Saturday, February 4, 2023

John Paul Heil on Luke 23:11

  

 

LUKE 23:11: HEROD CLOTHES JESUS IN A BRIGHT SHINING GARMENT

 

Herod’s contempt and ridicule of Jesus (23:11) falls short of the death sentence the Jewish leaders seek. Their insidious attempt suffers further frustration as Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate, who earlier refused to comply with their charges against Jesus (23:1-5). But at the same time that Herod is thwarting the designs of the Jewish authorities, the audience perceives the irony that, by “ridiculing” Jesus and “treating him with contempt,” Herod is actually carrying forward God’s hidden salvific design, as previously predicted by Jesus in his passion prophecies (9:22, 44; 17:25; 18:31-33).

 

The intriguing motif of Herod clothing Jesus with a “bright shining garment” contributes to the irony. On the surface level of the narrative it continues to express the ridicule and mockery of Jesus. But on the deeper level, that of Herod unconsciously furthering God’s hidden plan, the audience realizes that Herod is dressing Jesus in the clothing of heavenly beings, appropriate to his further exaltation and glory as the Son of Man (22:69). In the scene of Jesus’ transfiguration the disciples saw “his glory” (9:32) after his clothing (ιματισμος) became “dazzling white” (, λευκος εξαστραπτων, 9:29), indicating his temporary formation into a heavenly being. That Herod clothes Jesus in a “bright shining garment” (εσθητα λαμπραν) fit for a heavenly being, then, further assures the audience that Jesus will attain the heavenly glory signaled by the dazzling white clothing of his transfiguration after he has accomplished this “exodus” of suffering, death and resurrection on Jerusalem (9:31). (John Paul Heil, The Transfiguration of Jesus: Narrative Meaning and Function of Mark 9:2-8, Matt 17:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36 [Analecta Biblica 144; Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 2000], 302-3)