Chicken Jesus
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21586004 |
|---|---|
| Authors | J Andrew Doole (0000-0002-4827-1585, Universität Innsbruck, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 548-571 |
| Publication date | 2024-11-22 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Biblical Interpretation (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0927-2569 • E-ISSN: 1568-5152 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15685152-20241778 |
| OpenAlex | W7134987369 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
In the Gospels, Jesus compares himself to a chicken when he seeks to gather the children of Jerusalem “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matt. 23:37b / Luke 13:34b). In adopting this metaphor, he is engaging in nonhuman gender-bending, equating himself with a female bird that has more success than he does. An Animal Studies perspective of the journey of the domesticated chicken from the rainforests of south-east Asia to the households of the Roman empire and the various roles that the chicken played in ancient society provides insight into humanity’s relationship with the chicken and supplies a new metaphor for the “domestication” of Jesus. Finally, a selection of creative uses of the image in later reception history shows how many have attempted to make the most of the winged Jesus’ lament at his own failure
Biblical studies · Domestication · Lament · Metaphor · Reflexive pronoun · Ancient Near East History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Biblical Studies and Interpretation
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |