DOCSLIB.ORG

The Chiastic Structure of Matthew 17:14–20:34

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Chiastic Structure of Matthew 17:14–20:34 In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi ISSN: (Online) 2305-0853, (Print) 1018-6441 Page 1 of 9 Original Research Between the Mount of Transfiguration and Jerusalem and beyond: The chiastic structure of Matthew 17:14–20:34 Author: In this article, a chiastic structure in Matthew 17:14–20:34 is identified, evaluated and discussed. 1 Jacob J. Scholtz This structure highlights the movements of Jesus between the Mount of Transfiguration and Affiliation: Jerusalem as he is on his way to the cross to provide forgiveness of sins. However, this chiastic 1Discipline Group Old and structure may also be considered in its wider, prophetic context. The structure of Matthew New Testament, Faculty of 17:14–20:34 fits into the larger thought or movement of Matthew 16:28–25:46. This shows Jesus’ Theology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa movements from the Mount of Transfiguration to Jerusalem and beyond — not only during his first advent, but also at his second coming. Corresponding author: Jacob Scholtz, [email protected] Introduction Dates: Received: 23 Oct. 2016 Using different organising principles to analyse a text such as the Gospel of Matthew will plausibly Accepted: 06 Mar. 2017 result in the identification of different structures for the same passage. From a structuring perspective, Published: 09 May 2017 however, Matthew 16–20 (or parts thereof) is in a class of its own, especially regarding the boundaries 1 How to cite this article: of this section. Does a new section start at 16:13 or at 16:21 and, if so, does it extend to 17:27, to 19:1, Scholtz, J.J., 2017, ‘Between or perhaps even as far as 20:34? Or should 13:53–17:27 rather be viewed as a long narrative section, the Mount of Transfiguration followed by a discourse in 18:1–35 and then by a narrative extending to 20:34, or to 22:46 or perhaps and Jerusalem and beyond: The chiastic structure of even as far as 23:39? Few other passages elicit as many different views regarding its structure as Matthew 17:14–20:34’, In die Matthew 16–20 (or parts thereof) does. Table 1 presents at least seven different ways, based on Skriflig 51(1), a2211. https:// various theories about its structure, in which this passage could be depicted. doi.org/10.4102/ids. v51i1.2211 Not all analyses of text structure are the result of an overarching organising principle. Some Copyright: topical studies focus on the structuring of the contents of individual sections without necessarily © 2017. The Authors. stating how such sections or their structure fit into the larger thought or movement of Matthew’s Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Gospel as a whole (cf. Bauer 1988:11). For example, and relevant to Matthew 16–20, McClister Creative Commons (1996:549–558) sees a chiastic structure in 17:22–20:19, but does not say how this links up with the Attribution License. surrounding chapters of Matthew or the Gospel as a whole. Be that as it may, all these different structuring proposals clearly show that the first criterion of Blomberg (1989:5) for detecting an extended chiasmus has been met, as there is ‘a problem in perceiving the structure of the text in question, which more conventional outlines fail to resolve’. The first purpose of this article is to identify, evaluate and briefly discuss a chiastic structure in 17:14–20:34. The second purpose is to show how this chiastic structure fits into the larger thought or movement of 16:28–25:46. This may, perhaps, help to identify an overarching structuring principle. A chiastic structure in Matthew 17:14–20:34 identified and evaluated After being declared God’s unique Son, and having again veiled his glory (cf. 17:1–13), Jesus moves down the Mount of Transfiguration and towards Jerusalem, where he will be betrayed, suffer, die and be resurrected on the third day, ‘thus establishing a pattern of humility for his followers’ (Carson 1995:395).2 Between the glorious transfiguration and ultimate glory in Read online: Jerusalem lies a path of suffering, humility and service, but, finally, rewards in the Kingdom. Scan this QR code with your That 17:14–20:34 can be viewed as a rhetorical unit is evidenced by two miracles that smart phone or mobile device 1.References to Matthew will be indicated only by chapter and verse numbers. to read online. 