NT Final Exam Flashcards
Genre
the category in which a particular kind of writing/film is classified under/organized into
How many genres are in the NT? What are they?
4 main genres in the New Testament…
1) The Gospel Genre: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
2) Church History: Acts
3) Epistles: Pauline, Pseudo-Pauline, Non-Pauline
4) Apocalyptic Literature: Revelations
What does the Gospel Genre contain?
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
What does the Church History Genre contain?
The Acts of the Apostles
What does the Epistles Genre contain?
Pauline, Pseudo-Pauline and Non-Pauline Letters
What does the Apocalyptic Literature Genre contain?
The Revelations
What are the 3 worlds of a text?
They are the dimensions of a text. A text has three worlds contained in it, we must distinguish between the three levels:
World 1: the world “in” or “of” the text
World 2: the world “behind” the text
World 3: the world “in front” of the text
World 1
in or of the text
- The world in itself that the text takes place in
World 2
behind the text
- Refers to the historical circumstances in which the author (John) was situated
- It also refers to the historical circumstances of the subject of the story (Jesus)
World 3
in front of the text
- The way in which we interpret the Bible
- There are 34 000 Christian denominations, and this is primarily because of world #3
Explain the 3 worlds of a text using Harry Potter as an example
World 1: wizards exist, magic is available, school of hogwarts, quidditch
World 2: JK Rowling and all of her experiences and influences which shaped her to write down Harry Potter
World 3: the way in which we interpret the story
What is World 2 in the NT about?
Jesus but it’s also about the author and community that wrote the book
In what sense is Bible study something like a crime scene investigation?
When a crime happens and is done, what remains?
Only the crime scene remains. The investigator comes in and must examine the crime scene really well, well enough to reconstruct exactly what had happened. If the investigator does not examine the crime scene well, the reconstruction will be flawed.
World 1: Crime Scene (all that remains)
World 2: Investigator’s reconstruction based on analytical examination
What are the main parts of the Hebrew Bible?
Hebrew Bible/TaNaKh/Old Testament
Ta: Torah (Instructions), deals with Jewish law and guidelines
Na: Nevi’im (Prophet/s), deals with stories of prophets
Ketuvim (Writings),
The Symbols of the 4 Canonical Gospels
Matthew: Winged Man
The genealogy of Christ; the winged man refers to human ancestors.
Mark: Lion
Resurrection of Christ; it was thought that a lioness’ cubs were born dead and they were given life from the father lion’s breath.
Luke: Winged Ox
The sacrifice of Christ; oxen were common sacrificial animals
John: Eagle
Logos, high in theological skepticism; highest inspiration
The 4 Canonical Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
What is the symbol of Mark?
Lion
Resurrection of Christ; it was thought that a lioness’ cubs were born dead and they were given life from the father lion’s breath.
What is the symbol of Matthew?
Winged Man
The genealogy of Christ; the winged man refers to human ancestors.
What is the symbol of Luke?
Winged Ox
The sacrifice of Christ; oxen were common sacrificial animals
What is the symbol of John?
Eagle
Logos, high in theological skepticism; highest inspiration
When and where were the gospels composed?
Mark: Rome, 70 CE
Luke: Antioch?, 80-90
Matthew: Syria/Palestine, 80-90
John: Asia Minor, around 95-100
“Synoptic” Gospels
The first three gospels: Matthew Mark and Luke
It is obvious the accounts are very similar to one another
Synoptic Gospels: The word “synoptic” basically means “to see (optic) [these gospels] together, by comparing one with (syn) the others
Syn (with) Optic (view) → see them with one eye, an eye to compare them with one another
What is the Q source?
Q Source: Quelle: “Source” (German for Source)
Today, almost all scholars conclude that Mark was written first, and Matthew and Luke used Mark in addition to other sources
Most (but not all) scholars today conclude that a Q source is also found in Matthew and Luke
Q: Likely composed entirely of sayings of Jesus
Four patterns of evidence of Q: agreements in Wording, Sequence, Theological Coherence, Genre
Q source no longer exists, has been destroyed hence it is a hypothetical document, we are not sure if it existed or not
Why is the Q source a hypothetical document?
