Today in the Gospels/Acts seminar, we’re looking at Matthew 5-9. We had 30 questions to answer, which I spent about 7 hours on. Here are four of the questions with my answers. [We don’t turn in our answers; we just have to be ready when we are called on.] And now I am off to have lunch with someone far less famous in the world’s eyes than the Archibishop, but someone with whom many of my students would be jealous for the opportunity. [I note that he did not ask me to write a blurb for the back of his 2nd edition. He must not know how famous I am.]
3. What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount? Is there more than one?
Yes, more than one purpose.
1. To make clear the standard for entrance into the kingdom of heaven (cf. 5:20)
2. To explain the intention of the OT law, thus making clear how Israel falls short (cf. 5:21-48)
3. To instruct the disciples in practices of faith (giving, prayer, fasting, trust) (6:1-7:12)
4. To make clear that there are two paths and a decision must be made; it is either Jesus or the Pharisees, but not both (7:13-27)
8. How does Matthew 5:29-30 relate to 5:28?
In verse 28, the sin is committed in the heart, but the eye gives it opportunity. Thus while getting rid of the eye doesn’t necessarily solve the heart problem, Jesus’s point is that the most radical action should be taken in order to avoid sin.
Eye and hand are probably singled out because they are “removable” parts of the body, and it is better to lose them than to lose your whole body (France 2007: 206).
“The looking ‘in order to desire her, ‘ specifically of wanting (and planning?) sexual relations (hence my translation ‘wants to have sex with her ‘ above). The focus is thus not (as some tender adolescent consciences have read it) on sexual attraction as such, but on the desire for (and perhaps the planning of) an illicit sexual liaison” (France 2007: 204).
15. Paraphrase the Lord’s model prayer (6:9-13).
Short: As we long for your kingdom on earth, may your will be done in our lives today.
20. Who are the dogs and pigs of 7:6?
The expression using two unclean animals clearly speaks of undeserving people. Jesus referred to Gentiles as dogs in Matt 15:26-27, and pigs are of course food for Gentiles. But this certainly doesn’t mean that the Gentiles can’t share in the good news, but rather that one should, in Keener’s words (244), not try to “force it on those who show no inclination to accept it” (France 2007: 276-77). France prefers to not identify specifically who these people are and compares this with Paul’s teaching that only the “spiritual” can receive spiritual teaching in 1 Cor 2:13-16. Carson notes that this is the equivalent of the proverb “Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you” (Prov 9:8). This verse is related to the previous verses by warning against being “undiscerning simpletons” (Carson EBC 8:185).
Lilah tov Todd,
I find the situation humorous: at the outset of the PhD coursework, you made it sound as if you were approaching the event horizon of a black hole, with warnings of little or no posts. Now, thanks to those same “emotional/physical draining” studies, it seems that you’ve uncovered more fodder for your blogs.
Thanks all the more for the updates on your DTS classes. They are highly informative for those who are considering graduate programs in their future.
Sweet, thanks for the post. We just began a big series in my church on the Sermon on the Mt and are studying it during the week in home groups as well. I thought of you the first Sunday when our pastor recited from memory the whole sermon. It was awesome to hear it like that. Anyway, not sure if you would mind me browsing through your other 26 answers, but if you don’t, I’d love to look at them sometime.