2.The glory of the Son of God was veiled at his incarnation and again on the Mount of Transfiguration. http://www.indieskriflig.org.za Open Access Page 2 of 9 Original Research Table 1: The implications of different organising principles for the structure of Matthew 16–20. Organising principle Key Proponents Implications for the structure of Matthew 16–20 (or parts thereof) Narrative-plot outline ‘From that time Jesus began’ (Ἀπὸ τότε Kingsbury (1975:1–37), Bauer (1988:97) 16:21–20:34 ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς – 4:17; 16:21) Markan and/or geographical approach Overall plan of Mark and/or geographical France (2007:xii–xiii, 2–5) 16:21–20:34; movement or Morris (1992:vii–viii) 13:53–18:35 & 19:1–20:34 Narrative–discourse outline ‘When Jesus had finished’ (Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε Toussaint (1980:24–30) 13:54–16:12; 16:13–19:2; & 19:3–20:34; ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς, 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1) or Carson (1995:51, 55), Turner (2008:8–10) 13:53–17:27; 18:1–19:2 & 19:3–23:39 Chiastic structure Large-scale chiasmus using the narrative- Ellis (1974:viii–ix), 13:53–17:27; 18:1–35; & 19:1–22:46; or discourse sequence Combrink (1983:71), 16:21–20:34; or Derickson (2006:426) 13:53–17:27; 18:1–35; & 19:1–23:39 Other: a) Combination of approaches Narrative-plot and narrative-discourse Blomberg (1992:24–25) 16:21–17:27; 18:1–35; & 19:1–22:46 b) Rhetorical/Pesher Ten citations of Isaiah as thematic cores Patrick (2010:43, 71–72) 14:1–16:12; 16:13–21:11 c) Greek drama Prologue, parodos, 5 episodes and epode McCuistion (2013:39) 13:54–17:27; 18:1–35; & 19:1-25:46 A. Rebuke and mercy: healing of demoniac 17:14–18 B. Private instrucon to disciples: faith, praying, fasng 17:19–20[21] C. Jesus foretells his death and resurrecon 17:22–23 D. Sons of the king and the temple tax 17:24–27 E. Entering the kingdom: humility and greatness 18:1–4 F. Stumbling blocks 18:5–9 G. Despise no lile one (parable) 18:10–14 H. Binding and loosing 18:15–20 I. Forgiveness and healing (parable) 18:21–19:2 H'. Binding and loosing 19:3–12 G'. Forbid no lile one 19:13–15 F'. Stumbling block (possessions) 19:16–22 E'. Entering the kingdom: possible only with God 19:23–26 D'. Labourers of the owner of the vineyard (parable) 19:27–20:16 C'. Jesus foretells his death and resurrecon 20:17–19 B'. Private instrucon to disciples: suffering, serving, ruling 20:20–28 A'. Rebuke and mercy: healing of two blind men 20:29–34 FIGURE 1: The chiastic structure in Matthew 17:14–20:34. serve as inclusios, namely a Messianic miracle at the The chiastic structure start of this section and another specific miracle that Based on the perceived parallel passages (to be discussed Jesus performed at the end of it (17:14–18; 20:29–34; later), the chiastic structure (or rhetorical arrangement) that cf. 19:2).3 The rhetorical situation is marked by, first, the has been identified is shown in Figure 1. journey motif or travelogue with movement down from the Mount of Transfiguration before going up to Jerusalem, together with other geographical markers (17:22, 24; 19:1; Evaluation of the chiastic structure 20:17, 29); second, explicit predictions by Jesus of his To a person with a chiastic hammer, everything looks like a death and resurrection (17:22–23; 20:17–19); third, various parallel nail. How can one avoid ‘imagining chiasmus where incidents about humility and being reconciled (or not) to it was never intended’? (Blomberg 1989:5). As noted in the God or fellow believers through forgiveness (18:1–4; introduction, the first of nine criteria identified by Blomberg 18:5–9; 18:10–14; 18:15–20; 18:21–19:2; 19:3–12; 19:13–15; (1989) has been met, but the remaining eight criteria are used 