The Gospels as Four Portraits of Jesus
(A)Mark’s Gospel (B) Matthew’s Gospel (C) Luke’s Gospel (D) John’s Gospel (E) the synoptic gospels ABC
Written for the church in Rome and for Gentiles
Written by a Jewish author for Jews who were converting to Christianity
Genealogy traced to Abraham
Genealogy traced to Adam
Stresses Jesus as the fulfillment of promises made by God in the Hebrew Scriptures
Stresses the humanity and suffering of Jesus
Include Genealogy of Jesus
Include Infancy Narratives
Stresses the universality of the Christian message, particularly by showing the inclusion of outcasts (women, poor, and sick people)
Stresses Jesus’ compassion, mercy, and concern for sinners
Demonstrates Jesus’ role as teacher and preacher (Rabbi)
Presents Jesus as "the Word of God"
written by a Gentile doctor for Gentile Christians
Infancy Narratives with shepherds
the earliest and shortest Gospel
The miracle stories emphasize Jesus’ compassion for those who are suffering
Stresses the incarnation
offers a unique portrait of Jesus
Stresses the central role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life
Infancy Narratives with magi
Builds on poetic and memorable images of Jesus ("I am" statements
similar portraits of Jesus The synoptic gospels
Jesus’ followers take some time to catch on to who Jesus is, and when they finally do, Jesus tells them to keep it a secret, given their expectations of the Messiah)>Messianic Secret
Probably written by followers of the Beloved Disciple
Mark, Matthew, and Luke
is the first of a two-volume work, the second being the Acts of the Apostles focusing on the time period from the Ascension to the Pentecost and St. Peter’s role in the early Church
Focuses on Jesus’ inclusion of women
Jesus washes the Apostles feet at the Last Supper
Jesus Restores Peter