The Argument Based on Synagōgē to Date the Gospels in the Second Century

Background and Argument

Ellegard posits that the use of the term "synagōgē" in the Gospels can help date these texts to the second century. The crux of the argument is that "synagōgē," meaning a gathering or assembly, shifts in meaning over time to refer to a physical building, or synagogue. This semantic shift, Ellegard argues, reflects the historical and cultural context of the second century rather than the first.

In earlier Christian texts, such as the Pauline epistles, the term "synagōgē" does not appear at all. This absence is significant because it implies that early Christian communities may have used other terms to describe their gatherings and did not yet have the concept of a distinct building for assembly. The term "synagōgē" in Paul’s time likely referred to the Jewish community or assembly rather than a specific structure.

Examination of the Argument

**1. Semantic Shift: The argument hinges on the linguistic evolution of "synagōgē." In the Gospels, "synagōgē" is often used to describe a physical place where Jesus teaches and performs miracles (e.g., Mark 1:21, Matthew 4:23). This usage suggests that by the time the Gospels were written, the term had already come to denote a specific building.

**2. Comparison with Pauline Epistles: In contrast, the Pauline epistles, which are among the earliest New Testament writings, do not use the term "synagōgē" at all. Instead, Paul uses terms like "ekklesia" (church or assembly) to describe the gatherings of believers. This difference in terminology supports the idea that the concept of a synagogue as a building was not prominent in the earliest Christian communities.

**3. Archaeological Evidence: Archaeological discoveries of first-century synagogues, such as those in Migdal/Magdala, indicate that synagogues as physical structures did exist in the first century. However, the prominence and widespread recognition of synagogues as central to Jewish and early Christian worship may have grown significantly in the second century, aligning with Ellegard’s thesis.

Scholarly Reception

**1. Support and Criticism: Ellegard’s argument has not gained universal acceptance among scholars. Some support the notion that the use of "synagōgē" in the Gospels reflects a second-century context. Others argue that synagogues as buildings existed in the first century, and thus the term’s usage in the Gospels does not necessarily date them to the second century.

**2. Ignored or Debated: The argument has not been widely adopted or refuted in mainstream biblical scholarship. It remains one of several hypotheses that seek to date the Gospels based on linguistic and contextual clues.

**3. Alternative Explanations: Critics of Ellegard’s argument suggest that the term "synagōgē" could have coexisted with "ekklesia" in different regions or communities, reflecting local customs and linguistic practices rather than a strict chronological development. They also point to evidence of synagogues as physical buildings in the first century to challenge the argument.

Conclusion

Ellegard’s argument about the term "synagōgē" providing a basis for dating the Gospels to the second century offers an intriguing perspective on early Christian texts. While it highlights significant differences in terminology and usage between the Gospels and Pauline epistles, the argument has not definitively persuaded the scholarly community. It remains a topic of debate, with various factors, including archaeological evidence and alternative interpretations, contributing to the ongoing discussion.

For a deeper understanding of this topic, further reading and exploration of primary sources and scholarly critiques are recommended.