Matthew as Story, 2nd ed.
Overview
This work uses literary (narrative) criticism to explore the world of the evangelist Matthew. The focus is on the plot of the gospel story, with discussions of the storylines, Jesus’ speeches and journey, the disciples’ experiences, and the contemporary community.
The book is a completely revised and enlarged version of the first edition. Two chapters have been added: one discussing the speeches of Jesus and one tracing the storyline of the religious leaders. Also, the fifth chapter on Jesus’ use of “the Son of man” has been substantially rewritten to explain more fully and more clearly the meaning and function of this self-designation. Throughout the book, new topics and insights have been added and developed, and the citations and bibliography have been updated.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Utilizes narrative criticism to explore Matthew as an evangelist
- Focuses on the plot of the gospel story
- Discusses the contemporary community, the disciples, and the speeches of Jesus
- Understanding Matthew’s Gospel
- Before Reading
- A Cross-Cultural Step
- Recognizing the Gospel’s Genre
- The Audience’s Religious Traditions
- The Audience’s Social and Religious Experiences: Part 1
- The Audience’s Social and Religious Experiences: Part 2
- Competent to Read: Utilizing Narrative Conventions
- Reading Matthew
- The Audience and God’s Point of View
- Maintaining God’s Point of View
- Shaping Matthew’s Plot
- Matthew’s Plot: Kernels and Satellites
- Settings in Matthew’s Gospel
- Characters: Jesus—Agent of God’s Saving Presence
- Characters: Jesus—Crucified and Risen
- Characters: The Authorities—Opponents of God’s Will
- Characters: The Disciples
- After Reading
- Conclusion: The Content of Matthew’s Gospel
Top Highlights
“When this formula is taken as one’s cue, it gives rise to this broad outline of the story of Matthew: (I) The Presentation of Jesus Messiah (1:1–4:16); (II) The Ministry of Jesus Messiah to Israel and Israel’s Repudiation of Jesus (4:17–16:20); and (III) The Journey of Jesus Messiah to Jerusalem and His Suffering, Death, and Resurrection (16:21–28:20).” (Page 40)
“brotherhood of the sons of God and of his disciples.” (Page 131)
“By raising Jesus from the dead and investing him with all authority, God vindicates Jesus and thus decides the conflict in his favor (28:5–6, 18). Ironically, therefore, the cross of Jesus in Matthew’s story serves not as the symbol of his destruction, but as the means whereby God accomplishes the salvation of all humankind, Jew and Gentile alike (1:21).” (Page 8)
“The effect of these warning passages is to lead the reader to anticipate that Jesus will not, finally, succeed in winning the crowds over to his side.” (Page 4)
“In Matthew’s story, the leaders are the epitome of what it means to ‘think the things not of God, but of humans” (Page 5)
To know what is going on in contemporary literary-critical interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel, one must read Kingsbury’s Matthew as Story. He has been the trailblazer in this area.
—John P. Meier, William K. Warren Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame
- Title: Matthew as Story
- Author: Jack Dean Kingsbury
- Edition: 2nd
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Publication Date: 1988
- Pages: 192
- Christian Group: Lutheran
- Resource Type: Monographs
- Topic: Biblical Studies