The Synoptic Problem

Question 1

What are the Synoptic Gospels?

Answer 1

• the gospels of Matthew, Mark & Luke
• these gospels tell the story of the life & ministry (holy orders) from slightly different perspectives, depending on the author’s own particular interests & purposes
• to summarise, Mark forms the basis for the other two gospels, whereas Matthew & Luke are significantly longer, with Matthew focusing on Jesus’s historical context & Luke focusing on Jesus’s wider image

Question 2

Describe Mark’s gospel

Answer 2

• Mark’s gospel is probably the earliest & is certainly the shortest
• it does not include the birth story nor, in the earliest copies, the resurrection appearances
• Mark was probably used as a source for the other two Synoptic Gospels
• Mark places great significance on Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God & the Son of Man, & was probably written with the view that the Parousia (the Second Coming of Christ) was about to happen

Question 3

Describe Matthew’s gospel

Answer 3

• Matthew’s Gospel is much longer, with the emphasis on Christ as the fulfilment of the OT
• Matthew highlights the fact that Jesus is descended from Abraham & that he fulfils God’s ancient promise to the Jews
• it highlights the universality of Christ’s message & the importance of the missionary work of the early Church & the disciples

Question 4

Describe Luke’s gospel

Answer 4

• Luke’s Gospel & the Acts of the Apostles were probably written by the same author & form a two-part history of early Christianity
• Luke’s emphasis in the Gospel is on God’s fulfilment of his promises & God’s much wider plan for the whole of human history
• the Gospel may be aimed at Gentile readers who are looking into Christianity, because it emphasises that Christ’s message was for all people
• the author seems to see the Second Coming of Christ in the more distant future & he concentrates on the Kingdom of God & work of the Holy Spirit