Transtextuality and the Lukan Nativity Prefix

This article applies transtextuality theory to the nativity narrative prefix in the Gospel of Luke. After briefly explaining the theory, the article examines how the Lukan storytelling plan moulds the Markan-inherited tradition. As opposed to the historical-critical approaches that seek to differentiate the authentic traditions from the inauthentic, as in form criticism, transtextual theory aims to understand and appreciate how the various components mutually interact to form a unified whole that functions on the synchronic plane in its present shape. As opposed to redaction criticism, the Gospel of Luke is not viewed as a mere embellishment of Mark but as an original story version to be considered in its own right. Transtextuality theory explains the inner workings between the individuating textual components that animate the Lukan story and how the resulting version creates a differing image of the dramatis personae therein.