The Old Testament In The Gospel Passion Narratives

Although the passion narratives of the synoptic gospels can be read as free standing narrative, each one of them is the goal and climax of the Gospel story that precedes it. In Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies, Frank Matera describes the intimate relationship between the theology of each of the synoptic gospels and its passion narrative. Matera's study of the Markan passion narrative in light of the Gospel's theology shows that no one can confess that Jesus is the Son of God until he or she acknowledges Jesus as the crucified Messiah, and no one can be Jesus' disciple unless he or she accepts the scandal of the cross. While the Gospel of Matthew continues to develop the great themes of Mark's gospel, Matera argues that its passion narrative manifests a distinctive ecclesiological and ethical outlook in light of its unique gospel theology. Finally, Matera demonstrates how the Lukan passion narrative, by presenting Jesus as a model of innocent suffering, also contains a distinctive outlook in light of its gospel theology: God's righteous suffer afflictions by trial and persecution. Comprehensive in scope and clearly written, Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies provides a much needed introduction to the synoptic passion narratives and the theology of each evangelist. It will be welcome by students and pastors.

The Library of New Testament Studies (LNTS) is a premier book series that offers cutting-edge work for a readership of scholars, teachers in the field of New Testament studies, postgraduate students and advanced undergraduates. All the many and diverse aspects of New Testament study are represented and promoted, including innovative work from historical perspectives, studies using social-scientific and literary theory, and developing theological, cultural and contextual approaches Kelli S. O'Brien examines the use of scripture in the Markan passion narrative. O'Brien begins by laying firm methodological foundations, providing an incisive definition of the term allusion and the criteria by which the presence of allusions may be established. She then tests the plethora of allusions that previous scholars have discerned within Mark 14-15, arguing that only sixteen references have sufficient support to be considered as allusions out of approximately 270 references suggested. O'Brien then moves to assess the interpretive impact of the most likely allusions on the Markan passion narrative. Some allusions make bold statements with regard to Christology, including Jesus' ultimate vindication and exaltation. Many, however, have little Christological content and function as literary devices to interpret the narrative. Allusions illuminate the significance of events, from the flight of the disciples to the offer of vinegary wine. The presence of allusions provides a window to the evangelist's understanding of Jesus' death in eschatological and redemptive terms. As such this study is of immense importance in furthering comprehension of the Second Gospel's interpretation of the passion.

This book suggests why it is that we have several accounts of the sufferings and death of Jesus, and investigates what the original passion narrative might have been as it seeks to recreate the response of the earliest Christians in their amazed contemplation of God's saving act in Christ.

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In this revolutionary work, John Dominic Crossan reveals that the Passion and Resurrection Narratives in the four canonical Gospels are radical revisions of an earlier Gospel account. He argues boldly that the apocryphal Gospel of Peter, discovered in the grave of a Christian monk in Egypt circa 1886, contains the earliest version of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He describes how the authors of the four Gospels revised the early account of how their revision predominated as Roman authority grew. Lacking in the revision, he suggests, is the very heart of the earlier Passion: its depiction of Jesus' death as the consummation of Israel's pain and the resurrection as the vindication of Israel's faith.