Gospels - FINAL

Jesus of History

Jesus existed outside of Bible

Jesus existed in history (objective, factual)

Jesus of Nazareth was accounted for by historians

Jesus of History said Jesus was a teacher

Historians proved that Jesus existed: Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Suetonius

Christ of Faith

Jesus existed beyond history

Jesus was a divine figure of the Gospel (Christ and Messiah)

Early Church communities write a faith account about Jesus

Figure fully human and fully divine-brought the world the New covenant

Between God and Humanity (renewal of promise of Abraham)

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Holy Week

Jesus ministry was round 3 years-amount of times celebrated passover

Palm Sunday

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Sunday-Easter

Palm Sunday

When Jesus enters Jerusalem

On the back of a donkey and people are very excited → lay palms so even the donkeys hooves do not touch the ground

Jesus upset when he sees they are charging people to get into the temple and flips a table-not fair to the poor people

Celebrating passover -_ anniversary of exodus

God liberating us forever Jesus dying and sacrificing

Holy Thursday

Seder meal: official meal celebrated over passover; sacrificial ritual after sedar

sJesus was a loyal man and good Jewish man

Eucharist translated to thanksgiving

Transubstantiation: Bread transforms into body of christ

Jesus sacrifices blood for us → even when i’m not physically with you, im WITHIN you

When you receive body and blood of christ something is supposed to change within you

Body is a temple, reconciliation–clean the chambers

During the meal

Reveals one apostle will betray him

Apostles try to make pretenses

Peter goes to Jeus and Jesus tells him he will deny him 3 time

After dinner

Garden of Gethsemane

Jesus showing how human he is by asking God to let the suffering he must face in order to sacrifice

Sweating blood–very afraid showing his humility

Confronted by **Sanhedrin: governing body of the Jews

Hires Judas Iscariot to identify Jesus

Caiphas: high priest and leader of the Sanhedrin

Judas leads them to Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver

Peter tried to stop them by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of a high priest’s assistant

Jesus says to no violence and is is taken

Peter was asked if was with Jesus and he denies 3 times

Judas regrets his decision and wants to give the money back for Jesus

Don’t take it back and put in the treasure

Judas commits suicide and a potters feild is bought with the 30 pieces of silver

Trial in front of Sanhedrin

Sanhedrin: governing body of the Jews with 70 people and want to get rid of Jesus

Tried to charge Jesus for blasphemy

Not everyone against Jesus-Joseph of Arimathea: on the council and gives Jesus his tomb)

Jewish people cannot kill Jesus because he was a man and payed taxes so they had to send him to the Romans–Pontius Pilate

Good Friday

Crucifixion

Mary, mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Clopas and John are present

Whipped with a device with 3 straps and hooks attached to the end

Romans mocked him by giving a crown of thorns and purple robe

Held the beam on his back as he walked to Golgotha

Romans crucified each limb individually

Public crucifixion to scare criminals and for embarrassment–nude

Nails went through the wrists and the feet

Type of execution depended on one’s build

Romans wrote Jesus of Nazareth King of Jews

Continues his teachings through resurrection

Tells God to forgive them because they do not realize their actions

Tells his mom that John is her son and John that Mary is his mother–not losing son and John is like a brother

Saying its done at the end showing that his mission is over

Romans poke Jesus and blood and water poor out → dead

Joseph of Arimathea: says that Jesus, messiah, deserves a ceremonial grave, not to be in a shallow grave

Pontius Pilate

Pontius Pilate: prefect–acts as judge, governor, oversees everything in Judea

Excited, irritated–all over the place with jesus

Pontius family, equestrian

When he walked into Judea he said it was dirty and thought he could do better

Does not understand Jewish culture (e.g. wants to tax temple–stealing from God → they rebel, puts up shields that look like idols → massacre)

Mad at how people treat him

Emperor warns him to stop messing with the people or he will be sent back and be killed

Pilate wants to know about Jesus but he cannot find anything wrong with him

Pilate chooses two people: Yoshua Barrahus (murderer) and Jesus (teacher)

Makes Jews pick to free → pick Yoshua

Pilate shocked but listens to them because he doesn’t want to get in trouble → send jesus to get crucified

Washed his hands showing his hands are clean of Jesus’s death

Holy Saturday

Jesus has died. Jesus is now lying in the tomb.

