Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Midterm 1
When one reads the Gospel of Matthew in Greek, it is clear that the author relied on the Greek translation of the Old Testament (called the Septuagint), rather than on the original Hebrew and Aramaic. According to Papias, which of the following best describes the origin of the Gospel of Matthew?
"Matthew composed the sayings [of Jesus] in the Hebrew tongue"
According to Strathearn and Judd, which of the following are major themes in the Gospel of John? (Mark all that apply.)
. This Gospel begins before the creation of the world, then the Word of God is made flesh B. Jesus is the great "I Am" and he openly and boldly proclaims his identity Jesus is the light of the world that shine in darkness (darkness cannot overcome or understand this light)
This passage is not a prophecy, per se, but a promise. God promised King David that the Davidic Kingdom would be established "forever" through David's son (Solomon), and that Solomon, as King of Israel, will be a "son of God"
2 Samuel 7:11-14
When Jesus comes up out of the waters of baptism he sees the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove, and he then hears a voice from heaven saying, "You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." According to lecture, all of the following accounts from the Old Testament (with one exception) may have provided Jesus with the context to understand his sacred experience. Which is the exception? (Which was not discussed in class?)
A Psalm which prophesies of Jesus baptism and death, foretelling how Israel will be engraved on the palms of his hands.
According to Elder Maxwell, "academic scholarship is...?"
A form of worship
According to Matthew 8, how did Jesus fulfill Isaiah 53:4? NOTE: Your KJV Bible writes Isaiah as Esaias in the New Testament.
A. casting out devils and healing the sick
According to Luke, when did "the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness"?
AD 29
According to Luke, John the Baptizer's mom—and therefore also John himself—is a descendant of (1)________ and therefore of the (2)_________ lineage.
Aaron, Priestly
According to Strathearn and Judd, all of the following are true about the authorship of Mark, EXCEPT...
According to Irenaeus, Mark was the first Gospel written, and it was later copied by Matthew and Luke "Mark was the first Gospel written, and it was later copied by Matthew and Luke" — Irenaeus did NOT say this, but, based on modern scholarship into the Synoptic Problem it is highly probable that Mark was written first and was later copied by Matthew and Luke
One of the prophets prophesied that the House of David will fall (he calls it the collapsing tent of David), but that God will rebuild it as in olden days. (Some interpreted this to be a prophecy about a future Davidic king, a messiah.)
Amos 9:11
When Jesus uses the phrase "son of man," what does he mean?
Aramaic idiom (bar nasha) meaning "I" B. A human being (e.g., Ezek. 27:3) C. "Son of Adam" (ben adam) (e.g., Ps. 8:4-5) D. The angelic/divine "Son of man" from Daniel 7:13-14
The quotes and/or paraphrases from Papias (used in Lecture) survive in the writings of ...
C. Eusebius (4th Century AD)
A tradition that does not coincide with what we know of first-century Palestinian Judaism is probably not authentic.
Contextual Credibility
A tradition at odds with the agenda of the early Christians who preserved it is more likely authentic.
Criterion of Dissimilarity
Some of you may be surprised that I have not included more prophecies about the messiah from Isaiah. That's because most people did not read Isaiah to be talking a lot about a messiah; for instance, the "servant" in the later chapters of Isaiah (think of Isaiah 53) is identified as "Israel" (Isaiah 49:3). And the one time that Isaiah does mention the Lord's messiah, he names someone alive long before Jesus. Who is named as the messiah (a Hebrew word that means "anointed") in Isaiah 45?
Cyrus
According to Strathearn and Judd, all of the following are true about the authorship of John, EXCEPT...
D&C 93 proves that the author of the Gospel of John is actually John the Baptist NOTE: Strathearn's and Judd's only evidence for their theory that John the Baptist composed part of what became the prologue of the Gospel of John is D&C 93:6-18.
Based on lecture (and from the perspective of ancient Jews) who were the Samaritans?
Descendants of Assyrians and some Israelites who were left behind after Assyria captured the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722. They claim to be true Israel.
