Matthean Sets of Parables (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen Zum Neuen Testament)

Matthean Parables have often been read through the lens of their Synoptic parallels, which has, for instance, led to the claim that Matthew does not have a parable theory of its own. Peter Yaw Oppong-Kumi offers a careful and detailed analysis of the three parabolic compositions in the Gospel of Matthew. He presents a new approach to Matthew's parables and calls for a reading of the gospel that frees it from the "dependency" of its sources. Through meticulous study the author shows the interconnectedness of Matthew's parable compositions through their common theology and context. He offers some intriguing evidence of how certain theological thoughts of the Gospel influenced the composition of Matthean sets of parables and how, for instance, these theological thoughts explain the crucial change the author made to Mk 4:8 or the famous textual problem of the Parable of Two Sons. Peter Yaw Oppong-Kumi demonstrates how Matthew's parable compositions have been constructed as a narrative and rhetorical piece to respond to one important question of the gospel, namely who accepts or rejects the Gospel's protagonist and what are the ramifications of that. Cover Preface Table of Contents Abbreviations Chapter 1: Critical Questions A. Introduction B. Matthew’s Sets of Parables: Strategic or Jumbled Thoughts? C. Matthew: the Γραμματεύς D. Parable Theory: Does Matthew Have One? E. Conclusion Chapter 2: The Methodology A. Introduction B. Rhetorical Criticism C. Narrative Criticism D. Our Method of Interpretation E. Status Quaestionis F. Conclusion Chapter 3: Matthewʼs Sets of Parables: Strategy and Theory A. Introduction B. The Parable Sets as a Rhetorical Argument and as a Story I. Rhetorical Features in Matthew’s Sets of Parables II. Matthean Parabolic Compositions as a Story III. The Matthean παραβολή C. Matthew’s Parable Theory I. What Constitutes Matthew’s Parable Theory? II. The Layout of Matthew’s Parable Theory III. The Situation of the Crowd/Disciples and the Reasons for It IV. The Nature of Matthew’s Parable Theory V. The Characteristics of Matthew’s Parable Theory VI. The Structure of Matthew’s Parable Theory VII. The Difference Between Mark’s and Matthew’s Parable Theories VIII. Reasons for Matthew’s Parabolic Speech IX. The Purpose of Matthew’s Parables D. Conclusion Chapter 4: Israel’s Response to the Dawning Kingdom of Heaven A. Introduction B. Synchronic Analysis I. Context Analysis II. The Structure of Mt 13 III. The Structure of the Main Discourse (13:3–52) C. Diachronic Analysis of Mt 13 D. The Main Message of the Composition E. The Narrative and Rhetorical Function of Mt 13 F. Conclusion Chapter 5: The Mustard Seed and the Hidden Treasure as Sample Parables A. Introduction B. The Parable of the Mustard Seed I. Synchronic Analysis II. Diachronic Analysis of the Mustard Seed III. Interpretation of the Mustard Seed C. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure I. Synchronic Analysis II. Diachronic Analysis III. The Interpretation of Our Parable D. Conclusion Chapter 6: Church and Israel: The Background A. Introduction B. The Text of Mt 21:28–22:14 I. The Two Sons (21:28–32) II. The Wicked Tenants (21:33–46) III. The Wedding Feast (22:1–14) C. The Text Critical Problems I. The Text Critical Problem of Mt 21:29–31 II. The Text-Critical Problem of 21:44 D. Conclusion Chapter 7: Church and Israel: Context and Structure of Mt 21:28–22:14 A. Introduction B. The Context of Our Trilogy I. The Macro Context II. The Micro Context C. The Structure of the Trilogy I. The Structure of the Two Sons (21:28–32) II. The Structure of the Wicked Tenants (Mt 21:33–45) III. The Structure of the Wedding Feast (22:1–14) D. Conclusion Chapter 8: Church and Israel: Meaning and Theology of Mt 21:28–22:14 A. Introduction B. Matthew’s Semantic Strategy in the Trilogy I. The Main Matthean Semantic Features II. Matthew’s Use of Invitational Motifs III. The Use of Similar Words and Syntagmata IV. Matthew’s Use of Similar Constructions V. The Use of Common Theological Syntagma VI. Concluding Observations C. Interpretation of the Trilogy I. The Trilogy as a Set of Parables II. The Individual Parables of the Trilogy (21:28–22:14) D. Conclusion Chapter 9: The Eschatological Discourse (Mt 24–5) A. Introduction B. The Context and Message of the Parousia Parables I. Setting the Boundaries II. The Macro and Micro Contexts III. The Structure and the Themes of 24:3–25:46 IV. Part N (Mt 24:3) V. Jesus’ Answer (24:4–25:46) C. Conclusion Chapter 10: The Ten Virgins as a Sample Parousia Parable A. Introduction B. Synchronic Analysis I. Text and Translation II. The Context of the Parable III. The Structure of Mt 25:1–13 IV. The Narrative and Rhetorical Strategy of 25:1–13 C. Diachronic Analysis I. The Source of Our Parable II. Tradition Historical Analysis D. Interpretation Chapter 11:Summary and Conclusions A. Introduction B. The Function of Matthew’s Sets of Parables I. Their Rhetorical and Narrative Functions II. The Theological Function of Matthew’s Sets of Parables III. The Pragmatic Functions of Matthew’s Sets of Parables C. Does Matthew Have a Parable Theory? D. The Source of Matthew’s Parabolic Compositional Style Appendix Bibliography Index of Ancient Sources 1. Old Testament 2. Pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha 3. Other Greek and Latin Sources 4. New Testament Index of Modern Authors Index of Subjects Hauptbeschreibung Matthean Parables Have Often Been Read Through The Lens Of Their Synoptic Parallels, Which Has, For Instance, Led To The Claim That Matthew Does Not Have A Parable Theory Of Its Own. Peter Yaw Oppong-kumi Offers A Careful And Detailed Analysis Of The Three Parabolic Compositions In The Gospel Of Matthew. He Presents A New Approach To Matthew's Parables And Calls For A Reading Of The Gospel That Frees It From The Dependency Of Its Sources. Through Meticulous Study The Author Shows The Interconnectedness Of Matthew's Parable Compositions Through Their Common Theo. Critical Questions -- The Methodology -- Matthew's Sets Of Parables: Strategy And Theory --israel's Response To The Dawning Kingdom Of Heaven -- The Mustard Seed And The Hidden Treasure As Sample Parables -- Church And Israel: The Background -- Church And Israel: Context And Structure Of Mt 21:28-22:14 -- Church And Israel: Meaning And Theology Of Mt 21:28-22:14 -- The Eschatological Discourse (mt 24-5) -- The Ten Virgins As A Sample Parousia Parable -- Summary And Conclusions. Peter Yaw Oppong-kumi. Revised Thesis (doctoral) - Universität, Tübingen, 2010. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.