Conjoined Fraternal Twins: Marking Something Other than Time in Matthew 13.44-46

Abstract

While some read Mt. 13.44-46 as making the same point about the kingdom of heaven twice over, this article instead uses verbal markedness theory to suggest use of the perfect tense-form within Treasure in the Field (TIF) and Pearl of Great Price (PGP) indicates otherwise. Whereas TIF foregrounds the kingdom’s ‘hiddenness’ with κεκρυμμένῳ, PGP instead uses πέπρακεν to emphasize the toll its purchase exacts on investors. Hence, one might accurately describe the parables on the basis of verbal markedness theory, and their redactional similarities, as a set of fraternal twins the First Gospel conjoins within the parables discourse. While their individual points remain distinct, Matthew binds the implications of TIF and PGP together to suggest their mutual entailment. For those fortunate enough to uncover the hidden kingdom’s location, its entrance will cost them everything and so alter their lives forever. All experience difficulty obtaining the kingdom, and its discovery remains tentative even for those in the right line of work.

Keywords

Parables Pearl of Great Price perfect tense Treasure in the Field verbal aspect verbal markedness theory

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