19:16–22; 19:23–26); and fourth, references to greatness, to evaluate the identified chiastic structure: rewards and authority in the Kingdom (17:19–20[21]; (2) There must be clear examples of parallelism between the two 18:1–4; 19:27–20:16; 20:20–28). ’halves‘ of the hypothesized chiasmus ... (3) Verbal (or grammatical) parallelism as well as conceptual (or structural) 3.Fruchtenbaum (2016:143–155) highlights three miracles performed by Jesus that were ‘different from anything else that had ever been performed’, namely the parallelism should characterize most if not all of the corresponding healing of a Jewish leper (8:2–4), the casting out of a demon that causes muteness (12:22–45; cf. [17:21]) and the healing of persons born blind (Jn 9:1–41). The pairs of subdivisions. ... (4) The verbal parallelism should involve Jews of that time held that these miracles could only be performed by the central or dominant imagery or terminology, not peripheral or Messiah, hence they are called ‘Messianic miracles’ (cf.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Monday 3 Nov Tuesday 4 Nov Wednesday 5 Nov Luke 14:1-24
    Monday Luke 14:1-24; On this occasion, Jesus healed a man at the house of 3 Nov a ruler of the Pharisees on the Sabbath and used the opportunity to teach several lessons. Luke 14:25-32 Here is the Lord's great lesson on “counting the cost.” Luke 15:1-32 This entire chapter is devoted to teaching about repentance by the use of three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Luke 16:1-18 This is the parable of the unjust steward. Luke 16:19-31 The chapter closes with the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Note that Luke does not call this a parable. Tuesday Luke 17:1-10 Several brief lessons are in these verses, addressed 4 Nov to His disciples rather than the Pharisees and other enemies. John 11:1-46 Here, the I AM is the “I am the Resurrection and the Life” as he raises Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, from the dead. John 11:47-54 The chapter continues with a council convened by His enemies, and Jesus' decision to go to the wilderness for a time. Luke 17:11-37 As Jesus and the disciples travel to Jerusalem, He heals ten lepers and teaches more lessons. Luke 18:1-8 This is the parable of the persistent widow. Wednesday Luke 18:9-14 This parable of the Pharisee and the publican has 5 Nov timeless lessons on pride, prayer, and humility. Matthew 19:1-12 Jesus gives His will on marriage, divorce, and Mark 10:1-12 remarriage.
    [Show full text]
  • The Parables of Jesus
    THE NEW TESTAMENT PARABLES OF JESUS Year 1– Quarter 4 by F. L. Booth ©2005 F. L. Booth Zion, IL 60099 CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE CHART NO. 1 - Parables of Jesus in Chronological Order CHART NO. 2 - Classification of the Parables of Jesus LESSON 1 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 1 The Parable of the Sower 1 - 1 LESSON 2 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 2 I. The Parable of the Tares 2 - 1 II. The Parable of the Seed Growing in Secret 2 - 3 III. The Parable of the Mustard Seed 2 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Leaven 2 - 7 LESSON 3 - Parables of the Kingdom No. 3 I. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 3 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price 3 - 3 III. The Parable of the Drawnet 3 - 5 IV. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard 3 - 7 LESSON 4 - Parables of Forgiveness I. The Parable of the Two Debtors 4 - 1 II. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant 4 - 5 LESSON 5 - A Parable of the Love of One's Neighbor The Parable of the Good Samaritan 5 - 1 A Parable of Jews and Gentiles The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen 5 - 4 LESSON 6 - Parables of Praying I. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 6 - 1 II. The Parable of the Importunate Widow 6 - 3 LESSON 7 - Parables of Self-Righteousness and Humility I. The Parable of the Chief Seats 7 - 1 II. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican 7 - 3 LESSON 8 - Parables of the Cost of Discipleship I.
