"We have seen paradoxa today"—What Have We Seen? Brief Thoughts on the Translation of paradoxos in Luke 5.26. Issue 2 (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Locker, Markus
• Is Part Of: Bible translator. Volume 68:Issue 2(2017:Aug.)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 188
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Luke 5.26 -- paradox -- paradoxa -- paralytic -- forgiveness of sin -- Pharisees; 220.405
• DOI: 10.1177/2051677016688071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6770

Abstract

This paper assumes that Luke, by using the term paradoxa in Luke 5.26, intends to convey a significance to the words and deeds of Jesus in Luke 5.17-26 that could not have been captured equally well by standard Greek expressions, such as "extraordinary" or "strange." A study of Luke's placement of 5.17-26 in his narrative and a brief survey of the meaning of paradox in antiquity allows for the assumption that paradoxa could mean different things for the various audiences of this scene: "glorious" things for the believer and "inglorious" things for the unbeliever.