The story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is told in
eight verses. Embedded in this short narrative is "Joseph's
dilemma." Listeners are told that, "When Mary had been engaged to
Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with
child from the Holy Spirit" (1:18). What happens next has long been
debated. We are made to assume that Joseph discovers that Mary is
pregnant, but that he does not yet know that she is with child from
the Holy Spirit. This information is made known to Joseph later by
an angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a dream. We are told,
"Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to
public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly" (1:19). The
discussion of this verse generally focuses on two questions: did
Joseph suspect Mary of adultery, and if so, what were his options?
While there is some diversity in the way that these questions are
answered, the majority of modern interpreters envision only one
option - that of divorce. The dilemma, then, is whether Joseph will
divorce Mary "publicly" or "privately." While these questions are
important, neither adequately addresses Joseph's dilemma. Marohl
argues that early Christ-followers understood Joseph's dilemma to
involve an assumption of adultery and the subsequent possibility of
the slaying of Mary - an "honour killing." If Joseph reveals that
Mary is pregnant she will be killed. If he conceals Mary's
pregnancy, he will be opposing the law of the Lord. What is a
"righteous" man to do? Matthew J. Marohl teaches New Testament at
Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. He holds a PhD in New Testament
from the University of St. Andrews and is the author of
'Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews: A Social Identity
Approach' also published by James Clarke & Co. "Books that
bring a new slant to bear on old disputed texts and unresolved
issues are always welcomed. Matthew Marohl's study of the heated
debate concerning the circumstances surrounding Jesus' conception
and birth is such a new slant on a highly controverted story. It is
sure to broaden our cultural vista, shed light on an overlooked
aspect of Joseph's dilemma, and rustle not a few feathers along the
way." - JOHN H. ELLIOTT, Professor Emeritus, University of San
Francisco "Marohl's systematic analysis of the cultural
presuppositions of Matthew's presentation of Mary's shameful
pregnancy leads him to conclude that Joseph contemplated killing
Mary which, while shocking, reveals a narrative pattern that is
evident throughout the gospel - 'from unexpected death comes
unexpected, new life'. It is a pattern that is to be replicated in
the lives of the Jesus followers. Marohl's unique combination of
cultural anthropology and honour killings casts new light on the
Gospel's meaning and intended outcome." - DIETMAR NEUFELD,
Professor of Christian Origins, University of British Columbia
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