Unit 10: The Context of the Gospels

Section 8: The Infancy Narratives The Gospel According to Matthew, 1-2 The Gospel According to Luke, 1-2

The Infancy Narratives The Gospels lay the foundation for understanding the message and the mission of Jesus Each of the four Gospels contains a similar but unique view of Jesus’ life and teachings –Each Gospel contains the distinctive teachings, preachings, understandings, and beliefs about Jesus held by a specific early Christian community Stories of faith intended to inspire and strengthen the faith of other beleivers

The Infancy Narratives Infancy Narrative –A story (myth) about Jesus’ birth and early life –Contained only in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke –Each account is a unique and distinctive story

The Infancy Narratives Why? –To provide a faith-filled response to the natural curiosity of the early faith community regarding the birth and early life of Jesus –To link Jesus to the great figures of the Hebrew Scriptures who experienced divine births –To introduce the central themes and purposes of the Gospel author

The Infancy Narratives The author of the Gospel of Matthew –Human/Angel with wings The Four Evangelists –Rudolf Koch ( )

The Infancy Narratives The Gospel According to Matthew The Context of the Gospels –The Life of Jesus The political, cultural, social, economic, and religious context of 1 st Century Palestine –The Early Disciples of Jesus Written as a result of the Resurrection –The Gospel According to Matthew Written for Jewish Christians who were rejected by other Jews for their belief in Jesus Approximately around 85 AD

The Infancy Narratives Matthew’s Gospel: Two Fundamental Questions Who is this Jesus called the Christ? –The promised Messiah of the Jewish people –The new Moses (law giver), the new King David, and the greatest prophet What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? –To be faithful to God who has fulfilled the promises of the Jewish tradition

The Infancy Narratives Matthew’s Three Major Intentions Show his Jewish readers that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for –Provides a genealogy of Jesus to demonstrate that Jesus was from the line of King David Show his Jewish readers that Gentiles often accepted Jesus as the Messiah even though many Jews rejected him –Includes the story of the wise men (or Magi), who were non-Jewish men Portray Jesus as “the new Moses” –The Holy Family flees to Egypt and is called out after Herod’s death, reflecting the stories contained in the Book of Exodus

The Infancy Narratives The author of the Gospel of Luke –Ox with wings The Four Evangelists –Rudolf Koch ( )

The Infancy Narratives The Gospel According to Luke The Context of the Gospels –The Life of Jesus The political, cultural, social, economic, and religious context of 1 st Century Palestine –The Early Disciples of Jesus Written as a result of the Resurrection –The Gospel According to Luke Written for Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians who were Greek-speaking, wealthy, and well-educated Approximately around AD

The Infancy Narratives Luke’s Gospel: Two Fundamental Questions Who is this Jesus called the Christ? –Merciful and compassionate Savior –Special concern for the poor, outcasts, sinners, women, children, and non-Jews (Romans, Samaritans) What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? –To welcome all people into the Kingdom of God

The Infancy Narratives Luke’s Four Major Intention Show that the Good News is for everyone, especially those who are poor and downtrodden –The angel Gabriel visits Mary (a woman) –The shepherds (itinerant laborers) who visit Jesus Show that the Good News is for everyone, even Gentiles –Provides a genealogy of Jesus that traces his ancestry back to Adam, who is the father of all people, not just the Jews Portray Jesus as the divine Son of God –Provides a genealogy of Jesus that traces his ancestry back to Adam and, therefore, to God Point out the connection between John the Baptist and Jesus –Provides a birth sequence in which John shows the way to Jesus

The Infancy Narratives