New Testament exam 2 (sbu denton)
John the Baptist
"Lamb of God" Only in John
What does "synoptic" mean?
"Seeing together" Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Genre
"a group of text that exhibits a coherent and recurring configuration of literary features involving form (including structure and style), content, and function." 1. All appear/look similar 2. All say similar things 3. Say things in similar ways
the parousia
"appearing;" second coming of Christ
Unusual about the way Jesus refers to himself in his conversation with Martha in John 11:17-27?
"realized" eschatology in John (inaugurated- the beginning) Eschatological themes are applied to Jesus in the present Resurrection (Martha and Lazarus) "I am the resurrection and life..."
Misunderstanding and Failures theme
(shows struggles with believing and understanding, and problems) a result of the paradox of the crucified messiah, and possibly addressed to those under persecution
Distinctive Jewish features of Matthew
-Infancy narrative with genealogy -Moses parallel -The Law/Sermon on the Mount -Circumlocutions for God
Jesus' ethical teaching in Matthew?
-Jesus as the "New Moses" -Jesus as teacher of "righteousness" -A New Torah -Jesus comes specifically to Israel -Five discourses (structure) -Jesus affirms the Law of Moses -New law "intensification": Six Clauses (6 antitheses)
2 things happened first time in Antioch, according to Luke in Acts 11? How could this help us understand the situation of the audience of the gospel of Matthew?
-Stephen killed -Christianity spreading (Barnabas & Saul) -"Christian"first used -Predicted famine
4 sections of John?
1. Prologue (specifically theological) 2. Book of Signs (most of John; name from performs miracles) (expresses the human perspective on the action; seeing as an indication of something else) 3. Book of Glory (last supper-times Jesus appears after resurrection; name from crucifixion glorified) 4. Epilogue - (Jesus appears to disciples by sea of Galilee)
Why are they called the synoptic gospels?
All 3 follow the same broad outline of Jesus' ministry and roughly chronologically the same Mathew and Luke seem to follow Mark's order Mark's material is found in both Matthew and Luke
Why "kingdom of heaven" only in Matthew?
Circumlocutions for God ("Kingdom of Heaven")= indirect way of saying something Yahweh: Lord personal name in OT (God of Israel) Doesn't want to substitute names for God
How might an audience for Mark in the city of Rome account for Mark's special emphases?
Clement of Alexandria Gk loanwords from Latin stress on disciples' failure may have in mind Christians facing Persecutions
No "proofs" of Jesus' messiahship to a Jewish audience?
Crucified messiah (no quotes or mention of suffering) writing to a group who already believes no citations in the passion part of his message
How is salvation described in Luke?
Deliverance of all kinds (Luke gives us the fullest picture of salvation) -Forgiveness of sins -Healing -Freedom of Oppression -Reversal
Why do most scholars today believe Matthew was written in Antioch?
Earliest knowledge of Matthew is in ignatious and didache, (associated with Antioch) Jewish Christ followers started sharing Christianity with non-Jews (gentiles) The name "Christian" is first used The church at Antioch would have been mostly Jewish-Christian
Why John places the temple incident early?
Emphasis on worship contrast with connection to the crucifixion (this incident crosses the line) Jesus as a replacement for the temple To contrast with connection/stress of crucifixion (happens in the same week) Jesus as replacing the Temple (says that the temple will be destroyed and rebuilt but really talking about his body)
"Eschatology"?
Eschatos= "last" Eschatological Discourse, Lk 21:8-36/17:24-27, Mk 13:3-37, Mt 24:4-36 3 main things: -destruction of temple -day of the son of man -period of difficulty parousia
Plausability and the Gospels
Evangelists didn't care if the details didn't exactly line up or be in the same order
Work
Expresses the divine perspective (what is accomplished in it) Jesus used
Signs
Expresses the human perspective (what it signifies) Jesus rarely used NOT in synoptics
The secrecy theme (Messianic secret) is completely absent in Matthew and Luke T or F
False, Messianic secret is not as prominent in Matthew and Luke as it is in Mark but it does exist in them (not in John)
Sermon on the Mount role in Matthew?
First time Jesus gives a public address Jesus relates himself with the Jewish law/Moses Fulfillment of Law of Moses (Jesus doesn't abolish it but rather completes it)
Function of Genre
Genre as a social convention (customary way of communicating for users of the genre) Sets up certain expectations in its readers Important part of contextual meaning
Kingdom of God is
God's rule or reign
"Nazareth synagogue sermon" (Lk 4:16-30) especially important for understanding Luke's portrayal of Jesus?
His whole mission in a nutshell "inaugural sermon" in Luke Description of Jesus's messiahship: anointed by the Spirit Description of the "good news"
Crucifixion and the Romans
Historical context Crucifixion is a Roman method of execution (not Jewish) -Took days Propaganda tool for Pax Romana (only used when people were threats and needed to be made an example of)
What does it mean to say the Gospels were written on "two levels"?
