MYT H MA G I C

A STUDY

A ND

MO RA LS

O F C H RI S T IA N O RI G I NS

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es re t o p r o m o te an y o th er en d w h
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n te e t i n a scer
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ta n ng an d system a t s ng
a ts
T he
e s v e sup er or ty o f th e
C op er n a n theor y ov er th e to em a
es, n o t i n i ts sup er or ease i n
w o r n g, b ut i n i ts g r ea ter u t ty for p ur p oses o f system an d p roph e y
tho ut i t t her e w ou
hav e een n o p r ospe t o f th e g r ea t a van es
i n a stron o m a theory wh h h a v e s n e ee n m a e, o r of our g r ea t y
t ng a st ron o m a ph en o m en a
i n r ease a ura y i n p r e
R esu ts
o f th s
n
a r e n o t to b e e pe te
b y a th n er w h o m sr epr esen ts h i s
a ts, or
sto r ts hi s th eor y i n th e n ter ests o f an
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MA G I C

MYT H

A ND

MO RA LS

A S TUDY O F CHRIS TI AN O RI G I NS

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S Y NO PS I S

O F C O NT E NT S

I NTRO DUC T I O N

ON

M E TH O D

C H A PTER I
P A UL

P auci ty of tr ad iti on n d la ck of con tem po ry inform ati on ab out

esus of N a za eth
Pa ul J5 E pistles con t in th e ea l iest m entio ofhim
Paul not i nter ested i n th e h i t r i c a l J sus but on ly i n the J esus
of hi s o w n ecsta ti c v i sion s
H i story of Pa ul
H e con ceiv ed of Ch i st as an i d e l eter a l bei ng a nd S avi our of
the wor ld an d no t o f th e J w
l
e
H i s c on i ct w ith th e ge ui e A p ostl es of J esus w ho i nsi sted on
c onverts keeping the Law
Paul si l ent a bout the m ora l teachi ng fJ esus
T h e pa ct w ith J am es a d J h ; P u l m ay p r ea ch to th e G enti les
i f he wi ll col l ec t a m p l e l m s f
o th e Chu ch o fJ erusa lem
I n hi s vi si ts to Jerus l em Pa ul vo i d ed
y ge e l conta c t w i th
the C h ur ch th er e
Paul dogged in hi s m is i ry l b our s b y Jud aising em issari es
Belief in the resurr ection the only tenet h e h d i n com m on wi th
a

P AG E

ra

s o

N
R

m
A

s a on

s on a

an

11

ra

12

IS

th ese

opp on ents

Paul s vi sions
Messi ah

th e

rst

stage

in

th e deica ti on

of

the

Jewi sh

HA PTER II
T H E G O S P E LS CO M PI LA TIO N S
T he Four th G ospel d evelop s th e P a ul in e vi ew o f C hri st
eleva tes hi m i n to th e Di vi n e Lo gos
Dep en dence on Mar k of M a tth w an d Luk e
P lagiar ism no r epr oach i an c ient an d m ed ie l l ite tu e
Mod i c ati ons of M a k s t xt m d e b y M tth w a d Luk e
T he N on M ar c an sou c e used b y M a tth ew an d Luk e
T he Fi rst and Thi r d G osp el s c o m p i l t ion

:6
r8

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ra

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23
24
26

vi

S Y N O PS I S
C

OF

C ON T E N T S

H A PTE R I I I
MA RK
PA

if
li
c
M
M
M

i d

ar
C h e ep so es n a r r a te b y
H i s tera ry m eth o
e v e o p m en t i n th e
H e en a es us to tra e a
sm a s r
o n s ousn ess o f esus ; th e eso ter

In

bl
c
M i n c s lf
ci
J
i ci
c i b d t J sus by
k
k th d isc i p l o ly g d ually cog i e J su to b e th
i h d J sus ly g d u ll y
ls h im self as uch
d
t t th e J ews i n g ener l
l y t h i i tim t
d th t
M e iah i the t d itio l J ewi sh
ecog i ti on of J esu
ess a

ess a

an

on

on

an

s as

J esus s gur e of th e S on

of

no

a es, a n

s n

Man

cfl

M essi

b li f
J

M i
cd d
ci i
M k

35

na

ra

ss

u b ut tr um pha n t
p resag es of a p ea e

ss
a
h
s r eturn
e
T h e e e i n th e
W hy w a s esus sen ten e to ea th ?

W ell hausen s appre at on of ar

o s

r evea

ra

33

n s

re

ra

es

sense

ar

r s r

P hi l

32

ar

P ete

28

M k
d l

39
ah

4o
43
45

C H A PTER I V
ST RU CTU R E O F M A RK S G O S P E L
E x m pl s fd oubl
x p l nati o fthem
ti e i n M a k
M k com p i l d hi s G p l f m p e x i ti ng w i tt s u ces
m ti m e c o i c id ed w i th th e N o M c an so u c e of
w h i ch
M atth ew d Luk e

e n arra

os e

ar

so

ro

n o

en

ar

an

C H A PTE R V
M AT T H E W AND L U K E
M k suppli s th e e g l ists w ith th i ge l outl ine an d
f m w k fJ esus s h isto y
ct M k s G reek n d om i t hi A m i c i d i m s
T hey c
t it
ela t d b y M
k of J esu uch
T hey l o obl i te at h um
j ecti b y hi s ow fellow tow m en hi s in b il i ty
s J esus
th p ti
ts b el i e ed i n hi m h i s p oh i b i tion to
to c u e u l
to ca ll h i m go d
oth
ti c i p te the f u th
I
l l th i s th rst and th i d e
gel i st
f ced i n M tthew an d
a m p l es of h um an t a i ts f J esus ef
O th e
e

ar

ra

or

s re

e r

an

ra

s r

ra

er s

ar

ns

en

on

n ess

n era

ar

a s

orre

van

es

s, s
a

n a

va n

ec

i li

u e

ccus tio le ell ed

s an

c ib

b y th e S r es, th at h e ha d
an d , b y hi s m oth er an d
reth r en , th at h e w as m a d
a dev i l
T he p o us ra u s o f th e E n gl i sh Rev se Ver s o n

atth ew s e aggera t ons of

a
n
d
u
e
s
m p ro v em en ts u on ,
,
p

s n arra t v e pr epa r e th e w a y f
or the
o u r th
ar
os e
p
B ut the tw en ty rst h apter of th e our th osp e en sh r n es so m e

T he

M k

ns

f d
x

ly t d iti
P ph eti c gn os :
ea r

ra

on s

'

ro

in

a ga nst

Matth e

esus

i d
L k

51

57

S Y NO P S I S

v ii

O F C O NT E N TS

C H A P TER V I
L U KE

PA

Luke f e ly a dj usts M ar k s na ti es to hi w n d m ti c id l s
H e m nuf ctu
th e s
n ty
se en ty two d i sc i p l s out of
d oubl et i n hi s ou ces
Later Ch i sti n l i te atu e fu n ish e biog phi s of th ese d isc ipl es
w h o yet
l y ex i ted i Luk f cy
Ex m p l s of how Luke c uld i n e t n d t a esty h i s s u ces
H i s cc un t of th e g ift o f S pe k ing w i th t ngues i s p o d fro m
Paul s l ette s t b e f l
Hi
cc unt of th e r esu ec ti on bold m i pul ati n of M k s
text
H rn ck n Luke p etensi ns t b e an ccu t h ist i n
B ut Luk e
cco d ing t n c ie t t d d f l i t ry p op iety
h d a r igh t t us
st ay d o c um en t as h e ch
r

eve

res

'

s a

86

90
91

an

e a

an

rr

ea

ve

92

a se

ra

ra

e s

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s o

on

r ra

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ar

ar

ra e

or a

er a

s o

I0 2

ose

10 0

C HA P T ER V I I
T H E NO N M A R C A N D O C U M E N T
ce M tth w b st prese es the l ngu g n d Luk

10 4

O f th s
th e

sour
or

er

P rofessor H a

an d

rn a

e,

ar r a n gem en t

ck s ec

rv

7
10 8

10

cti o

n ofi t

o n str u

C HA PTER VII I
T H E NO N M A R C A N D O C U M E N T ( Co ti n u d)
i t ign es th e d ath
Reasons for rega r d in g i t as a v e y ol d sou c
cti on of J esus
d esu
d G l il
I ts hor i z on w ho lly J ew ish
I t c n ta i ns featu e a l ien an d bh ren t exc ept to th e m t p im i
ti e ag e
I t ignores the m i a cl es of J esus
J ew ish i w of th Messiah
It t k
I t ign es ch u ch o g n isati o
Do es i t pre ve th s y in gs of J esus w h i ch a cc r d in g t Pap i s
coll ected b y M a tth w ?
w
th e sayi gs p e e v d i th i s d oc um en t b e r gar ded
H ow f
as a uth en ti c ?
n

r e

an

or

rr e

an

ean

os

or

v e

es a
or

ser

Th ere i s not enough

s sta t e m en t

x c tly c

e a

ar can

er a

o n tem porar e

s a

32
I 33
I 34
13 5
I

36

37

C HA P T ER I X
T H E T RUE J E SUS
l i fe f J esus
t i l fo w i ti ng
J esu n d J h the B ptist w e e l m o
i s im p ob ble

ma

th a t

s r

31

a ,

ere

Luk e

12 7

I 39

st

I 41

S YNO PS I S

viii

O F CO N T E N T S
PA

J esus s

ctivity

x c i t i llu tra t d

as an e or

J ewish

by para l

l ls f o m
r

T he
Th e

p agan , an d o th er so ur es
as an a

as

or

er

en

4S

v s o

as

I 42

as

se

e r

co n

c
ccusation that h e w
g t of B el zeb ub
i con vi ction tha t he w th p r m i d w ish Messm h w
f hi d i sci p l es th e p y ch log i c l b is
their i i ns o fh i m
ft his dea th and of th i b l i f i hi s S econ d A dve t
tem p o ra ry

C HA PT ER X
J E S US S M O RA L T EA C H I N G
S m e f hi s prec epts inapp l i c bl t c i i l so c i ety
T h i s m i ng un i vers l i ty due p tl y to th e fa c t tha t i n hi
ge
o J ew ish S tate ex i sted an d p
tly to hi s ex p ec t ti on of th e
i m m ed iate a dven t ofth e Ki ngd m f G od
S im ilar p r ecepts a dd r essed b y Ph i lo t G n til e p roselyt es cut ff
b y th ir chan ge offa i th f m f m i ly t i s
Wi d d ption of the Jewish S bba th
Ph il s testi m ony to the tr ial s of J w i h prosel yte
Jesu d i d not a dd ress hi s pr c pt to such p oselytes b ut e e y
wh e e assum es h is h
s t
b e J ews an d m o nothei sts
H e l ook ed for wa rd l i ke P h i l t
dy b ut p e ceful em ei
sp
p ati n o fthe J ews fr o m th e R m
y ke
The l of
ty i n transigen ce of hi s tea ch i g

I 49

e r

ee

ar

e a

ro

e e

earer

o a

ee

an

OF

16 2

J d
b
l bi
J u p
x
e
d
d i i
i
B i
i c

166
16 7
16 8
1 69
17 1

i id
f

P
P li
i

L i

16 1

16 4

H i ll lP i

1 60

J ES U S

Th e a th K0 1
Th e pa ra e of
e
h l o o n th e a th Ko l
ar a e
r o m th e T esta m en t o f
ev
T h e gh t o n th e wa ter s o f or an
I ea o f th e a ti sma r e r th o f es s ex l a in S h is tit e o f t he
p
ea
t

r
s
h
g
T h s ea w as e pl oi t
b y th e A op t o n sts
T he east of th e E p phany or o f th e a p t sm
W hy was the age of th r ty h osen as t ha t of J c us a t Ba 15 m ?
P
a r a e of Zor oaster
a u ne v ew th at Jesus
e a m e S on O
f G od thr O
ugh hi s r sun elg
t o n , a n d not a t
a pt sm
T h e E on tes ns ste on th e
a p t sm , b ut
no t
eif
y th e

ll l
ll l f
li

1 58

XI

es en

1 56

an

C HA P T ER
T H E B A PT I S M
T he p y cho l g y of conversi on
T h d c t o f th e S pi r i t as a d o e

I 54

v r

o,

1 53

1 52

s a

ar

ll l
i

bi i

bc
B i
i i d

'

B i

d id

P ba b i l ity that the earl y Rom n C hur ch h eld Eb ion ite views
Mm uci us Fel ix Lac tan ti us
d A ph
tes a d m it
go d h oo d
Jesus Ch ri st in cata ch esti c se se n ly
ro

an

raa

of

18 1

S Y N O PS I S

OF

ix

CO NT E N T S

C HA PTER XI I
B I RT H L E G E N D S

W i g of the l ge d of the Virgin B ir th

m p l i c i t ly d en i d th e Dav i d i c or i i n of J esus
M
k
i
g

J seph begat J u
T h e l egen d th t J us w
b
t B eth l h m un k no w n to M ar k
a n d th e uth
f th e Four th G osp el
C r i ti cism of Luk s stor ies of th e Bi th
T h e st
of th e M
gi
P ll l s t M tth w s B i th l gen d
Vi gi b i r th f Pl to
Vi g i n b i ths m ong
im l s ; Vi gi b i th f J ul ius C sar of
A l ex an d e
f P e seus
Vi g i l s fou th E cl ogu
Ph i l o o i gi bi th s
Li t ry m ethod f Luke i
a t i g th e b i r ths fJ oh
an d J sus
H i tex t i t p l ted f om th e P o tevan g l
Th
i gi m oth er i n Re el ti n
M k s Gospel d th E bi on i te ch u ches of Pa l stin e de i ed the
v i gi
b i th f J esus
J ud s Th m as th e tw i b oth r f J sus
A qu i l a n d T h e d ti
c ct d v i g i to m i de i th i r G k
ve si
s
f I s i h i i 14
T h e l g d w s du t th
n c at i sm of th e ea r ly C hu ch
A d e p c ia lly to th e i sti tuti n o f sp i i tu l m
i ge vid en ced
b y P au l l et t
E n c ati m f Re el tio ofA c t of P ul d T hekl
Due to th e bel i ef i n th e i m m inen ce of th e S eco d A dven t n d
en d o f thi s w o ld
S p i r itu l w i es i n the P stor of H m s i n C yp i
s lette s i n
G egory of Nyssa in th e S yr i c d Cel ti c Chu ches
S u vi l of th i ti tuti n i th e M i ddl e Ag es
Harr i d O liphan t
Ch i lry
Mur tori on spir i tua l w ives
T h e l ge d f th e i gi due to e c ti t i u n ce
D c ti c i uen ces w o k ed ven t a d en i l th t J esus was e er
born t al l
The d ogm
fth e I m m cul a te C o c pti on fe stsof the Vi igi
B l i ef th t the Vi gi n co c ived th ough he a s
M ophysite b l i f about Ch i st e h the P e l
M e i g of P ul s p ecept tha t wo m e m ust ei l their h ea ds
an n

ar

es s

es

an

r, o

v r

n er

e v r

on

en

on

a a

or r e

e e

n,

arr a

es

an

er

va

ns

r an

an

I 93
I 94
I QS
19 6
1 98
I

99

2 00
20 2
204
206
20 7
208

2 10

2 11
2 15

2 16

2 17
2 19
2 20

va

222

223

o e

v r

on

a m es

th e n a
o f pow er

or e

n
a

ar

2 24

r e r

C HA PT ER

folkl

an n

ra

a o

19 1

s an

In

19 0

1 88

18 7

ree

ers

18 6

ae

n n arr

an

o a

era

ar

ar

or n a

or o

a ra

as

PA

2 26
2 29
2 3o
2

32
2 33

XIII

M A G I C US E O F N A M E S
m e em b o d i es th e p e son l i ty
r

2 35
2 36

S Y NO PS I S O F C O N T E N T S

PA

c c ations
B in d ing an d loosi g
M gi c u of k ys
T h c u i g ofth e f
ig t
In

x c ism s

2 39

e or

2 43

on se r

2 45

se

2 48

rs n

im i l

r ee s

to R om an

ar

Fa scz n a tzo
'

2 49

C HA P T ER XI V
T H E EU C H A RI S T
P aul cc un t c om m un i cated to hi m i a n ecst sy
d J ew i sh s c i c e
ked the an l gy of Pag
Hei
H i s i d l i m cl a sh d w i th feti sh ism
Ki nsh ip d com m un io i n food
i ng ofth d in k ing o fthe bl ood ofCh i t
Th e m
B l o d broth e hood s
C om m u i n wi th d e i ls an d w i th Ch i t
We th b ea d n d w i e i n P aul sa c am en ts m gi c l substi tut s
f Chri st s b od y
d bl ood ?
Paul iew ed the sac m en t as a reh e s l of the s c i fi c e of C h ist
o
the Cross
A cc et io s o f feti h b l i ef r oun d th e sa cram en t
T he ccoun ts of th e l ast supp r i n F i st an d S c d G osp els
i u n c ed b y P ul i n e E pi stl e
Th t i Luke d ir ec tly i ter pol ated th erefrom H i s or i g ina l tex t
was f ee fr om P u l i ne i n ue ce
n d m er l y asc i b ed to J
us
p esag e o f th e i m m i n ent K i g d o m ofG d
The Essen e d ai ly
c m ent of b e d an d wa ter an d that of th e
T hera peutae i u ced Ch i sti
p r cti ce
T h e cl n si n g o f si n b y bl ood e p ec i ll y b y hum an bl ood
W ine s a sub ti tut for bl ood
P g n nal ogies

s a

an

ea n

an an

a o

ea

n vo

r s

n o

re

r s

or

ra

ar a

sa r a

en

ea

C HA P TER XV
T H E EN D
tr i l of J esus c o l

G ospel sto i e of the

u ed b y C h isti a n
h t d of th e J ws
A x i ty o f the Chu ch to exoneft Pi la t
Th i
x m pl i ed f m Luke
A d f m th e p s ud P t i e G s
p el
P g
l ogi to th dar kness
a l l th e e
th
D c ts i n to H l l
Th
d i g of th e
i l f th e T e
m ple
P ych l gi c l t c d ts o fth b l ief i n tiie r u c tion
Re
ctio aft th days
J ewi h nd E yp ti b el ief i n a b od ily r esur recti n
T h bu a l 0 J esus
r

a re

a n an a

a e

e r n

o o

surr e

ri

ve

an e e
er

en

ov er

ar

es

rr e

r ee

an

2 63
2 65
2 66

2 67

2 68
27 1
2 74

75
277
2

e t en

'

es

es en

ro

ro

s e

2 59

T he

2 58

es

an

332

2 53

e on

2 52

2 51

an

238

Ra s se ret nam e
'
Use o f J esus s na m e in

2 79
2 80
28 1
2 83

2 84

2 86

87
288
2 93
2 94
2

2 96

S Y NO P S I S

OF

xi
G

C O N TE N TS

PA

The G o spel

J ews

sto r es o f

x i

the

em p ty

b in

to m

ci
M k
i

v en te

c o fut

to

d P
l
di
i

l i c i
cc

M k G
c
Pi l

l
G lil
ci

C HA P TER

th e

2 98

Reason s for
n g th e r esurr e t on on S un a
m orn ng
y

a tth ew s a m
a
t
o
n
o
f
a
r
s ta e
p
T he a pp earan e o n th e m oun ta n i n
a
ee

seu o
o un t o f th e r esurr e t on
eter s a
ro a
onser
p
y

ost en
n g of
ar
s
osp e
Narrat ve of th e A ts of ate

b bl c

v
es the

30 0
30 1
30 4
30 8
3 12

XVI

BA PT I S M

O r ig i n o f ish o ps
T h e r i te of n am e giv i n g on th e eigh th da y r o m
hur h i ng o f th e h i
on th e or ti eth da y

r
l
l
T e tu i a n s o n em n ati o n o f th e ap ti si ng of h i r en
ee i ng of th e en ti r e ea r y C h ur h
T he r i te o f sea i ng w i th th e S p i r i t surv i ve as th e

f l

: ol d m m

c ld

c d

c ld

i l
d l b i
c
d l b
i i
i l i
i
li i
l
l
i x i bl b i
df b i
il
i
P
lix
l i
i
c
i
i
ii
i
Mi i
f lkl
i
i d
i i c c
b i
J
ic
i i f
l id
l
c

r th

the

ects th

re

C ath

tu m

bi

3 13
3 14
e

3 15
ar

con

S urv va o f a u t apt sm i n the O r er of th e a th

C a te h um en a t e an d a u t a p t sm in th e ear y C hur h es r e
O r g n of tr p e m m er s on
Use of v n g w a ter
Use o fh o y w a ter an d sa t th e e e tha t p ost a p t sm a sin wa s
ne p a
e,
e n g si n a ga nst th e
o y S
p r t, l ed m en to
e er
a p t sm un t
m o m en t of ea th
I nv en t o n b y op e C a tus of th e r te of p en ten e
Re a t v e un m p or ta n e ofp r ests i n the ear y C hur h ; com m un i ca
t on of S p r t b y m p os t on of han s, a n d ana og es i n
thr a sm an d i n o
or e
Use o f r ngs a ga nst em o ns
an e o f a p t sm o f esus o s ur e
i n the a ter hr sto o gy
S gn
wh h grew up w th n a n t a p t sm
S tress a
i n ear y C h ur h on on t n u ty o f a pt sm

b li f

Hl

d
i

b i
ii

c
c

ii

c d c ib d

bc d
b i
c i i
b

n s a
r

C i l

e,

re

n v

v n

e,

es

320
32 1

322
324
32 5
32 7

329

3 19

l i

C HA PT ER XVI I
M A RC I O N
Char les Dar w in on Jewish or igin ofC h isti n i ty
Mar c io
tt m p t t
d ny th t o igin ; h e ej ec ted r th r th n
llego is th e J ewish S cr ip tu s n d d n ied them to b e
in sp i ed b y th e good G od
D em i
H e asc i b ed th e c e ti n f th e u i e se n d of m n to
u g
w h o m b e i d en t i ed w i th t he i d i c ti e G d ofth e J ews
H e d e i ed th t J esus uph eld th e J w i h Law
H e was the sp i i tu l fath r of th W te n M i c h e s
P og e sive r evelation n im p l i c i t d e i l of th e cl ai m s of Chri sti
on e tr ue rel i g i on
a mi ty to b e th
r

3 16
3 17
3 17
3 18

an

an

3 3

332
3 33
3 34

n a

3 36

OF

S Y NO P S I S

xii

C O N T E N TS
PA

co ception f an om ipot n t but m ci ful

xper ien ce
al l
Paul s c m pa i of th C r e t to a p tt r
t c au c i ti ci d
The id
of
M atter d m in d subj ct and obj ect
T he

er

G od

con t di c ts

ea

rs

an

a or

r son

se

se

ra

3 4o
34 1
342
3 43

C HA P T ER XVI II
D EV E LO P M E N T
L

ii

N ewm an

D evel op m en t of Chr i sti a n Doctr i n e

ci c

C r t cism of th e N ew T esta m en t a new s en e

C om par son w th the h ag o og a stu es o f the o an sts
T he ea r y hur h and esus hi m se
e ev e
tha t th e end o f the
w or
was ose at han
A posto
el e i n the m ess ahsh p of esus on
t on e th e sub se
uen t
om n
e e i n hi s se on
g
T he h ur h w as bor n o f the wa t ng for a S e on A ven t wh h

i
i
i l ic l di
B ll d i
l C c
J
lf b l i d
ld
cl
d
li c b i f
i
i
J
c di i d
q
b li f
c dc i
C c
ii
c d d
ic
ne
r o ccu ed
G r ow th fC hristo logy i n the st two c n turi es
C r i ti c ism of the i d ea o f C hosen P eop l e
C osm g o y of th e C hu ch who lly m ythi c l an d a ti q ua ted
I n I tal y nd S p ai n th e i ngrai n ed f ti sh ism of th e poor
gr eater
o b st cl e t
in tell ec tu l em an cipati on tha n of c i l C ath l i ci sm
T im i d i ty of A ng l i c an d i i nes
ve

rr

DD I TI O N A L NOTE S
I NDE X O F S UBJ ECTS

3 47
3 48
3 49
3 5

3 52
3 54
3 55
3 56
3 57

36 1
3 63

3 75

P R E FA C E

TO

S E C O ND

TH E

E D IT I O N

inting My tlz Magi

d Mo a l s a few insigni c an t
verb a l c hanges have b een m a de i th e text an d suc h cl er ic al
er o s c o rec ted a s h ave b een no t ic ed b y
ev i ewer s or
d etec ted b y m yself S eve a l a dd i ti ons h ave a lso b een m a d e
to th e
N otes t th e en d O f the bo ok In oth e r espects
th i s sec o n d ed i ti o i s i d e tica l wi th the rst
T h e fa ou bl e ec epti o n wh ich n o t onl y th e E n gl i sh
P ess but a l so m a y fo eign
d colo i a l j ou r na l s have
for d ed m e d eep sati sfa ction ;
a cc o d ed to m y bo o k h as a f
for i t shows tha t o ver w i d e ci cl es t uth i s b egi
ing to
b e m o e h i gh ly esteem ed tha
so ca ll ed o th o d oxy an d
h i stor ica l esear c h m or e va lu ed th a n blin d a dh er enc e to
O b sol ete tra d i t ion
Ther e was a ti m eI a m j ust O l d eno ugh to rem em ber i t
when a wo k like m y o w woul d have a ou sed in th e
venerable cir cles of O xfor d an d Ca m b idge a r egu la h e esy
I h ave m yself see Dean B u gon a d Dea G oulbur n
h un t
I
p u suing th e R evi sers o f th e E n gli sh New Testa m en t
ha ve beh el d Dr P usey an d C a non Li ddon an d th e ve erabl e
Mr Foulk es up i ar m s aga in st th e m il d h er esi es of Dr
Jowett O f th e a u tho s of Lux Mnna an d O fth e late Vica
o f C a fa x
I h a e h ea d at B i sh op O f S a li sbur y d e la e fr o m
th e U ni ver si ty pul p i t th at i f F eeth inker s wer e not ill liver s
th ey woul d n eve h ave been Fr eethi n k ers I h ave k now
th e l a te B i sh o p S tubb s rej ec t a c an d i da te fo o d ina ti o n
because h e cou l d n o t accep t as genuine an d li te al h isto ical
fa ct th e st six ch apters o f G enesi s
IN

r epr

c, a n

ra

an

nn

z,

x iii

xi v

P R E FA C E

ch m p i o n s of
d p ted oth e ta c t c s
o r th o d oxy so m ewh a t c h a ste ed h ave
B oth in side the An glic C h u ch an d o u t i de i tin No n
confo m i st ci cl esth y o longe l ead a f o t l attack up o n
o f New T est m en t
i tici sm an d
th e d o m a i
o e wh o i
ea l y C h u ch H i sto y el e t l es l y u se th e h i to ic l m eth o d s
vogue Th ey p efe to m eet h i m wi th a
eve ywh e e el e i
conspi acy O f silence They l ck th e obust c o vic tion s of
T h e m o st th ey ven tu e
aw y
u
a B u go
a d t hey
u po i s sed ul usly to fo m e t am o ng th e la d i es O f thei
c o g eg ti o th opini o that i t i s b ad fo m an d a b e ch
O f so ci l d eco um to qu e ti o n o p en l y a d in p i t th e t u th
T O O r ea dy a e
f eeds o th i m p o t ce O f sa c a m e ts
non s o on e O f m y m o st O p en
we to sub m i t to such
m i ded c i tics (i th e H zb t f n a l ) wo ul d n o t h ve fel t
ot tell a bi sh op to
i t e dfu l to em in d m e th t you a
h i s f ce th t h e i s a wor ker o f m agi c
I wo ul d li k e to k o w
Why n o t ? A s fo m ysel f m y c m pa a ti e stu d y f eligi o n s
h as c o nvinc ed m e th t th e s c a m e ts s d m i i ste ed a n d
u derstoo d o l ess b y ou m o d er n sacerdotali st cl ergym e
tha b y Lati G eek an d oth e p i ests a e noth ing el se bu t
a
u viv l f th e m ost p i m i ti ve if pu ri ed m agic ; an d
the ef e sh oul d o casi o n ise I sh oul d ot sc r up le w i th
due cou tesy to i fo m th e A ch bi sh o p O f C a te b ur y o
th e P ope h i m self th at such w s m
A m zcus P l to
y O p ini o n
Temp or a

n,

r an

ca

r n

cr

ns

cr

n a

an

m o d ern

th e

an d

m n ta n tur ,

'

n,

or

a r

ar

s r

nn

rn

er

'

'

m ag zs

'

a m zca

'

ver z ta s

uch atte ed wh e th e R ev P ofessor

S d y b ok e th ou gh th e h bi tu a l sil e c e O f C hu c h m e
a d u d e took to c i tici se m y wo k in a
pa m p hlet e n ti tl ed
A [V
iw M
i
T h e ea so
O f hi
co nfe i g on m e a
ti tle of wh ic h h e i s u do ub ted l y c o ec t i
p r onouncin g m e
to b e qui te unwo th y i s to b e fou d i
m y ch a pte u on
p
Ma ci o
I fe i t h as occa io ed hi m so m e d i st e s th a t
th e e I repud iated th e i dea O f Deity a t onc e m nip oten t
c eati e an d all m erciful A d yet th e d i fculti es inh e ent
in such a belief have b een wi d ely fel t in thi s count y eve
I was th erefor e m

an

a r c on

rr

ar

rr n

xv

P R E FA C E

ince Joh n S tuar t Mill p ubli sh ed h i s E ssay s on R ligi o

O n e n eed no t b e a H edonist ei ther in pra ctic e or theo y
i o r d er to con dem n th e cu en t i deas of G od
It is

rre
w
r
e
r
m
a
L
inco c t
ot H e
ot e to regard physical evil as
som ething accessory an d acci denta l I t does not com e inte
m i tte tl y 3 bu t on th e con t a y th e wh ol e ani m a l cr eati o n
is system atically based on th e exterm ination of on e creature
b y a no th er and on a c r u el ty typ i ed in th ei r instinc ts 1
I t m i gh t b e argu ed that evil a m ong m en is their own fau l t
B u t l et Pr ofessor S anday beco m e a biologist an d stu dy the
a tu ral h is tory o f in sec ts an d p a asi tic o rganis m s ; an d I
qu estion if hi s bel i ef in th e l v d goo d ness of an om ni
p oten t au thor o f natur e w ill o t b e r u d el y put to th e test
I
B u t i f we rej ec t the r st ar ti l e o f the cr eed s wh ich r uns
believe in one G od th e F th e A l m ighty m ak er of h e ven
the we
an d ea r th an d o f al l th i gs vi sibl e an d invisibl e
Th e e i s as I was c areful to p i t
rej ec t m oni s t ic t h eis m
ou t pl nty of roo m l eft i the u iverse for loving spi i ts
but not for om nipotent ones
For the rest P rofesso S an day took m e to task for accu i g
a m es
O f a wa nt o f c an d o u
o
th e cl ergyI m ent ioned
I d o not expect th em o f cour se to accept m y antithei stic
i dea lism Few of them h ave h a d th e philosophical tr ai ni g
B ut I m u st
whi ch woul d ren d er i t intelligibl e to th em
certai nly con dem n a wi desp ea d d isposition am ong th em
n o t onl y t o sh u t th eir own eyes bu t to clos e th os e o f o th e s
to th e results of h ist or ica l c i t i ci sm as br ought to bear up o n
Many of the cl e gy
th e B ibl e an d eccl esi ast ic a l in sti tutions
ar e l ear n ed even to th e p o in t o f p ed a ntry a n d pro fess th em
ot
sel ves t o b e cr i tica l t o th ei r ger t i p s 3 an d yet you do
long enj oy th eir books o co nve sation before you n d a
lim ited liability cl au se i thei r m e tal associ ation T oo
O ften th ey ar e a c tu ally ter r o i ed b y th e fan atic al l ay l ea d ers
Dr S an d ay wr i tes a s i f I
o f th e E n glish C hu c h U ni o n
s

rr

nn

e an

o n

s n

r s

O utl i ne: qf a Phi l osop liy ofRel igi on

Lond on

18 9 2 ,

140

P R E FA C E

x vi

cha ge

wer e the r st to

Dr

then , wh at

ea r,

sa y o f

h ad to

wer e th en

hi s o wn

caste

Magee

twen ty v e year s

so m e

a go .

cl e gy hi words ar e as t ue n ow as th ey
S p e k i g of th ose wh o c l u g to t h e b el i ef i
i n p ir ti on of th B i bl e th i s go o d B i sh op wrote
th e

r un o f

O f th e

cl e gy wi th a wan t o f ca do u
th e l ate B i sh o p o fPete b o o ugh

the

th e l teral

fol l ows

as

They 'were
i t, fo rc

tr ea ted

for

ing

tr ea t

ev er

J ews
ca ba l istic i n ter preta

stran ge a n d

it

on

B i bl e

th e

ng

ii

som e m ea i n g
ivi e Wo d th an
wh i h eem ed to th em m o e
th e su fa c e o f th a t pa ticu l a
th e si m p l e t u th th a t l a y o
po ti on they we e e d in g th ey we e for ever tu r i ng
i si i to h i story poetry i to h a dest
h eto ic i n to l ogic
d m ost l i te a l p oseth at i to sa y th ey wer e fo ever
fo getti g th a t G od i n th i s R evel a ti on was usi g h um a
h earts h um a th ough t h u m an k n o wl edge h u m an p ecul i ar
i ties of cha ac te i n o de that i n an d th ough th em H i s
Word m ight b e c on veyed to us

A n d wh at has b ee th e esul t ? Wh y tha t th e C hu c h

h s t em b l ed a t the feeb l est cr i tici sm s of th e wo l d
at ti m e
upon th i s Wo d S h e has sh u ddered wh en sh e h as b een
tol d th at th i s sen te c e i s n o t goo d gra m m a ; th a t th at
se te
e is
ot p e f
ec tl y a ccu r a te h i sto y ; th a t sci e c e
questi o s to th is th t ther e i s som e h i sto ic do u b t as to
th at 3 an d sh e h as to o o f
te attem p ted to eva d e th e p essu re
o f th ese c itici sm s
by wi e d awn expl an ati on s f fetch ed
ha m o i i gs i ge i o us h ypoth eses wh ich do m o e c edi t
to th e
b i l ity th n to th e c a do ur of th o se wh o h ve
eso ted to them
instead o f m eeti g th em b y th e si m pl e
st a i gh tf
o wa d a dm i ssi on th at th ey ar e
i
m n y c as es
qu ite val i d b ut that th ey o l y p ove to us wh a t w e k n ew
al ead y th at th is W or d i s t ul
y h u m an a n d tha t i n sp i te o f
th em we hol d i t to b e al s o t ul y D ivi n e
m ysti c i si n g,

t on s,
c

on

an

i t, g v n g i t
wo r th y o f the D

a l l egor s n g

i i

th e

as

r,

s,

nc

as

n sn

ar

W C Mg
.

ee,

T he G osp el

an d

tlze Ag e ;

1 8 8 4,

p 32 1
.

PR E FA C E

v iii

to use

Dr S an day s wor dto th ose who

eith er

n ot

have
th em s el ves

an d
ch ed the wi der experi en ce or will ot to
Negati on s m ean an d are
oth ers ad m it an d em b rac e i t
rec o struc ti ons
Thus the st step in h i stor ical co str uction i s to d en y
r eal i t y to sto i es an d ta l es o f wh ic h th e gen esi s an d em er
n ed b ut wh ich
ll
x
a
i
i
u
p
l
i
l
a
n
a
t
ra
a
r
e
a
d
en
e
n
d
ee
d
e
y
y
g
co n t adict o e an other an d con ict with what we h ave com e
Dr S an da y s o wn wr i ti gs a e fu ll
to k n o w ab ou t r ea li ty
For exa m pl e i f I m istak e h i m n ot h e
of su h negati on s
de ie that th e deaf an d d u m b b oy h ea l ed b y J esu s was
H e even
r eall y p oss essed b y a d eaf a d d u m b dem o
fec ted b y J esus
adm i t that m o st of th e m i r cul o us cu es ef
wo ul d h ave b een r epor ted quite oth er wi se than a s th e
G ospel s r epo t them i f a m od ern m ed ica l m an had been
presen t at th em an d tran sm itted to us hi s ac oun t
H e e th en Dr S an day den i es what he n ds i n h is sa c ed
text but onl y by way of su gges tin g a tru e
an d m o e
rati on al vi ew of what occu r ed
Wh o woul d accus e h i m
o n th is acco u n t o f m er e d estr uc ti o n ?
A n d yet I am sa i d
to b e su rr o un d i ng m ysel f wi th r ui n s b eca us e on ever y pa e
g
of m y b oo k I cr it ici e th e New Testam en t i n th e s m e
spi iti n th e S p iri t of m odern an d i m parti a l hi sto ica l
esea ch
T he truth i s th e e a r e two C hr i sts
There is C h is t as
he ea ll y was to who m the sec on d G o sp e l br i gs us cl o sest
from whom th e fou rth G osp el l ea ds us farth est
O n th is
r ea l h istor ic al C h i st th e th eo l o i an
b egi n n i g with Paul
g
have superp o se d a o th er C h i st of the ir o wn theo
y an d
i m agin in gs Dr S a day would al low you as D Mart in ea u 1

a
s i d to ecover th e h i stor ical Jesus n co di ti n that you
do no t r es t th ere but pass o to the etern al S o
I fyo u do

n ot
pass on an d al so i n dul ge i m or e o l ess rh eto ic

a b ou t
th e h i gh er na tu re o f C hr i st
a s i f th er e c oul d b e
n

rea

n.

r ,

s,

f A utm

n.

S ea t

ty i n Rel ig i on , p

574

PR E FA C E

x ix

ught h igh er than hi s r eal h u m an i ty and person a l ec ord

th e you a r e c on d em n e d fo wa t o f sym path y an d warn ed
f the d om ai n of ear ly C h u rc h h i story
of
I can n ot do b etter than con clu de wi th the word
used b y the sam e wise an d elo qu en t tea cher I t was the
Provi den ce of h istory that gave us lzzm i t was th e m en
o f histo ry th at d r ess ed u p th e theory of h i m ; an d t ill we
co m pel th e l atter to stan d asi de an d l et us through to look
upon h i s livin g fac e we can ever sei ze the p erm a en t
t
B y a stan di n g d elusi on of th eol ogica l
ess en c e o f th e gi f
ego tism th is r ul e has ever b een i verted a nd in every age
fro m th e p ostolic to o ur o wn i n every C hu r c h fro m th e
m ost h i e ar ch ica l to the m o st refor m e d C hr i sti an i ty h a s
a

igi on offesus Chr i st, b ut

so m e d o tr n e a bout C hr st ; an d th o gh h e m ght d raw
you to th n k hi s th o ght, an d hear hi s ro , an d pray h i s
prayer , you are n o C hr st an u n l es you w l sa y wha t

been

ta k en to m an , n ot the

c i
i

r el

i i

c ss

il

substan ce was an d how m an y natures he had an d

what h i s p la c e past an d futu r e i n th e i nvisi b l e r egi on s
wh ich ar e o ut o f h i stor y a l together ; or at l east wi ll o wn
th e
ec t o f J ewis h m yth ol ogy
th a t h e was th at i dea l o bj
Messiah ! 1
hi s

F
.

ju ne 1 st

1 91 0 .

Martineau

ci t

p 57 5
.

C C
.

I NT R O D U CT I O N T O

FI RS T

THE

E D IT I O N
great gu r es wh ich l o ok down u pon
gulf a n d vo i d of ti m e, J esus o f Na zar eth is

O F al l
th e

gra ci o u s
was

us a r oss

th e m o st

i nn ing of aspect an d al though hi s m em o y

sso ci ated wi th th t p o l ic y o f c raf
t a n d ex l u si e
cr u el ty a n d c redu l i ty wh ich i n E ast a d West

an d

of

soo n a

n ess,

th e

styl ed itsel f ortho doxy

b een

h i s n a m e h as ever

n e erth el ess

ppr essed for the desp is ed a n d di s

in her ited ofthe earth a bon d an d sym bol of u n ion i n pea ce
I t b ehoves u s then m or e th an ever i n th i s
an d c h ar ity
wh en o l d fa i th s ar e l o osen i n g th ei r h ol d on us an d
age
n ew su per s ti t i on s lik e S p i r i tu al i sm O ccul ti sm an d C h r i stia n
S cien c e th reaten to i m pr i son o ur m i n ds afresh to i n qui r e
carefully who Jesus ofNa za r eth was what were his real a i m s
poor

for th e

an d

c om m an d for r e l i i n g th em
ec ted wi th h i s
a m e o ig i n
how th e great i n sti tuti o s c o
This I h ve tr ied to do i n the foll ow
d gr ew u p
ated
i n g pages i n as si m pl e an d st a igh tforward a m an e as I
co ul d withou t am b i gui ty b ut al so without s c m or
For th es e qu al ities of styl e c oul d on l y en l i st m e
m o ck e y
d
r ea der s i n ci r cl es wh e e I wo u l d ra ther n ot n d th em
such a discussi on
ar e i n a y c as e in app ro p i ate i
T h e orth od ox r eader wi ll pr ob ab l y here exc l a i m :
Th en wh y ch oose such a ti tl e for your book ? C an i t
do oth er wis e than wou n d an d sho ck C hr isti an sen ti m e t ?
I do n ot thi nk i t sh oul d do so an d ca n on l y en t ea t
such r ead ers to b e pati en t a d hear m e out ; esp ecial l y i f
l ik e m ost C h r isti an s th ey can a l l ege n o b etter easo for
hold in g th e fa i th th ey p ofes than th ey ca n for th e c ol o ur
For i t i s u n d en iab l e th t
ha i r b e i ng wh at i t i s
o f th ei

an d

i dea s

wh at th e m ean s a t h i s

an

nn

ar

as

an

s
.

xxi

xx

I N T R O D UC T I O N

ii

s peopl e m e el y i her i t th ei r el igi o us b eli efs accepti n g

a k in g wh at wa s th e
an d n e e
th em wi th ou t qu e ti o
previ ous histo y o f th ese Op i i o b ef e th ey oated in to
o h o w th y ta ll y w i th th e a sc e tai n ed r esu l ts
their m i n ds
d zoo l ogy o fh i story an thr op ol ogy
ofastr on om y geo l ogy
a n d o th e n ew l ea rn i n g

I have the ch ose the wo ds m yth an d m agic

b ecaus e th e e i n o o th e way of chara cter i sin g certa i n
bel iefs an d pra c ti es o f th e e l y Ch ur ch wh ich i n th i s
fen d
to d es i b e ; a d they can on l y o f
work I ha ve ch o e
those wh o i m ag i e th at C h i sti ni ty i s th e o n e r el i gio n i n
the wor l d en t i tl ed to espect an d th a t al l o th er r eligi on s
ra ud an d i m b eci l i ty
I ho l d on th e
are s ystem s o f f
c on trary th at eve y c eed a d r i te f om which m en have
dra wn c om fort i th ei tr i l s an d str en gth to b ear thei r
Let i t b e the
su f
fer in gs sh ou ld b e t ea ted wi th espect
fa ith of Mah o m et o th e fo l l o wi g o f B u d dh a the sp ell o f
the M al ay or th e Co sol m e tum o f the C athar s o fA l b i we
f a t a yth i g i n wh ic h ou fell ow bei n gshave
m u st n ot sc of
fou n d a r efuge f om el em e tal ter r o s a d a pana c ea
n on e th e l ess r eal to th em b ec a u se to us i m agi n ar
y for
th e m an y pai n s an d a h es o f th e esh
A m yth i s a r el i gi ou s nar ati e th at pu p orts to be h istor ic
d m gic may for o ur p ur pose be
a ll y tru e b ut i s n ot ;
den ed as any r ite o rel igi ou s o pe tion wh ich i n ign oran c e
l i e e d s ec essary or unn ec essar
o ftru e c auses s eek s to
y
to th e well b ein g o f so ci ety b y an
pp eal to occul t o r
supernatural for ces o m atte wh eth er the latter b e
r egar ded as pers onal o
ot
Let m e i l l ustrate m y m e n in g b y ex m p l es
We al l
ta lk of th e m yth of D ana e an d o o n e to da y b el i eves th a t
D anae really c on ceived Pe seus in a sh owe o f gol d pou red
o ut by Zeus
I m y go fu th er an d s y th t n o on e b el i eves
n owad ays th at D ana e
d P e seus
d Z eu s wer e eve r ea l
p erson al i ties at all I n th e am e wa y th o se wh o r ejec t the
stor y of th e v ir gi n b i r th o f C h ri st as d e o i d of hi stor ic
al
mo t

v r

n,

or

ns

an

n,

ar

s n

cr
r

an

ra

r ea

an

an

I N T RO D UC T I O N
sub stan ce

every r i gh t

xx

iii

i t what i t is n am el y, a
m yth
I f i t b e an swer ed th a t th e stor y of C hr ists b i r th i s
i n th e B i bl e, wh il e th at of D an a e is n ot, I sh ou l d an swer
that in m o dern C h urch C o n gr esses cl ergym en con stan tl y
stan d u p an d declare the co n ten ts o f the rst chapter s o f
have

c al l

to

G en esi s n ot

on l y

to

b e m yth ica l

b ut to have

been borr owed

Y et Paul atta ch ed
fr o m older A ssyri a n m yth s
wei gh t to th e stor y o f the Tem ptati on an d Fall
an d E ve as to m ak e i t th e b asis o f hi s do ctr i n e
.

an d of Ch r

ist s r edem ption

H ere

o f o u r r a e.

so

uch

o f A da m
of

C h r i st

th en , i s m yth

l ess in the New than i n th e O l d Te tam en t an d I a m

b y n o m ean the r t to n d i t th er e n
I t w ll er ta i n y b e a so ar g ed th at the ev d en e o f th e
epted b y us,
a n ts o f th e ear y C h r h o ugh t to b e a
no

i c

l
u
i c
s i
l
uc
cc
b eca u se th ey d er i ved their fa i th di rect or al m ost dir ect f o m
Jesus Ch i st I sh oul d repl y tha t m oral ly gifted as J us
w s a b ove hi s c on tem p ora i es h e n ever thel ess sha ed w i th
A n d I wi l l a dd
them th e ch i ef su per sti ti o n s o f h i s age
wha t wi l l b e n ew to th os e wh o a e n ot ver se d in th e l i tera tur e
a l y C h u r ch th a t t he C h i ti an s of th e st th ee o r
o f th e
f ur cen t ur i es though th ey e o u n c ed the r el igio u s u ses
a d r i tes of th e p agan so ci eti es am o n g wh om th ey we e
They
wer e far fr om e o un ci n g pagan b eliefs
r ec r ui ted
ceas d to offer sacr ic e to th e old gods but they c n ti ued
T hey m e el y chan ged their na m es d
to b el i eve i n th em
titl es an d c a ll ed th em wick ed dem on s i n stead o f go ds
Th ey c on ti n u ed to b el i eve th at Zeu s an d A p oll o Ma s
a d V en u s M i th ra s an d C yb el e wer e su per natu r al b ei n gs
a cul ti es an d k n owl edge ; an d the
i
i
su
p
erh u m an f
t
h
w
f
t
e
d
g
ar gu m en t add uc ed b y C h r isti an h om i l i sts again st
m i
sa cri cing to the an cie t gods w s ever this that th ey we e
d eek
hun gr y gh o ul s cl a m o ur i g to b e fed wi th the b l ood
S top th e sa c i ces th ey
of vic ti m s sla i n i n th eir h o o u
d th e dem on s th t m a squera de as go ds will b e
a gu ed
st ved out an d reduced to weakn ess an d i m pote ce
I n tel l ctual l y th en co nve sion to C hr istian i ty co un ted ror
,

es

e r

r s

an

a n

an

an

ar

xx

iv

I NT R O D U C T I O N

i l e an d i nvolved b ut a sl igh t adv ce ; an d yet we are

s
d
cc
p
b
i
th e f i th d l i e ed to th e s a i n ts
to a e t l dl y
a ke
T h e pr esen t
we e i f l l i b l e a uth or i ti es
a s i f th e l atte
D ean of Can te b u y has grav l y p p osed th at th e E n gl i sh
C hu ch sh o ul d et i o evive a s a n or m for m odern
was ca th ol ic o r
A ngl ican b el ief a d u age wh a te e
u n ive sally r eceived du i g th e t six c en tur ies ; as if
li
to m o dern th o ugh t an d
a l on g w ith m uch el se tha t i
m an n er s tha t woul d ot in cl ude th e p a ct ice o f sa cr i cin g
tur i es i n C hr is ti an
or c
or th i s co tin u ed f
an i m al victi m s f
th e c h u c h e s o fS yr ia an d th e
sh i nes an d sti l l o u i sh e i
Ca ucasus
I pass on to sac am en ts I sh oul d b e the la st to d en y
f om th ese a gr ea t d eal o f m or al
that C h is ti an s d e i v
c om fo t an d edi catio
No e th e l es s wh en a pr i est
u ndertak es by c e ta in m vem e ts of hi s h an ds b y use of
m es an d for m s o f wor d s
c ertain invocatio s of c e t i
c ou t be va i ed to i m pa t to bread
wh ich m u st on n o
oi l
sal t
b ell s o r what n ot c er ta i n
an d wi n e to wate
al ues wh ich th ey h d n ot b ef
o ccu l t q u al i ti es an d
or e an d
coul d n ot other wise g in he m ove i th e real m o f pure
That such i te a e tten ded with exhor tation s
m agic
to r ep entan c e f om si n a d p u i ca t i o n o f th e will an d
cha racter is in deed fo tu ate an d a m a tter u pon which we
m ay well con gr atul ate th ose wh o a ssi st ; b ut i t doe s n ot
a l ter th e c hara c ter o f such c e em o i es an d th er e is n o
use i n n ot r ec ogn i i g that the a tm o ph er e of a ch ur ch
wh er e a im is tic b el i f i al l owed to co l ou r an d sha p e th e
wh e e th e w o m en c om e fasti n
r ite o f c o m m u n i o n
g an d
ciati n g cl ergy wea whi te gl o es i n han d li n
th e of
g the
el em en ts wh er e a b i t o f b ea d i s carr i ed a bo u t i n p r o c essi on
th e d o ti o
ul
an d exp osed or el evated f
o f th e f
a i thf
is an atm o sph ere wh ich i f we e cou te ed i t am ong the
m edici n e m en o f th e C o go w e h o ul d
ot sc r u p l e to sa
y
was i m pr egnated wi th
b el i ef i feti sh an d tab o o I f then
we ar e too fr an k an d c d i d to u ph o l d o e set o fwei hts an d
g
l tt

an

ro

a n

v r

rs

r n

s a

en

en

v r

n a

r a n

na

ac

s n

r,

or

an

ra

xx

vi

I N T ROD UC T I O N
bac k

H o w far
m ay

do

we

go,

th e A ra m a

r eda

i nd

est

i m ti
a

i b ei
r

th e r

ng

an t

n ot

c oll

age,

i qu i a
ar

ec ted

an d

m u st h a ve wa ted

th e wo r l d

so,

x pl o i ted b y Ma rk

th a t i t wa s

th at l ed to th e

b een

it

in m

ar

n er est

In

s be

i ical i t
cted H ad

h sto r

or

ii

tra d t on s e

k n ow

not

h owev er , we m u t

ic

c
fo few o
o e w e e i te ested to k o w
b u t th e b i ef m i i st y fa M essi h wh was ex p ec ted to
T h e eyes o f b el i ve s we e
a d th at h or tl y
om e g i
th e fu tu r e an d
up to the e d o f th e st c en tu y xe d o
n o t on th e p ast ; a n d th e a i m o f th e ec o d e a n gel i st w s
tha t
th
t o p ove
ag i st th e J ews wh o d en i ed i t
Jesu was Messi ah n d S o o f G od th n to set on reco d
I t i s th e efore
fo poste i ty th e fa ts o f h i s e thl y c ee
m e el y i ci d en tall y th t h e suppl i es u wi th an o u tl i n e o f
P i m a i l y hi w o k w s
pa ty pa m phl et
tha t c a ee
T h e sa yi gs o f J esu s m u st h ave b ee w i tte d own a t a
st ge b ec a u se th y w
ted as a m an u l o f
e l ie
e w
Th ey w e e ul e wh ich e ery c a di da te
m o al te ch i n g
fo r th e k i gd o m of G od o on to b e m an i fested h d to l a y
d ob se ve
I h ul d n o t th e ef e b e ur p i sed
to h ea t
th t th e A m ic t ex t o f th ese sa yi ngs wa s c ur
to l ea
t
fter th e d ea th o fJ e u s
with i a sh o t ge e ti o
O f the E p istl es o f Pa ul ve y few a e n o w d isp u ted b y
com pete t c i tics I m d i sposed to acc ept s a uth en tic
a l l o f th em n o t exc ep ti
g t he o es a dd ressed to T i m othy
Fo th e la tte fo m a g o up o f wh ich i t is
a d Ti tu
cul t to a cc pt on e m em b e an d o t th e o th e s
d if
No w i t
is qui te i co n ceiv bl e th t a forge of Pa ul i ne E pi stl es
wi sh i g i f not to h on o u P u l a t l ea st n o t to b i
g hi m
i n to di s epute would att i bute to h i s pen th e statem en ts
that we d i n th e S ec on d E p i stl e to T i m o th n a m el
y
y
th t
ll th e b el i eve s i
A sia h d tu n ed w
y fr o m
h i m a d th at at th e ve y t h ea i g o f h i s app eal to th e

i
C aes
Ro m e o o e to ok m y pa t b u t al l f soo k m e

May i t ot be l aid to thei a cc o u t h e a dds sh ow i g

h o w ep eh e sibl e h fel t thei dese ti o of h i m to b e
A
m u h l on ger

a n,

er

as

ar

ar

er

ra

or

r en

n a

s.

an

s o

ra

an

rn

ar

a n

ra

r n

ar

rs

r n

or

I N T ROD UC T I ON

xx

v ii

forger woul d n ot thu s h ave gon e out of hi s way to reveal

to us th at th e en tir e C hu r ch o f R om e b el on ged to the
J u da isin g party o f J a m es an d J oh n , an d th at thei r hatred
o f th e A p os tl e o f the G en til es c on ti n u ed to b e so i n ten s e
that th ey ab an don ed h i m i n h s h o ur o f n eed
I b elieve

uth enticity of this

letter i f a pagan had w itten i t i n stead o f Paul I f then
i t is a uth en tic th e o th er two m ust b e a ccepted al so
A
ten d en cy set in ver y ea l y a m o g Chr i sti an wr iters to gl ose
over an d o bl i tera te al l t a c es o f th e quarrel b etween Pa ul
an d th e p i ll ar s o f th e Ch u ch wh i h i n th e E p istl e to the
G al a ti an s p obab l y th e ea l i est of th e l etter s of Pa ul is so
vi vi dl y descr ibed I n the A cts of th e A p stl es th is ten den c y
is very cl earl y exh i b i ted an d an y forge of Paul in e letters
Th e E pi stl e to the
woul d have b een d o m i ated b y i t
H eb rews has n ever b ee se i o u sl y a ttr i b u ted to Paul but i t
is clear ly an ter ior to A D 7 n d Tertull ian was probab ly
r ight i n attr i b u ti ng i t to B a n b as
I have ci ted the Book of R evel ati on as a work of the last
dec ade of the rst ce tu y Th i s was the tradi tion of
I rena us an d the fa c t th at a r esc i p t o f D o m i tian of the
i t v e b ati m c o rm s that trad ition
year 9 3 is ci ted i
Thi s h owever do es n ot p ecl u de u s f om seei ng i n i t a
work i ng u p o f a
n ear l i e do cu m e t o f a b ou t th e year 6 8 o r
6 9 to wh ich da te R ena a s igned i t
I t r em a in s to a ckn o wl edge m y i n debtedn ess to th e three
e
e
e
s
C
i
i
o
f
o
u
r
th e A bb Loisy
r
h
l
a
s
a
t
t
h
r
s
t
an
s
o
g
g
I have her e an d
Pr of A do lfH arna ck a d J Wellhause
th er e ci ted th e m b y na m e ; b ut th ose who are ac quai nted
with th ei r wo k s w il l rec ogn i se th eir i u en c e i n a l m ost
n o one

wo l d

e er

have di sp uted th e

n.

of

every p age

my

b ook

fear m ost of m y r ea ders wi ll n d m y rst few chapters,

If
in whic h I set fo rth th e text u a l pr ob l em , sti ff r eadi ng
for in th e el d of c ri ti cism
so, I n ee d n ot b e di sa pp o i n ted
no r esul ts can b e wo r th m uch wh ich d o not i nvo l ve h ar d
stu dy Noth i ng is so c on tem pti bl e as the facil e orth odoxy
.

xx

v iii

I N T ROD UC T I O N

ich woul d fa i
i e n o qu esti o s d th e xp o e ts o f
wh i h a e a cc usto m ed to pl ea d th t i t i s o m u c h si m pl e to
t k e e e y tatem e t i n th B i bl e a t i t f c e a l u e
ai
i th e p sen t da y wh en
S uch exh o tati on
e i
wi del y
h as b e
l i e ge e a t i o
th e dogm atic ep ose f
We m u st
I t c an ot b e e to ed
a d u thl ess l y d i tu b ed
wh ic h
fa ce th e p ob l em s of o u age a d a do p t th e so l uti o
vi des Tho s wh o dec l i e to
an e l igh ten ed c i ti i sm p
do so a d t y to m i ta i i th ei m i ds wh at h as a ptl y
b een c ll ed a wate tigh t c m pa tm e t f th ei r el igi o us
co vi ti o s a e i d ge o f ui i g them sel ves s well
Fo a m a s c h a c ter i s all o f a p i ec e
a s th ei r f
el l ows
ot b u k e a wk w
an d w e c a
d qu esti on s th u st o u hea ds
in to th e s d a d p actise soph i st y a d m ak e bel i eve i n
so in ti m ate
c on c e n a el igi ou bel i ef wi th out o o er o
l ater fo feit i g
ll
ou n d
th o s
qu al iti es of m a l i ess
ho e ty
d p i n stak i g th o o ugh ess wh ich al n e c n
e a bl e E gl i sh m en i n th ese da ys o f k een c om p et i ti on to
hol d th ei o w
wh

ra s

v r

s ar

an

nn

an

an

or

n n

ra

s r

ar

en

ns

ns

re

ro

a n

ear

F
.

ja n u a ry

an

l r t, 1 90 9

C C
.

C H A P T ER

PA U L
M a s te r
a
l ad y

J o w ett o n c e
w ro te t o
w h o s o u g h t hi s o p i n i o n th a t the
G o s p e ls a re fr a g m e n t s o f u n k n o w n a g e full o f
i n c r ed i b l e th i n gs ; a n d few w ill to d ay m a i n ta i n the
n a r r a t i ve s
w h ic h
su r v i v e d
a m ong
th e C h r i st i an s
o f th e li f
e o f th e f
o u n d er
J e sus o f N a z a r eth to b e as
full a ccu r a te a n d a u th en t ic a s th e S u pp o s ed i m p o r t
a n c e o f t h e i r su bj e c t
m a tter d e m a n d s
O f S o c ra tes
P l a to A r is to t l e a n d m a n y o th er tea c her s o f an t iqui ty
n o t to m en t i o n g r ea t m ili t a r y a n d p o li t ic a l l ea d er s
w e c a n o ut o f th e r e c o r d s b equ ea th e d to us c o n st r uc t
li feli k e p ic t u r es c a n t r a c e w i th c er ta i n ty the gr a d ua l
d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e i r m i n d s a n d c h a r a c te r s a n d
O ften w e h a ve th e i r
ex h i b i t i n d eta il t h e i r c a r eer s
ver y l etter s a n d w r i ti n g s ; a n d c o i n s a n d scul p t u res
p r es e r ve to us the li n ea m e n ts o f the i r c o u n ten a n c es
Y et o fJ esus w h o s e b i r th i s su pp o s e d t o h a v e o p e n e d
o r t h is ea r th b u t f
o
th e en t i re
a n ew er a n o t o n l y f
u n i verse w e k n ow a ll to o l i tt l e ; a n d w e h a ve n o t
e o fh i m i n t h e s en s e i n
en o u gh m a ter i a l to w r i te a li f
w h ic h w e w r i te li v e s o f Julius C a s a r o f C ic er o o f
A u g us t u s a n d o f m a n y o th er s w h o w ere n ear l y h i s
c o n t em p o r a r i e s
B ut th e G o s p els a re n o t the e a r li es t C h r is t i a n
d o cu m e n t s w h ic h w e p o ss e ss fo r th e ea r li es t o fthe m
th at o f M a r k is n ear l y a g en er at i on l ater than the
E p is t l e s o f P a ul o fwh ic h seve r a l w e re wr i tte n w i thi n
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PA U L

n ot all
is
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P a ul w as i n p er s o n a l r e l a t i o n s o fte n s tr a i n e d i t is
t r u e y et n on e th e l e ss a c tu a l w i th P et e r a n d J oh n
t he i m m ed i a te d i sci p l e s o f J esus a n d w i t h J a m e s
hi s b ro ther an d r s t p r e si d en t o f t he Ch u r c h o f
J er us a l e m A n x i o u s to a sce r ta i n the fa c t s o fJ esus s
li fe i t is to th es e E p i st l e s t ha t w e n a t u ra lly t u r n W e
do so i n v a i n ! P a ul h a d u n i q u e o pp o rt u n i t i e s o f
i n fo r m i n g h i m s e l f a bo u t the ea rth ly c a re e r o f J e sus
o r m a t i o n to hi s c o n v e r t s
o f h a n d i n g on th is i n f
; b ut
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a t C o r i n th
y

s ee n J e sus a n d i f n o t th a t m uc h tha t he any how

w as a cqu a i n te d w i th t h e fa c ts o f h i s li fe th r o u g h
o th e r s w h o k n e w h i m p er s o n a ll y
Y et he d ep r e c a te s
such k now l e dge I fh e e ver sa w J e sus in th e e s h he
w o ul d fa i n fo rg e t tha t h e d i d so a n d h a v e o th e r s
fo rg et i t a ls o
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J e sus th e M e ssi a h or
y
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n o t w h o ll y b a r r e n b u t r e v e a l t h o u g h qui te i n ci d en t
a ll y
the fo ll ow i n g fa c ts a b o u t J e sus
W e l e ar n
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a l l the w ea k n e ss a n d i n r m i t i es o f th e e s h
w a s obedi en t u n to dea th an d d i e d o n th e c ro ss su ffer i n g
fer a n d d i e
a s o r d i n ar y m en su f
B ut th is ea r th ly li fe o f J e sus b eg i n n i n g w i th b i r th
a n d en d i n g w i th c r uci x i o n w as a cc o r d i n g to P a ul a
m e re i n ci d en t i n a l a rger d i v i n e li fe a n d e x is ten c e
A n d a t th is p o i n t i t is i m p o r ta n t to n o t ice th a t P a ul
w a s p re e m i n e nt l y a m a n o f v isi o n s a n d d r ea m s
p r i z in g w hat i n m o m en t s o f e cs ta s y h e b ehe l d m o r e
T h e c r uci e d J e sus
h i gh l y th an w a k i n g rea li ti e s
w h o h ad b e en ra is e d fr o m th e d e a d n o t i n the
c or r u p ti b l e esh b ut w i t h such a s p i r i tu a l a n d i n
c o rr u p t i b le b o d y a s a cc or d i n g to P a ul co ul d a l o n e
i n h er i t i n c or r u pti o n ha d b een s een a fter d ea th b y a
m ul t i t u d e o fh i s fo ll o w er s a n d l a s t o f a l l h ad a pp ea r e d
a n d s p o k en to h i m s e l f d u r i n g h i s j o u r n ey to D a m a scu s
H e even re l a te s h o w o n th is o r p er h a p s s o m e o the r
h e w a s ca ug h t up i n to th e thi r d hea v en
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s a i d My g r a ce i s sui ci en t for
T he a f ic t i o n i n q u est i o n w a s u n d o u b te d l y th e
thee
ten a tte n d s suc h t e m p e r a m en t s
e p il e p s y w h ic h o f
F r o m suc h i n ci d en ts a s the a b o ve w e c a n u n d e r
s ta n d the ch a r a c ter o f P a ul s go s p e l H e w a s li k e
m a n y a l a te r sa i n t o f a te m p e ra m e n t n a t u r a lly
a n d p er p et u a ll y sa w C h r i st a n d c o n v e r s e d
ec sta t ic
w i th h i m i n v isi o n s ; h i s w o r d s a n d a c t i o n s e v e n h i s
m is si o n a r y m o ve m e n ts a s h e is c a r e ful to i n fo r m us

by
w ere i n s p i r e d a n d d i r e c te d n o t b y r e e c t i o n b u t
r ev e l a t i o n
W h a t wa s the p r ev i o us h i sto r y o f th is e n th usi a s t ?
H e w as so h e te ll s u s a J e w o f t h e J e w s a n d a
P ha r is ee a s w ell A s suc h h e h a d d u r i n g h i s ea r l y
m a n h o o d s ou g h t to w i n th e a pp r o v a l o f a j ea l o us G o d
b y m et icul o u s o b s er v a n c e o ft h e t a b oo s a n d p r esc r i p
A t T ar sus h i s n a t i ve p l a c e
t i o n s o f th e M o s a ic l a w
h e l ea rn ed to ta l k a n d w r i t e G r ee k w i th o u t h o w e v er
fo r fe i t i n g hi s ow n A r a m a ic d i a l e c t a s d i d m o s t o fth e
J ew s w hen o n c e they w er e G r ecised I n th a t p a r t o f
A si a a n en o r m o us n u m b er o fp a g an s w i th o u t a d o p t i n g
a ll th e p r a c t ic e s o f Ju d a is m
h a d y e t a ssi m il a t ed
J ew i sh m o n o th ei sm a n d hi s k n o w l ed g e o f t h is o u te r
fr i n ge o f h i s r e li g i on t a u gh t P a ul l a ter o n t o r e m i t fo r
hi s c on ver t s th e h ea vy y o k e o fth e J ew is h l a w
A fter th e d ea th o f J esus P a ul e ver z ea l o us w h a t
e ve r p a r ty h e es p o us ed th r ew h i m s el f i n to th e p er sec u
t i on o f th e fo ll o wer s o f t h e n ew M e ssi a h
; y et n o t
fo r l o n g
S tr uc k w i th the for t i t u d e w i th w h ic h h i s
v ic t i m s m et the i r d eath he b eg a n to en te r ta i n m i s
C h r is t i a n
g i v i n g s o f th e r i g hteo us ne ss o f h i s c a us e
I n quisi to r s ha ve e a sily s t i ed such m i sg i v i n g s i fthey

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PA U L

G o d, s e c on d on l y to the d i v i n e fa th e r , a n un co r
r u ted i m a g e o f G o d an i d ea l ty p e o fh u m an i ty , suc h
p
o re h e clu t c h e d a t e qu a li ty w i t h G o d
a s w a s A d a m b ef

of

fell

i m m ed i a te fo ll o w er s o f J es us e n ter
He
t a i n ed n o suc h l o fty c on c e p t i o n o f th e M e ssi a h
w a s to th e m a m a n s en t fr o m G o d w h o ha d m et w i th
b ut w as still a li ve a n d w a s t o a pp ea r
a te
a c ru el f
a g a i n w i th i n th e i r g e n er a t i o n a n d r estor e th e k i n g d o m
B u t t o P a ul h e w a s a n i d e a l a n d e te r n a l
o f D av id
b e i n g w h o h a d c o n d e sc e n d ed t o q ui t the r i g ht h a n d
o u n d o n e a r th i n th e li k en e ss
o f G o d a n d to b e f
ul esh a n d a s the m a n J esus to d i e o n the
o f si n f
c r o ss the d ea th o f a m a l e fa c tor i n o r d er th a t h e m i g h t
e c t v ic t i m c o n cili a te th e w r a th o f a n a n g r y
a s a p er f
G o d a n d m ed i a te th e s a l va t i on n o t o f J e w s a l o n e
b ut o f a ll m a n k i n d
T h us P a ul s C h r is t is a n a p r i or i c o n s t r uc t i o n o fh i s
o w n o w i n g to th e h is tor ic a l m an o f N a z a r e th a n d to
t h o s e wh o k n ew t h a t m a n a n d c h e r is h e d h i s m e m o r y
li tt l e ex c ep t the b a r e n a m e o f J e sus Pa ul s J esus
i s a n i d ea l su p er h u m a n S a v i o u r d e s t i n e d fr o m th e
b eg i n n i n g o f th e w o r l d to p l ay a n ecu m e n ic r ol e
R a is ed b y the sp i r i t o f G od fr o m t he d ea d th e
s a v i o u r h a s l eft b eh i n d i n the g r a v e to g eth er w i th the
esh n ow g i ve n o ve r to c o r r u p t i on a l l h i s J ew i sh
e x clusi veness
a l l hi s h u m a n t r i t s
e v e n h i s sex
a

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and

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G od, th r oug h fa i th , i n Ch r i st jesus

n ei ther few n or G r eek , th er e ca n be

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PA U L

e ssi an ic Ju d a is m s ho ul d a cc e p t th e J ewis h l a w
an d u n d e rg o ci r cu m cisi o n
w hy th ey s houl d k ee p
s abb ath s or ob s e r v e th e m an y r i tu a l tab oo s wh ich
h e dge d i n th e d i n n er t a b l e o f th e J ew s a n d pr e v e n te d
th e i r e at i n g i n th e c o m p a n y o f G en til e s
I t w as j us t
he r e that Pa ul c o ul d n o t fa il t o c o m e i nt o c on ic t
w i th Pe t e r a n d J a m e s a n d J ohn an d othe r p e r s ona l
fo ll ow e r s o f J e sus
T h e l a t ter h a d i n d ee d k n own
h ow t o i n te r p r et i n a r a t i o n a l m a n n e r the ru l e o f
t he s ab b ath b ut h a d n e ver d rea m e d o f r e p e a li n g i t
an y m o r e th a n o f r e p u d i a t i n g ci r cu m cisi o n o r t he
J ewish s a c r i ci a l sy s tem H i s fo ll ow er s a cc o rd i n g l y
c oul d b ut r e s en t Pa ul s d en i a l th a t the l aw w as
b i n d i n g for hi s c on ver ts h i s a ll o w i n g th e m to
p ar t ici p ate i n th e m e a ls o f G en t il e s h i s c o n t e m p t for
T h ey d en o u n c e d the s ho r t cut to
tab oo s i n g e n e r a l
s a l va ti on which h e h a d i n ven ted for G e ntil e s a n d
i n siste d tha t the re w a s n o w a y i n to the i m pen d i n g
m e ssi an ic k i n g d o m e x c e p t th ro u g h t he v e r y w o r k s
an d ob s e rv a n c e o f th e l a w w h ic h Pa ul r e c k on e d u n
n e c e ss a ry
The M e ssi ah t hey a r g u e d w as a M e ssi a h ,
or wh o m t he
o fth e J ew s a l o n e n o t o f th e G e n t il e s f
d i v i n e p rom is e s w er e n e ve r m a d e a n d
T he
a n d J eho va h n o c o ve n an t e v er ex is t e d
a G en t il e w ho d e si r e d t o en ter th e k i n gd o m m us t
e n te r i t th ro u gh th e n a r r ow ga te o f Ju d a is m Th ey
a s k e d wh at r i gh t h a d P a ul t o cl oa k h i s r e vo l t a g a i n s t

to

the l aw w th th e

n a m e of

J esus

w ho h a d, w th h i s

li p s d e cl a r e d th at h e ca m e n ot to ab o lish the l aw
b ut to ful l i t
B y w h a t r i gh t th ey a s k e d d i d Pa ul
a n ci e s to a Ch r is t
attr i b u t e h i s o w n d r e a m s a n d f
o wn

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PA U L

c o n ic t eve n w e n t so fa r a s to i d e nt i fy h i m w i th the
a n t i C h r is ti
T h e o n l y a n s w er P a ul c o ul d m a k e w a s t o s n ee r a t
th e e x clusi ve p r eten si on s o f th e t w e l ve a p o s t l e s a n d
H e h a d h e a r g u ed
t o fa ll b a c k o n h i s o w n v isi o n s
and
th e r is en C h r is t
a n y h o w seen C h r is t n a m e l y
h a d b een c o m m issi o ne d b y h i m t o p r e a c h th e g o s p e l
I t w a s n o t P a ul th a t sp o k e a n d
t o th e G e n t il e s
a c ted b u t th e s p i r i t o f C h r is t d w e lli n g w i th i n hi m a n d
c o n s ti tu t i n g hi m i ts v eh icl e a n d m o u th p i ec e H e r e
w a s a q u ar r e l t o o d eep to b e h ea l ed u n t il th e g en er a
t i on o f P a l es t i n i a n C h r i st i a n s w h o h a d rea ll y k n o w n
J esu s sh o ul d p a s s a w a y Fo r the p re s en t th a n k s to
P a ul s ta c t a tr uc e w a s p a tc he d u p b y the ter m s o f
w h ic h hi s G en t il e c o n ver t s w ere t o b e r e c o g n is e d a s
b r e th r e n i f the y w o ul d ea t n o n e b u t k osher m ea t
fo r t he sus te n a n c e o f t h e
a n d su b sc r i b e li b e ra ll y
b r eth ren i n J er us a l em w ho s e em to h a ve b een m uc h
i m p o ver is hed ei th er by p er s ecu ti o n o r b y thei r a tte m p ts
t o li v e c o m m u n is t ic a ll y o r b y b o th
O n l y i n P a l es t i n e c o ul d the J e ws o f th a t a ge p r a c tis e
th e l a w w i th a n y str ic tn e ss
i n t h e G reek a n d L a t i n
ci t ies a ll r o u n d th e M ed i ter r a n ea n th ey co ul d n o t
m a i n t a i n i t e ven a m o n g th e m s e l v e s m uc h l e ss a m o n g
t he i r c o n ve r ts H en c e w h a t h a s b e en t er m e d Ju d a isi n
g
C h r is ti a n i ty th a t i s t h e C h r i st i a n i ty w h ic h i n sis te d o n
ci r cu m cisi on s a bb a th s d i eta r y ta boo s a n d o th er r ul es
o f th e M o s a ic l a ws oo n p er is h e d a n d w a s l o s t t o v i e w
ex c e p t w i t h i n th e n a r ro w li m i t s o f P a l e s t i n e
E ven
t h er e i t h a r d l y su r v i v e d th e fa ll o f J er us a l e m i n A D
70
T h e ter m s o f th e t r uc e w er e t h u s to s o m e e x t en t
i m p o se d b y h a r d fa c ts o n P eter a n d J o h n a n d J a m e s
I t h a s b een n ec ess a r y t o d w e ll so l o n g o n a n ea r l
y
qu a r r e l w h ic h n ea r l y str a n gl e d the new re li gi on i n i t s
,

PA U L

c r a d l e bec a us e P a ul s sil en c e a b ou t the h isto r ic J e sus

is o ther wis e u n i n te lli g i b l e H e w a s w e ll a w a re tha t
th e h o r i z on o f J esus li k e th a t o f a n oth e r G a lil ea n
y
p ro phet o f th a t a ge w a s b o u n d e d b y a n ex clu si ve
r eg a rd f
o r Ju d a i sm a n d J e w is h n a t i o n a li t
y ; th a t h i s
s y m p a th i es h ad n ot o v er s te pp ed th es e li m i ts th a t h e
h a d fo r b i dd e n t o h i s d isci p l e s th e p a th s o f t he G en t il e s
an d t h e ci t i e s o f S a m a r i ta n s
a n d k n o w i n g as m uc h
as h e d i d he c o ul d h a r d l y d o o t h er w is e t h a n d is p a r a e
g
b o th for h i m s e l f an d h i s o c k a l l k n o w l ed ge o f C h r is t
after the
I n s tea d o f p o n d e r i n g th e rea l fa c ts
esh
o f J esus s li f
e an d m i n is t ry h e x e s h i s o w n
ga z e a n d
t h a t o f h i s c o n v er t s o n t h e p a tte r n l a i d u p i n h ea v en
T h is is w hy w e s eek i n va i n i n P a ul s l ett er s fo r
d eta ils o f J esus s ea r th l y c areer I t d i d n ot i n tere s t
hi m ; n a y m o r e i t w a s a n a w k wa r d a n d u n p l ea s an t
to p ic w h ich l a y t o o n ea r t he a ccus a t i o n s fr o m w h ich
h e h a d i n c e ss a n tl y to d efe n d h i m s e l f Q ui te i n ci d en t
a ll y a s w e h a v e s ee n h e r e c o r d s o r r a th er e n a b l es us
a c ts a b o u t t h e li f
to i n f
er a f
ew ge n e r a l f
e o f J esus ;
b ut i n gen era l h e a b sta i n s fr o m m en t i o n i n g i t a n d is
a b s o r b e d i n h i s o w n h a lluci n a t i o n s an d t ra n sc en d en t a l
fa n ci e s g ran d i o s e i t is t r u e b ut s orel y b a f i n g o ur
m o d e rn cu r i o si ty
A n d i t is n o t m e r e l y t h e o utw a r d ev en ts a n d
v ici ssi t u d e s o f J esus s li fe a s even u n s y m p a thetic
J ew s m us t h a v e w i tn esse d them th a t fa il e d to t o uch
and
i n ter es t P a ul h e is equ a ll y sil en t a b o u t the
m o ra l a n d r e li g i o us tea c h i n g o f th e M a s te r a n d sh o w s
n o a cqu a i n ta n c e w i th t h e S e r m o n o n th e M o u n t o r
A n d th i s is a l l th e s tr a n g er
w i th t he p a r a b l es
b e c a us e th er e a re s evera l fa i r l y w ell a u th e n t ic a te d
s ay i n g s o f J esus w h ic h w o ul d h a ve sto o d hi m i n goo d
stead w h e n he w as co m ba ti ng the J u d a isi n g a po st l e s

PA U L

10

Fo r e x a m p l e

o n o ne o

h i m s el f

cc a si o n

A n ti o ch ,

at

P a ul

fo u n d
l a tter h a d

T he
P eter to the fa ce
b ee n si t ti n g d o w n a t t a b l e w i th G en t il e c o n v er t s ,
B e fo re l o n g
reg ar d l e s s o f M o sa ic c o m m en s a l t a b o o s
t h er e a r r i ve d s p i e s fr o m J e r us a l e m se n t b y J a m e s , th e
r esi sti ng

'

r o th er o f

r i v i ly

ha v e

in

J esu

s,

br oug h t i n to spy

Ch r i st jesus

50

ou t

c on ti n u es P a ul

br eth r en

a l se

P a ul c a lls

l i ber ty w hi ch w e

ou r

w h en

A nd

th e m

they

ca m e,

[ o r C e p h a s ]d r ew ba ck a n d
se
p a r a ted hi m sel fea r i ng them th a t w er e of the ci r cu m

H er e i f a n y w h e r e o n e w o ul d e x p e c t P a ul
ci si on

pp
l
s
i
o
a
n
t
ea to th e a y
g : N ot tha t w h i ch en ter eth the
.

P eter

m ou th deyil eth the m a n

bu t tha t w h i ch p r oceedeth ou t
o
th e th i ng s
f the m outh, thi s defil eth the m a n
w hi ch

p r oceed

hea r t ;

a nd

for th out of the

For out of th e hea r t
de l e the m a n
thoug h ts m u r der s a du l ter i es fo r n i ca

out o

they

the m ou th com e
.

for th ev il
ti on s thefts fa l se w i tn ess

com e

w h i ch de l e the m a n

deyi l eth
Y et,

not

of
ten

qu est i o n
the

the m a n
as

o ff
oo

r a il i ng s

bu t to

these

w i th

ea t

are

the th i ng s

u n w a shen

h a n ds

P a ul

t a b o o s,

fr ee d o m wh ic h h e

e cu r s

E p is t l e s to th is
h e n e ve r a ll e ges i n d efen c e o f
cl a i m e d i n C hr is t t he a c tu a l
T h e n e a r e s t a pp r o a c h is i n

c i n g o f th e l a tt e r
t h e L e tter t o th e R o m a n s

t ea h

x iv

i n h is

I k now

r4 :

p er sua ded i n th e L or d jesus tha t

n oth i ng

is

a nd a m

u n cl ea n

s ty l e
w ill i n ter p r e t th is a s a n a pp e a l t o s p e ci a l p r e c e p t s
u tte red b y J esus a n d tr an s m i tte d to Pa ul by th o s e
w h o lis ten e d thereto
O n t h e c o n t r a r y i n th e
p a r t icul a r c o n tex t ( G a l a ti a n s ii ) w he r e h e r e l a te s
th is qu a rre l w i th P e ter a n d J a m e s h e is c a r efu l t o
e m p h a sis e th e c o m p l ete i n d e p en d en c e o f h i s
gos p e l

r
m
h
e
o
r
H is w rd s a e th e s e : After the spa ce
f o t i rs
i tself
.

B ut

no

one

fa m ili a r w i th th e Pa uli n e

PA UL

I I

ffou r teen y ea r s

I w en t up ag a i n to jer usa l em
by
a n d I l a i d be or e them the
r evel a ti on
f
g osp el w hi ch I
B u t fr om those w h o
p r ea ch a m ong the G en ti l es
o

w er e

m a k eth

d to be som ew ha t ( w ha tsoever they w er e, i t

m a tter t o m e
G od a ccep teth n ot m a n s

r e u te

er son

no

) th y
e

n othi ng

say ,

w ho w er e

r e u te,

i mp a r ted

A n d w hen they p er cei ved the g r a ce

tha t w a s g i ven u n to m e, fa m es a n d Cep has
P e te r ]
a n d fohn , the
y w h o w er e r ep u ted to be p il l a r s, g a v e to
me

to m e

B a r n a ba s the

a nd

sh oul d
ci si on

p oor

ri

gh t ha n ds offel l ow sh ip

tha t w e

un to the

G en ti l es, a n d they u n to the ci r cu m

on ly the
y w oul d tha t w e shoul d r em em ber th e

w hi ch v ery th i ng I w a s a l so z ea l ous to do
go

si t u at i o n is cl ea r T he r ea l c o m p a n i o n s o f
J esus J a m e s a n d Pe te r a n d J ohn ob e d i en t to th e i r
M a s ter s tr a d i t i on ob s ti n a te ly r e fus e t he m s e l ve s to
p rea c h the go s p e l to u n ci r cu m cise d G e n t il e s P a u l
i n sis ts o n d o i n g so a n d a ll eges i n j us t i c a ti o n h i s
o w n s p e ci a l r e v e l a t i o n s o f J e sus
T h ey o n t he i r si d e
c on s en t to a ll ow hi m to go h i s w ay a n d to d iss e m i n a te
o u tsi d e th e J ew ish w or l d th e
g o s p e l w h ic h w as h i s
y et n o t th e i r s n o r th e i r M a s t e r s o n on e c o n d i t i o n
t ha t h e a n d h i s c o n v e r ts s e n d p l e n ty o f m o n ey t o
su pp o r t th e s a i n t s o f J e r us a l e m
T he
p ill a r s o f
t he C h u r c h th e r e a r e cl e a r l y an x i o us to b e r id o fPa ul
a n d w i th t r ul y J e w is h p r a c t ic a li ty t h e y n a m e th ei r
ter m s
T h ey w ill l ea v e h i m a l o n e w i th h i s Gen tile s
b ut he m us t n ot fo r get the b a c k s h ee sh
No r d i d
P a ul fo r ge t i t for i n h i s s e c o n d L e tte r to the
C o r i n th i an s t wo e n ti r e c h a p te r s a re g i ve n u p to the
to p ic
I n t h e s e h e e m p l o y s e ve ry a r t o f r h eto r ic
a tte r y a n d ed i c at i o n i n o r d e r to i n d uc e hi s c on ver ts
to su b sc r i b e a n d th a t h a n d s o m e l y
H is an x i e ty ab o u 1
the m a tte r is e ver un d is guis e d a n d we d isc er n c l ea r l y
T he

PA U L

12

h e a vy su b si d y , o ft
o f b ei n g a b l e t o k ee p o n

t hat i n

ho pe

re

p ea te d

an y

lay hi s

s o r t o f ter m s

on

ly

W i th

i s o f J er us a l em
P a ul e l a b o r a te d hi s go s p el i n the sil e n c e a n d s o li t u d e
o fA r a b i a
H e d e cli n e d fr o m th e ver y r s t m o m en t
o f h i s c on v er si o n t o re s o r t t o t h e b ret h r e n o fJ er us a l e m
r o m t h e i r li p s w h a t h a d
a n d G a lil ee i n o r d er t o l ea n f
b een the i r M a s ter s li fe a n d t ea c h i n g T h us he w r i tes

a k e k n ow n to
or
I
m
l
i
s
i
I
I
F
n
to th e G a a t a
(
)

th e

sa n t

y ou , br eth r en , a s touchi ng th e g osp el w h i ch ha s been

a ched by m e, tha t i t i s n ot after m a n

e
r
p
.

T h i s m ea n s th a t h e h a d n o h u m an t ea c h er n o r
d ep en d e d o n a n y h u m a n l y tr a n s m i tted r ep o r ts o fw h o
,

J esu s

For

was

an d

n ei ther

w h a t h e t a gh t

di d I

r ecei v e

it

S o he

fr anc

m a n,

c on ti n u e5
n or

w as i

f r ev el a ti on on the p a r t offesus

ta ug h t i t, excep t by w ay

Chr i st

T h is i n d ic a tes th a t P a u l g o t hi s go s p el thr o u gh
v isi o n s a n d p r i va te r e vel a ti o n s o f h i s o w n I t h a d
n o th i n g to d o w i th w h a t t h e c o m p a n i on s a n d a p o s t l e s
e a n d co n
o f J esus r em e m b er e d o f t he i r M a s t er s li f
I n th e i m m e d i a te s equ e l h e r em i n d s t h e
v e rsa t i o n s
G a l a t i a n s o f h o w h e h a d b eg u n li fe a s a n o b s e r v i n g

o
h
e
er
s
t
e
h
r
n
s
For
J ew a n d f o w h p e cu d t e C h is t i a
y e ha ve hea r d of my m a n ner of l ife i n t i m e p a st i n th e
jew s r el ig i on how tha t bey on d m ea sur e per secuted
the Ch u r ch of G od a n d m a de ha v oc of i t ; a n d
a dv a n ced i n the jew s r el ig i on bey on d m a ny of m i n e
ow n ag e a m ong my cou n try m en bei ng m or e ex ceedi n
g ly

z ea l ou s for th e tr a di ti on s o
f my fa ther s
A n d th en o n c e m o r e h e e m p h a sis e s t he fa c t t h a t
h i s t e a ch i n g h a d n o t h i n g i n c o m m o n n o c o n n e c t i o n
w i th th e t ea c h i n g o f t h e h is to r ic a l J esus a s r e p o r te d

b y hi s d i r ec t d isci pl e s : B ut w hen i t wa s the g ood

.

PA U L

14

cqu a i nta n c e o f C ep h a s ( P ete r ) w i th w ho m h e

stay e d for the b r i e f S p a c e o f fteen d ay s P a ul w as
i n th e m i d s t o f t ho s e w h o ha d
o n th is o cc a si o n
fo ll o we d J e sus lis ten e d t o h i s te a c h i n g a nd r e c e i v e d
Y et he m a k e s no
fro m hi m a c o m m issi o n to p r ea c h
s e c r et of h ow li ttl e he fe lt h i m se l f to b e i n sy m pa thy
H e t e ll s us th a t h e m i x e d w i th th e m
w i th th em
B u t other
d u r i n g tha t for tn i gh t a s li tt le a s p o ssi b l e
o
f the ap ostl es he w r i te s sa w I n on e but on ly ja m es
Th u s b e a vo i d e d e v e n th e s o l e m n
the Lor d s br other
m ee t in g s o fthe b reth r e n fo r the br ea k i ng of br ea d a n d
for the p r ay er s (A c ts ii
A n d l e s t suc h i n d i ffer en c e s h o ul d s ee m i m p o ssi b l e

to hi s c o n v er t s h e a d d s : N o w touchi ng the th i ng s
the a

y ou, behold, befor e G od, I l i e n ot

h ow m o r b d y a fr a d he w a s e t h i s o n v e r t

w hi ch I w r i te

u n to

W e s ee
i l
i
l s
c
s
i n G a l at i a s h o ul d su p p o s e t h a t he ow e d a ny p a r t o f
hi s g os p e l to m en o f es h a n d b l oo d i n s te a d o f t o
d i re c t r e ve l a ti o n A n d he d r i v e s the p o i n t ho m e by
re l ati n g th a t a t th is t i m e th r ee y e a r s a fte r h i s co n
v e r si o n h e w a s stil l u n k n ow n by fa ce
p e r s on
a ll y ]un to the chu r ches of u da a w h i ch w er e i n Chr i st
j
;
.

but they on ly hea r d say H e tha t on ce p ersecu ted us now

p r ea cheth thefa i th of w hi ch he once m a de h avoc ; a n d

they g l or ied G od i n m e
I t i s cl e a r fr o m the a b o v e
th at Pa ul r ath e r sh u n n e d th e m th an th ey hi m
W h at
r e as on c o ul d he h a v e for d o i n g so e x c e p t th is , tha t he
k n ew th e m to b e o ut o f sy m p a thy w i th h i m o n v i ta l
po i n t s ?
Fo u rteen fre sh y ea r s s eem to ha v e e l ap s e d b e fo r e
Pa ul , a cc o rd i ng to th e p a ss a ge a l r ea d y qu ote d , a g a i n
w e nt up to J er us al em , a l wa y s by r evel a ti on a nd
;
,

G al

19

PA U L

i n o rde r to l ay befor e th e l ea d e r s o f the J e r us a l em

fell o ws h i p
the g osp el w hi ch I p r ea ch a m ong the

G en ti l es
Th is go s p e l h e h a d e vo l v e d out o fh i s o w n
.

i n ne r con sci ous n e ss so w e

fro m th e n e x t v e r s e t ha t

su r pr is e d to l e ar n

h e o n l y l a i d i t p r i va tely
befor e them w ho w er e of r ep u te
I t w as cl e a r l y so
r e m o te f
ro m the go s p e l w i th w h ic h the m a ss o fb e li eve r s
w e r e fa m ili a r i n the v e ry h o m e an d d i oc e s e o f C h r i s t
h i m s e l f th at i t w as e x p e d i e n t n ot to c o m m u n ic a te i t
to t h e m
W e i n fe r th a t i f he ha d b roa ch e d i t to the m
ther e w o ul d h a v e b ee n suc h a g e n e r a l o u t c ry a ga i n s t
hi m as w o ul d h a v e d e p r i ve d hi m o f th e l i ber ty i n
jesus Ch r i st wh ic h h e a n d hi s c o n ve rts e nj oy ed ;

a n d he
w oul d be r un n i ng
i n th e fu t u r e a n d ha ve
r un
i n t he p a s t
H e r e l at e s w i th m uc h
i n va i n
c o m p l a c e n cy h o w i n the co u r s e o fthis s e c on d v isi t to
J er us a l e m he fo u n d n o th i n g to l ear n e ve n fr om th ose
,

a re n ot

w ho w er e

"

T h ey
f the chur ch
i mp a r ted n othi ng
to hi m
A ft e r so m any y e ar s i t
A n d h o w d e li ght fully i r o n ic a l
w a s r ath e r l a t e t o try
i s P a ul a t th e ex pe n s e o f t h e o l d e r a po s t l e s a n d

k i n s m e n o fJ e sus
Wha tsoev er he a dd s they w er e
r e u ted to

be p i l l a r s

m a tter s

n ot

G od

to m e

p teth

a cce

n ot

m a n s per son

P a ul succ ee d ed w h en i n J e r us a l e m i n w i th
ho l d i n g the c ha r a c t e r o f h i s g o s p e l fr o m the m ass o f
th e b e li e v e r s th e r e h e c o ul d n o t p r e v e n t Pa l e s t i n i an
m issi ona r i e s fr o m p e n etr a t i n g i n to G a l at i a an d o th er
d is tr ic ts w h ic h h e cl a i m e d for hi s o wn a n d there
l et us
a n n o u n ci n g a n othe r go s p e l
m o r e a u th e n t ic
n o t sc r u l e to o wn i t
th an th a t w h ic h he ha d e vo l ve d
p
o ut o f hi s o w n e cs ta t ic c o n sci o us n e ss th o u gh l e ss
w ho n at ura ll y p r e fe rr e d to
attra c t i v e to G e n t il e s
b e liev e th at th e J e sus i n w ho s e n a m e Pa ul a pp ea l e d
to th e m was j ust a m o noth e is t ic te a c h e r w i th a S pe ci a l
B ut if

PA U L

16

ss a ge fo r G en tiles W e k n o w ex a c tly w h a t w a s
P a ul s a tti t u d e to the m o r e gen ui n e ex p o n e n t s o f
C hr is ti an t r a d i t i o n H e h a s h i m se l f se t i t o n r ec o r d
I
i n the sa m e E p is t l e to t h e G a l a t i a n s e h i 6 fo ll
me

m a r v el tha t y e

a r e so

P a ul ]tha t ca l l ed y ou
d iffer en t g osp el ; w h i ch
som e

tha t tr ou bl e y ou ,

Ch r i st
p r ea ch

u n to y ou

p r ea ched

u n to

A s w e ha v e

p r ea cheth

shi

n ot a n oth er

w ou l d

on ly

ther e

are

p er v er t the g osp el Of

or a n a ng el

fr om hea v en shoul d
,

g osp el con tr a ry to tha t w h i ch w e

cu r s ed ]
l et h i m be a n a them a

a ny

y ou ,

sa i d

by
is

a nd

B u t thoug h w e

fti ng fr om h i m [ G o d
the g r a ce of Ch r i st u n to a

q u i ck ly

or

befor e,

so say

n ow ag a i n ,

if a ny m a n

g ospel other tha n th a t w h i ch y e

l et h i m be a n a them a
fr o m P a ul ]
,

un to y ou a ny

r ecei v ed

s e w e c a n see h ow su re
P a ul fel t o f hi s o w n r e ve l a t i o n s a n d h o w r e m ote i t
w a s fr o m hi s p u r p os e to l ea r n fr o m th o s e w h o h a d
k n o w n J esus p er so n a ll y
H e h a d h i s o w n i d ea s o f
w h a t p a r t a M e s si a h m us t p l a y i n h e a v en a n d o n ea r th
a n d h e w a s n o t g o i n g t o a b a n d on t h em f
or a n y o n e
A cco rd i n g l y h e w r i tes tr iu m p h a n t l y o f th e r e sul t s o f
hi s v i si t a fter fo u r tee n y ea r s to J er us a l em a s fo ll o w s :
D i d w e g i ve w ay so a s to su bm i t [ t o the fa ls e b r eth r en
p r i v ily b r o u gh t i n w h o c a m e i n p r i v il y t o sp y o ut o ur
li ber ty ]? N o n ot for on e hour
W a s th er e then n o c o m m o n p o si t i o n a n d g r o u n d
n o th i n g i n w h ic h P a ul c o ul d a g r ee w i th t h e o l d e r
d isci p l es ? T h er e w a s i n d eed suc h a p o si t i on ; b u t
c h ara c ter ist ic a lly e n o u gh i t is n o e p is o d e o r fa c t
b el o n g i n g t o th e e a r th l y li fe a n d c a re er o f J e sus
n o th i n g th e c og n is a n c e o f w h ic h c a n b e d e sc r i b ed a s
a k n o w l ed ge o f C h r is t after the
esh H e s ha r ed w i th
th e m the b eli ef th a t J esus h a d b ee n r a is e d fr o m the
d ea d an d p ro m oted to a r s t thr o n e i n h e a v e n w he n c e
Fr o m

such

w ord

th e

as

PA U L
h e w o ul d i n

s p a c e r etu r n o n the cl o u d s o f
h ea v e n to e a r th to j u dg e al l m en
I n th e r s t L e tte r to t he C o r i n th i a n s (c h x v ) P a ul
e n u m e ra te s the a pp e a r a n c e s o f the r is e n J e sus th us
a

br ie f
,

Now I

m a k e k now n

w hi ch
a l so

y ou , br eth r en , the g osp el

y ou , w hi ch a l so y e r ecei v ed

u n to

I p r ea ched un to
For I del i v er ed u n to y ou r st of a ll tha t w hi ch
I r ecei v ed, how tha t Ch r i st di ed for our si n s
.

a ccor di n

g to the scr ip tur es

a n d tha t he ha th been r a i sed
the tw el ve ;

to

r em a i n un ti l

but

on ce,

pp ea r ed

a bove

to

fi ve

w hom the g r ea ter p a r t

a r e fa l l en a sl ee
p th en he

som e

then toa l l theap ostl es;

pp ea r ed tofum es

a n d l a st o

fa l l

f due t i m e he app ea r ed to m e a l so
S uc h tes ti m o n y a s the a b o ve sta n d s o r fa lls w i th a
n u m b er o f o ther e qu a ll y w e ll a u th e n t ic a ted gh o s t
s to r i e s T ha t the a pp ea r an ces re c o r d e d by P a ul w e r e
su bj e ct i v e i n the s en s e th at J e sus on l y a p p ea r ed to
th o s e w h o a l r e a d y b e li e v e d i n h i m is d e cl a re d t o h a ve
b e en the c a s e i n th e A c ts o f the A p o s t l es
I t is i m
p o ssi b l e to c o ll a t e a pp a r i t i o n s a n d w e k now n o t i n
w h a t g uis e J e sus a pp e a r e d t o P a ul w h o h a d n e ver
e nj oye d h is p e r s on a l a cqu a i n ta n c e a n d i n wh o s e c a s e
th e r e f
o r e w e re ab s en t th o s e p s y c ho l o g ic a l m a ter i a ls
a n d c on d i t i on s o f a n a
pp a r i t i o n w h ic h w e re a m p l y
p r e s e n t i n the c a s e o fthe o th e r s w ho m he e n u m e ra t e s
H o wev e r thes e c o n si d e ra t io n s are a li e n t o o ur p res e n t
p u r p o s e w h ic h is to p o i n t o ut ho w i m p or ta n t a p a r t
th e s e v isi on s o f C h r is t p l a y e d i n th e d e v e l o p m e n t o f
P a ul s C h r is to l ogy I t w a s on l y to o e a s y to cl othe a
p han ta s m w i th su b li m e s t a ttr i b u tes to p ro m o te i t to
t he d i g n i ty o fP ow er a n d Wi sdom of G od
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a n d tha t he app ea r ed to Ce ha s
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PA UL

18

e r a p os tl e s a l r e a dy b e li eve d a t th is s ta ge tha t J e sus

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such a n i d e a They m ay h a ve b e li e ve d J esus to b e
th e M e ssi a h w h o w a s t o c o m e a g a i n ; b ut i t w o ul d
p a ss a ge i n P a ul s E p is tl e to the
a
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R o m a n s ( ii 16 ) a s i f hi s fu t u re r ol e o f j u dg e o f the
1
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a p u re ly h u m a n o n e w h ic h M o h a m m e d s p e r s on a l
On
fo ll ow e r s m i gh t e q u a ll y h a ve a ssi g n e d to h i m
the oth e r h an d th e c e l e s t i a l g u r e w h ic h Pa ul b eh e l d
i n hi s dr e a m s a n d w h ic h s p ok e to h i m i n the th i rd
h e a v e n w a s m uc h m o re t h a n a M e s si a h o f th e J e ws
I t is n ot t oo m uc h t o sa y t h a t h i s a p pa r i t i o n s fo r m e d
the r s t s te p i n the d eic a t i o n o fJ e sus a n d th at th e y
a re th e b a sis a n d b e g i n n i n g o f a l l th e t r an sc e n d e n ta l
s p e cul at i on s a bo u t h i m w h ic h ul t i m ate l y c ry sta llis e d
i n to the d og m a s a n d c r eed s o f th e C h u r c h
P a ul k n ew th a t J e sus d i e d a J ew
O ne po i n t m o re
s ha r i n g the o r d i n a ry p r ej u d ic es o f J e w s an d ex cl ud i n g
u n ci r cu m cis e d G en t il es fr o m the b l e ssi n g s o f th at
fu t u r e k i n gd o m w h ich h e w en t t o p r ep a r e i n
h e a v en
H e b eli e ve d h o w e ver th a t i n b e i n g r a is e d
b y t he s p i r i t fr o m the d ea d h e w as i n s o m e m y s te r i o us
m an n e r p ro m o te d to b e the s a v i o u r o f a l l m a n k i n d
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Fo wh en G en ti l s w h ich ha e
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14 16 :

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them sel ves, i n th a t th ey sh ow th e w or k o f th e l a w w r i tt en i n th eir
h ear ts, th ei r consci en ce b ear ing w i tn ess th er ew i th, and thei r th oug h ts
one w i th a n oth er a ccusi n g o r el se ex cusi n g th em ; i n th e da
y w hen
G o d shal l judge the secr ets of m en , accor di ng to my gospel , b y esus

W e m ay i n fer that i t w as o n l y a cco r di n g to Pa ul s gospel

hr i st
th at esus h r i st wa s to a ct as j
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Pr ob ab ly th e p oin t i s th a t the gen ui ne a postl es reg arded esus
udg e of ews a l onea h idea at tested b
a s th e desti n ed j
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no t a

PA UL

19

b e c a m e a u n i v e r s a lis t tea c h e r , b e a r e r o f a n a m e
o fp o w e r b e f
o r e w h ic h a ll a n g e ls a n d d e m on s , b o th i n
h e a v e n a nd h e ll , m us t p r o s tra t e th em s e l ve s
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a h u m a n b e i n g , h e w as r a is ed a d i v i n e li f
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re c reat i v e s p i r i t Th e r e a l d isci p l es o f J esus e nj oy e d

a pp a r i t i on s e n o u g h o f h i m a f
te r d ea th b u t w e d o n o t
hea r th at th ey i n ve s te d th e g u r e the y sa w w i th the
m aj e s t ic r ol e a n d c o s m ic a tt r i b u te s o f th e P a uli n e
v isi o n I t is c e r ta i n t hey d i d n ot a n d c o ul d n o t d o
so ;
fo r th ey h a d k n o w n hi m i n th e e s h a nd
w ere tr a m m e ll e d b y w h a t P a ul s ti g m a tis e d a s c a r n a l
m e m o r i es
H a d P a ul a ls o so k n ow n hi m h i s v isi o n s
c oul d n o t so li ght ly ha ve s oa r e d i n to the e m py r ea n
H i s C h r is t w o ul d h a v e re m a i n e d a m e re h u m a n
M es si a h o f the J ew s B ut i n tha t c a s e C h r is ti a n i ty
w o ul d h a ve fa ll e n s t ill b o r n o n the w o r l d a n d h a v e
v an is hed a s i t b e ga nah ob scu r e s e c t o fm essi a n ic a lly
m i n d e d G a lil e an s
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C H A P T ER I I
T H E G O S P E L S C O M P I LA T I O N S
T HE New T es ta m en t o f th e C h r i st i an s c o n ta i n s fo u r
G o s p el s n a m e d r e s p e c ti ve l y a ccor di ng to M a tth ew
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t h a t J e sus w a s w h a t the m aj or i ty o f J e w s d e n i e d hi m
to b e th e M e ssi a h ; n e v e r th e l e ss th e y a r e o n the
w ho l e tr a n s p aren t l y si n c er e d o cu m en t s e m b o d y i n g
r o m th e m o u th s o f
n ai v e t r a d i t i o n s m o s t l y c o ll ec te d f
t h e p eo p l e o f th e d is t r ic t s a b o u t w h ic h h e h a d
w a n d er ed a n d t au gh t o fhi s w o n d e r w o r k i n g s t ea ch i n g
a n d d e a th
T he fou r th G o s pe l a s w e h a v e r e m a r k e d
c o n tr a st s w i th these three i n sty l e a n d a tti t ud e ; i t
i n ver t s the s eq u en c e o f the c h i e f e v e n t s o f J esus s
m i n is t r y a s n a r r a te d i n th e m t r a n s fo r m s h i s t e a c h i n g
b ey o n d a ll r ec o g n i t i o n t u r n s h i m i n to the L o go s o r
D i v i n e R ea son a n d i n o th er r esp e c ts s h ow s i t s e l f t o
b e a r eli gi o us r o m a n c e e m b o d y i n g s p ecul a t i o n s a b o u t
hi m l a t er m uch th a n P a ul b ut o f w h ic h P a u l s
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T h is fo u r th
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b ut is o n th e wh o l e fr i g i d i n si n c e r e a n d full o f
e x a gg e ra t i o n s
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a tte m p t to g et b a c k t o th e ea r li es t t r a d i t i o n s o f J e sus
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to these i n th e seq uel

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T H E G O S P E L S C O M P I L A T I O NS

22

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B ut b e, ha v i ng

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rigina l t e x ts h e r e trans l at ed ar e o f co urs e

G ree k b ut th e p o i n t to b e appre he n de d c an b e m ad e
cl e ar in a l it e ra l trans l ati o n l i k e th e a b o v e I t is
th is th a t Mt a n d L e h av e m e r e l y appr o priat ed the
narrative of MC a b ridging a l t e rin g a n d r e t o u ch ing it
A n d t h e r e is n o th ing
h e r e a n d t h e r e as t h ey l i k ed
in a ll th e s e a l t e rati o ns t o s ho w th at Mt k n ew o f
L e s t e x t o r v i ce ver sa W e in fe r t h at th ey w o rk ed
in de p e n de nt l y of e a ch o th e r
I n th e pre s e nt ag e th e r e is a pr ej u d i c e against an
auth o r w h o ta k e s an ot h e r s b oo k c o pi e s it o ut a n d
pu bl is h e s it as hi s o w n W e c a ll h i m a p l agiarist
a n d th e r e is n o r e vi ewe r b ut w o u l d ri d i c u l e h i m as a
l ite rary th i e f B ut i n e ar l i e r age s wh e n th e r e w as
n o printing pr e ss a n d aut h o rs did n o t e x p e c t t o m a k e
m o n ey b y th e ir w o r k s th e r e w a s n o su c h pr ej u d i c e
A m a n w ro t e a b o o k fo r a s m a ll c ir cl e of fri e n d s
p e rh aps e ve n fo r h i s o w n privat e ed i ca ti o n
It
pass ed in h an d w ritt e n c o pi e s fro m r e a de r to r ea d e r
a n d an y o n e w h o t h o ugh t h e c o u l d i m pr o v e o n wh at
t h us fe ll in to hi s h an d s s c rup l e d n ot to t e c ast a n d
e v e n to r e w rit e T h us b o ok s we r e m a d e o ut o f book s
a n d aut h o rs i f t h ey d i d n o t appr o priat e t he w o rk s of
o t h e rs e ntir e y et n e v e r h e sitat e d t o bo rr o w in c i d e nts
e piso de s d e s c ripti o ns o f m en s app e aran c e a nd
ch ara c t e r a n d to weav e th ese lo ans int o th e ir o w n
T he

G O S P E L S CO M P I L A T I O NS

THE

23

w o rk s
T hus a m e d i e va l b i o grap h e r w riting a l i fe of
Ch ar l em agn e w o u l d co py o ut the pi c tur e of an an c i e nt
C ae sar d ra w n by S u e t o nius e igh t c e nturi e s b e for e an d
m a k e it d o d uty fo r hi s h e r o e v e n as t h e l at e r
E ph e sians wh e n th ey de sir e d t o h o n o ur the patri o ts
of th e ir age w o u l d ch is e l the na m e of an an c i e nt
c e l eb rity o ffhi s statu e in th e pu bl i c s q uar e an d r ep l a c e
it w it h th e na m e of the m o r e m o d e rn t o w n c o un c i llo r
W e m ust n o t th e n co n de m n the autho rs of the rst
a n d t h ir d G o s p e l s fo r appr o priating th e t e x t a n d m att e r
of the s e co n d fo r in d o ing so t hey m e r e l y fo llow e d
th e l it e rary c ust o m as of t h e ir o w n s o of pr e c e d ing
I t is m o r e i m p o rtant t o r em ar k
a n d su b s e q u e nt age s
th at h aving b e fo r e us in Me th e m ain auth o rity us ed
b y the t w o l at e r evange l ists we c an j u d g e o f the ir
l ite rary m e th o d s a n d dis c e rn h ow they us ed th e ir
s o u r c e s B y wa y of e x a m p l e l e t us ta k e the s e c tio n
of trip l e t e x t trans c rib ed a b ov e an d v e rs e by v e rs e
c o m par e Mt an d L e w ith Me th e ir co m m o n s o ur c e
I n v e rs e I 3 of Me the itin erary of J e sus is giv e n h e
we nt fo rth un to the sea T h e c o py ists s k ip th is de tai l
as th ey d o th e p o int th at t h e p e o p l e we r e o ck ing t o
J e sus t o h e ar h i s t e a ch ing Lo a d o pts the ph ras e
t h at he w en t for th Mt the o th e r a s he passed a l ong
I n v e rs e I 4 bo th o m it the na m e of the o i cer s
fath e r A lp hz us a nd Mt su b stitute s Ma tthew fo r L ev ei s
(o r L evi ) Lo i m pr o v e s o n h i s s o ur c e by e x p l aining
t h at L ev e is l eft ev ery thi ng w ith pr o p e r ap o st ol i c re
I t d o e s n ot app ear
n un c i a t i on of t h is w o r l d s g o o ds
h o we ve r th at he gav e up h i s h o us e an d cook
I n v e rs e 16 fo r M c s scr i bes of the P ha r i sees L c su b
st i tutes Pha r i sees a n d thei r scr i bes Mt the Pha r i sees
si m p l y o mitting scr ibes I n Lo it is the d is c ip l e s wh o
ar e r epr ov e d in th e s e co n d p e rs o n pl ura l fo r e ating
.