The Lord promised Moses that He (God) would raise up after Moses another prophet like Moses. Some believed this to be a prophecy about a future messianic figure.
Deuteronomy 18: 15-19
This group lives together in a community (probably Qumran by the Dead Sea) where they all wear white (typical attire of priests), don't admit women or slaves, strictly observe the Sabbath, purify themselves in cold water, and have a particular interest in ancient (sacred) texts.
Essenes
Two messiahs: A Davidic Messiah to rule and a Priestly Messiah to restore proper Temple worship
Essenes
Paul provides our earliest witness to the mortal ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. List three facts about the historical Jesus found in Paul's letters.
Galations 4:4 Jesus is the son of God, born of a womanRomans 1: 3-4 Jesus was of the seed of David1 Corinthians 15:5 Jesus was seen by his twelve apostles after he was resurrected1 Corinthians 2:2 Jesus was crucified
All of the following represent part of John the Baptist's preaching, EXCEPT...
Gather supplies to prepare for the coming wrath of God!
In 4Q174, the Qumran Community interprets 2 Samuel 7:12-14 in all of the following ways, EXCEPT...[NOTE: the Dead Sea Scrolls are written long after King David and Solomon.]
God spoke to David about a scepter and a star who would co-rule in Israel in the last days
Which of the following best describe John's preaching according to Matthew and Luke?
He calls certain people a generation of vipers, tells them to repent, and says it is not sufficient to claim Abraham as your ancestor, and that destruction will come unless you repent!
According to Matthew, where is John the Baptizer preaching, and according to Matthew and Mark, where is he baptizing?
He is preaching in the wilderness (or desert) of Judea and baptizing in the Jordan River
According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, why was John the Baptizer imprisoned by Herod (Antipas), Tetrarch of Galilee?
Herod (Antipas) had married his brother (Herod) Philip's wife, Herodias, while Philip was still alive. John called him to repent for this sin.
In Matthew 2, the gospel also emphasizes part of Jesus's early life that show him to be a prophet like Moses. Which of the following from Matthew 2 demonstrates that parallel?
Herod the Great kills all of the infants under two-years old in an attempt to kill Jesus—Jesus's family flees to Egypt. Pharaoh attempted to kill all the male Hebrew children but Moses was rescued (Exodus 1).
According to Josephus, why was John the Baptizer executed by Herod (Antipas), Tetrarch of Galilee?
Herod was concerned about the crowds gathering around John, fearing that John's preaching could lead to rebellion while he was dealing with a boundary dispute with Aretas.
According to Matthew and Mark, why was John the Baptizer executed by Herod (Antipas), Tetrarch of Galilee?
Herodias didn't like John so she convinced her daughter to trick Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee into making an oath that he would deliver John's head on a platter.
So far, we have seen that some of the prophecies about a future messiah speak of a future king, in particular a son of David. How does Matthew (in Matt 1:1-2:9), emphasize the connections between Jesus and Davidic kingship? Provide at least two examples.
In Matthew 1, Matthew describes the lineage of Jesus and and in Matthew 1: 17 provides evidence that Jesus and David are 28 generations apart, but that they are connected making it clear that Jesus is a "son of David" through JosephIn Matthew 2: 2 Matthew describes his kingship when the wisemen refer to him as "King of the Jews." This is again emphasized in verse 6 when it says "that shall rule my people Israel."
According to Strathearn and Judd, all of the following are true about the authorship of Luke, EXCEPT...
In the Muratorian canon, the Gospel of Luke is described as pseudepigraphic
Dead Sea Scrolls (start reading about half way down on page 109).Which of the following prophecies does the Community (this is the Dead Sea Scrolls community, also called the Qumran Community or the Essenes) believe they are fulfilling?
Isaiah 40:3
According to the Priene Calendar Inscription (9 BC), what is the "gospel"?
It is the good news that the divine Augustus Caesar was sent as a savior to the world
Reading Mark 1:1 in its historical context (that is, in the context of the Priene Calendar Inscription), what is the "gospel"?