Q source no longer exists, has been destroyed hence it is a hypothetical document, we are not sure if it existed or not
What is the synoptic problem?
Defined as the literary relationship between the Matthew, Mark and Luke
- For almost 1500 years, it was believed in the Church that the three were independent works written by those named authors
- Today, almost all scholars conclude that Mark was written first, and Matthew and Luke used Mark in addition to other sources
The 4 Document Hypothesis
States that 4 sources were used in the Synoptics:
Mark, Q, M, L
- Luke used Mark, Q and L
- Matthew used Mark, Q and M
Why do scholars conclude that Mark was written first?
Length:
Mark is the shortest; Matthew and Luke seem to have expanded upon it
Sequence:
Matthew and Luke seem to use Mark independently of each other
Style:
Mark’s Greek is not smooth or polished; Matthew’s and Luke’s are
Difficult Content:
Mark suggests at times that Jesus’ power is limited; in the parallel passages, Matthew and Luke did not
Theology:
Mark’s christology is lower at points than Matthew and Luke’s
How do scholars speculate what happened?
Sitz-im-Leben (Setting in Life)
life situations in the early Christian communities
Sitz-im-Leben (Setting in Life)
Refers to particular life situations in the early Christian communities
- A term coined by German scholars
- Situations which range from the most ordinary (meals) to very dramatic events (persecution)
- These life situations are important to our understanding of Jesus
- They called for stories, teachings, sayings, sermons related with Jesus in order to bring faith into daily life
- Scholars have ideas from the letters of Paul which they have tried to reconstruct what shaped them
Important Dates Relating to the New Testament
4: Jesus Born
29: Crucifixion
35: Paul’s Conversion
64: Paul’s Death
70: Destruction of Temple
70: Mark
85: Matthew, Luke, Acts
96: Revelations
100: John
(only 70 is a sure date)
Gospel
“Good News”
The Purpose of the 4 Canonical Gospels (Gospel = “Good News”)
The 4 Gospel writers were more interested in presenting a theological interpretation of Jesus’ words and actions than a purely factual account of his life, the Gospel writers portray Jesus as unlike any other figure of history, ale to perform miracles, rise from the dead and ascend to heaven..
Mark’s Focus
Focus: Paint Jesus as a “hidden Messiah” who was misunderstood and devalued by his contemporaries, Mark emphasizes that jesus came to serve, to suffer and to die - but also ultimately to triumph by submitting fully to the divine will
Author of Mark
Traditionally John Mark, traveling companion of Paul and the “interpreter” for Peter in Rome.
The writer does not identify himself in the Gospel text, and scholars, unable to verify the mid-second century tradition of Markan authorship, regard the work as anonymous
Traditional author of Mark
John Mark, travelling companion of Paul and Peter’s interpreter
Scholarly author of Mark
anonymous
Date of Mark
66-70 CE (during the Jewish revolt against Rome)
Which Gospel was composed during the Jewish revolt against Rome?
Mark
What are the sources Mark used to write his Gospel
- Primarily oral tradition
- Many scholars believe that Mark used a few written sources, such as…
a collection of Jesus’ parables
a compilation of apocalyptic prophecies
and perhaps, an order account of Jesus’s arrest, trial and execution
Mark’s Audience (who was Mark writing to?)
Gentile Christians suffering persecution
Which gospel is the shortest and earliest to be written?
Mark
Which gospel writer is the first to call his written account an evangelic (gospel)?
Mark
How do we know (speculate) Mark was written in 70 CE?
- It is about a community of Jews [Early Christians] suffering dire persecution which threatened their community’s survival
- His Gospel is a response to the wars, revolts and persecutions that affected his group
- Mark’s portrayal of Jesus is strikingly relevant to the precarious circumstances of
Mark’s intended readers
What is the main focus of Mark?
