FORM CRITICISM

Form criticism is regarded as the branch of biblical studies that

classifies the various literary genres. It aims to study the features of a
literary piece, and takes into account how and where such forms were
initially used in the "life setting" of the religious communities.
The Bible is one of the most complex forms of literature. Like any other
type of literary account, thorough interpretation must be utilized in order to
fully grasp the meaning of its contents and messages.
1. LITERARY GENRE
According to Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D., a Roman Catholic Priest and
renowned author, the major genres within the Bible are classified into (1)
Myths and Legends, (2) Legal Codes, (3) Genealogies, (4) Annals, (5)
Prophetic Books, (6) Psalms, (7) Prayers, (8) Proverbs, (9) Wisdom Literature
and (10) Apocalypses.
Matthew 26:17- 30 which depicts the story of The Last Supper falls
mainly to Gospel. It is because the book named Matthew does not largely
define any of the existing genres. Furthermore, in general, the accounts
written in Matthew, are not like modern biographies. Instead, they are about
the good news of Jesus Ministry. However, dissecting the story of Last
Supper written in Matthew, there are few features that fit into selected
genres. The following are;
First is the Annals. The story of the Last Supper was said to be a
commemoration of the Passover. The Annals refers to semi-historical
narrative accounts of selected events in a nation's life, focusing especially
upon political and military exploits of its leaders that are usually written
under royal sponsorship. Although its focus is different, since it gives
emphasis on the Jewish tradition which is the celebration of Passover, still it
can be considered as annals due to its attribution as semi-historical account.
Second is the Prophetic. Prophetic is characterized as collections of the
oracles or words of God spoken to the people through human intermediaries
(prophets). The story of the Last Supper can be considered as prophetic in
some way. It is because Jesus words during the Last Supper speaks of the
truth to what will happen in the future during that time. This includes Judas
Iscariots betrayal, Peters denial, Jesus passion, death and resurrection, His
promise of salvation and also His revelation at the end of time together with
the new beginning. Although it was not intermediated by a human prophet,
since Jesus, the messiah, is both human and divine in nature then it can
support the idea that the account of Last Supper can truly be considered to
have the touch of prophetic genre.

Third and last is the Wisdom/Prayer/Proverb. On the three mentioned, it

was inferred that the story of the Last Supper has a slightly attribution to
each of the three. The reason for this is the depth and essence of the sayings
uttered by Jesus during the Last Supper. In which for Wisdom, it is equated to
the depth of Jesus words Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the [a]
covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Wherein, it
can be implied to Jesus words that there are forgiveness of sins and people
must live righteously and wisely. On the other hand for Prayer, it refers to the
significance of the Last Supper. In which at this meal, Jesus offered himself as
a sacrificial lamb, similar to what happened in the Passover. And finally is for
the Proverb, it relates to the aphorism uttered by Jesus, an advice on how to
live well - and that is Take and eat; this is my body.
27

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to

them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the [a] covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not
drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new
with you in my Fathers kingdom. This is an advice on living well, because
this part of the story is synonymous to the celebration of the Eucharist.
2. FIGURES OF SPEECH
The story completes its plot with details that needs to be uncovered.
As part of the gospel, the Last Supper is considered as truth which speaks of
the good news of salvation brought by Christ. The characters and plot
incorporated in the story are the 12 apostles having meal with Jesus as
celebration of the Passover. Wherein just like how the New Testament fulfils
the Old Testament, a new sacrificial lamb will be offered for the salvation of
all. However, the structure of how the account was told or written can affect
the interpretation of the said text. Hence, it is important to identify and
define the different figures of speech used to tell the story of the Last Supper
in the book of Matthew.
The story incorporated a number of Figures of Speech to convey its
meaning. Among the figures of speech used are Litotes, Euphemism, Irony,
Anthropomorphism, Synecdoche and Metonymy.
In the 24th verse of Matthew 26, Jesus reply to the apostles in the story
- The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man
who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been
born. can be connoted as Euphemism. It is because the phrase It would be
better for him if he had not been born can be mostly inferred as euphemism
for death. This inference will be based from going back to the very meaning
of Euphemism, in which it is defined as a figure that substitutes an

inoffensive or agreeable expression for one that may offend or suggest

something distasteful.
Quite similar to euphemism is litotes, and this figure of speech can be
observed when Jesus replied to Judas. Judas question was Surely you dont
mean me, Rabbi? and Jesus answer was said this way You have said so. In
which, this can be subject as belittling or the use of a negative statement to
affirm a truth, which were the very criterion of the said figure of speech. The
explanation goes this way, it was stated in the Bible that it was indeed Judas
Iscariot that betrayed Jesus. And with the tone of Jesus answer in the Last
Supper, it affirmed the truth when He implied that it was Judas who will really
betray him.
Jesus statement, The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with
me will betray me., falls under the figure of speech, Irony. The Irony in the
statement is that how could a friend betray another friend. In which, the one
who has dipped his hand into the bowl is someone who is close to Jesus,
mainly someone who is with Him in his whole journey and yet, it will be
interpreted as this person who shares meal with Him is the one who will
certainly stab Him in the back. Again, Irony is an expression that denotes the
opposite of what is meant by the words themselves.
For Anthropomorphism, since Jesus is both human and divine in nature,
when Jesus said that, I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from
now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.,
it can be concluded that a human characteristic was applied to God. Hence,
this is greatly imbedded in the figure of speech, Anthropomorphism.
From the definition of Synecdoche which is, a part is used for a whole,
or a whole is used for a part this verse extracted from the story, 26 While
they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke
it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body.
27

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them,
saying, Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which
is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink
from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with
you in my Fathers kingdom. can be considered as an application of the said
figure of speech. It is because the body and blood of Christ is used as
representation of Gods over-all salvation to humankind.
Lastly, for the same part of the verse, Metonymy was used. In which
bread and wine was used to represent Christs body and blood which
contains the eternal flowing life. The reason for the association of Metonymy
in this part of the story, is rooted to its definition, wherein the name of one

object or concept is used for another because of an association or similarity

between the two.