Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s Word Discovering the Good News Similarities in the...

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s WordSacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s Word

Discovering the Good News Similarities in the Synoptic Gospels Dating the Gospels Formation of the Gospels Authorship of the Gospels The Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Luke The Gospel of John Acts of the Apostles Strategies for Reading, Studying,

and Praying the Gospels

Discovering the Good News Similarities in the Synoptic Gospels Dating the Gospels Formation of the Gospels Authorship of the Gospels The Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Luke The Gospel of John Acts of the Apostles Strategies for Reading, Studying,

and Praying the Gospels

Sacred Scripture: A Catholic Study of God’s WordPart 2A The Gospels


The Good News

1. Gospel comes from an Old English word for “good news”

2. Most references to “Good News” in the New Testament refer to Jesus’ preaching rather than his life

3. The word “gospel” did not originally mean “a narrative of Jesus’ life”

4. The four Gospels narrate Jesus’ life and teach about the events of the Paschal Mystery

5. The Gospels hold the central place of all the inspired and Sacred Scriptures in the liturgy

The Good News

1. Gospel comes from an Old English word for “good news”

2. Most references to “Good News” in the New Testament refer to Jesus’ preaching rather than his life

3. The word “gospel” did not originally mean “a narrative of Jesus’ life”

4. The four Gospels narrate Jesus’ life and teach about the events of the Paschal Mystery

5. The Gospels hold the central place of all the inspired and Sacred Scriptures in the liturgy



The Synoptic Gospels1. Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain a great deal of

common material, they are called the Synoptic Gospels2. The similarities suggest that one of the three was used

as a primary source when the other two were written 3. For a variety of reasons, most scholars

agree that Mark was a source used by both Matthew and Luke

The Synoptic Gospels1. Because Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain a great deal of

common material, they are called the Synoptic Gospels2. The similarities suggest that one of the three was used

as a primary source when the other two were written 3. For a variety of reasons, most scholars

agree that Mark was a source used by both Matthew and Luke



Dating the Gospels

1. Scholars date Mark’s to the period of the destruction of the Temple (AD 68-72) due to clues given in Mk 13:4

2. Because Matthew is quoted by both canonical and noncanonical sources, scholars date it to AD 85–90

3. While Luke cannot have followed Mark by too late a date, he does not seem to know of Paul’s letters leading scholars to place it somewhere during the AD 80s

4. John is difficult to locate in time but scholars tend to place it as early as AD 90 but not later than AD 120-130

Dating the Gospels

1. Scholars date Mark’s to the period of the destruction of the Temple (AD 68-72) due to clues given in Mk 13:4

2. Because Matthew is quoted by both canonical and noncanonical sources, scholars date it to AD 85–90

3. While Luke cannot have followed Mark by too late a date, he does not seem to know of Paul’s letters leading scholars to place it somewhere during the AD 80s

4. John is difficult to locate in time but scholars tend to place it as early as AD 90 but not later than AD 120-130



Formation of the Gospels

1. The Gospel was handed down in two ways:

orally in preaching

in writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

2. Three stages in the formation of the Gospels:

Formation of the Gospels

1. The Gospel was handed down in two ways:

orally in preaching

in writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

2. Three stages in the formation of the Gospels:(a) the period of the public life and teaching of Jesus

(b) a period of oral tradition and preaching by the early disciples in 3 key forms:

(c) the writtenGospels themselves

The kerygma or preaching to unbelievers

The Didache or Catechesis

The liturgy or worship of Christians



Authorship

1. The Gospels never state the identities of their authors

2. Authorship by tradition: Matthew was identified as a tax collector called by Jesus; Mark was a companion of Paul; Luke was Paul’s beloved physician; John was the brother of James and son of Zebedee

3. Though a connection with the apostolic tradition cannot be disputed, the position that Apostles or companions of Jesus undertook the actual authorship is not certain

Authorship

1. The Gospels never state the identities of their authors

2. Authorship by tradition: Matthew was identified as a tax collector called by Jesus; Mark was a companion of Paul; Luke was Paul’s beloved physician; John was the brother of James and son of Zebedee

