1. (Source: From One Jesus to Four Gospels by Herman Hendrickx)
Jesus to 4 Gospels
(Source: From One Jesus to Four Gospels by Herman Hendrickx)

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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.

7. 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

8. The Gospel of Mark

9. 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

10. 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

11. Gospel of Matthew

12. 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

13. 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)

14. Gospel of Luke

15. 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

16. 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

17. Gospel of John

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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)