Folia Theologica 6. (1995)

János Székely: Mary and Martha how to receive the divine guest?

164

J. SZÉKELY

If these kinds of introduction go together with a change of situation (persons, time, place), we have a major turn in the lukan narrative.15 It is thus noteworthy, that after the solemn beginning of the travel account in 9,51 we have the second great introduction in 10,38. Moreover if we observe the two introductions, we find several correspondences. Jesus and his disciples are ’going’ (9,52; 10,38) towards Jerusalem, they ( in the first case the messengers, in the second Jesus and the disciples) ’enter’ a ’village’ (9,52; 10,38), and they are ’not welcomed’ in the first but ’welcomed’ in the second case. It is obvious that Luke wants to relate the two episodes. Jesus is wandering towards his ascension (9,51), but during this way he wants to visit the people’s houses, and therefore he sends messengers (’angels’16), he prepares then (three disciples and after) 70 (or 72) others to be sent (9,57-62; 10,1-16), teaches about the importance of the message that they carry (10,21-24.25-37), and finally he really enters a village, is welcomed and his message is received. The narrative arch begun in 9,52 has come to a conclusion in 10,38. Therefore it seems to be much more appropriate to see our passage in connection with 9,51-56 than with the two commandments.

Now, towards the end of the travel account we find another striking parallel of the Mary and Martha pericope, Jesus’ visit in Zacchaeus’ house (Lk 19,1-10). Jesus ’enters’ (10,38; 19,1) Jericho, a man ’named’ (10,38; 19,2) Zacchaeus ’welcomes’ (10,38; 19,6) him in his house,17 ’standing up’ he says to the ’Lord’ (10,40; 19,8) that he gives his possessions to the poor and that today salvation has been realised to that house. Once again we are standing before a correspondence wanted by Luke. Furthermore these passages are placed in key positions of the travel account. Luke 19,1 is the last major introduction18 in it, followed only by one parable before it ends. Thus we have the following order:

9,51 19,27 (solemn introduction and conclusion)

9,52-10,37 19,11-26 (an ouverture and an epilogue

10,38-42 19,1-10 connected with two visitation stories)

15 G. SELLIN, Reisebericht, p.105-107.

16 It could be an allusion to the Sodome story (Gn 18,16-19,29). Other parallels with it: the fire from heaven (Lk 9,54), the non acceptance of the angels (Lk 9,53) and the explicite mention of Sodome in Lk 10,12. An other allusion could be to the prophesy of Malachi 3,1: T will send my angel before your face'.