It is now just a time of mourning for the disciples and followers of Jesus.

The disciples and followers of Jesus do not know it, but they are awaiting the resurrection of Jesus.

Synoptic

"appears to be the same or seen similar"

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Seem to borrow and share information from each other

They appear similar and they all borrow from an earlier tradition

John is not synoptic

This is because:

Distinctly different intentions.

Begins with a deeply contemplative theological and philosophical statements of Jesus as the Logos, or Word of God

Portrays Jesus as the Divine Son of God, and relies heavily on symbolic language and images.

Gospel

'good news'

Gospel of Matthew

Audience: Jewish Community → Jesus is new Messiah

Gospel of Mark

Audience: Gentiles (Non-Jewish) Christians → Explains Jewish traditions

Gospel of Luke

Audience: Greek Christians

Gospel of John

Audience: Jewish and Christians (Gentiles)

Infancy

Mary and Joseph were going to Bethlehem to register for a Census ordered by Caesar Augustus

Herod: (king of Judea) discovered king born and Israel and his rule challenges his own dominion and Says all first born male children are to be killed

Magi in Matthew

wise men that were Persian or Zoroastran astrologers who followed the “signs” and the “star of Bethlehem”

Not named and don’t know the number of people ( Just know that it is plural)

Brought gifts to Jesus:

Gold: symbolize royalty and the crown

Frankincense: expensive perfume and oil–symbolized Christ being anointed and significant

Myrrh: bitter perfume used after a person dies to mask the smell of death–symbolized he is born kind, shall reign as anointed one, and then die

(infancy)

Shepherds in Luke

An angel of the Lord goes to shepherds to call them to adore the infant

Significant because it signifies that the rich (kings instead of astrologers) and poor (shepherds) shall celebrate the infant because he is here for everyone

(infancy)

Pharisees

Wealthy experts of the law and teachers in the Upper Class

Sadducees

Priestly sect in Judaism that acted as scribes and social elite. They managed the temples and responsibilities of temple priests

Zealots

Religious militant group that wanted to remove Roman authority

Essences

Group that left civilization to live in the wilderness and purge themselves of the sins of the material world. Ritually washed to be redeemed

Baptism of Jesus

John the Baptist - cousin of Jesus, mother was Elizabeth (Mary’s sister)

Believed that Jesus should be the one to baptize him and not the other way around. John believed that he was not worthy to baptize Jesus

Jesus Ministry

Jesus begins his ministry by getting baptized by John the Baptist on the banks of the Jordan River

Jesus starts his ministry this easy because he is dying to his old life and anything that interfered with God’s plan

Account

Sky opens up and the Lord says “This is my Son in whom I am proud of” and a dove flies down

Dove

Symbolizes:

Holy Spirit

Israel

(Peace) Noah let out a dove and it returned with an olive branch showing the storm is over and peace will overcome the land

Purpose

Ritual washing that cleans the dust off from one’s journey (The “dirt” we collect throughout life)

The person is symbolically dying to their old life, goes under the water, disappears, and then arises anew

“Cleanse with water” → surface level cleaning

“Fire + Holy Spirit” → Jesus will cleanse your sins and soul all the way through

theodicy

forgiveness, God's Justice

Temptations of Jesus

Jesus was in the desert for 40 days

The devil tempted Jesus because the devil wanted to prevent Jesus from saving humanity

Physical needs: Transform rock into Bread

On the word of God (Logos) demonstrates that he has faith in God and will pull through and needs nothing

Magical / Divine Power: told to throw himself off the ledge of a deep cavern so the angels will catch him

Jesus knows he is being tempted to show power and it is wrong to test the Lord

Political Power: Told to fall before the devil and the world will be his

Devil is offering Jesus what is already his in exchange for Jesus' allegiance

Jesus refuses saying that the world is only God's and he doesn't want political control

