Review Article

Review article: The mountain motif in the plot of Matthew

Gert J. Volschenk
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 66, No 1 | a326 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v66i1.326 | © 2010 Gert J. Volschenk | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 July 2009 | Published: 03 September 2010

About the author(s)

Gert J. Volschenk, Department of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics University of Pretoria South Africa, South Africa

Abstract

This article reviewed T.L. Donaldson’s book, Jesus on the mountain: A study in Matthean theology, published in 1985 by JSOT Press, Sheffield, and focused on the mountain motif in the structure and plot of the Gospel of Matthew, in addition to the work of Donaldson on the mountain motif as a literary motif and as theological symbol. The mountain is a primary theological setting for Jesus’ ministry and thus is an important setting, serving as one of the literary devices by which Matthew structured and progressed his narrative. The Zion theological and eschatological significance and Second Temple Judaism serve as the historical and theological background for the mountain motif. The last mountain setting (Mt 28:16–20) is the culmination of the three theological themes in the plot of Matthew, namely Christology, ecclesiology and salvation history.

Keywords

faith; Matthew; mountain motif; plot; Second Temple Judaism

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Crossref Citations

1. Fulfilment of Scripture and Jesus’ Teachings in Matthew
R. Alan Culpepper
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doi: 10.4102/ids.v49i2.1986