What was the Origin of Number 153? Cover Image

Co było źródłem liczby 153?
What was the Origin of Number 153?

Author(s): Paweł Marek Mucha
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy of Religion, Biblical studies
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Teologiczne
Keywords: Number 153; Mother of the Lord; the structure of the Gospel according to Matthew; Matthean genealogy; Matthean Infancy Narrative; Miracle Chapters in Matthew 8 : 1–9 : 34; Feeding the Multitude;

Summary/Abstract: The number 153 in John 21 : 11 is the numerical value of two key words of the Greek title “the Mother of the Lord.” This interpretation is based on serious arguments, above all on the analogy between Luke 1 : 43 and John 21 : 2. There are two key clues, or patterns, in John 21 : 2 which help to encrypt the Marian dignity as “the Mother of the Lord”: the primary pattern 3 + 2 and the secondary pattern 5 + 2. These patterns were very well known and they were used in the main structure of Matthew, composition of the Miracle Chapters (Mt 8 : 1–9 : 34), the Matthean genealogy, Feeding the Multitude and John 21 : 9–13. In Matthew and John there are indirect analogies to the Greek title “the Mother of the Lord,” too. There is no doubt that at the beginning of Christianity Mary was merely called the “Mother of Jesus” or “His Mother.” It was much later in the apostolic times that the title “the Mother of the Lord” was emphasised.

  • Issue Year: 66/2013
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 101-125
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: English