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@PJWilliams has a brilliant article on the Gospels’ birth narratives in the latest edition of ‘Ink’ (linked below),
which is full of characteristic insight: https://twitter.com/Tyndale_House/status/1197912702733172748
which is full of characteristic insight: https://twitter.com/Tyndale_House/status/1197912702733172748
Below are some extra observations which I’d like to throw into the mix (hopefully for good).
First, the geography reflected in Matthew and Luke’s narratives--i.e., the pattern of divergence and subsequent re-convergence--mirrors the shape of Matthew and Luke’s genealogies.
Williams illustrates the geographical pattern as follows:
Williams illustrates the geographical pattern as follows:
...which could equally well illustrate the final leg of Matthew and Luke’s genealogies (shape-wise).
Coincidence?
Coincidence?
Second, the names of Jesus’ brothers are ‘James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas’ (Matt. 13.55).
In Jesus’ day, it was common (Williams observes) for children to be named after their fathers or grandfathers.
In Jesus’ day, it was common (Williams observes) for children to be named after their fathers or grandfathers.
Joseph wasn’t able to pass his name on to *Jesus* (since Jesus’ name was assigned to him by an angel), so Joseph passed his name on to one of Jesus’ brothers instead.
The same pattern may well have characterised John the Baptist’s family.
The same pattern may well have characterised John the Baptist’s family.
John the Baptist *would* have been named ‘Zacharias’ (after his father: 1.59), but was instead given the name ‘John’ by an angel.
Perhaps, then, one of John the Baptist’s brothers inherited the name ‘Zacharias’ instead?
Perhaps, then, one of John the Baptist’s brothers inherited the name ‘Zacharias’ instead?
Third, Williams observes a kind of periodicity/rhythm in the recurrence of particular names in Jesus’ genealogy.
Similar/connected names recur, Williams notes, either patronymically/papponymically or separated by five/six generations.
Similar/connected names recur, Williams notes, either patronymically/papponymically or separated by five/six generations.
Below is a genealogy from about the same time attested at Palmyra.
As can be seen, it is characterised by a similar periodicty/rhythm.
Note also the connection between the roots NTN = ‘give’ (in MTNY) and WHB = ‘give’ (in WHBLT).
As can be seen, it is characterised by a similar periodicty/rhythm.
Note also the connection between the roots NTN = ‘give’ (in MTNY) and WHB = ‘give’ (in WHBLT).
The names attested in Jesus’ genealogy are also plausible for various other reasons, but they’ll have to wait for another time.
The end.
The end.
P.S. Here’s an example of papponymy combined (pretty much) with patronymy from about the same period:
