Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
The Gospels
  •   Mark and the synoptic problem
2
The Synoptic problem
  • Synoptics:
  • Matthew, Mark, Luke
  • All three tell a similar story
  • Basic stories are the same – audience is different



  • So, what is the problem?
  • Who wrote first?
  • Who copied who?
  • ˝ of the material in the synoptic gospels is common to all three
  • Mark 661 verses: 600 found in Matthew
3
Synoptics
  • 40% of Luke is in Mark
  • So who wrote what and when?
  • Mark is thought to be the oldest
  • There is also thought to be another source


  • Q source – a list of sayings of Jesus
  • Matthew and Luke added q material to Mark’s outline
  • Also used material from the oral tradition, so there is material in Matthew and Luke, not in Mark
4
Mark
  • Shortest and oldest of Gospels
  • 1:1 “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ; the Son of God” – only the beginning – never ends
  • Written in 65-70 CE
  • Written for Roman Church
  • Nero was persecuting the Christians, peter had been crucified
  • Written quickly – often uses the word immediately
5
Jesus : Messiah
  •  Gospels refer to Jesus as ‘Messiah’ and ‘Christ’
  • Both mean anointed one
  • By the time of Jesus, this term referred t a ‘godly powerful one’



  • But, this person had not yet arrived
  • The Gospels present Jesus as the expected Messiah
  • But he would not be the political/military leader they were expecting