Jesus’ resurrection; his passion story
How does Mark present Jesus?
Presents Jesus as a miracle man of action who is constantly on the move from village to village, and finally journeys to jerusalem for a fatal confrontation with its religious/political authorities
What is included about Jesus’ life in Mark?
- No infancy narrative (no one knew things about birth of Jesus or the community was not interested)
- Jesus’ human/divine origins are not the focus in Mark’s gospel
- The story is basically from Jesus’ Baptism to the Passion (even Jesus’ Resurrection is not given much space)
Which gospel has the lowest christology? Which has the highest?
lowest: Mark
highest: John
What is the main theme of Mark?
Suffering
In Mark, what are some examples of forebodings to the Passion?
There are many instances in which Jesus feels abandoned and misunderstood by everyone, including God (example: during the journey, the disciples do not understand)
What does Mark’s gospel begin with? How does this affect how we interpret his gospel?
“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”
Everything that transpires in the story should be interpreted in the framework of “Jesus, the Son of God”
Mark’s Structure
Part I: Jesus Public Ministry in Galilee
Part II: Teaching the Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem
Part III: Jesus in Jerusalem
Part I of Mark
Jesus Public Ministry in Galilee
Intro & 6 sections from the first day of Jesus’ ministry to his ministry in Galilee
Part II of Mark
Teaching the Disciples on the Way to Jerusalem
Healing of Blind Man, 3 Teaching Cycles
Part III of Mark
Jesus in Jerusalem
Confrontation w Authorities, Apocalyptic Discourse, Passion, Death, Empty Tomb
Is Mark’s structure an accurate historical portrayal of Jesus’ public life?
- This is probably an artificial structure.
- It is convenient for Mark’s literary intentions that’s why he adopts it here.
- John’s structuring of Jesus/ ministry is probably more historical.
3 Main parts of Mark’s Structure
- Galilean Ministry
- Journey/Discipleship
- Passions
Why did Mark create the 3 part structure that he did? Who copies it?
Mark created this structure to make it easy to follow Jesus lifetime
It is a straightforward outline
Matthew and especially Luke copy this structure, though they expand on them (example: Luke greatly expands Jesus in Jerusalem)
Explain the biblical commentary on Mark’s ending
Mark’s gospel ends with the empty tomb being discovered and the last line “and they were afraid.” People were dissatisfied with this ending, so there are two attempts to provide a more satisfactory ending (the second added later on and passed off as Mark’s):
1) The Shorter Ending
2) The Longer Ending
The Shorter Ending
Jesus sends the apostles East and West to proclaim salvation
The Longer Ending
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, Two Disciples. Commissions the disciples and it ends with his Ascension (it is clearly different than Mark’s style in the rest of the manuscripts, possibly written in 2nd c)
Two kinds of evidence
1) Internal Evidence (more important)
2) External Evidence
Internal Evidence
Speculating on the historical origins of the gospel strictly based on an examination of the literary work itself:
structure, themes, vocabulary, characters, plot, etc.
And then, doing a historical reconstruction based on those factors
External Evidence
Depending on external witnesses which allegedly say how literary work (gospel) came into being
Diagram of Papias, Eusebius and their witness regarding Mark
Eusebius of Caesarea quotes that (263-339 CE) … ^ Papias wrote that (130-140 CE) … ^ A “presbyter” testified that … ^ Mark had been Peter’s secretary ….
The oldest surviving reference to Mark’s authorship of the Gospel bearing his name comes from …
Where does this come from?
Papias, who was a bishop in 130 or 140 CE
An early Church historian, Eusebius of Caesarea, quotes Papias as writing that an unnamed presbyter (church elder) was his source
Papers: “This, too, the presbyter used to say: ‘Mark, who had been Peter’s interpreter, wrote down carefully, but not in order, all that he remembered from the Lord’s sayings and doings… ‘”
The oldest surviving reference to Mark’s authorship of the Gospel bearing his name comes from …
Where does this come from?
