Allegory as the Foundation of Christian Exegesis (Medieval Exegesis)

Christian exegesis of the Bible has its foundation in Gal 4:22-26: Paul’s words are the basis for an allegorical approach, whereas the parable was typical both of rabbinic and of Jesus’ own exegesis. After a study of medieval lexicons, we examine the exegesis of Galatians from the early Middle Ages to the 15th century, including commentaries from the 12th and 13th centuries. Finally, we ask the question whether the methods of academic exegesis led or not to a decline in allegory from the end of the 13th century.