Words from the Master’s Table

Abstract

Abstract the possible relationship of the epistles of saint saul and the Four Gospels (but especially the Synoptics) has long been a topic of indecisive debate. Here we will be concerned chiefly with sayings (as distinct from biographical and behavioural material) that may relate to the historical Yeshua and with a few items concerning early church traditions that may reflect on that issue. We will not engage in the kind of textual truffle hunting that results in random occurrences or common folk sayings being taken as instances of meaningful inter-textual joinings. To take an example, the parallel between Saul’s advising the Thessalonians “ … be at peace among yourselves” (I Thess s:I 3) and Yeshua ‘s reportedly saying to his disciples, “ … have peace one with another” (Mark 9:50), has no value whatsoever as an indication of any relationship between the Synoptic Gospels and Saul’s epistles, and would have none even if the wording were exactly the same: most leaders, whether of religions, armies, or just heads of large families often have to tell their broods to calm down and keep quiet. Lists have been made of over 900 alleged parallels in the Synoptic Gospels, a credulity that threatens to discredit the entire enterprise.1