Papias, who was a bishop in 130 or 140 CE
An early Church historian, Eusebius of Caesarea, quotes Papias as writing that an unnamed presbyter (church elder) was his source
Papias: “This, too, the presbyter used to say: ‘Mark, who had been Peter’s interpreter, wrote down carefully, but not in order, all that he remembered from the Lord’s sayings and doings… ‘”
Noteworthy Literary Features of Mark
1) Inclusion
2) Intercalation
Inclusion
Bracketing or enclosing or a story or section by using the same or similar words, phrases or themes at the beginning and the end
A1) A paralytic is brought to Jesus
B) Dispute over Jesus’ authority to forgive sins
A2) Jesus heals the paralytic
Intercalation
Enclosing or sandwiching one story in the middle of a different story (forming an A1, B, A2 pattern) so that each affects the interpretation of the other
A1) Jarius asks Jesus to heal his dying daughter
B) A hemorrhaging woman touches Jesus’ clothing
A2) Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus to life
The Messianic Secret (in Mark)
In Mark, people have observed - what has come to be known as a “Messianic Secret.”
- The messianic secret as scholars describe it does exist in the gospel of Mark
What is The Messianic Secret? Who uses it?
In Mark, people have observed - what has come to be known as a “Messianic Secret.”
It is a motif primarily used in the Gospel of Mark in which Jesus is prorated commanding his followers to maintain silence about his Messianic mission
Explain the Messianic Secret (in Mark)
Jesus does not want people who he reveals he is the messiah to (demons and his followers) to tell others about it
Why did Mark use the Messianic Secret?
Perhaps as a literary device to highlight Jesus’ glory
What are the two approaches to explain the Messianic Secret?
The Historical Explanation: Did the Messianic secret originate in the historical Jesus himself?
The Created Explanation: If not, was it created by Mark or was it pre-Markan? Difficult to say.
Why do scholars speculate that Mark used the Messianic Secret
1) To explain why the majority of Jews did not accept Jesus.
2) Originated in suffering, crises and discouragement facing Mark’s community that prompted him to emphasize a “theology of the cross”
3) To oppose people who were emphasizing the figure of Jesus as a ‘wonder-worker’ kind of Messiah (theios aner).
Matthew’s Focus
Jesus is the fulfilment of the Covenant promises made by God to Israel
Length of Matthew
28 Chapters
Authorship of Matthew
Traditionally, the Apostle Matthew, a tax collector (Mt 9:9-13)
Date of Matthew
Matthew used Mark as a source, the date could be around the 80s CE.
Matthew’s Place of Composition
Palestine or Syrian Antioch
Matthew’s intended audience (who was Matthew writing to?)
A community of predominantly Jewish Christians but which also had gentile believers
Matthew’s purpose
To demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Israel
Jewishness and Christian Roots in Matthew
- Jesus, his family and all his earliest disciples were 1st century Palestinian Jews who valued their religious tradition deeply
- Matthew is the most Jewish Gospel
- The Jesus Movement originally started as a movement to renew Israel.
Case in Point: Jesus’ choice of “12” special apostles - A central theme in Matthew is his comparison of Jesus to David and Moses
- Matthew is a Torah Sandwich (Midrasnhic gospel style that follows that Hebrew Bible)
Which of the gospels is the most Jewish?
Matthew
Why did Jesus likely not consider the “gentile question”?
1) Why were some of the disciples closest to him (James, Peter?, etc.) unsure of how to treat gentiles who wanted to be Christians in the earliest years?
2) Why was Paul (champion of gentile-Christians) constantly opposed?
Matthew’s Structure
It’s structure is highly noteworthy...