THE

24

G O S P E LS

C O M P I L A T I O NS

w ith pu bl i c ans e t c I n M c the co m p l aint is a dd r e ss e d

t o the d is c ip l e s t h at J e sus do e s s o a n d h e r e Mt is
faith fu l t o M c L ast l y in v e rs e I 7 Mt intr o d u c e s th e
say ing B ut g o y e e t c a n d L c m ak e s th e a dd iti o n to
O
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e wh o l e M t a n d Lo r e pr o d u c e t he ir
t
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s o ur c e in th is passage w it h a fair a m o un t of d e l ity ;
b ut bo th o m it t o u c h e s of l o c a l colo ur a nd n e ith e r
s c rup l e s to a m p l i fy a n d a dd to the utt e ran c e s of J e sus
Mt in parti c u l ar ch ange s t h e na m e L evi int o Matth ew
I w o ul d invit e m y r e a de rs to c o ntinu e th is l in e of
r e s e ar ch fo r th e m s e l v e s I t o n ly n ee d s a colo ur e d
p e n c i l a nd a si x p e n n y t e x t o fth e G o sp e l s L e t th e m
a l s o as k th e m s e l v e s w h at b e c o m e s of t he d o gm a of the
l it e ra l inspiratio n o f th e S c riptur e s in vi ew of the l igh t
wh i ch su ch r e s ear ch t h ro w s o n the way in wh i c h at
l e ast two of o ur G o sp el s w e r e co m pi l ed
S o far t h e n we h ave e stab l is he d t h at Mt and Lo
ha d at l e ast o n e s o ur c e i n co m m o n na m e ly Mar k
B ut i f we ta k e a b l u e p e n c i l an d u n d e r l in e th e m att e r
t hat Lc a nd Mt hav e in c o m m o n b ut wh i c h is n o t t o
b e fo un d in Me we d e t e c t in th e m a s e co n d co m m o n
s o ur c e wh i ch c riti c s t o da y d istinguis h as the n o n
Mar c an doc u m e nt L e t u s c ho o s e as an e x a m p l e the
st ory of the t e m ptati o n o f J e sus a ft e r h i s b aptis m
Lc an d Mt re l at e th e rst p a rt o f t h is st o ry in the
w o r ds o f M c b ut th e n c o ntinu e it fr o m a n o n Mar c an
d oc u m e nt wh i ch to l d the sto ry at s o m ewh at gre at e r
l ength T h is d oc u m e nt is l o st b ut we c an r e c o nstru c t
it o ut of wh at Lc a n d M t j o int l y h av e pr e s e rv e d of it
I n printing th e ir t e x ts l e t us d isti n g uis h by ita l i c s
as b e fo r e what th ey borro w fr o m M ark a n d by c apita l
l e tte rs wh at th ey s eve rall y c o pi e d fro m th e o th e r o r
n o n Mar c an s o ur c e wh i ch to da y is lo st t o us an d
o n l y r e co gnisa bl e b y a co m paris o n of the m
.

G O S PE L S

THE

MATTH EW
Th en J E S U S

M A RK

f
f
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25

L U KE
I B ut J ES U S full of
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O F G O D S P E A K THAT th ese STO NE S to this STO NE THAT I T B ECOM E A
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4 A n d J esus M A DE A N SW ER t o
I T I s W R I T TEN NO T BY A L O A F hi m I T I s W R I TT EN THAT NOT B Y
AL ONE S HALL M A N L I V E b ut b y L O AF ALO NE S HALL M AN L I V E
ev ery wor d i ssui n g forth by m o uth
5 A nd havi n g l ed hi m up he
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S H O WED H I M A LL TH E KI N G D O M S
5 T hen th e devi l tak eth H I M O F TH E W or l d i n m om en t ofti m e
a l on
6 And th e dev i l S A I D TO H I M
g into the h ol y ci ty AN D S TOO D
H I M U PO N TH E W I N G O F TH E T o TH EE W I LL I GI V E al l this au
T E MPLE (6 ) A N D says To H I M I F thority AND TH E G LO RY O F TH E M
THO U A RT S O N O F G O D C AS T TH Y for to m e i t h ath b een given over
S EL F DOW N FO R I T I s W R I TT EN a nd to w hom ever I will I give i t
THAT H E S HALL G I V E H IS A N G ELS 7 T hou then I F TH O U W I LT
C HA R G E CO NCERN I N G TH EE an d WOR S H I P b efor e M E i t sha ll al l b e
ON HAND S TH E Y S HALL B E A R TH EE th in e (8 ) An d JE S U S an swer in g
U P LE S T E V ER TH O U D A S H TH Y said To H I M I T I s W R I TT EN T H O U
FOOT AG A I N ST A STO NE
S HAL T WO R S H I P TH E LO RD TH Y
7 J E S U S sa id To H I M Aga i n i t G O D A N D H I M A LO NE S HAL T TH O U
i s wr i tt en TH O U S HAL T NOT T E MPT S ER V E
(9) B ut h e l ed H I M i n to
TH E LO RD TH Y G O D (8 ) Agai n J er usalem A N D S TOO D H I M ON TH E
th e dev il tak et h h i m a l on g on to W I N G O F TH E T E M P LE A N D sa id T o
H I M I F TH O U A RT S O N O F G O D
a m o un ta in hig h exceed in gl y an d
S H OW S H I M ALL TH E KI N GDO M S O F CA ST THYSEL F D OW N hence ( I o )
TH E un iv erse AN D TH E G LO RY O F FO R IT Is W R I TT EN th at H E S HALL
THE M (9) An d he said to h i m GI V E H I S A N G ELS C HA RG E CO N
T h ese thin gs al l w i ll I GI V E thee CERN I N G TH EE to guard thee ( I I )
I F THO U W I LT fall down a n d an d th at 0 N HA N D S TH E Y S HALL
W O R S H I P M E ( I O ) T h en sai th to B E A R TH EE UP LE ST E V ER THO U
hi m J esus B eg on e S a ta n ! For D A S H TH Y FOOT AG A I N ST A STO NE
I T I S W R I TTEN TH E LO RD TH Y G O D ( 12 ) A nd J E S U S answering H I M
S HA LT THO U WO R S H I P AN D H I M SA I D I t hath been said TH O U
ALO NE S HA LT TH O U S ERV E ( 1 1) S HAL T NOT T E M P T TH E LO RD TH Y
T h en TH E DE V I L l etteth hi m g o
G OD
( I 3 ) A n d hav ing com pl eted
THE
DE V I L
an d
Lo angel s cam e up an d every tem p ta ti o n
m i n i ster ed un to hi m
q ui tted hi m for a season
.

26

THE

G O S P E L S CO M P I L A T I O N S

H e r e we s ee th at M t a n d L e h av e c o pi e d o ut fr o m
a doc u m e nt w h i ch is l o st t o us a l o nge r fo r m o f th e
st o ry tha n M c supp l i e d t h e m w ith I n t h is lo n g e r
fo r m of th e l e g e n d J e sus is t e m pt e d b y h ung e r a nd
t he r e is a cr escen do o f t e m ptatio ns m o r e cl e ar l y
b ro ugh t o ut b y M t t h a n b y L e w h o inv e rts th e s e c o n d
I n L c v e rs e 6 t h e w o rd s of them r e fe r
a n d th ir d
b a c k to k i ng dom s w h i ch he o m its su b stituting a l l th i s
H e r e again th e n M t h a s b e st pr e s e rve d
a u th or i ty
M t h a s a th o ugh t in h i s
t h e un de r l y ing s o ur c e
v e rs e 4 wh i ch L o o m its a n d L C in h i s v e rs e 6 is
c are fu l to in fo r m us th at a ll t e m p o ra l p o we r b e lo ngs
I n M t v e rs e 8 th e d evi l ta k e s J e sus up
to th e d evi l
into a m o untain a n d in v e rs e I O th e w o rd s B eg one
I n v e rs e I I M t
S a ta n ar e p e c u l iar t o t h is e vang e l ist
b rings the e pis od e t o an en d in th e sa m e w a y as MC
wh e r e as L c s e n d s t h e devi l a w ay fo r a ti m e o n l y as i f
h e w as t o co m e b a c k again
W h e n w e h av e d e d u c te d fr o m M t a n d L c a ll th e
m att e r w h i c h t h e y b o rr o w in c o m m o n fro m th e s e t wo
S o ur c e s t h e r e is l e ft v e ry l itt l e p e c u l iar t o th e G o sp e l
o f e it h e r
T h ey h av e in fa c t bo t h c o m pi l ed t h eir
G o sp e l s a ll e xc e pt a n insigni c an t p or ti o n fro m tw o
o l d e r G r ee k do c u m e nts o f w h i c h t h e o n e r e m ains t o
us a n d is c a ll e d M c s G o sp e l w h i l e the o th e r h as
p e rish ed T h is s e c o n d d o c u m e nt co ntain ed the sto ri e s
o f th e B apti s m a n d T e m ptati o n a n d s o m e f
ew o t h e r
e piso de s b ut it m ain l y c o n tain e d m o ra l say ings a n d
ap ho ris m s O ut o f it c a m e th e S O c a ll e d L o r d s
P ray e r a n d th e S e r m o n o n th e M o unt M an y Of the
aph o ris m s m ust h av e b ee n l o o s e l y strung t o ge th e r in
it fo r M t as we S h a ll s ee l ater o n m o r e in d e tai l
oft e n s e ts a say ing in o n e c o nt e x t o r b a c k gr o un d L c
in an o th e r I t is p o ssi bl e a l so th at Mt in cl u d e d
,

GO S P E LS C O M P I LA T I O N S

THE

27

fr o m t h is l ast s o ur c e wh i ch L c l e ft o ut an d
v i ce v er sd j ust as the o n e of t h e m s o m e ti m e s k ee ps
fr o m M c m att e r wh i ch the o th e r o m its I t is pr oba bl e
a l s o th at Lc h a d a th ird s o ur c e fro m wh i ch he t oo k a
few stri k in g para bl e s p e c u l iar t o h i m s e l f W h y L c
w h o at th e b e ginning O f h i s G o sp e l assur e s us th at

m an y ha d tak e n in h an d t o d ra w up a narrativ e
(of Ch rist s m in istry ) sh o u l d h av e us ed j ust th e tw o
e ar l i e r d oc u m e nts us e d b y th e aut h o r o f th e rst
G o sp e l we do n o t k n o w I f we h a d n o t h i s assuran c e
w e S h o u l d natura ll y pr e su m e t h at o n l y th o s e tw o w e r e
in c ir c u l atio n in th e d istri c ts o r d istri c t in wh i ch th ey
m ov e d
I t follo w s th at the rst an d th ird G o sp e l s ar e n ot
o rigina l w o r k s b ut m e r e c o m pi l ati o ns o fe ar l i e r b oo k s
and
t h e co m pi l e rs h av e c e rtain l y co m pr e ss e d o r
e x pan de d o n e of th e ir s o u r c e s v i z M c as th ey
p l eas e d a n d in n o t a few c as e s h av e tri e d to i m pro v e
up o n it by o m itting traits o f si m p l e h u m an ity wh i c h
sti ll r e m ain t h e r e in b ut w h i c h o ffe n d e d a l a t e r
ge n e rati o n as b e ing o ut o f k ee pin g w ith th e gro w ing
l e ge n d o f th e d ivinity o f J e sus T he o l d tra d itio na l
V i e w t h at th e G o sp e l s ar e o rigina l d oc u m e nts in d e
pe n de nt l y th r o w n O ff b y th e ir auth o rs in the h e at o f
in spirati o n m ust b e giv e n up ; n o r is it a n y l ong e r
h e l d ev e n b y d i v in e s a cc o unt e d o rt h od ox
m att e r

"

III

C HAP T E R

M A RK
be fo r e n o ti c ing in d e tai l th e m o d i c ati o ns of
Mar k s narrativ e in d u l ged in by the tw o o the r
e vange l ists it is we ll to e x a m in e a l itt l e m o r e in
d e tai l t h is G o sp e l its e lf t h e e ar l i e st S k e t ch o f the
in c i d e nts of J esus s m inistry w h i ch we p o ss ess
I t b egins w ith a n o ti c e of J o h n a J ew is h as c e ti c
w ho s e a c tivity is in d e p e n d e nt l y att e st e d b y the J ew is h
h ist o rian J o s e ph us a n d w h o s o m e ti m e in th e t h ird

d e c a de o f th e Ch risti a n e ra
b aptis e d in the w i l de r
n ess an d pr ea ch e d the baptis m O f r e p e ntan c e fo r the

r e m issi o n of sins
I t w a s w i de l y be l i e v e d that t he
M e ssiah w as a bo ut to app e ar a n d r e sto r e in P a l e stin e
t he g ol de n ag e o f t he J ew s
T h o s e w h o ha d n o t
r e p e nt ed a n d w ash ed aw ay t he ir O ffe n c e s against the
M o sai c l a w w o u l d b e e xcl u d e d fr o m t he r e st o r ed
k ingdo m of Davi d M ar k r e l ate s t h at p e nite nts
ock e d t o he ar J oh n s pr e a ch in g fr o m a ll o v e r J uda a
an d fr o m J e rusa l e m
t h at th ey co n fe ss e d th e ir S ins
an d w ash ed th e m s e l ve s in th e cl e ansing w at e rs of
J o rdan
A m o ng th o s e who th us c a m e t o b e b aptis e d w as o n e
J e sus fr o m N a z ar e th of G a l i l ee A S he we nt up o ut
of the w at e r he sa w th e h e av e ns r e nt asun d e r a n d
the S pirit as a d o v e d e s c e n d u p o n h i m
a nd a v o i c e

fro m h e av e n c ri e d Th o u art m y b e l o v e d s o n in thee

a m I we ll p l e as e d
T h us J e sus b e c a m e a v eh i cl e of
the d ivin e S pirit an d w as a ccl ai m e d fr o m h e av e n as
B UT ,

"

M A RK

3O

rst act of J e sus n o w th at h e has g o t a

follo w ing is t o e x p e l an un cl e an spirit fr o m o n e who
w as p o ss e ss e d S pirits w e r e p o pu l ar l y supp o s e d t o
h av e s e co n d S igh t a n d k n o w m o r e t h an h u m an b e ings
a n d a cco r d ing l y th is spirit w h e n J e sus appr o a ch e d
re cognis ed hi m at rst S igh t a n d c ri e d o ut : Wha t
ha ve w e to do w i th thee th ou jesus of N a z a r eth P A r t
T he

thou

com e

holy

on e o

destr oy

to

us

I k n ow thee w ho thou a r t, the

f G od
J e sus
T he l it e rary m o tiv e of t he w rit e r is cl e ar
ha d b ee n a ccl ai m e d as th e S o n a n d M e ssiah at h i s
b aptis m by a v o i c e w h i c h w a s o n l y he ard b y h i m s e lf ;
n o w h e is r e co gnis e d as su c h by the de vi l s o r e vi l
spirits who he n c e fo rt h ar e array e d against hi m as a

co unt e r k ingdo m o f evi l T he a uthor i ty h e h e r e

d isp l ay s o v e r the dem o ns w ho o be y h i m e xc it e s
g e n e ra l co m m e nt a n d the r ep or t of hi m w en t out
str a ightw ay every w her e i n to a l l the r egi on of G a l i l ee
.

r ou n d a bout

T h is int e rvi ew w ith the e vi l spirits h ad ta k e n p l a c e

in the pu bl i c sy nago gu e at C ap e rnau m o n a sa bb ath
O n the ev e ning o f t he sa m e d ay J e sus r e pairs t o the
h o us e of S i m o n a n d A n dr ew a n d h e a l s S i m o n s
m o the r i n l a w o f a fe v e r ; a n d at e v e n th ey br oug ht
to hi m a ll tha t w er e si ch or ha d dev i l s t o b e c ure d
B ut
th is ti m e he su ler ed n ot the dev i l s to spea k beca use they

h n ew hi m
S o an x io us w a s he to h ide the fa c t that
h e w as the pro m is ed M e ssiah
W h e n c e this r e ti c e n c e o n the part of J e sus ? W e
ar e n o t t ol d ; b ut d uring the n e x t few c hapt e rs in
wh i ch the ty pi c a l t e a ch ing O f J e sus an d a nu m be r o f
c ure s an d m ira cl e s ar e giv e n t he sa m e si l e n c e is

e n fo rc e d
S ee thou say n oth i ng to a ny m a n he say s
t o the l e p e r he h ad h e a l e d ( Mar k i
A n d t he n
.

M A RK

31

h i m s e lf, he a dd s bu t g o
thy w ay , a n d shew thy self to the p r i est, a n d qer for thy
cl ea nsi ng
the thi ng s w hi ch Moses com m a n ded for a

testi m ony u n to them

I f t o th e pri e st it w as t o b e

in

p e n co ntra di c ti o n Of

th us s o l e m n l y att e ste d th at the l e p e r w as cl e ans ed

an d so t to b e a d m itt e d a fr e s h int o th e s y nago gu e
ho w c o u l d o t he rs n o t h e ar o f it ? W e ar e t he r e fo re
n o t surpris e d t o l e arn t h at th e l e p e r at o n c e
w en t ou t
,

d beg a n to p ubl i sh i t m uch a n d to spr ea d a br oa d the

m a tter , i n som u ch t h a t jesus cou l d n o m or e op enly en ter

an

the ci ty , bu t r em a i n ed ou tsi de i n deser t p l a ces

I n the l ast v e rs e s o f ch iv J e sus still s a

sto r m o n
the l a k e o f G a l i l ee a n d th e sa m e m ira cl e is re p e at e d
at the cl o s e o f ch Vi T h e int e rva l b e tw ee n t he s e
t w o gr e at natur e m ira cl e s wh i c h w e s h a ll pre s e nt l y
d is c uss m o r e i n d e tai l is ll ed up w ith tw o sto ri e s
t he o n e o f t h e m t e ll ing o f t h e gr o t e s q u e m ira cl e o f th e
G a dar e n e s w in e the o th e r o f the raising fro m th e
T he s e m ira cl e s ar e the
d e a d o f J a i r us s d augh te r
c h i e f th au m aturgi c fe a ts o f J e sus during hi s G a l i l e an
Y e t h e w is h e s t h e m to b e k e pt q ui e t a n d
m inistry
we r e a d as b e fo re th at he cha rg ed them m uch tha t n o

N e ve rth e l e ss w h en i n the
m a n sh oul d h n aw th i s
n e x t c h apt e r he r e turns w ith h i s d is c ip l e s to hi s o w n
c o untr y we ar e to l d th at hi s fa m e ha d spr e a d th ithe r
S O t h at m an y we r e ast o nis h e d an d as k e d h ow he c a m e
t o w o r k su c h m igh ty w o r k s
S o re gu l ar l y d o e s o ur
autho r stu l ti fy h i m s e l f
T h e c ur e O f a w o m an w it h a b l o o dy ux is t h rust
into th e m i dst of the Jairus sto ry wh i c h is fo ll ow e d in
c h vi b y a visit Of J e sus t o h i s o w n h o m e w h e r e hi s
lo u t h i m T h e r e fo ll o w s rst th e giving
o w n fa m i l y f
o f a co m m issi o n to t he t we l v e ap o st l e s a l r e a dy na m ed
in ch iii 1419 ; th e n the sto ry Of J oh n s b eh e a da l
.

"

"

M A RK

32

o n O f H e r o d an d o f
in
c
i
e
nta
ll
su
g
e
st
e
a
e
nti
d
b
m
d
(
y
g
y
h i s attitu de to w ard s J e sus ) a n d t h e n a rst e d iti o n o f
t he m ira cl e o f fee ding th o usan d s O f p e o p l e o n n o th ing
at a ll M ar k thu s c ro w ds in c i d e nt o n in c id e nt
m ira cl e o n m ira cl e int o t h is rst sa bb at h d a y at
C a p e rnau m b ut is si l e nt a bo ut t he ev e nts of t he
n ex t f
sp e nt in t he sa m e
ew m p n th s w h i c h J e s u s
r e gi o n I t w o u l d s ee m as i f h e o n l y c ar e d to S k e t c h
a few stri k ing s c e n e s appr o priate to th e d e l ive ry b y
J e sus o fc e rtain ap h o ris m s m o stl y d ir e c t e d a gainst th e
P h aris ee s a nd s c ri be s S u c h ar e t he fo llo w ing
Th e S on o f Ma n
a n y m an Whatever
]h ath
power on ear th to forgive S in s
They th at are Wh ol e have n o n eed O f a p h ysi c ian
b ut th ey th at ar e si ck : I cam e n ot to call the righteou s
b ut si nn ers
T h e sab b ath wa s m ade for m an an d n ot m an for
th e sab b ath : so th at th e S on O f Ma n
an y m an
what ev er]i s l or d even o f th e sa bb ath
A p roph et is n ot with o ut h on our sav e i n hi s own
c oun try an d a m ong hi s o wn k i n an d in hi s own
h ous e
W e hav e n o ti c ed a b ov e ho w c o nstant l y in th is
G o sp e l J e sus e nj o ins tho s e h e c ur ed to l e t n o m an
h ear t h e r e of an d it is pr ob a bl y h ist o ri c a ll y tru e t h at
h e b e gan hi s c ar ee r b y m e r e l y pr ocl ai m ing t he
k ingdo m o f h eav e n to b e at h an d a n d th e M e ssiah
a b o ut to app ear I t w o u l d s ee m as i f h e o n ly
gra dua ll y a c q uire d c o n de n c e in h i m s e lf an d na lly
a cc e pte d the c o nvi c ti o n th at he w as h i m s e l f t h e
M e ssiah o n l y w he n h i s d is c ip l e s an d fo ll o we rs fo r c e d
th e r ol e up o n h i m
I f th e re is a n y truth in th e
pi c tur e giv e n in a ll th r ee G o sp e l s of J o h n th e B aptist
and it is in a m ann e r atte sted by J os e phu sth en
,

,
,

MA RK
he, t oo h a d s o m e tr o u bl e

33

p e rsua d e the en th usiasti c

c r o wd s w ho ock e d t o h e a r hi m pr e a c h that h e w a s
n o t h i m s e lf the M e ssiah b ut o n l y hi s fo r e ru n n e r a n d
h e ra l d
T h e s e inj u n c tio ns Of s e c r e c y t he r e fo r e ar e
i nt e ll igi bl e as part O f a tra d i ti o n a l r e a dy w aning t h at
J e sus d i d n o t m a k e hi s debut as M e ssiah b ut assu m ed
t h e o th er e vang e l ists s e rvi l e l y
the r l e l itt l e b y l itt l e
co p y th e m o ut fr o m Mar k y et stu l ti fy t he m b y i n sist
ing th at J e sus w as fr o m the rst a ccl ai m e d as M e ssiah
b o th b y h i m se lf an d by o th e rs They the r e fo r e l e av e
n o r oo m f
or gr o w th an d d e v e l o p m e nt in hi s o w n an d
far l e ss e ntit l e d to
o th e r m e n s i d e as an d ar e S O
c r ed e n c e th an Mar k
A n o th e r c h ara c t e risti c o f Mar k s narrative is h arde r
th is na m e ly th at he co nstant l y assigns
to e x p l ain
as th e r eas o n why J esus taugh t in para bl e s the de sir e
n o t to b e un d e rst oo d b y th o s e w h o h e ard hi m
T h us
w he n th e d is c ip l e s as k h i m in private the m e aning O f
the para bl e of the S o we r in ch iv he pre fa c e s h i s
e x p l anati o n w ith th e s e wo rd s
Un to y ou i s g i ven the
my stery of the k i ng dom of G od ; but un to them tha t a r e
to

'

don e i n pa r a bl es : tha t seei ng

a n d hea r i n
they m ay see, a nd n ot ta k e i n
g they m ay
hea r , a n d n ot un der sta n d ; l est haply they shou ld tur n
w i thout

a ll

thi ng s

are

d i t should be forg i v en them

I n o th e r wo rds , J e sus us ed the para bl e in o rd e r to
co n ce a l hi s m e aning fro m h i s he ar e rs ; a n d tho ugh,
l i k e J o n ah , h e t aught r e p en tan c e to h i s ge n e rati o n , h e
w as n e v e r the l e ss, as an x io us as w as th at h e ro o f
s e ns e l e ss fa bl e th at hi s h e ar e rs s ho u l d, a fte r a l l , n o t
r e p e nt an d b e co m e wo rth y o f th e m e ssiani c k ingdo m
1
A n d yet, in ch vi 3 4, we r ea d th at o n
o f pr o m is e

ag a i n , a n

The

B ook

of

J onah

G ospel s took sh ap e

AS

was

fa vour ite

ding

r ea

i n the

days w h en

J on ah s preaching was a S ign

to hi s

gen

th e
er a

MA RK

34

g r ea t m ul ti tude a n d
ha d compa ssi on on them , beca use they w er e as sheep n ot
h a v i ng a shep her d : a n d he beg a n to tea ch them m a ny

th i ng s
a n d in c h iv 3 3 it is i n d i c at e d th at m an y
o r su c h is th e s e ns e of th e w o rd s ,
u n d e rst oo d h i m , f

an o the r occ asi o n J e s us

sa w

w i th m a ny su ch p a r a bl es sp a k e he the w or d un to
a n d w i thou t a
them , as they w er e a bl e to hea r i t

pa r a bl e spak e he
ow n di scip l es he

n ot

th em

un to

p l a i ned

all

ex

B ut p r i va tely to h i s

th i ng s

pr e t e n c e of e so t e ri c m y st e ry as c ri b ed t o J e sus
in the rst q u o t ed passag e is sur e l y as stupi d as it is
un wo rthy o f a t e a ch e r w ho i f h e us e d parabl e at a ll
un d o u b t edly us e d it as th e b e st w a y of g e tting at the
h earts an d un de rstan d ings o f th e p oo r an d ign o rant
T he a d d iti o na l e x p l anati o n t h at it w as t o pr e v e nt hi s
he ar e rs fr o m turni n g agai n a n d b e ing sav e d b e tok e ns
o n the part o ft he narrato r an a l m o st in c r e d i bl e s m a ll
n e ss of m in d I t is wo rthy Of Mar k w ho e l s ewhe r e
w o u l d fain p e rsuad e h i s re a d e rs that the w ithe ring of
I he

i
h

J
li

ll

a n d, a s
on a
w as i n the b e y of the sh
t on , so was t at of esus
ts, so fo r a k e s ace o f t m e esus l a i n th e
t r ee days an d t ree n i
tom b
I t m a y b e on e o f th e S cr tur es to w i c Pau a ppea l e w en ,
in
Cor xv 4, he dec a r es t a t esus w as bu r i ed a n d r a i sed on the
Th e say n t a t the S on o
thi r d day accor di ng to the S cr ip tu r es
f an
m ust be ki ll ed a n d after thr ee day s r i se aga i n , w i c Mar k v
1

gh

ip

h h

i g h
M
h h
iii 3
puts into the l ips O fJ esu prob ab ly had the sam e ori gin I t is there
fore probab l e that Ma k s grotesq ue fa ncy tha t J esus taught i n
p arab l es not i n or der to b e un derstood of the J ews b ut in or der that
h e m i gh t n ot b e un derstoo d w as par tly suggested b y th e l egen d of
J onah w hose story w as b ri ey as fo ll ows Jon ah i i i I foll A nd
the w o rd of the Lor d ca m e un to J on a h
sa y in g Ar i se
g o unto
Ni neveh that gr eat c ity an d prea ch un to i t th e p reac hing tha t I bi d
an d b egan to en ter i n to t he c i t
thee
S o J on a h a r ose
y
an d sa id Y et for ty da ys an d N i n ev eh sh all be ov er
an d h e cr i ed
A nd th e peo pl e of Ni n ev eh b el ieved G o d an d they proc lai m ed
thr o wn
An d G o d sa w th eir w or k s th at
a
fa st and ut on sack clo th
a n d G od r e p en ted o f th e ev il w hic h
t hey turned r om th ei r ev i l w a y
a n d h e di d i t n ot
leased
h e sa id h e w oul d do un to th em
B ut i t disp
A n d the Lor d sai d Doest
J onah exceedingl y an d h e was a n gry
S hould I not have pi ty on N ineveh
th ou well to b e angry ?
that gr ea t ci ty ?
.

s,

MA R K
hg

35

tr ee in co ns e q u e n c e of c urs e s h ur l e d at it b y
J e sus fo r n o t b e aring fruit o ut o f s e as o n (M ar k x i I 3 )
is a pa l m ary e x a m p l e of pray e r ans w e r e d a n d faith in
G od r ewar de d
H e r e we h av e jarring n o te s vu l gar
d iss onan ce s in the narrativ e t h at m a y o r m ay n o t
h av e m a rr ed it in its o rigina l fo r m
Fo r as it stan d s
the G o sp e l o f M a r k is a r e da c ti o n o n l y a n d a rath e r
cl u m s y o ne too o f e ar l i e r n arrativ e s ta k e n w itho u t
a c k n ow l e dg m e nt fr o m s o m e e ar l i e r w rite rs j ust as th e
rst an d t hir d e van ge l ists took fro m M ar k
T h e c risis a n d turning p o int in th e c aree r o f J e sus
is supp o s e d b y M ar k t o h av e b ee n r e a che d w h e n
P et e r in ans we r to J esus s q u e sti o n
Whom do m en

Thou a r t the Chr i st

say
r e pl i ed
tha t I a m

J e sus instant l y cha rg ed them tha t they shoul d tel l

a

f hi m
S o m u c h is cl e ar a b o ut th e int e nti o ns o ft h is w rite r :
h e w is h e s to c o nvin c e h i s r e a d e rs t h at J e s u s w as
M e ssiah a n d S o n Of G o d First th e v o i c e fr o m
h e av e n at the b aptis m assur e s J e su s h i m s e lf o f t h is
the n th e de m o ns r e c o gnis e hi m as su c h H is w o r k s
H is tea ch ings as
o f p o we r e q ua ll y m a n i fe st hi m
e x p l ain e d to the inn e r c ir cl e o f h i s d is c ip l e s pre pare
the ir m in ds for the gr e at truth T he n P e te r as
sp ok e s m an o f h i s fe ll o w s a f r m s it ; a n d the cy cl e
o f e vi de n c e is c o m p l e t e d a t t h e T ra n s gurati o n (in
wh e n the th ree fav o ured ap o st l e s P et e r
ch

Ja m e s a nd J oh n h aving a cco m pan i e d h i m up i n to

s ee h i m in a ni m b us o f g l o ry c o n
a h ig h m oun ta i n
v e rsing w ith E l ij a h a n d M os e s S upr e m e ass uran c e
or
o f th e gr e at trut h is n o w vo u c h sa fe d t o t h e m a l s o f
a vo i c e fr o m h e av e n (th is ti m e a dd re ss e d to the m )
no

man

'

d ec l a reS

'

B ut h e r e

H ea r y e hi m
Thi s i s my bel oved S on
o n c e m o r e the a cc usto m ed c auti o n is en
.

D2

MA RK

36

A n d a s they w er e com i ng dow n

fr om the m ou n ta i n he cha rg ed them tha t they should tel l
n o m a n w ha t thi ng s the
y ha d seen , sa v e w hen th e S on

o
f Ma n shoul d ha ve r i sen ag a i n fr om the dea d
M ar k w o u l d h av e us d is c e r n i n J e s u s fr o m the

fo r c e d

by

J e sus th us :

tse t t h at M e ssiah s h ip w h i c h w as o n l y gra d u a ll y

r e c o gn is e d b y t he d is c ip l e s a n d w h i c h to the J ew ish
Co nte m p o rari e s O f J e s u s w a s n e v e r r e v e a l e d at a ll
M ar k d o e s
W h at is b eh in d a l l th is m y st i ca t i o n
n o t e x pr e ss l y ta k e u s int o h i s c o n d e n c e
b ut th e
fo llo w ing e x p l anati o n h a s b ee n sugge st e d
T he
M e ssiah s h ip w as a J e w is h co n c e ptio n fo r it w a s
the future M e ssia h s r ol e to l i b e rat e t h e J ew s fro m t h e
m o ra l s e rvitu d e o f sin a n d fr o m p h y si c a l su bj e c ti o n
I t was th e re fo r e a t e rri bl e i m p e d i m e nt
to G e nti l e s
to t he d i ffusi o n o f th e C h ristian r e l igi o n a m o ng
G e nti l e s th at th e J ews a l m o st en m a sse w o u l d n ot
h e ar Of t h e cl ai m s a dvan c e d in fav o ur Of J e sus
T he
e ar l i e st l ite rature o f th e C h ur c h w as m ain l y w ritt e n
to pro v e t h at J e sus h a d fu lll ed t h e S c riptur e s a n d
t he r e fo re w a s th e M e ssiah NO W M ar kas hi s fr e
q u e nt e x p l anat io ns o f J ew is h na m e s a n d c ust o m s
pro ve w r o t e fo r G e nti l e s ; a n d G e nti l e s m igh t we ll
H O W c a n we b e e x p e c t e d to b e l i e v e th at J e sus
a sk
is M e ssia h w he n t he v e ry J ew s as w h o se M e ssia h

M ar k s ans we r is in e ffe c t as
he c a m e d e n y it ?
fo ll o w s : T he v o i c e in J o rdan pro cl ai m e d h i m M e ssia h
b ut o n l y t o h i m s e l f T he d e m o n s t h r o ugh t h e ir
sup e rnatural insigh t de t e c te d h i m b ut he su r ed

them not to sp ea k beca use they k n ew hi m

S i m i l arl y
He
h i s m ira cl e s a n d c ur e s we r e n o t to b e d iv ul g e d
taugh t i ) para bl e s l e st the J ew s s ho u l d un de rstan d
hi m a nd turn again
L e ast Of a ll m igh t hi s d is c ip l e s
sp e a k O f w h at t hey sa w on th e m o unt of tr ans ur a
g
ou

MA R K

38

w ith p o pu l ar q u e sti o n ings as to w h o a n d

w hat J e sus w a s so to b e gin the e p o ch Of h i s w an d e r
i n gs w ith si m i l a r q u e sti on s put rst into H e ro d s l ips
( M ark vi I 4) a n d th e n i n to th o s e Of J e sus ( M ar k viii
B y th is ti m e J e sus h a s r e a c h e d th e t o w n o f
C m sa r ea at th e fo o t o f M o unt H e r m o n in P h i l ip s
pro vin c e P e t e r is n ow m ad e t o ans w e r th e q u e sti o n ;
c o n r m e d fro m h e av e n i n the
a n d h i s an s w e r is
B ut it is inti m at ed t h at wh e n
t r a nsgur a ti o n s c e n e
P et er ans w e r e d J e sus a n d sai d T hou a r t the Ch r i st
h e sti ll re ga rd e d t h e M e ssia h as a w arri o r a ft e r t h e
sty l e O f M o h a m m e d c o m m is si o n e d by h e av e n to he a d
a su cc e ss fu l r e vo l t ag a inst t h e R o m ans t o l i b e rat e
I sra e l I n A c ts i 6 a ft e r t he R e surre c ti o n the rst
t h o ugh t o f t he fa ith fu l is sti ll t h at t he Lo r d w i ll n ow
at l ast r estor e the ki ng dom to I sr a el a n d a c h i ev e t he
tas k o f a pur e l y J e w ish M e s siah T h is w a s t he i de a l
o f a M e ssi a h w h i c h ll e d P e t e r s m i n d a n d l ed h i m
O p en l y t o r e b uk e J e sus wh en th e l att e r b y w a y o f
a ns w e r to h i s r ec o gniti o n o f h i m
beg a n to tea ch them
t ha t the S on of Ma n m ust saf er m a ny thi ng s a n d be
m inistry

r e ected

scr i bes,

by the elder s a n d th e ch i ef p r i ests a n d the

a n d be k i ll ed, a n d after th r ee da s r i se a a i n
y
g
.

J esus w h en he d ra w s n ear J e rusa l e m a ft e r w an d e r

ing th ro u gh th e r e gi o n b e y o n d J o r dan r e p e ats t h is
pro p hecy i n gr eate r d etai l d e cl aring e ve n t h at th e
S o n o f M an S h a ll b e c o n d e m n e d t o d e ath an d del i ver ed
,

p to th e G en ti l es w ho sha l l m ock h i m a n d sha l l sp i t

up on hi m a n d sh a l l scou r e h i m a n d sha ll k i l l h i m a n d
g
u

fter

th r ee

Th e se

day s he sha ll

r i se ag a i n

p e c i c pr o ph e c i e s we r e n ot o fc o urs e utt e r ed
b y J e sus b ut ar e p u t int o h i s m o ut h a ft e r t he e v e nt
T h at th e
b y th e auth o r o r aut h o rs o f o ur d o c u m e nt
fo ll o we rs Of J e s u s w h e n e v e r th e y rst a ccl ai m e d hi m
S

M A RK

39

as M e ssia h int e n de d th e tit l e in its m i l itary o r m artia l

s e ns e is c e rtain fr o m th e a b o v e passage Of M ar k as
fr o m m an y o th e rs E v e n a ft e r the C ru c i x i o n th ey
sti ll b e l i e ve d t h at he w o u l d c o m e agai n a n d p e r fo r m
t he war l i k e fe ats p o pu l ar l y e x p e c t e d of t he M e ssia h
Fr o m th e m o m e nt o fh i s b e ing a ccl ai m e d as M e ssiah
by P e t e r J e sus is r e p e at e d l y m a de to sp e a k o fh i m s e lf
i n th e t h ird p e rs o n as the S on of Ma n
A bo ut t h is
titl e s r e a l m e aning th e r e is m u ch un ce rtainty a n d the
fo llo w ing a cc o unt o f it is o n l y pr o b a b l e
I n the rst s e c ti o n Of th e G o sp e l o f M ark th is
p h ras e t he S o n of M an s e em s to b e ar its o r d inary
S e m iti c m e aning o f a h u m an b e ing m a n i n g e n e ra l
b ut in th e t ran sg ur a ti on e pis o d e a n d t h r o ugh o ut
th e re st O f th e G o sp e l i t b e ars t h e m e aning a l r e a dy
assig n e d to it in the B oo k Of Dani e l (s o m e 2 0 0 y e ars

o
o
I
whe r e i n (c h vii 1 3 ) w e r e ad as f ll w s
,

sa w

i n the

n ig h t v i si on s, a n d

f hea ven

cl ouds o
ev en

on e

to the A n ci en t

befor e h i m
g l ory , a n d

l i ke

ca m e w

f man

u n to a son o

f day s

behold, ther e

a nd

a nd

they br oug h t

i th the

h e ca m e

hi m

n ea r

A n d ther e w a s g i v en h i m dom i n i on a n d
a ki ng dom , th a t a ll the p eop l es a n d n a ti on s
hi s dom i n i on i s a n
a n d l a ng uag es sh oul d ser ve hi m
ev er l a sti ng dom i n i on , w h i ch sha ll not p a ss a w ay , a n d
.

h i s k i ng dom tha t w hi ch

sha ll

not

be destr oy ed

I n th e l ast s e c tio n O f th is G o sp e l J e sus is v e ry

p o int ed l y i d e n ti e d w ith D ani e l s p h a n to m fo r m H e
h as b ee n arr e st ed a n d a ll h i s fo ll o w e rs h av e ed e v e n
P e te r de n y ing a ll k n o wl ed ge o f h i m T he h igh pri e st

h
e
A r t thou the
c h a ll e nge s h i m to d e cl are wh o
is
A n d jesus sa i d I
Ch r i st the son of the bl essed on e
a m ; a n d y e sha l l see th e S on o
f Ma n si tti ng a t the

f pow er
(Mar k x iv

ig ht ha n d

hea ven

a nd

com i ng

w i th the

c ouds o

MA RK

4o

w here Ma r k is
in a n ear li er p a ss a ge (xiii
d esc r ibin g in w o r d s bo rr o w ed fr o m a los t J ew ish
a poc a l y ps e w ha t is t o occu r a t the end o f th e w o r l d
w e r ead w h at the S o n o f Ma n i s t o a c h i ev e wh en he
co m es aga in B u t i n those day s after tha t tr z ha l a tzon
the sa n sha ll he a a r h en ea a n a the m oon sh a ll not g i v e
her l ig h t a n d the sta r s sha ll fa ll fr om hea ven a n a the
pow er s tha t a r e i n the h eav e ns sha ll he sha h en A n a
then sha ll they see th e S on of Ma n com i ng i n clo u ds
w i th g r ea t p ow er a n d g l ory A n d then sha ll he sena
for th the a ng el s a n d sha ll g a ther tog ether hi s elect fr om

A nd

'

'

the four w i nds, fr om the

the

a tter rn ost

utter m os t p a r t of the

p a r t of h eav en

ea r th

to

I n such p ass ages a s th e a bo v e w e get a g li m ps e o f

th e h o p es a n d a s p i r a t ions o f t h e J ew s in Pa l es t in e
where the r ul e o f R o m e p r ess e d m os t heav ily u p on
them a n d was m os t a cu te l y fe l t t o b e a v iol at ion o f
B ut the s a m e d ay
thei r t r ad i t ions a n d r eli g ion
d r ea m s o ated a lso b efo re th e m in d o f the J ews o f the
Dis per sion a n d in a w o r k e n t i t l e d A hoa t the Cur ses 1
o f the A l ex a n dr i a n J ew P h ilo w e ha ve a v i v i d reco rd
o f them w h ich ha s a ll th e m o re va lu e fo r us b ec a us e
a s a r ul e the m essi a nic a s p i r at ions o f the J ew s are
v oic ed in a p oc ryph a l w o r k s li ke th e B oo k o f E noc h
a n d the Tes ta m en ts o f the T w e l ve Patr i ar c hs o f wh ich
w e c a n x w i th a ny p re cision n e i ther th e a ge no r th e
a u th o r sh i p H ere is a tes t i m ony h o wever w r i tten i t
w oul d s eem no t b e fo r e A D 3 5 a n d no t after A D
42
b y a J ew o f A l ex a n d r i a d eep l y v e r s ed in ol d G r eek
p h iloso phy a n d li t er at u r e a n d so H ell enis ed t h at h e
coul d no t un d er s ta n d h i s o w n t on g u e Yet he s h ar ed
in the Zionis t drea m s o f h i s co m p atr io t s I n P a les
,

De E x seer a tzom us
'

'

MA RK
t in e

4r

s ees realis ed in a ll thei r dread ful in tensi ty the

cu r ses p r ocl a i m ed in Deu t xx v iii a ga i ns t th ose who
b r eak th e s tat u tes a n d l a w o f J eho vah Fi re a n d
s w o rd h un ger a nd p a nic d r ou gh t a n d d is ea s e th e
m en c a r r i ed c a p t i v e t o fa r l a n d s t h e w o m e n th e t oy s
o f thei r c a p t o r sl n a ll th is the p i o us J ew d isc er n e d
the w rat h o f G o d a g a ins t a c h os e n p eo p l e w h o h a d
t u r n ed a w ay fr o m h i m t o w o r s h i p i d ols a n d n eg l ec t ed
t o obs er ve the s a bb a th s B ut a l th ou gh the s ta l k s a re
c o nsu m ed y et th e r oo t r em a ins an d P hilo dr ea m s o f
a t i m e w hen h i s coun try m en o ver co m e w i th s h a m e a n d
or
r em o r s e w ill b e con v er t e d w ill u p b ra i d t h e m sel v es f
th ei r er r o r s w ill con fess a n d a c k now l ed ge w i th p u r i ed
hea r t s the sin s t h ey h a ve co m m i tt ed a g a ins t t h em
s el ves a n d w i n a fre sh th e goo d w ill o f thei r G od a n d
s av iou r w ho fr o m t he r s t i m p l a n ted r ea son in the m
a n d m ad e t hem k ins m e n o f h i s o w n Lo g os o r W o r d
T he su dd e n con v er sion o f th ei r J ew is h s er fs t o v i r t ue
a n d goo d n ess w ill so i m p re ss t he i r R o m a n o p p r esso r s
a n d m a s ter s t h a t the l atter w ill set them free a s ha m ed
t o h ol d in c a p t i v i ty m en so o p enly su p er io r t o the m
sel ves Fo r thw i th a s i f by concer ted a r r a n gem en t a n d
in o n e da y a ll J ew s e nsl a ved eve n a t the e n d s o f the
T h os e w h o
ea r t h w ill b e fr eed b ey on d a l l e x pec tat ion
a li tt l e b efor e w er e d i sper sed o ver G r eec e a n d I t a l y
o ver isl a n d s a n d m a inl a n d w ill r is e up a s o n e m an
a n d h u rr
y o n e fr o m her e a no t her fr o m t h er e t o t he
a pp oin t ed s p o t l ed on li k e
g u e s t s b y a v ision o f a fa c e
too d i vin e t o b e a ccoun ted m erel y h u m a n in v isibl e t o
o t her s a n d r evea l e d t o th em t ha t a r e s a ved a lon e
I n t h at m o m en t the los t a n d er r in g I s r aeli tes a re
r econcil ed t o t he i r d i v in e fa t h er t h r ou gh hi s m er c y
a n d th r ou h th e in t er c e ssion o f th e i r h ol y a nc e s t o r s
g
who a s d is em bo d i ed s pi r i t s o ffer u p t o h i m in s pi r i t
he

M A RK

42

a n d tr u th ad o rat ion a n d p r a yer s wh ic h c a nno t fa il o f

thei r effec t B ut w h a t s h a ll m os t p r o vo k e th e g ra c e
a n d p i ty o f the o ffe n d ed G od i s th e c h a n ge o f h eart
in thos e n ow l ed on t o a fre sh co ven a n t O u t o f a
t r a c k le ss w il d er n e ss th ey h av e w i th th e l ea s t d i f cul ty
foun d a p ath a n d set th ei r fa c e t o thei r tru e go a l
wh ic h is no t h in g e l se th a n t o p l ea se G o d a s c h il d re n
A n d w h e n th ey re a c h the i r
m ay p l ea s e th e i r fa t h er
d es t in ed g o a l th e ci t i e s erew h il e d esol ate ou r is h
a g a in a n d th e e a r t h t h a t w a s s t er il e b r in g s fo r th h er
fr ui ts in a bun d a nc e A n d th e c h a n ge is w r ou gh t a ll
on a su dd en for G o d w ill t u r n h i s cu r s es a g a ins t the
e n em i es o f th e r ep e n ta n t r a c e w h o w er e a ll j ubil a n t
o ver i t s c al a m i t i es m ak in g t hem a c a us e o f bi tter
l
i
n
s
j ibes a n d r ev il g
Ph ilo s l a n gu a ge o f cou r se is l a r gel y a p araph ra se
o f the eloqu en t c h a p ter s o f De u ter ono m y ; yet he
w r i tes a s i f h e b e li ev e d t h at t h e s e c h a p t er s h ad a p r es en t
ap p lic at ion A p iou s J ew h e r es e n ted the R o m a n
r ul e th e b r u ta l v iol at ion o f hi s tem p l e the co ar s e
,

I n yet an oth er passage na m e y, i n th e tr eat se A bout Rew a r d s a n d

P un z shnzen ts
h o r ev ea s the sa m e th ough t
H e wel l s on the
ne ess ty f
m an to o ow th e h o y a ws every day of
or a rea y go o

hi s e
Ifth ere b e b ut on e su h m an i n a
ty, h e w
tower a ove
ty ;
th a t
th e en t r e
ty b e equa y g o o
w th hi m , i t w
sta n
out a m on g the n ha
tan ts o f th e a n aroun ; b ut,
a ra e e h
ts
su h v r tue, i t w
ove r to p a l l o th er r a es, as th e hea
over to s th e
p
o y to the eye ofth e eh o
er , an d w
n o t m er e y en j o
a
o m m an
y

i ng r eputat on, but w

en e t al l wh o w tness
H e goes o n to
r em ar
that th e sp e ta e o f a h o y r a e
evo te
t o the pra t e of th e
l aw w
st m u ate su rro un
n g r a es to em ul a te i ts e a m
p e, an d
a ter a
tt e uses th e o o w n g s g n
an t w o r s :
A s th en G od
ou
eas y
r n g togeth er m en sett e
a ar i n th e r e m otest r e
g ons
by a si ng e w or of om m an , an d ga th er th em r o m the en s of
th e wor
h oo ses, so w th th e n te g en e wh h,
nto any p a e h e
fr om
ong er r or , ha s utter y
ost i ts w a y an d
een over om e b
y
a
r
v
e
as
u
r
e
h
o
u
c
an
n
o
a
n
d
u
s
t
t
e
S
es
s
i
n
h
i
s
,
p
p ty eas y r ng i t
a
rom th e tra
ess w aste n to th e wa y o f sa v a t on ,
an d so or th
H ere h e st n t y g an es a t th e urr en t e e th a t th e a th u am on
g
the J ews w ere to b e m ra u ous y r esto r e to th e r an

P i l

'

c i
lif
ci

ll

c
b d

if

i ll

i ci
bi

f ll

ll
l d

ci

l l

d i
d

ill

if

i ll
d
c x i bi

b ld
i ll
l
c
i
i ll b
i
k
c cl
l c d
d
c ic
i ll i l
di
c
x l
f
li l
f ll i
i i c
d
c ld i l b i
ld f
l
d
c
d
f
ld i
l c
c
i
i ll i c
l
l l
b
c
l
l
i
l
i
il b
b ck f
ckl
i
l i
di i c l l c
c
b li f
fi fl
i c l l
d
i l d

'

i
f

ic

MA RK

43

a ss a ul t s on hi s reli gion b y suc h s at i r is t s a s A p ion

H e h ad no con d enc e in the p o wer o f th e J ew s t o g et
H is onl y h o pe w a s
r i d o f the a li en b y fo r c e o f a r m s
in a su per n a t u r a l lib er at o r d esc e n d in g fr o m h eave n
t he i r o p pr essor s the c h os e n r a c e
a n d r escuin g fr o m
o f Is rael B ut Is r a el m us t r st r epen t a n d ful l a l l
i s d isc h ar ge fa i t h full y a l l the
r i gh t eou sn e ss t h at
w o r k s o f the l aw ; in p a rt icul ar k eep th e s a bb a th s h ol y
T hen a n d no t
a n d obs er v e th e r ul e o f ci r cu m ci sion
b e for e w ill the h ea v enl y M essi ah ap pea r a n d esta blis h
on ea r th t he k in gd o m o f D a v i d N o m a te r i a l p re
p ara ti on fo r t h is bl ess e d consu m m a t ion is o f an y use
T h e k in g d o m o f h ea ven c a nno t b e t a k en o r r at her
w o n a n d e s ta bli she d b y fo r c e bu t onl y b y m o r a l a n d
soci a l refor m a t ion O nl y J a h veh a n d h i s m es se n g er
th e M es si a h can e s tablis h i t b y a so r t o f coup d eta t
W he n these r oll a w a y t he J ew s
fr o m the clou d s
w ill b e s ee n in th ei r r e s p l e n d e n t u t o p i a t h e i r en em i es
a n d oppressor s in T a r t a r us S u p er n a t u r a l si gn s a n
enu m era t ion o f w h ic h fr o m so m e J ew i sh a p oc a l yp s e
i s in M a r k xiii p ut in t o t h e m ou th o f J esus w ill
p re c e d e th e M essi a h s adv en t bu t i t w ill no t co m e a s
a n y r esul t o f a n h is t o r ic a l ev olu t ion
W he n J esus d i ed o n the c r oss th e con d enc e o f h i s
follower s in h i m t he b eli ef th a t h e w oul d r es t o re the
k in gd o m o f Da v i d su ffer ed an ecli p s e B ut th is w a s
onl y tem p o r ary a n d i t r ev i v ed in thei r b rea s t s w hen
in G a lilee a n d els ew her e h e appea red t o them in
t hei r d rea m s a n d v ision s a s a h ea venl y g u r e t r a ns
p o r ted t o h eave n li k e E noc h or E li a s
W e c a nno t t o da y tr a c e ou t w i th a n y c er ta in ty the
d evelo p m en t o f i d ea s in the ea r li es t C hr is t i a n co m
m uni ty o f G a lil ee a n d J er us a l em
I t w oul d seem
h owever a s i f the d isci pl e s w h o ed b a c k in t o G a lil ee
.

MA RK

44
wh en

J esus w as a r res ted a n d con d em n e d w er e r s t

r ous ed fr o m the d es pa i r wh ic h h a d o ver ta k e n th em b y
v isions o f thei r M essi ah ra is ed fr o m the d ea d a n d a li ve
in hea ven T ha t t hese v i sions w ere subj ec t i ve onl y
is c er t a in fr o m the fa c t t ha t th ey were m oul d e d by
a nci e n t i d ea s o f h ea v e n a n d ea r t h a n d h ad e s a n d s t ill
m o re fr o m L u k e s a d m ission A c t s x 4 1 t h a t G o d
whe n h e resusci t a t ed J e sus m a ni fe s t e d hi m no t t o
a l l th e p eo l e bu t onl y t o a f
ew
p
p re o r d a in ed p er sons
I f w e ca n b eli eve (w h a t a ll th e G os p el s a g a in a n d
a g a in a f
r m ) th at J esus h i m s el f a ss er te d t h a t h e w a s
t o b e r a i se d fr o m t h e d ead a fter th r ee d a y s th a t is
t o sa y b efo r e hi s sp i r i t d e ni tely qui tted the
v icini ty o f h i s c o r p s e ( a n d a cco r d in g t o a nci en t
b eli ef i t d i d no t d o so un t il th r ee d a y s h a d ex p i r ed )
w e n eed g o no fu r t h er in s ea r c h o f a p s y c h olog ic a l
ex p l a n a t ion o f t h ei r v i sions
T h ey w er e b eg o tte n o f
a b eli e f w h ic h J e sus h i m s e l f h e l d a n d i m
p l a n t e d in
the m B ut a l th ou g h the i r con d e nc e in J e sus so
r u d el y s h a k en w a s t h us r est o r ed t h er e w a s n ev er th e
l ess a s y et no si g n o fth e res t o r at ion o f th e k in g d o m
o f Is r a el J esu s h a d b een p r o m o ted t o a p la ce o f
d i g ni ty in h ea ven bu t th e d r e a m s o f J e w is h
p a t r io t
i sm w ere l e ft un ful ll e d
H o p e onc e r e susci t a ted
coul d no t a ga in b e e x t i n g ui shed N o r ea l e n th usi a s t
e v er a d m i t s t h a t h e h a s b een d ec e i v e d
H e m us t
n eeds fo r t i fy h i m sel f a n d r is e t o st ill h i g her i gh t s
A cco r d in g l y th e l ea d er s o f C h r is t i a n s ecul at ion d i s
p
covered o n the o n e h a n d th at i t w a s p r ed ic te d b y
I sa i a h a n d o ther a nci en t p r o phet s th a t the M essi a h
w a s t o b e p er s ecu ted t o su ffer a n d b e sl a in b
y the
unj u st (per h a p s J esus h i m s e l f ta u gh t a s m uc h ) a n d
on the o ther h a n d th e M essi ah so sl a in w a s t o co m e
a ga in in glo ry a s Da ni el s S on o f Ma n t o punis h h i s
.

MARK

46

t ea cher s houl d g i ve h i m s el f ou t t o be the M essi a h

In deed his d oin g so w a s as e m ine n t ly c a lcul ated t o
w i n t he i r s y m p a t h i es a s i t w a s li k e l y t o p r ocu r e h i s
con d em n at ion b y a R o m a n a d m inis trat o r a s a m i s
T h e r e a l J ew is h g rava
ch i evo us p oli t ic a l a g i ta t o r
m en aga ins t J e su s is h in te d a t b y Mark bu t r el eg ate d
t o t he b a c kg r o un d
I t w a s h i s p r op he cy o f the
d es t r uc t ion o f the t em p l ea n e ve n t w h ich a n y cl ea r
si gh ted obs er ver o f th e g r ow in g h os t ili ty b et ween J ew
an d Ro m a n m u st h av e fo r es een
I fee l that a n y d is p a ssion a te c r i t ic tra in ed in the
s tu d y o f a ncie n t h i st or ic a l d ocu m e n t s w ill ag ree w i th
t he follow in g a p p r e ci a t ion o f M a r k s G os p e l ; i t is t h at
o f the a oy en o f O l d Tes ta m en t sch ol a r s J W ell ha usen
wh o th us su m s up h i s i m p r essions o f the r s t ve
c h a p t er s
In the sam e m easur e a s th e r st day in Caperna um
is crowded wi th inci den ts th e year in Capern au m
It
a n d th e whol e G a lil ea n ep o c h i s ba rr en o f th em
ha s to i ts a ccou n t h a l f a doz en m i ra cl es an d a han dful
of other events I n ch s ii an d iii a few weighty
an d m or e or l ess para d o xica l a ph or i sm s ar e gr ou ped
together rather beca us e th ey r esem bl e ea ch oth er than
b eca use th ey were uttered a t on e ti m e E ach of them is
elici ted b y som e d en i te i n ci den t or occa sion wh ich i s
carefully descr ibed an d th ey are all of them a i m ed
a t th e S c r ibes or P h ar i sees o r o th er
p erson s who cam e
into con ict with Jesus n o t excepti n g his own fa m il y
in Naz ar eth Upon th ese fo llow in ch i v the parables
of the S ower a n d a longer a ddr ess to the peop le
delivered from th e b oat i n wh ich h e sat on th e lak e
W i thou t an y cha nge o f sc en e th er e fo llows clos el y a
gro up of th r ee m i ra cl es of wh ich on e i s wr ou gh t
d ur ing the passage o ver th e l ak e 3 s econ d after
land ing on the oth er si de a th ir d on r etur ning to
.

MARK

Ca per nau m (i v 3 5
v
per so ns a re sel do m giv en

in

ong the d m t
prop er l y speaks

Am

N am es of
even J a i r u s b eing o m i tted
Tha t

ra

47

'

a zs

is

al l

p er sona J esu s i s th e

nly

cts H i s oppon e ts
m er el y d a w h i m o ut ;
h i s d isci pl es are sup e
n um era i es
B ut of h i s co m ings in an d go ings fo th
ho w he su pp o ted h i m self how h e li ed a te an d
d ank of hi s i te c ou se wi th h i s inti m ates we lea rn
noth i g I t i s elated that he taught on th e sabbath
in the synagogu e but we a e not a llowed to for m a n
i dea ofwh t h e taught ; we o nly get a h i t ofwh t h e
iew o f som e
sa i d ou tsi de th e syn agogu e ge e all y in
p ar ticular i ci d e t wh ich equi ed hi m to say so m e
th ing
O d ina y even ts a re o t r ecor d ed o l y a few
Th i s c annot b e wholly exp la ined
extraor d ina y o nes
b y supposing that M a k was not w i ting fo
the
instruction of future generations an d the efor e left
u sa i d inci d ents wi th wh ich
as bei g a l m ost con
tem porary h i s st e d ers were well a c q ua inted
E e
i f we a ll ow fo thi s th e m eagr eness o f th e
t a di ti o n i
em
kable From ou e dict that the
G o pel of Mar k a s a wh ole la cks the character i stic s
of a genui e h i sto y we c a nnot exem p t th e sto y
o f the Passio
O u cu io si ty i s l eft u sati sed
Noth in g i s m otived in it nothi ng exp la ined s ar i sing
o ut of wh a t go es b efo e
Th e e is no ba ckground o
causal con e ti o n of on e i ci dent with a noth er O f
h ono logy th e e i s o t a ce ; o whe e i s a xed da te
C le geog ph ica l ind ic tio s it i s t ue a e
gi en
supp li ed an d the sc en e i s a s a r ul e d ep ic ted th ou h
g
too often in a loo se way as t k ing pl a ce in so m e
h ou se o oth e o
i a lo e p l a ce
B ut
m o unta i
th er e i
as li ttl e a ttem pt to t a c e o ut wha t h ap pen ed
f om plac e to pl a c e to supply an i tin erary a s there i s
on e

wh o

or

v n

s r

ar

v r

ar

br i dge un ci al codex

The C am

n,

r,

ra

wh

i ch b elonged to B eza

MA RK

48

trac e i t fr om point to p o i n t of ti m e T he sc ene

sh i fts fro m p l a c e to p l a c e ; b ut rar ely i f at a ll d o we
l earn through what pla ces J esus passed on th e way
Par tic u lar nar ratives a r e o ften gr ap h ic a n d li v el y
yet wi th ou t o wi n g a nyth i n g to c ti tiou s o r m er el y
r h eto r ic a l d evic es ; th ese
h o wev er a r e m ost l y str ung
togeth er as a n ec do tes r a r z n a n tes z n g u rg z te wa ste an d do
ce as m ater ia l s fo r a Life o fJ esus No r do th ey
n o t suf
l eave on us th e i m pression o f th ei r b ein g b ased on
a cc o u n ts o fp eo pl e w h o ha v ing eaten a n d d r unk w i th
h i m h ad tr i ed to i m par t to o th er s a p ictur e o f h i s
No t tha t c hara cter ist ic featur es a r e
p er so n a li ty
H e watch es for exa m p l e
a l togeth er wan ting
th e
p eop l e as th ey dr op th ei r m on ey in to th e tr easu r y
H e k n o ws m en an d m en s h ear ts
Fr i en d a n d en em y
a li ke feel hi s sup er i o r i ty wi tho ut h i s n eed ing ex r essl
p
y
t o m a ni fest i t
H e to wer s i n soli tu de a bove th o se
who su rr oun d hi m
even o v er h i s d i scip l es
a bou t
wh o m on e feel s a c er ta in su rp r i se at h i s n eed ing th em
a t all
A t the sa m e t i m e hi s i s n o c o l d d i spassionate
n atu re ;
i ts note i s wa r m th o f m o ra l feeli n g in ten se
sen sibili ty
H e yi el ds to h oly sym pa thy i n hi s a nger
wi th the a u th o r i ti es o f the peo p l e a n d h i s sym path i es
a re a ll w i th th e h u m bl e
S ym pathy an d d esi re to
to

'

'

'

uccou i sp i e ot o l y h i s m i a cl e b ut h i s tea ch ing

h e c res for sou l n d b o dy o f th e n eed y i a t o c e
teac he a d ph ysici an a n d i f n eed s b e h o st a s well
I
Ma k howeve th i s sym path y i s sel d om p ut
fo ward as the m oti ve for hi s m i acl es of h ea ling ;
t h ey a e in te d ed to b e b efore ever yth in g el se wo k
o f po we
Mark do es
p o ing hi m to b e th e Mes si ah
et m a h s fes
ot wr i te a e u t
n o r i s h e conc er n ed
to gi ve us an i dea st ill l ess a p ic tu e o f hi s
pe son
H i s pe so na li ty i s lost sight o f in h i s d i in e v
o c a t ion
a d Mark s onl y desir e i s to d em onstrate tha t h e was
H i s d iscip les i t is tru e o nl y r eco ni se
th e Messia h
g
r

s,

r,

r,

'

'

z a

rt a

a,

M A RK

49

uch after the jo urn ey to J erusal em has begun

b ut i n p o in t o f fa c t h e wa s Messiah fro m th e bapti sm
ro m
on war d sf
th e
er y b egi n n i n g o f hi s p u b l ic
m i n i str yan d i f h i s o wn wor ds di d not pr ove hi m
such anyhow hi s wo k s did so Th ey were seen i f
n ot a t the t i m e i n an y c as e i n th e seq u el
to be th e
o u tc om e of h i s Messi an i ty 3 an d i t is i n th i s gui se
th t Ma rk pr es en ts th em na m el y a s exam pl es whic h
p ove h i s th esis an d so h ave a pl ac e i n the G ospel of
J sus C hr i st I t i s t ue th t he does n ot obtr ude thi s
poi nt of Vi ew ; an d i n c o m ati on of th e i m p ressi on
th e m e e f c ts ou ght to c r ea te
wh ich i n h i s o p i n i o
he uses on l y th e u tteran c es of the d em on s wh o see
H e n ever resor ts to
m or e cl ear l y th an th e d isci pl es
Ma tthew s a gum en t from S c iptu e Th is h appen ed
i n or der tha t th e S c ri ptu e m i gh t b e ful ll ed etc
B ut i t was har dl y Ma k h i m sel f who f o m a m a ss
m ater ial wh ic h h e had b efor e hi m c hose
o f ear li e
e ted
out such p o ti on s a s sui ted hi s p u rp os e an d ej
T he oral tradi ti on wh ich h e had a t h i s
th e rest
di sposal h ad al r eady b een win n owed an d c on den sed
u nder th e guidan ce o f the sam e poi n t o f vi ew which
m eth o d
H e pa s ses o er i n si l en ce
nspi res hi
ow
th i s o tha t detail w i th wh ic h h e c ou l d a ssu m e hi s
r eader s to b e a c qu a i n ted
th e na m es o f J esus s
paren ts A ll th e sam e h e ha s n ot left m uch th at is
nd
gen ui n el y h i stor ical for hi s succ essor s to gl ean
wh t they k n ow b ut h e did n o t i s of dou b tfu l val u e
T h e t ad i ti on wh ich he expl oi ts is r el ati vel y ic h for
Jer usal em b ut o the oth er han d poo fo G al ilee ;
just as tra diti on ab ou t Moh am m ed i s r ich fo M ed i na
b ut poor for M ecca
H er e i s a c on t as t wh ich is
i n expl icabl e supposin g th e tradition goes back to the
ori gin al d i scipl es
No a e the G al i l ean n arr ati ves s
a r ul e of such an in terna l textu r e that th ey can b e
hi m

as s

n,

r ef
err ed

to

them

H ow

can

P eter

have

b een
E

th e

M A RK
a

utho ity

sudden

for th e

of

c al l

the fo

ur

sh er s

of

h e h ave test ed to th e wa lk n g on
th e water , o r to th e dr v n g of th e ev l sp r ts n to
the sw n e, to the h eal n g o f a wo m an w th an s e o f
bl o o d by th e po wer atta h n g to a gar m en t, o f d m b
A n d wh y
an d b l n d p eopl e b y a ppl a t on o f sp ttl e ?
m en ?

H ow

c an

c i
ic i
m o e d eta i l s

do we

n ot

i i

l ea rn

ii i
i su
u

credi bl e
d i scipl es ?

th ose m or e

an d

i n terco urse of the Maste wi th h i s

I t woul d ath e seem as i f th e n r ti ve h n d ed do wn
i n Ma k di d
ot pro c eed p ri m a i l y f om th o se who
we e i n the i n ti m a cy o f J esu s fo th e m ost p t i t i s
ude d popul a i n cha acte as i f i t h ad l on g
ci cul ated f om m outh to m outh am on g the peopl e
an d i
d o i n g so a c qui ed th e a b u p t a d fo ci b l e
P o p ul a
sto y tel l i n g f
o m i n wh ic h w e h a e i t to day
taste del igh ts i
m i ac l es
d exp ul si on s o f dem on s
i th e ep eated ecog i ti on o f J esu s b y dem on s an d
a s sig s o f M essi ah sh i p
suc h i n cid en ts we e p er hap s
foun d b y m i ssi ona i es of the gospel to b e th e m o st

tell i n g an d to
m ost a m on g th e l asses fro m
d aw
wh ich C h i ti an i ty was c h i ey ec ui ted
M a k took
up what t adi ti o p ovided h im wi th ; b ut th e
a a n gem en t o f th e m ate ia l i n th r ee m a i
sec ti on s i s
h i work an d o fc o u se in vol ed
p o c ess of edi ti ng
T o th i s m a y b e
i bed th e i t o ducti o s d co
cl usi o s
th
t n si ti on s sh o t su m m a i es l i sts
as
w ell s the am es n d d esc i pti on s o f pers o s to wh o m
J esu s is m ade to addr ess hi s sayin gs
of

th e

a ra

ar

an

r,

an

r s

rr

a scr

ra

n r

an

C H A P TER
OF

STRU CTURE
T H ERE

eye a

a re

seen

M A RK S GO S PEL

s ta r s i n t he
si n g l e b ut w h ic h

r m a m en t w h ic h to

m a ny

are

th e

IV

pp e ar

to b e

not o ne

sta r ,

ifw e

b ut t w o ,

use a
or

te

l esco p e

ven

th ree

S o , i f w e t u r n t he te l esc o p e o f c r i t ic a l a n a l y sis o n to
M a r k s G o s p el , i t c an b e r es o l ved li k e a c o m p o u n d

sta r ,

i n to

tw o

or

ve n

m o re

d o cu m en ta ry l a yer s

In

ci en t d o u m en t s c o m p iled fro m ea r li er s o u r c e s w e
r eg ul a r l y m eet w i th w h a t c r i t ics c a ll ed tex tu a l d o u b l ets
th a t is p a r a ll e l n a rr at i ve s o f th e sa m e i n ci d en t
Tha t
w h ic h h a ve b een c o p i ed o ut o n e a fter th e o the r
the sa m e even t o r g r o u p o f even t s sh o ul d h a pp en
tw ic e o ve r is a n y h o w i m p r ob a b l e ; a n d i f the t w o
n a r r a t i v e s a r e to a n y ex ten t i n v er b a l ag r eem e n t w e
or e us n o t t wo
c a n b e q ui te su re th a t w e h a v e g o t b e f
d is t i n c t s to r ies b ut tw o t ex t u a l va r i an ts o f o n e a n d
ter the
the s a m e s to ry n ai ve l y c o p i e d o ut o n e a f
a il ed to see th a t h i s s o u r c e s o ver
o th e r b y o n e w h o f
l a pp ed
M a r k s G o s p e l c o n ta i n s s e vera l suc h d o u b l ets ; w e
a re su r e theref
o re th a t h e w as a c o m p il er w h o us e d
u p pre ex is ti n g d o cu m en ts w h ich h e h a d so m eh ow
c o m e a c r o ss Let us t a k e a n ex a m p l e setti ng i n
p a r a ll e l n a r r a ti ves a n d
o pp o si te c o lu m n s t h e t wo
i ta licisi n g the tw o tex ts w her e ve r i n the G reek t hey
ver b a ll y a gr ee
an

51

E 2

S T RU CT UR E O F M A R K S G O S PE L

52

MA R K

vi .

30

45

MA R K

An d th e a p ostl es g ath er them

an d
sel v es tog ether un to
esus ;
th ey to l d h i m a l l th ng s, wha tso
ev er th ey ha d done an d taugh t
A nd h e sa th to them , H th er ye
yoursel v es a par t unto a deser t
For m an y
p l ace and rest a wh l e
w ere th ey wh o w er e c o m ng an d
go n g, a nd they had no o ppo r
tun i ty ev en to eat
An d they w en t
aw ay
n to a desert p l ace i n th e
oa t a part
An d th ey sa w them
go n g , and m an y r ecogn sed
( th em ) , an d th ey ran h ther a nd
th th er b y l an d fr om a ll the c t es
A nd he
an d
fo resta l l ed them
eh el d a
cam e for th an d
gr eat
m u l ti tude, a nd h e had compassi on
them b ecause they w ere as
on
sheep w thout a shep h erd : an d
he b egan to teach the m m an y
A nd w hen th e day was
th ng s
now f
ar spen t, h i s d sc p l es ca m e
un to h i m , an d sa d, The p l ace i s
deser t, a n d a l rea dy the h our i s
S end them away, th at they
l a te
m a y go nto th e ham l ets ar oun d,
a n d v l l ag es, a n d b uy th em sel v es
B ut he an swer ed
wha t to ea t
an d sa d to them , G ve ye th em to
A n d they say to h i m , Sha l l
eat
we go an d b uy fo r tw o h undred
p en n es l oaves, a nd g v e to them
to eat ? A n d he sa i th to them , H ow
m any l oa ves ha ve y e
G o an d
An d wh en they k n ew , they
see
A nd h e
say, F v e, an d tw o shes
co m m an ded th em th at a l l sh ould
r ecl ne co m p an y by com p any on
th e gr een grass
An d th ey l a y
dow n rank b y r a nk , b y h undr ed s
A n d he tooh the
an d b y f
t es
ve l oa ves a n d the two sh es,
a nd, ha vi ng l o ok ed up to heaven ,
b e bl essed an d br ake th e l oaves ;
a n d he ga ve to the dzsczpl es to set
be r e them ; and the t wo shes
A
b e d v ded to a ll
ate a n d wer e l led
up
( ooh
br oken p i eces, twel ve

ii

i i

'

i i

r3

I n th ose days, w hen th ere w as

ag a n a g r ea t m ul ti tude, a n d
ha d nothi ng to ea t, he cal l ed unto
h i m h i s d sc pl es, and sa th unto
them , I h a ve comp assi on on the
ecause they con t n ue
m u l ti tu de,
w th m e n ow thr ee days, an d h ave
A n d if
sen d
noth n g to eat
th em a w ay f
ast n g to the r h om e,
a n t b y th e way ; a nd
th ey w l l f
r om f
ar
som e of th em a re com e f
A n d h i s d sc pl es a n swer ed hi m ,
hence sh all on e b e a l e to ll
th ese m en w th l o av es h ere i n a
deser t p l a ce 9 A n d he asked th em ,
H ow m a ny l oa ves h a ve y e 9 An d
th ey sa d, S ev en
A n d he com m an
deth the m ul ti tude to l ie dow n o n
th e g r o un d : a n d he took the seven
l oaves, a n d hav ng g ven th a nk s,
h e br ake a nd ga v e to h i s di sczpl es,
to set be
for e them an d th ey set
th em
ef
o r e th e m ul t tude
And
th ey had a few sm a l l shes : and
h av ng bl essed th em , h e com
m an ded to set these al so
ef
or e
th em
A n d they did eat a n d w er e
an
l
d
d they tooh up o
l
e

f br ohen
p i eces th a t r em a n ed ov er , sev en
bashets A n d they w er e a out four
th ousan d : a n d he sen t them a w ay
A nd str a ig htw ay he en ter ed i n to
the boa t w th h i s di scip l es, an d
n to
ca m e
the p a rts o f D a l m a
n uth a
An d h e l eft th em ,
a n d ag a n enter i ng i n to (th e
oa t)
depar ted to the other si de

i i

i i

B eth s a i d a

I n the

M A R K S G O S PE L

OF

S T R U CT U R E

54

he fee d s

o ne

oth

i n the

er

A l ate r c o m p il er p u ts togethe r th e s e two p a ra ll e l

or
n a rr a t i v e s i n th e s a m e d o cu m e n t m is ta k i n g th e m f
two s to r i e s o f tw o s e p a r a te e v e n t s

r
a
t
h
or
a
r
k
o r w h o e v e r r e d a c te d
A
s
ill
l
e
u
M
a
t
t
4
th is G o s p e l i n i ts p re s e n t fo r m co p i e d o ut the two
fo l d na rr at i v e a n d a dd ed t h e d i a l o g u e i n w h ich J e sus
i n si st s o n th e s ep ara ten e ss o f t he tw o m i ra cl es I t is
a g oo d e x a m p l e o f h o w c o n ver s a t i on s w e r e i n v e n te d
I t ha s b ee n a rg u e d th at
fo r J e sus an d hi sd isci p l es
for a d o cu m e n t t o d e ve l o p th ro u g h so m an y s t a g e s a
l o n g t i m e p erha p s a s m a n y g en e r at i on s a s th e r e ar e
s ta ge s w oul d b e n ec ess ary B ut n o o ne w o ul d so
a r g u e w h o h a s s t u d i ed t he t r an s m issi o n o f p o p ul a r
t a l e s i n th e ages w h ic h p r e c e d e d p r i n t i n g
Fo u r
y e a r s wo ul d b e qui te en o u gh fo r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t
a b o v e tr a c e d i n th e n a r r a t i v e o f M a r k
fo r a l l d ep e n d s
o n h o w m an y w e r e rea d i n g a n d c o p y i n g o u t th e b oo k
i n a wo rd o n the a m o u n t o fvog u e i t enj oy e d ; an d
t ha t i t w a s w i d e l y d i sp er s e d m ay b e i n fe rr e d fr o m the
fa c t o ft wo e v an ge lis ts i n d e p en den t l y u si n g i t
I t s ho ul d b e r e m a r k e d a ls o t ha t t he o ve r l ap p i n g
i n th is p a r t o f M a r k is n o t c o n n e d t o th is m i r a cl e
b ut a ffe c t s o the r i n ci d en t s a s w e ll a s the fo ll ow i n g
t ab l e o f d o u b l et s s ho w s :
v iii 1
v i 30 3 4 Feedin g ofthe
9 F edi g of
Passage over l ak e t
v iii 9
1 3 Pa ssage o ve
vi
l ak e to
J esus wal k s o
D al m utha C p i v 3 5 4 1
B ethsai da
3

37 C

dum

an

th e wa ter

31

dea f an d
b y use of sp ttl e

ur e of a

b per son

v ii ,

iii

C ur e of a bl ind man
b y use O f Sp ittl e
.

22

26

s et s o f even t s w h ich a re p a ra ll e l a n d
foll ow i n t h e s a m e o r d e r t ho ugh i n t he p a ss a g e t o
Da l m an u tha t he r e is no m i ra cl e o f w a l k i n g o n the
H e re

a re

t wo

S T R U CT UR E O F M A R K S G OS PE L

vi

55

53 v ii 3 0 o the r m atte r h as b een

nser ted i n the r s t h a l f of th e d o u b l e t, a s i t h a s b ee n
2 1 i n t h e s e c o n d ha l f
t v iii 14
A t r s t si gh t the m i ra cl e o f h ea li n g th e b li n d m a n ,
va te

At

iii
ii

d i ffer e n t m i ra cl e to
3 1 3 7 w h er e i t is a d e af an d d u m b p e r so n w h o is
rea l ed ; b ut i f t h e two p a ss a g e s a re set si d e b
y si d e
hey a re s ee n to b e m e r e v ar i a n ts o fo n e an d th e s a m e
r i g i n al
Let us so set t h e m i ta licisi n g th e m w her e
hey p r e s e n t a li te r a ry c on n e c t i on w i th ea c h o the r
22

w o ul d

to b e

a pp a r

MARK
3 1 36
A n d again h e w en t out fro m th e
or ders o fTyr e a n d ca m e thr ough
i don unto th e sea of G al il ee
i r ough th e m i dst of th e border s
f D ecapo l i s A n d they br i ng to
-

im

one

had

tha t was deaf an d

an

i n hi s sp eech ; a n d
tey beseech hi m to l ay h is ha n d
v
hi m
A n d he took hi m as de
i
c m th e m ul t tude pr va tel y, an d
at h i s n ger s n to h i s ear s, an d
e sp a t an d tou ched hi s tongue ;
n d he l ooked up to h eav en , an d
gh ed , an d sa th unt o hi m , E ph
An d
ha tha, th at is, B e o p en ed
is ear s wer e open ed, an d the spel l
n hi s tong ue w as l oo sed, an d h e
A nd h e ch a r ged them
J ak e p l a n
n o m an ;
ra t th ey sh oul d tel l
at th e m or e h e char ged them ,
m uch th e m or e a gr ea t deal they
ub l ish ed i t
npedi m en t

MA R K v iii

2 2 26

And they co m e n to B ethsa da

A n d they br i ng to hi m a b l nd
m an , an d beseech hi m to tou ch h i m
A n d he tooh h o l d of the b l n d m an
b y the hand , an d b r ough t h i m o ut
of the v l la g e ; an d w hen h e h ad
s
p i t on hi s eyes, an d l a i d hi s ha n ds
on h i m , h e ask ed hi m , S eest th o u
a ugh t ?
A nd he l ooked up , an d
sa d ,
I see m en ; for
b eh ol d
T h en
(th em ) as tr ees wa l k ng
ag a n he l a d hi s han ds on h i s
eyes ; an d h e l o o k ed stea dfastl y,
an d
w as r estor ed , and sa w al l
th n gs cl ear l y
A nd h e sen t hi m
a way to hi s h om e, say n g, Do n o t
even en ter n to th e v l l ag e

I
.

v er b a l i d e n ti t i e s wh ic h c o n n e c t the ab o ve n a rr a
ve s a n d p ro v e th e m to b e m e r e va r i a n t s o f a si n g l e
r i g in a l are m ore o b v io us i n the G r ee k tha n i n a
B ut ev e n i n i t w e r ea lis e the i d e n ti ty i n
:an sl a ti on
or
n e a n d l o c a li ty ; f
e t wo i n ci d e n t s o f m i se en sce
m
i don a s W ell h a usen h as s h o w n is a n e rr o r for
I n b oth p l a c e s th ey b r i n g
:a i d a n
B e th s a i d a
me pa t i e n t to J e sus an d b e s eec h h i m to l ay h i s h an d

he

S T R U CT U R E O F M A R K S G O S P E L

56

hi m , or what is the s a m e th i n g to touc h hi m

I n b oth c a s e s J e sus ta k e s th e p a t i e n t a p a r t fr o m the
thr on g or a way fro m the v ill ag e, a n d us e s hi s o w n
s pi ttl e as a r e m ed y , p u tt i n g h i s n ge r s i n the on e
c a s e i n to the e a r s, i n th e other l a y i n g the m on the
ey e s I n th e o n e c a s e i t is J esus w h o l oo k s u p , i n th e
o th e r the p at i en t ; b u t th e G re e k p h r a s e is i d e n t ic a l
on

B oth s to r i e s en d w i th t h e s a m e i nj u n c t i on o f s e c r e cy
S uc h d o u b l ets a s the a b o ve m us t p e r p l e x ha l f
e d uc ate d p eo p l e w h o h a v e bee n b r o u gh t up to b e li e v e
.

G o s p els a re d o cu m e n t s s p e ci a lly i n sp i r e d
e ss en t i a ll y tr u e i n w ha t th ey r el at e i n c a pab l e o f e rr or
an d n o t t o b e cl a ss ed w i t h t h e r e s t o f a n ci e n t b i o
gr a ph ic a l li te r at u re Fo r th ey s h o w that the Go s p e ls
h a ve g ro wn u p ver y m uc h i n th e s a m e m a n n e r as
o th e r h a l f l e g en d a ry h is t or i es o f p o p ul a r h e r o e s
In
the A l e x a n d e r r o m a n c e i n a n y li fe o fa p o p ul a r s a i n t
i n a n y c o ll e c t i on o f fo l k l o r e t a l e s w e a r e su r e t o n d
o n e o r i g i n a l s to ry t o l d i n t w o o r m o r e d i f
fe r en t w ay s
T he t wo v a r i an ts gen er a ll y a r is e th r o u gh o r al r ep e t i
ti on o f the t a l e b ut th ey m a y b e en gen d e r e d a l m os t
a s e a sil y i n si d e o f th e w r i tten t r a d i t i o n
I n e i the r
c a s e a l a te r s to ry te ller e s p eci a lly o n e who li k e the
c o m p il er o f t he n a r ra ti ve s b efo re us is a n x i o us to
r e l ate a s m any m i r a cl e s o fhi s her o a s h e ca nis su r e
s oon e r or l ater to i n co r por a t e i n h i s b o o k b oth fo r m s
o f the one s to ry a s i f th ey w er e s e p a r at e s to r i e s o f
d is ti n c t ep iso d e s
W e h a ve s e l e cted a s illus tra t i o n s th e two m o s t
str i k i ng ex a m p l e s to b e fo u n d i n M ar k ofo v er l app i n g
n a rra ti v e s ; b ut o th er s e x is t
Th us i n i x 3 6 J e sus
th a t the

l i ttl e chi l d a n d set h i m i n ; the m i d st of them

,
a n d, ta k i ng h i m i n h i s a r m s, he sa i d to them Whosoew r
,
took

sha ll

r ecei ve one o

such

l i ttl e ch il dr en i n my

n a m e,

S T R U CT U R E O F M A R K S G OS PE L

57

A no th e r fo r m o f the s a m e sto r y

m ee ts us i n th e v e r y n e x t c h a pt e r x 1 3
A nd they
br oug h t un to hi m l i ttl e childr en
A n d he took them

i n h i s a r m s an d s a i d ,
Whosoever sha ll n ot r ecei v e
the k i ng dom of G od a s a l i ttl e chil
etc

An d i n a n oth e r w ay i t ca n b e s h own th at M a r k s
r ecei v eth

m e,

etc.

Go s pel is n ot a n o r i g i n a l d o cu m e n t b ut o n e c o m p il ed
fro m e a r li e r s o u r c es
Just a s i n si d e o f i t t here a re
n a r r a t i v e s wh ic h o v er l a p e a c h o th e r so th e r e a re a r ts
p
o f i t w h ic h o v e r l a p an d a r e i n li t e r a r y a g ree m e n t
w i th p ar t s o fth e n o n M a r c a n d o cu m en t a s i t m ay b e
r o m th e r s t a n d th i rd G o s e ls
re c on s t r uc ted f
Let
p
us con si d e r a n e x a m p l e
,

MA R K x ii

MATTHEW x xiii

3 8 40

fol l

A n d i n hi s
he
teach ng,
sa d, B ew are o f
th e
scr
es,
wh ch des re to
w a lk
in
l ong
r ob es, an d sa l u
the
ta ti an s i n
m a r ket
p l aces,
chi
an d
e
f sea ts
in
the
sy n a
gogu es, a n d ch ef
pl aces a t feasts :
th ey wh o devour

d
w ows h ouses,
an d f
or
a pr e
ten ce m ak e l on g
th ese
prayer s ;
sha l l
r ece v e
gr ea ter condem

ib

n at on .

Th en

spak e
e

an

s,

e r

th ey

do
seen
of
m en
for th ey
m ak e
br oa d
th e r
phyl acte
r es, a n d en l ar ge
th e b or ders (of
the r garm en ts) ,
and
l ove
th e
ch ef p la ces a t
feasts, an d th e
ch efsea ts i n th e
synagogues, an d
sal uta t ons i n the
m ar k et
pl aces

i
i

W oe

un to

you, S cr b es a n d
h a r sees, for ye
a re
l k e unto

Now
sp ak e,

L U K E xx 45
47

37,

he

as

P ha i

And

in

the

h ear n g of a ll
see
a sk ed
h i m th e p eo pl e h e
to b r eakfa st w th sa d
un to
hi s
him ,
an d
h e d sc pl es,
BE
w en t i n an d sat W
OF
dow n to m ea t
IB , W H O
.

W oe

w or k s
to b e

fol l

J esus to th
m ul ti tudes
d
to hi s discipl e
say in g
Th
sc i b es an d th
Pha isees si t on
M oses eat
B ut
ll
th i

L U K E xi

un to

i i
A RE
THE
S C R ES
D ES I RE T O W A L K
I N LO N G R OB ES
A ND L O V E S A L U

h a r sees !
you
,
fo r ye l ov e the
chi e
IN
f seats i n the T AT I O NS
s
M
y nagog u es, a n d
the
sa l u ta ti on s P
A ND
,
i n the m a r k et
I F
Y
pl aces W oe un
to you ! for ye C O G
A ND
,
ar e as th e tom b s
I F P
wh ch
a pp ear
F
;
n o t, a n d th e m en
D V
W I

th at wa l k ov er w rn ow s
HOU
k now i t not
, A ND FO R

THE
A R K ET
LAC ES
CH E
SEATS
I N THE S N A
U ES
CH E
LA C ES
AT
EA STS
H CH E O U R

SES

PR ET E NC E

MA KE

LO N G P RAY ERS
THESE SH A LL
RE C E I VE G REA T
ER CO NDE MNA
TION
.

OF

S T R UC T UR E

58

MA RK S GO S PE L

sepul
wh ted
ch r es, wh ch o ut
a pp ea r
w ar dl y
b ut
b eaut ful ,
ul l
n w a r d ly ar e f

n
me s
of dea d
b on es, an d o f
al l
un cl ean n ess

ye o ut
a pp ea r

v en so

w ar dly
r

ight

m en

un to

eo us

ve n ot ic e tha t Lu k e i n x x 4 547 c o p i e s
i n teg ra ll y M a r k x ii 3 8 40 a n d set s th e s a y i n g i n
B ut i n x i 43 h e h as
th e s a m e b a c k g r o u n d a s M a r k
a l r e a d y h a d t h e s a y i n g a b o u t c h i e f s ea ts a n d s a lu ta
t i o n s a pp en d i n g t o i t th e s ay i n g a b o u t to m b s w h ic h
M atth ew tho u gh c h a n g i n g s o m ew ha t i ts p u r p or t a ls o
I t h ar d l y a d m i t s o f d o u b t th a t
a s so ci a t e s th ere w i th
Lu k e fo u n d t he s a y i n g a b o u t c h i ef s ea t s a n d s a lu ta
t i on s tw ice i n h i s S o u r c e so n c e i n M a r k a n d a ga i n i n
a n d c o p i e s b o th p a ss a e s
t h e n on M a r c an d o cu m en t
g
M a tth ew a ls o fo u n d t he s ay i n g t w ic e b ut r o lls
o ut
u p i n t o o n e the tw o s o u r ces w h ich her e o ver l a p p ed
B u t i f so t her e m us t h a v e b een so m e
o n e a n o th er
c o m m o n d o cu m en t u n d e r ly i n g b o th M a r k a n d the
T h e tw o o ver l a p i n th e sa m e
n o n M a r c an s o u r c e
w ay i n t he stor y o f t h e B a p t i sm o f th e T em p t at i o n
su n d r y
o th er
a nd in
p a ss a ges t wo o f w h ic h w e
c on si d ered a b ove ( pp 54 55
E n o u gh h as b een s a i d M a r k th e m a i n s o u r ce o f
t h e r s t a n d t h i r d e va n g e lis t s i s h i m s e l f n o o r i g i n a l
w r i te r b ut a c o m p il e r w h o p i e c e s t o geth er a n d e d i ts
e ar lier d ocu m en t s i n w h ic h h i s p red e c e ss o r s h a d
w r i tten d o w n p o p ul a r t r a d i t i on s o f t he m i r a cl e s an d
p a ssi o n o f J esus Th ei r i n te r e s t h a d l a i n m ore i n t he
w on d er s w o r k e d b y J e sus t h an i n hi s t ea c h i n g o f
I n th e

a bo

S T R U CT U R E

OF

M A R K S G O S PE L

wh i c h

59

M ar k pr e s e rv e s b ut li tt l e T he tr ad i t i o ns t hus
c oll ec te d w e re at r s t fr a m e d i n the A r a m a ic tong u e
for J e sus an d h i s r s t fo ll o w e r s b e i n g G a lil e an s s p o k e
tha t d ia l e c t a n d M a r k s G r e ek is so full o f A r a m a ic
ph r as e s n a m e s an d i d i o m s a s t o j us t i fy the c on te n ti on
o f W ell ha usen a n d o th e r c o m p et en t Se m i t ic sch o l a r s
that th e d o cu m en t s w h ich h e i n h er i te d w e r e t ran sl a
a n d t h e s am e r e m a r k
t i on s o f A r am a ic o r i g i n a ls
ho l d s goo d of m o st o f th e m ate r i a l c on ta i n e d i n the
non M a r c a n s o u r c e
.

C HA P T E R V
MA TT H EW

WE

LUK E

A ND

s e en i n th e p r e vi o us c ha p t er h ow sl e n d e r
a n d a l s o h o w u n c r i t ic a l a n d p o p ul a r w ere th e t r a d i
t i on s o f J e sus w h ic h u n d e r l ay th e G o s p e l o f M a r k ;
r a m e wo r k
an d y et t h is G o s p e l su pp li e d th e h is t or ic a l f
o f t h e l o n g e r G o s p els a ss o ci a te d w i th the n a m e s o f
M a tth ew th e a p os t l e a n d o f Lu k e t h e c o m p a n i o n o f
P a ul T o the o r d e r i n w h ic h the c h i e f e ven t s o f the
m i n is try p a ssi o n a n d d ea t h o f J e sus fo ll o we d o n e
a n o th e r
th es e l ater e v a n ge lis t s h a d n o clu e e x c e p t
su ch a s M ar k su pp li ed ; fo r th e n on M a r c an d o cu
ro m i ts a cc o u n t o f J esu s s b a p t is m a n d
m en t
a p a rt f
tem p ta t i on w a s not a h is t o ry b ut a c o ll e c t i o n o f
Fo r the
a p ho r is m s a n d p a r a b l e s u tter e d b y J e sus
w he r e a n d w h en a n d w h at o f J esus s a c t i o n s th es e
l a ter w r i ter s d ep en d e d on M ar k ; a n d fro m hi m is
d er i ve d the h is to r ic a l p l a n o f th e i r G o s p e ls T h e y
fo r s a k e i t o cc a si o n a ll y th o u gh n ev er i n u n is on ; a n d
T hat
w h e n e ver th ey do so th e y s o on r e t u r n to i t
t h is is so is a pp ar e n t if we set o u t i n p a ra ll e l co l um n s
th e s e c t i o n s o fM a r k w h ic h e a c h r e p r o d uc e s p r e s e r v i n g
H e r e is the ta b l e
the o rd er i n w h ic h t hey do so
I N M A TTHEW
I N LU K E
M k i
i 4
M k i
i
i
4
5 iii 3
iii
i
i
i 9
35
35
hav e

ar

ii

21

ii

ar

i
34
ix
x I
I 4
vi
x ii
x ii I 3 x iii
xvi 8
I

vi

v.

1 2 2,

23

v.

i n.

13
vi

ao,

32
xi v

i v.

50

60

v.

3 5 43 , v i
1 3 52
.

21

iii
xvi
xi I

7 44 ,

27

ix

,
.

M A TT H E W

62

LUKE

A ND

p a r ticul a r r e v ea ls c o m p l e te i g n o r a n c e o f P a l es t i n i a n
geog ra p hy m a k i ng G a lil ee p a r t o fJ udm a a n d b r i n g i n g
in

J esus i n to J er us a l em by w a y o f J er ich o a fter h e h a s

d esc en d e d th i th er th r o u gh S a m a r i a H er e M a r k h a d
b r o u ght J esus d o w n fro m n o r th t o s o u th th r o u gh
P er ae a o n t h e ea s t si d e o f J o r d a n a n d qui te r i ght l y
m a d e J e r ic ho h i s l a s t h a l t b e for e en t er i n g th e h o l y
ci ty Lu k e h o weve r fo r r ea so n s o f hi s o w n ta k e s
hi m t h r o u gh S a m a r i a to t he w e s t o f t h e r i v e r y et
c o p i es b li n d l y o ut fr o m M a r k the l a s t s ect i o n o f the
i ti nera r y forgetti n g or n ot k n ow i n g t ha t i t is n o l o n ger
p os si b l e
I t i s S p e ci a ll y i n s t r uc t i v e t o n o te d i ffe ren c e s i n
M a tth ew a n d Lu k e d ue to a l te r a ti on a n d d e vel o p m e n t
o f th e b e li ef
s a n d i d ea s w h ic h C h r is t i a n s en ter ta i ne d
a b o u t J esus
I n M a r k i t is t r u e J esu s h a d a l r ea d y
b e co m e a p r o p h et a n d w o n d er w o r k er w a l k i n g o n
the w a ter s fee d i n g t h o us a n d s o f
f n o th i n g r a isi n g th e
d ea d a n d i n g en er a l g i v i n g t h o s e si g n s o f h i s
M es si a hsh i p w h ic h a cc o r d i n g to P a ul th e J ew s
d e m a n d ed o fh i m b ut d em a n d e d i n va i n Never the
l ess M a r k ha s s t ill m an y sto r ies to tell o f hi m w h ich
a r e ve r y h u m a n a n d g o f
a r to set hi m o n a l e ve l w i th
I n M a tth ew a n d Lu k e h ow ev e r t h e
o th er p r o p h e t s
p r o c ess o f dei fy i n g hi m b efo re d ea th a s P a ul o n ly
d e i ed h i m a fter d ea th h as a l r ea d y b eg u n T h ey b oth
t r y to su b li m a te hi s c h a r a c te r an d to e li m i n a te t ra i t s
o f c o m m o n h u m a n i ty r e ta i n ed b y M a r k
I n so d o i n g
th ey p o i n t th e w a y f
o r th e f
o u r th G o sp e l i n w h ic h
t he d i v i n e Re a s on o r L og os m a s q u er a d e s a c ro ss t h e
sta ge i n h u m a n f
or m
i n si p i d g u re m u tter i n g
an
o ra cl e s o ver th e h e a d s o f h i s a u d i e n c e a C h r is t w h o
n o l o n g e r w eep s o r p ra s e x c e p t t o th e
y
ga ll e ry
P a i n ter s o f s a c r e d p ic tu r e s a re a p t to d e li n ea te a s
.

M A TT H E W

A ND

LU KE

63

C hr is t a w ea k va p i d l a n g ui d S y r i an A s a m an o f
es h a n d b l oo d a s o n e w h o is goo d b e c a us e h e h a d i t
i n hi m t o b e b a d th e y a r e n o t a t li b er t to p ic tur e
y
him
as G od
t h ey o b v i o usl y c a n n o t
T he i n si p i d
gu r e t hey a r e l eft w i th is t he C hr is t o f the fo u r th
Go s p el
T h is p r o c ess o f em a scul at i on t he n h a s
a l r e a d y b e u n i n M a tth e w a n d Lu k e a n d w e f
o r th w i t h
g
g i v e e x a m p l es o f i t
M a r k v i 16 c o n t a i n s the fo ll o w i n g tex t : ( I ) A n d
h e w en t out fr om th en ce
a n d h e com eth i n to h i s ow n
cou n tr
a n d hi s d i sci l es ol l ow h i m
y
p f
( 2 ) A n d w hen
,

the

bba th w a s com e, he beg a n to tea ch i n the sy na

g og ue a n d m a ny h ea r i ng h i m w er e a ston i shed, say i ng ,
When ce ha th th i s m a n these th i ng s a n d, Wha t i s the
w i sdom tha t i sg i ven to thi s m a n , a n d such m ig hty w or k s
sa

w r oug h t by h i s ha n ds ?
the son

f Ma ry

(3 )

br other

a nd

s n ot

thi s th e ca rp en ter ,

f fum es

a nd

joses

a nd

juda s a n d S i m on P A n d they w er e of en ded i n hi m

(4) A n d jesus sa i d u n to them A p r op het i s n ot w i thou t
,

hon ou r ,
k in,

p t i n hi s

ex ce

and

p erfor m

i n hi s
no

ow n coun try , a n d a

ow n

h ouse

m ig h ty w or k ,

sa v e tha

folk an d hea l ed them

beca use of thei r un bel i ef
si ck

few

H ere

J esus s

at

h a ve
d o i n gs i n
we

a nd

v ill a ge

(6 )

ther e

hi s ha n d

on ct

A n d he m a r v ell ed

T he fa m e o f
g r a p h ic p ic t u re
C a p er n a u m ha s r ea c h e d hi s o w n
a

k no w h i s m o th e r

and

b r eed s c o n te m p t
u p s ta r t an d m ak e

a r i ty
an

t he l a id

coul d

ow n

H e g o es t he r e, b ut n d s e ven h i s
H is m i ra cl es a r e sc o ffed
fa m il y u n s y m p a th et ic
T h ey h a ve k n o w n hi m fr o m c h il d hoo d th ey

hom e
o wn

A n d he

( 5)

m ong hi s

b ro the r s a n d sis ter s F a m ili

T hey p ron o u n c e J esus t o b e
.

li gh t

of

hi m

and

his w o r k s

r s t c o n d i t i on o ffa i th h ea li n g is w a n ti n g w i th the
r esul t th a t h e is u n a b l e t o do a n y m i g h ty w o r k th e re
T he

MATT H E W

64

H ere is

fr a n k

A ND

d m issi o n

LU KE

i
cu r es

th a t fa th

th e p a r t
as it
e

on

of

o f J sus
sic k w as a s essen ti a l to the
is
B ut suc h a n a d m issi o n s ee m e d
to th o s e o f L0 u rd e s
s or el y to d er oga te fr o m the d i gn i ty o f J es us i n a
l a t er g en era ti o n w hen he w as b ec o m i n g m or e d i v i ne
th an h u m a n
Lu k e a cc o rd i n g l y o m i ts the p a ss a ge
a l t o ge th er u n l e ss h i s c h i v 1 6
3 0 b e a n ec h o o f i t
M a tth ew a s usu a l is m o r e fa i thful to h i s s o u r c e b ut
he is c o m p ell e d to m i n i m is e th e fo r c e o f M a r k s w o r d s
a n d a cc or d i n g l y f
o r v er s e 5 su b s t i t u te s t h is (x iii

the

A n d h e di d

thei r u n bel i e
f

not

m a ny m ig h ty w or ks ther e beca use of

pp r e n g th e fa t th at h e could no t

su

ssi

H e a ls o

su b s t i tu tes the w or d s

son

fo r

Is

I s n ot thi s the ca rp en ter

thi s the

n ot

is

m or eo v e r , to b e

n ot

p ro b ab ly
a tt r i b u te so

p en ter P

ca r

b ec a us e he d ee m e d i t d er og a to r y t o
h u m b l e a c a lli n g to so e x a l te d a p er s o n
It

ic ed

th a t

e ven

as

J esus

t h e tex t

of

uc he d i n th is p a ss a g e ; for h ow
th e s a m e p er s o n s b e a s to n is h e d i n ve r se 2 W h o
a re o f
fen d ed a t hi m i n v er s e 3 a n d h a v e n o h on o u r o r
r es pe c t f
o r hi m i n v er s e 4 n o f
a i th i n h i m i n v e r s e 6 ?
I t is cl ea r fr o m t h e c o n te x t th a t fa r fr o m a d m i r i n g
h i s tea c h i n g a n d r ep u ted m i r a cl e s th ey m a d e li gh t o f
the m a n d w e r e o u t ra ge d a t the cl a i m s m a d e i n h i s
b eha l f I t fo ll o ws th a t s o m e suc h w o r d s a s sco ffed

or
at him
m o c k e d m us t h a v e o r i g i n a ll y s to o d i n
th e tex t a n d h a v e b e e n c h an g ed to w er e a ston i shed
A g a i n i n M a r k x I 7 1 8 w e r ea d th a t
th er e r u n
M ar k
co ul d

h a s b ee n

r eto

one

to

hi m

a nd

k n eel ed to h i m ,

a n d a sked

h i m , G ood

tea cher , w ha t sha ll I do th a t I m ay i n h er i t eter n a l l i e P

f
A nd jesus sa i d un to hi m , Ca ll thou m e n ot g ood N one
.

i s g ood sa ve

G od
the m a nusc r i p ts

one, even

in

H e re
e d
Why ca ll est thou
we r

m e g ood !

M a rk s G o s p e l
i n stea d o f the d o wn
of

M A TT H E W
r

i gh t

p r o h ibi t ion

LU KE

A ND

Ca l l th o u m e

g ood

n ot

65

B ut t h e

l a tter sta n d s in m a n y ci t a t ions o f t he p a ss age foun d

in a u t h o r s ol d er b y tw o h un d r ed y ea r s t h a n our
ear li es t m a nusc r i p t s
an d t herefo r e I h a v e a d her ed t o
i t in m y t r a nsl a t ion L on g b efo re A D 2 0 0 J esus w a s
e x a l te d in m o st ci r cl e s o f b eli e v er s t o the r a n k o f t h e
sinl es s W o r d o r Lo gos o f G o d the sp o t l ess l a m b
o ffer ed fo r m e n s sins ; a n d i t w as a l r ea d y b la sphe
m ou s t o su gg es t t h a t h e ev er sinn e d o r w a s c a p a bl e
o f si n
A cco r d in g l y M a tt h ew g a r bl e s h i s sou r c e a s
A n d behol d on e ca m e to h i m a n d
follow s (xix
.

