the role of the lukan parables in terms of the purpose of luke's gospel

, 39 . 40 Given the manuscript evidence, of all five possible
readings is stronger than the others. The main problem of interpretation
here lies on a determination as to whether the prepositional phrase, is connected
with (the Pharisee’s praying), or with (the Pharisee’s standing), but also
as to whether means to be “to himself,” or “about himself,” or “by himself.” It
is argued that the prepositional phrase can be considered to mean that the Pharisee prayed
“these things to himself,” 41 or “these things silently,” 42 linking it to the Pharisee’s praying.
Such contentions do seem absurd, however, in that people in antiquity were accustomed to
praying aloud in general. 43 On the other hand, Hultgren claims that it would mean that the
Pharisee “prayed these things concerning himself,” connecting the prepositional phrase with
the Pharisee’s praying on the ground of textual criticism by Matthew Black. 44 However, his
suggestion, understanding the as a of reference, is rejected in the sense that the
at no point has such a meaning in the LXX or the NT, instead the refers to the
person addressed. Nor are all his examples a close parallel to v. 11 in the parable. 45 The
better reading, all things considered, is that having stood by himself, he was praying these
things, connecting with the Pharisee’s standing. This reading, as praying apart
from other people, fits certainly with not only the Lukan introduction, but a stream
throughout the story. 46
The Pharisee in the first place thanks God for what he does not do, putting the tax
1230, 1242, 1253, 1344, 1365, 1546, 1646, 2148, 2174, Byz, Lect, it
149
a , syr c, s, p, h . See Matthew Black, An
Aramaic Approach to the Gospels and Acts (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1967); Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual
Commentary on the Greek New Testament: A Companion Volume to the United Bible Societies’ Greek New
Testament (3d ed., London/New York: United Bible Societies, 1971).
37. Nestle-Aland 25th, Westcott-Hort text (1881), P 75 , c , B (L ), T, Θ, Ψ, ƒ 1 , 579, 892, 1241, it aur, e , vg,
syr pal , cop bo , arm, Origen, Cyprian.
38. o , ι 1761 , it b, c, f, ff2, I, l, q, r1 , cop sa, ach , eth, geo 1 , Diatessaron n, t , 844 o , (it), as.
39. sy s ; the entire phrase is omitted by 1071.
40. D, it d , geo 2 , 2542.
41. Creed, Luke, 224.
42. B. Smith, The Parables of the Synoptic Gospels, 177.
43. Marshall, Luke, 679; Bailey, Through Peasant Eyes, 149; Nolland, Luke, 876; Hultgren, Parables, 119;
Forbes, The God of Old: The Role of the Lukan Parables in the Purpose of Luke’s Gospel, 213; Snodgrass,
Stories with Intent, 470; Friedrichsen, “The Temple, A Pharisee, A Tax Collector, and The Kingdom of God:
Rereading a Jesus Parable,” 96.
44. Hultgren, Parables, 119; Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke, 1186; Black, An Aramaic Approach to the
Gospels and Acts, 103.
45. See Snodgrass, Stories with Intent, 470, n. 164.
46. Jeremias, Parables, 140; Bailey, Through Peasant Eyes, 148; Scott, Hear Then a Parable, 94; Snodgrass,
Stories with Intent, 470; Friedrichsen, “The Temple, A Pharisee, A Tax Collector, and The Kingdom of God:
Rereading a Jesus Parable,” 96.