Understanding and stumbling : a study of the disciples' understanding of Jesus and his teaching in the Gospel of Matthew
The dissertation is a redaction-critical study of Matthew's portrayal of the disciples' understanding of Jesus and his teaching. After surveying current views of the question, the introduction states why the subject is important and why the author feels it has been inadequately handled. Working presuppositions are expressed. The main body of the thesis consists of two sections. The first explores many of the narratives in which it appears Matthew has redacted his sources in favour of making the disciples understand Jesus. The section begins with a chapter on the notion of understanding in background literature to Matthew. Chapters follow which investigate Matthew's depiction of the disciples as those who understand the parables and other teachings of Jesus and partially understand his person and mission. The motives for Matthew's redaction are a primary focus of these chapters. Conclusions are reached concerning the portrayal of the disciples in Matthew <i>vis-a-vis</i> their portrayal in Mark and other Matthean sources. The second section of the thesis looks at the as yet unexplored dimension of the disciples' lack of understanding of Jesus, particularly as it relates to their 'stumbling' over his person.
Trotter, Andrew Hugh
Philosophy
Understanding and stumbling : a study of the disciples' understanding of Jesus and his teaching in the Gospel of Matthew. The dissertation is a redaction-critical study of Matthew's portrayal of the disciples' understanding of Jesus and his teaching. After surveying current views of the question, the introduction states why the subject is important and why the author feels it has been inadequately handled. Working presuppositions are expressed. The main body of the thesis consists of two sections. The first explores many of the narratives in which it appears Matthew has redacted his sources in favour of making the disciples understand Jesus. The section begins with a chapter on the notion of understanding in background literature to Matthew. Chapters follow which investigate Matthew's depiction of the disciples as those who understand the parables and other teachings of Jesus and partially understand his person and mission. The motives for Matthew's redaction are a primary focus of these chapters. Conclusions are reached concerning the portrayal of the disciples in Matthew <i>vis-a-vis</i> their portrayal in Mark and other Matthean sources. The second section of the thesis looks at the as yet unexplored dimension of the disciples' lack of understanding of Jesus, particularly as it relates to their 'stumbling' over his person.
study disciple jesus teach gospel_matthew redaction_critical study matthew portrayal disciple jesus teaching survey current view question introduction state subject important author feel inadequately handle working presupposition express main_body consist_two section first_explore many narrative appear matthew source favour make disciple jesus section begin notion background literature matthew follow investigate matthew depiction disciple teaching jesus partially person mission motif matthew redaction primary_focus chapter conclusions reach concern portrayal disciple matthew vis portrayal mark source second_section look yet unexplored dimension disciple lack jesus particularly relate person