Comments on: Luke’s portrait of Jesus: Prophet Elijah and “Saviour” (NT 2.14) http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/ Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean houses my podcast, websites, blog, and publications, providing an entryway into social and religious life among Greeks, Romans, Jews, Christians, and others in the Roman empire. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:14:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Darrell James http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-124970 Darrell James Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:43:38 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-124970 Yes, William, but the question that rises up is why does Luke omit Matthew's explicit word's of Jesus indentifying JB with Elijah (Matt 11:14 has no parallel in Luke 7. Matt 17: 9-13//Mark 9:9-13 have no parallel in Luke 9? Mark may have an "Elijianic secret" about the identification of JB and Elijah which Matthew makes precise but Luke de-emphasizes this identification and also any reference which casts Jesus as inferior to JB. What is being asked here is why Luke differs in his "portrait" of Jesus? What is Luke uniquely trying to communicate about the identity and significance of Jesus of Nazareth now crucified, raised, and declared to be "Messiah/Christ" to his audience (church?)in his own setting? Yes, William, but the question that rises up is why does Luke omit Matthew’s explicit word’s of Jesus indentifying JB with Elijah (Matt 11:14 has no parallel in Luke 7. Matt 17: 9-13//Mark 9:9-13 have no parallel in Luke 9? Mark may have an “Elijianic secret” about the identification of JB and Elijah which Matthew makes precise but Luke de-emphasizes this identification and also any reference which casts Jesus as inferior to JB. What is being asked here is why Luke differs in his “portrait” of Jesus? What is Luke uniquely trying to communicate about the identity and significance of Jesus of Nazareth now crucified, raised, and declared to be “Messiah/Christ” to his audience (church?)in his own setting?

]]> By: William http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-124332 William Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:44:32 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-124332 There always are similarities between Christ and other prophets, but do not Christ, his disciples and the text ascribe the reference in Malachi's prophecy to John, the baptizer, Matt. 11:13-14; 17:10-13; Lk. 1:17? There always are similarities between Christ and other prophets, but do not Christ, his disciples and the text ascribe the reference in Malachi’s prophecy to John, the baptizer, Matt. 11:13-14; 17:10-13; Lk. 1:17?

]]> By: Phil Harland http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-16294 Phil Harland Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:53:48 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-16294 Thanks for these very good points, Darrell. Phil Thanks for these very good points, Darrell.

Phil

]]> By: Darrell James http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-15901 Darrell James Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:18:37 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-15901 Dr Harland: I agree with your contention that Luke wants to appeal to Hellenistic readers while at the same time using the Jewish image/motif of the Elijah-Elisha figure, but I think there is a bit more evidence to support an OT background to Luke's portrayal. Have you explored the use of E/E figure in Hellenistic-Jewish literature? Josephus seems to emphasize Elisha over Elijah(perhaps more readily identified with Jewish nationalistic sentiments that would offend Hellenistic readers/authorities?)in his summaries of their careers (Antiquities 9:28=Elijah and 9:179,182=Elisha). In the Dura-Europus synagogue frescoes Elijah is portrayed in Hellenistic clothing. Does this say something about the significantce of the Elijah/Elisha figure in Hellenistic thought? Philo (Q&A on Genesis I,86) does not emphasize Elijah as messianic forerunner or messiah figure but writes about the "translation" of Elijah, an idea that might resonate with Hellenistic ideas of the divine. There seems to be correspondence in Luke's use of LXX quotations/terms in his description of Jesus activities in contexts which could be connected with Elijah/Elisha. If an Elijah/Elisha motif exists in Luke and shapes his portrayal of Jesus for his audience, has it affected his eschatology (restoration of kingdom, bestowal of Spirit, ascension, delay of parousia) in a way more appealing to Hellenistic audiences? I explored these ideas briefly in my 1984 dissertation, "The Elijah/Elisha Motif in Luke," at Southern Baptist Seminary. Dr Harland: I agree with your contention that Luke wants to appeal to Hellenistic readers while at the same time using the Jewish image/motif of the Elijah-Elisha figure, but I think there is a bit more evidence to support an OT background to Luke’s portrayal. Have you explored the use of E/E figure in Hellenistic-Jewish literature? Josephus seems to emphasize Elisha over Elijah(perhaps more readily identified with Jewish nationalistic sentiments that would offend Hellenistic readers/authorities?)in his summaries of their careers (Antiquities 9:28=Elijah and 9:179,182=Elisha). In the Dura-Europus synagogue frescoes Elijah is portrayed in Hellenistic clothing. Does this say something about the significantce of the Elijah/Elisha figure in Hellenistic thought? Philo (Q&A on Genesis I,86) does not emphasize Elijah as messianic forerunner or messiah figure but writes about the “translation” of Elijah, an idea that might resonate with Hellenistic ideas of the divine. There seems to be correspondence in Luke’s use of LXX quotations/terms in his description of Jesus activities in contexts which could be connected with Elijah/Elisha. If an Elijah/Elisha motif exists in Luke and shapes his portrayal of Jesus for his audience, has it affected his eschatology (restoration of kingdom, bestowal of Spirit, ascension, delay of parousia) in a way more appealing to Hellenistic audiences? I explored these ideas briefly in my 1984 dissertation, “The Elijah/Elisha Motif in Luke,” at Southern Baptist Seminary.

]]> By: Phil H. http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-15172 Phil H. Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:56:20 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-15172 Hello David Miller, That article definitely is right up this alley! Talk about good timing (for me, that is). I will get a hold of it and read it soon. Thanks. Phil Hello David Miller,

That article definitely is right up this alley! Talk about good timing (for me, that is). I will get a hold of it and read it soon. Thanks.

Phil

]]> By: David M. Miller http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/comment-page-1/#comment-15107 David M. Miller Sat, 27 Jan 2007 22:18:21 +0000 http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/2007/01/26/lukes-portrait-of-jesus-jesus-as-the-prophet-elijah-nt-212/#comment-15107 Hello Phil, My recently published NTS article (http://tinyurl.com/2o3cy6) deals with the relationship between Malachi's Elijah and the Jesus of Luke-Acts, taking a somewhat different approach to what you have argued here. I would be curious to hear what you think. David M. Miller Hello Phil,

My recently published NTS article (http://tinyurl.com/2o3cy6) deals with the relationship between Malachi’s Elijah and the Jesus of Luke-Acts, taking a somewhat different approach to what you have argued here. I would be curious to hear what you think.

David M. Miller

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