Moses Typology of Jesus on the Long Walls of the Sistine Chapel

John W. Welch, Brigham Young University 2010

1. Rebirth/Regeneration: Circumcision of Moses’ Sons—Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3) OBSERVATIO ANTIQUE REGENERATIONIS A MOISE PER CIRCONCISIONEM (PERUGINO) INSTITUTIO NOVAE REGENERATIONIS A CHRISTO IN BAPTISMO (PERUGINO)

Moses and shepherds in the wilderness Jesus went to John in the wilderness An angel of God seeks to kill Moses John baptizes Jesus, death and rebirth Moses submits his firstborn to circumcision Jesus submits righteously to baptism Sons of Moses are circumcised Young men are baptized Large groups look on and follow Crowds listen to John and Jesus God warned Moses so he would be approved God approves of Jesus

2. Testing/Trying: Moses in Egypt and Midian—The Temptation of Christ (Matthew 4) TEMPTATIO MOISE LEGIS SCRIPTAM LATORIS (BOTTICELLI) TEMPTATIO IESU CHRISTI LATORIS EVANGELICAE LEGIS (GHIRLANDAIO) Moses goes into the wilderness of Midian Jesus goes into the wilderness Moses takes off his shoes Jesus hungers, wearing a monk’s habit Moses is meek and kind to those in need Jesus does not misuse his powers Moses fights off the sheep stealers Jesus resists Satan The Egyptian taskmaster is killed Satan is thrown off of the rock Encountering the One God in burning bush Thou shall worship God alone Water, women at the well Fire, burnt offerings, altar of sacrifice

3. Congregation Accepting/Receiving: Crossing the Red Sea—Calling the Apostles (Matt 4) CONGREGATIO POPULI A MOISE LEGEM SCRIPTAM ACCEPTURI (ROSSELLI, BIAGGIO) CONGREGATIO POPULI LEGEM EVANGELICAM RECEPTURI (GHIRLANDAIO) Crossing water to the other side, Red Sea Crossing water to the other side, Galilee Israel chosen and brought out of Egypt Apostles called out of the world Followers of Moses on the good side Followers of Jesus on the good side Pharaoh’s army being destroyed People turning away Boats capsizing in stormy water Boats sailing safely on calm water Dark and stormy horizon Peaceful idyllic horizon Pillar of Yahweh in the center Jesus in the center

4. Promulgation: Lawgiving at Sinai—The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) PROMULGATIO LEGIS SCRIPTE PER MOISEM (ROSSELLI) PROMULGATIO EVANGELICAE LEGIS PER CHRISTUM (ROSSELLI) Moses alone receives the law on a mountain Jesus prays alone on a mountain God appears in a cloud The clouds are blown away Joshua asleep on the mount with Moses Disciples come down with Jesus Various reactions to the tablets of the higher law Various reactions to Jesus’ teachings Moses breaks the higher law in front of the people Jesus gives the higher law to the people Levites behead idolatrous Israelites Jesus heals a faithful leper

5. Controversy/Confusion over Authority: Punishment of Korah—The Gift of Keys (Matt 16) CONTURBATIO MOISI LEGIS SCRIPTE LATORIS (BOTTICELLI) CONTURBATIO IESU CHRISTI LEGISLATORIS (PERUGINO, SIGNORELLI) Moses’ shock restrains the men Jesus mollifies the soldiers Korah impiously usurps Moses’ authority Peter humbly accepts keys of authority Korah’s men are rebellious and confused The apostles overcome confusion The earth opens and swallows the wicked People unable to stone Jesus Hexagonal altar and one old arch of power Octagonal baptistery and two new arches Inscription (Heb 5:4), “No one takes the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, as was Aaron”

6. Unfolding/Recapitulation: The Last Testament of Moses—The Last Supper (Matt 26-27) REPLICATIO LEGIS SCRIPTAM A MOISE (SIGNORELLI) REPLICATIO LEGIS EVANGELICAE A CHRISTO (ROSSELLI) Top: Angel shows Moses the Promised Land Angel helps Jesus in Gethsemane Moses goes down to die Betrayal and arrest of Jesus Moses’ body laid out, mourners Crucifixion, mourners at the cross Bottom: Moses’ final unfolding of the law Jesus’ reveals the Father and himself Ark of the Covenant at Moses’ feet Chalice and holy vessels at Jesus’ feet Moses seated above the people Disciples seated on par with Jesus

Naked man, worldly desires draw him away Judas in the center on the opposite side

Moses gives his staff of power to Joshua Jesus gives his Spirit to the Apostles

7. The Fight for the Body of Moses—The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ (Matt 28) RESURRECTIO ET ASCENSIO CHRISTI EVANGELICAE LEGISLATORIS (ORIGINALLY SIGNORELLI, GHIRLANDAIO) Moses placed on the casket Jesus rises from the casket Six devils overwhelmed Six soldiers overwhelmed Moses protected by Michael and two archangels Jesus alone is victorious Top L: Moses’ body carried to burial Top R: Jesus ascends into heaven

Selected Bibliography Moses/Jesus Typology Dale C. Allison, The New Moses: A Matthean Typology (Fortress, 1993), 23-90. J. Danielou, From Shadows to Reality: Studies in the Biblical Typology of the Fathers (Newman, 1960). Michael A. Fishbane, Biblical Interpretation in Ancient Israel (Oxford, 1985), 350-79. John Lierman, The New Moses (Mohr Siebeck, 2004). John W. Welch, Sermon on the Mount in the Light of the Temple (Ashgate, 2009), 15-25. Moses/Jesus in the Sistine Chapel L.D. Ettlinger, The Sistine Chapel before Michelangelo (Oxford, 1965). Rona Goffen, “Friar Sixtus IV and the Sistine Chapel,” Renaissance Quarterly 39 (1986): 218-62. Egmont Lee, “Sixtus IV and Men of Letters,” 26 Temi e Testi (1978). Carol F. Lewine, The Sistine Chapel Walls and the Roman Liturgy (Pennsylvania State Univ Press, 1993). John Shearman, “The Chapel of Sixtus IV,” in The Sistine Chapel: The Art (New York, 1986), 22-87.