Zacchaeus as the Rich Host of Classical Satire


This piece builds upon the work of Dennis Hamm and Mikeal Parsons to compare the character Zacchaeus of Luke 19:1–10 to the rich host of a banquet from classical satire and related genres. In this category the diminutive tax collector joins a rogues’ gallery, including Nasidienus from Horace’s Satir...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Sick, David H. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2016
In: Biblical interpretation
Year: 2016, Volume: 24, Issue: 2, Pages: 229-244
IxTheo Classification:CD Christianity and Culture
HC New Testament
TB Antiquity
Further subjects:B Luke
 Zacchaeus
 satire
 tax collector
 dining

Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:This piece builds upon the work of Dennis Hamm and Mikeal Parsons to compare the character Zacchaeus of Luke 19:1–10 to the rich host of a banquet from classical satire and related genres. In this category the diminutive tax collector joins a rogues’ gallery, including Nasidienus from Horace’s Satire 2.8 and Trimalchio from Petronius’ Satyricon. Those who grumble (γογγύζειν) about Jesus’ table fellowship should be understood as his fellow dining companions. The moralizing voice of the satirist is represented by these grumbling guests, whose harping is similar to that of the Pharisees. According to recent literary theory, the voice of the satirist, in this case a Pharisaic one, is undermined by its own harshness. By weakening the criticism of the satiric voice, Luke encourages identification with the sinner Zacchaeus and thus fosters the Gospel’s general objective of salvation of the lost.

ISSN:1568-5152
Contains:In: Biblical interpretation
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15685152-00242p05