Historical- events of Jesus' life Contemporary- concerns of the writer's present circumstances (writing or teaching a certain way to a certain audience)
Source "Q"
Hypothetical document- no longer exists Consists almost entirely of words of Jesus, no narratives How we account for verbatim in synoptics recently discovered: "Gospel of Thomas" is similar
Jesus himself = eschaton
I am the BEGINNING of the end The signs Jesus gives to tell the end is coming
Situation of Jewish Christians in Antioch that Matthew may have been written to address?
Identity Crisis Being excommuned from their synagogues for believing in Jesus "What is the relationship between Jesus and the Messiah to my Jewishness?"
Why Mark is suggested to be written in Gailee?
If Mark is written first, that puts Jesus in Galilee Possibly from, but not written to Galilee aramaic terms are translated and purification rights are explained
Biographical descriptions of the OT vs the Gospels
In OT there is no independent biographies of individual figures (one book completely devoted to one person)
Times Kingdom of God mentioned in Synoptics vs rest of NT? (prominence)
In the synoptics it is mentioned over 120 times Rest of NT is only mentioned 20
Messianic Secret and how we account for it
Jesus doesn't want his messiahship known Historically if Jesus had announced his messiahship, he would've been portrayed incorrectly due to expectations The truth about Jesus is paradoxical and only known through revelation
Markan Paradox
Jesus is Messiah, but appears in humility and suffering Jesus' messiahship is defined by his crucifixion
Paradox
Jesus will teach something in self-contradictory terms
Matthew Matching
Jesus- New Moses New Torah Genealogy/Birth -Abraham Formula citations 5 fold structure For Jews (very jewish)
theology of revelation
John sent from father and will return to the father
No eschatological discourse in
John where Jesus talked about the day of the son of man= end times
John Matching
John gives "explicit" interpretation John is "upfront" Synoptics are between-the-lines lots of love, how Jesus connects with audience Theology of revelation No eschatology For everyone
Other's testimonies about Jesus in John?
John the Baptist (came first but said someone is coming after me who is greater) (Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world) EARLY (ch1) First confession by a disciple (Peter said Jesus is messiah) Jesus and blasphemy (in Synoptics Jesus accused of blasphemy at trial) "I AM" -(in John Jesus accused of blasphemy during a conversation about Abraham seeing the day of Jesus (before he was I am))
Why signs in John, but not in synoptics?
John's eschatology theme They are signs of end times
Luke Matching
Jubilee Naz synagoge sermon Genealogy/Birth - Adam Salvation - deliverance, of all kinds Reversal + Universalism For Gentiles
Jesus's teaching style in John?
Lengthy discourses/ dialogues (more than any other gospel) Few Parables Figures of speech instead of parables, which are often misunderstood
Jesus and Moses
Life is compared in multiple books Born under a kill order for baby boys Both functioned as deliverer
Luke-Acts
Luke is the author of both meant for them to be read together
Basic outline of Jesus' ministry, which the other synoptic follow?
Mark
When is the first time someone in Mark recognizes the true meaning of Jesus as "Son of God"?
Mark 15:39 By a Gentile in Roman Army Jesus was recognized that he was the Son of God for the first time by a non-jew, nonhuman being understands Jesus' true identity
First time a disciple confesses Jesus as the Messiah in Mark? Why significant in portrayal of Jesus?
Mark 8:27-33 By Peter "Who do they say I am?" "You are the Messiah" first time Jesus predicts his death, Jesus also brings out the secrecy theme
What two main sources are used in the two source theory?
Mark and source Q
Earthy realism
Mark is very action orientated, sense of urgency focuses on deed rather than words, rapid fire sequence
two source theory
Mark was written first "Markan Priority" (most largely believed) Matthew and Luke used it as basic source Matthew and Luke used another source "Q" Matthew and Luke could have had other sources besides Mark and "Q"
Textual reason for Messianic Secret?
Mark's "Paradox" (paradoxical presentation) Son of God as a real human being: Jesus is Messiah but appears in humility and suffering The Crucified Messiah: His messiahship is defined by his crucifixion Only known through revelation, received by faith
What does Papias say about Matthew that is an early indication of someone recognizing Matthew's Jewish character?
Mathew wrote down sayings of Jesus in Hebrew (Jesus and disciples spoke Aramaic) Sayings leads up to think he used the "Q" as a possible source
Which gospel has the most material in common with Mark?
Matthew 80%-90% Luke (only 50%-56%)
Mark Matching
Messianic Secret Paradoxical Picture Crucified Messiah mystery-people don't understand For Romans
Historical reason for Messianic secret?
Messianic expectations What Jews in Jesus's day expected him to do and be Didn't want people to mistake him for what he was not
How are they similar (OT and Gospels)
Moses had a lot of parallels to Jesus and what went on in Israel, Jesus would sometimes compared himself to Elijah and Elisha.
Main participants in the kingdom during Jesus' ministry?
Mostly Jews (eventually Gentiles later)
Kingdom as a present or future thing?
