12.2.2001

Comments:
* I really enjoyed working in small groups. However, although we studied the word laos in Matthew for a long time I could not quite get the point. Where did the study aim at?

- Carter's article that was our assignment for today, dealt with the word okhlos in Matthew. He draws a believable picture of  all the different roles the crowds pay in Matthew's narrative. However, there is also another word in Matthew, laos, that also describe a larger group of people connected to Jesus' ministry. In contrast to okhlos, the word laos has a firm OT background since in LXX it is used to describe Israel as the people of God. Thus, by studying Matthew's use of  laos we may be able to see how he understands the relationship of his community to Israel.
 

Assignments in the class:
 

1) Editing
How many times is the word laos added by Matthew (compare with Mark)? The meaning of the word in these contexts?
 

2) Narrative Analysis
Is there some kind of development in the role of laos in Matthew?
 

3) laos and Israel
Is there a connection in Matthew between the word laos and the historical people of Israel?
 

4) laos in Mt 27:25
Read Mt 27:11-26. Could laos here refer only to inhabitants of Jerusalem as Saldarini argues? (see the text example)
 

Concluding question:
How closely the word laos in Matthew is connected to historical people of Israel/ Jews in general?
In Matthew's view, do the Jews in general take the blame in 27:25?
 
 
 

Assignment for 19.2.

Read the following description of Wisdom in Sirach and compare it with Matthew 11:25-30.
Are there any similarities/differences?
What is the message of Matt 11:25-30, against the background of Sirach?
 

Sirach (Revised standard version)

6:18 My son, from your youth up choose instruction, and until you are old you will keep finding wisdom. 6:19 Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest. For in her service you will toil a little while, and soon you will eat of her produce. 6:20 She seems very harsh to the uninstructed; a weakling will not remain with her. 6:21 She will weigh him down like a heavy testing stone, and he will not be slow to cast her off. 6:22 For wisdom is like her name, and is not manifest to many. 6:23 Listen, my son, and accept my judgment; do not reject my counsel. 6:24 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar. 6:25 Put your shoulder under her and carry her, and do not fret under her bonds. 6:26 Come to her with all your soul, and keep her ways with all your might. 6:27 Search out and seek, and she will become known to you; and when you get hold of her, do not let her go. 6:28 For at last you will find the rest she gives, and she will be changed into joy for you. 6:29 Then her fetters will become for you a strong protection, and her collar a glorious robe.
6:30 Her yoke is a golden ornament, and her bonds are a cord of blue. 6:31 You will wear her like a glorious robe, and put her on like a crown of gladness.