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Cited by 17Biblical Studies and InterpretationHistorical and Linguistic StudiesByzantine Studies and History

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Reading the Diatessaron with Ephrem: The Word and the Light, the Voice and the Star

Crawford, Matthew R.·2015·Vigiliae Christianae
DOI 10.1163/15700720-12341191
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Abstract

Through a consideration of the reception history of the so-called “Diatessaron,” Tatian’s second-century gospel compilation, we can learn much about the nature of this peculiar text. Of paramount importance here is the Syriac Commentary on the Gospel attributed to Ephrem of Nisibis. In this article I argue that the ordering of pericopae in the opening section of Tatian’s gospel, which interweaves Matthean and Lukan passages within a broadly Johannine incluisio, prompts the Syriac exegete to an unexpected interpretation of these narratives. By reading these pericopae as a single, continuous narrative, he creatively combines the divine “Word” and “Light” of the Johannine prologue with the Synoptic traditions about John the Baptist as the “voice” and about the star that shone to guide the magi, presenting the star and the voice as extensions of the Son’s own agency. This remarkably original interpretation of the nativity of Jesus illustrates the degree of artistry that went into the making of Tatian’s text and the novel interpretations it elicited from its readers.

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Metadata

Authors
Crawford, M. R.
Affiliations
Durham University (GB)
Corresponding author
Crawford, Matthew R.
ORCID
Crawford, Matthew R.
Venue
Vigiliae Christianae
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Published
2015-01-14
Volume
69
Issue
1
Pages
70-95
ISSN
  • 0042-6032 (ISSN-L)
  • 1570-0720
DOI
10.1163/15700720-12341191
OpenAlex
W2010244071
Semantic Scholar
9d3cb751ebd97333ba0f96bf157e8e5c040d36b5
Cited by
17
References
0
Citations by year
2022: 11 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1
FWCI
20.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Vigiliae Christianae (publishedVersion)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Historical and Linguistic Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Classics › Byzantine Studies and History
Keywords
Diatessaron, Tatian, Gospel of John, Johannine prologue, John the Baptist, Star of Bethlehem, Three Kings, Nativity of Jesus, Synoptic Gospels, reception history, Syriac Christianity

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