Abstract:
This article endeavours to offer an anti-imperial interpretation of the micro-narrative of
Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10, portraying it as a model for justice and reconciliation in postapartheid
South Africa. This analysis stems from the perceived shortcomings of the outcomes
of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations and the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) efforts in nation-building, particularly in the realm of
socio-economic justice, which remained unaddressed. The article proposes that an examination
of the Greek verbs δίδωμι and άπoδίδωμι in Luke 19:8 within the broader context of the third
Gospel – taking into account linguistic, structural and thematic considerations – reveals their
inherent futuristic quality. This quality allows for their repetitive usage or usage with a futureoriented
intent, seamlessly integrating them into the narrative and supporting an interpretation
that depicts Zacchaeus as a repentant sinner committed to reforming his ways. Zacchaeus’s
repentant stance, particularly in relation to economic justice, is seen as an essential model for
addressing justice for victims of colonialism and apartheid and fostering reconciliation
between black people and white people in South Africa.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The anti-imperial method of reading
makes it possible to foreground the imperial narrative and social world(s) of the Bible,
analysing the theological critique of the values, structures, institutions and systems of these
world(s) by New Testament writers, and applying the same critique to the political and socioeconomic
structures of colonialism, apartheid, and post-colonial South Africa today.
Accordingly, this research intersects with imperial, colonial and post-colonial theories in the
disciplines of sociology, history and political science.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY : Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data
were created or analysed in this study.
This article represents a reworked version of aspects from the PhD-thesis of Patson Motuku, titled ‘Socio-economic justice in Luke 19:1–10: A post-apartheid imperial-critical reading with special reference to the land question in South Africa’, in the Department of New Testament and Related Literature, University of Pretoria, with Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck as supervisor.
