Infancy NarrativesInfancy Narratives

A Closer LookA Closer Look

Refer to Lk (Ch. 1 & 2) & Refer to Lk (Ch. 1 & 2) &

Mt: (Ch. 1 & 2)Mt: (Ch. 1 & 2)

Similarities in Matthew and LukeSimilarities in Matthew and Luke

Examples:Examples: Both in the time of HerodBoth in the time of Herod Mary is a virginMary is a virgin Jesus is conceived through the Holy SpiritJesus is conceived through the Holy Spirit Jesus is identified as the Son of DavidJesus is identified as the Son of David Name of Jesus imposed by heavenName of Jesus imposed by heaven Jesus is a SaviourJesus is a Saviour Jesus born in Bethlehem, after Mary and Joseph Jesus born in Bethlehem, after Mary and Joseph

have been living together as man and wifehave been living together as man and wife Joseph, Mary and Jesus settle in NazarethJoseph, Mary and Jesus settle in Nazareth

Differences in Matthew and LukeDifferences in Matthew and LukeLUKELUKE

Angel appears to Mary to tell her of Angel appears to Mary to tell her of impending birth of Jesus (1:26)impending birth of Jesus (1:26)

Jesus born in a manger (2:7)Jesus born in a manger (2:7)

Angels appear to shepherds in the Angels appear to shepherds in the fields (2:9-16)fields (2:9-16)

Mary & Joseph go to Bethlehem for Mary & Joseph go to Bethlehem for the census before the birth of the census before the birth of Jesus (2:4-5)Jesus (2:4-5)

Jesus had fulfilled what the Holy Jesus had fulfilled what the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon Spirit had revealed to Simeon (prophet outside the Temple)(prophet outside the Temple)

MATTHEWMATTHEW

Angel appears to Joseph to tell Angel appears to Joseph to tell him of Mary’s impending birth of him of Mary’s impending birth of Jesus (1:20)Jesus (1:20)

Jesus born in a house (1:10)Jesus born in a house (1:10)

Magi from the East follow a star Magi from the East follow a star (2:1)(2:1)

Angel appears to Joseph, after Angel appears to Joseph, after Jesus is born, & tells them to flee Jesus is born, & tells them to flee to Egypt (2:13-15)to Egypt (2:13-15)

Jesus’ birth is fulfilling Old Jesus’ birth is fulfilling Old Testament prophesiesTestament prophesies

Structure and Emphasis in Structure and Emphasis in MatthewMatthew

Being a Jewish Christian, Matthew’s Being a Jewish Christian, Matthew’s concern is to show Jesus as fulfilling the concern is to show Jesus as fulfilling the prophesies and hopes of the Jewish peopleprophesies and hopes of the Jewish people

Jesus is compared to Moses:Jesus is compared to Moses: 1. Matthew models his account on the birth of Moses - the 1. Matthew models his account on the birth of Moses - the

most important religious authority in Judaismmost important religious authority in Judaism 2. Jesus escapes the massacre of the infants (Mt 2:16) as 2. Jesus escapes the massacre of the infants (Mt 2:16) as

Moses did (Ex 2:3)Moses did (Ex 2:3) 3. They both travel to Egypt (compare Ex 4:19 and Mt 3. They both travel to Egypt (compare Ex 4:19 and Mt

2:19)2:19) 4. Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt saving 4. Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt saving

them (Ex ch. 12 & 13) ….Jesus will save his people from them (Ex ch. 12 & 13) ….Jesus will save his people from their sins (Mt 1:21)their sins (Mt 1:21)

5. Moses is seen as the teacher and Law-giver in Judaism 5. Moses is seen as the teacher and Law-giver in Judaism – he receives the Law of God (10 commandments) on – he receives the Law of God (10 commandments) on Mount Sinai, and teaches the people of Israel….Jesus is Mount Sinai, and teaches the people of Israel….Jesus is shown as a teacher and Law-giver – he teaches from a shown as a teacher and Law-giver – he teaches from a mountain (eg Mt ch. 5)mountain (eg Mt ch. 5)

Jesus is compared to Moses: Jesus is compared to Moses: PurposePurpose

1.1. By parallelling Jesus with Moses By parallelling Jesus with Moses Matthew is emphasising Jesus’ great Matthew is emphasising Jesus’ great importance for the Jewish peopleimportance for the Jewish people

2. Matthew presents Jesus as the “New 2. Matthew presents Jesus as the “New Moses” - teacher and Law-giver who has Moses” - teacher and Law-giver who has authority from God. He is the “fulfilment” of authority from God. He is the “fulfilment” of the law and therefore the messiah the Jews the law and therefore the messiah the Jews have been waiting for. have been waiting for.

