1. Life of Christ A Study of the Gospels

2. Luke’s purpose for writing a gospel Section 1

3. 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accom- plished among us … Many written accounts of the life & teachings of Jesus were circulating at the time of Luke’s writing.Many written accounts of the life & teachings of Jesus were circulating at the time of Luke’s writing.1

4. 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 1:3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, … Luke scientifically investigated the written and oral (eye-witness) traditions carefully.Luke scientifically investigated the written and oral (eye-witness) traditions carefully. Luke was not an eyewitness of the events of Christ’s life.Luke was not an eyewitness of the events of Christ’s life.2

5. Gospel comes from the Greek word euvaggeli,a (eu-angelia)Gospel comes from the Greek word euvaggeli,a (eu-angelia)  euv = good  aggeli,a = news, message Each of the ‘gospels’ — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — is a message of good news. Each of the ‘gospels’ — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — is a message of good news. What is a gospel?3

6. There are no originals left. There are no originals left. Traditional authorship is accepted becauseTraditional authorship is accepted because 1.No evidence to the contrary 2. All the church fathers accepted them 3.It is reasonable (e.g., we do not have originals for Homer, Plato, Aristotle, etc., but we accept their authorship.) Authorship of the Gospels4

7. The three synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark, LukeThe three synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke Greek sunoptiko,j = sun-optikosGreek sunoptiko,j = sun-optikos  sun = with  optikoj = to see Definition: seeing the whole together, taking a comprehensive view Definition: seeing the whole together, taking a comprehensive view The Synoptic Gospels5

8. Shared material in Synoptics5 John Luke Mark Matthew UniqueShared 42%58% 7%93% 59%41% 92%8%

9. Themes of the Gospels None of the Gospels are purely biographical (intending to trace the life of a person from beginning to end). All are thematic treatises.None of the Gospels are purely biographical (intending to trace the life of a person from beginning to end). All are thematic treatises.

10. Matthew: Jesus, the King of the Jews Promised Messiah, King of the Jews – see his credentialsPromised Messiah, King of the Jews – see his credentials –Genealogy beginning with Abraham (Jew) through David (King) –Uses ‘kingdom’ 56x; ‘kingdom of heaven’ 32x; ‘son of David’ 10x –Devotes more space than any other gospel to the words of Christ – His teaching. –Perhaps an example of proving Jesus is Messiah from OT. 50+ direct quotations from the OT

11. Mark: Jesus, the Servant of God Focuses on Jesus ’ service–a man of actionFocuses on Jesus ’ service–a man of action –no mention of the birth account –‘immediately’ occurs 41x Appears to be written to Gentile audience, traditionally regarded as written to the Romans.Appears to be written to Gentile audience, traditionally regarded as written to the Romans. –Clement of Alexandria in Eusebius affirms –Translation of Aramaic expressions (5:41, 7:3-4) –Explanations of Jewish customs (7:3-4) Key verse: Mark 10:45 “For even the son of man came not to be served, but to be served.”Key verse: Mark 10:45 “For even the son of man came not to be served, but to be served.”

12. Luke: Jesus, the Son of Man Focuses on the humanity of JesusFocuses on the humanity of Jesus –It is from Luke that we learn of Jesus’s hunger, tiredness, thirst, and so on Purpose of Luke: so that Theophilus might know for certain the things he had heardPurpose of Luke: so that Theophilus might know for certain the things he had heard

13. John: Jesus, the Son of God John focuses on the deity of JesusJohn focuses on the deity of Jesus

14. Origin of the Synoptics Two Document Theory (Incorrect View) 1.Proponents Liberals (Bible not-inspired, new birth not necessary) Liberals (Bible not-inspired, new birth not necessary) Evangelicals Evangelicals Conservative = Bible inspired, new birth necessary Conservative = Bible inspired, new birth necessary Liberal = Bible not inspired; new birth necessary Liberal = Bible not inspired; new birth necessary

15. Two Document Theory con’t 2.Content of View a.Mark was written first; Matt. & Luke borrowed from Mark. 661 verses in Mark 661 verses in Mark 606 occur in some form in Matthew 606 occur in some form in Matthew 380 occur in some form in Luke 380 occur in some form in Luke Only 30 unique Markan verses Only 30 unique Markan verses

16. b.Matthew & Luke get the rest of their material from an unknown source (Q) Q = quelle; German word for ‘source’ Q = quelle; German word for ‘source’ 3.Problems with this View Matthew was an eye-witness of most of what his gospel records. Why would he need to copy Mark? Two Document Theory con’t

17. Origin of the Synoptics Independent Authorship View 1. Sources for the Synoptics Matthew: wrote based on eye-witness experiences; material from prior to conversion taken from oral or written records Matthew: wrote based on eye-witness experiences; material from prior to conversion taken from oral or written records Mark: received material from Peter according to Papias Mark: received material from Peter according to Papias Luke: research written and oral sources Luke: research written and oral sources

18. Independent Authorship con’t 2.Theological basis for this view Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would bring all things to their remembrance John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

19. Independent Authorship con’t John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

20. Order of Composition Augustine (c. AD 400)Augustine (c. AD 400) –First to express an opinion on the literary order of the Synoptics –Matthew  Mark  Luke –Augustine did not postulate interdependence in authorship; merely awareness