PARABLE(S) OF THE MESSIANIC BANQUET. This section is difficult, Matthew 22:1 has many resemblances to, but is not identical with, Luke 14:16. The two passages should be carefully compared; Lk.'s form, but Mt.'s position, is perhaps the more original. Matthew 22:11 is found in Mt. only, and appears t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUESTION OF TRIBUTE (Mark 12:13 *, Luke 20:20). Note how Mt. (Matthew 22:15) changes Mk.'s indefinite subject into the Pharisees, and so has to change Mk.'s object the Pharisees into their disciples. Lk.'s expansions are interesting. Jesus points out that to pay tribute to Rome was not merely la... [ Continue Reading ]
THE QUESTION OF THE RESURRECTION LIFE (Mark 12:18 *, Luke 20:27). Mt.'s changes are mostly in the direction of simplicity. As regards the question of the Sadducees, while Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21 forbid marriage with a dead brother's wife, Deuteronomy 25:5 enjoins it in certain circumstances... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT (Mark 12:28 *, Luke 10:25). Mt. puts the questioner, whom he calls a Pharisee, in much less favourable light than Mk. He tempts Jesus to what is not clear (Lk.'s _ekpeirazô n,_ testing, is better) and he omits the pleasing outcome of Jesus-' answer recorded in Mark 12:32 f.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS MESSIAH DAVID'S SON? (Mark 12:35 *, Luke 20:41). Mt. brings the Pharisees into the incident, and makes the statement that Messiah is David's son their direct answer to a question by Jesus. Hence (though it is here Jesus who is the questioner), Matthew 22:46 (fear of further questions), which in M... [ Continue Reading ]