Ma ster

sa i d

w ha t g ood

sh a ll

I do,

tha t

I m ay
ha v e eter n a l life 9 A n d h e sa i d u n to h i m , Why a shest
tho u m e a bo ut tha t whi ch i s g ood P O n e ther e w ho i s
,

H ere th en in the o r i g i n a l t ex t J esus w i th the

hu m ili ty w h ic h c ha ra c t er is es a r e a lly g rea t te a c h er
d epr ec a ted th e h a sty h om a ge o f a n i m petuous y ou th
a n d h esi t a ted t o a cc ep t a n e p i t h e t w h ic h a J ew coul d
M a tth ew sup
a pp o r t ion t o the d i v in e b e in g a lon e
p res ses a ll t h is a n d w oul d h a ve us b e li eve t h at in
J esus s op inion no o n e w a s a bl e t o ins t r uc t a no ther
a bou t g oo d a n d e v il e xc ep t G o d b ec a us e t he l a tt er
I n th e sa m e sp i r i t a s w e s h a ll see
a lon e i s g oo d
l a ter on M a tth ew p r eten d s th a t Joh n d eclin ed a t
r st t o b a p t is e so su p er io r a b ein g a s h e recog ni se d
J esus t o b e a n d since he c a nno t a ft er a ll su pp ress a
fa c t so w ell esta blis hed h e m o d i e s in iii 4 the
o re fr on t b y M a r kn a m el y tha t
st a t em e n t p u t in th e f
th e b a p t is m p rea c h ed b y Jo h n w a s o ne o f r ep en t a nc e
for the r em i ssi on of si n s a n d t h ere fo r e su p er uou s fo r
,

sinl ess
H ere is a no ther e x a m p l e : M ar k i 3 2 r el a te s h ow
they hr oug h t u n to hi m a ll tha t
a t C a p er n a u m a t e v e n

the

M A TT H EW

66
si ck

w er e

a nd

those

ossessed

m a ny dev i l s

and

by dev i l s,

h ea l ed m a ny tha t w er e a i cted w i th
cast out

LU KE

A ND

v a r i ou s

he

di sea ses, a n d

H er e M a tth ew c a nno t t ol era t e the i m p lic a t ion con

ta i ned in t h e w o r d s a l l a n d m a ny t h a t th e p o w e r o f
J esu s t o h ea l k n ew a n y li m i t s ; a n d so h e co rrec t s
M a r k th u s
They br oug h t to h i m m a ny p ossessed w i th
dev i l s a n d he ca st o ut th e sp i r i ts w i th a w or d a n d he
hea l ed a l l th a t w er e al i eted ; i n or der tha t th er e m i gh t
he fu ll l ed w ha t w a s sp oh en hy I sa i a h the p r op h et H e
took hi m self ou r i n r m i ti es a n d ha r e ou r di sea ses
M a tthew th er e fo r e a l ter s M a r k s a ll
m a ny in to
a ll
a n d t h is s h o r t p a ssa g e e x e m p li e s tw o
m a ny
o th er p eculi a r i t i es o f t h is w r i t er H e a dd s de suo

fr o m h i s ow n s t o r e th e d e ta il tha t J esus h ea l ed
t he sic k b y m er e w o r d o f m ou t h b ec a us e h e d o e s no t
w is h h i s r ea d e r s to su p p o se t h a t so e x a l te d a b ein g
A n d t h is is
p o ll u t ed hi s h a n d s b y t ouch in g th e sic k
p r ob abl y wh y h e o m i t s t o co p y ou t the t w o cu r e s b y
co m bin ed use o f t ouc h an d s p i tt le w h ich M a r k r eco r d s

v
ii
1
a n d w h ic h a r e c r i t icis e d
(
3
3 7 a n d v iii 2 2
a b o ve ( p
P er h a p s h o w e ver i t w a s r a th er t he
m a g ic u se b y J e su s o f sp i tt l e t h a n th e a c t u a l t ouc h in g
t h a t sh oc k e d h i m ; for h e s eem s t o h a ve r ega r d ed
t ouch in g the sic k a s a m a g ic a l p r a c t i c e d i ffer en t fr o m
th e a c t o f l ay in g h a n d s on t h e m ; a n d w her e M a r k

h
s
a
s
a
x I 3 y t t they br oug h t to fesus l i ttl e chi l dr en
subs t i t u tes (xix I 3 ) tha t
tha t h e shoul d to u ch them
,

he

shoul d

l ay hi s h a n ds

on

them

a nd

p r ay

In

th e

s a m e w a y the sic k w ere in th is coun t r y h ea l ed by th e

k in g s t ouc h an d the A n g lic a n P r ay er boo k fo r m er ly
con t a in ed a co rres p on d in g r i te T h is is no lon ger
p r in ted fo r r eli g ious p eo p l e no w ad a y s r ega r d i t a s
su p er s t i t iou s t h ou gh t h ey r e t a in l a y in
g on o f h a n d s

M A TT H E W A ND L U K E

67

o rd in at ion b y a bis hop r egard l e ss o f the fa c t tha t

bo th r i tes rea lly b e lon g t o the s a m e o r der o f i d ea s as
I sh a ll p oin t ou t l a ter on
A no t h er p eculi a r i ty o f Matth ew w h ic h c har a c t er is es
th is p a ss age is the a ppea l t o p r oph ecy t o w h ic h we
ret u r n lo w er d ow n (p
T he C h r is t o f Mark is s t ill so fa r h u m a n t h a t he is
i gno ra n t o f the d a te even o f the m os t i m p o r tan t o f
fu t u re even t s
n am ely the S econ d C o m in g a n d
a cco rd in g ly in M a rk xiii 3 2 we h a ve the follo w in g :

or

When y e see these thi ng s com i ng to p ass

hnow y e tha t
he i s n ig h even a t th e door s Ver i ly I say un to y ou th i s
g ener a ti on sha ll n ot p a ss a w ay , un ti l a l l these th i ng s be
a ccomp l i shed
B u t of tha t day or th a t hou r h n ow eth
,

n o on e n ot
on ly

but

ev en the a ng el s

the

Fa ther

i n hea ven ,

nei ther

Ta he y e heed, w a tch

th e

a nd

S on ,

p r ay

for y e k now n ot w hen the ti m e i s

H er e then M a r k e n v is a g in g J esus a s the S on s et s
hi m on th e s a m e d ead l ev e l o f i g no r a nc e a s th e r es t o f
M atth ew r ep eat s th e abo ve p a ss age tex t u a lly
m en
fr o m M a rk ; bu t i f w e m a y tr us t the ol d es t m a nu

sc r i p t s o m i t s the w o r d s n ei ther the S on L u k e a lso

r ewr i tes the p a ss ag e a n d m os t c are fully s tr i k es th em
ou t T he a sc r i p t ion o f h u m a n i g no ra nc e t o J esus was
no lon ger t olera ble w hen th ey co m p il ed thei r G ospels
A ga in a s i f i t w er e d e r o g at o r y Matt h ew xix 1 5
su ppr ess es th e fa c t reco r d ed b y Ma r k x 16 th at J esus
t oo k li tt l e c hil d r e n i n h i s a r m s ; a n d where Mark
reco rd s t hat J esus loo k in g on the o ver z ea lous y ou th

th at c a ll ed hi m g oo d l ov ed h i m , M atthew m er ely

s ay s jesus sa id un to hi m
S o in xii 1 3 M atthew
su ppresses the d em ons t ra t ion o f hu m a n feelin g
H ere th e J ew s in the
r e co rd ed
b y M a r k iii 5
sy n ag og u e h ave bl am ed J esus fo r hea ling on the
.

M A TTH E W

68
sa

bb ath

a nd

A ND L U K E

w hen he ha d l oohed

r ou n d a bout on

th em

bei ng g r i ev ed a t thei r ha r dn ess of hea r t, he

etc
sa i th
u n to
the m a n, S tr etch for th t hy h a n d,
M a tthew subs t i t u tes :
Th en sa i th he to th e m a n ,

S o in M a r k i 43 J esus
S tr etch for th thy ha n d
o n e w h o m h e hea l ed t o sa y n o th in g
stern ly cha rg ed
bu t Matth ew t on es d o w n the tex t t o
o fi t t o a n y m a n

t h is : fesus sa i th u n to hi m , S ee th o u tel l n o m a n
A n d th e p eda n try o f su pp r essin g m er e ly h u m a n t r a i t s
in J esu s seem s in so m e c a se s t o e x te n d e ve n t o the
l ea s t d et a ils T h u s ( Ma r k x 2 4) J esus , add r essin g
"
"
T h is s ee m ed t oo
h i s d isci p l es , b eg ins
Ch i ld r en
fa m ili a r t o Matth ew a n d in the co r resp on d in g p a ss ages
C on ver s e l y , in M a tthew
( xix 2 4) h e o m i t s chi l dr en
a n d Lu k e the d isci p l es a r e m ad e t o a dd r ess J esus b y
T h us in M ar k i v 3 8
g ra n d e r t i t l es th a n in M a r k
they say d u r in g the s t o r m w he n th ey h ave w a k ed hi m
w i th

a ng er ,

fr o m sleep
cer n ed l est

Tea cher

w e p er i sh P

subs t i t u tes Ma ster

( di da sk al o s)

art

thou

n ot con

Lu k e tra nsc r ibin g the p a ss age

,

(epi sta t s) w e a r e p er i sh

s eem ed t oo fa m ili ar t o h i m
tea cher
i ng ; fo r
M a tthew t r a nsc r ibing t he p a ss a g e s t ill fu rther
i m p r o ves on i t a n d sub st i t u tes 0 L or d ( Ky r i e)

S i m il a r ly in M a r k ix 5
sa ve us w e a r e p en ishi ng

i
a
s
a
:
R
b
bi
t
i
o
P eter s y s
g od for us to be her e
B ut Lu k e a l r ead y r eg ard e d J esu s a s b e tte r t h a n
a
m er e R abbi so h e subs t i t u tes a s b e for e the
w o rd ep i sta tes w h ich m ea ns m a s t er o r o v er lo r d ;
M a tthew a s b efo r e subs t i t u tes Lo r d
and
S uch
bu t t o the c are
a l terat ions m a y s eem insi g ni c a n t
ful s t u d en t they a r e a s s t ra w s w h ic h s h o w w h ich
w a y the w in d is blo w in g a n d in the l a s t t wo d e c ad e s
o f the rs t cen t u ry w hen th e G os pels o f Matt hew a n d
L u k e w ere co m p il e d i t wa s blo w in g ha r d t o w a r d s the
m aster

M A TTH E W

7o

A ND L U K E

ncou r a ged the b e li e fs w h ich un d er li e i t B ut J esu s

w a s c e rt a inl y b y h i s follo wer s r ega r d ed a s th e veh icl e
a n d a g en t o f a p u re p o w er o r d i v in e sp i r i t o f w h ic h
th e uncl ea n s p i r i t s o r d e m on s w er e a fr a i d ; a n d a n
ea r l y t r a d i t i o n h e l d t h a t h e r e c e i v e d t h i s p o w er a t
b a p t i sm a n d p er fec t ed i t d u r in g t he fo r ty d ay s o f
t e m p ta t ion in th e w il d e r n ess H e w a s p r ob a bl y g i ft ed
t o exc ess w i th th a t m y ster ious fa cul ty o f in u encin g
t h e n er vou s sy ste m a n d t h e e m o t ion s (r a t h er t h a n th e
r ea s o n ) o f o t h ers w i th w h ic h w e a re t o d a y fa m ili a r in
t h e c a se o f so c a ll ed m esm e r i st s
I n the s a m e wa y M oh a m m ed cl a i m ed t ha t the s p i r i t
o f G o d w o r k e d t h r ou h h i m a n d l ed h i m o n in w h a t
g
ev er h e d i d ; a n d i t w a s o nl y b e c a u se t h e cl a ns o f
A r a bi a co a l esc ed in th i s b eli e f a n d co m bin e d t o h ave
fa i th in hi m in th i s sens e th at on th e ev e o f h i s
d eath they w er e a bl e t o fo r get th ei r fe u d s a n d uni te
t hei r fo r c es fo r the conqu est o f a n u nb e li ev in g w o r l d
No w t h ere is onl y o n e w ay in w h ic h a p r o p h e t
a dva ncin g suc h cl a i m s ca n b e co m b ate d so t o s ea k
p
w i th h i s o w n w ea p on s a n d t h at is b y d ecl a r in g hi m
t o b e m a d ; fo r t h i s c h a r ge is a t on ce a n ad m issi o n
th a t a h i gh er th a n h u m a n sp i r i t a n d w ill a ni m a tes
h i m a n d u tt er s i t se l f t h r ou g h h i m a n d a d e ni a l t h a t
t he sa i d sp i r i t is a p u re o r d i v in e o r a s w e say
no wa d a y s a sa n e sp i r i t A n d th is i t a p p ear s fr o m
M a r k w a s t he very c ha rg e n o w m a d e a g a in st J esu s b y
h i s o w n h ous eh o l d b y h i s o w n m o t h er a n d b re t h r e n

T h e follo w in g is th e p a ss age M a r k iii 2 0 foll

A nd
e

he

com eth

tog ether

br ea d

o ut to
f hi s

i n to

ag a i n , so

h ouse

tha t th ey

A n d the m ul i tu de
cou l d

n ot so

A n d w hen hi s fa m i ly h ea r d
ta he

a n d r estr a i n

m i nd

hi m

for

m u ch

com eth
a s ea t

i t, they w en t
they sa i d, H e i s ou t

M A TT H E W

A N D L U KE

7!

H er e is ins ert ed in the t ex t a d i gression su gges t ed

by the l a s t w o rd s t o th e e ffec t t h at the S c r ib es o f
J er us a l e m d ecl ar ed t ha t J esus h i m s el f wa s p oss ess ed
b y B ee l z ebub the p r inc e o f d e v ils a n d a s suc h w a s
a ble t o c a s t ou t d ev ils J e sus a ns w er s tha t th ere is
t oo m uc h soli d ar i ty a m on g t he d em ons fo r the i r r ul er
t o t a k e p art a ga ins t hi s o w n m inions H e h a s r s t
boun d the s tr on g o ne S a ta n o r he coul d no t d es p oil
h i s m a nsion
H e a dd s t h a t a ll bl a s p hem i es a ga ins t
G o d sh a ll b e fo r g i ven bu t t h at t hey w h o a ccus e h i m
o f h a v in g a n uncl ea n sp i r i t s h a ll n ever b e fo r g i ven
b ec a us e they h ave bl a sp he m e d the h ol y sp i r i t th e
n ge r o f G o d ( Lu k e xi 2 0 ) o f w h ich h e is th e veh icle
and or a n
I n very si m il a r ter m s M oh am m e d rebu ked
g
th ose w h o a ll eged h i m to b e p oss ess ed b y a n ev il
s p i r i t T he fa m il y o f J esus in a sser t in g h i m t o b e
ou t o f hi s m in d l a unched the s a m e a ccus at ion a ga ins t
h i m an d so w er e g uil ty o f the s a m e un fo r g i va bl e
o ffence a s the S c r ib es A cco r d in gly M ar k n ow
retu r ns t o the fa m il y an d d esc r ib es ho w th ey c a m e t o

ta ke hi m a s follo w s ( iii
A n d ther e com e h i s
,

his br ethr en , a n d, sta ndi ng w i thou t, they

sen t u n to h i m , ca lli n
A n d a m ul ti tude w a s
g hi m
si tti ng a bou t hi m
a n d they say u n to h i m , B ehol d, thy
m other a n d thy br ethr en w i th ou t seeh for thee A n d h e
m other

a nd

a n sw er eth

br eth r en
a bou t

them ,

a n d sa i th :

A n d l ook i ng

h i m , he

sa i th

Who i s my

r ou n d on

B eh old,

m other

them w hi ch

my

a nd

my

sa t r ou n d
and

m other

my

For w hosoever sha l l do the w il l of G od

br eth r en !

the sa m e i s my br other , a n d si ster , a n d m other

A n d t h is is no t the onl y p a ss a ge in w h ic h M a r k
r ecor d s the in d i fferenc e, even th e h os t ili ty , t o th e
I n v i 4 (see p 6 3 )
y oun g p r o phet o f h i s o w n fa m il y
he a llow s J esus t o co m m e n t w i t h ex trem e bi tt er n ess
,

M A TT H E W

72

on

A ND L U K E

c t ion a ccor d ed

the

in

h im

r e ep

hi s

v ill a ge :

o wn

A p r op h et i s n ot w i thou t h on ou r sa v e i n h i s o w n

coun try a n d a m ong hi s ow n k i n , a n d i n h i s ow n h ouse

W e h a ve see n t h a t M a tt hew g a r bl es , a n d L u k e o m i t s

l a tter p a s sa ge L et us see how t hey d ea l w i t h

I n th e r st p l a c e t h e n th ey bo th
t h e o n e b e fo r e u s
fo r in t h e i r g en er a t i o n i t w as
o m i t M a r k iii
b eco m e sc a n d a lou s t o su p p o se th a t hi s o w n fa m il y
c o ul d ha ve set o ut t o re s tr a in J esus a s a m a d m a n
Ho w a cu te l y t h e sc a n d a l i s st ill fe l t b y o r t h o d ox
C h r i st i a ns m ay b e m ea su re d b y th e fa c t t h a t t he
a u t h o r s o f th e r ev i se d E n g lis h v er sion r ec e n t l y issu ed
b y t h e E p isco p a l Ch u r c he s o f E n g l a n d a n d A m er ic a
h a v e fa lsi e d th e t ex t o f M a r k iii 2 1 r e n d e r in g th e
i
i) b y hi s fr i en ds ins t ea d o f
G r ee k w o r d s i w p
Y et t h e ol d a u t h o r i sed
h i h ousehol d o r hi s fa m i ly
v e r sion o f I 6 1 I cor r ec t ly s et s i n t he m a rg in W y cl i ffs
r e n d e r in g h i s h i n sm en
T h e r ev i ser s in t h e i r p re fa c e d e cl a r e t h e i r a i m t o
ew
a n d t o in t r o d uc e a s f
b e t o k eep t o th e ol d er t e x t
a l t era t ion s a s p ossibl e consis t e n t l y w i t h fa i t h fuln ess

T hei r fa i th fuln ess h a s in th i s c a se no t p r eve n ted

t h e m fr o m t r y in g to d e c ei ve E n g lis h r ea d er s w h o
c a nn o t r ea d G r ee k Dr S w et e R eg ius Pr o fesso r o f
Di v ini ty in th e U ni v e rsi t y o f C a m b r i d g e a n d a u t h o r
o f a l ea r n ed co m m en ta r y on t h is G o spel r i gh t l y
obs er ves in h i s no te on t h is p a ss a ge t h a t th e G r e e k

h
r
a
s
a
d
m
i
t
s
o
f
no
o
t
h
r
in
t
e
r
t
t
ion
t
n
th os e
e
e
e
a
h
a
p
p
o f h i s o w n fa m il y
an d w ea k l y s eek s t o p a lli a t e t h e
con d uc t o f th e m o th er o f J esus b y su pp osin g t h a t on
th i s occ a sion sh e a llo w ed h er s el f t o b e o ver p er su ad ed
b y h i s b ret h r en
A fter su pp r ession o f v er s e 2 1 the subs equ e n t
M a r k iii 3 13 5 coul d b e r e l a te d w i th l ess
e p iso d e
the

a rr o

M A TT H E W

74

LU K E

A ND

o ther m a tte r s a re s p o k e n o f a n d h e c a us es t h e
P h a r is ees t o a dd uc e thei r c a lu m n y in tw o p a ss a ges
w h ic h r ea ll y d u p lic a te o n e a no t h e r r s t o n th e occ a
sion o f J esu s s h ea lin g a d ea f a n d d u m b m a n t h us
Then w a s br oug h t un to hi m on e
( M a tth ew xii

a nd

p ossessed

w i th

a nd

dev i l bl i n d

du m b

and

h e hea l ed

h i m , i n som u ch th a t th e d u m b m a n sp a he a n d sa w
B ut w h en th e Pha r i sees h ea r d i t, they sa i d, T h i s m a n
.

doth

dev i l s bu t by B eel z ebu b, the p r i nce of the

n ot ca st ou t

a li er bu t si m il a r
occ a sion c h ix 3 2 3 4 w h ere h e seem s t o r ep r o
d uc e th e non M a r c a n sou r c e w h ic h h e sh a re s w i th
Lu ke
L u k e h o w e ver w h oll y sep a r a t e s th e v i si t o f th e
m o t he r a n d b r e th r e n ( M a r k iii 3 1
3 5) fr o m t h e
p a s sa ge a bou t B ee l z ebub a n d b r in g s i t in a s a so r t o f
a p e n d ix t o M ar k i v 1
2 5 so in ve r t in g M a r k s o r d er
p
fo r M a r k iii 3 1
L u k e v iii 19 t o e n d a n d
35
M a r k i v 12 5
Lu ke v iii 4 1 8 L u k e b r in g s
in the a ccu sa t ion s a bou t B eel z ebub l a t er on i n
2 6 a n d d o es no t li k e M a tth ew
c h xi 14
d u p lic a te
t hem ; he in e ffec t co m bin e s M a tth ew ix 3 2 3 4

M
a
tt
h
e
w
xii
2
2
2
w
i
t
h
M
a
tt
h
xii
2
e
w
4)
(
5 2 9 and
xii 4 3 4 5 in a w a y th a t sh o w s th a t h e h ad a co m m on
sou r c e w i t h
M a tth ew w h ic h r ecoun ted th e w h ol e
ep i so d e so m e w h a t a s M a r k d o es a n d so o v er l a pp ed
M a r k T h e cor r esp o n d enc e s o f the th r ee G os pels
m a y b e r epr e s e n t e d a s fo llo w s :

dev i l s,

etc

and

aga

in on

e r

an

M
M

a tth ew

(n i l )

ix 3 2 34
M tthew x ii 2 2 2 4
M tthew x ii 2 4
29
M tth ew x ii 3 0 ( o
M cn uc)
M tth w x ii 3 1 3 2
a tth ew
a

ar

so
.

M k iii
M k iii
M k iii
Nil
M k 1
ar

ar

ar

ar

20 , 2 1

22

23

L uke ( i l )
Luk e x i 14
n

27

Lu ke x i
Luke x i

23

1 1

28

30

Luk x ii
e

Io

15

M A TT H E W

x ii
M

a tth ew

43 4 5
-

LU KE

Ni l

c a 11
sour c )
M atthew x ii 46
M k iii
50
(11 o

A ND

Luk e x i

a r

ar

75
24 26
-

L uke viii 19
21
Luke x i 2 7
P
c
n
M
so ur c e)

3 1 35

n o

a r

28,
a 11

cl ea r th a t

L u k e h a s p r eser ve d in i ts r i g h t
p l a c e the p ar a gr a ph in w h ic h th e non Ma r c a n sou r c e
th rew J esus s r ep u d i a t ion o f th e p hy sic a l m o th er w h o
h a d v o t ed h i m t o b e in sa n e
I t is a s follow s ( L u k e
I t is

xi

2 7,

thi ng s,

her

A nd i t

cer ta i n

w om a n

v oi ce, a n d sa i d u n to

ba r e th ee,

a nd

ca m e

th e

to

p a ss

f the

ou t o

as

he

these

m ul ti tu de l ifted

hi m , B l essed i s t he w om b tha t

br ea sts w h i ch thou di dst

he sa i d, N ay , r a ther bl essed

o
f G od, a n d heep i t
,

sa i d

ar e

such

B ut

they t ha t h ea r the w or d

H er e J e sus r ebu k es hi s m o th er in e ven bi tter er

ter m s th a n h e us es in th e M a r c a n fo r m o f th e s t o ry
I h a ve d we l t a t suc h l e n gt h o n th is ep iso d e b ec a us e
i t so w ell illus tr at es th e g r ow th o fo p inion abou t J esus
w h ic h w en t on in the ea r l y C h u r c h a n d t he in t er
r el a t ions
o f th e e a r li es t d ocu m e n t s
T h e p a ss a ge
M ar k iii 2 1 is o f e x tr em e in te res t in v i ew o f the
l ege n d s w h ich soon s pra n g up a bou t the m o ther o f
Jesus I d o no t w ish t o t h r o w s t on es a t th e C at holic
r e li ion
a n d r at h er s y m p a th is e th a n o t her w is e w i th
g
a J ew is h fr i e n d w h o re m ar k e d t o m e onc e t h a t i f h e
w er e m in d ed t o sa y h i s p ra y er s t o a no t he r h u m a n
b eing he w oul d a s li e f a dd r ess t he m t o a J ew ess a s
t o a J ew ; at th e s a m e t i m e I m a y b e p a r d on ed fo r
d r aw in g t he r ea d er s a tten t ion t o th e w i d e g ul f w h ic h
se a ra t es t h es e
p
p a ss a ge s fro m th e M a r iol a t r y w h ic h
h as b ee n th e st a p l e o f th e Ch r is t i a n cul t ever sinc e
th e ft h c e n t u r y
Fa i th ful t o th i s t e n d enc y in c er ta in p a ss ages o f
.

M A TT H E W

76

LUKE

A ND

Matthew the tex t o f Ma r k i s no t m erel y c h a n ged

bu t add ed t o in o r d er to m a g ni fy the su per n at u ra l
rk
o
a
n
d
l
o
f
J
esu s
T
h
us
M
a
xi v 47
r
r
o
e
w
e
p
r e l a t es t h at w h e n J e sus w a s a r re s ted b y a m ul t i t u d e
s en t ou t a ga in st h i m w i th sw o r d s a n d s tave s b y the
c hi e f p r ie s t s a n d sc r ib es a n d e l d er s o n e o f the p art is a ns
o f J esus dr ew hi s sw or d a n d sm ote the ser v a nt of the

T h at is a ll th at
h ig h p r i est a n d str u ch of hi s ea r
M a r k h a d t o te ll o ft h e ep iso d e B ut M atth ew c a nno t
l et i t en d th er e a n d in ve n t s th e follow in g s peec h fo r
J esus a s a pp ro p r i a te t o t he o cc a sion : Then sa i th
fesus un to hi m P u t up ag a i n thy sw or d i n to i ts p l a ce
for a l l they tha t ta he the sw or d sha l l p er i sh by the sw or d
0 r thi n k est tho u tha t I ca n n ot beseech my Fa ther a n d
he sh a ll even n ow sen d m e m or e tha n tw el ve l eg i on s of
H ow th en sh oul d the S cr ip tu r es befull l ed
a ng el s
,

tha t thus i t m ust be

a s we a r e conc er n ed w i th th is ep iso d e we m a y
no t ic e th at Lu k e equ a ll y w i th M a tt hew fel t h i m s el f
c a ll e d u pon t o i m p r o ve on the sto r y a n d so he m akes

th is add i t ion (L u k e xxii

B u t fesus a n sw er ed
A n d he touched hi s ea r
a n d sa i d S u er y e th us fa r
A nd,

a nd

hea l ed hi m

tex t i m p li e s th a t he ins t a n t ly set the

m a n s ea r on a g a in ! L u k e is c a r e ful t o t ell us j us t
b efo re (ver s e 49) th a t the s w or d s m a n ha d a s k ed per

m
m
t
h
s
ission
o
f
J
sus
t
o
co
i
t
a
s
ul
t
e
e
a
:
L or d sha l l
m

a p u r e in ve n t ion o f h i s
w e sm i te w i th the sw or d P
T h e G r ee k

own

We

no t d ea lin g here w i th t he fou rth G os pel bu t

w e m ay no te h o w in t h i s sc e n e o f J esus s ar r es t i t
e xc els M atth ew a n d L u k e in fa nci ful ex a g ger at ion
;
fo r when the b a n d o f sol d i er s a n d o f c er s a p p ear t o
Whom seek y e P They
a r r es t hi m J esus a sk s
ar e

M A TT H E W

78

LU K E

A ND

A n d i nsta n tly fesus

str etched for th h i s h a n d a n d took hol d of hi m a n d sa i d,
0 t hou of l i ttl e fa i th, w hy di dst thou hesi ta te P A n d

w hen they ha d em ba r hed i n the boa t the w i n d fel l

T here is a p a ss a ge in th e 2 15 t c h a p ter o f th e fou rth
L or d

cr i ed out, say i ng ,

sa ve

me

G os p el a c h a p ter

d d e d l a t er th a n the r es t by so m e
ea r l y e d i t o rw h ic h see m s t o con t a in t he ge r m o f t h is
I t i s th i s : S i m on P eter sa i th un to
m i r a culous s t o r y
They say
them [ the o th er d isci p l e s ] I g o a shi ng
They w en t for th a n d
un to h i m We a l so com e w i th thee
a

en ter ed

th a t n ig h t th ey ca ug ht n oth i ng

a nd

i n to the boa t

B u t w hen day w a s n ow br ea ki ng jesus stood on the

bea ch how bei t the discip l es k n ew n ot tha t i t w as jesus
Th a t di scip l e th er efor e w hom fesus l ov ed sa i th un to
.

S o w hen S i m on P eter hea r d tha t

P eter , I t i s the L or d
i t w as the L or d, he g i r t hi s coa t a bout hi m (for he w a s
B u t the other
n a hed ) a n d ca st h i m self i n to th e sea
.

di scip l es ca m e i n the l i ttl e boa t for they w er e not fa r

dr aggi ng the n et
h
e l a n d, bu t a bou t 2 0 0 cu bi ts o
t
o
m
r
f
S i m on P eter ther efor e wen t up (i nto
full of shes

the boa t) a n d dr ew th e n et to l a n d

T he a bo ve
M atthew xi v

s t o r y co rr esp on d s t oo clos el y w i t h
2 2
3 3 fo r us t o su pp os e t h a t i t is o f
in d epen d en t o r i gin I n bo th th e d isci p l es are in a
bo a t on the S ea o f G a lilee J esu s a pp r o a c h es a n d at
r s t t hey fa il t o r ecog nis e h i m ; bu t w h en they d o
P et er j u m p s in t o th e sea B ut in th e Joh a nnin e fo r m
the p art icul ar m i ra culous e l em e n t d is a pp ea r s w h ich
c h ara c ter ises M atthew T h e bo a t is clos e t o s h o re
a n d P eter j u m p s in w i th the in t en t ion o f w ad in g
th r ou gh the s h a llow w a t er H a d h e m ea n t t o s wi m
h e w oul d no t h ave p ut on h i s co at
N o r d o es J esus
w a l k on th e sea bu t s ta n d s on th e s h o re
I t is
d a n g er ous t o t r y t o r a t ion a lis e a n y o f the w on d e rful
.

M A TT H E W

A ND L U K E

79

s t o r i es w h ic h th e S y no p t is ts r el a te ; w e m a y r a ther
m a rvel th at in n a r r at i ve s w h ic h a r os e in so c r ed ulou s
a n a g e a n d coun t r
y m i ra cl es a r e no t m o r e p l e n t i ful
N ever thel ess i t rea ll y loo k s a s i f t h e a u th o r o f t h is
a dd i t ion a l c h a t er o f th e fou r t h G os el h a d
p
p
go t h ol d
o f a t a l e w h ich is th e p r i us o f M a tt hew s s t or y I f in
th e G r ee k t e x t o f M a r k w e c h a n ge t he r ep o si t ion ep i
p
in t o p a r a w e s houl d g et the m ea nin g t ha t J esus c a m e
w a l k in g a l ong th e sh o r e o f th e sea a n d no t on th e sea
A s t h e w in d w as a ga ins t t h em h e m i g h t w ell c a t c h
th em up a n d ou td i sta nc e t he m a n d P e ter s obj ec t in
j u m p in g ou t w oul d b e t o j oin J esus on t he l a n d w h ic h
m u st h a ve b ee n clos e a t h a n d fo r t h e m t o d isc er n th e
g u r e o f J esus d u r in g th e ni gh t P er h a p s p r a w a s
th e o r i g in a l r ea d in g
T h er e c a n b e no d oub t h o w
ev er th a t M a tth e w w is h ed t o e n ha nc e the m i r a cl e a s
h e foun d i t r e l a t e d in M a r k
I n a no ther p a s sa ge Matthew a ccu m ul a t es stupe n
d ous m i r a cl es w h ere h i s sou r c e M a r k is co m p a r a t i vel y
m o d es t
T h e l a tter r e l a te s (x v 3 8 ) t ha t w h e n J esu s
b rea thed hi s l a s t on th e c r o ss the v ei l [or sc r ee n ]of
,

the

temp l e

w as

r en t

a su n der

fr om

top

to bottom

M a tthew (xx v ii 5 1 5 2 ) r epea t s th is ver b a ll y a n d

a dd s ou t o f th e fuln ess o f h i s o w n st o r e t h e fo ll o w in g
.

A n d the ea r th di d gua he a n d the r ochs w er e r en t ; a n d

the tom bs w er e op en ed ; a n d m a n y bodi es of th e sa i n ts
tha t ha d

out of
the holy

fa l l en

a sl ee

the tom bs
ci t
y

p w er e

fter hi s

pp ea r ed

a nd a

r a i sed

a n d com i ng

r esu r r ecti on

u n to

O f th i s g r ou p o f m i r a cl es
n o r Lu k e t h ou g h th ey a r e a s

m a ny

they

for th

en ter ed

i n to

M a r k h a d n ever h ea r d
a dd ic t ed t o w on d er s a s
M a tthew E ven fr o m th e a u th o r o fthe fou r th G os p e l
b re a k th e r eco r d in suc h m atte rs
w ho is inclin e d t o
i t w a s s t ill h i dd e n w hen he w r o te in the l a s t dec a d e
,

M A TT H E W

8o

LUKE

A ND

o f the rs t c en t u ry o r in the r s t d e c a d e o f th e
s econ d
O n e fea t u re o f Matthew s n arrat i ve r e m a ins t o b e
no t ic ed n a m ely wh at h a s b een c a lled h i s p r o phet i c
see in w h a t
nosis
t
at
r
t
u
l
att
m
t
t
o
e
a
e
i
s
t
h
e
e
h
p
;
g
p p
J e sus d i d o sa i d o r su ffer ed the ful l m en t o f ol d
J ew is h p r o ph eci es o f the M essi ah T h is s ty l e o f
a r g u m en t is o f cou r s e add r e ss e d t o J ew s w h o h esi tat e d
t o a cc ep t J esus a s th e Chr is t o r M essi a h W e d o no t
e ncoun ter in M a r k t h is a r g u m e n t fr o m p r o p hecy a s
i t is c a ll ed bu t Matthew c a p s a l m os t e very inci d e n t
wh ic h h e co p i e s fr o m M a r k w i t h so m e O ld T es ta m e n t
tex t o r o t her a l w ay s m a n g l ed m isun d er s t oo d a n d
I n a few
m is a pp li ed in o r d er t o m a k e i t s eem t o t
c a s es th is l ea d s t o the s t r a n ges t r esul t s Let us t a k e
a s a n ex a m p l e th e tr iu m p h a l en t r y o f J esus in t o J er u
s a l em s ho r t l y b efo r e h i s c r uci xion fo r h i s a ccoun t o f
w h ic h M att h ew h a d no sou r c e o t h er t h a n M a r k :
.

7
7
A n d wh en th y d rew n i gh u to
( I ) A n d wh en they d ra w n igh
u to er usal em
h e sen d eth tw o J usa lem
J
sus sen t tw o dis
J
f h s d i sc ip l es
d sa i th u to c i p l es sayi g u to them G o i t
wa y in to the th e v i ll age th t i s over aga i nst
th em
G o you
i ll ag e th t i s o er against y u ; you an d straigh tw y ye shall n d
n d stra i gh tw y
s ye en ter i t y
d
c olt wi th her ;
n a ss t ied
sh ll nd
c ol t tied whereo
l oose (th em ) d br ing (th em )
m n e er yet s t
l ose hi m d unto m e A nd if anyone y
br ing him A n d i f anyone say ught to y u y sha ll say T he
u to you
W h y do ye thi s ? s y Lo d ha th e d o f them ;
nd
The L or d h th n eed of h i m ; st ightway h e w i ll sen d them
y
d str ightw y h w i ll sen d hi m
No w th i i s c m e to ass th t
b ck hi ther A d th y went aw y i t m ight b e fulll ed w i ch w s
an d foun d a c ol t ti d at the d or spok en by th e
p ophet sayi ng
w i thout i n th e
d
T ell ye the d augh ter o fS i on
p en street ;
th ey l oose hi m
A n d c ertai n
f
Behold the k i g com eth to th e
them tha t stoo d th ere sa i d u t
M eek and i d in g on a n ass
th m
W ha t do ye l oosi ng th
A nd upon
co l t the foa l f a
c ol t ? And th y i d unto th em
ass
e en as J esus h d s i d
an d th y A n d the d i sc i l es wen t
an d d i d
p
l et them go
A d they b i ng the even a s J esus ap p oi nted for them
c ol t to J esus d they c st on nd they br ough t the ass and th e
h i m thei r ga rm en ts ; an d he s t c o l t
a nd
pu t on th em th ei
MA R K xi

MATTH E W xx i

er

an

no

an

an

him

e,

sa

up on

n o

an

ra

sa

an

an

n o

e,

an

ga m

en ts ; an d

he

sa t u on
p

them

M A TT H E W

82

LU K E

A ND

n eed s them bo th T he i r o w n er
w ill s e n d them
T he d isci p l es l ea d b a c k th e sh e a ss
a n d h er col t t h ey l a y t h e i r g a r m e n ts on bo t h o f t h e m
a n d m oun te d on bo t h o f t h em
a cco r d in g t o M a tt h ew
J es us m a k es hi s e n tr y in to J er us a l em
T h e re v is e d ver sion r en d er s t he l a s t o f the G r ee k
ep a n o a u ton b y ther eon a s i f i t
w o r d s in t h is p a s sa ge
w a s on th e clo t hes a n d no t o n b o t h a n i m a ls th a t
J esus sat B ut h ere M a r k h a s
on
hi m
e
a u ton
p
i
i e on th e ass
I t fol l o w s that M a tt h ew s phr a se
m ea ns on th e a ss e s
I n a n y c a s e the clo thes h a d
b ee n l a i d on bo t h a ni m a ls so t h a t i f J esus sa t on th e
cl o thes he sa t on the a ss es a s w e ll H ere a s o fte n
these r ev i ser s w er e b a re ly h on es t
w i th her

T he L o rd

C H A P TE R V I
L UK E

ins t o e x em p li fy Lu k e s m etho d o f h a n d lin g

h i s sou r c e s
W e h a ve a l r ea d y s een tha t he s h ow s the
s a m e te n d enc y a s M a tt hew t o subli m a te the g u re o f
J esus a n d eli m in a t e fr o m th e r eco r d a l l m a ni fes ta t ions
o f h u m a n e m o t ion a n d w ea k n es s a t th e sa m e t i m e
tha t h e m a g ni es th e g i ft s o f in t ui t ion a n d s econ d
si g h t w h ic h h e su p p os es h i s h er o t o d er i ve fr o m h i s
s p i r i tu a l illu m in a t ion in the J o r d a n
O ne g r e a t
d i ffere nc e i s a t onc e a p p a ren t In M ar k the M essi a h
sh i p o f J esus i s a t r st l a te n t H e in d eed r ecei ves
i t a t b a p t is m t h r ou gh the a noin t in g w i th the S p i r i t
bu t onl y th e d em on s wi th thei r su p er h u m a n k eenness
o f v ision c a n r ecog ni se i t ; i t is h i dd e n fr o m h i s
d isci p le s a n d no t un t il the en d o f th e G a lil ea n
m inis t r y d o e s P e ter a ccl a i m hi m M e ssi a h a n d eve n
th e n in a m a nn er th a t sh o w s h i m t o b e a li en t o the
p r o foun d e r a n d m o r e sp i r i t u a l conc ep t ion o f a su ffer
i n g M e ssi a h w h ic h i f no t J esus h i m s e l f a t a n y r a te
P a ul h a d a d o p ted L u k e w ill h a ve non e o f th is l a tency
n o r w ill he
p er m i t J e sus t o b eg in h i s m ini st r y a n d
a c h i e v e h i s r st succ ess es in C a p e r n a u m
O n th e
con tr a ry h e r e l a tes t ha t J esus b eg a n h i s c a reer by
s ta n d in g up in the sy n a gog u e o f hi s o w n v ill a g e o f
N az a re th a n d there a n d t h e n p r ocl a i m in g h i m s el f t o
He
b e the M essi ah fo r et ol d by th e p r o p h et Is a i ah
o p en ed the r oll o f th e p r o phet s w e are t ol d an d r ea d

r
Th e sp i r i t of the L or d i s up on m e
th e w o d s :
IT

r em a

83

G 2

LUKE

84

beca use he ha th

d me

a n o n te

to

dd r ess e d th e con g reg a t ion

w h o sa t w i th t h e i r e y e s fa s t e n e d on h i m a n d s a i d :

To day ha th th i s S cr ip tu r e been fu l l l ed i n y ou r ea r s
T h e sequ e l o f t h i s n ar r a t i ve r ev ea ls b y i t s se l f con
t ra di c ti o n s a n d incon se qu enc e s t h e fa nci fuln ess o ft he

ba r e h i m w i tn ess
e n t i r e inci d en t
A ll so w e re a d
th e p oor ,

etc

T he n

to p r ea ch g ood ti di ng s

he

a nd

w on der ed

at

f g r a ce w hi ch p r oceeded ou t

th e w or ds

W ha t

o r e in the w a y o f a ck n ow l edg
m e n t coul d J esu s d esi re e ve n t h o u gh t h ey d i d a dd th e
w or d s
I s not thi s joseph s son ?
B u t J e sus i s no t
s a t is ed w i th th ei r uni ver sa l a pp r o va l a n d l a unc hes
h i m se l f a t onc e in t o th e fo llo w in g ou t bu r s t a s p et ul a n t
a s i t i s un d er t h e ci r cu m st a nc es
in ep t : D ou btl ess
f hi s m ou t

y e w i ll

sa

w ha tsoev er w e
a l so

m e thi s p a r a bl e, P hy si ci a n , hea l thy self :

ha v e h ea r d of a s done a t Caper na u m , do

un to

her e i n th i n e

own

cou n try

A n d he

Ver i ly I

sa i d,

no p r op het i s a ccep ta bl e i n hi s o w n coun try

O bs er ve h o w w i th ou t g i v i n g h i s coun tr y m e n t i m e
t o a cc ep t hi m h e th r us t s a qu a r r el on the m a n d ta l k s
h i m s e l f in t o a r a g e w h e n a s y e t th ey h a v e d on e
no th in g bu t w on d er a t h i s w or d s o f g r a c e In the
r efer e nc e t o
Ca per n a u m h o w eve r ver s e 2 3 Lu k e
fa i r ly b et ra y s h i m s el f Fo r a cco r d in g t o h i s o w n
t e x t J esus onl y go es t o C a p er n a u m l a ter o n in ver s e
3 1 w h e n h e is e x p e ll e d by fo r c e fr o m N a z a r eth H ow
d o es L u k e k no w o f J esus s b r illi a n t a c h ieve m e n t s in
O nl y fro m Ma r k w h o t a k es h i m t o
Ca p er n a u m ?
C a per n a u m r st a n d the n to N a z a r eth I t follo w s
t h a t in t he N a z a r en e sy n a g o g u e they coul d no t h a ve
hea r d o f a c h i evem en t s w h ic h a t t h is s t a ge e ven o f
Lu ke s n ar r a t i ve m uch m o re o f hi s in fo r m a n t s w ere
no t y et a ch i eved T he w o rd s then Wha tsoev er w e
ha v e hea r d of a s done a t Cap er n a u m
att r ibu ted t o

say u n to y ou ,

LU K E

86

fo r c erta in sc h ol a r s a n d a r c h aeolog i st s t o ex t ol h i m a s
a Chr is t i a n Th ucy d i d es T h is sin g l e ex a m p l e o f h i s
m eth o d s er ves t o p u t us o n o u r g u a r d a ga ins t ex trava
a
n
t
ulo
iu
s
H
e sh a r es w i t h T h uc y d i d es a g oo d
m
e
g
g
s ty l e a n d the fa cul ty o f in ve n t in g s p eec hes bu t no th
B ut l et us p r oc ee d t o fu rth er ex a m p l es o f
i n g e lse
h i s s k ill in in ve n t in g inci d e n t s a n d ev en ins t i t u t ions
1 3 h o w J esus
M a r k r el a te s in iii 1 3 19 an d v i 5
c h os e ou t tw el ve a p os t l es a n d l a i d d o w n c erta in
p r ec ep t s w h ich th ey w er e to follo w in t h ei r m ission ary
j ou r n ey s T he non M a r c a n sou r c e us e d by Matthew
a n d Lu k e a lso re l a t ed th e s a m e ep iso d e Now
M a tthew w h en h e foun d t he s a m e inci d en t d esc r ib ed
in bo th his sou r c es w a s a ccus t o m e d t o weave t hem
t ogether in t o a sin g l e n a r r at i ve a n d w e c a n usu a ll y
th a n k s to ou r p oss ession o f M a r k a n d Lu k e s ep arate
cul ty fr o m o n e a no th er t he sou r c es
w i t h ou t m uc h d i f
used by Matthew in suc h co m p oun d n a r rat i ves W e
c a n d o so here Lu k e on th e o ther h a n d was p r on e t o
k eep the M a rc a n a n d the non M a r c a n a ccoun t s a p art ;
a n d i f he coul d t o t u r n them in t o s ep arate h is t or i es
o f d is t inc t even ts Th is he d oes h ere bu t how coul d
tw el ve a p os t les b e c h os e n a n d ins t r uc ted a bou t thei r
m issions t w ic e o ver ? L u k e g e ts ou t o f th is d i f
cul ty
in th is w ay H e k eep s the M a r c a n reco r d o f the
a pp oin t m en t o f t we l ve a p os t l e s bu t t u r ns the non
Mar c a n r eco rd o f t he s a m e inci d e n t in t o the s t o ry o f
a c a ll a n d app oin t in g o f s e ven ty d isci p l es who wer e
t o m issionis e the s even ty t r ib es in t o wh o m the w h ol e
w o r l d o f G en t il es w a s p o p ul a r l y su p p os ed t o b e
d i v i d ed j us t a s th e t we l v e w er e t o m issionis e the
t wel ve t r ib es o f I s ra el I f w e con fr on t the t ex t s o f
the thr ee G os pels we s ee a t onc e t h a t t he m ission o f
the s even ty was o r i gin a lly no m o re th a n a t ex t u a l
.

LUKE

37

v a r i a n t o f the m ission o f th e t wel ve ; i s in fac t j us t a

cr ea t ion o f Lu k e s in ven t i ve fa ncy I n the follow in g
t a bl e the Marc a n ele m en t is g i ven in i ta lics the non
Ma r c a n in c a p i ta ls
MATT H E w 1x 3 7 3 8
MA R K iii 14 f l l
LU K E vi 1 3 foll
T H EN S A I TH HE UN
And h e
A nd when i t w s
p poin ted
T o hi s d i sc i pl es T H E tw el
th t
th ey day h e c a ll ed h i s di
HA RV E ST TRULY I s m ight be w ith hi m ci ples : an d h e ch se
P L E N TEO U S B UT THE a d that he m ight fr om them tw l e
LA BO U RE RS A RE FE W sen d th m f th to whom also he m d
P R AY Y E TH E RE FO RE pr e ch
d to h a e a p o s t l e s
(the
THE LO R D o r THE auth i ty t c st out nam es follo w)
HA R V E S T THAT HE d e i l s wh m a lso he
S E N D FO RTH L AB O UR
n m d
p t l es
E RS I N TO H I S H A R
(th e m es follo w )
VE S T
,

ve ,

e v

or

an

or

na

os

na

MATTH E W

tell

MA R K

A n d he cal led unto

h i m his tw el ve di s
ci p l es, an d G
a u thor i t
y over u n cl ea n
s
p i r i ts, to a st th em
out, an d to
all
m ann er ofDI
an d
a ll m a n n er of s
ness
No w t he na m es o f the

postl es ar e
t h ese
T h ese
twel v e esus sen tfor th,
a nd
cha r ged
them ,
sa y in g ,
G o no t in to
an
y w ay o f the G en
t i l es, an d
not
en ter
in to a ny c ity of the
S a m a r i ta ns ; b ut go
ra th er
lost
to
th e
S h eep of th e h o use o f
I sr ael
An d as ye go ,
P REA C H , saying, T H E
twe

ve

y ou r

bel ts ;

no

wal l et

13

c lled
le

LU K

E ix

A nd h e ca l l ed the
v ,
an d tw el ve to eth er ,
and
g
ega n
t o sen d them G
M pow er a n d
or th t w o b y tw o
an d a uthor i ty
all
ov er
he gav e th em a uth or ty
ev s an d t o
ov er
un ea n S
An d he sen t
p r ts ; DI
an d h e
har ge
th em th em for th to P
C
to ta e n o th ng for T H E K I G O
of G o d ,
the r j ourney, sa ve a an d to
ur e th e s
sta f on y ; n o
r ea ,
A n d he sa un to th em ,
n o wa et, n o
r ass i n
Tahe nothi ng for y ou r
th ei r
e t, b u t (to go )
jour n ey , n ei ther
sh o
w th
san a s : n or wa ll et, n or br ea d,
an d (sa
h e ), p ut n o t NO R I
; n ei ther
tw o
on
oa ts
A nd have two coats
An d
he sa
un to
W
O
th em , i n to
her eso ever ye en ter house y e en ter , th er e
a
h o use, th ere a bi de, an d thence de
n to
e ti l l
a
epa r t pa r t
A n d a s m a ny
ye
A nd w ha tso as r ecei ve y ou n ot,
th en e
YE
D P
ever p a e sh a
not W
C I Y,
re e v e you , a n d th ey FRO M
DU
h ea r you n ot, a s ye go shah: O R
or th t hen e, sh a e o
ro m y ou r feet for a
the ust th a t i s un er testi m ony aga i n st them
An d they epar te a nd
your eet for a test
m ony un to th em A nd went thr ough out th e
th ey w en t o ut, an d v ag es, prea h n g th e
an d
hea n g
tha t
m en
ospe ,
p rea he
r epen t
A n d everywher e
sh ou
m any
th ey
ast out

cl
c

W
i
b id

N G D O M O F H EA V EN
I S N IG H
H E AL T H E f
S I CK
r i se th e d ea d
cl ea nse th e le er s c ast
o ut d e i ls
r eely ye
r ecei ed
freely gi ve
G et you no go ld NO R
SI LV ER n or b ass i n
KI

An d h e a
h i m th e t we

AV E THE M b
f
c
H EAL
S EAS E
i ck
.

vi

ll
bl

i
id

id

d il
S E A SE S

dl

H E AL

RE A H

N D M
c
id

i ck

S L V ER

HAT S E V ER
.

l c

ci

AV E TH E

ii

d
i
b

un to

ll

c d
ld
c

H EN

E A RT
THAT
T
THE
ST
.

i ll
G

c i

li

L U KE

88

j ourney dev i ls and an oi nted

n ei th er tw o co ts NO R
w i th oi l
m any th at
S H O ES
n or
w er e si ck an d h ea l ed
staj : f
or
th e
L A B O U RER i s them
for

your

12
L U K E x 1
.

A ND

E V ER

YE
sear

f d
H A TS O
i ll g
E N TER

of

w or thy

hi s
W

I NT O

TY
S HALL
CI

ch

o ut

oo

or v

i s w or thy ; an d Mor e
a bi de t i l l y e g o for t lz
A n d as ye en ter n to
th e h ouse, sa ute i t
A N D I F th e h o use B E
w or th y,
l et
Y O UR
I
om e
O
B UT
IF
i t b e n ot
w o r th y, l et yo ur p ea e
T o YO U A n d
w hosoev er slz d l l n ot r e
cezw
y ou , n or lzed r y om
w or s, A S
G O for t/
z
out of th at h ouse o r
th a t
sh a ke o
,
f
.

P E ACE c

UP N T

R ETU R N

'

TH E

YE

C I TY
D U ST fy
o

il

Ver y
IT

"

ou r

eet

M O RE

BE

TO L ER A B L E FO R the
l d f S O DO M d
G m o h i th da y
f j dgm
t
THA N
FO R TH A T C I TY
BE
H O L D I S EN D YO U
F O RTH A S S H EE P I N
THE
MI DS I
0F
W O LVES
an
o

an

r ra

en

i gs th L d
i n ted e n ty th
n

po
a nd

or

s ve

ap
ers,

them tw o an d

sen t

b fo e hi f c i t
d p l ce
y c i ty
wh i t her h e h i m el f w s
bout to c m
And
H E S A I D UN T O th em
H A RV E S T I s
TH E
P LEN T EO U S B UT THE
LABO U R ER S A RE F E W
P RAY Y E THERE FO R E
THE L O R D O F THE
HA RV ES T THAT HE
S EN D FO RTH L A B O U R
E RS
I N TO
H IS H A R
V E ST G y u w ys ;
BE H O L D I S EN D Y O U
FO R TH A S L AMB S I N
TH E
M I D ST O F
W O L VES
C
y
p u se N O W A LL ET N O
S HO E S d s lute
tw o

an

n o

an

m an
I

on

no

th e w a y

And

W HAT S O E V ER
Y E S HA LL E N

N TO

h ouse

TER
,

P E A CE

r st sa ,
y

b e to th

if

no

arr

S A Y T o YO U ,

S HALL

th

th ese

a ter

ev er

w ho i n i t

No w

'

is h ou

se

A nd
e be

c
th e
YO U R P E A CE
h ll
st U P O N H I M
B U T I F NO T
i t sh ll
T U RN T o YO U AG A I N
a

of

son

er

p ea

s a

re

A nd

in

house

i
d i n k i ng
r em a n ,

an d

th

for

th a t

sa m e

ea t n g

n gs

th ey

as

th e

w or thy

su

l ab

o ur er

of

ch

ve

is

h is h r e
G O n o t r om house t o
ho use
And

I N TO
W HATS O E V ER C I T Y Y E
EN TER a d th ey e
c i ve
at
such
you
th i n gs s ar e et b efo e
d H E AL T H E
yo u
S I C K th at e the in
.

an

ar

and

TH E

say

un to

re

them ,

KI N G D O M

L UKE

90

Chr is t i a n w r i t er s

los t inclu d in g P a p i a s a n d
si g ni c a n t l y
H egesi p p us w r i t in g a bou t A D
30 0
o f th e s even t y d isci p l es no lis t w h a t
r em a r k s th a t
an d
ev er is a n y w h er e t o b e foun d in ci r cul a t ion
th is sta tem en t a cco r d s w on d er full y w e ll w i th th e
r esul t s o f m o d er n t ex t u a l c r i t ici sm
T h ere w er e m a n y a n a log i es t o su ggest t o Lu k e th e
st o r y
S eve n ty o r m o re st r ic t l y s e ve n ty t w o t ra ns
l a t o r s w er e sa i d t o h a ve r e n d er ed t he O l d T e s t a m en t
in t o G r eek fo r G en t il e r ea d er s a n d G r ee k J ew s a n d
T y ph on c h os e h i m s e l f seven ty tw o a ssoci a te s in hi s
con sp i r a cy a g a ins t O si r i s I n th e S a nhed r i m th er e
w er e s e ven ty J ew is h e l d er s ; t o b a l a nc e w h o m Lu k e
p er h a p s in v e n t e d h i s s e ve n t y d i sci p l es
A l t h ou gh i t d o es no t d i r e c t l y b e l o n g t o the t o p ic
b efo r e us t o d o so i t i s w o r t h re m a r k in g th a t th e
l a cu n a o r ga p in C h r i st i a n t r a d i t i o n w h ic h E us ebius
t h us no t ic ed w a s ll ed u p ve ry soon a fter h i s a ge ;
fo r o n e o f t h e m o s t w i d e l y d is p er s e d d ocu m en t s o f
t he fou r th a n d fth c e n t u r y is a lis t o f t h e s eve n ty
d isci p l es a tt r ibu ted t o a n o th e r w i se un k no w n a u t h o r
Do si th eus I n t h i s li st no t onl y t h e i r n a m e s a n d
th ei r p a r e n t a ge a r e g i ven bu t b r i e f h i st o r i es o f th ei r
W e l ea r n t o w h a t r a c e ea c h o f th e m
m is sions
c a r r i ed th e gos p el a n d ho w they d i ed m a ny o f t he m
a s m a r ty r s o f th e fa i t h
T h u s in p r op o r t ion a s w e
a re r em o v ed in t i m e fu r th er an d fur t h er fr o m t he fi r s t
a ge o f th e r e li g i o n t he v olu m e O f in fo r m a t ion a bou t
i t g r o w s a n d s w ells B eli ever s w a n ted t o h ea r w ha t
b ec a m e o f eve ry on e w h os e n a m e w a s fu r ni sh ed o r
w h os e m er e e xi ste nc e w a s h in t ed a t in th e Ne w
T es t a m en t a n d sui t a bl e biogr a phi es w er e soon
su p p lied t o o r d er Nor w a s t h is li ter ar y sup er fe
t a t io n o f th e s econ d t h i r d a n d follo w in g c e n t u r i es
con n ed t o biography T esta m en t s o r w ills o f J esus
n ow

LU KE

91

cons t i t u t ions a n d c a nons o f th e a p os t les a n d si m il a r

d ocu m en t s were fab r ic ated O fte n at eno r m ous l en gth
in w h ich cus t o m s a n d ins t i t u t ions o f the ch u r ches
w h ic h h a d g r o w n up subs e qu e n t l y t o the clos e o f th e
New T es ta m en t w er e d esc r ib ed a n d bol d l y att r ibu te d
t o J esus a n d the a p os t l es w h os e a u tho r i ty was th us
b y a li t era r y tr ic k ob t a in ed fo r m a ss es o f cl er ic a l a n d
m on a s t ic reg ul at ions w h oll y a li e n t o th e s p i r i t o f a n
ear li e r a e
g
L u k e x 2 5 3 7 a lso fu r nis he s a g oo d ex a m p l e o f
h o w t h is eva n ge lis t coul d r e c a s t hi s m a t er i a l a n d
in ver t i t s o r i g in a l d r i ft L et us con fr on t the tw o
te x t s
,

'

MARK

xi i

28

LU K E x

34
scri b es
-

am e ,
An d one of th e
a n d h ea r
th em q uest on n g to
n ow ng th at h e h ad
and
g eth er
hi m ,
an sw er e
th em we , as e
r st
h a t omm an m en t i s th e
Jesus an swer e , T h e r st
of al l ?
or
our
i s,
ear , O I sr ae , th e
i s one : a n d th o u
G o d, th e
or
or
thy G od w th
sha t
ove th e
a l l thy
a ll thy h ear t, a n d w th
so u , an d w th a ll th y m i n , an d
T h e se on
wi th al l thy strength
i s th s, Th ou sha t ove thy n e gh
Th er e i s n on e
our as thyse
oth er
om m a n m en t gr ea ter th an
u n to
th ese
An d th e s r e sa
hi m , O f a truth ,
aster , th ou h as t
we
tha t he i s on e ; an d
sa
,
there i s none other b ut h e
A n d wh en J esus saw tha t h e
un to
an sw er e
d s reet y, h e sa
hi m , T h ou ar t n o t fa r r o m th e
A nd n o m an
n g om of G od
h i m a ny
a ter
a re
ask
that

d
c

ll

L d
L d

lf
d

l l

L d

c ib
M

id

d ic

ll

k d

l l

i i

id

id

c d
i

37
A n d b eh o ld a c er ta i n la wyer
sto o d u
p tem pting hi m , sa yi n g,
a ster ,
b y d oi ng wha t sh a ll I
i n h er i t eterna l l i e ? B ut he sa i d
un to
h im , I n th e l aw w h a t i s
w r i tten , h ow
r ea d est
thou i t ?
A n d h e answ er ed an d sa i d , T h ou
sh a l t l o v e th e L or d th y G o d w i th
a l l thy h ear t an d i n a l l th
y so ul
a n d i n a l l thy stren gth an d i n a ll

25

i d

i b

th y m n , an d thy n e gh our a s
thyse f
B ut h e sa to h i m , Th ou
h ast we an sw ere
Th s d o , an d

ll

id

l l i e But he w i h i g
t p
e h i m sel f j
ust sa i d t J us
A d w h o i s m y n igh b ou
T ki g
h i m up J esus sa i d a c e t i m
w
f om J u l m
g i n g d ow
to J e i ch o an d fell m on g r bb
(The e fo ll ow th e p bl f
th e G oo d S a m ar i tan
tho u sh a t
o

r ov

as

er

es

r a n

ara

an

sa e

er s

e O

Ki d
f
d d
q uestion
H ere we no t e ( I ) tha t th is d i a logu e o f J esus w i th
th e S c r ib es a s r e l a t ed in Mark t oo k p l a ce in
J er us al em j us t b efo r e the c ruci xion Lu ke h o w
e ve r s et s i t on the w a y u p t o J er us a l em in S a m ar i a
.

LUKE

92
wher e S c r ib es w er e fa r

l ess li k el y t o encoun ter J esus

t h a n in the H ol y C i ty
Mark
s
t
s
t
h
e su m m a r y o f t he l a w in the
2
e
( )
m ou th o f J esus ; L u k e t r a n sfe r s i t t o th e li p s o f t he
l awyer
(3 ) I n M a r k J esu s a ssu r e s th e S c r ibe th at h e is
G od b ec a us e h e h a s
n ot fa r fr o m the k i ng dom 0]
L u k e on th e con trary r el ates
a nsw er ed di scr eetly
th e inci d en t a s i f th e l a wy er w er e a c t u ated by m ere
t o draw
h os t ili ty : he stood up to temp t /em s
J esus in t o m a k ing so m e a n sw er w h ic h w oul d co m
Lu k e a l so a pp en d s qui te art i ci ally
p r o m is e h i m
th e p a ra bl e o f th e G oo d S a m ar i t a n a n d so t u r ns h i s
a nsw er t o the qu est i o n : l o i s my n ezg koour ? in t o
a b a c k h a n d er a ga ins t the J e w s in gen era l a n d t his
l a wyer in p ar t icul a r
O u r n ex t ex a m p l e o f L u k e s un reli a bili ty o f h i s
ten d enc y t o in ve n t m a r vellou s ep iso d es ou t o f no th in g
sh all b e tak e n fr o m h i s secon d bo o k add r ess ed t o
T h eoph ilus usu a ll y c a ll ed the A c ts O f th e A p os t l es
I n Pa ul s E p is t l es w e h a ve w h ol e c h a pter s d ev o ted
t o the them e o f sp ea k in g w i th t on g u e s
R eli g ious
li ke o t he r e m o t ion s i f i t r ea c h a c er ta in
e m o t ion
in tensi ty d is m a n t les th e in telli g e nc e a n d o verp ower s
T h e p a t i en t fa lls a s i t
th e l ary nx a n d v oc a l o rga ns
w er e in t o a t ra nc e o r e cst a sy los es con t r ol o f h i s
v oice a n d b r ea k s ou t in t o a s er i es o f in a rt icul ate o r
h a l f a r t icul ate soun d s a n d m ea nin g l ess excl a m at ions
I n m a ny anci en t cul t s d r u g s w er e ad m inis t ered
t o m a k e them p r o phesy in
es peci a ll y t o w o m en
th is w ay a n d the p r i es t s w h o r an the s h r in es in ter
p r eted th e m y s ter ious o ra cl e s th us de li ver ed in suc h
a m a nn er a s t o p l ea se the su per s t i t ious p ilg r i m a n d
ll t hei r ow n p oc k et s
S uc h s pea k in g w i th t on gu es
.

L U KE

94

S uc h

u eso m e s pe c ta cl e a s the a b o ve coul d b e

w i t n ess ed in a l m os t a n y m ee t in g o f th e ea r l y
C hr is t i a n s ; a n d a s th er e w er e p er sons b y t e m p era
m en t s p eci a ll y a p t t o fa ll in t o t h is m o r bi d st a t e so
t her e w er e o th e rs w h o w er e c re d i te d w i th th e fa cul ty
o f in ter p re t in g thei r ecs ta t ic u tter a nc es P a ul in h i s
r st E p i st l e t o t he C o r in th i a ns xii 2 8 inclu d e s ki n ds
of tong u es in hi s lis t o f th e g i ft s con fer r e d b y d i v in e
g r a c e on the C h u r c h o th er g i ft s b ein g th e a p os t ol a t e
H
e d isc er n ed
o
c
t
h
e a c h in g h e l p s g o v er n m en t
r
e
y
p p
in the C h u r c h a d i v in e ly o r d a in ed d i v ision o f l a bou r
A re all
in tha t so m e h a d o ne g i ft so m e a no th er
a r e a ll tea ek er s P a r e a ll
ap ostl es ? a r e a ll p r op k ets
m ed iu m s]? k a ne all g ifts of k ea l i ng s ?
p ow er s
gr

do

a ll s ea k

w i th tongu es ? do

a ll

A nd

i n terp r et ?

in ver s e I O o f th e s a m e c ha p t er he h a s a l rea d y m a d e
si m il ar e nu m era t ion o f
t h e g i ft s o f t h e sp i r i t
a
m e n t ionin g r s t t h os e w h ic h h a v e a n in te ll e c t u a l
a s p ec t
th e w or d of w i sdom t h e w or d of k n ow
l edg e fa i tk , a n d t h e n t h e m e re l y p a t h olo g ic a l a ffec
t ions as w e s h oul d c a ll th e m t o d a y b et w een w h ic h a n d
th e in t elli ge nc e fa i th su p p li es th e b r i d g e o f t r a nsi t i o n
T h e l a tt er a re a s follo w s g ifts of nea l i ng w or k i ng s of
,

pow er s p r op k ecy di seer n i ng s of spi r i ts k i n ds of tong u es

i n terp r eta ti on of tong ues
O f th e a bo ve o n e r ol e t h a t
o f di scer n er of sp i r i ts is o m i tt ed in th e l a te r lis t y et
,

i m p o r ta n t per son in a n a ge w h en ever y on e

b eli eved in p o sses sion fo r a n uncl ea n s p i r i t p er h a p s
o f a p a g a n g o d o r h er o m i g h t insinu a t e i t se l f in t o a
b eli ever a n d i m p ose on th e bo d y o f the fa i th fu l i f
th er e w a s no o n e a t h a n d t o d isc er n a n d d e tec t h i m
Pa ul w a s a p t t o d epreci a te th e m er ely p ath olo g ic a l
a s p ec t s o f s p i r i t u a l p oss ession s a ve in d eed so f
ar as
he coul d a pp ea l t o t hem in p r oo f o f h i s o w n d i r ec t
he w a s

an

L U KE

95

os t l es h i p a n d revel a t ions o f J e su s C h r is t a n d t u r n
t hem a ga ins t th e ol d er a p o st l es a n d Ju d a i z e r s w ho
r ej e c t e d h i s ne w
gos p e l A cco r d in g l y in a subs equ e n t
h e b eg s h i s r e a d er s t o b ea r in m in d th at
c h a p te r

ap

he tha t spea k eth i n

G od ;

u n to

for

no

tong ue sp ea k eth

p i r i t he sp ea k eth my ster i es
con t r a sts p r op hecy w her eby

a nd

ca ti on

for t

com

a nd

W i th suc h
on e

s ea k eth

con sol a

m en , hu t

hu t thr oug h the

un der sta n deth

man

edi

n ot u n to

g i ft

P a ul

u n to

m en

p r esu m a bl y
s t i m ul a te t he i r

ti on ,

b ec a use hi s p red ic t ion s o f the fu t u re

con
h o pe s a n d e n t h usi a s m
B u t n ow hr eth r en
if I com e u n to y ou sp ea k i ng w i th tong ues
t i n ues P a ul

w ay

[ p r o t y ou , u n l ess [ sp ea k to y ou ei ther hy
r ev el a ti on , or o
f k n ow l edg e, or ofp r op hesy i ng , or

sha ll

w ha t

S o a lso y e,

hy the tong ue
thi ng s easy to he u n der stood, h ow sha l l i t he k n ow n w ha t
If then I k n ow n ot th e m ea n i ng of the
i s sp ok en P
9
n
e
c
hi
t
a
f
g

u n l ess y e u tter

I sh a l l he to hi m th a t sp ea k eth a
h e tha t sp ea keth w i l l he a ha r ha r i a n u n to m e

nd
k
I tha n

ha r ha r i a n ,

v oi ce,

G od , I sp ea k w i th tong ues m or e tha n y ou a ll h ow hei t i n

the ch u r ch I ha d r a ther sp ea k v e w or ds w i th my u n der
m ig h t i nstr uct ot her s a l so, tha n ten
sta n di ng , tha t
Wher efor e tong u es a r e
thousa n d w or ds i n a tong ue
for a sig n , n ot to them tha t hel i ene, hut to the u nhel i ev i ng
hu t p r op hesy i ng [i s fo r a S i g n ]n ot to th e u n hel i eo i ng
.

If ther efor e th e w h ol e Chu r ch

a n d a ll sp ea k w i th tong u es, a n d

hu t to them tha t hel i ez e

he

a ssem hl ed

tog ether ,

i n m en w i thou t g ifts
they n ot say tha t y e a r e m a d P
A n d in th e sequ e l Pa ul t r i es
ther e

com e

or

to

u n hel i ev i ng ,

w i ll

d o w n so m e
r ul e s f
o r the r eg u l a t ion o f t h is d a n g er ous g i ft w h ic h
th r ea ten ed t o t u r n the a ss em bl y o f th e sa in t s in t o a
1
s sign i es one wh o spok e an un i n tell ig i bl
The G reek w o d ha h
l ay

ton gue

aro

LUK E

96

p a n d e m oniu m , a s follo w s
tong ue, [l et i t b e]hy tw o or

[tha t]i n

a nd

a nd

tur n

If a ny m a n sp ea k eth i n a
a t th e m ost th r ee [ a t a t i m e]
,

l et

on e

i n terp r et : hut if ther e

he n o i n terp r eter , l et h i m keep si l en ce i n the chu r ch, a n d

A nd l et the
l et hi m sp ea k to hi m self a n d to G od
p r op hets sp ea k hy tw o or th r ee, a n d l et the other s di scer n
B ut if a r ev el a ti on he m a de to a n other si tti ng hy , l et
.

For

ll p r ophesy on e hy
one, th a t a l l m ay l ea r n , a n d a ll m ay he comfor ted ;
for G od i s n ot [a g o d]of confusi on , hu t ofp eace as i n
the

all

k eep

r st

si l en ce

the chu r ches

ye

f th e sa i n ts

ca n

I n such pa ssa ges a s t h e a b o ve w e b r eat he the very

at m os p here o f th e ea r li est Ch u r ch a n d s e em t o h ave
W e c a n r ea lis e the d a n ger
o u r n ger on i t s p uls e
t here w a s o f em o t ion e c st a sy a n d i m p uls e s w a m p in g
H o w fa r r em o ve d w er e suc h
the sl en d er b a r qu e
m ee t in g s fr o m th e C a t h o lic se r v ic e s o f t o da y wher ea t
a pr i es t a n d d ea con w o r k a li tt l e h ar m l ess m a gic up
at a n a l tar a ll by them s e l v es fo r the goo d o f a lo t o f
loun g in g s pec tat o r s ! P a ul w a s sa n e r t ha n the res t
a n d w as fo r t hat rea son m o r e in u e n t i a l A bo ve a ll

he sil enc ed th e fem a l e ecs t a t ic s

L et the w om en k eep
,

si l en ce i n

to

the ch u r ches

it is

hut l et them he i n

s ea k

law

for

n ot

p er m i tted

un to them

su h ecti on , as a so sa

i th the

g oo d fo r so m eth in g
h u m a n i s th e d ocu m e n t w e

H ow

S O the l a w w as,

in tense l y n aIve a n d
S i n ce y e

con ver ts

al l ,

a r e z ea l ou s o

f sp i r i ts

seek

fter

tha t y e m ay

quo te
w r i te s Pa ul t o hi s
.

a houn d u n to

the edif
y i ng of
fe w f th e e e ver

T h is i m p lies th a t n o t a
o
b li
s
wer e o ver a dd ic te d t o t he u se o f t h e i r s p i r i t u a l g i ft s
a n d a s lon g a s th ey coul d sh o w O ff w er e no t t oo
solici t ous o f o rd er a n d d ece ncy
If a ny m a n thi nk eth
a m ed iu m ]
h i m self to he a p r op h et or a p n eum a ti c
the chur c

L UKE

98
to

w i th

s ea k

tong ues,

A n d w hen thi s

u tter a n ce

ti tude

oth er

ca m e

tog ether ,

the

as

p i r i t g a ve th em

w a s hea r d , the m ul

sou n d

w er e confou n ded, heca use

a nd

ev ery

A nd
i n hi s ow n l a ng u ag e
they w er e a ll a m a z ed a n d m a r vel l ed, say i ng , B eh ol d, a r e
n ot a ll th ese w hi ch sp ea k G a l i l ea n s P A n d h ow h ea r w e

m a n hea r d them

every

m an in

P a r th i a ns

s ea ki ng

ou r ow n

l a ng u ag e, w h er ei n w e w er e hor n 9
.

Medes a n d E l a m i tes a nd
i n judma a n d Capp a doci a

a nd

M esop ota m i a

the dw el l er s i n

i n P on tus a n d

p a r ts of L i hy a

P a mp hy l i a , i n E gyp t a n d th e
a hou t Cy r ene, a n d so
jou r n er s fr om R om e,

hoth few s

p r osely tes Cr eta n s

A si a , i n P h ryg i a
a nd

a nd

a nd

A r a hi a ns, w e do

hea r them sp ea ki ng i n ou r tong ues the m ig h ty w or k s of

G od a n d they w er e a l l a stou n ded a n d p erp l ex ed, say i ng

Wha t ca n thi s m ea n 9
L u k e is a d eli gh tful s t o r y t e ll e r a n d is qui te w as t ed
on t he d ull p eo p l e w h o m is ta ke h i m for a g r ave
W h at w a s the use
a ccu ra t e a n d d ili g en t h is t o r i a n
o f t on g u es wh ich w ere unin te lli g ibl e exc ep t t o G o d o f
ins p i red u tter a nces w h ic h yet h a d no m ea nin g a n d
d i d bu t r en d er hi m th a t sp o k e a b a r ba r i a n t o hi s
h ea r er s a n d th em in t u r n b ar b a r i a ns t o hi m ? S u r e l y
th i s coul d no t h a ve b ee n th e g i ft o f a h ol y s p i r i t wh ic h
w a s t o illu m in a t e th e s e ve n ty d i ffer e n t r a c es o f the
G e n t il es ? W ha t w a s n ee d ed a m on g th e i m m ed i a t e
follo w er s o f J esus w a s r a t her a m i r a culous a bili ty t o
t a l k th ei r s even ty l a n g u age s S uc h a fa cul ty w oul d
A cco r d in g l y Lu k e
r ea ll y b e a sig n to the u n hel i ev i ng
t u r ns th e tr u th u p si d e d o w n a n d insi d e ou t n eve r
sus p ec t in g t ha t ep is t l es o f h i s m a s ter Pa ul w oul d
su r v i ve a n d con t r a d ic t h i s p retty s t o r y ei ghteen
ce n t u r i es l a ter
A t r u er a r t is t in c t ion w oul d h ave nis hed h i s
s t or y a t th is p oin t ; bu t Lu k e in h i s s ear ch for
the

one

to th e

other :

LU K E

p ic t u r e squ e
t h e en d o f

follo ws :
w i th

99

d eta il con t inu es in suc h a m a nn er th a t

i t en t i rel y con t r a d ic t s the b eg innin g a s

B ut other s m ock i ng sa i d They a r e l l ed

n ew

w i ne

A n d th is
th e

sco ff su pp li e s P e ter w i th the arg u m e n t o f

S p eec h w h ic h h e fo r th w i th d eli ver s :

For these

dr u nk, a s y e supp ose, seei ng i t i s hu t the

th i r d hour of the day
hu t th i s i s tha t w h i ch ha th heen
sp ok en h
A n d i t sha l l he i n the l a st
y the p r op het joel
m en

a r e n ot

G od, I w i ll p ou r for th of my sp i r i t on a ll
A nd y ou r sons a n d y ou r da ug hter s sha ll p r o
p hesy , A n d y our y oung m en sha ll see v i si ons, A n d y ou r
etc
old m en sha l l dr ea m dr ea m s,
A ll th is con ic t s w i th w h a t p r ec ed es, fo r a su dd e n

day s,
esh

sa i th

a n d m i ra culous m a s ter y o f fo r ei g n l a n gu ages is the

l a s t th in g we a ssoci at e w i th d r un kenn ess so th at i t is
a bsu r d a n d in ep t t o attr ibu te suc h a sco ff t o any w h o
O n th e o t her h a n d i t w oul d
w i t n e ss ed the d is p l ay
b e n ei t h er absu rd no r in ep t i f the g i ft o f t on g u es h a d
b een d esc r ib ed a s Pa ulw h o s p o ke w i th ton g u es m o re
th a n a ll o f them ( I C or xi v 1 8 ) d esc r ib es i t H e
a sser ts th at if the w hol e chur ch he assem hl ed tog ether
,

a nd

w i th tong u es a n d ther e com e i n m en

p
ts or un hel i ev i ng , they w i l l say Ye
sp i r i tua l g if
s ea k

al l

w i thout
are

mad

S ub st i t u t e dr u nk

fo r

a n d we have the ver y

e p iso d e a n d si t u at ion w h ic h Lu k e h a s t r av est i e d in
I t woul d be w e ll i f w e
th is s econ d c h ap t er o f A c t s
coul d a ccep t the s econ d p a r t o f h i s s t o ry wh ic h so w e ll
a cco r d s w i th Pa ul s t es t i m on y a n d rej ec t the r s t p a r t
B ut we h ave no al ter n a t i ve
w h ic h con ic ts therew i th
bu t t o reg ard the e n t i r e sc en e a s c t i t i o us H ow
r o tesqu e fo r ex a m p l e a n d m at er i a lis t ic is th e i d ea
g
o f the h oly sp i r i t llin g the h ou se li ke a r us h ing w in d !
m a d,

H 2

LU KE

I OO

O f the t on g u es o f r ea fa m ili a r fa nc y in p a g a n
s t o r i es I n the ol d es t S y r i a c v er sions o f the p a ss age
i t is added that a s wee t o d ou r p er va d ed the h ous e a n d
this fea t u re w a s p erh a p s e li m in a t e d b y th e G r ee k
a fa m ili ar
ed i t o r s o f Lu k e s t e x t ; i t w a s h o w eve r
i d ea a m on g a nci en t p a ga ns th a t the ep i ph a n y o f a
w
as atte n d e d w i th a s w ee t s m e ll a n d th at h e l e ft
d
o
g
beh in d a n o d ou r o f s a nc t i ty H e nce the line o f
An
O v i d : Ma n si t odor P osses sci r e fui sse dea m
o d ou r rem a in ed Y ou coul d te ll th a t a g o dd ess h ad
appeared
Let us t a ke o ne m or e ex a m p l e o f h o w Lu k e h a n d l es
hi s ev i d enc e A t th e clos e o f h i s G os p el Mark r el at es
ho w c e rta in w o m en w h e n th e s a bb ath w a s o v er
hr oug h t spi ces in o r d er t o a n oi n t t he co r p s e o f J esus
A n d they ca m e v ery ea r ly on the r st day of the w eek
to the tom h a t sun r i se a n d th ey sa i d to them sel v es Who
sha l l r oll a w ay for us the ston e fr om the door of the
,

A n d on l ook i ng up they see tha t the stone has

heen r oll ed a w ay , a l thoug h i t w a s so hzg

S o fa r Lu k e is fa i r l y fa i t h ful t o hi s sou r c e, s av e
that (a cco rd in g t o the O ld fo r m o f tex t in D) h e ad ds
a t h e s et s a s t on e u on the t o m b , so
h
t
in
xxiii
5
3
)
p
(
hu ge th at t w en ty m en coul d b ar el y h av e r oll ed i t
Let us con t r a s t h i s t e x t fr o m th is p oin t w i th
a lon g
tom h P

t hat o f Mark I t is th e ep isod e o f th e wo m en s v isi t

M A R K xvi 5 8
L U K E xx iv 4
9
B ut h i g gone i n they
An d h avi ng gon e into th e to m b
no t th
they saw a youth S i tti ng on th e
b ody f th e Lord Jesus
cl othed i n wh i t
A n d i t c m to pa ss as th ey w er e
r igh t h an d
p e p l ex ed b u t th is b eh old m en
gar m ent an d th ey we e aston ish ed
beyon d m easure B ut he sai th to tw i stood before them i n gl eam
ish ed
i n g a p p el
th em B e ye not so ast
A n d as they w er e
th th e
ff igh ted a d b owed their h ea ds
Y e seek J esus o f N az
c ruc i ed on e H e i s r isen h e i s to th e e th th ey sai d to th em
B ehold the p l ace whe e W hy seek ye hi m that liveth
n ot h er e
a m on
But go ye tell
they lai d hi m
g the d ea d ? H e i s not her e

av n

on

ar

ar e

a n

ar

LU KE

I oz

l m os t every ca s e in w h ic h w e ca n th us co m p a r e Lu k e
w i t h Ma r k w e n d t h e sa m e loos e t r ea t m e n t o f h i s
ev i d e nc e
H e i s a p ic t ur e squ e s t o r y te ll e r w h o d o e s
no t un d er s t a n d o r d esi re h i sto r ic a l a ccu r a cy W e
m us t no t bl a m e hi m ; for h i s m a i n conc e r n is t o e d i fy
a n d v er y f
ew w r i ter s o f t h a t a g e e v e n a m on g p a g a ns
h a d a n y i d ea O f wh a t t r u t h a n d a ccu r a cy in n a r r a t i v e
m ea n
I f a n y on e is t o bl a m e i t i s the o r th o d o x
d i v in e w h o i m a g in e s t h at b ec a us e L u k e w a s a n
ev a n g e lis t h e w a s e x e m p t fr o m t h e o r d in a r y fa ul t s O f
h i s a ge
S O l o w w a s h i s s t a n d a r d O f h i st o r ic a l t r u t h
t ha t he s e t s up p r ete nsions t o b ein g m o r e t r us t w or thy
th a n h i s p red ec esso r s in the p r e fa c e t o h i s G o sp e l a s
follo w s I t seem ed g ood to m e l so ha v i ng tr a ced the
a

all

cou r se o

u n to

th ee i n

ly fr om

thi ng s
or der ,

m i gh test k n ow th e

a ccu r a te

m ost

ex cell en t

the

r st

to w r i te

T heop h i l us, th a t thou

cer ta i n ty con cer n i ng

th e th i ng s w hi ch

I n h i s G osp e l
w h e re h e p u t s fo r w a r d t h es e cl a i m s o f su p er io r i ty
w e c a n con t r o l h i s s t a t e m e n t s b e c a us e w e h a v e g o t
h i s sou r c es b e fo r e u s
I f w e h a d no t t h e m a l m os t
en t i r e w e coul d n e v e r h a v e d i v in e d t h a t a w r i t er w h o
t a l k s in t h is w ay a b o u t c e t a in ty w a s a m er e co m p il e r
a n d in e x a c t a t t h a t
I n the B oo k o f A c t s w e c a n un fo r t un a te l y bu t
r a r el y c o n t r o l h i s n a r r a t i v e a n d m us t t h e r e fo r e u se
T h e w e ll k no w n G er m a n
g r ea t c a u t ion in rea d in g i t
sc h o l a r A d o l f H a r n a c k P r o fesso r o f C h u r ch H i st o r y
in th e U ni ver si ty o f B er lin in h i s m inu te s t u d y L u k e
th e Phy si ci a n 1 fo r m s a li k e e s t i m a t e fo r h e w r i t e s as
follow s p I 12
th ou w a st ta ug h t hy w or d

m ou t

S t Lu k e i s an
.

au

thor whos e wr i tings r ea d s m ooth ly

Wi ll i am s an d No g
r

a te,

1 90 7 ;

E ngl ish

tr an s

L UKE

I03

but on e has only to l ook so m ewhat m ore closel y to

discover that there i s sc ar cely another writer in th e
New Testam ent who i s so c arel es s an h istor ia n a s h e
L i ke a t r u e G r eek he h s p ai d c ar eful attenti o to
styl e an d to al l th e fo m aliti es of li terature ; but i
r egar d t o h i s subj ec t m a tter in cha ter afte
ch apter
p
he a ffor d s gross instances of ca r el essn ess an d o fte o f
com p l ete confusion i the arrative Thi s i s t ue
b oth of the G ospel a d of th e A cts
A n d a ga in p 12 3
H e c er tainly b eli eves h i m s el f to b e an hi sto i a n (see
th e p r olo ue ; an d so h e i s ; bu t hi s
g )
powe s a e
lim i ted for h e a d opts a a tti tud e towar ds hi s a uth o i
ti es which i s as di stinctl y un c r itical as that wh ich h e
ad o p t
towar d s hi s ow exp er i enc es i f these a d m i t of
a m ir a culous i n ter r eta ti o
p
I n the p reced in g p ag e s I h a ve tr i ed t o ex p l a in the
n at u r e o f w hat is c a ll ed the S y no pt ic p r obl em
p r obin g h ere a n d t here a s i t w ere w i th the r a p i er o f
a
doua n i er th e G os p el s in o rd er t o s a m p l e t h ei r
con t en t s a n d see wh at th ey consis t O f w h at cl a i m s t o
c r ed ibili ty they h ave w ha t sou r c es thei r w r i ter s
u se d a n d how th ey us e d th em T he e x a m p l e s
I h a ve g i ve n p r o ve tha t a n eva n gelis t fel t h i m s el f
at lib er ty t o r earra n ge the t r a d i t ion a l m atter a n d t o
c rea t e b a c kg r oun d s o f inci d e n t fo r a ny pr eg n a n t
a p h o r i sm s o r s tr i n g o f a p h o r is m s
th a t h a d c o m e
d ow n to hi m isol ated a n d d eta c hed T h e s a m e
s ay in g s a re fra m ed by M a tthew a n d Lu k e in u tter ly
d i ffer en t con tex t s o f a c t ion p l a c e a n d t i m e ; a n d in
suc h c a se s o ne at lea s t o f th e con tex t s a n d p r o
b a bl y bo th m us t be the a r bi trary c reat ion o f the
L u k e in e s p eci a l c a n b e con v ic te d
w r i ter o r w r i t er s
o f fa b r ic at in g no t only inci d en t s bu t a lso w or d s
.

LU K E

10 4

u tter ed in conn ec t ion w i th th e m I n th us con coc t in g

s peec h es fo r h is h er o he v iol at ed no c a n on o f a nci e n t
h is t o r ic a l a r t sin ce Th ucy d i d es Ta c i t u s a n d o the r
s er iou s c hr oni c l er s d i d the sa m e S o m uc h m a y b e
u r g ed in j us t i c at ion o f h is m eth o d Mark s G o spe l
b e i n g in i ts c hara c t e r m o r e n a rrat i ve t h a n d i da c t i c
a n d a r el at i vel y sma ll s p a ce b e in g assi g n ed in i t t o
w h at J e su s s a i d o n e w oul d e x p ec t h i m t o con n e h i m
s el f t o gen i un e u tt era nc es o f J esus bu t he r e aga in w e
a r e d i sapp oin t e d fo r in c h xiii e n t i r e paragraph s o f a
J ew is h a p oc a l y p s e a re p l a c ed in th e m ou th o f J esus
w h ic h h e c erta inl y n e ve r u tt e r e d a n d coul d w e c he c k
Mark w e s h oul d pr ob abl y n d th is to b e n o isol ated
c a s e A s t o ma n y o f t he s a y i n g s a lso w h ic h M a tth ew
t oo k fr o m th e non Mar c a n d ocu m en t wh ic h he use d
at r s t si ght feel
i n c o mm on w i th L u k e w e
r easo n abl e d oub t wh eth e r J esus e ver u tter e d th e m
b ec a u se th ey pre su pp os e a n o rga n i se d c h u r c h so that
th e i r attr ibu t ion t o J e su s i s a n a n ac hr onis m T h e
sa m e d oub t e x t e n d s e v en t o so fam ou s a n u tt era n c e
Fo r in Mark xi 2 5 w e re ad
a s t h e L o rd s Pra y e r
.

A n d w hen soev er y e sta n a p r ay i ng , forg i ve if y e lz a v e

a ng le! ag a i n st a ny on e
t/
z a t y ozl r fa zner a l so w /
zz cn 2s i n
'

'

Here J esu s
l a y s d o wn n o x ed fo rm ul a bu t onl y ge n era l r ul e s fo r
pray er A s J W ell ha usen r emark s i t w oul d app e ar
that Mark k n ew o f th e pray er a s i t w a s l i t u rg ic a lly
us ed in h is t o ry bu t d i d no t ve n t u r e t o attr ibu te i t t o
J esus a s a wh ol e a s d o M a tth ew a n d L u ke A s
o ften so h ere the s e tw o e va n g elis t s a ssi g n d i ffe ren t
occ a sions fo r the co mm u n ic at ion t o th e ap os t l e s o f
th is pray er ; fo r Matth ew (v i 9 ) in tr o d uc e s i t in t he
S erm on on the M oun t wh ere a s L u ke a ssi g ns i t to a
l ater p er io d in the m inis try afte r the app oin tme n t o f

lz ea v en m ag/forg i v e y ou y ou r tr esp a sses

"

LU KE

10 6

t o Jo h n The wr i ter o f th is l a s t d o e s no t eve n tr y t o

repre s e n t J e sus a s J ew is h Me ssi ah h is pr i m i t i ve
ra
te a n d v oc at ion a re fo rg o tte n a n d he is b e co me th e
inc ar n ate Reason o f G o d m ixin g ou t o f e x treme
con de sce nsion w i th m a n k i n d T o the s e con d great
d ocu me n t us ed b y M atth ew a n d L u k e a n d c a ll ed by
m o der n sc h ol ar s the n o n Marc a n sou r c e o r Q ( Quel l e)
we m us t no w t u r n
.

C HAPT E R

VI I

T H E NO N MARCAN DO C U M ENT
-

W E have s ee n that L u k e a n d Matth ew us ed in add i

t ion to M a rk s G os p el w h i c h h a s su rv i ved a no the r
sou r c e ma inl
y c o mp os ed o f say i n g s o f J esu s w h ic h
h a s no t
T o th is sou r ce s ch ol a r s usu all y r efer a s th e
non Mar c a n sou r c e o r a s Q I n o rd er t o fo rm a
soun d j u dgm e n t a bou t i t w e n ee d t o r ec on str uc t i t
a n d set i t ou t b y i t s el f ; a n d s eve ra l s c h ol ar s have
un d ertak en th is t a sk a n d vary li tt l e fro m o n e a no ther
i n th ei r r esul t s Matth e w a pp ea rs t o have c o p i ed i t
ou t m o r e fa i thfully tha n L u k e so far a s regard s i ts
o r i g in a l s ty l e a n d phra seolo gy t hou gh he h a s i n s erte d
in i t pa ss ages wh ic h re ec t a m o re d evelo p e d s t age o f
c h u rc h
o rga n i sat ion th a n sui t s t he r st M essi a ni c
m o ve m e n t
Th e t e x t a s r e pr o d uc ed b y L u k e on t h e
o th er ha n d i s red ol en t o f h i s p e c uli a r sty l e a n d i d io m
s h ow in g t h at he r ec a s t i t a n d thr ew i t in t o h is o w n
l a n g u age I t is i m prob a bl e th a t i t w a s o r i g in a ll y
p enn ed in L u ke s v e ry c h a ra c te r ist i c l a n g u a ge O n
th e o th er ha n d a s i t st a n d s in Matth ew i t e x h ibi t s
n o s p eci a l con fo rm i ty
w i th th e g en e ra l s t y l e a n d
ma n n er o f wr i t i n g o f that eva n geli st a n d a l m os t
w h oll y l a c k s h i s i mpre s s
I n the follo w i n g pag es I follo w Pr o fesso r Har n a c k s
re cons tr uc t ion o f th is sou r c e T he o rde r i n wh ic h
the s e c t ions follo w on e a no th e r is that o f Lu ke wh o
i n th i s r es p ec t c a n
b e s h o w n t o have b ee n m o r e
,

10

10

T H E NO N MARCAN DO CU M EN T

cons er v at i ve tha n M atth ew B ra c k et s e nclos e pa ss age s

a s to wh i c h th ere i s a d oub t wheth e r th ey s h oul d be
in clu d ed in i t
.

12
L
c
iii
Mt
iii
;
5 7
3 7 9 16
(
A ll t he region r ou n d a bou t Jo rda n
Jo h n s aw
c o m in g t o b apt i sm a n d
ma n y (or the m ul t i t u d es )
sa i d o f th em Offspr i n g o f v i p er s w h o w ar n e d y o u t o
e e fr o m th e i mpe n d in g wrath ? Pr o d uc e th ere fo r e
fr ui t w o rthy o f repe n ta nce A n d th in k (P b eg in ) n o t
to sa y in y ou r s el ves W e hav e a s father A b raham
Fo r I t ell y o u that G o d i s a bl e o ut o f the s e s t on es t o
ra is e u p c h il dre n t o A b r a ha m A n d al r ead y the a x e
is l a i d at the r oo t o f th e tr ees Every tree th e n no t
pr o d uc in g goo d fr ui t is cu t d ow n a n d thr o w n in t o the
I in d eed b a pt i se y o u i n w ater un t o rep en ta n ce
r e
bu t he that co m es aft er m e i s s tr on ger tha n 1 wh o se
sh oes I am no t w o rth y t o c arr
H e s ha ll b apt is e
y
y o u i n [sp i r i t h ol y a n d]r e wh os e w in no w in g fa n
i s in h is ha n d a n d he s h a ll p u rge ou t h is th r esh in g
oo r a n d shall gath er h is gra in in t o h is b ar n ; bu t
th e c ha ff h e w ill bu r n n o in re unqu enc ha bl e
.

I
Mt
i
v
I
I
i
v
L
c
I
I3 )
(
J esus wa s l ed u p in t o th e d es ert by the S p i r i t t o b e
tempted b y th e d ev il ; a n d hav in g fas ted fo rty day s
a n d fo rty ni ghts he afterward s h un ger ed A n d t he
t empter s a i d t o h i m A n th ou art S on o f G od bi d
thes e s t on es t o b e co me b re ad A n d he a ns w e red I t
is wr i tte n N o t u p on b read a lon e s ha ll ma n li ve S o
he taketh h i m w i th hi m t o J er us a l e m a n d h e s too d
h i m o n the p inn a cl e of the temp l e ; a n d s a i th he t o
.

1 10

THE

NO N

MA RCA N D O C U ME NT
5

( Mt

v 4 : Lc v i
T o on e w h o a s k s o f t he e g i v e ; a n d fr o m on e
woul d bo rr o w o f thee t u r n no t away
.

(Mt v

44 4 8

w ho

Lc

vi

27, 2

8 ssh.

3 s 36

I say to you L o ve y ou r e n e m i es a n d pr a y for them

that per s e cu te yo u in o rd e r that ye ma y b e co me sons
o f you r father fo r he c a use s h i s sun to r is e u p on the
w ic ked a n d the g oo d [ a n d h is ra in t o fa ll on j us t a n d
unj u st ] F o r i f y e lo ve t hos e w ho l o ve yo u w hat
reward have ye P D o n o t the ta x farmer s d o th is ve ry
t hin g ? A n d i f y e lo ve y ou r b re thre n a lon e what that
i s e x tra o rd in ary d o y e d o ? D o no t the Ge n t il e s a lso
d o a s m uc h ? Ye sha ll therefo r e b e mer ci fu l a s you r
father is mer ci ful
,

( Mt v ii

vi
A ll th in g s what so ever y e de si re that
un t o you eve n so d o y e un t o them
.

12

; Le

m en

s h o u l d do

Mt
v
ii
1
5 ; Lc v i
(
38 4 1
J u dge no t that ye b e no t j u dged fo r w i t h what so
e v er j u dgm e n t
y e j u dg e s ha ll y e b e j ud ged ; a n d
w i th that measu re w herew i th y e mea s u re s ha ll i t b e
mea su red un t o you A n d w hy marke s t th o u the m ote
in th y b r o ther s ey e bu t per c ei v es t no t the b eam in
th in e o w n ey e ? o r h o w s ha l t th ou say to th y b r o ther
L et me c a s t the m o te ou t o f th in e ey e wh il e the b eam
is in th in e o w n eye ? H y p oc r i te r s t c a s t the b e am
.

TH E

NO N

MARCAN D O C UM ENT

1 11

o f th in e o w n ey e a n d th e n s ha l t th ou see c l early
h o w t o c a s t the m o te ou t o f thy b r o ther s eye

o ut

( Mt x v 14 ; Le v i
I f a blin d ma n l ead a blin d they w ill bo th fa ll in t o
a d it ch
.

10

Mt
x
2
4 2 5 Lc v i
(
A d isci p l e i s no t abo ve h is teac h er no r a s ervan t
a bo ve hi s ma s ter L et i t su f c e fo r the d isci p l e t o b e
a s h is te a c her a n d fo r the s erva n t t o be a s h is ma s te r
.

11

( Mt v ii 16 4 8 xii 3 3 ; L e v i 4 3
The y su rel y do
B y i t s fr ui t the tr ee is k no w n
n o t gather gr ape s o ff th o r n s o r g s o f
fth is t l es ? Even
so e ve ry g oo d tree pr o d uc e s g oo d fr u i t bu t th e r o tt e n
tree pr o d uc e s b ad fr uit A g oo d tree c a nno t b ear b ad
fr ui t no r a ro tte n tree pr o d uc e goo d fr ui t
.

12

Mt
v
ii
2
1
2
4 2 7 Lc v i 46
(
N o t eve ryon e wh o s a i th t o m e L o rd L o rd sh a ll
e n te r the k in gd o m o f G o d bu t he wh o d o eth the w ill
o f m y father Everyon e then that lis te ns to th e se
w o rd s a n d d o eth them s ha ll b e li ke n ed t o a m a n w h o
buil d ed h i s h ous e on the r oc k A n d the r a in c a me
d o w n a n d the r i ver s c am e a n d the w in d s bl ew a n d
fell u p on that h ous e a n d i t fe ll no t fo r i t wa s foun d ed
A n d ever yon e w h o lis te ns t o th e s e m y
o n th e r oc k
w o rd s bu t d o eth them n o t s hall b e l i ke n ed t o a ma n
wh o buil ded h is h o u s e on the s a n d A n d the ra in
.

TH E

1 12

NO N

MARCA N D O C U M EN T

c a m e d o w n a n d th e r i ve r s c am e a n d the w in d s bl ew
a n d s m o te u p on that h ous e a n d i t fell a n d gre at w a s
t h e fa ll th ere o f
,

13

Mt
v
ii
2
v
iii
8
5 10 ; L c v ii 1
(
H e e n te re d C a p er n a u m a n d th e re appr o a c h ed h i m
a c en t u r ion c allin g o n h i m a n d say i n g Ma s t er m y
c h il d li es a t h o m e s tr uc k d o w n b y par a l y sis su ffe r in g
dre adfull y H e sa i d t o h i m I w ill co m e a n d he a l
hi m
B ut the c en t u r ion a ns we re d a n d s a i d L o r d I
am no t w o rthy that y o u s h oul d e n te r u n d e r m y r oo f ;
bu t onl y sa y a w o rd a n d m y c h il d w ill b e h e a l e d
F o r I am a m a n i n a u th o r i ty havi n g un d er m e
sol d i er s ; a n d I sa y to th is o n e G o a n d h e go eth a n d
t o a no ther C o m e a n d h e c o m eth a n d to m y serva n t
D o th i s a n d h e d oeth i t B ut J esus heard a n d
w o n d er e d a n d s a i d to th e m wh o follo we d V er il y I
tell y o u n o t eve n i n I s ra el have I foun d so m uc h
fa i th [ A n d J esus s a i d to the c e n t u r ion G o A s
th ou h a s t b eli e ve d b e i t un t o th ee A n d the c h il d
w a s h e a l ed i n th a t h ou r ]
.

( Mt xi

1 1

14

Lo

v ii

18

Joh n h ear in g in the pr ison th e w o rk s o f Chr is t

s e n t b y h is d isci p l es a n d s a i d t o h i m Art th ou he
that is t o co m e o r m u st we e x p ec t a noth e r ? A n d he
a ns w ered a n d sa i d t o the m G o y e a n d rep o rt to Jo h n
what y e h ear a n d see T h e blin d s ee a n e w a n d the
l am e w a l k l e p er s a re c l ea n sed a n d d e af h ear a n d
d ead m en a re r a is ed a n d p oo r re c ei v e g oo d t i d in g s
A n d bl essed is he wh o is no t sc a n da lis ed in m e B ut
a s they wa l k ed a lon g he b ega n t o ta l k t o th e m ul t i t u d e s
a bou t J o h n W hat we n t y e ou t in t o the w il der n e ss t o
B ut

TH E

1 14

MA RCAN D OC U M ENT

NO N

a no ther on e s ai d to h i m P erm i t m e rs t t o g o away

a n d bu ry m y fath er B ut h e a ns were d h i m F ollo w
me a n d l et the dead bu ry th ei r dead
.

18

( Mt ix 3 7 3 8 L e x
H e s a i th t o h i s d isci p l es T h e harve s t is a bun da n t
bu t th e w o rk er s fe w B es e ec h th en th e lo rd o f th e
harves t to s e n d fo rth w o rker s fo r h is harve s t
.

19

( Mt
B eh ol d ,

I send

16 a

; Le

fo rth a s s hee p am i d s t wol ve s

y ou

20

Le x 5
( Mt x
B ut wh e n y e e n te r in t o th e h ous e g i ve i t gr eet in g
A n d i f the h ous e b e w o rthy l et y ou r p ea c e d esc e n d
u p on i t B ut i f i t b e no t w o rth y l et y ou r p ea c e
ret u r n un t o y o u [ Carry n o t a p u r s e no r wa ll et no r
s h o es a n d on the way s a lu te n o o n e ]
.

2 1

( Mt x

l ob

; Le

7b

[ R e ma in in th e h ous e eat in g a n d dr in k in g w hat

th ey pr ov i d e ] For the wo rk er is w o rthy o f h is foo d
.

22

( Mt x 1 5 ; L c x 1 2 )
Ver il y I tell y o u i t sha ll b e m o r e t ol era bl e fo r the
l a n d o f S o d o m a n d G o m o rrah in that day (or in the
day o f j u dgme n t ) tha n fo r that ci ty

I
n
L
e
x
8
1 I the a bo ve is pre c eded b
(
y the foll o w
i n g : I n to whatever ci ty y e en ter a n d th ey we lco me
.

T H E NON MA RCA N DOC UM ENT

-

is s et be fo re y o u a n d say t o them
T h e k in gd o m o f G o d is at ha n d
B ut in t o whatever
ci ty y e e n ter a n d th ey rec e i ve y o u no t go ye o ut
in t o the s tre et s th ereo f a n d sa y Eve n the d us t wh ic h
cl eave s u n t o us fr o m y ou r ci t y on o ur feet we w i pe o ff
on y o u )
ea t

y ou,

y e w hat

1 15

Mt
xi
2
1
2 3 ; Le x 1 3
(
W oe t o t h ee Ch o raz in w o e t o thee B eth s a i da
F o r had the w o rk s o f p o wer w h ic h have b een w r ou ght
in y o u b ee n wr ou ght i n T y r e a n d S i d on th ey w oul d
lon g ag o have re pe n t ed i n sa c k clo th a n d a s h es B u t
I t ell y o u i t s ha ll b e m o r e t ol era bl e fo r T y re a n d
S i d on in t he da y o f j u dgm en t th a n fo r y o u
A nd
th ou Cape r n a u m ins tead o f b e in g ex a l ted t o heave n
s ha ll g o d o w n u n t o h ell
.

24

( Mt x 40 ; L e x
[ H e that w elco m es y o u welco m es me a n d he that
welco me s m e welco m es h i m that s e n t me ]
.

Mt
xi
2
5 2 7 ; Le x 2 1
(
I n that s e a son he s a i d I g i ve th ee tha n k s F a th er
L o rd o f heaven a n d earth that th ou ha s t h i dd en
thes e th in gs fr o m the w is e a n d c l ever a n d h as t
r evea l ed th em t o in fa n ts Y ea O Fa ther fo r so i t w a s
A ll th in g s have b ee n
th y g oo d w ill b e fo r e th ee
made o ver t o m e by the fath er a n d no o n e hath
k now n [the son exce pt the father no r] the father
[ hath a ny on e k no w n ]e xc ept the so n a n d t o wh o m
so ever the son w ills t o revea l
.

I 2

T HE NON MA RCAN DO CU M EN T

1 16

26

(Mt xiii 16 17 ; L e x 2 3 b
B l ess e d a r e y ou r ey es b ec a u se th ey see a n d y ou r
Fo r v er il y I sa y t o y o u
e ars b ec a u se th ey h ea r
that ma ny pr o ph ets a n d k i n gs d esi red to s ee what y e
a n d t o h ear what you h ear a n d
see a n d sa w no t
h eard no t
.

27

L c xi 2
M
t
v
i
9 13
(
Fath er gi ve us th i s da y ou r d a il y b read a n d fo rg i ve
us ou r d eb t s even a s w e have fo rg i ve n ou r de b t o r s
a n d l ead us n o t in t o te mptat ion
.

28

Mt
v
ii
7 1 1 L c xi 9
(
A s k a n d i t s hall b e g i ve n t o y o u ; s eek a n d y e
s ha ll n d ; k noc k a n d i t s ha ll b e o p e n ed to y o u
F o r eve ry on e w h o a s k s r ec e i veth ; a n d w h o s eek s
n d s a n d to the k noc k er i t s ha ll b e o p en ed Or is
there a n y o n e o f y o u o f w h o m h is son s ha ll a s k fo r
b read he w ill su r el y n o t g i ve hi m a s t on e
Or i f he
a s k fo r a s h he w ill su re l y n ot t en der h i m a v i pe r P
I f th e n y e b ei n g sinn er s k no w h o w t o g i ve g oo d g i ft s
t o y ou r c h il dr e n h o w m uc h m o r e s ha l l y ou r fath e r
fr o m h e ave n g i ve g oo d th in g s to the m that a s k h i m
.

( Mt xii

29
.

2 2 , 2 3 , 2 5, 2 7 , 2 8 ,

30 43
45 ; Lc
3 6 9
,

xi

1 4,

h ea l e d o n e p o sses sed b y a d ev il d u m b so that

t he d u m b o n e sp a k e a n d a l l th e m ul t i t u d es w e r e
a st o n is h ed
Every k i n gd o m d i v i d ed aga ins t i t s e l f
is made de sol ate
A n d i f I thr ou gh B eel z ebub c a s t
ou t dev ils thr ou gh wh o m d o y ou r o w n sons c a s t them
He

TH E N O N MARCAN DOC UMENT

1 18

32

(Mt v i 2 2 2 3 ; L e xi 3 4
The li ght o f the bo d y is th in e ey e ; i f the n th in e
ey e b e si m p l e th in e w h ol e bo d y w ill b e full o f li ght :
B ut i f th in e ey e b e w i c ke d t hy wh ol e bo d y w ill b e
dark I f th en the li ght w i th i n thee is dark n e ss ho w
great the dark n ess
.

33

(Mt X x iii

4:
32)
3: 5
LC XL 4 6 ) 52 4 2 ) 3 9 ) 44) 47
bin d u p h eavy bu rd en s, a n d l ay them
13: 2

2 7 : 2 9:

30

Th ey
o n the
s h oul der s o f m e n ; bu t th ey th e m s e l ve s w oul d no t
m o ve them w i th th e i r li tt l e n ger
W oe t o y ou P h ar is ees b ec a us e y e s h u t u p the
k in gd o m o f G o d b efo re m e n s fa c e s F o r y e e n ter
no t you r s e l ve s no r p erm i t th e m t o e n ter wh o w oul d
d o so
W oe t o you Phar is ees fo r y e t i the m in t a n d a nis e
a n d cum m in bu t h a ve l eft u n d on e th e we i ght i er part s
o f the l aw j u dgm e n t a n d m er cy
No w y e Phar is ee s y e cl ea ns e t he ou t si de of the
cu p a n d p l atter bu t w i th i n they a r e full o f r obb ery
a n d l ic e nc e
W oe t o you fo r y e are li k e grave s uns ee n a n d me n
wh o wa l k o ver them re co g nis e them n o t
[ W oe t o y o u Phar is ees fo r y e are t o b e li ke n ed t o
wh i tewa s hed graves wh ic h ou t si d e appear b ea u t i ful
bu t w i th in are full o f d e ad bon e s a n d a ll u ncl ea n
n ess ]
W o e t o you b e c a us e y e buil d the t o m bs o f the
pr o phet s a n d s ay : Had we b ee n i n the days of our
father s we w oul d not have b ee n s harer s w i th them in
the bloo d o f the pr o ph et s S o that y e b ear w i t n e ss
.

TH E N ON M ARCAN DOC U MENT

-

1 19

that ye are sons o fthem that sl ew the pr o phet s A n d

y e ll u p the mea su re o f you r father s
Th erefo re the W is d o m o f Go d s a i d : I s en d un to
S o me o f
y o u pr o phet s a n d w is e me n a n d sc r ib e s
the m y e w ill sl ay a n d p er s ecu te that there may c o me
on you a ll th e bloo d s h ed on earth fr o m that o f A b el
un t il that o f Z a c har i a s wh o m y e sl e w b etween the
s hr in e a n d the a l tar V er il y I sa y t o y o u A ll th es e
th in gs s ha ll co m e o n th is ge n erat ion
.