Lord's Prayer

Summary of Jesus teachings and the Gospels → highlights of Jesus’ ministry and to prayer, being grateful, and asking God to keep temptation away from us (Asking God to give us the strength to get through temptation)

Christian prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples

Most important prayer in Catholicism

Early Christian community wanted it because it was summary of all of Jesus’ teachings

It encapsulates the teachings of forgiveness, prayer, praise

Praise: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name

Forgiveness: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who who trespass against

Prayer: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

Beatitudes

One of the way Jesus taught

Translates to "supreme happiness"

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

those who are mourning because of depression and loss, have the spirit of God. If you lose a family member and are upset about it, it means you made such a strong and impactful connection with someone. If you are depressed because you know what the world should look like, then you inherit the Kingdom of God, God loves you and cares for you.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

This beatitude is telling us that those who mourn the loss of something are lucky, because that means that they loved something so much that they miss the loss of it when it is gone. This beatitude is also telling us that friends, those who love and care for you, and God will take care of you in your time of despair.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

In this beatitude we are told that those who show mercy, give love, and are slow to anger will be shown mercy from others. Additionally, people who are merciful will have peace in their hearts knowing that they lived their life that way. Other people will also recognize the goodness of the other person, and will show love and mercy to that person

Methods of Jesus Teachings

Wise sayings

Hyperbole

Parables

Directives

Beatitudes

Metaphor

Miracles

Jesus NEVER does a miracle for himself

Types of miracles

Nature-corrects nature and fixes it

Raising of the dead-NOT resurrection

Healing-Jesus saving people not meant to be sick

Exorcisms in healing

Calming of the Storm

Miracle of nature

Literally stopping rain and a storm coming

Stopping the storm living inside the apostles

Feared death and the future

Significance: wants people to stress about the things we cannot control.

Lazarus

Raising of the dead

Lazarus was one of Jesus close family friends

Poor–cannot make money on his own and has to rely on others by begging

Constantly denied by rich people

Sisters reach out to Jesus to tell him Lazerus was sick–mad he does not respond

They tell Jesus that Lazarus was dead but Jesus says that he was just sleeping and he awakens

Significance: most of the significance in the sisters because they showed their faith in Jesus by being mad because it shows that they believed Jesus could have helped Jesus if he came earlier. Showing your faith will save you

The woman who bled for 12 years

Menstrual was considered unclean and the women had a constitution where she would not stop bleeding for 12 years

She was not allowed in the temple because she

seen as unclean and overall not welcomed in society

In a desperate state, she touched Jesus' cloak and she was healed

This was Jesus's way of giving her back her dignity and it brought her back into society by allowing her to do things like getting married.

Significance: importance of have faith in Jesus in desperate situations, demonstrated power of faith in jesus and his ability to restore–women given back her dignity

Greatest Commandment

Heart of Jesus' teaching

Jesus says he can't say which is the best commandment but says he can summarize

Love God above all else

Love everyone

Yourself

Family

Friends

Enemies

Therefore, you have no enemies and everyone is your friend

Parables

a short symbolic story often comparing 2 things

4 themes

Nature of God

Forgiveness

Love

kingdom/ heaven

Good Shepherd/Lost Sheep

About forgiveness

100 sheep going up a meadow but one goes off and the shepherd follows until he finds it

Significance: God and Jesus are the Shepherd–God will stop everything to find you → you are important

Good Samaritan

A man was traveling on the Sabbath and he was beaten up and left to die

A teacher/rabi passes but does not stop to help because he has to get to the temple

A Pharisee (lawyer) passes but does not help because he says he cannot work on the sabbath

A priest passes and does not stop because he was to get to the temple as well

A samaritan, which were people hated by the jews, helps him and brings him to a hotel and pays for the hotel and medical care

Significance: Teaches us to not judge a book by its cover and to help and love all, especially those in need

Prodigal Son/Lost Son

Man with a good and bad son

The bad son asks for his inheritance early on

The bad son uses all the money and decides to crawl back to his father because he would rather live with the pigs than remain unloved

Father goes out into field with joy and does not make him beg at his feet

Significance: God will welcome back sinners → happy that people want to change and love everyone. Forgiveness

Sanhedrin

Governing body of the Jews

Comprised of Pharisees

70 Jewish members

Leader is Caiphas

Important member: Joseph of Arithmathea

The Sanhedrin presented Jesus before Pilate who was the Roman prefect (like a governor) over Judea.

