Sue Ann Mak examines weeping in Luke's Gospel, focusing on the tears of the anointing woman, Peter, Jesus, and Jerusalem's daughters. Combining ancient and modern views, she highlights tears as expressions of repentance, grief, and divine judgment, uncovering their theological and Christological significance.
Exploring the complex interplay of grief, repentance, and divine compassion, Sue Ann Mak examines the narratives of weeping and tears within the Gospel of Luke. Central moments such as Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, Peter's bitter weeping, and the widow of Nain's mourning are analyzed through a reception-historical approach. The author juxtaposes ancient interpretations by figures such as Hippolytus, Ambrose, and Augustine, with modern perspectives, highlighting the evolving understanding of emotional expression in theological contexts. By contrasting Stoic ideals of emotional restraint with the Christian embrace of sorrow's transformative potential, the author underscores the theological significance of grief as a pathway to repentance and spiritual renewal. She bridges the gap between ancient and modern thought, revealing the enduring relevance of these narratives for comprehending the complexities of human emotion and the redemptive power of faith.
Table of contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction1.1 Emotions and Weeping in New Testament Studies
1.2 Focus and Boundaries for Weeping and Tears in Luke
1.3 Between Ancients and Moderns
1.4 Relationship between Stoicism and Early Christianity
1.5 Setting up a Study of Tears: Themes and Flow
1.6 Proposing a Theology of Tears
Part I – Human Weeping: Repentance Chapter 2 Weeping and Tears of the Anointing Woman2.1 Luke 7:38, 44
2.2 Terms and Definitions
2.3 Ancient Interpretations of the Woman’s Tears
2.4 Modern Interpretations of Luke 7:38, 44: Gratitude and Joy
2.5 Repentance or Gratitude: Reasons for the Contradiction
2.6 Re-reading Luke 7:36–50: Ancient versus Modern, Clash or Complement?
2.7 Conclusion
Chapter 3 The Bitter Weeping of Peter3.1 Luke 22:62
3.2 Early Interpretations of Peter’s Tears: Repentance and Beyond
3.3 A Summary of the Ancient Views
3.4 Contemporary Comments on Peter’s Weeping
3.5 Peter’s Weeping as Contrition or Repentance
3.6 Weeping as Washing Away Sin
3.7 The Sinful Woman and the Apostle Peter
3.8 Tears and Repentance: An Observed Correlation
3.9 Rethinking Peter’s Bitter Tears
3.10 Conclusion
Part II – Human Weeping: Grief Chapter 4 Death and Grief: “Do Not Weep”4.1 Luke 7:13 and 8:52
4.2 Early Interpretations of Luke 7:13 and 8:52
4.3 Analyzing the Early Comments on Luke 7:13 and 8:52
4.4 Modern Interpretations of Luke 7:13 and 8:52
4.5 Ancient Versus Modern Views : Appreciating “Do Not Weep”
4.6 Conclusion
Part III – Divine Weeping and Jerusalem
Chapter 5 The Tears of Jesus and the Daughters Of Jerusalem5.1 Luke 19:41 and 23:28
5.2 The Weeping of Jesus: Divine or Human
5.3 God or Man: Between Ancients and Moderns
5.4 To Weep or Not to Weep: When and Why
5.5 Reasons Behind “Do Not Weep” in Luke 23:28
5.6 The Weeping Verbs: κλαίω or δακρύω
5.7 The Significance of κλαίω within Luke’s Christological Portrayal
5.8 Re-Reading the Tears of Jesus and the Women
5.9 Conclusion
Chapter 6 Conclusion6.1 From Human to Divine Weeping: Repentance, Grief and Jerusalem
6.2 Final Observations and Reflections
