Explain How And Why Matthew Edited Mark's Gospel ✓ Solved

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Explain how and why Matthew may have edited Mark's Gospel.

Explain how and why Matthew may have edited Mark's Gospel. Use the following two sets of passages to support your claim: 1. How and why would Matthew have edited Mark 6:45-52 contrasted with Matthew 14:22-23? 2. How and why would Matthew have edited Mark 9:2-10 contrasted with Matthew 17:1-13? Be sure to distinguish between paraphrase and direct quotes. Type a word paper using MLA formatting.

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The relationship between the Gospels of Mark and Matthew provides insight into the editing and interpretation processes of biblical texts. Matthew, writing for a community grappling with its identity and mission, saw the need to adapt Mark’s narrative to suit the theological themes important to his audience. Two poignant examples of Matthew's editorial approach can be examined in the accounts of Jesus walking on water in Mark 6:45-52 contrasted with Matthew 14:22-33, and the Transfiguration in Mark 9:2-10 contrasted with Matthew 17:1-13. Analyzing these passages reveals the manner in which Matthew’s editorial decisions reflect his theological goals and the pastoral needs of his community.

Editing the Walking on Water Narrative

The story of Jesus walking on water appears in both Mark and Matthew, but the two Gospels present differing emphases and details. In Mark 6:45-52, Jesus sends his disciples ahead while he retreats to pray. When he walks on water to reach them, they interpret him as a ghost, and he reassures them, saying, "It is I; do not be afraid." However, the narrative concludes with the disciples being “utterly astounded” due to their hardness of heart because they did not understand the miracle of the loaves (Mark 6:52). Conversely, Matthew 14:22-33 maintains the same fundamental framework but adds significant elements that impact the narrative’s theological thrust.

Matthew embellishes the story, detailing the disciples' fear and Peter's participation. When Peter sees Jesus walking, he asks to join him on the water, displaying an element of faith and active involvement. This editorial choice transforms the story from one of fear to one of faith and action. When Peter begins to sink, he cries out, and Jesus saves him, highlighting the importance of faith in moments of trial. The concluding worship of Jesus by the disciples in Matthew 14:33 contrasts sharply with the confusion expressed in Mark. Matthew shifts the focus from misunderstanding to worship, aligning with his community’s emphasis on revering Jesus as the divine Son of God.

Matthew’s alterations reflect a pastoral intent: encouraging his community to exhibit faith in Jesus amid their struggles, rather than succumbing to fear. The added dialogue and the focus on Peter’s faith journey serve to reinforce the theme of discipleship that is central to Matthew’s Gospel.

Editing the Transfiguration Account

The Transfiguration narrative showcases Matthew’s editorial approach in adapting Mark’s account (Mark 9:2-10) for his purposes. In Mark, the emphasis is on the miraculous event where Jesus reveals his divine glory in the presence of Elijah and Moses. The disciples are terrified, but the narrative is largely a description of the event. However, Matthew’s version (Matthew 17:1-13) introduces additional theological dimensions. The presence of Moses and Elijah indicates Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and the prophets, reinforcing Matthew’s motif of Jesus as the Messiah who completes Jewish tradition.

Furthermore, Matthew includes a more explicit explanation of the events, with the voice from the cloud affirming Jesus as “my beloved Son” (Matthew 17:5). This clarifies Jesus’s identity within the context of Jewish expectations of the Messiah, providing an exclusive understanding of his divine sonship. The editorial choices made by Matthew serve to highlight that Jesus not only fulfills the prophecies but is also uniquely appointed by God as the path to salvation.

Matthew also highlights the disciples' fear in more detail but resolves it through Jesus’s reassurance. This addition was likely intended to bolster the morale of Matthew’s audience, encouraging them to recognize Jesus’s divine authority despite their fears and uncertainties, capturing the essence of a community that needs to trust Jesus even in moments of divine revelation.

Theological Implications of Matthew’s Edits

The editing of Mark's accounts in Matthew serves several theological functions. First, by amplifying elements concerning faith, worship, and understanding, Matthew enhances the moral imperatives for his readers. His adaptation reflects a community seeking to navigate a post-Temple Judaism landscape while maintaining a clear Jewish identity grounded in the teachings of Jesus.

Secondly, Matthew’s editorial decisions underscore the theme of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. By emphasizing these aspects, he frames the early Christian community as a continuation of Israel, tasked with embodying Jesus's teachings while engaging with the Jewish scriptures, thus forging a distinct identity that resonates with his audience.

Lastly, Matthew's edits reveal a distinct pastoral concern for his community's struggles. By shifting narratives from confusion to clarity, from fear to faith, he encourages a deeper commitment to Jesus, who provides not only divine authority but also personal connection and salvation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Matthew’s edits to Mark’s Gospel are not arbitrary but deeply reflective of his theological concerns and pastoral intentions. The adaptations in the accounts of the walking on water and the Transfiguration provide crucial insights into how Matthew viewed Jesus's ministry and the nature of the faith he sought to foster in his readers. Through his narrative choices, Matthew invites his audience to engage more fully with their faith, encouraging a transformative journey centered on the recognition of Jesus's identity as Messiah and Son of God.

References

  • Barton, John, and Muddiman, John. The Gospels. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
  • Martin, Dale B. New Testament History and Literature. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2012.
  • Bornkamm, Günther. "Jesus of Nazareth." Theology Today vol. 5, no. 2, 1948, pp. 101-112.
  • Streeter, Burnett Hillman. The Four Gospels: A Study of Their Origin. New York: Macmillan, 1924.
  • Davidson, Ivor. Reading the Gospels Wisely, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020.
  • Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.
  • Witherington, Ben. Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
  • Horsley, Richard A. Paul and Empire. Trinity Press International, 1997.
  • Rhoads, David, and Michie, Joanna. Mark as Story. Bethlehem: Trinity Press, 1999.
  • Luz, Ulrich. Matthew 1-7: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989.

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