Language:
English
Year of publication:
1987
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Quarterly Review
Angaben zur Quelle:
78,1-2 (1987) 21-47
Keywords:
New Testament. Criticism, interpretation, etc. Early church, ca. 30-600
;
History
;
New Testament. Criticism, interpretation, etc. Middle Ages, 600-1500
;
History
;
Characters and characteristics in art
;
Antisemitism in art
;
Antisemitism in literature
;
Christian literature History and criticism
;
Christianity and antisemitism History To 1500
Abstract:
Focuses on the post-canonical and medieval treatment of the New Testament passage describing the offer of a sponge dipped in vinegar to Jesus on the cross. Presents a composite narration of the scene from the accounts in Matthew and John. The impression given is that the offer of vinegar, probably a kind of wine, was an act of mercy. However, early and medieval Christian exegetes rejected this view, using the terms "vinegar", "gall", and "sponge" symbolically to condemn the Jews and Judaism. Artists portrayed the sponge-bearer as depraved and grotesque, and identified him as a Jew, although the Gospels indicate that he was a Roman soldier. These portrayals affected exegetical formulae in which he was described as filthy or hairy, red-headed or dark (evil). In passion plays the sponge-bearer looked foul and spoke in a guttural and raucous voice.
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