Jesus and the Thoughts of Many Hearts: Implicit Christology and Jesus’ Knowledge in the Gospel of Luke 9780567665447, 9780567660350, 9780567660367

Citation preview

LIBRARY OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

530 Formerly Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series

Editor Chris Keith

Editorial Board Dale C. Allison, John M.G. Barclay, Lynn H. Cohick, R. Alan Culpepper, Craig A. Evans, Robert Fowler, Simon J. Gathercole, John S. Kloppenborg, Michael Labahn, Love L. Sechrest, Robert Wall, Steve Walton, Robert L. Webb, Catrin H. Williams

JESUS AND THE THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS

Implicit Christology and Jesus’ Knowledge in the Gospel of Luke

Collin Blake Bullard

Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc LON DON • OX F O R D • N E W YO R K • N E W D E L H I • SY DN EY

Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Imprint previously known as T&T Clark 50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP UK

1385 Broadway New York NY 10018 USA

www.bloomsbury.com BLOOMSBURY, T&T CLARK and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc First published 2015 Paperback edition first published 2016 © Collin Blake Bullard, 2015 Collin Blake Bullard has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury or the author. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: HB: 978-0-56766-035-0 PB: 978-0-56767-194-3 ePDF: 978-0-56766-036-7 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bullard, Collin Blake. Jesus and the thoughts of many hearts : implicit Christology and Jesus’ knowledge in the gospel of Luke / by Collin Blake Bullard. pages cm. – (Library of New Testament studies; 530) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-567-66035-0 (hardcover) 1. Bible. Luke–Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. Jesus Christ–Knowledge and learning–Biblical teaching. 3. God (Christianity)–Omniscience–Biblical teaching. 4. Jesus Christ–Person and offices–Biblical teaching. I. Title. BS2595.52.B85 2015 226.4’06–dc23 2014031526 Series: Library of New Testament Studies, volume 530 Typeset by Forthcoming Publications Ltd (www.forthpub.com) Printed and bound in Great Britain

For Candice, with love

ÊÏÇÀÅĕ¸ ëÈñȼÊÚÅ ÄÇÀ ëÅ ÌÇėË ÁɸÌĕÊÌÇÀË ‘The lines have fallen to me in the most beautiful way.’ (Psalm 15.6 LXX)

CONTENTS Acknowlegments Abbreviations INTRODUCTION: JESUS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THOUGHTS IN LUKE 1. Identifying the Motif 1.1. The Healing of the Paralytic (Luke 5.17-26) 1.2. The Man with the Withered Hand (Luke 6.6-11) 1.3. In the House of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7.36-50) 1.4. The Discussion of Who Is Greatest (Luke 9.46-48) 1.5. The Beelzebul Controversy (Luke 11.14-32) 1.6. The Oracle of Simeon to Mary (Luke 2.34-35) 1.7. Section Summary 2. Previous Scholarship 2.1. Previous Scholarship: Jesus’ Knowledge of Thoughts 2.2. Previous Scholarship: Simeon’s Oracle and the Revelation of the Thoughts of Many Hearts 2.3. Conclusions 3. Approach of this Study 3.1. Knowledge of Thoughts in Ancient Context 3.2. Knowledge of Thoughts in Narrative Context 4. Summary of Argument Chapter 1 KNOWLEDGE OF THOUGHTS IN ANCIENT CONTEXT 1. Greco-Roman Sources 1.1. Questioning Underlying Assumptions: Is the Motif a ‘Hellenistic Touch’? 1.2. Examples of Herzenskenntnis among Human Figures 1.3. Divine Knowledge of the Heart in Greco-Roman Literature 1.4. Conclusions

1

xi xiii 1 2 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 18 21 22 22 22 25 27 28 29 34 42 45

viii

Contents

2. Jewish Sources 2.1. Prophetic Knowledge 2.2. Divine Knowledge of the Heart 3. Conclusions Chapter 2 SIMEON’S ORACLE (LUKE 2.34-35) 1. Simeon’s Oracle as Programmatic Prophecy 2. Reading Simeon’s Oracle 2.1. The Falling and Rising of Many in Israel 2.2. A Sign Spoken Against 2.3. The Sword through Mary 2.4. The Revelation of Thoughts 3. Conclusions Chapter 3 THE REVELATION OF THOUGHTS IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS 1. The Healing of the Paralytic (Luke 5.17-26) 1.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 1.2. Lukan Redaction 1.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 1.4. Implicit Christology 2. The Man with the Withered Hand (Luke 6.6-11) 2.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 2.2. Lukan Redaction 2.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 2.4. Implicit Christology 3. In the House of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7.36-50) 3.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 3.2. Lukan Redaction 3.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 3.4. Implicit Christology 4. The Question of Who Is Greatest (Luke 9.46-48) 4.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 4.2. Lukan Redaction 4.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 4.4. Implicit Christology 5. The Beelzebul Controversy (Luke 11.14-32) 5.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 5.2. Lukan Redaction 5.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 5.4. Implicit Christology 1

