Jesus vs. Mithra in the Gospel of Matthew
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Many symbols and expressions of the mystery religions appear in the Gospel of Matthew. However, Matthew does not borrow those to describe Matthean Jesus, rather Matthew uses the symbols and expressions of the mystery religions to emphasize that Jesus is more superior to gods of the mystery religions. It was focused on Mithra, one of the famous gods of the mystery religions. This article examines these with two topics. First, the priest of Mithra is called as Magus, which translated to a wise man in Matthew. I argue that Matthew uses the term Magus in the Jesus birth story and makes them wor- ship the baby Jesus because Matthew wants to show that Jesus is superior to Mithra. Second, in many ancient sculptures, Mithra often placed in the center of the twelve zodiac signs. This description means Mithra is the Lord of heaven. In order to restrict Mithra’s claims, Matthew describes that Jesus sits on the heavenly throne and his followers sit on the twelve heavenly thrones. They all together will judge the world at the judgment day. This article argues that Matthean community is affected by Jewish and Roman society, as well as the mystery religions, especially Mithra. Nevertheless, Matthew does not absorb their theology or thought, but en- deavors to get over them. Matthew quotes the religious symbols and images from the Mithraism and refutes them. Because Matthean community is one of the religious community struggling with others in the Roman Empire, Matthew claims that Jesus is the most powerful God who is superior to gods of the mystery religions.
Abstract
Many symbols and expressions of the mystery religions appear in the Gospel of Matthew. However, Matthew does not borrow those to describe Matthean Jesus, rather Matthew uses the symbols and expressions of the mystery religions to emphasize that Jesus is more superior to gods of the mystery religions. It was focused on Mithra, one of the famous gods of the mystery religions. This article examines these with two topics. First, the priest of Mithra is called as Magus, which translated to a wise man in Matthew. I argue that Matthew uses the term Magus in the Jesus birth story and makes them wor- ship the baby Jesus because Matthew wants to show that Jesus is superior to Mithra. Second, in many ancient sculptures, Mithra often placed in the center of the twelve zodiac signs. This description means Mithra is the Lord of heaven. In order to restrict Mithra’s claims, Matthew describes that Jesus sits on the heavenly throne and his followers sit on the twelve heavenly thrones. They all together will judge the world at the judgment day. This article argues that Matthean community is affected by Jewish and Roman society, as well as the mystery religions, especially Mithra. Nevertheless, Matthew does not absorb their theology or thought, but en- deavors to get over them. Matthew quotes the religious symbols and images from the Mithraism and refutes them. Because Matthean community is one of the religious community struggling with others in the Roman Empire, Matthew claims that Jesus is the most powerful God who is superior to gods of the mystery religions.
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