Synoptic Gospels
The Gospel according to Mark –
Theme - “Jesus the Suffering Servant”
Timeline
 Around 60 C.E. (Common Era)
 It was a religious book based on the community’s reflections on
the actual events and messages in Jesus’ life.
Audience
 Gentile Christians.
Message
 He stressed that Christians were the Disciples of Christ.
 Just as Jesus suffered and died so do those who become
Christians for their faith.
 Mark stressed that a disciple must take up their cross and follow
Jesus.
Background
 Mark knew that Christians were persecuted and martyred
during the time of Nero in Rome, and many were asking why they had
to endure these hardships.
Style and Technique
 The Gospel of Mark is the shortest Gospel.
 Mark focuses more on Jesus’ deeds than on his words.
 Use of symbolism.
 4 major episodes:
– The Baptist and the baptized
– Who do you say that I am?
– Trial Narrative
– The Messiah Revealed to the World
-Marks Gospel provides an intimate portrait of Jesus. Jesus as the Suffering Servant.
The Gospel according to Matthew –
Theme – “Jesus the Teacher”
Timeline

Around 80 C.E. (Common Era)
Audience
 Jewish Christians.
Message
 Jewish Christians wondered why the Jewish nation had not
rallied to Jesus.
 They believed the messiah was to come from the Jewish people,
but Christian Jews wondered how the Jewish nation misunderstood
Jesus.
 Matthew explains that it was the Jews who rejected Christ, not
Christ who rejected the Jews.
 Jesus preached among the Jewish people, but the religious
leaders rejected his message.
Background
 During a time when the Jews had been at war with the Romans
and lost their land including their sacred city of Jerusalem.
 The Jewish Christians refused to participate in the war due to
their Christian convictions and nonviolent beliefs.
 After the war the Pharisees excommunicated the Jewish
Christians for their lack of support.
 Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes.
Style and Technique
 Blends insight of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus.
 Infancy Narrative.
 Temptation Narrative.
 Beatitudes
 The judgment of nations
Matthew’s Gospel contains Jesus’ teaching in such a thorough, well-organized, and
understandable manner, becoming the most popular and widely used of all the Gospels in
the early Church.
The Gospel according to Luke –
Theme – “Jesus the Savior”
Timeline
 Around 90 C.E. (Common Era)
Audience
 Gentile.
Message
 He explained how Jesus’ message was for all people.
 Message for the poor, suffering, outcast, and women.
Background
 Luke traces Jesus’ birth back to Adam, thus showing that Jesus
is the Savior of all, Jews and Gentiles alike.
 Luke tells his readers to concentrate on the importance of living
everyday life in this world in the manner of Jesus.
 Emphasis on Jesus’ human qualities (mercy and compassion).
Style and Technique
 The movement in Luke’s Gospel is always toward the city of
Jerusalem.
 Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem followed by presentation in the
temple and then the boy Jesus lost in Jerusalem.
 Announcement of journey towards Jesus death in Jerusalem.
 After Jesus’ resurrection all of his appearances are in or near
Jerusalem.
 Jesus was killed and the Church born in Jerusalem.
Luke’s Gospel clearly depicts a Jesus who deeply loves all men and women.