Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Yearbook (2022-2023)
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2020) 247-260
Keywords:
New Testament. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Ethnicity New Testament teaching
;
Christianity and other religions Judaism Early church, ca. 30-600
;
History
Abstract:
This paper examines the occurrence and meaning of the (πάντα) τὰ ἔθνη- phrase in Matthew’s gospel: in the key hermeneutical text, the cosmocratic Jesus figure sends his disciples out on mission among the τὰ ἔθνη (Matt 28:16‒20). This paper examines: from which sources/traditions Matthew derives his ideas of τὰ ἔθνη in and beyond Matt 28:19 (4:16; 6:32a; 10:5, 18; 12:18, 21; 20:19, 25; 24:9, 14; 25:32); how Matthew interprets and shapes them in his gospel within the early Christian discourse framework of the first century CE; and whether and to what extent they can be traced back to the historical Jesus. Our interpretation will demonstrate how Matthew applies the τὰ ἔθνη-discourse as it was predetermined for him in his sources and traditions in such a way that, in the light of the final judgment (25:32) and post-Easter cosmocracy (28:19) scenes, he uses πάντα τὰ ἔθνη to designate the whole of humanity in a universal sense. Accordingly, his understanding of mission and discipleship develops from an exclusive sphere, related solely to Israel (10:5‒6), not to an “exclusive non-Jewish, i.e. gentile,” but to a universal one (28:19) that is “inclusive.” In sum, Matthew distinctively shapes his τὰ ἔθνη-concept.
DOI:
10.1515/9783111337807-015
URL:
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