The Bible as Literature

Sometimes we want so desperately for Jesus to be a super hero that we willfully ignore what is written before our eyes. Faced with powerful religious chiefs and elders—men whose position and power in Israel depends on the approval of the very people they mistreat—we ourselves are blinded by titles and want to make the phrase “son of man” into a title of equal or greater value. But it’s not, because Matthew is critiquing titles and the trail of lies and abuse that follows them.

In biblical terms, son of man means “ordinary human being.” In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus stands before the supposed rulers of the people as an ordinary child of Adam, just like you and me. He has no one to impress, no need to please, and no reason to fear. His only concern is his Father’s desire, that he take every situation, including his impending death, as an opportunity to teach Scripture.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:1-.5

Episode 392 Matthew 26:1-5; Music:

Grand Dark Waltz Allegretto by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7920-grand-dark-waltz-allegretto
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Show Notes

Sometimes we want so desperately for Jesus to be a super hero that we willfully ignore what is written before our eyes. Faced with powerful religious chiefs and elders—men whose position and power in Israel depends on the approval of the very people they mistreat—we ourselves are blinded by titles and want to make the phrase “son of man” into a title of equal or greater value. But it’s not, because Matthew is critiquing titles and the trail of lies and abuse that follows them. 

In biblical terms, son of man means “ordinary human being.” In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus stands before the supposed rulers of the people as an ordinary child of Adam, just like you and me. He has no one to impress, no need to please, and no reason to fear. His only concern is his Father’s desire, that he take every situation, including his impending death, as an opportunity to teach Scripture. 

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:1-.5

Episode 392 Matthew 26:1-5; Music:

Grand Dark Waltz Allegretto by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7920-grand-dark-waltz-allegretto
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
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What is The Bible as Literature?

Each week, Dr. Richard Benton, Fr. Marc Boulos and guests discuss the content of the Bible as literature. On Tuesdays, Fr. Paul Tarazi presents an in-depth analysis of the biblical text in the original languages.