Forgiveness as a Hermeneutical Key to the Gospel of Matthew

Mathew Bomki Laghai explores the concept of forgiveness in the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the verb ἀφίημι, and argues that it should not be understood as a uniform theme but rather as a complex and multi-faceted concept. The author contends that forgiveness serves as a theological model through which other central themes of Jesus' mission are illuminated, including sin, revelation, judgment, Christology, and eschatology. Forgiveness thus acts as a hermeneutical key, offering deeper insight into the central message of the gospel. A central aspect of this study is the close relationship between divine and interpersonal forgiveness, particularly in Matthew 6:12 and 18:35. Although these two forms of forgiveness can be distinguished, they cannot be separated; they are dialectically intertwined. This represents a departure from dominant perspectives of first-century Judaism, where forgiveness was closely associated with ritual acts conducted within the Temple. In contrast, the Gospel of Matthew presents a radical reconfiguration, where divine forgiveness is possible without the Temple yet contingent upon human forgiveness (Matt 6:14-15). The author employs a multi-faceted methodology that integrates synchronic and diachronic approaches, and incorporates textual, intra-textual, inter-textual, linguistic, semantic, grammatical, structural, redactional, literary, and theological methods to analyze the ἀφίημι logia. Key passages examined include Matthew 1:21; 6:9-13; 6:14-15; 9:1-8; 12:22-32; 18:15-35.

Prolegomena: Justification of Theme, History of Scholarship and Methodology
1.1. General Introduction
1.2. Justification, Originality and Scope of the Study
1.3. The Status Quaestionis of Forgiveness in the Gospel of Matthew
1.4. Methodology
1.5. Outline of the Study

Chapter Two
The Jewish Roots of the Verb ἀφίημι in the LXX
2.1. Introduction
2.2. The Verb ἀφίημι in the LXX
2.3. The Use of the Noun ἄφεσις in the LXX
2.4. Concluding Remarks

Chapter Three
The Use of the Verb ἀφίημι in Hellenistic Judaism of the Era and the Late Second Temple
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Use of the Verb ἀφίημι and the Noun ἄφεσις in Philo
3.3. The Use of the Verb ἀφίημι and the Substantive ἄφεσις in Flavius Josephus
3.4. The Use of the Verb ἀφίημι in the Book of Sirach
3.5. Concluding Remarks

Chapter Four
An Exegetical Reading of Matt 1:21: Forgiveness of Sins as a Constitutive Aspect of the Salvific Mission of Jesus
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Literary Analysis and Function of Matt 1:21
4.3. Exegetical Analysis of Matt 1:21
4.4. The Birth of Jesus [by Mary] (1:21a)
4.5. The Naming of Jesus [by Joseph] (1:21b)
4.6. The Saving from Sin [by Jesus] (1:21c)
4.7. Results of this Study

Chapter Five
An Exegetical Reading of Matt 6:9-13: Forgiveness as Conditionality (The Lord's Prayer and its appendix Matt 6:14-15)
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Literary Setting and Literary Analysis of the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:9-13)
5.3. Structure of the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:9-13; 14-15)
5.4. Exegetical Verse-by-Verse Interpretation of Matt 6:9-13

Chapter Six
An Exegetical Reading of Matt 9:1-8: Forgiveness as an Epiphany of Jesus (Cure of the Paralytic)
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Literary Analysis of Matt 9:1-8
6.3. Exegesis of Matt 9:1-8
6.4. The Paralytic is Brought in on a Stretcher (vv.1-2a)
6.5. Forgiveness of the Sins of the Paralytic (v.2b)
6.6. Correlation between Forgiveness and Sickness
6.7. Jesus is Accused of Blasphemy by the Scribes (vv.3-4)
6.8. Jesus Heals the Paralytic (vv.4-6)
6.9. The Paralytic Gets up and Walks Home (v.7)
6.10. The Admiration of the Crowds (v.8)
6.11. Results of the Exegetical Investigation of Matt 9:1-8

Chapter Seven
An Exegetical Reading of Matt 12:31-32: Forgiveness and the Sin against the Holy Spirit
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Literary Context and Analysis of the Blasphemy Logion (Matt 12:31-32)
7.3. Exegetical Analysis of the Blasphemy Logion (Matt 12:31-32)
7.4. All Sins will be Forgiven Human Beings (v.31a)
7.5. Blasphemy Against the Spirit will not be Forgiven (v.31b)
7.6. Word Spoken Against the Son of Man will be Forgiven (v.32a)
7.7. A Word Spoken Against the Holy Spirit will Never be Forgiven (v.32b)
7.8. Results of the Exegetical Investigation of the Blasphemy Logion

Chapter Eight
An Exegetical Investigation of Matt 18:21-35: Interpersonal Forgiveness (Unforgiving Servant)
8.1. Introduction
8.3. Part One: Matt 18:21-22: On the Necessity of Forgiveness
8.4. Exegetical Analysis of Matt 18:21-22
8.5. Peter's Question to Jesus on Forgiveness (v.21)
8.6. Jesus' Response to Peter's Question on Forgiveness (v.22)
8.7. Some Observations from the Above Analysis
8.8. Part Two: The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (18:23-35)
8.9. Literary Analysis of the Parable
8.10. Exegetical Analysis of Matt 18:23-35

Chapter Nine
An Exegetical Reading of Matt 26:28: Death on the Cross as Forgiveness of Sins
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Literary Analysis of Matt 26:26-30
9.3. Exegetical Analysis of Matt 26:26-30
9.4. Blessing and Consumption of the Bread (v.26)
9.5. Thanksgiving and Drinking of the Wine (vv.27-28)
9.6. Jesus' Prediction of the Eschatological Wine (v.29)
9.7. Singing of Hymns and Departure for the Mount of Olives (v.30)
9.8. Results of the Study

A Possible Theology of Forgiveness From ἀφίημι Logia: General Conclusions
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Some Theological Aspects Gleaned from the Exegesis of ἀφίημι Logia
10.3. Conclusions of the Study and Some Implications