3 4A

Mt
x
2
6
(
3 3 L c xii 2
N o th in g i s h i dd e n wh ic h s hall no t b e reveal ed o r
s e c ret wh ic h s ha ll no t b e k no w n W hat I s peak to
you in dark n e s s d o y e s peak in t he li ght a n d what
y e h ear in a wh is p er pr ocl a i m y e on the h ous et o p s
A n d fear y e n ot the m that sl ay the bo dy bu t have no
p o wer t o sl ay the soul B ut fe ar rath er h i m that is
a bl e to d es tr oy soul a n d bo d y i n G ehe nn a Are no t
t wo (or v e) s parr o w s sol d fo r o n e (or t w o ) p e nni es ?
A n d one o f them s hall no t fa ll to the gr oun d w i th ou t
G o d s w ill
A n d o f y ou r head s the very ha i r s a r e
nu m b ered Fear no t th en Y e a r e o f far m o r e
a ccoun t tha n s parr o w s Eve ry on e th en wh o s ha ll
mak e con fession o f m e b efo re m en s ha ll th e Son o f
Ma n (or s ha ll I ) a lso m ake con fession o f b e fo re th e
a n gels o f G o d B ut wh osoever d e nies m e b efo r e m en
I a lso w ill d e ny h i m b efo re the a n ge ls of G o d
.

3 4B

( Mt xii 3 2 ; L c xii
A n d wh o ever s peaketh ill o f th e S on o f M a n i t
s ha ll b e fo rg i ve n h i m ; bu t wh o ever s p eaketh ill o f
the H oly S p i r i t i t s hall no t b e fo rg i ve n h i m
.

TH E N ON MARCAN DOC UM EN T

12 0

35

( Mt v i

; Lc
5 33

xii

22

Ther e fo re I sa y un t o y o u feel n o c on c er n for y ou r

li fe w hat y e sh a ll e a t no r fo r y ou r bo d y what y e
s ha ll p u t on I s no t the li fe m o re t h a n foo d a n d th e
bo d y tha n ra i m en t ? L oo k a t t he c r o w s (or t he bi rd s
o f h e aven ) h ow th ey so w no t no r r e ap n o r gath er
i n t o b ar ns y et G o d feed eth th em A r e y e n o t o f m o r e
a c cou n t tha n they ? A n d w h o o f y o u b y fussin g c a n
a d d t o h is s tat u r e o n e cubi t ?
A n d a bou t ra i me n t
w h y fuss th ee ?
Mark t he lili es h o w th ey gr ow
Th ey l a bou r n o t n o r do th ey s p in Y et I say t o y o u
no t eve n Solo m on i n a ll h is g lo ry w a s cl ad a s o ne o f
the s e B ut i f G od so dre ss es the weed wh ic h is t o
d ay i n t h e el d a n d to m o rr o w is c a s t in t o a fu r n a c e
h o w m uc h m o re y ou 0 y e o f li tt l e fa ith ? Therefo re
W hat s ha ll w e eat o r
y e s ha ll no t w o rr y a n d sa y
what sha ll w e dr in k ? o r w hat sha ll we we ar ? Fo r
a ll th es e th in g s a r e in qu es t fo r the Ge n t il es Fo r
y ou r fat he r k no w s that y e a re i n n ee d o f a ll th es e
B ut s ee k y e h is k in gd o m a n d a ll the s e th in g s s ha ll b e
added t o y o u
,

36

( Mt v i

19

2 1

Lc

x ii

33,

Trea su re n ot u p fo r you rs el ves trea su re s o n e arth

w h e re th e m o th a n d t h e r us t d e fo rm a n d wh e r e
th i eve s b reak thr ou gh a n d s te a l Bu t trea su re u p fo r
y ou r s el ve s tr e a su re s in h eave n wh e re n e i th e r m o th
no r r us t defo rm a n d w h ere th i e ve s n e i ther b reak
thr ou gh n or s t ea l F o r wh erever y ou r trea su re is
there w ill b e a lso you r h ea rt
,

12 2

s ha l t

T HE NON MARCA N DO C U M E NT
-

n ot

farth in g

d ep a rt thenc e un t il th ou ha s t pa i d
,

the

l ast

40

L c xiii 1 8
Mt
xiii
1
33
3
(
A n d aga in he s a i d T o w h a t s ha ll I li k e n the
k in gd o m o f G o d ? I t is li k e l ea ve n wh ic h a w o ma n
too k a n d h i d in thr ee m e a su r es o f m ea l un t il the
wh ol e w a s l eave n ed
(T h e a bo ve w a s pr ob a bl y prec e d ed b y the follow in g
U n t o w hat is the k in gd o m o f G od li k e a n d t o what
s ha ll I li k en i t ? I t i s li k e a gra in o f m us tard seed
wh ic h a ma n t oo k a n d so wed in h is el d a n d i t grew
a n d b e c am e a tree a n d the bi rd s o f heave n n e s t in i t s
b ra nc h es )
.

41

( Mt v ii 1 3 I 4 ; L c xiii
E n t er y e thr ou gh th e n arr o w gate F o r w i d e [ is
th e g a t e]a n d b r o ad the r o ad wh ic h l ead s to r uin
a n d ma n y are th ey that pa ss in a lon g i t Fo r n arr ow
i s th e gate a n d w o r n t h e r o ad wh i c h l ead s un t o li fe
a n d few a r e they w ho n d i t
.

42

( Mt v iii 1 1 1 2 ; L c xiii 2 8
I t el l y ou that fr o m E a s t a n d W e s t they s ha ll co m e
a n d l i e d o w n w i th A b r a ham a n d I s aa c a n d J a cob in
the k i n gd o m o f G o d bu t t he c h il dr en o fthe k in gd o m
Ther e s ha ll b e wa ilin g
sha ll b e c a s t ou t (or g o fo rth )
a n d g n a s h in g o f t ee th
.

43

Mt
xxiii
3 7 3 9 ; L c x iii 3 4
(
J er u sa l e m J er us a l em th ou that k ill es t the pr o phet s
a n d s t on e s t them that have b e en s e n t un t o thee !
.

T H E N ON MARCA N DO C U M ENT
-

12 3

ma ny t i me s have I wis h ed t o gath er t ogethe r thy

c h il dre n a s a bi rd gather s her n es t lin g s un d er h er
w in g s a n d y e w oul d no t have i t
B eh ol d you r h ous e
is a b a n d on ed u n t o y o u d esol ate Fo r I tel l y o u y e
s ha ll n o t see m e h enc e fo rth un t il [he co m e wh en ]
y o u s ha ll sa y B l e ss ed he wh o co m eth i n th e n am e o f
th e L o rd
H ow

44

( Mt xxiii 1 2 ; Lc xi v I I )
W h o so ever s ha ll li ft h i m sel f u p s ha ll b e ab a sed
a n d wh osoever s ha ll ab a s e h i m s e l f s ha ll b e li fted u p
.

45

(Mt x 3 7 L c xi v
[ H e wh o lo ve s fath e r o r m o ther m o r e tha n me is
a n d he wh o lo ve s son o r da u ghter
no t w o rth y o f m e
m o re tha n me is no t w o rthy o f me ]
.

(Mt x 3 8
He that takes no t u p
no t w o rthy o f me
.

xi v 2 7 )
c r oss a n d follo w s me is

; Lc

his

47

( Mt v 1 3 L c xi v 3 4
Y e a re th e s a l t [ o f t he e arth ]; bu t i f the s a l t b e
s p oil ed wh erew i t h sha ll i t b e s a l t ed ? I t i s u se ful
fo r n oth in g a n y m o r e e xc ept t o b e c a s t ou t si d e a n d
tr o dden un d er foot b y m en
.

48

( Mt x v iii 1 2 1 3 Lc x v 4
W hat th in k y e ? I f a ma n s h oul d have a h u n dred
s he ep a n d on e o f them los e i t s way woul d he no t
.

THE NON MARCA N D O C UM ENT

12 4

l eave the nin ety nin e o n the m ou n ta ins a n d g o a n d

s ee k the los t o n e ? A n d i f so b e i t he n d i t I sa y
u n t o y o u that he rej oi ce th o ver i t m o re th a n o ve r th e
nin ety nine that lo st n ot th ei r w a y
-

49

( Mt v i 2 4 ; L e x v i
N o o ne c a n s erve tw o ma ster s F o r eithe r he w ill
hat e t he o n e a n d lo ve th e o th er o r he w ill adh ere t o
Y e c a nno t serve G o d
t h e o n e a n d d esp i se th e o th e r
a n d m a mm on
.

50

(Mt x i 1 2 1 3 ; L e x v i
T h e pr o ph et s a n d t h e l a w l a s t e d u n t il J o h n
Fr o m
th en t ill no w t he k in gd o m o f Go d i s b ein g wr es ted by
fo r ce a n d m en o f v iol e nc e sn at ch at i t
.

51

( Mt v 1 8 ; Le x v i I 7 )
V er il y I t ell y ou un t il heaven a n d earth pa ss awa y
no t on e j o t o r t i tt l e s ha ll pa ss away o f th e l aw
.

52

(Mt v 3 2 L c x v i
I t ell y o u eve ryon e wh o d i v o r c es h i s w i fe c a us es
h er to c o mm i t ad ul tery ; a n d wh o eve r s ha ll marr y a
d i v o r c ed wo ma n co mm i t s ad ul tery
.

53

( Mt x v iii 7 ; L o x v ii
I t m us t b e that sc a n da ls co m e bu t
throu gh wh o m the sc a n dal co me s
.

w o e to

the ma n

126

T HE NO N MAR CA N DO CU MEN T
-

57

( Mt x 3 9 L c x v ii
H e that n d s h i s li fe s ha ll los e i t a n d
los e s h is li fe s ha ll n d i t
.

he

that

58

( Mt xx v 2 9 L c xix
T o e very on e wh o ha s s ha ll b e g i ve n a n d in
a nce bu t fr o m h i m w h o ha s no t e ve n what
s ha ll b e tak e n fr o m h i m
.

a b un d

he

ha s

59

( Mt xix 2 8 ; L c xxii 2 8 3 0 )
Y e w ho have follo w ed m e sha ll si t u p on twe l ve
thr on e s j u dg in g the twe l ve tr ibe s o f I s rae l
.

VI I I

C H A PTE R

T H E N O N MARCAN D O CUM ENT(Con ti n ued)

-

S UC H o r n ear l y su c h w a s the s econ d d ocu me n t

wh ic h t o geth er w i th M ark s G os p el dr i fted in t o the
ha n d s o f the r s t a n d th i rd eva n ge lis ts I t m us t
have co mpr is e d o th er i n ci d en t s a n d s ay in gs foun d i n
o n e o r t he o th er o f th ese bu t no t g i ve n in th e a bo ve
re c ons tr uc t ion wh i c h n ec es sa r il y tak es a ccoun t onl y
o f what s ta n d s in bo th o f th e m
I t r ema i n s t o a s k
W hat is the a ge o f th is d ocu me n t ? W hat i t s o r i g in
W hat is the pr ob a bili ty that i t s con t e n t s r ea ll y ree c t
the li fe a n d t ea c h in g o f J esus as Xeno ph on s Mem or a
bil i a r e ec t th e li fe a n d t ea c h in g o f S oc rates o r th e
page s o f B os w e ll the con ver s at ions o f Dr Jo h nson ?
L et us b eg in b y e nu m erat in g th os e tra i t s o f th e
d ocu me n t wh ic h e n cou rage us t o b eli eve that i t m us t
b e very ol d a n d a l m os t a con t emp o rar y r eco rd
( I ) F i r s t l y th en th ere i s no me n t ion o f th e d eath
a n d r esu rre c t ion o f J e sus W e have see n h o w Paul
insis t s o n t he i mp o rta n ce o f th es eho w h is m in d is
ll ed w i th them eve n t o th e n egl ec t o f th e rea l li fe
a n d tea c h in g o f J esus I n t he s am e s p i r i t a s Pa ul
Mark the ear li e s t o f the eva n ge lis t s rel ate s h ow fr o m
the m o me n t o f Pete r s re co g n i t ion o f h i m a s th e
Me ssi ah J esus heg a n to tea ch tha t the S on of Ma n
m a st safer m a ny thi ng s a n d he r ejected by the el der s
a n d chi e
f pr i ests a n d scr i bes a nd he sl a i n a n d after
,

th r ee day s

r i se ag a i n

'

12

12

TH E NO N MAR CAN DOC UM ENT

Fr o m th is p oin t o n o f Mark s G os pe l th is is th e
ma in the m e o f J esus s d iscou rsesh i s g os p el pr o pe r
a n d a bou t the l as t fou rth o f Mark s G ospel is g i ve n
u p t o th e inci d e n t s o f t he d eath a n d re su rre c t ion
T h e sam e i s tr u e o f t h e o the r thr ee G o sp e l s a n d t he
l at el y reco ver ed fra gm e n t o f the so c a ll e d G os p el o f
Pete r p i c t u r es th ese even t s w i th n o l ess d eta il tha n
Matth ew s G os p el in part icul ar
th e c a nonic a l sou r c es
e x e mp li es h o w m u c h t h e m in d s o f Chr is t i a ns w e re
p r e occu p i e d t o w ard s th e en d o f t h e r st c e n t u r y w i th
I n t he n o n M ar c a n
th e d e ath a n d r esu rr ec t ion
sou rc e (see above p 1 17
h er e re pr o d uc ed m o re
fa i thfully by L u k e tha n b y Matthew s t oo d the s ayin g
that a l th ou gh tha t ev il a n d ad ul te r ou s gen erat ion
sou ght a si g n th ey y et sh oul d b e g i ve n non e e xc ept
that o f J on a h A s Jon ah w a s a si g n t o the N in ev i tes
so w a s th e S o n o f Ma n t o t h e l at e r g en erat ion
In
o th er w o rd s J esu s w a s a so rt o f m o d e r n Jon ah w h o se
adve n t h er a l d ed d estr uc t ion t o the J ews unl es s they
r ep en ted even a s th e N in ev i tes o f ol d had r ep e n ted
at th e prea c h i n g o f the ol d er pr o ph et
I n a ll th i s th er e i s no re fer e nce t o the d e ath a n d
resu rrec t io n o f J esus B ut Matth ew w i th pass age s
r i n g i n g in h i s e ar s li ke the o n e fr o m Mark wh ic h ha s
j us t b ee n c i ted sa w in t h is s ay in g a bou t Jon ah a n
o c c a sion fo r p u tt in g in t o th e li p s o f J esus a pr o ph e c y
o f h is d eath a n d r e su rr e t io n aft e r three da s
H ad
y
n o t Jon ah b een s w a llo w ed b
y a wha l e a n d after thr ee
day s c on n e m en t in i ts e n tr a il s v o m i te d u p afre sh
in t o the li ght o f h ea ve n ? H ere w a s a c ha nc e fo r th is
eva n ge li st w h o e xc el s a ll t h e o th e r s in
th e a r t o f
d i sc o ver i n g in th e J ewi sh sc r i pt u res fo r ety p es a n d
pr o pheci es o f Chr is t A cc ord in gl y he r e wr i te s h is
sou r c e a s foll ows : Then cer ta i n of the scr i bes a n d

TH E

13 0

NO N

MA RCA N D O CU M ENT

ol d s ayin g is a lso t o b e in ferred fr o m the fa c t that

Mark v iii 3 4 re co rd s i t i n d e pe n de n t l y a s follow s :

If a ny on e w i shes to com e after m e l et h i m deny hi m

an

f a n d ta he up h i s cr oss a n d fol l ow m e
W a s th is s ayin g p u t in t o the li p s o f J e sus

sel

fa cto after

even t

ex

p ost

a s t o in v ol ve a hy ster on
p r oter on ? Or c a n w e l et i t s ta n d a n d in terpr et i t
apart fr o m the c r uci xio n ? There are gr oun d s to
j us t i fy the l atter cou r s e Fi r s t l y i t is c erta in a s
M S a lo m on Re in a c h ha s p oin ted ou t that c r uci xio n
w as lon g a n te c ede n t ly t o J esus regarded a s th e t y p ic a l
d e ath wh ic h the j us t ma n m us t e x pe c t at the han d s o f
m a l e fa c t o r s a n d o ppr esso r s
I t i s so represen t e d in
a n eloq u en t pa ss age o f P l a t o i n wh ic h the Chr is t i a ns
l ate r on d isc er n ed a paga n pr o phe cy o f Chr is t J esus
o f cou rse d i d no t rea d P l at o bu t the i dea m ay v er y
well h a ve b ee n cu rr e n t in the Gre cis ed part s o f
G a lil ee a n d i t s eem s t o be g l a nc ed at in the H eb re w
p sa l m x x ii 16 w i th wh ic h o f cou r s e J esu s w a s
fam ili ar The a ssem bly of ev il doer s ha ve i n cl osed m e
t he

so

they

p i er ced my ha n ds a n d my feet

S ec on d ly in th e very l i fe t i me o f J e sus Ph ilo h is

A l e x a n dr in e co mpatr io t co n s t a n t ly r efer s t o d e ath on
t h e c r os sa n d he had w i t n e ss e d h un dre d s o f h is c o m
patr io ts di e in th is wa y a s i f i t s y m bolised t o h is
m i n d the e x trem e o f d is gra c e a n d h u m ili at ion
Th u s in h is treat is e on the p os ter i t y of Ca in
h e rem ark s that th os e wh o a r e to o m uc h attac h e d to
the bo dy a n d t o mater i a l ou tward goo d s have a s i t
we re h u n g them s e l ve s on li fe l e ss obje c t s a n d li ke
p er sons c r uci ed (he us es P l at o s w o rd a nasholop i z d)
n a il ed
are
un t il death t o p er is ha bl e matt er I n
a n o th er tr eat is e ( 0 n D r ea m s ii
3 1) t he t a l e o f
Phara o h s ha n g in g h is coo k su gge s ts the s am e th ou ght
,

THE

NO N

MAR CAN D O C UM EN T

13 1

aga in L i ke the c r uci ed the u n der s ta n d in g o f a

s el s h a n d s e nsu a l m a n is n a il ed t o the t r ee o f
p o verty s tr ic ke n i g no ra nce Th is us e made o f the
i d e a i s i t is tr u e qui t e d i ffe re n t fr o m that o f the
G os pe l w here no t the s el f in d ul ge n t bu t the a sc et ic
u n derg o e s c r u ci xion bu t th ey s h o w that a ll ego r i st s
were pr on e t o us e i t o n e w ay o r the o ther I n the
T es tam e n t s o f the Patr i ar c h s (Te s t o f L ev i ) i t is
pre d ic ted that the d i v i n e M essi ah is t o b e c r uci ed
(a n a shol op i z b) bu t i t is no t c erta in that th is is no t a
Chr is ti a n in terp ol at ion in a n ol d J ewis h d ocu me n t
I t is n o t i mp ossibl e th e re fo re that we s h oul d n d
suc h a re fere n c e eve n am on g genuin e s ayin g s o f J esu s
a n d i t is far fr o m b e i n g th e onl y p oin t o f con ta c t
b etwee n the G os pe ls a n d the w o rk s o f Ph ilo a s w e
s ha ll see l ater on
O n the o ther ha n d th e say in g is l i kel y e nou gh t o
have b ee n sli pped in to t he coll e c t ion so me t i m e b efo re
i t fe ll i n t o th e ha n d s o f Matth ew a n d L u k e I t hard ly
fo rm ed part o f i t o r i g in all y I n a n y c a s e th is s ay in g
b y i t s ver y u n iqu e n ess d o es bu t re n der a ll th e m o re
r e markabl e the absence o f re fere nc e s t o a n ep iso de
w h ic h a l read y in P a ul a n d soon in t he m i n d s o f
Chr is t i a ns in ge n era l over s ha d o w s every o th er a s p ec t
o f th e ma s ter s li fe a n d a c t i v i ty
( 2 ) The h o r i z on o f J esu s in the s e s ay in g s is
on e m i ght exc ept
w h oll y J e w is h a n d Pa l e s t ini a n
fo r 4 3 say Ga lil ea n ; a n d eve n the ap os tr oph e t o
J e r us a l em in the l atter pa ss age is so gen era l in
ch ara c ter that we coul d no t fro m i t a lon e a n d apart
fr o m t he full er G os pe ls in fe r that the prea c h in g b eg un
The
i n Ga lil e e had b ee n con t inu e d in J er us a l em
onl y o th er p l a c e s m e n t ion ed Ch o ra z in B eth s a i da
Cap er n a u m
are a ll in N o rther n Pal e st in e
.

K 2

TH E

13 2

NO N

MA R CA N DOC U M ENT

( 3 ) There are t ou c hes a si d es h in t s pre su pp osi t ions

i n the s e addr ess e s wh ic h c a n onl y b elon g t o the ear li e s t
age b e c aus e they m ili t a t e so s harp l y aga ins t the
b e li efs a n d prej u d ic e s o f a n y l at er t i m e C on tra s t
fo r e x amp l e what is sai d o f J o h n th e B apt is t in 14
w i th the a ss everat io n s o f t h e eva n ge lis t s Th us
Matthe w is c areful t o e x p l a i n t o h i s re ader s that Jo h n
th e B apt is t re co g n is ed J esus a s th e M essi ah so soon

B u t john w ould ha ve
a s he c ame to b e b a pt is ed
,

h i n der ed hi m , say i ng , I ha ve need to be bap ti sed by thee,

a n d com est thou to m e P
Aga in i n the G os p e l o f t he E bio n i te s, a ver y early
d ocu me n t, J o h n i s mad e to a s k Who a r t thou
L or d ? a n d a v oic e a ns w e r s fr o m heave n
Thi s i s
my bel oved son , i n w hom I a m w el l p l ea sed
A n d for th
w i th joh n fel l dow n befor e h i m a n d sa i d, I beseech thee

Lor d, do thou bap ti se m e

,

I t is the ev i de n t in t en t ion o f Mark a n d L u ke in

the i r n arrat i ve s o f the b apt is m that the i r reader s
s h oul d u n der s ta n d J o h n to have a ccl a i med J e s u s a s
the Me ssi ah fr o m the r s t T he F ou rth G os pe l is
s t ill m o re e x p li c i t fo r in i t w e read (i 2 9 ) that Jo h n

see in g J e sus co m in g un t o h i m s a i d : B ehol d the

La m b of G od w h i ch ta heth a w ay the si n of the w or l d ;
,

he tha t sen t m e to bap ti se w i th w a ter sa i d un to m e,

Upon w hom soever thou sha l t see th e Sp i r i t descen di ng ,
a nd a bi di ng u on

the holy

pi ri

thi s i s the S on

h i m , the sa m e i s he tha t bap ti seth w i th

A n d I h a ve seen , a n d bor n e w i tn ess tha t

f G od
Th is the n is th e fo rm in wh ic h the l ege n d wa s
x ed we ll b efo re th e en d o f the rs t c e n t u ry I t coul d
no t b e adm i tted that Jo h n fel t eve n a m o me n t s he si
t a ti on in re co g n isin g J e sus a s the Me ssi ah
H ow
d i ffere n t is the re co rd o f th is non Mar c a n sou r c e !
,

THE N O N MARCA N D O C U M ENT

134

in de ed we l earn fr o m the h i s t o r i a n Jos eph us a n d

t h e cu r ious s t o ry o f th e e x p e ll e d d e m on r e t u r nin g w i th
s even dem o n s w o r se tha n h i m sel f is a n in terest in g
adm issio n that J esus s exo r ci sm s w er e no t a l ways
per m a n en t l y suc ce ss ful
T h e ob v ious a i m o f the wr i t e r in t e llin g t h e s t o r y o f
the c e n tu r ion s c h il d
1 3 ) is n o t to n arrat e a s tart lin g
m i r a c l e bu t t o pro v i d e a b a c kgr ou n d fo r th e s ay in g
a s,

Ver i ly I

u n to y ou , n ot ev en

say

i n I sr a el ha v e I fou n d

conclu d in g c l a us e o f th i s sec t io n
a tte s t i n g a c u r e at a d is ta n c e see m s t o b e Matth e w s
w a y o fr oun d in g o ff the st o ry L u k e s e n d in g a lso wh ic h
ha s no th in g i n co mm on w i th Matthew i s pr ob abl y a n
add i t ion o f h is o w n Th e i r co mm on sou r c e s ee m s
t o h a ve s t o pp e d s h o rt w i th th e de li vera nc e o f the
ap o phth egm
( 5) T he w r i t er o r co mp il er o f th is d ocu m en t h i m
s el f e n terta ins no d oub t bu t th a t J esus b e c am e th e
M essi ah at h is b apt is m H e t ells the s t o ry of J oh n
a n d he t ell s t he st o ry o f th e t emptat ion H e a l m os t
c e rta inl y r e l at e d t he b apt is m o f J e sus a s w ell th ou gh
Matth ew a n d L u ke a r e co n te n t t o tra n sc r ibe Mark s
H e w is h e s h is re ad e r s t o b ear in m in d
a c coun t o f i t
a ll t h r ou gh tha t th e p erson wh o se t ea c h in g h e r epr o
d u ces w a s he wh o had i n th e Jo rda n b ee n sp i r i t u all y
a noi n ted a n d pr o m o ted to b e Son o f G o d a n d M essi ah
I an d
B ut a s Har n a c k r e mark s i f w e th i n k a way
2 J esu s a ddre s ses u s i n m os t o f t h ese s a y in g s si mp l y
a s a t e a c h e r a s a pr o ph et o r a s o n e gr eat e r tha n a
pr o phet a s the l as t a n d n a l e m i ssa r y o f G od H e

no w h ere s a y s I a m the M e ssi a h

H i s cl a i m s a r e
rath er o f t h e s a m e o rd er a s tho s e w h ic h M o hammed
m a d e o n h is follo wer s H e b el ieves h i m s el f to b e t he
p oss e sso r o f a n ew u niq ue a n d n al reve l at ion o f the
so

m u ch fa i th

T he

THE

NO N

MARCAN D O CUM ENT

135

Fa th er s n at u re H e c a lls h is coun try m en t o repe n t

a nc e a n d the S erm on on the M oun t a n d the r es t o f the
m o ra l pre ce pts g u re fo rth the te mp er a n d con d uc t o f
rep en ta n t soul s I t is onl y t o wa rd s t he clos e o f the
d ocu m en t th at J esus pr es en ts h i m s e l f a s a M essi ah
a n d the n no t a s a pres en t M essi ah bu t a s a fu t u re
on e
E xc ept fo r th e rst tw o s ec t ions w e m i ght
gather th a t i t w a s o n l y t ow ar ds the clos e o fhi s c areer
that the s el f co n den ce o f J esus r i pe n ed in t o the con
v i c ti on th a t h e w oul d co m e aga in a s k in g a n d j u dg e

Th us h e s ay s i n 4 3 : Ye sha ll n ot see m e g a i n

u n ti l

ye

say

B l essed i s h e tha t

h i n th e n a m e

L or d
S o in

com et

p o w e r a n d person a li ty ] of the
56 h e co mpar es h is fu t u re a dven t t o the d elu ge t h a t
non e fo res aw except N o ah a n d hi s fa i thful o n es A n d
h o wsin g ul ar l y n a i v e a n d J ew i sh is hi s con c ept ion o f
t h e K in gd o m o f G o d w h i c h h is s econ d adven t sh a ll
sh a ll si t
in a u gu rat e : Ye w ho h v e foll ow ed m e
.

p on

tw el ve th r on es a n djudg e th e tw el v e tr i bes

fI sr a el

fa i thful aga i n i n 4 2 a r e t o c o m e fr o m e a st a n d
west a n d t o l i e d ow n at a b a n q u et w i th A b rah a m a n d
I sa a c a n d J a cob in the K in gd o m o f G o d T h e so n s
o f t h e K i n gd o m
J ew s b y bi rtha r e i n deed to
b e c a s t ou t ; bu t t h a t d o es no t m ea n that th e g u est s
a dm i tt e d a r e n o t J ew s b y fa i th
Pr os el y tes c erta i n l y
are m ea n t w ho h a ve ad o pt ed t he l a w fo r i n 5 1 w e
l ear n that a s lon g a s h eaven a n d ea rth l ast n o t a j o t
o r t i ttl e o f the l a w i s t o b e a llo w ed t o l ap se
(6 ) T h e prece pt s i n th is d ocu m e n t a r e a ddr es se d t o
th e i mm ed i at e d is c i p l es o f J esu s a n d h a v e no r e fe r en c e
t o o rga ni sa t ion a n d c h u rc h d isci p li n e Th i s is in
i t sel f a si g n that th ey b elon g to a n a ge a n t er io r t o that
o rga n i se d Ch u rc h o f J er us a l e m o f w h i c h w e a l r eady
g et g li mp ses i n th e Ep is t l e s o f Pa ul esp e ci a lly i n the
T he

1 36

MARCAN DO C UM EN T

NO N

THE

Ep i stl e t o the Gal at i a n s wh ic h is pr ob abl y the e ar lies t

o f th e m
e agre e
e
Cr
i
t
ics
suc
h
a
s
l
l
s
n
a
n
d
N
s
t
l
h
W
e
a
u
e
(7 )
that th i s non Mar c a n sou r ce is a tra nsl at ion o f a n
Arama ic d o c u m en t S e m i t ic ter m s a n d i d io m s sh o w
thro ugh the G reek d res s i n e very s en te nce Now
Pap i a s w h o ou r is h ed a bou t A D 1 3 0 rel ates that
Matthew o n e o f the t w el ve ap os tl es arra n ge d o r
co mp os ed the L og i a o r say in g s in the H eb r ew
Arama i c ) d i a l ec t a n d that th ese w ere subs equ en t l y
tra n sl ated (in t o Greek ) by sun dry per sons a s e ac h o f
the m b es t wa s abl e
O n su c h a p oin t w e c a n no t h o pe t o rea c h m o r e tha n
pr ob abili ty bu t th e pr ob abili ty c erta inl y is that Q i s
th e c oll ec t ion o f s ay in g s th us p u t t o g ether
T he

e xi st i n g
G os pel a cco rd in g to Matthe w is ob viou sl y
no t the w o rk o f that a p os t l e ; fo r rs t l y i t is wr i tte n
in G reek a n d no t in H eb r ew o r Arama ic ; a n d
s econ d l y o n e wh o w a s a n ap o st l e a n d ey e w i t n ess o f
th e m ini stry o f J e sus w oul d n o t h ave g on e on the
o n e h a n d t o M ark w h o w a s n e i th e r
fo r h is k no w
l edge o f th e fa c t s a n d h is arra n geme n t o f th e m ; o r
o n th e o th e r
to a G r ee k d ocu m e n t li k e Q fo r th e
t eac h in g o f h is mas ter H e w oul d have k no w n r s t
ha n d the inci d en ts o fJ esus s li fe a n d in what s equ e nce
th ey oc c u rred a n d a lso h o w a n d w hat J esus ta u ght
Th e so c a ll ed G os p el o f Matth ew there fo r e is the
w o rk o f a n un k no w n wr i te r p ossibl y o f a J ew is h
Chr is t i a n in Pal est in e wh o h a n d l es in the ma in th e
s ame mater i a ls a s Lu k e I t wa s pr ob a bl y co mp il ed
b etwe en A D 8 0 a n d 10 0 bu t un d erwe n t s evera l
reda c t ions b efo r e i t r ea c hed the fo rm in wh ic h we
h ave i t in t h e ear li es t m a n usc r i pt s a n d v e r sions
W hat the n is the c ha nc e that J esu s o f Nazar eth
,

TH E NON MAR CAN D OC UM ENT

138

have b een m o r e or l ess r ec a st a n d m o d i ed a n d a l so

that the G r eek ver sion b efo re i t rea c hed the fo rm in
w h ic h w e hav e i t m a y have b ee n a g oo d d e a l r et ou c h e d
a n d adj u sted t o the n ew c on c ept ion s o f J esu s wh ic h
were gro win g u p e s p eci a lly am on g t he Pa ulin e co n
verts Y et th e m os t sea rc h i n g c r i t i c i sm c an d et ec t
few tra c es o f r epa in t in g li tt l e colou r wh ic h w e ca n b e
su re i s s e con dar y
,

C HAPT E R

IX

T RU E J E S U S

THE

W E c a n wr i te a li fe o f J ulius C aes ar o r o f C ic er o
b ec a u se w e hav e in the r s t lin e l ett er s c o m m en
tar i es a n d o t h er a u th en t ic d oc u m en t s wr i tten b y
th e m an d the i r fr i en d s ; in th e sec on d l i ves w r i tten
b y P l utar c h a n d o th er s wh o had i n th ei r h a n d s
m onu m e n t s o f t h e m no w los t ; a n d i n the th i rd
ma s ses o f con t e mp o rary coins a n d insc r i pt ions
C on tra st w i th th i s w ea l th o f sou r c es t he sc a n ty
mater i a l wh i c h r e m a in s after t he e x a m i n at io n o f th e
prec ed in g c h a pte r s fo r a p o rtra i t o f J e su s o f Nazareth
S o sl e n d e r is i t i n d ee d th a t i t see m s n o t a bsu rd t o
so m e c r i t ic s t o d a y t o d e n
T he
y that h e e ve r li ve d
tr u th i s that the Ch u r c h b y fe ncin g r oun d th is co r n er
o f h i st o r
y b y re fu si n g t o a pp l y w i th i n i t th e c a no n s
b y w h i c h i n o th er el d s tr u t h i s d i sc e r n e d fr o m fa l se
h oo d b y b ea t i fy i n g c r e d ulou s i g no ra n c e a n d a n a the
m a ti si n g sc h ol a r sh i p a n d co mm on se ns e h a s su r
r oun d ed the w h ol e w i th suc h a n i m bu s o f i m prob a
b i l i ty th a t a n y c l e ve r sc h oolbo y o f t h e t w e n t i e th
ce n t u r
y i s incli n e d to d i sm i ss t h e e n t i re Ne w T est a
m en t a s a fo rgery a n d c o n c o c t ion o f th e pr i e s t
A
c h il d o f m y o w n at th e a ge O f t w el ve w a s set to do a s
h is S un day ta s k a map o f the m i ssion ary tra vel s o f
Pa ul a n d hav in g co mp l eted i t b r ou ght i t t o m e fo r
m y ap pr o va l b e fo re he sh o we d i t u p t o h i s ma s t er
W he n I had a ppr o ved i t h e sa i d t o m e in h i s m os t
,

39

T HE TRU E J E S U S

140

con d en t i a l t on es : F a ther d i d S t Pa ul eve r r e a ll y

I t w a s e vi d e n t what w a s in hi s m in d J es us
e xis t ?
w a s no t a h is t o r ic a l p er son ag e li k e P e r icl es o r J uliu s
C aes ar ; fo r w h o sa ve a m y th ic al h er o wal k s on th e
w a t e r c h i d es w in d a n d st o rm in t o sil enc e a n d fee d s
t h ous a n d s at o n ce u p o n no th in g at a l l ? J e sus had in
th i s c h il d s m in d a n d very j u st l y t o o consi d er i n g th e
gen era l c h arac ter o f w hat is c a ll ed reli g iou s i n str uc
t ion tak e n h i s p l ac e a lon gs i d e o f H er a c l es a n d
D ion y sus B ut Pa ul see m ed to h i m t o b e m o r e in
t ouc h w i th re a li ty Had he n o t b e e n s h i pwr ec ke d
a n d i mpr iso ned a n d fa c e d o ther per ils o f l an d a n d
sea ?
C l ear l y he w as t he onl y qu a si h i st o r ic a l
person age l eft in th e d i v ini ty l es sons I f he c a n b e
e li m in at e d t h e s c h oolbo y c a n r e l egat e t o m y th olo g y
t h e wh ol e subj ec t matter o f these l essons S uc h is
th e n em esis o f c reed s a n d o rth o d ox y
W e c a n n o t t hen a sp i r e to w r i t e a li fe o f J esus
Eve n a Re n a n fa il ed a n d fr o m the ha n d s o f a Farrar
w e m e re l y get un d e r t h i s r ub r ic a farr a g o o ffa ls eh oo d
a b su r d i t y a n d c har l ata n ry
At th e b es t p erhap s w e
c a n onl y h o p e to s ee J esus a s i t w er e t h r ou gh t h e
m i st eve r t h ic ke n i n g o f th e o p i n io n s w h i c h th e
se con d a n d th i rd g en e rat ion s o f h i s follo w er s fo rm ed
of h im
B etw eeen ou r s el v es a n d h i m in t e rv e n es
e ar li e s t o f ou r sou r c es in p oi n t o f t i m e
Pa ul w i th
h is ap oc a ly pt ic precon cept ion s O f w hat a M essi ah had
t o b e w i th h i s t u r bi d s w i r lin g oo d o f Obscu re fa nci es
h i s e p il ept ic ecs t a s y a n d pr i vat e r e ve l at ions
Nex t
after h i m in o rd er o f t i m e w e hav e the non Mar c a n
d ocu m en t in wh ic h a s w e have s ee n we have a l m os t
c erta inly ec h o e s
p erhap s m o r e tha n e c h o e s o f h is
teac h in g N ear l y con temp o rar y w i th th is m us t b e
th e s a n e r part s o f Mark s G os p el fo r the great e r part
.

T RU E J E S US

THE

142

i n m a ny e ar l y repr es en tat io n s on s t on e o r in i v o r y o f
ee d ee p in t h e
b
apt
is
m
I
n
th
s
h
s
ta
n
d
s
k
n
s
e
e
e
es
u
s
J
w at e r a b e ard l ess str i p lin g w h il e Jo h n a b eard e d
m a n o f gr eat er h ei ght a n d a g e p ou r s water o v e r h is
h ea d o r sett in g h is ha n d th er eon a c t u a ll y o rda ins
h im
I t w oul d se em the n a s i f a c erta in in terva l o f t i m e
m ust h a v e se p a r a t e d Jo h n a n d J e sus in t he p l en i t u de

n
n
t
h
e
o
o f th e i r a c t i v i t i es ; a n d
o
f
Marc a n
0
5
d o c u m e n t th ou gh ob scu re y et fav ou r s su c h a v i ew
F o r i n th is pa ss age J esus u se s th es e w o rd s o r si m il a r

Fr om the day s of joh n the B ap ti st u n ti l n ow the

ki ng dom of hea v en i s ta hen by for ce a n d m en of v i ol en ce
sn a tch a t i t
W e in fe r t h at sun d r y patr io t s c arr i ed
a w ay b y J oh n s pr ocl amat ion o fth e i mp e n d in g gre at
e v en t w h ic h w a s am on g o th e r th in g s t o b r in g lib era
t io n fr o m the G en t il e y o k e had tr i e d to h u rry i t on
by a c t i v e r eb e llion aga i n s t th e R o ma n G o v e r n m en t
T h e l es son o f th e i r fa ilu re w a s no t los t on J esus w h o
li ke Ph ilo b eli e ved that m o ra l r eg en erat ion rep en t
a n ce n o n r esi sta n ce j us t ice a n d m er cy a n d in ge n era l
c oul d
a fa i t h ful obs erva n c e O f th e l a w s o f J eh o vah
alone b r i n g i t a bou t H o we ver w e e x p l a i n th ese
wo rd s th ey a n y h o w m ili tate aga ins t t he l ate r v i ew
wh ic h fo r esh o rte n ed the p a s t a n d m ad e Jo h n a n d
J esu s full con t e mp o rar i es o f o n e a no th er Th ere a r e
no li m i t s i n Q o f t i m e tr a nsi t io n a n d o rd er o f eve n t s
in the li fe o f J esu s I f h e r ea lly u tter ed the s e w o rd s
a n d he pr ob a bl y d i d s inc e th ey a r e so rep u g n a n t to
l at er trad i t ion he m us t have u tter ed them l ate in h is
c areer
That J esus wa s a succ e ss ful exo r cis t we n ee d no t
d oub t no r that h e w o rked in nu m e ra bl e fa i th c u re s
J os eph us d esc r ib es h o w a fam ous ra bbi n am e d E li ezer

T H E TRU E J E S U S

14 3

drew a d e m on ou t o f a n a f ic ted ma n thr ou gh hi s

nos tr ils a n d h o w in i ssuin g fo rth i t t i pp ed o ve r a
b asin o f water set t o re c e i ve i t a ll th is in pr ese nc e
O f h i m sel f a n d o f the R o ma n emp er o r A ge n erat ion
l at er tha n J e su s Ap olloni us o f T y a n a w as c a s t in g ou t
dem ons in S y r i a w her eve r h e w en t T hes e d em ons
ta l k ed j us t a s th ey d o in Mark s n arrat i ve a n d th e
s t o r i es O f Ap ollon ius wh ic h a r e pr ob a bl y fr o m the
pe n o f h is S e G r ee k d isci p l e Da m is r ea d li k e pages
o ut o f Mark o r Matt h e w
Fr o m the r st th e e xo r c i sts
had a r eco g nise d p o si t ion i n th e Ch u rc h a n d i n the
l ess a d va nc ed part s o f Chr is t en d o m the pr i es ts a r e
s t ill c a ll ed u p on t o d r i ve ou t by the i r a dj u rat ion s the
d e m on s o f ma d n e s s a n d d i sea se Th e sa m e e x p ul sio n s
c a n b e da ily obs e rve d i n I n d i a Ch in a J apa n Afr i c a
i n fa c t a ll r oun d the g lob e
Every w here in pr i m i t i ve co mm uni t ies c erta in
in d i v i d u a l s a re r ep u t ed t o p os sess a p eculi a r p ow er
o ve r d e m ons a n d in W es t Afr ic a a l e ad i n g m e d i c i n e
ma n i s occ a sion a ll y m u rd ered b y so m e r i va l a nxious
t o p o ssess h i m s el f o f th is p o we r fo r h i s o w n use a n d
pr o t A cco r d in gly M a rk r el ates ho w w h en J esus
h a d e x pe ll e d a nois y e v il sp i r i t the c r o wd e x c l a i m e d
Wi th a uthor i ty [or p o w er]he com m a n ds ev en the
E ls ew here M a rk
un cl ea n sp i r i ts a n d they obey h i m
fer e nc e
n o t es that
th e p eo p l e foun d th is gr eat d i f
b et w ee n J esus on th e o n e h a n d a n d th e S c r ib e s a n d
Phar i see s on the o thern am e l y that h e tau ght a s
I t is
o n e hav in g a u th or i ty o r p o wer o ve r th e s p i r i t s
b ey on d a d oub t that J esus r egard ed fever ep il ep sy
mad n ess d e afn e s s blin d n es s rh eu mat is m a n d all th e
o ther w eak n e ss e s t o wh ic h esh is h e i r as th e d i re c t
w o rk o f ev il s p i r i t s T he s t o rm w in d w h ic h c h u r n ed
the sea o r inl a n d l ake in t o fu ry i s e qu a ll y a n e v il
,

TH E

144

T RU E J E S U S

s pr i t e in the G os pe l s t o ry I n the Ved ic p o e m s i t is

th e sa m e ; a n d in deed w e have here a co mm on p l a c e
o fa ll fol k lo re
J e sus a l so regard ed h i m se l f a s g i fted w i th th e
s p ec i a l p o wer t o con tr ol e v il s p i r i t s the Afr ic a n
m e d icin e
ma n is c red i ted w i th th e s ame by the co we r
in g tr ibes m en I t is reco rd e d th at on on e occ a sion a
hy ster i c al wo ma n w ho su ffered fr o m a ux o f bloo d
t ouc hed the hem o f J esus s r a i me n t a n d wa s h ea l ed
wh er eon J e s us fe l t that p o wer had g on e o ut o f h i m
I n th e s am e way n apk ins o r wrapper s take n fr o m t he
bo d y o f Pa ul were foun d to h e a l su fferer s am on g h is
hearer s wh o app li ed the m t o them s e l ve s The
a nn a ls o f su per s t i t ion su pp l y a th ous a n d para ll e ls to
these s t o r i es The app l ic at io n by J e sus o f h is s p i tt l e
t o th e e ar s o r e y e s o f t he blin d o r deaf c a n b e si m il ar l y
p a r a ll el ed W e k no w fr o m the N a tur a l H i story o f th e
that
e l d er P liny a L at in a u th o r o f the r s t c e n t u r y
t h e sp i tt l e o f the m e d ic in e ma n w as a so v e re i g n
r e m edy all r oun d the M ed i terra n ea n The h is t o ry o f
Ta ci t us (b k i v c h 8 1) su pp lie s a s tr i k in g para ll el t o
I t d e se rve s to b e ci ted a t l e n gth
th e s t o r i e s t ol d o f J e sus
fro m Ch u r c h a n d B r odr ib b s e xc e ll e n t tra nsl at ion :
.

,
.

t duri g wh ich Vespasian was wa iting

a t A l exa n dri a for th e p er i o dic a l r et ur n o f th e sum m er
ga l es a n d s ettl ed w eath er at sea m any won ders
o cc urred wh ic h s eem ed to poin t h i m ou t as th e obj ec t
o fth e favour of h ea ve an d o f th e part i alit of th e od s
y
g
O n e o f the co m m on peopl e o fA l exa n dr i a wel l kn ow for
hi s b l in d n ess thr ew h i m sel fa t the em peror s k n ees an d
i m pl ored him with groan s to h eal hi s in rm ity This
h e di d b y the advi e o f th e god S erap i s wh om th is
at ion devoted as it i s t o sup erst i t ions wor sh ip s m ore
th a n any other divin ity H e b egged Vespasian tha t
I n the m on hs

146

T R U E J ES US

TH E

A n d Ves pasi a n m i ght have use d to th ose h e h e al ed

the w o rd s c on s ta n t l y a ddr es se d b y J esus t o th os e

h
o
m
h
l
d
w
h e ea e
Thy fa i th h a th m a de th ee w hol e
Th e i mp e r i a l cu r e s w h i c h T a ci t us h e r e r e l at e s on
th e t e s t i m o n y o f m en w h o w i t n ess e d th e m w h o w e re
s t ill a l i ve in h i s d ay a n d wh o had n o th in g t o ga in b y
att er i n g Vespasi a n n ow that an o th er d y n a sty o c c u
p i ed th e thr on e resem bl e th e fa i th h eali n gs c o mm on
at L ou rd es a nd n o t un h ea r d o f in E n g li sh M eth o d i st
ci r cl es That the c u res e ffe c t e d b y J esus w ere O ften
d ue t o what i n sc i en t i c phra s e w e t o d a y te rm a u t o
su gges t io n is c e rt a in fr o m the n ai ve adm ission made
i n Mark s G o sp e l th a t in h is o w n c oun try w h e re th ey
k n ew h i m a n d hi s k in sfol k to o w ell to a c c l a i m h i m at
o n ce a s a pr o ph et he coul d do n o m i gh ty w or h beca use
o
T h e m os t he coul d e ffe c t in the
f thei r un bel i ef
m i d st o f the s e c r i t i c a l su rr oun d i n g s wa s t o l ay hi s
h a n ds on a few si ch fol h a n d hea l them
( Mark v i
Th er e is n o r ea so n t o d oub t that J esu s e ffec ted
m a n y cu r es o f th i s k in d b ey on d th os e wh i c h Mark
r eco rd s W h en h e h a d succeed ed in e ffec t in g a few
su c h cu res a ll w oul d fo rget the fa ilu res a n d hi s
fam e a s a h e a l er w oul d g a t h er volu m e li k e a sn ow b all
a n d prec ede h i m w h er eve r h e w en t W e c a n no t
d oub t t h at Mark s de sc r i pt ion o f h i s tr iu mph a l c a r eer
th ou gh gathered lon g after t h e eve n t fr o m th e li p s o f
t h e c oun tr y fol k am on g w h o m h is fam e l in g er ed is
subs ta n t i a ll y co rrec t
I t is a s follo w s ( M ark v i

A n d w hen they (J e su s a n d hi s d i sci p l e s ) h d

53 56 )

cr ossed ov er

to the l a n d, th ey

m oor ed to the shor e

ca m e u n to

G en n esa r et,

a nd

A n d w h en th ey w er e com e ou t o]
th e boa t, str a i gh tw ay th e p eop l e r ecog n i sed h i m , a n d r a n
r ou n d a bou t tha t w hol e r e i on a n d be a n to ca r r
,
g
g
y a bout
on thei r beds those tha t w er e si ch w her ev er the hea r d he
,
y
.

T RU E J E S US

TH E
was

A n d w her esoev er he

ci t i es, or

p l a ces

i n to the

cou n try ,

en ter ed,

i n to

147
v i ll ag es or

i n to

th ey l a i d the si ch i n thep ubl i c

a nd

bu t th e

besoug h t h i m tha t they m ig h t touch if i t w er e

bor der of h i s g a r m en t : a n d a s m a ny a s touched

hi m w er e m a de w h ol e

A n d , si m il ar l y , in c h a p iii
ha d hea l ed m a ny , i n som u ch th a t
.

r essed

w oul

u on

d have

r ea d that

10

we

as

m a ny

as

he

ha dp l ag u es

J e sus
h i m tha t they m ig h t touch h i m
b een m o re th a n h u m a n i f h e h a d n o t
.

co m e t o b eli eve that h e re a ll y p o ssesse d in h i s

o rga nis m so m e pe culi ar p o w er c ap a bl e O f c oun tera c t
i n g d is e a se ; a n d a c c o rd in gl y Mark re l a t es a s w e
n o t ed
a bo v e h o w h e t u r n ed r oun d
w hen a w o m a n
had t ouc h e d h i s gar m en t s a n d b een h eal ed a n d

a sk e d
b ec a use he
Who tou ched my g a r m en ts ?
,

p er cei v ed i n h i m self tha t the p ow er p r oceedi ng fr om hi m

Th i s o f c ou rse i s a t ou c h o f
e x a gg er a t ion on t h e part o f t h e st o r y t e ll e r
bu t i t
n eve rth el ess e x h ibi t s to us the so rt o f b eli e f w h i c h
a c co mp a ni ed fa i th h ea lin g a n d s t ill a cco mpa ni es i t
T h e p o we r O f h ea lin g w h ic h a m on g th e p ea sa n t s o f
G a lil ee marked ou t a m a n a s t he M essi a h is co m
parabl e t o the m ys ter ious p ow er w h ic h i n ou r o w n
gen erat ion is ve s te d in t h e M i kad o o f J apa n w h o
in the b eli ef o f h i s h u m bl er subj ec t s c a n b arel y
no d h i s h ead w i th ou t s hak in g th e e n t i re l a n d T he
C h i e fta i n s o f pr i m i t i ve p eo p l es a r e a ll e n d ow ed w i th
si m il ar mag ic p o w er s w h ic h r e n de r t h em so da n g er ou s
th at th ei r n am es per son s h ead h a i r a n d even n a il
par i n gs a r e t aboo t hat i s sa c r o san c t a n d da n ger
ous Mr J G Frazer i n hi s G ol de B oug h g i ves
e x amp l es o f c h i e fs a n d pr i n c e s h e l d to b e so h ol y o r
ta boo that a s e rv i t o r wa l k s b eh in d the m w i th a
s p i tt oon re s er ved s pe ci a lly fo r the r oy a l S p i tt l e fo r
ha d g one

for t

TH E TRUE J E S U S

14 8

th is e ven i s en d o wed w i th suc h m y s ter ious p o we r

a s to b e da n ger ous to a n y wh o m i t m a y t ouc h T he
s p i tt l e o f a R o m a n e mp er o r o r o f a J ew is h M es si ah
w as
preg n a n t w i th m i ra culous p o we r
equ a ll y
M o h a mm ed a l so wa s so h i gh l y r es p ec te d b y h is
c o mpa nions that w h e n ev er h e mad e th e a blu t io n in
o rd er to sa y h is pray er s th ey r a n a n d c at c h ed th e
w ater th a t h e h a d u se d
a n d w h e n ever he s p i t they
i mmed i at e l y l i c k e d i t u p a n d ga ther ed u p every ha i r
that fell fr o m h i m w i th gre at su pe rs t i t ion ( S al e s
Cor a n ed 1 8 0 1 i p
Th is m y s te r ious p o wer a s i t w as c h i e y r evea l ed in
t he ex p ul sion o f ev il s p i r i t s o r d e m on s w a s i t s e l f
in t erpr et ed t o b e a s p i r i t th ou gh a h ol y o r C l ea n on e
Mark pr eserve s t o us th e ou t lin es o f a n ear l y d is p u te
i n w h ic h J esus s o w n m o th e r a n d b re thr e n t oo k part
a s t ouc h in g the q u a li ty o f the s p i r i t w i th in J esus
w h i c h e n a bl ed h i m t o c a st ou t d e m ons
T h e s c r ib es

fr o m J er us a l em w e r ead s a i d H e ha th B eel z ebub

a n d By the p r i n ce of the dev i l s he ca steth ou t the

dev i l s
N o pr o phet c a n a llo w the q u a li ty o f th e
sp i r i t w h ic h m o v e s h i m
t o b e c a ll ed in qu es t ion ;
a n d J esus a ns wer s t he a c c u sat ion in a tw o fol d
ma nn er F i r s t he p oin ts ou t that S ata n w oul d no t
t u r n u p on S at a n a s h i s a ccuser s a s su m ed a n d in the

seco n d p l a c e he de cl ar es that
a ll thei r si n s sha ll be
.

forg i ven

a nd

to m en ,

a l so a l l

thei r

w hoso sha ll bl a sp hem e ag a i n st the h oly

bl a sphem i es

p i r i t h a th

bu t
n ev er

M o h a m m ed
a s w e s a i d a bo v e d efe n d e d h i m se l f m uc h i n t h e sa m e
ma nn er a n d w i th e qu a l v i gou r a ga ins t th ose w h o s a i d
o f h i m H e hath a n uncl e a n s p i r i t
W e have s e en that in Mark s G os pe l there w a s no
i mm ed i ate reco g ni t ion o f J e sus by h is d isci p l e s a s the

forg i v en ess

but i sg ui l ty

f an

eter n a l si n

TH E

1 50

TR UE J ES U S

We have d esc r ib ed the v i sion wh ic h o ated b efo re

the e ye s eve n O f a c ul t i v a t ed J ew o f A l e x a n dr i a li ke
Ph ilothe v ision o f a t i m e w h e n the repe n ta nc e a n d
m o ra l r ege nerat ion o f th e J ew s w oul d so fte n the heart s
o f the o ppres so r s a n d m o ve th e m t o l et th ei r c apt i ves
W h e n th a t t i m e arr i ve d a su per n at u ra l
g o free
pres ence v isibl e o n l y t o t he fa i thful w oul d l e ad the
lib erate d J e w s of a ll th e e arth b a c k in t o the l a n d o f
pr o m is e a n d p l en ty J e sus see m s to have con v inc ed
h i m s e l f a n d hi s follo we r s that as he wa s a l read y a n
age n t a n d veh i c l e o fth e d i v in e w ill so he wa s de s t in ed
to co me aga in a su p er n at u ra l pres e nc e am i d the
clou d s o f heaven T h at h is foll ow er s b oth in Ga lil ee
a n d in J er us al em w er e p en etrate d wi th th is con
I t wa s the ma in p sy c h o
v i ct i on l ed t o gre at r esul t s
lo g ic a l fa c t o r i n th e v isions th ey had o f h i m after h is
,

d eath

I n A c t s i 6 i t is r eco rd ed that they e x pe c ted h i m

to co me aga in at onc e
a n d r estor e the hi n dom to
g

I sr a e
He d i d no t c o m e a n d ha s not co m e y et ;
a n d after n ear ly t w en ty cen t u r i e s O f w a i t in g Chr is t i a n
b e li ef in the s e con d co m in g i s gr ow n fa in t a n d te n u ous
At the s ame t i m e th e fu t u re k in gd o m ha s b ee n s p i r i t
ua l i sed
a n d the m ill e n ni a l co r n a n d v in e w i th the i r
phe no me n a l ou tp u t o f b rea d a n d w i n e no lon ger o at
b efo re the i mag in at ion s o f th e p ious a s they d i d
b efo re the m in d s o f the e ar ly ge n erat ions o f b e li ever s
F ill ed w i th suc h dre am s o f the fu t u re J esus s i mme
d i ate follo wer s coul d no t bu t have c on rmat o r y v isions
o f h i m wh o wa s t o co m e ag a in
L i ke S tephe n the y
saw h i m u p in h eave n wher e he wa s rep osin g on a
thr on e at the r i ght han d o f a G o d w ho ha s a l e ft a n d
r i ght only wa i t in g un t il h i s follo we r s o n earth had
go t th in gs read y fo r h is s e con d adve n t
.

T H E TRUE J E S U S

1 51

The h y m ns o f that r s t a ge a s w e k no w fro m Pa ul

a n d fr o m th e B oo k o f R e v el at ion o f Jo h n
(a w o rk o f
AD 92
bo re th e re fra in Ma r a n a tha th e Arama ic

e qui v a l e n t o f
I t w a s th is
Ma y the L o rd c o m e
b eli ef that the Chr i st w a s w a i t in g u p in h ea ven fo r
th e se a son t o ful l i t s e l f o f h i s sec o n d a d ven t in g lo ry
that ge n erat ed th e ta l es o f h i s r esu rrec t io n ou t o f th e
t o m b a n d a sc ension in t o h e ave n a fter fo rty day sthe
stat u t o r y a n d con v en t io n a l p e r io d x e d am on g th e
J e w s fo r a ll unli k el y a n d l ege n dary ep i so d es
,

C HA P TE R X
J E S U S S M ORA L TEA C H I NG

thes e a n d ma ny o ther res pe c t s J e s u s wa s the

c h il d o f h is age s har in g i t s su p er s t i t ions a n d p r eju
d ices M uc h ha s b ee n wr i tte n o f the uni vers a li ty o f
h is t ea ch in g a s i f he a lon e o f a nci e n t teac h er s had
r evea l e d a n i dea l wh ol e o f pre cept a n d pra c t ic e app lic
abl e to a ll age s a n d ra ces I t may b e d oub ted whethe r
i t s uni vers a li t y is a s r ea l a s i t s eem s N 0 S tate
a n cie n t o r m o der n ha s ever tr i ed t o reg ul ate i t s
d ea lin gs w i th other S tat es o n the pr inci p l e of t u r n in g
th e o ther c heek to the s m i te r ; a n d i t w oul d n o t b e
j u st t o o ther s t o do so in pr i vate o r m unici pa l li fe
T h e obj ec t o f l aw a n d p ol ic e a n d in a w o rd O f a ll
g o ver n m e n t is so t o s afeg u ard the per son a n d lib erty
o f the i n d i v i d u a l that h e m a y make the b es t o f h i m s e l f
a n d hi s fa cul t i e s I f w e a llow the bully a n d the th ie f
t o in sul t a n d rob us a n d ou r s w i th i mp uni ty we
a n d b etra y
e n c ou rage h i m to d o the s a m e t o o ther s
a sa d w a n t o f p ublic s p i r i t e ve n i f we d o no t by o ur
cowar d ic e make ou r s e l ves h is a cco mp lices in e v il
d oin g I t ha s b ee n arg u ed that J e s u s wh en he
u tt ered th is pre c ept m e a n t n o m o re tha n that i n
d efe n d in g ou r s e l ve s we ou ght n o t t o b e a c t u ated by
a n y v in d ic ti ve fee l in g no r nou r is h a ny gr u dge aga ins t
ou r o ppre sso r s Th ose who th u s g loss the p r e c ept s
o f J esus are s pe ci a lly they w ho h ol d that he wa s G o d
inc ar n ate o m n isci e n t a n d m o ra lly in fa llibl e I t is a
IN

1 52

J E S US

1 54

M OR A L T E A C H I N G

t ea c h in g o f the gos pel wa s u tter e d in v iew o f a n

i mpen d in g c ata s tr o ph e a n d liqui dat ion o f th is w o r l d s
affa i rs ou t o f w h ic h at a w ave o f th e d i v i n e wa n d a
n e w a n d bl e ss e d con d i t ion w a s t o e m e rg e j u st a s th e
p h oen ix a r i ses r en ew ed a n d i mm o rta l ou t o f i t s o w n
ash es J esu s fel t h i m sel f t o b e t he h a r bin ger o f a
n ew a n d d i v in e co n s t i t u t ion w e c a nno t sa y o f th e
w o r l d fo r h i s h o r i z on w a s rat h e r li m i t ed t o h is o w n
l a n d ; a n d th is n ew soci ety w a s no t t o gr o w slo w ly
a n d o rga n i c a ll
y ou t o f e xis t in g c i r c u m s ta nc es bu t w a s
t o b e su dd enl y i mp ose d b y d i v in e p o w er a n d in ter
ference H en c e the pre c ept s t o follo w h i m ; to fo rs ake
paren t s w i fe c h il dre n a n d h o m e ; e ve n t o n egl ec t
the m os t s a c red o f a ll a ncien t d u t iesthat o f bu ry in g
one s o w n fath er W e sha ll p oin t ou t l at er o n w h a t
ravages u p on ci vil society w e re afterward s co mm i tte d
b y m en a n d w o m e n w h o se h ead s w e re t u r n e d b y th e s e
dream s o f a m ill e nn iu m
I n Ph ilo i t i s tr u e w e r ea d in a h un dre d pa ss age s
si m il ar ex h o rtat ions to a b a n d on h o me a n d k in dr ed a s
A b raham had d on e in o rd er to b e fr ee t o w o r s h i p the
one G od
B ut h e a l w ay s ha s in v i ew th e c a s e o f
pr osely tes I n a paga n h o m e eve r y m ea l w a s a n a c t
o f c o m m union w i th d e m on s wh os e i d ols con fr on ted
th e ey e s o f a ll w h o e n t e r ed
N o a ni ma l w as k ill ed
w i th ou t i ts bloo d a n d e s h b e in g c ons ec rated to o ne
o r a no th er o f th e g o d s w h o m the pr os el y t e w a s ta u ght
t o rega rd a s i mp u re d e m on s Eve ry d ay O f the week
h a d i t s pre si d in g d e m on ev e r y v ill ag e a n d ci ty had
arc h
de v ils fo r patr ons a n d pr o t ec t o r s had h oli da ys
a n d fea s t d a y s
whe n t he l e ge n d s o f thes e d e m ons
w ere re ci ted a n d rehear s ed i n p ublic pa n t o m i me s a n d
da nces At every s treet co r n er wa s a n i d ol o fte n
obsc en e ly dev is ed t o wh ic h th e p ious were e x pe c t e d

the

J E S U S S M O RAL TEAC H I NG

1 55

t o re n der h o mage wh e n th ey pass ed B i rth s d eath s

a n d marr i age s th en a s n o w were su rr oun ded w i th a
h un dred su p er st it iou s Obs er v a nces L as t l y the g o d s
w e re fo r eve r b e in g c arr i e d in p ublic pr oc e ssion
and
w o e t o th o se wh o o u ted th e m T h e J e w i sh pr os e l y t e
li k e the l at er Chr i st i a n con ve rt w as s et d o w n a s a n
ath eis t a s a ma n w i th ou t go d s w ho d e ni ed all th a t
wa s tr u e a n d v iol ated a l l that was sa c red H i s
pres ence wa s a n insul t t o heaven a n d w a s li k el y to
pr o v o k e th e wrath o f h eave n aga in st the co mm unit y
that t ol erated h i m t o b r in g d o w n ha il th a t r uin ed the
h a rvest t o c a us e dr ou gh t a n d fa m i n e d isea seeven
d efeat at the h a n d s O f the n a t ion a l en e m y I n V i ew
O f su c h p o p ul ar pr ej u d i ces w h ic h w ere d i r ec ted ag a i n st
philoso ph er s a n d Ep i c u re ans a s w ell a s aga in st J ew i sh
con verts o n e m i gh t rep e at w i th the e mp er o r T ib er ius
t h e fam ou s ap h o r i sm re p o rt ed b y Ta ci t u s : Deor u m
i nju r i a di i s cu r a
L et inj u r i es t o th e g o d s b e the
go d s ow n concer n A ll th is b ein g so i t n eed s li tt l e
i mag in at io n t o r ea lise t he obloqu y t o wh i c h a J ew is h
con vert e x p os ed h i m s e l f H e c ut h i m sel f o ff fr o m
i n tercou r s e w i th h is fam il y a n d i ts re li g ious r i t es
H e coul d no t reta in o r u n d ertak e p ublic Of c es a n d
d u t i es b ec a us e th ese e n ta il ed a c ts o f p ublic s ac r i c e
Ofte n he coul d no t in h er i t b ec a us e in
a n d r eli g ion
a n c ie n t soci ety in her i ta nc e depe n d ed on the due
fun er a l r i tes b ein g p erfo rm ed a n d o n h o mage b e in g
O ffer ed t o uns een p ow e r s w h ic h h is n ew reli g ion ta u ght
hi m w er e un c l e a n a n d m a li g n
Th u s th e con vert s
p o si t ion res em bl e d that o f a n i sol ated M o hamm eda n
a m on g H in d oo s
o r o f a si m il ar l y isol a te d J e w o r
Pr otes tan t in S pa in o r Sou th er n I ta l y T he m e m b er
o f a paga n fam il y wh o b ec am e a J ew m us t have d on e
so at the cos t o f m uc h per s on a l s a c r i c e ; a n d n o t
.

J E S US S

1 56

M OR A L T E A C H I N G

l e a s t o f h is su ffer i n g s m us t have l a in in the

fo rfei t u re o f th e affec t ions o f pare n t s a n d b r o ther s
a n d S is ter s p erhap s even o f th os e o f w i fe a n d c h il dren
E a r l y Chr i st i an c a noni st s e ven r ul ed t h at con ver sion
an null ed a n exis t in g marr i age O n th es e a s pec t s o f
a ncien t pr osel y t i sm P h ilo t h e G ree k J ew o f A l ex
an dr i a i n cessa n t l y d w ell s a n d he o fte n ex h o rt s th o se
w h o w e re J ew s b y bi rth no t t o b e su p e r cil i ous a n d
col d t ow a r d s th e p ol y th ei st s w h o a t suc h co st had
co m e o ve r t o th e w o r s h i p o f t h e tr u e G o d bu t rath er
b y b e co m in g a s i t w er e p a r e n t s a n d b r o t h e r s a n d
si st er s t o th em t o m ak e u p fo r t he los ses th ey had
sus ta i n ed T h e sh oo t s th u s graft ed so he w ar n s h is
coun try m en O ft en b ear b etter fr ui t a n d m o re a cce pt
A
a bl e t o h ea v en tha n the p a re n t s t oc k a n d st e m
g oo d pr o sel y te in the si g h t o f G o d is b etter tha n a
bo r n J ew w ho is c r u el a n d evil F o r lon g b efo re J esu s
w a s bo r n the J ew s h a d d is sem in ated o ver the G e n t il e
w o r l d the i r m ono th ei sm a n d th e i r cus t o m s es p eci ally
that o f the s a bb ath rest W i t n ess the follo w in g
pa ss age o f Ph ilo in h is L ife of Moses ch 4 :
Nearl y everywher e fro m E a st to West th ere i s n o
co u ntr y race or c i ty wh i ch does n ot rej ect a s a l i en
th e i n st itut i o n s o f stran gersd oes n o t i m agi n e th at
a ithf
ul acceptan ce of
th e b est way o f en cou ragi n g a f
i ts o wn c u sto m s i s to h ea p d i sh o n ou r o n th os e o f
others H ow d ifferen tl y th e ca se stan ds with regar d to
our own
J ewish) i n stitution s an d b el i efs ! For
these suppl y a m otive a n d som ething to rall y arou n d
n o n G r eek s
to b arba ri a n s
) to G reek s t o i n h abi
tan ts both of m a in lan d an d of islan ds to races of E ast
a s of West o fE urope o f A sia
ofth e wh o l e i n h abited
worl d fro m en d to en d o fth e earth
Fo r who i s there
that does n ot respect to the utterm ost that holy seventh
day whic h b ri n gs rel ease fro m toi l and l ei su re to

th e

J E S U S S M O RA L T E A C H I N G

1 58

resul t a i m ed at in su c h l eg i sl at ion m i ght have

b ee n secu r ed ei ghtee n c en t u r i es ag o
Ph ilo O ft en d w ells o n th e tr i a l s t o w h i c h J e w i sh
c on v e rt s ex p o se d th em s e l v e s b y t h e i r d e s ert io n o f th e
T h u s i n hi s tr a c t on justi ce 6 h e ra n k s
O l d cul t s
T h e pr os ely te he
them w i th o rph a n s a n d w i d o ws
w r i te s
tur ed h i w k i sm e wh o alon e we e hi s
h
tural all i s a d h m pio i to trucel es e em i es
b y h i s rep udi t i o o f m yth i ca l ti o s
d pol ythei sm
to th e tr uth ;
ti g away all th t
d h i s a dh esio
h i par ts
d gra dpare t
d an cestor
nd
ll
d k i di d h o m age to he h as set forth o a
h i k i th
ob l e p ilgr i m age to a ew l an d
he
12
A n d in h is boo k A bou t P hil a n th r opy
w r i t es
T h e stran ge rs wh o c o m e to u s
prosel ytes) m u st
b e h el d w th y o f ev er y pri v i l ge b e use th ey h a v e
ba d ed b l ood ki sh ip f th erl d c u stom s th e
h ol y h r i s o fth ei r go d s h i gh p osi tio s a d h o o u
ob l y aban do ed th ei r h o m es
an d l i k e c ol o i st h ave
l ea v i g b eh i d m yth s an d ctio i order to wi th e
truth s c l ea ess o f v i sio a d em brace th e worshi p o f
th e o e r eall y exi ste t G o d
H e c e th e d i v i n l aw
bi ds us love the p o s l ytes ot o l y a s fr i e ds n d
ki m e
b ut as our selves ; Sh ar i ng o fa as po ssibl e
i c o m m o wi th th em i
body and soul ; i n sp iri t we
m u t h a v e th e am e
rro ws a d j oys so that our
soc i ety r esem b l e o e orga i m w i th d i v e s m em b er s
j oi t d k it togeth er i a n atura l h a m on y

n
s
h
A d i n h i d esc r i pt ion o f t e Th er ap eu tce o r
w or
sh i pp er s
o f G o d a soci et y o f a sc et ic J ew s a n d
pr o se l y tes ma l e a n d fe ma l e w h ic h had i ts head
qu arter s n ear A l e x a n dr i a bu t r a m ied a ll r oun d the
th e

as

na

n,

n s,

an

an

cas

an

en

n s

an

an

s a

or

on

ne

so

an

n s

rs

n,

ns

rn

ns

an

ca

J E S US S M O R A L T E A C H I N G

1 59

M ed i terra nea n Ph ilo us es the s e wo rd s s pec i a lly

a pp lic a bl e t o th os e w h o had j oin ed i t a s c on v ert s t o
J uda i sm
Their l o gi g fo th e i m m orta l
d bl essed l i fe
l ea ds th em to esteem th i m orta l exi ste ce as al eady
at a
e d
d th ey ab don th ei r prope ty to so s
daugh ters or to oth er k i sfo l k O f f ee w i ll b estowi g
it on th em ; nd i f th ey h a ve n o k in sfol k then o
th eir com p i s d f ien ds
B ut on ce they ha v e
d i v sted th em selves o f th eir goo ds th ey a e i d o f l l
sn
es an d e tan gl em en t s a d th ey ee w itho ut a
ba ckward glance ab don i g broth ers c h i ldren
wiv e
p rents wide c ircl es f k i sm en in tim ate
fr i en d sh i p th e f th erl an ds i n wh i ch th ey were br ed
d bor
T h e spread o f Chr is t i a n i ty am on g the G en t il es so
far a s i t in v ol ved r ej ec t io n o f paga ni sm a n d all the
n etwo rk o f t i es d u t i es a n d r el a t ion sh i p s w h ic h w en t
therew i th w a s o n e in c hara c ter w i th J e w is h pr o sel y t
is m a n d in fa c t li tt l e els e tha n a n e x ten sion th er eo f
Ph ilo bo a s ted that the J ew s were d es t in ed t o b e
t ea c her s o f tr u e r eli g ion t o th e en t i re w o r l d a n d the
Chr is t i a n m issio n a r ies in so m e way s c arr ie d on hi s
w o rk ; fo r a s a ga ins t th e ol d cul t s o f g o d s a n d
go dd ess e s the m ono the is m take n o ver fro m the
J ew s pres en te d i t sel f a s a si mp l e m oni st ic c reed a n d
in rel at ion t o the t i m es w a s the m os t rad ic a ll y
scept i c a l a n d ra t ion a lis t m o ve m en t O f the i n t e lli genc e
that E u r o p e has ever w i t n essed S u ch a m o vem en t
in d eed h a d a l rea dy b eg un a m o n g t he cul t i vate d
G reek s an d R o ma n s a n d e x pr essed i t sel f i n t h os e
w r i t in gs o f the G r ee k th in k e r s fr o m wh i c h J ew is h
a n d Chr is t i a n ap olo g ist s a n d m ission ar i e s bo rr ow ed
th ei r m os t effe c t i ve weap ons aga ins t the paga n
,

an

an

an

a n on

an

an

s,

an

s,

ar

or

J E S US

6o

M ORA L TEAC H I N G

reli gion B ut Greek sc ept icis m wa s ph iloso ph ic al

a r i st oc rat ic
ew ; w h er e a s th e
a n d con n ed t o the f
m ono the is t ic pr o p a ga n da li k e the a n t i cl er ic a lis m o f
m o der n Cath olic coun tr i es wa s addre ss ed t o the
mass e s
No w w e coul d un d er s ta n d suc h pa ss ag es a s
M a tthew x 3 43 7 o r L u k e x v iii 2 9 wer e th ey fr o m
th e li p s o f a J ew is h m is sion ary u rg in g h is fa i th on
Ge n t il es a n d w ar nin g th e m o f th e s a c r i c e they m us t
make o f ol d t i e s A n d a cco rd in gl y so m e c r i t ics have
arg u ed that suc h e x h o rtat ions wer e no t u ttered b y
Chr is t bu t rath er r e ec t the p er secu t ions to w h ic h
G e n t il e c on vert s o f the n ew r eli g ion th e Athe is t s o f
th e ol d w o r l d w ere e x p o sed at th e ha n d s o f pag a n
k i n sfol k a n d a u th o r i t i es B ut th ere a r e insu pe ra bl e
d i f cul t i es in th is v i ew ; n ot th e l ea s t O f w h ic h is t he
fa c t that they are em b edd ed in a n d in ex tr ic abl e fr o m
a l arge r d ocu m en t o f wh i c h th e h o r i z on is con n ed
t o G a lil ee a n d Ju d aea N o w h ere in deed in th ese
pa s sages i s th er e a h in t O f p ol y th e is m a n d i d ol atr y
J ew is h m ono the is m is every w h ere t a k e n fo r gra n ted
a n d pr esu pp o sed a s the re li g ious b a c kgr oun d a l i k e o f
teac h er a n d o f tau ght Th ei r con tex t a nd in tr insic
chara c t er r el egat e them there fo re t o the r s t a ge
,

T hi n k

th at I ca m e to sen d p eace on th e ear th : I cam e no t

to sen d pea ce, b ut a swo r d
For I ca m e to set a m an a t a r i a nce wi th
hi s fath er , an d th e da u h ter a a i n st h er m oth er , a n d th e dau h ter i n
n ot

l aw

a i n st

her m o th er i a l a w an d a m an s fo es sh a l b e th ey of hi s
o w n househ o d
H e th a t o eth fa ther a n d m oth er m or e th an m e i s
not w or th y o f m e
an d h e t h a t o eth son o r da u h ter m or e th a n m e
i s n ot w or thy ofm e ( Ma tth ew x 3 4

T h er e i s no m an th a t h a th eft h ouse o r w ife or pa r en ts or

ch i dr en f
or the sak e o f th e ki n do m o f G o d w h o sh a
n o t r ecei e
m a ny ti m es m ore i n thi s a ge, an d i n th e age to com e eter na
i fe
k e x ii i
( Lu

I fan y m an com eth unto m e, and ha teth no t hi s ow n fath er a n d

m oth er , a n d w i f
e, an d ch i dren , an d
r eth r en , an d si ster s,
yea , a nd
hi s own ife a so, he cann ot b e m y di sci p e ( Luk e xiv
a

lv

lv
.

ll

b
l

l l

J E S US S MO RA L TEAC H I N G

16 2

thei r lo t W hat well pa i d pr i e s t ever li k ed a pr o phe t ?

L a s tl y the Phar ise es a n d s c r ib es r es en t ed hi s m o re
h u ma n e in terpret a t ion o f the r ul e o f t h e s abb ath h is
d enunci at ion s o f the r ich h i s c hamp ions h i p o f th e
c a us e o f the p oo r H e a l so en da n gered th ei r m ono p oly
I n ho w
O f t h e t ea c h i n g a n d ex p o si t ion o f th e L a w
ma ny o th er w ay s h e ra is ed u p en e m i es t o h i m s el f w e
d o no t k now ; bu t w e m us t ever b ear in m in d th at
o ur i g no ra nc e o f t he so c i a l a n d re li g iou s con d i t io n s o f
J u d ae a in th a t a ge i s very great a n d th a t t he s tr a y
gl eam s w e get fr o m m o r e o r l ess con te mp o rary a u th o r s
li k e Ph ilo Josep h u s the eva n ge lis t s a n d Ta ci t us
th r o w aft er a l l abo ut a s m u c h li ght on the subj ec t
a s tw o o r thre e r us h li ght s w oul d t h r o w on a n e n t i re
l a n d sc ap e sun k in n i gh t
O u r conclu sion th en is th is O u r k no wl edge o f
th e ci r cu m s ta nc e s un d er w h ic h t h es e s ay in g s w er e
u ttered is very i mperfec t ; bu t the li tt l e w e d o k no w
d o es n o t l ead us t o e x pe c t them t o b e app lic abl e t o
ci r cu m s ta nc es o f m o d er n l i fe ; fo r ou r m o der n con
d i ti o n s soci a l a n d p oli t ic a l l a y b ey on d a n d ou t si d e th e
h o r i z on o fh i m w h o u tt ered th e m T he won d er is that
so m uc h o f a t ea c h i n g fram e d i n v i e w o f a n i m m in e n t
coll ap s e o f t h e p oli t ic a l a n d soci a l ins t i t u t ion s o f
J u daea i n that a g e h a s n eve rth el ess a va lu e i n o ur
ow n
w h ic h r ej e c t s M e s si a ni c dr e am s a n d tr us t s to
fo rt fo r th e am elio rat ion o f
slo w pat i e n t a n d lon g e f
i t s ills a n d d is ea s e s I t m a y b e that J esus o f Na z areth
s harpe n ed t o a p oin t ma ny o f h is prece pt s a n d
i mp o rted a n a l m os t para d oxic a l v i g ou r i n t o h is
u tt era nces j us t b e c a us e he d esi r ed t o ra is e a hedge
aga ins t the m o st co mm on fo rm s o f s el s h n ess aga ins t
e n vy
s p i te illibera li ty a n d t i m e s erv in g t i m i d i ty
a g a in st c li n g in g t o the lo wer fo rm s o f wel h b ei n g at
-

J E S US

M ORA L TEAC H I N G

16 3

x pe ns e o f th e h i gher aga ins t the su ppr ession o f

tr u th s wh ic h s ee m t o m e n a c e ou r co mfo rts a n d ves ted
in t ere s t s
Fo r a subli m e in tra nsi gen ce b r eath es
thr ou gh the s e parabl e s a n d pre c ept s : a er c e sco r n
fo r the r ic h a n d s el s h a te n d er lo ve of the p oo r a n d
su ffer in g a con tempt fo r S ham s a n d e mpty con v en
t ions a n unco m pr o m i sin g dev ot ion to tr u th a tr u e
h u m ili ty Th ere is abou t th e m a r i n g o f rea l m a n
l i n ess a n d th a t i s w h y t he d ocu m e n t w h ic h r e co rd s
th e m ha s pr o ved i t sel f in e v ery a ge a t ex t boo k o f
m arty rd o m ex t o rt in g fo r i t se l f the h o mage h o wever
h yp oc r i t i c a l even o f cl er ic s
o ppresso r s
th e

C H AP T E R XI

T HE

OF J E S U S

B APT I S M

I T ha s b een p oin te d ou t in th e prec ed i n g p a ge s th a t

tha n k s to the pr es ervat ion o f s evera l para ll el fo rm s o f
th e e va n g el ic a l trad i t ion w e a r e abl e to tra c e the
succ essi ve s tages o r s t ep s b y wh ic h ge nuin e per son a l
tra i t s a n d m e m o r i es o f J esu s w er e a mpl i ed i d e a lis ed
in terpreted tr a n sfo rm ed a n d fa l si edfo r th e re i s
T h e s t o ry o f h i s
n o o th e r w o rd that t s th e fa c t s
b apt is m b y Jo h n i s a g ood e x amp l e o f suc h r e
m o ul d i n g Mark s a ccoun t is th e si mp l es t a n d
s h o rt es t A cco rd in g t o i t Jo h n i s in th e w il d reg ion
w h ic h bo rd e r s the h e ad o f the D e ad S ea a r eg ion
un fr ui tful b ec a us e t he soil i s so s at u rated w i th
c he m ic a l s a l t s H e e x h o rt s h is coun try me n to re
p en t a n d t o re fo rm thei r li ves b ec a u s e the pr o m is ed
k in gd o m is at ha n d a n d a M essi ah abou t to appear
w ho w ill in h is r ol e a s j u dge dr i ve o ut a ll b ad J ew s
bu t gather the g oo d on es in t o a rea l m o f l a s t in g joy
a n d pea c e W e k now no th in g o f the ear l ie r h is to r y
o f J esus no r what pr o mpted h i m t o l eave h is h o me at
Naz areth a n d b etak e h i m s e l f t o the far O ff cl e ft o f the
Jo rda n va ll ey where Jo h n wa s con d uc t in g h is m ission
I t i s n o t ra sh h o wever t o su pp os e that he s hared the
w i de s pr ead M essi a nic lon g in g s o f that a ge that he to o
b e li eved the great c ata s tr o ph e t o b e at ha n d a n d fo r
th at rea son s ou ght the trad i t ion all y s a c r ed water s o f
t h e J o rda n in o rder t o s ea l a n d sy m bolis e ou tward ly
,

1 64

166

B APT I S M

THE

JES US

OF

c erta in n am el y that no th in g i s m o re co mm on i n
c erta in ex a l t e d a n d a bno rma l t e mp eram en t s than the
h ear in g o fsu dd en in t e r n al c a lls a n d voi c es I t w oul d
s ee m a s i f i d ea l s w e h a ve l on g b roo d e d o v er in t e ns e
a s p i r a t io n s w h i c h have lo n g pr eoccu p i e d u s coul d
su dd e nl y i f a n o c c a sion pr ese n t s i t sel f gat h e r fo r c e
a s i t w e re a h i gh e r
a n d tr a n sfo rm th e m sel v es in t o
p erso n ali ty a n d c on s t i t u te a n o ther b ein g w i th in us
coul d so a d dres s a n d sp ea k t o us ev en c o n fr o n t us
fa c e t o fa c e S o m e o f us m o re o ve r s ee m t o p oss ess
a se co n d p e r so n a li t y n o t tra c e a bl e i n ou r c o n scious
li fe no r c on n ec t ed w i t h i t b y the t i e o f m em o ry bu t
c apabl e un de r c e rta in a b n o rm a l m e n t a l con d i t ions
a k in
t o bu t no t i d e n t i ca l w i th th e m o r bi d state
o f m a d n ess wh at eve r m ad n ess m ea n so f tak in g
p os ses sion o f ou r o rga n i sm T h e e xci t e m en t n a t u ra l
t o th e oc c a sion o f h i s b apt is m m ay w ell h a ve i n d u c ed
i n J e sus s c a se s uch a m e n t a l c r i si s a n d par ox y sm
H e su dd en l y b eca m e a w ar e i n h i m s el f th a t h e w a s t h e
c h os en M es si a h
H is o w n a g e a l m o st h i s o w n c o n
te m po ra ry so c iety su pp l y th e e l e m en t s o i h i s v i sio n
a n d w e n ee d n o t s ee k t h e m b ey on d
T h e H ol y S p i r i t
t o hi s ex c i ted i m a gin at ion app eared a s a d o ve W hy ?
B ec a u se in S y r i a a n d P a l est i n e i n t h a t a g e th e d o v e
w a s a sa c re d bi rd n e ve r m ol est ed o r k ill e d b e in g
pr o t ec ted b y a n c i en t a n d w i d espr ea d r el i g ious t a boo s
Ph ilo in h i s drea m y a ll ego r ic a l w a y s ee k s t o a ccou n t
fo r t he bi rd s sa c r os a n c t i ty A s t he b es t o f a n i m a l s
h e say s t h e l am b i s a sy m bol o f th e p u r i c at io n o f
w h a t i s b e s t in u sn am el y ou r m in d a n d i n t elli g en c e
so a lso bi rd s li ght a n d w in ge d sy m boli se the w o rd o r
l og os wh ic h m o ve s m o re sw i ft l y th a n a n arr o w a n d
pen etrates every where ; a n d b ec a use l og os o r s p o ke n
w o rd is tw o fol d fa ls e o r tr ue i t i s s y m bolis e d b y a
,

B A PT I S M

THE

yo ke

JESUS

OF

16 7

t u rtl e d o ves o r o f p i geons 1 I f i t b e obje cted

that Ph ilo here s p eak s o f l og os wh erea s i t wa s a sp i r i t
that e n tered J esus i t is en ou gh to a ns wer that the
tea cher s o f the ea rl y Ch u r c h d i d n ot d is t in guis h
b etwee n l og os a n d s p i r i t a n d that in the earl i e s t
li t u rg i e s 2 the log os a n d n ot th e s p i r i t is repres e n t ed
a s hav in g on th is occ a sio n d esc e n d ed a n d e n tered
J e sus I n s evera l o the r pa ss age s Ph ilo d ecl are s the
d i v in e w is d o m a n d s p i r i t t o b e sy m bol ic a ll y c all ed a
t u rt l e d o ve be c ause that w is d o m lo ve s soli t u de I n
rabbinic trad i t ion eq u a lly the S p i r i t o f G od b r oo ded
u p on the fa c e o f th e w a t er s ( G e nesis i 1 ) l i he a dove ;
a n d i t is th e d o ve i n the l e gen d o f the F loo d wh ic h
ret u r ns t o N o ah i n the a r k b ea r in g goo d n ew s in the
fo rm o f a n ol i ve l e a f p l uc k e d o ff The i dea o f a soul
e n ter in g o r qui tt in g th e bo d y i n th e fo rm o f a bi rd is
w i de s pread I n the Od y ssey xi 2 2 2 the soul of a
her o u tter s u p li k e a bi rd a n d i es O ff a n d in Ce l t ic
m yth s the goo d soul s appea r a s wh i te bi rd s a n d
e s pe ci a ll y a s wh i t e d o ves T h e i d ea meet s us eve ry
T h e o ther e l e me n t in
w h e re i n m y th s ol d a n d n e w
th e v ision t h e v oic e fr o m h eav en is s t ill co mm on er
in J ew is h trad i t io n a n d i n the ea r li es t Ta l m u d s we
have fre qu e n t refe re n c es t o th e B th Kol a s i t wa s
c a ll ed Th us in th e B a by lo n i a n Ta l m u d ( S a n h ed r
fol xi
w e r e ad ho w wh e n H ill e l a rabbi a n d ol d e r
con temp o rary o f J esus w a s wa l k i n g in J er ic h o the
B a th Kol bo re w i tn e s s th a t h e w a s on e who fo r h is
r i ghte ousn e ss m e r i te d that th e H Oly S p i r i t s h oul d
dwe ll w i th in h i m T he B a th K ol onc e ren de re d in
of

'

De m uta ti one N om i n u m , ch 42
.

E g , o fS era pi on o fT h m ui s, ci r ca A D 33 o
s9
W ho i s the heir
r
v
i
n
a
r
u
m
h
e
e
u
i
s
r
e
r
u
m
D
i
Q
2 5 an d 48 , an d Phi o , ed Man ey, i 50 6
.

chs.

ofd1v1ne th1ngs ?

THE

16 8

B A PT I S M O F

JESUS

J a bn eh the s ame te s t i m ony in fav ou r o f the c h il d

S am u e l
The s t o ry o f H ill e l i s a n e x a c t parall e l t o that o f
J esus a n d ha s so m ew hat e m b arra ss ed o rth o d ox
d i v in es boun d b y th e i r prej u d ices t o regard every th in g
r el ate d o f J e sus i n th e G o sp els a s uniqu e Th us the
l ear n ed E n glis h H eb ra i st o f th e seve n tee n th c e n t u r y
B i sh o p L i gh tfoo te in hi s c o mm en tary on Matth e w
add uc e s the pass age abou t H ill el a bo v e ci ted a n d
the n add s the s e qu a in t re mark s
I cann ot but suspect that we have h ere eith er fabl es
or that these voices from h ea ven were b y m agi c arts
You m ay
c ontri ved to do h on our to th e rabbi s
m y r eader sa fel y suppose i n th e ca se o f a rac e so
conten ted to b e deceived as th e Jews that th e se voices
wh ich th ey b el i eved to b e fro m h eaven an d c all ed b y
the na m e B a th Kol were eith er for m ed i n th e ai r b y
th e Devi l i n order to i m po se on th e p eopl e or b y th e
m agi c ian s b y m eans o f t hei r devi l i sh art s in order to
pro m ote their o wn i n terests
.

"

Ph ilo the con temp o rary o f J esus attempt s a ph ilo

so ph ic a l e x p l a n at ion o f th e B a th K0 1 a n d o f the
appe ara nc e o f re wh ic h atte n d s i t in h is w o rk on
the Te n Ora cl es
co mma n dme n t s )
G od i s not l ike m an i n eed o f m outh an d tongu e
an d l arynx but h e seem s to m e on th is occ asion (vi z
th e givi n g ofthe l w o S i ai ) to have work ed an augu st
an d h oly m iracl e
H e b ade sound t o b e created
un seen i n the a i r a perfectl y harm onious sou n d
m or e won der ful th n a n y i str u m ents give forth not
soull ess i ndeed yet ot com posed of body an d soul
together l ike a l i v in g b ei g b ut a ration al soul ful l of
c l eam ess a d d is ti n ctness wh ich gave a f
orm to th e
a i r and d isten ded i t an d ch an ged i t into am e l i k e
,

B APT I S M

THE

17 0

tem pl e

A n d fro m th e

of

OF J E S U S
r

gl o y

sh a

ll

upon

c om e

h im

r tion
With th e Father s v oi ce as from Abraham to I saac
A n d th e gl ory f th e Most H i gh sh all b e u ttered o v er
c on sec a

hi m ,

u n dersta n di ng an d san cti cati on

1
sh a ll rest u p o n h i m [i n th e wa ter
]
A n d i n h i s pr i esth oo d th e G en t i l es sh all b e m u l ti pl i ed
i n k n o wl edge upo n th e ea rth
A n d e n l ighten ed th ro ugh th e gra ce o f th e L ord
I n h i s pri esth o o d sh all si n co m e to an en d
A n d th e l aw l ess sh a ll cea se to d o ev i l
A n d h e sh all op en th e ga t es ofp arad i se
A n d sh all r em o v e th e th reaten i n g swo r d a ga i n st A da m
A n d h e sh a ll gi v e to th e sa i n t s to eat fr o m th e tree o f l i fe
A n d th e spi r i t o fh o l i n ess sh all b e o n th em
A n d B el i al sh all b e b o u n d b y h i m
A n d h e sh a ll gi v e power to hi s ch i l dr en to trea d on
th e evi l sp i rits
A n d the Lord sh all r ej o i ce i n h i s c h i ldren
A n d b e well pl eased i n h i s b el o v ed on es fo r ev er
A n d th e

p i ri t

of

Mark the n Jo h n th e B a pt i st d o es no t re co g nise

J esus a s th e Messi a h a n d th e e x p e r i e nc e o f the S p i r i t s
d es ce n t a n d o f t he voi ce b elo n g t o J esu s a lo n e I n
M a tth ew th e st o ry gr o ws fo r i t is assu m ed that Jo h n
r eco g n i sed h i m a n d a s b e i n g J e su s s in fe r io r sou ght
t o d i ssu ad e h i m fr o m b e i n g b a pt i sed b y h i m sel f

s ay in g I ha v e n eed to be bap ti sed by thee a n d th ou

om est un to m e
Matth ew a l so mak es th e B a th Kol
s p ea k o f J esu s i n the t h i rd p erson a n d sa y Yon der
m a n i s my son bel ov ed
W e a re t h us g i ven t o un d e r
s ta n d th a t J esu swa s pr ocl a i m ed M essi ah t o a ll wh o were
pres e n t a n d no t t o h i m sel f a lon e L a s t l y L u k e tak es
In

T he words i n the w a ter

are a

Ch

r i sti an a ddi ti on .

THE

B APT I S M

OF J E S U S

17 1

c are that h is reader s s h oul d n o t r egard th e d esc e n t o f

t h e d o ve a s a mer el y s ubj e c t i ve e x p e r i e n c e o f J e sus
fo r h e go e s o ut o f h is w a y t o d e c l are that the S p i r i t
de sce n d ed in cbrp or ea l o r m a ter i a l for m a s a dov e
Th us the v ision is ex te r n a lis ed a n d b e co m es a n o bjec
t i ve e x p er ie nce no t o fJ esus onl y bu t o f a l l the p eopl e
So m e earl y t ex t s o f Matth ew fu r n is h a fre s h w on d er
a n d re l a te th a t w hen jesus w a s bap ti sed a g r ea t l ight
,

sh on e a r ou n d

fr om

the w a ter ,

so

th a t

a ll

cong r eg a te

Oth er fresh d et a ils w e re soon add ed

w h i c h h o w e ve r d i d n o t g a in a foo t in g in th e c a noni c a l
tra d i t ion Th u s L a c ta n ti u s a L a t in Fath er o f abou t
AD
3 0 0 rec o rd s th a t th e d o v e w a s a wh i t e o n e suc h
a s a p u re s p i r i t i s li k e l
y t o e m bo d y i t se l f i n ; a n d
a cco rd in g t o a n o th er trad i t ion O f that a g e o r ear lie r
t h e v oic e c am e o ut o f a lu m inous cl ou d the w at e r s o f
Jo rda n b a n k e d th e m s el ves u p in h onou r o f J e su s a n d
h e wa l k e d u p on th e m
I n t he G o sp el o f t he H eb rew s
a n Aram a i c G o sp el u se d b
y t h e J e w is h Chr is t i a n s o f
P a l es t in e th e d o ve see m s t o h a ve b een o m itted fo r
a cco rd in g t o J e r o m e th e L a t i n Fa the r t h i s d ocu m e n t
re l ated the d esc en t o f th e S p i r i t th u s B u t i t c am e
t o pa ss w h en th e L o rd had g on e u p o ut o f th e w a t e r
th e e n t i re s tre a m o f th e H ol y S p i r i t c a m e d o w n a n d
My so n i n a l l
w a s at r est u p on h i m a n d sa i d t o h i m
t h e pr o ph eci e s I a w a i t e d th ee th a t th ou m i ght e s t c o m e
a n d I res t a n d s ett l e in thee fo r th ou art m y r est i n g
p l a ce th ou art m y r s t b eg o tte n son wh o r ul es t fo r
e ve r
T h e i dea that a r e w a s k in d l ed in the Jo rda n
at the b apt is m wa s s ugge s te d by ma ny ol d m y th s

T he i d ea
w r i t e s R ob ert son S m i th ( Rel ig i on of th e
p
that the go dhe a d
S em i tes L ec t u re V
conse c rat es wat er s b y d esc en d in g i n t o th e m app ear s
at Aphac a (in S y r i a ) i n a p eculi ar fo rm a ssoci ated
th er e w er e afr a i d

B APT I S M O F

THE

17 2

JESUS

th the a s tra l c hara c ter w h ic h at l e a s t in l ater t i m e s

was a sc r ib ed t o th e go dd ess A s tarte I t w a s b e li eved
that th e go dd ess o n a c erta i n da y o fthe ye ar d e sc e n d ed
in t o th e r i ver in th e fo rm o f a e ry st a r fr o m the t o p
I n th e ol d h y m n s the R i ver Jo rda n i s
o f L eb a non
r epresen te d a s hav i n g b ee n ha llo w ed b y th e d esc e n t
o n i t o f t h e r e o f th e S p i r i t a n d th e i mm e r sion in i t
A n eno r m ous dr a g on a l so lu rk ed
o f the S o n o f G o d
i n th e w at e r a n d w a s tr a m p l e d un d erfoo t by J esus
Th er e wa s a lo c al m y th o f a drag on that ha un ted th e
w at e rs o f t h e Or o n t es a n d a S i m il a r trad i t ion a bou t
th e Jo rda n foun d i ts w a y i n t o t h e e a r l y C h u r c h h y m n s
su n g at th e co mm e m o rat io n o f C h r i st s b a pt i sm
I t i s fa i r l y c e rta in that in th e pr i mi t i ve te x t o f
Th ou a r t my bel ov ed
L u k e th e v oic e fr o m h e av en sa i d
r ep eat in g t he w o rd s
son thi s day ha v e I beg otten thee
o f P s a l m ii 7 an d th e s am e re a d i n g occu rr ed i n th e
G os p el o f t h e so c a ll ed E bioni t es o r Chr i st i a n s o f
P a l est in e w ho r ej ect ed the l e ge n d o f the Vi rg in
B i rth
T h e i d e a c on vey e d b y th ese w o rd s is that J esu s wa s
s p i r i t u a ll y r e bo r n o r re gen era te d on th i s occ a sion a
n ew soul a s i t w er e b e i n g e n ge n d e re d in h i m b
y th e
sp i r i t
w h ic h no w e n t e r ed in t o h i m a n d th e n c e fo rth
ins p i r ed h i s w o rd s a n d a c t ions T h e s am e i de a
un d er li es th e ol d er r ead in g o f eh i ver se 1 3 o f th e
Fou rt h G os pel w here i t i s s a i d th at Chr i st th e W o rd
o r R e a so n the li ght o f t he w o rl d w a s en gen d er ed o r
wi

beg otten n ot of bl ood n or of th e w il l of the esh n or of

the w i l l of m a n bu t of G od
a n d in t h e sam e G os p e l
,
,

iii

m an
1

J u a ssu re s Nico d e m us that un l ess a

be bor n fr om a bov e (o r over ag a i n ) of w a ter a n d

Rob er tson
p

an d

8,

17 1

S m i th

es s

S ee b e ow, p

18 0

Rel igi on

the S em i tes,

S econ d E diti on Lect

,

THE

17 4

BAPT I S M

OF J E S U S

l a tter are fo r tra ns fere nc e in t o th e k in gd o m o f heaven

O n th e o pp osi te si de is a no th er l arge s h a lon e in th e
water o ver the nos e o f w h ic h a l arge n aked h u ma n
gu re p ou r s out a ca n i str um o r jar o f so me ui d
Th i s gu re ma y repre se n t Jo h n the B aptis t pre si d in g
o ve r th e s p i r i t u a l a noi n t in g o f Chr is t
Tert ulli a n
w r o t e a bou t A D 2 0 0 W h il e th e mea n in g o f the sy m
I n the t h i rd
b o l i sm wa s s t ill fre s h i n m e n s m in d s
cen t u ry th is in terpretat ion o f the b apt is m o f J esus
c am e to b e con dem n ed a s h eret ic a l in R o me a n d wa s
su pp l a n ted b y the t ea c h i n g that he wa s Me ssi ah son
o f G o d ll ed p l en ar ily w i th th e H oly S p i r i t fr o m th e
m o m e n t o f h is conc ept ion b y the Vi rg in Mar y I t
th en b ec ame n e c e ss ary t o n d a n o rth o d ox in terpreta
t ion o f the s h sy m bol a n d in the ear ly fou rth
c en t u ry the w o rd I xthus w a s ex p l a in ed a s a n a n agram
a s follo w s : I esus Xr i stos Theou Ui os S oter
J esus
Chr is t o f G o d son s av iou r
I n ou t lyin g Ea s ter n r eg ions o f Chr is te n d o m h o w
e ve r where the pr i m i t i ve c onc ept ion s o f the re li g ion
li ved on lon ger tha n in R o m e t h at great w o rk s h o p O f
d oc tr in a l c ha n ge s the i d ea o f the b apt is ma l r ege n e ra
t ion o f J e sus a n d o f h is a d opt ion in the J o rda n a s so n
I n the W e s t a s l at e a s the
o f G o d li ve d o n fo r ag es
b e g in nin g o f th e nin t h c e n t u r y E li p a n dus o f T ol e d o
th e pr i mate o f S pa in w a s con dem n ed fo r h ol d in g i t
The ear ly Chri sti an wr i ter s o f Afr ic a a n d I ta ly en ter
ta i ned i t
I t wa s he l d in S icily a n d the Fratr ice ll i
attr ibu ted i t to the i r ma s ter a n d foun der S t Fra ncis
o f A ssisi I n the Ea s t i t lon g rema in ed a fun dam e n ta l
te n et o f Sy r i ac a n d Arme ni a n Chr is t i a ni ty Am on g
the Arme ni a ns i t wa s n o t onl y b e li eved that J e sus w a s
a noin ted by the S p i r i t a n d be c ame Chr is t a n d son O f
G o d at h is b apt is m bu t Jo h n the B apt is t wa s b e lie ved
.

