Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Would Jesus' disciples have known the Old Testament and have been able to quote it before they became his disciples?

Yes, Jesus' disciples would have known the Old Testament and been able to quote it, as they were Jewish men who grew up hearing the scriptures in synagogues. Their knowledge came from listening to the texts read aloud and was a fundamental part of their cultural and religious upbringing. They would have known the scriptures by heart, which allowed for memorisation was crucial in a predominantly oral culture. 

1: Judaism was central to their lives, and the Old Testament (referred to as "the Law and the Prophets") was central to Judaism. They were accustomed to hearing the scriptures read publicly in the synagogues, making them familiar with their contents.

2: Their knowledge was not just from reading, but from listening and memorising. The disciples would have memorised large portions of the scriptures, a common practice at the time. This enabled them to remember and recall passages, both in their daily lives and when they followed Jesus.

3: And their pre-existing knowledge of the Old Testament was essential for understanding Jesus's teachings, which were deeply rooted in the Hebrew Bible. Their familiarity with prophecies about the Messiah, for example, provided a framework for their understanding of Jesus's life and mission. 

4: Jesus' disciples would have known the Old Testament (the Tanakh/Hebrew Scriptures) very well and been able to quote from it, primarily through oral tradition and synagogue education. 

5: Jewish communities in the first century placed a high value on education, typically schooling boys from a young age (around 5 years old) in the local synagogue.

6: The New Testament itself provides evidence of their familiarity by quoting the Old Testament Scriptures.

Conclusion:

While the religious elite sometimes referred to Peter and John as "unlearned, ordinary men" (Acts 4:13), this meant they lacked formal, higher rabbinical training (Bet Midrash), not that they were completely uneducated or illiterate. Disciples like Matthew, a tax collector, would have been highly literate and numerate for their jobs, likely in multiple languages (Aramaic, Greek, and maybe Latin). Others, like the fishermen, were small business owners who required a level of practical literacy and record-keeping skills. 

In short, their Jewish background ensured a profound knowledge and ability to quote the Old Testament well before they began their ministry with Jesus.

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