nazareth ?
THE WAY OF THE NAZARENES
PART 2
Review
Matthew wrote that Jesus was called "The Nazarene" because he was from Nazareth . In fact, many biblical translations refer to him as "Jesus of Nazareth ," rather than the correct translation, "Jesus the Nazarene."
Luke left several messages that "Nazarenes" were not "residents of Nazareth ," but rather, members of a persecuted, rejected, maligned sect that was blamed for great disturbances.
Why the discrepancy?
***
To answer the question, begin the search by turning to Philo of Alexandria's "Rules for Allegory." Luke Chapter One opens with a promise to Theophilus to transmit the truth. The most prominent "Theologian" of the first century was the Theo-logian, Philo.
Luke's message: "Go to Philo for assistance in interpreting this Gospel."
http://www.jewishen cyclopedia. com/view. jsp?artid= 281&letter=P&search=PhiloAlexand ria
Section: "Attitude Toward Literal Meaning"
Key to answering the question: Rule # 19: "Noteworthy Omissions."
Luke 1:5-20 contain important links to the Old Testament that reveal who the story is about: An "Angel of the Lord" appeared to Zechariah, the man who would be John the Baptist's father. The story Luke wrote of John's conception was taken almost verbatim from the Old Testament story of the conception of Samson described in the Book of Judges:
Luke 1:5-7: "...there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah."
Judges 13:2-5: "There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah…"
Luke 1:7: "But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren…"
Judges 13:2: "His wife was barren, having borne no children."
Luke 1:11: "Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord..."
Judges 13:3: "And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman..."
Luke 1:13: "...Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son…"
Judges 13:3: "... and said to her… `you shall conceive and bear a son.'"
Luke 1:15: "`He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.'"
Judges 13:4: "`Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean...'"
Luke 1:16: "`He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.'"
Judges 13:5: "`...No razor is to come on his head, for the boy shall be a Nazarite to God from birth. It is he who shall begin to deliver
Israel from the hand of the Philistines. '"
This story about John the Baptist was nothing more than a retelling of the story of Samson. One of Philo's Rules for identifying and interpreting allegory is to look for "noteworthy omissions." There is one piece of information provided about Samson that Luke omitted when he copied Judges to introduce John the Baptist: Samson was a Nazarite.
Philo's Rule #19: The first "noteworthy omission" is "Nazarite" at Judges 13:5.
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THE WAY OF THE NAZARENES
PART 3
Review
Matthew wrote that Jesus was called "The Nazarene" because he was from Nazareth . In fact, many biblical translations refer to him as "Jesus of Nazareth ," rather than the correct translation, "Jesus the Nazarene."
Luke left several messages that "Nazarenes" were not "residents of Nazareth ," but rather, members of a persecuted, rejected, maligned sect that was blamed for great disturbances.
Why the discrepancy?
***
An "Angel of the Lord" appeared to Zechariah, the man who would be John the Baptist's father.
*Philo's "Rule for Allegory" # 20: Be alert for "striking statements" and/or blatantly "allegorical statements" (ie, "Angel of the Lord appeared"). This signals that the "literal interpretation" is to be disregarded and the "allegorical" implemented.
At Luke 1:19 the "Angel of the Lord" identified himself by name:
"I am Gabriel… and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."
("good news" = "gospel = Luke's Gospel)
At Luke 1:22, Luke revealed additional information important to his story:
"When he [Zechariah] did come out, he could not speak to them… He kept making signs to them and remained unable to speak."
This verse explains allegorically why Luke used allegory to tell his story:
"I cannot report openly what I want to report. I can only leave coded messages and riddles that will have to be solved. I will leave `signs'
for you to follow in order to solve the riddle. Then you will know who we are and what happened to us and to our doctrine."
Apparently Luke feared that any text that openly reported what he knew about Jesus and John would probably be destroyed. There must have been people vying for power who did not want the world to know the story he wanted to share.
The Angel Gabriel also appeared to Mary, mother of Jesus:
Luke 1:26: "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth …"
Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son, that he would be holy, and that he would be called "Son of God."