THE

B APT I S M

OF J E S U S

17 5

have th e n o rda in ed h i m by l ay in g h is ha n d on h is
head an d i mpart in g t o h i m the tr i p l e d i gni ty o r gra c e
o f k in g h i gh pr i es t a n d pro ph et
I n th e sy no pt ic G os pe ls w e d o n o t meet w i th th is
i dea that J e sus wa s r e bo r n in b apt is m bu t in a ll o f
the m J esus is regard ed a s hav in g b egu n h i s h i gher
s p i r i tu a l li fe h is M essi a nic a n d q ua si d i v in e c areer
fr o m th e m o m e n t w he n the S p i r i t too k p oss e ssion O f
h i m Th u s L u ke repre s en t s h i m a s e n ter in g a l m o st
i mmed i at el y h is h o m e sy n ag o g u e o f Na zar eth a n d
appr o pr i at in g t o h i m sel f the w o rd s o f I s a i ah
Th e
to

p i r i t of the L or d i s up on m e w her efor e he ha th a n oi n ted

m e to p r ea ch g ood t i di ng s to the p oor ha th sen t m e to
p r ocl a i m to the p r i son er s forg i v en ess a n d to the bli n d
s

f sig ht

r ecovery o

Of J esus s l i fe b efo re h is b apt is m by Jo h n the

ear li es t gos pe l trad i t ion a s r ee c ted in M a rk k n ew
no th in g I n th e p er s p ec t i ve o f th e sub ap os t oli c a ge
h i s b apt is m hi s illu m in at ion b y th e S p i r i t w a s th e
o f h is c areer ; a n d a cco rd in g ly th e
start in g p oin t
follo w in g w o rd s a r e in A c ts i 2 1 set in th e m ou th o f
A l l the t i m e tha t the L or d
t h e c h i ef ap o st l e P e te r

esus

w en t i n

a nd

w en t

ou t

a m ong

us,

beg i n n i ng

fr om

fjohn
I t is th en n at u r a l that th e ea r l i es t o f the a n n u a l
fea s t s o f th e Chr i st i a n C h u r c h n o t d i rec t l y co n t inu e d
a n d tak en o ve r fr o m the par e n t J u da is m s h oul d have
co mm e m o rat ed th e b apt is m I t wa s x e d by th e
follo wer s o f th e Egypt i a n G nos t ic B a sil i des ear ly in
th e s econ d c e n t u ry on J a nu ar y 6 th w h ic h wa s i t
s eem s the d ay on wh ich the Egy pt i a ns sol em nly
bl ess ed the Nil e a n d th en ll ed t h ei r c is ter n s fr o m i t
G a ll ey s we re w a i t in g in th e har bou r o f A l ex a n dr i a t o
c on v ey th e w at e r t h us bl ess ed t o th e s hr in e s o f I sis

the bap ti sm
,

B A PT I S M

TH E

17 6

OF

J ES US

r o un d the M ed i terra n ea n ; an d a G ree k w r i te r o f

t h e a ge o f th e A n t oni n e s A r i st i d es R h e t o r r e l at es h o w
th e w ate r t h u s con sec rat ed w a s i m pr o ve d li k e g oo d
I t w a s b etter a n d p ur er at th e e n d
w in e by k eep in g
o f o n e y e ar t h a n w h e n i t w a s r st d r a w n u p a n d at
th e en d o f th e secon d y e ar t h a n o f th e r st a n d so on
eve n u p t o f
o ur ye ar s C h ryso st o m the gr eat G ree k
F ath er t o w ar ds th e en d o f th e fourth c e n tury in a
u ses
ser m o n d e li ver ed at A n t ioc h on J a n u ar y 6 th
i den t ic a l l an guage o f the w at er th en d ra w n u p con
T h e w at e r
sec r a ted a n d st o r ed fo r u se in b ap t i sm s
tak en up a nd bl es sed a t t h i s feast w a s su pp o sed t o
h ave th e sam e gra c e fo r th e h e a li n g o f th e sic k a n d
the r e m i ssion o f th e sin s o f t h o se w h o b at h ed in i t a s
th e w ater s o f th e Jo r d a n
T h e h y m n s su n g at t h i s
fest i v a l o f the Ma ni festat ion o r E p i p h a ny e m bo d i ed
the i d ea o f J esus s sp i r i t ua l bi rt h at hi s b apt i sm
and
w h e n in the fo urth c e n t u r y the i d ea ar o se o f fe ast in g
h i s p hy sic a l bi rt h t h i s n ew fe a st fo r w a n t o f a b etter
d ay w a s ta c k ed on t o th e e ar li er o ne o f J a n u ar y 6 th
so t h at bo t h bi rt hs th e p h y sic a l a n d t h e sp i r i t u a l
m i g h t b e co m m em o rated t o ge ther I n A l e x a n dr i a
R o m e C on sta n t ino p l e a n d A n t ioc h t he feast o f th e
phy sic a l bi rth w a s be tw een 3 60 a n d 4 50 tra n sfe rr ed
t o Dec e m b er 2 5th th e o l d M i th ra ic fe ast o f th e
bi rthd ay o f the sun na ta l zs
5 a l zs
B ut th e
far o ff Ch ur c h es o f the E a st rej ec t ed th i s inno v at ion
w h ic h b ega n in R o m e a n d ta x ed t h o se w h o a d o pt ed
i t w i t h sun w o rsh i p a n d i d ol atr y T h e A rm eni a n
C h ur c h t o th i s day re fuses t o fea st th e bi rth fr o m th e
V i rg in on Dec em b er 2 5th a n d k eep s th e co m m em o ra
t ion on J a nu ary 6 th defen d in g i t s us ag e on the
gr o u n d th at J esus w a s b apt i sed ex a c t ly on h i s th i rt ie th
bi rthday a nd t hat hi s h u ma n a n d sp i r i t u a l bi rths
a ll

'

'

B A PT I S M

TH E

17 8

OF

J ES US

un der i t s in uenc e th at the e nli ghten m en t o f J e sus

wa s p l a c ed on hi s t h i rt i et h bi rth d a y
The J ew i sh C h r i st i a n s o f Pa l est in e at a n e ar ly dat e
ta ugh t th at J esus wa s c h o se n o ut t o b e a noin ted the
M essi ah b ec a use h e w a s r i gh te o us a bov e a ll m en a n d
h ad k ept the J ew i sh l a w a s no m a n h a d ev e r d on e
b efo re hi m O th e r m en w h o atta in a n e qu a l degree
o f m o ra l p erfe c t io n a r e t o b e con si dered a n d c a ll ed
Ch r i st s S i m il ar ly Pa u l a ttest s t h a t J es u s in h i s eart h ly
li fe w a s u n de the l a w
th at h e w as a m i n i ster
.

f G od s tr u th so a s to
g i ve eect to the pr om i ses m a de of old to G od s p eopl e
W h en h e a dds th at h e k n ew no t sin
( Ro m x v
h e su r e ly m ea n s t h at h e e n t i rely
( 2 Co r v
ful ll ed th e l a w th e tra n sgression o f wh ic h a lon e con
s t i t u te d si n t o th e m in d o f a J ew
P erh ap s h o w ev er t he Ch r i st olo g y w h ic h m ade the
b apt is m the m o m en t o f J esus s pr o m o t ion t o the r ole
a n d t i t l e o f A noin t ed M essi a h a n d S on o f G o d w as
l at er t ha n th at wh ic h w e c a n tra c e in the l etter s o f
Pa ul an d a l so in th e A c t s o f th e A p o st l es (see a bove
p I
fo r a cco r d in g t o these J esus w a s in v es ted
w i t h t he S on sh i p t h at i s t o sa y th e r ole o f son o r
s erv a n t o f J ahv eh no t at b apt i sm b u t in a n d th r o ugh
hi s re s u rr ec t ion
T h u s i n R o m a ns i 3 Pa u l a sse rts
th at he w as hor n of the seed of D a v i d a ccor di ng to the
esh a n d w a s con sti tu ted S on of G od w i th p ow er
a ccor di ng to th e S p i r i t o
f hol i n ess th r oug h r esur r ecti on

H o w ev e r th i s conc e pt ion is no t re a lly

fr om the dea d
inco mpat ibl e w i th the v i ew o f the b apt is m tak en by
Mark ; fo r a cco rd in g t o th i s J esus foun d a s Loisy
sa y s in h i s b apt is m a su r e r ev el at ion o f h i s M essi a nic
ro
le
The con v ic t ion o f h i s d i v in e sons h i p t h en t oo k
h ol d o f hi m w i t h a fo r c e w h ic h i t ha d no t b efo re
f the

ci r cu m ci si on

for

th e sa k e

'

B A PT I S M

TH E

JESUS

OF

17 9

p o ss essed a n d w h ic h i t w as n ever after w ar ds t o lo se

T h i s i s pr ob a bly th e ker n el o f fa c t w h ic h u n der li es
the tra d i t ion a l st o r y in th e si mp l e fo rm in w h ic h
M a rk tell s i t B ut th e M essi a h o f J ew i sh tr a d i t ion
w as t o p l a y a far m o re g lo r io us part t h a n J esus p l ay ed
H e c r o w n ed w i th a m i se rabl e de at h a li f
e o f p hysic a l
w e ak n ess h av i n g a c h i ev ed no w o rk w o rt h y o f th e
M essi a h w h o w a s t o co m e I f h e w as r ea lly M essi a h
the n hi s m a i n ta sk w a s st ill in the fut ure ; hi s g lo ry
st ill a w a i ted h i m
A cco r d in g ly a seco n d a dv e n t w a s
p o stul ated w he n h e w o u l d co m e in p ow ei t o j udge
t h e w o r l d a n d m a k e g oo d the sh o rt co m in gs a n d ill
su cc e ss o f h i s rst m i ssion w h e n h e c am e in th e g ui se
o f w e ak a n d sin fu l h u ma ni t y
T h e r esurre c t io n w a s
th e b eg in n i n g o f t h i s n ew e p oc h o f h i s a c t i v i t y
H is
follo w er s w ere conv inc ed fr o m h i s appar i t io n s t o th em
th at he w a s st ill a li ve a n d in h eav en seat ed on a th r on e
at th e r i gh t h a n d o f h i s Father H e ha d tr i u mp h ed
he r e o v e r a ll th e inc e n t i v es o f h u ma n app et i tes a n d
earth ly am bi t ion h e h a d ev en surm o u n t ed t h e su pre m e
te mptat io n a n d r i sk o f de at h T h e sp i r i t co m m u n i
ca ted t o h i m in th e Jo rd a n w as et er n a l
a n d con
st i t u t e d h i m
i t s r e ci p i e n t i m m o rta l li fe i t se l f H e
h a d d i ed i n o r de r t o li v e a n amp l er li fe a n d h a d n o w
e n t e red in t o th e g lo r y w h ic h by n at u r e b elon g s t o th e
M essi ah B e fo re the gen erat ion w h ic h k n ew h i m i n
t h e esh sh o u l d pa ss aw a y h e w a s dest in ed t o re t u r n
on th e clo uds o f h eav en a n d b r in g abou t a rest i tu t ion
o f a ll th in gs a s sudde n a s i t w o u l d b e g lo r ious T o
h i s follo w er s w a s l e ft the ta sk as r egar ded th e m sel v es
o f w at c h in g an d prayin g fo r t h i s secon d co m in g ; a s
r egarded o ther s o f r efo rm i n g a n d prepar in g t hem fo r
t he gr e at e v e n t
B u t w h at is in t ere s t in g a bou t th is ear ly p h ase o f
,

'

N 2

18 0

TH E

B A PT I S M

OF JESUS

o p inion a bou t J esus i s that in i t he i s no t y et de i ed

u n t il t h e b apt i sm o r t h e r esu rr e c t ion in t e r v en es t o
a d v a nc e an d pr o m o t e h i m he i s no t r e gar d ed a s o t he r
th a n a ma n bo r n o f m en A w r i te r o f th e ep oc h
130
J ust i n M a rty r e x pressly t est i e s t ha t th i s
1 50
w a s t he o p inio n o f m o st C h r i st i a n s ; a n d hi s t est i
m ony i s t h e m o r e str i k in g b e c a use h e w a s h i m se l f
co n v inc ed t h ough on gr o u n ds o f pr o p hecy rather
th a n o f h um a n ev i de nc eth at J esus w a s m i ra c u lou sly
b eg o tte n by the S p i r i t o f a v i rgin a n d w a s fr o m th e
m o m en t o f h i s sup er n atura l conc ept ion the i n c ar n ate
W o r d o f G o d T h e passage I a ll ud e t o i s in a n i mag i
n ary di a lo gue o r con v er sat ion o f abou t A D I 3 5 h el d
w i t h a J e w c a ll e d T r yp h o n
T h e l att e r h a s re mark ed
th at th ose follow er s o f J esus w h o rej ec t th e st o r y o f
th e V i rg in B i rtha paga n m y th m o de ll ed h e sa ys on
th at o f Da n a ea n d w h o h ol d rat h er th at J esus w a s
bo r n a n o r d i n ary m a n a n d w as c h ose n ou t by Pr o v i
d enc e t o b e a noi n t ed (hech r i sth a i ) a n d so b ec am e
Ch r i st
the L o r d s a n oin t ed o r M essi a h) app ea r

s
a
w
h
i
s
t
h
to y
at
F o r he a dd s
e m o r e pr ob a bl e

w e a ll e x p ec t th e C h r i st t o b e bo r n a m a n o f m en
a n d t h at E li a s w ill a noin t h i m
w h e n h e co m es
J ust in s a n sw er t o th i s c r i t ici sm i s a s follow s
It i
q ui t e t r ue th t so m e peop l e o f u k i d
ckn owl edg h i m to b e C h r ist b ut t the sam e t i m e
dec la r e h i m to h ve b ee a m a o f m e
I h owev er
cann o t agree wi t h th em an d wi ll ot do so even i fth e
m aj or i ty (o f C hr i st i an s) i n si st o n t h i s op i n ion
d
i m par t i t t o m e ; for by C h r i st h i m sel f we h ve b een
co m m an ded t o b ase o u co l usio s n ot o h um a
teach i ngs but upon predic t io s set for th by th e bl essed
p rophets an d i m parted i n h i s o w tea ch i ng
W e gath er fr o m the a bov e that the m ajo r i t y o f
,

"

an

nc

B A PT I S M

THE

18 2

OF

JESUS

I n th is d i a lo g ue t h e h o st il e in t er locu t o r a ss a il s the
Ch r is t i a ns fo r p a yi n g d i v in e h onou rs t o a c r uci ed
c r i m in a l T he ap olo gi st a n sw er s th at hi s o pp on en t is
far fr o m the tr u t h w he n h e su pp o ses th at a c r i m in a l
des er ved t o b e b eli eve d t o b e d i v in e o r t h at a n eart h ly
ma n coul d b e be li ev ed t o b e su c h by th e C h r is ti a ns
A n d he h u r l s b a c k th e c h a rge o f a n th r o p ol atr y at t he
paga n p erse cu t o rs T h e y a re th e on e s t o b e r ea lly
p i t i ed b ec au se t h ei r en t i re h o p es a r e set on a m o rta l
ma n w h o c e ases t o a i d t h e m w h en h e d i es T he
E gy pt i a n s fo r ex amp le ch oose o ut a ma n a n d w o r sh i p
h i m set t h e m sel v es t o pr o p i t i a te h i m con sul t h i m a s
a n o ra cle a bou t ev ery th in g sl ay v ic t i m s in h i s h onou r
A n d y et h e w h o in t h e ey es o f o t her s i s t h us m a de a
g o d i s su r ely in h i s o w n b u t a m a n w h et her he w ill
o r no t H e m ay dece i v e o t he r s ; h e c anno t hi m sel f
Th e wr i ter aft er t h us sc at h in g th e cul t o f A n t ino us
g o es on t o g l a nc e at C ae sar wo r sh i p
Pr inc es an d
k in gs h e sa ys
m i gh t fair l y b e a tt er ed as m e m i gh ty an d el ec t but
th e h o m age pai d t t h em as god i s fa l se
I t i s truer to
b estow hon our on m an b e u e h e i s ren own ed an d
h i m b ec u se he i s b est of hi s
sweet er t o besto w l o v e o
k i d B ut i n st ea d o f th i s th e p gan s i n vok e the god
h ead o f k i n gs p r y t o th ei r i m ages a pp eal wh en
accused ofaugh t to th ei r ge iusth a t i s thei r dem on ;
a n d so i t i s h el d l e s r i sk y t o perj ure
your self by the
geni us ofJ ov e th a b y t ha t o fth e k ing
Lactan ti us a no t h er L at in ap olo g i st at th e b eg innin g
o f the fou rth c en t ur y h ol ds si m il ar l a n g u age in a
pa ss ag e wh ich m er i t s ci tat ion b ec a u se i t so a dm i ra bly
su m s u p th e ear li er con cept ion s o f J esus en t er
t ai ned in th e Chu r ch b e fo r e h i s dei ca t i on d outr a n ce ;
fo r t h is was only a cco mp li sh ed l ater on in the
.

ca

'

THE

B A PT I S M

JESUS

OF

18 3

T h e p a ssage i s in a w o rk
C ouncil s c a ll ed o rth o do x
O n T r u e Wi sdom c h 14 :
A s to wh at were th e way s o f G o d an d wha t h i s
prec ep ts we ar e l eft n ei ther i n doubt n or i n da rkn ess
Fo r G o d wh en h e saw t ha t wick edn ess an d th e cul t s
of f
a l se go ds h ad gro wn so st r on
g all over the ea r t h
tha t hi s n am e wa s a l m ost effac ed from m en s m in ds
sen t h i s so n the ch i ef (or p ri n c e) o fa n gel s as h i s
depu ty t o m an k i n d to con ver t t h em from i m pious
a n d v a i n c ul t s t o k n o wl edge an d wo r sh i p of th e t ru e
G o d ; an d l i kewi se t o l ea d th ei r m i n ds fro m foll y t o
wi sdo m fro m i n i q u i ty t o wo r k s o f j u st ic e
These ar e
the wa y s o f G o d i n wh ic h h e i n st r u c ted h i m t o wal k
th ese th e p rec ept s wh ich h e en j oi n ed h i m to keep
B ut h e i n t ur n i n exem pla ry fash ion sh owed hi s fa i th
i n G o d fo r h e taugh t th a t G o d i s on e a n d th at h e
a lo n e o ugh t t o b e wo r sh i pp ed
Nor di d he hi m sel f
ever say t ha t h e was G o d bec a u se h e wo ul d n o t h a v e
kept fai th if after b ein g sen t to m ak e away wi th
p ol yth ei sm an d v i n di c a t e th e o n e h e h a d b rough t i n
a n o t h er b esi de th e o n e
T h a t woul d n ot h a ve been t o
preac h an d p rocl a i m th e on e G od b ut t o p ush h i m sel f
fo r wa r d i n th e pl a c e o f h i m th a t had sen t hi m an d
rom h i m to m a n ifest who m h e
so t o separa t e h i m sel f f
h ad co m e
Fo r the ver y rea son t hat h e p roved h i m sel f
so f
a i t hf
ul
th a t h e a rroga ted n o h on ou rs wh a t ever
to h i m sel f d ev o t i n g h i m sel f ra th er t o ful ll i n g th e
com m an ds of h i m th at sen t hi m he was rewa rded
wi th th e dign i ty o f b ei n g a pri est fo r ev er wi th th e
h on our o f b ei n g sup r em e k i n g wi th th e a uth o r i ty o f
j udge an d wi th the nam e o fG od
.

pr o foun d con tra st w i th th e C h r i stology

i t se l f t o b e o rth o d ox i s foun d in m a ny
o ther ear ly C hr is t i a n w r i ter s b ut I w ill o n ly a dd uce
I n S y r i a c an d o ld A rm eni an
a S in g l e o t h er ex amp l e

T h e sam e
w h ic h bo a st s

BA PTISM

TH E

18 4

OF

J E S US

preser ved tw en ty th ree h o m ili es w r i tten by a

S y r i a n F ather A p hraa tes abo ut th e years 3 3 0 3 50
T he sev e n teen t h o f t he se co m b a t s th e J e w s w h o t a x ed
t he C h r i st i a n s w i t h w o r sh i pp in g a c r uci ed m a n
viz
J esusa n d c a lli n g h i m G o d a l so w i t h assert in g
t h at he w a s S on o f G o d w h erea s G o d h a s no t son s
A p h ra a t es s d efen c e i s h a r d ly t h a t o f a n o rth o d ox

h
a
C r i st i n
T h e v e n e ra bl e n am e o f G o dh oo d
he
w r i t es
h a s been gi ven to j ust m en th em sel ves an d th ey h a v e
b een h eld wor thy t o b e called b y i t A n d m en i n
wh om G od h a s fo un d pl easure h e h as h i m sel f c a l l ed
h i s son s an d fr i en ds
T h us wh en h e c h ose M o ses a s
hi s fr i en d an d b el o ved o n e an d as l eader o f h i s peop l e
a n d c o n st i t u t ed h i m t eac h er an d p r iest h e c all ed hi m
a re

,
.

G od

For h e

P ha r a oh

un to

his

sa

e a

p roph et

id to h i m I h v ppoi t d th G od
A d fo r t hwi th h gave h i m h i s pr i est

n e

ee

Ver i ly

sh a l l

A a r on thy hr other sp ea k
for thee to P h a r a oh ; u n to hi m sha l t thou he a s G od, hut
he sha l l he thy i n terp r eter
Aga n t i s wr tten , Ye
as

i i

f the L or d y ou r G od

H e sh a l l he to m e a s

a r e son s o

he
as

sa

id

fa ther

W e th er efo re i n

An d

son , a n d

bou t S ol om o

I w i l l he to h i m

th e sa m e wa y

cal l
ve co m e
do

C h r i st th r ough wh om we ha
to k n ow G o d j ust a s h e c all ed I sra el h i s r stb om so n
a n d sai d o f S o l o m o n : H e sha l l he a son u n to m e
W e c al l h i m G o d h owever j ust a s h e ca l led M o ses
wi th h i s o wn n am e
Moreover th e n a m e ofG od
h oo d i s gi v en b y way o f very grea t h on ou r i n th e
worl d a n d G o d h a s i m p osed i t upon wh om h e ch ooses
H owever t r an sc en den t a n d ven erab l e b e th e n a m e
o fG odh ood h e ha s n o t d en i ed i t t o th e j ust
S uch w a s the so rt o f d ei ca tio n st ill a cco r ded t o
J esus in the fou rth ce n tury in th e E aster n C h u r ches
th at l ay ou tsi de the con federated C hur c h es o f the
S on

of

G o d th e
,

C H APT E R XI I
B I RT H

LE G

E N DS

m i tt ed ev en by o rth o dox d i v in es a s a re a son

w h y M a rk s G o sp e l m ust e m bo d y t h e ear li est fo rm o f
ev a n gelic a l tra d i t ion t h at i t s a u th o r k n ew no t h i n g o f
I t i s a l so w i dely
th e bi rt h a n d c h il dh oo d o f J esus
r eco g n i se d by them t h a t the st o ry o f the V i rg in B i rt h
w as no t d i v ul g ed in th e r st ap o st olic a g e no r r eve a l ed
t o the C h ur c h u n t il P eter a n d P a u l a n d the rest o f t he
a p o st l es h a d pa ssed a w a y ; t h at th e con t em p o rar i es o f
J esus r e gul ar ly sp o k e o f J esus a s the so n o f Jo sep h
a n d t h a t t h e a p o st l es con t i n u e d so t o sp e ak o f h i m lon g
af
ter h i s death Pr o fe sso r S a n d ay in d eed w o ul d h av e
us b eli ev e t h a t J esu s s m o t h e r tr ea su red U p in h e r
h ea rt t he m i ra c u lo us ex pe r i en c es r e l a t e d in th e r st
tw o c h apt er s o f L u k e a n d co m m u n ic ated th e m a s a
so rt o f fa m ily se c r e t lon g y ear s aft er t h e ev e n t t o h er
fr i en d Jo a nn a w i fe o f C h usa H er o d s stew a rd a n d
t h at sh e i n tu r n con ded the m t o th e ev a n ge li st S u c h
a r e t h e d esp e r a t e S h i ft s o f l a tt e r d a y ap olo g e t ic s
O th e r d i v in es w ell a w ar e o f th e fa c t t h a t th e cl a use o f

bo r n o f t he V i rg i n M ary i s fa st b eco m in g
th e c r eed
d ea d w oo d w ar n th e i r aud i en c es t h at t h e V i rg in B i rth
did no t i n i t sel f con st i t u te t he I n c ar n at ion o f th e d i v in e
W o r d b ut w a s only a n in teres t in g a n d i mp o rta n t
i n ci den t conn ec ted th erew i th W e a r e ev e n t old th at
G o d i f h e h a d c h o sen t o d o so m i gh t h av e inc ar n at ed
h i m s el f in hu ma n fo rm w i th o u t h av in g a ny r ecou rse
at a ll t o s uc h ex p edi en t s
I am encou raged by suc h
IT is

ad

86

B I RTH

LEG EN D S

18 7

adm i ssions t o dea l fra n k ly w i th a l ege n d w h ic h i s fa st

lo sin g i ts h ol d on ma ny r eli g io us m in ds W e h av e
see n a bo ve th at Pa u l sp eak s in R o m a n s i 1
3 o f J esu s

a s h av in g b een bo r n
o
f the seed of Da v i d a ccor di ng

to the esh
B ut in a n o t h er pa ssag e 2 T i m o t h y ii 8
he uses l a n g u age o f a k in d t o ar o u se o ur susp icion s
fo r he w r i tes th us B e m i n dfu l of esus Chr i st r a i sed
.

fr om the dea d of the

,

seed

f Da v i d

a ccor di ng

to my

g osp el
H er e th e
.

q u a li c at ion a ccor di ng to my g ospel seem s

t o a tta c h e x cl usi v ely t o th e cl a use of the seed of Da v i d
a n d so co n ta i n s a h i n t th at t h er e w er e o th e r s a cco r d in g
t o w h o se g o sp e l J esu s w as no t of the seed of Da v i a
F o r P a ul w h en h e t h us sp eak s o f hi s go sp e l h a s i n
v i e w th e t ea c h i n g o f t h e tr ue co mpa n ion s o f J esu s
J am es a n d Jo h n a n d P e t er D i d t he n t hese
a u t h o r i t i es r ej e c t t h i s t en e t ?
W e k n o w no t ; b ut
o n e t h in g i s c erta in
th at in th e trad i t ion in he r i ted
by M a rk J esus r epud i at ed fo r h i m el f a D av i dic
p ed i gree fo r i n Mark x i i 3 5 w e r ead th e follo w in g
,

jesus

tea ch i ng

hi m self

sa i d,

to my L or d,

i s th e

th r oug h th e H
thou

si t

en em i es u n der

Temp l e

the

in

Messi a h

hes tha t the

scr i

thy

my

on

feet

ri

son

oly

ght

sa i d,

f Da v i d

Da v i d
sa id

ha n d, til l [

th e

say

S p i r i t th e L or d

D a v i d hi m self

H ow

th i n e

p l a ce

ca ll s

hi m

C h r i st]L or d ; how ther efor e ca n he he h i s son P

T h e g i st o f t he a bo v e arg um e n t i s t h i s t he C h r i st
o r M essi ah c a nno t b e a desc e n da n t o f Da v i d b ec a use
Dav i d i n a n in sp i red p sa l m g i v es t o th e fut u re M essi ah
a t i t l en am ely L or dw h ic h n o m a n w oul d a ssi g n
t o o n e o f hi s o w n desc en d a n t s S uc h a n arg u m e n t i s

t he

u
s
s
es
x
d
e
r
i
v
t
t
y
I m the
ece e
I
16 i n
J
I t i sign i a t that th ol d Arm enian
d the of s
oot
p i g y D vi d
version reads ofA da m Revelation was written ab out the year 93
1

an

Revela ti on

xxii

f r n

th e

c n

B IRTH

18 8

LEG

EN D S

ra bbi n ic e nou gh in k i n d bu t non e th e l ess w i t n esse s

t o a n a ge in w h ic h th e sc r ib es a ll eged a ga in st th e
M essi a nic cl a i m s o f J esu s th a t h e w a s no d esc e n d a n t
J esus m eet s t h e m w i th a m ere de ni a l o f
o f Da v i d
t h ei r m aj o r pre m i ss A n d y et h a d h e estee m ed
h i m sel f t o b e o f Da v i d ic o r i g i n o r h a d t h e a u th o r s o r
r ep o rter s o f t h i s co n v ersat io n b e li eved h i m t o b e suc h
t h e pr o p er a n sw e r t o th e c h a ll e n g e w a s m e r e ly t o
a ssert th e fa c t N o su c h a sse rt ion i s m a de ; on the
con tra ry t he fa c t a ll eged i s a ccepted b ut de ni ed t o
b e a n y d ra w b a c k
B ut th e re w a s a l so a no th e r w a y
o f m eet i n g t h i s obj ec t ion o f the sc r ib esn a m ely t o
in v en t D a v i dic gen ea log i es fo r the m aste r ; a n d t o
t h i s th e C h ur c h soo n h a d re co u r se O f th e i mag i n a ry
Da v i d ic p ed i grees o f J esus t h u s c a ll e d fo rt h t w o
su r v i v e t o u s o n e o f t h e m pr e x ed i n th e r st G o sp e l
t o t h e l e g en d o f th e V i rg in B i rth ; th e o t h e r i n se rt ed
by L u k e i m m edi ately a fte r th e e p i so de o f th e S p i r i t s
de sc e n t up on J e sus i n th e Jo r da n a p o si t ion i n w h ic h
i t serv es t o e m ph a si se th e p oi n t th at th e so n o f m a n
h a s j u st b een b eg o tt en a n ew by sp i r i t u a l u nc t io n t h e
so n o f G o d
T h e p e di gr ee in t h e r st G o sp e l in i ts
o r i g i n a l fo r m en ded (M atthew i 16 ) th u s : ja coh heg a t

E n d o th e rw i se i t
joseph a n d joseph heg a t jesus
co ul d n o t seein g th at the a i m a n d obj ec t o f i ts
co m p il er w a s t o est a bli sh t he Da v i d ic desc en t o f
J esu s th r ough his father Jo seph T h i s o r i gin a l en d
in g I m ysel f d i scov e red in a n o ld G reek m a n usc r i pt
i n the V at ic a n L ib rar y ; i t a l so sta n d s in th e ear li est
S y r i a c v ersion o f th e G o sp el s re c en t ly d i scov ered in
t h e S in a i con v e n t
I n a ll t he G r ee k ma n u sc r i pt s o f
Matthew h ow ev er th e l ast cl a use o f th e p ed i gree
h a s b ee n bo t c h ed in o n e o f tw o w ay s bo t h i n
te n ded t o av oi d i ts aw k war d attestat ion o f J o sep h s
,

B I RT H

19 0

LEG

E N DS

h
t
e a cci de n t o f
only
a
cco
r
in
g
t
o
d

h u m a n d esc e n t
B ut t h i s pa ssa g e o f t h e F o u rt h G o sp el prese r v e s t o
us a no t h er obj e c t ion b r ou g h t by t h e J ew s o f t h e r st
th i s n a m ely
a ge aga in st th e M essi a n ic cl a i m s o f J esu s
th a t h e w a s no t bo r n in Beth l eh em t h e ci ty o f D av i d
I f th e ev a n ge li st h a d h e ar d a ny r ep o rt o f h i s h a v in g
b een bo r n the r e h e w o u l d sur e ly h a v e rev ea l ed h i s
k n o w l edge o f i t a n d a s h e i s so pr on e t o do h a v e
B u t h e g i v e s no h in t
st i gmat i sed th e J e w s a s li ar s
o f i t ; a n d i t b eco m es ob v io us t h at t he st o r y w h ic h
L u k e t e ll s w a s i n v en t e d t o m ee t t h i s part ic u l ar o bjec
t ion o f th e J e w s R a bbinic a l in terpre tat ion o f O l d
T esta m en t pr o p heci es r eq ui red t h e M essi a h t o b e
bo r n in B eth l eh e m a n d no t i n N a z a r eth a s M ark
a ssu m es h i m t o h av e b een I t w a s th erefo r e n eces
sar y t o th e f
u l l m e n t o f pr o p h ecy t h at h i s m o th e r b e
tra n sferred t o B eth l eh e m i n t i m e fo r h er c h il d t o b e
bo r n th ere ; a n d L u k e o r th e fo rm o f tra di t ion h e
follo w ed dev i sed the follo w in g t a l e i n sat i sfa c t ion o f
t h e cl a i m s o f pr o p h ecy a n d a s a n a n sw e r t o th e
obj ec t io n s o f inc redulo us J ew s Ther e w en t for th i n
to th e

esh

decr ee fr om Ccesa r A ugu stus for a r eg i str a

ti on [o r cen sus]to he m a de of th e w h ol e w or l d
Th i s
r eg i str a ti on w a s r st m a de w h en K r en i os w a s
y
g ov er n or
those day s

f Sy r i a

ci ty

a nd al l

A n d,

w en t to he

a ccor di n

g ly ,

r eg i ster ed , ea ch

josep h

a l so

to

w en t

hi s

ow n

p fr om

G a l i l ee fr om the ci ty of N a z a r eth , i n to u dd a t o the ci ty

of Da v i d, w h i ch i s ca l l ed B ethl eh em , heca u se h e hel on ed
g
,

to the househol d

a n d cou n tr
y

f Da vi d

in

or der

to

he

M m y hi s w ife w ho w a s w i th ch il d
A n d i t ca m e to pa ss w hi l e th ey w er e th er e th e da ys of
her p r eg n a n cy w er e full l ed a n d she hr oug h t for th h er

r st hor n son
r eg i ster ed

w i th

B I RT H

EN D S

LEG

19 1

N a z are th li es no rth o f B eth l ehe m a bou t 1 3 0

k ilo m etres o r 8 0 m il es a s th e c r o w i es o ver v ery
d i f c ul t coun tr y
I mag in e a g ov er n m en t w h ich tak es
a cou p l e o f p e a sa n t s a ll th at w ay in o r der t o ll up a
ce ns us p a per ! A n d why tak e Mary w ho b ein g o f
t h e h ou se o f A ar on sh oul d h av e g on e e l sew h ere ?
N o r a cco rd in g to L uk e d i d Jo sep h a n d Mary a lon e
h av e t o g o b a c k t o t h e ci t y o f hi s a nc est o r o f a
th o u sa n d ye ar s b efo r e ; b ut ev eryon e el se a ll ove r
the w o r l d d id th e sam e
T h us w e h a v e a p ic ture o f
h un d r ed s o f t h o usa n ds o f p e o p l e a ll r ush in g in d i ffe r
en t d i re c t ion s a t o n e a n d t he sam e t i m e fr o m en d t o
en d o f th e R o m a n E m p i r e in o r d er t o ll u
p c en sus
pap er s w h ic h they co u l d ll up e q ua lly w ell i f t hey
rem a in ed q u i et ly at h o m e I t i s a s i f t o da y ev er y
S co t c h fam ily o f the n am e o f C amp b ell w e re b r o ugh t
fr o m L on don o r th e A n t i p o des in o r de r t o ll up
inco m e ta x paper s in A r gy l eshi r e S uc h i s the
m on str o us a b su r d i t y w h ic h L u k e c a l m ly sa d d l es o n
t h e a d m ini strat ion o f A u g u st u s t h e m o st pra c t ic a l
o f a nci e n t r u l ers ! H e a ssu m es th at the R o m a n
G o v er n m en t w o u l d r eg i st er p eo p l e no t by p l a c e o f
d o m icil e b ut a cco r d in g t o w h o t h ei r a n c est o r s w ere
a n d w h e r e t h ey h a d li ved ; a s i f e v e r yon e h a d hi s
p edi gr ee a n d fam ily h i st o ry rea dy at h a n d t o in fo r m
M o st o f t he J ew s in tha t d ay k n ew n o th in g o f
him
w h o the i r r e m o te a nc est o r s w er e o r w h ere th e y li v ed
u l l t h i s e x tra v aga n t e d ic t w oul d
a n d in o r d e r t o f
h a ve b ee n fo r c ed t o si t d o w n a n d fo rge p ed i gr ees no t
u nli k e th o se w h ic h th e a u t h o rs o f th e F i r st a n d T h i r d
G o sp el s h a v e fo rged fo r J esus
I f addi t ion a l proo f were n eeded o f the legen dary
c h ara c te r o f L u ke s n arrat i v e i t i s affo r ded by hi s
m en t ion o f Q ui r i n ius o r Ky r en io s a s the g over no r o f
,

B I RT H

192

LEGEN D S

S y r i a un der w ho m the en r ol m en t w a s ma de in J u daea

T h i s en r ol m en t t oo k p l a c e afte r A r c h e l a u s w a s d e
p osed ou the occ a sion o f J udae a b e in g in due fo rm
inco rp o rated in th e R o man E mp i r e T h e av er sion o f
O r i e n t a l r a c es t o b e in g n u m b er ed i s pr o v er bi a l a n d
in th e O l d T estam e n t J a hveh v i si t ed th e I srae li tes
w i th th e p l ag ue b ec au se h i s fav ou r i t e K in g D av i d so
n um b er ed them I t i s i n telli g ibl e th ere fo re th at so
obv io us a re fo rm co ul d no t b e c arr i ed th r o ugh in
J udm a w i th o u t r esi sta nc e on the part o f the J ew s ;

a n d a n in su rre c t ion o f J u d a s o f Ga lil ee

i n th e day s

o
f the en r ol m en t (A c ts v 3 7 ) i s attested by the
h i st o r i a n Jo sep h us
H i s t est i m ony h o weve r i s far
fr o m sub sta n t i a t in g L uk e s st o r y ; fo r in th e r st
p l a c e the e n r ol m en t o r c e n sus o f Ky r en i o s w a s no t
o f a l l the w or l d b ut only o f th e i n h abi ta n t s o f J ud e a
w h er e a s
a n d secon d ly i t w a s n o t m a d e u n t il A D 6
H e r o d i n w h o se d ay s L u k e i 5 set s th e bi rth o f
Jo h n th e B apt i st an d by co n seq uence o f J esus a l so
sinc e h e w a s only si x m on t h s J o h n s j u nio rdi ed in
th e spr in g o f 4 B C
L u k e s d at es t he r efo re sh o w a n
i n ter n a l d i sc r epa ncy o f so m e ten ye ars
T h e r st ev a n g eli st M a tt h ew qu i t e n a i v e ly a n d
uncon scio u sly a cq u a i n t s u s w i t h th e g e n e si s o f th e
l ege n d t hat J esus w a s bo r n at B e th l eh em ; fo r h e
mak es K in g H er o d the l ea st M e ssi a nic o f m e n a s

ca ll
L oi sy w e ll styl es h i m
tog ether a ll th e ch i ef

p r i ests a n d scr i hes a n d a sk t h e m w her e the Ch r i st

shou l d he hor n
a s i f h e sh ar ed in suc h b e li e fs a n d
a n t ici pat ion s A n d they sa i d u n to h i m I n B ethl ehem

o
A nd
f ju dd a for thus i t i s w r i tten hy the p r ophet
w i t h o u t a ny fu rth er a do Matt h ew a ssu m es t h at J esus
w as bo r n in B e th l eh e m a n d b eg in s h i s n arrat i v e t h us

N ow w hen jesus w a s hor n i n B ethl ehem of fu da a

.

'

B I RT H

194

n am e fo r

L E G E N DS

ili sh coun te rfei t o f Ch r i st bu t N er n

i e N er o
I f the a n t ic hr i st r ec ei v ed such h o mage
fr o m th ree mag i the rea l Ch r i st coul d no t h a v e
rece i ved l ess H en c e t he l egen d o f Matthe w
T h e l a st sev e n v e rses o f M a tt hew c h i r e l ate h o w
J esus w a s m i ra c u lo usly conc e i ved o f th e H oly G h o st
h i s m o t h e r r e m a ini n g a v i rg i n in at con tra d ic t ion
w i th th e p ed i gr ee w h ic h en ded by d e cl ar in g t h at
.

the dev
.

joseph heg a t h i m so th at h e w a s a son of D a v i d

Matth ew re l ates h o w w hen hi s m other Ma ry ha d

heen hetr othed to joseph hefor e they ca m e tog ether sh e

w a s foun d w i th ch i l d of th e H oly G host

Joseph

w a s fo rt hw i th w ar n ed no t ev e n
to p ut h er a w ay

p r i v i ly by a n a ng el of the L or d w hi ch appea r ed
u n to h i m
i n a d r ea m say i ng fosep h thou son of
.

Da v i d fea r

to ta he to thee

n ot

i s con cei ved

th a t w hi ch

Ma ry

i n her i s

thy

w ife

th e H

for

ly G host

T h e n follo ws the u sua l app ea l t o pr o p hecy the

o r i g in at in g germ o f the e n t i re l ege n d
N ow a l l
th i s i s com e to pa ss tha t i t m ig h t he fu lll ed w h i ch
w a s sp ohen hy the Lor d thr oug h th e p r op h et say i ng
,

B ehold , the

for th

a son , a n d

I n th e

sl ee

v i rg i n sha ll

and

se

q l

di d

ue

he w i th

they sha l l

hi s

ad t h at

we

th e

an

ca l l

ch ild , a n d

na m e

joseph

sh a l l

hr i ng

I m m a n uel

a r ose

fr om

hi s

g el of the L or d co m m a n ded h i m ,
a n d tooh u n to hi m hi s w ife, a n d h n ew h er n ot ti l l she
,
as

ha d hr oug h tfor th

a nd

a son

he ca l l ed hi s n a m e jesus

r el ated o f J es us w h at w a s in a n t iqui ty
a stoc k l egen d re l ated o f a n u m b er o f c el eb r i t i es
L et us no t ic e a few o f t hese para ll e l s
T h e p h iloso p he r P l at o v er y soon afte r h e d i ed w a s
r ep u ted by h i s follow ers t o h av e b e en bo r n o f a
v i rg in a n d h i s o w n n ep h ew S e usi
p
p p us t ol d t h e st o ry
in n ear ly the sam e w o rds a s Matthew e mp loys H ear
H er e w e n d

B I RT H

L E G END S

:9 5

D io gen es Laer ti us th e bio grapher o f the a ncien t

p h iloso p her s wh o li v ed a bou t A D z oo in hi s li fe o f
P l at o :
A ri ston (th e pu ta t i v e fa th er of Pl ato) tr ied to con
strai n Peri k ti o n e (h i s wif
e) who was a b ea uti f
ul wo m an
W h en h e ceased t o do so he ha d a visio n
b ut fa iled
in wh ich Apollo appeared to h i m an d i n consequen ce
th ereof gua rded h er pure of the relat ions of wedlock
un til sh e b rough t fo rth P l ato
D io gen es in v o kes besi de th e test i m ony o f S peusi p
p us th at o f K l ear c hus a p up il o f A r i sto t l e s a n d
A n a x ili des a G reek w r i te r o f u ncerta in date P lu tar c h
in hi s Con vi v i a l Dzlsp uta ti ons r el ates th at A r is t on no t
only saw the v i sion in h i s dream bu t heard a v oice
wh ic h fo r b a de h i m t o appr o a ch hi s w i fe o r t ouc h her
fo r ten m on th s A n d after ci t in g a n o ld Greek p o et
t o the effec t that th e c urre n t s o f th e w in ds i mpreg n ate
hen bi r ds h e con t in ues a s follo w s
I see noth ing ab surd i n the supposition that G od
in stead of approach in g wo m en i n h um an wise touches
th em to ner i ssues wi th o th er m odes of contact an d
fspri ng
T he m yth
so ll s th e m or ta l wi t h d iv i n e of
i s not of m y m a ki ng for th e E gyp t ia ns say that Api s
was th us conceived th rough t ouch an d con ta c t of
S elene th e m oon T he fa c t o f th e intercourse of a
m a le god wi th m o rtal wom en i s con c eded by a l l but
i t i s not believed that m orta l m an can occasion preg
nancy an d bi rth i n a goddess b ecause the stuff o f
wh ich gods ar e m ade i s ai r an d sp i ri t a n d certain form s
o fwar m th an d m oi sture
T h is so rt o f m y th a s w e sh a ll see l eft i ts i mpress
o n Ch r is ti a n s p ec u l at ion a bo u t th e bi rt h o f J esu s an d
no t a few Chr is t i a n ap olo g i sts o f the t h i rd a nd fou rth
c en t u r i es a nxi ous t o pr o ve th at J esus wa s conc ei ved
,

B I R TH

19 6

L E G EN D S

o f the H oly S p i r i t co mpared h i s m o ther t o the

a ni m a l s w h ich a re w on t t o conc ei v e by w in d a nd
a i r gud v en to et a ur a con ciper e sol en t t o u se t h e
T h us
T h e i d ea i s a n o l d o n e
w o r d s o f L ac ta n ti us

i n V i rg il s G eorg i cs w e r ea d h o w th e m ar es w h e n
i n spr in gt i m e the w armt h r e t u r n s in th e i r bon es
sta n d a ll on the t o p o f t h e r oc k s t u r nin g t h e i r m o u t h s
t o t he Z ephy r a n d gu l p d own th e li gh t a i rs a n d o ft
t i m es w i th o u t m arr i age u nion marv ellou s t o r el ate
th ey a r e mad e pr eg n a n t by th e w in d
,

l r r it ossi b us i ll
t t upi bus alti s
E
ur
t
p i e ul lis
p t tq u l v
C j gii v to gr vid (m i ra b il e di ctu)
It w a s a l so r e l ate d by a n E g y pt i a n w r i te r A se l e
p i a des t h at th e m o the r o f J u li us C aesar conc e i v e d
h i m m i ra c u lo usly in a t e mp l e o f A p ollo so th at t h i s
r st o f the emp ero rs w a s so n o f a g o d T he e mp er o r
I t is
A l ex a n der li k ew i se w a s conc ei v ed by a v i rg in
no matte r fo r surpr i se th at in th e se con d c e n t u r y
w h en th e l eg e n d o f C h r i st s m i ra c ulou s bi rth b ega n t o
ci r c u l a te in th e C h u r ch the J ew s t w i tt ed the C h r i st i a n s
w i t h h av in g p ic k ed u p a paga n ta l e co m para bl e t o
T h e ap olo g i st Ju st in M arty r
th e st o r y o f D a n a e
(see p 1 8 0 ) tr i es in ge n era l t o draw d e lic ate d i sti n c
t ion s b etw ee n h er c ase a n d th at o f the V i rg in M ar y
bu t so m et i m es a s in hi s r st ap ology (ch xxi v ) h e
ch oo ses a no ther lin e o f de fenc e bol d ly a d m i ts t he

p a ra ll el a n d a sk s Why a r e w e C h r i st i a n s a lon e o f
m en h ated fo r C h r i st s n am e w h en w e do bu t r e l a t e
o f h i m st o r i es si m il ar t o w h a t the G r eeks r el ate o f

H erm es a n d P e rseus ?
Wh at w e tea c h he says

e
h
c
h
s
in t e am ap olo gy (
xxii i ) w e l ear n ed fr o m
Ch r i st a n d th e pr o p h et s w h o pr ec ed ed h i m a n d i t i s
a tr ue lo re a n d m o re a nci en t t h a n th at o f a l l o the r
i

Ve e m ag s, q u a ve e ca o ed
O r e o m n es v ersae in Z ep hyru m s
xce

on u

an

es a

en

as

aa

an

see e s n

ae

B I RTH

19 3

L E G E ND S

rap i d s prea d o f the beli e f in t he V i rg in B i rth a n d

R esurrec t ion
M en s m in ds w e re a l rea dy fu ll o f
si m il ar
b eli efs a n d the gr o u n d prepar ed fo r th ei r
re c ept ion
T h e C h r i st i a n s cl a i m ed a cc epta nc e o f
th ei r m y th s b ec a use th e paga n reli g ion w a s a l rea d y
fu ll o f si m il ar o n es
T h e J ew s o f th e di a spor a w e r e a l re a dy b e fo r e th e
bi rth o fJ esus in t he ha bi t o f th r o w i n g th ei r M essi a nic
d r e am s in t o H o m er ic h e x a m e t e r s t h ese p o em s pa ssed
fro m h a n d t o h a n d an d t h e C h r i st i a n F ath er s w h e n
t hey i n h er i t ed th e m u nc r i t ic a lly b eli ev ed th at ge n u in e
pr o p heci es o f the a n ci e n t S ibyl s h a d fa ll e n in t o th e i r
h a n ds
A coll ec t ion o f suc h p seu d o o ra cl es h a s co m e
d o w n t o us u n de r th e n am e o f th e S ibyllin e p o e m s

h
T e pa ssage o f I sa i a h v ii 14
A v i rg i n sha ll con cei v e

a n d hea r a son
m a y h a ve in sp i r ed so m e such p o e m
a n d th i s h a ve fa ll en
in t o t he h an ds o f th at m o st
o m ni v o r ous o f readers th e p oet V i rg il w ho p l e ased
w i t h th e fa ncy t h r ew i t in t o e l ega n t L at in v er se in
h i s fo urth E clo g ue
t
Ul ti m C um i ve it i m ca m i i
M g u b i t gro s cl um
i tu
do
I m r dit t Virg
edeun t S tum i a regn
I m
v progen i s c2 1 d m i tti tu al to

T h e l a st a ge o f th e C u m aea n h y m n i s co m e : a
gre at o rd er o f th e ages i s bo r n afresh A l re ad y th e
v i rg in r et u r n sr e t u r n s t oo th e k in g d o m o f S at u r n
A l r eady a n ew scion o f th e ra c e i s sen t d o w n fr o m
h i g h h e ave n
T h i s pa ssage o f V i rg il i s in t er est in g b ec a use i t
sh o w s ho w w i dely su c h i de a s w er e d i ff
used
B ut i t i s
no t ev en n ec essary t o go so far a el d fo r para ll el s t o
t he l eg en d o f C h r i st s bi rt h
T h ey w er e a l rea dy t o
b e fo un d in th e J ew i sh li t erat ure o f t h e r st C h r i st i a n
a e
P h ilo i f he di d not a c t u a ll y b e li eve that I saa c
g
-

ae

s a

no

n e

ae

or

n asc

o, r

n s ae a s
r or

B I RT H

L E G E ND S

199

b ego tten o f S arah by the a n gel w h ic h c am e dow n

t o A b rah am t o pr edic t hi s bi rth w a s at le a st fam ili ar
w i t h suc h a b eli ef am on g h i s con t emp o rar i es a n d uses
i t up fo r h i s a lle go ry I n hi s tra c t 0 n Cha ng e of
N a m es he w r i t es in si m il ar stra in t h at T h amar w a s
ma de preg n a n t o f d i v in e seed a n d a s sh e saw no t
h i m w ho so w edfo r a s i t is s a i d sh e v e il ed h er fa c e
a s di d M o ses w h en h e t u r n ed a w a y fe ar in g w i t h h oly
fear t o loo k on G o dso sh e h av in g sc a nn ed th e
sy m bol s a n d t est i m oni es a n d j ud g ed o f t h e m in h er
h eart t h at t h ey w e re no t i mpart ed by m o rta l m a n
c r i ed o ut a lo ud O f no ma n i s th i s by h i m
G o d)
am I w i t h c h il d
I n a no ther o f hi s w o rk s A hou t Cher uhi m (ch x ii i )
h e a ll eg o r i se s a w a y the w i v es o f t he J ew i sh patr i a r c h s
in to the sev era l v i rtu es b ut w e feel that h i s a ll ego r y
i s su ggest ed by th e p o p u l ar b eli e f in m i ra c u lo us o r
v i rg in bi rt h s w h en w e m eet w i t h suc h p h ra ses a s th e
follo w in g :
S r h i s represen ted as becom i ng pregn a t wh en
A n d sh e br i gs fo r th
G od v i si t s h e i n h e soli tude
b ut to h i m who year ed
o t t o h i m wh o so v i si t ed h e
t o a ttai t o wi sdom an d wh o i s na m ed Ab ra ham
Y et m ore c lea r l y do es M o ses t ea ch us i n Leah s case
o
to ope th e
ay i g th a t G o d open ed h er w om b f
task B ut sh e con c eived n d bore
wom b i s a m a
ot t
G o dfo h e a l o e i s al l sufc i ng to h i m sel f
b ut t o J a cob wh o h ad wi l li gl y l aboured fo th e good
cause that V i r tue m igh t recei ve th e divi e seed fro m
th e r st c ause an d br i n g for th t o th a t o n e o f h e
Ag i wh en I saac
erred
sui to r who sh o ul d b e pr f
th e l l wi se p ra y ed to G o d Reb ecc a wh o i s Pa t i e c e
b ecam e preg t b y h i m to whom th e pray er was
A n d wi th ou t a n y p ra y er o r supplica t i on at
ffered
Moses havi g ta ken to h i m self S epfora who is
al l
wa s

a a

r,

n s

a n,

n an

B I RT H

200

L E G E ND S

i nged or soar in g Virtue n ds her wi th ch ild b y n o

on e m o r ta l
S o in Matthew i 1 8 i t i s sa i d th at When hi s
w

Ma ry

ha d heen hetr othed to fosep h hefor e th ey

ca m e tog eth er she w a s fou n d w i th ch ild o
f the H oly

N o on e w o ul d a frm th at P h ilo b eli ev ed in

Sp i r i t
m other

p o p ul ar l eg en ds o f m i ra c u lo us bi rth s ; b ut t hey
suggest ed h i s a ll eg o r y
I t i s h ardly n ecessary t o in si st on th e m y th ol o g ic a l
ch ara c t er o f th e r st tw o c h apt er s o f Matt hew si n c e
eve n a m on g th e o rt h o d ox t h er e i s a t en dency t o sa c r i
T hus Pr o fesso r
ce t h e m t o th e w ol ves o f c r i t ici sm
S a n d a y a llo w s t hat the bi rt h st o r y i n Matthew
app ea r s t o b elo n g t o th at p o rt io n o fth e F i r st G o sp el

w h ic h i s l at e st a n d l e a st c erta in
( Cr i ti ca l Questi on s
L et u s t h e r e fo re r e t ur n t o o ur con
19 0 3 p
si derat ion o f L u k e s n arrat i v e o f t h e bi rt h o n w h ic h
t h e l atte r d ay ap olo g i st tr i es t o m ak e a n a l sta n d
T h i s w e h av e a l rea dy c r i t ici sed in r esp ec t o f i ts
loc at ion o f th e bi rth a t B eth l eh em Wh en w e pr oceed
t o ex a m in e i t fr o m t h e p oin t o f Vi e w o f l a n g uag e w e
n d i t t o b e li tt l e m o r e t h a n a c e n t o o f p h ra ses c u ll e d
fr o m th e S ept uag in t o r o l d G reek v e r sion o f t he O l d
T estam en t T h i s d o es n o t o f co urse in i t se l f fo r bi d
us t o a cc e pt i t a s h i st o r y ; fo r i t w o ul d b e e a sy
w i t h th e h el p o f a conco r d a nc e t o th e S e pt uag in t
t o d r ess u p a h i st o r y o f A l ex a n d er th e G r e at o r o f
N ap ol eon in p h ra ses d er i v ed t h ere fr o m N ev erth el ess
o u r su sp icion s a r e r o u sed fo r a g e n u in e h i st o r i a n o f
rea l fa c t s i s unli k ely t o con v e y t he m t o h i s r e a de rs in
B u t w h e n in eh i 7 th e n arrat i ve o f
su c h a fo rm
t h e bi rth o f Jo h n th e B apt i st b eg i n s w i t h t h e stat e
m en t th at h i s paren t s Z a c h ar i a h a nd E li z a b et h h a d
no ch il d b ec a u se she w as b arr en a n d b o th o f th e m
th e

B I RT H

20 2

L E G E N DS

Dav i dic stra in t o h er c h il d

Mary i s a l re a dy be tr o t hed
A n g el G a b r i e l g o es in t o h er at

t o Jose ph w hen t he
N a z aret h a n d sa y s

H a il , th ou fa vou r ed w i th g r a ce,
the L or d i s w i th thee
B u t sh e w a s m u ch tr ou hl ed a t
the w or d, a n d pon der ed ov er w ha t sor t of g r eeti ng i t
.

m ig h t he

A n d th e

th ou h a st

foun d fa v ou r

sha l t con cei v e a n d

sa i d,

g el

an

hr i ng

Fea r

n ot,

Ma ry for
,

A n d heh ol d th ou

w i th G od

a son , a n d sha l t ca ll

for th

hi s

h
e m ig h ty a n d sh a l l he ca l l ed
j
S on of the H i gh est, a n d the L or d sha ll g i v e h i m the
th r on e of D a v i d h i s fa th er a n d he sha l l r u l e ov er the
na m e

esus

sha l l

He

f fa coh for

house
sha l l

the

n o en d

he

ag es, a n d

hi s hi ng dom ther e

o t e th at th e M essi ah pr o m i sed i s t o b e o f
th e con ven t io n a l J ew i sh t y p e a m i g h t y k i n g se at ed
o n D a v i d s t h r on e q u i t e u nli k e t h e h i st o r ic a l J esu s
B u t h e w ill no t b e bo r n i n fu ll p o ssession o f hi s
t emp o ra l maj est y ; he w ill only b e i n vested w i th i t
l at er on
A cco r d in g t o th e ol dest M S o f th e o l d L at i n v e r sion
o f Lu k e s G ospel w h en the a n ge l en ds h i s a ddress
M a ry mak es th e follo w i n g v ery sui ta bl e a n sw e r :
H e re w e

B ehol d the h a n dm a i d

di ng to t hy w or d
m o uth th e a n sw er

a ccor

h er

n ot a

b r i el

H ow

T he

m an

had

the L or d ;

B u t t he

I h n ow

fo r

a i d no t

he i t

Gree k M S S

sh a ll

set

in

th i s he, seei ng tha t

l atter r ead in g

me

u n to

thou ha st

is

a bs ur d

con cei v ed,

b ut

m essage con t emp l a t es a

n ear fu t ur e w h e n she w ill n o lon ge r b e m er e ly th e
b etr o th ed b ut th e b r i de o f Jo seph Th i s re a d in g
t h en i s a n in t erp ol at ion an d a stup i d o n e A n d a
secon d c e n t u r y
ap oc ry ph c a ll ed th e Pr o tev a n ge l
w h ic h clo sely i m i tat es L u k e s n arrat i ve o f th e bi rth
o f J esus en a bles us t o un der s ta nd h ow the o ffen d in g

thou

ha l t

con cei v e

H is

B I RTH
w o r ds

c am e t o

th u s

L E G EN DS

20

in terp ol ated fo r i t tell s the st o r y

be

ord stood b efore h e

sayi n g Fea r n o t
E Ma ri a m fo th ou h ast foun d fav ur
i n th e ey es of th e L or d o f all an d th ou sh a l t con ceive
b y hi word B ut sh e o hear in g th i s re son ed i n
h ersel f say i n g S ha l l I t h e con c ei ve b y th e Lor d G o d
wh o l i veth a d yet b ea r a s ever y wo m an b ea r s ch i l dren P
A d th e an gel o f th e Lor d s i d No t so M ar i am fo
th p ower o ft h e Lo r d sh all ov er sh adow t hee
Wh ere
fo re wh a t i b o r of thee sh l l b e c ll ed h ol y a so
f
th e h i gh est
A d th o u sh l t
ll hi s n a m e J esus
Fo h e sha ll sa ve h i peop le fro m t h ei r sin s
An d
Mar iam sa i d B eh ol d the ha dm i d of th e Lord i i
h i s prese c e
B e i t un t o m e a ccord in g to thy wo rd
A n d 10 ,

an

an ge

of

th e

r,

ca

n o

te x t o f L u k e then a s th e a ut h o r o f th i s ear ly
ap oc ry p h r ea d i t th e V i rg in m a de no suc h a b surd

a n sw er a s : H ow sha ll thi s he seei ng I hn aw n ot a

7
m an
F r o m w h at so ur c e th en w e re these w o rds
in terp ol ated in L u k e ? T h e a n swe r i s fr o m t h i s v er y
a p oc r y p h
w h ic h repr esen t s Mary a s v o wed by h er
paren t s fr o m in fa ncy no t t o k no w a m a n a ll the d ay s

o f h er li fe a s the S y r i a n F ath er S t E p h r em p ut i t

I n t h i s ap oc ry ph th e ph rase I k no w no t a ma n
occ urs m o re th an onc e bu t a l w ays in con tex ts w here
i t i s appr o pr i ate a n d mak es g ood se n se For ex amp l e
w h en Jo sep h n d s w i t h c h il d th e V i rg i n w h o m a s
h er gu ar d i a n h e h a d t a k en t o h i s h o m e he c h i des h er

T h ou h a st fo rg o tten the L o rd thy G o d

a n d sa y s :
A n d sh e w ee p in g
W h y h a st th o u a b a sed thy soul ?

A nd
rep li es : I am p u re a n d I k no w no t a ma n
J o seph sa i d t o her : Wh ence th en i s th at w h ic h i s i n

M ary i s n ex t b r o ugh t fo r tr i a l b efo re the

th y w o m b ?
h i gh pr i est who c hi des h er i n the sa me t erm s as
I n th e

B I RTH

204

L E G EN D S

Josep h and she r epeat s her a ns wer : A s m y G od

li v eth I am p ure b efo re hi m a n d I k no w no t a ma n

In bo th these co n tex t s the w o r ds a re a s appr o pr i ate
a s in th e exi st i n g t e x t o f L u k e i 3 4 t hey are i n a pp r o
T he h i st o r y o f a n ci en t m a nu sc r i pt li terat u re
p r i a te
s upp li es ma ny e x amp l es o f su ch in terp ol at ion A n
ear li er d oc u m e n t A i s i m i tate d o r co m m en ted on
in a no th er d oc u m en t B Presen t ly a n amp li c at ion
b elon g in g t o B n ds i ts w a y in t o A T he G o sp el o f
Mark wa s i m i ta ted o r co p i ed o ut w i th consi dera bl e
m o di c at ion s by M atthew a n d L u ke S o m e o f th es e
m o di c at ions h av e c rept i n t o th e t ex t o f Mark h av in g
bee n in tr o duced by sc r ib es d esi r ou s t o a ssi m il ate t o
o n e a no t he r th e v a r iou s fo rm s o f t he g os p el s t o r y
I n the s am e w a y L u k e s t e x t w a s con tam in at ed fr o m
the Pr o tev a n ge l
S o m e c r i t ics th in k th e n ex t v er se a lso L u k e i 3 5

t o b e a n in terp ol at ion I t i s t h i s : A n d the a ng el

,

a nsw er ed

a n d sa i d

to h er

A H oly Sp i r i t sha l l com e

upon thee, a n d a pow er
of th e H i h est con cea l
g
[o r
ov er sha dow
] thee ; w her efor e a l so w ha t i s hor n [ o r

e
t
e
n
o
l
c
h g o t ]h ly sha l he a l l ed son of G od
T he a bo v e i s ge n e ra lly in t erpr e ted a s si g ni fyin g a n
:

i mpregn at ion o f th e V i rg in by th e S p i r i t a n d the

w o rds com e up on thee a n d ov er shad ow
a re un d er
s t ood by the ol dest C h r i st i a n F athe rs i a th is sens e
B ut t hey a d m i t o f a no th e r in te rpre tat ion fo r in con
t emp o rary Greek th e w o rd ep i shi a z h th ou gh li t era lly
i t m ean s ov er sha dow usua lly si g ni es no m o re tha n
t o h i de o r concea l I t w a s a co m m on b eli ef th at
w o m en w i th c h il d w er e p e c u li ar ly li a bl e t o t he a ss a ul t s
o f d em ons ; a n d in R ev el at io n w e h ave a p ic t u r e o f

a g r ea t r ed dr ag on wh o st oo d b efo r e th e w o ma n tha t
,

w as a r r ay ed w i th th e su n

a nd

the m oon un der her

feet

B I RT H

20 6

L E GE NDS

re mark ed o f the le gen d o f the m i ra culo u s bi rth o f

J e sus bu t by i mp lic at ion d e ni es i t H ow coul d Mar y
a n d her sons h a ve set ou t t o p l a c e hi m un d er r es tra in t

b ec ause he wa s ou t o f h i s m in d i f she ha d re a lly

bee n the re ci p i en t o f the A n gel Gab r i el s co n den ces ?
H er e is a n obj ec t ion wh ic h no ap olo g is t ev en atte mpt s
t o m eet ; w e h ave s ho w n a bove th at the two l ate r
ev a n ge li sts c ar e fu ll y ex p un ged th i s inci den t fr o m t h e i r
tex t s W e will pres en t ly no t ic e so m e o ther ear ly
a n d w i de ly d i f
fu sed d oc u m e n t s wh ic h attest a n ep och
w h en t o s a y the l ea s t th e l egen d o f the V i rg in B i rth
B ut
w a s far fr o m uni v er sa lly b eli eved in the Ch u r c h
l et us rst pa u se t o inq u i re w h at w as b e li ev ed by
J esus s o w n i mm ed i ate follow in g the Ch r i st i a n s o f
P a l est in e T h es e w ere in th e s econ d c en t u r y k now n a s
E bioni tes o r the P oo r a n d thei r e nem ies ex p l a in ed t he
n ame by reference t o the su pp os ed p o verty o f th ei r
d oc tr in e m o re pr ob ably i t w a s s ugges t ed by the i m
p ov er is hm en t whic h follo wed on thei r attempts t o h ol d
a ll th in gs in co mm on by w ay o f preparat ion fo r th e
Now th es e E bioni t e C hr is t i a ns
S econ d A dven t
beli eved so we l ear n fro m I ren ae us a n d o t her s eco n d
ce n t u ry Fathers of wh o m w e ci te a no th e r Ju st in
Marty r el sewh ere ( p 18 0 ) th at J esus w a s the son
o f Joseph a n d Mary a cco r din g t o the o rdin ar y co ur se

o f h u ma n generat ion
T h e i r fo rm o f g osp el wh ic h
w as w r i tten in A rama ic o m i tt ed li k e Mark th e bi rth
st o r i es o f J esus a n d t hey con t in u ed fo r c e n t u r i es t o
re p u di ate th em a s u n tr ue a n d un w o rthy o f the Mes
si ah
I t i s addi t ion a l ev i de nc e o f ho w li tt l e i dea the
e ar li es t C hr is t i a n s h a d o f J esu s b ein g th e c h il d o f
Mary a lon e t hat th e presi dency o f thei r rst Ch u r c h
in J er us a l e m b ein g v es ted a cco rd in g t o O r i en tal h abi t
in the el des t su rv i v in g rel at i ve o f the foun der J am es
,

B I RT H

L E G E N DS

20 7

b r o ther o f the L o rd w a s th e r st c ho sen t o occu py

th i s p ost o f d i g ni t y Y et h i s k in sh i p w i th J esus sup
p o sin g Mar y w a s no t th ei r co m m on m o th eras J er o m e
a n d o t h er o rth o d ox F ath er s arg u ed t h at sh e co u l d
no t b ecoul d only b e r ec k on ed th r ou gh the co m m on
father Jos eph A fter the deat h o f J am es the d i gn i ty
con t inu ed fo r severa l gen erat ion s t o b e assi g n ed t o the
ol dest su r v i v i n g r eprese n tat i v e o f the fam ily o f J esus
w h o se m e m b er s w er e k no w n a s t h e D esp osu n oi o r
k in sm e n o f the L o rd I n O r i en ta l l a n ds i t w a s a n d
st ill i s a s I h ave stated a bo v e the c u st o m fo r the
h eadsh i p o f a re li g iou s co m m u ni t y t o b e a ssi g n ed t o
t h e desc e n d a n t s o f i ts fo u n der
I t w a s so in the
M oh am m eda n re li g ion an d t he ear ly M essi a nic co m
m u nion o f J er usa l e m fo r m ed no e xc ept ion t o the r u l e
O ne c a n tra c e a si m il ar c ust o m in th e e ar li es t C h r i st i a n
co mm u ni t i es o f S y r i a a n d A rm eni a
T he li te rat u r e o f t h e C h r i st i a n s dur in g the se con d
c en t u r y i s a l m ost w h olly lo st T he p a ga n s w ere no t
li ke ly t o preser v e i t a n d the rap i d ch a n ge in Ch r i st i a n
o p inion in the th i r d a n d fo urth c en t ury soon m ade i t
a n t iqu ated a n d here t ic a l I t w a s e i ther no t co p i ed
ou t o r w il fully destr oyed Th u s w e c a nno t ex p ec t t o
d i sco v er m uc h li terar y att estat ion o f the ea r ly a n d
n at u ra li st ic b e li ef abo ut J esus s bi rth Y et i t h a s l e ft
cl ear tra ces F o r e x amp l e in th e so c a ll ed A c t s o f
J uda s T h o mas the ap o st l e w h o w a s reputed t o h av e
g on e t o I n d i a a n d con verte d th e H in doo r u ler
G un da p h o r we h av e a d oc u m e n t w h ic h g o es b a c k t o
I t w a s w r i tte n a l m o st con
th e se con d c e n t ur y
cu rren t ly i n G reek a n d S y r i a c a n d w a s soon spread
a ll ov er C h r i sten d o m in L at in A rm eni a n C o pt ic a n d
o ther v e rsion s I n th i s cu r io us d ocu m en t J udas i s
r epres en ted a s the tw in b r o ther o f J esu s a n d a s on

t he

BI R T H LE G E ND S

20 8

that a ccoun t li k e h i m in fa c e a n d feat u res a beli ef t hat

may a lso be tra c ed in the West er n Chu r c h S uc h a
d ocu m en t coul d n ei th e r b e w r i tte n no r a cc ept ed
am on g Ch r is t i a n s fo r w h o m th e bi rth fr o m a v i rg in
I n the so c a ll ed A c t s
w as a pr i mar y art icl e o f fa i th
o f P il ate w e h av e a no th er e ar ly d ocu m en t a l m os t a s
fus ed am on g t h e e ar ly C h ur c hes a s th e
w i dely d i f
G os pels I t i s a n arrat i v e o f J esus s tr i a l be fo r e
P il ate a n d o f hi s c r uci xion l argely co mp iled fr o m
I ts a u th o r see m s no t t o h a v e
the exis t in g G o sp el s
hel d th e t en et o f th e m i ra c u lo us bi rt h fo r w he n the
h os t il e J ew s a cc use J esu s t o P il a t e o f b ein g a son
o f fo r nic at ion tw e l v e o the r J ew s o f subs ta nc e a n d
rep ute are b rough t on t he stage w ho t es t i fy t h at
h i s pare n t s M ary a n d J o sep h w er e l ega lly marr i ed
th at t hey t he m s e lv es atten ded the w ed din g
and
T he i mp lic at ion i s t h at J esus w a s t hei r l eg i t i mat e so n
The J ews o f th e secon d c e n t u r y a s t hey m ee t us in
t h o ug h h e
the pages o f Jus t in Mart y r (A D 1 3 0
is a ho st il e wi t n ess y e t con trast fav o urably w i t h the
F o r they e x h ibi t a h i g her a nd
Ch r is t i a ns o f th at a g e
p urer m ono theis m in so far a s they con de m n a s a
paga n fa bl e the s t o ry o f G o d e n gen der in g a son by a
m o rta l wo ma n I t w a s th ey de cl are a n ec h o o f th e
m y th o f Da n ae a n d o f her so n P erseu s b eg o tte n by
Z eus in a sh o wer o f gol d
T hese secon d c e n t u ry J ews
w ere a lso a bl e t o i n te rpre t th e i r o l d pr o phe t s in a
m o re c r i t ic a l ma nn e r th a n the Ch r i st i a ns T hey
p oin ted ou t fo r ex amp l e th at I sa i ah s H eb rew te x t
pr o per ly tra nsl ated m ea ns no m o re
( Is a i a h v ii
tha n th at a you n g g i r l (or m a i d e n ) s h a ll conc ei ve

a n d b ear a so n ; a n d th e R a bbi A quil a a n d T heo do ti on

th e E bioni te issu ed n ew Gr eek tra n sl at ions i n wh ic h
the am bi g uous Gr eek w o r d pa r th en os o r v i rg i n was
.

B I RT H

2 10

L E G EN D S

is t o r ic a l fa c ts them sel ves

B ut o th er c a u ses
a n d con d i t ion s w er e at w o rk in th e ea r ly C h r i st i a n
ci r cl es w h ic h re n dered the gr o w th o f su ch a l ege n d
in ev i ta bl e I n the r st p l a c e Ge n t il e con v erts w h e n
they h ea rd J esus C h r i st pr ocl a i m ed th e S on o f G o d
w e re n at ura lly pr on e t o i nt erpre t t h e ex pression t o
m ea n th at h i s p h ysic a l g en erat ion w a s in so m e sp e ci a l
a n d t h ey h a d a s I h a v e sa i d
w a y w r o ugh t by G o d
abo v e a n u m b er o f paga n l eg en d s t o sh ap e t hei r i deas
o f a m i ra c u lo usly arra n ged a n d pr o v i den t i a l gen esi s
o f t he S a v iou r T o a m essi a nic a lly m in ded J ew the
t i t l e S on o f G o d m e a n t no do u b t no m o re th a n the
v ic ar o r r epr ese n tat i v e o r se r v a n t o f J eh o v a h
T he
G e n t il e con v e rt s sh ra n k p er h ap s fr o m t he v ul gar
paga n i dea o f d i v in e l i a i son s w i th m o rta l w o m e n ;
b u t t h e i d ea o f a H oly S p i r i t o p erat in g d i v in e r esu l t s
on earth su pp li ed t he m w i t h a m i dd l e t erm T he
H oly S p i r i t o r L og os w h ic h a cco r d in g t o L u k e
e n t er ed J esu s at t h e B a pt i sm in ou t w ar d a n d m ate r i a l
fo r m h a d a l rea dy e n ter ed th e V i rg in a n d in h er
w o m b b ee n a s i t w ere co ag u l at ed w i t h h er esh in t o
t h e bo dy o f C h r i st
B ut t h at w h ic h a bo v e a ll e l se pr ed i sp o sed C h r i st i a n
ci r cl es t o a cc ept th e l ege n d o f the V i rg in B i rt h w a s
th e i mp u l se t o con t in e n c e a n d v i rg ini t y th e deter m i
n at ion t o rej ec t m arr i age a n d i ts t i es a n d d ut i es w h ic h
p erv a ded a ll the C h ur c hes Mi n uci us F elix ( c 1 60 )
su m s u p th e matt er i n th e follo w i n g w o r ds d i r e c t ed
aga in st th o se pag n s w h o a cc used h i s c o r e li g ioni sts
i n R o m e a n d e l sew he r e o f h a bi t u a l i n c est : M o st

b eli ever s h e says enj oy in v iol ate a p erp et ua l

b ut d o no t bo a st o f i t
So
v i rg ini ty o f th e bo dy
r e m o te in sh o rt fr o m u s i s th e l u st o f inc est t h at
1

the h

Com m en tary

on

A cts,

ii

16,

S avi l e s editi on ,

6 3 7, 5

L E G E NDS

B I RT H

2 1!

o m e o f us bl u sh at the v ery i dea even o f a l eg i t i mate

sex u a l u nion
T he rea son s fo r th i s fee lin gw h ic h
o fte n am oun ted t o a rep udi at ion o f marr i age as a c on
ta m i na ti o n o f the esh w e r e m a ny
a n d we c a n i n fe r
th at t hey w ere a l ready w i dely o perat i v e in si de Ju d a i sm
b efo re Ch r i st i a ni t y w a s heard o f fr o m th e fa c t t h at
m o st o f the E s se n es abj u red marr i a ge I n th e t i m e
o f Jo seph us w hen the i r n u m b ers wer e dw in dli n g
thei r co m m union st ill n um b ered t h o usa n ds o f m en
a ll li v in g a m on k i sh li fe P h ilo a l so desc r ibes a
si m il ar soci et y
in w h ic h w o m e n part ici pated c all ed
t he W o rsh i pp er s o r Ther ap eu ta w h o h a d t h ei r h ead
q u arter s a t A lex a n d r i a b ut r a m ied a ll r ou n d th e
M edi terra n ea n no l ess am o n g J ew s th a n am on g
pr o sely tes T hese soci et i es con si sted o f m en a nd
w o m e n li v in g in separat e c e ll s bu t m eet in g t o ge th e r
on c erta in d ay s fo r sac ram en ta l b anq uets w here
prayer a n d pra i se l ed up t o a so rt o f co m m unio n i n
b rea d a n d w ater esh a n d w i n e bein g excl uded fr o m
t h e h oly re pa st
T h e w o m en says P h ilo w er e a l l
v i rg i n s o r w i d o w s
W i th in a few years o f the c r uci
x i o n Pa ul s E p i st l es rev ea l a si m il ar i mp u l se at w o rk
in the e a r li est Ch r i st i a n soci ety o f C o r in th I t w a s
u rged t h at a
b eli ev e r sho ul d no t to uc h h i s w i fe
Pau l rep li es w i th b etter s en se th at i f con v erts a r e
m arr i ed t hey h ad b est re ma in so E e n u n marr i ed
m en a n d w i do w s i f th ey c a nno t k ee p c h a ste li k e hi m
se l f m a y w i th o u t si n marr y
Le t ev er yon e h e say s
re ma in in th e state in w h ic h the d i v in e c a ll fo un d
hi m
P a u l n ex t pr oc eeds t o sp eak o f a sp eci a l
re l at ions h i p a l r ea dy in v o g ue am on g C h r i st i a n s w h ic h
ma y b e desc r ib ed a s a sp i r i tu a l o r p l atonic marr i ag e
as f
ollo w s
l
A hou t v i rg i ns h e say s in 1 C o r in t h i a n s v i i 2 5
s

P 2

B I RT H

2 12

L E G E N DS

T hey h a d ev i d en tly
p r ecep t of the L or d
a sk ed hi m t o r egu l at e c e rta in qu est ion s a n d h e
m o dest ly a d m i ts th a t a bou t t h em h e h a s h a d no

I g i v e my
pr i v a te r ev el a t io n
h e con t in ues
B ut
op i n i on a s on e w ho h
y the comp a ssi on of th e L or d i s
l deem th en tha t thi s
hecom e on e of the fa i thfu l
hest heca u se of th e p r esen t n ecessi ty
v i rg ini t y] i s
[ pr ob ably th e i mp en d i n g c ata str o p h e o f t he L o rd s
n a m ely tha t to r em a i n th us
in v i r
a d ve n t ]
i
t
t
h
ou ti ed to a w ife ?
i
n
t
i
s
or
m
a
n
A
r
h
es
t
f
g
y]
S eeh n ot to l oosen the ti e A r t th ou l oosed fr om a w ife P
S eeh n ot a w ife If h ow ev er th ou shoul dst m a r ry
thou ha st n ot si n n ed ; a n d ev en if th e v i rg i n m a r ry

ha ve

no

she

ha s

si n ned

n ot

tr i hul a ti on for the

W ho
ev en
if

is

the

su ch

B ut

esh

v i rg i n

a nd

as

I w oul dfa i n

i n t he

w il l

these

bo v e

i n cu r

s a r e y ou

w ho

it

in s no t

m a rr y a n d w h o in th e seq ue l i s d is

t i n g u i shed fr o m
the un m a r r i ed w om a n
(ve rse

t h o ugh li k e h er she i s husy w i th the thi ng s of the

L or d so a s to he h oly hoth i n hody a n d spi r i t P

T h e seq uel r ev ea l s t o us th at
h er e i s
th e v i rg i n
t h e w o ma n w h o i s li v in g w i th a m a n a s h i s sp i r i t u a l
o r p l at onic w i fe fo r in v erse 3 6 Pau l con t in ues th us
sh e

If, how ever ,

tow a r ds
a nd

hi s

a ny on e

v i rg i n ,

i t m ust he

si n s n ot

so,

thi n hs h e i s

if

she

is

over

heha v i ng un seem ly
the ag e of p uher ty ,

l et hi m do w ha t h e w i shes to

L et them m a r ry

p h ra se hi s v i rg i n in d ic ates a r el at ion b e
t w een m a l e an d fe ma l e b e li ev ers bo th reco g ni sed an d
w i despr ea d
T h e G ree k w o r d a schem onei n r e n der ed
by heha ve un seem ly i s a t ec h nic a l te rm fo r i m m o dest
b eh av io ur t o w ar ds o n e o f the o pp o si te sex I f a m a n
i s o verp o w ered by h i s inclin at ion s say s P au l e m in e n t ly
pra c t ic a l tea cher th at h e w a s l et t hem m arr y a n d

T he

L E G E ND S

B I RT H

2 14

Co r in t hi a n s ix
equ a li t y w i t h t he
I

w h er e h e

o ther ap os t l es

is insis t in g on

hi s

A m I n ot a n
ap ostl e P
H a ve I n ot seen jesus ou r L or d P If i n the
et a t l ea st I a m i n
p
a
o
t
a
n
a
os
t
l
e
e
I
es
o
t
h
e
s
m
n
r
,
y
y
of
H a ve w e no r i gh t to ea t a n d dr i n h P H a v e
y our s
:

we

n o r ig h t

do the
a nd

to l ea d

f the apostl es

r est o

a si ster , ev en a s

w ife tha t i s

a hou t a

the

a nd

hr ethr en

f the Lor d

Cepha s P

H e re th e w o ma n

o r w i fe (th e Gre ek wo r d si g ni es
e i t h er ) w h o i s a si ster u nqu est ion a bly co rr e s p on d s t o
T h e gr eat B en ed ic t in e sc h ol ar
t he v i rg in o f ch v i i
M u rat o r i w r i t in g t o M on tfa ucon a bou t 17 09 hi s tra c t
D e Sy n i sa cti s et Ag ap et i s co m es v er y n ear t o t h i s
in terpretat io n T hey w ere no t w i v es he w r i tes bu t
c erta in matr on s o f hon es t li fe w h o su pp li ed the
ap o st l es a n d o t her h oly m en w i t h foo d a n d ma de
t hem sel ves t hei r trav e llin g co mpa nion s tak in g t he
n am e o f sister by wa y o f excl u din g a ll s us p icion o f
m arr i ed lic enc e S t J er o m e s in t erpre tat ion w as
si m il ar
I t m ay b e r emarked t hat Pa ul here uses the
w o r d a delfos o r si ster ; a n d t h at a delfotts o r si ster
sh ip w as l a t e r on t he t ec h nic a l t erm fo r t h i s p l at onic
marr i a g e b e tw een C h r i st i a n m en a n d m a i ds
H er e t h en w e h a v e a v i v i d g li mp se in t o th e ear li es t
Ch r i st i a n soci et y o f J er usa lem an d r ea li se th e ex t en t
t o w h ic h a sc et icis m w a s at h o m e t her ein fr o m the r s t
F o r w e m ust no t fo rg et th at in th at a ge the ey es o f
a ll b eli ev ers were x ed on th e fu t u re adv e n t Ch r i st
w a s t o co m e aga in in g lo r y on t he clou d s o f hea ve n
b efo r e t he gen erat ion h ad pas sed aw a y t h at k n ew h i m
in t he esh W h ere fo r e t hen pr o pagat e c h il dr en a n d
e nc u m b er on es e l f w i t h t he c ares o f o f
fspr in g ? T h o se

h
t at m arry sha ll ha ve tr i hul a ti on i n the esh s a ys
A n d h e a dd s t hese
Pa ul ( I C o r in th i a ns v i i
,

BIRT H

L E G E N DS

2 15

w o rd s

t o encou rage hi s con vert s in thei r effo rts t o

k eep c ha s t e : B ut this I say hr eth r en the ti m e i s

,

shor ten ed,

tha t hen cefor th hoth those tha t ha v e w i ves

m ay he

th oug h th c r ha d

as

For

non e

the

fash i on

f thi s w or l d i s pa ssi ng a w a y B ut I w oul d ha v e y ou

to he fr eefr om ca r es
T h e s am e a v er sion fr o m h u ma n
m arr i age m eet s us in o t her boo k s o f th e New Tes ta
m en t
in Rev el at ion w hic h reec t s the feelin g o f
th e l a s t de c a de o f the rst c en t u r y
I n c h x iv 4 o f
t h i s boo k th e s eer b eh ol d s the L a w h sta n di ng on

ll

Z i on ,

ou n t

the

a nd

a nd

na m e o

w i th

ha v i ng his

hi m

hi s f ath

w r i tten

on

na m e

for ehea ds

thei r

Th ese a r e thq r :t 'h i ch w er e not de l ed w i th w om en

T h e s tat em e n t t h at t hey w e re
for the l a r e v i rgi ns
\ I r g m s fo r bi ds u s t o su pp o se t h at t h ey we r e m en w h o

in du l ged in l a w ful w ed loc k ; t h i s w as no less

d el i n g t h a n illici t u nion s
A n d in th e A c t s o f Pa u l a n d T he k l a a d oc u m e n t
w h ic h p er h ap s b elon g s t o t he r s t c e n t ur y a n d w a s
a nyh o w w ri tte n b efo re 1 50 th e A p o st le s prea c h in g
i s a s follo w s : B l ess ed a r e th e so uls a n d bo d i es o f
v i rg in s fo r th ey sh a ll b e p l e asin g t o G o d a n d th ey
sh a ll no t los e t h e r ew ard o f th ei r c h asti t y
I n the M essi a nic k in g d o m w h i ch w as t o be p re
ceded by a gen era l resurr ec t ion o f the j us t b ut t o b e
e s ta bli sh ed on t h i s eart h t here w a s t o b e no marr yi n g
no r g i v in g in m ar ri age I t w a s only lo g ica l fo r th o se
w ho b eli eved in th e i mm in e n t appr o a c h o f t h is
k in gd o m t o a bs ta in fr o m marr i age a n d l eav e fam ily
li fe t o the inc red ulo us Terr ibl e tr i al s a n d tr i b ul a
t ion s m o reo ver wer e t o m ark th e appr o a c h o f th e
in v i ew o f th ese fo r ma i den s
a n d i t wa s w e ll
en d
no t t o b eco m e m oth e rs Marr i age in deed w a s n ever
a d m i tted by the Ch u rc h exc e pt a s a p is a ll er ; a n d

h ad

B I RT H

2 16

L EGEND S

no th in g is fu rther fro m the tr u th tha n the con te n t ion

o f m o der n d i v in e s that sh e fr o m the r s t patr onis ed
a n d s a nc t i ed a n in st i t u t ion wh ic h wa s i n rea li t y only
i mp os ed u p on h er b y th e Ary a n soci et i e s wh ic h
ad o pted wh il e m o d i fy in g h er te a ch in g
I t is w on d erful h o w lon g th i s dre am o fthe appr o a c h
in g en d o f th is wo r l d h a un te d the m in d s o f b e li ever s
pred is p osin g the m e ve n in the a bs e nc e of o ther con
si derat ions t o a li fe o f v i rg ini ty H i pp ol y t us in h is
co mme n tar y on Da ni el re l ate s h o w a h un dred y ear s
l ater tha n Pa ul a P on ti c bis h o p had a reve l at ion
t o th e eect that the L o rd w oul d co me aga in in a
ye ar s t i me on a certa in S un day
A s the day
appr o a ched th e b eli ever s sol d o r gave away the i r
pr opert i e s a n d the ma i d en s a bj u red wed loc k a n d
on e a n d a ll tr ekked in t o t he w il d e r n e ss to t he far off
m oun ta in on wh ic h the L o rd wa s to appear The
Sun da y daw n ed bu t n o L o rd appeared
Th en
th ous an d s fa in ted fro m w a n t o f foo d for the y had
e x pe c ted the L o rd to feed t h e m i n the w il der n e ss
I n a si m il a r M es si a nic e xo d us o f S y r i a n Chr is t i a ns
th ous a n d s r is k ed b ein g sl a in a s vagra n t s a n d b a n d i t s
by l eg ion ar i e s d es p a t c h ed aga ins t th e m by the R o ma n
g o ver no r Th ose w ho suc c ee de d i n rega inin g the i r
ci t i e s onl y d i d so to n d th e i r h o m es a n d b e lon g in g s
los t t o them fo r the inc re d ulou s t o wh o m they had
g i ve n them away w ere li tt l e m in d e d t o re s t o re them
I n P on t us the b re thre n w e re sc a n da lis ed ; the me n
ret u r n ed t o the p lou gh a n d th ose wh o had ra s h ly sol d
th ei r p oss e ssions were red uce d t o b egg in g A n d
add s the goo d H i pp olyt u s a s th e n al t ouc h t o h is
s t o r y th e v i rg ins b ega n t o m a rry afres h
T h e ins t i t u t ion o f s p i r i t u a l w i ve s con t in u ed t o
o u r is h in the Ch u r c h fo r ma n y ge n erat ion s ; bu t
,

'

'

B I RT H L EGE ND S

2 18

llv g
lv

An d what dost tho u expect the fo u i i n to thi n k ofth ee ?

I
ran t that the chaste m ay th em se es say nothi n ; b ut who
hear
T he b am e and r i di cu e exci ted i n th e m an y ?
-

l
I n y et a no th er p oe m
so re l ated
B efor e a ll en dea vou i n v

can

wr i te s th us

he

er y

to

tw o per son s

tr uth to b e chaste

And after tha t to r o use n o susp i ci on i n th e di s racef

u on es
You a r e pur e ? Y es, p ur er tha n o d
A n d yet you woun d m e
By xi n on your b e o ed m a i d o th your ody an d your eyes

gl
b

lv

beloved you y V il y thi m e is a holy one

Alas al as i fi t cove a elem en t fi m pu e love
Ther e i s naugh t yo u say o f such i m pur i ty
Well I b el ieve

S he i s yo ur
,

sa

s na

er

A nd yet
Yo u m ak e yourse f a path to
wom en

lea d

m en to

li ve

you

l ily wi th other

unh o

Cl ay an d m ud i s m n fte l l eve the chaste m a n

Wh o li ves wi th a chaste w om n
Ti s t unm ar i ed m en a nd wom en
I a dd ess m ysel f
E ven i fyo ur consci c i f ee
eve th el ss you sh ould
Avoid p eople s ton g u fo th n such to gues nothi n g i s m ore easi ly
a

r a

en

set

i n m oti on

es,

ll hold a m i ng sw d b fo e m y par adi se ?

fm y p eci ous i gi i ty ?
W ho wi l l g i e m e a gu di
E ven so l et no b el oved m
l ive wi thi w i th y u b ut l et the tong ue
T h e scan d l m on g er spa r es not even
O fth e envi ous p s th ee b y
Yo u say,

W ho

wi

ar

an o

an

as

or

v r

sai n ts.

The s e p o em s revea l the si t u at io n m os t cl ear ly A s

l ate a s the m i dd l e o f the fou rth c en t u ry in Gree c e a n d
Sy r i a m on k s a n d cl e r ics w ere s t ill co ha bi t in g under
B e lo ve d B r o ther s
w i th
the n ame o f Ag ap etoz
w o m e n w h o were b r ou ght
sis ter s o r S un ezira k ta z
i n to li ve w i th them G reg o ry adm i t s that the y o fte n
kept the i r p u r i ty a n d that i t wa s c h i e y the cynics
a n d sco ers wh o ta l ked sc a n dal abou t them Yet t o
av oi d sc a n dal i t wa s b ett er the pra c t ic e s h o u l d c ea s e
I n Egy pt a n d in the W e s t J er o me A u g us t i n e C a ssi a n
a n d o ther s atte s t the s am e cus t o m a s p o p ul ar am on g
the e x treme ly p ious a s i t wa s da n ger ous
.

'

'

'

B I RT H

L EGEND S

2 19

I n the S y r i a c Ch u r c he s o f the fou rth c en t u ry suc h

unions b etwee n the sons a n d da u ghter s o f the resu r
r ec t ion w ere by ma n y s t ill r egard ed a s the cul m in at in g
tr iu mph of the Chr is t i a n li fe ; bu t A phr a a tes abou t
3 50 ex pr ess e s h is d is appr o va l o f them in the s am e
te rm s a s Gr ego ry o f N y ss a H e also te s t i es that
man y w ho a s p i r ed th us t o live the li fe o f gra ce
e n j o y e d b y a n gel s o r b y Adam a n d E v e in the gard e n
b e fo re th e fall o f ma n reta in ed th e appeara nce w i th ou t
the r e a li t y o fmarr i e d li fe 1 B e in g te c h n ic a ll y marr i e d
t h ey were l ess t o bl am e i f they fo rfe i t ed thei r c ha s t i ty
I n th e li t erat u re o f th e ear ly C el t i c Ch u r ch th ere a r e
abu n da n t tra c e s o f the pres e nc e o f S unezm k mi ; a n d
I r is h h is t o r i a ns u n a cqu a in ted w i th the w i der h is t o ry
o f t h e Ch u r c h have wr on gl y su pp os ed that th ey h e re
had b efo r e th e m s o me pr i m i t i ve eth nolo g ic a l c har a c
T he cus t o m lin ge r ed on in t o
t er i sti c o f the C e l t s
t h e M i dd l e Age s e s pe ci a ll y am on g th os e Cathar s o r
P u r i ta ns w ho regard in g w i th h o rr o r a ll rel at ions
b etwee n the se x e s de nounc e d marr i age i t s el f a s th e
greater ad ul tery The cus t o m a n d the i dea s wh ic h
wen t wi th i t m a y have ins p i red the m ed ieva l no t ions
of c h i va l r y am on g wh ic h is fo r e m os t that o f the safe
gu ard in g b y a p erfe c t l y c ha s te k ni gh t o f a c ha st e
ma ide n wh o re ma ins all the t i m e the focus o f h i s
adm i rat ion a n d lo ve The p o et Da n t e d evoted h is
ge nius t o the glo r i c at ion ofh is lofty a n d p l at on ic lo ve
T h e r el at ion o f t he M essi ah t o th e i d ea l
fo r, B ea t r i ce
Ch u r c h wa s f
r o m the r s t conc ei ved o f in term s
a n d the metaph o r we fee l ha s
o f suc h a pa ssion
,

'

Mark

xii . 2 5

gv

Wh en

they sh a l

l rise from

i en i n m ar r i a e, b ut
m a r ry n or a r e
apti sm , a s Paul t au h t, th e dead i n
t ogeth er wi th hr i st.

the dead, they n ei th er

ar e a s a n
si n

r ose

gl

h
a
e s in
e
en
In
fr om death i n to ife
.

B I RT H

2 20

L EGEND S

b e co me rath er m ix ed wh e n Pa ul wr i te s that he ha s
esp oused the C o r in th i a n Ch u r c h a n d de si re s to p r esen t
the s ame a s a p u r e v i rg i n to Ck r i st (2 Cor xi
A nyh o w Chr is t b ec am e the b r i d egroo m a n d the ever
v i rg in m o ther Ch u r c h hi s b r i de ; a n d ma n y a n early
hy m n t o the Ch u r c h wa s in sp i re d by th is i d ea Suc h
h y m ns were in a l a ter age c on verted in t o h y m n s
to the ph ysic a l m o th er o f J e sus ; a n d m os t o f the
attr ibu te s a n d pred ic ate s o f the hea v e nly e on the
E ccl esi a o r Ch u r c h were ul t i matel y appr o pr i ated to
,

h er

O u t si de the li m i ts o f Chr is t en d o m the Dr us e s o f

the L e b a non are sai d to cul t i vate th is p u re ly s p i r i t u a l
union o f ma n a n d w o ma n ; a n d th is ci r cu m s ta nc e i f
i t b e r ea lly so m us t have b ee n a n add i t ion a l rea son
t o L au re nc e O li pha n t a n d hi s w i fe fo r xin g the i r
r esi d e nc e on th e slo p es o f M oun t Carm el He had
al read y l ear n ed fro m th ei r Am er ic a n pr o phet Harr is
that ph iloso ph y o f li fe wh ic h he e x p oun d s in h is w o rk
e n t i t l e d Sy mp n eu m a ta
( L on d on 1 8 8 5) bu t a s he
s tate s in the prefa c e to that boo k o n the occ a sion o f
a v isi t t o Pal es t in e in 1 8 7 9 h e b ec am e aware that the
re sul t s o f h is l i fe in Ca li fo r ni a a n d o f the k n o w l edge
there a cqui red m i ght b e m o re s e cu rely a n d rap i d ly
inc rea s ed b y tra ns fe rr i n g th e sc e n e o f h is e ffo rt fr o m
the W es t t o the Ea s t Th os e w h o woul d fa in u n der
s ta n d the em o t io n s o f th e ag ap etoi a n d ag ap eta i o f
the b e lo ved b ro the r s a n d si ster s o f th e ear ly Ch u r c h
may l ear n them in the pages o f th is cu r ious boo k
Take suc h a pa ssage as the follo w in g (p 3 0 )
I t is n ot possib le to say wh i ch th i g s eem s th e m ore
th at h e knows G od
m arvel l ous t o m an i th i s ch an ge
fer ent o r th at h e h i m sel f i s d i f
feren t whi l e he
as dif
k nows ; that th e r u sh t o h i m o f h eat an d power an d
,

,
.

L E G E NDS

IN RT H

an

ur e

t
l m ost n ih i
st o o d e dowed
l ated a t rst i those wh o acc epted i th ough t a d
en d eavou red to f
oll ow i n l i fe th e prom i se o f hi s kee
sp i i gs
ll th e sex i ti ct th t th ey posses ed
O li pha n t a l so per c ei ved i n a d i m ma n n e r th e co n
c h i va l r y w i th e ar l y Chr is t i a n
n ect i o n o f m ed i e va l
asc et ici sm in p 9 9
T h i s di sco v ery o f n asce t k ightl i n ess tha t th e
Op e ti ve p ssi o fo a godl y cau se a d th e restra in ed
p s io fo pure wom a were correlati v e m oti ves fo
fa ct th e pr oph et ic
h i gh an d m a l y l i v i g wa s i
exper i en ce o fth e m ore v i vi d o e wh i ch r espo d s to day
fo k
wl edge o f th e du l i
to the a rden t asp i rat i o
G od th e du l i n m a n an d th e r i ght devot i o to the
n eed s o fthe ear th
E lsew h ere I i n d ic at e the pr ob a bili ty that the
m ed i eva l r i tea l w ay s reli g iou s a n d c on d u c ted b y
a pr i es to f c h i va l r ou s ini t i a t ion w a s a su rv i va l a s i t
w e re in s ecul ar gar b o f th e r i t e o f a d ul t b apt i sm
lon g co rr u pted a n d dec a y ed in t he p u rel y r eli g iou s
I t i s si g ni c a n t that the n ew m a de k ni ght
sph e re
w a s ex pe c t e d t o s el ec t a m is tr es s o f w h o m a c co rd in g
t o the Codex A rrt or i s o f A n drew t he c hap l a in o f P o p e
I nno cen t 1V h e w a s h en ce fo rth t he ser v erzte o r
serva n t
T h e on l y sen ses all owed to b e th e v eh i cl es o f
ch i v a l rou s l o v e were th e eyes a d ears
T h e l o v er
was fo bi dde to go b eyo d gaz i n g on or h ea r i n g o
Wh e a k i ght was ac epted
thin ki g ofhi s l o ve
m i he k el t befor hi l a dy h i s two h an ds j oi ed
pal m to pal m b etween h e s a nd swore to serve h e
fa ithfu ll y t i ll death
n d to protect h er a a i n st a ll ev i l
g
d outrage
S he o
th e oth e
ha d a cc epted h i s
servi ces prom i sed hi m h er ten derest a f
fec tion s gave
wi h wh i c h h e

n at

an

r n

ns

ra

a s

r a

no

as a

an

B I RT H

EN D S

22

up w ith a k i ss C h i val rous

l ove was i n con sisten t with m arri ed l o v e because i n
m arr iage th e ch ival rou s subordi n ati o n of th e l o v er
to hi s m istress i s i m possible th e boun ds of eyes an d
fan c y are pa ss ed a n d th e l i fe i s do m esti c n o t i deal 1
The fe u da l c hara c t er o f th i s c h i va l r ou s r i te m us t
n o t blin d us t o th e para ll e li sm w i th ear l
y b apt is m
A s i t w a s fo r th e full y i n i t i ated k n i ght that th is n al
tr i al o f h is w o rth a n d va lou r wa s r es erved so i t wa s
i n th e e ar li es t a ge fo r th e b apt is ed w ho fo rm ed a so rt
o f ar is t oc ra cy o f a sc et i c is m L at er o n i t s eem s t o
have b ee n the pr i v il ege o f d ea con s m on k s a n d cl er ics
t o un dertak e the g u ard i a ns h i p o f t he v i rg ins a n d
con tra c t wi th the m th os e a n gel ic u n ions wh ic h
rev i ved the li fe o f Adam a n d E ve b efo r e the fall a n d
were the fo reta s te a n d earth ly coun terpart o f the
m a rr i age o f Chr is t the heave nly b r i d egr oo m w i th the
c el es t i a l w o n h is v i rg i n m o th e r a n d b r i d e the Ch u r c h
B e fo r e nun n er i es w er e ins t i t u t ed in w h ic h th ey
c oul d t a k e refu ge ma n y a n d c r u el d i f
cul t i es b e s et the
path o f Chr is t i a n w o m en d ed ic ated b y v o ws t o the
h i gh er l i fe o f p erpet u a l v i rg i n i ty W h o w a s t o
pr ot ec t th e m fr o m the tr i a ls a n d te mptat ions w h ic h
su rr oun d e d th e m in a soci et y
s t ill ma inl y paga n ?

I t is n o t t o b e w on d er ed at w r i tes M u rat o r i
that m an y virgin s wh o h ad l ost th eir par en ts an d
broth ers or wh o were dri v en to i t by i ll n ess po ver ty
a d m i tt ed hom el ess cl er ic s a n d
o r b y other rea so ns
m onk s to l i v e with them u n der on e roof th at th ey
n a y th a t th ey so m eti m es
shared i n t h ei r wan der i n gs
Men an d wom en felt
shar ed with th em th ei r b eds
th em selves eq ually co n strain ed by n ecessityth e latter
hi m

ri

L EG

g,

a n d r a sed

hi m

Fr om

Lo ndon ,

Ri chard
1868 ,

S i m pson s

21

P hi l osophy

ry

'

S hakesp ea r e s S on nets,

B I RT H

2 24

L EGEN D S

to seek the i d a d m in i try of an oth er th e form er to

b estow i t A n d so it a m e a bout th t cl ergym e or
m on k s oft e took the place o f p re ts an d broth ers
for the c u stody or rath er fo the r ui
o f youn g gi rl s
Fo wh o c oul d h v e u ch tre gth of m i n d a s to pl edge
h i m self ev er to c tch e i t h e l a i d h i m sel f si de b y
si de with th e a m i n g bu rn i g f
u el ?
a

n,

rego ry o f N y ss a in hi s p o em s as I have s a i d
Chry sos t o m i n h is o rat ions J er o m e in h is l etter s a n d
m a n y o th e r F a th er s had m u c h to sa y a bou t th is a s p ec t
o f the pr obl e m Th er e w a s hard l y a si n g l e C h r is t i a n
C ouncil u p t o th e seve n th c e n t u ry that di d n o t
d iscuss r em ed i es fo r a pra c t ic e o f wh ic h c ert a in
Ch u r c hes grew a s ham e d a s ear l y a s th e m i dd l e o f th e
th i rd c en t u ry No w the rel at ions h i p o f th e Vi rg in
Mary t o J oseph is ex a c t l y en v is aged a s that o f a n
ec cl esi a st ic a l v i rg in to h er k ee per both in t h e Pr o t
e va n g el a n d in th e l a t er fo rm o f t h e A c t s o f P il ate
I n th e fo r m e r w e r ead o fh o w Mar y w a s t a k e n i n h er
in fa ncy t o the h i gh pr i es t in J er us a l e m b y h er
pare n t s Jo ak i m a n d A n n a an d cons ec r a te d t o the
serv ic e o f J eh o v a h
There she r em a ins am o n g o th e r
ma i de n s si m il ar l y cons e c rat ed un t il she rea c hes th e
a ge o f p ub erty
Th e n el d erl y a n d rep u ta bl e I s r a e li te s
a re su mm on e d b y th e h i gh pr i e st t o th e t e mp l e w h e r e
th ey dra w lo t s fo r the v i rg ins w ho no w s ta n d in n ee d
o f pr o tec t o r s The lo t a ssi g ns M a ry t o J os ep h w h o
t a k es her t o hi s h o m e no t a s h is w i fe bu t ei s ter esi n
i e i n o rd er to g u ar d a n d pr o t e c t h er in th e li fe o f
v i rg ini ty to w h ic h h er paren t s lon g ag o d ed ic a ted h er
S i m il ar ly i n th e l at e r fo rm o f t he A c t s o f P il ate
the c harge that J esu s w a s bo r n o f fo r nic at ion is
m et b y the a ss ert ion that Jos eph s r e l at ion to th e
Vi rg in wa s merely that o f g u ard i a n o f her v i rg in i ty
G

B I RT H

2 26

L EGEND S

J esus wa s no t the c a u se bu t th e e ffec t A n d th ere

T h e r e w e re ev e n
w as a no th er c on tr ibu t o ry c a us e
w i th i n th e r s t c e n t u ry ma n y tea c h e r s w ho d e ni ed
t h at J e sus had ever b een bo r n a t a ll o f w o ma n w ho
h el d that h e h a d b een a ll a lon g w h at w e t o da y c a ll
a mahatma w h o t oo k lit era lly Pa ul s s tatem en t s

t
t
h
a
o
G d sen t h i s son i n the l i hen ess
( R o ma ns v iii 3 )
that (Ph ili pp i a ns ii 7 ) Chr is t
[ onl y ]of si nfu l esh
J e su s took [ onl y ]the for m of a ser v a n t w a s m a de i n
the l ik en ess [ onl y ]of m en a n d w a s fou n d i n fa sh i on

onl
a
T
h
ese
t
e a c h er s a n d
in t he
an
a
s
m
[ y]
s econ d c en t u ry th e b est th in k er s a n d wr i t er s o f the
n ew r e li ion w er e nu m b e r e d am on g th e m k n ew a lso
g
I f it w as
h o w t o app e a l t o th e O l d Te s t a me n t
obj ec t e d t o t h ei r v i ew that J esu s a te a n d dra n k li ke
o th er m o rta ls t h ey a nsw er ed that th e a n gels w h o
a pp e are d t o A b raham un d e r th e o a k o f Mamre d i d
W e m u st no t fo rget that in that age J esu s
t h e s am e
Chr is t w a s o ft en regard ed b y C h r is t i a n w o rker s
b y J us t in Marty r a s n o m o r e tha n a l ead in g a n ge l
T h e app ea l t o th is O l d Te stam en t s t o ry w a s the m o re
ef
fe c t i ve b ec a us e Ph ilo had ta u gh t that the thr ee
a n gels w h ic h app ea red to A b r a h am w ere a vision o f
t h e tr iu n e G o d o f th e O n e i n Three a n d Three in
O n e a n d th a t o n e o f th em w a s th e L og os o r W o r d
o f G o d w h o m the Chr is t i a ns soon i d en t i ed w i th
C h r i st J u st i n a l so h e l d th a t th e a n gel w h o app ear ed
to A b raham w i t h the t w o o th er s in t h e fo rm o f a ma n
wa s the W o rd T h e s am e W o rd had app eared in t he
pa s t t o pr o ph et s a n d patr i ar c h s Suc h sp ecul a t ions
mad e i t m u c h easi er to a frm t h at J e sus o f w h os e
bi rth no t h in g a u t he n t ic wa s k no w n a n d w h o w a s
appear in g in d ream s a n d tra nc es to so ma ny had b ee n
a p h a n ta s m a ll a lon g I f the Chr is t had revea l ed
.

B I RT H

L EGEND S

227

h i m s e l f i n the g uis e o f a ma n li ke a n ge l to the s a in t s

o f the pa s t w h y n o t have so revea l ed h i m s e l f t o h is
d isci p l e s i n th i s the n al age o f th e w o r l d
S uc h
wa s the rea son in g o f the s e n ew t ea c her s wh o were
c a ll ed Docetes a s a ss ert in g that J e sus w o re onl y the
appe ara nc e o r a ohesis o f h u ma n n atu re wa s no t a
b ein g o f rea l es h a n d bloo d b u t wa s a d i vi n e be in g
ma s q u erad in g in h u ma n fo rm They reje c ted the
i d ea o f ph ysic a l bi rth a s in the l a s t d egree d egrad in g
a n d un wo rth y o f a d i v in e s av iou r a n d tea c he r ; the
i dea that h e w a s b eg o tte n by a h u ma n fath er o f a
w o man b e in g o f cou r s e s t ill m o re r ep ulsi ve t o th em
Th is fo rm o f o p inion soon s pread a ll o ver the Ea s t
a n d i t s advo c ates ev en a ppe a l ed t o th e Ap os tl e P a ul
I f the early a n d fun dam e n ta l trad i t ion a bou t J esus
had co mpr is ed a n y a ccou n t o f h is bi rth a n d c h il dh oo d
th is party wh i ch de ni ed that he wa s bo r n at a ll c oul d
n eve r have e m e rged I n the a bs e nce o f a ny sou n d
a n d a u th o r i tat i ve trad i t ion they were a ble t o sa y
what they l i ke d I n the Eas t i n Armen i a Sy r i a a n d
Per si a we n d th is e x trem e de ni a l o f J esus s h u ma ni ty
m et by a n eq u a lly u nco mpr o m isin g a n d E bioni te
a ss ert ion there o f At the pre s e n t da y we a re so
a ccus t o med t o t he s pec ta cl e o f o rth o d ox d i vine s
d efe n d in g the c a us e o f th e m i ra culou s bi rth o f J esus
aga i n s t c r i t i c s who a fr m h is full a n d a bsolu te
h u m a ni ty that we can hard ly i magin e a n age when
i t wa s o therw is e A n d y et i t wa s o th erw is e for the
s pa c e o fo ver a h un dred y ear s fro m a bou t A D 8 0 u n t il
I t is hard ly t oo m uc h t o a frm that d u r in g
20 0
th is ep oc h th e ma in dr i ft o f Chr is t i a n s pe cul at ion at
a ny rate ou t si de J u d aea wa s d oc et ic a n d that there
wa s a great r is k o f the C h u r c h losin g si ght a l t o ge th e r
a n d fo r ever o f the fac t that J e sus wa s a h u ma n b e in g
-

B I RT H

228

li k e ou r sel ve s

L EGEN D S

There wa s a n ever inc r e asin g te n de ncy

fo r the a pp a r i t io n a l Chr is t o f P a ul s v isions t he
ph a n to m o f innu m er a bl e Chr is t i a n e cs tat ics to s wamp
fr o m Chr is t i a n m em o ry the p er i patet ic
a n d e ff
a ce
pr o phet o f Na z areth I t is i rrel eva n t t o say that
thes e d o cet i c t eac h er sMar cion V a l en t inus a n d the
a n d ou t si d e the
c ou n t l ess G nos t ics w er e heret ics
Ch u r c h I n p oin t o f fac t th ey w ere n ot ou t si d e un t il
th e is su e had b ee n fou ght ou t ; a n d that wa s no t
m uch b efo re A D 16 0 T ill the n they w ere not techn i
c a ll y h er et ics
Thr ou gh ou t th is per io d i t w a s t he
E bioni te party a s i t w a s c a ll e d l ater o n the party o f
th os e w ho a f rm e d the n at u ra l a n d non
m i ra culous
bi rth o f J esusthat bo r e th e b r u n t o f th e b att l e a n d
w e re t h e st a n dard b e ar e rs o f h i st o r i c a l C h r i st i a ni t y
I n t h e ev e n t n ei th er si d e w o n
Th e con t e n t ion that
a d i v in e b e in g c oul d n o t b e bo r n i n th e no rma l w a y
foun d t oo m uc h su pp o rt i n con t emp o rary paga n l egen d
a n d in th e w i d e s pr ead e nc rat is m o f th e Ch u r c h es fo r
i t t o b e w h oll y set a si d e A co mpr o m i se had to b e
ef
fec ted a n d the l eg en d o f the Vi rg in B i rth wa s
ad opt ed b y th e Cath olic Ch u r c h a s a m edi a v i a w i th
a v i ew to in c lu d e a s ma n y a s p o ssibl e T h e a sse rt ion
that J e su s t oo k h is esh fr o m t he Vi rg in wa s the nc e
fo rth r egard ed a s a su f c ien t g u a r a n tee o f h is h u ma ni ty
w h il e th e obs c u r e p a rt p l ay ed i n h i s co n c e pt ion b y th e
H ol y S p i r i t en su red h is b ein g d i v in e A t en d e n cy set
in in Cath olic sp ec ul at ion a s w e s ha ll e x p l a in b elo w
t o p u t b a c k the t i m e o r date o f the d i v in e
(p
af
li at ion fr o m the b apt is m wher e L u k e set i t t o th e
m o m en t o f conc ept ion ; a n d th i s sc h ool o f th ou ght
n a ll y tr iu mphe d at the C ouncil o f Eph esus in 4 3 1
wh en i t w a s l a i d d ow n that M ary wa s the m o ther o f
G o d o r Theotohos
I n a l ater age eve n th is solu t ion
-

B I RT H

3o

L EGEN DS

m uc h o f he r cul t a s well I n A si a M ino r the Vi rg in

t oo k the pl a ce o f C y b e l e a n d Artem is i n the W e s t o f
I sis a n d o th er paga n g o dd ess es L at in h y m ns in
h onou r o f I si s seem t o have b ee n a ppr o pr i a te d t o
Mary wi t h li ttl e c ha n ge ; a n d I have see n stat u es o f
I sis a n d H o r u s set u p in Chr is t i a n c h u r c h es a s i mage s
o f th e Vi rg in a n d c h il d
P erhap s fr o m so me ol d Egypt i a n h y m n c am e the
.

lin e

aur es co ncep isti

Q uae per

Th ou wh o d i d st conc ei ve thr ou gh th e ear s w h ic h

m eet s us in m ed i eva l hy m ns to the Vi rg in Mary
F o r H er o d o t u s rel ate d that a r ay o f li ght fell fr o m
h eaven on th e sa c re d co w w h ic h afte r wa rd s gave bi rth
P lu tar c h s ay s i t w a s a r a y o f m oonli ght
t o Ap is
H e a l so in h i s boo k A hou t [ si s a n d O si r i s d e fe n d s
t h e ol d Egy pt i a n w o r s h i p o f the c at on t h e gr ou n d
that i t sy m bolise d the m ystery o f the ge n erat ion o f
t h e W o rd o r L og os ; fo r t h e c a t h e wr i te s repeat in g

a n i d ea o f ol d p o p ul ar z oolo gy conc e i ves thr ou gh

i t s ear s a n d b r in g s fo rth i ts y ou n g thr ou gh i t s m ou th ;
is a lso conc ei ved thr ou gh
a n d th e W o rd o r L o g os
t h e e ar s a n d ex pre ss e d thr o ugh t he m ou th
A s e ar l y
a s T ert ulli a n
c 2 0 0 w e m eet w i th si m il ar i d ea s in
Chr is t i a n s pecul at ion abou t th e ge n esis o f J esus F o r
h e w r i t es
that whe n Ga b r i el v isi ted Mary a n d
a n nounc ed t o her that she s h oul d b r in g fo rth t he
M essi ah a d i v i n e ray o f li ght gli d ed d o w n i n t o h er
a nd
d es cen d in g w a s mad e c o n c re te a s es h i n her
wo m b so that th ere wa s b o r n o f her a ma n m ix ed
H ere w e see t u r n ed in t o
w i th G o d hom o deo m i sta s
1

"

E g , i n B od ey MS
Ap o/og eti cu s, 2 1
.

