An Intertextual Link Between Psalm 2 and 31 and the Use of Both in Matthew 26-27

by Anthony Rogers

Old Testament

Masoretic Text

1 Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples (וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים) devising a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together (נֹֽוסְדוּ־יָ֑חַד) against the Lord and against (עַל) His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their bonds (מֽוֹסְרוֹתֵ֑ימוֹ) apart and cast away their cords (עֲבֹתֵֽימוֹ) from us!” (Psalm 2)

13 For I hear the slander of many, terror is on every side; while they take counsel together (בְּהִוָּסְדָ֣ם יַ֣חַד) against Me (עָלַ֑י), they plot (זָמָֽמוּ) to take away My life. (Psalm 31)

Old Greek Translation

“Why did the nations neigh, and the peoples (λαοί) meditate on vain things? The kings of the earth stood by, and the rulers were gathered (συνήχθησαν) together against the Lord and against (κατά) His Anointed One. ‘We should tear up their bonds (δεσμούς), and we should throw away their yoke from us.” (Psalm 2)

For I heard the fault of many sojourning round about. In their gathering (συναχθήναι) together against me (επ' εμέ), they took counsel (εβουλεύσαντο) to take away my soul. (Psalm 31)

New Testament

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people (του λαού) were gathered together (συνήχθησαν) in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together (συνεβουλεύσαντο) to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.” (Matthew 26)

1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (του λαού) counseled (συμβούλιον) together against (κατά) Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and having bound (δήσαντες) Him, they took and delivered Him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor. (Matthew 27)