Abstract:
This article provides a social-scientific interpretation of the role of fasting in Jesus’ parable of
the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9–14. Specifically, the article considers such social
realia as honour and shame, collectivism, and purity in the interpretation of the text. The
textual and social contexts of the text are considered. It is contended that in the parable Jesus
presents a caricature of both the Pharisee and the tax collector to make a larger point, in which
fasting is not a major consideration. The article also evaluates Friedrichson’s interpretation of
this text, which depicts the Pharisee as fasting vicariously, resulting in the justification of the
tax collector. Finally, the significance of this text in a holistic theology of fasting in the New
Testament is considered.
Description:
This article is based on
the PhD thesis, ‘A socialscientific
interpretation of
fasting in the New Testament
as a critical analysis of
fasting in contemporary
evangelicalism’, submitted in
2013 in the Department of
Biblical and Religious Studies,
Faculty of Humanities,
University of Pretoria, with
Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck as
supervisor.
