New Testament Exegesis: History, Text, and Reception

Skills Development

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

After completing the course the students will be able to: a) critically analyze and comparatively study the epistles of the New Testament on the basis of their grammatic features b) trace down the various philological forms and traditions in the gospels c) apply a variety of exegetical methods on the NT texts taking into consideration their history of reception d) compare the NT texts to texts of their environment e) compare and relate the theological message of the NT texts to contemporary challenges thus actualizing them in present situations

The New Testament Exegesis course provides information on the subject, methodology and purpose of the discipline of interpretation, teaches the steps of interpreting New Testament texts (letters and gospels) and suggests ways of relating interpretation to the concerns and challenges of modern times. It is divided into two parts: a) interpretation of the New Testament letters, and b) interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels. New Testament Letters: The first part focuses on the Letter to the Philippians. It presents the opening themes of the letter and the social and historical context of the time in which the situation of the addressees was situated and related to the themes of the letter. An explanation of the text is provided, together with an interpretation and theological development of its meanings and its relevance to contemporary issues. Traditional patristic hermeneutical approaches to exegesis are used for interpretation, combined where appropriate with modern hermeneutical methods. TEACHING UNITS 1. General information about the New Testament Exegesis course. The epistle as a literary genre. Introductory issues of the Pauline epistles. 2. Introductory issues of the Epistle to the Philippians. 3. Paul's visit to Philippi according to the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle to the Philippians. 4. Phil. 1, 1-2: Greeting. 1:1, 1:1. 5. Phil. 1, 3-11: Eucharist and prayer for the Philippians. Participation in the common cause. 6. Phil. 1, 12-26: The circumstances of the apostle's imprisonment. 1.1. 7. Phil. 1, 27-2, 4: Exhortations to humility and unity, unity and love. Spiritual life as a race and sport. 8. Phil. 2. 5-18: The example of Christ. The humility that exalts and unites. 9. Phil. 2, 19-30: The example of Timothy and Epaphroditus. 2. 10. 3, 1-21: The evil workers and the example of Paul. Values of existential achievement that are conquered through struggle and reach perfection in Christ. 11. Phil. 4, 1-9: Practical exhortations for a life according to the gospel. The role of women in the church. 12. Phil. 4, 10-20: Paul's thanksgiving for the help of the Philippians. The gift and the social theology of the gift. 13. Phil. 4, 21-23: Greetings. The brotherly love of Christians. THE GOSPELS The second part of the course focuses on the interpretation of selected passages from the Synoptic Gospels. The texts will be examined comparatively in order to highlight their particularities (in terms of language and style, traditions and, above all, their theological themes). The message of these passages is then linked to contemporary social concerns and the challenges facing the Church today. In the interpretation/explanation, the hermeneutical tools and critical methods of interpretation of contemporary New Testament studies, the interdisciplinary dialogue with other disciplines (especially the humanities), as well as the long history of the reception of these texts are used. TEACHING UNITS 1. Introduction to the exegesis of the biblical texts - Steps for interpreting the Gospel passages 2. The prologues of the synoptic gospels: the case of the Gospel of Mark 3. The parables in the three synoptics: special features, history of interpretation, their potential use today. The example of the parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3-20 and par.) 4. The Kingdom of God as a dynamic presence in the world: the parable of the tares (Mt 13:24-43), the parable of the grain of mustard seed and of the yeast (Mk 4:31-35) 5. The Kingdom of God as a call without social, religious or ethnic distinctions: the parable of the lost sheep (Mt 18:12-14 and par.), the parable of the Prodigal (Lk 15:11-32), the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) 6. The Kingdom of God as a challenge to a new ethos of life: the parable of the 10 virgins (Mt 25:1-13), the parable of the Last Judgement (Mt 25:31-46), the parable of the wicked debtor (Mt 18:23-35). 7. The Kingdom of God as an acknowledgement of the world: the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (18:9-14) and Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10). 8. Miracles in the Synoptic tradition: characteristics and types. Themes and patterns. Comparison with the miracles of John's Gospel. Problems of interpretation. 9. Examples of interpretation of miracles (1): casting out of demons. Cultural context and interpretive/theological challenges for today. 10. Interpretative examples of miracles (2): Resurrection/healing miracles - special features in Mark. Intertextual connections and theological implications of the resurrection theme 11. Examples of interpretation of miracles (3): miracles of gifts and miracles of salvation. Social implications. 12. The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew: the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-11). Social and ecclesiological implications. 13. The End of the Three Gospels - The Passion and Resurrection Accounts in the Three Synoptics. Theological questions and ecclesiological implications

New Testament exegesis, reception history, historical criticism, narratology, epistles, gospels, Paul, parables, miracles

08-08-2025