THE GOSPELS

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• THE GOSPELS

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FOUR GOSPELS

• Matthew (Mt.), Mark (Mk.), Luke (Lk.), and John
  (Jn.) are the four CANONICAL Gospels (Dozens were
  written)
• Mt., Mk., and Lk. are known as the SYNOPTIC
  (One Eye) Gospels
• The Synoptics not only have a similar style, but
  tell many of the SAME stories in the SAME order.

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WHY ONLY FOUR?

• Some were written centuries after Jesus.
• Some mixed pagan folklore w/ the story of Jesus.
• Some put other philosophies into the mouth of
  Jesus. i.e. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus tells
  women to become male. (This means to take on
  male characteristics like being logical.)

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• Mt., Mk., Lk. and Jn. were written only 1-2
  generations after Jesus and were believed to be
  written by apostles or their close followers.
• Matthew and John were apostles.
• Mark was believed to be dictated by Peter.
• Luke was a companion of St. Paul.

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How are the Synoptics related?

• There have been many theories about who copied
  from whom.
• None can be proven, of course.

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Some less likely theories

• The Traditional Theory (Augustinian
  Hypothesis)
• The Griesbach Theory (Two-Gospel Hypothesis)
• The Farrer/Goulder Theory (positing Markan
  Priority)

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The Four-Source Theory(a.k.a. Two-Document
Hypothesis, from B.H. Streeter)
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Matthew Mark Luke John
Chapters 28 16 24 21
Words 18,345 11,304 19,482 15,635
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MARK

• Mark was the first Gospel written, between 65 and
  70 AD.
• Probably written in Rome, though Syria,
  Alexandria, and the Decapolis are possibilities.
• Written to mostly Gentiles, new to the faith,
  facing persecution

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Inaugural event exorcism in the synagogue at
Capernaum
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CHRISTOLOGY

• Christ/Messiah Son of God
• Suffering Son of Man

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Eschatological Judge
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Miracles overcoming evil powersarguing with
religious authorities
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Who are the religious authorities?

• Pharisees teachers (rabbis), their goal was
  to make every Jewish boy literate in Scripture.
  Some of their theology was similar to Jesus
  (i.e. Resurrection).
• They were strict observers of the law/tradition
  of the elders.
• Jesus criticizes their hypocrisy and blindness.
• Sadducees were the priests, connected to the
  Temple and Sanhedrin, its ruling council. (When
  the Temple disappeared, so does their power.)
• Laws from Bible, not traditions.
• Rejected the idea of resurrection, angels, demons.

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Other important groups

• Zealots zealous for Gods Law, wanted a violent
  overthrow of Roman authority.
• Essenes John the Baptist MAY have been one. The
  Essenes lived in community, separating themselves
  from the world.
• Messianic, rejected Temple authority.
• Their monastery destroyed in 68 AD, during war w/
  Rome. They would have seen this as the final
  battle between the forces of good and evil.

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• Herodians supporters of Herod. They conspire to
  kill Jesus in Mk.
• High Priest, Chief Priests, Priests, and Levites
  - members of the tribe of Levi who were
  responsible for the Temple and its sacrifices.
• Scribes trained writers, help interpret Law.
• Could be members of various parties, but often
  against Jesus.

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DISCIPLESHIP

• Persevere in faith despite suffering follow
  Jesus "on the way" to the cross be ready for his
  return
• Anonymous women (525 724 1241 143)Jairus
  (521)Bartimaeus (1046)
• The blood of
• martyrs is
• the seed of
• the Church.

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THE ROAD TO HEAVEN

• Whether you persevere in faithdespite
  persecutions (1313)

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

• Horrible suffering tragic death (ch. 1415)
• "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
  (1534)
• Empty Tomb, outside of Jerusalem (161-8)

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OTHER THEMES

• Messianic secretmain disciples don't
  understand,but minor characters do believe

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MATTHEW

• Written in the late 70s/80s.
• Possibly written in Galilee or near Antioch in
  Syria
• Written to a Jewish audience, who argue over the
  Law.

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Inaugural event Sermon on the Mount
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CHRISTOLOGY

• Son of David Son of Abraham King of the
  JewsNew Lawgiver Great Teacher (like
  Moses)Emmanuel ("God with us")
• Teaching his disciplesdecrying religious
  hypocrisy

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DISCIPLESHIP

• Be righteous forgive always live ethically
  (Golden Rule) fulfill God's commands, esp. in
  charitable deeds
• Peter (1613-20)children (181-5)faithful
  servants (24452546)

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THE ROAD TO HEAVEN

• What you do for "the least" peopleSheep Goats
  parable (2531-46)

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

• Authorities' plots treachery (ch. 26-27)
• "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
  (1534)

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Great Commission, on Mountain in Galilee
(2816-20)
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OTHER THEMES

• Fulfillment of Scripturedivisions within the
  communityfinal separation of good vs. bad

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LUKE

• Written in the mid-late 80s.
• Likely written in Greece, but maybe Syria or
  Antioch
• Written to a wealthier, urban Gentile Christians,
  possibly complacent.

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Inaugural event Rejection at the synagogue in
Nazareth
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CHRISTOLOGY

• Great Prophet (in word deed)Lord (of Israel,
  and of all nations)Savior (of all, but esp. of
  the poor)
• Healing sick impaired peopleforgiving sinners
  debtors

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DISCIPLESHIP

• Leave everything to follow Jesus share with
  poor accept everyone, esp. outcasts, women,
  enemies
• Mary of Nazareth (126251)Good Samaritan
  (1025-37)Zacchaeus (191-10)

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THE ROAD TO HEAVEN

• How you use wealth / possessionsparables of
  Rich Poor (161-31)

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

• Jesus' innocence forgiveness (ch. 2223)
• "Father, forgive them..." (2334)"You will be
  with me in Paradise" (2343)"Father, into your
  hands I commend my Spirit" (2346)

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Ascension, from Bethany, just East of Jerusalem
(2450-53)
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OTHER THEMES

• Fulfillment of God's planeschatological
  reversaltax collectors sinners favored

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JOHN

• Written in the 90s.
• Written in Galilee or Syria, possibly Ephesus
• To a mixed audience of Jews, Gentiles,
  Samaritans, etc.

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Inaugural event changing water to wine at the
wedding in Cana
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CHRISTOLOGY

• Eternal Logos Divine Word made
  FleshOnly-begotten Son sent from
  FatherPassover Lamb "I Am" / "Equal to God"

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Speaking God's words  doing God's works 
revealing his intimate relationship with God
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DISCIPLESHIP

• See, believe, know, remain in Jesus God,
  despite hostility love one another be in unity
  serve humbly
• John the Baptizer (ch. 1)man born blind (ch.
  9) Martha (1127)the B.D. (1323ff) Mary
  Magdalene (201-18)

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THE ROAD TO HEAVEN

• Whether or not you believe in Jesus(316-18
  519-24 1244-50)
• Love one another, as I have loved you

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

• Jesus' exaltation/glorification (ch. 1819)
• "Woman, behold, your son" "Behold, your mother"
  (1926-27)"I am thirsty" (1928)"It is
  finished" (1930)

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1 Disciples, Thomas (2019-29)2 Peter, Beloved
Disciple (211-23)
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OTHER THEMES

• Eternal life" "life in his name"Paraclete
  Holy Spirit Christian unitymutual indwelling
  of God/Jesus/us

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