SYNOPTIC GOSPELS TEST

What is the background and major context of the Gospel of Mark?

The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark who was a traveler. The Gospel is filled with people who have faulty perceptions of Jesus. The purpose of the Gospel is to encourage readers to remain faithful to Jesus the Lord. He is the son of man and Jesus walked the path of suffering to glory and eternal life and so his followers need to undergo suffering before they gain their eternal reward.

What is the Target Audience for the Gospel of Mark?

Greek speaking Gentiles. Anyone who wanted to follow God. the audience was pretty wide.

What is the Messianic Secret?

A phrase that refers to certain passages in the Gospels where Jesus tells his disciples not to reveal his true identity.

Why does Jesus want people not to know his true identity?

Jesus did not want to be a sideshow nor did he want people to think of him in false terms. He wanted people to follow him because they trusted him and were truly faithful.

Essential questions of Mark's Gospel

Two important questions; "Who is this person?" "Will you follow Jesus?"

Theme of Mark's Gospel

1. Jesus is the good news
2. The kingdom of god is about salvation, peace, justice, and closeness to human beings.
3. Jesus is the Messiah and son of man
4. Jesus walked the path of suffering and died for us
5. The good news of the Kingdom is good news because of Jesus

Jesus Identity in the Gospel of Mark

Jesus was an authoritative teacher, healer + miracle worker, and passionate human. He was seen as the messiah that would rule the world by force. He did whatever he could to help people and made sure to spread gods love to everybody. Authoritative teacher: Jesus taught with authority like respect, power, skill, and knowledge. Healer and miracle worker: Jesus preformed many miracles including healings, exorcisms, nature miracles, and a raising from the dead. Passionate human: Jesus is presented as compassionate and loving. He looks with love and embraces the children who come to him.

What is the "way of discipleship" based on Mark's Gospel?

Jesus told whoever wanted to follow him that they would need to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. You are expected to listen to Jesus with an open heart and depend on him as your Savior.

Challenges that come with the "way of discipleship" based on Mark's Gospel

The Apostles did not understand what was going to happen to Jesus. Followers of Jesus were afraid and there was a lot of arguing and strong emotions. They were afraid to question Jesus and it was hard for them to understand what Jesus was trying to tell them.

Major Sequence of Events in the Passion Narrative of Mark's Gospel

* Mark shows how everyone abandons Jesus at the end
* Judas betrays him
* The three disciples fall asleep during his agony
* Peter denies knowing him
* When Jesus is arrested everyone flees
* The Jewish and Roman authorities harshly judge Jesus.
* The theme is that Jesus' path is a path of suffering and abandonment and to be a follow of Jesus means to follow the path

What is the background and major context of the Gospel of Matthew?

The Gospel of Matthew highlights Jesus as a teacher. This Gospel records many of the teachings Jesus gave to his disciples and the details behind these teachings. The goal for Matthew's Gospel is to portray Jesus as the sole teacher.

What is the target audience for the Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel is targeted towards a Christian Jewish audience

What are the five discourses in the Gospel of Matthew

1. The Sermon on the Mount
2. Sharing the Faith with Others
3. Parables about the Kingdom
4. Jesus found and instructs the Church
5. The Final Judgement

How are we invited to live based on each of the discourses?

1. You must not murder, commit adultery, divorce, take idle oaths or swear, seek revenge and you must love your enemies
2. being a disciple of Jesus means that you will inevitably suffer for him
3. You must reflect deeply on each of the seven parables and come to an understanding
4. We must listen to Jesus' rules regarding the Church and where he stands
5. We must make good use of the time the Lord has provided

Which discourse is arguably the most important

The first discourse, The Sermon on the Mount" is the most important discourse. It summarizes the New Law of the Gospel which is a law of love, grace and freedom. Jesus teaches true righteousness because he speaks with divine authority which is pretty important. This discourse shows Jesus' ethical teachings and what people should do if they want to follow him.

Themes in Matthew's Gospel

1. Jesus is the only teacher worthy of obedience
2. Jesus is the New Moses who brings the New Law to God's people
3. The Kingdom of Heaven is an important place
4. The Law and Righteousness
5. Love ethic

What is the background and the major context of the Gospel of Luke?

Luke was a writer you organize his gospel and acts to include many historical details. He linked salvation history and ordinary history. Luke arranges his gospel around Jerusalem and he stresses the importance of it. Luke teaches that the Christian life is a journey

What is the target audience of the gospel of Luke?

A gentile audience

Parable of the Prodigal Son

The story of a rebellious son who rejects his father's upbringing and demands his inheritance and goes off far away, not until he's confronted with failure and despair, does he come home. His father surprisingly welcomes him lovingly, without question. No amount of time, money, and rebellion could have gotten in the way of the father's unconditional love for his returning son. The theme and message of the parable is that God loves everyone equally no matter how much sin they commit. The return of sinners bring great joy in heaven

What connection does Luke have to the Acts of the Apostles?

