The interpretation of the parable of the prodigal son by two Latin Patristic authors, St Jerome and St Peter Chrysologus

Abstract

In this paper, a comparison is made between Jerome’s and Petrus Chrysologus’ interpretations of the parable of the prodigal son. In Letter 21, written in 383/384, Jerome responds to a request by Pope Damasus to clarify specific questions about this well-known parable. After an introduction in which the specific questions are mentioned and briefly discussed, he continues with a verse-by-verse commentary of the Lucan passage, followed by a short conclusion. Petrus Chrysologus (c. 380–c. 450), bishop of Ravenna, delivered five sermons on the parable of the prodigal son, of which the fifth sermon offers a spiritual interpretation. A comparison between the two different approaches to the parable highlights Jerome’s usual exegetical method. There is a sharper focus on Jerome’s letter, and in comparison with Chrysologus’ work, the unique character of Jerome’s approach is underlined. An essential aspect of Jerome’s commentary is his identification with the contents of the parable and the fact that he uses this work to promote himself as a biblical scholar and exegete.

Prispevek primerja dve razlagi prilike o izgubljenem sinu, Hieronimovo razlago in razlago Petra Krizologa. V Pismu 21 iz leta 383/384 odgovarja Hieronim na prošnjo papeža Damaza, da bi razjasnil nekatera vprašanja glede te slovite evangeljske prilike. Najprej v uvodu omenja in analizira različna podrobna vprašanja, nadaljuje z razlago vrstic odlomka Lukovega evangelija, na koncu sledi kratek sklep. Peter Krizolog (ok. 380–ok. 450), škof v Raveni, je pripravil pet govorov o isti priliki, med njimi peti ponuja duhovno razlago. Primerjava med dvema različnima pristopoma do razlage prilike poudari Hieronimovo značilno eksegetsko metodo, ki skozi primerjavo postane še bolj jasno razvidna kot izvirna. Pomemben vidik Hieronimove razlage nastopi, ko v vsebini prilike označi samega sebe in ko to uporabi za identifikacijo sebe kot bibličnega strokovnjaka in razlagalca.