Jesus and the Impurity of Spirits in the Synoptic Gospels
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Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament • 2. Reihe Herausgeber / Editor Jörg Frey Mitherausgeber / Associate Editors Friedrich Avemarie • Judith Gundry-Volf Martin Hengel • Otfried Hofius • Hans-Josef Klauck 185 Clinton Wahlen Jesus and the Impurity of Spirits in the Synoptic Gospels Mohr Siebeck Clinton Wahlen, born 1960; M.Div. Andrews University, 1989; Lecturer in New Testament and Greek, Zaoksky Theological Seminary, Russia, 1992-1998; Ph.D. Cambridge University, 2004; currently Associate Professor of New Testament, Language and Literature, AUAS Theological Seminary, Philippines. ISBN 3-16-148387-1 ISSN 0340-9570 (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 2. Reihe) Die Deutsche Bibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliographie; detailed bibliographic data is available in the Internet at http://dnb.ddb.de. © 2004 by Mohr Siebeck, Tiibingen, Germany. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by copyright law) without the publisher's written permission. This applies particularly to reproductions, translations, microfilms and storage and processing in electronic systems. The book was printed by Guide-Druck in Tübingen on non-aging paper and bound by Buchbinderei Held in Rottenburg. Printed in Germany. For my wife Gina and our precious children Daniel and Heather mrr -ion ¡T-ipn'? ^cnn Preface Despite my very early interest in physics and mathematics, it was not until my undergraduate studies in theology that I began to understand the vital role one's 'frame of reference' plays also for literary and historical studies. During six years of teaching New Testament and Greek at a Russian seminary, I came to see more clearly the limitations of my own culturally conditioned reading of the Bible. From there, I left to begin doctoral studies at Cambridge where I gradually became fascinated with ritually-based notions of purity. Though quite foreign to my conventional way of thinking, I was surprised at the frequency with which the Gospel writers employ these categories, particularly in connection with spirits and demons. Thus began the investigation which eventuated in the present study, submitted to the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge in 2003 as a Ph.D. dissertation. Apart from minor updating and its reformatting to conform to the preferred style for publication, the work is unchanged. Along the way, I have received much encouragement and support from a variety of people who deserve recognition for their valuable and very tangible contribution. First, I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Jörg Frey who read the manuscript immediately upon receiving it and recommended it the next day for publication in the WUNT II series. I am appreciative also of the rapidity with which Dr. Henning Ziebritzki and his colleagues at Mohr Siebeck arranged for its publication, despite the delay in receiving the finished form of the book. Those who have supervised my research, officially and unofficially, have helped me to see much that otherwise I would have overlooked. Foremost among these is Dr. Markus Bockmuehl, who guided my research throughout this time. I am indebted to his wise and ever-gracious suggestions. He has been a very important mentor for me, on a personal as well as on an academic level, and I treasure his continued friendship. While in Tübingen, Prof. Dr. Hermann Lichtenberger and others of the Evangelisch-Theologische Fakultät provided me with a supportive environment for study, the opportunity to present the kernel of what became chapter two of this work, and helpful feedback concerning it. Deserving special mention is Prof. Dr. Rainer Riesner, who truly became a Doktorvater to me, opening up his study and his home while I was so far away from my own home and family. Particularly helpful in shaping the final form of my dissertation were the assessments of Vili Preface my examiners, Dr. Peter Head and Dr. Larry Hurtado. The final product is better for the help of all of these individuals; its remaining deficiencies are solely my responsibility. I am grateful for the travel awards which I received from St Edmund's College and the Faculty of Divinity, enabling me to study in Germany for six months, as well as other financial help, especially from Andrews University. Dr. Bruce Winter, Warden of Tyndale House, opened the door for me to live and work at a library famous for its collegial atmosphere and ideal facilities for biblical studies. It was an unforgettable pleasure and privilege. I also received invaluable encouragement and support from many relatives and friends. Notable