Part 1)
Genealogy and Infancy Narrative: 1-2
1. Narrative: 3–4
& First Discourse: "Sermon on Mount"
2. Narrative: 8–9
& Second Discourse: "Missionary Instructions"
3. Narrative: 11–12
& Third Discourse: "Parables Collection"
4. Narrative: 14–17
& Fourth Discourse: "Community Instructions"
5. Narrative: 19–22
& Fifth Discourse:
Part 2)
“Eschatological Sermon”
Passion and Resurrection of Jesus: 26-28
Who invented Matthew’s structure?
Note: This structure was not invented by modern scholars, but is indicated by Matthew himself, who at the end of each of these five discourses writes, “When Jesus had finished saying these things…” (or similar things)
Matthew’s Structure: A Torah Sandwich
A narrative part and a discourse part…
- Matthew has 5 narratives (narratives are Jesus)
- Why 5?
The Torah has 5 books and is the law of Judaism
- When Matthew does this, he is saying that Jesus’ life and ministry/teaching is the new Torah; it is the new laws for Christians
- A Torah sandwich: Jesus’ life and teachings = the NEW TORAH
- Matthew is the most Jewish of the Gospels
- Matthew had TRADITION (his Jewish Tradition)
- Matthew had INNOVATION (the “freshness” that Jesus brought with his life, teaching, death, and resurrection)
Why does Matthew write in 5 narratives and discourses?
Why 5?
- The Torah has 5 books and is the law of Judaism
- When Matthew does this, he is saying that Jesus’ life and ministry/teaching is the new Torah; it is the new laws for Christians
- A Torah sandwich: Jesus’ life and teachings = the NEW TORAH
Matthew’s Main Message (and the two styles he uses to convey it)
Jesus is the fulfilment of the promises made by God to Israel
1) The Torah sandwich
2) The “midrash” structure
What question does Matthew aim to answer in his gospel?
How does one reconcile one’s deep love for and attachment to Israel with the faith that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God?
Midrash (define)
Midrash denotes a typical Jewish way of interpreting scriptures…
Expounding meaning of a scripture by relating sacred texts & events to one another
Matthew’s Midrashic Structure
Midrash denotes a typical Jewish way of interpreting scriptures…
- Midrash is way of interpreting Scriptures that relates a part of Scripture to other parts, elucidating the meaning of the verse being studies by such associations
- Matthew wanted to elucidate the relevance of Jesus for his largely Jewish audience and he does this (in midrashic style) by relating the figure of Jesus to personages and events of Israel’s sacred past
- Matthew’s midrash served to illumine the meaning of present events by relating them to figures and events of Israel’s sacred past.
- Matthew relates Jesus to the stories surrounding the prophet Jonah as well as to stories related to King Solomon in order to drive home an important message about Jesus and a stern warning against the hardened hearts of some of his contemporaries
- Two dominant figures stand out in Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus: David and Moses
What two dominant figures stand out in Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus:
David and Moses
What is one case example in which Matthew alludes to Jesus being the new Moses?
Jesus, the Teacher (Rabbi)
- Matthew demonstrates Jesus as a Rabbi (a central figure in every Jew’s life)
- We see this in the Sermon of the Mount (the 8 beatitudes)
- Of course, to any Jew, “mountain” would suggest Mt. Sinai, where the Law was given and the Covenant was sealed.
- Matthew wants to say then that Jesus is the new Moses, his going up a mountain recalls Moses going up to Mt. Sinai, receiving the Law and teaching it to Israel
What is the “Law and the Prophets”?
The expression “the Law and the Prophets” is referred cumulatively to all the things that Jews held as most dear and component of their religious identity (their whole religious tradition).
How does Matthew convey Jesus fulfilling the Law and Prophets?
Matthew sees Jesus not as abrogating the Law but rather as bringing it to completion
Hence, the Law stands; it is realized perfectly by means of faith in Jesus.
