(Source: From One Jesus to Four Gospels by Herman Hendrickx) Jesus to 4 Gospels (Source: From One Jesus to Four Gospels by Herman Hendrickx)
Why did it takes so long? Second generation Christians felt the need for a more comprehensive written testimony of the Lord’s words and deeds as long as it is confined in Palestine, Jesus’ life is basically known During Jesus’ time, teachings were spoken. People preferred the spoken, “living” word Early Christians expected Jesus to come back soon.
Why did they wrote? There was a growing need for a written record of Jesus’ words and deeds. Written word vcame to be regarded as a substitute for the spoken word and the immediate and personal contact with the 1st eyewitnesses Delay in the parousia, need for a permanent for of the gospel.
Evangelists work They were not entirely free to do whatever they like with the materials from oral tradition . They are bound to maintain integrity of existing literary units They belonged to the Church and to particular Christian communities. They are the authoritative spokespersons of the community
What is a Gospel? It consists of the following: A recital of the historical narrative of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the core message of the early Church The narrative was prefaced by some account of Jesus’ public ministry: a selection of words and deeds Matthew and Luke is prefaced with an “Infancy Narrative”
What is a Gospel? It is a testimony to the early Christian experience expressed by means of an arrangement of traditional materials concerning Jesus and his disciples.
The synoptic problem Mark, Matthew and Luke are referred to as the “Synoptic” Gospels Synoptic – from the Greek prefix “syn-” and “optic” = to see; = can be seen, looked at together, side by side
The Gospel of Mark
Author, Place and Date Anonymous. The gospel itself did not identify Mark as the author Tradition has it that it was written in Rome. Internal evidence shows that it was written for a Gentile Hellenistic readers. Consensus point to Galilee or Southern Syria 70 AD
Outline: Introduction (1:1-13) The Mystery of the Messiah (1:14-8:26) Jesus and the People Jesus and His own Jesus and his Disciples Turning point: Confession of Peter (8:27-30) The Mystery of the Son of Man (8:27-16:8) The Way of the Son of Man The Judgement of Jerusalem Passion and Resurrection
Gospel of Matthew
Author, Place and Date Apostle Matthew Apparently a Greek-speaking Jewish Christian with a rabbinical training and a scribe Antioch of Syria 85 – 90 AD
Outline: Prologue (1:1-2:23) The Jewish People refuses to believe in Jesus (3:1 – 13:58) The Preparation of Jesus’ ministry Jesus, powerful in words and deeds Jesus Sends his disciples on a mission A choice to be made for or against Jesus Transitional section: Section of the Loaves (14:1- 16:12) The Ecclesial Section (16:13 – 20:16) Up to and in Jerusalem (20:17 – 25:46) The Passion and Resurrection (26:1 – 28:20)
Gospel of Luke
Author, Place and Date Author could have been a companion of Paul. A Christian writing for Christians Place could be Achaia (Greece) and Alexandria 85 – 95 AD
Outline: Prologue (1:1-4) Infancy narrative (1:5 – 2:52) Jesus’ Messianic Action (3:1 – 9:50) Introduction Jesus activity in Galilee Jesus Way to the Ascension (9:51 -24:53) The journey to Jerusalem Teaching in the Temple Passion, Death and Resurrection, Ascension
Gospel of John
Author, Place and Date Tradition: John son of Zebedee (Jesus’ disciple) Apotle John as the “apostolic authority” A disciple-evangelist wrote the apostle’s message A disciple-redactor edited the work and added new material to the original Written in Ephesus 90 – 100 AD
Outline: Introduction (1:1-51) The Prologue (1:1-18) The Witness (1:19 – 51) John the Baptist The Disciples The Book of Signs (2:1 – 12:50) Episode 1: New Beginnings Episode 2: Jesus’ life-giving Word Episode 3: Jesus as the Bread of Life
Episode 4: Identity Crisis Episode 5: Light of the World Episode 6: Life over Death Episode 7: Life through Death The Book of Glory (13:1 – 20:31) Farewell Discourse The Passion Narrative The Resurrection IV. Epilogue: Appearance in Galilee (21:1 – 25)