5.3.2001

In Matthean studies it is usually assumed that Matthew has emphasized Jesus' authority to forgive sins so much that he has changed the description of John the Baptist's message and has added a reference to the forgiveness of sins in his version of the institution of the Last Supper. Today we are going to assess this view. The main question is: Does Matthew differ from the other synoptics because of his understanding of John, or does he make the changes because he has a different view of the meaning of baptism in his congregation?

Study the idea of forgiveness of sins in the following passages.

a) Compare descriptions of John the Baptist's message in Matthew Mark and Luke. What can you tell about Matthew's version of the story?

b) Compare the description of the the Last Supper in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

c) Read Josephus' description of John the Baptist in the Antiquities of the Jews 18.116-117. Compare with the synoptics.

d) There are two verses in Matthew where the wording of the message is similar to Matt 3:2. Do you remember where?

e) Compare the sending of the disciples in Matt 28:16-20, Lk 24:36-50 and John 20:19-23. Do you find the idea of forgiveness of sins in all the synoptics? What does Matthew emphasize?