Tax Collectors

Hated because the Jewish people saw Jewish tax collectors as sinners

The tax collectors were taking (robbing) money of their own and were giving it over to the enemy, the Romans.

Lazarus-miracle

Raising of the Dead → saves unplanned deaths

Lazarus: one of Jesus' friends

Lazarus is poor and isn't able to support himself. He has to beg for money and resources

Martha and Mary call on Jesus to help Lazarus. Jesus doesn't respond and the sisters are mad

Jesus finally comes to help, but Martha and Mary say Lazarus is dead

Jesus says that Lazarus isn't dead, but asleep and Lazarus walks out of his grave

The sisters believed if Jesus was there then the outcome would have been different

The sisters had faith that Jesus had saved them

Mary Magdalene

Known as the Apostle of the Apostles because she was the example

Extremely loyal to Jesus from the beginning, until his death, and his resurrection

Demoniac => someone who is possessed by evil (probably epileptic)

Jesus took 7 demons out of her

First person Jesus revealed the resurrection to. She told the others.

They did not believe her because she was a woman.

Known as Mary Magdalene of the tomb.

Judas Iscariot

Actual name Jude or Judah, changes to add - as to mean traitor (Greek / Latin)

Both name (1st and last name) mean traitor

Don't traitor

Iscariot-scari means he actually assassinated Jesus

Betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (cost of a slave → Judas slave of them)

Bought a potter's field with silver (burial place with no markings)

During the last supper, Jesus knows that he is dining with the one that shall betray him.

On Holy Thursday as the Apostles are leaving, Judas approaches with a group of men. He goes forth and kisses Jesus, betraying him with a kiss. This signifies to the others which one is Jesus.

Eventually realizes what he did and wants to undo it. Sanhedrin says no and Judas kills himself.

Mary Mother of God

Gave birth to Jesus (Mother of God)

Central figure; whole infancy revolves around her

Grand gesture: Said yes and had faith in God

Joseph of Arithmathea

significance: The one who gives up his grave for Jesus

Says that the Messiah deserves a ceremonial tomb

Should not be buried in a shallow grave

Gave Jesus an honorable burial and despite being in the Sanhedrin, he was a follower of Jesus

Peter-good/bad

Fisherman–has faith in Jesus when fishing, Jesus then says he’s the “fisher of men”

Faithful and loyal to Jesus

Simon– Peter= peter (rock stone); Caiaphas–says Jesus will replace high priest

Cut off a high priest's assistant when they were arresting Jesus

didn’t understand Jesus message

Jesus says NO violence

Jesus taken by Sanhedrin (70 Jewish council members) and Denies Jesus 3 times before the rooster crows

Jesus made him say “I love you” 3 times to make up for it

Hund on upside down cross–says not worthy to be hung same way as Jesus

Apostle John

Embodiment of a good friend, faithful

Youngest of Apostles

Willing to watch Jesus die, only Apostle not willing to die

Considered the beloved disciple

Considered the author of the last Gospel

No fear, fortitude → strength and courage

"Woman behold your son" → Jesus is saying you haven't lost me, you gained a new son

John doesn't die for his faith because he proved it, he was willing to lose his life so he kept it

John's Gospel is the most theological of the Canonical Gospels.

The primary focus is that Jesus Christ came to die for our sins.

Our sins and evil had become so great that only God could redeem us and because it was humanity that failed it would be humanity that would have to redeem itself. It is too immense for a human to ever be able to absorb. The solution was that God would come down in human form in order to save us.

