Joy at the Birth of Christ: A Study of Matthew 2:10 and Luke 2:10
Abstract
The infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke present a mix of similarities and differences, creating challenges for scholars investigating the origins of the Synoptic Gospels and conducting comparative studies. This paper contends that the parallels between the two accounts are not coincidental, proposing that, even under cautious assumptions, they likely stem from a shared source. Exegetes continue to debate the extent of these parallels between Matt 1–2 and Luke 1–2, including the potential connection between Matt 2:10 and Luke 2:10. This study argues that the unifying theme in these verses is joy. Additionally, some minor parallels can also be identified. These similarities can be justified by looking at the texts in their context. In recent years, some scholars have studied the phenomenon of joy in Luke-Acts. Besides relying on these works to explore Luke 2:10, this paper seeks to provide new insights. The analysis of joy in Matthew is itself a fresh approach, as it has received little attention. This is particularly evident in the case of Matt 2:10, which is often overlooked or mentioned only in passing by commentators.
Keywords:
infancy narrative, joy, magi, star of Bethlehem, angelReferences
Allison, D.C., “What Was the Star that Guided the Magi?,” Bible Review 9 (1993) 20–24.
Allison, D.C., “The Magi’s Angel,” Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present (Grand Rapids , MI : Baker Academic 2005).
Basser, H.W. – Cohen, M.B., The Gospel of Matthew and Judaic Traditions: A Relevance-Based Commentary (Brill Reference Library of Judaism 46; Leiden – Boston, MA: Brill 2015). (Crossref)
Berger, K., “χαρά,” Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (eds. H. Balz – G. Schneider) (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 1990) III, 42 45.
Bovon, F., Das Evangelium nach Lukas (Lk 1,1–9,50) (Evangelisch-Katholischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament 3.1; Zürich – Neukirchen-Vluyn: Benziger – Neukirchener 1989).
Böttrich, C., Das Evangelium nach Lukas (Theologischer Handkommentar zum Neuen Testament 3; Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt 2024). (Crossref)
Brown, R.E., The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Anchor Bible Reference Library; New York : Doubleday 1997).
Conzelmann, H., The Theology of Luke (San Francisco, CA: Harper 1961).
Evans, C.A., Matthew (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2012).
Fitzmyer, J.A., The Gospel According to Luke I–IX (Anchor Bible 28; New York : Doubleday 1982).
France, R.T., The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 2007).
Green, J.B., The Gospel of Luke (New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 1997).
Green, J.B., Luke as Narrative Theologian: Texts and Topics (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament II.213; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2007).
Gundry, R.H., Matthew: A Commentary on His Handbook for a Mixed Church under Persecution (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 1994).
Harris, S., The Davidic Shepherd King in the Lukan Narrative (Library of New Testament Studies 558; London: Bloomsbury – Clark 2016).
Hughes, D.W., “Astronomical Thoughts on the Star of Bethlehem,” The Star of Bethlehem and the Magi: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from Experts on the Ancient Near East, the Greco-Roman World (eds. P. Barthel – G.H. Van Kooten) (Themes in Biblical Narrative 19; Leiden – Boston, MA: Brill 2015) 103–137. (Crossref)
Inselmann, A., Die Freude im Lukasevangelium: Ein Beitrag zur psychologischen Exegese (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament II.322; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2012). (Crossref)
Janzen, A., Der Friede im lukanischen Doppelwerk vor dem Hintergrund der Pax Romana (Europäische Hochschulschriften 752; Frankfurt: Lang 2002).
Keener, C.S., A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 1990).
Konradt, M., Das Evangelium nach Matthäus: Neubearbeitung (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 2023). (Crossref)
Korn, M., Die Geschichte Jesu in veränderter Zeit: Studien zur bleibenden Bedeutung Jesu im lukanischen Doppelwerk (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament II. 51; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 1993).
MacEwen, R.K., Matthean Posteriority: An Exploration of Matthew’s Use of Mark and Luke as a Solution to the Synoptic Problem (Library of New Testament Studies 501; London – New York: Bloomsbury – Clark 2018).
Marcus, J., John the Baptist in History and Theology (Studies on Personalities of the New Testament; Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press 2018).
Morris, W.G., Joy in the New Testament (Exeter: Paternoster 1984).
Moule, M.A., An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1959).
Newberry, J., Lukan Joy and the Life of Discipleship: A Narrative Analysis of the Conditions that Lead to Joy according to Luke (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament II.583; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2023).
Shellard, B., New Light on Luke: Its Purpose, Sources, and Literary Context (Library of New Testament Studies 346; London: Clark 2021).
Shuler, P.L., “The Rhetorical Character of Luke 1–2,” Literary Studies in Luke–Acts: Essays in Honor of Joseph B. Tyson (ed. J.B. Tyson) (Macon, GA: Mercer University Press 1998) 173–189.
Smith, J.P., Luke Was Not a Christian: Reading the Third Gospel and Acts within Judaism (Biblical Interpretation 218; Leiden: Brill 2023). (Crossref)
Strack, H.L. – Billerbeck, P., Kommentar zum Neuen Testament aus Talmud und Midrasch (München: Beck 1922) I.
Wallace, D.B., Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 1996).
Wenkel, D.H., Joy in Luke–Acts (Paternoster Biblical Monographs; Milton Keynes: Paternoster 2015).
Wenkel, D.H., “The Angel of the Lord Aids the Son of David in Matthew 1–2,” Bibliotheca Sacra 177 (2020) 56–69.
Pápa Reformed Theological Seminary https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6371-6271
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Pursuant to the Act on Copyright and Related Rights of February 4, 1994, the Author of the publication grants to the Publisher of the journal „The Biblical Annals” e a non-exclusive and royalty-free license to use the Work submitted for publication, without time and territorial restrictions in the following fields of use:
a) record the Work and copy it by means of any technique (including printing and electronic recording) on all known data carriers (including IT, electronic and polygraphic), and in all IT systems (in particular those available online);
b) enter the Work into computer memory, disseminate the Work and its copies, as well as market the Work and its copies;
c) publicly perform, replay, display and screen the Work, as well as lend, rent and lease the Work and its copies;
d) make available, market and disseminate the Work and its copies via IT networks, and in particular via the Internet, including the promotion or advertising of the Work, the journal or the Publisher. - The Author shall further grant his/her consent for the Publisher to use and dispose of derivative works.
- The Publisher may sublicense the work.
- Third parties may use the articles and other materials containing the Works, or developed on the basis of the Works in line with the model Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (also referred to as CC BY 4.0).
