Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy MATTHEW’S INFANCY NARRATIVE 1 Infancy Narratives • Mark did not have one; he starts the story at Jesus’ baptism • Matthew is the first to add one (1:1–2:23) • Luke has one too, but it’s entirely different (1:5–2:52 + 3:23-38) • The tradition grows in subsequent centuries, with entire gospels dedicated to the birth and infancy of Jesus v The Infancy Gospel of James v Arabic Infancy Gospel v Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew v Infancy Gospel of Thomas 2 Matthew’s Infancy Narrative Plotting in the Genealogy (1:1-17) Groupings Numbers 1 14 Abraham to David 2 3 14 David to the Exile 4 14 Exile to Messiah 5 6 What do all these groups What do these share in common? numbers signify? Jesus is the fulfillment of Jesus is the promised heir of David Jewish history and of God’s promises to the Jews 14 = DVD in Hebrew d w d 4+ 6 + 4 3 1
Matthew’s Infancy Narrative Plotting in the Larger Narrative (1:18–2:23) • Joseph’s dream 1:18-25 Isaiah 7:14 (1:22-23) • The magoi and the king 2:1-12 Micah 5:1 (2:5-6) • Flight into exile 2:13-15 Hosea 11:1 (2:15) • Slaughter of infants 2:16-18 Jeremiah 31:15 (2:17-18) • Exodus from Egypt 2:19-23 Unknown prophecy (2:23) What themes or motifs repeat across these scenes? 4 Matthew’s Infancy Narrative Plotting in the Larger Narrative (1:18–2:23) Do any of these episodes’ themes parallel the themes of the genealogy? • Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish history • Joseph’s dream and of God’s promises to the Jews • Jesus is the promised heir of David • The magoi and the king • Jesus’ birth is the beginning of the day • Flight into exile of the Lord • Slaughter of infants • Exodus from Egypt 5 Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries PMIN 206 The Synoptic Gospels Dr. Catherine Murphy THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF MATTHEW’S GOSPEL 6 2
Two Critical Approaches Returning to Narrative Criticism Narrative Criticism Redaction Criticism Study how the later editor Study episode plotting for (Matthew) edited his source clues about the design of the (Mark). narrative. This will yield some sense of This too will yield some sense the gospel’s core themes. of the gospel’s core themes. 7 Narrative Criticism Plotting in Matthew Infancy Narrative 1:1–2:23 Proclamation of the Kingdom 3:1–7:29 Ministry & Mission in Galilee 8:1–10:42 Questioning of/Opposition to Jesus 11:1–13:52 Christology & Ecclesiology 13:53–18:35 Proclamation of the Kingdom 19:1–25:46 Passion / Resurrection Narrative 26:1–28:20 Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament , Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York: Doubleday, 1997. 8 Narrative Criticism Plotting in Matthew: Identifying Large Narrative Blocks 1. Proclamation of the Kingdom 3:1–7:29 Sermon on the Mount 5:1–7:29 2. Ministry & Mission in Galilee 8:1–10:42 Mission discourse 10:1-42 3. Questioning of/Opposition to Jesus 11:1–13:52 Parable discourse 13:1-52 4. Christology & Ecclesiology 13:53–18:35 Discourse on the church 18:1-35 5. Proclamation of the Kingdom 19:1–25:46 Eschatological discourse 24:1–25:46 9 3
Narrative Criticism Defining a Chiastic Pattern Definition A chiasm is a plotting technique whereby the author arranges information in a particular order and then reverses that order. It can be done on the level of single words or phrases or on the level of larger narrative units. Examples • Matt 12:22-23 at the level of words/phrases • Matt 13:13-15 • gospel structure at the structural level 10 Narrative Criticism Chiasm on the Level of Words/Motifs Matt 12:22-23 a Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the b one who had been mute could speak and see. All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this b' be the Son of David?” a' 11 Narrative Criticism Chiasm on the Level of Phrases Matt 13:13-15 a b “The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘ seeing c they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, d nor do they understand.’ With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: ‘You will indeed listen , c' but never understand, and you will indeed look , but d' a' never perceive.’” b' 12 4
Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern 1. Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29) a 2. Mission discourse (10:1-42) b 3. Parable discourse (13:1-52) c 4. Discourse on community (18:1-35) b' 5. Eschatological / apocalyptic discourse (24:1–25:46) a' 13 Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern 1. Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29) a . . . . . . 5. Eschatological / apocalyptic discourse (24:1–25:46) a' 14 Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern Sermon on the Mount Eschatological discourse 5:1-6 25:31-34 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, up the mountain; and after he sat and all the angels with him, then he will sit down, his disciples came to him.Then on the throne of his glory. All the nations will he began to speak, and taught them, be gathered before him, and he will saying: separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for goats, and he will put the sheep at his right theirs is the kingdom of heaven. hand and the goats at the left.Then the king “Blessed are those who mourn, for will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, they will be comforted. you that are blessed by my Father, inherit “Blessed are the meek, for they will the kingdom prepared for you from the inherit the earth. foundation of the world; for I was hungry “Blessed are those who hunger and and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you thirst for righteousness, for they gave me something to drink….’” will be filled. 15 5
Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern Sermon on the Mount Eschatological discourse 7:21-23 25:44-46 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, “'For I was hungry and you gave me no food, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a heaven, but only the one who does stranger and you gave me no welcome, the will of my Father in heaven. naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and Many will say to me on that day, in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we your name? Did we not drive out see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or demons in your name? Did we not do naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to mighty deeds in your name?’ Then your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I will declare to them solemnly, I say to you, what you did not do for one of ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, these least ones, you did not do for me.’ you evildoers.’” And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 16 Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern . . 2. Mission discourse (10:1-42) b . . 4. Discourse on community (18:1-35) b' . 17 Narrative Criticism The Discourse Structure in Matthew: A Chiastic Pattern Mission Discourse Discourse on Community 10:1-4 18:1-5 Then Jesus summoned his twelve At that time the disciples came to Jesus and disciples and gave them authority over asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of unclean spirits, to cast them out, and heaven?” He called a child, whom he put to cure every disease and every among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, sickness.These are the names of the unless you change and become like children, twelve apostles: first, Simon, also you will never enter the kingdom of known as Peter, and his brother heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and child is the greatest in the kingdom of his brother John; Philip and heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew my name welcomes me. the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 18 6
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