The Framework of the Story of Jesus: Literary-critical Investigations of the Earliest Jesus Tradition

Now available for the first time in English, Karl Ludwig Schmidt's The Framework of the Story of Jesus (Der Rahmen der Geschichte Jesu) has been a foundation of New Testament studies. Through meticulous analysis, Schmidt demonstrates that the Synoptic Gospels are collections of individual stories that circulated orally and independently in the earliest Christian communities. Schmidt shows persuasively how, in their oral forms, most of these traditions existed apart from any sequence or specific temporal or geographic location, and that the chronology and locations now evident in the Gospels were applied by the evangelists while collecting and recording the oral traditions. Across much of the twentieth century and even into the present day, Schmidt's thesis has undergirded Gospel interpretation. Yet as long as The Framework of the Story of Jesus remained untranslated, Schmidt's ideas have been open to neglect and misinterpretation among Anglophone scholars. Discussion of the Synoptic Gospels and broader New Testament study will be enriched by engagement with the evidence and argument as originally presented. Cover Book Title Copyright Contents Abbreviations Introduction Karl Ludwig Schmidt, Der Rahmen der Geschichte Jesu, Form Criticism, and Gospel Genre Preface Introduction 1 John the Baptist and Jesus (Mark 1:1–13par.) John the Baptist (Mark 1:1–8; Matt 3:1–12; Luke 3:1–20) The Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9–11; Matt 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22) The Age of Jesus (Luke 3:23) The Temptation of Jesus (Mark 1:12–13; Matt 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13) 2 Jesus’ Activity in Galilee (Mark 1:14–45par.) Jesus’ Entry into Galilee (Mark 1:14–16; Matt 4:12–17; Luke 4:14–15) Jesus’ Inaugural Sermon in Nazareth (Luke 4:16–30) The Call of the First Disciples (Mark 1:16–20; Matt 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11) Excursus: Luke’s Configuration of the Outline of the Story of Jesus In the Synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:31–37) The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Mark 1:29–31; Matt 8:14–15; Luke 4:38–39) Healings in the Evening at Peter’s House (Mark 1:32–34; Matt 8:16–17; Luke 4:40–41) Jesus Escapes into Solitude (Mark 1:35–38; Luke 4:42–43) Jesus’ Preaching Tour in Galilee (Mark 1:39; Matt 4:23–25; Luke 4:44) The Healing of a Leper (Mark 1:40–45; Matt 8:1–4; Luke 5:12–16) Excursus: The Complex of Mark 1:14–45 Excursus: The Complex of Mark 1:14–45 in Matthew: Jesus’ First Acts in Galilee (Matt 4:12–9:34; Matt 4:12–8:17 = Mark 1:14–45) Jesus’ Teaching: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) Jesus’ Deeds: The Centurion from Capernaum (Matt 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10) Excursus: The Complex Mark 1:14–45 in Luke Excursus: Literary and Historical Evaluation of Mark 1:14–45par 3 Jesus’ Conflicts with the Leaders of the People Mark 2:1—3:6 and par. The Healing of a Paralytic(Mark 2:1–2; Matt 9:1–8; Luke 5:17–26) The Call of Levi and Dinner with the Tax Collectors(Mark 2:13–17; Matt 9:9–13; Luke 5:27–32) The Question about Fasting(Mark 2:18–22; Matt 9:14–17; Luke 5:33–39) Plucking Grain on the Sabbath(Mark 2:23–28; Matt 12:1–8; Luke 6:1–5) The Healing of the Withered Hand(Mark 3:1–6; Matt 12:9–14; Luke 6:6–11) Conclusion: Mark 2:1—3:6par 4 Jesus and the People(Mark 3:7—6:13par.) Crowds and Healings(Mark 3:7–12; Matt 12:15–21; Luke 6:17–19) The Call of the Twelve Apostles(Mark 3:13–19; Matt 10:1–42; Luke 6:12–16) Excursus: A Lukan Insertion(Luke 6:20—8:3) The Sermon on the Plain(Luke 6:20–49) The Young Man from Nain(Luke 7:11–17) John the Baptist’s Question and Jesus’ Testimony(Luke 7:18–35; Matt 11:2–19) The Sinful Woman in Simon’s House(Luke 7:36–50) Controversy Stories(Mark 3:20–25; Matt 12:22–50; Luke 11:14–31, 8:19–21) Parables of Jesus(Mark 4:1–34; Matt 13:1–52; Luke 8:4–18) Three Stories on and around the Sea of Galilee(Mark 4:35—5:43 par.) The Storm at Sea(Mark 4:35–41; Matt 8:23–27; Luke 8:22–25) The Gerasene Demoniac(Mark 5:1–20; Matt 8:28–34; Luke 8:26–39) Jairus’ Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman(Mark 5:21–43; Matt 9:18–26; Luke 8:40–56) Excursus: The Special Connection of the Three Stories:The Itinerary and Arrangement of Mark 4:35—5:43par. Jesus’ Rejection in Nazareth(Mark 6:1–6; Matt 13:53–58) The Sending out of the