3. Though a connection with the apostolic tradition cannot be disputed, the position that Apostles or companions of Jesus undertook the actual authorship is not certain



The Gospel of Mark

1. Background:

The Gospel of Mark

1. Background:

Date: approximately

AD 66-70

The shortest, and probably

the first, Gospel

Two main parts:(a) A long introduction

that details Jesus’ ministry and travels

(b) The Passion narrative

Audience:largely Gentileliving in Rome

or Syria

The literary stylesuggests it was written

from the perspectiveof a peasant living

shortly after thetime of Jesus

Hypotheses: it was written

for a community that was suffering,

possibly evenpersecuted



The Gospel of Mark2. Characteristics:

Jesus is portrayed as very human and inquisitive

Though God, Jesus understands painful human moments

Jesus makes three predictions of his coming crucifixion

Jesus uses parables to communicate his teaching

The evil spirits are sometimes slow to obey Jesus

The Passion narrative is grim, somber, heart wrenching

Because Mark’s community had difficulty being faithful disciples in the midst of their suffering; his message: Jesus is right there with you, sharing your pain

The Gospel of Mark2. Characteristics:

Jesus is portrayed as very human and inquisitive

Though God, Jesus understands painful human moments

Jesus makes three predictions of his coming crucifixion

Jesus uses parables to communicate his teaching

The evil spirits are sometimes slow to obey Jesus

The Passion narrative is grim, somber, heart wrenching

Because Mark’s community had difficulty being faithful disciples in the midst of their suffering; his message: Jesus is right there with you, sharing your pain



The Gospel of Matthew

1. Background:


1. Background:

Date:some time in

the AD 80s

Sources:Mark, “Q” and “M”

Audience:Jewish

Christians

While generally faithfulto Mark’s outline of events,Matthew also edited and

compacted several of Mark’s passages

Most of the common material

between Matthew andLuke is made up of

sayings and parables

Matthewedited and compacted

several of Mark’spassages




2. Characteristics: The disciples understand his instructions more clearly

Matthew intended his Gospel to help Jewish Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith

He is aware of Jewish sensibilities, practices, and beliefs

He is concerned to help his largely Jewish-Christian readers understand that Jesus was the Messiah

He makes numerous comparisons between Jesus and Moses

He presents Jesus as the founder of the Church


2. Characteristics: The disciples understand his instructions more clearly

Matthew intended his Gospel to help Jewish Christians understand the Jewish roots of their faith

He is aware of Jewish sensibilities, practices, and beliefs

He is concerned to help his largely Jewish-Christian readers understand that Jesus was the Messiah

He makes numerous comparisons between Jesus and Moses

He presents Jesus as the founder of the Church



The Gospel of Luke

1. Background:

The Gospel of Luke

1. Background:

Date:approximately

the 80s AD

Sources:Mark, “Q”

and “L”

Audience: both Luke andthe Acts are addressed to “Theophilus” There are

various theories about where Luke wrote

Luke’s eloquence marks

him as well educated, almost certainly from

a well-to-do background

Heart of the Gospel:“Jesus is

Lord”

Luke has a good vocabulary and the desire to be accurate and

orderly



The Gospel of Luke1. Recurring themes: the needs of the poor; the

importance of prayer and the Holy Spirit as the constant companion to prayer; the importance of woman in Jesus’ life and ministry

2. The first events in the life of Jesus through the eyes of a woman (Mary) rather than through the eyes of a man

3. Differences in the Passion narrative: the portrayal of the disciples more positively; Jesus is in control until the very end; the centurion present at the crucifixion acknowledges that Jesus was truly innocent

4. An important theme: follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he followed the will of his Father

The Gospel of Luke1. Recurring themes: the needs of the poor; the

importance of prayer and the Holy Spirit as the constant companion to prayer; the importance of woman in Jesus’ life and ministry

