Was Marcion's Gospel Luke or Something Else?

The debate over whether Marcion's Gospel was a version of Luke or a different text altogether is an intriguing one, and the "Dialogue on the True Faith" provides some insights into this question.

Key Scriptural References

Reference to the Gospel

In the "Dialogue on the True Faith," Marcus the Marcionite mentions, "As it says in the Gospel: in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, at the time of Pilate." This line is a direct reference to Luke 3:1, which sets the historical context for the beginning of Jesus's ministry. This reference supports the idea that Marcion's Gospel might have been related to Luke, as it contains similar chronological markers.

Descent in the Six Thousandth Year

The subsequent line, supposedly from Adamantius, states, "He descended in the six thousandth year after the Creator God had formed man." This statement seems out of place for orthodox chronology, as no traditional timeline places Jesus's descent in the year 6000 AUM (Anno Mundi, "in the year of the world"). This line might have been part of the Marcionite tradition, later misattributed to Adamantius due to textual corruption.

Analysis of the Dialogue

Matthew Dominance

From pages 35 to 88, the debate is almost exclusively over the Gospel of Matthew. This long section suggests that Matthew was a significant text for the debate, and Marcionites had to engage with it extensively. This focus on Matthew could imply that the Marcionite text had to address and differentiate itself from Matthew’s Gospel, which was prominent in early Christian communities.

Luke References

The first explicit Lukan reference in the dialogue appears on page 88, where Abraham is mentioned being in hell (Luke 16:19ff). This passage is significant as it shows that certain elements unique to Luke were recognized and discussed. However, the dialogue does not seem to emphasize Luke as strongly as Matthew.

Citations from John

Interestingly, citations from John appear more frequently in the dialogue than those from Luke. This observation suggests that John’s Gospel also played a substantial role in the debates between the Marcionites and the orthodox Christians, further complicating the picture of Marcion’s Gospel content.

Theological Implications

Anti-Judaic Context

Marcionism is often characterized by its anti-Judaic stance, opposing the God of the Hebrew Bible and promoting a different deity revealed by Jesus. This theological position could explain why Marcion’s Gospel would present a different narrative focus than the canonical Gospels, which often emphasize the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy.

Orthodoxy's Response

The orthodox response to Marcionism involved framing Marcion's Gospel within their own canonical texts, such as Matthew and Luke. This approach would help undermine Marcion’s claims by demonstrating that even his sources could not escape the orthodox framework of scriptural interpretation.

Conclusion

The "Dialogue on the True Faith" provides evidence that Marcion's Gospel contained elements similar to Luke but also had significant differences, possibly making it a distinct text altogether. The extensive engagement with Matthew and the notable references to John suggest a broader scriptural context in the debates, highlighting the complex interplay between Marcionite and orthodox Christian texts.

The citation from Luke 3:1 regarding the reign of Tiberius Caesar supports the idea that Marcion's Gospel had historical markers similar to Luke. However, the unique elements, such as the descent in the six thousandth year, indicate distinctive theological and chronological interpretations within Marcionism.

Ultimately, while Marcion's Gospel may resemble Luke, it likely represents a unique Marcionite text with specific alterations and emphases that set it apart from the canonical Luke. The dialogue underscores the intricate nature of early Christian scriptural debates and the efforts of both sides to assert the authenticity and authority of their respective texts.