Il “mistero dell’iniquità” di 2Tessalonicesi tra i “misteri del male” dell’apocalittica del Secondo Tempio

The Second letter to Thessalonians shows typical themes and terminology of Second Temple apocalyptic literature. In 2Thessalonians we find enigmatic expressions like “mystery of lawlessness” or κατέχων. In this article I try to outline the literary and ideological context where the expression “mystery of lawlessness” (2Thess 2:7) is placed. From 1Enoch to Hodayot, there arelexemes that can be defined “mysteries of evil.” This essay aims at verifying if the “mystery of lawlessness” can be considered one of “mysteries of evil” of Second Temple Jewish literature. Content and features of “mystery of lawlessness” are analyzed and compared with “mysteries of evil.” The features of “mysteries of evil” are the opposition to God’s plan, the subordination to it, pre-established limit and end, eschatological revelation of the ungodly, and saving intervention of God and his victory.