Enoch and the Gospel of Matthew

Full title
Enoch and the Gospel of Matthew
Research notes

Reader Checked|OA 15/06/2014||not checked|OA 14/01/2013

Reference type
Author(s)
Richter, Amy E.
Year
2012
Journal / Book Title || Series Title
Princeton Theological Monograph Series
Issue / Series Volume
183
Abbreviated Series Name
PTMS
Publisher
Pickwick
Place of Publication
Eugene
Label
11/02/2013
Abstract

Matthew's Gospel contains material unique to it among the canonical Gospels. What is the background for this material? Why does the writer of Matthew's Gospel tell the story of Jesus in the way he does—including women in his genealogy, telling the story of the birth of Jesus in his particular way, and including the visit of the magi led by a star? Enoch and the Gospel of Matthew shows that the writer of Matthew was familiar with themes and traditions about the antediluvian patriarch Enoch, including the story of the fall of the angels called "watchers," who transgress their heavenly boundaries to engage in illicit relations with women and teach them forbidden arts. The Gospel writer shows that Jesus brings about the eschatological repair of the consequences of the watchers' fall as told in the Enochic legend. This study focuses on Matthew's genealogy and infancy narrative and also has implications for the study of women in Matthew, since it is often through the stories of women in Matthew that the repair of the watchers' transgression takes place.