There is just one other place in the Bible where Gabriel is named: The Book of Daniel:
Daniel 8:16: "… and I heard a human voice… calling, "Gabriel, help this man understand the vision."
Daniel 9:21: "… while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen before in a vision, came to me in swift flight at the time
of the evening sacrifice."
Daniel did not drink wine or strong drink and did not eat meat. This information reveals that he, too, fits the description of a Nazarite. But it is the words Daniel spoke that contain the message Luke was trying to send to Theophilus:
Gabriel was sent to "… help Theophilus understand…" the coded message.
These verses in Luke and Daniel are the only four in the Bible that name Gabriel. There is, however, one other important allusion to Gabriel, not by name but by identification:
Revelation 22:16 begins: "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches…"
From Jesus' own mouth, and at the very end of the Bible, comes the message:
"Gabriel was sent to deliver a very important message to Jesus' followers." What could be more important than the Truth?
THE WAY OF THE NAZARENES
PART 4
Review
Part #1: "Luke" (in Acts) described "Nazarenes" as a "sect" that was "persecuted, " "spoken against," and "maligned." The Nazarene sect was blamed for causing "no small disturbance. "
Matthew told a story (2:22-23) that resulted in the Christian world believing that Jesus was called a Nazarene because he was from a town called Nazareth ?
Why this glaring discrepancy?
***
Luke 1:46-55 is called "The Magnificat." It is based largely on The Song of Anna (or Hannah) found at 1 Samuel 2:1-10:
1 Sam 2:1: "My heart exults…"
Luke 1:47: "My spirit rejoices…"
1 Sam 2: "There is none holy like the lord…"
1 Luke 1:49: "…holy is his name…."
Etc.
Anna was married to Elkanah, but like John and Samson's mothers, she had not been able to conceive:
1Samuel 1:11: "She made this vow: `O Lord of hosts, if only you will…give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before
you as a Nazarite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.'"
Anna (Hannah) became pregnant and bore a son:
1 Samuel 1:22: "…`As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of YHVH…; I will offer
him as a Nazarite for all time.'"
Anna (Hannah) and baby Samuel were also Nazarites.
In the opening verses of the first chapter, Luke sent "Theophilus" to Nazarites in the Old Testament three times:
Samson the Nazarite
Daniel the Nazarite
Samuel the Nazarite
Luke's method of defining "The Way" and identifying "The Nazarenes" as the fourth sect was incredibly clever. Apparently he was not able to write that John and Jesus were members of the sect called Nazarenes. Had some unnamed enemy set about to destroy that very important information? Perhaps one of those who "persecuted, " "spoke against," "maligned," or blamed the Nazarenes for great disturbances? Who?
THE WAY OF THE NAZARENES
PART #5
Review
Matthew told a story (2:22-23) that resulted in the Christian world believing that Jesus was called a Nazarene because he was from Nazareth.
“Luke” (in Acts) described “Nazarenes” as a “sect” that was “persecuted,” “spoken against,” and “maligned.” The Nazarene sect was blamed for causing “no small disturbance.”
Why this glaring discrepancy?
Apparently “Luke” was not able to write that John and Jesus were members of the sect called Nazarenes. Had some unnamed enemy set about to destroy that very important information? Perhaps one of those who “persecuted,” “spoke against,” or “maligned” or blamed the Nazarenes for great disturbances?
Did Luke identify this enemy?
***
Luke’s closing words in chapter one reveal more (1:78-80). He put them in a closing speech from Zechariah, Baby John’s father:
“‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into The Way of Peace.’” (Emphases added.)
Whenever Luke used the term, “Holy Spirit,” he was signaling that an allegorical interpretation will draw out a hidden message (Philo’s “Rule” #20 “Striking Statements).
The most important words spoken by Zechariah in this conclusion to chapter one came from Psalm 18 (also, 2 Samuel 22:1):
“David spoke to YHVH the words of this song [Psalm 18] on the day when YHVH delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.”
Zechariah said, “…we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.”
Luke put the words spoken by David into Zechariah’s closing speech but OMITTED the name of the enemy (Philo's Rule #19 "Noteworthy Omissions"). Psalms 18 and 2 Samuel 22:1 named the enemy: “The Enemy was SAUL.