    [Show full text]
  • The Parables of Jesus: Friendly Subversive Speech
    The Parables of Jesus: Friendly Subversive Speech Introduction 4 Tell it Slant Typology and Parables The Four Gospels and Parables Messianic Consciousness Matthew’s Sermon of Parables 1 The Parable of the Sower 13 “Holy Seed” Isaiah’s Open Secret Jesus’ Interpretation Good-Soil Understanding 2 The Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat 22 Mustard Seeds and Yeast Echoes of Asaph Jesus’ Explanation 3 The Parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net 32 The Joy of the Gospel The Net New Treasures 4 The Parable of the Good Samaritan 37 Setting the Scene Augustine’s Allegory The Expert Who is my Neighbor? Messianic Edge 5 The Parable of the Friend at Midnight 50 Midnight Request Global Neighbors How Much More! 6 The Parable of the Rich Fool 55 Do We Practice What We Preach? The Meaning of Life All Kinds of Greed The Fool Jesus’ Hierarchy of Needs 7 The Parable of the Faithful Servants and the Exuberant Master 67 The Master is Coming! The Master Serves 8 The Parable of the Faithless Servant and the Furious Master 73 Managerial Responsibilities Managers of the Mysteries of God’s Revelation The Master’s Fury 1 9 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 80 Fig Tree Judgment Repentance Productivity 10 The Parable of the Great Banquet 86 The Narrow Door Jesus Will Not Be Managed Tension Around the Table Mundane Excuses The Host 11 The Parable of the Tower Builder and King at War 94 Christ-less Christianity Counting the Cost Who Among You? 12 The Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Sons 101 The Compassionate Father Prodigal
    [Show full text]
  • BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES “You Shall Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart and with All Your Soul and with All Your Mind
    Teacher’s Guide: Ages 8-9 Kings & Kingdoms Part 1: The Life of Jesus Unit 5, Lesson 25 The Vine and the Branches Lesson Aim: To understand what it means to remain in Jesus and bear fruit. THE WORSHIP Who God is: The King Who Teaches THE WORD Bible Story: John 15:1-8 What He has done: Jesus taught He is the Vine and we are the branches. Key Verse: John 15:4 THE WAY Christ Connection: Isaiah 27:3 BIBLE MEMORY VERSE “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37, 39 Unit 5: The King Who Teaches—Parables 1 Bible Story What He Has Done Lesson Aim 23 The Lost Sheep, Jesus taught that God finds those To recognize we wander like Luke 15:4-7 who are lost. sheep and Jesus is our Shepherd. 24 The Sower, Jesus taught about four different To understand why some believe Luke 8:4-8, 11-15 responses to God’s Word. God’s Word and some do not. 25 The Vine and the Branches, Jesus taught He is the Vine and To understand what it means to John 15:1-8 we are the branches. remain in Jesus and bear fruit. 26 The Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus taught about a fair and To know God is fair and generous. Matthew 20:1-16 generous landowner. 27 The Great Banquet, Jesus taught about guests invited To see that we need to respond Luke 14:15-24 to a banquet.
    [Show full text]
  • Luke's Parable of the Canny Steward
    158 Luke’s Parable of the Canny Steward E Bruce Brooks University of Massachusetts at Amherst SEECR / University of North Carolina (31 Oct 2014) In the light of the Luke A/B/C formation model introduced in a previous study,1 I here consider what is usually called the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Lk 16:1-8), its context in Lk 15-16, and a possible, and less inscrutable, Chinese antecedent. Text. The Parable may be notably difficult,2 but its message is nonetheless obvious (be wise about the next world, just as worldlings are wise about this world, Lk 16:8b). There follow several comments on the parable: Lk 16:9, 10-12, and 13.3 The text goes: Lk 16:1. And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods. [2] And he called him and said unto him, What is this that I hear of thee? Render the account of thy stewardship; for thou canst be no longer steward. [3] And the steward said within himself, What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh away the stewardship from me? I have not strength to dig; to beg I am ashamed. [4] I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. [5] And calling to him each one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? [6] And he said, A hundred measures of oil.