Latin Li tu gy x
r

fol 9 1
.

v0 .

B I RT H

L E G E ND S

231

inci de n t a n a ll eg o ry o fte n emp loy ed b y Ph ilo Fo r

e x amp l e in h is treat is e on the C on temp l at i ve L i fe
o f the Therape u t ae th is wr i ter d esc r ib e s the age d
v i rg ins wh o li ve in the s ett l e m e n t n ear A l ex a n dr i a
a s follo w s :
(see a bo ve p
They have preserved th eir cha st ity throughout n ot
l i k e som e of the pri estesses am on g th e pagan s un der
com pul sion rath er than o f th eir free wi ll but through
zeal an d lon gi ng for Wi sdom with who m an xiou s to
m ate th ey h a ve despi sed bo di ly pl easur es ; yearn i n g
fspr i n g ;
to b ear n ot m orta l so m u ch as i m m or ta l o f
suc h a s th e G od l ovi n g sou l i s a b l e to br i n g f
orth out
o f h er sel fa l on e so soon as th e Fat her h as sown i n t o
h er b eam s of i deal l igh t wh erewi t h sh e c an cont em
plate the dogm a s of Wi sdom
.

E ls ewhe re in th e tra c t 0 n D r u n /een n ess (Ma n gey

cd
i
he wr i tes that G od mated w i th Ep i stein
(sci e nc e ) th ou gh no t a s a ma n d o es a n d so wed
o ffs pr in g A n d she rec e i ved the seed o f G o d a n d
w i th thr o es th a t b r in g t o perfec t ion w a s pr eg n a n t w i th
a n d b rou ght fo rth the onl y a n d w ell b elo ve d se nsibl e
Son to w i t th is k os m os
W hat is m etaph o r a n d a ll ego ry in Ph ilo w a s t u r n ed
in t o h is t o ry b y the Chr is t i a ns in conn e c t ion w i th the
m o the r o f Chr is t Y et c u rre n t m y th s o f p a r th e n o
ge n esis pr ob a bly su gges ted i t t o Ph ilo to wr i te a s h e
d i d Ephre m the S y r i a n Father Run us o f A quil ei a
a n d ma n y o th er s d esc r ib e h o w the W o rd o f G o d
e n te red a s d i v in e s e ed thr ou gh th e e ar s o f t h e Vi rg in
M a ry O l d p ic t u res a n d h a s reli e fs equ a ll y d ep ic t the
ra ys o f li ght fr o m heaven e n ter in g M ar y s e ar s ; a n d
so met i m es a ma ni k in i s b e in g wafted a lon g the r a y in
t o ke n that Chr is t b r ou ght d ow n a h eavenl y bo d y w i th
h i m a n i d ea soon d enounc ed a s her et ic a l by t he
,

B I RTH

32

L EGEN D S

Cath olics b ec a use i t c on trad ic ted the b e li e f that he

t oo k h is esh fr o m Mary a n d so w a s re a ll y ma n
Often a d o ve s y m bol o f th e H ol y S p i r i t e i the r e m i t s
o r o at s a lo n g the r a y o f li gh t I n h a rm ony w i th
su c h a t h eo r
y o f C h r is t s co n ce pt ion a s a n e m ission
o f li ght fr o m h ea v e n
t h e m ono ph y si t e Ch u r c hes o f
Ar m en i a a n d S y r i a w h ic h onl y b r o k e o ff fr o m the
B y z a n t i n e i n t h e fth ce n t u ry t a u ght a n d st ill t e a c h
that J esus s bo d y wa s m ad e o f ethere a l re ; that he
h a d no eva cu at ion s a n d n o d i gest ion d i ge s t ion b e in g
a so rt o f c o rr u pt ion a n d h is e s h b e in g in co rr u pt ibl e
A s k ed what b ec am e o f the foo d he a te th ey i n gen i
o u sly a n s wer that i t w as c onsu m e d b y th e eth e re a l
r e o f wh ic h he consi st ed j u st a s a s p ill o f pap e r i s
co n su m ed wh e n w e h ol d i t in a c a n d l e am e H i s
m other a l so fr o m th e m o m en t o f co n cept ion w a s li ke
h er so n i mm u n e fr o m th e n ec e ssi t i e s o f n at u r e O b v i
o u sl y th es e o p i n io n s co m e p e r ilousl
y n ear t h e ol d
fa sh io n ed d o cet is m wh ic h th e m ono phy si te s pr o fess
t o co n d e m n a s warm l y a s th e Cath olics
A si m il ar b eli e f accou n t s fo r t he n am e P ea r l w h ic h
r s t in S y r i a i t w oul d s ee m w a s g i ven t o Chr is t
P ea r l s were su pp o sed t o b e ge n er a ted by rays o f sun
l i ght str i k in g d ow n thr ou gh the sea o n t he oo r o f
w h ic h t h ey co a g ul at ed a n d t oo k a mat e r i a l consi st
e nc y i n t h e o s t e r sh e ll
Th ey a r e t hus a preci p i tate
y
o f sunli gh t J esus en gen de red b y ray s o f d i v in e li ght
o r r e s tr i k i n g d o w n thr ou gh t he Vi rg in s ear s a n d
con soli dat ed w i th i n h er w a s b y a n a lo gy a n d m etaph o r
te rm ed the P ear l n o t o f cou r s e w i th ou t r e fe ren ce to
t h e par a bl e ( Matt he w xiii 46 o f th e pear l o f great
)
pr i ce T h e i d ea that s p i r i ts es p eci all y e v il o n es
a ppr o a c h w o m en thr ou gh t h e ea r w h ic h th ese e ar l
y
l egen d s o fth e Vi rg in M a ry e m bo d y w as a n ol d Ra b
,

B I RTH

2 34

L E GEN D S

a n d the verb t o o ver s had o w wa s us ed te c h n ic a lly o f

a s p i r i t co m in g u p on a w o ma n a n d c a us in g her to
pr o ph esy A ny p u re o r h ol y s p i r i t v isi t i n g a pr i e s te ss
fo r th is en d w oul d a cc o rd in g t o Or i ge n a sc h ol ar ly
Greek Fath er o f the th i rd c en t u ry en ter by her ear s
a lon e The De l ph i c s p i r i t j us t b ec a use i t e n te red the
pr i e s te ss o f Ap ollo o th er w is e wa s con dem n ed by
O r i ge n a s a n i mp u re a n d u ncl ea n d e m on Th os e wh o
dema n d the full e s t ins tr uc t ion o n suc h subje c t s w ill
n d i t i n the c hapter s d ev o te d t o I ncubi a n d Succ u bi
in the ph iloso ph y o f S t Th o ma s A quin a s
,

C HAPT E R XI I I

M AG I C U S E OF NAM E S
W HAT S in a n ame ? is a qu e s t ion we have a l l o fus
h e ar d p u ta s a r ul e by per son s un w illin g t o bo w to
so m e a u th o r i ty i n v o k ed by th e i r fello w s in arg u m en t
Fo r w e c h il dre n o f the nin etee n th a n d twen t i eth
c e n t u ry have l ear n ed to regard a ma n s n am e a s
so m eth in g a cci d e n ta l
a n d in d i fferen t ; a s serv in g to
d is t in g uis h o n e i n d i v i d u a l fro m a no th er bu t hav in g
no o th e r use I t ha s as li tt l e t o d o w i th a ma n s s el f
o r p erson a li ty a s th e n u m b er un d e r wh ic h he is
te mp o rar il y k n ow n in a l arge h o tel A n d y et th e
su rv i va l am on g us o f suc h a phra s e a s a n a m e t o
con j u re w i th in d ic ate s that w e h a ve no t lon g e m erge d
fr o m a phas e o fcul t u re in wh ic h a ma n s n am e w a s
r egard ed a s m ys ter iousl y boun d u p w i th h i s per son
a li ty in suc h w i se that i f h e b e h i m sel f g i fted w i th
p o wer s bey on d the o rd in ary h i s n am e i s th e veh icl e
o f si m il ar p o w e r
W e m ay eve n go fu rther a n d sa y
that in a nci e n t rel i g ions a s in ma n y fol k ta l es a
m a n s n am e w a s equi va l en t to h is per son a li ty ; a n d
th is b e li e f so m o ul ded l a n g u age that w e n d a u th o r s
w r i t in g o f th e re b e in g so m a n y na m es i n a ci ty w h ere
to da y w e w oul d sa y so ma n y soul s o r p er sons Th us

in R evel at ion x i 1 3 we read that i n tha t hour ther e

w a s a g r ea t ea r th q ua he a n d the ten th p a r t of the ci ty

fel l
m en

and

ther e w er e hi ll ed i n the

sev en

A n d in

the

that

ea r thgua he n a m es o

is s even th ous a n d souls

s am e boo k in the l ett er t o the Ch u r c h o f

th ousa nd

35

MA G I C U S E OF NA M E S

36

S ard is i t is s a i d
Thon ha st a few n a m es i n S a r di s

w hi ch d i d n ot de l e thei r g a r m en ts
T h e sa nc t i t y or v i rt u e o f a n in d i v i d u a l b e lon g s in
t o h is ga rm en t s h i s h a i r n a il par i n gs
a m e a su re
afte r d ea th a s the cul t o f
a nd
e v e n to h is sp i tt l e
relics well illu stra tes t o hi s bon es I t eq u a ll y adh er es
i f i t c an no t b e t ouc h ed a n d
t o hi s n am e wh i c h
A
h a n d l ed c a n b e in v o k e d o r u tt er e d i n sp ee c h
t h ous a n d r i t u a l Obs erva nc es have th ei r r oo t in th i s
b eli e f Th us o n e gre at bu g b ear o f pr i m i t i ve pe o p l e s
i s th e fe ar o f b e i n g m ol est ed b y t h e d ead ; a n d
a c c o rd in gl y the n ame o f a d ead p er sOn m us t no t b e
b r eat h ed o ut lou d l es t h is wra i th b e evo k e d t o g eth e r
w i th h i s n am e
Am on g so m e ra c es the n am e o f a
d ead C h i efta in wh ic h w a s o ften the n am e o f a n ani ma l
or pl an t
is ta booed a n d a fres h n am e ha s t o b e
in ven t ed fo r t he n at u ra l obj ec t aft er w h i c h he wa s
c a ll ed
Fr o m th i s c a u se th e voc a bul ar i es o f suc h
ra ces a re i n pe rpet u al ux
Aga in sinc e a m a n s n a m e is ta n tam oun t t o h is
v i t a l pr inci p l e a n d person a li ty i t m u st b e conc ea l ed
fro m h is e n em i es no l e ss tha n hi s p i c t u r e a n d i mage
I t is b eli ev ed that t o k no w a no th er s n a m e is to h a ve
p ow er o v er h i m Th is is w hy e ve ry a nci e n t Egy p t i a n
had tw o n am es o ne b y wh i c h h is fello w s in th is
w o r l d k n ew h i m a n d t he o ther h is tr u e o r grea t
n am e b y w h ic h h e wa s k no w n to th e su p er n a l p o we r s
a n d in the o ther w o r l d A n A by ssini an Chr is t i a n
si m il a r l
s tw o n a m es g i v e n h i m at b apt is m o n e
h
a
y
h i s co m m o n n a m e th e o th er a s e c r e t n am e n eve r to
T h e g u ard i a n de i ty o r patr on s a in t o f
b e d i v ul ged
a n c i en t R o m e had a se c re t n am e no t co mm unic at e d t o
a n y on e fo r he w ho l ear n ed i t m i ght harm the ete r n a l
ci ty by te m pt in g the d ei t y in q uest ion t o d es ert i t j us t

M AG I C U S E O F NA M E S

38

h i s r i gh t ha n d i n the hea ven ly r eg i on ,

a u thor i ty a n d p ow er a n d dom i n i on ,
a
n
d
a
r
e
a
ll
r
u
l
e
a
h
ov
f
a n d ev ery na m e th a t i s n a m ed, n ot on ly i n th i s ag e, hu t

a l so i n th a t w h i ch i s to com e

Here the w o rd s r u le a n d a u thor i ty, et c , r e fer to

si t a t

m a de hi m to

d i fferen t grad es o f su perh u ma n b e in gs wh ic h

te n a n t e arth a i r a n d h eav en ; a ll th es e are n a m es

i n th is w o r l d a n d the n ex t that is
tha t a r e n a m ed
n a m es fra u ght w i th mag ic p o te ncy a n d so in v o ked i n
o r d e r to con tr ol o th er in fer io r p o wer s a n d fo r c e s o f
n at u re
N a m es in th em sel ve s p os sess suc h p o ten cy in var ious
d egr ees ; a n d th e d i v in e fath e r a c co rd in g to th e
Pa ulin e th eoso phy ha s th em in hi s gi ft t o con fer
t he m o n w h o m h e w ill W h e n he w is h ed t o rew ard
J esus aft e r de at h fo r th e tr u st a n d h u m ili ty h e d is
p l ay ed on earth he ra is ed h i m fr o m th e dead a n d
th e

is

bov e

na m e ;

ev ery

k n ee sh oul d how ,
u n der

g a v e u n to h i m the n a m e th a t
tha t i n the n a m e of jesus ev ery

a nd

h i m h ig hly ,

exa l ted

f hei ng s

i n hea ven

a n d on ea r th

a nd

th e ea r t

n am e in q u es t ion w a s t h at o f Chr i st o r M essi ah

I n re c e i v in g i t J e su s w a s in sta n t l y e x a l t e d t o the
su mm i t a n d so v e re i g n t
y o f t h e a n ge lic a n d d e m onic
c r eat ion s Th is pa ss age r e m in d s us o f the ol d
Egy pt i a n l egen d o f the G od Ra w ho o w n ed a s e c ret
n am e by w h i c h h e con tr oll ed m en a n d g o d s a n d wh ic h
wa s onl y k now n t o h i m s el f I sis s a i d to hers el f :

Ca nno t I by v i rt u e o f the gr eat n am e o f Ra mak e

my sel f a go dd ess a n d re ig n li ke h i m in h eave n a n d

A n d b y a s tratagem sh e fo r c e d Ra t o
earth ?
tra ns fer h is mag ic a l n ame fr o m h i s b reas t i n t o her s
t o g eth er w i th a ll i t s m i raculou s p o wer s 1
T he

S ee Fr az er

G olden B oug h,

ch .

ii

MAG I C U S E OF NAM E S

2 39

Matth ew v ii 2 2 in d ic ate s th a t is w a s no t lon g b efo re

ma n y ou t si d e th e pa l e o f the Ch u rc h us ed J esus s

e
n am e in th i r e xo r cis m s Ma ny w i ll say to m e i n tha t
.

day , L or d, L or d, di d w e

n ot

p r op hesy by thy

n a m e, a n d

by thy na m e ca st out dev i l s, a n d by thy n a m e do m a ny

m ig h ty w or hs P A n d then w i ll I p r ofess u n to them , I

n ever h new y ou
dep a r tfr om m e, y e tha t w or k i n i q ui ty
I n so me o f t he mag ic a l papy r i l atel y d isco vered in
.

Egy pt w e n d the n am e o f J e sus so in v o ked I

add uce o n e su c h i nc a n ta t ion fr o m a n a nci en t sou rc e
w h er ei n a l so t h e d e m on i s address ed in h is o w n
t on gu e :
H ere i s a goo dl y gi ft o f Apsyrtu s
sa v i g rem edy
fect i v e fo cattl
wo d erfu lly ef
I A O I A E i n th e
n d o f o u Lord J esu s C h r i st a d
n a m e o f the f ther
h oly spi r it i i te l i estath e
och th a i br asax sal o l a m
ak ar eo m asa a eo n s daro n cha ael a kl ana thal ak eth
.

r,

th r uth to u m a a th p ou m edo i n

l i ti ota n m a z a

c h th o n

bates m a n er opsak i on a k lan a tha l i la iao i a e

An d
wr i te th e sa m e with a brass pen c i l on a cl ean sm ooth
plate ofti n
That a l r ea dy d u r i n g h i s G alil ea n m i n is try J e sus
had won suc h fa m e a s a fa i th
h eal er that h i s n am e w a s
u s ed b y exo r cis t s o th erw ise s tra n ger s t o h i m w e a lso

l ear n fr o m Mark ix 3 8
john sa i d un to h i m Tea cher
.

we

sa w

one ca st i ng

for bad h i m

ou t

beca use he

dev il s i n thy n a m e ; a n d w e

Th u s h is
foll ow ed us n ot
.

n ame eve n b efo re he qui tte d Cap er n a u m h a d a l rea dy

b eco me a s we sa y a n am e to conj u re w i th th ou gh
hi s d isci p l es consi d e red that the y h a d a m ono p ol y o f
i t s us e J e sus h o wever s a i d : For bi d hi m n ot : for
,

t her e i s

no

m a n tha t

sha ll

do

m ig hty w or /e i n my

be a bl e q ui chly to spea /e ev i l of m e
inci de n t n arrated in A c ts, c h iii , illus trates

na m e a n d

An

very

MAG I C U S E OF NAME S

2 4o

n eat l y the n at u re o f fa i th h e a lin g i n ge n era l P e t er

n d s a m a n tha t w a s l a m e fr om h i s m other s w om b
w hom they l a i d da i ly a t the door of the temp l e w h i ch i s
-

B ea u tiful to

ca l l ed

to

a sh a l m s o

So

them tha t en ter e

at Lou rd es w e see th e si c k a n d l am e w he el e d
in th ei r c ha i r s b e fo re th e s hr in e P et er bi d s h i m w a l k
-

day ,

i n th e

f jesus Ch r i st of N a z a r eth [ a n d]took

nam e o

h i m by the r i gh t h a n d
on ,

P eter ex pl a ins to

Why

by

ou r

he say s,
ow n

A n d l ater
peo p l e the n at u r e o f th e cu re

a n d r a i sed

the

hi m

up

y e y ou r ey es on us a s thoug h,
g odl i ness, w e ha d m a de hi m to

fa sten

p ow er

or

The n he ex p l a i n s h o w th e G o d o f A b raham
I s a a c a n d J a c ob ha d g l or ied h i s chi l d (or ser v a n t)
[ esus [a n d ]r a i sed h i m fr om th e dea d Th r oug h fa i th i n
hi s n a m e ha th hi s n a m e m a de t h i s m a n str ong
I t wa s
th er efo r e th e n a m e w h ic h a s fra u gh t w i t h th e p e rson a l
p o w e r o f J esus C h r i st o perat ed the c u r e th ou gh no t
w i th ou t the p r e c o n d i t io n t h a t th e a f i c t e d p er so n h a d
fa i th th er ein O n th e m o rr o w the pr i es t s h al e Peter
b e fo r e th em A n d i n q ui r e By w ha t p ow er or i n
w ha t n a m e ha v e y e don e th i s ?
P eter a ns w e r s that
i t i s t h r oug h the n a m e of jesus Ch i st of N a z a r eth

w a lh 9

"

w h om

G od

r a i sed

fr om

th e dea d, doth th i s m a n

sta n d

n am e th a t i s t o say li k e
t h e r e lic o f a l at e r s a in t h a s a v i rt u e a ll o f i t s o w n
a n d P et e r g o es o n t o c l a i m fo r hi s n am e a so rt o f

m ono p ol y o f s av i n g an d li fe g i v in g p o we r
N ei ther

h er e befor e y ou w hol e

T he

i s ther e
a m ong

a ny

o th er

n a m e u n der

m en , w her ei n w e

h ea ven , tha t i s g i v en

m ust be sa v ed
.

U nqu es t ion abl y th e n am e q ua n a m e o f B r i gham

Y oun g o r M a r y E d dy w oul d h a v e j u st t he sam e
v i rt u e fo r the i r follow er s su pp o si n g th es e l atter day
sec t s had a li ve am on g th e m th e ol d su per s t i t ious
b eli e f in the mag ic a l in u e nce a n d i mp o rta nc e o f
,

M A G I C US E O F N A M E S

2 42

mag ici a n st ill w o rk s h is ol d e nc h a n t

onl y th e n am e o f
m en t s b y th e sa m e a nci e n t m e a n s
T h e ma n
fer e n t
t h e G o d b y w h i c h h e conj u re s i s d i f
w h o k no w s t h e m os t gr e at n am e o f G o d ca n w e a r e
t ol d by the m er e u tter a n ce o f i t k ill th e l i v i n g r a i se
th e d ead tra n s p o rt h i m sel f i n s t a n t ly w h e r e ve r h e
No r is i t
p l ea ses a n d p erfo rm a n y o th er m i ra c l e
o n l y m en d e m on s a n d go d s w h ose n am es c on vey
p ow e r
T h e v i rt u es o f a p l a n t o r a ni ma l eq u a ll y
resi d e in i ts n am e ; a n d i n ol d R o m e t he F l am en
Di a l i s o r Pr i es t o f J u p i t e r m i ght n o t e v e n u tte r th e
n am e o f a n y m o r e tha n t ou c h c ert a in i mp u re a n i ma ls
a n d fr ui t s fo r bi dd en to h i m a s foo d ; fo r ex amp l e
go a t s esh i v y a n d b ea ns T e rt ulli a n (0 I d l t y
1 5) b eli e v e d that th e u se o f d e m o n s n am e s h o w ev e r
e mpty a n d mad e
u p th e y m i ght b e
y et i f e mp loy e d
fo r p u rp o ses o f su p erst i t io n rap i d l y b r in g to o n e th e
d em on s a n d a ll un c l ea n s p i r i t s b y the bin d in g p o wer
o f con sec r a t ion
I n th e G o sp e ls t h e d e m ons have t h e i r n a m es a n d
i n M a rk v 9 J e su s a sk s o f a n u n c l ea n sp i r i t : Wha t
i s thy n m e ?
T he d e m on a ns w e r s
My n m e i s
L eg i o
J esu s th e n s e n d s th em
for w e r e m a ny
in t o a h erd o f s w i n e
P erh a p s th is qu a in t l egen d
rec all s a s M Th eod o re R e in a c h h a s p oin te d o ut the
ci rc u m s ta n ce t h at th e R o m a n L eg ion th e n fo rm in g
p a rt o f the Pal es t i n i a n g a rr ison had a sow a s i t s
b a dge
I t i s no m e re g u r e o f S p eec h th er e fo r e w h e n i n
Matthew x v iii 2 0 J esus u ses th e w o r d s Wher e tw o
E gyp ti a ns,

th e

o a

or

th r ee

a r e g a th er ed

tog eth er i n my

n a m e,

ther e a m I i n

o th e r sp i r i t w oul d eq u a ll y b e
in the m i d s t o f th o se w h o m et in h is n a m e ; fo r the
n am e i s a n essen t i a l part o f the b ei n g a n d i f a cco rd in g
th e m i dst

f them

A ny

MAG I C U S E O F NAM E S

2 43

t o the a n ci e n t H eb rew no t ions w i th wh ic h J esus

a n d h is follo wer s w er e i m bu ed a d i v in e o r p o we rful
n am e coul d l i k e a d i vin e s p i r i t d w ell l o ca l l y i n a
shr in e
so m uc h th e m o re coul d i t b e i mma n en t in
me n s heart s a n d they a n d the i r li ves w i th in i t s
sph e re o f in u en c e
I n coun t l ess pa ss ages o f the O l d
Te s tam en t w e m eet w i th the i d e a o f a d i v in e n am e
b ein g en close d in a h ol y p l a c e Th us in J ere m i a h
v ii 12 J a h veh a used hi s n a m e to dw el l a t the r st i n
hi s p l a ce t S hi l oh
L a t e r on he tra n sferr ed i t to th e
shr i n e a t J er u sa l e m
o ve r w h i c h i t had b een c a ll ed
T h e p sa l m i st ( P s a l m lx x i v 8 ) l a m e n t s t h at th e e n e m y
,

ha v e

set

r e up on

thy

holy p l a ces

a nd

ha v e de l ed the

dw el l i ng p l a ce of thy N a m e
I t w a s beli eved th a t,
w h e n th e n a m e o f p o w e r w as r i t ua ll y pr o n ou n c e d o ve r

buil d i n g o r s t o n e o r a n y o th er m a t e r i a l obj ec t th e
un seen p o w er o r n u m en e n tered a n d d w el t w i th i n
I d ol s we re c o n s ec r a t ed i n th is w a y ; a n d w h en the
Chr i st i a n s w h o d u r in g the r s t three o r fou r c en
t u r ie s r eli g iou sl y esc h e w ed p ic t u re s a n d i m a ges o f
Chr i st a n d t he s a i n t st w i tted th e p a ga ns w it h thei r
folly in that they ei th er fa s h ion ed w i th th ei r h a n d s
obj ec t s in o rd er afte rw ard s t o fe ar a n d ve n erat e the
sam e
o r feared a n d v e n erated obj ec t s th ey h a d so
fa s h ion ed th e paga ns a n sw ered th a t i t wa s no t t he
i d ol they fea red bu t the b ei n g o f w h o m the i d ol w a s
the li k en ess a n d i m ag e a n d b y wh os e n a m e i t had
b ee n cons ec ra t ed 1
I n Chr i st i a n r i t u a ls fr o m a bou t th e y ear 3 0 0 on
an
a l tar s hr in e a n d a n y so rt o f buil d i n g a n d a lso

the n at u r e s
o f oil w ater s a l t c a n d l es e ve n o f
ha ssoc k s have b ee n con sec rate d b y repeat in g o ver
a

Lactan ti us, ou O r i gi n o
f E

r r or , ch

ii

R 2

MAG I C U S E O F NAM E S

2 44

the m

fo rm ul a

n
i
o
r
ff

the n a m e of Fa ther S on a n d H oly G host

T hr ou gh
su c h in v oc at ion a n y sata nic ta in t th ere w a s is e x p ell e d
a n d a tr a nsc e n d en t a l v i rt u e a u th o r i ty o r m a n a a s t h e
M el a n esi a n n at i ve c a ll s i t in heren t in the n am e pa ss e s
o ve r li k e a n e m a n at ion in t o th e m S i m il ar l y th e r ec i
t a ti o n at th e b eg in n i n g o r en d o f a pr a y e r o f t h e w o rd s
i n ( o r th r oug h) th e n a m e e tc s e t s in o p e rat ion i n the
tra nsc en d en tal sph ere t o wh i c h th e pray e r is su pp os ed
to a sc e n d
The
t h e p e r son a li ty o r s p i r i t n am e d
m o der n c h u rc h g oer i s happ il y i gno ra n t o f the
o r i g in a l m ea ni n g o f t he r i t es a n d fo rm s o f i n voc at ion
w h ic h h e da il y h ear s r e pea t e d w i th so m u c h un c t ion
I t i s j us t a s well fo r he w oul d b e sh oc ked i f h e k n ew
the i r h is t o ry a n d r ea lis e d that they a r e b a s ed on
su p e r s t i t iou s fa nci es
d er i ved thr ou gh J u d a is m fr o m
t he a nci e n t A ss y r i a ns Eg y pt i a ns a n d P er si a ns
Suc h
h o wever is the c a s e ; a n d in n o o ther w a y c a n we

in t erpr et suc h phra s es a s Ha llo wed b e thy n ame

T he L o rd s n am e b e pra is ed
The y that k now thy

n am e w ill p u t the i r tr us t in th ee ( Ps ix
an d

I n the n am e o f ou r L o rd J e sus Chr is t

Mr Marett (in Fol h l or e v o l x v N o 2 ) ha s s h o w n
that a prayer w h ic h relies o n the use o f a n am e o f
p o wer is n ot fa r re m o ved fr o m a s pell o r mag ic a l
inc a n tat ion The m a n a o r a u th o r i ty (Gre e k exousi a )
w i th wh ic h J esus con tr oll ed the uncl e a n s p i r i t s a n d
wh ic h h i s en e m i e s were pr on e t o i de n t i fy w i th the
p owe r e x erted b y B eel z eb ub the pr in ce o f d ev il s o v er
h i s subo rd in a t es c oul d b e ob ta in ed a n d us ed in th e
a b se n c e o r aft er th e d e ath o f J esu s b
y in v o c at ion o f
h is n a m e Here w e a r e on th e m en ta l o r r eli g ious
p l a n e o fthe m o d er n M a l ay w ho exo r ci se s th e d e m on s

o f d is ea s e gra n dfather s ma ll p ox a n d h is con g e n er s

t he

i n the

na m e o

Ch r i st,

esus

MA G I C U S E

2 46

OF

NA ME S

The ph ra s e to bin d a n d loos e wa s a lso us ed in

referenc e t o bu rd e n s o f a ll k i n d so fta x at ion o f sins
o f the l aw
Th us Joseph us i n h i s boo k on the
J ew is h W ar s i 5 2 rel a t es h ow the Phar is ee s u n d e r
A l e x an dra go t on tr ol o f eve ry th in g exi l e d o r
re st o red to th e i r l a n d w h o m they w oul d loose d a n d
boun d
Di o do r u s S i c u l u s b k i p 2 3 d e sc r ib e s Isis
a s follow s
I am I sis th e q ueen o f a ll the l a n d wh o
was e d uc ated b y H erm es ; a n d w hat so ever th in g s I
s ha l l bin d no o n e is abl e t o loos e
A nci e n t w i t c h e s w e re beli eved t o have a p o wer o f
bin d in g a n d loosin g i n a ni mat e n at u r e thr ou gh the i r

inc a n tat ions

Th us Ov i d say s o f Med e a : I l l a
,

r e r ena t

obl i q ua q u e

a q u a s,

fl u m i n a

si sti t ;

I ll a l oco

c ha ins b a c k the
water s a n d s ta y s the sl a n t in g s tre am s ; S he m o ve s

fr o m th ei r p osi t ion w oo ds a n d li v in g r oc k s
And
Vi rg il in h is ei ghth B ucoli c w r i t es : Ca r m i na v el

ca el o p ossu n t
dedu cer e l u n a m
I nc a n tat ions (o r

c harm s ) can eve n b r in g d o w n t he m oon fr o m heave n

I n p o p ul ar mag ic bin d i n g a n d loosin g are usu a lly
a cco mpa nied by th e ty in g a n d u n ty i n g o f sy m bolic a l
k not s ; a n d Dr Fraz e r i n hi s G ol den B oug h g i ve s
ma ny e x amp l es o f th e m ag ic k no t o r loc k I t is a
S w iss su pers t i t ion th a t i f in sew in g a co rp s e in t o i t s
s hr ou d y o u m a ke a k no t o n th e thre ad i t w ill h in d er

e
e
o
n
i t s pa ss a ge t o ete r ni t y
th e soul o f the d c ea s d
I n a n c i e n t R o me a cco rd
( G ol den B oug h v ol i p
in g t o Ovi d a w i tc h pre te n d ed to s h u t the m ou th s o f
her en em i e s by s e w in g u p the m ou th o f a s h w i th a
b ron z e n eed l e A ll o ve r t h e e art h n o k no t s m us t b e
l e ft t i ed a bou t th e dress o f a preg n a n t w o ma n l e s t
Eve n the d oo r s
th e bi rth o f h er c h il d b e i mp eded
a n d box e s m us t b e l eft u nloc ked a n d husb a n d s m us t
v i va q ue sa x a

si l v a s,

m ov et

S he

M A G I C U S E O F NAM E S

2 47

ven si t w i th c r osse d l eg s fo r i n so d oin g th ey

i m i tat e the ty in g o f a k no t I f a s p o rt s ma n i n L a os
w i s he s to keep hi s gam e pres erve fr ee fr o m in tr u der s
h e k no t s t o ge th e r so m e s ta l k s o f gra ss a n d s ay s A s
I k no t th is gra ss so l et n o h un t er b e luc k y h er e
A n d the s p ell bin d s th e fo r es t (Fraz er G ol den B oug h
v ol i
p
I n I n d i a the u n d oin g o f a k no t m a y
ha ve a n e x p i a t o ry effec t Th u s i f a no v i ce ha s
b r o k en h i s v ow o f c ha s t i ty h is t ea c h e r t i es r oun d
h is n e c k a bl a d e o f th e da r bha p l a n t Then he
s pr i n k l es o ve r h is r e gra ins o f r i ce b ar l ey o r
sesa m e
N ex t h e mak es h i m wash in wate r m ixed
w i th S a mp dta a n d thr o w s so m e fre s h o ffer i n g in t o
t h e r e
L a s t o f a ll h e un t i e s the n e c k l a c e o f
da r bha a n d c r i es : T h e in d is solubl e bon d w i t h
w h ic h th e g o dd ess Ni r r ti ha s boun d th y n ec k I un t i e
i t a n d g i ve th ee li fe v i ta l fo r c e a n d s tre n gth
H o mage t o th ee O N i r r ti o fthe s h a rp p oin t L oosen
t h y bon d s o f i r o n
T he a bo ve r i t e is fr o m th e ol d S a n skr i t boo k o f
mag ic r i te s c a ll e d A th a r v a Veda m y k no w l edge o f
w h ic h I o we t o th e l at e Pr o fesso r Vic t o r H en r y s La
no t

'

'

Mag i c da n s l I n de A n ti q ue

Vo ws a n d i m prec a t ions bou n d m en a n d w o m e n

w i th m a g i c a l bon d s a n d in v ol ved ma n y abs t in e nc e s
re str i c t ions a n d taboo s W hether i n the co mm ission
e n tr us t e d t o P e t er th e se a r e con t e mp l a t ed i s u n cer
t a i n n o r i s i t ea sy t o x precis e l y t h e m ea nin g o f the
pres c r i pt ion th a t what is boun d o r loo sed o n e arth is
boun d o r loose d in he ave n a n d v i ce v er sd T he
w o rd s s ee m m ere ly t o in d ic ate th e uni vers a l a n d
unli m i ted ra n ge o f the p o w er o fin terd ic t ion a n d rem is
sion con fer r ed on th e Ch u r c h by the fou nd e r ; a n d w e
n eed no t d ete c t in i t the i dea that what is d on e
,

MAG I C U S E O F

2 48

NAM E S

r i t u ally on earth is sy m bolic a ll y a n d by a so rt o f

magic sy mpathy ex ecu ted in heaven
The gi vin g o f t he k ey s o f th e k in gd o m o f heave n
ha s a m a g i c a l se n se a n a lo gous to t h at o f bin d in g a n d
loo sin g I n R eve l at ion i 1 8 th e M essi ah is made to
,

I w as dea d, a n d behol d, I a m
a n d I ha v e th e k e
y s of dea th a n d

a l i ve

say

for

ev er

f H a des
5 0 a cco rd in g to a n a nci e n t tre at is e on agr icul t u re
c a ll ed G eop on i ca (i
fa rm e r s tr ie d t o ward off ha il
fr o m the i r c r0 p s b y ty in g key s t o r o pe s a ll r oun d
the i r e l d s a n d t o th is d ay a Tra nsyl va ni a n so wer
th in k s he c a n k ee p bi rd s fr o m th e co r n by c arry in g a
loc k i n the seed ba g ( G ol den B oug h i
As
has b ee n r emark ed a bo ve i t i s th e cus t o m in ma ny
coun tr i e s t o o p e n a ll th e loc k s in a h ous e where a
w o ma n is lyin g i n fo r fear l es t i f the y b e kept
bol ted they s h oul d i mpede o r preven t her de li ver y
T o su m u p then the i m p o rta nc e atta c hed in the
New Tes tame n t t o the r i t u a l use o f the n ame to
bin d in g a n d loosin g to th e sy m bol o fthe k ey s av ou r s
o f a n ci e n t mag ic
Of suc h matt er s we hear a s li tt l e
in the O ld Te s tame n t a s w e d o o f p oss ession by evil
Sp i rits
A k in d o f a r is t oc rat i c in tell ec t u al in u e nc e
e xclu ded suc h i dea s fr o m the ol d e r H e b rew li terat u re
a s i t l ater on k ept th e m o ut o f the F ou rth G os pe l
The l ater J ew s a cqui red th is wh ol e ci r cl e o f su per
sti ti o us i dea s
su pp o sin g th ey had no t had them fro m
the rstfr o m th ei r P e rsi a n S y r i a n Egy pt i a n a n d
o th er paga n n ei gh bou rs A s w e e n coun ter th em in
the New Tes tame n t they seem t o have b ee n e s pe ci ally
a cqui red by con ta c t wi th th e Per si a ns a n d B aby
loni a ns O f a ncie n t B a by lon a n d A ssy r i a Pr o fe sso r
S a yc e wr i t es i n h is H i bber t L ectu r es i v p 3 0 5 a s

follo w s : Clos ely con n ec ted w i th the m ys t ic a l

m or e,

MAG I C U S E OF NAM E S

5o

h ere con dem ns bu t fr ui t l essn ess in the m i d s t o f a

d isp l ay wh ic h pr o m is e s fr ui t
S u r el y i t w ere b ette r fr a n k l y t o adm i t that w e have
b e fo re us a n ex amp l e o f t h e c us t o m co mm on am on g
pr i m i t i ve p eop l es o f cu rsi g a n d thre ate nin g a tree
th at b ear s n o fr ui t I n Le sbos th e o w n e r o f a n
o ra n ge tre e that s eem s st e r il e w ill b ra n d is h a n a x e
b e fo r e i t a n d say a l ou d B ear fr ui t o r I ll cu t y ou
I t wa s b e li e ved in
d o w n ( G ol den B oug h i p 1 7
a n t i q ui ty that fr ui t tre e s a n d c r o p s coul d b e w i th e r ed
a n d d es tr oye d by mag ic a l i n c a n tat ions
S o T ibullus

I nc a n ta
Ca n tus v i ci n i s fr ug es t r a du ci t a b ag r i s
t ion l ch es away the i r fr ui t s fr o m a n e i gh bou r s
el ds
At R o me a s pe ci a l cl a us e o f the Twe l ve Ta bl es wa s
d i re c te d aga ins t a nyon e w h o r uin ed by c harm s h i s
n e i gh bou r s fr ui t tr ees
Eve n t o da y a n d in E n gl a n d
w e e ncoun ter in r e m o t e v ill age s the b e li e f th a t a
malicious p er son c a n o ver loo k h is n e i gh bou r s trees
a n d so w i th er a n d k ill th e m
I n I ta ly the ev il ey e i s
a s p o t e n t aga ins t them a s aga ins t h u ma n b e in g s ; a n d
t h i s is the ci r cl e o f i d ea s w i th in wh ic h the a u th o r o f
th i s s t o ry abou t J e sus m o ve d
,

C H AP TER XI V

T H E EUC HAR I S T
ol d es t a ccoun t o f the Chr is t i a n E uc h a r i st is in
2 5 as
P a ul s r st Ep is t l e t o the C o r in th i a n s xi 2 3

follo ws For I r ecei v ed fr om the L or d tha t w hi ch a l so

I del i v er ed u n to y ou h ow tha t the L or d jesus i n the

THE

n ig h t

he

i n w h i ch he w a s bet r ay ed, took br ea d ; a n d w h en

ha d g i ven tha n ks, h e br a k e i t a n d sa i d, Th i s i s my

body , w h i ch i s for y ou r sa k e (br ok en ) : th i s do i n

r em em br a nce o
f m e I n l ik e m a n n er a l so the cup , after
supp er , say i ng
Th i s cup i s the n ew cov en a n t i n my
bl ood : th i s do a s oft a s y e dr i n k i t i n r em em br a n ce of
.

me

w o rd s I r ecei v ed fr om the L or d i m p l y th at
Pa ul d er i ved th i s n arrat i ve o f th e l ast su pp er n o t
fr o m c o m pa nio n s o f J esus bu t a s o n e o f the pr i vate
r evel at ion s t o w h i ch h e w a s li abl e I t res ts t h ere
fo re on n o b a si s o f fa c t bu t l i ke m u c h o f Pa ul s
c on c e pt io n o f J esu s i s part l y o r wh oll y
a n a p r or
con str uct io n o f h i s o w n m in d I sa y p a r tly b e c au se
t h e i mag in at ion o f ec s tat ics g e n era ll y w o rk s a lon g th e
li n es o f what t h ey h a ve r ea d o r h e a rd a n d i f t h is w a s
h er e the c a s e we have in the a bo ve a c c oun t a n u c l e u s
o f re a l trad i t io n
rec a s t a n d e x pa n d ed b y Pa ulin e
fa n t a sy H ow ever th is b e i t r e ma i n s tr u e th a t th i s
Ep i st l e o f Paul s b ec am e in t i m e the no rm o f Chr ist i a n
e uc har i st ic pra c t ic e a n d th ou ght
A n arrat i ve w h oll y si m il ar ex c ept fo r the o m i ssion
o f th e tw o c l aus e s b eg inni n g thi s d o rec u rs i n
Matthe w a n d M a rk w h il e L u k e i s in t erp ol at ed fr o m

T he

51

E UC H A R I S T

THE

52

th i s very pass age o f Pa ul The F ou rth G os p el i g no re s

T h e re da c t o r s o r co mp il er s o f
t h e e n t i re e p iso d e
Matth e w a n d Mark t oo k the w o rd s thi s i s my body
I t d o es no t
a n d th i s i s my bl ood fr o m Pa ul s Ep is t l e
m uc h matt e r w h eth e r J e su s r ea ll y u sed th e m o r P a ul
I n e i th e r c a se t h e i r m e a n i n g is t he
d r e a m ed t h e m
W hat t h en d o th ey m e a n P
sa m e
P a ul l eaves u s in n o d oub t a bou t th is The s a c red
m ea l h e d esc r ib es w a s th e Chr is t i a n coun terpart o f the
J ew i sh s a c r i c e to J ahveh a n d o f the s a c r i c es o ffered
J us t a s thr ou gh
b y G e n t il e s t o th e i r d ev ilis h g o d s
th es e ol d w o r l d sa c r i ci a l r i tes w a s e ffec ted a co m
m u n ion b et ween th e w o r sh i pp er s on th e on e si d e a n d
t h e g o d o r g o d s o n t h e o ther so part a k in g o f the i r
o w n co n se c rat ed b read a n d w i n e th e Chr is t i a ns atta ine d
co m m union w i th C h r is t I t i s i n a n ea r li er c hapt er
o f h i s Ep is t l e t h at Pa ul a ssu res us o f th is fa c t a n d we
m u st q uo te h is w o rd s b eca u se t h ey s h o w that h e a n d
h is c on vert s in res pec t o f what ha s b e co m e th e c en tra l
s a c ram e n t o f the r eli g ion w ere in ex a c t l y the s a m e
s tage o f reli g ious a n d m e n ta l d evelo pm e n t a s th e
a nci en t J ew s th e paga n s a n d w e m a y a dd a s s avage
o r pr i m i t i ve ra c es a l l o ve r the g lob e
H e re then is

w hat h e say s ( I C o r in th i a n s x 14
Wher efor e
.

my bel oved, ee fr om i dol a try

p r ov e y e w ha t I

The cup

s ea k a s

to w i se m en

f bl essi ng w hi ch w e bl ess
i s i t n ot a com m un i on of the bl ood of Ch ri st ?
The
br ea d w h i ch w e br ea k i s i t n ot a com m u n i on of the body
o
f Ch r i st P S eei ng tha t ther e i s on e br ea d [ o r lo a f]w e
w h o a r e m a ny a r e on e body for w e a ll p a r ta k e of the
on e br ea d
[ o r l oaf] L ook a t I sr a el after the esh
say

h a v e n ot th ey w h i ch ea t th e sa cr ices com m u n i on w i th
the a l ta r 7
Wha t say I th en P th a t a th i ng sa cr i ced to
.

i dol s i s

a ny

th i ng , or tha t

an

i dol i s

y th i ng

an

B ut

[I

EU C HA R I ST

TH E

54

i n rm i t y had b een l e ft b eh in d in h ea ve n
Th is r is e n Messi ah wa s no lon ger J esu s Chr is t bu t
Chr is t J esus in t o k en that the ma n an d the J ew w a s
l eft b eh in d o r had rec ed ed in t o the b a c kgr ou n d H e
w a s n o w a n i mm o rt a l inco rr u pt ibl e v i ta li sin g S p i r i t
a pervad in g i n u e nc e a n d i m p uls e blo w i n g li k e a
b reez e thr ou gh the c h o rd s o f m en s soul s a n d ev o k i n g
fr o m th em a n ew harm ony Fro m th i s m y st i c a l
sta n d p oi n t t h e Ch u r c h w a s th e bo d y o f Chr is t a n d
h e i ts h ea d o r e n t el ec h y t o u se a n Ar i st o t e li a n t er m
esh ly

N ow y e

a re

th e body

Ch r i st

an

Pa ul w r i tes ( I C o r in th i a n s
A n d j ust b e fo re ( erse 1 3 )
c o n v ert s
ther eof,

For by

on e s

w h eth er

few s

pi r it

a ll

w er e

or

w e w er e

r eeks,

m a de to dr i n k

a ll

ii

27

bap ti sed i n to

f on e sp i r i t

his

to

h e h a s w r i tte n

w hether bon d

m em ber s

sev er a l ly

or

T he

on e

body ,
and

fr ee ;

b e li ev e rs

o rd in gl y fo rm a S i n g l e o rga ni sm o fw h i c h a l l th e
m e m b er s su ffe r w i th o n e o f th e m se l v es t h a t i s inj u re d
a n d r ej oi c e w i t h on e th at i s h o n ou red
I n full a cco rd w i th th i s lo ft y i d ea l o f th e C h u r c h
P a ul b eli eved that ea c h m e m b er o f t h e sam e is a
C hr i st i n so fa r a s h e sh ares th e si n g l e an i m a t i n g
sp i r i t
I l i v e y et n o l ong er ] bu t Ch r i st l i v eth w i thi n
m e h e c h ara c ter is t ic a ll y e x c l a i m s in G a l a t i a n s ii 2 0
A n d so v i v i d w as th i s b eli e f th a t Chr i st i s i mma n e n t
i n th e b eli ever th a t w i th i n a few d ec a d es i t w a s no t
un c o m m on to repr es en t sa i n t s a n d m a rty r s a s m et a
m o r p h o sed in fa c e a n d loo k i n t o Chr i st
T h u s t he
v i rg in T h ek l a wh en she is h al e d b e fo r e th e j u dge b y
t h e y ou th wh o m sh e i s p l edg ed t o w ed bu t ha s thr o w n
o ver loo k s r oun d the cou rt in s ear c h o f sol a c e a n d
su pp o rt
a n d h er ey e s fa ll u p on Pa ul a n d a s sh e
ga z es h is feat u r es g i ve w a y to th os e o f Chr is t A s
a sh eep wan d er in g am on g the h ills in sear c h o f the

a cc

TH E EUC HAR I S T

55

s h e ph erd even so Th ek l a sou ght fo r Pa ul A n d a s

sh e loo ked r oun d o n a ll t he m e n th e re sh e sa w t h e
L o rd J e sus si tt in g full o pp osi t e t o her in th e li k en ess
o f Pa ul
A n d w h il e she k ept her ey e s xe d u p on

h i m th e Lo rd r os e u p a n d w en t in t o h ea ven
Si m il a r l y in the per s e cu t ion at L y ons in A D 1 7 7 the
fa i thful ga z in g on the fe ma l e sl ave B l a n d in a w ho w a s
b ei n g t o rt u red sa w h er w i th th e i r ou t w ard e yes
tra n sfo r m ed i n t o C h r is t w h o ha d b ee n c r uci e d fo r
the m I n the a p o c ry p h a l T r a n sl a ti on of P h il ip J esu s
appear s t o th e fa i th ful i n the ou t w ard for m o f the
s a in t j us t a s in th e F ou rth G o sp e l h e a pp ea rs t o
M a r y Magdal en e wat c h i n g at the t o m b in th e gui se o f
I s i t no t p o ssibl e that suc h i d e a s
the gard en er
fu r ni sh ed the st a rt in g
p oin t o f th e b eli e f no t ic ed
abo ve ( p
that the Ap o st l e J u da s Th o m a s w a s
phy sic a ll y the t w in b r o th e r o f J esu s ?
Pa ul s conc ept io n o f the Chr i st i a n o rga nis m is a
n e o n e w o rth y o f a n y ph ilo so ph e r a n ci en t o r
m o d er n T h e gre ater is t he p i t y th a t h e c a n n o t
su st a in h i m sel f at h i s l ev el bu t d ee m s i t n ecessa ry t o
bu ttr ess u p the nobl e sp i r i t u a l un i t y h e dr ea m s o f
w i th a m ea n s su gge s t e d b y a n d i m i tat e d fr o m t h e
p a ga n a n d J e w i sh reli g ion s o f sa c r icet o w i t w i t h
t h e s ac ram e n t o f t h e bo d y a n d bloo d o f Chr i st
Fr o m the h ei ght s o f i d ealis m w e su dd e nl y dr o p in t o
th e d e pth s o f pr i m i t i ve mag ic a n d fet ic h i sm
T h e e ar ly i d e a o f k in sh i p co n t a in s el e m en t s t o
wh ic h t o d a y w e sc arc e l y g i ve a th ou ght T h us a n
Ara b wh os e b read a n d s a l t o r oth er v ic t u als yo u have
shar ed r egard s y o u a s h i s k ins ma n fo r suc h t i m e
usu a ll y thr ee days a s hi s foo d i s su pp os ed t o r ema in
in you r bloo d F o r so lo n g he w ill pr o te c t y o u a n d
ou
ou
r
b
cu
r
s
that
cu
r
s
e
and
elon g in g s
e th e m
y
y
,

'

T HE EU C HA R I S T

56

bl ess th em that bl ess y o u A s soo n h o we ve r a s the

taboo or s a nc t i ty w i th w h ic h co mm union in eat in g
i n vest ed y ou in h is a n d h is t r ib esm en s ey e s s ha ll
have w o r n o ff he i s a s r eady a s e ver t o r ob a n d
m u rd er y o u May b e the Ara b i s a c t u a t ed in h is
h o sp i ta li ty by th e fan cy th a t a s w i th ou t foo d ma n
so co mm unio n in foo d
n o r a ct
n e i th e r th in k
can
in v ol ves c o mm on th in k i n g a n d a c t i n gi n s h o rt un i t y
a n d s p i r i t B y par i ty o f r ea sonin g k in
o f li fe
s h i p h o w ever c rea ted is r e fr esh ed sus ta in ed a n d
stren gt h en ed b y c o mm o n m e a ls
B u t th e t i e o f k ins h i p d o e s n o t uni t e m en a lon e i t
e qu a ll y bi n d s t o ge th e r a k in o r cl a n a n d th e go d
a n d in th is c a s e also
w o r s h i pp ed b y that k i n o r c l a n
th e ti e i f n o t c r e ate d is a n y h o w s tre n gthe n e d a n d
c o n r m ed b y s a c ram e n ta l mea ls i n w h ic h th e g o d
e i th er
e at s
w i th o r ( un d e r the g u r e o f a h ol y
a ni mal ) is ea te n b y the cl a n I n t h e on e c a s e th e
li fe a n d v i g ou r o f the g o d is co mm unic at ed in d i rec t l y
t o the w o rsh i pp er s w h os e l i fe a n d w el fare a r e boun d
u p w i th hi s ; in t he o th er c a s e i t pa sses d i rec t l y i n t o
th e i r h ea rt a n d vein s T he J ew o r paga n n ev er
n eg l ec te d a n o pp o rt un i ty o f rein fo r cin g w i th in h i m
sel f t h e sub sta nc e o f h i s g o d o r fa v ou r i t e d e m on
If
h e dra n k h e b ega n w i th a lib at ion to th e g o d th a t i s
h e p ou r ed ou t a li tt l e o f h is liquo r i n o rd e r that th e
i n v isibl e g o d m i ght dr in k i t w i th h i m I f he sl e w a n
a ni m a l h e set apart t h e r s t bi t s c ut o ff fo r the go d
a n d in part icul ar p ou r ed o ut the bloo d for th e g o d to
la p up
S i m i l a r l y th e r st fr ui t s o f t he el d w er e
d ev o ted t o the g o d s w h o consu m ed th e m o fte n in
th e g ui se o f pr i e s t s that p e r son ated th e m
I f li k e
J a h veh th e g o d o r h is n am e in ha bi ted a s a c r e d
s t on e b ethe l o r a l tar then the bloo d was p ou red
,

'

'

TH E E UC HAR I S T

2 58

the s e e x p l a in wh y a bs t in e nce fr o m meat s s tra n g l ed

wa s on e o f the few r ul es o f the J ew is h l aw wh ic h the
head s o f the J er u sa l e m Ch u rc h in siste d that Ge n t il e
con vert s m us t obs erve I t i s cu r iou s t o no te that th is
rul e so emphat ic a lly l a i d d ow n b y th e ear li e s t council
ever hel d ha s e xc ept in th e c a s e o f a few far Ea s ter n
Ch u r c hes been fo r ei ghtee n h un dr ed year s fo rg o tte n
a n d reje c ted by o rth o d ox Chr is t i a ns in s tr on g
con tra s t w i th th e i r m et iculous obs erva nc e o f the
W e d n es da y Fr i d a y a n d L e n ten fa s t s W hy wa s
the Apos t olic r ul e so soon consig n ed to obli vion ?
Pr ob ably be c a use th e J ew s obs erved i t I f they
wen t on e w a y a n d k ept on e r ul e the Ch u r c h wa s
c areful t o g o a n o th er w a y a n d i n ve n t a d i er en t r ul e
mak i n g a l l th e t i m e h y p oc r i t ic a l pr o fe ssion o f her
dev o t ion t o ap os t olic u sage
A no ther a nc ien t cus t o m that o f e s ta blis h in g a
bloo d b r o therh oo d b etw ee n p er sons n ot n at u ra lly
ak in re s t s on the i d e a that t he bloo d is the li fe an d
v i ta l pr inci p l e O n e o f th e part ies to th e co ve n a n t
cu t s h is arm o r b rea st so that i t bl ee d s a n d the o ther
s u c k s the w oun d A s th ei r bloo d s a r e no w m in g l ed
so he nc e fo r th are th e i r souls a n d li ve s
Th is r i te
s t i l l su rv i ves in Sou th I ta ly am on g the mem b er s
o f the
s e c ret so c ie ty k no w n a s the m a la v i ta
I n th is c a se the c h i e f b r i ga n d mak e s a n incision
un der h is l eft b r ea st o ver the h e art a n d the n e o
p hy tes app ly the i r li p s a n d suc k a dr o p o f h is
bloo d
The cus t o m is ol d a n d w i de s pread O ath s s ays
Her o d o t us i 64 a r e tak e n b y th e M ed es a n d L yd i a ns
in the s ame wa y a s by th e G r eek s exc ept that the y
m ak e a sli ght es h w oun d in the i r arm s fr o m wh ic h
ea c h suc k s a p o rt ion o f th e o th er s bloo d A m on g
.

T H E EUC HAR I S T

59

a ncien t Scyth i a ns a cco rd in g to th e s am e w i tn ess

the part i e s t o a n o ath w oun ded the m s el ves sli ght ly
w i th a k ni fe a n d hav in g m in g l ed th ei r bloo d w i th
w in e in a l arge bo w l r ep eate d pray er s a n d dra n k
th e s a c red dra u ght
Ta ci t us w i t n ess e s t o a si m il ar
us age am on g th e Arme ni a ns a n d I ber i a ns o f th e
Ca uc a sus S i r S am u e l B aker t he travell er in 1 8 7 3
in t h e t err i t o r i e s o f R i o n ga a n Afr ic a n c h i e f ex
c ha n ged bloo d w i th h i m
Si m il ar cus t o m s exis ted
e v e ry w her e i n the a nci e n t w o r l d
a n d a r e s t ill m et
w i th am on g s avag e s
H u ma n bloo d ha s a pe c uli ar
valu e in t h e rat i fy in g o f pa c ts a n d the l egen d that
J ew s sl ay Chr i st i a n c h il dre n a n d ea t th ei r es h in
un h oly co mm union is ev i d enc e n ot so m uc h that
suc h a cus t o m ever preva il ed a m on g them a s that
thei r Chr is t i a n a ccus er s were fam ili ar am on g the m
s el ve s w i th the ins t i t u t ion o f suc h bloo d b r oth erh oo d s
T he e ar l y Chr is t i a ns we r e co mm onl y a c c us e d by the
paga ns o fsuch Th yes t ea n b a nqu ets The r eli g iou s
r i te o fmak in g a no th er ma n in t o y ou r b ro th er c a l l ed
a delp ho
p oi i a a n d fou n d in ol d G r ee k pray er boo k s
is a Chr is t i a nis ed fo rm o f the r i t e wh ic h in i t s ol d
b a r b ar ous shap e s t ill su rvi ve s a s I hav e s a i d am on g
S ou th I ta l i a n b r i ga n d s
L et us app l y the s e consi d e rat ions t o th e in t e rpreta
t ion o f Paul s te x t T he ho r n J ews he says w hi ch
th e

ces ha ve com m un i on w i th th e a l ta r
S a nc t i ty b elon ged t o the a l tar b ec a us e the G o d
dwe l t w i th in i t a s is re co g nis ed in Matthew xxiii 19
Whi ch i s g r ea ter the g ift or the a l ta r tha t sa n cti eth

Fo r a v ic t i m o r o ffer in g l a i d on the al tar

it ?
b ec am e taboo o r h ol y the mag ic v i rt u e o f the s t on e
b e in g co mm unic at ed t o i t by con ta c t a n d pr oxi m i t y
T h e s am e v i rt u e is i mparted t o the b eliever s who
ea t

the

sa cr i

3 2

T H E E UC HA R I S T

2 60

p a r ta k e o

f th e

e sh o f

th e

v ic t i m a fter g i v in g

t o th e

go d hi s p o rt ion
Pa ul reco g nis ed that th e h eath e n a l so b y l ay in g
the i r g i ft s o r s a c r i ce s on the a l ta r s o f d e v ils i m p a rted
t o t he m a mag i c a l o r d ev ili sh v i rt u e T he go d m a y
in ha bi t th e i mage rath er th a n the a l t a r b elo w i t bu t
a n y h o w h is in u ence e x ten d s t o i t a n d t o th e g i ft s
l a i d on i t
T h er e i s th us a so rt o f d e m oni a c
at m o sph ere a ll r oun d w h ic h c on t a m in at e s th e m e at s
o ffe re d t o i d ols a n d t h is i s w h y th e ear l y Chr is t i a ns
er ed t o i d ols o fte n con
so c a refully av oi d e d m e at s o ff
de m n i n g th em s el ves b y th e i r sc r u p l es t o a s tr i c t
vegetar i a nis m fo r pretty well a ll th e es h e x p os ed
in a n a nci e n t mark et had b ee n th us con sec rated
P a ul had tw o m in d s abou t th is p oin t in th e o n e h e
h e l d that a s th e i d ol w as in i t s el f n o th in g th er e wa s
no harm in e at in g meat s o ffere d t o i t ; the m o r e so
b e c a us e G o d had mad e a ll th in g s g oo d a n d p u re a n d
t fo r ma n s consu mpt ion H e e ve n advis es h is
con v ert s t o ea t w hat is o ffered th e m a n d a sk n o
q u e s t ions ; on l y i f th ey a r e ex pre s sl y t ol d that t he
v i a n d in qu es t ion ha s b ee n o ffered t o a n i d ol s hall
they abs tain in o rd e r n o t t o app ea r t o th ose pr esen t
t o d o h o mage t o the i d ol I n h i s o ther m in d a s in
t h e pa ss ag e a bo ve ci te d h e tak e s a c o n tra r y lin e
T h e G e n t il es have co mm un ion w i th th e d ev ils t o
w h ic h th ey o ff
e r th e bloo d a n d t i t bi t s o f t h e v ic t i m o r
p ou r o ff th e r s t dr o p s o f t he g obl et Pa ul w oul d no t
li k e h i s con vert s th us to have co m m un ion w i th a
d ev il a n d i m bib e i t s i n u e n c e ; fo r J eh o vah is a
j ea lous G o d a n d b r oo ks n o r i va ls H e re he r egard s
t he g o d s a s rea l a n d li v in g b e in g s e m ulous o f a
h o mage due t o G o d a lon e
F o r th e C h r is t i a n then the ta bl e o f the L o rd a n d
.

TH E E UC H A R I S T

2 62

by so eat in g mad e a n d e x p l ici t ly re co g nis ed to

b e h is o wn bo dy a n d bloo d we e s ta blis h a k ins h i p
w i th h i m I t was s t ill the Lo rd s ta bl e th ou gh he
w a s d e ad b e c a us e he had onc e us ed th e w o rd s Th i s i s
Th os e wh o s at at th e tabl e o f the L o rd a n d
my body
rehear s ed the sc e n e o f th e l as t s a pp er s t ill ate w i th
h i m foo d that he ate ; a n d a s i t nou r is hed in h i m a
li fe t h at va nquis h ed d eath so i t d i d i n th e m W e

c a n n o t in fer fr o m Pa ul s a d d i t ion o f the w o rd s Thi s

do i n r em em br a n ce of m e that i t wa s part o f th e r i t u a l
fo r th o se wh o pr esi ded at the ag ap es or lo ve feas t s o f the
C o r in th i a n Ch u r c h t o r epe at o ver the b r ead a n d w in e
t h e w o rd s Thi s i s et c
B ut w e n d th is r i t u a l in a l at er
a g e i n c erta in h e ret ic a l c h u r c h e s in wh ic h th e bi sh o p s
o r presi d en t s o r pr o phets we re pra c t ic a lly rega rd ed a s
r e inc ar n at ions o f Chr i st The Arme ni a n d isse n ter s
t o t h i s da y a ss ert that th e P o pe wh en h e r ep eat s
t h es e w o rd s o ver the b read a n d w in e con vert s th e m
n o t i n t o t h e bo d y a n d bloo d o f C hr is tfo r h e is
n o Chr i st bu t in t o h i s o w n i mp u re e s h a n d bloo d
I n a n y c a se the b re a d a n d w in e consu med at the s e
fea st s wer e in Pa ul s eyes c harge d w i th a ce rta in
in u enc e o f a h oly so rt j us t a s v ic t u a ls o f w h ic h a
d em on had re c ei ved a rst tas te wer e charge d w ith
an
u n h oly in u e nc e w h i c h con tam in ate d th e m
Hav in g onc e gon e t o fo rm a n d cons t i t u te the bo d y a n d
m in d o f Chr is t the e l e m en tsth at is the b r ead a n d
w in e if eaten a n d dr un k w o rth il y b y h is follo wer s
cons t i t u t ed them the bo dy o f Chr is t a n d in fo rm e d
them w i th h is v i v i fyin g s p i r i t
I t h as b ee n su gge s ted b y so me c r i t icseg by
W el l h a usenth a t the b read a n d w in e were us ed b y
J e sus h i m s e l f a s su rr o gate s fo r rea l e s h a n d bloo d
T h e s ens e o f the w o rd su r r og a te r s t us e d by
a nd

"

EUC HAR I S T

TH E

R ob ert son S m i th in th is conn ec t ion n eed s t o b e

e x p l a in ed Let us tak e e x am p l es A Ch in ama n
boun d by li a l p i ety t o pr o vi d e h is dead pare n t s
w i th c as h fo r u s e in the n ex t w o rl d a n d n d in g rea l
coin o f the rea l m t o b e sc arce make s paper i mage s
o f m on e y a n d bu r i es th ese w i th the co rp s e The
paper is a su rr o gate fo r the m et a l The ma nu fa c t u re
o f suc h m oc k m on ey fo r use o f the d ead is a l arge
in d us try i n Ch in a
Aga in the H in d oos no lon ge r allo wed b y the
B r i t i sh G o ve r n me n t t o thr o w th e m s e l ve s un der the
whee ls o f the Ju gge r n a u t c a r make i mage s o f me n
a n d w o m en a n d thr ow the m un der so that the
go d ma y s t ill reap t he s at isfa c t ion o fh u ma n s a c r i ce s
o ffered to h i m I n c erta i n a nc i en t cul t s d ou gh o r
wa x gu re s o f m en a n d a ni mals were mad e a n d
o ffered to the god in p l a c e o f th e ar c hety pe s wh ic h
were e i ther b eyon d the m ea n s o f the wo rs h i pper s o r
ou t o f fa s h ion i n a m o re ci v ilise d age
Fr o m a ll th is i t follo ws that g o d s a n d gh os t s are
e i ther easily de c ei ve d o r so goo d n a t u red a s to fa ll i n
w i th the make be li eve p iety o f th ei r vo tar i e s N o r is
the cus t o m o f subs t i t u t i n g s em bl anc e fo r reali ty con
n ed t o g o d s a n d gh os t s I t e x ten d s t o mag ic I f I
w oul d wreak m y s p i te o n a n e n em y I have bu t to
make a n i mage o f hi m o r her in wax a n d me l t i t
b efo re a slo w r e A s i t m el t s so m y e n em y w ill b e
consu med w i th d is ea se I f I have no wa x o r m oul d in g
art i t w ill sui ce to ge t a ph o to graph o r p ic t u re a n d
s t ic k p ins in t o i t Even a n onion w ill d o the t u r n
I c an ha n g i t u p in m y c h i m n ey a n d a s i t dr i e s u p
a n d bl a c ke ns in the s m o k e so m y e n em y will p in e
awa y S uc h i mag es a n d p ic t u re s are su rr ogates

H enc e the ma xi m that in mag ic an d re li g ion cta

,

T H E EU C HAR I S T

2 64

v er i s a cci

pi

ro

fe i g n ed th in gs are a cc epted

fo r

tr u e
Ca n w e then su pp os e th at th e b r ea d a n d w in e wer e
u sed in the ear l y Chr is t i a n E u ch a r is t a s w e re d ou gh
i m ages in the cul t s r efe rred t o ? W a s th e E uc h a r i st
a s est a bli sh e d b y J esu s o r a s d r ea m e d b y Pa ul t o
h ave b een so est a bli sh ed a n e x a m p l e o f sy mpath et ic
o r a s i t i s n ow t er m e d o fh o m oeo pat h i c m ag ic ? D i d
t he b e li e ve r s th in k t h at in e a t in g a n d dr in k in g th e
subs t i t u t es th ey r eap ed th e sam e a dva n t a ge s a s i f
th ey had e aten a n d dr un k the r ea l esh a n d bloo d o f
th ei r L o rd ?
I d oub t i t a n d I do no t th in k i t m u c h m atter s I t
i s a n y h o w cl e ar that Pa ul b eli eved th a t a t th e L o rd s
t a bl e th e Chr i st i a n a n a lo g u e o f th e tabl es o f th e
d e m ons the b rea d a n d w in e hav in g b ee n once par
tak en o f b y Chr i st a n d so b eco m e h is bo dy a n d bloo d
b ec am e so a fresh e ve n a ft e r h i s d eath i f onl y a
p o rt io n w a s o ffered o r con sec rate d t o h i m by bl es si n g
a n d pr a y e r
A s t h e o ffer in g o f a n ap a r che o r r st
t a ste o f a v i c t i m s es h o r o f th e fr ui t s o f the e l d t o
a d em on b rou ght a ll th e r es t o f th e c ar c a se o r pr o d uc e
in t o a s i t we re a e l d o f d e m onic in u en c e a n d
taboo so w i th th e b re ad a n d w i n e o ffer ed a n d con
sec ra t e d b y J esu s o n
t h e n i ght in wh i c h h e w a s
b etra y ed
S ol em n a n d c er e m oni a l p a rt i c i p a t ion
t h er ei n w a s a n a c t o f co mm unio n w i th h i m by
m ea ns o f w h i c h hi s q u a li t i es pa s se d i n t o t h e p a rt i
c i p a n ts
a s th os e
o f the
d e m on pa ss ed in t o h is
v o tar i es w h e n eve r th ey part oo k o f foo d a n d dr in k o f
w h i ch
th e d e m on part oo k
W h eth e r th e refo r e
Chr ist h i m se l f ins t i t u t ed th is s a c ra m en t o r wh ether
Pa ul un d er in u enc e o f hi s ecs tat ic re vel at ions
m erely fathered i t on Chr is t in ei th er c a s e i d ea s an d

T HE E UC HAR I S T

2 66

w in e b ec am e a m ere fet is h o r t a lis ma n I f d u r in g

the r i t e a p o rt ion fell on th e gr ou n d i t w a s b e l i e ved
that Chr i st s bo d y w a s w oun ded a n d bl e ed in g afres h
L ad ie s c arr i e d a bi t o f th e b r ead a bou t in th e i r
poc kets a n d s wallo w ed i t b efo r e d inn er I t w as s e n t
abou t fr o m on e Ch u r ch t o a no th er t o s tren gth e n a n d
Th eo r i es o f h o w
af
rm t h ei r un io n w i t h ea c h o the r
t he c on sec rat ion t oo k p l a c e w e r e soon e v ol ve d ; a n d o f
th ese o n e o f th e ear li est w a s th is tha t the H ol y S p i r i t
o r L og os c am e d o w n a n d a bo d e e i th e r u p on o r w i th in
i t so that Chr i st e n j o yed a s i t w ere a secon d soj ou r n
u p on ea rth w i t h in i t A fe t is h i s a mat er i a l obj ec t
i n t o w h ic h b y m ea ns o f in v oc a t ions o r inc a n tat ions
a s p i r i t h a s b ee n p e r su ad e d t o e n t e r so a s t o dwell
w i th in i t ; th is d e n i t ion ex a c t l y t s t h e cons e c rated
foo d o f th e Chr i st i a n E uc har is t L ater on c erta in
th in k er s in th e R o ma n Ch u r c h tau ght that the co n
ve rsion i n t o th e bod y a n d bloo d o f J esus is onl y rea l
i f the b rea d a n d w i n e b e r ec e i ved w i th fa i th a n d
w o rth il y bu t th i s a tte mpt t o m o ra l is e the ins t i t u t ion
w a s soon r ul e d ou t a n d th e c ons ec rat ion b ec am e a
m ere mag i c al o perat ion perfo rm ed b y t he pr i es t fo r
t h e b en e t o f th e li v i n g a n d t h e d e a d
T h e Ar is t o
t eli a n d is t in t io n o f sub sta n ce a n d a cci d en t wa s also
c a ll ed i n t o e x p l a i n i ts n at u re T he subs ta nce o f the
b re ad i t w a s a rg u e d b ec o m es the subs ta n ce o f the
esh ev en th ou gh t he a cci d en t s o f th e b re ad
c olou r si z e h a rd n ess t a st e w e i ght s m e ll et c r e ma i n
a s i f fo r soo th
a bi t o f b re ad had a n y subs ta nc e
apart fr o m th e e n t i re co mp l ex o f i t s attr ibu tes
H o wever th e sub st a nce o f th e bo dy a n d bloo d hav in g
o n th i s V i ew r ep l a c e d in th e a c t o f cons e c rat ion th a t
o f th e b r e ad a n d w in e the r eci p i e n t is d ec l ared to
m a s t ic at e w i th teeth a n d t on g u e th e r e a l e s h a n d
.

TH E E U C HA R I S T

2 67

bloo d : I t is only b y the mer ci ful pr o v i de n c e o f a

G od u n w illin g t o s h oc k a n d s t u pefy h is w o r s h i pper s
that the attribu te s or a cci de n t s are a llo wed to rema in
a n d the h oly b read o r v ic t i m a s i t is c a ll ed preve n ted
fro m appear in g on the a l tar a s a bl eed in g ma ss o f raw
h u ma n e s h
Let us in conclusion ret u r n to a q u e s t ion wh ic h
ha s b ee n t ouch ed u p on in the fo regoin g page s
n ame ly wh eth er t he w o rd s thi s i s my body a n d thi s i s
my bl ood c a n b e su pp os ed t o have b ee n us ed b y J e sus
h i m sel f I t is no t a n i mp o rta n t issu e ; bu t the d is
c ussi on o f i t s erve s t o r ev e a l u p on ho w sl e n d er a b a sis
o f d ocu me n tary ev i d en ce m ay r es t the h u ge s t d o gmat ic
a n d c erem oni al s tr u c tu res Let us con fr on t the thre e
te x t s o f Matthe w Mark a n d L u ke
M A RK i 2 2
MATTHEW xxvi 2 6
LUKE xxi i
,

An d as they were
eati n J esus took br ea d,
a n d,
hav i ng bl essed,
br oke a n d a e i t to
th e di sci p es a n d sa i d :
Tak e ye, ea t ;
thi s
i s my
body
And
ha i n
tak en a cup
i en thank s, he
an d
a e i t to th em sa y
i ng : D r i n k ye, a ll , oi
i t, for this i s m y bl ood
o f the coven a n t w hi ch
i s p oured
out
for
m any un to r em issi on
of si ns
B ut I say
un to you, I wi
n ot
dr i nk h encefor th of
thi s frui t of the i n e
un ti
the day when I
dr i nk i t n ew wi th
sh a
you i n the Ki n dom
o f my f
a ther

gv
.

v g
gv
gv

'

ll

l
ll

x v

A n d wh en the
hour wa s com e, he l ay
down, an d the apost es
w i th hi m
1 5 A n d he sai d to
ea t
th em :
om i ts
Wi th desi re
h a e I desi r ed to eat
thi s p asso er wi th yo u
ef
ore I suf
fer
th em ,
to
and
th ey
16
For I say un to
dr a n k o f i t a l l
An d yo u I wi
h enceforth
he sa i d to th em , T hi s no t ea t i t un ti i t b e
fu ed i n the Ki n
15
do m ofG od

un to r em i ssi on
17
om i ts
A n d ha i n t e
"
i
f
s
ns
o
c ei ved a cup h e
a e
Veri y I say
than k s an d said : Ta k e
this a n d a pp orti on i t
14

ll

l ll

v g
gv

am on

om i ts

w i th you

Ki n gdo m

ofG o d.

lv

yourse es
( 18 ) for I say unto
n ot dri n k
you I w i
fr o m now on of the
fr uit of th e ine un ti l
th e Ki n dom of G od
be com e
19
A n d ha i n
tak en b read he
a e

ll

g
.

v g
gv

T HE EUC HA R I S T

2 68

r a k e i t an d
th an k s,
a e i t to th em , sa y
i n g : T h i s i s m y b ody

gv

gv

i en fo r
is
T h i s d o ye i n
you
com m em or a ti on of m e
(2 0 ) A n d th e c up i k e
w i se a fter th e sup pi n ,
T h i s cup i s
:
sa yi n
th e n ew c o en an t i n
o o d,
th e (cup )
my
w hi ch i s p o ur ed o ut
for yo u]

[ w h i ch
.

bl

on si der r s t Lu k e s tex t I f th e r e ad e r
w ill loo k b a c k t o p 2 5 1 w h e r e t h e t e x t o f I C o r in
h e w ill see that th ese
2 5 i s q uo t ed
t hi a n s xi
2 3
ver s es o f Pa ul s l etter have b ee n i nco rp o rat ed bo d ily
in L u k e s t e x t ver ses 1 9 a n d 2 0 S o m uc h a lso o f
th ese ve r ses a s is enclo sed i n squ are b ra c ket s is
w a n t in g i n so m e o f t he ea r li est MS S o f L u k e
R e m o ve th es e t w o ve r ses fr o m L u k e s t ex t a n d
wh a t d o w e get ? S u rel y no m o r e t h a n a n a n t i c i pa
t io n o f t he sp eed y appr o a c h o f th e K i n gd o m so soo n
w ill i t c o m e t h at u n t il t h en J e su s w ill n o t aga i n
dr in k th e w in e a n d ea t t he b re a d o fth e p a sso ve r m ea l
S o r e m o t e fr o m ou r m in d s t o d a y i s t h e th ou ght o f a
m i ra culous a n d su dd en in s t a ll a t ion o f a n ew er a fo r
h u ma ni ty a s o pp o sed t o i ts slo w a n d grad u a l ev o l u
t ion th rou gh p i ec em e al a n d pa in st a k i n g c o rr e c t io n o f
t h e e v il s a n d d is e a s e s o f a c t u a l so c i e t y t h at th e e n t i r e
m e an in g o f th is l a s t m ea l o f J e su s w i th hi s d isci p l es
i s h i dd en fr o m th e a v erage r ea d e r
I t n eed s to o m uch
e ffo rt t o r ea li se th a t J esu s b e li ev ed t h at b
y a su d d e n
per i p ety w i th i n h i s o w n li fet i m e a n d w i th in that o f
h is follo w er s th e e xis t in g r eg i m e w a s t o b e u p set a n d
t o use L u k e s phra se in A c t s i 6 the K i ng dom
r estor ed to I sr a el
F o r the M es si an ic a sp i rat ions
voi c ed b y th is eva n gelis t in t he c a n t icl e asc r ib ed to
L et

us c

E UC HAR I S T

THE

2 70

a n d Matthew wh o serv il ely co p ies h i m ou t w e m is s

th is p er s pe c t i ve I n the m th er e is no a n t ici pat ion o f
i mp en d in g d e ath bu t onl y o f th e d ay w h e n h e w ill
i n the k i ng dom of
d r in k th e new w i n e w i th th e m
,

hi s fa ther

No w is i t

p ossibl e that a s ver s es 19 a n d 2 0 o f

L u k e s a ccoun t h a v e b ee n in t erp ol ated fr o m Pa ul s
l e tter t o the C o r i n th i a ns so a lso M ark in t erp ol ated
th er efr o m h is ver s es 2 2 2 4 ? I h ave i ta licis ed in
M a tth ew s te x t (w h i c h is th e s am e a s Mark s) the
w o rd s a n d phras es w h ic h a gr ee w i th Pa ul s tex t T he
agree m e n t is so clos e a n d so ex tensi ve that e i th er Mark
m u st have co p i ed Pa ul o r Pa ul M ark T h e l atter hy p o
th esis i s r ul ed ou t b y t i m e cons i d erat ions I t follow s
that Paul s tex t i n u ence d Mark o r so me ear ly reda c t o r
o f Mark I f we adm i t the secon d G os pe l a s i t s ta n d s
t o b e fr o m th e p en o f M ark w e ca n qui te well su pp os e
that he had b efo r e h i m th e l etter o f Pa ul t o the
C o r in th i a ns ; fo r Pa ul on th e r s t o f h is m ission ary
j ou r n ey s had Mark a s h i s co mpa n ion fo r part o f the
way I t is m o r e li k el y h o we ver that the o r i g in a l
t ex t o f Mark r es em bl ed in fo rm a n d matter ver s es 141 8
o f L u k e s n arrat i ve Th en a reda c t o r adj us t e d th e m
t o Pa ul s a ccoun t in t i m e fo r Matthew to co py them
ou t I t w oul d seem that L u k e h a d a n ear li er fo rm o f
Mark s t ex t n ot yet in terp ol ate d fr o m Pa ul The
Pa ulin e add i t ion wa s no t in h i s co py o f Mark o r he
w oul d li ke Matth ew have tra nsc r ib ed i t S o i t w a s
l eft t o a subs e qu e n t ed i t o r o f h is t ex t t o ll in the
l a cun a d i r ec t fro m Pa ul s Ep is t l e The fou rth eva n
gel i st in h is n arrat i ve o f th e l a s t su pper ha s n o
m en t ion o f the ep iso de a n d may no t have foun d i t i n
h i s co p y o f Mark
He wa s h o wever fam ili ar w i th
t h e i d ea o f Chr is t s es h b ein g the l i v i ng br ea d
g i ve n
,

E U C HA R I ST

THE

27 1

t o ma n for the life of the w or l d ; a n d he s ets in J esus s

li p s th e w o rd s
E x cep t y e ea t th e esh of the S on of

'

Ma n

a nd

dr i n k hi s bl ood, y e ha ve n ot l ife i n y ou r sel v es

J e sus h o w ever d o es n ot us e th es e w o rd s at the l a s t

su pp er bu t in Caper n a u m ; a n d non e bu t th e unb e
li ev in g J ew s a re a llo we d t o take the s a y in g li tera lly

The few s ther efor e str ove w i th on e a n other say i ng

H ow ca n th i s m a n gi v e us hi s esh to ea t P
I n d eed
thr ou gh ou t the con tex t the fou rth evan gelis t is
e l a bo r a t in g a n i d ea w h ic h e qu a ll y meet s us in Ph ilo
o f th e L o g os b e i n g h ea v en ly br ea d a n d the cup o
f G od
H e pr ob abl y k n ew o f a Chr i st i a n E uc har is t w h e reat
th e b e li eve r s d eem e d t h e m s el ves t o b e re all y eat in g
Chr i st s esh a n d d r in k in g h i s bloo d a n d he tr ies t o
d issi pate so gr oss a n d mater i a l a n i d ea a n d subs t i t u te
fo r i t th at o f a sp i r i t u a l co mm u n ion H e conclu d es
I t i s the sp i r i t tha t q ui ck en eth
the esh p r o teth
,

n othi ng

W e m ay th e n su m u p the pr ob abili t i es a bou t the

o r i g in o f t h e E uc har is t so m ew h at a s follo w s : Other
s e c t s o r h er esi es had d u r in g the r s t c en t u ry B C
ar is en in th e boso m o fJu da is m w h ic h had th ei r s a c red
m ea l s Th u s the E ss e n es w h o by t h ous a n d s rej ec ted
t h e t e mp l e sa c r i c es rej e c t e d marr i ag e a n d li ve d
apart am on g thei r date p l a n tat ions n ear the D ead S ea
b ath ed in col d wate r a n d m et in w h i t e r ob es every
e ve nin g aft e r th ei r w o rk in the el d s w a s d on e t o
partak e o f a h ol y r epa s t consis t in g ma inl y o f b re ad
a n d water The y h a d the i r o w n pr i e st s to bl ess o r
consec rate th is repa s t j us t a s th e Chr is t i a ns a t r s t
requi r ed pr o ph et s to do i t a n d l ater o n cons ec rated
pr i e s t s fo r th e p u rp os e T h e E ss e n e s l a i d suc h s tr ess
u p o n the r i t u a l p u r i ty o f the i r foo d t h a t th ey kept u p
S p eci a l r es t h ous e s in th e var ious ci t i e s o f Pa l es t in e
[

T H E E UC HA R I S T

272

herein thei r m e m b ers m i ght ea t w he n e n gaged in

tr a vel ; a n d m e m ber s w ho fo r hav in g d i v ul ged the
my s ter i es c on d ed t o th e m at ini t i a t ion h a d b ee n
e x c o m m u n ic at ed a n d ex p e ll e d fr o m t h e co m m union
had b ee n k n o w n to di e o f h un ge r b e c a us e th ey were
d e ni ed th e sa c ram en t a l b a n q u et s o fth e s ec t a n d coul d
p a rtake o f n o o th er s w i th ou t v iol at in g th ei r o a th a n d
H ere w e have so clos e a n a n a logu e t o
c on sci en c e
th e C h u r c h w i t h i t s e qui pm e n t o f pr i est s a n d sa c r a
m e n t s th a t so m e w r i te rseg De Q uinc ey have
arg u e d th a t the ear li es t Chr i st i a ni ty w a s E ss e nis m
T h e E ss en es h o w e v e r w er e n o t so far a s w e k no w
M essi a n is ts N evert hel ess t h ey m a y i n matters o f
o rga nis at io n a n d d i sci p lin e have su pp li ed the Chr i s
t i a n s w i th a m o d el
S o a l so i n a l l pr ob a bili t y d i d th e Th er ap euta o r
w or shipper s o f Eg y pt t o w h o m w e h a ve a l re a dy
re ferred T h ey t oo h a d a s ac re d m e a l e ve ry ft ieth
d a y co n si st in g o f b r e a d a n d w a t e r w i t h ou t e s h T h e
S c r i pt u r es w er e r e ad a n d h y m n s su n g i n th e cou r s e
o f th is m ea l w h ic h s ee m s t o h a ve res em bl e d th e pa ss
o ve r fea st i n a ll r es p ec t s exc ept that th er e w a s no
r o as t l a m b I t w a s ea te n in thei r sy n agog u e o r
m eet in g h ous e a n d t h ei r e l d er s a n d d ea c o n s presi de d
a n d m ini ste red at i t
T h e r st Chr i st i a ns h o w ev e r e x p ec t ed th e e n d o f
th e w o r l d a n d th e secon d co m i n g d u r i n g th ei r li fe
t i m e a n d w ere bu t h ol d in g o n un t il th e gre at eve n t
sh oul d occu r pr epar i n g t h e m se l v es f
o r t he r e s t o rat ion
o f G o d s r ul e on earth b y m u t u a l c har i t
y fo r b e ar a n c e
su ffer in g o f p ers ec u t ion fa st in g v i g ils a n d pray er s
Th ei r gr eat fear w a s to b e su rpr is ed b y t he en d er e
they s too d re ady w i th the i r l amp s tr i mm ed a n d the i r
l oin s g i rd ed Th os e wh o had m ea ns free l y gave o f
w

EU C HA R I S T

THE

2 74

mag ic al i d ea s o f v ic ar ious s a c r i ce o f m y s t ic a l c o m
m union w i th G o d o r g o ds r e ac h e d thr ou gh p a rt i c i pa
t ion i n t he v i c t i m s es h P erh a p s t h e i d e a that
Chr is t s d eat h w a s a n at on in g o ffer i n g fo r h u ma n si n
a r o se r st in h i s m in d a n d su gge st e d th e r e v el at ion
abou t th e E uch a r i st H e w oul d h a ve a l l b el ieve r s
o
r
h
ei r bodi es a s a l i v i ng sa cr i ce holy
t
er
t
r
e
sen
p
f
e n d e r in g to h i m a
o
f
r
b
w
a
od
cce
t
a
bl
e
t
o
G
a nd
y
y
p
Chr is t
r ea son a bl e o r sp i r i tua l w or sh ip ( R o ma n s xii I )
had a c h i eved so m uc h a n d m o re t oo fo r he had
a c t u a ll y b ee n s a c r i c ed a s a so rt o f n ew pa sso ver
v ic t i m ( I C o r v
I t m a y b e that th is i d ea wa s
su gg est e d t o h i m b y th e k n o w l edg e that t he S y r i a n
sol d i ery w h o c r uci ed J esus had in v es t ed h is d e ath
w i th a ll the p o m p a n d c e rem oni a l o fa h u ma n s a c r i c e
I n a n y c a s e h e a n d no o n e els e s eem s t o h a ve s tarte d
the i d ea that Chr is t s d eath w as a genuin e at onin g
s ac r i c e in a cco rda nc e w i th the ol d b eli e f that a l l
,

th i ng s a r e cl ea nsed w i th bl ood,

p a r t fr om the shed

a nd a

Ep is t l e t o
th e H eb re w s fr o m wh ic h th e a bo ve w o rd s a r e c i t ed
th ou gh n ot Pa ulin e ex ac t ly ex press es Pa ul s i d ea when
in c h ix 1 1 1 2 i t d ec l ares t h at Chr is t ha d en ter ed
di ng

f bl ood

th er e i s

n o r em i ssi on

T he

i n to the h oly p l a ce on ce for a l l a n d obta i n ed eter n a l

r edemp ti on , n ot th r ou h the bl ood o
g
f g oa ts a n d ca l v es,

but th r oug h h i s ow n bl ood

T h e J e w s, a s the l ege n d
.

a c r i c e o f I saa c pr ov es had once hel d that

J ahveh m us t have h u ma n bloo d a n d t he i d e a w a s
i n Pa ul s da y st ill w i d es pr e ad a m on g S y r i a n s a n d
S em i t es that h u ma n bloo d es p eci a ll y th e bloo d o f a
r st bo r n so n is i rre sis t ibl e t o t h e d i v in e pa l ate
Pa ul w oul d hav e b een n ear l y a s m uc h sh o c k e d t o
w i t n ess a h u ma n s a c r i c e a s ou r s e l ve s ; a n d et the
y
i d ea w h i c h un d er li es suc h sa c r i ces wa s a t the b a c k
of

the

THE

EUCHA RIS T

275

h is head T he c ath ol ic Ep is t l es are a l so pervad e d

w i th i t a n d a s a g oo d ex amp l e w e m a y ci te 1 Jo h n i 7

of

We ha v efell ow sh ip

one

w i th a nother ,

a nd

the

bl ood

jesus cl ea nseth us fr om a l l si n
W hat m o r e n at u ra l tha n the tra nsi t ion fr o m th is
i d ea to a no th er that in var i a bl y a cco mpa n i ed i t in the
sa c r i ci a l sc h e m e o f J ew s a n d paga ns th is n am e l y
that the b eli ever s wh o d er i ve s p i r it u al pr o t fr o m the
bloo d s h ed m u s t a lso eat the v ic t i m sl a in fo r th em
a n d so a c h i eve s p i r i t u a l u nion w i th the go d in the
m os t r ea l an d e ffec t i ve w a y ? Th is e x tension o f the
i d e a c am e t o Pa ul a s o n e o f h is r eve l at ions d i r ec t fr o m
Chr i st Of the rea l bo dy a n d bloo d th ere w a s o f
cou rs e no th in g l e ft a n d eve n P a ul w oul d have s hr un k
fr o m th e l a ter R o ma n d e ni t ion s B ut J esus m i ght
have in d ic ated t o h i s ap os t l es in the l as t su pp er th a t
the cu p a n d b r ead h e th e n bl e ss ed a n d b r o k e t o th e m
sy m bolis ed h is bloo d a n d bo d y soon to b e b r o k e n on
th e c r oss
T h e a nci e n t m in d d i d no t d i st in g uis h a s
w e d o b e twe en sy m bol a n d th in g sy m bolis ed ; n o r
d o es the s av a ge o f t o da y in wh os e q uasi mag i c a l
r i tes the i mage o r su rr o gate o r sub st i tu te tak es the
p l a ce o f the ar c hety p e in suc h a w a y that whatever
happe ns t o th at happen s also to th is T he ci r cu m s ta nce
that at th is l ast m e a l J esus a te co mm on foo d w i th
hi s follo we r s in i t s el f cons t i t u te d a n a l m o st phy si c a l
t i e b etween h i m a n d th em a s i t d o e s am on g Ara bs o f
t o da y B y w a y of clinc h in g th e i dea Paul i magin ed
Chr is t t o have us ed the w o rd s Thi s i s my body w hi ch
i s for y ou a n d
Thi s cup i s the n ew coven a n t i n [o r

th r oug h]my bl ood

B y suc h m e a n s Pa ul a ssi m il at ed
the ins t i t u t ion o fthe b reak in g o fthe b read a s n earl y
a s he coul d t o the s ac r i ci a l mea ls o f J ew s a n d paga ns
H e l a ys s pe ci a l s tress on the c up wh ic h im ages the
.

T 2

276

E UC H A R I S T

THE

bloo d i t i s th e ve ry co ve n a n t w h i c h bi n d s J esus a n d
h is follo wers in t o th e o n e sp i r i t u a l li v in g bo dy o f the
Ch u r c h H e l a i d th i s ex tra stress o n th e c u p a s
W el l h a usen re mark s b e c a u se th e bloo d w a s a b ett er
c e m e n t th a n th e b re ad a n d b ec a u se in p o p ul ar
b eli e f i t w as t h e li fe I n dr i n k i n g th e sub st i t u te th e
fa i th ful b y all th e r ul es o f m o d e r n a n d a nci en t m a g ic
dra n k th e bloo d i t s e l f a n d i n dr i n k in g i t i m bib ed

Ye w er e a ll m a de
t h e ve ry li fe a n d sp i r i t o f C h r is t

h e w r i t e s in t he con t e x t ( I C o r x ii
to d r i n k of
,

pi ri t

on e s

I f the Chr i st i a ns w ere t o mak e head w ay aga ins t the

paga n s they w er e boun d t o h ave a s a c ram en ta l m e a l
o f th e i r o w n w h ic h th ey coul d p i t aga ins t t h e ag ap es
o r s a c r ed m ea ls w h i c h a c c o mpa n i e d every s a c r i c e
There m u st b e a ta bl e of the L or d t o co mp ete w i th
th e ta bl es of dev il s
fo r the con ve rted paga n d i d no t
los e m er el y b ec a u se h e w a s con vert ed h is fun d a
m en t a l re li g iou s n eed s a n d ins t inc t s
I t w a s t o sa t i sfy
th ese in th e l eas t obj ec t io n abl e man n er th a t P a ul had
h is r evel at ion o f w h at J e sus d i d a n d s a i d in that l a s t
su pp er
H is p l a n su c c ee d ed a n d fo r c en t u r ie s the
E u c h a r i st w a s t h e C h r is t i a n s a c r i c e p a r ex cel l en ce
a n d ga th e re d rou n d i ts el f e ve r m o re a n d m o r e th e o l d
sa ce r d o ta lis m a n d th e s a c r i ci a l cus t o m s
r i t es a n d
n o t ion s o f J e w a n d P a ga n a li k e
T h e Pa ulin e trad i t io n t h us o r i g in at ed ha s in Mark s
G o sp el b ee n p l a s t er ed so t o sp e ak on t o p o f a n ol d e r
n arrat i ve o f the l a s t su pp er a cco rd in g to w h ic h J es us
m erel y us ed th e occ a sion t o re co rd fo r a l a s t t i me h is
e ar n e s t fa i t h in th e i mm ed i at e appr o a c h o fth e k in gd o m
o f G o d Pr ob a bl y th is ad d i t ion to t h e trad i t ion in
M a rk w a s the w o rk o f a rev is er bu t i t m a y have s t oo d
in the r s t draft o f the G reek te x t fo r Mark w a s at
,

2 78

THE

E U C HA R I ST

d eli gh t

in bloo d a n d in i mp u re m ea t s a n d e nj oy th ese

T h e m e at s i n
b y en t e r in g in to th os e w h o use th e m
u
s
t
ion
had
o
f
c ou r se b e e n pr ev iousl y con s e c rat e d
e
q
o r o ffer ed t o th e d e m on s S i m il ar l y a cco rd in g to
P a ul w ho h er e o f cou rse r e ec t s th e o rd i n ary sta n d
p oin t o f h i s fellow C h r i st i a n s th e b el i eve r tak es i n t o
h i m se l f i n th e c o mm u n io n t h e L o rd J e sus Chr is t
h i m se l f T h e i d ea o f a d i v in e bo d y b ei n g b r ok e n o r
t o r n t o bi ts a n d e ate n b y th e v o tar ies m eet s us in the
Orph i c cul t o f D io n y su s Z agr eus w h o a c c o rd in g t o
I n th is cul t
t h e m y th w a s th us tr e at ed b y th e T i ta n s
a v i c t i m r e pr es e n t in g th e g o d wa s t o r n t o p i e c es a n d
ea t e n b y th e fa i thful
T h e m y th h e r e d oub t l es s grew
ou t o f a pr i m i t i ve co m m u n io n r i t e I n th e Thra ci a n
c ul t o f D ion y so s o r B a c c h us th e v o tar i es a te the d i v i n e
a ni ma l a n d b y d oin g so b ec am e G o d s B a cc h i t h e m
s e l ve s
,

C H A P T E R XV

T H E EN D
s t o ry o f the tr i a l o f J esus b efo re P il ate o f h is
co n d e m n at ion a n d c r uci xio n i s in m a in ou t li n es
h is t o r ic a l bu t eve n h ere w e c a n d etect ma n y t ou c h es
adde d e i ther i n ful l m en t o f su pp osed pr o phecy o r
ou t o f a n t a g onis m to the J ew s L u k e in part icul ar
r e fa s h io n s th e trad i t ion so a s t o mak e o fi t a con t in uous
p ol em ic a ga ins t the J ew s T he g uil t o f the m u rder o f
J esus had t o b e li ft ed o ffthe G en t il es in t he p erson o f
P il ate a n d lo ad ed u p o n the m Fr o m M a rk th rou gh
Matth ew L u k e t he Fou rth G os pe l in to that c all ed
o f P eter w e d et ec t a ver i ta bl e cr escen do o f a n i m u s
aga in st th is un h a ppy race o fwh o m pr ob abl y no t o n e
i n a th ous a n d e ve r h e ard o f th e c r i m e un t il ft y y e ar s
after i t w a s co mm i tted ; w h il e th e sl en d er m ino r i ty
wh ich a c t u all y w i t n ess ed i t n eed ed t o b e s t i rred u p b y
S e t th e
t h e pr i es t s b efo re th ey c oul d a ppr o ve o f i t
p o pe a n d hi s c ar d i n a l s i n p l ace o f the J ew is h pr iest s
a n d i n p l a c e o f the Pa sso ve r m ul t i t u d e m et a t J er u sa l e m
a p o p ul a ce d eb a uc he d by su p er s t i t iou s tea c h in g a n d
w e ob ta in i n a n y o ne o f th e coun t l ess traged i e s o f th e
R o ma n I n q uisi t ion a parall el to that w h i c h ll s th e
l a s t c hapte r s o f the G os p e ls W hy a n y on e o f th os e
v ic t i m s o f o rth o d ox c r u el ty sh oul d n ot b e ve n erat ed
b y the si d e o f J esus a n d t h e ear ly mart y r s I c a nno t
un d e r s ta n d
A s a n ex amp l e o f how un der th e per su a si on o f
THE

'

79

TH E E N D

80

passio n a rea l tra d i t ion c a n li tt l e b y li tt l e b e lo st

si ght o f e ffa c ed a n d r e p l a c e d b y o n e that i s fa ls e l et
u s ex a m i n e th e c on d u c t o f P il a t e a s r e pr ese n t e d in
th ese d i ffere n t sou r ces I n th em w e get a ll the s tage s
o f a m y t h in the v e ry m ak in g
A c c o rd i n g th en t o M a rk th e J ew is h c h ie f pr i es ts
a n d th e el d er s w h o co m p ose d th e S a n h ed r i m boun d
J esu s a n d b r ou gh t h i m b e fo r e P il a t e w h o a sk ed
J esu s m erel y
hi m A r t th ou the K i ng of th e few s P
a sse n t e d
a n d l a p s e d i n t o sil en ce u tt e r l y r e fusin g t o
a n sw e r th e m a n y a c c u sa t ion s l e v ell e d a ga i n s t hi m b
y

P il a te p er cei v ed tha t for en vy the chi ef

t h e pr i e s t s
,

p [ a n d]a sk ed Why w ha t
T he m ul t i t u d e
sti r r ed up by

p r i ests ha d del i v er ed hi m
ev i l

th e

ha th h e don e ?

p r i ests

cr i ed

ex ceed i ng ly

ou t

P i l a te, w i shi ng to

con ten t

Cr u cify h i m

th e m u l ti tude

A nd

del i v er ed

jesus w hen he ha d scou rg ed hi m to be cr u cie

P il ate s sol d i er s th en l ed J esu s a wa y a n d p u t h i m to
d ea th i t w oul d seem a s a h u man s ac r i ce w i th a l l
t h e fr i pp er y a n d p o mp w i th w h i c h a m oc k k in g o f t h e
S a t u r n a li a w a s sl a in
I t n eed h a rd l y b e obs erve d th a t i f P il a te w a s rea ll y
c o n v in ce d o f J e su s s i n no c e n c e h e c oul d h a v e r el ea s ed
h i m a t onc e
B ut J esus s a d m i ssio n b e fo re h i m t h a t
h e w a s K i n g o f th e J ew s o r M essi ah i n a p er io d wh en
th e R o m a n G o v er n m e n t w a s p erp e t u a ll y m e n a c e d by
suc h pr et en d e r s
l e ft n o a l t er n at i ve bu t to co n d em n
h i m H o w coul d P il ate k n o w that th e M essi ah befo re
h i m w a s no t o n e o f the o rd in ary phy sic a l fo r ce k in d
o r that he w oul d n o t un d er pr essu re o f h is follo wers
sh o rt l
I n a n y c a s e i f he wa s
y d ev elo p in t o su c h ?
t h e unsc r u p ulous a n d c r u e l G o ve r no r that Ph ilo h is
con t e mp o rary repres en t s h i m t o have b een th e n the
l i fe of a J e w is h e n th usi a s t wa s o f li tt l e a ccou n t t o h i m
,

T HE EN D

282

re co rd s P il ate s su rpr i se at J esus s sil e nc e i n fa ce o f

he sa i d to the
t he pr i es t ly sl a n d e r s L u k e a s se rt s that

n d n othi ng of gu il t

P il ate th en t a k es J esus to H er o d the

i n thi s m a n
r ul e r o f Gal il ee w ho hav in g he ard m uc h o f J esus
hop es to see h i m w or k som e si gn a qu eer am bi t ion
on the part o f th e m u rd e rer o f J oh n the B apt is t
J esus a ns wer s no th in g a s b e fo r e a n d P il ate fo rthw i th
con vo ke s the c h i e f pr i est s a n d m ag is trate s a n d pe o p l e
a n d a ssu re s the m afresh that n e i the r he n o r H er o d
c a n n d J e sus g uil ty o f a n y c r i m e that mer i t s death

H e w i ll [ th er e fo re]cha sti se a n d r el ease hi m

L u ke
in a cco rda nc e w i th hi s li t er a ry h a bi t o f r epeat in g
thr ic e a ny sali en t u ttera nc e make s P il ate pr o tes t
twic e m or e h is a ssu r a n c e o f J esus s innoce nc e V a in
wo rd s ! F o r in s p i te o f a ll h i s pr o te s tat ions the
procu rat o r ha n d s J esu s o ver t o the J ew s that th ey
I n th e i mm e d i ate
m ay wr eak the i r w ill u p on h i m
s e qu el Lu ke is c ar eful t o o m i t t he ep iso d e o f P il ate s
sol d i er y c ro w nin g J esu s w i th t h o r ns o f th ei r s m i t in g
h i m a n d s p i tt in g on h i m th ou gh i t s t oo d i n Mark
h is sou r c e Fo r he w i shes h i s r ead er s t o b eli eve that
t he J e w s th em s e l ves a n d no t a G e n t il e sol d i ery
c arr i ed ou t the e x ecu t ion
N o r c a n he adm i t that
both th e ma l efa c t o r s c r u c i e d w i th J esus d i e d rev ilin g
h i m th ou gh Mark a n d Matth e w ex pressly af rm that
they d i d so Acco rd in gly o ne o f them repe n t s a n d
pray s J esus t o remem ber h i m wh e n eve r he s ha ll atta in
Ver i ly I tel l y ou
un t o h is k in gd o m J esus a ns we r s

th i s day sha l t than be w i th m e i n p a r a di se

Fo r suc h
a re wr i t in g o f h is sou r ce few w ill bl ame L u ke n on e
t h e l e ss i t is no t h is t o ry th ou gh i t is g oo d dramat ic
the m u l ti tudes, I

ch i e

fp r i ests a n d

'

art
The fo u rth eva n gel is t wa l k s in the s tep s
.

of L

u ke

Far fr o m keep in g sil enc e b e fo r e P il ate J e sus e x p l a ins

t o h i m the c hara c ter o f hi s so verei g n ty My
ki ng dom i s n ot of thi s w or l d
he tells h i m i n at
con trad ic t ion o f the r ea l ex p ec tat ions o f J esus a n d h is
ap os tl e s I n a s econ d con versa t ion at wh ic h the J ew s
a ssis t P il at e as k s
A n d whe n
When ce a r t thou P
J e sus a ns wer s no th i n g add s
K n ow est thou n ot tha t
,

I ha v e p ow er to cr ucify th ee a n d ha ve ow er to r el ea se
p
thee P
J e sus a n sw er s
Th ou ha dst n ot a ny p ow er
ov er m e, w er e i t n ot
Wher efor e
g i v en thee fr om a bove
he w ho ha s betr ay ed m e to thee ha th g r ea ter si n P il at e
,

fo rthwi th sou ght

to

r el ease

hi m

bu t the

few s

cr i ed

If thou r el ea se thi s m a n , th ou a r t n ot
Ca sa r s fr i en d every on e tha t m a k eth hi m self a k i ng

op oseth Ca sa r
T o t h i s so rt o f arg u m en t P il at e
p
say i ng ,

ou t,

yi e l d s aft er a s tr u ggl e a n d d e li v er s J e sus to them t o

b e c r uci ed a s i n L u k e T he dr i ft o f the e n t i re
n arrat i ve is t o e xon erat e P il at e b y d em ons trat in g that
he wa s o verawed at th e pr o sp ec t o f a n in fo rmer
a ccusin g h i m t o th e emp er o r w h o m h e s erved
Of the so c all ed G o spel o f P ete r w r i tte n a bou t A D
w e have bu t th e l a st p o rt ion wh ic h b eg in s
1 50
t o ward s the e n d o f the tr i a l o f J esus B ut what
remains o f i t is e n ou gh t o sh ow that in i t th e pr ocess
o f e xon e rat in g P il at e wa s c arr i e d e ve n fu rther tha n
in th e c a nonic a l G os p el s fo r i t beg ins th us
B ut of
the jew s n ot on e w ashed h i s ha n ds n ei ther H er od n or
a ny one o
f hi s judg es A n d a s they w ould n ot w ash
,

'

them sel ves, P il a te stood

up

A n d then H er od the k i ng

ba de the L or d to be br oug ht a l ong , a n d sa i d to them

Wha tsoever I ha ve or der ed y ou to do, tha t do u n to

him

The au th o r o f th is G os pel therefo re s add l e s the

g uil t o f ha n d in g o ver J e sus t o h is e n em i e s no t u p on
,

TH E END

84

P il ate bu t on the hal f J ew i sh Hero d T h e excul pa

t io n o f P il ate is co mp l ete Her o d a n d the J ews a r e
a lon e r es p onsibl e
T h e fee lin g s o f a w e a n d h o rr o r wh ic h thr ill e d the
m in d o f t he ear l y Chr is t i a n s a s they b r oo ded o ve r the
d ea th o f t h e i r S av iou r a r e st a mp ed o n the i r tra d i t ion
o f t h e l a s t m o me n t s
Wh en i t w as the six th h ou r

w r i t e the e va n ge lis t s
ther e w a s da r k n ess up on the
w h ol e ea r th u n ti l the n i n th hou r that is t o say
fr o m n oon un t il three i n th e afte r noon A n d L u ke
ad d s th e w o rd s
T he
beca use th e sun w a s ecl ip sed
G ree k w o rd he us es i s t h e t e c h n ic a l t e rm fo r a n
e cli p se d u e t o the in te rp o i t io n o f th e m oon a n d i t is
d i f cul t to su pp ose tha t so cul t i vated a w r i te r in th a t
a g e w a s i gn o ra n t o f th i s e x p l a n at ion o f a n ec li p s e o r
th at h e u sed th e term m erel y in the s e ns e th a t th e
sun fa il e d t o s h in e a s i t m a y d o whe n obscu re d b y a
clou d Y et i f we are t o in terpret th e phra se in th e
u su a l s ens e w e m us t a c c u se L u ke ei th er o f gr eat
i g no ra nce or o f great c a re l es sn e ss fo r J e su s w a s
c r uc i e d at the J ew is h p a sso ve r a n d th is wa s h e l d at
ful l m oon T h e syno pt ic e va n ge lis t s d o no t m ini m i se
t h e m i r a c l e bu t d ecl are t h at i t e x te n d e d a l l o ve r th e
ea rth
so that i t wa s no t c o n n e d t o J ud m a a lo n e
T h e fou rth e va n ge lis t o m i t s i t fo r he regard ed Chr is t s
c r u c i xio n a s a n a l g lo r i c a t ion o ve r wh ich n a t u re
had n o reason t o b e sad H o w lon g after the d e ath
coul d suc h a s t o ry ar is e
O n r s t consi derat ion on e
i s in c li n e d t o p os t ul ate a lon g p e r io d a n d y et i n l e ss
than fou rtee n y ear s a si m il ar m y th had gr o w n u p in
co n nec t ion w i th the death o f Julius C e sa r F o r that
is j u st th e nu m b er o f y e ar s w h ic h had e l ap s ed whe n
Vi rg il in h is Ge o rg ics ( i
reco rd s i t am on g o ther
w on de r s
-

TH E EN D

2 86

The m ountai ns were

k en an d the rocks r iven

a sun der an d th e t o m bs were op en ed an d m an y bo d i es
of those th at sl ept r o e u p a d tered the h ol y city
an d a pp ear ed to m
A n d th y ask ed th em that
y
were so ri sen Ar t th ou
o t so a d so ?
Q uoth h e
Ar t th ou n ot th en h e th at d ied so m a n y years ago ?
A n d th e oth er sai d I a m
A n d o th e s i n tu rn as ked
others of the ri en other q uestio s a n d h eard the
sa m e
S o he s i d ag i to th em B ut h ow were ye
rai sed from the de d ?
sha

an

en
e

a n

A n d i n the s e qu e l t he r is e n re l a te h o w J esus we n t
d ow n to Hade s a n d b r o k e o pe n the gates o f H ell in
s p i te o f th ei r bol t s a n d h o w b e bou n d Had es o r d eath
bu t ra nso med the d ead a n d ra is ed th e m u p t o li fe w i th
h i m s el f A cl a use t o the e ffec t t h at J esus descen ded
i n to hel
foun d i t s w ay i n t o the ear li es t c reed a n d
wh ol e ep ics were co mp os ed on t h e the me o f Chr is t s
in va sion a n d p lu n d er in g o f H ell Si m il ar l ege n d s
were cu rren t lon g b e f
o r e am on g the Greek s o f O rphe us
a n d Py thago ra s I n the Cata co m bs Chr is t is o fte n
dep ic ted a s Orph eus a n d w e m a y s afel y attr ibu te t o
the in u e nce o f th e ol d Orph ic h y m ns a n d m y s ter i e s
th is cl a ss o f Chr i st i a n m y th
The i d e a o f the d e ad b ei n g c a ll ed u p fr o m the i r
t o m bs wa s a fam ili a r o n e in a n t iqui ty The w i t c h o f
ol d wa s abl e a s w e re ad i n the s t o ry o f J a son a n d
Medea t o m o ve the woo d s a n d bi d the h ills trem bl e
a n d the gr oun d t o gro a n a n d the dead to issu e fr o m
the i r s ep ulc hre s
,

lv

E t si as m oveo, jub eo q ue tr em iscer e m on tes,

E t m ugi r e so um m anesq ue exi r e sepul ch r i s
O VI D, Meta m orp h , vi i

20 5

Of a ll th is co mp l e x o f m yth the re is the n b u t on e

e l eme n t wh ic h is no t so b a n a l as no t t o n eed m uc h
,

e x p l an at ion W hy s h oul d the veil of the temp l e b e

r en t a sun der The follo w in g is pr ob abl y the ex p l a n a
t ion o f th is cu r iou s add i t ion I t w a s P a ul s i dea that
th e d e ath o f Chr is t in a m y st ic a l ma nn e r b r ou ght
ma n k i n d in t o th e pres e nce o f th e Go d J ahveh a n d
a s the l atter wa s b eli eved t o b e a rea l pres ence w i th i n
th e h ol y o f h oli es wh ic h wa s s eparat ed b y a cu rta in
o r v e il fr o m th e r est o f th e sa n c t u ar
y o f th e J ew i sh
t em p l e th e u n k no w n a u th o r o f t he Ep is tl e t o t he

H eb rew s c h v i 19 2 0 speak s o f J esus a s ha v i ng

.

h i gh p r i est for ev er after the or der of Mel

chi sedek ,
a n d a s h a v in g a fter the ma nn er o f the

becom e

h i gh pr i e s t w ho wa s pr i vil eged t o en t er th e h ol y o f

h oli es on c e a y ear en ter ed a s a fo er un n er for us

H ere th en
i n to the p l a ce w hi ch i s w i th i n the v ei l
w e have t h e s y m bolis m w h ic h un d er li es the m y t h ic a l
n arrat i ve o f t he G os p el F i g u rat i ve l y th e veil w as
r en t at th e m o m en t o f hi s d eath a n d J esus a s the
r epre s en tat i ve o f a n e w h u ma ni ty a n d su p er s ed in g
Eva n geli c
th e J ew i sh h i gh pr i est pa s sed w i th i n
trad i t io n ha s c ha n ged the a ll ego ry in t o a n h is t o r ic a l
I n c h x 19
e v e n t a n d inci d e n t o f th e c r uci xion
2 0 o f t h e sam e Ep i st l e t h e es h o f J e su s is d e sc r ibe d
a s a v ei l thr o u gh w h i ch a s by a new a n d l i v i ng w y
t he br eth r en h a v e cou rag e to en ter i n to the holy p l a ce
Th is m eta ph o r equ a ll y w i th the o ther m a y have
s erved to g en erat e the l egen d in qu es t ion
L et us pa ss on t o th e st o ry o f th e resu rre c t ion
In
th is a l so w e a re a bl e t o c atc h th e var iou s pha ses a n d
s tage s o f a m y th cons ta n t l y in pr ocess o f gr o w th
amp li c at ion T he e a r li est a n d onl y s tr ic t l y
and
h is to r i c a l s tage is t o be foun d in a pa ss age o f Pa ul s
r s t Ep is t l e t o the C o r in th i a ns x v 58 ci ted abo ve
A s a s t on e un g in t o a p on d ge n erates ever
(p
-

'

T H E EN D

88

d enin g c i r cl es o f d is t u r b a n c e so the r st appea r a n ce

o f J e sus t o Pet er o r C epha s w a s su c c eed e d r st b y
o n e to the t w el v e a n d th e n b y o ne to a s m a n y a s v e
h un dred b re thr en at on ce Hav in g b e c o m e so w i d el y
d i ffus ed t he b eli ef had ga in ed su ch pres t i ge a n d
i mp o se i t s el f e ven o n r ec a l c i tra n t
a u th o r i t y
a s to
m i n d s ; a n d there follow ed a n a pp earan c e t o J am es
J esus s b r o th er w h o i n Mark s G os p e l i s r epre se n t ed
t eac h in g a n d h os t il e t o h is
a s i n c r ed ulou s o f h is
M essi a n i c c l a i m s J esu s n e x t app ears to all the
ap ost l es a n d the s er i es is co mp l ete w he n the
per sec u t o r Pa ul s m i tte n w i th r e m o r se a n d i mpr ess ed
b y t h e p a t ie n c e w i th w h ic h hi s v i c t i m s su ffer h i m s el f
b eh ol d s the r is e n M essi a h I n su c h e x p er i e nc e s c est
l e p r em i er p a s q u i cottte
I n th e ea r li e s t fo rm o f
g osp el tra d i t ion P ete r is the l ea d er a n d sp o k es ma n
o f J esus s follo w er s ; i f h e wa s once con v inced that
J esu s had b een ra i sed fr o m the dead a n d had
appeared t o h i m he w a s su re to su g ges t ionis e the
r est o f th e tw el ve co m pan ions in t o s ee in g v i sion s li ke
h is ow n th ey in t u r n woul d b e c apa bl e o f su gges t ion
i si n g the m u c h l a rg er n u m b er s p ec i e d b y Pa ul o f
w h o m ma n y w e re y et a li v e w h e n th e l e tt e r t o th e
C o r in th i a n s w a s wr i tten I n the h is t o ry o f r eli g ious
en th usi a s m w e n d no th in g so co n tag ious a s v isio n s
L et a nu m b e r o f p er so n s b e con n e d i n a r oo m a n d
b y m e a ns o f fe r ve n t pr a y e r a n d si n g i n g o f h y m ns
b r ou ght t o a s uf ci e n t l y h i g h p i t c h o f n erv ous t e nsion
th e n let o ne i n h i gh e r ec stasy th a n the rest c ry ou t
that he s ees a d ea d s a i n t a C h r is t o r a Mad on n a a n d
the e n t i r e a ss e m bl y w ill in a few m o m e n t s s hare the
illu sion I t is i mp ossibl e t o coll at e o r co mpare suc h
v i sions w i th on e ano th er so a s t o d eterm in e whether
o r no th ey agree Ea c h e n th usi a s t w ill o f co urs e
wi

'

T H E EN D

2 90

pr i vat e pha n ta s m s re fer a bl e to tr i v i a l d is t u r b a n c e s

T h e a nci e n t
o f th e d i ges t ion a n d n erv ous s y s tem
Je w s li ke a ll pr i m i t i ve r a ces e s tee m ed th ei r dream s
A n d no t the J e ws
to b e re ve l at ions o f a no the r w o r l d
a lo n e R ich me n a m on g the G reek s a n d R o ma ns
k ept i n terpreter s o f th ei r dre a m s j u st a s r ic h me n
t o da y ke ep th ei r pr i vat e c h a p l a ins o r con fe sso r s
T he st o ry o f K in g Phara o h a n d hi s in terpreter o f
dream s in the ta l e o f J os e ph w ill occu r to everyon e
a n d a cco rd in g t o th e m ea nin g p u t u p on th ei r drea m s
by th es e in te rpreter s wh o w ere no t consciou sly
c har l at a ns th e great on e s o f t he earth d i re c te d the i r
c on d u c t a n d
fo rm e d th ei r p l a ns fo r t he fu t u re
The S a cr ed D i scour ses o r H i er oi L og oi o f th e Greek
Rhet o r Ar is t i de s a fr i e n d o f the E m per o r Mar cus
A u re lius b r in g h o me t o us the i mp o rta nc e a nci e n t ly
atta c h ed t o dream s a n d v isions H ere w e have a
jou r n a l i n ti m e a s i t w ere i n wh ic h the wr i t er
re co rded day by day h is dre am s a n d appar i t ions all
thr ou gh a lon g a n d pa in ful illn e ss H e eve n b e c am e
th e d es pa i r o f h is ph ysici a ns b e c a us e he insis ted
on tak in g the o dd re med ie s e nj oin ed in th ei r man y
e p i pha ni es b y g o d s a n d g o dde ss e s a n d h e r o es suc h
as
IE scul a pi us Ap ollo a n d Ath en e
H e r el ate s
h is in terv i ews a n d con vers at ions w i th the se s a c red
p er son ages j us t a s the ecs tat ic g i r l o f L ou rd es
rel ated her s w i th th e Vi rg in Mary W e have not
o n ly the l etter s o f Pa ul bu t th e a u the n t ic a c t s o f
S t Perpet u a a n d o f a sco re o f o th e r ear ly mart y r s t o
con v inc e us that the Chris t i a ns in no w is e d i ffered
fr o m thei r paga n con temp o rar i e s in the rea li ty a n d
i mp o rta nc e th ey attr ibu t ed to o m ens dream s v isions
v oic e s fr o m heave n a n d what no t T he dream s a n d
v isions o f c h il dre n we re h el d e s p eci a lly sa c red a s w e
.

k no w fro m the w o rk s o f C ypr i a n wh o d ied A D 2 58

T he cus t o m o f incub at ion
that i s o f sl eep in g in
te mp l e s
o f IE sc ula p i us) in o rd e r that the go d
m a y v isi t th e sl eep er in h is dream s
wa s con t inu ed
in Chr i st i a ni ty a n d in so me Ea s ter n Ch u r c hes
in th e Geo rg i a n ) s t ill su rv i ve s o r at l ea s t s u rv i ved
t ill y e s terday A lo wer o r m i dd l e cl a ss I tali a n sel d o m
dr eam s a dream w i th ou t at onc e con sul t in g o n e o f the
ma n y dream boo k s a n d buy in g a lo tt ery t ic k et o f th e
nu m b er wh i c h c o rresp on d s t o th e obj ec t s he dream ed
a bou t
M a n y fac t o r s con tr ibu ted p o w e rfull y in P eter s
c a se t o e st a bli sh suc h a p s c h olo g i ca l a tt i t u d e t o ward s
y
t he d e ad J esus a s m us t g en e rat e appar i t ions a n d th e
a s su ra nc e that h e w a s n o t d ead bu t a li ve i n h eaven
H e w a s the ea r li es t o f the d is c i p l es t o l e ave a ll a n d
fol low J esus H e had d i sc er ne d i n h i m the h o pe o f
Is rael the m a n s e n t fr o m G o d t o r es t o re the g lo r iou s
k in gd o m o f Dav i d Th at h o p e h a d b een r u d ely
das hed H e had s een h is Ma s ter b etr ay e d a n d
arres ted ; a n d when h e wa s h i m s el f ta x ed w i th b e in g
a G a lil e a n a n d a follo w er o f J e sus h i s cou rage had
fa il e d h i m a n d h e had w i th empha sis d eni ed a ll
k no w l edge o f h i m The n he had ed b a c k t o G a lil ee
pr ob a bl y w i th ou t w a i tin g even to see ho w the tr i a l
b efo re the R o ma n pr o c u rat o r w oul d en d a n d ce rta inl y
b e fo re the d eath ag ony on the c ross su p erve n ed I n
th e soli t u d e s o f the l ak e o fG en n es ar et wh er e he had
re su m ed his v oc at ion a s a s herma n kee n r em o r s e
m us t have a ss a il ed h i m fo r h is d esert ion o f hi s l ead er
T he in u e nc e o fh is l e ad er s per son a li t y m us t quic k l y
have r ea ss erted i t s e l f o ver h i m in a region full o f
p erson a l so u ve ni r s a n d i n wh ic h he had o r i g in a lly
fa ll e n un der i t s s pell I n suc h con d i t ion s Pet er coul d
n o t adm i t that h is h o pe s a n d e x p ec tat ions had b ee n
.

