BibleProject Podcast Summary: "Jesus as the New Moses—and Much More"

Release Date: March 31, 2025

Introduction: The Exodus Way and Its Significance

In the episode titled "Jesus as the New Moses—and Much More," hosts John Collins and Tim Mackey delve into the profound connections between the Exodus narrative and the portrayal of Jesus in the New Testament. They explore how the Gospel authors intentionally frame Jesus as a new Moses, drawing parallels that highlight God's overarching plan for deliverance and salvation.

John Collins sets the stage by explaining the Exodus way as the path out of slavery, through the wilderness, and into the land of inheritance and blessing. He emphasizes that this deliverance is not only historical but also a recurring call for each generation of Israel to experience God's rescue from cosmic slavery.

"[00:04] John Collins: The biblical story is about how everyone, in fact the entire cosmos is stuck in slavery, but God provides a way out."

Jesus as the New Moses

Tim Mackey highlights that all four Gospels introduce Jesus with John the Baptist, mirroring Moses' beginnings and establishing Jesus as a central deliverer.

"[00:46] Tim Mackey: All four gospels feature John the Baptist at the beginning as a way to introduce Jesus."

The hosts discuss how Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River echoes the pivotal moments of the Exodus, serving as a symbolic entry into his mission of salvation.

The Baptism of Jesus and the Waters

The baptism of Jesus is portrayed as a crucial parallel to Moses' deliverance through the waters of the Nile. Tim Mackey explains that John the Baptist calls for repentance and crossing the Jordan, which mirrors Israel's crossing of the Red Sea.

"[01:06] Tim Mackey: The Jordan river was super important in the Exodus storyline. It's the mirror image of the deliverance through the waters from Pharaoh."

This act signifies Jesus' alignment with the Exodus narrative, positioning him as the one who will lead humanity out of cosmic bondage.

Wilderness Testing Parallels

Following his baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness, a direct parallel to Israel's 40-year journey after the Exodus. John Collins and Tim Mackey explore how this period of testing underscores Jesus' role as the faithful leader who understands and overcomes temptation.

"[01:06] John Collins: We'll also look at the time of testing that Jesus has in the wilderness."

"[01:24] Tim Mackey: ...Jesus is led into the wilderness by the spirit, where he was tested by the slanderer. Jesus responds by quoting from speeches of Moses..."

By quoting Moses during his temptation, Jesus aligns his mission with the foundational experiences of Israel, further establishing his identity as the new Moses.

Ministry of Healing and Salvation

The hosts delve into Jesus' ministry of healing and liberation, which the Gospel authors describe using the Greek word sozo—commonly translated as "to save." Tim Mackey asserts that this term encompasses both physical healing and cosmic salvation, reinforcing the Exodus framework.

"[01:41] Tim Mackey: The Greek word used in all of those cases is the word sozo, to be saved, to talk about the healing of someone's body as salvation actually assumes a cosmic Exodus frame."

Jesus' acts of healing are thus not merely miracles but signs of impending deliverance from broader spiritual and cosmic oppressions.

The Passover Connection

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the timing and symbolism of Jesus' death with the Passover festival. John Collins and Tim Mackey argue that Jesus' crucifixion during Passover is a deliberate parallel to the original Passover, where Israel was saved from death through the blood of the lamb.

"[50:02] Tim Mackey: Jesus did this on purpose. Like he planned his showdown in Jerusalem to be timed with this most important sacred annual feast."

This alignment underscores Jesus as the ultimate Passover lamb, whose sacrifice brings about a new era of salvation reminiscent of the Exodus.

The Transfiguration and Mountaintop Experiences

The Transfiguration of Jesus, where he meets Moses and Elijah on the mountain, is examined as a pivotal moment that connects Jesus directly with the Law and the Prophets. Tim Mackey explains that this event symbolizes the fulfillment of the Torah and the prophetic tradition through Jesus.

"[41:56] John Collins: They can see who he is."

This encounter not only reaffirms Jesus' divine mission but also bridges the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the continuity of God's salvific plan.

Recapitulation: Summing Up the Exodus Motif

Tim Mackey introduces the concept of "recapitulation," borrowed from Pauline theology, to describe how Jesus' life mirrors and fulfills the Exodus story. By experiencing events akin to the Exodus, Jesus prefigures the ultimate deliverance he is destined to accomplish.

"[17:36] Tim Mackey: Recapitulation, you could say Moses story in Exodus 1:4 pre capitulates Israel's Exodus story because he's doing it beforehand. Now here's Jesus centuries after the Exodus story, and he is recapitulating."

This literary technique allows the Gospel authors to present Jesus as both a new Moses and the culmination of God's redemptive work.

Conclusion: The Unified Story Leading to Jesus

John Collins and Tim Mackey conclude by reiterating how the Exodus narrative serves as a foundational palette through which the Gospel authors craft the story of Jesus. From baptism to wilderness trials, healing ministries, and culminating in the Passover, every element of Jesus' life is intricately linked to the themes of liberation, salvation, and divine fulfillment found in the Exodus.

"[50:24] John Collins: Bibleproject is a crowdfunded nonprofit and we exist to experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus."

The episode emphasizes that understanding Jesus as the new Moses enriches the reader's appreciation of the Gospels and the overarching narrative of redemption in the Bible.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Collins [00:04]: "The biblical story is about how everyone, in fact the entire cosmos is stuck in slavery, but God provides a way out."

• Tim Mackey [00:46]: "All four gospels feature John the Baptist at the beginning as a way to introduce Jesus."

• Tim Mackey [01:06]: "The Jordan river was super important in the Exodus storyline. It's the mirror image of the deliverance through the waters from Pharaoh."

• Tim Mackey [01:41]: "The Greek word used in all of those cases is the word sozo, to be saved, to talk about the healing of someone's body as salvation actually assumes a cosmic Exodus frame."

• Tim Mackey [17:36]: "Recapitulation, you could say Moses story in Exodus 1:4 pre capitulates Israel's Exodus story because he's doing it beforehand. Now here's Jesus centuries after the Exodus story, and he is recapitulating."

• Tim Mackey [50:02]: "Jesus did this on purpose. Like he planned his showdown in Jerusalem to be timed with this most important sacred annual feast."

Looking Forward

The episode concludes with a tease of the next week’s topic, promising to explore the connection between Jesus' death and the Passover, further unraveling the intricate tapestry of the Exodus motif in the life and mission of Jesus.

"[50:02] Tim Mackey: ...Can that inform the meaning of his death? And maybe this will help us get into Jesus own intentions and the meaning he saw in his death."

Listeners are encouraged to continue exploring these themes through BibleProject's various educational platforms, including videos, articles, and further podcast episodes.

Listeners' Testimonials:

• Brandt from Baton Rouge, Louisiana: "I use the BibleProject for my daily devotionals, my daily Bible study, and also for deep dives into specific books of the Bible."

• Wei Su Yang from Singapore: "My favorite thing about Bible Project Podcast is learning from Dr. Tim Mackey and John Collins, and that it has a whole variety of educational platforms."

BibleProject remains a crowdfunded nonprofit dedicated to helping people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. Explore their free resources at bibleproject.com.