The following analysis transforms a series of forum discussions concerning the biblical phrase **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** (flesh and blood) into a structured academic exegesis. The central exegetical issue under examination is the semantic range and contextual interpretation of this phrase, particularly in Matthew 16:17, as well as related expressions like **σὰρξ καὶ ὀστοῦν** (flesh and bone) in Luke 24:39 and several Old Testament Septuagint (LXX) passages. The primary debate revolves around whether these phrases predominantly signify *humanity in general* or specifically *biological kinship and shared descent*, contrasting human origin with divine revelation or spiritual identity. This exegesis will explore the lexical background, textual nuances, and potential rhetorical implications of these phrases across their various biblical contexts.
An Exegetical Analysis of σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα in Matthew 16:17: Connotations of Kinship vs. Humanity
Μακάριος εἶ, Σίμων Βαριωνᾶ, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψέν σοι ἀλλ’ ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. (Nestle 1904, Matthew 16:17)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- No significant differences in the Greek text of Matthew 16:17 between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBLGNT (2010) are observed for the phrase **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα**. The text reads identically in both editions.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
The textual tradition for Matthew 16:17, specifically concerning the phrase **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα**, is robust, with no significant variants recorded in critical editions such as NA28 that would alter its meaning or presence. This indicates a high degree of certainty regarding the phrase’s originality in the Matthean text.
Lexical Notes:
- σάρξ (sarx): According to BDAG, **σάρξ** (flesh) can refer to the physical substance of humans and animals, the human body (often contrasted with the spirit), human nature (often in its weakness or fallen state), or simply a human being. KITTEL (TDNT) provides an extensive overview, noting its usage to denote the entirety of human existence, often emphasizing creatureliness, mortality, or natural limitations. In some contexts, it can also signify kinship (e.g., Romans 9:3).
- αἷμα (haima): BDAG defines **αἷμα** (blood) as the fluid of human and animal bodies, the seat of life, or a symbol for violent death. In a crucial sense for this discussion, it can also denote family relationship or kinship. KITTEL details its significance as the life principle and as a mark of lineage.
- σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα (sarx kai haima): As a fixed phrase, BDAG identifies **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** primarily as an idiom for “human being” or “humanity” in general, particularly when contrasted with God or spiritual beings (e.g., Galatians 1:16, Ephesians 6:12, Hebrews 2:14). However, it also acknowledges a secondary, though less frequent, usage denoting *kinship* or *human descent*, especially in contexts that emphasize familial ties or ancestry (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:50). The forum discussion highlights this tension, with some scholars emphasizing the “humanity” aspect (contrasting natural with divine revelation) and others exploring the “biological kinship” dimension, drawing parallels with LXX usage.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The interpretation of **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** in Matthew 16:17 is pivotal for understanding Jesus’ statement to Peter: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” The grammatical structure presents **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** as the subject of the aorist active indicative verb **ἀπεκάλυψέν** (revealed), directly contrasted with **ὁ Πατήρ μου ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς** (My Father who is in heaven).
1. The “Humanity” Interpretation
The conventional and widely accepted interpretation posits that **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** here functions as a synecdoche for “humanity” or “any mere human being.” In this reading, Jesus is asserting that Peter’s profound confession of Jesus as the Christ did not originate from human insight, teaching, or understanding, but from direct divine revelation from God the Father. This interpretation emphasizes the contrast between the *natural, human realm* and the *supernatural, divine realm* as sources of knowledge. This view is supported by similar contrasts elsewhere in the New Testament, such as Galatians 1:16, where Paul states that immediately after his conversion, he “did not consult with **σάρκα καὶ αἷμα** (flesh and blood),” indicating a disavowal of human counsel in favor of divine commission. Luke 24:39 provides a related, though distinct, usage of “flesh and bones” (**σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα**), where Jesus explicitly contrasts his physical body with a “spirit” (**πνεῦμα**) to prove his corporeal resurrection, unequivocally denoting his physical, human reality. This shows how the phrase can function simply to assert “humanity” or “physicality.”
2. The “Biological Kinship” Interpretation
An alternative, though less commonly adopted, interpretation proposes that **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** in Matthew 16:17 carries a connotation of *biological kinship* or *human lineage*. Proponents of this view suggest that the phrase highlights that the revelation did not come from Peter’s earthly family or human ancestry, but from God the Father, thereby reinforcing Jesus’ own divine paternity and unique identity as “the Christ,” which transcends human genealogy (cf. Matthew 1:1, 1:16, which trace Jesus’ human lineage but are ultimately subsumed by divine origin). This reading resonates with the idea that Peter’s insight into Jesus’ identity as the Son of God could not have been derived from any human or ancestral claim. The rhetorical force, in this case, would be to elevate the divine origin of the revelation over any earthly, familial source.
