Hermeneutical clue

Matthew Malcolm writes on one way cultural linguistics can help shed light on portions of the NT:

The recent development of “cultural linguistics” includes the idea that our communication draws on cultural “schemas” (mental imagery) by which we make sense of the world. Could it be that one cultural schema of early Judaism was the pattern of “reversal” by which God vindicates the persecuted and punishes the boastful? And if we were better attuned to this underlying schema, might we hear parts of the New Testament more attentively?

Could be. I recommend reading the whole article.