Abstract
This article provides a social-scientific interpretation of the role of fasting in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9–14. Specifically, the article considers such social realia as honour and shame, collectivism, and purity in the interpretation of the text. The textual and social contexts of the text are considered. It is contended that in the parable Jesus presents a caricature of both the Pharisee and the tax collector to make a larger point, in which fasting is not a major consideration. The article also evaluates Friedrichson’s interpretation of this text, which depicts the Pharisee as fasting vicariously, resulting in the justification of the tax collector. Finally, the significance of this text in a holistic theology of fasting in the New Testament is considered.
Highlights
Fasting in the New Testament from a social-scientific perspectiveThe research goal of this article is to interpret Luke 18:9–14 in its theological, social, and cultural contexts, and to build from this interpretation a response to Friedrichson’s interpretation that the Pharisee’s fasting in the text is vicarious, performed on behalf of the publican as well as all of Israel
Social-scientific criticism is an attempt to place the text of the New Testament into the social and cultural context of the 1st-century Mediterranean world
Elliott defines social-scientific criticism as a component of historical criticism (Elliott 1993:7), and identifies three critical relationships between the text and its cultural environment which must be taken into account in biblical exegesis, in addition to the form and content of texts: 1. The ‘conditioning factors and intended consequences of the communication process’ (Elliott 1993:7), that is, the paralanguage behind the text, the cultural and social implications of the words of the text in their original environment
Summary
Fasting in the New Testament from a social-scientific perspectiveThe research goal of this article is to interpret Luke 18:9–14 in its theological, social, and cultural contexts, and to build from this interpretation a response to Friedrichson’s interpretation that the Pharisee’s fasting in the text is vicarious, performed on behalf of the publican as well as all of Israel. It will be useful to begin with a treatment of the social and cultural meaning of fasting in the 1st-century Mediterranean world. Broad cultural and social themes of fasting in the 1stcentury Mediterranean world will be sketched here, and some implications of the present text for a New Testament theology of fasting will be discussed. Social-scientific criticism is an attempt to place the text of the New Testament into the social and cultural context of the 1st-century Mediterranean world. The ‘conditioning factors and intended consequences of the communication process’ (Elliott 1993:7), that is, the paralanguage behind the text, the cultural and social implications of the words of the text in their original environment Elliott defines social-scientific criticism as a component of historical criticism (Elliott 1993:7), and identifies three critical relationships between the text and its cultural environment which must be taken into account in biblical exegesis, in addition to the form and content of texts: 1. The ‘conditioning factors and intended consequences of the communication process’ (Elliott 1993:7), that is, the paralanguage behind the text, the cultural and social implications of the words of the text in their original environment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
