Two Significant Minor Agreements (Mat. 4:13 Par.; Mat. 26:67-68 Par.)

Abstract

AbstractThree of our oldest witnesses, Origen and P70 from the third century, and Eusebius from the fourth, read Nαζαρα at Mat. 2:23, and this should be accepted as the original, as at 4:13. Matthew is probably inferring the form from his (amended) citation of Jg. 13:5,7, Nαζωραîoζ εσται, on analogy with Ioυoυδαîoζ Ioυδα. So Nαζαρα is Matthaean, and Luke's use of the Matthaean form at Lk. 4:16 is an indication that he knows Matthew's Gospel. At 26:67-68 Matthew has divided the mockers into two groups. The first spit in Jesus' face, and punch it, and the evangelist therefore suppresses Mark's blindfolding, which would protect Jesus. The second group belabour Jesus with sticks from around and behind; as he cannot see them, the "Prophesy!" taunt is transferred to them, with its explanatory, "Who is it who smote you?" Luke has the same addition of five words in the same order, including a hapax. It is difficult to resist the conclusion here that Luke knew Matthew's Gospel.