45 46 55 62 65 65 68 68 71 73 77 81 82 82 83 88 91 94 99 99 101 102 103 103 104 106 107 107 114 115 117 118 119 120 120 122 124 130

Contents

ix

6. The Woes against the Pharisees and Scribes (Luke 11.37-54) 6.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 6.2. Lukan Redaction 6.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 6.4. Implicit Christology 7. Other Relevant Passages 7.1. The Nazareth Sermon (Luke 4.16-30) 7.2. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37) 7.3. The Parable of the Rich Farmer (Luke 12.16-20) 7.4. Dining with Pharisees (Luke 14.1-6) 7.5. God’s Knowledge of the Heart (Luke 16.14-15) 7.6. Taxes to Caesar (Luke 20.20-26) 7.7. Speech Introductions 7.8. The Special Lukan Parables 7.9. Summary 8. The Appearance of Jesus to His Disciples (Luke 24.36-43) 8.1. Presentation of Jesus’ Knowledge 8.2. Lukan Redaction 8.3. Resonance with Simeon’s Oracle 8.4. Implicit Christology 9. The Prayer of the Disciples (Acts 1.24) 10. Luke and Psalm 93[LXX] 10.1. Luke’s Use of »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË 10.2. Additional Correspondence 11. Conclusions

130 130 135 136 136 139 139 141 143 144 144 146 146 147 150 153 153 155 157 157 162 168 169 171 174

CONCLUSION 1. Ancient Context 2. Jesus as Revealer 3. Jesus as Judge 4. Jesus’ Knowledge of Thoughts as a Divine Ability 5. Final Words

175 175 177 177 178 181

Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors

185 196 208

1

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study, a revised version of a doctoral thesis submitted in 2013 to the University of Cambridge, would never have seen completion without the support of so many. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Simon Gathercole, who, as a supervisor, has been both generous with his time and patient with the sometimes wandering path of progress that is apparently the trademark of my research. All the same, he never allowed me to wander too far and encouraged me to be more decisive in my thinking than I might otherwise have been. I have tried to imitate his clarity of thought and his enjoyment of learning in my own scholarship; alas, more success has been achieved in the latter than the former. During Dr. Gathercole’s sabbatical, I bene¿tted from the attentive supervision of Professor Judith Lieu; I am grateful for her many helpful comments, which always added depth to my thinking. I am also grateful to past teachers who over the years have inspired me to return to Scripture with fresh eyes and who are each worthy of imitation: Dr. Bobby Kelly, Dr. Kevin Hall, Dr. Todd Still, Dr. Dennis Tucker, Dr. Andy Arterbury, and Dr. Mikeal Parsons. I am grateful to the Cambridge Graduate Student Seminar and the Synoptic Gospels group at the British New Testament Conference for their helpful comments on the portions of this project that I have had the pleasure of presenting to them. Many thanks to Hannah Cocksworth and S. Brian Pounds, my fellow ‘¿rst-years’ and kindred spirits in the labor of love and hate that is doctoral work. Special thanks to Sarah Underwood Dixon, Dr. Jonny Gibson, Dr. Lorne Zelyck, Ben Wilson, Samuli Siikavirta, Chris Fresch, and Will Timmins for their forbearance in listening to me ‘talk out’ my ideas on many occasions; their patience is as inexhaustible as their friendship. I give sincere thanks to the staff and readers of Tyndale House, Cambridge, who have eased the burden of writing in innumerable ways large and small. I must thank Peter Williams, Peter Head, David Instone-Brewer, and Dirk Jongkind for answering spontaneous queries regarding subjects beyond my own ¿eld of expertise (the limits of which are felt quite often). Dr. Elizabeth Magba and Simon Sykes have both been attentive and helpful librarians, and, as they are each responsible for ordering not a few books at my behest, I am

