Stay in Step
“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40
Fully Trained – If we examine the Greek text, we are likely to conclude that Yeshua’s remark is just commonsense. Of course a pupil isn’t superior to his teacher. Of course the goal is to be fully trained so that we can be like the teacher. But, of course, this reading transports the imagery into our modern idea of classroom instruction. And that’s not what Yeshua meant.
The Greek word here is katartizo. It is derived from two other words, kata (with) and artizo (to adjust, fit or finish – from artios – complete). Generally, it means to put something in its appropriate condition, to establish something or equip it. Therefore, we have the English translation “fully trained.”
Two things need to be considered as we examine this text. First, the Hebrew view of the relationship between teacher (rabbi) and pupils (talmidim) isn’t the same as our cultural view, and second, Yeshua would not only have employed the Hebrew concept of rabbinic discipleship, he would also use words from the Hebrew Scriptures to establish the authority of His teaching. Therefore, we will have to look backward into the past to discover what He meant.
The first step is fairly straightforward. In the Hebrew model of education, rabbis picked their students. They picked them because they showed promise. The education itself revolved around absorbing, through word and deed, the lifestyle, thoughts, attitudes and actions of the rabbi. This was not information transfer. A pupil did not reach full maturity until the pupil became what the rabbi embodied – a perfect copy of the teacher.
The second step in our analysis takes us back to Psalm 17:5 and other Hebrew Scriptures. There we find that the Greek word is a translation of the Hebrew tamak. Other Hebrew words used for the Greek expression are kun, nathan and nashav. What can we learn about the similarities between these Hebrew words? They are all generally about establishing or making firm. The meanings cover “to appoint, to erect, to take a stand, to place, to set up, to make firm, to support.” How do these words fill in the Greek idea from Luke? The concept of “fully trained” means to produce a pupil who is ready to take the stand of the rabbi, who establishes the rabbi’s words and deeds by repeating them, who supports what the rabbi taught by incorporating that teaching into his own life. In other words, to be fully trained is to walk in the footsteps of the rabbi so long that eventually there is no distinguishable difference between the two. If we are going to be fully trained by Yeshua, the day should come when an outside observer isn’t able to tell where He stops and we begin. An outside observer should be able to say, “That man – that woman – they are the hands and feet of their Lord.” Is that day coming for you?
Topical Index: fully trained, katartizo, tamak, kun, nathan, nashav, Luke 6:40
AUDIO: Click here to listen to recent comments on Psalm 33:11. Won’t you be surprised!
Skip,
I agree. If we are a disciple of Yeshua, should not we attempt to copy His lifestyle? In my paper, “Was Jesus a Christian?” (that caused several people to attack me), I wrote: This paper has demonstrated that the religion of Jesus Christ is far removed from the practices of modern day Christianity. If a person presented themselves for membership in your church and he worshipped on the Sabbath, celebrated the Biblical feasts, was wearing a tallit with tzitzit on it with tefillin on his arm and forehead, ate a kosher diet, and believed that the Torah was still a requirement, what would be the result? I submit that the church committee would probably decline the application for membership. Does that concern you? I believe it should. Perhaps it is time for us to follow the words of the Apostle Paul: Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? –unless indeed you are disqualified. Whose faith are you in if you are a member of a modern “Christian” church?
I think once you have ears that hear and eyes that see, the answer becomes much clearer.
Shalom Barry,
Ironically in my posting just this morning (re: “A Matter of Origin) I broached this very issue from a perspective of not being labeled a “Christian”.
Your comment exposes to some degree the significant and fundamental differences between Christianity and “The Way”! The Messianic Community I walk with can be characterized by the attributes you depict and I can assure you that we are not looked upon as “Christians” by people in the city and region. In fact they view us as Jews! Conversely the mainstream Jews view us as “not Jewish” (putting it mildly) … LOL!
So to your question … whose faith does a person want to be in? Apparently our community (me) will be relegated to the metaphorical wilderness by this world order … and as frustrating as this may be to the flesh and Spirit … it is sufficient … for it is where haDerech (the path) has brought us!
It would seem that a growing number of believers have been purposed to be a voice crying out from the wilderness …. and we all know what this is in preparation for … and we all know Who it is in preparation for! Every single day draws us nearer to “the day of The Lord”! Selah
Skip how do the words of Jesus “…greater works than these shall you do… fit into there being no distinguishable difference between the rabbi and the talmidim? The church and worldview into which I was born spiritualized this to mean that we take the gospel into the world and the work of doing that is the greater work to which Jesus referred. Spiritualizing texts doesn’t ring so true anymore. We know from Acts that healing did happen. Conversely, we know from Paul that believers also got sick and, as far as the text goes, did not get well from divine intervention. (2 Tim. 4.20) How do the works of Jesus and his statement “…greater works than these shall you do…” fit into there being no distinguishable difference between us and him? Thanks Skip.
Thanks for this study. I am preparing to preach on Luke 6:39-42 this Lord’s Day, and am digging for material on the relationship between rabbi and student. Your info is very helpful. Blessings to you!