Gospels

Question 1

Synoptic Gospels refers to the accounts of the good news presented by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and means they

Answer 1

viewed the gospel similarly.

Question 2

Many assume the priority of Mark because Mark

Answer 2

is used almost entirely by Matthew and Luke.

Question 3

Because of similarities between Matthew and Luke not shared by Mark, Bible scholars believe

Answer 3

Matthew and Luke relied on another source besides Mark.

Question 4

In the equation “Mark + Q + M = Matthew,” Q stands for

Answer 4

material that is common to Matthew and Luke.

Question 5

Regarding the true source of the Gospel accounts, we may conclude that

Answer 5

the Holy Spirit influenced each Synoptic writer to record accurately what God wanted written.

Question 6

How much information does the Bible give about Mark?

Answer 6

More information exists in the Bible about Mark than of the writers of the other Synoptic Gospels.

Question 7

Carefully analyzing the scriptural facts about Mark leads us to conclude that

Answer 7

Mark’s spiritual development was gradual, but as he matured, he found acceptance and respect in ministry.

Question 8

Scholars assume Mark is the author of the second Gospel based largely on the

Answer 8

testimony of Papias, a disciple of John the apostle.

Question 9

The factor that most likely influenced the writing of Mark’s Gospel was

Answer 9

Peter’s impending death.

Question 10

Based on Mark’s style of writing, we may conclude that his purpose was to

Answer 10

stress Christ’s deity as revealed in His works of power.

Question 11

Which statement about Matthew is based on biblical and historical evidence?

Answer 11

Matthew and Levi were one and the same person.

Question 12

Which statement about the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew is true?

Answer 12

Papias stated that Matthew’s Gospel was a Greek translation and revision of an earlier Gospel Matthew wrote in Hebrew.

Question 13

The writing of the Gospel of Matthew can best be dated

Answer 13

between AD 60 and AD 69.

Question 14

We determine the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew on the basis of

Answer 14

the uniform, positive testimony of the early church fathers.

Question 15

Matthew wrote his Gospel

Answer 15

to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament messianic promises and that Jesus is truly their long-awaited Messiah.

Question 16

What biblical evidence supports Luke’s authorship of the third Gospel?

Answer 16

A close link between Luke and Acts, as well as the “we” sections in Acts, point to Luke as author.

Question 17

The prefaces of Luke and Acts indicate that the

Answer 17

same person wrote the Gospel of Luke first and then Acts.

Question 18

Which statement concerning the date of the Gospel of Luke is true?

Answer 18

Luke appears to depend on Mark, who wrote his Gospel around AD 58–65, which is one reason we conclude that Luke wrote his Gospel between AD 60–69.

Question 19

One characteristic of the Gospel of Luke is that

Answer 19

Luke gives us more historical details than any other Gospel writer.

Question 20

Unique characteristics of Luke’s Gospel in contrast to the other Synoptic Gospels are that Luke

Answer 20

gives more details on the birth and boyhood of John the Baptist and Jesus than the other Gospel writers.

Question 21

Even though the Samaritans lived in Palestine, the Jews considered them to be social outcasts because the Samaritans were

Answer 21

a mixed race: partly Jewish and partly pagan with a pagan religious heritage from those whom the Assyrians had resettled in Samaria.

Question 22

About one hundred years after the Assyrian conquest of Israel, the empire that arose as the instrument of God’s judgment to conquer first Assyria and then Judah was the

Answer 22

Babylonian Empire.

Question 23

During the Persian period, the Jewish exiles in Babylon were

Answer 23

permitted to return to their homeland.

Question 24

One important occurrence during the Persian period was the

Answer 24

appearance of the last Old Testament prophet.

Question 25

The Greeks wanted to “Hellenize” their subjects because they

Answer 25

wanted to increase their influence in the civilized world.

Question 26

The intertestamental period represents the time between

Answer 26

the end of Malachi’s prophetic ministry and the dawn of New Testament events.

Question 27

Antipater was

Answer 27

a scheming Idumean who through intrigue won the control of Palestine and became the father of Herod the Great

Question 28

Which Herodian family statement is correct?

Answer 28

Jews never regarded the Herods as true Jews and made no attempt to hide their feelings of hatred toward these descendants of the Edomites.