xii

Acknowledgments

decidedly in their debt. Particular thanks are owed to my carrel mates, Dr. Will Kynes and Professor Steve Walton, both of whom have taken my tendency toward conversation in great stride. Our life in Cambridge was enriched by the hospitality, generosity, and love of so many cherished friends: the Appels, Kynes, Zahls, Zelycks, Dixons, Gibsons, Breakspears, Williams, Wilsons, Fresches, Sariskys, and Meltons. The words of Shakespeare are ¿tting, ‘Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, / Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel’. You are our family, and you made Cambridge our home. Whether we laughed or cried, we did it together, and usually over a good meal. When we think of Cambridge, we will think of you. Many thanks also to the 1405s. I was blessed to have a mother who instilled in me the courage and determination that, along with decades of love and support, ¿nally brought me to the culmination of my education and the completion of this project. For this and for the many sacri¿ces she made in raising my brother and me, I will always be grateful to my mother, Debra Bullard. Also, I have been exceedingly fortunate in my life to have the love and unÀagging support of, not one, but two fathers: the late Sydney ‘Bobby’ Bullard, who would certainly have been beaming with pride to see what his little boy had become, and Michael Travis Billingsley, whose pride in his son has been demonstrated again and again in his willingness to bear the ¿nancial burden necessary to see this project through from beginning to end. It was Mike’s encouragement—and faith in me—that gave me the con¿dence to embark on this adventure; for that and for his advice at every turn since, I am grateful. My grandparents, Don and Jerri Nutt and Maureen Billingsley, on behalf of and in memory of the late Travis Billingsley, have been exceedingly generous and I give them my humble and heartfelt thanks. I cannot begin to express the debt of gratitude I owe to Candice. I am perpetually grateful for her friendship, for her kindness to me throughout our eleven years of marriage, for her steadfast love in every season, and for her stubborn unwillingness, by God’s grace, to ever tire of being around me. She has borne a disproportionate share of the weight in running our lives so that I could ¿nish this project. To dedicate it to anyone else would be unthinkable. As for Asher, he could not be more true to his name: a constant reminder of the joy and givenness of life. His complete lack of interest in this project provided a refreshing refuge from the pressures of writing. You’re too young to remember, Son, but those were good days together in Cambridge. Very good days. Soli Deo Gloria 1

Eastertide 2014

ABBREVIATIONS 1. Primary Sources 1 Clem. 1 En. 2 Bar. Acts Paul Th. Ambrose, Exp. Luc. Apoph. Patr. Apos. Con. Apuleius, Metam. Aristides, Or. Basil, Hom. 24 Chrysostom, Bab. Jul. Chrysostom, Hom. Matt. Cicero, Div. Cyril of Alexandria, Comm. Luc. Did. Eusebius, Hier. Eusebius, Praep. ev. Gen. Rab. Gos. Thom. Hermas, Man. Herodotus, Hist. Hilary of Poitiers, Comm. Matt. Iamblichus, Vit. Pyth. Ignatius, Eph. Ignatius, Phil. Jerome, Comm. Matt. Josephus, Ant. Josephus, War Lactantius, Inst. Let. Aris. Lev. Rab. Libanius, Or.

1 Clement 1 Enoch 2 Baruch Acts of Paul and Thecla Ambrose, Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam Apophthegmata Patrum (Sayings of the Desert Fathers) Apostolic Constitutions and Canons Apuleius, Metamorphoses Aristides, Orationes Basil, Homilia 24. Contra Sebellianos, et Arium, et Anomoeos John Chrysostom, De Babyla contra Julianum et gentiles John Chrysostom, Homiliae in Matthaeum Cicero, De divination Cyril of Alexandria, Commentarii in Lucam Didache Eusebius, Contra Hieroclem Eusebius, Praeparatio evangelica Genesis Rabbah Gospel of Thomas Hermas, Mandate Herodotus, Historiae Hilary of Poitiers, Commentarius in Evangelium Matthaei Iamblichus, De vita pythagorica Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians Ignatius, Letter to the Philadelphians Jerome, Commentariorum in Matthaeum libri IV Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews Josephus, The Jewish War Lactantius, Divinarum institutionum libri VII Letter of Aristeas Leviticus Rabbah Libanius, Orationes

xiv

Liv. Proph. Lucian, Salt. Lucian, Bis acc. Lucian, Jupp. trag. Mart. Pet. Paul Mart. Pol. Maximus of Tyre, Diss. Origen, Cels. Origen, Comm. Matt. Philo, Abr. Philo, Cher. Philo, Conf. Ling. Philo, Dec. Philo, Deus Imm. Philo, Migr. Abr. Philo, Plant. Philo, Rer. Div. Her. Philo, Somn. Philo, Spec. Leg. Philo, Virt. Philo, Vit. Mos. Philostratus, Vit. soph. Philostratus, VA Pindar, Pyth. Pliny, Ep. Plutarch, Mor. Plutarch, Garr. Porphyry, Vit. Pyth. Porphyry, Vit. Plot. Propertius, Eleg. Ps.-Clem. Hom. Ps.-Clem. Rec. Pss. Sol. Seneca, Helv. Seneca, Marc. Sib. Or. T. Gad T. Job T. Jud. T. Levi T. Naph. t. Pesa‫ۊ‬. Themistius, Or. y. Šeb. y. So‫ܒ‬ah 1