Matthew use of ProphesyMatthew use of Prophesy

Matthew structures his narrative around Matthew structures his narrative around the Jewish scriptures ...he does this 5 the Jewish scriptures ...he does this 5 times – see (1:18-25; 2:1-12; 2:13-15; times – see (1:18-25; 2:1-12; 2:13-15; 2:16-18; 2:19-23)2:16-18; 2:19-23)

Matthew use of Prophesy: Matthew use of Prophesy: PurposePurpose

To reassure the Jewish audience – they do To reassure the Jewish audience – they do not lose their Jewish heritage by following not lose their Jewish heritage by following ChristChrist

Matthew shows that all the events Matthew shows that all the events surrounding Jesus happened in order to surrounding Jesus happened in order to fulfil what was written in the prophets and fulfil what was written in the prophets and he is therefore the fulfilment of Jewish he is therefore the fulfilment of Jewish hopes.hopes.

Matthew includes the Visitors Matthew includes the Visitors from the Eastfrom the East

Matthew depicts important visitors from the Matthew depicts important visitors from the east – therefore Gentiles - greeting and east – therefore Gentiles - greeting and honouring the infant Jesus honouring the infant Jesus

Matthew includes the Visitors Matthew includes the Visitors from the East: Purposefrom the East: Purpose

Showing that Gentiles were accepting Jesus – Showing that Gentiles were accepting Jesus – indicates his significance – they are the first to indicates his significance – they are the first to recognise Jesus as King of the Jews.recognise Jesus as King of the Jews.

They may have been kings reverencing Jesus – They may have been kings reverencing Jesus – indicates Jesus’ divinity being honoured by indicates Jesus’ divinity being honoured by earth’s kings.earth’s kings.

This passage is consoling to Jewish Christian’s This passage is consoling to Jewish Christian’s at the time (who were being excommunicated at the time (who were being excommunicated from the Jewish community), because even at from the Jewish community), because even at his birth gentiles rather than Jews were his birth gentiles rather than Jews were accepting Jesus.accepting Jesus.

Matthews primary concernsMatthews primary concerns

To show Jesus represents both:To show Jesus represents both:– CONTINUITCONTINUITY-(Jesus fulfills the Law and Y-(Jesus fulfills the Law and

prophecies about the Messiah)prophecies about the Messiah)andand

DISCONTINUITYDISCONTINUITY –(Jesus establishes a new –(Jesus establishes a new Church)Church)

The GOOD NEWS is not only for the The GOOD NEWS is not only for the Jews but for the whole world (eg Jews but for the whole world (eg seen in Wise Men at birth)seen in Wise Men at birth)

In Summary………..In Summary……….. Matthew has Jesus primarily concerned with the Matthew has Jesus primarily concerned with the

salvation of Israel (15:21 – 28)salvation of Israel (15:21 – 28) Matthew is also concerned with the Law and how Matthew is also concerned with the Law and how

Jesus fulfills the LawJesus fulfills the Law Matthews theology of salvation is that Matthews theology of salvation is that

the Good News was firstly given to the the Good News was firstly given to the Jews, has been rejected by them and is Jews, has been rejected by them and is now offered to the Gentiles.now offered to the Gentiles.

Geography shows this: Jesus begins ministry in Geography shows this: Jesus begins ministry in Galilee, meets disciples there (Jewish territory) Galilee, meets disciples there (Jewish territory) then sends them out to the whole world (ie. from then sends them out to the whole world (ie. from Jewish to pagan/Gentile territory)Jewish to pagan/Gentile territory)

Structure and Emphasis in LukeStructure and Emphasis in Luke

Luke, writing predominantly for Gentile Luke, writing predominantly for Gentile Christians, emphasises salvation for all Christians, emphasises salvation for all people – especially the oppressed, the poor, people – especially the oppressed, the poor, outcasts, sinners……outcasts, sinners……

Luke compares the Birth of Jesus Luke compares the Birth of Jesus to the birth of John the Baptist:to the birth of John the Baptist:

Read 1:5-25, 57-80 Read 1:5-25, 57-80 EG: both births are foretold by the angel EG: both births are foretold by the angel

Gabriel; both are born under the influence Gabriel; both are born under the influence of the Holy Spirit, both are named through of the Holy Spirit, both are named through divine inspiration, both will do God’s work.divine inspiration, both will do God’s work.

Luke compares the Birth of Jesus Luke compares the Birth of Jesus to the birth of John the Baptist: to the birth of John the Baptist:

PurposePurpose To demonstrate the transition of one epoch (period To demonstrate the transition of one epoch (period

of history) – the Epoch of Israel – represented by of history) – the Epoch of Israel – represented by John the Baptist to a new epoch – the Christian John the Baptist to a new epoch – the Christian Epoch – represented by Jesus.Epoch – represented by Jesus.