Luke’s Focus
Following Jesus the compassionate saviour of the world who was inclusive of all marginalized people (to show that Christianity is for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike)
Luke’s Author
- Traditionally, Luke the physician and co-worker with Paul
- Today, a minority keep to traditional view, but most view the author as an unknown gentile-Christian convert of the second Christian generation
- Well educated in Greek literature, writes the best Greek in the entire New Testament so we know he was a very well-educated, Greek-native speaker
Traditional Authorship of Luke
- Traditionally, Luke the physician and co-worker with Paul
Scholarly Authorship of Luke
- An unknown gentile-Christian convert of the second Christian generation
- Well educated in Greek literature, writes the best Greek in the entire New Testament so we know he was a very well-educated, Greek-native speaker
Luke’s Audience
Gentile Christians
- Jesus is also a saviour of the gentiles, not only the Jews
- Writing to a Greco-Roman audience that Christianity is universal
- Also explains that Jesus and his disciples are innocent of any crime against Rome
Date of Luke
Probably in the late 80s
Luke’s Place of Composition
Probably in an urban setting - the precise city cannot be located (Antioch?)
The sources Luke used to write his gospel
Mark, Q and L (material found only in Luke probably not written by the author)
Luke’s Purpose
- Possibly to show how Jesus in his life and ministry had a prediction for the downtrodden
- That is the basis for the inclusion of the gentiles in God’s universal plan of salvation
- Gentiles were the bottom of the purity chain, the most marginalized people for Jews
God is opening up salvation to everyone - His strategy to prove this is to show that Jesus is especially compassionate to the marginalized people (obviously he could not lie and say that Jesus went to America, like the mormons claims
Luke-Acts: One Work in Two Books
Gospel of Luke: Jesus
Acts: Jesus’ Resurrection
Acts is somewhat of a direct continuation of his gospel
We have no doubt that the author of the Acts is the same as the author of the Gospel of Luke since in the preface of Luke and beginning of the Acts, they make it clear
The end of Luke and the beginning of the Acts overlap significantly, coupling the two
Luke and Acts share a common picture of Jesus and his movement, along with particular views of eschatology, the Holy spirit, prayer, etc.
Luke shows Jesus accomplishing his journey to Jerusalem; Acts shows the Christian church spreading to the “ends of the Earth” (i.e. Rome)
Aside from his gospel, what else in the NT did Luke author?
The Acts of the Apostles
How do we know the author of the Luke is the same Luke who wrote the Acts?
- We have no doubt that the author of the Acts is the same as the author of the Gospel of Luke since in the preface of Luke and beginning of the Acts, they make it clear
- The end of Luke and the beginning of the Acts overlap significantly, coupling the two
- Luke and Acts share a common picture of Jesus and his movement, along with particular views of eschatology, the Holy spirit, prayer, etc.
- Luke shows Jesus accomplishing his journey to Jerusalem; Acts shows the Christian church spreading to the “ends of the Earth” (i.e. Rome)
Luke’s Structure
- Prologue
- Infancy Narrative: conception, birth and childhood of John the Baptist and Jesus
- Jesus’ baptism, genealogy, temptations
- Galilean Ministry
- “Center Section”: Journey to Jerusalem (9:51- 19:27)
- Ministry in Jerusalem
- Last Supper and passion narrative
- Resurrection appearances, ascent
Who’s two-part structure does Luke follow?
Mark’s
Luke follows Mark’s two-part structure…what does he add/expand on that Mark does not include?
Luke supplements it with infancy narratives in chapters 1-2, and the resurrection appearance narratives and ascent in chapter 24.
Also, the center section is an alteration from Mark, lengthening out Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem dramatically.
What is the longest part of Luke?
The Centre Section: Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
(9:51-19:27) - 10 Chapters
What sources is the centre section of Luke from?
This lengthy narrative is worked by Luke from sources: Mark, Q, L
What are the 5 typical themes of Luke? Which is the most prevalent?
- The Holy Spirit
- Prayer
- Prayers and hymns
- COMPASSION AND INCLUSIVITY
- Jesus’ concern for women
- Jesus’ affinity with the unrespectable, poor, disadvantaged, excluded, etc.
