It is important to be aware that, with regard to the topic of Jesus and theLaw, a purely historical reconstruction of what Jesus taught is not enough because the latter is bound up with the question of authority. This can only be reached through a chain of receptions, whereby interpretation takesover and reception swallows existing tradition. Thus the Gospel of Mark does not contain a commentary on Jesus´ preaching of the law, but a Markianreception of the same. This article describes the receptions from Paul on through the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, the writings of Luke and the Gospel of John, to end with the historical Jesus where a reconstruction will have to try to draw an Aramaic sources and be prepared to meet Jewish preaching, teaching, and arguments within the framework of contemporary Judaism. The conclusion is that the position of Jesus towards the law occasioned a revolution within Judaism, culminating soon alter in a new religion. For when mercy becomes an ultimate demand, the welfare of fellowman and women is the only benchmark. As a result, no casuistry is possible and all ordering that aims at marking ethnic identity rendered obsolete.

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Personen: Müller, Mogens

Schlagwörter: Paulus Jesus Christus Gesetz Evangelien Historischer Jesus