Original Research - Special Collection: Foundation subjects - Old and New Testament Studies

The influence of Greek drama on Matthew’s Gospel

Paul R. McCuistion, Colin Warner, Francois P. Viljoen
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 70, No 1 | a2024 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i1.2024 | © 2014 Paul R. McCuistion, Colin Warner, Francois P. Viljoen | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 June 2013 | Published: 20 May 2014

About the author(s)

Paul R. McCuistion, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Colin Warner, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Francois P. Viljoen, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa

Abstract

This article presents the Greek influence on the genre of Matthew’s text. Greek and Roman tragedy is examined, from which the five basic elements of tragedy are identified. A brief examination of the characters in the Matthean text is done to identify Greek cultural influences on the structuring of the Gospel. This study offers evidence that Matthew may have intentionally orchestrated a drama with the intent of having an understandable, attractive way to present Jesus to Jew and gentile alike.

Keywords

Matthew; culture; tragedy; Gospel; biography; character

Metrics

Total abstract views: 4763
Total article views: 9843

 

Crossref Citations

1. What is ‘the sign of the Son of man in heaven’ (Mt 24:30)?
Marius Nel
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi  vol: 49  issue: 1  year: 2015  
doi: 10.4102/ids.v49i1.1876