Introduction to the Gospels

1. Introduction to the Gospels matthew mark luke john Synoptic Criticism

2. What is a Gospel? • “Good News” -- ‘euaggelion’ • A narrative about Jesus of Nazareth • Similar genres in Antiquity-- • biography • aretology • a special genre of biography about a theios aner (=divine man) Synoptic Criticism

3. Who Wrote the Gospels? • No titles or authors given by the Gospels themselves • Conventional titles from Papias • 2nd century Church leader • Bishop of Hieropolis Synoptic Criticism

4. Matthew • disciple of Jesus, also referred to as Levi • taxcollector • “Now Matthew made an ordered arrangement of the oracles in the Hebrew language, and each one translated them as he was able” -- Papias Symbol = man • Mark • companion of Paul and Barnabas • Peter was his source • “Mark, having been Peter’s translator wrote all that he remembered accurately but not in order as to what was either said or done by the Lord”-- Papias Symbol= lion Synoptic Criticism

5. Luke • a companion of Paul • also wrote Acts • a physician Symbol= ox • John • Papias was acquainted with John • “the beloved disciple” • after Jesus’ death and resurrection lived in Ephesus with Mary, the mother of Jesus Symbol= eagle Synoptic Criticism

6. How Many Gospels? • Matthew • Mark • Luke • John • But also . . . Synoptic Criticism

7. Gospel of Thomas Gospel of the Ebionites Gospel of the Nazarenes Gospel of Philip Gospel of the Hebrews Gospel of the Egyptians Gospel of Truth Protoevangelium of James Infancy Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Peter Apocryphon of John Dialogue of the Savior Second Treatise of the Great Seth Sophia of Jesus Christ Papyrus Egerton 2 Epistle of the Apostles Pistis Sophia Book of Thomas the Contender Synoptic Criticism

8. Which Gospels? • Canonical -- • All four presumed to be written by one of the apostles • Widespread acceptance • Preference for four rather than the Diatesseron Synoptic Criticism

9. Diatessaron • A “harmony” of the four canonical gospels -- blending together the four stories into one narrative • Compiled by a Church leader in Syria, named Tatian • 2nd half of the second century Synoptic Criticism

10. Comparing the Four Gospels Matthew 3:16-17 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21a-22 And when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” John 1:32-34 And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him…And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” Synoptic Criticism

11. Comparing the Four Gospels Matthew 12:1-2 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him . . . Luke 6:1-2 On a sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, . . . Mark 2:23-24 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to him, . . . Not in the Gospel of John Synoptic Criticism

12. Synoptic • means “seeing together” • refers to the first three Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke • because these three Gospels are very similar in order, wording, and content • but the Gospel of John is quite different . . . Synoptic Criticism

13. Synoptics common content, including baptism, transfiguration, last supper, and common miracles Jesus talks in proverbs and short parables Fourth Gospel lacks: baptism, transfiguration, last supperincludes: wedding at Cana, raising of Lazarus, Nicodemus long theological discourses A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John Synoptic Criticism

14. Synoptics Preliminary information Galilean Ministry Journey to Jerusalem Ministry in Jerusalem Passion Resurrection John Prologue Declaration of Christ the Messiah Conflict with nonbelievers Relationship with believers Passion and Resurrection Epilogue Order Synoptic Criticism

15. Synoptics only one trip to Jerusalem bulk of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee John four trips to Jerusalem Judea is the location of most of Jesus’ ministry More differences Synoptic Criticism

16. Summary • Four canonical Gospels • Traditional titles: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John • Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they agree in content, order, and wording. Synoptic Criticism

17. Gospel Papias Diatessaron Synoptic Traditional Titles/authorship aretology theios aner Words and Concepts Synoptic Criticism

18. More to Learn . . . • Source Criticism • Form Criticism • Redaction Criticism Synoptic Criticism