The Christ of the Gospels

1
The Christ of the Gospels

• Who do you say that I am?
• The synoptic problem the Two-Source hypothesis.
• Distinctive features of each gospel.

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Who do you say that I am?

• On the way Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do
  people say that I am?" And they answered him,
  "John the Baptist and others, Elijah and still
  others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But
  who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him,
  "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered
  them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began
  to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo
  great suffering, and be rejected by the elders,
  the chief priests, and the scribes, and be
  killed, and after three days rise again. He said
  all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside
  and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking
  at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, Get
  behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind
  not on divine things but on human things. Mk
  8 27-33.

3
NT Canon 27 books

• Gospels
• Synoptic Mark, Matthew, Luke
• John
• Acts of the Apostles
• 21 Epistles Book of Revelation

Four gospel codices in a bookcase
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Two Source Hypothesis
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The Gospel of Mark Jesus the Suffering Servant

• The earliest and the shortest gospel
• written c. 70 AD
• passion narrative with an extended introduction
  (Isa 53).
• Jesus as the offense
• Did Jesus speak about himself openly?
• Healing of a leper 144
• Resuscitation of Jairus daughter 5 43
• The gospel of questions
• 127 exorcism in synagogue
• 441 rebuking the wind
• I believe help my unbelief 924

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Outline of the Gospel of Mark

• 11-245 The beginning of Jesus ministry
• Title John the Baptist Baptism Temptation
  proclamation of the kingdom the call of first
  disciples day in Capernaum.
• 21-613 Conflicts with authorities
• Paralytic cured Jesus Jewish observances
  association with sinners, fasting Sabbath man
  cured on Sabbath controversy over authority
  parables of the kingdom four miracles rejected
  at Nazareth.
• 614-826 Ministry in Galilee and beyond
• 827-1052 Turning point
• Peters confessionpassion prediction
  Transfiguration second passion prediction
  discipleship teaching on marriage third passion
  prediction.

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Outline of Mark (contd)

• 111-1337 Jesus in Jerusalem
• Entry into Jerusalem cursing the fig tree
  cleansing the Temple controversies with
  authorities small apocalypse
• 141-168 Passion narrative
• Judas betrayal Last Supper Gethsemane
  Arrest before Sanhedrin Peters denial before
  Pilate mockery crucifixion burial empty tomb.

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Gospel of Mark study questions

• Group 1. Describe John the Baptist, his
  appearance, his message (also look up Matthew
  31-6), his reaction to Jesus, and the
  circumstances of his death (Mark 11-8 6 17-29)
• Group 2. In the conflicts with authorities, what
  is Jesus accused of? 21-28 31-6 3 20-27
  1115-19.
• Group 3. What are the characteristics of a true
  disciple of Jesus? 834-38 933-41 1032-45.
• Group 4. How are the disciples portrayed? What is
  their reaction to teachings and miracles of
  Jesus? 41-13, 4 35-40 647-52 714-23
  814-21.
• Group 5. Summarize Jesus moral exhortation
  concerning the end time (chap. 13). What are the
  signs of the eschaton (end time)? What are the
  implications for human behavior follow from the
  apocalyptic world-view?

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John the Baptist
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The Gospel of Matthew Jesus the Living Torah

• Written after Mark, c. 80-85 AD
• Compare Mk 1 9 Mt 313-15
• Jesus the Emmanuel God with us Isa 714
• Jesus the Law

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Beatitudes

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
  kingdom of heaven. Cf. Lk 620
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
  righteousness, for they will be filled. Cf. Lk
  621
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
  God.
• Mt 5 3,6,8

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Jesus attitude towards the LawMatthew 5 21-48

• You have heard that it was said
• You shall not murder, commit adultery, swear
  falsely, etc.
• But I say to you
• Do not be angry, lustful, swear at all
• Love your enemies

13
Jesus and the Law

• Do not think that I have come to abolish the
  law or the prophets I have come not to abolish
  but to fulfill 517.
• For I tell you, unless your righteousness
  exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you
  will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 520.

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The Gospel of John Christ the Divine Logos

• The latest gospel, c. 90 AD
• the spiritual gospel
• John 11-18. Who is the Word?
• I am sayings. 635 812, 1125 146 151.

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Ancient manuscript of Johns Prologue. ca. 200.
P66

• INTHEBEGINNINGWAS
• THEWORDANDTHE
• WORDWASWITHGDAN
• THEWORDWASGD

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The Gospel of Luke The Good Shepherd

• Written c. 80-85 AD
• Luke-Acts written by one person
• the social gospel (parable of the good Samaritan
  10 29-37)
• Parables of the lost coin, lost sheep, prodigal
  son (chap. 15).