It is the good news that the divine Jesus Christ was actually the one who was sent as a savior to the world, not the current political ruler
Now you've identified the differences between the two versions of Josephus, Antiquities 18.3.3 (18.63). The "standard text" was transmitted (passed down and copied by scribes) by Christians. Based on that information, how might you explain the differences between the two versions?
It is very likely that the account was altered either intentionally or unintentionally by author's bias. If the work was trasmitted by Christians than they would switch much of the dialogue to fit their Christian vocabulary (ex. "Greeks and Jews won over" becomes "disciples"). Since they are Christian the connotation of the passage definitely puts Christ in a better light. You can tell the author believes in and cares about Christ instead of just writing an objective history of events. This can be seen when he is described as good and virtuous, instead of just merely being a good teacher.
In the book of Exodus we meet Joshua the son of Nun. In the Greek Septuagint, his name is rendered differently. Which of the following best represents his Greek name in English?
Jesus
In the Gospels of Mark and Luke, what is the first miracle that Jesus performs?
Jesus casts out a demon, healing a man who had been possessed by an unclean spirit
According to Strathearn and Judd, which of the following are major themes in the Gospel of Mark? (Mark all that apply.)
Jesus commands people to be quiet about him, his miracles, and his identity (Messianic Secret) Jesus is constantly misunderstood and rejected
According to Strathearn and Judd, which of the following are major themes in the Gospel of Matthew? (Mark all that apply.)
Jesus is "God with Us" (this forms an inclusio for this entire Gospel) Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) Jesus is the new Moses, who comes out of Egypt and delivers the Law on a mountain top
According to Strathearn and Judd, which of the following are major themes in the Gospel of Luke? (Mark all that apply.)
Jesus meets his fate with dignity and bravery in this Gospel F. Jesus is the Savior of all humankind—not only Israel or the privileged of society, but also women and the poor and outcast The Jerusalem Temple is a focus of this Gospel
None of the gospels provides us with the name of its author. That is, none of the gospels say anything like, "I Nephi write this record." Only one gospel comes close to revealing the author, but that author is never named. He's known only as the disciple whom Jesus loved or the beloved disciple. Curiously, the people ("we") who identify the beloved as the one "who wrote these things" are also writing these things—that is, this Gospel may have more than one author (just as Moroni edited Nephi's record!) Which gospel have I been describing here?
John
Three of the Gospels are known as "Synoptic Gospels" because they can be "viewed together" (the literal meaning of syn + optic)! Compare the following four accounts, Matthew 14:19-20, Mark 6:41-42, Luke 9:16-17; and John 6:11-12. Which of these four gospels records the same event as the other three, but using entirely different words? (NOTE: the other three gospels are the "Synoptic Gospels" because they copied from each other! We'll talk about who copied from whom later.)
John
According to Eusebius's (4th cen.) quotation of Clement of Alexandria (2nd cen), which of the following best describes the Gospel of John?
John was aware of thee Synoptic Gospels and thought they accurately accounted for the fact of Jesus's life, so he decided to write a spiritual gospel.
God called upon Moses to deliver his people, the people of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and to lead them to the promised land. The Lord also made a promise to the people of Israel through Moses that He (the Lord) would in the future raise up a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18). According to lecture, who was the first to partially fulfill that promise and how did he do so?
Joshua, by parting the river Jordan Joshua is the one we talked about in class. Elijah also had a River Jordan Experience (2 Kings 2:8)
Only one gospel gives us any indication of how it was written. This gospel author indicates that he is aware of ("many") other gospels previously written (or at least "attempted"/"taken in hand"), and that eyewitnesses gave him (and other Christians — "us") the information—suggesting that he was not himself an eyewitness. The KJV suggests that this author had a "perfect understanding" but the Greek actually suggests that this author "investigated" or "followed carefully" everything from the beginning. Which Gospel is this?
Luke
Describe one more of Jesus's teachings from this reading assignment that has not been covered in this quiz.