Support for this interpretation is found in the Septuagint (LXX), where expressions combining “flesh” and “bone” (ὀστοῦν καὶ σάρξ or similar) are consistently used to denote strong familial or tribal kinship, often explicitly equated with “brothers” (ἀδελφός):
- Genesis 29:14: Laban to Jacob, “You are indeed my bone and my flesh” (Ἐκ τῶν ὀστῶν μου καὶ ἐκ τῆς σαρκός μου εἶ σύ), immediately followed by Laban referring to Jacob as “my relative” (ἀδελφός μου). This passage clearly establishes “bone and flesh” as an idiom for close kinship.
- 2 Samuel 5:1: The tribes of Israel to David, “Here we are, your own bone and flesh” (ὀστᾶ σου καὶ σάρκες σου ἡμεῖς), affirming their tribal unity and shared lineage with David.
- 2 Samuel 19:12-13: David to the elders of Judah and Amasa, “You are my brothers, my own bone and my flesh” (ἀδελφοί μοι ὑμεῖς, ὀστᾶ μου καὶ σάρκες μου ὑμεῖς), and “Aren’t you my flesh and blood?” (οὐχὶ ὀστοῦν μου καὶ σάρξ μου σὺ εἶ;), emphasizing shared heritage and calling for loyalty.
- Judges 9:2: Abimelech to his mother’s brothers (πρὸς ἀδελφοὺς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ), “Remember that I am your own bone and flesh” (μνήσθητε ὅτι ὀστοῦν ὑμῶν καὶ σὰρξ ὑμῶν εἰμι), appealing to familial ties for political support.
These LXX passages demonstrate a clear precedent for “flesh and bone/blood” terminology to signify deep, biological kinship and shared descent, directly linking it with the concept of “brothers” or close relatives. This precedent, particularly the association with “brothers” (ἀδελφοί), can be seen echoed in the New Testament in Hebrews 2:14-17. Here, the author states that “since the children share blood and flesh (**αἵματος καὶ σαρκός**), He too shared in it… He helps… the descendants of Abraham (**σπέρματος Ἀβραὰμ**). For this reason He had to be made like the brothers (**τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς**) in every way.” This passage explicitly connects “blood and flesh” with shared descent (descendants of Abraham) and brotherhood, providing strong New Testament support for a kinship-informed understanding of the phrase in relevant contexts.
While Luke 24:39 primarily focuses on the physical reality of the resurrected body (contrasting with “spirit”), its usage of “flesh and bones” (σάρκα καὶ ὀστέα) is distinct from Matthew 16:17’s “flesh and blood” (σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα) in its immediate rhetorical purpose. However, the LXX passages illustrate that expressions involving “flesh” and “bone/blood” were flexible enough to convey not just physical existence, but also profound familial connection. The debate in Matthew 16:17 thus hinges on whether the context primarily demands a general contrast between human and divine, or if the specific implications of human *lineage* or *familial origin* are also implicitly in view, especially given the Matthean emphasis on Jesus’ Davidic and Abrahamic lineage in 1:1.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The phrase **σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα** in Matthew 16:17 presents a rich exegetical challenge, operating at the intersection of general humanity and specific kinship. While the dominant interpretation emphasizes the contrast between human origin/capacity and divine revelation, the robust evidence from the LXX and the contextual resonance with Hebrews 2:14-17 suggests that the nuance of “biological kinship” or “human lineage” should not be entirely dismissed. The Matthean context, which commences with a genealogy emphasizing Jesus’ “flesh and blood” descent from Abraham and David (Matt 1:1), lends further plausibility to an interpretation where the origin of revelation is contrasted not merely with “humanity” but specifically with “human lineage” or “earthly descent,” thus underscoring the divine paternity of Jesus as the Christ.
Considering these perspectives, the following translation suggestions for Matthew 16:17 are offered:
- “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by *human agency*, but by My Father in heaven.” This translation emphasizes the contrast between a general human source and the divine source, aligning with the most common interpretation.
- “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for this was revealed to you not by *any mere human being*, but by My Father in heaven.” This rendering highlights the contrast between the limited capacity of a human being versus the ultimate divine source of revelation, retaining the broader sense of humanity.
- “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for this was revealed to you not by *flesh-and-blood kinship* [or *human lineage*], but by My Father in heaven.” This translation explicitly incorporates the connotation of biological kinship and earthly descent, drawing on the nuanced understanding of the phrase’s usage in the LXX and its possible echo in Hebrews, contrasting human familial origin with divine paternity as the source of Peter’s revelation about the Christ.