Ancient Rhetoric and the Synoptic Problem
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Ancient Rhetoric and the Synoptic Problem by Alexander Lorne Damm A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto © Copyright by Alexander Lorne Damm, 2010 ii Ancient Rhetoric and the Synoptic Problem Alexander Lorne Damm Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto 2010 Abstract Only recently have studies of the synoptic problem begun to ground their assessments of literary dependence in ancient conventions. In an effort to appreciate more fully the evangelists’ modus operandi, our study examines their appeal to Greco-Roman rhetoric, the “science of speaking well.” Focusing on a rhetorical form called the chreia (xrei/a ), we examine rhetorical techniques and reasons for chreia adaptation, particularly reasons why authors changed this form in theory and in the practice of the Hellenistic authors Plutarch and Josephus. With these reasons in mind, we assess literary dependence among the synoptic gospels, focusing on one chreia in the Triple Tradition (Matt. 9:14- 17/Mark 2:18-22/Luke 5:33-39) and another in the Double Tradition (Matt. 12:22- 37/Mark 3:20-35/Luke 11:14-36). Our study illustrates that hypotheses of Markan priority, like the Farrer Hypothesis and Two-Document Hypothesis, are more rhetorically plausible than hypotheses of Matthean priority. While Matthew and Luke’s adaptations of Mark reflect the rhetorical reasoning that we should expect, Mark’s reasoning is often problematic, for Mark repeatedly works against the fundamental rhetorical principles of clarity and propriety. iii Acknowledgements The kind guidance of several individuals has been of great help to me in writing this dissertation. Above all, I wish to thank my supervisor, Professor John Kloppenborg (Department and Centre for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto), whose knowledge of gospel traditions is remarkable and who affords a scholarly role model of the highest order. Professor Kloppenborg helped me to generate this thesis and he has patiently and thoughtfully advised and encouraged me for several years. I also wish to thank the readers of my dissertation, Professor Terence Donaldson, Wycliffe College (Toronto), Professor Mechtilde O’Mara, St. Michael’s College (Toronto), Professor John Marshall, Department for the Study of Religion (Toronto), and Professor Loveday Alexander, University of Sheffield (England). Their careful reading and questioning of my work has helped me to improve it substantially. Constructive criticism and encouragement has come too from Professor Michel Desjardins, Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo) and Dr. Ryan Defonzo. Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to my mother Alexis, my father Beverley and my partner Priya. These individuals have had an immeasurable impact on me, and to them I dedicate this work. iv Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………………ii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….iii Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………iv List of Abbreviations………………………………………………………………v List of Tables…………………………………………………………………….viii List of Appendices…………………………………………………………………x Introduction. Ancient Rhetoric and the Synoptic Problem………………………...1 Part 1. The Rhetorical Adaptation of Chreiai ………………………….……...28 Chapter 1. Rhetorical Conventions for the Adaptation of Chreiai…………….….29 Chapter 2. Chreia Adaptation in the Writings of Plutarch…………….………...117 Chapter 3. Adaptation of Speeches ( lo&goi ) in Josephus’ Antiquitates Judaicae …………………………………………………………....152 Conclusion to Part 1………………………………………………………….….217 Part 2. Applications of Rhetoric to the Synoptic Problem …………..…... .222 Chapter 4. Rhetorical Criticism and the Triple Tradition: Fasting (Matt. 9:14-17 / Mark 2:18-22 / Luke 5:33-39)…………………………………………………..223 Chapter 5. Rhetorical Criticism and the Double Tradition: The Beelzebul Controversy (Matt. 12:22-37 / Mark 3:20-35 / Luke 11:14-36)………………...283 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………...………356 Appendix 1……………………………………………………………………...358 Appendix 2……………………………………………………………………...362 Appendix 3……………………………………………………………………...384 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………….433 v List of Abbreviations Modern Works AB Anchor Bible ABD Anchor Bible Dictionary. Edited by D. N. Freedman. 6 vols. New York, 1992 ALGHJ Arbeiten zur Literatur und Geschichte des hellenistischen Judentums ANRW Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt: Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Edited by H. Temporini and W. Hasse. Berlin, 1972- AQAA Ancient Quotes and Anecdotes: From Crib to Crypt , Compiled and Edited by V. K. Robbins. Sonoma, 1989 BAGD Bauer, W., W. F. Arndt, F. W. Gingrich, and F. W. Danker. Greek- English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 2d ed. Chicago, 1979 BDF Blass, F., A. Debrunner, and R. W. Funk. