Judas and the Choice of Matthias

Judas and the Choice of Matthias Synopsis

In this volume Arie Zwiep examines the character and purpose of the Judas-Matthias pericope in Acts 1:15-26 in the wider context of Jewish, Graeco-Roman and early Christian traditions on the death of the wicked in terms of divine retribution. Through a comprehensive analysis of form and function of the pericope in its historical and literary context, this study seeks to discern the distinctly Lukan perspective in the light of first-century reflection on the figure of Judas Iscariot, the role of the Twelve in the earliest Christian communities, and current eschatological expectations that have coloured Luke's narrative presentation. Special consideration is given to the concurrent versions of Judas' death in Matthew 27:3-10 and the writings of Papias.