...Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels Chapter 1: What are the Gospels? | Four Gospels, One Jesus | What are the four Gospels? | * Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each paint a unique portrait of Jesus Christ | | * The Gospels exhibit both unity and diversity, bearing witness to the same Jesus | | (unity) but viewing them from unique perspectives (diversity) | What are the four unique portraits | * Matthew presents Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of the Old | each Gospel paints of Jesus Christ? | Testament hopes | | * Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering Son of God, who offers himself as a | | sacrifice for sins | | * Luke portrays Jesus as the Savior for all people, who brings salvation to all | | nations and people groups | | * John portrays Jesus as the eternal son of God, the self-revelation of God the | | Father | | * Christology refers to Jesus’ person and work | What is the difference between the | * Mark is more dramatic, it is a powerful and vivid story; Matthew is the most | four Gospels? | structured of the Gospels; Luke is the most thematic, like God’s love for the lost, | | the role of the Spirit, and Jerusalem’s role in God’s plan resurfacing repeatedly; | | John is the most theological of the four, with more explicit statements | | concerning Jesus’ identity and purpose. | What are synoptic Gospels? | * Synoptic Gospels (from the Greek word synopsis, meaning...
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...story and or parable appears in more than one gospel I assume that the writers have access to a common source. Scholars have identified a source for the synoptic gospels that they call “Q” from the German “Quelle.” The Q document is held to be the common source from which Matthew and Luke obtain their shared stories that are not found in Mark. But both Matthew and Luke also use Luke as a source for their material, which is common to all three synoptic gospels. If one accepts this two-source hypothesis it would mean that the early Christians began to preserve the sayings and miracles of Jesus first in an oral form and then in written form. The authors of the synoptic gospels wrote decades after the crucifixion of Jesus and they pulled much of their material from the Q document and from other written or oral traditions. So when only Matthew and Luke include the miracle story of the Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) or the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27) it demonstrates a common source, which is most likely unknown to Mark. What Does This Say About The Inspiration Of The Scriptures? If the two source hypotheses is correct it would destroy the belief of some in the plenary verbal inspiration of scripture, but not my belief in scriptural inspiration. Many ancient forms of literature had oral and or written sources from which they pulled their information. So, why should the gospels be any different? Prior to taking this class...
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...disciples dispersed. The four Gospels give different pictures of what happened that relate to their themes, but they all point to the same meaning. In Matthew, Judas identifies Jesus by saying “Hail, Master” before giving him the kiss of betrayal. Jesus then asks him “Friend, why are you here?” After one of his disciples attacks one of the soldier’s servants, Jesus stops him by trying to teach him that the scriptures (Old Testament) must be fulfilled. Matthew is meant to portray Jesus as the Messiah and Teacher. Jesus is the Messiah who is meant to fulfill the...
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...The four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 1. Introduction The term Gospel means good news, a message which was desperately needed (Guthrie, 1965: 11). According to Talbot (2013: 69) gospels can be divided into 2 groups namely the Synoptic gospels- Matthew, Mark and Luke and Gospel of John. He explains that Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because they have so much in common. Kotze (6), outlines their similarities and differences as follows: |Mark | |Matthew | |Luke | |Total: 661 verses | |Total :1068 verses | |Total: 1149 verses | |600 verses parallel to Matthew | |505 verses parallel to Mark | |380 verses parallel to Mark | |61 verses peculiar to Mark | |235 versus parallel to Luke | |235 versus parallel to Matthew | | | |328 verses peculiar to Matthew | |534 verses peculiar to Luke | There are suggestions due the similarities and differences that (1) Mark was the original writer and was copied by Matthew and Luke (2) Matthew was original writer copied by Luke, and Mark made a shorter version. The material where obtained from the following suggested sources: (1) Oral tradition – the good news spread by word of mouth before it was written down (2) An earlier...
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...Patience Syokau Mutonga |1 When reading the Gospels, the reader quickly realizes that the accounts are similar1. However, a closer look reveals that they narrate the life and work of Jesus Christ in different ways. Four different authors address their Gospels to four different audiences, expounding on four different themes. Can such different narratives collectively refer to the same Person and give a complete, unshakeable picture of His life and work? The answer lies in a study of each Gospel writer’s interpretation of Jesus’ person, life and work2. That way, each Gospel account is seen, “… like a different – coloured thread in a tapestry woven together to form a more complete picture of this One who is beyond description.” 3 Together the diverse themes of King, Servant, Son of Man and Son of God as independently portrayed in the Gospels all relate together to show a complete picture of Jesus Christ’s life and work. Matthew, Mark and Luke are jointly called the Synoptic Gospels4 (from the Greek word, ‘synopsis’, meaning “a seeing together”).5 They share many of the same events and largely concentrate on Jesus’ Galilean ministry.6 Furthermore, there is a common synopsis in these Gospels, namely: the introduction of Jesus, preaching in Galilee, journey to Jerusalem, and Passion (His death and resurrection).7 John’s Gospel, however, stands alone in its perspective and audience. Unlike the Synoptics, John begins his Gospel ‘from heaven down,’ stating that “…the Word was made...
