Uncovering Early Christian Scholarship: Clement of Alexandria's Influence on Irenaeus
Parallel Passages in Clement and Irenaeus
A critical examination of Stromata 1.21.145.2-5 by Clement of Alexandria and Adversus Haereses 2.22.5 by Irenaeus reveals striking verbatim parallels. Clement writes:
"It is written in the Gospel by Luke as follows: 'And in the fifteenth year, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias.' And again in the same book: 'And Jesus was coming to His baptism, being about thirty years old (ἦν Ἰησοῦς ἐρχόμενος ἐπὶ τὸ βάπτισμα ὡς ἐτῶν λ),' and so on. And that it was necessary for Him to preach only a year, this also is written: 'He hath sent Me to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.' This both the prophet spake, and the Gospel. Accordingly, in fifteen years of Tiberius and fifteen years of Augustus; so were completed the thirty years till the time He suffered (οὕτω πληροῦται τὰ τριάκοντα ἔτη ἕως οὗ ἔπαθεν)."
Irenaeus, in Adversus Haereses 2.22.5, parallels this passage:
"Now Jesus was, as it were, beginning to be thirty years old, when He came to receive baptism (Jesus autem erat quasi incipiens triginta annorum, cum veniret ad baptismum); and, [according to these men,] He preached only one year reckoning from His baptism (et a baptismate uno tantum anno praedicavit). On completing His thirtieth year He suffered (complens tricesimum annum passus est)."
The First Observation and Its Significance
The first scholar to observe the parallel between these passages was Percy Mordaunt Barnard, who noticed the use of ἐρχόμενος in Clement's text of Luke, paralleled by Irenaeus’s citation in Adversus Haereses. The standard text of Luke 3:23 has ἀρχόμενος, and Irenaeus cites it as such later in the same section.
This similarity suggests that Irenaeus was not merely referencing generic arguments made by those he opposed but was specifically citing or paraphrasing Clement’s Stromata. The structure and content of both passages are nearly identical, making it implausible that Clement was citing Irenaeus's condemnation of the Marcosians. Instead, it appears that Irenaeus was reacting to Clement’s exegesis of Luke, retaining the distinct text of Luke 3:23 to challenge Clement’s interpretation.
Dating the Texts
The context of Clement’s passage is crucial for dating. His exegesis of Luke is framed by references to "the death of Commodus" at multiple points (1.21.144.3, 1.21.144.4, 1.21.144.5, and 1.21.145.5), which places the writing post-192 CE. Consequently, Irenaeus’s citation of the Stromata must have occurred after this date, further supporting the argument that Irenaeus was influenced by Clement’s work rather than the other way around.
Implications for Early Christian Scholarship
The traditional view that Irenaeus’s Adversus Haereses was the first explicit witness to the Gospel of Luke is challenged by this analysis. Recognizing that Clement of Alexandria was the initial source shifts our understanding of early Christian textual transmission and theological development.
Furthermore, the idea that Clement embraced the Marcosian tradition condemned by Irenaeus as an acceptable, if not apostolic, tradition aligns with Annewies Van den Hoek's study on Clement’s citation habits. This perspective counters the notion that Clement arbitrarily adopted condemned beliefs from Adversus Haereses, which would be an unlikely scenario for a scholar of his stature and discernment.
Conclusion
The parallels between Clement of Alexandria’s Stromata and Irenaeus’s Adversus Haereses underscore the intricate relationships and influences among early Christian texts. By recognizing Clement as the first to cite Luke by name, we gain deeper insight into the intellectual and theological exchanges of the time. This nuanced understanding not only repositions Clement within early Christian scholarship but also invites further research into the complex tapestry of early Christian writings and their transmission.
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