Luke introduced The Angel of the Lord (Luke 1:11); his name was Gabriel (Luke 1:19).
“The Lord” to whom Luke referred was “Jesus”:
Revelation 22:16: "I, Jesus, have sent My Angel to testify to the congregation."
Jesus' "Angel" was Gabriel.
Gabriel was with Daniel, helping him solve riddles so that people could “understand” the messages.
Gabriel was "sent" by Jesus to help those who seek the Truth "solve the riddles" and understand Luke's Gospel.
Luke promised “Theo-philus” (God-love) that his gospel would correct the writings that were already being circulated; apparently, Luke did not agree with them. The writings that preceded Luke were Paul’s letters, Mark, and Matthew.
THE WAY OF THE NAZARENE
PART #6
FINAL EPISODE
Part #1 opened with the question: “Why did Matthew tell a story that resulted in the Christian world believing that Jesus was called a Nazarene because he was from Nazareth?”
Using Philo’s “Rules for the Allegorical Interpretation of Scripture,” we set about to answer that question using only the Bible. Luke’s trail of clues led to:
Judges 13:2-5; 1 Samuel 1:11 and 1:22; 2 Samuel 22:1, Daniel 8:16 and 9:21; Revelation 22:16.
Luke’s three NOTEWORTHY OMISSIONS in chapter 1:
1) Nazarite (Samson and John were Nazarite/Nazarene);
2) Nazarite (Samuel and Jesus were Nazarite/Nazarene);
3) Saul (David and John/Jesus’ enemy was named Saul.
Philo’s “Rule #21”: “Numeral symbolism.” Are there any numbers in Luke Chapter One that are symbolic or become symbolic if manipulated according to Pythagorean Sacred Numbers?
There are five numbers in Luke Chapter One:
Luke 1:24: five;
Luke 1:26: six
Luke 1:36: six
Luke 1:56: three
Luke 1:59: eight
5 x 6 x 6 x 3 x 8 = 4320 (one of the most “Sacred” of the Pythagorean
“Sacred Numbers”):
4320 divided by 2 = 2160 (the diameter of the moon = night light);
432,000 times 2 = 864,000 (the diameter of the sun) = day light;
432 x 432 = 186,614 = speed of light within .0012 miles per second.
Luke 1:78-79: (Zechariah said): “By the tender mercy of our
God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give
light to those who sit in darkness and in
the shadow of death, to guide our feet into The Way of Peace.’”
The Naz-oreans (Naz-arites + Pythag-oreans) were called,
“Children of Light.”
Luke’s “numeral symbolism” leads to Day Light,
Night Light, and the Speed of Light.
The solution to the allegorical message in Luke chapter one
(with added information from Acts):
“We are Naz-oreans whose ‘Way’ of life began with the Nazarites Moses
elected to serve God (Numbers 6:1-5). The Knowledge of the Nazarites became
the Science of the Pythagorean “Sacred Numbers.” We are not residents of
Nazareth. We are members of a sect that is opposed by powerful people
who will destroy anything we write that openly tells of the knowledge we
hold and the persecution we face. We have been accused
of causing great disturbances when in fact we have tried to set the people
free by teaching them the Truth. The hand of our enemy – the enemy of
Knowledge and Truth - belongs to Saul.”
Luke’s gospel was written in the last third of the first century, long after Saul claimed conversion; after Paul’s letters began arriving at the Churches claiming his Apostleship. It was written after Matthew’s gospel was written (or altered) to falsely claim that “Nazarenes” were nothing more than “residents of Nazareth.” The "sect" that was called "Nazarenes," Nazareans," or "Nasoreans" was in danger of being written out of the scriptures and out of history. "Luke" wrote his two-volume "Story of Jesus and the Nazoreans" to make certain that did not happen.
Luke’s gospel was written to correct the misinformation contained in the letters and texts that claimed to be about, and on behalf of, JESUS THE NAZARENE. This is just the first allegorical message that contains the theme that Saul aka Paul was an infiltrator and enemy of the Nazarenes.
For those interested in studying Allegory, we recommend The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha, available new or used:
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