Abbreviations

Lives of the Prophets Lucian, De saltatione Lucian, Bis accusatus Lucian, Juppiter tragoedus Martyrdom of Peter and Paul Martyrdom of Polycarp Maximus of Tyre, Dissertationes Origen, Contra Celsum Origen, Commentarium in evangelium Matthaei Philo, De Abrahamo Philo, De cherubim Philo, De confusion linguarum Philo, De decalogo Philo, Quod Deus sit immutabilis Philo, De migration Abrahami Philo, De plantatione Philo, Quis rerum divinarum heres sit Philo, De somniis Philo, De specialibus legibus Philo, De virtutibus Philo, De vita Mosis Philostratus, Vitae sophistarum Philostratus, Vita Apollonii Pindar, Pythionikai Pliny the Younger, Epistulae Plutarch, Moralia Plutarch, De garrulitate Porphyry, Vita Pythagorae Porphyry, Vita Plotini Propertius, Elegiae Pseudo-Clementine Homilies Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions Psalms of Solomon Seneca, Ad Helviam Seneca, Ad Marciam de consolatione Sibylline Oracles Testament of Gad Testament of Job Testament of Judah Testament of Levi Testament of Naphtali Tosefta Pesaতim Themistius, Orationes Palestinian (Talmud), tractate Šebi!it Palestinian (Talmud), tractate So৬ah

Abbreviations

2. Modern Publications AB ABRL ACNT ACW AJBI AJP AnBib ANRW ArBib ASNU AsSeign BDAG

BDF

BECNT BETL BHGNT Bib BibInt BFCTL BibRes BIRS BiTS BJS BWANT BZ BZNW CBNTS CBQ CC CCSL CGTSC ConBNT CSEL CTM EBib EKKNT ESEC ETL FB FF FN 1

Anchor Bible Anchor Bible Reference Library Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament Ancient Christian Writers Annual of the Japanese Biblical Institute The American Journal of Philology Analecta biblica Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt: Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung The Aramaic Bible Acta seminarii neotestamentici upsaliensis Assemblées du Seigneur Bauer, W., F. W. Danker, W. F. Arndt, and F. W. Gingrich, eds. Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago, 3d edn, 1999 Friedrich Blass, A. Dibrunner and Robert W. Funk. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Cambridge, 1961 Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Bibliotheca ephemeridum theologicarum lovaniensium Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament Biblica Biblical Interpretation Series Bibliothèque de la faculté catholique de théologie de Lyon The Biblical Resource Series Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies Biblical Tools and Studies Brown Judaic Studies Beiträge zur Wissenschaft vom Alten und Neuen Testament Biblische Zeitschrift Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft Coniectanea Biblica. New Testament Series Catholic Biblical Quarterly Concordia Commentary Corpus Christianorum: Series latina Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Coniectanea biblica: New Testament Series Corpus scriptorum ecclesiasticorum latinorum Calwer Theologische Monographien Études bibliques Evangelisch-katholischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament Emory Studies in Early Christianity Ephemerides theologicae lovanienses Forschung zur Bibel Foundations and Facets Filología Neotestamentaria

xv

xvi FRLANT GBS GCS HNT HTKNT ICC ILBS JBL JCTCRS JJChr JPTSup JSHJ JSNT JSNTSup JSP JSPSup JTS KBANT KEK KNT LB LCL LD LHBOTS LNTS MLBS MNTC NETS