    [Show full text]
  • Grade 4 Lesson Plan / Fall Semester 2018
    Grade 4 Lesson Plan / Fall Semester 2018 Sunday/ Liturgical Lessons Key Concept Gospel Reading/ Question of the Week Monday Color Big Question #1: Who is Jesus Christ? Sept. 16 Green Ch. 1: God’s God loves and cares for all Matthew 21:28-32 (parable of the two sons) Providence creation and has a plan. All God Why is it important to follow through on your wants us to know about Him is promises to others? contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Sept. 23 Green Ch. 2: God is God is always faithful to his Matthew 21:33-43 (parable of the tenants) Faithful people. Sin is present in the What can you do in your week to help the love world because of human choice. of God grow in the world? Sept. 30 Green Ch. 3: God’s The Ten Commandments tell us Matthew 22:1-14 (the wedding banquet) What Commandments how to love God and others, three things can you do this week to show that and Unit Review God gave them to us to teach us you are a follower of Jesus? how to be faithful to him. Oct. 7 Green Ch. 4: In God’s Every person is worthy of Matthew 22:15-21 (paying taxes to the Image respect because they were emperor) Who needs help in your created in God’s image, they neighborhood or community? What could you each have a soul that will live and your family do to help? forever. Oct. 14 Green Ch. 5: Living in God created people for one Matthew 22:34-40 (the greatest Community another.
    [Show full text]
  • The Authority of Jesus Questioned the Parable of the Two Sons
    The Authority of Jesus Questioned 23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. The Parable of the Two Sons 28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father[e] went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.
    [Show full text]
  • Last Sunday's Gospel Was the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard In
    Last Sunday’s Gospel was the parable of the laborers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. For today, we skip the rest of the twentieth chapter of Matthew, and the first 27 verses of chapter 21. And we never come back to this section completely. We get part of it on the Feast of St. James on July 25 every year when the Gospel reading is Matthew 20:20-28. And so we have to backtrack a little and fill in some blanks in order to make sense of what Jesus is saying in this parable of the two sons. In chapters 19 and 20 Jesus is making his way toward Jerusalem, stopping in places like Galilee and the region of Judah beyond the Jordan, teaching in parables along the way. At the beginning of chapter 21, Jesus makes what has become known as his “triumphal entry into Jerusalem” that we celebrate on Palm Sunday. Jesus has now entered Jerusalem for the last time. The time for him to go to the cross is only days away at this point. In Matthew 21 Jesus chases away the vendors and money changers from the Temple, curses the fig tree and then goes back and teaches in the temple. It’s at this point that the chief priests and the elders come to him wanting to know by what authority he is doing all these things. Before he will answer their question, he asks them if the baptism of John was of heavenly or earthly origin. He’s cornered them.
