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Slow to Understand: the Disciples in Synoptic Perspective Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1986 Slow to Understand: the Disciples in Synoptic Perspective Bertram L. Melbourne Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Melbourne, Bertram L., "Slow to Understand: the Disciples in Synoptic Perspective" (1986). Dissertations. 94. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/94 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 Copyright 1987 by Melbourne, Bertram Lloyd All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark -/ . 1. Glossy photographs or pages______ 2. Colored illustrations, paper or print_______ 3. Photographs with dark background______ 4. Illustrations are poor copy_______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original copy______ 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of p________ ag e 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages 8. Print exceeds margin requirements_______ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine_______ 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct print_______ 11. Page(s)____________lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s)____________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages num bered . Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages w-— 15. Dissertation contains pages with print at a slant, filmed as received u-— 16. Other___________________________________________________________________________ University Microfilms International Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary SLOW TO UNDERSTAND: THE DISCIPLES IN SYNOPTIC PERSPECTIVE A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Bertram L. Melbourne August 1986 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. SLOW TO UNDERSTAND: THE DISCIPLES IN SYNOPTIC PERSPECTIVE A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Bertram L. Melbourne APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Abraham Terian, Chairman •"'SGferhard F. Hasel, Dean Professor of Intertestamental BDA Theological Seminary and Early Christian Literatures tobert M. Johiftton, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins ____________ George EfRice, Professor of New Testament Ivan T. Blazen, Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology ( m l O.fik ________ )* }$ & Wolfgang M. W. Roth, Fredrick Carl Eiselen Date approved Professor of Old Testament Interpretation Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. c Copyright by Bertram L. Melbourne, 1986 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT SLOW TO UNDERSTAND: THE DISCIPLES IN SYNOPTIC PERSPECTIVE by Bertram L. Melbourne Chairman: Abraham Terian Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: SLOW TO UNDERSTAND: THE DISCIPLES IN SYNOPTIC PERSPECTIVE Name of researcher: Bertram L. Melbourne Name of advisor: Abraham Terian, Dr. theol. Date Completed: July 1986 The problem of the portrayal of the disciples of Jesus has been the focus of much scholarly investigation. Discussion has been pursued primarily from the Marcan perspective, in keeping with its assumed priority. Conse­ quently, Mark is seen as creating the disciples’ incomprehension to serve his theological intent. The correctness of this notion is questioned in this study which seeks to determine whether incomprehension was an authentic experience of Jesus’ original disciples, and whether slowness of understanding was to be expected in teaching and learning contexts. Recent scholarship on the disciples is surveyed to identify the main issues, approaches, trends, and the scope of the ongoing debate. A Synoptic approach to the motif of incomprehension is proposed because of the unsettled 1 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 question of Marcan priority, the equally--if not at times more-disparaging portrayal of the disciples in the other Synoptics, ana the need to explain the tradition history of the seemingly negative portrayal of disciples (chapter 1). The ascription of the prevailing image 6f the disciples to Mark, or the extent to which the prevailing image is Marcan, is questioned (1) in light of the parallel pericopae dealing with the disciples in the other Synoptics whose authors may no longer be seen as mere redactors of Mark (chapter 2) and (2) by tracing the tradition history of disciples’ initial incomprehension, and eventual understanding when hearing and sight converge (chapter 3). In the first instance, the respective portraits of the disciples in each of the Synoptics seem to betray a well established tradition from which it was difficult-if not impossible-to break away. In the second instance, this tradition is recog­ nizable in the common terms and concepts of comprehension/incomprehension in Old Testament theophanic and didactic contexts and in later canonical and extra-canonical Jewish writings of the Second Temple period as well as in Greek literature, especially in texts relating to Greekpaideia. The convergence of hearing and sight for comprehension seems to be a recurring feature in Jewish writings and Greek literature. A more accurate image of the disciples emerges when these observations are brought to bear upon the Synoptics (chapter 4). Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................... vii INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 1 Chapter I. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................ LI Research on the Marcan D isciples............................................ II Works Published from 1961-1971............................................ 14 Works Published from 1972-1982 ............................................ 19 Research on the Disciples Outside of M a r k............................. 54 Research on the Disciples in Matthew ................................ 54 Research Viewing the Disciples in the Synoptics as a W h o le ............................................................................
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