The Beatitudes

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the comparison between the Beatitudes as recorded by Matthew and Luke exemplify significant differences in length, style and direction and, yet, they appear to converge within the context of meaning and message. The author discusses several sources to collect theologically-driven perceptions with emphasis on historical and literary analysis. The paper relates that perhaps Jesus did not speak the words recorded, as noted in the Guelich text, but it is Matthew and Luke who artfully immortalized his teachings. The author points out that the poetic and eloquent prose of Matthew stylistically combats Luke's terse and declarative rhetoric; however, the differences provide insight to perception. The paper states that eyewitness accounts spoke to multiple versions of the teachings, but all proclaim the thematic principle of redemption.

From the Paper:

"The commentators address the organization of Matthew's account as a tool for teaching. They note that sayings in the Gospel were perhaps "arranged in forms which ensured their easy committal to memory." This further drives their viewpoint of the disciples being the receptors of the sermon--is it not appropriate to direct a teaching to those who would become teachers? Albright and Mann explain their interpretation of the verse as "proclaiming the Freedom." It is the beginning of a freedom from the Law of the Old Covenant. The commentators state that "men of the Kingdom are confronted with the demand of God in its starkest form and bidden to obey.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Albright, W.F. and C.S. Mann. "Matthew." The Anchor Bible. Ed. W.F. Albright and D.N. Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1971. 628-31.
• Boring, M. Eugene. "Matthew." The New Interpreter's Bible, Volume VIII. Ed. Leander E. Keck. Nashville: Abingdon P, 1995. 89, 176-77.
• Culpepper, R. Alan. "Luke." The New Interpreter's Bible, Volume IX. Ed. Leander E. Keck. Nashville: Abingdon P, 1995. 25, 143-145.
• Fitzmeyer, Joseph F. "The Gospel According to Luke." The Anchor Bible. Ed. W.F. Albright and D.N. Freedman. New York: Doubleday, 1981. 628-31.
• Guelich, Robert A. "Sermon on the Mount." The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Ed. Michael D. Coogan and Bruce M. Metzger. New York: Oxford U P, 1993. 687-89.

More papers on The Beatitudes:

• Analytical Essay # 86849 : "The Beatitudes in Matthew"
• Analytical Essay # 50383 : "The Beatitudes"
• Research Paper # 106806 : "The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew"

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