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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities

“And They Were All Astonished (?)” The Verb Ἐκπλήσσω, Competition, And Mark’S Narrative, Nathaniel Desrosiers Aug 2023

“And They Were All Astonished (?)” The Verb Ἐκπλήσσω, Competition, And Mark’S Narrative, Nathaniel Desrosiers

Journal of Religious Competition in Antiquity

This essay discusses the key Greek verb e0kplh/ssw in Mark’s gospel, which is typically rendered as “astonished” or “amazed” in English translations. However, outside of the New Testament the term usually connotes a much more emotional, visceral response than mere amazement; relaying a sense of anger, frustration, and the threat of violence. Accordingly, I argue that standard modern renderings of this verb in Mark and the other Synoptic Gospels are not only inaccurate; they also detract from the overall depth and meaning of the passages in which it appears. Through a reexamination of this verb in concert with an analysis …


A Tale Of Two Fathers: Leadership Between The Estate And The Study House In The Origin Story Of Eliezer Ben Hyrcanus, John Mandsager Aug 2023

A Tale Of Two Fathers: Leadership Between The Estate And The Study House In The Origin Story Of Eliezer Ben Hyrcanus, John Mandsager

Journal of Religious Competition in Antiquity

The coming-of-age tale of R. Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, found in a number of late midrash collections, contains competing ideals of masculine mastery and leadership. Through analysis of the three main characters of the story, R. Eliezer, and his two fathers, Hyrcanus, and his master R. Yoḥanan b. Zakkai across the variants of the story, this article demonstrates that the spaces of the agricultural estate and the study house are idealized in competing ways in rabbinic midrash as spaces for mastery of ideals of masculine identity (success in estate management and excellence in Torah study). In addition, Hyrcanus and R. Yoḥanan …


“All One In Christ Jesus:” Physical And Moral Equality In Galatians 3:28, Kevin Mcginnis Aug 2023

“All One In Christ Jesus:” Physical And Moral Equality In Galatians 3:28, Kevin Mcginnis

Journal of Religious Competition in Antiquity

Galatians 3:28 has often been interpreted as a slogan or baptismal formula that is disconnected from Paul's argument in the letter. It is also often pointed to as evidence of a radically egalitarian lifestyle among early Christians, one in which ethnic, social class, and gender differences are erased in favor of complete social and political equality. This article argues that Gal 3:28 does fit well with Paul's argument about the necessity of baptism for gentiles, but not circumcision, to be included as part of God's salvific plan. It also makes the case that the equality suggested in 3:28 has to …