Jesus and Women

 

Jesus and Women

A New Perspective

The cultural treatment of women and men's attitude toward and treatment of women is essential for understanding some of the stories and parables of the Bible. Often, to our modern day sensibilities, Jesus' words and actions seem strange. In the context of His culture they were revolutionary. Jesus used His life's experiences and parables to reshape his disciples understanding, attitudes, beliefs and worldview into a God-centered, Christ-centered life – including the equality of women.

A. Social/Cultural Treatment of and Attitude Toward Women

1. Comparison of Old Testament Jewish Treatment/Attitude and New Testament

   1. Ruth, Ester, Deborah the Prophetess, Jael wife of Heber (also see Proverbs 31)

   2. Mosaic laws saw men and women as equal in all but the duties of the synagogues, and their legal standing was intact in the first century AD, however:

   3. During Jesus' time women were often viewed as property: only women were punished for adultery: totally subservient to men etc. Legally (not in practice), women and men were seen as almost equals (secular not religious) - (Check Didache – possible source of some of the attitudes and toward and treatment of women in the early church and today)

2. What happened? Ben Sira, aka Shimon Ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira or Yeshua Ben Sirach

   1. Hellenistic Jewish Scribe (author of “Book of Ecclessiasticus” written 180-175 BC?)

   2. His writing helped define beliefs, attitudes and treatment of others and was well known in the synagogues of Jesus' time (also included in early Bibles and is still part of the Catholic Bible).

      • If you don't like your wife, don't trust her (Sir 7:26)

      • Keep records of the supplies you provide her (Sir 42:6-7)

      • ``Deed no property to her during your lifetime, and do not let her support you” (Sir 33:20; 25:22-26)

      • daughters were a total loss and source of shame (Sir 7:24-29; 22:3-5 +++)

      • There is no discussion/poetry of women except in relationship to a man

      • Only men are listed as heroes of the faith (Sir 44-50)

      • See Sir 42:12-14

3. How were women treated in other cultures (except for radicals that bucked the system by operating (illegally?) businesses and prostitutes.

   1. Rome: freeborn were citizens but could not vote or hold office. Had to identify a male relative as their spokesman in all matters (controller of finances?). Centered on family/home but could, in many cases, own property and operate a business as long as they had a man designated as authority. Legally had equal status to males in matters of inheritance.

   2. Greek: Much like treatment in Rome except not allowed to inherit, own property or a business.

   3. Asian cultures varied (Suttee?) “Honor Killings” and infanticide

1. Along came Jesus and his gentle restructuring of attitude, treatment and view of women

1. Why did God choose Mary? “Song of Mary” (Luke 1:46-49) very revealing

   1. A strong, independent thinking woman – a model given to Jesus by God

   2. Two ring-compositions in a row, with a glaring omission that reinforces Jesus as the messiah for all mankind

      • First ring: (46-51) with emphasis in center – Person of Mary

      • Second ring: (52-56) Community of Faith (missing second statement of vs. 11)

2. Jesus had women disciples (important inclusion and mostly independent of men)

   1. Acts 9:36 Tabatha is referred to as 'mathetria” (feminine form of disciple)

   2. Jesus' response in Matthew 12:48-50 definitely includes women.

   3. Who provided out of their own means in Luke 8:1-3? Breaking of cultural expectations and social norms. It is an impossible thing to happen, and Luke, a man, admits it. Where did they stay? Whom did they talk with?

   4. Jesus and Mary – Luke 10:38-42

      • disciples sat at the feet of their teacher/Rabbi

      • Martha is not burdened but distracted suggesting that she too was a disciple. You have to be distracted “from” something. In this case, the teachings.

      • Martha may have had other concerns (what will happen to us? Sister joining a band of men? What will others think? Who will marry Mary after this?)

      • Jesus' response is to all of the above, including priorities “what is better” (good portion)

3. Jesus' parables and events reflect a new (to his disciples and all mankind) view

   1. Widow of Zarephath/Naanan the Syrian (ref. Luke 1:50 and compare to 1:55). Note the paring of a story about a woman with a man (Sirach style), but not dependent.

