9B Scripture: Synoptic Gospels

apocrypha

Writings about Jesus or the Christian message not accepted as part of the canon of Scripture.

didache

A Greek word meaning "teaching," referring to the preaching and instruction offered to all who have already accepted Jesus.

scribes

People associated with the Pharisees or Sadducees who were skilled copyists, professional letter writers, and interpreters and teachers of the Law.

Son of Man

A messianic title from the Book of Daniel, used to describe a figure who receives authority over other nations from God; the only messianic title in the Gospels used by Jesus to describe himself.

canonical

When referring to Scripture, canonical means included in the canon—that is, part of the collection of books the Church recognizes as the inspired Word of God.

centurion

The commander of a unit of approximately one hundred Roman soldiers.

kerygma

A Greek word meaning "proclamation" or "preaching," referring to the announcement of the Gospel or the Good News of divine salvation offered to all through Jesus Christ. Kerygma has two senses. It is both an event of proclamation and a message proclaimed.

Messiah

Hebrew word for "anointed one." The equivalent Greek term is Christos. Jesus is the Christ and the Messiah because he is the Anointed One.

oral tradition

The handing on of the message of God's saving plan through words and deeds.

parable

A story intended to call a particular audience to self-knowledge and conversion through an implicit comparison of the audience to someone or something in the story; the use of parables as invitations to choose the Kingdom of God was a central feature of Jesus' teaching ministry.

parousia

The second coming of Christ at the end of time, fully realizing God's plan and the glorification of humanity.

Q Source

A hypothetical written collection of the teachings of Jesus shared among the early followers of Christianity surmised by Scripture scholars to be a source for both Matthew and Luke.

Reign of God

The defining focus of Jesus' ministry in the synoptic Gospels—a vision of how the world will be when God reigns completely. Also known as the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sanhedrin

An assembly of Jewish religious leaders—chief priests, scribes, and elders —who functioned as the supreme council and tribunal during the time of Jesus.

synoptic Gospels

From the Greek for "seeing the whole together," the name given to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke because they are similar in style and content.