Religion Quote by Kamal Salibi
““Jesus had disciples whose names are cited in the Gospels, though not always with consistency .. Luke refers to a tax collector called Levi (5:27-9). Mark identifies the same man as Levi the son of Alphaeus (2:13-14). In Matthew, the tax collector is called Matthew (9:9, 10:3), a name which is given by Mark (3:18) and Luke (6:15) to another disciple. Matthew (16:17) and John (1:42) identify Simon as Bar-Jona, or 'the son of Jona', when they relate how Simon came to be surnamed Cephas, or Peter; however John (21:15) calls the disciple 'Simon Jona', as if Jona was his surname.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Origins of the Biblical Traditions, 1994
The passage highlights inconsistencies in naming disciples across Gospels, showing overlapping identities.
In simple terms: Different Gospel names cause confusion.
Key Takeaway
Recognize textual variations.
Themes
biblical studies
history
interpretation
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
academic
historical
When to use this quote
- theology courses
- scholarly research
- scripture study
Key Concepts
textual criticism
name variation
canonical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do naming differences affect faith?
- What does this tell us about early Christian communities?
A Different Perspective
Names may reflect oral tradition, not factual error.
