Expert: Edward Bode - 8/18/2004

Question
I am a Christian, and I am interested in ways in which the portraits of Christ in the four gospels are said to be represented in the Old Testament.

  For example in Ezekiel chapter 1, a vision of God's throne is described. The throne is accompanied by cherubim with four faces: the face of a lion, the face of an ox, the face of an eagle and the face of a man.

  The lion is said to represent majesty, pointing to Matthew's gospel where the focus is on Jesus the Messiah King. Oxen served in hard agricultural work, pointing to Mark's gospel where 'Jesus the Servant' is a major theme. The man's face indicates humanity, pointing to Luke's gospel where this aspect of Christ is emphasised. The eagle is said to represent deity, with an example given from Isaiah, pointing to John's gospel where Jesus is God.

  Do you think that this interpretation is correct? For example - is it really the case that Luke emphasises 'Jesus the Man' more than the other gospels, and Mark, 'Jesus the Servant'? What verses can be used to show this? Different commentaries seem to say different things.

Do you know any other "fourfold motifs" like this one?

Thankyou very much indeed for your time.

Answer
You propose an interesting question, Joe.
Patristic writers long ago used the saying:  The New Testament is hidden in the Old; the Old Testament becomes clear in the New.
The four figures for the gospel writers also appear in the Book of Revelation.
For images of Jesus, a few come to my mind:
The pascal lamb prefigues the sacrifical death of Jesus.
Isaac carrying the wood for his own holocaust -- Jesus carrying his cross.
Jeremiah carrying a wooden yoke -- again carrying the cross.
The shepherd -- Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
The son announced by Isaiah -- the traits of Jesus.
If I have missed the intent of your quesiton, please feel free to write again; the same if you wish more.
Best wishes.