Papias and the Interpretation of Scripture: A Bridge to Jewish-Christian Dialogue

The writings attributed to Papias, a figure from the early second century, offer intriguing insights into the formation of Christian tradition and its relationship to Jewish thought. While only fragments of his work survive, they provide potential avenues for exploring common ground and divergences in Jewish-Christian dialogue.

Papias' Approach to Tradition

Papias, as evidenced by Eusebius' account, prioritized the collection and interpretation of oral traditions relating to Jesus and the apostles. He states, "But I shall not be unwilling to put down, along with my interpretations, whatsoever instructions I received with care at any time from the elders, and stored up with care in my memory, assuring you at the same time of their truth" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This emphasis on received tradition is significant. He valued the direct link to the apostles through those who knew them. This approach resonates with aspects of Jewish tradition, which also places importance on the transmission of teachings from one generation to the next.

However, it is also important to note that Eusebius describes Papias as being of "small capacity" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) in another passage, offering a critical perspective on his interpretations.

The Hebrew Gospels and Interpretation

Papias' statement regarding Matthew's Gospel is particularly relevant: "Matthew put together the oracles [of the Lord] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This suggests an early understanding that the Gospel of Matthew existed in a Hebrew or Aramaic form, and that variations in interpretation were present from the beginning. This acknowledgement of multiple interpretations of a foundational text is a key point that can be explored in Jewish-Christian dialogue.

Implications for Dialogue

The idea that the original Gospel of Matthew was in Hebrew or Aramaic opens up several points of discussion:

1. The Jewishness of Jesus: It reinforces the understanding of Jesus as a Jew living within a Jewish context.
2. Linguistic Understanding: It highlights the importance of understanding the original language and cultural context in interpreting Scripture.
3. Interpretative Diversity: It acknowledges that different interpretations of the same text can exist, even within the early Christian community.

The Story of the Woman Taken in Adultery

Papias is also associated with a story found in "the Gospel according to the Hebrews" regarding a woman accused of many sins before the Lord (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). Rufinus connects this story to the pericope adulterae found in John 8:1-11 (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). The story's inclusion, or exclusion, from various Gospel manuscripts and its possible origin in a Hebrew Gospel, provides another avenue for exploring different textual traditions and their interpretations.

Conclusion

The fragments attributed to Papias offer valuable insights into the early development of Christian tradition and its relationship to Jewish thought. His emphasis on oral tradition, his reference to a Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, and the varied interpretations of early Christian narratives provide fertile ground for engaging in respectful and meaningful Jewish-Christian dialogue. By examining these historical fragments, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between these two faith traditions and identify areas of both convergence and divergence.