2. The first events in the life of Jesus through the eyes of a woman (Mary) rather than through the eyes of a man

3. Differences in the Passion narrative: the portrayal of the disciples more positively; Jesus is in control until the very end; the centurion present at the crucifixion acknowledges that Jesus was truly innocent

4. An important theme: follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he followed the will of his Father



The Gospel of John

1. Background:

The Gospel of John

1. Background:

Date:approximately

AD 90Sources:independent

traditions and doesnot rely on the

synoptics

Authorship:tradition attributes

to the “beloveddisciple”

Focuses on Jesus as God’s

Revelation

Organization:Prologue

Book of Signs: 7 miraclesBook of Glory: Last Supper & Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

Epilogue

1, 2, & 3 John,& Revelation are also attributed to

this author



The Gospel of John

1. Differences between John and the synoptic Gospels:

new characters such as Nicodemus and Lazarus

Jesus’ public ministry lasts three years, not one

Jesus’ teaching takes the form of long discourses

Jesus’ teachings are very poetic

presents a more solemn and holy Jesus

use of literary techniques: irony, plays on words, metaphors, figurative language

The Gospel of John

1. Differences between John and the synoptic Gospels:

new characters such as Nicodemus and Lazarus

Jesus’ public ministry lasts three years, not one

Jesus’ teaching takes the form of long discourses

Jesus’ teachings are very poetic

presents a more solemn and holy Jesus

use of literary techniques: irony, plays on words, metaphors, figurative language



The Gospel of John

2. John is concerned with defining and clarifying love

3. Jesus teaches using metaphors

4. Nicodemus seems to represent Christians silent or fearful about expressing their commitment to Christ

5. The Johannine community was aware of Peter’s primacy in the Church

6. John’s Christology stresses Jesus’ heavenly origins, his fundamental identity as the Son of God, and his preexistence as the Word of God

The Gospel of John

2. John is concerned with defining and clarifying love

3. Jesus teaches using metaphors

4. Nicodemus seems to represent Christians silent or fearful about expressing their commitment to Christ

5. The Johannine community was aware of Peter’s primacy in the Church

6. John’s Christology stresses Jesus’ heavenly origins, his fundamental identity as the Son of God, and his preexistence as the Word of God



The Acts of the ApostlesThe Acts of the Apostles

Paul’s vision helped inspire the Church’s outreach

to Gentiles

Ends withambiguous news that Paul remained in Rome

for two years, proclaimingthe reign of God and

teaching about Jesus Christ

Provides achronology of events in the early Church

Two Apostlesare primarily

featured: Peterand Paul

Christ’s transcendent Ascension

acts as a bridge connecting the end of Luke and the

beginning of Acts

Features theChurch’s new outreach to the Gentiles



The Acts of the Apostles

1. Symmetry of Luke and Acts:

2. Many themes and events parallel the life and ministry of Jesus

3. The first Church in Jerusalem illustrates: the importance of prayer; the presence of women disciples; the central role of Mary

4. Parallelism of the Spirit who hovers: over creation, at the Annunciation, at the beginnings of the Church


1. Symmetry of Luke and Acts:

2. Many themes and events parallel the life and ministry of Jesus

3. The first Church in Jerusalem illustrates: the importance of prayer; the presence of women disciples; the central role of Mary

4. Parallelism of the Spirit who hovers: over creation, at the Annunciation, at the beginnings of the Church




5. The Church was not a perfect community, but it overcame the challenges and continued to grow

6. Jerusalem is the epicenter: In Luke, Jesus is resolutely determined to journey there while in Acts the Church begins there and moves out from there

7. A recurring pattern involves Paul bringing many Gentiles to the faith but experiencing rejection from many Jews


5. The Church was not a perfect community, but it overcame the challenges and continued to grow

6. Jerusalem is the epicenter: In Luke, Jesus is resolutely determined to journey there while in Acts the Church begins there and moves out from there

7. A recurring pattern involves Paul bringing many Gentiles to the faith but experiencing rejection from many Jews

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