The Influence and Use of Daniel in the Synoptic Gospels

Abstract

Scholars have always been aware of influence from the book of Daniel in the Synoptic Gospels. Various allusions to Daniel have been discussed in numerous articles, monographs and commentaries. Now we have for the first time a comprehensive look at all the possible allusions to Daniel in one study. All the cases are discussed and given an assessment of either 'no allusion', 'uncertain allusion', 'possible allusion', 'probable allusion', or 'certain allusion'. After reviewing the most common terminology and methodology used in scholarship in the area of literary influence (ch. 1), the bulk of the cases are discussed one by one in the following chapter (ch. 2), except those dealing specifically with the 'Son of Man' (ch. 3), the Olivet Discourse (ch. 4), and the 'Kingdom of God' (ch. 5). A concluding chapter summarizes the findings and shows some specific themes where the book of Daniel has influenced the Synoptics. The result of this study is that Daniel has shaped the language and phraseology of many sayings in the Gospels to a larger degree than many of us have thought, and that a fresh understanding of the Synoptic Jesus' strategy for kingdom-building appears.