Overview of the Synoptic Gospels & the Gospel of John

Gospel of Matthew

Interesting Facts
Most extensive and used by the early church Nearly 50% longer than Mark Tradition pegs Matthew (apostle) as author Most Jewish of the four Gospels Famous for certain passages/sayings (i.e. Sermon on the Mount; Lords Prayer; Beatitudes) Severity of anti-Jewish statements Grouped into 5 lengthy discourses [below] that end with same wording, When Jesus had nished these sayings . . . (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1) Sermon on the Mount (5-7) mission discourse (10) parables (13) instruction for the community (18) - eschatology (24-5) abrupt ending (16:8) has led some to conclude a more complete endings has been lost:

Authorship
much debated: authorship based upon church tradition (Papias), not biblical evidence Matthew the tax collector (10:3) considered unlikely (eye-witness would not have relied so heavily upon Mark) textual study suggests original manuscript not written in Hebrew or Aramaic Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor (A.D. 110): Matthew collected the sayings in the Hebrew (or Aramaic) language and every person interpreted them as he was able

Date
much debated estimates range between: A.D. 75-85 scholars assume Markan priority when dating Matthew scholars generally assume Matthew written after destruction of Temple & Jerusalem (A.D. 70) parables and prophecies (Matt 24) foretelling Jerusalems destruction assumed to be written after the fact

Location

known and used in Antioch, Syria Ignatius, bishop of Antioch quotes Matthew (A.D. 115) most likely Syria-Palestine

Setting/Purpose
presumably addressing needs of Jewish Christians in conict with Pharisaic establishment many scholars assume antiJewish sentiments (i.e. chap. 23) an indication that Matthews audience had parted with hostile Jews purpose to inform the reader of the story, teachings, and signicance of Jesus to encourage and exhort followers in Matthews day

Gospel of Mark

Interesting Facts
in recent times, Mark studied more rigorously than any other Gospel (to recover historical Jesus) in early church, Mark copied less frequently than other gospels, it was neglected Gospel very little commentary involving Mark in early church entirety of Mark found in Matthew with exception of 40 verses; half found in Luke stories regarding birth of Jesus excluded teachings of Jesus constitute 1/3 of Mark teachings on Sermon on the Mount absent from Mark Jesus ministry doesnt involve Jerusalem until 11:1 and crucied a week later

Authorship
Eusebius (4th century) referring to the views of Papias, bishop of Hierapolis: And this is what the Elder
said, Mark, who became Peters interpreter, wrote accurately, but not in order, as many of the things said and done by the Lord as he had noted. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterwards, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs (of his hearers) but not as a complete work of the Lords sayings. So Mark made no mistake in writing some things just as he had noted them. For he was careful of one thing, to leave nothing he had heard out and to say nothing falsely.

Authorship (contd)

Date
assuming Markan priority, written perhaps decade before Matthew & Luke

the Mark mentioned by Papias, probably referring to John Mark (Pauls associate) (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37-39) Augustine (AD 400) states Mark a follower and abbreviator of Matthew

scholars estimate just before or after AD 70 (assumes desolating sacrilege of 13:14 written after the fact) Irenaeus (AD 180): Peter and Paul proclaimed the Gospel in Rome. After their death, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, transmitted his preaching to us in written form Peter likely died during Neros persecution in Rome (AD 64/65); accordingly, Marks gospel written after that period

Location
place of composition more uncertain Clement of Alexandria (2nd century) believed written in Rome this view accepted by many scholars (Latinisms) others propose Antioch, Syria; Alexandria, Egypt; Galilee; Tyre; Sidon; the Decapolis

Setting/Purpose

impossible to specify audience & purpose of Marks gospel Marks gospel doesnt appear to be written for a specic perhaps to close-knit communities, clusters of house-churches

Interesting Facts
for many, most attractive appears to stress Jesus human attributes emphasizes Jesus concern for those on the fringes: women, tax collectors, sinners, etc. popular parables found only in this gospel: Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son Luke wrote a sequel to gospel: Acts introduces us to Jesus (Luke) & how His ministry relates to key events in the early church (Acts)

Gospel of Luke

Luke & Acts two longest of NT (nearly 1/4 of entire NT)

Authorship
absence of direct identication author not an eye-witness (1:2-4) & apparently a companion of Paul (wesections of Acts) a Luke mentioned 3 times in Scripture as a fellow worker/ companion with Paul (Philemon 24; 2 Tim 4:11) & as a beloved physician (Col 4:14) traditional view: Luke the physician = Luke the gospel writer debatable presumably an educated Gentile - polished Greek style - very familiar with Septuagint AD 60-130 proposed last events of Acts (AD 62)

Date
argument for early date (60s): - no mention of James death (AD 62), Pauls death (late 60s), or historical events after AD 61-63 (book of Acts) - silence of Jerusalem destruction argument for later date (post-AD 70) - mention of Jerusalem surrounded by armies (21:20) & additional prophecy of Jerusalem siege (19:43)

Luke follows Mark

Location

Setting/Purpose
Theophilus (1:4) a Christian or thinking to be one?

place unknown guesses include: Rome, Asia Minor, Caesarea, Achaia (southern Greece)

intent of gospel of Luke (theories proposed):

explain why Jesus had not returned defense for Christianity to defend Paul before Rome or community combat gnosticism conrm Word & gospel message present theodicy of Gods faithfulness

provide basis & legitimization for Gentile inclusion suggested that Theophilus perhaps experiencing doubt whether to remain in this persecuted, racially mixed community not written for Theophilus alone but anyone struggling with feelings of displacement

Interesting Facts
popular verses 3:16 8:32: You will know the truth and the truth will make you free - 14:6: I am the way, and the truth, and the life unique poignant & dramatic moments (i.e. Jesus weeping at Lazarus tomb, John taking Mary as his own mother)

private: last meal; dialogue with disciples; passion narrative (13-20)

both Jewish & anti-Jewish (opponents referred to as Jews)

main body split into two sections

Gospel of John

public: narratives, dialogue, conversations with individuals/opponents (2-12)

Interesting Facts (contd)

very different from the Synoptics

Authorship
Irenaeus indicates an aged John (apostle) wrote the Gospel in Ephesus other early church writers corroborate this debated by scholars whether beloved disciple (13:23-5; 19:26; 20:2-8) is John son of Zebedee

Jesus seemingly spends majority of His ministry in Judaea & Jerusalem words prominent in Synoptics rare in John (i.e. kingdom; power) words prominent in John rare in Synoptics (i.e. life, light, world, to witness, love) exorcisms are absent few parables

explicit claims regarding Himself made (i.e. I am the: bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good Shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the true vine, etc.) no institution of Lords supper agony at Gethsemane absent

or even the author of the gospel (see 21:24 - This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true)

Date
like Synoptics, difculty in establishing date suggested dates: between AD 80-100 (primarily AD 90-100) AD 90 date assumes length of time it would have taken to establish Johns profound/sophisticated thought (christology) within Christianity J.A.T. Robinson (1985) dates completion of John in AD 65 earliest manuscript containing few verses from John 18 dated around AD 130

Location

unknown suggested locations:

Ephesus Alexandria Antioch

Setting/Purpose
most agree John has specic audience in mind purpose stated clearly: so that you may [can be translated, continue to believe...] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (20:31) due to passages referencing erce controversy (Jesus/Christians vs. Jews), its assumed polemic of John a reaction to harsh Jewish measures (12:42) against Jewish/Gentile believers scholars propose Gospel written/ edited over time to meet changing milieu