NHS NIB NICNT NICOT NIGTC NovT NovTSup NRSV

NTAbh NTD NTL NTOA NTS 1

Abbreviations Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments Guides to Biblical Scholarship Die griechischen christlichen Schriftstellar der ersten [drei] Jahrhunderte Handbuch zum Neuen Testament Herders theologischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament International Critical Commentary Indiana Literary Biblical Series Journal of Biblical Literature Jewish and Christian Texts in Contexts and Related Studies Jésus et Jésus-Christ Journal of Pentecostal Theology: Supplement Series Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Journal for the Study of the New Testament Journal for the Study of the New Testament: Supplement Series Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha: Supplement Series Journal of Theological Studies Kommentare und Beiträge zum Alten und Neuen Testament Kritisch-exegetischer Kommentar über das Neue Testament Kommentar zum Neuen Testament Lire la Bible Loeb Classical Library Lectio divina Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies Library of New Testament Studies Mercer Library of Biblical Studies Moffatt New Testament commentary Pietersma, A., and B. G. Wright, eds. A New English Translation of the Septuagint: And the Other Greek Translations Traditionally Included under That Title. Oxford, 2007 Nag Hammadi Studies New Interpreter’s Bible New International Commentary on the New Testament New International Commentary on the Old Testament New International Greek Testament Commentary Novum Testamentum Supplements to Novum Testamentum New Revised Standard Version Neutestamentliche Abhandlungen Das Neue Testament Deutsch New Testament Library Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus New Testament Studies

Abbreviations NTTS OBL OBO ÖTK PD PGM PiNTC PNT PNTC PretOr PTMS RAC RB RelPer RNT SANT SBLDS SBLMS SBLRBS SBLSP SBLTT SBS SBT SC SCS SHBC SNTA SNTW SNTSMS SNTU SP SSNT ST StPatr SubBi SVTP TBzA TDNT

Teubner Tg. Isa. THKNT TNTC TPINTC TSAJ TynBul WBC 1

New Testament Tools and Studies Orientalia et Biblica Lovaniensia Orbis biblicus et orientalis Ökumenischer Taschenbuch-Kommentar Parole de Dieu K. Preisendanz, ed., Papyri graecae magicae Pillar New Testament Commentary Personalities of the New Testament Pelican New Testament Commentaries Pretoria Oriental Series Pittsburgh Theological Monograph Series Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum Revue biblique Religious Perspectives Regensburger Neues Testament Studien zum Alten und Neuen Testaments Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series Society of Biblical Literature Monograph Series Society of Biblical Literature Resources for Biblical Study Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers Society of Biblical Literature Texts and Translations Stuttgarter Bibelstudien Studies in Biblical Theology Sources chrétiennes Septuagint Commentary Series Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Studiorum Novi Testamenti Auxilia Studies of the New Testament and Its World Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umwelt Sacra Pagina Studia Semitica Novi Testamenti Studia theologica Studia patristica Subsidia biblica Studia in Veteris Testamenti pseudepigrapha Tübinger Beiträge zur Altertumswissenschaft Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich, eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. 10 vols. Grand Rapids, 1964– Bibliotheca scriptorum graecorum et romanorum teubneriana Targum Isaiah Theologischer Handkommentar zum Neuen Testament Tyndale New Testament Commentaries TPI New Testament Commentaries Texte und Studien zum antiken Judentum Tyndale Bulletin Word Biblical Commentary

xvii

xviii WMANT WTJ WUNT ZBG ZECNT ZNW ZTK

1

Abbreviations Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament Westminster Theological Journal Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament Zerwick, M., Biblical Greek. Rome, 1963 Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft Zeitschrift für Theologie und Kirche

INTRODUCTION: JESUS’ KNOWLEDGE OF THOUGHTS IN LUKE

The story of Luke’s Gospel is in no small way the story of what happens when people encounter Jesus throughout his ministry. Jesus, as the central character, is the one around whom the comings and goings of the other characters revolve, and it is the interaction with Jesus which inevitably evokes the response of the characters. They respond variously with questions, doubts, or concerns about who Jesus is and what he does, and often these reactions are internal, framed as interior monologue or stated by the narrator in an inside view.1 Yet while these internal responses are often narrated for the bene¿t of the reader alone, what is surprising is the frequency with which Jesus himself seems to be privy to these internal responses. There are numerous examples throughout the Gospel where Jesus seems to know, expose, and/or confront the inner dispositions (i.e., a motive, intention, attitude, or thought) of those around him.2 Among these examples are several episodes where Jesus not only seems to be aware of general motives and intentions, but he also seems to know the unspoken thoughts of the characters.3 Four of these episodes include an explicit statement by the narrator that Jesus knows the thoughts of others.4 In these cases, the remark of the narrator serves as an explanation for Jesus’ response, which soon follows. In some way, these explicit statements answer how it is that Jesus can respond to an internal attitude or thought. He is able to reply to the thoughts because he knows them. 1. By ‘inside view’ we mean a type of narration in which the narrator relates some aspect of a character’s private experience (thoughts, emotions, motives, intentions, etc.) to the reader. An inside view is a marker of the narrator’s omniscient point of view (see R. Alan Culpepper, Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design [Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983], pp. 21–6; Wayne C. Booth, The Rhetoric of Fiction [repr., London: Penguin, 2nd edn, 1991], pp. 160–4). 2. See Lk. 4.22-24; 5.21-22; 6.7-8; 7.39-40; 9.46-47; 10.29-36; 11.15-17, 38-39; 11.53–12.3; 14.3; 16.14-15; 20.23; 24.38. 3. See 5.21-22; 6.7-8; 7.39-40; 9.46-47; 11.15-17, 38-39; 24.38. 4. See 5.22; 6.8; 9.47; 11.17.