- Christianity as a universal faith
- Jesus as a “Saviour” - Innocence of Jesus and his followers
Explain how Luke exemplifies COMPASSION AND INCLUSIVITY in his gospel
- Jesus’ concern for women
- Jesus’ affinity with the unrespectable, poor, disadvantaged, excluded, etc. (marginalized)
- Christianity as a universal faith
- Jesus as a “Saviour”
What is the focus of Luke’s centre section (Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem)?
- It highlights that much of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Samaria is done in anticipation of his death and resurrection in Jerusalem
- Aside from occasionally reminding the reader that Jesus’ “face” is turned to Jerusalem, thus giving a bit of narrative unity to this Centre Section, its contents are much the same as Luke’s earlier portrayal of Jesus’ Galilean mystery
Delay of the Parousia in Luke
Luke expressed the Parousia (Jesus’ 2nd coming in glory) is not going to happen soon
The Ascension Story of Acts also has the same message
Resurrection Appearance Narratives in Luke
Unlike its source Mark, Luke has extensive resurrection appearance narratives.
- These narratives are the last part of Luke’s Gospel (24:13-53).
- The resurrection itself is not narrated in Luke or the other 3 Gospels.
- Luke emphasizes the materiality of the risen Jesus, who eats & has “flesh and bones.”
- The final resurrection appearance narrative is the story of Jesus’ ascension to heaven (ONLY FOUND IN LUKE!), narrated at the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts.
Who is the most prominent women in Jesus’ life as shown in the gospels of Luke and John
Mary Magdalene is one of the (if not the) most prominent women friend/acquaintance of Jesus in the canonical gospels
Jesus and Mary Magdalene: In the Gospel of John
Jesus appears to Mary
Mary thinks Jesus is the gardener and says “the body isn’t there, tell me where it is so that I can take charge of it”
That is almost the role of a wife toward her husband
Jesus calls her by name and calls him “rabbuni” (a term of endearment)
It is clear that the two were very close
Jesus and Mary Magdalene: In the Gospel of Luke
Luke mentions very clearly that there were women who followed Jesus and names Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene’s Role as a Witness
In the canonical gospels, Mary Magdalene is portrayed as having a very prominent role as witness to Christ’s passion, death and resurrection in different capacities
We are not really sure what role she played after Jesus’ resurrection in the earliest Christian communities
Mary Magdalene in the Christian Tradition
Pope Gregory the Great identified Mary Magdalene with the prostitute found in Luke 7
- Was this intentional smearing? An honest mistake? We do not really know.
- This began a tradition that has persisted throughout the history of the church that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute (sinner) earlier in her life and then was converted into a fervent Christian
- Biblically speaking, it is not true.
Describe the structure of the Birth Narrative in Matthew
1) Jesus’ Genealogy
2) Angel Appears to Joseph
- Joseph is a main character in Matthew’s story
- The angel appears and tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife
- Joseph is troubled because they have not yet had sex but she is pregnant
- The angel assures him it is a child from God
- No movement from Nazareth to Bethlehem, so Matthew’s community would assume Mary and Joseph are from Bethlehem
3) Visitors: Wise Men from the East
- However, they drop by the palace on their way and tell them about the new king being born
4) Herod’s Plot and Action/Family escapes to Egypt
- He is a jealous person, thus becomes furious
- He sends out his soldiers to kill all the Hebrew infant boys
Joseph takes Mary to Egypt
Describe the structure of the Birth Narrative in Luke
1) Announcement of John the Baptist’s Birth
- He starts it off dramatic
- Only Luke tells us that John the Baptist’s family is relatives with Jesus’ family
2) Announcement of Jesus’ Birth
- The angel announces to Mary that she will be Jesus’ mother
- This annunciation is commemorated March 25 (fast forward 9 months - Christmas)
3) Census/Joseph and Mary move from Nazareth to Bethlehem
- The Emperor from Rome orders everyone to take a census (which requires that everyone must go to the town of their ancestors and fill out the census, a census is a form of tax collecting that requires filling out information)
4) Birth of Jesus
5) Angelic Appearance Visitors: Poor Shepherds
6) Jesus’ Circumcision (8 days after birth)
7) Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple (40 days after his birth)
Overtures
introductory pieces meant to give reader a foretaste of the plot of the Gospel)
Overtures in the BNs
when reading the Birth Narratives, you have the idea of what Jesus is going to be
How many birth narratives of Jesus are there in the NT? Where are they?
