P. Derek Overfield PhD Thesis - Research@StAndrews:FullText

preted in the light of Davidic Messianism. 142
In
this respect we should note that the first non-
Davidic interpretation of Ps 109:1 in Christian tradition
appears with Barn 12:10.
143
C.F. Evans -
suggests that the concept of exaltation to the right
hand of God and the consequent share in Godls authority
and rule was prior to the idea of resurrection in
establishing belief in Jesus I
Messiahship for, he
argues, "it leads directly to it, while resurrection
from the dead, as such, does notll.
But this cannot
be, for in the traditions we have examined we have
seen that resurrection was the necessary and fundamental
pre-requisite in the doctrine of exaltation.
There is, with one possible exception, no insta~ce
of exaltation being found in the tradition apart
from its connection with r.esurrection.
The possible
exception is Hebrews, where the only definite reference
to resurrection is 13:20;
the ascension, on the
other hand, is referred to quite frequ3nt1y and in
1:3, 8:1, 10:12f, 12:2 the motif is quite definitely
associated with Ps 109:1. Both 4:14 and 9:11-28
refer to the fact that Jesus has passed through the
heavens. Moreover, according to 10:12f and 12:2
the ascension to the right hand of God takes place
immediately after the crucifixion.
In this epistle
the ascension has a role that is quite unique to the
NT:
Jesus has been elevated to the right hand of
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