Matthew

1
Matthews gospel second lecture

• 1. Jewish-Christian gospels Ebionites,
  Nazareans, Hebrews
• 2. Matthew The five discourses
• 3. Parables of the kingdom

2
Gospels of Ebionites, Nazareans, Hebrews

• Greek-speaking, but perhaps originally
  Aramaic-speaking, Jewish Christians active from
  at least the early 2nd cent. CE through the 4th
  and 5th cent.
• Now known mainly through the writings of their
  opponents, particularly Epiphanius in the 4th
  cent. (but also Jerome and Eusebius) so theres a
  lot of doubt about what they really were, what
  they believed.
• We can consider this group here because some are
  said to have used a version of the Gospel of
  Matthew.
• In fact, some link an original Matthew (in Hebrew
  or Aramaic) with these gospels.
• Ebionites were vegetarian (and thus believed
  Jesus didnt eat the Passover lamb).
• According to Epiphanius, they believe that John
  the Baptist ate pancakes (enkris) rather than
  locusts (akris).
• And that Jesus abolished sacrifice.
• All of these groups seem to have had an
  adoptionist Christology that Jesus was
  adopted as Gods son at the time of the baptism
  by John.

3
Ebionites, etc. continued

• The church in Jerusalem was always remarked for
  its poverty.
• They may have been a remnant of the Jerusalem
  church that survived after the destruction of the
  city.
• They were said to have rejected the doctrines of
  Paul and, possibly, the virgin birth of Jesus.
• Whats most tantalizing is the name, which seems
  to come from Aramaic for the poor ones
  (Ebyonim)
• Perhaps linked or represent a confusion with
  the Nazareans sometimes appearing in same
  phrase in writings of opponents.
• Disappearance of these groups seems a result of
  the cultural divide in first two centuries.
• And of the destruction of Jerusalem, Temple?

4
More on Ebionites/Nazareans

• Ebionites were not part of Matthews community.
• But an analogous community within Palestine,
  descended from the Jerusalem community.
• Jerusalem church was presided over by James the
  Just, Jesus brother, who was killed in 62, by
  the high priest.
• Then lived east of the Jordan.
• Finally outnumbered, overwhelmed by Gentile
  Christianity, which constitutes our only
  knowledge of them.

5
What Matthew adds to the portrait of Jesus he
found in Mark.

• First, how can we define, summarize the Jesus
  portrayed in Mark?
• Teaches, yes, but between active works that
  define the kingdom.
• Something of a wonder-worker?
• Matthews Jesus?
• Predominantly a teacher, a rabbi.
• See the added amount of teaching material in
  Matthew all of Q, plus 7 parables, 14 separate
  teachings.

6
Matthews organization of the teaching material

• Into five discourses
• Sermon on the Mount, Chapters 5 to 7.
• "Missionary discourse", ch. 10.
• Parables of the kingdom, ch. 13.
• Teaching about church (actually rather
  miscellaneous teaching), ch. 18.
• Anathemas and discipleship, chs. 23, 24-25.

7
The Sermon on the Mount

• The mountain setting may be chosen to suggest
  authority (Luke puts the discourse on the
  plain).
• Not really a sermon, but a group of sayings.
• The beatitudes from Q four sayings the poor,
  the hungry, those who mourn, those who are
  reviled.
• Lukes version 620-22.
• Matthews discourse expands this to nine.
• Adding sayings on meek, merciful, pure in heart,
  peacemakers, those persecuted for
  righteousness.
• And changes the focus of those directed toward
  poor, hunger, mourning.
• The effect of the additions in Matthew?

8
Sermon continued other themes

• Refinement of teachings from Law
• Murder gt not even anger
• Adultery gt not looking with lust
• Divorce gt no divorce (except for unchastity
  added in Matthew)
• Swearing falsely gt no swearing at all
• Eye for an eye gt no resistance at all.
• Love your neighbor gt love your enemy!
• Interiority of righteousness
• Hide your almsgiving.
• Pray in secret.
• Fast secretly.
• Avoidance of anxiety set kingdom first

9
Lords prayer and Kaddish

• The Aramaic Kaddish and the Lord's Prayer
• Kaddish, now the Jewish prayer at death, was a
  simple benediction of God.
• Kaddish Magnified and sanctified be his great
  name in the world which He hath created according
  to his will.
• Lords prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed
  sanctified be your name.
• Kaddish May He establish his kingdom during
  your life and during your days, and during the
  life of all the house of Israel, ever speedily
  and at a near time, and say ye, Amen.
• Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth
  as it is in heaven.

10
Do unto others

• In everything do unto others as you would have
  them do unto you for this is the Law and the
  prophets (712).
• Rabbi Hillel Do not do unto others what you
  would not have them do to you.
• Both this teaching and the Lords Prayer indicate
  the rabbinic nature of these teachings in Matt.
• Also the use of Abba to refer to God an
  invocation in which reverence and intimacy are
  mingled (Geza Vermes, a Jewish NT scholar).
• Dead sea scrolls (Qumran) also address God as
  Abba/Father.
• A close relationship between these teachings of
  Jesus and the Judaism of his time.

11
Missionary discourse ch. 10

• Coordinates with passages in Mark (68-11) and
  Luke (6 12-16, 9 2-5)
• But Matt. 10 17-25 is almost entirely unique --
• Suggesting the time when Matthew was written and
  the tensions and hostilities of that time.
• Persecution in synagogues, before governors and
  kings.
• Betrayal within families.
• Hated by all because of his name.
• Reflective of time late in the first century.
• As we saw, theres a kind of dual time scheme
  Jesus speaks over the decades to Matthews
  community.

12
Parables of the kingdom

• The reason for speaking in parables explicitly
  fulfills prophecy 13 14-16.
• Parable of the weeds growing in grain its
  meaning? 13 36-43.
• Parable of hidden treasure and the pearl of great
  value.
• Parable of the net.
• Any connections among them?
• Judgment?