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Introduction to the Gospels

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What is a Gospel?

“Good News” -- ‘euaggelion’ A narrative about Jesus of Nazareth

Similar genres in Antiquity-- biography aretology

a special genre of biography about a theios aner (=divine man)

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Who Wrote the Gospels?

No titles or authors given by the Gospels themselves

Conventional titles from Papias 2nd century Church leaderBishop of Hieropolis

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Matthewdisciple of Jesus, also referred to as

Levitaxcollector

“Now Matthew made an ordered arrangement of the oracles in the Hebrew language, and each one translated them as he was able” -- Papias

Markcompanion of Paul and BarnabasPeter was his source

“Mark, having been Peter’s translator wrote all that he remembered accurately but not in order as to what was either said or done by the Lord”

-- Papias

Symbol =man

Symbol=lion

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JohnPapias was acquainted with John“the beloved disciple”after Jesus’ death and

resurrection lived in Ephesus with Mary, the mother of Jesus

Lukea companion of Paulalso wrote Actsa physician

Symbol=ox

Symbol=eagle

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How Many Gospels?

MatthewMarkLukeJohn

But also . . .

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Gospel of Thomas Gospel of the

Ebionites Gospel of the

Nazarenes Gospel of Philip Gospel of the

Hebrews Gospel of the

Egyptians Gospel of Truth Protoevangelium of

James

Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Gospel of Peter Apocryphon of John Dialogue of the Savior Second Treatise of the

Great Seth Sophia of Jesus Christ Papyrus Egerton 2 Epistle of the Apostles Pistis Sophia Book of Thomas the

Contender

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Which Gospels?

Canonical -- All four presumed

to be written by one of the apostles

Widespread acceptance

Preference for four rather than the Diatesseron

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Diatessaron

A “harmony” of the four canonical gospels -- blending together the four stories into one narrative

Compiled by a Church leader in Syria, named Tatian

2nd half of the second century

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Comparing the Four GospelsMatthew 3:16-17 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold the heavenswere opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a doveand alighting on him. And lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “Thisis my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:10-11 And when he came up out of thewater, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; withthee I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21a-22 And when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.”

John 1:32-34 And John bore witness, “I sawthe Spirit descend as a dove fromheaven, and it remained on him. Imyself did not know him…And Ihave seen and have borne witnessthat this is the Son of God.”

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Comparing the Four Gospels

Matthew 12:1-2 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on thesabbath; his disciples werehungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him . . .

Mark 2:23-24 One sabbath he was goingthrough the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to him, . . .

Luke 6:1-2 On a sabbath, while he wasgoing through the grainfields,his disciples plucked and atesome heads of grain, rubbingthem in their hands. But someof the Pharisees said, . . .

Not in the

Gospel of John

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Synoptic

means “seeing together”refers to the first three Gospels:

Matthew, Mark, and Lukebecause these three Gospels are very

similar in order, wording, and content

but the Gospel of John is quite different . . .

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A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John

Synopticscommon content,

including baptism, transfiguration, last supper, and common miracles

Jesus talks in proverbs and short parables

Fourth Gospel lacks: baptism,

transfiguration, last supperincludes: wedding at Cana, raising of Lazarus, Nicodemus

long theological discourses

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Order

Synoptics Preliminary

information

Galilean Ministry Journey to Jerusalem Ministry in Jerusalem Passion Resurrection

John Prologue

Declaration of Christ the Messiah

Conflict with nonbelievers

Relationship with believers

Passion and Resurrection

Epilogue

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More differences

Synoptics

only one trip to

Jerusalembulk of Jesus’

ministry in Galilee

John

four trips to

Jerusalem Judea is the

location of most of Jesus’ ministry

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Summary

Four canonical Gospels Traditional titles: Matthew, Mark,

Luke, and John Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called

the Synoptic Gospels because they agree in content, order, and wording.

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Words and Concepts

Gospel

Papias

Diatessaron

Synoptic

Traditional Titles/

authorship

aretology

theios aner

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More to Learn . . .

Source Criticism

Form Criticism

Redaction Criticism