Synoptic Gospel Groups

 PRIMARY AUDIENCE: Early Christians who were experiencing persecution for their faith.  “Portrait” OF JESUS: SUFFERING SERVANT  Great emphasis on Jesus’ human nature

Describe Jesus’ behavior in the following two passages. Why does He act this way? MK 7:24 MK 9:30

In these passages, how does Jesus respond to people after He heals them? What does he do before he heals?Why? MK 1:40-45 MK 5:39-43 MK 7:31-37 MK 8:22-26

BEFORE HEALINGAFTER HEALING  He pulls them aside, away from crowds  Deals with person as an individual  Listens, develops relationship…  He tells them to TELL NO ONE!

 Jesus does not heal them in order to get them (or anyone) to have faith in him. Rather, healing is a response of mercy and compassion.  Person’s faith comes first, then healing happens.  This message is important for us today, too… Are we waiting for a miracle so that we might believe? (This doesn’t seem to be the Gospel pattern!)

In these passages, who recognizes Jesus’ identity? (Are they praising him, or is something else going on?) How does Jesus respond to those who publicly recognize Him? MK 1: MK 1:32-34

 Crowds  Sick people  Demons Recognize Jesus’ identity AS MESSIAH…. Consistently, he asks them to be QUIET about it….

In MK 8:27-33, Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. (Who is Peter?) After Peter makes this statement, Jesus reprimands him Why?

In MK 15:37-39, who declares that Jesus is the Son of God? What is the significance of: a) this person acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God? b) his recognition of this while Jesus is on the cross?

 Crowds  Sick people  Demons  A centurion ( Roman soldier )  Peter ( Apostle and best friend ) All recognize Jesus’ identity AS MESSIAH…. Consistently, he asks them to be QUIET about it….

The pattern in MARK where Jesus repeatedly “silences” anyone who publicly recognizes him as Messiah is called the “MESSIANIC SECRET”  Why does the Gospel writer emphasize the need to keep Jesus’ identity as Messiah ‘secret’?

WHO ELSE will learn of Jesus’ true identity? ? ?

In the account of Jesus’ baptism, MK 1:9-11, who “sees” something like a dove and hears the heavenly voice? Who does not? Why is this important? (How does this scene depict an essential truth about Jesus’ identity?)

What did you observe about Jesus in Mark’s gospel that you had never considered/noticed before? Anything surprise you?

 PRIMARY AUDIENCE: JEWISH CHRISTIANS  “Portrait” of JESUS: TEACHING MESSIAH  Emphasis on Jesus’ divinity and fulfillment of the Old Testament promises.

 Look at MT 1:1-11. What is this?  Where else in the bible do we hear a word with the same root? Any connection?

TORAHOUTLINE OF MATTHEW GENESIS - Origins of humankind EXODUS - Moses’ authority leads to freedom LEVITICUS – Great laws; Moses receives Ten Commandments from Mt. Sinai NUMBERS - Census DEUTERONONY – End of time - Origins of Jesus - Jesus’ authority - invitation to new life - Jesus’ commandments of Love/ Beatitudes (sermon on the Mount) - Who is my neighbor? - Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection (His “end”)

 What is the significance of Jesus teaching the Beatitudes from a MOUNTAIN?  Why might the MOUNTAIN be an important location in the Jewish mind?

Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “You have heard it said…” WHERE would they have heard it said? What is the significance of Jesus following these statements with “…and now I say to you..”

 “I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill…”

 PRIMARY AUDIENCE: Gentile Christians  “Portrait” of JESUS: UNIVERSAL SAVIOR Emphasis on Jesus as healer of social inequalities and bringer of salvation and justice to all people.

 LUKE 1:1  To whom does Luke address his Gospel?

 Look at LK 3: & MT 1:1-7  How is Luke’s genealogy of Jesus different from Matthew’s? Where does each start? End?  What is Luke trying to say by this?

 What is different about the language used between the gospels? MK 9:5LK 9:33 …Rabbi…….Master… MK 10:51LK 18:51 …Master……Lord…  MK 14:36LK 22:42 …Abba……Father…

Who is the central character in these passages? LK 1:36-55 LK 2:36-38 LK 7:11-17 LK 8:2 LUKE 8:3 LK 10:38-42 LK 23:27-31

READ LK 22:39-23:25 In LUKE’s account of the ARREST and TRIAL of JESUS….  Who is responsible for Jesus’ arrest and death?  How many times does Pilate declare Jesus’ innocence?  Does Herod seem to see Jesus as a political threat?  Why would Jesus have blamed who he did?

JEWISHROMAN  Judas  Peter  Herod  Sanhedrin  Crowds choosing Jesus over Barabbas  Pilate

 The central character in these passages are all… WOMEN! Jesus treats them all with dignity and respect and as equals. This was NOT typical of Jewish men of his time.

In Jesus’ day… Jewish culture saw women as PROPERTY rather than as persons. Men would not acknowledge women in public (even their wives)! Jewish men also said a prayer each day thanking God that they were not born a woman! !

 Look at LUKE 11:7-11.  How does Luke’s choice of words emphasize that Jesus came FOR ALL?

 Compare The Beatitudes as presented by Matthew and Luke.  What differences do you note in language used?

MATTHEWLUKE  Written in “third person”  Emphasis on spiritual needs  Comforts those in need  Written in “second person”  Emphasis on physical needs  Comforts those in need, but also CHALLENGES those who have more than they need!

 Which version.. - do you ‘like’ better? - is more comforting? More challenging?  How might our state in life influence how we hear these words?