Christology and the Synoptic Problem: An Argument for Markan Priority

by Peter M. Head

• ISBN13: 9780521018890
• ISBN10: 0521018897
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-22
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book makes a major contribution to the ongoing debate about the synoptic problem, especially concerning the question of which gospel was written first. The scholarly consensus, developed over two hundred years of discussion, has favoured Markan priority and the dependence of both Matthew and Luke upon Mark. In an ongoing contemporary revival of the Griesbach hypothesis, some scholars have advocated the view that Mark used, conflated and abbreviated Matthew and Luke. The author explores the role played by arguments connected with christological development in support of both these views. Deploying a new comparative redaction-critical approach to the problem, Dr Head argues that the critical basis of the standard christological argument for Markan priority is insecure and based on anachronistic scholarly concerns. Nevertheless, in a through-going comparative reappraisal of the christological outlooks of Matthew and Mark the author finds decisive support for the hypothesis of Markan priority, arguing that Matthew was a developer rather than a corrector of Mark.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
List of abbreviations	xiv
1. Introduction and a history of research
1. Introduction	1	(7)
2. Christological development and gospel priority	8	(9)
3. The christological argument for Markan priority	17	(6)
4. Responses to the christological argument	23	(3)
5. Conclusions	26	(2)
2. Method and approach
1. Introduction	28	(1)
2. Farmer's criteria of priority	29	(5)
3. A useful argument	34	(4)
4. Christological development as a law of tradition	38	(3)
5. The christological argument and redactional plausibility	41	(3)
6. Our approach	44	(5)
3. The rich young ruler (Matt. 19.16-22; Mark 10.17-22; Luke 18.18-23)
1. Introduction	49	(2)
2. Matthew's redaction of Mark assuming Markan priority	51	(6)
3. Griesbach-Mark's redaction of Matthew and Luke	57	(4)
4. O.L. Cope on Matthew 19.16-22 and parallels	61	(3)
5. Conclusion	64	(2)
4. Jesus' rejection at Nazareth (Matt. 13.53-58; Mark 6.1-6a)
1. Introduction	66	(1)
2. Matthew's redaction of Mark assuming Markan priority	67	(6)
3. Griesbach-Mark's redaction of Matthew (and Luke)	73	(9)
4. Conclusion	82	(2)
5. Walking on water (Matt. 14.22-33; Mark 6.45-52)
1. Introduction	84	(1)
2. Matthew's redaction of Mark assuming Markan priority	85	(6)
3. Mark's redaction of Matthew according to the Griesbach hypothesis	91	(5)
4. Conclusion	96	(1)
6. Arguments concerning Jesus' emotions, 'inability' and questions
1. Introduction	97	(1)
2. The emotions of Jesus	98	(13)
3. The questions of Jesus	111	(5)
4. The 'inability' of Jesus	116	(2)
5. General comments on omissions	118	(1)
6. Conclusion	119	(2)
Appendix 6.A. Reported emotions in Matthew and Mark	121	(5)
7. The worship of Jesus and the passion narratives
1. Introduction	126	(1)
2. 'Worship' and 'approach' terminology	127	(5)
3. Christological redaction in the passion narratives	132	(8)
4. General comments on additions	140	(3)
5. Conclusion	143	(2)
Appendix 7.A. Matthean 'additions' to Mark	145	(2)
Appendix 7.B. Markan 'additions' to Matthew	147	(1)
8. Christology and titles: Jesus as teacher and Lord
1. Introduction: 'titles' and gospel christology	148	(4)
2. Jesus as teacher	152	(8)
3. Jesus as 'Lord'	160	(9)
4. Conclusion	169	(2)
Appendix 8.A. Christological titles in the gospels	171	(1)
Appendix 8.B. Vocative titles for approaching Jesus	172	(2)
9. Jesus as Messiah
1. Introduction: Jesus as 'Christ' and 'Son of David'	174	(2)
2. Jesus as 'Christ' and 'Son of David' in Griesbach-Mark	176	(4)
3. Jesus as 'Christ' and 'Son of David' in Matthew	180	(6)
4. Conclusion	186	(1)
10. Jesus as Son of God
1. Introduction	187	(1)
2. Background considerations	188	(6)
3. Jesus as 'Son of God' in Griesbach-Mark	194	(6)
4. Jesus as 'Son of God' in Matthew	200	(15)
5. Conclusion	215	(2)
11. Jesus as 'the Son of Man'
1. Introduction	217	(2)
2. Background considerations	219	(4)
3. 'The Son of Man' in the gospels	223	(2)
4. 'The Son of Man' in Griesbach-Mark	225	(2)
5. 'The Son of Man' in Matthew	227	(4)
6. Conclusion	231	(2)
12. The messianic secret
1. Introduction	233	(5)
2. Silencing the demons	238	(7)
3. Silencing the disciples	245	(4)
4. Public awareness of Jesus' activity and identity	249	(6)
5. Conclusion	255	(1)
13. Conclusion
1. Summary	256	(3)
2. Conclusions	259	(4)
Bibliography
1. Biblical texts and translations	263	(1)
2. Other primary sources	264	(4)
3. Other literature	268	(40)
Index of passages	308	(27)
Select index of names and subjects	335