Warding Off Evil: Apotropaic Tradition in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Synoptic Gospels

Abstract

In this monograph, Morris is interested in facets of demonology in the Synoptic Gospels with particular attention to human interaction with demonic evil. Morris notes there are two human responses to demonic evil. The first, exorcism, is a curative response. The second, apotropaism, is a preventative response, which is the particular focus of this study. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the extent of apotropaic features in the Synoptic Gospels and to examine the relationship between Jewish and early Christian demonic traditions.In ch. 1, Morris conducts a selective survey of recent scholarship on demonology in the Synoptic Gospels with a focus on three motifs: (1) the nature of demons, (2) the place of Satan and demons in the theologies of the Gospels, and (3) possession and exorcism. He concludes that the primary focus of scholarship has been on exorcism and possession. Hence, there is a need for further discussion about human interactions with demons in regard to apotropaic elements.In ch. 2, Morris sets out to examine anti-demonic traditions in early Judaism so as to provide some background for understanding demonology in the Synoptic Gospels. In the first part of the chapter, Morris is concerned about developing precise definitions for terminology, delineating demonic activity or influence, and producing suitable classifications for the types of Jewish anti-demonic prayers. For the latter concern, Morris is particularly influenced by the categories developed by Esther Eshel and Loren Stuckenbruck. In the second part of the chapter, Morris analyzes select passages in early Jewish literature that have been identified as anti-demonic in order to develop a system of classification for the study of the Gospels. After a meticulous and careful analysis of each passage, Morris groups these passages into the following categories: apotropaic petitions, apotropaic incantations, exorcistic incantations, and exorcistic narratives.In ch. 3, Morris aims to identify and evaluate any non-petitionary apotropaisms in the Synoptic Gospels. The bulk of the chapter attempts to ascertain the extent of apotropaic elements in the temptation of Jesus account. The narrative evinces a number of features that correspond to early Jewish apotropaic traditions. These include the evoking of Scripture and obedience to the torah as means of warding off the demonic. In addition, Jesus’s elevated status as a righteous figure enables him to resist the devil. The remainder of ch. 3 considers potential apotropaic elements in a few other passages (Mark 9:25; 16:18; and Luke 10:19).In ch. 4, Morris addresses whether the Synoptic Gospels contain any apotropaic petitions. He first gives attention to the Matthean version of the Lord’s Prayer. He finds a number of commonalities with deliverance pleas found in the Qumran literature. He then argues that the petition in Matt 6:13 to deliver τοῦ πονηροῦ is best understood as a request to be delivered from a personified evil, “the evil one.” Hence, the Lord’s Prayer contains an apotropaic petition. Morris then considers two other passages. Jesus’s entreaty for Peter in Luke 22:31–32 is not apotropaic but is a prayer for the strengthening of Peter’s faith. Jesus’ petition in John 17:15 is apotropaic because he asks God to protect the disciples from future Satanic influence.From the analyses in chs. 3 and 4, Morris draws a number of conclusions. First, the Synoptic Gospels do contain both non-petitionary and petitionary apotropaisms. Second, these apotropaisms find resemblances in early Jewish apotropaic traditions. Third, Jesus’s use of apotropaisms does not diminish the Gospels’ portrayal of Jesus as an authoritative figure. Fourth, the apotropaisms are compatible with the demonology exhibited in the remainder of the Synoptic Gospels. Chapter 5 summarizes the findings of the study and draws some final conclusions.Morris’s monograph is an informative and insightful study. He gives careful and meticulous attention to detail in the texts he is examining and he is often judicious in the conclusions that he draws. Morris’s study should prove to be an important contribution to the study of demonology in the Synoptic Gospels.