Exegetical Essay Guide in New Testament Studies

This is not an essay template or outline. It is more of a checklist; all points should be covered in the research stages. So, aim to have shown some consideration of everything in any resulting essay you submit, but not necessarily in this order, and certainly not weighted equally. Some points might only merit a short footnote; many of them should be integrated with one another in any persuasive argument. This is what an essay is for: establishing and defending a precise thesis that accounts for appropriate primary and secondary sources.

There are different kinds of exegesis: some more historical (or diachronic), some more literary (or synchronic); some are more interested in the past, others the present. It should also be highlighted that it is up to interpreters to select the contexts that are used to interpret texts. The texts themselves rarely prescribe which context is the most illuminating or relevant. And it is certainly impossible to cover all plausible contexts in short exegetical essays – scholars cannot do it adequately in long monographs.

Below you will also find pointers on what to incorporate in an exegetical essay.

Writing

  1. Focus
    Your main concern is the passage and how to interpret it.
  2. Originality
    It is imperative to lean on academic scholarship at times, and it is important to show understanding of what the experts think. But do so only as necessary. Any essay you write is about your interpretation of what the passage means.
  3. Critical reading
    Read and re-read your passage and the wider literary work. Examine its language. Analyse its perspective. Compare its contents to similar texts. Excerpt and paraphrase, always with references to chapters and verses, e.g., Matt 1:1.
  4. The thesis
    The essay is your chance to develop and defend your interpretation of the passage in detail, referring to evidence at the level of individual words and verses. It is not a catalogue of commentary-like notes. Neither is it a sermon.
  5. Essay structure
    Sequence body paragraphs with clear parameters and topics, and with a short introduction and conclusion. Repeat your thesis throughout; connect all topic sentences to aspects of your interpretation.
  6. Evidence
    A historically informed approach is imperative. Track down, navigate, read, and select from illuminating ancient evidence relevant to your passage.

Research steps

  1. Passage
    What passage will you analyse and interpret? Determine where the literary unit begins and ends; it should be, roughly, between 4 and 14 verses. [NB: Footnote at least two commentaries and at least one more focused piece of scholarship in working through each of these steps.]
  2. Text
    What does the passage actually say? Consider the possibility of textual variants between manuscripts; check, e.g., the textual apparatus in a gospel synopsis or critical edition of the Greek New Testament.
  3. Translation
    Where is the passage difficult to translate? Compare modern English translations. (NB: But work primarily with NRSVUE, looking for differences with the NIV, NKJV, and NLT, and only incorporating Greek if you have studied it formally.)
  4. Structure
    How should the passage be structured? Separate the individual phases or scenes and speak to their interrelations; also, connect the unit to what comes before and after it, as well as to the rest of the literary work.
  5. Intertextual relationships
    What are the passage’s most significant sources and parallels? Examine similarities and differences.
  6. Contexts
    What are the passage’s most relevant contexts? Cite ancient social, political, intellectual, and cultural issues. [NB: Do not make time and place of composition an emphasis.]
  7. Genre
    How should the passage be classified? Identify known generic conventions which are met and which are not.
  8. Contents
    What is the passage about? Identify elements of time, place, setting, topic, themes, characters, relationships, etc.
  9. Literary techniques
    How does the passage create meaning? Identify features of irony, metaphor, symbols, motifs, etc.
  10. Interpretation
    What does the passage mean? Put together all the pieces of your analysis and propose a bigger picture.
  11. Evaluation
    Why does the passage, interpreted like this, matter to us today? You might briefly reflect on contemporary ecclesial and public challenges in your conclusion, though this must be done critically, too.

Bibliography

  1. Critical scholarship
    How did you research for the essay? Reference fully, using Chicago, Notes and Bibliography, and annotate briefly, outlining how and why you consulted your range of 8 to 16 scholarly sources, published between 2000 and now, in books (e.g., commentaries) and shorter pieces (e.g., journal articles, volume chapters), representing a range of perspectives and conclusions, based on both prescribed research and your own research.
  2. This unit of study
    Where has the unit helped shape the essay? Name specific aspects of textbook chapters and classroom discussions.