    [Show full text]
  • Parables of the Master Keith Sharp
    The Parables of the Master Keith Sharp Lessons Lesson Page One: Introduction.............................................................................................. 1 Two: Four Hearts: The Sower - Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20; Luke 8:4-15.... 4 Three: Mixture of Good and Bad...................................................................... 9 The Tares - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 The Dragnet - Matthew 13:47-50 Four: Growth of the Kingdom.......................................................................... 14 Seed Growing - Mark 4:26-29 Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19 Leaven - Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20-21 Five: The Value of the Kingdom....................................................................... 17 Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44 Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13:45-46 Six: Obedience: Wise and Foolish Builders - Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49.... 20 Seven: Divine Forgiveness and Human Love: Two Debtors - Luke 7:36-50... 23 Eight: Divine and Human Forgiveness - Matthew 18:21-35............................ 26 Nine: Mercy: The Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37........................................ 30 Ten: Prayer........................................................................................................ 35 Friend at Midnight - Luke 11:5-13 Persistent Widow - Luke 18:1-8 Eleven: Wealth: The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21.............................................. 40 Twelve: Bearing Fruit: The Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:1-9............................ 44 Thirteen: Humility: Chief Seats
    [Show full text]
  • The Trilogy of Parables in Mt 21:28-22:14 from a Matthean Perspective
    THE TRILOGY OF PARABLES IN MT 21:28-22:14 FROM A MATTHEAN PERSPECTIVE Inaugural Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doktors der Theologie Betreuer: Professor Dr. Bernhard Heininger Zweitkorrektor: Professor Dr. Hans Rechenmacher eingereicht von ROWLAND ONYENALI APRIL 2012 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................8 0. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................11 0.1 THE TERM PARABLE .......................................................................................11 0.2 MODERN PARABLE SCHOLARSHIP .............................................................12 0.3 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARABLE AND ALLEGORY ...............................16 0.4 THE MATTHEAN PARABLES ..........................................................................19 0.5 REDACTION-CRITICAL STUDIES OF THE TRILOGY .................................22 0.5.1 Wolfgang Trilling ..............................................................................................22 0.5.2 S. V. Tilborg ......................................................................................................22 0.5.3 Eduard Schweizer ..............................................................................................23 0.5.4 Ivor H. Jones ......................................................................................................23 0.5.5 Warren Carter ....................................................................................................24
    [Show full text]
  • The Parable of the Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32 MEMORY VERSE COLOSSIANS 3:20 Children, Obey Your Parents in All Things, for This Is Well Pleasing to the Lord
    Lesson 262 The Parable Of The Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32 MEMORY VERSE COLOSSIANS 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. WHAT YOU WILL NEED: Several different kinds of ripe fruit (an apple, banana, lemon, orange, grapes, pineapple, etc.), and a blindfold. Some small, deep boxes with pictures of meals pasted on the outside, a pole with a magnet attached by a string, pictures of ingredients to each meal with a paper clip attached, and pictures of things not found in the meals posted on the boxes. ATTENTION GRABBER! The Matching Game Bring several different kinds of ripe fruit to class. Line them up on a table. Pick volunteer students to come up blindfolded in front of the class and determine which fruit is which with only their sense of smell. Explain to the class that each fruit has its own special aroma. A repentant life does as well. The characteristic aroma or “fruit” of a repentant life is obedience. True repentance is shown by our obedience. LESSON TIME! What do you think is more important? What you say or what you do, your words or your actions? Jesus is going to answer that question for us today. And as He answers this for us we will learn some valuable lessons about living for Him. True repentance is shown by our obedience. MATTHEW 21:28-30 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' "He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.
    [Show full text]
  • Scripture Study 9-22-20
    Annunciation Parish - Scripture Study 9/22/20 —-Greeting and Opening Prayer Any thoughts or questions from scripture passages you have read? - Other faith questions? READINGS: EZ 18:25-28 PS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (Remember your mercies, O Lord) PHIL 2:1-11 OR 2:1-5 MT 21:28-32 GOSPEL: • Parable of the two sons. The man in the parable asks both sons to go work in his vineyard. • Notice that working in a vineyard was also in last weeks gospel • One refuses initially to go, but then regrets and does go; the other says he will go, but does not. • Who did the will of the Father? - they all have no problem answering the question. • In what is doing the father’s will shown? • How do words and actions compare in this sense? • Why would the prostitutes and tax collectors get to heaven ahead of the priests and elders he was talking to? Why does he use these two classes of persons as examples? • Their minds were set against the preaching of John (the Baptist). What was that preaching? • What is it that they did not do that the prostitutes and tax collectors (and all those of the same category) did? • What does that say to us about what he is calling us to do? FIRST READING: • How often might we think that the Lord’s way is not fair? • What is the unfair way that the prophet speaks about? What way might we point out (to ourselves, other, or GOD) that is really not fair? Why would it not be fair? • Turning away from sin has a powerful effect.
    [Show full text]