Forgiveness in the Gospel of Matthew
The theme of forgiveness is woven throughout the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew develops and radicalizes the theme of forgiveness as a part and parcel of Jesus’ mission, the ethical life of his disciples and a non-negotiable hallmark of the Christian life. At the very outset of the gospel, the angel declares that “Jesus will save his people from their sins” (Matt 1,21), establishing forgiveness as the purpose of Jesus mission. The announcement is not just about individual pardon, but indicates a new age where God’s forgiveness is made available through the person of Jesus.
Forgiveness as the ethical command: Matthew further integrates forgiveness into the very structure of Christian prayer and spiritual life. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt 6,12). Forgiveness is a repeated ethical imperative in Matthew, not merely a divine act but a model for human relationships. Jesus commands his followers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God (Matt 6,14–15).
At the Last Supper, Jesus offers the cup “the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26,28), connecting his death to the ultimate act of grace. Judas’ remorse and tragic end stand in contrast to Peter’s restoration, reminding readers that forgiveness is available even in failure, if one is willing to receive it.
Research Objective
The thesis aims to delve into the theological theme – ‘forgiveness’ in the Gospel of Matthew. The study tries to investigate how Matthew profoundly presents and reshapes the understanding of forgiveness, which is not merely as a moral duty, but as a radical, divine imperative that redefines relationships, communities, and discipleship.
The research will pursue to enhance the understanding of forgiveness, and how Matthew radicalizes the theme of forgiveness in the teaching of Jesus on love of enemies (Matt 5,43–48); in the Lord’s prayer (Matt 6,12 .14–16); and in the parable of unforgiving servant (Matt 18,21–35).
The study also aims to investigate the theme of forgiveness in Jewish and Old Testament traditions, especially second temple Judaism.
Research Questions
How Matthew radicalizes the theme of forgiveness that becomes the defining characteristic of community of Jesus’ discipleship.
Forgiveness is not only divine action, but how it becomes a very fabric of human life which connects to our relationship with God, to other human beings, with creation and to oneself.
How Matthew radically shifts the theme of forgiveness from temple rituals to kingdom value and how does the person of Jesus embodie forgiveness and bring it to its fruition in and through his mission, life and death.
Research Methods
The study adopts interdisciplinary approach combining narrative criticism with redaction criticism tools to examine the reliance of Matthew in oral or written traditions.
The close reading of the text is conducted, with interpretation informed by considering its grammatical, syntactic and semantic peculiarities.
The study tries to read the text contextually, integrating intra-textual and inter-textual aspects relevant to it, thereby uncovering some theological implications that spring from the text and narrative.
Literature
Brown, Raymond E. The Death of the Messiah: From Gethsemane to the Grave: A Commentary on the Passion Narratives in the Four Gospel 2 vol. New York Doubleday, 1994.
Culpepper, R. Alan. Matthew: A Commentary. The New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminister John Knox, 2021.
Ian Boxall. Discovery Matthew. Content, Interpretation, Reception. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014.
Runesson, Anders and Gurtner, Daniel M eds. Matthew within Judaism: Israel and the nations in the first gospel. Atlanta: SBL Press 2020.
Stiles, Steven James. Jesus 'Fulfilment of the Torah and Prophets. Inherited Strategies and Torah Interpretation in Matthew's Gospel. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2023.
Supervisor
Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Boris Repschinski SJ
Institut für Bibelwissenschaften und Historische Theologie
Doctoral Candidate
Aitaraj Frank Subba
Aitaraj.Subba@student.uibk.ac.at
