Author: Administrador

“Gospel” originally meant the “good news from the empire” — namely, when a new territory was conquered, when an elite child was born — but Mark changed the meaning to “good news to the poor.” “Advent” originally meant the coming of a royal person or a high dignitary, but the gospels changed that meaning to … Continue reading “Matthew 2:1-12 Commentary by Eliseo Pérez-Álvarez”

Este pasaje está organizado nuevamente de acuerdo a una estructura concéntrica que llamamos quiasmo. Veámosla. A. María concibe del Espíritu Santo (18) B. José quiere dejarla secretamente (19) C. José tiene un sueño en donde se le aparece un ángel (20a) X. El mensaje del ángel (20b-23) C’. José despierta del sueño (24a) B’. José … Continue reading “San Mateo 1:18-25 Comentario por Osvaldo Vena”

El centro del tiempo Este breve relato de menos de doscientas palabras narra el cambio más importante en la historia humana. Lo que allí se cuenta es una bisagra en la historia. Es “el centro del tiempo.” Es el centro porque todo lo que sucedió antes y todo lo que sucedió y sucederá después, para … Continue reading “San Mateo 1:18-25 Comentario por Pablo R. Andiñach”

The Genesis of Jesus At the beginning of his genealogy (1:1) and at the beginning of his birth narrative (1:18), Matthew introduces what follows as the “genesis of Jesus the Messiah.” In the genealogy, the genesis speaks of Jesus’ ancestral origins, establishing his royal lineage as a descendent of King David through his father Joseph. … Continue reading “Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary by Elisabeth Johnson”

How is the birth of a Messiah supposed to take place? Should friends gather for a baby shower? Is it important to identify the gender beforehand? Who will be in the delivery room? Will the press be invited? These twenty-first century questions aren’t much help when reading Matthew’s first-century story about the birth of Jesus. … Continue reading “Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary by Holly Hearon”

With its focus on Joseph as the chief character, Matthew’s unique story of Jesus’ birth will probably not be the model for any children’s Christmas pageant, in many of which Joseph seems to walk in the shadows as a necessary, if somewhat embarrassing, appendage. In contrast, Matthew’s narrative takes great pains to identify Joseph as … Continue reading “Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary by James Boyce”

This lection is, of course, one of the prime passages used and preached on during the Christmas season. The challenge is to say something fresh but yet familiar and reassuring about it. An important exegetical perspective that needs to be kept in mind is the Matthean text tells the story more from the angle of … Continue reading “Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary by Ben Witherington”

Coming so close to Christmas Eve, the reading for this Sunday prompts thoughts of the festive worship services that are to come. There are good reasons, however, to practice restraint and continue the mood and message of the Advent Season. The text serves to announce the forthcoming Nativity, but it holds us in suspense and … Continue reading “Matthew 1:18-25 Commentary by Arland J. Hultgren”

Treacherous days, treacherous texts. Treacherous days because the end is coming, as the texts insist. Treacherous texts because they will always lure some into trying to figure them out, to solve them, to determine the time of the end. This is treacherous because, first, it has never worked; people throughout history have confidently announced the … Continue reading “Malachi 4:1-2a Commentary by Fred Gaiser”

This passage from Malachi is typical fire and brimstone scripture.  This type of scripture attracts and repulses clear categories of readers. Those inclined to dismiss the passage simply because of its harsh rhetoric and punishment should reflect further on how these verses function within the broader narrative of the book. Those too eager to jump … Continue reading “Malachi 4:1-2a Commentary by Steed Davidson”