2

Jesus and the Thoughts of Many Hearts

There is no explanation beyond this. Nothing is said concerning how it is that Jesus knows the thoughts, whether by keen awareness of body language and facial expressions or by some other means of perception. In addition to these explicit references, in three cases Jesus’ perception is implicit in the text, for example, when Jesus is portrayed as responding to internal thoughts without having been asked a question.5 In these instances, there is no remark from the narrator, only the interior monologue or inside view juxtaposed with Jesus’ words. The reader must infer Jesus’ knowledge in order to make sense of his reply. We ¿nd in Luke’s Gospel, therefore, numerous episodes where the narrator depicts Jesus’ words and actions as addressing the inner motives, attitudes, or questions of characters. These details are iterated more often in Luke than in Matthew and Mark, and, furthermore, Luke also seems to have integrated the idea within broader narrative themes, making the Third Gospel unique among the Synoptics in this respect. The primary question of our study involves exploring what this motif6 means and how it works in the narrative, i.e., what is the narrative function of this motif in the Gospel? In short, why is it there? And what does it do? 1. Identifying the Motif At the outset, however, we are aware that the topic of this study does not immediately bring to mind a familiar body of passages for discussion. When one begins reading, for instance, a study of the ‘Son of Man’ in Mark, a general corpus of passages presents itself quite naturally for discussion and would be familiar to readers who are in the know. In light of this, therefore, as the phenomenon which forms the subject of this study is not delineated in an organized fashion elsewhere, it will be bene¿cial to do so here. We may ¿rst of all identify a broad narrative theme comprised of episodes where Jesus confronts or exposes some inner thought, attitude, motive, or intention of those he encounters. This theme encompasses the range of hidden things which Jesus exposes and confronts in the text, and we may refer to it in short as ‘the revelation of thoughts and intentions’. Within this broader theme we may de¿ne the motif of ‘Jesus’ knowledge of thoughts’, which is comprised of seven episodes where Jesus is depicted as responding to the particular unspoken thoughts of others. 5. See 7.40; 11.39; 24.38. 6. We use the term ‘motif’ to denote a recurrent characteristic of the Lukan narrative, a detail or situation that is repeated in different episodes. 1

Introduction

3

Four of these we categorize as ‘explicit’ because they contain a comment from the narrator expressing Jesus’ knowledge of thoughts. The other three instances we categorize as ‘implicit’. These data may be represented as in Table 0.1. Table 0.1 Jesus’ Knowledge of Thoughts

Revelation of Thoughts and Intentions

2.35

3

4.22-24

3

5.21-22

(explicit)

3

6.7-8

(explicit)

3

7.39-40

(implicit)

3

9.46-47

(explicit)

3

10.29-36

3

11.15-17

(explicit)

3

11.38-39

(implicit)

3

11.53–12.3

3

14.3

3

16.14-15

3

20.23

3

24.38

(implicit)

3

At this point in our study, we will introduce brieÀy only a selection of illustrative episodes to avoid an abundance of repetition, as a more comprehensive analysis of the above episodes will be undertaken in the main body of the study. From the episodes noted above, it will be suf¿cient to mention each explicit case of Jesus’ knowledge of thoughts and one widely recognized example of an implicit case (7.39-40). Also, at the end of the section, we will give attention to the text of Simeon’s oracle, which, by virtue of its prominent place in the study as a whole, merits mention here. Finally, along with this selection of passages, it is also appropriate at this juncture to offer brief notes on the parallels in Mark, where Lukan redaction is relevant,7 and in Matthew, where Matthean redaction forms 7. In comments concerning the redaction of Synoptic passages, Markan priority is assumed. We assume neither the two-source hypothesis nor the Farrer–Goulder hypothesis, though we will at times refer to each. 1

