A Major Support from a Minor Agreement

Matthew’s Use of Mark and Luke

Abstract

The minor agreement (MA) between Matthew and Luke against Mark is arguably the most delicate problem for those who believe in Q, and the MA of “Who is it that struck you?” (τίς ἐστιν ὁ παίσας σε/ tis estin ho paisas se) in Matthew 26:67-68 // Luke 22:64 (absent in Mark 14:65) has been regarded as the most crucial one. This has led to long and intense debates about whether this MA is genuine or not. Assuming Matthew’s use of Mark and Luke, I will argue that this MA is genuine. Although there is an internal incoherence within Matthew 26:67-68, I will show that it is not because of a conjectural emendation but because of the way Matthew used his source and the limitations faced by the first-century writer.