Healing in the Gospel of Matthew: Reflections on Method and Ministry

by Walter T. Wilson

Although healing constitutes both a major theme of biblical literature and a significant practice of biblical communities, healing themes and experiences are not always conspicuous in presentations of biblical theology. Walter T. Wilson adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the healing narratives in the Gospel of Matthew, combining the familiar methods of form, redaction, and narrative criticisms with insights culled from medical anthropology, feminist theory, disability studies, and ancient archaeology. His focus is the New Testament’s longest and most systematic account of healing, Matthew chapters 8 and 9, which he investigates by situating the text within a broad range of ancient healing traditions. The close exegetical readings of each healing narrative culminate in a final synthesis that pulls together what can be said about Matthew’s understanding of healing, how Matthew’s narratives of healing expose the distinctive priorities of the evangelist, and how these priorities relate to the theology of the Gospel as a whole.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and insightful book. The book zeros in on chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel of Matthew. Here Matthew has assembled a number of healing stories. Wilson looks at these two chapters as a unit and compare a them with similar stories in the other gospels as well as other writings.

He brings significant background and historical information to better understand these accounts. His notes and reference material is varied and good.

I found this book very helpful in preparing a series of sermons. It was helpful in Bible study as well.