Simon J. Joseph, ««Seek His Kingdom»: Q 12,22b-31, God’s Providence, and Adamic Wisdom.», Vol. 92 (2011) 392-410
In Q 12,22b-31, a kingdom-saying functions as the climax to a sapiential collection, but it is not self-evident that this message is sapiential. Q 12,31 uses traditional wisdom structures and forms to advance what appears to be an «eschatological» message. In this study, I re-examine the nature of the wisdom in Q 12,22b-31 and argue that the theme of God’s providence can be understood in relation to eschatological ideals of the restoration of creation and a «Son of God»/Adamic christology.
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“SEEK HIS KINGDOMâ€
A number of scholars hold that Q 12,22b-31 is a “collection†of
once-independent sapiential sayings subsequently expanded into its
present form 28. Q 12,31, in particular, is the most problematic verse,
primarily because it represents an “intrusion†of kingdom-language
into an otherwise sapiential collection 29. Others have argued that Q
12,22b-31 is essentially integral, and that Q 12,31 was the original
climax of the collection 30. Moreover, many scholars affirm Q 12,31
as an authentic saying of Jesus 31:
ζητεῖτε δὲ τὴν βασιλείαν αá½Ï„οῦ,
καὶ ταῦτα Ï€Ïοστεθήσεται ὑμῖν.
Seek His Kingdom
And these things will be given to you.
The reconstruction of Q has resulted in the identification of
Matthean and Lukan redactional traits and corrections, many of which
are relatively minor. For example, many scholars regard Q 12,25 as a
28
R. BULTMANN, The History of the Synoptic Tradition (Oxford 1963)
88; D. ZELLER, Die weisheitlichen Mahnsprüche bei den Synoptikern (FB
17; Würzburg, 1983) 86-87; E. KLOSTERMANN, Matthäusevangelium (HNT
2/1; Tübingen 1909) 62; TUCKETT, Q, 149; CATCHPOLE, The Quest for Q, 31-
35; P. HOFFMANN, Tradition und Situation. Studien zur Jesusüberlieferung
in der Logienquelle und den synoptischen Evangelien (NA 28; Münster
1995) 62-87, 88-106, 107-134.
29
P.S. MINEAR, Commands of Christ (Nashville, TN 1972) 139-140; D.
ZELLER, Die weisheitlichen Mahnsprüche bei den Synoptikern (FB 17; Würzburg
1977) 87; ROBINSON, “The Pre-Q Textâ€, 165; A.D. JACOBSON, The First Gospel.
An Introduction to Q (Sonoma, 1992) 190; HOFFMANN, Tradition und Situation,
93, 113.
30
W. GRUNDMANN, Das Evangelium nach Matthäus (THKNT 1; Berlin
1968) 214; SCHULZ, Spruchquelle, 154; R.A. GUELICH, The Sermon on the
Mount. A Foundation for Understanding (Waco, TX 1982) 323, 335; H.
Merklein, Die Gottesherrschaft als Handlungsprinzip (Würzburg 1978) 177-
180; R.J. DILLON, “Ravens, Lilies, and the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-
33/Luke 12:22-31)â€, CBQ 53 (1991) 605-627; esp. 626.
31
I.H. MARSHALL, The Gospel of Luke. A Commentary on the Greek Text
(NIGTC; Exeter, NH 1978) 525; LUZ, Matthew 1-7; H. HENDRICKX, The
Sermon on the Mount. Studies in the Synoptic Gospels (London 1984) 133;
GUELICH, The Sermon on the Mount, 323, 335; CATCHPOLE, Quest for Q, 39.
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