Nature of kingdom: brought by Jesus Both present (changes things now) And Future (Eternal life/ not there yet)
What does Luke 1:1-4 say about why an explanation of synoptic relationships may be helpful?
No explanation is required because God inspired the evangelists to write that way Luke acknowledges the other writings (He is NOT an eye witness)-presents himself as a historian
Jesus's teaching in John?
Not as focused on Kingdom (Jesus was in his own teachings) (Kingdom of God related to HIM) No Messianic Secret Theology of revelation- Jesus sent from father (to do these things) (sent by and will return to the father) Jesus dependent on the father (doesn't speak or act on his own)
Jesus and Elijah/Elisha
Performed miracles Prophets Point is what God is telling Israel through them
According to Papias, where did Mark get the information for his gospel?
Peter Mark was the interpreter of Peter Mark gets info from Peter (possibly of John Mark)
Jesus and Moses distinction
Point out what God is doing for Israel Moses is just doing that while God's purpose is happening in Jesus himself
Luken Reversal
Reversal of fortunes: changes of status Reorientation of values: situation changes, perspective redirects people tp follow God -Rich and poor -blessing and curse -greatest and least -leadership and servanthood
Greco-Roman biographies v.s modern biographies? What does the subject's "particularity" have to do with this?
Roman historians were writing biographies of major figures Modern concerns were not in view for ancient biographies Historical concern= plausibility A paradigm- didactic function (pattern to be emulated, to follow, role model)Character is the most important Modern concern = particularity; looks at the person as a whole rather than using their own agenda (What makes them 'tick'/who they are)
Shortest Gospel? Longest Gospel?
Short- Mark Long- Luke
Future Eschatology
Signs are an indicator the end is near "I am going to prepare a place for you"
Spirit of Jubilee
Spirit of the Good news Release of debt and freedom, nobody is ever over anyone else Year of the Lord's Favor - Jubilee Every 7th year celebrated sabbath whole year of rest (allowing land to rest, not working crops and letting it recover) Jubilee year- every 7th sabbath year every 49-50 years Let land rest Any property that had changed hands, been sold, traded goes back to original owner (land belongs to God so reminds them it is not theirs) Forgiveness of all debts
Major theme of Jesus' message
The Kingdom (of God) Kingdom of God is not just heaven or church, it's bigger than that
Formula citations
The way Matthew uses the old testament (Jesus fulfilling prophecy) Proofs of Jesus's messiahship
In what way are Greco-Roman biographies "paradigms"? How does this relate to their being "didactic"?
They focus on the subject to be emulated or an example to be followed (be like this person) and the character is most important The didactic function teaches something about a set of values by holding up the subject as paradigm
220-235
Verses are verbatim in Matthew wand Luke, (not found in Mark)
How is eschatology related to Jesus' kingdom message in Luke?
an emphasis on the present, without abandoning the future Disciples' lives are part of God's plan The activity of the Spirit in Luke-Acts (Part of God's saving activity) (A way of seeing the future as already present)
Theological Biographies
biography-dealing with a real person's life theological-to persuade people of Jesus' significance for their lives
If Mark originally ended at 16:8, how might this fit with Mark's overall picture of Jesus?
by recognizing the meaning in his crucifixion and resurrection fits the ambiguity of his narrative, a faith response
What does "historical plausibility" have to do with chronology in the Gospels?
if you read gospels in parallel you notice the comparisons and differences
Realized/inaugurated Eschatology
in the present (The beginning) Resurrection (Martha and Lazarus)
"Universalism"
include categories of people excluded Gentiles samaritans women sinners ostracized people
Gentiles?
included in Matthews narratives throughout the magi, crucifixion, great commission, Centurion
Purpose of matthew
instruction to jewish christians on the relation of their faith in Jesus to their scriptures and their Jewish identity
John has few
kingdom references
Gospels are "anonymous" because
nowhere in the gospel does the author identify themselves
Benefactor
only found in lukes version of this account No need for this in the Kingdom
Jesus' reference to the Christian community to come (the church)?
only referred to in Matthew (peter as rock, life of church, formation of church)
Five discourse structure
parts that affirm the Law of Moses MATTHEW (5 books of moses) pentateuch- first 5 in OT narrative, large speech, rounding of statement
Greco-Roman main historical requirement
plausibility they wanted to the big picture while today we scrutinize details
Unusual about Mark's ending?
some of the earliest manuscripts stop at 16:8 Either: Verses 9-10 were part of the original, but were LOST from the earliest manuscripts (Got detached) Or: Verses 9-10 were NOT PART of original, but were ADDED LATER (this would make 16:8 original and abrupt ending)
Evangelist Euangelion
writers of the 4 gospels good news, gospel
How does Matthew address the Identity crisis
writes to tell them they don't have to choose Jesus or Jewishness
In what way is the message of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) paradoxical?
your "wealth" on earth doesn't determine your place in heaven or hell.
