The Gospel of the Savior
An Analysis of P.Oxy 840 and its Place in the Gospel Traditions of Early Christianity
Published on 12. October 2005
Book
Hardback
316 pages
978-90-04-14393-7 (ISBN)
Description
This volume is the first complete analysis of the apocryphal gospel fragment P.Oxy. 840 since its initial discovery nearly a century ago. The fragment recounts a dispute over ritual purity between Jesus and a Pharisaic chief priest in the temple. After an examination of prior research, this work explores the various palaeographical and historical questions raised by this apocryphal story and also offers a new Greek edition and English translation. In particular, P.Oxy. 840's controversial descriptions of ritual purity practices in Herod's temple are evaluated in light of what is known of first-century Judaism. After comparing the text with similar passages in the canonical gospels, the origins of this non-canonical story are traced to second-century Jewish-Christian groups that shared its theological and polemical thrust.
Reviews / Votes
'In five chapters the author successively offers a most detailed codicological and papyrological analysis, presents a new edition with translation, discusses the historical problems raised by the text, and addresses the double question of its relation to the canonical Gospels and its place within early Christianity.'Joseph Verheyden, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Leiden
Netherlands
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Paper over boards
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 166 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
703 gr
ISBN-13
978-90-04-14393-7 (9789004143937)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Michael J. Kruger
The Gospel of the Savior
An Analysis of P.Oxy 840 and its Place in the Gospel Traditions of Early Christianity
Software
08/2005
Brill
Unfortunately, price unknown
Available (delivery time upon request)
Person
Michael J. Kruger, Ph.D. (2004) in New Testament, University of Edinburgh, is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has published a number of articles in the area of Christian origins, and has research interest in textual criticism, apocryphal gospels, and the development of the New Testament canon.
Content
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO P.OXY. 840
I. History of Interpretation
A. Initial Interest (1908-1914); B. Subsequent Neglect (1914-1986); C. Occasional Attention (1986-2003); D. Summary
II. Purpose of this Study
CHAPTER ONE: THE CODICOLOGY AND PALAEOGRAPHY OF P.OXY. 840
I. The Form of P.Oxy. 840: Codex
II. The Material of P.Oxy. 840: Parchment
III. The Size of P.Oxy. 840
A. Amulets; B. Miniature Codices; C. Blau and Preuschen; D. Summary
IV. The Hand of P.Oxy. 840
V. The Punctuation of P.Oxy. 840
A. Enlarged First Letter; B. Spaces Between Sentences; C. Coloring; D. Points; E. Accents/Breathing Marks; F. Diplh; G. Diairesis; H. Summary
VI. Scribal Habits of P.Oxy. 840
A. Corrections; B. Inconsistencies
VII. Abbreviations in P.Oxy. 840
A. Nomina Sacra; B. Omitted
VIII. Conclusions
CHAPTER TWO: TEXT AND TRANSLATION OF P.OXY. 840
I. The Text
A. Diplomatic Text; B. Reading Text; C. English Translation
II. Commentary
A. Line 1; B. Lines 2-3; C. Lines 3-7; D. Lines 7-12; E. Lines 12-16; F. Lines 16-21; G. Lines 21-24; H. Lines 24-30; I. Lines 30-34; J. Lines 34-41; K. Lines 41-45
CHAPTER THREE: THE HISTORICAL PROBLEMS OF P.OXY. 840
I. Pharisaic High Priest
A. Definition of arciereuj; B. The Combination of Pharisee and Chief Priest
II. Temple Layout and the "Holy Vessels"
A. agia skeuh; B. agneuthrion
III. Ceremonial Washing and the "Pool of David"
A. The Pool of David as a Miqveh; B. Dogs and Pigs in the Pool of David
IV. Restrictions on Entering the Temple
A. Immersion Before Entering the Temple; B. Dressing in White Garments; C. The Essenes; D. Foot Washing
V. Conclusion