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...Wednesday 9:00-9:50 am Friday Sections Professor Rachel Havrelock Associate Professor Department of English raheleh@uic.edu Office 1909 University Hall Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1:00-2:00 pm Professor Scott Grunow Lecturer Department of English Cobelli@aol.com Course Description This introductory class presents a literary perspective on the Bible. Texts from the Bible stand at the center of analysis, while accompanying textbooks help us to contexualize biblical materials within history. Each week revolves around a particular theme with one lecture on the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and one on the New Testament. Themes include creation, birth, the hero, the mountain, the community, the Temple, suffering, and the end of time. As we place biblical texts in their historical contexts, we will consider the Bible as a literary work with distinct genres, themes and conventions. The thematic connections between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament will be explored at the same time that differences in their style and message are investigated. While reading the Bible, we will develop a vocabulary for discussing literary texts as well as a vocabulary specific to texts from the ancient world. This lively and pluralistic course provides a thorough introduction to the literature of the Bible. Course Objectives The Bible is a central text that has influenced literature, history, and global politics. This course instructs students in...
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...studying the Gospel of Mark there are several things to consider in reference to Jesus. Jesus began his ministry, confronted the domination system, died, and was resurrected. Throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus performs miracles and teaches his disciples. During his ministry, Mark portrayed Jesus as possessing several distinct character traits and virtues. According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus’ ministry appears to begin at the time of his Baptism. “Mark was the earliest Gospel to be written and was the principle written source for Matthew and Luke” (Tatum, W. B., 1999, p. 41-42) and there is good evidence that shows the Gospel of Mark was influenced by Peter. It is helpful to know the author when studying the Gospels to gain insight...
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...The Kingdom of Heaven 1. Who exactly was Matthew, the author of the Gospel of Matthew (47–49)? 2. Matthew most likely wrote to __Jewish____ Christians from about AD ____60-65______ (47, 50–52). 3. According to Matthew, certain events in Jesus’ life were a fulfillment of Old Testament ____ (cf. Matt 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14–16; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:53–54; 27:9). 4. Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage back to two very significant OT persons (Matt 1:2, 6, 17). Who were they and why are they significant (56–57)? 5. How does Matthew emphasize that Jesus is Savior of both Jews and Gentiles (62)? 6. How does Matthew depict Jesus’ supreme authority (57)? 7. Matthew is the only Gospel that mentions the ______ (Gk. ekklesia) by name (Matt 16:18). 8. The key word in Matthew is ____Kingdom______ (47). 9. Know the key verse in Matthew. 2:2 10. Matthew may be organized around Jesus’ five sermons or __________ (55). Chapter 6 Mark: The Divine Servant 1. Identify the author of the Gospel according to Mark (65–66). John Mark 2. Mark wrote his Gospel about AD ____65__, and his original recipients were _Roman___ Christians. 3. What is the theme of Mark’s Gospel? 4. The key word in Mark is “___immediately_______” (Gk, eutheōs). 5. Know the key verse in Mark. 10:45 6. Describe the unique features of Mark’s Gospel (69–73). 7. Describe how Mark emphasizes the supernatural nature of Jesus Christ. a. God’s declaration...
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...The New Testament begins with a collection of four books known as the Gospels. These books together give a complete account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels consist of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. While these are four different books they are all telling the same story. The word "gospel” actually translates to mean "good news,” which is exactly what is contained in the these four books as they tell the story of Jesus's time on Earth. Each book gives a different vantage point of Christ's ministry. One of the most important things to understand about these books is the time period in which they were written. Once the reader understands the historical circumstances surrounding these writings they then have the...
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...The gospels put emphasis on Jesus’ religious meaning, it is to inspire life giving faith in the readers. There are the Synoptic Gospels and then there is the Gospel of John. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) are three versions of the same sayings or incidents of Jesus life. They follow the same order of events in narrating Jesus’ public ministry. All four concentrate exclusively on the last phase of Jesus’ life, the period of his public ministry when his teachings both attracted devoted followers and created bitter enemies. Matthew: It tells the story some what differently, avoiding any implications that Jesus made have had limited powers and stating merely that Jesus “did not work many miracles there”. In Matthew, Jesus first public act is to deliver the sermon on the mound demonstrating his authorities as a teacher, upholding and interoperating the Mosaic Law, He also represents Jesus’ birth and ministry as fulfilling prophecies from the Hebrew Bible. Matthew betrays Jesus as a greater Moses who demands a higher righteousness unlike Mark and Luke. All four concentrate exclusively on the last phase of Jesus’ life, the period. Mark: Marks gospel for instance seems to consist a string of incidents, anecdotes, and sayings that are very loosely connected to one another. Mark, is the first Gospel, who was stitched together of previously isolated oral units, individual episodes illustrating Jesus words and deeds. According to Mark, Jesus first act was to drive...