U 2

E ND

THE

292

in va in a n d t h ey rev i ve d I n th e pr es en t da y W e see
0 fS u Ch
a
e
e
e
t
h
e
e
e
b
l g rd m in
dup d y
e ve n m e n o f sci en c
C h a rl a ta ns a s E u sa p i a P a ll a d ino H o m e a n d M a dam e
S o m e d a y o r o th e r t h e en t i r e v ul gar
B l a vat s k y
m ec ha ni sm o f tr i c kery i s e x p osed y et t h e onc e con
t o th e m
v i n c ed th e tr u e b e li e v e r s w ill se l d o m o w n
Rathe r than
sel ves o r o t h e r s t h at t h ey w e r e d u p ed
d o so th ey w ill fram e th e m o st r ou n d a bou t h y p o th e s es
t o sav e t h e m se l ve s fr o m a n a dm i ssion so h u m ili at in g
I d o no t su ggest that J esu s w a s a c har l atan o r Pet er
n ev erth el e ss th e s am e l a w h el d goo d in h is
a g oos e
c a s e fo r ma n i s e ver t he sam e A cco rd in g l y wh en
J e sus appeared in v ision s t o P et er a s t o a ma n o f
suc h a t e mperam en t h e c oul d n o t fa il t o d o the ol d
M e s si a nic h o p e th e o l d con d enc e in the k in gd o m o f
G o d abou t t o b e set u p afresh rev i ved in h is b rea s t
Th us the tr u e r esu rre c t ion wa s that w h ic h e n su ed in
the heart s o f P et er a n d h is co mpa nions Th ey sa w
J e su s s t ill a li ve su rr oun d ed w i th g lo ry in h eaven
a n d k n ew ins ta n t l y that the j oy ous consu mmat ion
wa s only d el ay ed a li ttl e un t il the M essi ah li ke
Da n i el s Son o f Ma n s h oul d co me b a c k in glo ry on
T h e a dm ission m ad e b y L u k e
th e clou d s o f h ea ve n
in A c t s th a t J esu s app eared t o non e bu t t he fa i thful
e s ta bli sh e s the subj e c t i ve c h ar a c t e r o f th e a ppar i t ion s
T h e t e rm s m o r eo ver us ed in d esc r ibin g t he r is e n
J esu s b elon g to the s t o c k phra s eol o gy o f app ar i t ion s
Th u s in A c t s i 3 the G r ee k w o rd op ta n o i s used a
te c h nic al term fo r seei ng a gh os t ; a n d the n oun
op ta si a fo rm ed fr o m th is ve r b is u sed i n A c t s xx v i 1
9
t o d esc r ib e Pa ul s v i sion on the w a y t o Damasc u s
Th is v ision wa s in Pa ul s m in d co o rd in ate
w i th a n d o f the sam e r ea l qu a li ty a n d i mp o rt
a n c e a s the v isions v ouc h s afed to P e ter to the
.

THE END

2 94

Th ese they t oo k ou t o f th ei r con te x t m i su n d er s too d

a n d eve n garbl ed in o rd e r to t th e m ou t a s pr o phe ci e s
N o t sel d o m the pa ssages th us ma n g l ed
o f Chr i st
n ew
d eta il s in the
a n d m i si n t e rpr e t ed g e n e ra t e d
e va n g elic a l trad i t io n a s w e h a ve n o t ic e d a bo ve p 8 1
No w Pa ul d o e s no t sa y th a t J esu s w a s ra is ed in
th e e s h a n d h i s ma xi m that co rr u pt ion c a nno t
He
in h er i t inco rr u pt ion prec lu d es suc h a n i dea
pr ob a bl y b e l i eve d that J esu s wa s equi pped at the
r esu rr ec t ion w i th a n etherea l o r t o us e the jargon o f
m o der n s p i r i t u alis t s w i th a n a s tral bo d y w i th the
unco rr u pt ed bo d y w h ic h Adam w o re b efo re the fa ll ;
w ith a t unic o f inco rr u pt ion l eft b eh in d h i m in h eave n
whe n d esc e n d in g to e arth h e p u t o n sin ful e sh a n d
,

was

fou n d

in

sem bl a nce a n d

for m

m an

as a

E x ac t l y h o w wh en a n d w he re ar os e th e Marc a n
trad i t ion that J esus s d ead bo d y wa s r esu sci tated we
d o no t k now B ut th ere w ere ma n y in u en c es at
w ork in the l a n d s t h at were th e c rad l e o f Chr is t i ani ty
t o su gges t i t J o seph u s (A n ti q x v iii 1 3 ) atte st s
that th e Phar is ees b eli e ved th at th e souls o f th e j us t
have p ow e r t o r ev i ve a n d li ve a ga i n a n d (B
iii
8 5) that i n the r ev olu t ion o f ages the y a re s e n t
afresh in t o p u re bo d i e s W e a re therefo re no t s u r
pr is ed tha t H er o d Agr i ppa a s w e rea d in Mark v i 14
su pp osed wh e n he r s t h eard the fa m e o f J esus that
h e w a s joh n the B ap ti st r a i sed fr om the dea d wh il e
h is en t ou r a ge d ec l ared hi m to b e E lijah si m il ar ly
r esus c i tated I t w a s b eli eved a l l o ver th e Ea s t a
li tt l e l ater on that the sl a i n Ner o wa s st ill a li ve a n d
soon t o ret u r n W h en ever th e pr o m is ed M essi ah
s h oul d app ear th e d ead i t wa s b eli eved w oul d a lso
ar is e ou t o f the i r t o m bs I t w a s a n age m o reo ver in
wh i c h the d ead s t ill had to b e c ar efull y te n d ed
,

reg ul ar l y fu r n i s h e d w i th foo d a n d d r in k
Adj oinin g S y r i a an d Pal est in e a n d thr ou gh s eabo r n e
co mm er c e in d a il y con ta c t w i th R o me a n d A n t i oc h
l a y Egy pt w h er e fr o m t i m e i mm e m o r i a l t he bo d i e s
o f th e d ead had b ee n m u m m i ed t o k eep th e m fr o m
c o rr u pt io n
in v i ew o f a bod il y resu rrec t ion ; a n d
Egy pt was full o f G r ee k s a n d J ews wh o had in suc h
matt ers l ea r n ed t o fee l a n d b eli eve a s the a n c ie n t
Egy pt i a ns fel t a n d b eli eved T h e Chr ist i a n b eli ef in
a r esu rre ct ion o f the es h i s a n a n c i en t Egy pt i a n
b eli e f i n h er i ted throu gh var ious c ha nn els I n th i s
c on n ec t ion w e m ay r e fer t o th e p i c t u re o f th e r es ur
r ec t ion o f th e r i ghteous foun d in th e B oo k o f E n o ch
I t i s su m m ar is ed b y Dr Ch a r l es i n hi s Cr i ti ca l

h ous d , an d

H i story of the D octr i n e of a Fu tu r e Life i n I sr a el , i n

a s follo w s :
l u da i sm , a n d i n Ch r i sti a n i ty (p
.

righteo us
f th e tree f l i f

r i e with th eir b odi s ; th ey eat

a d th ereby e j o y p tri rch a l l i v es
i
th e Mes i an i c k i gd o m o
a p uri ed e rth w i th
J eru alem a i ts ce tre All th e G ti l es becom
I
th i s Messi
ighteou
i
d worsh i p G d
h owever
k i gd o m i
o Messi ah
w h i h t h ere i
but th e i m m ed iat prese ce o f G od with m en th e
fel i c ity o f th e b l essed i s o f a v ery se suou s ch racte
T h e powers of n atu re a r e i n cr eased i de i tel y Th u s
o f al l
c h i l dren ;
beget
th e ri ghteous wi ll
m easure w i ll
be r
th e seed th at i s sown
ea h
gr ai s ; a n d each v i n e wi ll h a v e
bra ch es a d each br ch
twig a d each
twig
cl u sters a d each c l u ter
grapes
d ea ch grap e twen ty v m e ure o f wi e

co m m e n t s Dr Char l es
T h e a llo w a n c e i s lib era l
w h o add s a s follo w s
W e m u st o t h o wev er egl ect th e eth i cal si de o f
T he

e,

s,

en

an

s,

an c

I o, ooo

r.

I o, o oo

an

I o, c c o

an

I o, ooo

as

s,

E ND

THE

2 96

thi s felici ty Th us light

wi sdo m
will b e b estow ed
.

ill

li

al l

le

ssn ess

gr ow

S uc h ,

th r ough

or

ol d

i n p ea e,
h app n ess,
r

u p on

a ga n si n

pr

an d

i
o f th ei li fe
n ea r l y such
o

m an y i n

d a ys

ve, an d n ev er

an d

i de

i th e

yea r s

th e p ea c e

a nd

th em ;

th r o ugh

an d

th ey

h eed

i lives will
o f th ei
jo y w ill be
o f t h ei a ge al l th e

an d

th e

p ea c e

oy a n d

an d

th e

v ision o f the i m p en d
i n g k in g d o m o f G o d w h ic h o a t e d b e fo r e the fa ncy
o f J esu s a t t h e l a s t su p er w h e n h e p r o m is ed h i s
p
d i sci p l es th a t h e w oul d no t a g a in d r in k w i th the m o f
th e fr ui t o f t h e v in e un t il h e s h oul d d r in k i t w i t h
th e m n ew ly m a d e in t he k in gd o m o f G o d
T h e l eg en d h o w ever t h a t i t w a s on t he t h i r d da y
o r a fter th ree d a s t h a t J esu s w a s r a i se d fr o m the
y
d ea d w a s no t g en er a te d b y p r op hec y a lon e ; for i t
w a s a p o p ul a r b e li e f t h a t th e s p i r i t o r soul o f a m a n
r em a in s b
y h i s co r p s e fo r a p er io d o f t h r ee d a y s a
b eli e f g l a nc ed a t in the l egen d o f the r a i sin g o f
r

w a s t he

La z a r u s

L or d, 6y 272s ti m e lee stz n /z el k

for

h e [ra t/e

M a r th a h is si ster t o J esu s
a s soon a s th e l a tt er o r d ers t he st on e t o b e li ft ed o f
f
th e t o m b
W e see th a t th e t a sk o f r est o r in g li fe t o
t he d ead w a s a ccoun t ed h op el es s a fte r t he l a p s e o f
th r ee d a y s b ec a us e b y tha t t i m e co r r u p t ion ha d b eg un
i t s wor k Th us P s a l m x vi I O w a s g en er a ll y a cc ep t ed

a s a p r o p he c y o f t h e r esu r r e c t i o n :
Th o u w el t not
been

a ea a

fom day s
'

sa y s

'

l ea v e my soul i n H a des, n or a l l ow t/zy Izoly on e to see

cor r up ti on
bu t fo r th i s to b e a pp lic a ble t o J e su s i t

ssen t i a l t h a t h e s houl d r is e a ga in no t l a ter t h a n

t h e t h i r d da y
W h o bu r i ed J esus ? Pa ul in hi s E p i st le I C o r
x v 4 m er e ly say s t ha t h e w a s bu r i ed I n a sp eec h
h o w e v er w h ic h e i t her L u k e (A C tS X i i i 2 7
3 1) o r
P a ul s t r a vellin g co m p a nion s e t s in h i s m o u t h a t

w as

THE

2 98
r u l er s

L u k e h o w ever

us t ha t

as

con sen ted

g ood

to the

( xxiii

an

is c a refu l t o a ssu re

r ig h teous

a nd

m an

pla n

E ND

of

d d eed

h e ha d

n ot

fe llo w coun

hi s

M a r k in a dd in g th a t he w a s expecti ng the
hi ng dom of G od h in t s p l a inl y t h a t h e w a s fa v ou ra bl e
t o J esu s T he P a ulin e speech h ow ever ci ted fr o m
A c t s ex p ressl y i d e n t i es t h o se w h o cl a m ou re d fo r the
d ea th o f th e inn o c e n t M e s si a h w i th th os e w h o t oo k
H er e
h i m d o w n fr o m t h e c r o ss a n d bu r i e d h i m
th en w e h a ve a n ech o o f a n ea r li er t r ad i t ion w h ic h
sinc e i t a bsolu tel y con t r a d ic ts the m i r a cul o us s t o ry o f
t h e e m p ty t o m b a cc ep te d b y th e C h u r c h is su rel y
o l d er t h a n i t a n d m o re
ge nui n e
T h e t a l e w h ic h follo w s in M a r k w a s d esi g n ed t o
con fu te th e inc r ed ulous J ew s w h o d e ni ed tha t J esus
r os e fr o m t h e d ea d
M a r k k no w s o f no o n e wh o sa w
hi m a c t u a ll y e m er ge fr o m t he t o m b ; bu t the s a m e
w o m e n Ma ry Mag da l en e M a ry the m other ( in so m e
o ld t ex t s da ug h ter ) o
f ja m es w h o h a d t og ether w i th
S a lo m e w a t c h ed Jo se ph a n d s ee n w h er e h e l a i d J esus
a r e p a r a d ed in t h e i m m ed i a t e s e qu el bo t h a s w i t n es ses
o f th e e m p ty t o m b a n d a s reci p i en t s o f the m ess a ge
o f a y oung m a n cl a d i n a w h i te r ohe si tti ng to the

r
sses
h
h
t em t u s : B e n ot
H e a dd e
r i gh t h a n d of i t
su rp r i sed ; y e seek jesus the N a z a r en e the Cr u ci ed
c ill o r s

a nd

is

n ot

B ehol d the p l a ce w her e they l a i d hi m

a n d say to the oth er di sci pl es a n d to Peter

her e

B ut g o y e
tha t he g oeth he
for e y ou i n to G a l i l ee Ther e sha ll y e
"
see h i m , a s he tol d
y ou
T h e st o r y t ell er, h o w e ver , h as to in ve n t so m e
r ea so n w h y th e w o m e n s h o ul d h a v e b een p r esen t a t
.

t o m b j u st in t i m e t o n d i t e m p ty W h a t coul d
b r in g th e m t here ? T hey w en t w e a r e t ol d w i th
sp ic es in o r d er to a noin t th e co r p se
M a tth ew on the
t he

con tr a ry att r ibu tes t he i r v isi t t o the m ere d esi re t o see

th e t o m b o r the bo d y
I f the fou r th G osp el (xix 3 9 )
is t o b e c red i ted N ico d em us a n d Jos ep h t oget her h ad
a l r ea dy boun d u p th e bo d y on Fr i d ay evenin g in lin e n
s w ath es usin g 10 0 li tres o f m y r rh a nd a loes t o a noin t
th e s a m e
I t i s d i f cul t t o un d er s ta n d w hy t he
w o m e n n eed e d t o a noin t a fr es h on S un day m o r nin g
a co r p s e a l r ea d y a noin te d on Fr i day in so rega l a
m a nn er
A h un d red li t r es w a s n ea r l y equ a l t o a
m o d er n h un d r ed we i gh t a li t r e b e in g equ a l t o t we l ve
ounc es !
M a r k s s t o r y i s full o f i m p r ob a bili ty a n d s el f
con t r a d ic t ion I f J o sep h r oll ed a g a in st the d oo r o f
th e t o m b a s t on e so l a r g e t h a t t h e t h r ee w o m e n
t og ether d es p a i r ed o f m o v in g i t a n d th a t a ccor d i n g
t o a n a nci e n t rea d in g in L u k e i t t oo k t wen ty m en
to gether t o r o ll a lon g h e m us t h ave d on e so wi th a
v i ew t o the d e ni te a n d l a s t in g in ter m en t o f J esu s
W he n th e w o m en r ea c h th e t o m b on S un d a y m or nin g
t hey excl a i m
Who w i l l r ol l a w ay for us the ston e
A n d y et t h ey h a d s een
fr om the door of the tom h 7
Jos eph (un a i d ed so i t w oul d s ee m ) d ep osi t the s t on e
ther e on Fr i d a y a fter noon W hy th en d i d t hey no t
b r ing m en w i th them t o o pen the t o m b ? W hy no t
h a ve in fo r m ed Jos ep h a s t h ey w at c he d h i m bu r y
J e sus tha t t hey in ten d ed t o co m e b a c k l a ter on a n d
a noin t th e co r p se ?
A n d w hy w a i t so lon g t o a noin t
hi m ? I t is no t u su a l esp e ci a ll y in t h e E a s t w h er e
d ec ay is so r a p i d t o w a i t so lon g E ven i f t hey h a d
t o w a i t un t il the S a bb a t h w a s o ver t h a t is un t i l
suns et o n S a t u rd ay t o b uy thei r sp ic es w hy d el a y
t wel ve h ou r s b e fo re g oin g t o the t o m b ?
a no t h er
E v i d e n t ly the sto ry o f the a noin t in g is a clu m s y
d ev ic e on the p ar t o f the eva n gelis t t o ge t them ther e
,

THE

30 0

E ND

d aw n on S un d a y a n d no t b e fo r e A n d w hy on
S un d a y ? T h e t r a d i t ion w h ic h x e d fo r th e r isin g o f
t h e C h r i st fr o m t h e d ea d th e m o m e n t o f sun r i se on
t h e d a y o f th e sun m us t su r el y h a v e b ee n ge n era t ed
b y t h e sa m e sy m boli sm w h ic h d ic t a te d t o L u k e o r
h i s sou r c e t h e h y m n o f Z a c h a r i a s w h ic h s p ea k s o f
at

the ten der m er cy

f ou r

G od ,

l V/z er eby the day sp r i ng fr om on hig h sh a ll v i si t u s,

To sh i n e upon them th a t si t i n da r hn ess a n d i n th e sha dow o
f death

u rr e c t ion o f J esu s w a s a s w e h a ve s een the

bi r th o f C h r is t a cco r d in g t o the o l d b eli ef un d er ly in g
I f Ch r i st
t h e p a ss a g e (A c t s xiii 3 3 ) a l r ea d y ci ted
so r is e n w a s t h e d a y st a r w h e n e l se coul d h e a pp r o
p r i a tel y b e bo r n e xc e p t at t he m o m e n t o f d a w n o n the
S un d a y P G ui d ed b y th e s a m e s y m boli sm th e C h u r c h
o f R o m e a t a l a t e r d a y d e lib e r a te l y x e d th e fea s t o f
h i s p hy sic a l bi r t h on Dec e m b e r 2 sth t h e M i t h r a ic Fea st
o f th e bi r th o f the unconqu ered sun di es n a ta li s i nv i cti
sol i s a s th e o l d p a g a n c a l en d a r s t er m i t
T h e l a rg e
bo d y o f o r i en ta l C hr i st i a n s k no w n a s M a nich ea ns
a c t u a ll
y sa w in t h e sun th e ou t w a r d a n d v i sibl e
sy m bol o f C h r is t a n d g a v e c o r r esp on d in
g h o m a ge t o
t h e h ea ve nl y bo d y
A u g u st in e o f H i p p o t e lls a s t o r y
o fa d i sp ute b et w een a n o r t h o d ox l a d y a n d a M a ni
c h ea n W h il e i t w a s r ag in g a r a y o f sun l i gh t
p e n e t r a t e d t h e sh u tter o f t h e i r w in d o w a n d g lin ted
a c r o ss t he o o r o f t h e r o o m in w h ic h t h e
T he
y sa t
o r t h o d o x l a d y ins t a n t l y j um p e d u p a n d d a ncin g o v er
i t c r i ed B eh o l d I s t a m p u p on y ou r G o d
B u t l et us r et u r n t o M a r k s t a l e
I n i t the y o uth
in w h i te is th e c o n ve n t i o n a l a n g el
M a tth ew h o w
e v er k n ew o f a sli g h t l y v a r i a n t t ex t w h ic h m a d e o f
h i m C h r is t h i m s el f O f t h is m o r e a non
I n s p i te
o f th is g ur e s e x h o r ta t ion t o the w o m e n no t to b e
T he

res

THE

30 2

E ND

M a tthew th en d ro p s ou t M ark s s tatem e n t tha t

Jos ep h o f A r i m athea wa s a m e m b er o f the S a n hed r in
bec a u se h e wis hes us t o su pp ose that t h a t J ew i sh
council h a d b een un a ni m ous in d em a n d in g the d ea th
o f J esu s ; a n d he i g no res P il a te s s en d in g o f a cen
t u r ion t o see i f J esus w ere r ea ll y d ead fo r he con tem
p l a t e s an a m p l er m is sion o f R o m a n sol d i er s t o the
t o m b H e is c areful t o te ll us th at Jos eph c h os e a
cl ea n lin e n clo t h t o w r a p t h e bo d y in a n d t h at th e
t o m b in w h ic h he l a i d i t w as hi s ow n n ew tom h S o
Lu ke her e add s the t ouc h t ha t never y et ha d m a n l a i n
in the t o m b chos en b y Josep h S uch e l em en t s in
the n ar r a t i ve h ave no c h a nc e t o b e h is t o r ic a l bu t a re
d ue t o th e s a m e sy m b o li sin g fa ncy wh ic h l ea d s M a r k
a n d L u k e t o no t e th at in hi s M essi a nic e n tr
y in t o
J er u sa l em J esus the n ew A d a m o f Pa ul r od e on the
b a c k o f a n a ss wher eon n o m a n ever y et sa t The
genuin e trad i t ion o f J esus h a v in g b een c as t b y hi s
e n e m i e s in t o th e co m m on p i t r es erved fo r m a l e fa c t o r s
s t ill su r v i ved a m on g th e J ew s a n d the m os t effec t i ve
w a y o f m ee t in g i t w as t o a ss ert a n h onou ra bl e
in ter m en t in a n ew t o m b
In M a rk then the t r a d i t ion ha s m erely g ot a s fa r
a s the s t o ry o f a t o m b w h ic h t hr ee d ev ou t w o m en
foun d e m p ty a n d o f a n a n ge l si tt in g b y i t co m m is
si o n ed t o r evea l t o t he m t h a t J esus w a s r is en
T he
g r o w th o f th e l ege n d coul d no t s t o p her e a n d fr i en d s
a n d fo es a li k e uni t ed t o ex t en d i t
J ew is h c r i t ics
r ea l
or
i m ag in ary obj ec te d th at a n em p ty t om b
p r o ved li tt l e e nou gh fo r m i gh t no t the d i sci p l e s o f
J esus h a ve co m e by ni gh t a n d s t ol e n th e bo dy ?
M a tthew su p pos es tha t the J ew s fo res aw th is con
t i n gen cy a n d so wen t in a bo d y t o P il at e re c a ll ed t o
h i m J esus s p r ed ic t ion t ha t a fter three day s he w oul d

'

is a in a n d
ga

m a de

pe

u n til

su r e

com e a n d stea l

t i t ion ed

th t

hi m

the th i r d day , l est

hi m

a w ay

the sepul ch r e

hap ly h i s di scip l es
u n to the

a n d say

be

p eop l e H e
,

P il ate a cco r d in g ly g i ves them

a g u a rd a n d they s ea l th e st on e
I n o rd er t o a noin t
th e bo d y th e t o m b w oul d h a ve t o b e o p e n ed bu t th is
coul d no t b e i f i t w a s sea l ed a n d sol d i er s set t o
M a tthew a cco r d in g l y p r ete n d s th a t the
p re ve n t i t
w o m e n c a m e m ere l y fr o m cu r io si ty to see the sep ul chr e
a n d i g no re s t h e i m sy p r e te x t p r o v i d e d b y M a r k in
e x p l a n a t ion o f t h e i r m o v e m e n t s n a m e l y t h a t t h e
y
d esi r ed t o a noin t J esu s ; bu t in M a tthew they a rr i ve

a t a n i m p ossibl e h ou r
n a m e l y l a te on the sa bba th
i s r i sen fr om the dea d

day ,
w eeh

i t beg a n to da w n tow a r ds the r st day

T he w r i te r i m a g in es t h a t the sa bb a th

as

f th e

n ded

S un d a y m o r nin g , so ev incin g ex tr a o r d i
n a r y i g no r a nce o f J ew ish r ec k oni n g
H o w ever th ey a r r i ve in t i m e t o w i t n es s a co n v en
t i o n a l ea r t h qu a k e, o f the k in d d e n e d b y P r o fesso r
at

d a w n on

S an day to be
t hey see
and

n a tu r a l eve n t o pp o r t un ely t i m ed ;
a n a n ge l o f t h e L o r d d esc e n d fr o m
In h i s
h ea ve n r oll a w a y th e s t on e a n d si t u p on i t
d esc r i p t ion o f the a n g el s a p p ea ra nc e M a tthew b e tter s

Ma r k

'

H is

pp ea r a n ce

w as

l ig h tn i ng ,

as

d hi s

qu a ke a n d a r e
d ea d w i th fea r bu t t o the w o m e n th e a n g e l a dd ress es
th e s a m e ex h o r t a t ion no t t o fea r etc a s in M a r k

I n stea d h o wever o f say i ng n othi ng to a ny m a n

b ec a use o f thei r p a nic a s in M a r k the w o m e n in
A cco r d ing
M a tthew r a n to br i ng the di scip l es w or
t o o n e fo r m o f M a r k s t r ad i t ion the y oung m a n in w h i te
a n d M a tt hew
r a i m e n t o f M ar k w a s J esus h i m sel f
t a c k s t h is fo r m o f the s to r y on t o th e o ther w i tho u t
F
o r so h e r el ate s
i
v i n g i t t o b e a m e r e d oubl e t
r
ec
e
p
r a i m en t

w h i te a s sn ow

T h e w a t c h er s

an

E ND

THE

30 4
w o m en

dep a r ted q u i chly fr om the tom b w i th

say i ng , A l l ha i l
h
e
m
t
e
t
s
s
m
e
r
a
o
e
u
a
a
n
d
r
e
t
,
f
jy , j
g
Th ey ca m e a n d tooh h ol d of hi s feet a n d w or sh ipp ed hi m
my
n ot : g o tell
Th en sa i d
esus u n to th em , Fea r
th e

as

br eth r en to dep a r t i n to G a l il ee, a n d ther e sha ll they see

N o te th a t th e w o r d s h er e a ssi g n ed t o J esus a r e
me
in M a r k a ssi g n ed t o th e y o un g m a n in w h i t e B ut
th e J ew is h unb e li ev er m a y b e su pp o se d to h av e
.

obj ec ted w hen h e w a s t ol d a bou t the gu a r d o f R o m a n

sol d i er s a n d t he sea l ed to m b w hy i f they w i t n essed
th e e a r th qu a k e a n d o t h er w on d er ful ci r cu m s t a nc es o f
th e r esu r r e c t i o n is t h e i r t e s t i m on y no t inv o k ed b y
th e C h r i st i a ns ?
W hy d o th e l a tter r e l y exclusi vely
on a h a n d ful o f sc a r ed a n d ec sta t ic w o m en ? T he
sol d i e r s w er e t h er e t o see t h at th e d isci l es d i d no t
p
co m e a n d s tea l the bo dy ; n ever th el ess th i s c a lu m ny
a bou t th e s t ea lin g
w a s sp r ea d a br oa d a m ong the jew s
u n t i l thi s d ay t h a t is un t il the t i m e w h e n th is l a s t
c h a p ter o f M a tthew w a s p enn ed I f so w hy w a s the
e v i d e nc e o f th e sol d i e r s t h e m s el ves n e v er a pp ea l ed t o
b y th e fa i t h ful in r efu t a t ion o f t h e c a lu m n y ? I f
t he C h r i st i a n s h a d t hei r in d ep en d en t t es t i m on y t o
H ere is an o ther
t h e r e su r re c t ion w hy no t u se i t ?
o bj e c t ion w h ic h t h e inc r e d ulous J e w s m a y h a ve ra is ed
I n o r d er t o c o m b a t i t M a tt hew in ven t s a fr esh ep is o d e
a n d a dd s i t t o hi s st o r y
S o m e o f th e sol d i er s h e
tell s us d i d e t u r n t o t he ci ty a n d t ol d the c h ief
p r i est s o f a l l t h a t h a d h a pp en e d ; a n d t h ey h a v in g
con fer r ed w i th the el d ers p a i d a l a rg e su m in h u sh

h
o
m on ey to t e s l d i er s sa y in g
S ay y e H i s di s ip l es
,

ig h t, a n d stol e h i m a w ay w hi l e w e sl ep t
So

t
h
e
m
one
a
n
d
t
oo
h
d
i
d
th ey
a s th e
y,
y w er e ta ug ht
T his G os pel clos es w i t h a n a p p a r i t i o n o f J esus t o the
ca m e

by

l ven d isci p l es on

e e

m oun t a in

in

lil ee

w h er e h e

E ND

THE

30 6

v n g elis t m a ss es t o ge ther in a sin g l e ser m on on a

m o un t a in p rec ep t s d eli ve re d b y J esu s a l l th r o ug h h is
I n th e l a st sc e n e J esus s ee n in a v ision
m ini st r y
on the sa m e o r on so m e o t her h ill t o p de li v er s li ke
th e s econ d M o se s th a t M a tth e w conc e i ve s h i m t o b e a
l a s t a dd ress to h i s fo llo w er s I t i s n a t u r a ll y e nou gh
in sp i r ed b y c o ncep t i o ns o f C hr i st a n d o f h i s m ission
w h ic h th e C h u r c h onl y fo r m e d lon g a ft e r w a r d s
p a r t l y un d er P a ulin e in u e nc e p a r t l y un d er the
a ssu m p t ion
w h ic h i t d i d no t t a k e a lon g t i m e fo r
h i s fo ll o w er s t o m a k e t h a t h e w a s th e S o n o f Man
d esc r ib e d in D a ni e l v ii 1 3
T h e p o st re su r r ec t ion
d iscou r se o f J esu s in M a tt hew xx v iii I 8 fo ll is a s

s
:
follo w
A l l a u th or i ty ha th been g i v en u n to m e i n
e a

hea v en

a n d on

ci

p l es of

a ll

ea r th

m a n ded y ou

G o y e,

the n a t i on s i n

tea chi ng them to

th er efor e,

my

obser ve a ll

a nd

na m e

the con sum m a ti on

ver sion o f Da ni e l

d of

i n th e n ig ht v i si on

we

r ea

and

th e

m a he d i s

[ so E u sebiu s]
,

thi ng s w ha tsoever

l o, I a m w i th y ou

o
S o,
f the w or l d

com

a l w ay s, even u n to

in th e S ep t u ag in t
S o n o f Ma n behel d

th a t th er e w a s g i v en

hi m

a u thor i ty

d h i ng ly honou r a n d a l l the n a ti on s of th e ea r th, r a ce

by r a ce, a n d a ll g l ory wor sh ipp i ng hi m : a n d h i s a u th or i ty

an

is

a n ag el ong a u th or i ty

w hi ch

sha l l n ot

be ta hen

a w ay

T h i s i s no t th e sa m e J esu s w h o in M a tth ew x 57
fo rb a d e h i s d isci p l es t o tr a v el i n the p a th of the

G en til es or en ter a ci ty of the S a m a r i ta n s bu t c h a r ged

t he m r a t her to v i si t the l ost sheep of the house of
.

I sr a el ,

and

h ea v en

p r ea ch

Nor
i s a t ha n d
to g o an d

i ng th a t the hi ng dom
a r e t h e d i sci l es in th is
p
say

l a s t sce n e t hose w h o a g en er a t ion l a te r a r e s till

bi tter l y o pp osin g P a ul s p l a n o f ad m i tt in g i nt o the
k in gd o m o f p r o m i se the unci r cu m cis e d G en t il es I t
is the C h u r c h her s el f th at her e a dd r es ses us in the
,

T he a i m s a nd a s p i r a t ion s
p er son o f th e r i se n C hr i st
o f C hr i st i a n s t o w a r d s the close o f the r st c en t u ry a re
.

tt r ibu ted t o the r is en J esus ; a n d th e con tr a s t

w i t h th e r e a l J e sus is y et g r ea ter i f we sub st i t u t e fo r
th e w o r d s i n m y n a m e o r a n d they sha ll bel i eve i n m e
r ead here b
y E us ebiu s a n d th e S y r i a n A p h r a a tes the
l a t er in ter p ol a t ion bap ti si ng them i n the n a m e of the

Fa th er S on a n d H oly S p i r i t
I t w a s in d eed J esus
o f N a z a r et h th a t d i ed a n d w a s bu ri ed ; bu t he th a t
r os e a a in w a s th e uni v er sa li st a n d d i v in e u re o f
g
g
o r th o d o x C hr i st ology o r d a inin g sa c r a m en t s a n d
c r eden da a l t o e t h er a li e n t o th e r ea l m a n o f N a z a r e t h
g
I w ill no t w ea r y m y r ea d er s w i th a n e qu a lly
d et a il ed ex a m in a t ion o f th e fo r m s w h ic h t h e l egen d
o f t h e r esu r re c t ion a ssu m es in L u k e a n d in th e f
ou r t h
G os p el
I h a ve a l r ea d y p oin te d o ut (p 10 1) th a t th e
fo r m er in o pe n c o n t r a d ic t ion o f M a tth e w a n d M a r k
m a k e s t h e ci ty o f J er u sa l e m th e sc e n e o f th e v isions
o f the a p os t l es H e t a k es fr o m M a r k no th in g bu t th e
ta l e o f t h e e m p ty t o m b a n d t h e w o m e n a n d t ha t h e
h a n d le s in th e very fr ee m a nn er in w h ic h h e a l wa y s
t rea ts h i s sou r c e w h er e i t is in con ic t w i th l a t er
d e velop m en ts o f t ra d i t ion T he a u th o r o f the fo u r th
G os p el fo ll o ws L u k e a n d g ui d ed b y sy m bolis m o r
us a m p li es the l eg en d w i th
a nxious t o m a g ni fy J e s
sun d ry new d et a ils a n d ep iso d es No r d i d th e m y tho
p l a s t ic i m a g in a t i o n o f b e li e ver s r es t con t en t w i th the
a ccoun ts fu r ni sh ed b y
th e fou r c a nonic a l G os p e l s
S t ill r a n k er gr o w t h s o f l ege n d l ie b efo re us in t h e
so c a ll ed G os p e l o f P e t er a n d in the A c t s o f P il a t e
T h e fo r m er o f t he s e t w o d ocu m en t s w a s p r ob a bl y
co m p os ed b et wee n 10 0 a n d I 3 O a n d i s t herefo r e
n ea r ly con tem p o r a n eou s w i th the su pp l em en ta ry
c h a p ter xxi a dd ed by so m e ed i to r to the fou r th
her e

E ND

THE

30 8

G os p el

T he

a u th o r o f i t

S t P e ter in th e s
G osp e l p r et e n d s
.

n
u o o

is

w h o p re t e d s t h a t he
f th e f r t h
a m e w a y a s th e a t h r
t b e a n a p o st e a n d ey e w t e ,
,

ou
i n ss

us ed M a tthew a n d M a r k ; bu t i t i s pr ob a bl e th a t the
co py o f M a r k w h ic h w a s in h i s h a n d s d i d no t e n d

w h er e ou rs d o e s w i t h th e w o r d s
for they w er e
afr a i d
bu t w en t on t o d esc r ibe the i g h t o f the
a p o st l e s b a c k t o G a lil ee a n d a v ision t hey th ere h a d
o f the r i sen J esus
T h e m os t no t ic ea bl e ex tensi o n o f th e r e su r r ec t ion
m y t h m a d e b y P e ter as w e w ill t e r m t h e a u t h o r o f
t h is a p o c r y ph is a p ic t u re o f th e a c t u a l r esu r rec t ion
o f J e su s fr o m t h e t o m b
T h e ea r li er t r a d i t ion w as
fel t t o b e fa ul ty a n d i m p er fe c t in so fa r a s i t d i d no t
n a r r a te the a c t u a l exo d us o f J esus fr o m hi s t o m b
Follo w in g t he re fo r e th e clu e a ffo r d e d by M a tth ew
P e t er m a k es the R o m a n g u a r d s w i t n ess es o f th i s
e v e n t a n d ev e n a s soci a t es th e e l d er s o f t h e J e w s w i t h
them as fo llo ws
,

No w o n th e n i gh t wh en th e Lor d s da y was d rawin g

o n , a s the sol d i er s kep t gu a r d b y two a n d t wo i n a

n an d they
a w th
he e
d
d two m en d escen d th c
ope
A d th e
w i th m uc h ligh t
d pp o a h th e to m b
to e wh ic h h d b e
l i d t th e d o o ll ed a w y of
i tself d m ade w y in p a t a d th e tom b w ope ed
T h e so l d i er
e te ed i t
d b o th the y u g m
th e e f
w i t a wak e ed th e c entu r io s
o r e w h en th ey
an d th e el der
(fo th ey we e a l so th e e k eepi ng
wa tch ) ; a d
s th y to l d th e th i gs th at th ey h ad
seen aga in th ey see th ee m en c o m i g fo th f o m the
to m b two o f th em su ppo ting th e oth e
an d a c r o s
f llowi g th em ; a d th e head of th e two reach ed to
h e ve
b ut that o f h i m who was l ed b y them ove
wat h,

th er e

av

wa s

gr ea t

ns

ne

an

an

sa

n,

s,

as

or

en

i n h ea ve

en e

ic e

an

en

an

vo

r,

THE

3 10

E ND

h o m es w h ic h w er e

in G a lil ee w eep in g a n d full o f

so rr ow fo r tha t w h ich h a d h a p p e n ed S i m on P e ter
in p a r t icul a r a n d A n dr ew h i s b r o th er t oo k th ei r n ets
a n d t h er e w a s w i t h t h e m L ev i
a n d w e n t t o th e sea
eu s
o r M a tt h e w th e son o f A l p h a
H er e th e fr a g m e n t b r ea k s o ff j us t at the p oin t
ev i d en t l y w h e r e J e sus w a s a bou t t o a p p ea r in a v ision
t o t h e m S uc h a v ision is d esc r ib ed in the a p pen d ix
t o t h e fou r th G o sp el c h xxi w h ic h b eg ins a s follo ws
,

After these thi ng s jesus m a n ifested hi m self ag a i n to

S i m on P eter a n d
Thom a s ca ll ed D i dy m us a n d N a th a n i el of Ca na i n
G a l il ee a n d the sons of Z ebedee a n d tw o other s of hi s
d i scipl es w er e ther e tog ether , a n d S i m on P eter sa i d to
them , I g o a shi ng
They say u n to h i m , We a l so com e

w i th thee
Th ey w en t ou t a n d en ter ed i n to the boa t
T her e follo ws in Joh n a n a p p a r i t i o n o f J esu s w h ile
t h ey a r e s h in g I n th e p r ec ed in g c ha p ter (xx ) o f
the di scipl es

the S

at

ea

f G a l i l ee

th is G os pe l a p p a r i t ions in J er us a le m t o M a r y Ma g
d a l en e a n d t o th e d isci p l es ha ve b ee n n a rr ated I t
w oul d s eem a s i f th e ol d er t r ad i t ion o f th e a p o st l es
i gh t in t o G a lil ee w a s t oo p er sis ten t t o b e wh olly
n eg l ec ted a nd a s i f so m e e ar l y ed i t o r o f th e fou r th
G o sp el b y w a y o f co m p l e t in g i t a dd ed c h xxi
I t is i m p ossibl e t o sa y w h ence th is ed i t o r too k hi s
s tor y ; the co m p il er o f the P eter G os p el h o wever
p r ob a bly t oo k hi s in fo r m a t ion fr o m a los t conclusion
o f Ma r k fo r t he fra g m e n t clo sel y follo ws tha t evan
geli st i n i ts l a s t p a r a g r a p h s a s i s s een i f w e j ux tap os e
th e tw o t e x t s
8
MA RK xvi 4
P E T ER G O S P EL x i
A n d l ook i g up th ey see th t
S
th ey w en t a d found the
for i t to m b o pe
th e stone i s r o lled b ck
n d they c a m e ne
A d n te
exc eed i n g g e t
nd
st
lo k i n
w
p ed d o wn t
i ng i to the tom b they saw
th er e ;
n d th ey se th ere a
young
.

r a

as

n,

ar

oo
a

i i
d

i
b

i tting i n th e m id t of the
tom b
f i a d cl th ed w ith a
be xc ed i g b igh t w h
id
z d to th em Wh e efo e h ave y com e ?
Wh om seek ye ? H i m w h was
i
c uc i d ? H e i is
d go e
l c B ut i f ye b l i e
t
t
p d ow
d l k i
d
th e p l c e

young m a n s tt n g o n th e r gh t
h a n , arr aye i n a wh te r o e ;
a n d th e
An d he
y wer e a m a e
sa
to th em , B e n o t a m a e
Y e see
esus, th e
a a r en e, w h o
h as een r u
e
H e i s r sen
H e i s n o t here
eh o
th e p a e
w h ere t hey
a
hi m
B ut go ,
hi s
te
s p es an d
He
eter ,
e or e
a
ee :
goeth
yo u n to
th er e sha
ye see hi m , a s h e sa
un to yo u
A n d th ey w en t o u t,
a nd
ed
r om
th e to m
for
;
t r em
n g an d
stup or h a d
om e
u p on
th em ; an d th ey sa
no
th n g to a nyon e ; fo r th ey w er e

id

kJ

zd

c ci d
.

bl i

ld
.

f id

a r

ro

G li l
b

id

c
id

s r

an

oo

en

ve n o

an

an

see

h ere ;
sen a n d gon e th th er
w as sen t
T hen th e

fo r h e i s r
wh en e h e
w om en ed,

s oo

wh er e h e l a y , for h e i s

no t

f id

bi

e n g a ra

X11

No w i t w a s

th e

day

a st

of

d
d
ma y
ut
f th e c i ty
w t
tu i g t
th i h uses th f
t b i g
t
d
A nd w
th e tw el
d i c i pl s
f th e Lo d w p t
nd w
i
w ;
so
nd
d t
eti
y
hi h o m e so o wi g f wha t h d
h pp e d
B u t 1 S im o P t
d A d ew m y b the took u
un ea v en e
o

e r

en

r ea

an

ea s

e,

r ro

ne

an

re

ev er

e n

er e

re

e er ,

wen t t o the
th er e w a s w th us
ev
of A ph aeus, wh om th e

ro

sea

L i th e
Lo d

an

or

on e r

an d

n ets

rn n

ve

rr

We

sa

en

a ra

N z

l id
d i ci l
bf
ll

ll

m an

an d
so n

c los el y p seu d o Peter follo ws M a r k a s

fa r a s th e w o r d s for they w er e afr a i d w i t h wh ich

hi s t ex t a s w e h a ve i t e n d s ; a n d t h i s m a ke s i t very
p r ob a bl e t h a t th e s equ el ch xii is m a tter d er i ve d
fr o m th e sa m e sou r c e T he en d o f M a r k m ay ver y
w e ll h a ve b ee n m u t il at e d b y so m e on e w h o d isli k ed i t s
subj ec t m a tter a n d p r efer re d t o beli eve th at a l l th e
a p p a r i t ions o f J e sus t oo k p l a c e in t he h ol y ci t y t o
a p os t l es a n d fa i th ful o n es w ho b e in g full o f fa i th a n d
un d i sm a y ed b y th e t ra g ic en d o f thei r M essi a h h a d
n e ver ed b a c k t o G a lil ee a t a l l T he eva n gelis t
L u k e s at is es the con d i t ions an d i t is no t i m p ossibl e
t h a t i f th e G os p el o f M a r k w a s r ea ll y m u t il a ted a s
m os t sch ol a r s o p in e th a t i t w as h e w a s th e o ffe n d er
a n d th at a l l ou r co p i es h a v e co m e d o wn fr o m the
see

h ow

THE

3 12

E ND

sin g l e o n e wh ic h he t h us m u t il a t ed T h is su p posi t ion

a cco r d s w i t h th e a ni m us a g a in st M a r k w h ic h Pr o
fessor H a r n a c k d e t ec t s in h i s w r i t in g s
T h e a ccoun t o f th e r esu r r e c t i o n in th e A cta P i l a t
d es er ves m or e a tt e n t i o n th a n i t h a s r ec ei ved for i t
a d h er es clos e l y t o th e st o r y a s w e h av e i t in Matt h ew
a nd
M a r k a l t ogether d isc a r d in g th e s t o ry o f the
J er us a l em r e l at ed in th e th i r d a n d
a pp a r i t ions in
fo u r th G os pe l s
N o m or e th a n o ne a ppa r i t ion i s
a ttes t e d in G a lil ee on th e to
p o f a m oun ta in o f wh ic h
t h e n a m e i s v a r iousl y g i v en in t he MS S a s Ma m il ch
Ma m b ch M a l ek Mof k o r Mo n f
.

B A PT I S M

3 14

con ver ts fo r th e su pp o r t o f w i d o w s a n d o r p ha ns a n d
t o rep r es en t th e p a r t icul a r con gr eg a t ion in i t s r el a t ion s
T h e i r p r es t i ge w a x ed a s th at
w i th th e ou t si d e w o r l d
o f th e p r i m i t i v e p ro p h e t s a n d t ea c h er s w a n ed ; a n d
they soon a sp i r ed to b e g u a r d i a ns o f d o c t in e no l ess
th a n t o k ee p th e b a g o r a l m s c h est a s Ju d a s Isc a r io t
i s r ep u te d t o h a ve d on e fo r th e ci r cl e o f J e sus so
b eco m in g the r s t C hr i st i a n bish o p t h ou gh no t the
l a st o f them t o b e tr ay h i s M a s ter
I f w e ex a m in e the ol d est r i tu a l tex t s o f t he C hr is t i a ns
w e n d t h at t h ei r r i te o f ini t i a t ion w a s m a d e up o f
th ree c h i e f s t ep s O n th e e i gh th da y a ft er bi r th a
c h ild w a s t a k en t o th e p or c h o r n a r thex o f the c h u r ch
a n d th e p r i es t o r el d e r i h so m e c h u r c h es m a k in g th e
si g n o f the c r oss on i t s b r ow in o t her s no t ga ve i t a
C h r is t i a n n a m e th a t is a n a m e no t t a k en fro m the
p ag a n m y th olo g y ; h e a lso o ffe re d up a b r i e f p r ay er
th a t i t m i g h t b e r i g h t ly a n d re lig iously t r a in ed b y i t s
p a r e n t s a n d b e v ouc h s a fe d h ea l th an d s t r en g t h t o
g r o w u p un t il i t s h oul d r ea c h th e r i gh t a n d tt in g ag e
t o rec e i ve b a p t is m an d g a in a d m i ssi o n in t o t he C h u r c h
T h i s r i te w h ic h a m on g G en t il e con ver t s r ep l a c ed
J ew is h ci r cu m cision a n d wh ic h co r r esp o n d s t o th e
ol d cus t o m o f fa t in g c h il d re n
t o th ei r d e d ic a t ion
t o the h ous eh ol d g o d s a n d fa i r i esis e n t i t l ed the r i te
o f sea lin g o r o f g i v in g t o a c h il d a n a m e T h u s con se
c r at ed a c h il d m i g h t di e w i th i m p uni ty th e m a li g n a n t
s p i r i t s w h ic h h a un t t h e a i r coul d no t sn a tc h i t s soul
T h is r i te w a s fo llow ed on t he fo r t ieth d a y by th a t
o f chur chi ng the ch il d T he s t a in o f bi r th a n d p ar
tur i t i o n w as n o w su pp os e d t o h a ve v a nis h e d fr o m
C on sequ e n t l y sh e a lso w as
m o t h er a n d c h il d a li k e
n o w a llo w ed t o e n t er t h e c h u r c h w h ic h h er
p r e s ence
no lon ger soil ed she c a r r i ed her b a by u p t o the st eps
,

in g h i s h a n d s on th ei r
h ea d s o ffere d
o re p ra yer s si m il a r in
p u r p o r t t o t h e o n e a l read y us ed in th e r i te o f n a m e
T h i s r i t e co r r es p on d e d to the p r es en ta t ion o f
g i v in g
J esu s in th e tem p le d esc r ibed in th e s econ d ch a p ter
o f Lu k e a n d t he pr ayer s r eci ted co m m em o r a ted th a t
inci d en t
Y ear s a re n o w t o el ap s e b efo r e th e r i te o f b a p t is m
T h e c h il d i s in a lo ose s e nse
p r o p er i s un d er g on e
a
c atech u m e n I t w ill res t w i th hi m t o c h oo se
t h e tt in g m o m en t fo r h i s full ini t i a t ion
P r ob a bl y
p ub er ty w ill b e r ea c he d a n d l e ft b eh in d lon g b e fo r e
th a t m o m e n t a r r i ves T er t ulli a n in hi s t r ea t i se on
b a p t i sm ex hor t s th e fa i th ful t o get o ver th e busi n ess
o f m a r r i a ge a n d p r op a g a t ion o f c h il d r en b efo re they
incu r t he a w ful r esp o n sibili t i es o f b ap t i sm T h i s w a s
200
H e co m p l a ins t h a t a cu st o m w a s
a b ou t A D
g r o w in g u p o f a d m i tt in g g i r ls an d boy s t o b a p t is m
T h o se h o weve r
m er e l y b e c a u se t h ey cl a m ou r ed fo r i t
w h o fa v ou re d t h e i r ad m is sion n ev er con t e m p l a te d th e
b a p t is m o f sp eec h l ess a n d unconscious b a bi es fo r th ey
quo ted th e tex t ( M a tth ew v ii 7 ) A sh a n d i t sha l l be
ot

th e

al

tar

s l

th e p r i e t , ay
u p on e o r tw o m

and

y ou seeh, a n d y e sha l l n d hn och , a n d i t sha ll be

op en ed to y ou
for ev ery on e tha t a sheth r ecei veth a n d

gi

v en

h e tha t seeheth n deth

a nd

to h i m tha t h n ocheth i t sha ll

T er t ulli a n r e p li es t h a t p eop l e m us t b e o f
bu t t o un d er s t a n d w h a t
a n a g e no t m ere l y t o a sk
they a sk fo r H e d w e lls on the p on dus sa cr a m en ti
t h e w e i gh ty c h a ra c t er o f t h is s a c ra m en ta n d a sk s :
Qui d i n n ocen s a eta s festi n a t a d r em i ssi onem p ecca
W hy sh oul d innoc en t c h il d r en b e in
tor u m 9

A c e n t u ry
h u r ry t o h a ve th ei r sin s r e m i tt ed ?
a
w h en A u g us t in e a b o y o f fou r
a n d a h a l f l a ter
tee n cl a m ou red in illn ess t o b e b a p t ised h i s ver y

be open ed

B A PT I S M

3 16

con ser va t i ve m o th er Ver o nic a b a d e h i m w a i t t ill he

w a s ol d e r a n d ha d a cqui red a d ee pe r s e ns e o f r es p o n si
H er coun se l p re va il ed a n d h e w a i te d un t il he
b i l i ty
w a s p er h a p s m a r r i ed a n d a n y h o w p a s t t h i r t y fo r t h a t
a s t h e a g e a t w h ic h J esus w a s b a p t is e d w a s r eg a r d ed a s
t h e m os t sui t a bl e b y th e ol d fa s h ion ed p i e t is t s o f the
fou r th c en t u r y M a n y h o w e ver p u t b a p t i sm o ffun t il
th e d ea th b ed li k e A u g u st in e s fr i en d Ver ecun dus wh o
e st ee m e d m ar r i a ge inco m p a t ibl e w i t h th e s t a t e o f g ra c e
B ut t h er e w a s h e l d t o b e a r i sk in d e fer r in g i t so l a te
fo r so m e w h o d i d so w er e a ft er a l l un a bl e t o r ec e i ve
i t b ec a u se th ei r t on g u es w er e p ar a ly se d a n d un a bl e
t o m a k e th e r es pons es o r th ei r m in d s w a n d er in g a n d
un abl e t o g r a sp th e m ea nin g o f t h e w o r d s G rego ry
o f Na z i a n z us a n d o t her p r ea chers o f t h at ag e cons t a n t l y
w a r n t h e i r o c k s o f suc h d a n ge r s a n d th e fo r m er g o e s
so fa r a s to r ec o m m en d b a p t i sm fo r c h il d r e n w ho ha ve
fo r h e say s a t t h a t a g e
r ea c h ed t h e i r t h i r d bi r t h d ay
t hey c a n s p ea k cl ea r ly so a s to m ak e the r e s p ons es
H er e w e no te a c h a n ge
a n d un d er s t a n d w h a t i s sa i d
o f a tt i t u d e sinc e th e a ge o f T er t ulli a n a n d a ve ry few
ge n er a t ion s a fter G r ego r y in fa n ts w er e r egul a r l y b a p
This
t i sed in th e G r e e k C h u r c h on t h e fo r t i e th d a y
c h a n ge w a s n o d oub t d ue to the solici ta t ion s o f
m o t her s a nxi o us t h a t t h e i r c h il d r e n sh oul d a s soon
a s p ossibl e un d e r g o a r i te w h ic h p r o t e c ted t h em fr o m
t h e d em on s w h ic h sp e ci a ll y b e s e t in fa ncy a n d fr o m
t h e p ossibl e p r ej u d ic e o f m a li g n con st e ll a t ions
fo r
t h e p o wer o f th e st ar s o ver a n in d i v i d u a l c ea s e d
a b r u p t l y a t th e m o m e n t o f b a p t is m
T he r i te o f b ap t is m p r o p er fe ll in t o t w o h a l v es
t h e w a sh in g w i t h w a t er fo r r em ission o f sin s co r r e
o f J o h n th e B a p t i st a n d
sp on di n g t o th e b a p t i sm
th e r i te o f r e c e i v in g t h e h ol y sp i r i t b y i m p osi t ion o f
,

BA PT I S M

3 18

xo r cis t w ho
l a y in g ha n d s on h i s h ea d bl ew in h i s fa c e a n d so
T h en for w eek s h e a tt en d ed
r i d h i m o f ev il s p i r i t s
th e l ec t u r es o f a c a t ec h i st w h o ins t r uc t e d h i m in the
m ono t h e is t ic v i ew s o f th e w o r l d a n d c r ea t ion a nd in
C hr i st i a n d oc t r in e a n d p r a c t ic e
T h us p re pa red the
c a n d i d a te b ec a m e a coznp eten s o r a sk er fo r b a p t i sm
H enc e o u r w or d c o m p e te n t in th e se n se o f a d uly
qu a li ed p er son M o r e tha n o n e coll ec t ion o f suc h
l ec t u res su r v i ves T h r o u gh ou t th e p er io d o fp rep a ra tion
t h e c a te c h u m e n h a d t o g i v e h i m s e l f u p t o fa s t in g a n d
p r a y er O n th e eve o f E a ster S un d ay o r o n t h e d a y o f
E p i p h a n y the c a n d i d a t e w a s st r i pp ed st a r k n a k ed a n d
l ed d o w n by th e de a co n o r i f a w o m a n b y th e d ea con ess
in t o th e fon t g e n er a lly a sha ll o w b a sin th r ou gh w h ic h
r a n li v in g w a t er
I n t h e G r e ek a n d R o m a n C h u r c h es
h e t u r n ed r s t t o th e w e s t a n d th r ic e sol em nl y r e
n o u n ced S a t a n a n d h i s a n e ls a n d w o r k s
T h en t u r n
g
i n g t o th e ea s t h e t h r ic e v o w e d t o si d e h enc e fo r t h w i t h
C h r is t
T h e p r i es t t he n p ou r e d t h r ee h a n d ful s o f
w a t er o ve r h i s hea d a n d p er ha p s i m m er s e d hi m th r ice
a s w e ll
S uc h t r i p l e a ffu sion o r i m m er sion w a s c us
to m a r y in a nci e n t lus t ra t i o n s a s m a n y a nci e n t a u t ho r s
t es t i fy T h us A i st o t l e in hi s boo k O n the H ea v ens

i p 2 6 8 w r o t e th u s
H a v in g r ec ei ve d a s i t w ere
fr o m h ea ve n th e nu m b er t h r ee w e use i t in the h ol y
A n d a n ol d sc h oli a st A c r o ex p l a ins
r i t e s o f r eli g i o n
u se d by H o r a c e b y s ay in g
t he p h r a se th r i ce p u r ely

th a t th os e w ho w oul d e x p i a te th ei r sins m us t di p
A n d a n ol d G ree k w r i ter E r a t o
the m s el ves th r ic e
re m a r k s t h a t
s the n es (c 2 40
t h e g o d s v ouc h sa fe
m o r a l i m p r o vem e n t t o t h os e w h o h av e t h r ic e w i p ed
the m s el ves cl ea n
I t is ev i d e n t then th a t the C h r is
t i a ns ad o p ted i t fr o m the p a g a n s bu t th ey in ter pr et ed
d ay

H e w a s t he n h a n d ed

ve r t o

an

i t s y m bolica ll y d isc er nin g in i t in the E a s ter n

C h u r c h es a co m m em o r a t i o n o f the t hr ee d a y s p a ss e d
by J esus in th e t o m b ; in th e W es t a n a c t o f h o m a ge
t o the t r i pl e n a m e o f Father S o n a n d H oly G h os t
in w h ic h e xc ep t i n a few ou t l y in g C hu r ches li k e th e
ea r l y A r m e ni a n a n d C e l t ic b a p t is m soon c a m e t o b e
a d m ini ste red
T h e c a n d i d a te rep eate d so m e fo r m o f
c reed d ic ta ted t o h i m b y the p r i est w ho r eci t ed
a p p r o p r i a te
p r a y er s in w h ic h i t w a s p a r t icul a r l y
m en t i o n e d t h a t t h e c a n d i d a te ha d co m e o f hi s o w n
fre e w ill a n d un d e r n o co m p ul sion t o b a p t is m H is
in w a r d c a ll a n d i m p ulse w as a n esse n t i a l con d i t i o n
C on r m a t i o n o r r ec ep t i o n o f the sp i r i t g e n er a lly
follo w ed a s a co m p le t ion o f t he b a p t i sm w i t h w a ter
T h e bi sh o p a n d d ea con sm ea r ed w i t h c o ns e c r a t ed o il
th e c a n d i d a te s o r g a n s o f sens e a s w e ll a s c e r t a in o t h e r
p ar t s o f hi s p er son ; th e bi sh o p s h a n d w a s l a i d on
hi s h ea d a n d in r esp on se t o p r o p er in voc a t ions th e
h ol y o r p u r e sp i r i t w a s su p p o sed t o e n t er in t o hi m
M ea n wh il e h e wa s r ob e d in wh i t e in t o k e n th a t h e
w a s lib er a t ed fr o m S a t a n a n d a c r o w n set o n h i s
hea d T h i s he w o r e fo r ei g h t d a y s w h e n h e r et u r n ed
t o the c h u r c h w h er e the p r i es t w i th fre s h p r ay er s
li fted i t o ff
T h e ea r li est r ub r ic s enj oin t he u se o f li v e o r
r unnin g w a ter in b a p t is m
fo r th e o r i e n t a l s t h in k
i t i m p o r ta n t tha t in lus t r a t ion s the w a t er sh o u l d
incess a n t ly r u n p a s t a n d o ff the bo d y so a s t o c a r r y
a w a y th e p hy sic a l con t a m in a t ion o f sin
S t ill a n d
s ta g n a n t w a ter d i d no t su f c e In th e t h i r d c en t u r y
s t ill w a ter st or e d in a r ec ep ta cl e w a s p er m i tt ed b u t
no t un t il i t h ad b ee n c o ns ec r at ed the ev il s p i r i t b e in g
e x pe ll ed a n d the p u r e in d uc e d b y a d j u r a t ion s a n d
in voc a t ions o f the n a m e o f C h r i st o r o f th e T r ini ty
,

B A PT I S M

3 20

Fo r the p u r e s p i r i t

li k e th e i m p u r e w a s conc ei ved o f
a s a n a tt enu a t ed fo r m o f m a tt er li k e v a p ou r o r s m o k e
a n d w a s he l d t o b e d issol v ed in t h e w at er li k e s a l t o r
T he oil us e d
a s w e sh oul d sa y h e l d in sus p ension
in con r m a t i o n o r s ea lin g w a s in th e s a m e w ay a
solu t i o n o f h oly s p i r i t T h e obj ec t o f a noin t in g the
o r ga n s o f se ns e w a s p r ob a bl y t o bl o c k t he m a ga in st
th e ev il s p i r i t ; h e nc e th e u se o f t h e w o r d to sea l
Fo r in th e E a st a ja r o f w in e is k ep t g o o d b y o a t in g
a li tt l e oil on t h e to
p o f i t i n th e n e c k o r n a r r o w
s p o u t ; a n d th i s use o f oil m a y h a ve su gges ted th e
r i tes o f a noin t in
g co m m o n t o p a g a n a n d C h r is t i a n
a li k e
S a l t w as exo r cis ed in th e sa m e w a y a s w a ter
a n d oil a n d occ a sion a ll y m ix e d w i t h th e euc har i st ic
b r ea d I n a nci en t s a c r i ce i t w a s si m il a r l y used
A l l t h ese us e s w er e bo r r o w e d d i r ec t fr o m e ar li er
r e li i o ns
g
W e h a ve d w e l t on th e t en d enc y sh o w n in the ea r l y
c en t u r i es t o p ut o ff b a p t i sm I t w as gr ea t l y due to
t he b e li e f t h a t m o t a l si n co m m i tted a ft er b a p t is m
coul d no lon g er b e e x p i a ted S uch a sinn er p ut
h i m s el f o u t si d e th e C hu r c h w h ic h coul d n ev er a ga in
r ec e i v e h i m in t o i t s boso m
Fo r hi m t here w a s no
secon d
no ho p e o f s a l va t ion : he w a s
r ep e t a nc e
T h is Dr a coni a n V i ew o f b a p t i sm
e ter n a ll y lo st
p re v a il e d a l r e a d y in th e r st c e n t u r y a n d is i n c ul

c a ted in th e E p is t l e t o t h e H e b r ew s v i
4 8 and x
2 6
2 7 in th e fo r m er o f w h ic h p a ss a g e s w e r ea d t h i s
,

For

as

touch i ng those w h o ha v e

b a p t is ed )
been

on ce

been i l l u m i n a ted

ha v e ta sted th e h ea v en ly g ift , a n d
m a de p a r ta her s of the H oly G h ost, a n d ha v e ta sted
a nd

com e,

f G od s w or d a n d the p ow er s of the ag e to
bu t ha ve then fa ll en a w ay i t i s i mp ossi bl eto r enew

them

ag a i n

the g oodn ess

u n to r e en ta nce

L i ke

el d

w h i ch , i n

B A PT I S M

32 2

con fes sion a n d p en a nc e ex p i ate hi s guil t

an d b e r econcil e d t o t he C h u r c h
S o fa r
S uc h w a s b a p t is m in t h e p r i m i t i v e Ch u r c h
a s w a t er an d
l a ter on h oly oil en ter e d in t o the
r i t e i t w a s a n a lo g ou s t o th e m a g ic a l p u r i c a to r
y r i tes
o f o t h er r e li g i o ns ; bu t in o t h er r es ec t s i t w a s the
p
e x p r essi o n o f a lo ft y i d ea l a n d in p r o foun d con t r a s t
w i t h t h e l a t e r t r a ves ty o f i t s e l f k no w n a s c h il d
b a p t i sm In th e ea r l y Ch u r ch th e b ap t is ed fo r m ed
a s i t wer e a n a r is t oc ra c y o f
p ic k e d in d i v i d u a ls w ho
h a d v o lun t a r il y r e nounc e d t h e w o r l d a n d li k e the
s ages in the P l a t onic R ep ublic d ed ic a ted t hem sel ves
t o the h i g he r li fe T he p r o fe ssion a l cl er gy coul d no t
un d er suc h c o n d i t ions st a n d ou t in r eli ef a ga in st the
l a i ty a s th ey d i d l a ter on T h e b eg innin gs o f cl er ic a l
o rd er s a r e obscu r e ; bu t i t w oul d s eem as i f a t the
r s t p r i es t ly o r d in a t ion w h ic h w a s b y l a y in g on o f
h a n d s w a s no o t h e r t h a n t h a t r i te o f s ea lin g w i t h the
sp i r i t w h ic h con st i t u t e s th e s e con d ha l f o f the b a t i sm a l
p
r i te
T h e i d ea o f o n e m a n t r a n sm i tt in g t o o t her s a
s eci a l s i r i t u a l v i r t u e t h r ou h h i s n er t i s l a i d on
p
p
g
g
p
t h ei r hea d s i s c o m m on t o m a n y pr i m i t i ve r eli gio ns ;
a n d t h e b e li e f w h ic h un d er li e s C h r is t i a n con r m a t ion
a n d o r d in a t i o n m ee t s u s in o th er r eli g ions
I n the ol d
H eb r ew r eli g i o n o f s a c r i c e a n a ni m a l w a s d evo ted by
t h e p r i est l a y in g h i s h a n d s on i t s h ea d b e fo r e i t s li fe
bloo d w as shed o n t h e a l t a r M o r e t h a n o n e i d ea
w a s a t w o r k in suc h i m p osi t ion o f h a n d s
Th e sin s
o f the p eo p le m i gh t b e t r a nsl a ted o r t r a ns ferred t o
t h e v ic t i m w h ic h w oul d t h e n li k e t he sc a p eg o a t b e
t u r n e d a d r i ft in th e d es er t o r sol d t o the n a t ion s
e n e m i es
O r in tea d o f si n i t m i gh t b e a s p i r i t o f
w i sd o m o r h o lin ess w h ic h w a s so co m m unic a ted
T h u s in Deu tero no m y xxxi v 9 M os es l a i d hi s h a n d s
a

l w ay s

by

u p on Josh u a a n d i m pa r te d t o hi m the s p i r i t o f
w is d o m
S uc h i m p osi t ion m i gh t a lso s er v e j us t t o
i d e n t i fy t he pa r t i es w i th o n e a no th er I n A c t s v iii
1 7 th e a p os t l es P eter an d Jo h n l a y t he i r h a n d s on
con ver t s w h o ins t a n t l y r ec ei ve the h oly s p i r i t I n
A c t s xix 6 th e s a m e r i t e in d uc es t o ge th er w i t h th e
s p i r i t s pea k in g w i th t on gu e s a n d p r o ph esy in g In
M i t h ra ic b a s r eli e fs M i th r a s l a y s hi s l e ft h a n d on
t h e h ea d o f a h u m a n g u r e r ep r e s e n t in g th e sun
I n s a va ge r eli g ions a m o st d a n ger ou s su per n a tu r a l
in u e nce o r m a n a is t u r n e d u p o n a n d in t o o n e who
inc a u t iousl y t ouch es a Ch i efta in c h arge d t herew i th
T h e h ol y s p i r i t coul d a l so b e co m m unic a t ed b y
blo w in g a n d so in Jo h n xx 2 2 J esu s br ea thed on the

d isci p l es a n d s a i d
R ecei v e y e th e h oly sp i r i t w hose
.

y e forg i v e, a r e forg i v en
si ns y e
r eta i n , the
y a re

soev er si n s
soev er

u n to t

hem

r eta i n ed

w h ose

I n th e
P r o fesso r

H er m et ic p a py r us ed i ted by th e l a t e
D i et er ic h ( Lei p z i g 190 3 E i n e M i th r a sl i tu rg i e) th e
v o ta r y add ress es the sun
g o d t h us : 0 S u n L o r d o f
h ea ve n a n d ea r th go d o f g o d s thy b r ea th i s p o we r

A n d a lso t h u s
ful p o we r ful a lso th y m i gh t
Ma y
I b e in m in d bo r n a g a in m a y I b e ha llo w ed a n d the
h ol y s p i r i t b r ea t h e in m e
S i m il a r in o r i g in is t h e p r i es t s use o f th e ex ten d ed
E x a m p les o f suc h
h a n d in bl essin g a con g r ega t ion
a u se o f th e h a n d m ee t u s a g a in a n d a g a in in o u r
T h e use o f
a n th r o p olo g ic a l s t u d i es a n d in fo l k l o r e
e x t e n d e d h a n d a n d p oin t e d n ge r t o d ay in I t a l y
t o w ar d o ff th e ev il ey e a co m p e n d ious n a m e fo r
h a s co m e d ow n fr o m a r em o te
a l l d e v ilis h i n uen ces
a n t iqui ty I n m a n y m us eu m s w e h a ve p r es er ved
m o d e ls o f h a n d s w i t h t he n ger s e x t en d ed in th e
s a m e w a y a s a n o r tho d ox p r i es t t o day ex ten d s them
,

v 2

B A PT I S M

324

T h es e

a m ul ets t o k eep

d em ons O v i d in
hi s Fa sti y desc r i b es h o w th e a nci e n t h ead o f a hous e
h ol d sc a red a w a y t h e d e m o n s o f th e unbu r i ed d ead
fr o m hi s h ous e by p oin t in g h i s j oin ed n ger s a n d
th u m b at th em w h il e so m e on e e ls e ratt led th e b ra ss
c a ul d r ons T h e g est u r e o f th e Chr is t i a n p r i es t has
H e no m in a lly bl esses th e con
th e s a m e ped i gr e e
I n r ea li ty h e i s p oin t in g o ff the d em ons
g rega ti o n
a s a N ea p oli t a n w i th h i s n g er o r co ra l h a n d p oin t s
o ff the ev il ey e
I n a nci en t Ly ci a t her e w a s a loc a l cul t o f Z eus
S eb a z i o s wh o m the J ew is h c olonis t s o f th at p art o f
A si a M ino r i d e n t i e d w i t h t h e g o d o f S ab a o t h on
a ccoun t o f the si m il a r i ty o f t i t l e T h is cul t s p read
w e s t ward s in t he R o m a n e p oc h a n d w i t h i t the r i t u a l
o r hea lin g p u r os e s o f v o t i ve a r m s a n d
use per h a p s f
p
T he a r m i s g i v e n fr o m th e e lbo w d o wn ward s
han d
a n d the h a n d a n d n ger s ex a c t ly rep r o d uc e the ges tu re
m ad e by a G r ee k o r t ho d ox p r i est in th e a ct o f bl essin g
I t is su ppos ed tha t i t w a s t hr ou g h J ew is h channels
th at th is ges t u re c a m e in t o th e C h r i st i a n Chu r c h I n
th e M i dd l e A ge s m e t a l r e li q u a r i es t o con ta in the
r em a ins o f s a in t s wer e m a d e e x a c t l y on t h is d ev ic e ;
a n d th es e m ay h a ve been us ed t o p oin t o ff o r aver t
d em onic a genci es a n d in u e nc e T he cor n eli a n s t on e
in a bis h op s r in g ha d th e s a m e m ea nin g for the
co r n eli a n s t one i s a g rea t p r o p hy l a c t ic aga ins t
d em ons I h ave t ra ced b a c k t h i s belie f a m on g
T he r in g in
Ch r is t i a ns a s ea r l y a s a bou t A D 4 3 0
i t se l f ha s a m agica l use o f th e s a m e k in d an d on e o f
the t h r ee gre at r elics k i ss ed by C h r is t i a n p il gr i m s t o
J er us a l em in th e fou r t h c en t u r y w a s t he r in g w i th
w h ic h Kin g S olo m on con t r oll e d th e d em ons a n d
fo r c ed th em t o h el p h i m buil d hi s t em p le T he o ther
we r e

f
of

B A PT I S M

326

k in g s h i p t o e n te r k in g sh i p
A m on g m en bo r n

o f w o m en he con t inu es J esus w a s a s in fer io r t o

Joh n w ho b a p t is ed h i m a s h e w a s su p er io r t o h i m
in th e k in g d o m o f hea ve n
I n o th er w o r d s J esu s w a s a m ere m a n bo r n o f m en
un t il t h e d esce n t o f the sp i r i t cons t i t u ted hi m the
E l ec t S o n o f G o d a n d rst bo r n in the k in gd o m o f
h ea v e n T h e d i a lo g u e a s su m e s t h a t he w a s r ea lly the
so n o f Jo sep h a n d M a ni a tt r ibu t es t h i s v i e w u n c on
t ra di c ted t o h i s o r th o d ox o p p on e n t
T o m e s ay s

M a ni i t s ee m s m o r e rever en t t o su pp os e t ha t the
S o n o f G o d d i d no t n eed a n y th in g t o fa cili t a te hi s
a d ve n t u p on ea r t h
tha t h e coul d h a ve d on e w i thou t
th e d o v e a n d t he b a p t is m w i th ou t a m o th er an d
b rethr en p er ha p s even Wi th ou t a fa ther w ho a ccor d

fo r

i n g t o y o u, w a s Jos eph
T h e n ew C h r is to lo gy , h o w ever,

ccus t o m ed m en t o
r e a r d th e w o r k in
g
g o f th e s p i r i t no t a s a n in w a r d
d e velo p m en t o f the m in d a n d h ea r t bu t a s a p r oc ess
m ec h a nic a l a nd e x ter n a l t o t he s el f li k e an y o f the
n a t u r a l p r oc esse s by w h ich the o r g anis m is buil t up
in the w o m b T h i s is w ha t is m ea n t by the L a t in
a w ar h p erfor m ed w i th ou t
p h r a se op us op er a tu m
th e consciou s co o p er a t ion o f th e in d i v i d u a l s s el f
B u t i f th e s p i r i t w o r k ed t h us in the c a s e o f J esu s
C h r i st w hy no t in th e c a s e o f hi s follower s ? W hy
w a i t un t il a c h il d c o ul d sp ea k a c t a n d th in k fo r
i t sel f in o r d er t o b a p t is e i t ? W h y no t p er fo r m the
T h us th e b a p t is m o f
r i t e i m m e d i a te l y a ft er bi r th ?
J esus a n d the b a p t is m o f b eli ever s los t the i r pr i m i t ive
m ea nin g p a r i p a ssu a n d t o g et h e r
The fo r m er c a m e
t o b e r eg a r d e d a s a m ere p a n t o m i m e w h ic h sig ni ed
no s p i r i t u a l a d va nce gr o w th o r p r o m o t ion o f J esu s
T h e l a tt er b ec a m e a bi t o f i d l e m ag ic a w a s h in g w i th
a

be w i t ch ed a n d a gr ea sin g w i th oil e nc h a n ted

N o roo m w a s l e ft fo r the i d ea o f a con ver t se l f
regen era ted a n d r enew ed th r ou gh a c t i ve repe n t a nc e o f
sin a n d p r o fession o f fa i th I t i s m a r vellou s t o hea r
m o d er n d i v in es r a ilin g a g a ins t th e J ew s fo r t h e i r
su per s t i t iou s r et en t ion o f the r i te o f ci r cu m cision a n d
o r n ew bo r n b a b es u p on a
a t th e s a m e t i m e insi st in g f
r i te ever y w h i t a s su p er s t i t ious a n d e v e n p h y sic a ll y
use l ess w h ich ci r cu m ci si o n p r ob abl y is n o t
J esu s h i m se l f
O n e o th er p oin t m er i t s no t ic e
in sis ted no t on b a p t i sm bu t on fa i t h in the k in gd o m
t o b e r evea l e d
H is i m m ed i a t e foll o w e r s
a bou t
h o w ever c o n t inu e d th e b a p t i sm o f J o h n a n d a cco r d
i n g t o t r a d i t ion a l J ew is h cu st o m in sis te d u p o n i t a s
a r s t s t ep in th e m o ra l r e fo r m a t ion w h ic h p rep a re d
m en fo r th e k in g d o m
S oon i t w a s foun d t h a t
i m p os t or s a n d h eret ics coul d b a p t ise in the n a m e o f
J esus o r in tha t o f Fa ther S o n a n d H oly G h os t
j us t a s m uc h a s the C ath olic s ; in the s a m e w a y a s
a l r ea d y d u r in g J esu s s li fet i m e o th er s th a n h i s fol
low er s h a d b ee n foun d to ex p l o i t h i s n a m e B ut i f
th e s a c r a m en t s th us c a r r i ed th e C h u r c h ins t ea d o f
th e C h u r c h th e s a c r a m e n t s h o w w er e h ere t ic s a n d
i m p os t o r s t o b e k ep t ou t o f i t P T he R o m a n C h u r ch
in the s econ d ce n t u r y a s a ga ins t th e E a s ter n co m
m un i o n s m a d e th e qu est ion d oubl y a cu t e b y d e ci d in g
th a t the b ap t i sm o f heret ics wa s va li d so lon g as i t

a
m
i
n
s
t
er
v
n
i
t
h
h
s
h
o
r
t
e
r
f
o
r
m
ul
a
in
w
w as d
ed e e
t e
T h e d i f cul ty w a s go t
th e n a m e o f J esus C h r is t
o ver n a ll y by a u g m e n t in g the p o w er a n d a u th or i ty
o f th e bis ho p s th e v isibl e h ea d s o f t he con grega t ions
a n d b y co m m issionin g t hem t o exclu d e her et ics fr o m
c h u r ch union even th ou gh they w er e co r r ec t l y b ap
T h us th e i m p or t a nc e o r i g in a ll y atta c hed t o
t i sed

w a ter

B A PT I S M

328

con t inui ty o f b a p t is m c a m e to be a tt a che d t o con

ti n ui ty o f bi sh o p s ; a n d ea c h o r th o d ox C h u r c h t r i ed
t o tr a c e b a c k the succ ession o r di a doche o f i t s bis h op s
to a n a p os t l e
B y w a y o f c hec k in g s t ill fu r t her the
in l tr at ion o f h eret ics th e r i te o f l a y in g ha n d s on
th e b a p t is e d o r con r m in g th e m w i th th e g i ft o f the
s p i r i t w a s rese r ved t o the bishop s a lon e ; a n d the
e p isco p a t e i t se l f w a s a t a
l a ter t i m e s t ill fu r ther
h e d ged r oun d b y th e r ul e t h a t p resb y ter s s h oul d no t
cons ec ra te a bish o p bu t only fello w bisho p s

M A R C I ON

3 3o

b r u p t con t r a st b et w ee n the S er m on o n
the M oun t a n d th e d is p en sa t ion o f J a h v eh
T h i s con t r a st seem ed t o hi m so a bsolu te tha t he
d e ni e d a n y a f ni ty o f the sp i r i t wh o m t h e J ew s a d o r ed
a n d wh o ins i r e d t h e i r sc r i t u re s w i t h t h e g o d w h o
p
p
a p p ea r ed on e a r th in th e
T h e fo r m er
g ui se o f J e sus
w as a j u st g o d in d ee d v i si t in g t h e sins o f th e fa th er s
on thei r c h il d r e n a j ea lou s go d d ev oi d o f co m pa ssion
fo r t h o se w h o in fr in ged h i s h ar sh l a w a n d b a r b a r ic
H e w a s a lso th e a u t ho r o f N a t ur e ;
p r esc r i p t i o n s
fo r N a t u r e s l a w s li k e J a h v eh s a re o f i r on p i t il ess
a g a ins t th e w ea k a n d o fte n c o n t r ad ic t o r y o f t h em
s el ves A li k e l n th e h is t o r y o f J a h veh a s i t is
r ed in
p ic t u r e d in th e O l d T esta m en t a n d in n a t u r e
to o th a n d cl a w w i th r a v in e w e h a ve a l l s h a d es o f
con d uc t r a n g in g fr o m b are j u st ic e a n d resen t m en t to
ar bi tra r y m a lic e fr o m t en a ci o u s ob st in a cy t o c r a ss
s t u p i d i ty bu t a ll a li ke fa llin g sh o r t o f r ea l goo d n ess 1
T h e a nci en t S t o ic s a nxi o us t o r eh a bili t a t e a n d
p u r i fy the p o p ul a r r e li g i o n h a d a pp li e d th e m e th o d
o f a ll ego ry t o the p oem s o f H o m er w h ich w er e the
ol d G r ee k B ibl e W h a tever w a s o ffen si ve i m m o ra l o r
sc a n d a lou s in th e C ou r t o f O l y m p us w a s in ter pr eted
t o m ea n so m et h in g e ls e th a n th e tex t s i f li tera ll y
in ter p ret ed con vey ed t o the r ea d er s m in d I n th i s
w a y th e i m m o ra li t i e s o f th e a nci en t g o d s w e re
a n d th e p ious e n a bl e d t o p res er v e
e x p l a in e d a w a y
thei r r espec t for t ex t s t r a d i t i o n a lly h ol y
T he
H e lle ni sed J ews o f A l ex a n d r i a fo llo wed in r e s pec t o f
thei r ow n sc r i p t u res t he e x a m p l e set the m b y ph ilo
sop her s w h os e w is d o m they h ad a ssi m il a te d a n d in
the G r ee k v er si o n o f the B ibl e e x ecu t ed in the t h i r d
fo r hi m t he

quote fr om

I I a r n ack

H i story o
f D og m a ,

bk

ch

5;

secon d ce n tu r i es befo re C hr is t no t a few o f the

w o r s t a n th r o p o m o r p h ic t ra i t s o f J a h veh w ere a l r ea d y
A s ea r l y a s 1 50 B C a n
gl osed o ve r an d effa c ed
A l ex a n d r in e J ew n a m ed A r is t obulus
issu ed fo r
G en t il e r ea d in g a co m m en t a r y on the P e n t a t euc h in
w h ic h he a t onc e sou gh t t o p r o ve t h a t th e G ree k
p h iloso ph er s P y th a g o ra s S oc r a tes a n d P l a t o e ve n
H o m er a n d H esio d h a d p l ag i a r is ed the b es t o f th e i r
w is d o m fr o m M os e s an d a lso e x p l a in ed a wa y suc h
p a ss a g es a s a tt r ibu t e d t o th e J ew i sh G o d h a n d s a n d
a r m s fa c e a n d feet a n d r e p r ese n te d h i m a s co m in g
d ow n a n d w a l k in g a bou t in the G ar d e n o f E d e n
P h ilo a con tem po ra r y o f J esus follow ed A r is tobulu s
in d isca r d in g th e li ter a l in terp reta t ion o f J a h v eh s
re co r d esp e ci a ll y wh er e i t con ic t e d w i t h th e h i g her
no t ions o f d i v in e a ge ncy w h ic h G r ee k p h iloso ph er s
h ad th ou gh t ou t
H e e v e n w e n t so fa r as t o con d e m n
a s m y t h ic a l sun d r y o f th e m o r e d is gr a c e ful ep iso d e s
in the h is t o ry o f J a h veh a n d o f hi s p r i m e fa v ou r i tes
th e J ew i sh P a t r i ar c h s
I n t he s econ d a n d follo w in g
ce n t u r i es such a ll eg o r is a t ion w a s t he recogni sed
C h r is t i a n m e th o d o f B iblic a l ex egesis ; a n d C l em en t
o f A l ex a n d r i a O r i gen E us ebius A m b r o se o f M il a n
a n d o th er Fa t h er s o f th e C h u r c h a p p r o p r i a t e d in t h e i r
co m m en ta r i es w i thou t a c k now l ed g m en t p a ge after
p a ge o f th e Ph i l o nea n lucub r a t ions
Y et a fter a l l th e m e th o d w as a sub t er fu ge a n d in
r ea d in g P h ilo w e a r e a w are o f th e d isqui et u d e o f a
m in d w h ic h h a s a l r ead y t ra nsc en d ed in r e li g i o u s a n d
m o ra l d evelop me n t th e s t a n d p oin t o f re li g ious boo k s
in her i ted fr o m a r el a t i vel y b a r b a r ous p a st M a r cion

to
w a s t oo h on es ts h a ll w e no t sa y t oo s e nsibl e
t olera te suc h a sub ter fu ge H o w h e a s k ed c a n the
G o d who in E xo d us d em a n d s ey e fo r eye a n d t oo t h fo r

a nd

MA RC I O N

332

t o o th b e h e w ho inc a r n a te in J esus bi d s us t u r n the

o ther c heek to the s m i ter lo ve o ur e n e m i es a n d p r ay
fo r t hem t h a t p er s e cu te us ? H o w ca n th e G o d w h o
in Deu ter ono m y add ress es hi s ch ose n r a c e in the
wo r d s
Thou sha l t l en d un to m a ny n a ti on s a n d thou

sha l t n ot bor r ow
b e h e w h o d e cl a r ed t h r ou gh J esu s

h
a
t t B l essed a r e the poor for thei r s i s the K i ng dom of

To on e
G od
h e fr o m w h o m w e h a v e th e p re c ep t :
,

w ho

a shs o

f thee g i v e

f thee,

tu r n

a nd

n ot a w ay

fr om

on e

w h o w oul d bor r ow

M ar cion in a boo k w h ic h t o the et er n a l sc a n d a l o f

th e o r th o d ox h e co m p os ed a n d c a ll e d A n ti theses
d rew ou t the nu m er ou s con t r a s t s a n d c o n t r a d ic t ion s
bet w een the g o sp el o f J esu s a n d t he c o n d uc t o f
J a h veh w h o m he d eno m in a ted th e j us t G od in op p o
si t io u t o the goo d G o d w ho insp i re d J esu s a n d wh ose
sol e a tt r ibu t es a re lo v e a n d m er c
H e did not of
y
cou r s e qu est ion th e li ter a l tr u th o f the ea r ly cha p t er s
o f G en esis in w hic h the c rea t ion o f m a n a n d o f th e
w o r l d is d esc r ib ed
fo r li k e the r est o f t he ea r l y
Chr is t i a ns h e w as no t co m p et en t to d i st in g uish
T o J a h veh h o w ever a s c r ea to r
h i st o r y fr o m fa bl e
h e ga ve the n a m e o f Dem iu r ge a n d h el d t h a t h e m a d e
no t only m a n s bo d y bu t i t w oul d see m h i s so ul a s
w e ll
The o ne a n d t he o t h er w er e h o pel essl y ev il
bu t the l a tter s gr a c e a n d
an d a li e n t o the g oo d G o d
m er c y w er e a l l th e m o re si g n a ll y re vea l e d w h e n h e
set h i m s e l f t o r escu e fr o m t h e bu r d e ns o f th e J ew is h
l a w a n d the a bo m in a t ions o f i d ol a t ry a h u m a n r a c e in
w h os e c rea t ion h e h a d t a k en no p a r t I n h i s b e n e v ol en t
w o r k o f s a l v a t ion t h e g oo d G o d i g no r ed s a i d M a r cion
th e s el f r i gh t eou s P h a r i sa ic J ew w h o h a v in g k ep t th e
l a w i m a g in ed h i m s el f t o b e j us t i e d a n d a dd r es sed
h im sel f t o the sin ful G en t il es w ho th e m o r e r ea d il y
,

'

MA R C I O N

3 34

o rtho d ox y o f l a t er ge n era t ions w h ic h foun d in tha t

n arr a t i ve no th in g bu t a n a w k w a r d tr a d i t ion n eedi n g
t o b e ex p l a ined a w a y Fr o m the E p is t les o f Pa ul
w h ic h h e wa s th e r s t t o coll ec t t o ge th er in on e boo k
Ma r cion exci sed m a n y p a ssa ges w h ic h v iol a ted h i s
i d ea l o f J esus A t th e e x p e n se o f hi s t heo ry h o w
e ver h e ad m i tt ed th e fa c t o f th e c r uci xion fo r ge tt in
g
t h at a d i v in el y a pp oin ted b e in g w ho h a d d r o p p ed
s tra i gh t ou t o f hea ven coul d h a r d l y un d erg o c r uci
x i o n i n th e e s h
H is G nos t ic con te m p o r a r i es w ho
d eni ed J esus t o h a ve b een bo r n m or e c o n si sten t l y
h el d t ha t h e w a s n ev er c r uci e d e i th er ; bu t on t h i s
p oin t th e tea ch in g o f P a ul w a s fo r M a r ci o n a uth o r i t a
t i ve an d he d i d no t see h is w a y t o r esis t i t
I h a ve d w el t so lon g on th e a rg u m e n t s o f M a r cion
b ec a use they a re cu r iou sly a p p o si te in th e p resen t day
T h e M a nic h ea n s a fter t he e x t inc t i o n o f M a r cion s
C h u r c h con t inu ed t o d i ffu se h i s A n ti theses ; an d a s
l ate a s the en d o f t he th i r teen th c en t u ry th ou sa n d s
o f Ca thar s a s t hey w er e c a ll ed per i she d a t t he st a ke
a ll o v ee u ro pe fo r a f r m in g t h a t the O l d T es t a m en t
w a s ins p i r e d b y a n e vil De m iu r ge
T h e C h u r ch
bu r n ed them bu t w a s n ever thel ess so p ut t o sha m e
b y the i r a r g u m e n ts a s t o w i t hd r a w th e boo k a s m uch
a s p ossibl e fr o m th e h a n d s o f the l a i ty
T he so c a ll ed
h a v in g d i v o r c ed
r efo r m er s o f th e six teen th c e n t u r y
th em s el ves fr o m the uni ty o f th e C a th olic C hu r c h a n d
b ein g in qu es t o f so m e a u th or i ty u p on w h ic h t o b ase
thei r tea c h ing a n d d isci p lin e t r i ed t o sub st i t u te the
B ibl e fo r t h e P o p e ; a n d t h ou sa n d s o f m is g ui d e d
p eo pl e s t ill i m ag in e th a t the en d s o f p i et y a r e ser ved
b y t hr us t in g b ar b ar ous t ra nsl at ion s o f the P en t a t euc h
in t o the ha n d s o f s avages E d uc a te d A n g lic a ns
h o w ever a re v i sibl y unco m fo rt a bl e a bou t i t a n d b eg in
,

'

to

a l i s e th a t i t i s h a r d ly a ppr op r i ate fo r t h e i r w h i t e
r ob ed c h o i r s o f s m a ll bo s t o b e c ha n t in g d a il y suc h
y
v in d ic t i ve i m p rec a t ions a s P s a l m cxxx v ii t o ta k e a
sin g l e ex a m p l e con t a ins
re

daughter

of

H appy sha ll
A s th o

B abylo n

b e h e, that

hast

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ser e

tha

ar t

r ewar

be

to

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destr oyed

th ee,

us

H appy sh all h e b e th at taketh

littl e o nes
A ga inst th e r ock ; l
,

dash eth

an d

thy

A n d w h a t is t o b e s a i d o f suc h a dv ic e a s the B oo k
o f th e P r overbs o f S olo m on su pp li es (ch xxi v 1 7 )
.

I f thy enem y fall eth exul t ot o e hi m A n d when

h e i o e th ow b e n o t p uffed up Lest th e L o d see
i t a d i t d i sp l e se hi m A d h e tu n away h i s w ath
f o m hi m
W h a t a re d i vin es t o d o ? T h e ol d m eth o d s o f
a ll e o r
g y a r e d isc red i t ed a n d ou t o f d a t e ; a n d m o d er n
H ebr ew sc h ol a rsh i p A ssy r iol o g ic a l r esea r c h a n d the
co m p a r a t i ve s t u d y o f r e li g i o n r en d er i t i m p ossibl e
a n y lon g er t o d en y t h a t th e co m p il ers o f t h e P e n ta
teuc h bo rr ow ed thei r ta l es fro m ol d er p a ga n sou r c es
t ha t b efo r e the a ge o f S a ul a n d Da v i d th e n a r r at i ves
o f the O ld Testa m en t ar e a l m os t w h oll y legen dary ;
a n d l a s t l y t h a t the H e b r ew re li g ion o f t a boo a n d
s a c r i ce w as in a n y ess en t i a l m a nn er d i st in g uis ha ble
fr o m o r su per io r t o si m il ar cul t s a m on g p aga ns bo th
anci en t a n d m o der n
T he Dar w ini a n i d e a o f e volu t i o n so lon g d e c r i ed
a n d d eni ed is a t the el eve n th h ou r c a u g h t a t b y thes e
d is t ress ed theolog i a ns a s su pp l y in g a w ay ou t o f t he i r
d i f cul t i es ; a n d w e h ear p r ocl a i m e d fr o m m a ny a
n

v r

n,

v r

Ver ses 8

an d

9,

cco d i
r

ng

i d Ve si on

to the Rev se

MA RC I O N

3 36

ul
i
t
a
n
s
t
n
d
oc
t
in
th a t the B ibl e is
e
w
a
n
r
a
e
r
e
d
p p
g
th e r e co r d o f a p ro g r essi ve r e ve l a t ion
Let us ex a m in e t h i s conc ep t ion
I t i m p li es tha t a
b e in g d eno m in a ted G o d o m ni p o t e n t a n d m o r a lly
p er fe c t d e si r in g t o r evea l h i s n at u re t o m a n k in d w as
obli ged t o d o so p i ecem ea l a n d by slo w d eg rees H a d
h e a sh e d u p on m a n k in d a ll a t onc e h i s full or b ed
p er fec t ion i t w oul d m ere l y h a v e d a z z l ed t h e i r ey es
con fo un d ed t hei r fa cul ty o f co m pr ehe nsion a n d
con t r ibu te d no th in g t o thei r m or a l a dva nce S o h e
b eg a n w i t h hu m a ni ty as p a ren t s t o day b eg in w i th
t hei r c h il d r en by ins t r uc t in g th em in m y th s a n d
l ege n d s an d by ini t i a t in g them in b a r ba r o u s r i tes
a n d cul t s
suc h a s a ni m a l s a c r i ce w h ic h h in ted a t
a n d fo res ha d o w e d bu t d i d no t yet a ccu r a tely e m bo d y
t h e t r u er s a c r a m en t a l w o r s h i p o f th e C a t h o lic C h u r c h
No r is th e t a l k o f p r o g r essi v e r eve l a t ion con n ed t o
o n e set o f re li g ioni st s ; a n d j us t as t he Ca t h o lic p r e
ten d s tha t the s a c r i c e o f t he M a s s is th e ul t i m a te
s ta ge o f re li g ious e vo lu t ion so t he C a l v ini st consi d er s
i t t o consis t in a b eli ef in P r ed es t in a t ion A s ta u gh t
b y t he H i gh C h u r c h cl er gy o f th e A n g lic a n co m
m union t h is new conc e p t ion is a qui e t w a y o f d i sc a r d
i n g m uc h in th e B ibl e t h a t i s no t o r iousl y a t v a r i a nc e
w i th m o d er n i d ea ls o f p r o p r i et y a n d o f subs t i t u t in g
fo r th e a u t h o r i ty o f th e sc r i p t u r es t ha t o f a m i r a cl e
O fte n in t he p ul p i t h o w ev er ol d a n d
w o r k in g c a s t e
p ious co m m on p l a c es a bou t G o d s B oo k con t inu e t o b e
r ep eat ed w h ic h in p r i v a t e con v er s a t ion a r e r el eg a ted
t o the in tellec tu a l lu m b er r oo m T h e few a m ong the
cl er gy w ho h a ve ser iousl y attem p ted t o th in k i t ou t
h a v e b eg un t o d i sc er n t he lo g ic a l ou t co m e o f thei r
n ew conc ep t ion w h ic h i s t h is t h a t i f th e cos m o gonic
a n d theolog ic a l no t ions o f G en esis an d E xo d us a re t o
.