Question 29

Although the region is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, the land on “the other side of the Jordan” refers specifically to

Answer 29

Perea.

Question 30

The Judeans were proud, haughty, and reserved compared to the Galileans because

Answer 30

they believed they were more “pure Jewish” than the Galileans.

Question 31

In comparing the synagogue with the temple, we see that the

Answer 31

synagogue focused on reading and studying the Law.

Question 32

The Pharisees were characterized by their

Answer 32

acceptance of the entire Old Testament—the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings—as authoritative for their lives.

Question 33

Although the record is not clear, it appears the Pharisees came from

Answer 33

the Hasidim, who purposed to maintain the purity of the Jewish religion and culture against paganism.

Question 34

Oral tradition, which concerns scholars’ interpretation of the Law, was a problem because

Answer 34

Pharisees gave it the same authority they gave to God’s law.

Question 35

The typical Pharisee of Christ’s day may be described as one who

Answer 35

lived by the strict ceremonial requirements of the Law.

Question 36

It is true that the Sadducees

Answer 36

felt that Hellenism and Roman rule were needed to maintain good business conditions and their privileged position.

Question 37

If we compare the Essenes to the Pharisees, we find that

Answer 37

both groups focused on obeying the Law, but the Essenes were more legalistic.

Question 38

Zealots differed from other Jewish religious groups in that they

Answer 38

were totally committed to direct action to reach their goals.

Question 39

Which statement correctly describes the scribes?

Answer 39

New Testament scribes acted as copyists, preservers, and interpreters of the Law.

Question 40

Based on our study, the term Sanhedrin suggests

Answer 40

“the Jewish governing council in Jerusalem and the local judicial system that handled most religious and civil affairs.”

Question 41

The term priority of Mark indicates that the Gospel of Mark

Answer 41

was the first written account of Christ’s life.

Question 42

Even though the inspired Gospel accounts came through human personalities, the true source

Answer 42

was the Holy Spirit.

Question 43

Which statement is true concerning the author of Mark’s Gospel?

Answer 43

Paul and Barnabas parted company over a decision to take John Mark on a second missionary journey.

Question 44

What is the strongest external evidence for the authorship of Mark’s Gospel?

Answer 44

Papias said John claimed that Mark accurately recorded Peter’s teachings about Christ.

Question 45

Your IST accepts that the Gospel of Mark was written in the timeframe of

Answer 45

AD 58-65.

Question 46

Mark wrote his Gospel for the purpose of

Answer 46

convincing Roman Gentiles that Jesus, the Son of God, was a Christ of power and action.

Question 47

Based on biblical and historical evidence, we can conclude that Matthew

Answer 47

and Levi were one and the same person.

Question 48

One characteristic of Matthew’s Gospel is that it

Answer 48

emphasizes the teaching ministry of Jesus.

Question 49

Matthew’s central purpose in writing his Gospel was to

Answer 49

prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament messianic promises and is truly their long-awaited Messiah.

Question 50

What evidence exists for the date of the writing of Luke’s Gospel?

Answer 50

Luke appears to depend on Mark, who wrote his Gospel around AD 58–65, so we conclude that Luke wrote his Gospel some time later, around AD 60–69.

Question 51

Based on the internal evidence, we know that Luke wrote to the

Answer 51

Gentiles, particularly Greeks, and presented Christ as a man more completely than any other Gospel

Question 52

The Samaritans were best described as

Answer 52

a mixture of people whom the Assyrians resettled in Palestine and Israelites who were not deported.

Question 53

Since Alexander the Great believed Greek ways were superior to those of other peoples, he

Answer 53

established Greek culture and influence wherever he went.

Question 54

In general, the Galileans were

Answer 54

friendly and warmhearted

Question 55

Sadducees were from the priestly class of Jews and were generally

Answer 55

men of wealth, privilege, and power.

Question 56

Which statement is true concerning the Pharisees?

Answer 56

One became a Pharisee through a lifestyle of strict obedience to the Law and the traditions of the elders.

Question 57

The Zealots were people who

Answer 57

sought the complete overthrow of the Roman government and the political independence of the Jewish people.

Question 58

The Sanhedrin was the

Answer 58

highest governing council and the local judicial councils of the Jewish people.