#28 should have been (Mt 26:20-22)
”Rabbi”
’Surely it is not I, Rabbi?’
The passage in the next post is another example of how Matthew pays close attention to words. He notices subtle parallels, and these become part of the artistry of his portrait.
The disciples, one by one, ask Jesus, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” But when Judas asks, he says, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus had told his disciples not to use the title “rabbi” (which means “my master”). The other disciples had just addressed Jesus with the title, used by those who believe in him: “Lord.”
Judas uses “rabbi.” Matthew subtly shows how Judas had already begun to move farther and farther from Jesus.
Ash Wednesday was a week ago. It’s time to go back and review the Lenten plans on February 18.