ADRIAN SCHENKER OP, Martyrdom and Soteriology in 2 Maccabees 7: The Closest Biblical Parallel with the Sayings of Jesus in His Last Supper

SUMMARY

The aim of this paper is to show that there is no closer parallel in the whole Bible of the sayings of Jesus on bread and wine in the Last Supper according to the Synoptic gospels and Paul than 2 Macc 7:37-38. In order to achieve this purpose, the author first analyses 2 Macc 7 as a theological interpretation on martyrdom and argues that this chapter focuses especially on the soteriological value of the sacrifice of one’s life, linking martyrdom with the salvation of the whole Jewish nation. Such a soteriological interpretation of martyrdom paves the way for the soteriology of the N.T., especially as implied in Jesus’ sayings on bread and wine in the Last Supper.