『복낙원』에 나오는 첨탑 위 마지막 유혹의 의미

Abstract

There have been lots of controversies over the meaning of the last temptation on the pinnacle. From the nature of the pinnacle to the meaning of Jesus's last remark on the pinnacle Milton scholars have shown various opinions. Some scholars suggest that the place on which Jesus stands is a peaked pinnacle that is impossible for a man to stand. However others think it is possible for Christ to stand there although he can feel giddy and difficult. Milton states the condition of the place as "uneasy station", which means it is not impossible for Christ to stand there. Therefore it is not proper to assert that the very act of Christ's standing on the pinnacle without any other help shows his divinity as the son of God. It is more adequate to say that it shows Jesus' ultimate victory over the demonic Satan in the spiritual battle. Satan's last temptation is too hard to cope with because it is based upon God's words which Christ has made the weapon against Satan's continuous assaults. Satan is so anxious to know the nature of Christ that he adopts the new method that is different from the previous ones, that is the words of God. He gives Christ the choice of either accepting Scripture or rejecting it. However, Christ thrusts away Satan's temptation by using God's words like before. From beginning to end he puts constant trust in God's words. Christ's words on the pinnacle, "Also it is written, Tempt not the Lord thy God", is so hard to grasp its meaning. Above all, what does "the Lord thy God" mean here is not clear. It may mean either Christ himself or God. There is also possibility of meaning both of them. Christ proves himself to be God as well as man through this speech. Until this last temptation Jesus has continued to react Satan's assaults with passive attitude saying no. Now he no longer shows passivity rather he reveals a strong activeness towards Satan his adversary. Nevertheless, Satan cannot recognize the real nature of Christ for he is fallen in the deep spiritual darkness that is blind to Christ's manifestation. On this very pinnacle Christ achieves his firm obedience and faith as a son, at the same time, proclaims he is God himself. He shows his divinity as well as his humanity. The hidden nature of him is explicitly revealed here. The time allowed to Satan ends and the new time for Christ begins. The moment when Christ declares his divinity on this pinnacle is the time which is called God's appointed time or Kairos, which God ordains for the vocation of Christ as saviour. Angels dedicate their praising to Christ Jesus starting the mission of saving the whole world.