MA RCI O N

3 38

u tho r i ty the w o r s t exc ess es o f r eli g ious fa n at icis m

T he bibliol at r y o f th e re fo r m ed C h u r c h es w a s ev e n l ess
h u m a n e in i t s r esul t s t ha n th e s a c er d o t a lis m o f R o m e
I t i s no t cl ear then tha t the t heo r y o f a p r o gressi ve
r ev el at ion a s a p li ed b y th e cl er gy is a n y t h in g m o r e
p
th a n a l a m e excus e fo r a d he r in g t o ol d bu t fa ls e
I t a l so res t s on a fa ll a c y
w eigh t s a n d m ea su res
T h e full t r u th i t a r g u es coul d no t fr o m th e r s t b e
r ev ea l ed t o m a n a n d G o d w a s obli g ed i f w e m a y use
a p h ra s e fr o m m ec h a nics c a r e full y t o d o se h i s r eve l a
t ion B ut h ow m a n y c r u d e conc ep t i o n s cull ed e i ther
fr o m th e O l d Tes ta m en t o r fr o m th e New es p eci a lly
fr o m P a ul a n d e n sh r in ed lon g a g o in c a tec h is m s
li t u rg i es a n d a r ticl es o f r eli g ion c o n t inu e t o b e t hr us t
u p on ch il d r en con g r ega t ion s a n d cu r a tes un d er the
h i gh soun d in g t i t l e o f r e li g iou s ed uc at ion a n d d i v ini ty
Do we th en li ve in th e r s t a n d b ar b a r ou s s t ag es o f
h u m a n d eve lo p m en t th at th i s sh oul d b e ? W h ere is
th e E n g lis h bis ho p w h o h a s t h e cou r a g e t o u r ge a
b etter w ay ? T he o ne i d ea o f the E n g li sh h i gher
cl e rgy i s r ather t o k eep the C hu r c h t oge ther ; an d a s
t h is a i m e n t a ils m uc h qui et su p pression o f the tr u th
t hey si t on thei r b enc h in the H ou se o f L o r d s t i m or ous
T h e c r esc e n t m oon is n o l e s s b r i gh t
a n d t on g u e t i e d
th a n the full o r b o f fou rtee n ni gh ts ; bu t d o th e fa bl es o f
th e G a r d e n o f E d e n o f t h e t a l k in g s er p e n t o f th e
v in d ic t i ve G o d p uni sh in g h i s ow n c r ea t u r es b ec a us e
they d esi r e k no w led ge o f N o a h an d hi s A r k g i ve us
A r e t hey m o r e r es p e c t a bl e t h a n t he
a n y li g h t a t a l l ?
m y t h o f P r o m eth eus c h a in e d t o th e r oc k b y Z eus
b ec ause he r evea l ed th e use o f re t o m a n k in d ? A n d
y et i t is on suc h fa bl es t h a t th e d oc t r in e o f h u m a n
red em p t ion a s for m ul ated b y P a ul a n d p r o m ul gated
in c a t ech is m s reposes A n d how is i t p os sibl e for a n y
a

cqui esc e in the hyp o

th esis o f a c hos en p eo p l e a cc ep t a bl e a bo ve a l l o ther s
t o the c rea t o r o f h ea ve n a n d ea rth A n d w ill no t a n y
o n e wh o s t u d i es c a n d i d l y th e h is to r ic a l boo k s o f t h e

O l d T es ta m en t e xcl a i m w i th M a r cion L i ke c r eat o r

li ke peo p l e
W h a t cl a i m h ad the J ew s t o b e t a k en
at t h e i r o wn es t i m a te ? Di d th e a nci en t A ss y r i a n s
a n d E gyp t i a ns the G ree k s a n d t he R o m a n s con tr ibu te
l ess tha n th ey t o o u r sci enc e a n d ci v ilis a t ion ? A n d
a ft er a ll is no t th e v er
y i d e a o fo n e p eo p l e b ein g c h os en
a bo v e o t h e r s a s i t i s
p r es en t e d in t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t
u tter ly m y th olo g ic a lo n a l ev el w i th th e s t ory o f the
p a t r on a ge o f A en ea s a n d t he h ou se o f A u g us t us b y
Venu s o r o f t he A r g i ves b y H era th e sp ous e o f Z eu s ?
T h e adver s ar i es o f M a r cion co m p l a in ed th at by
s ep ar at in g J esus fr o m h is t o ry b y ta k in g h i s p o r tra i t
ou t o f i ts J ew ish fr a m e h e e ffa ce d a ll hi s lin ea m en t s
l eft bu t a n e m p ty sha d o w For nin e t en th s
and
o f ea r ly C h r is t i a n li tera t u r e consis t o f a l a bo r iou s
d em on s tr a t ion th a t J esu s w a s the p r o m is e d M essi a h
fo r et ol d b y th e J ew is h p r o p h et s ; a n d Ma r cion b y
d eny in g bo th p r em is e a n d conclusion a t a sin g l e
st r o k e m a d e a ll t h is li t er a t u r e i d l e a n d su per uous
B ut d o es th e m o d er n d i v in e d o l ess w h e n h e a cc ep t s
the r esul t s o f m o d er n H eb r ew
a s h e m us t a cc ep t
sc h ol ar sh i p ? Fo r th i s in ter p re t s the te x t o f Is a i a h a n d
t he r es t o f the p r o p h et s b y th e ci r cu m s t a nc es a n d
ou t loo k o f the ages in wh ic h th ey w r o te a n d d is misses
a l m os t con t em p t uousl y the ol d v i ew t h a t th ey w r o t e
w i th the i r ey e s x ed on even t s w h ic h w er e only t o
tr a ns p i re seven or e i gh t h un d r ed y ea rs l a t er I f w e
d isc ard th e J ew i sh i d ea o f a M essi ah as b elon g in g t o
a lower a n d ex p lo d ed sta g e o f p r o g r essi ve r evel a t ion
of r eligiou s evolu t ion
o r w h at is t h e s a m e t h in g
e

d uc ated

pe

r son o f to

day

to

2 2

MA RC I O N

3 4o

is l e ft t o th e ter m s C hr is t a n d
C hr is t i a ns ? Is th e i r re te n t ion m o re th a n m ak e
b eli eve ? O ur fo r efa ther s c o ul d h on es t ly c a ll them
se l ves C hr is t i a n s b ec a u se t h ey sh a r ed w i th the J ews
th e ol d conc e p t ion o f M essi a h sh i p ; bu t t h at co n cep
t ion t o d a y h a s b ee n con si g n ed t o t he lu m b er r oo m
Let u s p a ss on t o a no t h er a s p ec t o f the te a c h in g o f
M a r cion H e w a s no t con te n t t o d e ny tha t J a h veh
w as th e g oo d G o d w h o r ev ea ls h i m sel f in J esu s
He
e qu a ll
y d e ni e d th e v isibl e s ensibl e w o r l d t o b e the
w o r k o f t h is g oo d G o d
H er e a ga in he t ouc hed on a
p r o bl e m w hic h m o r e a n d m o r e ex er ci ses th e m in d o f
o ur o w n g en er a t ion
r en d e r in g i m p os sibl e th e ol d
fa cil e op t i m is m o f C a th olic C h r i st i a ni ty T he qu es t ion
fo r c es i t s e l f on us : C a n w e a p ar t fr o m m an a n d the
h i g her a ni m a ls es p e ci a ll y th e m a m m a ls in so m e o f
w h ic h w e d i sc er n th e r u d i m e n t s o f a consci enc e d etec t
a n y w her e in n a t u r e th e w o r k in g s o f a m in d a c t u ated
b y lo ve a n d m er c y ?
O ur r a c e h a s b een abl e t o
e s ta bli sh a fo o t h ol d o n th i s ea r t h l a t e in i ts g eol o g ic a l
d eve lo p m en t B u t o ur t enu r e i s fr a il an d p r ec ar ious ;
a n d o u r o r i g ins were a s m uc h o r a s li tt l e th e r esul t o f
a cci d en t as the em er ge nc e o f a n y o ther fo r m o f li fe
O ur m o th er ea r th in h er fr equ en t con v ul sion s h a s no
r es e c t f
o r o u r ci t i es a n d c e n t r es o f ci v ili sa t ion ; a n d
p
w e ca n ea sil y i m ag in e a cos m ic c a t a s t r o p h e such a s a
su dd e n inc r ea s e o r d e c rea s e in t h e sol ar t em er a t u re
p
o r th e i m p a c t o f a fo r e i g n bo d y soli d o r g a s e ous on
t h e sol ar s y s t em w h ic h w oul d in a m o m en t c a rr y
d ea th a n d d esol a t ion a l l o ver o ur g lob e H ow m o re
o ver c an we r econcil e w i th the conc ep t ion o f a
P r o v i d enc e o f a C r ea t or w ho w a t c h es o ver us a s a
p a r e n t o ver h i s c h il d r en th e g r ea t v olu m e o f h u m a n
su ffer in g a n d d isea s e ? W e da ily see c h il d ren bo rn

w h at

m ea nin g

M A RCI O N

3 42

0 r ha th not the p otter a r i ght over the

cl ay , fr om the sa m e l u mp to m a he on e pa r t a vessel unto

hon our , a n d a n other un to di sh on ou r P

T his i d ea o f a n a r c h p o tt er o r o m ni p o t en t agen t
m ak in g the uni ver s e w il l n o t b ea r ex a m in at ion
m a ke m e thus P

I nsi de the uni ver se o f ou r e x p er i e nce we c a n wi th ou r

h a n d s a n d p er h a p s u sin g t ools a s w ell d i vert a l read y
exis t in g p r o p er t i es o f m a tt er o r con tr i ve n ew co m
b i n ati on s new a c t ions a n d r ea c t ions at whic h
un a ssis ted n at u re w oul d n ever a r r i ve bu t which we
requi re fo r ou r n eed s B ut th e m a tter w e th us work
up in t o new fo r m s w a s n ever fo r m l ess a n d th e con
t em pl ati on o f ou r a c t i v i ty d o es no t r ea ll y a s sis t us t o
W e m erely pay ou r
e x p l a in h ow the uni v er s e a r o se
s el ves wi t h w o r d s w he n w e ta l k a bou t the n ecessi ty o f
a Fi r s t Ca us e I nsi d e o ur e x per i e nc e
that is to say
insi d e the wo r l don e obj ec t o r agen t o r m at er i al
s tate c a uses a no ther bu t every suc h rel at ion o f
c aus a li ty is b etwee n p ar t a n d p ar t o f the uni verse
an d no t b et wee n i t a n d a b ein g that is no t the
uni ver s e I avoi d s ay in g a b ein g th at is ou t si d e the
uni vers e fo r h ere aga in w e use a c atego ry o r way
o f loo k in g at the m a tt er un d er d iscussion which is
in ad equ at e O bj ec t s insi d e o ur uni ver s e o r insi d e
o ur ex p er i enc e (wh ic h is t h e s a m e th in g) are ou tsi d e
a s they are a lso b esi d e o n e a no ther B ut ou tsi d e the
uni verse t here c a n be no th in g I n o ther wo rd s s p ace
a n d s p at i a l r el a t ion s ar e r ea l a n d h ol d g oo d insi d e
I f we thin k
the uni ver s e o r insi d e e x p er i e nce a lon e
i t ou t we s ha ll n d tha t a ny c at eg o r i es un d er which
w e c a n en v i sage m a t er i a l r ea li ty a r e a s li tt l e a pp lic abl e
t o the uni ver s e a s a w h ole a s th ey a re t o th ou gh t a n d
w e fa ll in t o con tr a d ic t ions so soon a swe try t o ap pl y
th em T h us the w o r l d a s a wh ol e is n ei ther in s p a c e
,

no t in s p a c e n ei t h er li m i ted n or un li m i ted n ei th er
ca us ed n o r unc a us ed p er h a p s n e i th e r in t i m e n o r no t
in t i m e I t is a s d i f cul t t o in ven t fo r m ul ae tha t
a d equ at e l
y r ep r es e n t i t a s t o in v e n t si m il ar on e s fo r
the m in d
T he l ea st insu f ci en t w a y o f d e sc r ibin g i t
is to sa y th at i t is the k now n or k no w a bl e a n d Joh n
S t u a rt M ill w a s no t far w r on g i n d e nin g m a tt er t o b e
I t s esse is
th e p er m a n en t p ossibili t y o f p er c ep t ion
p er cipi ; i t s r ea li t y li es in i t s b ein g p er c e i v ed
T o the un t u t o red p er son t h i s soun d s th e r a n k es t
nons ense a n d h e w ill a sk : W h a t th en b eco m es o f
r ea li t y w h e n m en a r e a sl ee
p o r a ll o f t h em d e ad ?

H e h a s n ev er a sk ed h i m s el f th e qu es t ion :
W ha t
b eco m es o f colou r s o r soun d s o r ta s tes o r s m ells in
th e a bs enc e o f a s e l f w h ich s ees hea r s t ast es a n d
s m ells ? T h e p er m a n ence a n d con t inui ty wh ic h we
a tt r ibu te t o m a tt er a r e qu a li t i es r a th er o f t h e k no w er
th a n o f th e k now n o f the per ci p i e n t t h a n o f th e
Nor is th e d i f cul t y ra is ed abou t sl eep
p er c ei ved
so insolubl e as i t at r s t si gh t s ee m s t o b e O ur
in d i vi d u a l sel ves ar e con t in uous a c r oss in ter va ls o f
sl eep fo r we w ake up the s a m e per sons w e w ere
b efo r e a n d t o the s a m e w o r l d I n o th er w o rd s th e
sel f o r s p i r i t h a s no t sl ep t bu t m er el y no t m a ni fes t ed
i t sel f fo r a t i m e th r ou gh s ensibl e a genci es or p er cept s
t o th os e w ho k ep t a w a k e
Deat h v i ew ed fr o m a
p s y ch olo gic a l s t a n d p oin t is th e s a m e fa c t a s sl eep

B ut th e c h a m p ion o f co m m on s en se w ill obj ec t

w h ere a n d h o w w a s m y w o r l d b efo re I w a s bo r n
E x a c t ly w h er e a n d a s i t i s w h en
I sh o ul d r ep l y :
A
s a s e l f a n d p er ci p i e n t o f a r ea l
r e a sl eep
u
a
o
y
O n th e con t r a r y
w o r l d y o u n e i t her sl eep no r d i e
ra n g e ; a n d
a
er s a l
ou
uni
v
al l
r j u d g m en t s h av e
y
wh en y ou say T h is eart h is r oun d o r The t hr ee
n or

'

M ARCI O N

3 44

n g l e s o f a tr i a n gl e a reequ a l t o two r igh t a ng le s

y o u d o no t th in k i t n e c e ss a ry t o a d d so lon g a s I
a m a wa ke
since I was bo r n
or
Th e un t u t o r ed m a n w h o un d ertak es li k e Dr
Johnson t o re fu te B ish op B er k e ley w i th the a r m s o f
m er e co m m on s e ns e is r m l y p er su a d ed th a t the
uni ver s e per sis t s a s a sy s te m in s pa ce a n d t i m e a n d a
co m p lex o f con t ra s t s o f colou r soun d a n d so for th
no m atter w h ether the s el f per ce i ves i t o r no t H e
is in a sens e r i ght B ut h e is a lso cl ea r ly w r on g so
far as h e m a kes abs t r a c t ion o f m in d a n d o f the w o r k
m in d h as d on e in cons t r uin g t o h i m h i s s ens a t ions in
sel ec t in g t h em a n d ar ra n in
g g t h em in t o a n o r d er o r
cos m os M in d the obj ec t i fy in g or w or l d m ak in g
fa cul ty o f thou gh t is ever a t w o r k in ea c h o f us a n d
t o i t a s the h o m e a n d c e n t re o f a ll r el a t ions a n d con
t r asts b e lo ng i f a t a l l subs ta nc e an d r ea li ty r ath er
th a n t o the m a ter i a l obj ec t s w h os e en t i r e n at u r e
consis t s o f s e nsibl e con t ra st s a n d rel a t ions w h ich are
b efo re a s el f bu t no t o f i t I n t r u th h ow ever m in d
subj ec t a n d obj ec t s eer a n d s een ca n
a n d m a tt er
as li tt l e exis t a p a r t
a n d h a ve a s li tt l e m e a nin g in
a bs t r a c t ion fr o m ea c h o t h e r a s conc a ve an d con v ex
T h ey a re two a s pec t s o f th e o ne wh ol e T h e uni ty o f
th e w o r l d i t s co m m on obj ec t i v i ty fo r y o u a n d m e is
a m ere r e ec t ion o f the ul t i m a te uni ty a m i d d i v ersi ty
o f o u r m in d s ; a n d a s in the s p ecul at i v e s h ere w e
p
l a y d o w n j u d g m e n t s th at p u r p o r t t o b e uni ver s a l so
in the m o ra l s phere th e consci ence a t ea ch s tep en a c t s
o r h i m w ho e n a c t s t h em a lon e
r ul e s t h a t h ol d no t f
bu t fo r a l l for that is what we m ea n b y a n a c t ion
b ein g r i gh t a n d a m o t i ve goo d I t is th e ex p r es sion
o f a co m m o n su per s ensuous s el f wh ic h li es a t t he
a n d ens h r in es i t s el f in
r oo t o f a l l ci v il ins t i t u t ions

M A R CI O N

3 46

a ssoci at ion o f s p i r i t s w i th m ater i a l bo d i es w i thou t

w h ich t hey w oul d so fa r a s w e k no w co exis t un p er
c ei ved o n e b
y th e o t her a s m i gh t m en d e af d u m b
a n d blin d
a n d d evoi d o f a sens e even o f t ouc h is
p er h a p s a con d i t i o n o f sou l d evelo p m e n t bu t i t is
a lso t he ev i d e n t c a us e o f a l l t h os e p hy sic a l p a ins a n d
d isco m for t s w h ic h m ili ta te so pr o foun d ly a g a ins t the
i d ea o f a m on a r ch ic a l pr o v i d ence o f a c rea t i ve G od
bo th o m ni p o ten t a n d m er ci ful
W e c a nno t then a cc ep t t o day the cl a us e o f the
so c a ll e d A os t l es
Cr eed in w h ic h t he C hu r c h o f
p
R o m e a bou t the m i dd l e o f the s econ d c en t u ry

m
e
r
o
a
a
s
a
r
e
bo d i d i t s p tes t g in t M cion : I bel i eve i n
,

G od the Fa ther , m a her of hea ven a n d ea r t

T he
v isi to r t o the Va t ic a n , a s he t ra ver s es the lon g ga ll er y
w h ic h l e ad s t o th e lib r ary a n d coll e c t ion o f scul p t u r es,
s ees l et in t o the w a ll , si d e by si d e w i t h h un d r ed s o f
on e

inscr i p t ions m os t ly ta k en fro m the c a taco m bs a s t on e

sl a b on w h ich a re g u r ed in d eep incision a g i r l s
u p r a ised h a n d s a n d fo rea r m s fr o m the e lbo w s d o w n
T hese d i v i d e in t o th ree colu m ns o f un equ a l
wa rd s
b readth the follo w in g p a thet ic insc r i p t ion
Pr o co p e
l ebo [r ea d levo] m a nus con t ra d eu m qui m e inno
c en tem
p uel l a m sust ul i t q ua v i x i t a n n o s xx pos
P r oclus
I t is the gra ve s t on e o f a m a i d en w ho thus
O P r oco p ius I ra is e
a dd ress es her b et r o th e d lo ver :
m y h a n d s a ga ins t G o d w ho h a s sn a t c hed a w a y m e
innocen t g i r l S he li ved t wen ty y ear s T he
an
m ou r nin g p a r en t P r oclu s w h o r a is e d t h is m onu m en t
t o h i s c h il d fel t w i th M ar cion t hat the n a m e o f fa ther
ill sui ts a G od who a s conc ei ved o f in the t ra d i t ion a l
o r th o d ox y t ra m p l es on o ur affec t ions d eni es o ur
d ea r es t ins t inc t s a n d h as es ta blis h e d in n a tu r e a
k in gd o m a l m os t wh oll y d ev oi d o f m er c y a n d t r u th
,

"

C H A P T E R XV I I I

DE VE L O

T H O S E who to

PMENT

c r i t ic a ll y
a n d they a r e f
ew are a w ar e o f a d eep c h a sm s e a ra t in
p
g
i t no t only fr o m m o d er n i d ea s a n d ci v ilis at ion bu t
e ve n f
r o m th e C h u r c h e s a r oun d t h em
Di ffer enc es
h a rd ly l ess p r o foun d d i v i d e the o r th o d oxy o f th e fou r th
c en t u ry fr o m th e M essi a nic Ju d a is m o f the r s t ag e
The qu es t ion a cco rd in g l y a r o s e b e fo r e th e m i n d o f
Joh n H en ry N ew m a n whe th er there is no t a n a c t u a l
d iscon t inui ty b e tween the d og m a s o f Ca t h olicis m a n d
the fa i th rev ea l e d t o th e s a in t s ; a n d in o r d er t o
su r m oun t th e d i f cul ty he in vok ed the i d ea o f d eve
l o p m en t
T h e c r eed s a n d d ecisions o f the C ouncils
h e a r g u ed a m er e un fol d in g a n d r en d er in g
a re
e x p lici t o f th e s t ill un p r eci se a n d un d e n ed d a ta
r ev ea l ed t o t he a p os t l es a n d m o re o r l ess co m p l et e l y
e ns h r in ed in th e B ibl e ; a n d in a w o r k e n t i t l ed T he
Devel op m ent of Ch r i sti a n Doctr i ne h e t r i ed t o n d in
th e New T es t a m e n t th e ger m s o f l a t er d oc t r in e s a n d
cus t o m so fth e T r ini ty the m o ther h oo d o f G o d the
consubs ta n t i a li ty o f the Fa ther S o n a n d H ol y G h os t
o f in fa n t b a p t is m o f P u rg a t o ry a n d so for th
S uc h a t a s k s eem ed p os sibl e t o N ew m a n p a r t l y
b ec a use in hi s day c r i t icis m w a s unbo r n p art ly
b ec ause he coul d a ssu m e w i th ou t r is k o f con tr a di c
t ion t h at the fou rth G os pel w a s t he w o r k o f a n
ap os t l e a n d a fa i th ful rep r es en tat ion o f the per son a li ty
a n d tea c h in g o f J esus ; n o r in hi s da y d i d a n y on e
-

day

r ea

the

New T es ta m en t

3 47

D EVE L O PM EN T

3 48

in E n gl a n d at l ea s t d rea m o f cha lle n gin g the Paulin e

concep t ions o f the M essi a h
B ut t o da y i t i s b ein g m a d e every da y cl earer a n d
m o re c er t a in t h at the w r i t in g s o f t h e New T es t a m e n t
th em s e l ves repres en t a n evolu t ion o f i d ea s b eli efs a n d
trad i t ion s w h ic h too k in th e c a s e o f the ear li es t o f
th e d ocu m e n t s so m e t h i r ty o f th e l a t es t n ea r l y a
h un d r e d y ear s
D u r in g t h is per io d a h un dred in u e nc es w ere at
w o r k t o m oul d a n d a m p li fy the p r i m i t i ve t r a d i t ion o f
J esus ; a n d the fou r G os pels o f o ur New T es ta m en t
a n d o ther s o f wh ic h w e ha ve bu t a few fr a gm en t s li ke
the G os p el o f the H eb rew s o f th e p seu d o P e ter o f th e
E gy p t i a ns w er e the resul t o f t he p r oc ess In o ur
ear li es t su r v i v in g sou r c es th e G os p el o f M ar k an d th e
non Ma r c a n d ocu m en t w e ca n a l rea d y tr a c e such
in u enc es ; a n d th e fo r m er es peci a ll y i s s een on
e x a m in a t i o n t o b e a s e l ec t ion fr o m o at in
g p o p ul a r
tr a d i t ions m a d e by so m e c r ed ulous p er son w i th a bi a s
for m i ra cl es
I n h i s schol a r ly w o r k L es L eg en des
H agi og r ap hi gues Fa t her H i p p oly t e Del eh a y e S J

B
r
uss
ls
h
a
s
a
c
h
a
t
er
e
n
t
i
t
l
d
T h e D ossi er
e
e
p
(
o f a S a in t in w h ich he sh ow s h o w the b r i ef an d t r u e
a ccoun t g i ve n b y E us ebius o f a m a r ty r n a m ed P r o
fer ed un d er D iocl et i a n w as a dd e d t o
c op i us w h o su f
a n d r eca s t b y th e p r o fession a l co m p il e r s o f A c t s o f
A l l t he
S a in t s un t il i t w as no lon ger r eco g nis abl e
s ta ges by w hich the a c t s o f thi s s a in t w ere ex aggera ted
a n d fa lsi e d l i e b efo re us in th e d i ffer en t m a nusc r i p ts
a n d i f w e ha d no t go t E us ebius succinc t a n d sob er
n a r rat i ve o f hi s t r i a l a n d ex e cu t ion w e coul d h ard l y
ven t u re t o a f r m tha t P r oco p ius w as a h is tor ic a l
p er son age at a ll a n d no t r athe r a c r ea t ion o f th e
m y th o pl a sti c i m a g in at ion o f h ag io gr ap h er s
T he
,

D E VE L O P M E N T

3 50

the K i ng dom of G od w a s i m m edi a tely to

J esus

d y p er h a p s g a in ed th e con v ic t ion th at he
w as the M essi a h t h e m a n se n t fr o m G o d t o i n a ug u
r a te th e n ew er a t o
p a r t the sh ee p fr o m the go a t s in
th e n a l j u d g m e n t t o c h oos e t h e el ec t fr o m a m on g
th e li v in g a n d t o w elco m e a s t hey r os e fr o m th ei r
A s J esus conc ei ved o f
g r ave s the s a in t s w h o sl ep t
the n ew k in g d o m i t w a s p r i m ar ily a d e li vera nce o f
Is rae l ; yet no t a l l J ew s w er e t o pa r t ici pa t e therein
bu t o nly th o se w ho h a d hea r k en ed t o hi s o w n a n d
to J o h n th e B a p t i st s su m m on s t o r ep en ta nc e
Th u s
a l th ou g h th e p ro m i ses h a d b ee n m a d e t o J ew s a lon e
y et the l att er r ea ll y lo st t h e i r bi r t hr i gh t so s o on a s
m o ra l qu a li c at i o ns b ega n t o he in sis t ed u p on by the
j u d ge I t w as in t hi s li m i ta t i o n o fth e fu t u r e bl es sed
n ess t o th o s e wh o h a d r ep en ted a n d so w o n fo r g i ve
n ess o f th ei r sin s tha t l ay the p o ssibili ty a n d h o p e
n a y the n ec essi ty o f a d m i tt in g th e G e n t il e s
T h ei r
in teres ts h owever a l m os t c er t a inl y l ay bey on d J esus s
h o r i z on
H e w a s n ei t h er fo r n o r a ga in st t he m a n d
j u st d i d no t consi d er th e m a t a ll H e c a n onl y b e
s a i d to h a ve m ad e r oo m for th ei r a d m i ssion in so fa r
a s h i s i d e a l s t a t e w as t o inclu d e t h os e J e w s a lon e w h o
lis ten ed t o his w ar nin gs repen ted o f th e i r sin s a n d
m a d e t he i r o w n in a l l p u r i ty o f h ear t his i d ea l o f a
hea ve nl y fa ther w ho i s m er ci ful a n d lo v in g
S o lon g a s J esus w as a li ve th e h o p es o f h i s
follower s m us t h a ve b een focuss ed on th e n ew er a abou t
t o b e m i ra culously b r ou gh t in t o b ein g r ath er th a n
on hi m a nd h i s p er son a li ty H e w as t o p r esi d e o ver
i t in d eed whe n i t c a m e t o ll the c h i ef th r on e r oun d
w h ic h w oul d b e g r ou p ed th e l ess er th r on e s o f hi s
t w el ve a p os t l es j u d g in g the t w el ve t r ib es o f I s r a el ;
b ut he w a s th e M essi ah in p r o m is e onl y d u r in g t he
had

ppea r

a r ea

p re l i m i n ary
a

s tage

i n wh i h

p r oc l a i m i n g i t s

h e w as

dven t a n d

sh ip

p r ep ar in g m en m o r a lly fo r i t s m em b er
S o m e s t u d e n t s , li k e th e l at e Dr Mart in ea u ,
.

ar g u ed th at J esus n ever r ega rd ed h i m s el f a s the

M essi ah no r w is hed h i s follower s t o a c k no wled ge hi m
a s suc h ; bu t the ev i d ence t o the con tra ry is over
H e w a s s e n t enc ed b y P il ate in hi s qu a li ty
w he l m in g
o r M essi ah ; a n d w i th ou t th e
a s K in g o f t he J ew s
p r io r con v ic t ion t h at h e w a s suc h h i s d isci p l es coul d
n ever h ave reco vere d fr o m t he s h oc k o f hi s d eat h a n d
h a v e t ra ns fo r m ed t h ei r ol d fa i t h in h i m in t o th e n ew
con v ic t ion tha t the d i v m e fa t h er h a d ra is ed h i m u p
in t o heave n wh enc e h e w a s t o co m e aga in a n d
in au gu r ate the n ew k ing d o m
J esus a s he wen t up t o J er us a l em m ay w ell h a ve
h a d m i sg i v in gs fo r he m u st h ave b een w ell a w a re
th a t h e h a d t o fa c e in P on t ius P il ate a no t o r iou sly
s ter n a n d m er cil ess ad m inis tra t o r li tt l e inclin ed t o
b e j us t o r m er ci ful t o w ar d s M essi ah s a n d M essi a nic
m o v em en t s bu t r at h er d isc er nin g in t h em a d a n ger
t o th e R o m a n E m p i re J esus s o wn a tt i t u d e t o th e
R o m a n a u th o r i ty wa s p u r el y n eg at i ve : G i v e u n to

h a ve

Cd sa r the thi ng s w hi ch
'
th i ng s w hi ch a r e G od s

Ca sa r

a re

s, a n d

to G od the

no t fo r t a k ing up
a s Ju d a s t h e G a lil ea n h a d d on e
a r m s ag a ins t i t
T here w as no n eed to d o so fo r w oul d no t J eho vah
in g oo d t i m e qui et l y b r u sh i t asi d e
H is d eath t oo k hi s d i sci p l e s b y su r p r is e for they
h a d no t in t he l ea s t fo r es ee n i t o r th ey cou l d no t
.

H e w as

h a ve

pp

su

osed

tha t the hi ng dom w a s i m m edi a tely

to

T
ad
i
t
ion
i
t
is
t
r u e soon a sc r ib ed t o J e sus
r
pp
h i m s el f d iscou r s es in w h ich h i s d eath a n d re su r r ec t ion
a fter th r ee day s w er e e l a bo r ate l y fo ret ol d ; bu t th e
e va n gelis t ev en wh il e h e r ep o r t s t h es e con v er s at ions
a

ea r

D E VE L O P M E N T

3 S2
h in t s

h e add s ( M a rk ix 10 )
th a t they hep t the say i ng to them sel v es, q uesti on i ng
a m on
i
si ng ag a i n fr om the dea d
r
t
h
e
s
ve
h
a
t
h
e
m
e
l
s
w
t
g

I t w a s onl y w h e n h i s d ea th o ver too k

sh oul d m ea n
at

the

r ea

l t r u th

w he

them a n d v i sion s o f a M e ssi a h cu t o ff in hi s p r i m e

t
s
l
v
a n d fo r s a k e n b
e s in th e h ou r o f n eed b ega n
m
h
e
e
y
th a t they
to h a un t t h e i r r e m o r s efu l i m a g in a t ions
d i sco vere d h i s p a ssi o n a n d d ea th t o b e n ec essar y
m o m e n t s in t h e sc h e m e o f Is r a e l s s a l vat ion d ul y
fo re tol d b y I sa i a h a n d t he r est o f the p r op he t s E ven
a t th e l a s t su
pp er a s w e h a ve see n a bo ve (p
J esus d i d no t fo r es ee h i s d ea th H is v i sion ar y ex pec
t a t i o n s o f t he a d ven t o f t h e k in g d o m h a d t h en r ea c hed
th ei r cli m a x H e h a d b ee n a ccl a i m e d M essi ah by
t he m ul t i t u d e a s h e en t er ed th e h ol y ci ty
Coul d
P r o v i d e nc e t a rr y a n y lon ger ? H e wa s so c er ta in that
th e g lo r ious consu m m a t ion w a s i m m in e n t a s t o a ssu r e
h i s d isci p l es t h a t t h i s w a s t he l a s t t i m e h e w oul d
d r in k w i th th em un d er th e ol d con d i t ions of thefr ui t
o
f the v i ne I w i ll n o m or e dr i n h thereo f he s ay s
,

u n ti l

th e day w hen I d r i n k i t

i n the K i ng dom of
h i s d e at h is t o in t er ven e
n ew

d oes no t k now th a t
b et w een t hen an d n o w W h en t here fo re the blow
fell i t b ec a m e incu m b en t on h i s follow er s ei ther t o
r esi g n t he i r h o p e a n d a b a n d on t he m o vem en t f
or
w h ich th ey h a d g i v en up a ll o r t o m o d i fy t he
M es si a nic sc h em e a n d m a k e r oo m in i t for the
c r uci xion a n d d ea th o f th ei r M e ssi a h They quic k ly
t oo k the l a tter cou r s e New p ro p heci es w er e in vo k ed
o f a k in d t o p r o ve t h at th e d is g r a c e ful d e at h on the
c r o ss w h ich the unb eli ev in g o f th e i r co m p atr io t s c a s t
in t hei r teet h w a s fo r e o r d a in e d o f G o d a s a n e cess ary
ep iso d e in th e w o r k in g ou t o f t h e sc h e m e o f Is ra e l s
s a l va t ion T he M essi a h h ad a l l a lon g b een p re
G od

He

D E V E L O PM EN T

3 S4

the
br eth r en , the t i m e i s shor tened
th i s w or l d p a sseth a w ay
( I C o r in th i a n s

l i he a th i ef i n
T h e en d w a s t o co m e

B u t thi s I

say ,

fa shi on of
v ii 2 9
.

coul d d o w a s to w a tch
a nd pra
M a r r i a ge fa m ily t i es p r o p erty l a w p olic e
y
n ay
li fe i t s el fw er e a ll t o b e s a c r i c ed a n d
i f a n d in so fa r as th ey s too d in the
a b a n d on ed
w a y o f t h e soul s p r epa ra t i o n fo r t he g rea t e ven t
i m p en d in g T o h i s o w n a p o stl es J esus s a i d ( M a tthew
x 2 3)
Ver i ly I say u n to y ou y e sha l l n ot h a ve g one
the

ni

g h t,

an d

th e m

os t

one

th r oug h
com e

the

ci ti es

be
for e the

I sr a el

son

m an

o f J esus hi s d isci p l es con t inu ed to

p r ocl a i m t h a t h e m us t soon a n d su dd enl y r e t u r n on
clou d s o f g l o ry fr o m hea ve n a n d res to r e the k ingd o m
t o I sr a el Follo w in g in h i s s t ep s they insis ted on the
n ec essi ty o f r epe n t a nc e a n d m o r a l p rep ara t ion for the
T h is w a s th e w edd in g g ar m e n t w i thou t
n ew er a
w h ic h m en w o ul d b e e xclu d e d fr o m th e m ar r i a ge
fea s t B ut w ee k s t u r n e d in t o m on th s m on th s in to
y ea r s y ear s in t o g e n era t ions y et no th in g h ap p e n ed
M ea n w h ile th er e w a s bo r n o f the w a i t in g the c hu r ch
o r ga nised un d er p resby ter s o r bis hops
o r eccl esi a
fenc ed o ff fr o m the w or l d w i th c a tec h u m e n ate an d
b a p t i sm fed w i th euc h a r i st a n d a ga pe e n d o wed
t hr ou gh ou t i t s m em b er s w i th g i ft s a n d g r a c es o f the
h ol y s p i r i t
A n d i t is no t per ha p s Un t r u e t o sa y t ha t the d ea t h
o f J esus e n gen d er ed C h r i stology fo r h i s p er son a li ty
occu p i ed a l a rger s pa c e in m e n s m in d s a n d h a d m o re
si g ni c a nc e a tta c hed t o i t in th e sc h e m e o f sa l vat ion
In h i s ea r th ly c areer
a ft er h i s d ea th t ha n b efo re i t
h e h a d bee n h er a l d ra th er t h a n agen t
H e h a d co m e
in wea k n ess a n d h u m ili ty bu t n o w w a s t o co m e in
A fter th e d ea t h

g lo ry

l ege n d o f hi s Da v i d ic ped ig ree

wa s n o w add e d t o th e trad i t ion a n d a lso th ou gh
m uc h l a t er on t h a t o f hi s m i r a culous bi r th
I t a l so
d ev ol ved on th e tea ch er s o f th e C h u r ch t o d em ons tr ate
fr o m the O l d T es ta m en t p r o ph eci es t h at h is d ea th
w a s p ar t o f a p r e a r r a n ge d sc he m e a n d t h a t h e w as
h i m s el f a p r e e xis t e n t h ea v enl y b e in g t em p o r a r il y
r evea l ed in o u r sin ful es h t h e n w i th d r a w n t o h ea ve n
thenc e t o r e a p p ea r in g lo r y a t t h e consu m ma t ion o r
e n d o f th e a e
P a ul fu r th er d isco ver e d h i m t o b e
g
th e h ea v e nl y A da m a n d the W is d o m a n d P o w er o f
G o d conc ep t ions w h ic h g u re l a r g ely in the
S a p i en t i a l boo k s a n d in t h e t h eoso p h y o f P h ilo
In the so c a ll e d P a s t o r a l Ep is t l es he is d ecl a re d t o be
th e m ed i a t o r b e tw ee n G o d a n d m a na h i d ea equ a ll y
foun d in P h ilo ; a n d th is t ra in o f s p e cul a t ion w a s
c r ow n ed t o w ar d s th e en d o f the c en t u ry by the
d ecl a ra t ion th a t he w as th e L og os o r W or d o f G o d
w h ic h a s P h ilo s a y s co m e s d o w n fr o m h e av en t o
L a ter o n th e
t h i th er a ga in
ea r th a n d
a s ce n d s
th in k er s o f the C h u r c h d er i ve d fr o m the s a m e
A l ex a n d r in e sou r c e bo th th e n a m e a nd the i d ea o f
h
h
a t th e d i v in e
P
ilo
ta
u
t
t
a d i v in e T r ini t
f
or
h
g
y
b ein g o r n a t u r e i s a thr ee i n on e an d o n e i h th ree
a n d tw o o f the
p er sons w i th w h ic h he lls up h i s
fo r m ul a n a m e ly the k in g a n d fa th er a n d th e son o r
Log os a re i d e n t ic a l w i th th os e w h ich C h r is t i a n
o r th o d ox y put for wa r d i n th is sch em e I t is p l a in
th a t the Ch r is t i a ns o r i g in a ted few i d ea s T h e d reg s
l t er e d
o f ol d G r ee k e s p eci a ll y P l at onic p h iloso p h y
d ow n t o them th r ou gh P h ilo a n d o t h er G ree k J ew s
o f A l ex a n d r i a ; a n d th ey d ress ed up th e h o m el y
J ew ish M essi ah in o ne g m en t a fter a no ther a n d
n a ll y concoc ted abou t hi m suc h em p ty r i gm ar ol es
and

p ow er

T he

A A 2

D E V E LO P M E NT

3 56

o f a p r i or i no t ion s a s we h a ve in the so c a ll ed c reed

o f A th a n a siu s
W e ha ve a l r ea d y consi d er ed in t h e p rec ed in g
c ha p ter w heth er th e conce p t ion o f a n o m ni p o ten t
a n d a t the sa m e t i m e b e n ev ol e n t G o d a n d C r eat o r o f
L et
th e uni v er s e is e i t h er a p r ob a bl e o r p os sibl e on e
us n ow a s k ou r sel ves h o w m uch o f the t r a d i t ion a l
fa b r ic o f C h r is t i a ni ty is l e ft s t a n d in g t o day ; h ow
m uc h o f i t i f a n y a n in te lli ge n t m a n c a n a cc ep t
P r o per ly spea k in g y o u n eed t o h a ve g on e t h r ou gh
the p h a s e o f b e in g a J ew a n d o f b e li ev in g th e J ew s
t o b e the c h os en r a c e b efo r e y ou ca n e m b ra ce
th e M es si a nic h o pe a n d b eli e v e t ha t J esus w a s the
e m bo d i m e n t o f t h a t h o e
No w w h y t h e J e w s r a ther
p
t ha n the G ree k s o r R o m a ns s h oul d b e r ega r d ed a s the
o n e c h os e n
p eo p l e o f a b e n ev ol e n t G o d I fa il to see
A s m uc h a s a n y on e I a d m i t the O l y m p ic g r a n d eu r o f
m uc h o f th ei r a nci en t li t er at u r e ; a n d I r eco g nis e t ha t
thei r tr ib a l d ei ty in s p i te o f h i s bl o o dth i rsty c apr iciou s
c ha r a c t er a n d un r el en t in g c r u e l ty t o o th er t r ib es than
h i s fav ou r i te I sr a e l w a s a t l ea s t su p er io r t o t he pa ga n
Ju p i ter o r Z eus in so fa r a s h e w as no t a libi d inous
b e in g con t inu a ll y in d ul g ing in d is gra ce ful li a isons
O f h i m t her e w as no chr on i q ue sca n da l euse a n d even to
h i s a n gels w a s d eni ed w h a t w a s th e r s t p r i v il ege of
N ever t hel ess th e s a c r i ci a l cul t s an d
p a g a n d ei t i es
ta boos o f th e J ew s wer e no better a n d no w o r s e tha n
th os e o f o ther h a l f sava ge r eli g ion s
W e m a y then a d m i t the gr ea ter a us ter i ty o f H e
b r ew th eology ; bu t w h at con t r ibu t ions t o cul t u re a rt
p o et ry p h iloso p hy h i st o r y l a w a n d p oli t ic a l sci e nc e
h a d th e J ew s ev er m a d e c o m p a r a bl e to t h ose m a d e b y
G reek s a n d R o m a ns ? T o the m in d o f t h e l at e Mr
a n d h e w a s a m a n who m o re
Dar w i n a s we sa w
-

D E V E LO

3 58

PM E N T

W ho t o d ay b eli eves
in a G od who h a s a r i gh t a n d a l e ft ha n d ? Y et our
cl ergy p r o fess t o b eli eve in so m a n y w o r d s t h a t J esus
w h en h e r os e fr o m th e d ea d a n d a sc e n d e d in t o heaven
sa t d o w n a t t h e r i g h t h a n d o f G o d
S o w e r ea d in
A c t s t h a t S t ep he n t h e r s t m a r ty r
bei ng full of the
H oly G host l oohed up stea dfa stly i n to h ea ven a n d sa w
th e g l ory of G od a n d jesu s sta n d i ng on the r i gh t ha n d
of G od
A n d in th e a p p e n d ix o f M a r k w e r ea d th a t
the L or d jesus w a s r ecei v ed up i n to hea v en a n d sa t
dow n a t the r i gh t ha n d of G od
H ea ve n in t he i m a gin a t i o n o f t he se w r i ter s w as an
O l y m p us su sp e n d ed fa r a bo v e a a t a n d x e d ea r th o f
w h ic h t h e n e t h er p a r t s w er e so m et i m e s g i ve n up t o the
d ea d li k e th e cl a s sic T a r ta r us P a u l r ec k on e d tha t
t he r e w er e se ver a l hea ve n s a n d w a s h i m s el f ca ug ht up
even to th e thi r d
o f t h em w hether i n the body or out

h e hn ew n ot
H e no d oub t li ke th e
of the body
a u th o r s o f th e S l a v onic boo k o f E n o c h o f t h e T est a
m e n t s o f th e T w el ve P a t r i a r c h s a n d o f m a n y o t her
J ew i sh a pocry ph s o f th at a g e sh a r ed t he ol d P er si a n
b eli ef th a t th ere w ere seve n hea ve n s in th e h i ghes t
o f w h ic h sa t t he A l m i gh ty on a g r ea t w h i te thr on e
su r r oun d ed b
L u k e d ra w s us a
y w in ged c h er ubi m
p ic t u r e o f th e C hr i st s a sc en t in t o hea ve n in A c t s i 9 :
When he ha d sa i d these thi ng s a s they w er e l oohi ng
a n d a cl ou d r ecei v ed hi m ou t o
he w a s ta h en up
f thei r

si gh t
S i r W illi a m R ow a n
T h e I r is h m a the m at ici a n
H a m il ton onc e a llo wed h i m se l f t o b e d r a w n in t o the
s pecul a t i on o f h ow far ou t in t o sp a c e J esus coul d
p r oc ee d in a c er t a in t i m e i f h e w a s r isin g a t the
m o d er a t e r a t e w h ic h th e a bo v e p a ss a g e con te m p l a te s
W he n hi s c a lcul a t ions revea l ed t o h i m t ha t he w oul d

a nd

o wn ,

p u re l y

m y th

olog ic a l

ve r eac ned t h e n ea r es t o i t h e fi x ed s t a r s
beg an a s a goo d Ch r is t i a n t o r ecoil fr o m hi s
cul a t ion a nd rel eg ated the m a tter t o fa i th a s a
ste ry b e on d th e r ea c h o f h u m a n r ea son
y
rr o m a r e
li gion w hic h cl a i m s t o b e a n a l r evel at ion
su r el y e x ec t so m e t ea c h in
p
g th a t w e c a n l a y h ol d
a bou t th e soul
a bou t s p i r i t abou t i m m o r ta li ty
t i t s foun d er h a d non e
H e loo k ed fo r w a r d t o a
a c u l o u s e oc h o f m a t e r i a l
p
p r os p er i ty on th is ear t h
l l a n d w he re th e los t s h ee
p o f t h e h ou se o f Is r ae l
e to p a st u r e onc e m o re un d er t h e i m m e d i a t e
pr o
:ion an d g ui d a nc e o f J eh o v a h
T h is bl ess e d e r a
: t o d a w n a t onc e a n d t h e j us t a m on
g t h e d ea d
e t o r is e fr o m t h e i r g r a v es a n d p ar t ici a t e in t he
p
h w i t h t h os e w h o s h oul d b e s t il l a li ve w h e n i t
n ed
T h e C h u r c h h a s t r i ed l a m e l y enou gh t o
:r
pret th es e m ill e nni a l b e li e fs o f t he r st a ge w i th
r enc e t o a li f
e w h ic h a w a i t s us a l l b ey on d th e
bu t a n y such i d ea w a s fo re i g n t o th e m in d o f
ve
H e w a s p r ob a bl y inc a p a bl e o f conce i v in g o f
i s
i r el y s i r i t u a l e xis t e nc e in d eta c h m en t f
r o m th e
p
y ; a n d i f h e e ver a s k ed h i m se l f a s h e p r ob a bl y
er d i d
a bou t th e n a t u re o f sp i r i t
he m u st li k e
ars o f hi s a g e h a v e d eci d ed i t t o b e a n a tt e nu a t e d
n of m a tt er si m il a r t o th e w in d
o f w h ich w e
zei v e the e f
fec t s an d he a r the soun d t h ou g h in
If i t rem a ins in t a n g ibl e a n d in v isibl e
S m a ll
W ha t i s
n e t o J e sus i f h e w a s no p h iloso p h er
1y a m a z in g a t the p res e n t da y i s tha t bis h o p s a n d
as s h oul d b e q ua r re llin g o v er the qu e s t ion w heth er
T he
G a lil ea n p r o p het w a s o m ni sci e n t o r no t
to p o f B i r m in gh a m Dr G o r e h a s Wr i tt en a l ear n ed
t is e on the p oin t a n d g in ger ly conclu d es t ha t he
no t o m nisci en t b ec a us e he w a s no t a n cou r a n t
yet

nor h a

'

'

'

D E V E L O P M E NT

3 60

i th the l ates t r esul t s o f h i g her c r i t icis m ; b ut he

in sis t s th a t J esus w a s a ny h ow in fa llible li ke a m o d ern
p op e
I t onl y r em a ins to a dd res s a w a r ning t o t hose
w ho d esi r e t o m a k e a s p eed y en d o f o r th o d ox Chr is
t i a n i ty in t h e b eli e f t h a t i f t hey coul d m a k e a ta bul a
r a sa o f th e E u r o p ea n m in d so m e t h in g m uc h b etter
I w o ul d a dvis e such
w oul d ins t a n t l y t a k e i t s p l a c e
d rea m er s to e n ter a m us eu m o f a n th r o pology li ke the
P i tt R i ver s coll ec t i o n in O x fo r d a n d su r vey the
h i d eou s g oblins a n d g h ouls st ill w o r s h i p p ed b y s a va ge
L e t t h em onl y v isi t P er u g i a
r a c e s a l l o ver t he g lob e
a n d in sp ec t t h e coll ec t ion o f a nci e n t m ed i ev a l an d
m o d er n I t a li a n fe t ic he s coll e c t ed t h er e by a P r o fe ssor
T her e is no d i ffer enc e b etween
G ius ep p e B ellucci
t h os e o f th e p res en t a n d t h ose o f pa s t a ges P er ha ps
w e ou gh t t o b e g r a teful t o the C a t h olic C h u r c h in L at in
coun t r ie s for h a v in g es ta blish ed cul ts so r es pec ta ble
a s t h os e o f th e Vi r g in a n d t h e s a in t s
fo r i t i s c er ta in
th at in d efa ul t o f t he m the La t in p ea sa n t w oul d
r e l a p s e in t o a fet ic h i sm a s ol d a s th e h ills ar oun d hi m
Y o u ca n t u r n S p a ni sh a n d I ta li a n p ea s a n t s in t o a n t i
cl er ic a ls bu t yo u sel d o m t u r n th em in t o R a t ion a list s
T h ey m ay g i ve up Ch r is t i a ni ty bu t they only b eli eve
a ll t he m o r e r m l y in th e evil eye a n d in a l l the
d eb a sin g pr a c t ic es wh ic h atten d th e b elief I n the
sa m e w a y the I r i sh p ea s a n t i f y o u r obb ed h i m o f hi s
C a t h olicis m w oul d a t onc e l a p s e in t o t h e cul t o f ho b
g oblins ; fo r t h is in s p i t e o f t h e e ffo r t m ad e d u r in g
ce n t u r i es b y the C h u r c h t o era d ic a te i t lies every
w h er e a v er y li tt l e w a y b e lo w t he su r fa c e a n d be lon gs
t o t he in m os t con volu t ions o f hi s b r a in
T h is is no t to sa y tha t i n o ur o w n l a n d where
r ea l e m a nci p at ion is
m o r e p ossibl e w e ou gh t t o

D EV E L O P M E NT

362
theol og or um , ex

th

v i n cu l i s ser m oci n a n tes

t is

by

i th ou t b ein g even
th a t y et a fter th e m a nn er o f th eolo g i a ns c ha tter fr o m
t he i r c ha ins
A n d t h e ch a ins a r e qui te i m a g in a r y for
such a r ei g n o f t er r o r a s the p r ese n t r ea c t ion ary p ope
h a s c r ea te d in th e C a t h olic C h u r c h is inconc e i v a bl e in
t h e A n g lic a n
I used t o k n o w a dog o ver w h ose hea d
h i s m a s ter n eed e d onl y to m ak e a few p a ss es a s i f h e
w er e t y in g h i m u p t o a fe nc e a n d no th in g no t even
h i s m a st e r s c a ll c o ul d in d uc e h i m t o m o ve
He
b eli eved h e w a s t i e d u p w i th ou t b e in g so The
d o cili ty o fth o se w h o a t o r d in a t i o n p l ed g e them s el ves
t o a nu m ber o fp ro p o si t ion s w h ic h ha d a m ea nin g a n d
a p lic a t ion fo u r h un d r e d
p
y e a r s a g o bu t h a ve l o s t i t
n o w i s onl y t o b e pa r a ll e l ed b
y t h i s e x a m p l e o fc a ni n e
sc h ol a s t icis m
m en wh o

a re

th eolo gi a ns

or

w h o, W

A DD IT I O NA L NO T E S

The i ti o i Qu sti o w a u doubtedly p i l p y

FE S S O R H A N S LI E T Z MA NN of J
i
hi s C m m
t y o
i th i s (T ubi ng
h as a
xc u sus o P ul s m l d y H
k th t th w d s
i d i c te
m ssen ge
f S t n to buf
ft m
G l ti
s th e w o d
i
i
I5
Fo I b e
psy w h
y u
es
th t i f p ossi bl
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y w uld h
y s
p l uck d out y u
n them t
m
i nd i c t bl i d s f so t
I G l atians i
14 h o w
P ul c g tul te hi c
ts o th e
i m st n c e th a t th
l th ugh hi s
y h d n t d sp i d
p t t hi m
on l afi c ti
w s
l ss ofa tr i l t th em tha n t hi m s l f Th
us d
t
xp essi of th e
sp i t out
wa s
t ch i c l ter m
r opaei
of th ose i te t o
e t i ng
d m oni c agen cy
gestur
:ti g oth e s
A cc d i gly P of s
W n dl d w ite i n hi w o k
Hell i ti c R m C ultu (G m
d iti n T ub in gen
25
It
m t m
b y f th m st p b bl
i w th t Paul
dy was ep i l epsy
P ti l
c m p l t bl i dn i f eque t
e
m i tan t f p i l p y
d i f P u l h d uff d th e f m i t w ould
th e G l a ti
ai n
th e p
t th e e d o f th e E pi stl e t
g
i II)
S ee w i th wh t bi g l ett r I h e w itten to you w i th m y
ha d
ff t t h i m to use h i ow n h d i n
I t w s cl e ly
i g an d wh e h e d i d s h h d t w i te
l g h an d E ls w h
T hese p ss ges ( t wh i ch C o l e l
ef
e
t hi s use f m
u nses
i
Wi ll i m s h s d w m y tt n tio ) p oi t to p tial bl indness
v i si t ti on on th e w ay t
D m sc us was ccom p n i ed b y tem po a y
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A DD I T I O

3 64

ch

NA L NO TE S

cte c on tinued to b e th e expect tion s and pi ti on s ofthis down

cethe e l iest pe h aps of ll c es to de el op n tio l
t dd
f uch i ar i bi l i ty
l f c o sci u s nd p t i tism A
ex m p l
f th l t t of the M e i h S ab t i
lect th e c ee f
w m y
L i w h w s b A D I 6 2 5 d to th e utte co fu i f his d
h
t
t u ned M oh m m ed
i 1666
A g o d sk tch fh i s c
is
t
be e d i
c ontem po y w k ti tled Th edt de l Tu q i
w i tt
b y M i c he l F l u
d p i t d i P a i s i 16 8 2
S b t i st
t bl i h d
te ch e
nd p
f
g the J ew
ph t m
put ti o as
S l ic
d S t m b ul
Th
c h w en t t S m y
n d J e u l em
Wh i l h w i th h ly c i ty m i d of G l l h d isio f
d g i t w i th
m i g swo d w h w ed h
g el cl d w i th l ight
th t th
t u M
i h w c m th t h w uld h tly m i fest hi m
l f n th b k fthe J d t h t l l m u t get dy t ceive h im
d
c ed st e m t m eet hi m T h Rabbis c ed it d
p i t th
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d um b
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b f e l on g f s k hous d h m e
of J w
n d ch ttel
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f G az
N tha B e j m i h d l dy s um d th i l f p ecurs
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N th t c c g is d hi m d p cl im d hi m t b the Messi h
th ugh h h i m
l f f a t i m e p ote t d th t h w not H i s p ot ts
ly
wed th e nth usi sm f hi f ll w e
wh
i ng i t h m
th i g b ut
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pr oof f hi h um i l i ty th w th em l s t h i s feet
h i l d hi m k i ng o f th J ew
d t S my
S b t i etu
wh ith
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foll w d hi m m is i s of N th b ing
th
m
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l ette f ll f m h a en i n w hi ch G od h im s l f pp o d f th w
M s i h cl i m s and c m m an d d ll I s l to w lc m h i m T his
l tt w s e d i n th y g g u f S m y
d xc i ted uch
th u
si
m th t S b t i g e w y
d
l ge decli ed th e h m g fhis
c m pat i ots T h e cef th he d e sed i n obes o f si lk n d gold d
c i d scep tre i n hi s h a d ; hi s w lks br oad b c m oyal p o
wh i ch c rowd s o f J w
sc
t d hi m l yi g d w
c rpets
g sse i
n th
th fo hi s f et t
t
d I l l the J w i f T u key his
m i cl es w ere t lk d f; n d th f th
it w s f m S m y
th m o e
m r ell ous w
th
t l e t ld
f hi m
T he
y ch i ld e fell i t
e c stas i
nd
decl a d
ed of h i s p od i gi es
S o m e o f h i s fo ll ow
th t h
p t k of food b ut on c e a w eek oth e s th t h h d neve
h ld el ti ns w i th w m
th ough as
m tte
f f ct h e h d b
m
i ed fo y s A si gl e w d f m hi s l ips i led to open a pr iso
d on d y w h
i
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g te n d et t l i b e ty J ew c o d th
w
J ewish d o cto ofh li g beheld hi m
p e c hi g i n th e y g gu
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g u ed an d suffused wi th l igh t
S o b r i ll i t wa th e g lo y th t
th e d o c to w
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a r

a,

an

on e r e o

on

se

er

o or

en

e sa
er

ar r e

a a

ra n s

ere

an

no

rea
e

ra v

ar

ear

r a

s na

en

e o
,

an
r

e r

r es o

ro

rna ,

v er

n o
re

er s

een

a va

er e n

an

ea

an

as

e ne

e, a

ne

e a

ro

ear

or

er ,

an ,

ve

en ,

an

rn a ,

e, a

es

er

see

or e
n

a,

s e

an

or

on

r a

o,

ar o o

ar r

as

r s

es a

sa r e

rn a ,

e o

e an

e r

ra e

e o

a v

a a

r ne

o re

se v e

er

an

as

re

an

arn

an

rs,

n o

or

a a

ra

e e ar

sa

a v

av

e s na

s e

ro

er

s o

ere a

a a

a s

s,

e v

on

ro

as

re

ree

or o o

u e,

r ea

a rea

s or

e or

an

ess a

ne

or

rene

no

n,

or

n a

an a

ar

er s

s, a n

ro

an ,

e sa r

er v s on , a n

or

a a

on

a a a

s,

rna

en

e,

a r eer

ro

na

s on o

so

an

as

re

an

se

en e

ss a

nv

a es

r n e
r

en

e o

or

r e, an

ra r

a an

an

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an

en

es a

ra

ra

s an

on e o

r o

or n

a r o

ar

e ren s,

sn es

se

as

en

A DD I T I O N A

366

ch

L NO T E S

i es to th e despair w ith whi ch the

ap stasy
f th ei M essiah ll d th e J ews o f T u k y
T he st ry of S abata i h as m uch i c m m n w i th t hat of J esus
An
a g l
f l igh t p ed i cts the M essi h to m i d en
n d th t M essi h i s
to
on th e J o d an
Th e fai th ful for s k a ll i n r d e to m et
pp e
hi m a n d b p ti e th em sel es
H e has h i s p ec u so
n d p r ophet
He
beg in b y efusin g the ho ou th ust upon hi m but end s b y ccepting
it
H i
cc ed i ted by m ess ge d i c t f m h a en C r ow ds esco t
hi m
d str ew his p th w i th c p ts
H e g ets c ed it f r w o k i g
m i cl es fo ex t o d i
d sc ti c i sm
T he ve y chi ld en
r y fast i g
in
m s a ccl im h i m
H e i s t a g u d l i k e J esus nd sh i es wi th
H e p o m ises
th o n
to hi s d i sc i p l s i h i s futu e k i g d m
gl y
H
cl i m t b th S
fG d
d dd sses hi f ll ow s i n t m s
w h i ch t st si gh t seem to b e b
w d f om th e c n ti cl es f the
st ch p te f Luk e b ut m y qui t s w ell b e i m i t ted from the ve y
ou c e wh i ch p r ob bl y i ns i r ed L uk e
n m el y th
p yer b ok f th
p
o l d J ewi sh S yn ag og ue
T h m e w e be
i n m in d th stab i l ity ofth
l ig iou b l i f n d co d iti ons ofthe E t th l s we sh ll suspect th
g d M i ch l F l ur e fh i g co l ou ed h i s p i c tu e of S b ta i Le i wi th
w n C h i sti
p ig m e ts ta ke f m hi
p a i n tb o x
th e

o se
o

a tter

Fel ure

an d

test

ar

ar

re

ar

r o

an

oo

62

T h e Dean

of

s o

er

er

ra

es

an

tr a i ts

ar

o el i m i n ate

or

av n

ro

as

e sa

re

e a

re

re

orr o

ns

r a

e v

es

on o

ro

an

na

ra

ra

or

an

s a

f com m on

h u m a n i ty

J( A r m i tage Robi n son D D i n h is book

G osp el s ( L o n d o n
p 42 en um era tes a sc ore

estm nster

The S t u dy o
fthe
i n wh
o f passages i n
ar
on

M k
i c h m ti n
cts xp essi e f m ti on
d h w s th t they
sc i b ed t J esu
m i tted i n th e p all el
d Luk e
of M tth ew
p sag
P 97
0 di d he
i e th t u th i n
d to p t ay
mi
le 9
I fi th sec on d ch p t
ofA c ts w e b a ck t
s 5
1 1 i cl u i
l ft with
cc un t of the P e tecost l isi t ti wh i ch th ugh
w
l i g m ythi c l l m en ts yet c m p l etely cco ds w ith the
sti ll i
P ul i d c ip ti n ofth e gift f t gue
f e
S m e c i tic h
th
i
old
n
ti e whi ch h e
gued th t Luk e i trod uc ed th ese e
h
used
T h is m y h ve b een the c se fo the narra ti e i s c m p l ete
s s i n quest i on
an d sel f cont i ed w i th ut th
P I 33 A t th u h th t h u ld m
ly w i th the b gin i g of the
T h i n c on i t cy o f th i s tex t n ot
f u th G pel b ut w ith l l th a rati ofth e B p tism l ike i ot
l es ened i f s S chweitz
R m u
u W de
gu s i h i s w o k V
m
n t no t th e M essi ah h i m sel f b ut E l ias
h th t should c om
th e p rec urso of the M e si ah
a re a

es

as

s, an

e are

ne

ar

a n

os

ar

e e

on

e n

on

er

a ve

ar ra

s o

co

ere or

on

s ve,

n an

e ver e

r ac
n

v r ses

v erse

or r

s s en

er

o r

or

ar e o

ere

es r

s or a

er

an a

nv o v n

sa cr

an

v es

n n

s n

'

er ar

ea
.

o n

ez

ar

t z
,

re

P 13 6 I : the w or k of u h ow n w i te
i s i s a d m itted by Dr S n d ay D A r m i tage Rob i nson and m any
conserva tive c r iti cs
P I 47 The p ower of he l i g etc
d w ed w i th the sam e gift
i s n t m any years si n ce k i gs w e
Bishop Bull i n hi s fth S e m on (edi ti on ofRev E dw r d Bu ton
d 1 8 46 p
wr ot
s f ll w s
H ereby i t pp
th t th e g i ft of c ur i ng d i seases w i th ut th e h l p
t o n tu e w s i d d
d g i ft f G d an d so g i n b y
gi ft
to his ap ostl es
A n d (by th e w y) p hap s th is i s th e b est
u t th t c
l i c n d m in d r of the p im i ti e
b e g i ven f th
cul ous gi ft of h
l ing for som hun dreds of years past i sible i n
u
ti n
xed to th ucc sion of ou Ch isti k ing
nd
sun the cu e o f th t
th e w i se gener lly i cu bl
d ise se c lled
ius eg us o th e k i g s
i l Th t d i e s p rsons d espe t l y
u i ng un der i t h v e b ee
cu ed b y th e m
touch of th
oy l
l ssi t d w i th th p ye s f the p r iest
f u Chu ch tten d ing
q uesti onabl e un l ess th fa i th of a l l ou n c i en t w i ters a d the
a ti n t r ep o t ofh un d ed
fm t c ed i bl p e
ns i
u ow n a ge
ting th s m e b t b e que ti
d
3 e En gl i h P
Bo k f m er ly c tai ed speci l fce or ite
y
he ce m ony f th e k i g s touch i g fth e c ofulous ; b ut si ce
i i t has b n om i tted
T he J ac obi tes d e i d th at th e p ow er
e ded to Mary W i ll i m
An
b c u e th y w e usurp
d
not ul e by r i ght d i i e
b ut th ey ll ow ed th t i t em i ed i th e
of th
d thr d S tuar ts S ee A F e d I mp ti l I q ry
.

an

r.

e a

re en

ears
a

an

na

an n e

s e

ra

ra

er

re

r ha

ps

os

ra e

e r

rso

n o

one

on

or

n e,

e a

s r

re

ers an

r e an

a n

ar

ui

u
chi n
r
t
h
e
K
i
n
E i ca cy o
T
o
b
f
g j
g s E v i l , by
em nen t sur geon , pu
sh e
i n 17 2 2

bl i

149

ov er state

My

an d

ett, an

n e

one

P
>

s o

v n

the A n ti q u i ty

an

ere

or

B ck

ra

r a

ee

i am

so

es

ev

re

ve

er

e s

re

'

an

ee

ea

o r

ut ther e

th e

a se.

i:

fa i r

I t is

cer ta i n ty

d ifcul t

to

n ter pr et

th e cry

on

xcept s
ofb i tte d i si ll
i
d
bel i d up
e last th t
de : ex m achi
n gel s to
w o uld i te e e w i th h i
e
h sen m esseng a d est bl i sh th e p m i s d k i n gd om
B ut such
f i s ha dly c om pati bl w i th th m a y p ed i c ti ons a tt i b uted to
s th t h
d pu t t d ea th
w as to b e d l i
ti l es
ed
e t th e G
:r oss,

G od, my G od, w hy ha st
f
us on m en t
H e th a t uttere i t m ust h ave

: o

ev e

v er

ov r

s a

sav

an

en

rv n

ro

na

er

9
me
e

or sa ken

thou

P 1 57 A day f r estfor m an d he t
t m e n ot from m y use of these w o r d s b e supp osed to appr ove of
hypo cri ti c al i nven ti on of P ur i tan ignoran ce c l l ed the S abb ath
.

ar

an

A DD I T I ON A L

368

f ced m i

NO T E S

d ium fo you g a d ld th o ly d y
liu f
c e ti fo h i g m usi c f
w h i ch th p
h
i iti g m u um s d g ll e i es f t d y t th o d y n
g m es fo
ibl f th m T h is i hum c fusi n f
w h i ch ll th i s i s m ad im p
l ds
S u d y w i th th J w i h S bb th i s i m p s ibl e i M ed i t
f th e S tur d y
ti
w he
th e
m e S bb th ur i v s as th d i g
d ec
ti n
ti g
I th e e l y C hu ch th e S u da y w s d y o f f
T h P ur i t
ot o f sou m i se y n d deb uch
y as i t i s i n S c o tl nd
d m ost d g d i g f tu s f th
t
S un d y i s esp o si bl e f th w
N
re th e m i
E ngl ish publ i c h u
d S c tc h w h i sky h ell
t b
th ose f
s of th e B i ti h S un d y l es cu i u th
y S u th S e
I l d
k w p
I h
w h o w ould l i ste o i t t th m l o d i es
o f M o dy
d S
k ey b ut t f S c hum
S ch b e t w ould k i t
b ut ot u e
c b t n t wh ist ;
sew i g m ch i
; w u ld p l y p ti
d ught b ut t d m i s ; b g tell b ut t b i ll i d ; w h w uld
h b ut not h oo t b i cycl e b u t
t
w
t p l y c i ck t
w b ut
fo tb ll w uld de u th u d ifyi g leg d s ofth e J wi h P t i chs
b ut n t
d th Ti m
o
o f T h ck e y s
l ; would f e ly
t lk sc
d l b ut t j i i p l iti c l ethi c l d iscussi n
a

da y

of en or

on

o or

r v s

re

na

an

no

vo

r ea

an

no

o n

bb

on

th s,

F l i x b ish op

th e

E l pa

or

a r ar

n o ve s

B p ti m
a

Xol

an

e,

or

( Lon d on
.

of

Dr

esus,

E d w in

n dus.

i l n d p tisan of

th S
i u cc pt d tw o b i th s
E l i p du taugh t th t
th e
e i
d
sh by b i th f m th e Vi g i
d pi i tu l w h i ch he beg n
s c
d c
um m at ed i n h i s esurrec ti on f
i n the fo t
m th d e d
S ee A l u i c Fel i em ii f 8 0 9
e

an

s,

H il

am

ro

an

NE

in

of

U rgel

no

rea

ar

ra

on

1 74

ro

The B a th

ll

an

en

re

en

d gener a y
ott , Fr om L etter to Sp i r i t

Rea

an

no

ro

16 7 .

e,

ne

n a

ne

es o r

a ,

no

ne

noe

an n o r

n or

ea

or

an

an

r o

an

ra

on o

on

an

ea s

an

ne

er r a n ea n

na

es

or

ors

no

an

ea r n

erson s

an

s,

no

er

an

ar

av e

er .

se

on ,

o s

oo

or

re r

or

oss

or

ra

an

s an

se

ar

e s re

te

ave

ser y a n d

av o

n, a n

1 74

a ry o f Po i c ti er s

n,

by

(d i ed

ar

: on

ro

c f

f Afr i ca

in

or

and

i in g m o
hi s w k O

rom

S pa e

p up

e on

Chr i sti an w r i ter :

e ea r ly

i d

Th

r estra n e

on s

S pa

re

th a n

I ta ly

few

x m p l es
iii 2 5 ex
e

the Tr i n i ty , v

Th u
t my S
th i
d y h
I b g tt
th
p l i s th e w d s
( d l i ed b y the i c f m h ea en to J sus t hi s b p ti sm cco d i n g
t th
lde t tex t f Luke s G pel ch iii
t m
th i s th a t
n
th at d y th e d i i n
tu
w s c m m u i c ted to th e S
lbeit h w
b o i th e h th ugh th s c m en t o h l y ct f hi s bei g
i ted b y th e S pi i t ; fte an d not b efo th is ti ity of th
b ptism the ccom p l i h d w s hi s p op i eta or p ecul iar k insh ip
wi th G o d a ttested b y th e V i c
a n
e

or

ver

e o

vo

on ,

ro

os

re

ro

ar

'

e na

an o n
a

s o

rn

s e

re

e.

ean

ee

"

na

en

on , a

a ra

e o

r,

ave

as

A DD I T I O N A L

370

f om
t wo

J or d an

th e

bi

A n d si n e th ere a r e h er e
m p ort a nd
ro m ea h o ther i n m yst
as
th a t w e sh ou
east th em to geth er ,

a s an e a m p e un to us

i t i

di er i ng

r th s,

NO T E S

tr ue

ic i

date therefor e i t was en c ted

ld f
we f ast th e rst so a l so th e seco d b i th
A
C th oli cos (pr ob ably 48 0
a li er A rm en ian P at i a ch J h

wrot
d th e sam e on ly begotten S on
T wo B i r th s o f
as
c i t d i this
i n th F east f th e B apti sm on J an u y 6 th ) ;
the st of th em was from a d i i
h l y v i gi n a nd the sec on d o cc u ed
ft
th i ty yea s on th e sa m e d y i
th e w ay o f hi s b p tism i
th e
J o d by hi s Fo er u er
tw
m i a cul ous b i rths th e e th e
e
i
u
h fr om the h ol y v i gi
n d th
ther by baptism i n th e J o d a
f om S p i itual fon t
in

n e

e :

so

a e

rr

nn

es

n o

an

ar

an

v ne

er

on e

on

e o

n, a

Th e
P I 75
r da i ned hi m
Cf E phr em S yrus Com m e tar y on th e Dia tessar on ol d Ar m e ian tex t
d t
sl ti on b y Moesi g e
S o then Jesus r ecei ed th e
p 42
k in gdom of the h ouse of D vi d b y b ir th b ut the p ri esth o d f th

h ous of Lev i th rough his reb i th a t th e han ds of the son o f A a

Th e sam e i d ea rec urs i n th e T e h i g of G r egory I ll um i na t
of
A m en i
a s gi ven b y A ga th ang l os
S ee l so th e ol d E p i phan y H ym ns G eek an d A r m en i an i m y w k
R i tu l e A r m enor u m
H na ck H i story f D g m
nd
O x fo d
2
p t ii h v iii
P I 76
A i ti d s
S ee O xf r d ed i ti on of 1 7 3 0 v l ii 57 3 p 3 4 1
.

an

ran

r,

a,

ar

or

r on .

ac

ar

or

a,

P
S ee ed ition of
n a chts
fest, p 2 3 8
.

r s

17 6 .

M on tfaucon

Ch y
r

sostom .

fo ll

XI , 3 6 7

a nd

H Usenet s Wei h
'

P 1 76
The A r m en i n Chu r ch
S ee th e l tter o fW ah an or J oh n B i h p of N i cea to the A rm en i n
P t i ch Za char ia wr i tten a t the r eq uest of P h otios i n th e H i to i a
Mon othel i t um ofCom bes (P i s
.

a r ar

ar

ar

17 8 .

S ee a r ti cl e
B i ogr aphy ,

E bi i

th e author

P
i

Th ]

184

ii

uch

T he m p r essi on m a e on
i s w e e a m p e by th e o

ll x

l d

ew i sh

Ch r i sti a n s o
fP a l esti n e

i n S m th an d W a ces Di cti on a r
y
t es th er e
te

on sm

a nd

ci d

w as t he sor t

a n or th o

do x

f llowi ng pass g
a

f Chr i sti a n

fdeica tzon

in d

fr om

d iscou se
a letter add essed t m

by A ph raa ts
r

lear

D e em b er , 190 2 , b y a

in

whose

I ha d

a tten t on

PS
.

La tely h ving a c qui red

a

Ja cobus

A r m eni a n pr i est, U r
ra wn to th em
n ed

Ni v i bi n )

of

d
c

of

the

B aroni a n ,

ser m ons of A phraates

Ro m e i n A r m

a nd

(o r S a in t

I w

La t

h urt

as

cularl y b y th e se m x i De Chr i sta gu d si t l i u Dei I t

does ot expose the A d op tion ism b ut su ely d o s ot dh e t th e eal
d i ini ty fC h i st H d m it th e ti tl e f G d but i n th e se se th t
e y g rea t m an b e
s the sa m e ti tl e
as h e says
I could o t nd th e e
ny c on m ti on of th
i t of G nn di us w ho h s e ti tl ed th t

p ar ti

v ,

e a

ev r

ser m on

S on o
f G od
b e supp ose

I t is

to sho w to the

v ew

k bl
dd es ed t

r em a r

re

or

i n w ha t

ew s

et con su bsta n ti a l i s

th a t su h

e var an

ha s i n

re

D e Chr i sta q uad Fi l i us D ei si t

ser m on

ar

sense

P a tr i

we

T he

c ll C h ist
i n should
r

trea t se i n A r m en

d to b
S t G g y the I llum i na tor
P 188 A l d G h m u i pt i the V ti a L i b y
f th
I efe
t t
y c od ex of th e G o p el s b ut t a MS
n d on
Di logue f T i m o thy n d A qui l ed i ted b y m y el f fo th e C l
Pes
P 208
I the M tem Ch u h
b y Dr J Ren d el H
is
S ee The Cu l t of the H eave ly Tw i
(Cam br idge
p 1 17
e a

n o

no

r ee

an

scr

c n

an

r s

are

a,

rar

n s,

2 16

ar r

rc

Th

o
f m oder n di v i n es

e con ten ti on

N o thi ng i s m or e rem ar k able than the tar d in ess w ith w h i ch l i turgi ca l

for m s for the m ar r iage cerem ony w ere evo lved i n the Chur ch T o a
Fa ther o fthe C hur ch b efor e the th ir d c en tury th e very suggestio n o f
such a r i te or o f m a rr i a ge bei n g a sa cr a m en t wo uld h av e seem e d i n
the last d egr ee i n d ecen t
.

P
S ee

H eor tol og i e

th e

B ig

r e s a u,

of

17 4

229

Dr

fo ll

To P a ler m o

H i i ch K ll
e

e nr

( Freiburg i m

ner

P
No fe ts of the Vi rg i n i n R m e
S ee th e w o k f th e A bb L Duch sn e O ig i n e du u l t Ch ti n
ch
iii 5 n o 3
P 2 3 o S e E S H r tl n d P i m i ti P t n i ty 190 9 p 2 0
tt ib uted t S i t B
e tu
w he e th e La ti hym i q uesti on i
r

v
.

P
An

23I

o ld

ve

s a

f l ig ht fr om

e r ay s o

J e ui t m issi on

Voy age o u

Th

as

R oy a u m e

ae

ar y

a n

hea ven en ter i ng

iam G uy T ch ard
(p in ted i n P r i s i

in S

S iam

a er

onav n

Ma ry

i n hi s

ra

s ea r s

book

rep ea ts,

B B 2

S econ d
p

2 53 ,

A DD I T I O

372

NA L N O T E S

i m i l story bout the bi rth of B uddh f om Buddh ist sou c e as

follows A you g gi l h d w i th dr w in t
l o ly fo est to w i t
d en t f G d d th l ed th e m ost uste f l i s o id i ng
th
i n te co u se O e day w hen he w s ng ged i p ye sh e
al l hum
c ceived i n m t won d rful w y w ith ut l in g h r i g i i ty ; for
ch i ld i her
th e un b y the m i i str y fh i s r ys fo m d th bo d y f
S om ti m
ft w d s she w as
w o m b du i g th e fe ou
fh
p ye
d l th ough sh e w s sur e ofh er
m z ed t n d h s l f b i g w i th ch i ld
i tu yet bei g sh m ed fh e con d i tion she p l u ged d eep e i nto the
f t i
de t
i d th ey s of m k in d S h
ch ed t l st
wh
sh e w s d el i
ed w i th
t l k b tw e S i m n d C m b d i
g
i l fth m ost be uti ful b b i the w ld A s sh e h d
ut p i
t
th e l v s f
u ckl
i t w i th h e e te d th e l k e to l y i t
o m i lk t
H w e natu e p o
th
w te s su f c
p l t w h i ch a t d
f th e
i ded f th saf ty of th ch i l d w ho was th G d l g w i t d
the
u i
F hi m th
h a i g l i d h i m o th e b u d fa o w
w sp e d i ts p t l s f i tsel f t
c i e hi m d th cl s d upon

i
T h t x t p r o c e d to
h m as if t f m h i s c dl e
l te h ow ce t i n
k i gs j e l us t h ear ing the c om m fo lk y th t the true K ing f
K i gs w s b orn s ught f th e ch i ld i o d e to sl y i t ; b ut good
h m i t d w i th i t in to th e k i g d m ofC m b d i
E e i f th is legen d
h as b een co l u d b y C hr i sti n i n fl ue c e i ts ea dy cc ep t n c b y the
f i r gi n b i r th s ca n g ro w up a nd
S i am ese sh o ws h ow e si ly uch t l
h o w engr ai n ed th y r i n th e hum n m i d
a s

ar

e a

on

rv

v r

e,

rea

av o

a n or

e n

r a va

o s

or

er

v n

er

l i

T he

bu t he tha t

an

ccor di ng

er ,

en

o e

r a

v n

re a

sa

a es o

on

r,

2 34

ev

ea

to O r i gen

S o , i n Reve a t o n
Fa i t hfu l a n d T r u e,
.

on

k agai nst C elsus

P

a e

re e v

re

h m se f

or

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or

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r a e

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an

or

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r o

er e

o r es

os

av

ve

re o

ne

ere

r n

an

an

sam e

r ece v et

38

xix 1 1
a l so h ad
con cei t of

he th a t

hn ow n to hi m self

n ly

a na m e

h i t,

sa t

the w hi te hor se, ca l l ed

on

w r tten w h

i ch

w h i ch

a se r et n a m e,

ii

i s m et w th i n ch
pr op er n a m e o f h i s
.

n o on e

n ew e

n o on e

hn ow eth

1 7 of th e sa m e

xcep t

b ook

i mh d
ow
w h i ch n n b ut th e
h igh est m a d i n s m i gh t utter or even k now so s c ed
d m yster i ous
w as i t
N H i n d oo w o m
to d y w i ll d i scl os
i f sked i t th e n am
o f h er h u b
d T h V l ti i h e eti cs be l i e ed that th e nam e
d e c e ded
J su i the f m of th d
a t hi s b
pti sm
u ed by ex r i t othe w i
P 2 3 9 H i
m w
t
to h i m
g
N te here th st y i n A c ts x ix I 3 of th tr l l i g jew x i st
T he

K i ng

of
n

ar

an

on

s na

w h o p r esu m ed to
t h e L or d

jesu s

n a m e over

say i ng ,

ove

d oya r e

y ou by

se s r a n

e s

them w h i ch ha d th e
'

o c s s

or

an

as

e,

n an

or

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s an

jesu s

ev i l

er s

s, e

or c

p i r i ts the n a m e of
w hom P a u l p r ea cheth
s

A DD I T I O

374

NA L N O T ES

fa ll
n
n othe
thr ee d ys an d i gh ts
nd f
o
gh stly ba ttl e
aged ov er the w ste
p l in on w h i ch thei b od i es w r e t etch d
un b ur i d
A n d the e w ere those s y D m asci u w h o w e e w i tnesses
fthe ph an tom w r fa e
de d s they
n d he r d th e w ar c i es of th
con tin ued with un abated fury to in blows upon on e an oth e
to

on

e a

exa m p l e

the
l

3 14

i n m y R i tua l e A r m en or u m ,

est r i tu a l

a nd

or

in

r.

ol d

ree

s,

s r

ra

S ee for

A r m en

Go

ar s

texts

an r

it

es o f

u chol ogi on .

apti sm

c oll ected

I ND E X O F S UBJ E C T S
(A d o ub le aster i sk

i i es that th e
A B YS S I NI A N
C h isti ans
thei r
up ersti ti on a b out na m es 2 6
3
A d pt ioni sm o f E b i on i te of ea ly
S pan ish Ar m i
an d o th e
Ch ur ches r 7 4 r 7 s
Aga bus Ch ist i n p r oph et wh y
68
boun d 3 6 7
Ag ap t i
techn i c l ter m for th e
p i itua lly m a i d 2 1 7
A ll egory used b y S to i cs i n in ter
r

en an ,

"

c i the Add itional N ot )

Ari sti des Rh t
his v i si o s 2 90
o
b i d ing an d l oosing ofth
god Dionysu 2 45
A i tobul us l l go ised the O l d

r ef
eren e s to

s gn

rr e

e or ,

s,

r s

Testam en t 3 3 1
A r m en i an d issen ter s
,

A tha

asi us, th e so

es

35

262

ca lled C eed of
r

A ttil a, egen o f i n Dam asciuss

e of Is ore, 3 68

lif

id

i f

A ugust ne on n an t apt sm , 3 15
p reti ng H o m er , 3 3 0
by Ar sto u us an d h l o i n
n ter pretin g O ld T esta m ent, 3 3 1
A
IS
of esus, i n n on
a r an
A tar , i ts ta oo san cti es g t or
o um en t, 1 3 2
v
t m a
o n i t , 2 59
i ts s gn
a n e i n the ear est
A n ahi te, h er
east
e am e
th e
ospe , 16 5 fal l

r g n s i n A r m en a , 2 2 9
i n th e A ts o fA r he aus, 3 2 5
A ng an
er gy,
th e r t mi ty,
age of esus a t, 1 7 7
esus sp r tua
an d
a no nte
338. 36!
a st
A n t h r st
i n th e
e e te ther e n , 1 o, 3 2 5
en t e
a n en t or m of
1
w th
er o, 193
, 3 7
A n t S em t sm of ar on , 3 2 9
postpon e fo r r ea of post
a pt sm al sin , 3 2 3 fol l
A p h ra a tes on sp r tua w v es, 2 19
a p t sm al
r o w n w orn f
or e gh t
hi s hr sto ogy , 18 4
a ys, 3 19
Apo on us of T yan a , h is e o r
the a ptism o f
ci sm s, 1 43
as
an s easte
Chri st, 17 5
A p ost es of esus u ph el th e Law
B a th
for
or v o e r om heav en , i n
en t e onver ts, 7
T a m u , 16 7
A post es, a l o f th e o ur nai ve y
oote upon i t, 168
ar , 2 9
sh op Ligh tf
es r
e by

a t Ma r
h o up on i t, 16 8
A p ost es
ev e e
r ee
n ra
B a tiffol , A

err e, on
c on .
3 46
ti tes, 2 2 5
A ui n as, S t
ho m as, on I n u i
e u
i,
r o essor , hi s o e t on
an d S u u i , 2 34
et sh es, 3 60
o f I ta i an
A r a m a , th e or g na anguage of

e
r
e
e
r
a
t
ons
th e
s
e
t
o p
, 59
y s ph osophy, 3 44
fe ts o f,
o atry, m s h evous ef
Ar h e a us o f h a r h a r o n natur a
r t h an d
apti sm o f esus, 3 2 5
3 38
m ag al
n
ng an d l oos ng , a
Ari an sm , ev l s gni a n e of i ts
on ep t on , 2 45 fal l
de eat, 18 5

i
l

b l

i c i l id

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lic

ll i

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bi
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c l

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ic f

bb Pi

cb

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l f i
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il
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3 75

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c c

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B i l id i

i i c c

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ci

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O F S U B J EC T S

I N DE X

376

c i
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B dd
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i b i
c i
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i
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bl d C
c i x i
Pl
P il
i i

B i n di ng of A ga us, a n ea r y
68
C h r st a n m e um , 3 6 7
r th o f esus
b y D o etes,
en e
2 2 6 ol l
f
sh o ps,
th e r o r g n , 3 1 3 ; th e r
su
ess on , 3 2 8
i n , th e sa m e
ess n g , u se of h an
as in e or
sm s, 3 2 3
e,
oo ,
of a s th e l f
on e v e
oo ,
o nsu m e
2 57
gh o sts
2 57
w hy sh e fo r r em ss on o f
si n , 2 6 5
ro th er h oo s, 2 58
oo
r ea th n g a s a m o e o f t ra n sm t
t n g th e h o y sp r t, 3 2 3

di
d id

i i

Bi
J
Bi
i
i i
cc i
Bl i
d
x ci
Bl d c c i d
.

Bl d b
B
i

d
ii

i
i l

3 17
C a tha rs

bd b

i an of C arth age p ohi bi ts

S p i i tu a l w ives 2 1 7
Cy enius r Qui i i u hi s censu
C ypr

on t nue

r n

s,

s,

J u ti M ty i ll u t tes
from he c se the Vi gi n B irth 196
D te n d B e t i c 2 19
f c uc i x i
D k
s
t h ou
ll l d f m p g
u c s
p
DA NA ii ,

the tra

d i ti

o n of

ar

e e

s ra

a r

nes

ar

a ra

on ,

an

M ci 3 3 4
f ppl ies o ly w i th i
C aus i d e
th w
ld of ex pe i c 3 42
C lti c Chu ch spi i tua l w i es i
ar

13o

19 1

C A T E C H U ME NA I E , r te o f, 3 14
a
a tha r r te of Consol a m en tu m
a p t sm ,
sur v v a
of
eath e

C on ept o n th ro ugh th e ear s , see

V rg n
h a th r ough r a ys o f
u
of
sun gh t b y a v r g n m o th er , 3 66
C on r m a t on , or sea n g w th th e
S p r i t, 3 1 9
n o m pa t
e
r e a t on s
C onj uga
w th a p t sm , 3 16
C on se ra t on b y h o y n a m es, 2 43
h ur h , 3 5 7
osm ogon y o f ea r y
h o,
a to a n d i n
on i n
Cr u

e,

ro

an

on

so

r e

8 4 fol l
r en e,
Da r w n , C har es, o n ew sh or g n
or
e
r
v
n,
o fC hr st a n ty, 3 2 9
e
r
,
Dav
2 19
pe gree of esus, a epte
b y a u , b ut r epu a te b y esus
C h v a ry n uen e b y ea r l y h r s
h m se , 18 7
t an en ra t sm , 2 2 2
Del ehaye,
ea o f a , m yth o
h osen
eo p e,
pp o yte, o n h agi o
n v o ve
i n Chr s
egen s. 3 48 . 3 49
og a , 3 3 9 ;
gra ph
De ph
sp r t,
w hy
u n ean ,
t i an i ty, 3 56
eve o p m en t
a
or
n g to O r g en , 2 3 4
C h r st an ty a m er e
a uthor of n a tur e,
of
u a sm , 3 56 ; a ssum es th e De m urge , o r

h osen p eop e,
au s
o m pa r son
e ws t o b e th e
ev ,
341
w th a p otter , 3 4 1
Dem ons r e ogn se esus, 3 0
C hr stm as east, i ts h stor y, 17 6
og m a t
d en i
C hr sto ogy a n d
gnor e i n o ur th osp e an d
by h o , 6 9
t o ns o r g n a te
w th
ea th of
esus,
ac
oh am m e ,
e
esus, 3 54 fol l
cused o f
e n g p ossesse
by , 70 ,
C hr yso sto m , ohn , on th e a rgum en t
148
r om
pro ph e y, 2 0 9 ; epre a te
of
sease, 143
S p r tua w v es, 2 2 4
of
hr sto og a
C h ur h o r eccl esi a , ea o fi t a sen t Dev e op m ent
ar an
o um en t , 1 3 5
ea s i n the N ew Testam en t, 3 48
i n n on
D o et sm , 2 2 6
r
as v rg n
e o f h r st, 2 2 0 ,
Dosi th eus, hi s st o f th e seven ty
223
or n o f th e w a t n g f
or
s p es, 90
t he,
A v en t o f C h r st, Do u ets i n
ar , 51 f
ol l
th e S e o n
Dove sym o ses th e S p r i t i n
3 54
h o, 16 7
o n o r t eth da y
C h ur h n g a h
14
w as
r th , r te o f
r om
w h te
a
or
ng
to
, 3
Lactan ti us, 1 7 1
Codex A m or i s o fA n r ew , 2 2 2
e,

a o

i l i fl c d
i
c i
C
P l id
i l d
l ic l

i
J

i i i
J di

i
i

l i

d
d i

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ii
c

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d

l
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i i i
idi c d i
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bi
i

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id
b
M c d c
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d i ci l
bl

c i
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ii

c ild
i

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cc

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M k
b li
i

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I ND E X

37 8

O F S UB J E CTS

f nt baptism unknow in ea ly Justi n M r tyr r ga ded J esus as an

ar ch an gel 2 2 6
Chur ch 3 15
on th e d em ons wh i ch
I q uisiti on R m an 2 7 9
w ould wayl y th e soul o f J esus
I r i g E d w d h i s sp ak ing wi th
In

v n

ar

t ong ues, 93

30 9

K EYS of h eave and h ell a

ERO M E on spir i tu l w i es 2 14
m gi c l con ception 2 48
m
l em e ly Chur ch o f p e
K ing f th e J ws J e us con
si d ed o ver b y r ela ti ves f J esus
dem n ed as such to be cru c i ed
20 6
Jesus tenuity of the trad ition 45
the cla im ofJ esus to b e
b ut hi m 1 13 9
n ot o en si ve to J ews 46
eserv d
h is k in gd om for
Ki ngdom of G od con c eiv d of by
J ew s 5 I 3
J esus an d his f ll owe s as a
dem ned to d eath 45
w hy c
subli m a ted i n M tth ew an d
restoratio n o f I srael in P l es
Lu ke 6 2
ti n e 3 8 ; a l so b y Phil o 40
am i ly of
n ot to b
brought a bout
a ccused b y hi s own f
being possess d 7 1f l l
by for c e 16 1
bel ie ed to b e i m m inent
h ow m u ch j un i or to J ohn the
Baptist 142
by J us and his A postles 3 50
b orn i n b ptism 17 2 fotl
3 54
hi s age t ba pti sm 1 7 7
K i nsh ip A rab s i dea of 2 55
h i s g rad ua l dei c ti n 18 0
st e gth ened
by com m on
b y whom bur ied 2 9 7
food 2 56
h is d e th i ts i n uen ce on K oran
m bl
p ri m iti ve Ch r i s
ti an i ty i n not d eifyi ng Jesus 18 5
g wth ofCh ri stol ogy 3 52 fal l
Joh nn in e Gospel den ies by i m
p l i ca t i on both Dav i d i c or igin LA CT A N T I U S on th d ove r 7 1
189
an d v ir gi n b irth o f J esus
h i s p rotest ag a inst dei ca ti on
ofJ sus 18 3
i ts ex ggera ti on s 22 9
J oh the Baptist sen io to J esus
i ll ust ted the Virgi n B i rth

sa

ar

'

on

es

'

re

ro

es

r ese

ra

14 2

Joh n s Gospel a r om an ce 20 62
d eni es in ter course of
J esus with ev i l sp ir its 6 9
i ts ex a ggera ti ons 7 7
i ts a ppen d i x 7 8

fr o m m ar es,
Law, J ew sh ,

196

no t

M essiani c c
m ong the G en ti les

on
a

to b e i m pose
on verts
ro m

L ogos, O ld Testam en t ep phan es

of
,
, 226
on ah , the si gn o f
o sy, A
, on ur a o fJ esus, 2 97
, 3 4 n , 12 8
Josephus on em on s, 143
u e, h ow he use
hi s so ur es,
on r esurr e t on of th e j
ust,
2 3 , 6 1 foll , 8 4 211 , 10 5
2 94
n v en ts th e Call ofth e seven t
y
Jowett, enjam i n , hi s opi ni on of de suo, 8 6
th e
osp e s, 1
a p turesq ue story te er , 10 2

u
d
a
i
r
s
an
d
a
u
8
s
e
A
d
a rna
s esti m a te o f
,
J
Th om as, A ts of the r him , 10 2
u as

tea h ng on m a rri age, 2 35

u e s n a r ra t v e of
rth of esus,
rother o f
esus,
twi n
h ow or g n ate , 190 fol l , 2 00
,

J d

20

J usti

ci

P l

c i

7:

Gali lee
Martyr

of
n

180 ,

196

b il
d

ic

L k

hi s r evo t,
on

bb

2 55

L i
L k

ll

i i

ck

bi

19 2

V i gi n B i rth M AG I vi it of to Ne o 19 3
Magi c hom oeopath i c 2 6 3 2 7 5
r

M ag i ca l ch aracter
ch ar i st, 2 6 5 , 2
a ttr

ibutes

of ear

75

ly

Eu
in

P ul 2 6 1 2 7 5
Ma ci on r egar ded Jah veh
a
im m or al Dem iurge 3 3o
ej e cted a lle ori sa ti o n of th e
g
l
a

as

O l d T esta m en t, 3 3 1
hi s A n t theses, 3 3 2
en e
i r th an d

Jesus

b aptism

of

cco d i

p aten t fr om th e
n g to
u e, 8 3

a uth or ofn a ture,

3 41

outset

L k
e i d en ce
bout i t of
n M a ca n Do cum
t 13 4
M ille nial beli efs in ter p eted by
Chu ch i n r efer ence to
futu e
l i fe
3 59
Mi nuci us Fel i x attests the m e e
hum an i ty of J esus 18 1
on m ora l s of e
ly Chur ch
a

en

1 7o

no

d n ied Jesus to b e Jewish

Mes i h 3 3 9
d en i ed the goodness of the
sa

ea

3 33

i
d id b

Euchari st

of

M es ian i c ex pectations ban i sh ed

m a r i age and f
a m i ly 2 1
5
ch ara c ter of J sus c on c l ed
cco d ing to M a k 3 0 f l l

ar

M ett M on use of nam es of 2 10

M oh m m ed 18 3 8
p o we 2 44
M a i la try 7 5
un li k e J esus cr eated a boo k
M k s Gospel i ts author knew
l ig i on 3 53
oth i g
f th e l egen d of th e
his sp i ttle sa cr ed 148
V i rgin B ir th 13 6
M h m m edan theology i ts em pty
used b y M a tth ew
nd
bstrac tions 3 45
Luk 2 1 sum m ari sed 2 8 fal l M m m sen Theod or on orthod ox
th eol ogi ans 3 6 1
d ch acteri sed 3 2
a c om pi la ti on 56
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ea th , 2 94
af
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oh n Henr y, o n
ev e
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18 8
l opm ent of o tr ne, 347
i rth of esus
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M ar can Do cum ent con sist d P eter hi lations with Paul 1 1

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G osp e l it s a cc oun t of t h e
to b
r ec on t uc ted out
resurre cti on 3 0 8
ofM tthew a d Luk e 10 7
u t h en tic de ta i l s i n it
d oes ot m e ti n death
as t o 11 h t of t he Ap os tl es a t
fJ esu 1 2 7
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t h e cr ucixi on 3 0 9 f l l
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13 1
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cl es i n
a b se c e of m i
P e t er s v isi on of t h e r isen Jesus
I 33
2 91
an te i or to all C h ur ch
Phi l o on vi rg i n bi rth s 199 2 1 I
g i sati on 1 3 5
23I
w e e th e sayings i t con
h i s l l egor ism g of the O ld
ta i
a uth e t i c ? I 3 7
T es ta m en t 3 3 1
his id ea of t h e T ri n it y 3 55
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h i s M ess i an ic as pirations 40
o f bl oo d 2 58
1 50
O i l sea l in g w ith or igin of r i te
rej e cted p op u lar beli ef in
3 20
de mons 69
O l iph an t Lauren ce on spi ri tua l
urged on c onvert s t h e n ces
w i es 2 20
si ty of sa c r i ci ng
Op u p r a tu m i ts m ean in g 3 2 6
fa m i ly ti es
O di ti on o ig i n of 3 2 2
on sym b ol i s m of d o ve 16 7
O ph i c l egen ds o f d e cen t i n t
h ell col our d C h r ist i n cr eed 2 8 6 P i l at e A ct s of i gn o res t h e vi rg i n
birt h of Jesus 2 0 8
O i d on d em
3 24
Ph i lo s des criptio n of h im
P A RA B L ES u d by Jesus to con ce l 2 80
h is t reat m en t of M ess i ah s
h i m ean i g 3 3 fal l
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by au t hors of New T es t m en t
J esus 2
22
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P l i n y t h e E l der o n use of s pitt l e
n ep i l pt i c 4
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th e M es i h 6 18
on c on cepti o n th ro ug h t h e
outed th e genui e Apostles
ears 2 3 o
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ignored J e us s t ching 9
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n v i rg i ns or spi i tua l wi es
P r i es th ood e m ergen ce of i n t h e
2 12
C hur ch 3 2 2
b el i eved i bl ood cri ce s P ro co pius M ar t yr h is Dos i 3 48
t 2 74
n ly m od e o f tonem
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P l why J us was th 2 3 2
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I 55
Pedi ees of J esus thei origin
18
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or t rade gu i l ds of Rom an Vi rg in B i rt h un k n ow n t o th e au t h o r
of M ark s G os p e l 18 6 2 0 6
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2 73
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T h ree days
i l lus trat ed by L a ctan
h ow t o be exp l ai ned 2 9 3 2 96
T h yes t ean b a ets al l eged agai ns t
t us fr om m ares 196
of B uddh a 3 6 6
C hris ti ans and Je w s 2 59
of Jul i us C aesar 196
Ti rn othy and A q u i l a D i al ogue of
Jus tin M ar tyr u p on 196
2 s
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T om b e m pt y s t or y of i n M ar k
of P l at o 194
i n M atthe w 3 0 2
2 99
a 2: m di be t w een the
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g ift of i n Pau l an d
D ocet es and E bi on it es 2 2 8
Luk e 9 2 fal l
T ri a l of Jesus n r a ti ves of d i s
M ary rel ati ve l at eness of
2 79
h er feas t s 2 2 9
tor ted b y h a t red of Je w s
V i rgi ns ears t o b e p r ot e ct ed
a pagan r it e agai ns t assau l t s of de mons 2 3 3
T r ine i mm ers i on
vari ous l y expl ained fr om t h ree Vi g ins or spi ritual w i es i n Cor
days en t om bm en t of Jesus or i thi an C h ur ch 2 1 1
fr om T i n it y 3 19
i n t h e S hepher d qf H er m as
T r i n it y i dea of i n P h i l o 3 55
2 17
i n t he G reek C hur ch es 2 18
VAT I CA N M useum monum en t
i n Car thag in ian C hur ch 2 17
t h ere i n of P rocl us 3 46
i n ear ly Ce ltic Ch ur ch 2 19
Ve i l of T em p l e ren t m ean ing of
among Cat h ars 2 19
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Vespas i an heals t h e b l ind and WAT ER l i ving use of i n bapti sm s

l am e i A l exand i 144
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A tb
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M ark s G os pe l 46
Vi rg i l on m res c on ce i ving by th e
bree e 196
ZEU S S b i s 3 2 4
V irg i l s pred icti on of a v irg i n Zor oast er h i s legend p arall e l t o
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PU B L I C A T I O N S

RE C E NT

R I T UAL MY T H AND MO R AL S B y F H PE RRYC O S T E B se

C lot h l arge c row n 8 o 2 7 2 pp ;
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ci vi l isati on I t s c om pi l ti on h as been a l ab or i ous under t ki ng and t h e
m a s of i nfor m ati on w h ich it c on t ai ns s h ou l d be of th e great est servic e
t o st uden t s
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C O UR S E S O F ST UDY By J M ROB E RT SO N M P New and

C h eaper Editi on Revi sed and m u ch en larged Large cr ow n 8 o
c l oth
ne t by p os t 6 5d
540 p p
I t i s very com preh ens i ve and it i s di i ul t t th ink of an y su bj e ct
i n th e w h ole range of learn ing (apar t from th e practice of ar t s or pr o
fess i ons ) w hich i s n ot in cluded The T i m e
.

i s th e book a m ere bibli ography

I t sys te m atises k n ow
l edge m ak es general m p of it from w h ich a reader m ay d h is
w h ereab ou t s by l ong it ude
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Th wor k for m s a va l uab l e
book of referen ce for reading m en and sh o u l d h ave a p lace of it s ow n
i n every w e ll st o ck ed l ibrary The S otsm a
Nor

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MO DE RN E NGLAND A Re cord of O pi n i on and A cti on fr om t h e

By A W
T i m e of th e F ren ch Rev o l u ti on t o t h e P resen t D ay
BENN Au t h o r of The H i story f E ng l i sh R a ti on a l zsm i n the
N i n eteen th Cen tu ry e tc 2 v o ls l arge c r ow n 8 v0 xx vi 5 19 pp ;
c l o th 7 s ne t by p os t 7s 6d
I t is a t h or ough ly s o und and e m i nen t l y readable su mm ar y of th e
pr ogress of t h ought and of s o ci e t y i n England fr om t he ti m e of G e orge
III
F R E D ER I C H AR R I SO N i n P osi ti w st R ev i ew
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An A ddress by JO H N McT A G G A RT E LL I S
MC T AG G A RI D o ct o r i n Le tt ers F e ll ow and L e ct urer of T r i n ity
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T H E H I ST O R Y O F SC IE NC E
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T HE HI ST O RY O F A ST R O NO MY By P r ofess or G E O RG E FO R B E S
M A F R S M I st C E Au th or of Th T rans it of Venus
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[ N w R e dy
T HE HI ST O RY O F C HE MI ST R Y Vol I 2 0 0 0 B C t o 18 50
A D
V ol II 18 50 t o dat e By S I R E D W AR D T H O R PE C B
D S c F R S D i re ct o r of t h e G o vern m en t L ab orat or ies L ondo n
Pr ofess or E l e ct and D i re ct or of t h e Ch e m ic l L bora t ories of t h e
I m per i a l C oll ege of S ci en ce d T e ch n ol ogy S ou th Kensingt on
A u t h or of C he m ica l P r obl e m s
A D icti on r y of App li ed
Ch e m i s t r y
E ssays in H is t orica l C h e m is t ry H u m ph ry D avy
Poe t and P h i l os op h er J ose ph Pr i es t l e y e tc [ N w R dy
T HE HI ST O R Y O F G E O G RAPH Y B y D r JO H N S C O TT KELT I E
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H o n M e m Ge ogr p h ic a l S o ci e ti es of
P ar is B er l in R om e B russe ls A m s t erdam Geneva e tc A u th or
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1 90 7
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P r ofess or Royal I nstit u t e 190 45
T HE HI ST O RY O F G E O L O G Y B y H O R ACE B WOO D W AR D
F G S l at e Assi s t n t D i re ct or of G e o l og ica l S u ve y of
Eng land and Wal es ; A u t h o r of Th e G e ol og y of Eng land and
Wa l es e tc
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H A DD O N M A S c D
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T h e o l ogy in t h e U n it ed C o ll ege B radfo rd Au t h o r of
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3 BEC A U S E n o o t h er wor k of t h e ki nd g ives e qua ll y c o pi ous i n for
m ati on i n s o c om p act a for m
4 BEC A U S E it i s n o t bia ssed i n fav o ur of par ti san vi e ws b u t
re cogn ises t h e m aj es t y of F a ct and t h e p r ogress i ve ch ara ct er of k n ow
l edge ; e x am in i ng ever k ob l em fr om t h e s t andp oin t of reas on and
by t r ied m e t hods of sci en ic research
m useu m of h is t o ry ge ograph y ant hr op ol ogy
5 BEC A U S E it i s
and an ci en t l it erat ure ; enr ich ed w it h m ap s i ll us tra ti ons and b ibl i o
graph ical referen ces
6 BEC A U S E it app ea l s t o t h e un i versal i n t eres t i n re l ig i ous su bj e ct s
and sati ses th at i n t eres t by ade qua t e k n ow l edge di sti ngu is hing
bet w een t he p erm anen t e l e m en t of re li g i on and it s t rad iti ona l form s
7 BEC A U S E every w r it e r is a Sp e cial i s t and th e i n for ma ti on g i ven is
u p t o da t e
8 BEC A U S E it i s a l i ve O u t s p ok en work w r itt en i n a t erse and
i n t e lli gibl e s ty l e
9 BEC A U S E it i s as i n t eres ting as a n o ve l and mo re use fu l t h an a
d icti onary
Io
BEC A U S E it i s a landm ark in th e h is t ory of hu m an en ligh t en m en t
11
BEC A U S E the p resen t offer enab les the pur ch aser t o obtai n th e
work and ge t it b ound a t abou t ha l f th e prev i ous p ric e al th oug h th e
pap er typ e and ge t up re ma in un changed
12
BEC A U S E nally t h i s offer or d an o pp o rt un it y of acqu i ring
a c ritical k n ow l edge of t h e B ibl e w hi ch is n ot l ik e ly t o o ccur agai n
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