New testament paper - Essay Example

It will be shown that in Luke, Satan is given more dialogue and arguably, more emphasis with regard to a number of elements. Conversely, in Matthew, Jesus is provided with more dialogue, more personality, and thus, greater emphasis as a figure. By no means can it therefore said that Satan is more important, both are uniformly championing the realm of spirit against the realm of matter or material. Rather, the difference in emphasis will be examined in regard to the respective impact for the very significance of this duality or contrast.

The difference of emphasis between Satan and Jesus, can be discerned at a number of junctures with regard to dialogue. Literally, one can quantify the amount of words provided by each and discern a measurable difference that represents a further distinction in emphasis. For instance, in line 4 both books articulate the idea that “Man shall not live on bread alone”, but Mathew adds: “but on every word that comes from the mouth of god”(Mathew 4:4 and Luke 4). Further, in the line that follows the temptation presented to Jesus from Satan from the mountain top – that is, where he takes him to the top of the mountain and offers him everything in the earthly realm, Jesus is also given more dialogue. . He is issuing a forceful command.

Similarly, Jesus is actually “fasting” (Mathew 4:1) in Mathew whereas in Luke he merely “ate nothing” (Luke 4:1). There are religious overtones to fasting, whereas not eating does not carry the same weight. Jesus piety, reverence and humility finds greater emphasis with the idea of fasting especially when we consider what he says about it later: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting” (Mathew 6:16). Fasting carries with it, connotations like sincere humility, and this emphasized in Mathew over and against Luke.

As mentioned, the converse is true in Luke. That is, Satan is given more dialogue and more emphasis in a number of significant passages. Most notably, Satan's personality is more prominent in the line about taking Jesus to the mountain top. Consider the difference of emphasis in Luke: “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” (Luke 4:6-7). Not only is this a more flourished emphasis, the usage of personal pronouns is quite astounding for such a small passage or phrase.

The usage of 'I' occurs three times, and the usage of 'me' occurs twice. This is quantitatively different than the emphasis in Mathew, but also qualitatively succinct too with regard to the impact. By emphasizing the individuality of the figure, Satan is isolated and made a more succinct figure. The duality between the kingdom of god and that of Satan becomes glaringly contrasted as a result. By contrast, in Mathew he merely asks Jesus to bow down and worship him. In Luke, his power is emphasized become of the articulation