Is it true that the infancy narratives are the gospels in miniature?

Answer 1

A:There are two infancy narratives in the New Testament, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. They differ so much from each other that it would be difficult to say that they both represent or symbolise anything in common. However, we could look at whether the infancy narrative in Matthew is that gospel in miniature and, similarly, whether the infancy narrative in Luke is that gospel in miniature.

Matthew's infancy narrative draws a close parallel between Moses and Jesus, drawing extensively from the Old Testament. There are many parallels with the Old Testament, which was undoubtedly the inspiration and major source for Matthew's infancy narrative. Matthew's Gospel also, more than any other gospel, draws on the Old Testament to prefigure the life and mission of Jesus. In this way, the infancy narrative is indeed a miniature of Matthew's Gospel.

Luke's infancy narrative includes a detailed story of the birth of John the Baptist, drawing on the Old Testament for this and the Magnificat, sung later by Mary. Luke' infancy narrative refers to the census of Quirinius, which actually took place at least ten years too late for the story, leading Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) to say that Luke likes to set his Christian drama in the context of well-known events from antiquity, but sometimes inaccurately. Rather than the wealthy magi, who brought expensive gifts for Jesus in Matthew's Gospel, Luke has poor shepherds come to worship Jesus. Luke's Gospel, more than any other gospel, appeals to the poor and talks about salvation for the poor. With its tale about John the Baptist, the inaccurate use of historical context, the poor shepherds and, again, its use of the Old Testament for source and inspiration, the infancy narrative is indeed a miniature of Luke's Gospel.