What are the synoptic gospels?

Question 1

What does synoptic mean?

Answer 1

Seen together

Question 2

Which three people wrote the synoptic gospels?

Answer 2

Matthew, Mark and Luke

Question 3

Why are Matthew, Mark and Luke referred to as the synoptics?

Answer 3

Because they share alot of material. There are passages that are word for word the same in the synoptic gospels and other passages where it is obvious one gospel has taken the line from the other and either added lines or taken parts out

Question 4

What is the viewpoint of the synoptics on the theology of Jesus?

Answer 4

They largely share the same viewpoint, but also have their own distinctive differnces

Question 5

How does Matthew present Jesus?

Answer 5

As the prophecised Jewish Messiah

Question 6

How does Mark present Jesus?

Answer 6

As the suffering servant who moves in secret among his people

Question 7

How does Luke present Jesus?

Answer 7

Presents him as the saviour of all people, including the Gentiles

Question 8

What is the distinctive style of the synoptics?

Answer 8

They are decriptive rather than reflective

Question 9

What are the three main things the synoptics describe Jesus doing?

Answer 9

• Performing many miracles and healings
• Having encounters with the Jewish and Roman authorities, with lunatics and ordinary people
• He casts out demons and spirits

Question 10

How do Jesus’ speeches differ between John and the synoptics?

Answer 10

In the synoptics, his speeches are short and to the point. Whereas in John, Jesus engages in discourses with lots of detailed philosophy

Question 11

What form of teaching to the synoptics contain that are largely exlcuded from John?

Answer 11

Parables

Question 12

What debate does the difference between John and the synoptics spark?

Answer 12

Which gospel presents the real Jesus: Was he a storytelling healer and exorcist, like in the synoptics; or was he a philosopher who gave long speeches, like in John?

Question 13

What is the popular explanation for the differnce between the synoptics and John?

Answer 13

The synoptics record more of the ipsissema verba of Jesus. However, John puts words into Jesus’ mouth that he never said, but captures the ipsissima vox of what Jesus was trying to say

Question 14

What does ipsissima verba mean?

Answer 14

The actual words of Jesus

Question 15

What does ipsissima vox mean?

Answer 15

The distinctive meaning of what Jesus was trying to say

Question 16

What does JAT Robinson say about the historical accuracy of the synoptics?

Answer 16

He has made persuasive arguements that John preserves eye witness testimony of Jesus just as well as the synoptics

Question 17

What do most scholars see as the first gospel?

Answer 17

Mark, probably written in the late 60s CE

Question 18

How do many scholars view the synoptic gospels?

Answer 18

They see them as the earliest account of Jesus’ life and sayings. The titles will therefore tell us alot about what the early Christians thought of Jesus and perhaps what Jesus thought of himself