Der Vergleich des Lebens mit einem Gastmahl als Verhaltensanweisung: Lk 14,7–11 und 22,26–27 im Lichte von Texten Epiktets und Dions von Prusa

Abstract

Abstract: Similes comparing life to a banquet or symposium can be found in different genres of ancient Greco-Roman literature. On the one hand, the imagery of leaving a symposium was used to euphemistically describe suicide or death. On the other hand, the notion of man being a guest on earth hosted by the gods aided philosophers like Epictetus and orators like Dio Chrysostom in illustrating ethical and philosophical advice. In this article, it is argued that in two passages of the Gospel of Luke (14,7–11; 22,26–27) previously unnoticed analogies can be found that are reminiscent of these ancient similes. Like Epictetus and Dio, Luke uses sympotic and banquet imagery to illustrate a certain ideal behaviour, in particular the humble conduct of Christians and their willingness to serve other believers. In addition to revealing a previously unnoticed aspect of the topic of the meal in Luke’s writings, these similarities between the literary technique of the gospel writer and his pagan contemporaries also shed new light on the literary quality of Luke’s narrative art within the context of ancient Greek literature.