among these are Dr. Tom Shepherd and Mrs. Peggy Wahlen of Union College who read some of my work and encouraged me to persevere at a particularly difficult point and Mrs. Ivy Ambat who, despite being just days away from giving birth to a third child, transformed my mass of cards for the indexes into a more manageable electronic form. Finally, I am grateful to God from whom these opportunities have come and without whom I would have faltered many times. To my wife Gina and to my children, Daniel and Heather, who have experienced along with me this unique time and who have brightened the path in many ways, I affectionately dedicate this book. Silang, Cavite, Philippines June 11,2004 Clinton Wahlen Table of Contents Preface VII List of Abbreviations XIII A Note on Style XIV Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Unclean Spirits: The Status Quaestionis 1 1.1.1 Commentarieson Mark 1.21-28 2 1.1.2 A Sampling of Research Touching on the Impurity of Spirits 4 1.2 The Need for the Present Study 8 1.3 Purity in Early Jewish and Christian Literature 9 1.3.1 Notions ofPurity, Impurity, and Holiness in the Hebrew Bible 10 1.3.2 Notions ofPurity and Impurity in Hellenistic Jewish Literature 12 1.3.3 New Testament Conceptions ofPurity and Impurity 15 1.4 Delimitation, Method, and Plan of the Study 18 1.4.1 Delimitation of the Study 18 1.4.2 Method: Distinguishing Tradition and Redaction Within the Narrative 20 1.4.3 Plan of the Study 22 Chapter 2 The Impurity of Spirits in Jewish and Early Christian Literature... 24 2.1 The Impurity of Spirits in the Hebrew Bible 24 2.1.1 Spirits and Impurity 25 2.1.2 The Impure Spirit of Zechariah 13.2 26 2.2 The Impurity of Spirits in Later Jewish Literature 30 2.2.1 Tobit 30 2.2.2 1 Enoch 30 2.2.3 Jubilees 34 2.2.4 Qumran Literature 37 2.2.4.1 References to Exorcism 39 2.2.4.2 References to Impure Spirits 41 2.2.4.3 Other References to Spirits and Impurity 48 2.2.5 Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 50 2.2.6 The Writings of Philo and Josephus 52 2.2.7 Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum 54 2.2.8 Rabbinic Literature 55 2.3 The Impurity of Spirits in Early Christian Literature 59 2.3.1 Jewish-Christian Writings 59 2.3.2 Second-Century Christian Writers 61 X Table of Contents 2.3.3 Christian Writers of the Third and Fourth Centuries 65 2.4 Summary 66 Chapter 3 The Impurity of Spirits in Mark 69 3.1 Mark and Purity 69 3.1.1 Two Baptisms 70 3.1.2 Eating Controversies 72 3.1.3 Teaching about 'Leaven' 79 3.1.4 Temple Confrontation 81 3.1.5 Healing Miracles 83 3.2 Impurity of Spirits in Mark: Tradition, Redaction, Narrative 86 3.2.1 Spirits in Mark 86 3.2.2 Exorcisms in Mark 88 3.2.2.1 Exorcism in the Capernaum Synagogue (1.21-28) 89 Excursus: Markan Summaries (1.32-34, 39; 3.11) 92 3.2.2.2 The Gerasene Demoniac (5.1-20) 94 Excursus: The Role of the Gentiles 98 3.2.2.3 The Syro-Phoenician Woman's Daughter (7.24-30) 99 3.2.2.4 The Spirit-Possessed Boy (9.14-29) 101 3.2.2.5 The Strange Exorcist (9.38-41) 103 3.2.3 Other References to Impure Spirits in Mark 104 3.2.3.1 The Beelzebul Controversy (3.22-30) 104 3.2.3.2 Sending of the Twelve (6.6b-13) 105 3.3 Summary 106 Chapter 4 The Impurity of Spirits in Matthew 108 4.1 Matthew and Purity 109 4.1.1 Apophthegms of Jesus 109 4.1.2 The Hand-Washing Dispute Ill 4.1.3 Place of the Temple 112 4.1.4 Healing Miracles 114 4.2 Impurity of Spirits in Matthew: Tradition, Redaction, Narrative 117 4.2.1 Spirits in Matthew 117 4.2.2 Exorcisms in Matthew 118 4.2.2.1 The Gadarene Demoniac (8.28-34/Mark 5.1-20) 121 4.2.2.2 The Mute Demoniac (9.32-34) 123 4.2.2.3 The Beelzebul Controversy (12.22-32/Luke 11.14-23, 12.10) 124 4.2.2.4 Return of the Impure Spirit (12.43-45/Luke 11.24-26) 128 4.2.2.5 The Canaanite Woman's Daughter (15.21-28/Mark 7.24-30) 130 4.2.2.6 The Demon-Possessed Boy (17.14-21 /Mark 9.14-29) 132 4.2.3 Other References to Impure Spirits in Matthew 134 4.2.3.1 Expelling Spirits with a Word (8.16) 134 4.2.3.2 The Mission Discourse (10.1-25) 135 4.2.3.3 Accusing John of Having a Demon (11.18/Luke 7.33) 137 4.3 Summary 137 Chapter 5 The Impurity of Spirits in Luke-Acts 140 5.1 Luke and Purity 141 5.1.1 Relation Between Ritual and Moral Purity 141 Table of Contents XI 5.1.2 Relation with Gentiles 142 5.1.3 Healing Miracles 144 5.2 Impurity of Spirits in Luke-Acts: Tradition, Redaction, Narrative 148 5.2.1 The Spirit World of Luke-Acts 148 5.2.2 Exorcisms in Luke 150 5.2.2.1 Exorcism in the Capernaum Synagogue (Luke 4.31-37) 151 5.2.2.2 The Gerasene Demoniac (Luke 8.26-39/Mark 5.1-20) 152 5.2.2.3 The Spirit-Possessed Boy (Luke 9.37-43a/Mark 9.14-29) 153 5.2.2.4 The Beelzebul Controversy (Luke 11.14-23) 155 5.2.2.5 Return of the Impure Spirit (Luke 11.24-26/Matt.