Book Overview Facts

Question 1

Author of Pentateuch

Answer 1

Moses, at least substantially.
Referred to in Scripture as the “book of Moses”
Jesus indicates Moses (Jn. 5:46; Lk 24:27)

Question 2

Date for Genesis

Answer 2

~1400 BC

Question 3

Date for Matthew

Answer 3

Most likely pre-AD 70 due to references to temple worship, such as leaving gifts at the altar and paying the temple tax.

Question 4

Audience for Matthew

Answer 4

Most likely to Greek speaking Jewish Christians, probably encouraging them toward the Messiah being for the Gentile nations as well.

Question 5

Author of Matthew

Answer 5

Matthew.
- always circulated with the title “according to Matthew”
- Earliest sources unanimously attribute it to him

Question 6

Date of Mark

Answer 6

Late 50s to early 60s preferred
- it seems Matthew and Luke utilized Mark
- gospels are published prior to AD 70

Question 7

Author of Mark

Answer 7

John Mark
- Papias wrote that John the elder said it was Mark
- Mark followed Peter and wrote from Peter’s accounts
- Acts records him having close connection to Apostles

Question 8

Date of John

Answer 8

Likely in the 80s
- After the synoptic gospels
- whereas the synoptics predict the temple’s destruction, John describes Jesus as the temple’s fulfillment indicating a post-AD 70 date

Question 9

Author of John

Answer 9

John the son of Zebedee
- it is the “beloved disciple”
- who was present at the beginning (1:35-40)
- who was at the Last Supper (13:22)
- the gospel never names John in it

Question 10

Audience of John

Answer 10

Likely unbelieving Jews
- the purpose statement
- emphasis on Jesus’ fulfillment of temple, etc and ability to personally give life.

Question 11

Author of Luke

Answer 11

Luke, who accompanied Paul in Acts.
- unanimous in the early church
- fits the style expected of the beloved physician

Question 12

Date of Luke

Answer 12

Mostly likely 50s or early 60s.
- assuming Luke wrote Acts as a sequel
- and finished Acts prior to Paul’s death and Jerusalem’s destruction.

Question 13

Audience of Luke

Answer 13

Theophilus
- perhaps a friend or Roman official (“most excellent” used also for Festus and Felix)
- probably a Christian since the stated purpose is confirmation
- likely assumed it would be read more widely by Christians, especially Gentiles.

Question 14

Author of Acts

Answer 14

Luke
- same as other of Luke. early church said Luke
- Passages indicate that Luke is with Paul in his Roman imprisonments
- The “we” passages match Luke being with Paul

Question 15

Date of Acts

Answer 15

Around AD 62-63
- 62 is Paul’s first imprisonment ends, since that is recorded in Acts it must be after this
- 65 is Paul’s re-arrest and death but this is not recorded nor anything he did in between.

Question 16

Date of Romans

Answer 16

Winter, AD 57-58
- likely written from Corinth since greetings are sent from Phoebe and Gaius, Corinthians
- Acts 19:21 tells of Paul planning to come to Rome via Corinth, Jerusalem
- It is this stay when he likely writes the letter (Acts 20)

Question 17

Author and Audience of Romans

Answer 17

Paul (1:1) to Christian in Rome (1:7)

Question 18

Occassion for Romans

Answer 18

1. Apostolic credentials (“my gospel” 2:16, 16:25)
2. Rome, and then Spain, is the next phase of fulfilling his ministry (Rom. 15:19)
3. Resolve some conflict between strong and weak

Question 19

Date from 1 Corinthians

Answer 19

Around AD 55
- Paul says he wrote it from Ephesus (16:8)
- Paul stayed in Ephesus 2 years on his third journey (Acts 19)

Question 20

Date of 2 Corinthians

Answer 20

Around AD 56

Question 21

Date of Galatians

Answer 21

Shortly after AD 49
- Paul’s missionary activities in south Galatia in Acts 13-14 are likely the audience
- Jerusalem Council of AD 49 aligns with content of Galatians
- Therefore, the letter was likely written to these churches after the council

Question 22

Date of Philippians

Answer 22

Around AD 61
- tradition is during Roman imprisonment (Acts 28)

Question 23

Date of Colossians

Answer 23

Around AD 60-61
- during imprisonment (4:18), likely in Rome

Question 24

Date of 1 Thessalonians

Answer 24

AD 50