Both Luke and the Acts of the Apostles were written by the same author. The two narratives were also written to a man name Theophilus. There are historical details included in both and both highlight the symbol of Jerusalem.

What are common themes in Lukes gospel and the acts of the apostles?

* Prayer
* The portrayal of Jesus
* Mary and women are respected and have common roles
* Joy
* Peace

How does the Gospel of Luke show Jesus is "Compassionate to the Poor"?

Jesus, unlike Matthew addresses the actual economic conditions that befall poor people and directly names them as poor. He reassures the poor and comes to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. One example of Jesus showing compassion to the poor is through the story of the rich man and Lazarus,

How does the Gospel of Luke show Jesus is "Friend of Outcasts"?

Jesus' call was heard by a rich tax collect Zacchaeus. By embracing Zacchaeus (who was a notorious sinner) with love and compassion, Jesus enacted the living parable of God's love for sinners. Jesus was able to change Zacchaeus who promised that he would right his wrongs and give money to the poor. Jesus also helped lepers by giving them gratitude, faith, and helping cure them.

How does the Gospel of Luke show Jesus is "Lover of Enemies"?

The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus is a lover of enemies as seen through the parable of the Good Samaritan. This parable proves how Jesus loves everyone. He is the universal Savior and his love embraces the lowly, Samaritan's, and Gentiles. Jesus teaches that God's love embraces everyone and that everyone is a neighbor. The message is that you should break through your own prejudices and imitate God by embracing even your enemies.

How does the Gospel of Luke show Jesus is "Friend of Sinners"?

There are three parables that are very important in Luke's chapter 15 that deal with God's great compassion and his joy over repentant sinners. The parable of the prodigal son is one and shows how Jesus imitates the love of his father. The second parable is that parable of the lost sheep which teaches how God's love is seemingly foolish in human terms in its pursuit of the one who has lost his or her way. The third parable is the parable of the los coin which shows how God's love is astonishing, excessive, and almost ridiculous by our standards.

How does the Gospel of Luke show Jesus is "A savior for all People"?

Jesus' mission to offer salvation to all people is represented by his title "Lord". Luke uses this title to describe the actions of Jesus and project back onto Jesus' earthly life of the Easter glory of Jesus' victory over death. Luke presents Jesus as a martyr and that he is consisten, loving, faithful, and compassionate. He comforts everybody, forgives them, and continues to minister to others during his Passion and Crucifixion. He dies with dignity and faith.

What happens in the story of the Appearance on the Way to Emmaus Account and why is it important?

In this story, two of Jesus' disciples are walking to Emmaus and talking about how Jesus' tomb was empty and that he was alive. As they are talking a man joins them who they do not recognize. The man asks what they are talking about and they tell him they are talking about the ministry and crucifixion of Jesus and how he is claimed to be alíame. When they arrive at Emmaus it is late so the disciples invite the man to dinner. The stranger takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, gives it to them. After he does this, the disciples eyes are opened and they recognize their visitor is Jesus. Jesus then disappears. This account is important because it shows how Jesus will always bring us back to truth. He shows how there is hope and healing where we walk away from god in sin and then are restored in Christ. Jesus shows he cares for everybody and will always be there to help.

Synoptic

"Seen together"

Passion Narrative

The account of the Passion of Jesus Christ that recounts the words and actions that encompassed the time beginning at the Last Supper through his Death on the Cross. Each of the four Gospels includes a Passion narrative.

Paschal Mystery

Christ's work of redemption, accomplished principally by his Passion, Death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension. This mystery is commemorated and made present through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist

Pesach

Festival of Passover, commemorates the deliverance of Israel from captivity in Egypt

Son of Man

A title Jesus used to refer to himself. It emphasizes both Jesus' humanity and his divinity. It's origins are in Daniel 7:13.

Triduum

A liturgical celebration of three days' duration. The Easter Triduum is the Church's most solemn celebration of the Paschal Mystery. It begins with the Mass of thee Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, continues through the Good Friday service and the Easter Masses, and concludes with the evening prayer on Easter Sunday. Although it takes place over three days, the Triduum is considered on single liturgy.

Blasphemy

Any thought, word, or act that expresses hatred or contempt for God or religion (In a Christian sense, blasphemy expresses Christ, the Church, saints, and holy things).

Sin

An offense against religious or moral law; an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible.

Pentecost

The day when the Holy Spirit was revealed, bestowed, and communicated to the Church in fulfillment of the promises Jesus made to send another Advocate. The Christian celebration of Pentecost takes its name from the Jewish Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost because it occurs on the fiftieth day after Passover) that was being celebrated when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit. Christians celebrate Pentecost on the filthiest day following Easter.

Beatitudes

Eight blessings preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount that respond to the natural human desire for happiness. The word beatitude means "supreme happiness" or "state of blessedness"

Discourse

verbal expression or exchange; conversation. A way of perceiving, framing, and viewing the world.

Messiah

The expected king and deliverer of the Jews.