The Middle East, including the country of Israel, is an agonistic culture. If you are not familiar with this adjective, synonyms include “argumentative, combative,” and “confrontational.” This culture is also driven by the need to preserve one’s honor and to avoid shame. When such people feel that their honor is threatened, their confrontational demeanor is displayed in their speech.
Jesus was raised in this culture. Consequently, when he is challenged by the Pharisees, the elders, or the scribes, he often becomes confrontational in his speech. Such is the case in several episodes of the Gospels including the episode we hear in today’s Gospel passage. Jesus is being challenged by the scribes and the Pharisees who are asking him for a sign. Of course, Jesus has performed many wonders and is highly regarded by the common folk. This threatens the places of honor for the Pharisees and the scribes who see Jesus slowly gaining the respect of the people. When they ask for a sign, they are challenging his claim as Messiah. The sign they are asking for is rather specific. When Assyria devastated the land of Israel, the priests of the Temple hid the Ark of the Covenant so that it could not be taken by the invading army. However, by the time the exile ended, no one could remember where they had hidden it. A legend grew that said that when the Messiah arrived, he would be able to tell them where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden. So the scribes and the Pharisees use this legend to shame Jesus in the eyes of the people.
Jesus bests them by throwing the prophet Jonah and the queen of Sheba at them. Jonah was the only prophet in Israel’s history who was successful. However, he preached to Gentiles, not to Jews. The queen of Sheba was also a Gentile, yet she came and sought the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus hurls these remarks at the scribes and Pharisees thereby shaming them even further, plainly saying that the Gentile Ninevites and the queen of Sheba will rank ahead of them before God. This is a stinging reproach.
We often think of Jesus as being above such confrontations. The fact is that Jesus did not allow his challengers to get the better of them. Knowing that the best defense is a strong offense, he often goes on the offensive when he is being baited by his opponents. However, it is important to note that Jesus never starts these confrontations. He simply serves up some of their own medicine when the Pharisees and scribes challenge his honor and the honor of God his Father. We should not use these passages to become antagonistic or combative ourselves.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator