An example of Matthean Fatigue using Luke

 

Matthean Fatigue of Matt 3:7-11, The Preaching of John the Baptist

One might postulate that if Matthew was written last in view of Luke, there would be at least one example of Matthean fatigue using Luke. A clear example is the scene of John the Baptist preaching having the parallels of Luke 3:7-16 and Matthew 3:7-11 shown below. Often, Matthew expands on Luke, but in this case, Matthew redacts much of the Lukan material and changes the subjects whom John the Baptist is addressing. The changes result in the problematic implication that John is telling the Pharisees and Sadducees that they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Luke 3:7-16 (ESV)

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

Matthew 3:7-11 (ESV)

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew revises the text to direct the rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees (religious elite), not the crowds (multitudes at large). Another key difference is that the crowds of Luke 3:7 are those who “came out to be baptized by him.” That is, they desired repentance. Matthew 3:7 only indicates that John “saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism” (not that they actually came out to be baptized). The revisionist Matthew apparently felt the rage of the Baptist was more appropriately directed at the Pharisees and Sadducees, who weren't necessarily committed to being baptized. Moreover, the author of Matthew also chooses to omit Luke 3:10-15, including the reference to “the people” of Luke 3:11 “who were in expectation.” In removing the context of the crowds who “came to be baptized,” and the people “who were in expectation,” Matthew makes the baptists' words a specific message to the Pharisees and Sadducees who would be poor candidates for receiving repentance and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The problem with the Matthean text is that those who are the least eligible are being told they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. It is much more logical that this would be a general statement to repentant and faith-filled believers than Pharisees and Sadducees who are just bystanders.