The Gospels An introduction

The Synoptic problem Synoptics: Matthew, Mark, Luke All three tell a similar story Basic stories are the same – audience is different So, what is the problem? Who wrote first? Who copied who? ½ of the material in the synoptic gospels is common to all three Mark 661 verses: 600 found in Matthew

Synoptics 40% of Luke is in Mark So who wrote what and when? Mark is thought to be the oldest There is also thought to be another source Q source – a list of sayings of Jesus Matthew and Luke added q material to Mark’s outline Also used material from the oral tradition, so there is material in Matthew and Luke, not in Mark

Mark Shortest and oldest of Gospels 1:1 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ; the Son of God” – only the beginning – never ends Written in 65-70 CE Written for Roman Church Nero was persecuting the Christians, Peter had been crucified Written quickly – often uses the word immediately

Jesus : Messiah Gospels refer to Jesus as ‘Messiah’ and ‘Christ’ Both mean anointed one By the time of Jesus, this term referred to a ‘godly powerful one’ But, this person had not yet arrived The Gospels present Jesus as the expected Messiah But he would not be the political/military leader they were expecting