coming age, in the form in which Primitive Christianity later presents it for the time between the resurrection and the return of Christ, cannot be regarded as a mere “escape from embarrassment,” intended only to cover up the disillusionment that resulted from the delay of the Parousia. It rests rather upon faith in the divine Lordship over time, which can be demonstrated in this same way, and independently of all delay in the Parousia, to be present in the Synoptic portrayal of the life of Jesus.