Jesus and the Hebrew Scriptures: Fully God and Fully Man

When we picture Jesus, we often think of him as a compassionate teacher, healer, and divine figure. But it’s easy to forget that while Jesus was fully God, he was also fully man. This means he lived a truly human experience, including the need to study the scriptures and pray, just as we do today. His teachings, especially about money and wealth, were deeply rooted in the Hebrew scriptures, which he knew intimately—but he didn’t just know them automatically. Like any other Jewish boy of his time, Jesus had to learn and grow in wisdom.

Jewish Education in the First Century

To understand Jesus' profound knowledge of scripture, we must first look at the kind of education a Jewish boy in the first century would have received. From a young age, Jewish boys were immersed in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Their education was a rigorous process that involved study, memorization, and interpretation of the scriptures.

• Beit Sefer (House of the Book): Beginning at about age 5, boys learned to read and memorize the Torah. This was no small feat—many boys memorized large portions of scripture because written scrolls were rare. By the age of 10, they could recite significant portions of the Torah from memory.

• Beit Talmud (House of Learning): From age 10 to 12 or 13, boys advanced to learning the oral law and other parts of the Hebrew Bible. Here, they debated the meaning of scripture and applied the Torah to everyday life.

• Beit Midrash (House of Study): For those who excelled, further study would continue after their Bar Mitzvah. This often involved studying under a rabbi, learning the intricate interpretations of the scriptures and oral law.

Jesus would have likely followed this educational path, excelling in his studies. In Luke 2:46-47, we find 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, impressing the teachers with his understanding of the scriptures. This is significant—it shows that even as a child, Jesus was deeply engaged with the word of God, not because he was God incarnate, but because he took the time to study, learn, and grow in knowledge.

Jesus: Fully God and Fully Man

While Jesus was fully divine, the Bible makes it clear that he also fully embraced his humanity. This means that, like us, he needed to study the scriptures to know what was written. We see this humanity in passages like Luke 2:52, which tells us that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” This implies a process of learning and growth—just like any other human being.

We often assume that because Jesus was God, he automatically knew everything and had all wisdom from birth. But that’s not the full picture the Bible gives us. As a man, Jesus would have needed to read, study, and meditate on the scriptures. He would have learned from rabbis, discussed scripture with others, and memorized passages. And while he had a unique relationship with the Father, he still spent considerable time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and strength for his ministry.

Jesus' Teachings Rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures

Throughout his ministry, Jesus frequently referred back to the Hebrew scriptures to teach about God's kingdom, justice, mercy, and, particularly, money. His deep knowledge of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings shaped his message in ways that called people back to the heart of God’s teachings. For example:

• Love your neighbor: In Matthew 22:39, Jesus draws directly from Leviticus 19:18 when he commands, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This principle was deeply embedded in the Hebrew Bible, and Jesus elevated it to one of the greatest commandments.

• Warnings about wealth: Jesus’ warnings about the dangers of money and greed, such as in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 12:15, have deep roots in the Old Testament. Proverbs 11:28 says, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,” a truth echoed in Jesus’ teachings about the dangers of placing wealth above God.

• Caring for the poor and the principle of Jubilee: Jesus’ call for generosity and care for the poor reflects the principles found in Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The Year of Jubilee, for instance, commanded the forgiveness of debts and the restoration of land (Leviticus 25). Jesus’ teachings on wealth and generosity pointed back to these ancient laws, reminding his followers of God’s heart for justice and compassion.

The Importance of Prayer in Jesus’ Life

Another crucial part of Jesus’ humanity was his reliance on prayer. Luke 5:16 tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Despite being God in the flesh, Jesus still needed time in prayer to connect with the Father, seek his will, and find strength for his mission. This teaches us that prayer wasn’t just a formality for Jesus—it was a vital part of his relationship with God.

It’s hard for us to comprehend how Jesus, fully God and fully man, navigated his relationship with the Father. We sometimes imagine Jesus walking around with perfect knowledge, hearing everything, and knowing all things simply because of his divinity. But the Bible gives us a different picture. Jesus, in his humanity, needed to pray, study, and learn. He didn’t bypass the process of growing in wisdom just because he was divine.

Conclusion: Jesus’ Example for Us

Jesus’ life of study and prayer shows us that even though he was God, he didn’t take shortcuts. He lived fully as a man, engaging with the scriptures and seeking God in prayer. This reminds us of the importance of knowing God’s word intimately and relying on prayer to guide our lives.

Jesus’ teachings on money and wealth were not random—they were deeply rooted in the Hebrew scriptures that he studied from a young age. His life was a model of how we, too, can grow in wisdom, apply the scriptures, and live a life of prayerful dependence on God.

If Jesus—who was fully God—spent time studying scripture and praying, how much more should we seek to grow in our knowledge of God’s word and our relationship with him?