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...Summary of the books of the New Testament Matthew The book of Matthew is largely gospel material. Some key themes and events include the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, Jesus baptism by John the Baptist, the ultimate game of good versus evil with Satan and Jesus Christ, the miracles performed by Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, the twelve disciples chosen, the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. The list of major personalities include Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, the disciples, Pilate and Mary Magdalene. After the birth of Jesus we don’t read much about Jesus until the age of thirty. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist and then begins his ministry of preaching and teaching God’s Word and performing many miracles. Jesus not only has to battle Satan, but he also has to battle the religious leaders of that time who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They accused him of blasphemy. Jesus told His disciples of His future death and resurrection so they would be prepared for what was to come. We read of the Last Supper, the betrayal of Judas, Jesus’ being denied three times by Peter, the trial where he was tried by Pilate and His ultimate death on the cross and also His resurrection after which he rose on the third day. The wonderful thing about Matthew is that everything that Jesus predicted came true. Mark The book of Mark is largely gospel material. Some key themes and events include the repeated story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the teachings...
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...Answer The synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, are so named because they are in substantial agreement on the life of Jesus. Mark's Gospel was the original gospel, and is believed to have been written around 70 CE. Whenever Matthew and Luke copy material from Mark's Gospel, they do so with remarkable consistency, even to the use of words in the original Greek language. John's Gospel, although influenced by Mark's Gospel, is further removed, with its principal source being Luke's Gospel. It is believed that John's Gospel was originally much more Gnostic, but that after the split in the Johannine community, the Gospel was reworked to remove much of its Gnostic flavour. Whereas the synoptic gospels say that Jesus, although the Son of God, was not truly divine, John's Gospel makes it quite clear that he was considered to be both God and pre-existing. Much of the material in John is unique to this Gospel, although passages in John can be seen to be adaptations of similar material in Luke. For example, the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus, in which he tells the disciples to cast their nets on the other side and thus they catch a multitude of fish, is unique to John. However, a very similar episode occurs in Luke before the crucifixion and resurrection. In the synoptic gospels, particularly in Mark, Jesus is at pains to keep his true identity secret. He does not 'cleanse' the Temple until towards the end of his mission, and this violent action is the trigger...
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...and he simply responds with “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Levi is chosen to emphasize that he is of the worst sinners. The dinner with the sinners is a part of Jesus’ mission of this passage. The sinners were considered unclean and profane, yet Jesus is there to be their physician. He is there to pursue the faith in them (Just 96). Historical Analysis The Gospel of Luke was originally written in Koine Greek (McKenzie 525). The intended audience is Greek-speaking, meaning Christianity was an international religion. The Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew have many of the same stories, but sometimes in different words or order. One of the problems of these Synoptic Gospels is the synoptic problem. The synoptic problem is the interrelationship of the three of them and the similarity in content (Mueller 75,77). One solution is that Matthew used information from only Mark, and Luke wrote last, using both of the gospels before him (McKenzie 524). The two main theological parties in Judaism were Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees are not mentioned much in the New Testament, but the Pharisees are debated with in this book. ‘Pharisees’ means righteous. Pharisees were the only ones who could keep the skill of being righteous (Green 246). Levi is presented as a tax collector from Capernaum. Levi is of low status and is...
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...The Gospels include the first 4 books of the New Testament which are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These stories in a way show the time period from Jesus' birth to Jesus' death and resurrection. One of the purposes of the 4 Gospels is to share the same stories but from different people with different perspectives from each other. Which has a whole message in it's self. I believe a key theme in these 4 books is the theme of laying down your life for others. Jesus obviously laid down his life in huge ways for all of us and we are to lay down our lives for others as well. We are taught in these books many things that we are called to carry out still to this day. There are so many themes that I can not even begin to list them all. You can get...
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...the Tenants in the Vineyard. Jesus told the parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard to show that as the Jews have rebelled against God, the kingdom of God will now be open to others as a consequence. The allegorical meaning of the parable is clear; God is represented by the landowner, Israel is represented by the vineyard (likening Israel to a vineyard was common) and the Jewish authorities are represented by the tenants. The servants, sent by the owner, represent the prophets that God had sent to his people, who were then rejected and killed, even by the people who were claiming to be of God and obedient to him. The parable then explains that the landowner sent his ‘beloved son’ (Mark), which is of course Jesus, but ‘they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard’ (Mark 12:8.) The end of the parable states that the owner will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others; Jesus is telling his audience that because of their disobedience, the opportunity to reach the kingdom of God will be given to the Gentiles. Jesus is teaching the Jews about the Kingdom of God and the parable represents God as a calm and patient judge, however the Pharisees saw the parable as something against them and wanted to arrest Jesus. The actual story is not very believable as the owner would certainly not have risked his own son, but instead he would have sent armed men to throw the tenants out. B.T.D Smith suggests that the original parable had three slaves...
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