JESUS CHRIST:
GOD’S REVELATION TO
THE WORLD
CHAPTER 6
THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
Jesus Christ
The four Gospels are our primary
source of information about Jesus.
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of
Christ.”
~ St. Jerome
Using My Gifts for Others
Service
Teaching
Encouraging
Generosity
Leadership
Compassion
Introducing the Synoptic
Gospels
Synoptic Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke
Synoptikos: “seen together”
They have much in common and differ
significantly from the Gospel of John.
The Synoptic
Gospels
Traditionally,
Matthew was
believed to be the
first Gospel written.
However, later
biblical scholarship
led most to believe
that Mark was
written first.
Matthew and Luke
“improve” difficult
passages in Mark.
What Is Meant
by “Gospel”

Gospel: “Good News”

The very life of Jesus
Christ is the Good News
of God’s love and
Salvation for all.

Preaching about Jesus

Four written versions of
the Good News; each
evangelist proclaims in
their own unique way the
“Good News”
The Gospel Sources
Overview of the
Gospel of Mark
Date: ~67-73 AD
 Audience: Non-Jewish,
Gentile Christians who
were undergoing
persecution
 Theme: following Jesus
often means that a
Christian must suffer like
Jesus did

The Son of God Became Man
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus
Christ (the Son of God)” (Mk 1:1)
Mark stresses Jesus’ humanity throughout his Gospel.
Mark teaches that Jesus is the Son of
God who assumed human nature.
Titles for Jesus in
Mark’s Gospel
Christ—Messiah “anointed one”
Son of Man
Suffering Servant
Jesus was reluctant to reveal his
identity because his concept of
the “anointed one” was radically
different from that of his people
and disciples.
Even suffering Christians
can celebrate the Good
News because Jesus brings
eternal life.
Overview of the
Gospel of Matthew
Date: sometime in the
80’s
 Author: Jewish scribe
 Audience: Jewish
Christians
 Theme: Jesus Christ—
Emmanuel (“God is with
us”)—is the Messiah
prophesied in the Old
Testament

Jesus as the New Moses
Matthew presents Jesus as the New Moses
His sermons reveal Jesus as a great teacher
Matthew strives to show that Jesus Christ
fulfills all of God’s promises to the Chosen
People and through them to all people.
Overview of the
Gospel of Luke




Date: ~ 75-90 AD
Author: a Gentile
Christian with some
attraction to Judaism;
also wrote Acts of the
Apostles; highly polished
writing style
Audience: largely Gentile
Christians
Theme: the city of
Jerusalem is an important
symbol; the drama of
Salvation unfolds there
Jesus’ Message in Luke
Jesus Offers a Message of Joy



Heart of Luke includes
parables that highlight
God’s forgiveness
“I tell you, there will be
rejoicing among the
angels of God over one
sinner who repents”
Jesus’ compassion is a
divine sign of healing love
Jesus Is for Everyone



Jesus sought out people
who were considered
“outcasts”
Jesus is everyone’s
compassionate Savior
We should allow Jesus to
live in us so we can love
everyone in imitation of
our Lord
The Early Life of Christ
Mysterion: God’s saving plan unfolded in history
God who is mystery is the very same God who
revealed himself in human history.
Everything about Jesus reveals God as infinitely
loving and merciful.
The Early Life of Christ
Birth of Jesus
Matthew and Luke
contain infancy narratives
 Highlight Jesus, Mary,
and Joseph (foster
father)
 Mary: a virgin, conceived
of the Holy Spirit
 The stories reveal more
about Jesus and his
mission

Circumcision and
Presentation in the Temple
Jesus’ circumcision
incorporated him into the
Chosen People.
 Example of humility
 Jesus is God’s only Son
 Old prophets Simeon and
Anna recognize him as
the Messiah.

The Early Life of Christ
The Magi, Flight into Egypt, and
Herod’s Slaughter of the
Innocents


The Epiphany celebrates
the mystery of Christ’s
manifestation as the
Savior of the world.
The Holy Family’s flight
into Egypt reveals how
God protected Him from
evil.
Hidden Years




Jesus lived a life of
humble obedience in
Nazareth.
Contrasts with Adam’s
disobedience
Learned Jewish faith from
his parents
Jesus’ humility teaches us
how to pray, live, and
witness to our faith.
Followers of Jesus
His life-giving words and marvelous deeds
inevitably drew disciples to him!
Call of the Twelve
Jesus selected the Twelve Apostles
(from the word “send”) to assist him
in his work.
Jesus chose the Apostles.
Jesus taught on his own authority.


The Call of the Twelve
Peter
Andrew
James, Zebedee’s son
John, Zebedee’s son
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew, or Levi
Thomas
James, son of Alphaeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas, son of James
Judas Iscariot
Jesus’ Public Life
Baptism by John the Baptist


By his submission to
John’s baptism, Jesus
again displayed his
humility.
All Three Persons of the
Blessed Trinity are Jesus
in the scene.
Temptations in the Desert



Satan tempted Jesus
three times during his
forty-day retreat in the
desert.
Foreshadowed his victory
over sin and Satan
True love often requires
sacrifice.
Jesus Proclaims the Gospel
“This is the time of fulfillment. The
kingdom of God is at hand. Repent,
and believe the gospel.”
Jesus Proclaims the Gospel
Jesus’ Miracles


Mighty works, wonders,
and signs revealed that
God’s Kingdom was
present in his very
person.
Purpose was to show
Jesus’ power over sin
Paschal Mystery

Passion, Death,
Resurrection, Ascension

Paschal Mystery rescued
humanity from sin and
death.

Jesus is Risen!
Transfiguration
The mystery from
Christ’s life in which
God’s glory shone
through and
transformed Jesus’
physical appearance
while he was in the
company of the Old
Testament prophets
Moses and Elijah
Peter, James, and
John witnessed this
event.