Then They Understood: A Narrative-Critical Analysis of Matthew 16:12 and 17:13

Abstract

This thesis is a narrative-critical analysis of the formula τότε συνῆκαν (οἱ μαθηταὶ) ὅτι as it appears in Matthew 16:12 and 17:13. This formula is rarely discussed in scholarly works, and yet it occurs at a pivotal part of Matthew’s structure and contributes to one of Matthew’s major themes, the discernment of revelation. In order to discover the function of the formula in view, this thesis considers its context—both broadly (all of Matthew prior, but especially 11:25–30 and 13:10–17) and narrowly (16:5–17:13). Special emphasis is given to structural considerations. Then, the portrayal of the disciples by means of the formula at 16:12 and 17:13 is discussed, followed by the function of the formula. This thesis argues that the formula τότε συνῆκαν (οἱ μαθηταὶ) ὅτι functions to positively portray how a disciple discerns revelation, namely, through the concursion of human reception and divine givenness.