Recognizing the Messiah: A Study of Antithetical Anagnorisis in the Gospel of Matthew is a study of recognition type-scenes and motifs in the first Gospel. It demonstrates that anagnorisis (recognition) is constitutive of the first Gospel and as a narrative technique and recurrent motif, it thematizes the messianic identity (""Christ""), the true knowledge (""Son of God"") and the divine presence (""God-with-us"") in Jesus. By analyzing various scenes in the narrative overture, corpus and finale, it argues that the recognition moments focus on Jesus' divine-messianic identity, deeply rooted in the history, scriptures and traditions of Israel. The motif of recognition accompanied by revelation unfolds the presence of a revelatory epistemology and the indispensability of revelation in recognizing Jesus' true identity. In encounters with story-characters, Jesus becomes the primary object of their recognition who is both the recognized and rejected Messiah - a recurrent pattern which can be described as an antithetical recognition. Finally, it identifies a recognition-based model of discipleship where one's ethical conduct becomes a decisive criterion for recognizing a true disciple from who-Jesus-is to who-a-disciple-is. Thus, anagnorisis as a heuristic-communicative tool, employed with a distinctive theological vision stages the identity-discovery moments of Jesus, the messianic protagonist and functions as a conduit for the Matthean revelatory epistemology (Mt 11,27).

Naveen Wilson Rebello, SVD (1981) is a Divine Word Missionary belonging to the India Mumbai Province. He is currently teaching Biblical Languages, Biblical Exegesis and Theology at Jnana Deepa, Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune. He holds a Licentiate (SSL) and Doctorate in Sacred Scripture (SSD) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome. He is a visiting lecturer to many regional and national seminaries. Besides being a formator at Divine Word Seminary, Pune, he is also involved in the formation of biblical study groups and laity animation programmes in India and abroad.

It is my privilege to write this foreword for the book Recognizing the Messiah: A Study of Antithetical Avaγνώρισις in the Gospel of Matthew by Naveen Rebello, SVD who defended his doctoral dissertation on the above theme, written under my supervision, at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome on 8 May 2023.

Ἀναγνώρισις, the moment of recognition that transforms human understanding, has long been a key theme in classical literature and philosophy. Aristotle, in his Poetics, described it as a turning point in ancient drama, a transition from ignorance to knowledge that brings clarity and often, lasting implications. Yet, this narrative technique is not confined to Greek tragedy or classical storytelling, it permeates biblical narratives too, shaping the way revelation and divine encounters unfold. In the past two decades, New Testament scholarship has produced a number of studies on ἀναγνώρισις or recognition scenes in the Gospels especially in the resurrection narratives. In those dramatic scenes, where the risen Jesus encounters his frightened and dubious disciples both men and women they undergo a cognitive test and do not recognize him or his identity right away, thus leading to a climactic tension in the narratives. It is only after receiving some revelatory signs at the initiative of Jesus that disclose the truth of his identity, the ignorant disciples come-to-know him. Yet, most of these studies have focused on the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and John, leaving the Gospel of Matthew largely unexplored in this regard. Hence, this book explores a series of recognition moments in the first Gospel by studying the ancient literary technique of ἀναγνώρισις which was employed by the Matthean narrator in various encounter scenes of character interactions in order to communicate a unique revelatory epistemology (11,27). Through insightful cognitive-narrative study, the author argues in a compelling manner that ἀναγνώρισις is constitutive of the first Gospel and it functions to unfold the identity discovery moments of the messianic protagonist.

Naveen Rebello identifies a ""recognition type-scene"" pattern in the first Gospel, involving key encounters, cognitive exchanges, self-disclosures, recognition moments and final reactions. This framework is applied to a number of episodes like the baptism (3,17), transfiguration (17,5), magi's quest (2,1-12), demoniacs' recognition (8,29), disciples' sea-recognition (14,33), Peter's confession (16,13-23), eschatological recognition (25,31-46) and the Roman centurion's climactic recognition at the crucifixion (27,54). In these scenes, the author highlights the antithetical nature of responses to Jesus, i.c., gradual recognition by some and constant rejection by others. These contrasts bring to light a revelatory epistemology, where the divine knowledge is both revealed and hidden. Looking at the first Gospel with fresh eyes, a ""recognition-based model"" of discipleship is then proposed, where ethical conduct becomes the decisive criterion for identifying true discipleship, linking Jesus' identity with the moral transformation of his followers (25,31-46). This study thus offers a fresh lens for understanding Matthew's narrative theology, Christology, and ethics.

In Recognizing the Messiah, the author offers a persuasive thesis, exhibiting a diligent work with methodological cohesion, critical analysis of classical and scriptural texts, well-balanced and judicious scholarship, proficiency of biblical research and impressive analytical and evaluative skills. Upon reading the work, one understands that ἀναγνώρισις is a literary phenomenon not limited only to the final scenes of the post-resurrection events but pervasive throughout the Gospel. To establish this, the author studies various recognition scenes in the Matthean narrative overture, narrative corpus and narrative finale in three key chapters while displaying a clear grasp of the narrative methodology as well as an insightful understanding of the dynamics of the Matthean plot. Moreover, the treatment of the story-characters as ""recognition personae"" in terms of recognition plot and the narrator's point of view is commendable.

Finally, I must admit that the recognition moments that this book points out are not merely dramatic devices but serve as theological markers, guiding the reader through a journey of faith, doubt and revelation. In doing so, it seeks to tell how the evangelist Matthew invites his audience - both ancient and modern to experience their own moments of recognition. Whether through the magi's worship, Peter's confession or the risen Christ's appearances, these instances of recognition are not just about coming to-know of Jesus' identity but about responding to him in faith. Having accompanied Naveen on this rewarding journey, I now invite readers to engage with this work with fresh eyes, tracing the path of ἀναγνώρισις and reflecting on its implications for committed discipleship.

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