‘Short in Stature’: Luke's Physical Description of Zacchaeus
Luke's physical description of Zacchaeus as ‘short in stature’ is usually given scant attention in the scholarly literature. The reference is illuminated, however, when read in light of the ‘physiognomic consciousness’ that permeated the ancient world and the rhetorical practice of using physic...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2001
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| In: |
New Testament studies
Year: 2001, Volume: 47, Issue: 1, Pages: 50-57 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Luke's physical description of Zacchaeus as ‘short in stature’ is usually given scant attention in the scholarly literature. The reference is illuminated, however, when read in light of the ‘physiognomic consciousness’ that permeated the ancient world and the rhetorical practice of using physical abnormalities, such as shortness, to ridicule one's adversary. This physical characterization joins with the other descriptors of ‘rich’ and ‘tax collector’ to form the derisive image of a Zacchaeus who is traitorous, small-minded, and greedy. But Luke's intention is to reverse these conventional tropes to show that the penitent Zacchaeus is also a ‘son of Abraham’. |
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| ISSN: | 1469-8145 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: New Testament studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/S0028688501000042 |