Two BNs in the NT
1) Matthew
2) Luke
(in John there is a theological reflection)
Birth Narrative: Matthew vs. Luke
Birth of Jesus
Matthew: no movement from Nazareth, originally in Bethlehem
Luke: movement from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of the Census
Birth Narrative: Matthew vs. Luke
Light Theme
Matthew: appearance of star
Luke: angelic appearance
Birth Narrative: Matthew vs. Luke
Visitors
Matthew: 3 wise men from the East
Luke: poor shepherds
Birth Narrative: Matthew vs. Luke
King Herod
Matthew: Herod’s Plot and Actions/Family escapes to Egypt
Luke:
Birth Narrative: Matthew vs. Luke
Circumcision & Presentation at the Temple
Only in Luke
Circumcision: 8 days after birth
Presentation: 40 days after birth
Why are there only two BNs in the NT?
Of the 4 Gospel writers, only 2 thought that Jesus’ birth was worth writing about
What did people most want to know about Jesus and in what order?
1) What Jesus did and what Jesus taught (actions and teachings)
2) How Jesus suffered and died (passion narratives)
3) How Jesus rose from the dead
Why did Matthew and Luke eventually decide to compose birth narratives?
With the community’s curiosity satisfied about Jesus’ life, death and resurrections, only then did people begin to wonder…if Jesus was the messiah and a performer of powerful deeds as an adult, what was he like as a child?
Hence, at a later stage in time, when Matthew and Luke were writing their Gospels, the demand was great enough for them to include an infancy narrative of Jesus
Why are the BNs Overtures?
- The birth narratives are (arguably) the last parts of the Gospels to be created
- The Gospels do not contain history in the strict sense of the term
- They were probably the last pieces to be written in order to serve as “overtures”
- Overtures: introductory pieces meant to give reader a foretaste of the plot of the Gospel)
- Overtures in the BNs: when reading the Birth Narratives, you have the idea of what Jesus is going to be
Why is it hard to tell Matthew and Luke’s birth narratives a part? How can we tell them a part?
- Retellings of the narrative are a weave together of Matthew and Luke, thus it is hard to tell them apart
- We can tell that the two narratives are overtures through their themes…
The birth narratives are _______ accounts
theological accounts
Why are the birth narratives theological accounts and not historical accounts?
What does this make very difficult?
- The authors were not concerned with a historical telling of Jesus’ birth narrative
- The authors were primarily concerned with giving us a theological story that tells us who Jesus is and who he will be when he grows up
- Matthew tells us that Jesus is the new King of the Jews
- Luke tells us that Jesus is a saviour of the marginalized from the very beginning
It is very hard to determine the historicity of the accounts that Luke claimed he used to write his narratives
What is Matthew trying to tell us about Jesus in his Birth Narrative?
Jesus is the new King of the Jews
What is Matthew trying to tell us about Jesus in his Birth Narrative?
Jesus is a saviour of the marginalized from the very beginning
Birth Narrative Themes
Jesus’ Genealogy
Matthew
Matthew wants to emphasize the Jewish roots
Matthew starts with Abraham and connects the ancestry to Abraham
Why 3 sets of 14 Generations?
In Hebrew, letters have numerical values.“David” has 3 consonants:
D V D (D = 4, V = 6)
David has numerical value of 14
David (original Messiah) was born in Bethlehem → Davidic Connection
Birth Narrative Themes
Jesus’ Genealogy
Luke
Luke wants to emphasize Christianity to everyone
Luke starts with Adam and connects the ancestry with Adam