CHAPTER FOUR: THE RELATIONSHIP OF P.OXY. 840 TO THE CANONICAL GOSPELS
I. Pericope 1 (l.1-7)
A. Textual Relationships: Vocabulary, Phraseology, Grammar; B. Literary Form/Structure; C. Origins of the Tradition
II. Pericope 2 (l.7-45)
A. Textual Relationships: Vocabulary, Phraseology, Grammar; B. Five Canonical Passages (1. Luke 11:37-52;2. Matt 23:13-22; 3. John 7:1-52; 4. John 13:10; 5. Mark 7:1-23; 6. Summary)C. Literary Form/Structure; D. Origins of the Tradition
III. Conclusion
CHAPTER FIVE: TOWARDS PLACING P.OXY. 840 WITHIN EARLY CHRISTIANITY
I. The Community of P.Oxy. 840
A. Early Heretical Groups; B. Jewish-Christian; C. Which Jewish-Christian Community?; D. Who Were the Opponents of P.Oxy. 840?; E. Summary and Conclusions
II. Comparison of P.Oxy. 840 to Analogous Apocryphal Gospels
A. Gospel of Peter; B. P. Egerton 2; C. Jewish-Christian Gospels; D. The Long Ending of Mark; E. The Pericope of the Adulterous Woman
III. Summary and Conclusions
APPENDIX
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
IS P.OXY. 840 A REDACTION OF AN EARLIER APOCRYPHAL STORY?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDICES
ABBREVIATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO P.OXY. 840
I. History of Interpretation
A. Initial Interest (1908-1914); B. Subsequent Neglect (1914-1986); C. Occasional Attention (1986-2003); D. Summary
II. Purpose of this Study
CHAPTER ONE: THE CODICOLOGY AND PALAEOGRAPHY OF P.OXY. 840
I. The Form of P.Oxy. 840: Codex
II. The Material of P.Oxy. 840: Parchment
III. The Size of P.Oxy. 840
A. Amulets; B. Miniature Codices; C. Blau and Preuschen; D. Summary
IV. The Hand of P.Oxy. 840
V. The Punctuation of P.Oxy. 840
A. Enlarged First Letter; B. Spaces Between Sentences; C. Coloring; D. Points; E. Accents/Breathing Marks; F. Diplh; G. Diairesis; H. Summary
VI. Scribal Habits of P.Oxy. 840
A. Corrections; B. Inconsistencies
VII. Abbreviations in P.Oxy. 840
A. Nomina Sacra; B. Omitted
VIII. Conclusions
CHAPTER TWO: TEXT AND TRANSLATION OF P.OXY. 840
I. The Text
A. Diplomatic Text; B. Reading Text; C. English Translation
II. Commentary
A. Line 1; B. Lines 2-3; C. Lines 3-7; D. Lines 7-12; E. Lines 12-16; F. Lines 16-21; G. Lines 21-24; H. Lines 24-30; I. Lines 30-34; J. Lines 34-41; K. Lines 41-45
CHAPTER THREE: THE HISTORICAL PROBLEMS OF P.OXY. 840
I. Pharisaic High Priest
A. Definition of arciereuj; B. The Combination of Pharisee and Chief Priest
II. Temple Layout and the "Holy Vessels"
A. agia skeuh; B. agneuthrion
III. Ceremonial Washing and the "Pool of David"
A. The Pool of David as a Miqveh; B. Dogs and Pigs in the Pool of David
IV. Restrictions on Entering the Temple
A. Immersion Before Entering the Temple; B. Dressing in White Garments; C. The Essenes; D. Foot Washing
V. Conclusion
CHAPTER FOUR: THE RELATIONSHIP OF P.OXY. 840 TO THE CANONICAL GOSPELS
I. Pericope 1 (l.1-7)
A. Textual Relationships: Vocabulary, Phraseology, Grammar; B. Literary Form/Structure; C. Origins of the Tradition
II. Pericope 2 (l.7-45)
A. Textual Relationships: Vocabulary, Phraseology, Grammar; B. Five Canonical Passages (1. Luke 11:37-52;2. Matt 23:13-22; 3. John 7:1-52; 4. John 13:10; 5. Mark 7:1-23; 6. Summary)C. Literary Form/Structure; D. Origins of the Tradition
III. Conclusion
CHAPTER FIVE: TOWARDS PLACING P.OXY. 840 WITHIN EARLY CHRISTIANITY
I. The Community of P.Oxy. 840
A. Early Heretical Groups; B. Jewish-Christian; C. Which Jewish-Christian Community?; D. Who Were the Opponents of P.Oxy. 840?; E. Summary and Conclusions
II. Comparison of P.Oxy. 840 to Analogous Apocryphal Gospels
A. Gospel of Peter; B. P. Egerton 2; C. Jewish-Christian Gospels; D. The Long Ending of Mark; E. The Pericope of the Adulterous Woman
III. Summary and Conclusions
APPENDIX
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
IS P.OXY. 840 A REDACTION OF AN EARLIER APOCRYPHAL STORY?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDICES