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Neusner on Midrash

Thus we see, first, that what people said and how they said it go together. What Matthew has taught us is to discern the relationship between form and meaning. He has furthermore shown us how Midrash functions as a work of prophecy. Specifically, Midrash involves the reading of the verses of ancient Israel's Scriptures in light of their meaning in the life and teachings of Jesus. What is of special interest here is how the Midrash-exegesis of the cited verses comes to full and rich expression in the Midrash-document, in our case, passages of the Gospel, and, furthermore, fully realizes the Midrash-process that guides the exegete's work. Thus we see the three dimensions of Midrash as prophecy in the Gospels.