The Christ of the Gospels
1. “Who do you say that I am?”
2. The synoptic problem: the
Two-Source hypothesis.
3. Distinctive features of each
gospel.
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.
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
Two Source Hypothesis
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 1:44
– Resuscitation of Jairus’ daughter 5: 43
• The gospel of questions
– 1:27 exorcism in synagogue
– 4:41 rebuking the wind
• “I believe; help my unbelief” 9:24
Outline of the Gospel of Mark
1:1-2:45
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry
Title; John the Baptist; Baptism; Temptation;
proclamation of the kingdom; the call of first disciples;
day in Capernaum.
2:1-6:13
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.
6:14-8:26
Ministry in Galilee and beyond
8:27-10:52
Turning point
Peter’s confession—passion prediction;
Transfiguration; second passion prediction;
discipleship; teaching on marriage; third passion
prediction.
Outline of Mark
(cont’d)
11:1-13:37
Jesus in Jerusalem
Entry into Jerusalem; cursing the fig tree;
cleansing the Temple; controversies with
authorities; small apocalypse
14:1-16:8
Passion narrative
Judas’ betrayal; Last Supper; Gethsemane;
Arrest; before Sanhedrin; Peter’s denial;
before Pilate; mockery; crucifixion; burial;
empty tomb.
• Group
1. Describe
John
the Baptist,
hisquestions
appearance, his
Gospel
of
Mark:
study
message (also look up Matthew 3:1-6), his reaction to
Jesus, and the circumstances of his death (Mark 1:1-8; 6:
17-29)
• Group 2. In the conflicts with authorities, what is Jesus
accused of? 2:1-28; 3:1-6; 3: 20-27; 11:15-19.
• Group 3. What are the characteristics of a true disciple of
Jesus? 8:34-38; 9:33-41; 10:32-45.
• Group 4. How are the disciples portrayed? What is their
reaction to teachings and miracles of Jesus? 4:1-13,
4:
35-40; 6:47-52; 7:14-23; 8:14-21.
• 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?
John the Baptist
The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the Living Torah
• Written after Mark, c.
80-85 AD
• Compare Mk 1: 9 & Mt
3:13-15
• Jesus the Emmanuel:
God with us Isa 7:14
• Jesus & the Law
Beatitudes
• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Cf. Lk 6:20
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled. Cf. Lk 6:21
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see
God.
Mt 5: 3,6,8
Jesus’ attitude towards the Law
Matthew 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
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…” 5:17.
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 5:20.
The Gospel of John: Christ the Divine Logos
• The latest gospel, c. 90 AD
• “the spiritual gospel”
• John 1:1-18. Who is the
Word?
• “I am” sayings. 6:35; 8:12,
11:25; 14:6; 15:1.
Ancient manuscript of John’s Prologue. ca. 200. P66
INTHEBEGINNINGWAS
THEWORDANDTHE
WORDWASWITHGDAN
THEWORDWASGD
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).