4

Jesus and the Thoughts of Many Hearts

an illustrative contrast to Lukan redaction. These notes are intended to provide a cursory justi¿cation for the present focus on the Gospel of Luke, and may serve to highlight the choices of the Lukan narrator in framing the episodes. 1.1. The Healing of the Paralytic (Luke 5.17-26) In the healing of the paralytic in Lk. 5.17-26, the narrator describes the seemingly internal response of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 21) to Jesus’ pronouncement of forgiveness (v. 20). In v. 22 Jesus perceives the questionings of the scribes and Pharisees and replies, asking why they question in their hearts. Mark and Matthew have similar comments. In Luke, the general sense is the same as in Mark, but the context places more emphasis on the emerging conÀict between Jesus and his opponents. As we will see, Luke’s redaction of Mark seems to match the form and vocabulary (»À¸ÂǺÀÊÄŦË) of his editorial additions elsewhere.8 Table 0.2 Matthew 9.4

Mark 2.8

Luke 5.22

Á¸Ė Ċ»ĽÅ ĝ `¾ÊÇıË ÌÛË ëÅ¿ÍÄûʼÀË ¸ĤÌľÅ ¼čȼŷ ĎŸÌĕ ëÅ¿ÍļėÊ¿¼ ÈÇžÉÛ ëŠ̸ėË Á¸É»ĕ¸ÀË ĨÄľÅ;

Á¸Ė ¼Ĥ¿İË ëÈÀºÅÇİË ĝ `¾ÊÇıË ÌŊ ÈżŧĸÌÀ ¸ĤÌÇı ĞÌÀ ÇĩÌÑË »À¸ÂǺţ½ÇÅ̸À ëÅ î¸ÍÌÇėË Âšº¼À ¸ĤÌÇėËж Ìţ ̸ı̸ »À¸ÂǺţ½¼Ê¿¼ ëŠ̸ėË Á¸É»ţ¸ÀË ĨÄľÅ;

ëÈÀºÅÇİË »ò ĝ `¾ÊÇıË ÌÇİË »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄÇİË ¸ĤÌľÅ ÒÈÇÁÉÀ¿¼ĖË ¼čȼŠÈÉġË ¸ĤÌÇŧËж Ìţ »À¸ÂǺţ½¼Ê¿¼ ëŠ̸ėË Á¸É»ţ¸ÀË ĨÄľÅ;

Luke is unique among the Synoptics in his use of »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄŦË in this context,9 and Luke uses the word throughout the Gospel only to speak of thoughts which Jesus knows. As will be explained later, the use of the word suggests a possible connection with Simeon’s oracle in 2.34-35, where the word ¿rst appears.

8. Cf. 6.8 and 9.47, where verbs of knowing are followed by an accusative direct object meaning ‘thoughts’ (»À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË) modi¿ed by ¸ĤÌľÅ. 9. The word appears in Mk 7.21//Mt. 15.19 to denote ‘evil intentions’ (»À¸ÂǺÀÊÄÇĖ ÈÇžÉÇĕ), one among a list of things which come from the heart and de¿le the person. The passage is unparalleled in Luke. 1

Introduction

5

1.2. The Man with the Withered Hand (Luke 6.6-11) In the healing of the man with the withered hand in Lk. 6.6-11, Jesus again perceives the thoughts of the religious leaders (v. 8). The narrator details the secret intentions of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 7) and then portrays Jesus as responding to their secret motives by adding the note, ¸ĤÌġË »ò Ā»¼À ÌÇİË »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄÇİË ¸ĤÌľÅ (v. 8). Only then does Jesus address the man with the withered hand and his opponents. We see that Luke has introduced the use of »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË here as in 5.22, suggesting again a possible connection to 2.35. Among the Synoptics, Luke alone includes the explicit description of Jesus’ knowledge. Table 0.3 Matthew 12.10b-11a

Mark 3.2-3a

Luke 6.7-8a

Á¸Ė ëȾÉļ̾ʸŠ¸ĤÌġÅ ÂñºÇÅ̼˷ ¼Ċ ìƼÊÌÀÅ ÌÇėË ÊÚ¹¹¸ÊÀÅ ¿¼É¸È¼ıʸÀ; ďŸ Á¸Ì¾ºÇÉûÊÑÊÀÅ ¸ĤÌÇı. ĝ »ò ¼čȼŠ¸ĤÌÇėË·

