R. Gnuse, «The Temple Theophanies of Jaddus, Hyrcanus, and Zechariah», Vol. 79 (1998) 457-472
A close reading of three accounts concerning theophanies experienced in the Temple (Ant 11,326-328, Ant 13,282-283, and Luke 1,5-23) implies that all three narratives share a common narrative format. Though it does not necessarily indicate that Luke used Josephus writings, this similarity suggests that both authors may have drawn upon a common format. Use of this format and specific variations added to it by Luke reflect significant theological themes imparted to the narrative by Luke, especially in regard to the identities of John the Baptist and Jesus.
motifs are considered together, one receives the impression that the author of the Lukan narrative took special care to craft the narrative in a manner which would remind the readers of Old Testament traditions in many ways. Lukan theology and literary artistry has developed the announcements of the births of both John and Jesus extensively by the use of Old Testament allusions.
In retrospect, it becomes evident that Luke patterned the Zechariah experience especially after the prophetic call narratives as well as other Old Testament accounts. This clearly goes beyond the pattern found in Josephus account of Jaddus. If Luke adapted some version of the temple theophany narrative, he has added to the narrative the form of a prophetic call narrative by the addition of Luke 1,18-20. This addition with its strong prophetic overtones fits the Lukan theological agenda, for it prepares the reader more readily to view John the Baptist in prophetic categories. This theme is further augmented by the allusions which connect John the Baptist to Old Testament accounts concerning barren parents and their great offspring, and images which associate John the Baptist to the Nazirite tradition shared by those great offspring. Raymond Brown contends that these associations link John the Baptist to the prophetic tradition, because that furthers the Lukan view of history which sees John as the greatest and last prophet of the first age, the Old Testament era. The emphasis upon the reception of the Holy Spirit also reinforces this, since the reception of the spirit of the Lord in the Old Testament was a characteristic of the prophetic calling 12.
Termination of the theophanic experience
In Ant 11,326 a very traditional termination formula is used, "He rose from sleep", a formula frequently used in both biblical and Josephan dream reports 13. The use of this formula in the reports of other dream theophanies received in sacred places implies that the Jaddus experience ought to be viewed as a theophany which occurred in the temple. The Hyrcanus and Lukan narratives do not have clear statements which terminate their theophanies, but the references in Ant 13,283 and Luke 1,22 to Hyrcanus and Zechariah leaving the temple function to indicate clearly that the theophany is over.