Life of Christ

BI 1211 and BI 1311Kevin Ellis, Assistant Professor of Bible

Faulkner University

Comparing The Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

The Four Gospels

Three “Synoptics” written around 60Mark: by a traveling companion of Paul

Matthew: by the apostle

Luke: by a physician travel companion of Paul

A more reflective gospel written around 90John: by the apostle

The oldest (c. 125) known

fragment of the New Testament is

this 3.5 inch piece of John

18:31-33 & 37-38.

Known as p52, or as the John

Rylands fragment, it was

discovered in Egypt in 1920.

Perspective & Structure of Matthew

PerspectiveStrong Jewish emphasisPerhaps for mixed Jewish-Gentile readership40 Quotes & 100 Allusions to the Old Testament

14 direct statements that Jesus fulfills Hebrew prophecy(significantly more than John 7x, Luke 4x, Mark 2x)

Content & Structure28 passages unique to Matthew“Narrative-Discourse” Structure

Structured around 5 sermons (“discourses”)Events in between (“narrative”)

Simple outline1-4 Introducing Jesus5-16 Ministry and Rejection16-28 Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Resurrection

Perspective & Structure of Mark

PerspectiveSense of urgency presenting the Gospel

“And immediately” used 42 timesBriefest Gospel, almost “just the facts”Fewer words of Jesus than the other Gospels

Assumes familiarity with Jews, explains some

Structure & ContentMostly about Galilean ministry, then JerusalemFocused treatment of last week

Nearly ½ of Mark is about heading toward the Passion.Predictions of Passion begin in chapter 8 (of 16).Last week of Jesus’ life begins in chapter 11.

Simple Outline1-9 Galilean Ministry10-13 Judean Ministry 14-16 Crucifixion and Resurrection

Perspective & Structure of Luke

Perspective“Orderly account” with historical details

Companion volume to Acts

Structure & ContentNearly half of content not in other Gospels

More information about childhood of Jesus

Prominent role of women

Simple Outline1-9 Public ministry mostly in Galilee9-19 Ministry mostly in Perea on the way to Jerusalem20-24 Crucifixion and Resurrection

Perspective & Structure of John

PerspectiveReflection on the Life of Jesus

Structure & ContentGospel of Belief: Verb “believe” about 100x

Leaves out much already in other Gospels

Includes much that is not in other Gospels

Simple Outline1-12 Public ministry of Christ13-21 Passion of Christ

Background to the Gospels

Geography and History of Israel

Physical Geography of Israel

Mediterranean SeaSea of Galilee

Dead Sea

Jordan River

Political and Ethnic Regions

Samaria

Decapolis

Perea

Galilee

IsraelDuring

The LifeOf

Christ Judea

Israel in Today’s World

Israel is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Israel in Today’s World

Israel is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Israel in Today’s World

Israel is at the eastern end of

the Mediterranean

Sea.

It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Egypt

Jordan

Syria

Lebanon

History of Jewish Identity

In the time of Christ

AbrahamUr to Canaan2000 B.C.

Exodus1447 B.C.Moses & Torah

Monarchy 400 yrs1000 B.C.David, Solomon

Exile to Assyriaand Babylon

586 B.C.Temple destroyedAbandon idolatry

Partial Returns540, 440 B.C.

Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures

About 500 years pass before Christ.

Various empires rule Israel. (dates rounded)Persia 540-330

Greece 330-170

Maccabees and Hasmoneans 170-60

Rome 60-330

Israel After the Hebrew Scriptures

Israel Dominated 500 years before Christ

Persian for two centuries, 539-331Cyrus takes Babylon for Persia in 539.Jewish identity changes at that time.

Adopt Aramaic language & create synagogues.Some Jews return to Jerusalem & rebuild.

Greek about a century and a half, 331-164 Alexander the Great, Ptolemies, SeleucidsHellenism, resisted by orthodox JewsSeleucid Antiochus Epiphanes insults Israel

Took bribes to appoint Jewish high priestsDefiled Temple, outlawed Jewish practices

The Septuagint (during Greek Rule)Greek translation from HebrewProduced by Jews group in AlexandriaPut OT in universal language of MediterraneanThe Bible quoted in the New Testament

Maccabees and Hasmoneans 164-60 = <100 yrsMaccabees lead revolt and gain independence.

They restore the Temple in 164. (= Hanukkah)

Their descendants become Hasmonean royalty.

Independent A Century Before Christ

Rome 60 BC – 100 AD (and until 639)

All of New Testament period (4 BC – AD 100)Romans intervene in Hasmonean power dispute.

Hyrcanus “Ethnarch” of Judea instead of king, 63 BCHerods rule for Rome 140 years, 40 BC – AD 100.

Also Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate

Roman Israel for 60 years before Christ

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