Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 44:2 (NA 1993)
Article: Luke 22:29-30 And The Time Frame For Dining And Ruling
Author: Peter K. Nelson

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TynBul 44:2 (1993) p. 351

Luke 22:29-30 And The Time Frame For Dining And Ruling

Peter K. Nelson

Summary

This work addresses the issue of the time frame anticipated by the Lukan Jesus for the fulfilment of the promises in Luke 22:29-30: are the apostles to dine and rule in the church age, in the eschaton, or in both eras? On the basis of verbal, grammatical, contextual, logical, and other factors it is argued that, in spite of the orientation of much recent scholarship, the eschaton, not earlier periods, is in view. Further, neither the differences between Luke 22:29-30 and Matt 19:28 nor the limited thematic likeness between Luke 22:29-30 and apostolic activity in Acts count against this conclusion.

I. Introduction

The purpose of the present essay is to consider the time frame, according to Luke,1 for the events described in Luke 22:29-30:2 ‘And so, as my Father conferred kingship on me, I confer kingship on you, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you shall sit on thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel’.

It is useful to clarify that the Lukan Jesus distinguishes between the time of his conferral of kingship upon the apostles (v. 29) and the time when that conferral is completely fulfilled, its privileges and responsibilities being fully realised. To determine the timing of the initial act, we need only turn to present tense διατίθεμαι in verse 29. It is now, at the Last Supper and during Jesus’ speech, that Jesus confers kingship upon the apostles.3 That claim may be substantiated with

TynBul 44:2 (1993) p. 352

minimal difficulty, but it does little to specify the time of the conferral’s actual realisation.

Subjunctive ἔσθητε and πίνητε clearly anticipate a future meal at Jesus’ table in his kingdom. Further, it would be senseless for Jesus to confer upon the apostles the right to do at present what they were already doing, namely dining with him. Moreover, καθήσεσθε necessarily anticipates a future realisation, and the timing for the present participle κρίνοντες<...

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