Biblica_1:Layout 1 21-11-2011 12:59 Pagina 397 397 “SEEK HIS KINGDOM” the early Jesus movement’s lifestyle, ethic and existence 22. It is the focus of the community’s missionary activity and expectations (Q 9,62; 11,2; 12,29-31). It is symbolized by growth and expansion (Q 13,20). It is the goal of the discipleship advocated throughout Q. The kingdom is for the “poor” (Q 6,20). In Q 7,28, those now entering the kingdom are greater than John the Baptist (Q 7,28). Jesus instructs his disciples to heal the sick; the kingdom has reached them (Q 10,5-9). Jesus tells his opponents that if demons are being expelled through his ministry, then the “kingdom of God has come upon you” (Q 11,20). Jesus criticizes the “exegetes of the law” for not allowing people into the kingdom (Q 11,52). The kingdom grows from something small into something great (Q 13,18-19; 20-21). The kingdom suffers violence (Q 16,16). According to Q 17,20-21, the “kingdom” is present within (ἐντoς) 23. The kingdom is clearly , dawning (if not already present) in Jesus’ ministry. 1. “Seek His Kingdom”: Q 12,22b-31 Q 12,22b-31 is generally categorized (form-critically) as a “wis- dom” collection, along with other early Q wisdom instruction collec- tions on prayer and faith (Q 6,20-49; 11,2b-4, 9-13). The “wisdom” of Q 12,22b-31, however, is not very “worldly”. Jesus’ assurance that God will provide seems to contradict worldly experience where human be- ings generally earn a living by the “sweat of their brow”. What kind of “wisdom”, therefore, is being offered here? The reconstruction of Q 12,22b-31 is complicated by the possi- bility that the Gospel of Thomas (P.Oxy. 655) contains an earlier reading of this saying 24. Developing a proposal by T.C. Skeat, James Robinson and Christoph Heil have argued that Q 12,22b-31 can be traced back to a “pre-Q text” used by Matthew and Luke which closely resembles the reading found in Thomas 36, as preserved in 22 KLOPPENBORG, The Formation of Q, 241-42; KLOPPENBORG VERBIN, Excavating Q, 392-394. 23 J.M. ROBINSON, “The Study of the Historical Jesus after Nag Hammadi”, Semeia 44 (1988) 45-55. 24 B.P. GRENFELL – A.S. HUNT, New Sayings of Jesus and Fragment of a Lost Gospel from Oxyrhynchus (London 1904) 39-47; ID., The Oxyrhynchus Papyri IV (London 1904) 22-28.