1. The Gospels
An introduction

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 CE
Written for Roman Church
Nero was persecuting the Christians, Peter had been crucified
Written quickly – often uses the word immediately

5. 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