The Mother of the Sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27.56)

Abstract

This brief article examines several interpretations of the role of the mother of the sons of Zebedee in Mt. 27.56. Most exegetes have neglected to assess or have insuffi ciently evaluated the mother's recurrent role in the Gospel of Matthew. The article then explains how her presence in Mt. 20.20-21 and 27.56 and her absence in Mt. 27.61 and 28.1 function to define discipleship in the Gospel of Matthew. Her absence rein forces Jesus' teachings that his disciples must leave their households and be loyal to their 'new family'. Her omission also affirms Jesus' mandate to his disciples in Mt. 28.16-20 that new disciples be added by baptizing and teaching them and, therefore, not through biological reproduction. This study of the mother's role suggests that fur ther examination of the relationship between asceticism and evangelism in the Gospel of Matthew would be fruitful.