Luke 5:24-not only does Jesus have the power to heal, but he also has the power to forgive people of their sins
Compare Luke 21:20 with Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. What does Luke add? If Luke wrote after the siege of Jerusalem AD 70, how might we explain the difference between Luke and Matthew/Mark? (You can provide more than one possibility.)
Luke adds that the desolation thereof comes from armies overtaking Jerusalem. This difference between Luke and Matthew/Mark could simply be that Matthew and Mark didn't see the detail as significant enough to mention. It is also possible that it hadn't happened yet when Matthew and Mark wrote their accounts and Luke added the information in with his newfound knowledge after the event had happened.
Papias was a Christian who wrote about the gospels in the early second century (early 100s AD). unfortunately, only fragments of his writings survive in the writings of other later Christians, such as the fourth century Christian historian, Eusebius. According to Papias (as preserved by Eusebius), which of the following best describes the origin of the Gospel of Mark?
Mark was Simon Peter's interpreter and recorded what he remembered Peter to have shared about Jesus, but not in order.
Based on this information, describe why someone could suggest that Mark was written first followed by Matthew, then Luke, and finally John?
Mark's account is very plain and to the point: John baptized Jesus.Matthews account adds the disclaimer that John felt unworthy to baptize Jesus.Luke implies that John was in prison when Jesus was baptized.John's account seems to describe Jesus' baptism in the past tense as if John had witnessed his baptism.Someone could suggest that Mark was written first, then Matthew, then Luke, and then John because they seem to lessen in detail of John's involvement along that line, perhaps in response to the negative feelings of people hearing that John, a man of lesser authority baptized Jesus. It was more important to witness that Christ was baptized and that the heavens witnessed that he was the Son of God, than who baptized him.
None of the New Testament Gospels tell us when they were written, but there are clear indications that they were NOT written when Jesus was alive or even immediately after his death. For instance, which of the following passages suggests that quite a bit of time has past since Jesus died by including a phrase like "until this day"?
Matt. 27:8 and 28:15
According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus's baptism is accompanied by the heavens opening, the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus, and a voice from Heaven proclaiming Jesus to be the beloved son of God. In two of these Gospels, the voice from heaven speaks directly to Jesus and there is no indication that anyone besides Jesus heard the voice. In which of these three Gospels, does the voice speak as if talking to other people about Jesus?
Matthew
Cleansing a Leper (Mark 1:40-45 and Luke 5:12-15)
Matthew 8:1-4
Healing Simon's wife's mother of a fever (Mark 1:30-31 and Luke 4:38-39)
Matthew 8:14-15
Healing a paralyzed man—a man "sick with palsy" (Mark 2:3-12 and Luke 5:18-26
Matthew 9:1-8
Healing man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-27 and Luke 4:33-36)—NOTE: this is not the Gadarene or Gergesene Demoniac from Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; and Luke 8:26-39.
Matthew doesn't include this event
According to Strathearn and Judd, all of the following are true about the authorship of Matthew, EXCEPT...
Matthew was likely written in Syria, after Jewish-Christians had fled Jerusalem
A tradition independently attested by multiple sources is more likely authentic.
Multiple Independent Attestation
Prophecies are often poetic. And in Hebrew poetry is done through parallelism. When Balaam, son of Beor, prophesies to Balak about the future of Israel he says: a star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel. Scepter is a symbol for kingship and it is in parallel with "star" leading some to believe in a future heavenly being who would rule Israel.
Numbers 24:17
In Matthew 16:13-28 and Mark 8:27-38, Jesus asks his disciples who they understand him to be. Simon Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the messiah (or "Christ," the "anointed"). How does Peter respond after Jesus next explains that he (Jesus) will suffer, die, and rise again?
Peter rebukes Jesus and explains to him that (as messiah) this shouldn't happen to him
A messianic age in which all Israel is perfectly obedient to the Law (Torah). But some perhaps also hoped for a new Moses or Davidic messiah.
Pharisees
This group believes not only in the Torah, but in other scripture (the Prophets and Writings). So they believe the the spirit or soul lives on after death and will face judgment. They are active out among the rural communities, the townspeople, and work to make sure people worship properly (as they believe is proper).