   2. Lk 5:36-39 – mending [woman's work] and making wine [man's work]

   3. repentant sinner's rejection by the “righteous” - woman in the house of Simon (Lk 7:36-50) and the parable of the Pharisee and the (male) publican (Lk 18:9-14) pairing as equal in both sinning and repentance.

   4. Parable of the mustard seed [men do the farming] and kneading leaven into bread [women do the cooking] Lk 13:18-21

   5. Lost sheep and lost coin (Lk 15:3-11) – a) men herd sheep: women manage home. b) woman owns-up to her losing coin: shepherd blames sheep for getting lost. c) reflective of Phinehas

   6. Equality in resurrection (Lk 20:27-36)

   7. The poor woman is praised over the rich givers (Lk 21:1-4

   8. 27 identifiable pairings in Luke beginning with the angel's announcement to both Zechariah (Lk 1:5-20) and Mary (Lk 1:26-36) through to the presentation of men and women in the passion narrative, best illustrated in Mark as Hebrew Ring Composition

      • Burial of Jesus in Mk 15:40-47 –

        • Women are peripheral, following but distant. Men primary characters

        • Outsider called on to witness death of Jesus

        • Pilate antagonist whom Joseph must confront and overcome (overcome fear)

        • Death of Jesus central idea, the emphasis

      • Resurrection of Jesus in Mk 16:1-8

        • Again, women at beginning, but this time they are primary characters

        • Outsider called on as witness of the Resurrection of Jesus

        • Death is antagonist, not like Joseph recovering body but an act of God

        • Women are challenged and must conquer their fear

4. During Jesus' ministry He confronted many social and cultural problems, biases, and discrimination including those against women. In addition to using the technique of “pairing” men and women equally, He repeated parables/stories from well known rabbis but instead of men as the main characters he used women and also addressed relationships (Lk 12:51-53). He was aware of his disciples' attitudes and would begin encounters in ways that were familiar and expected, then through rhetoric or use of “reductio ad absurdum” to reveal the wrongful thinking of those around him.

5. If this is well received, I will delve into six encounters/parables and look at how each reshapes the image of women and what each reveal about Jesus and his disciples. What techniques did Jesus use to reveal the evil-inspired cultural/social attitudes of mankind, and the new “Christ-like” thinking needed to replace them.

Supplement

Sir 42:12-14

Do not sit down with the women;

for moth comes out of clothes,

and a woman's spite out of a woman.

A man's spite is preferable to a woman's kindness;

Women give rise to shame and reproach.

Lk 1:46-49

My soul magnifies the Lord,                                                          PRAISE

and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,                                                   SALVATION

Because he looked upon the low estate of his handmaiden.                                       LOWLY

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;                                  EXALTED

because he made for me great things the Almighty                                  SALVATION

And holy is his name.                                                                      PRAISE

And his mercy is from generation to generation                              MERCY

to those who fear Him.                                                                    (condition)

He made mighty deeds with his arm,                                                      SALVATION

He scattered the arrogant in the thoughts of their hearts,                          (judgment)

He put down the mighty from thrones                                                                          HUMILIATION

and exalted those of low estate;                                                                                      (exaltation)

he filled the hungry with good things,                                                                          EXALTATION

and the rick he sent away empty                                                                                  (humiliation)

He aided Israel His servant,                                                                  SALVATION

[missing phrase: “and - cut off the hope of the Gentiles”]                   (judgment?)

to remember mercy as he spoke to our fathers,                          MERCY

to Abraham and to his seed forever                                              (conditional: Istrael)

[story of Samarian woman and disciples amazement – as quoted from “Manners and Customs of the Bible”]

“Their... but also because it was unusual for a Jewish teacher with converse with women in a public place. The rabbins expressed their contempt for women by teaching that they were not to be saluted or spoken to in the street, and they were not to be instructed in the law.”

Apocryphal (name originated with Luthur) the intertestemental (various names):

Tobit, Judith, 1&2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch (including letter of Jeremiah), Additons to both Esther and Danier (Prayer of Azariah, Song of the Three Holy Children found in Septuagint Daniel 3:24-40)