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The Point of the Step-Parallelism in Luke 1–2

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2001

KARL A. KUHN
KARL A. KUHN
Affiliation:
Lakeland College, P.O. Box 359, Sheboygan, WI 53082-0359, USA
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Abstract

It has long been noted by interpreters that Luke's birth narrative offers a comparative portrayal of Jesus and John, with the effect that Jesus is seen as the greater of the two (a feature of the text commonly called ‘step-parallelism’). Several explanations for this narrative device have been offered by commentators, including the proposal that the step-parallelism serves as an apologetic response to a messianic sect proclaiming John the Baptist as the Christ. This paper argues that while apologetic concerns may play a role, the primary motivation for the contrast Luke composes between the two characters is christological. In short, the point of the step-parallelism is to show that in preparing the way for God, John is really preparing the way for Jesus, because Jesus represents Yahweh in his mission and person.

Type
Research Article
Information
New Testament Studies , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , January 2001 , pp. 38 - 49
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press

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