Pharisees
According to lecture, each one of the following is part of the Abrahamic Covenant described in Genesis, EXCEPT...
Priesthood (the power to perform ordinances on behalf of the Lord) Priesthood is only included as part of the Abrahamic Covenant in the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. So, Jews in the time of Jesus may not have known about it.
After Jesus's baptism and after John the Baptizer is in prison, Jesus himself begins to preach. According to Matthew, which of the following messages is preached by both John the Baptizer and Jesus?
Repent! The kingdom of heaven is near!
All of the following represent examples of ritual washing and immersion from the Old Testament, EXCEPT...
Ritual immersion as a sign of repentance to become part of the people of Israel
When Jesus was born, which Imperial power was ultimately in control of Judea?
Romans
Probably no messianic expectation (things were good for this group since they ran the Temple).
Sadducees
This group believes that the only scripture is the Torah (the Law), and they observe no traditions outside of the written laws. For this reason, they believe that one's spirit or soul does not live on after death. At the time of Jesus (and Josephus) they are the ruling class in charge of the Temple. And Josephus claims that they follow the teachings of another sect when they assume office to appease the people.
Sadducees
After Jesus's sacred experience at baptism, when he hears the voice of the Lord proclaiming him to be "God's son," he spends time alone in the wilderness (desert) during which he is tempted by Satan. According to Matthew and Luke (and Lecture), how do at least two of Satan's three temptations relate to Jesus's sacred experience at baptism?
Satan tries to trick Jesus into doubting His status as God's son
According to Josephus, what did Herodias do that "confound[ed] the laws of our country"?
She divorced herself from her husband, Herod Philip, while he was alive and married Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee
Sometimes Jesus teaches a parable and then explains its meaning to his disciples. In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-18), Jesus describes a person scattering seeds. (1) some fell alongside the road and were eaten by birds; (2) some fell on stony ground and couldn't get root, become scorched and whithered; (3) some were choked by weeds or thorns; and (4) some fell on good ground, grew, and produced fruit. According to Jesus, what is the meaning of each of the four parts of this parable?
Sometimes Jesus teaches a parable and then explains its meaning to his disciples. In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-18), Jesus describes a person scattering seeds. (1) some fell alongside the road and were eaten by birds; (2) some fell on stony ground and couldn't get root, become scorched and whithered; (3) some were choked by weeds or thorns; and (4) some fell on good ground, grew, and produced fruit. According to Jesus, what is the meaning of each of the four parts of this parable?
Promises to make the walls of Jerusalem fall down (like Joshua did to Jericho), but the Roman procurator kills them.
The Egyptian
According to lecture, which is closest in its description and purpose to the Baptism of John, the proselyte baptism in the Babylonian Talmud or the ritual immersion described in the Sibylline Oracles? Explain your answer.
The Sibylline Oracles (4.162-174) is closest to John's message and purpose for baptism!The practice of "Proselyte Baptism" in Judaism, first mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud (c. AD 500), began long after the time of John.
Based on the three General Authority quotations at the end of lecture (Elder Maxwell, Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young), how do you think we should approach our historical study of the Gospels?
The authors of the Gospels are imperfect people who wrote imperfect accounts. There are no doubt historical inaccuracies and authors biases about historical facts, but the doctrine is still true. Historical study of the Gospels should always be pursued with an open mind and upsets in historical accuracy should not be the reason to lose your testimony. However, learning the historical side of the Gospels by studying LDS sources as well as other historical sources, even from other religions, can help give context that makes learning the doctrine an even more spiritual experience as we come to know our Savior better.
Compare the "standard text" of Josephus, Antiquities 18.3.3 (18.63) in the footnote to the version based on an Arabic manuscript found in the main body. What are the differences?
The mainbody text describes Jesus as good and virtuous, focusing more on his characteristics. The footnote text describes Jesus by focusing more on his impressive resume of "extraordinary deeds." The Main body supposes that he may have been the Messiah, but the footnote text claims "He was the Messiah." The main body describes his followers as his disciples. The footnotes describe them as people he had "won over"
Leads a group to the Jordan river where he promises to part the waters, but the Roman Procurator, Fadus, kills him
Theudas
Why did the Essenes form a community out in the wilderness?