Disciples(Mark 6:7–13; Matt 10:1–42; Luke 9:1–6; 10:1–12) Excursus: Matthew 9:35—10:42:A Transitional Piece in the Matthean Outline Excursus: The Complex Mark 3:7—6:13 andIts Rearrangement by Matthew and Luke 5 Jesus Outside of Galilee in Gentile TerritoryMark 6:14—8:26par. Herod’s Judgment upon Jesus(Mark 6:14–16; Matt 14:1–2; Luke 9:7–9) The Death of John the Baptist(Mark 6:17–29; Matt 14:3–12) Mark 6:30 Excursus: The Itinerary of Mark 6:31—8:26 Jesus, Disciples, and the People(Mark 6:31–33; Matt 14:13; Luke 9:10–11a) The Feeding of the Five Thousand(Mark 6:34–44; Matt 14:14–21; Luke 9:11b [10]–17);The Feeding of the Four Thousand(Mark 8:1–10; Matt 15:32–39) Jesus Walks on the Sea(Mark 6:45–52: Matt 14:22–33) Jesus’ Activity in the Area of Gennesaret(Mark 6:53–56; Matt 14:34–36) Controversies over Hand-washing, Purity, and Impurity(Mark 7:1–23; Matt 15:1–20) The Canaanite Woman(Mark 7:24–30; Matt 15:21–28) The Healing of a Deaf and Dumb Man (Mark 7:31–37);The Healing of Several Sick People (Matt 15:29–31) The Pharisees Seek a Sign(Mark 8:11–12; Matt 16:1–4; Luke 11:29; 11:16; 12:54–56) The Conversation about Leaven(Mark 8:13–21; Matt 16:5–12; Luke 12:1) The Blind Man of Bethsaida(Mark 8:22–26) Excursus: The Complex of Mark 6:14—8:26:The Question of the Arrangement and Setttingsfor the Activity of Jesus Excursus: Special Perspectives on the Location of Jesus’ Activities:Woes Pronounced upon Galilean Towns(Matt 11:20–24; Luke 10:13–15) Excursus: Allegorical Place Names? Excursus: The Complex Mark 6:14—8:26 in Matthew Excursus: The Complex Mark 6:14—8:26 in Luke:Critique of Mark’s Arrangement and Content 6 Jesus and His Disciples, The Approaching Passion(Mark 8:27—10:45par.) Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Philippi(Mark 8:27–30; Matt 16:13–23; Luke 9:18–22) Three Predictions of Jesus’ Suffering(Mark 8:31–31; Matt 16:21; Luke 9:22; Mark 9:30–32; Matt 17:22–23; Luke 9:43b–45; Mark 10:32–34; Matt 20:17–19; Luke 18:31–34) Satan and Peter(Mark 8:32b–33; Matt 16:22–23) Sayings about the Sufferings of Disciples(Mark 8:34–9:1; Matt 16:24–28; Luke 9:23–27) Jesus’ Transfiguration(Mark 9:2–8; Matt 17:1–8; Luke 9:28–36) Conversation on the Way Down fromthe Mount of Transfiguration(Mark 9:9–13; Matt 17:9–13) The Healing of an Epileptic Boy(Mark 9:14–29; Matt 17:14–21; Luke 9:37–43a) The Disciples Argue over Status(Mark 9:33–37; Matt 18:1–5; Luke 9:46–48) The Temple Tax(Matt 17:24–27) Further Sayings with the Disciples(Mark 9:38–50, Matt 18:6–35 et al; Luke 9:49–50 et al.) Marriage and Divorce(Mark 10:1–12; Matt 19:1–12) The Blessing of Children(Mark 10:13–16; Matt 19:13–15; Luke 18:15–17) On the Danger of Riches(Mark 10:17–31; Matt 19:16–30; Luke 18:18–30) Jesus and the Sons of Zebedee(Mark 10:35–45; Matt 20:20–28) Excursus: Summary:Mark 8:27—10:45 and Matt 16:13–20, 28 7 Luke’s Travel NarrativeLuke 9:51—19:27 (9:51—18:14 = Insertionin the Markan Outline) Introductory Issues General Characteristics Overview of the Parts of the Framework The Textual History of the Framing Pieces Pericope Introductions Adopted by Luke Pericope Introductions Formed and Reformed by Luke:Chronological and Topographical Two Jericho Stories:Luke 18:35–43par; 19:1–10 Two Notes from the Journey to Jerusalem:Luke 9:53; 13:33 The Good Samaritan(Luke 9:51, 52–55) Excursus: Literary and Historical Evaluationof the Lukan Travel Narrative Excursus: A Perspective on the Question about the Lengthand Location of the Ministry of Jesus The Prophecy over Jerusalem 8 Jesus’ Final Activity in JerusalemMark 10:46—13:37 par Introduction The Topography and Chronology of the Sections The Text History of the Framing Pieces Omissions Insertions Rearrangements Excursus: Remodeling of Mark’s Pericope Introductionsby Matthew and Luke Excursus: The Relationship between Framingand Content in Markan Pericopes Excursus: Literary and Historical Evaluation ofMark 10:46—13:37 and Parallels Excursus: Perspectives on the Question of the Lengthof Jesus’ Ministry: Jesus’ Earlier Visits to Jerusalem 9 Jesus’ Suffering and DeathMark 14–15 (= Matt 26–27 = Luke 22–23) The General Character of the Passion Narrative:The Logical Topography and Chronology Some Seams and Gaps in the Passion Narrative 10 The Pre-Histories The Matthean Pre-History The Lukan Pre-History Summary:Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 The Prologue: Luke 1:1–4 Conclusion The Framework of the Story of Jesusin Mark, Matthew, and Luke Bibliography Authors Index Subject Index Backcover