Luke wishes the reader to recognise that Jesus Luke wishes the reader to recognise that Jesus and John are “twin agents of God’s salvation.”and John are “twin agents of God’s salvation.”

The stories not only parallel each other, there is The stories not only parallel each other, there is “step-parallelism” used as a literary devise – in “step-parallelism” used as a literary devise – in order to reveal the significance of who Jesus is. order to reveal the significance of who Jesus is.

EG: John is great in the sight of the Lord (1:15), EG: John is great in the sight of the Lord (1:15), Jesus will be called the Lord (2:11); John will be Jesus will be called the Lord (2:11); John will be filled with the Holy Spirit (1:15), Jesus is born in the filled with the Holy Spirit (1:15), Jesus is born in the Holy Spirit (1:35)Holy Spirit (1:35)

Luke’s Structure stresses Luke’s Structure stresses symbolism:symbolism:

Shepherds:Shepherds: Shepherds were a poor, and Shepherds were a poor, and despised class of people – their occupation did despised class of people – their occupation did not allow for obeying all Jewish laws (eg time for not allow for obeying all Jewish laws (eg time for prayer and cleanliness) – therefore they were prayer and cleanliness) – therefore they were considered sinners.considered sinners.

Purpose:Purpose: In contrast to Matthew (who depicts In contrast to Matthew (who depicts wealthy and influential people greeting Jesus) wealthy and influential people greeting Jesus) Luke has the poor and sinners greeting the Luke has the poor and sinners greeting the child…..showing that Jesus has come for all child…..showing that Jesus has come for all people, the poor and sinful included.people, the poor and sinful included.

Luke’s Structure stresses Luke’s Structure stresses symbolism:symbolism:

No RoomNo Room: : Not only are the lowly Not only are the lowly attracted to Jesus, but Jesus himself attracted to Jesus, but Jesus himself assumed the condition of the lowly –assumed the condition of the lowly –

PurposePurpose:: To show that Jesus was born To show that Jesus was born

poor and homeless and therefore is poor and homeless and therefore is identified with them.identified with them.

Luke’s Structure stresses Luke’s Structure stresses symbolism:symbolism:

MangerManger: : Jesus is placed in a manger – Jesus is placed in a manger – the trough out of which the animals feed.the trough out of which the animals feed.

Purpose:Purpose: To accentuate his poverty To accentuate his poverty further.further.

This is also symbolic that just as animals This is also symbolic that just as animals feed from a manger, humanity is going to feed from a manger, humanity is going to be fed by Jesus be fed by Jesus

Luke stresses Great JoyLuke stresses Great Joy

Luke’s writing is joyful – Luke’s characters are Luke’s writing is joyful – Luke’s characters are spirit-filled people rejoicing over what God has spirit-filled people rejoicing over what God has done for them. done for them.

EG: The angels proclaim to the shepherds “good EG: The angels proclaim to the shepherds “good news of a great joy which will come to all people” news of a great joy which will come to all people” (2:10); Many of the characters bless, or praise (2:10); Many of the characters bless, or praise God for what he has done for them – Mary God for what he has done for them – Mary proclaims: “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit proclaims: “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my saviour.” (1:46-47)rejoices in God my saviour.” (1:46-47)

Luke stresses Great Joy: PurposeLuke stresses Great Joy: Purpose

Luke is living in a time when many Gentiles Luke is living in a time when many Gentiles are converting to Christianity – the message are converting to Christianity – the message of Jesus is spreading out to the world – of Jesus is spreading out to the world – Luke depicts this as a joyful event because Luke depicts this as a joyful event because a “Saviour” has been born for “all people.”a “Saviour” has been born for “all people.”

Luke’s major Themes & ConcernsLuke’s major Themes & Concerns1.1. Salvation is UNIVERSAL- Salvation is UNIVERSAL- everyone including everyone including

poor and Gentiles are invited into the Kingdom of poor and Gentiles are invited into the Kingdom of GodGod

eg. Jesus born in poverty; shepherds visitingeg. Jesus born in poverty; shepherds visiting2.2. MESSIANIC JOY –MESSIANIC JOY –

eg. Magnificat; angels singing; shepherds eg. Magnificat; angels singing; shepherds joy; joy; Elizabeths joy Elizabeths joy

3. Profile of WOMEN – 3. Profile of WOMEN – eg. Mary – visit by angel; song of praiseeg. Mary – visit by angel; song of praise

4.4. HOLY SPIRIT – HOLY SPIRIT – eg. Jesus, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, eg. Jesus, John the Baptist, Elizabeth,

Zechariah all filled with the Holy Zechariah all filled with the Holy SpiritSpirit