They believed that they were the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3
What does Thucydides tell us about how he and other ancient historians accurately recorded the speeches of people in their histories?
Thucydides made up the speeches himself, but tried to have them be as close as possible to what was originally said.
Based on our belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, we sometimes assume that Jesus had a perfect knowledge of everything throughout his entire life. Based on lecture, what do we learn about Jesus from the beginning of Doctrine and Covenants 93?
We learn that Jesus came to earth and became human. He "dwelt in the flesh and dwelt among us" (D&C 93:11). He had the veil drawn over him and did not know everything all at once. He "received grace for grae until he received a fulness" (D&C 93:12-13). Jesus had to trust in God and learn as he grew just like the rest of us here on earth.
Military Messiah to drive out the Romans
Zealots
This group is similar to the Pharisees in a lot of ways, but very opposed to Rome ruling and will fight for the freedom of Israel because they believe only God should rule
Zealots
Leads a group to Mt. Gerazim where he promises to reveal sacred vessels deposited by Moses, but Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator, intervenes and kills their leaders
a Samaritan "prophet"
How many years before Jesus's birth did the Jews experience autonomous rule (they governed themselves, free of any major Empires) in Judea?
about 70
Which of the following best represents the definition of "exegesis" or "eisegesis" provided in class
an interpretation of a text's original meaning, rather than reading into the text what we would like it to say
How is Jesus's ministry similar to and different from John the Baptist's ministry?
both preach the coming Kingdom of God, but Jesus enacts that coming kingdom through his miracles
According to Dr. Combs, we can only trust as historically accurate those parts of the Gospels which are supported by all three Historical Jesus Criteria.
false
According to lecture, in first century AD Galilee and Judea, Jesus was the only one whom people believed to have performed miracles or messianic actions.
false
According to our Bible Dictionary, it is possible to create a perfect harmony of the four Gospels.
false
From the Old Testament we know the baptism was performed for children in Israel when they turned eight years old.
false
John was baptizing in the Jordan river not far from Jesus's hometown.
false
According to Luke, where did John the Baptizer spend most of his time growing up (between his birth and the time when he appeared publicly with his message for Israel)?
in a desert place or the wilderness
Scripture can have a multiplicity of meanings, depending on how we read it (for instance, as history, doctrine, or for application); in other words, scripture is...
polyvalent
According to our Bible Dictionary, the four gospels found in the New Testament are best understood as ...
testimonies
According to Strathearn and Judd, the harmony approach to the Gospels has all of the following limitations, EXCEPT...
the harmony approach provides a comprehensive view of what the Gospels record of the Savior's life and teachings
According to lecture, if Papias is right and Mark wrote his gospel after he was Peter's scribe (after Peter's death c. AD 64?), if Luke wrote his Gospel and Acts after the last event he recorded in Acts (Paul's house arrest c. AD60) and after other gospels had been written, and if Clement (as quoted in Eusebius) is right and John was written after Matthew, Mark, and Luke, then it seems likely that the Gospels were written roughly between c. AD 65 and AD 90. This would also fit well with Matthew's "until this day."
true
According to our Bible Dictionary, Mark has the least amount of unique material, being only about 7 percent exclusive; John has the greatest amount, being about 92 percent exclusive.
true
According to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran Community (Essenes) practiced ritual immersion for those who wanted to become part of their priestly community, and to prepare for communal meals.
true
It is not possible to create a perfect harmony of the four Gospels because the Gospel authors themselves do not always agree on chronological matters.
true
Our English words Bible and Scripture are derived from Greek and Latin words that mean "books" and "writing."
true
The term "New Testament" ultimately originates in the prophecy of Jeremiah (31:31), wherein the Lord says that he will make a new covenant with the house of Israel that is different from the Law of Moses.
true
The terms "canon" and "standard works" have essentially the same meaning: they refer to a body of work accepted by a community as authoritative.
true
