J. Frank Matera ~~-~~ INTERPRETING THE SYNOPTICS THROUGH THEIR PASSION STORIES Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies Interpreting the Synoptics Through Their Passion Stories Frank J. Matera PAULIST PRESS New York. Mahwah Theological Inquiries Studies in Contemporary Biblical and Theological Problems General Editor Lawrence Boadt, C. S. P. Editorial Advisory Board Raymond Brown, S. S. Scripture Myles Bourke Scripture David Tracy Systematic Theology Michael Buckley, S. J. Systematic Theology Richard McCormick, S. J. Moral Theology PAUL1 ST PRESS New York. Mahwah. Toronto Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies Copyright © 1986 by Frank J. Matera All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any in formation storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher. Library of Congress Cata!0g Card Number: 85-62962 ISB~ N: Q...8091-2775-X l Published by Paulist Press 997 Macarthur Boulevard Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 Printed and bound in the United States of America CONTENTS PREFACE ............................................... xi INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 CHAPTER ONE: The Passion According to Mark: Overview . . . .. 7 I. The Theological Character of Mark's Narrative ......... 8 II. The Question of Sources .......................... , 9 CHAPTER TWO: The Passion According to Mark: Commentary .. 12 I. The Plot To Destroy Jesus, 14:1-11 ............. : .... 12 II. The Last Supper, 14: 12-25 ......................... 18 III. At the Mount of Olives, 14:26-52 ................... 22 IV. The Trial of Jesus and Peter's Denial, 14:53-72 ........ 28 V. Jesus, the King of the Jews, 15:1-20a ................ 34 VI. Crucifixion and Death, 15:20b-39 ................... 39 VII. The Women and the Burial of Jesus, 15:40-47 ......... 48 Conclusion ...................................... 50 CHAPTER THREE: Mark's Gospel Theology .................. 51 I. Jesus' Royal Sonship .............................. 51 II. Jesus and the Disciples ............................ 59 III. Jesus and the Temple .............................. 65 IV. Jesus and the Future .............................. 72 Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . ......................... 79 CHAPTER FOUR: The Passion According to Matthew: Overview ............................... 80 I. The Theological Character of Matthew's Narrative ...... 81 II. The Question of Sources ........................... 84 v VI CONTENTS CHAPTER FIVE: The Passion According to Matthew: Commentary ............................. 86 I. Prelude to the Passion, 26:1-16 ..................... 86 II. The Passover Supper, 26: 17-29 ..................... 90 III. At the Mount of Olives, 26:30-56 ................... 94 IV. The Trial before the Sanhedrin, 26:57-68 ............. 99 V. The Trial before Pilate, 27:1-26 .................... 103 VI. The Crucifixion, 27:27-44 ........................ 110 VII. The Death and Burial of Jesus, 27:45-66 ............. 114 Conclusion ..................................... 119 CHAPTER SIX: Matthew's Gospel Theology .................. 121 I. Jesus Messiah the Son of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 II. The Rejection of Jesus the Messiah ................. 130 III. God's New Nation, the Church ..................... 136 IV. Jesus the Model of Righteousness ................... 142 Conclusion ..................................... 149 CHAPTER SEVEN: The Passion According to Luke: Overview ... 150 I. The Theological Character of Luke's Narrative ........ 151 II. The Question of Sources .......................... 152 CHAPTER EIGHT: The Passion According to Luke: Commentary ........................... 156 I. The Plot to Destroy Jesus, 22: 1--6 .................. 156 II. The Last Supper, 22:7-30 ......................... 159 III. At the Mount of Olives, 22:39-53 .................. 166 IV. Denial, Mockery, Trial, 22:54-71 .................. 170 V. Jesus before Pilate and Herod, 23:1-25 .............. 174 VI. Crucifixion and Death, 23:26-49 ................... 179 VII. The Burial of Jesus, 23:50-56 ..................... 188 Conclusion ..................................... 190 CHAPTER NINE: Luke's Gospel Theology ................... 192 I. The Passion as the Destiny of Jesus ................. 192 II. The Passion as a Model for Discipleship ............. 198 III. The Passion as the Rejection of Jesus the Prophet ...... 205 CONTENTS vii IV. The Passion as the Death of God's Royal Son ......... 213 Conclusion ..................................... 219 CONCLUSION .......................................... 221 NOTES ................................................ 224 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................2 45 INDEX ................................................2 54 IN MEMORIAM John F. Quinn 1922-1984 ABBREVIATIONS AbhTA NT Abhandlungen zur Theologie des Alten und Neuen Testaments AnBib Analecta biblica BETL Bibliotheca ephemeridum theologicarum lovaniensium BTB Biblical Theological Bulletin CBA Catholic Biblical Association CBQ Catholic Biblical Quarterly CBQMS Catholic Biblical Monograph Series EKK Evangelisch-katholischer Kommentar EvQ Evangelical Quarterly HTKNT Herders theologischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament HTR Harvard Theological Review Int Interpretation JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament JSNTSS Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series JSOT Journal for the Study of the Old Testament JR Journal of Religion NIGTC New International Greek Testament Commentary NovT Novum Testamentum NRT La nouvelle revue theologique NTS New Testament Studies RB Revue biblique RevExp Review and Expositor RNT Regensburger Neuen Testament RSV Revised Standard Version SANT Studien zum Alten und Neuen Testaments SBLDS Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series IX