Á¸Ė ȸɼÌûÉÇÍÅ ¸ĤÌġÅ ¼Ċ ÌÇėË ÊÚ¹¹¸ÊÀÅ ¿¼É¸È¼įʼÀ ¸ĤÌĠÅ, ďŸ Á¸Ì¾ºÇÉûÊÑÊÀÅ ¸ĤÌÇı. Á¸Ė Âñº¼À ÌŊ ÒÅ¿ÉļÈĿ ÌŊ ÌüŠƾÉÛŠϼėɸ ìÏÇÅÌÀ·

ȸɼ̾ÉÇıÅÌÇ »ò ¸ĤÌġÅ ÇĎ ºÉ¸Äĸ̼ėË Á¸Ė ÇĎ ¸ÉÀʸėÇÀ ¼Ċ ëÅ ÌŊ ʸ¹¹ÚÌĿ ¿¼É¸È¼į¼À, ďŸ ¼ĩÉÑÊÀÅ Á¸Ì¾ºÇɼėÅ ¸ĤÌÇı. ¸ĤÌġË »ò Ā»¼À ÌÇİË »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄÇİË ¸ĤÌľÅ, ¼čȼŠ»ò ÌŊ ÒÅ»ÉĖ ÌŊ ƾÉÛÅ ìÏÇÅÌÀ ÌüŠϼėɸ·

In the Markan episode, the inside view in Mk 3.2 is followed by Jesus’ speech to the man with the withered hand, with no mention of Jesus’ perception, though some sort of perception seems implied retrospectively in his anger towards them at their hardness of heart (v. 5). Luke, perhaps, has made more explicit that which is implied in the Markan narrative, as the remark of the Lukan narrator in Lk. 6.8 ties Jesus’ words and actions more directly to the inside view in v. 7. Indeed, there is an element of incoherence in Mark’s story, in which no particular impetus is provided for Jesus’ address to the religious leaders, a break from the previous three scenes where direct questions are leveled at Jesus and/or his disciples. Perhaps for this reason, in the Matthean parallel, the Markan inside view is replaced with a direct question. The Pharisees ask Jesus whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, a question which Jesus answers in a more lengthy reply. The implicit perception of Jesus is lost, but an opportunity to introduce Jesus’ teaching is gained. 1

6

Jesus and the Thoughts of Many Hearts

1.3. In the House of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7.36-50) Beyond the explicit mentions of Jesus’ knowledge of thoughts, Jesus’ knowledge may be only implied, with no comment from the narrator, but with Jesus, nonetheless, responding directly to the thoughts, motives, or attitudes of certain characters. The clearest example is perhaps Lk. 7.3940, in which the narrator reveals to the reader the thought of Simon the Pharisee, with Jesus’ response immediately following: Ċ»ĽÅ »ò ĝ ¸ÉÀʸėÇË ĝ Á¸ÂñÊ¸Ë ¸ĤÌġÅ ¼čȼŠëÅ î¸ÍÌŊ ÂñºÑÅ· ÇīÌÇË ¼Ċ öÅ ÈÉÇÎû̾Ë, ëºĕÅÑÊÁ¼Å ÔÅ ÌĕË Á¸Ė ÈÇ̸Èü ÷ ºÍÅü øÌÀË ×È̸̼À ¸ĤÌÇı, ĞÌÀ ÖĸÉÌÑÂĠË ëÊÌÀÅ. Á¸Ė ÒÈÇÁÉÀ¿¼ĖË ĝ `¾ÊÇıË ¼čȼŠÈÉġË ¸ĤÌĠÅ· ĕÄÑÅ, ìÏÑ ÊÇĕ ÌÀ ¼ĊȼėÅ. This is a well-recognized example of Jesus’ ability to discern what is hidden in the heart, owing to the irony of the situation in which Simon’s unspoken doubt concerning the knowledge of Jesus becomes the object of Jesus’ own perception. 1.4. The Discussion of Who Is Greatest (Luke 9.46-48) In Lk. 9.46-48, Luke describes the »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË of the disciples (v. 46) and follows this immediately with the action and speech of Jesus that addresses their »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË (v. 47). In order to establish that Jesus’ action was in response to the inner attitude of the disciples, the narrator adds that Jesus ‘knew the thought of their hearts’ (¼Ċ»ĽË ÌġÅ »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄġÅ ÌýË Á¸É»ĕ¸Ë ¸ĤÌľÅ; v. 47). In this instance, »À¸ÂǺÀÊÄĠË is coupled with Á¸É»ĕ¸, which again might recall the use of these terms in 2.35. Table 0.4 Matthew 18.1-2

Mark 9.33-34

Luke 9.46-47