Jeremias - The Eucharistic Words of Jesus

First published  I966

Joachim Jeremias 1966

Hrinted in Great Britain by W. & J. Magkay & Co Ltd, Chatham

I   WAS THE LAST SUPPER A PASSOVER MEAL?

II   THE ACCOUNT OF THE LAST SUPPER WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE PASSION NARRATIVE AND AS INDEPENDENT TRADITION

III THE INFLUENCE OF WORSHIP UPON THE TRANSMISSION OF THE EUCHARISTIC TEXTS

IV THE OLDEST TEXT OF THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS OF JESUS

V THE MEANING OF THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS OF JESUS

Index of Modern Authors

Index of References

 

A study on 'The Influence of Worship upon the Transmission of the Eucharistic Texts' was added as chapter III (pp. io6ff.). In chapter IV ('The Oldest Text of the Eucharistic Words of Jesus'), which is devoted to recovering the oldest form of the eucharistic tradition, the section dealing with the semi-tisms has been enlarged (pp. 173гг.). Although their number has been increased in treating the Markan account, I no longer consider this account as the oldest form of the tradition; rather I should prefer to think that in the earliest times we have to reckon with quite a number of parallel versions behind which the Urform lies hidden. Whether this was Aramaic or Hebrew must remain an open question; we shall have to be content to state that the text was probably passed on in both idioms (pp. 196гг.). Linguistic evidence points to a pre-liturgical historical account as the oldest stage of tradition (pp. 191гг.). The final chapter V ('The Meaning of the Eucharistic Words of Jesus') was the one most affected by revision. Jesus' avowal of abstinence is given a fresh interpretation by means of the Quartodecimanian texts (pp. 207гг.). The anamnesis problem is approached on the basis of a comprehensive collection of the relevant materials (pp. 237гг.). Finally, guided by the Late Jewish exegesis of Ps. n8.25fF. referring to the antiphonal choir which was to greet the Messiah at his parousia, it is shown that the Lord's Supper was from the very beginning an anticipation—or more precisely an 'antedonation'—of the final consummation (pp. 255гг.).

 

My aim has been to present the historical evidence as the basis for a careful exegesis of the Eucharistic Words. Studies in the Lord's Supper not infrequently leave the reader with the uneasy feeling that the author has unconsciously read into the text what he would like to find. Must we not all learn better to listen to the text alone? To do this, research into Jesus' environment provides an indispensable help. The endeavour to re-create the world in which Jesus lived and which lent him its language will give us many fresh insights. No doubt it will also confront us with unexpected and bewildering questions which, however, will eventually deepen our understanding, if we do not attempt to evade them. Exegesis is, after all, a matter of obedience.

 

My warmest thanks are due to Dr N. Perrin of the University of Chicago Divinity School, who spared no time and pains to present this book in an exact and readable translation. I thank him especially for translating the Greek and Semitic material into English, and for changing book references to their English translations, if such were available. I am also indebted to Dr C. Burchard and Dr B. Schaller who helped to prepare the manuscript and see it through the press.

May this study not only serve to promote further research, but also to help those who carry on the ministry of the Word.

 

Gottingen July1964