7. The Rich and the Coming of God

Question 1

1. Context

Answer 1

• Passage also occurs in Mark and Matthew

- Matthew’s version is more apocalyptic

Question 2

2. Meaning

Answer 2

• Jesus is questioned by a wealthy ruler who wants to know how to enter the Kingdom.

• Jesus gives a very conventional answer: keep the Ten Commandments.
• Ruler replies that he keeps all of them

• Man’s claim that he has kept all the commandments is an empty boast
- He is like the rocky soil: not deep enough to appreciate what it means to live the way God expects

• Jesus gives a new commandment: give away your wealth
- He refuses to do this: his wealth is like thorns in the Parable of the Sower

• Metaphor of the camel going through the eye of the needle.

• One interpretation: Spelling of camel is similar to spelling of rope in Greek (Poor translation? – threading a tick rope through a needle?)
• Narrow gate in Jerusalem called ‘the Needle’s Eye’ and camels could only pass through if their baggage was unloaded first
• Therefore wealth has to be taken away before any camel can pass through

• Jesus praises those who make sacrifices for the Kingdom and states they will be rewarded in this age and the afterlife

Question 3

3. Matthew’s Gospel

Answer 3

• Passage is more apocalyptic
• Matthew refers to the Disciples judging the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the age-to-come.
• Luke still uses to apocalyptic theme of two ages but Luke is less specific about when and where the age to come is happening.

Question 4

4. Implications

Answer 4

• Luke’s Audience: earliest Christians gave up their personal wealth when they converted and it was shared communally

• This passage might refer to that practice.
• Later Christians interpreter this in a weaker way: you should be prepared to give up wealth but not that you should have to do so

• Fits in with Conzelmann’s idea of salvation history
- Marshall: distinction between this age and the age to come in also in Mark, so Luke didn’t alter the original passage to fit with a new anti-apocalyptic theme.

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

1. Context
2. Meaning
3. Matthew’s Gospel
4. Implications