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago, 1961 BETL Bibliotheca ephemeridum theologicarum lovaniensium BibInt Biblical Interpretation BibS(F) Biblische Studien (Frieburg, 1895-) BiTS Biblical Tools and Studies BTB Biblical Theology Bulletin Budé Collection des universities de France, publiée sous le patronage de l’Association Guillaume Budé BZNW Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft CBET Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology FF Foundations and Facets FTS Frankfurter theologische Studien GRBS Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies HCS Hellenistic Culture and Society HDR Harvard Dissertations in Religion ICC International Critical Commentary JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JRS Journal of Roman Studies JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament JSNTSup Journal for the Study of the New Testament: Supplement Series JSPSup Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha: Supplement Series LCL Loeb Classical Library LD Lectio divina LSJ Liddell, H. G., R. Scott, H. S. Jones, A Greek-English Lexicon. 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford, 1996 vi NIB The New Interpreter’s Bible NIGTC New International Greek Testament Commentary NovT Novum Testamentum NovTSup Novum Testamentum Supplements NRSV The New Revised Standard Version NTG New Testament Guides NTM New Testament Monographs NTS New Testament Studies OCD Oxford Classical Dictionary. Edited by S. Hornblower and A. Spawforth. 3d ed. Oxford, 1996 SAC Studies in Antiquity and Christianity SBLSBS Society of Biblical Literature Sources for Biblical Study SBLSP Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers SBLTT Society of Biblical Literature Texts and Translations SBLWGRW Society of Biblical Literature Writings from the Greco-Roman World Series SemeiaSt Semeia Studies SJSJ Journal for the Study of Judaism Supplements SNTSMS Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series SNTSU Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umwelt SSEJC Studies in Early Judaism and Christianity TCGNT A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2 nd edition. Edited by Bruce M. Metzger. Stuttgart, 1994 TUMSR Trinity University Monograph Series in Religion WUNT Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament Ancient Authors and Works Ages. Plutarch, Agesilaus Alex. Plutarch, Alexander Art. Plutarch, Artaxerxes Caes. Plutarch, Caesar Comp. Dionysius of Halicarnassus, De compositione verborum Cor. Demosthenes, De corona Ctes. Aeschines, In Ctesiphonem Ant. Josephus, Antiquitates judaicae De or. Cicero, De oratore Hist. Thucydides, Historiae Hist. Conscr. Lucian, Quomodo historia conscribenda sit Il. Homer, Iliad Pomp. Plutach, Pompeius [Reg. imp. apophth.] Plutarch, Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata Rhet. Aristotle, Rhetorica Rhet. Her. Rhetorica ad Herrenium vii Sigla 2DH Two-Document (Two-Source) Hypothesis 2GH Two-Gospel (Neo-Griesbach) Hypothesis FH Farrer-Goulder Hypothesis LXX Septuaginta: Id est Vetus Testamentum graece iuxta LXX interpretes edidit Alfred Rahlfs , Stuttgart, 1935 viii List of Tables Table 1.1: Hermogenes’ Topoi for Refutation and Confirmation……………………...358 Table 1.2: Propriety Between Contents and Style in Speeches………………………...359 Table 2.1………………………………………………………………………………..363 Table 2.2………………………………………………………………………………..364 Table 2.3…………………………………………………………………………..……365 Table 2.4………………………………………………………………………………..366 Table 2.5………………………………………………………………………………..367 Table 3.1………………………………………………………………………………..368 Table 3.2…………………………………………………………………………….….373 Table 3.3………………………………………………………………………………..379 Table 3.4a: Insertion/Amplification of Proof in Appropriate Speech Parts……………208 Table 3.4b: Articulating Speech Parts and Their Sequence……………………………209 Table 3.4c: Enhancing a)retai//virtutes of Clarity, Conciseness, Plausibility, Propriety…………………………………………………………………..210 Table 3.5: Apologetic, Theological and Literary Reasons for Change………………...214 Table 4.1: The Question on Fasting……………………………………………………385 Table 4.2: Mark’s Adaptation of Matthew and Luke…………………………………..388 Table 4.3: Matthew’s Adaptation of Mark……………………………………………..390 Table 4.4: Luke’s Adaptation of Mark…………………………………………………391 Table 5.1: The Beelzebul Controversy…………………………………………………393 Table 5.2: The Sayings Gospel Q: Text of Beelzebul Controversy (Q 11:14-23), Return of Unclean Spirit (11:24-26) and Demand for a Sign (11:29-35)…..….…...…..409 Table 5.3: Mark’s Adaptation of Matthew and Luke (the 2GH)……………………….412 ix Table 5.4: Matthew’s Adaptation of Mark (the FH)…………………………………..417 Table 5.5: Matthew’s Adaptation of Mark and Q (the 2DH)………………………….420 Table 5.6: Luke’s Adaptation of Matthew (the FH/2GH)……………………………..425 Table 5.7: Luke’s Adaptation