Resurrection of Jesus-pt. 1

Pieces of Evidence:

Empty Tomb - Romans had people positioned at the tomb → no one stole body and no bodily evidence existed ever

Seen by a multitude of People - 2,000 people saw Jesus' resurrection

Metanoia - Means complete change of heart, Apostles must have seen something because they were cowards but completely changed and became martyrs and died for Jesus (they became courageous). Some Apostles were walking into Rome and proclaimed the Good News without fear. They were no longer afraid of physical pain.

All Early Christian Communities Agree: All early Christian communities agree on the same story and same things. There is consistency between ALL stories and Jesus' resurrection

Road to Emmaus:

People are traveling out of Jerusalem and going back to their homes and suddenly Jesus appears as a stranger

Talking about the events that happened in Jerusalem and explain it to their stranger

The people do not realize the man is Jesus, but they celebrate with Jesus is given a meal, housing, and is taken care of

Jesus then presents the Eucharist → importance because that is what Jesus instituted himself

Jesus then vanished when people finally recognized him

Resurrection of Jesus-pt. 2

Who found the tomb:

Mary Magdalene goes with Mary to Jesus' tomb

Violent earthquake happens

Angel comes down

The guards fear the angel and leave

The angel says: To not be afraid because Jesus has risen

Theme: The importance of faith

Ex. Mary Magdalene's loyalty to Jesus in going to his tomb.

Doubting Thomas:

Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles

He was not with the Apostles when Jesus came and the other disciples told Thomas that they saw Jesus

Thomas responded by saying that unless he see the nail marks in Jesus' hands and put his fingers into the wounds, then he would not believe

The disciples came to the house and Thomas was with them

The doors were locked and Jesus came and stood among them

He said "Peace be with you!"

Jesus then came to Thomas and told him to put his fingers on Jesus' wounds and see his hands. Jesus told Thomas to stop doubting and believe

Thomas then proclaimed Jesus my Lord and my God

Jesus then said just because you have seen Jesus, then you have believed. But those who believe and do not see Jesus.

Gospel info

Gospels, Earliest, latest, nature of the gospels

*NOT ALL OF THE JEWS THOUGHT THAT JESUS WAS GOING TO BE THE SAME FIGURE*

Like military figure, lawyer, wise teacher (Jesus didn't believe that the body was evil) etc.

*Many people may have written the Gospels*

Example John may have been the author, but he may not have known a lot about Jesus and needed more information from the Community

Mark

65 AD

Earliest and Written First → Starts after Christian Persecution

Audience: Writing to early christians and Jews

Nero 64 AD fire

Nero blamed the christians —> persecuted

Starts after christian persecution

FOCUS: In response to 64 Ad, Mark focuses on passion and death

Shortest gospels → talking to christians

Jesus suffered the same way

Jesus is a savior, suffering servant

Hopeful ending → blessing to suffer like Jesus

Apologetic → must preserve message

Matthew

Speaking to Jewish audiences

Names after apostel

Gospel starts with Jesus birth

Traces Jesus lineage to Abraham and descendant of david (Bethlehem)

Jesus as "New Moses"

Get the word of the Messiah-savior in Hebrew

Talks about everything connected to Judaism

Jesus father of new covenant and fulfills the new covenant

Joseph and Mary didn't have relations until after Jesus birth

Luke

Not an apostle → disciple of paul

Writing to Theophilus (the beloved of god) → talking to the community

Talking to gentiles (non-Jewish people)

Christ-anointed one/ savior in greek

Goes back to Adam → Jesus is welcoming and forgiving of everyone

Focus on miracles and forgiveness

Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles

Most hopeful of the messages

Primary focus: healer

Fixed thing that was bothering them

John

100 AD-Last Gospel written

Saying that Jesus is the "word" → Logos the word of God

Talks to people who have been Christian for a while

Starts his Gospel by describing Jesus as the word of God

John beloved disciple

Jesus and God on the same level

Martyr: hearing witness of

John is the youngest of apostles

Stays with Jesus as he suffers and dies