JESUS AND THE ORIGINS OF THE GENTILE MISSION

Michael F. Bird

Published by T&T Clark International

A Continuum imprint

The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX

80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Michael F. Bird has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 0-567-04473-4 (hardback)

LIBRARY OF HISTORICAL JESUS STUDIES

Editor

Robert L. Webb

Published under

LIBRARY OF NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES

331

formerly the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series

Editor

Mark Goodacre

Editorial Board

John M. G. Barclay, Craig Blomberg, Kathleen E. Corley, R. Alan Culpepper, James D. G. Dunn, Craig A. Evans, Stephen Fowl, Robert Fowler, Simon J. Gathercole, John S. Kloppenborg, Michael Labahn, Robert Wall, Steve Walton, Robert L. Webb, Catrin H. Williams

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Chapter 1

Jesus and the Gentiles

1. Introduction

2. The Nature of the Problem

3. Jesus and the Gentiles in Research

4. Method

Chapter 2

‘Restore the Kingdom to Israel’: Jesus, the Gentiles and the Restoration of Israel

1. Introduction

2. Jewish Restoration Eschatology and the Gentiles

3. Jesus, Prophet of Jewish Restoration Eschatology

4. The Character of Restoration

5. Conclusion

Chapter 3

‘No Crumbs for the Dogs’: Negative Remarks About Gentiles and Restrictions of Jesus’ Mission to Israel

1. Introduction

2. Negative Comments about Gentiles

3. Restrictions of the Mission to Israel

4. Conclusion

Chapter 4

‘A Kingdom for the Birds’: Sayings About Gentiles

1. Introduction

2. The Positive Example of Gentiles from Israel’s Sacred Traditions

3. Parables

4. Many Will Come from the East and the West

5. Conclusion

Chapter 5

‘I Have Not Found Such Faith in Israel’: Narrative Material About Gentiles

1. Introduction

2. Gentiles in Galilee

3. Jesus’ Journeys to Gentile Areas

4. Table-fellowship and Gentiles

5. Encounters with Gentiles

6. Conclusion

Chapter 6

A Light and a House for All Nations: The Rationale for the Salvation of the Gentiles in Jesus’ Mission

1. Introduction

2. The Election of Israel and the Gentiles

3. The Temple and the Gentiles

4. Pre-Easter Antecedents to the Post-Easter Gentile Mission

5. Conclusion

Chapter 7

Conclusion

1. Summary

Bibliography

1. Primary Sources

2. Lexical Works

3. Secondary Literature

Index of References

Index of Authors