Bible Exam 2 Study Guide Questions

What is the structure of Matthew?

Birth, 5 discourses, Resurrection

What is the structure of Mark?

Galilean Ministry, the Passion

What is the structure of Luke?

Birth, ministry, travel narrative, passion, resurrection

What is the structure of John?

Seven signs, farewell discourse, passion, resurrection

What is the basic structural outline of Luke and its relationship with Acts. How does Acts 1:8 serve as a clue? What is at the core of Luke-Acts? Be able to provide evidence of this.

Luke is part the first volume and Acts is the second volume. It serves as a clue since Jesus tells them not to go from Jerusalem, and Jerusalem is at the core of Luke-Acts. Luke ends there when the disciples go to the temple and Acts begins there.

What is "chiasmus" or "chiastic structure?

A literary structure which is an X where the top mirrors the bottom and the center is the turning point or meeting point.

What are the characteristics of the Gospel of Luke?

-Historical notes and dating with reference to secular and religious leaders.

-The universality of the Gospel message: it is for all.

-References to Jesus as Savior, Christ, Lord, and Prophet

-Old Testament allusions to Isaiah and the promise of salvation for all people.

-Emphasis on promise and fulfillment

-The presence, or "today," of salvation in the words and deeds of Jesus.

-Jesus' special concern for outsiders: the poor, sisters, Samaritans (in Acts: Gentiles).

-The theme of reversal of fortunes: the rich become poor and vice versa

-Special emphasis placed on women and their needs and concerns

-The coming of the Holy Spirit as a sign of the new age

-References to Jesus' prayer life and his teaching on prayer

-References to praise, joy, and celebration at the arrival of God's salvation

-Emphasis on the present reign of Christ following his ascension

Historical notes and dating with reference to

secular and religious leaders

The _____ of the gospel message

universality, it is for all

References to Jesus as

Savior, Christ, Lord, and Prophet

Old Testament allusions to

Isaiah and the promise of salvation towards all people

Emphasis on

Promise and fulfillment

The presence, or "today," of salvation in the

Words and deeds of Jesus

Jesus' special concern for

Outsiders: poor, sisters, samaritans (gentiles in acts)

The theme of

Reversal of fortunes: the rich become poor and vice versa

Special emphasis placed on

Women and their needs and concerns

The coming of the Holy Spirit

Sign of new age

References to Jesus' _______ life and his teaching on ______

Prayer

References to

Praise, joy, and celebration at the arrival of God's salvation

Emphasis on the

Present reign of Christ following his ascension

What are the details of Luke's prologue?

Dedication to Theophilus (could be all those who love God) (Could be a wealthy person funding Luke). Theophilus is referred to as most excellent and then Luke explains why he is writing. This was a literary convention of historians of the day.

What is the travel narrative? What are some key texts that support this?

Literary theme in Luke showing Jesus journeying to Jerusalem during his ministry. Luke 18:31 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and all things...will be accomplished." Luke 13:22 "And He went through the cities and villages teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem." Luke 19:11 "Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately." BIG ONE HERE: Luke 9:51 "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem."

Was this in the birth narrative or is it part of Christian tradition: Mary on a donkey

Christian tradition

Was this in the birth narrative or is it part of the Christian tradition: Joseph had and possibly stayed with family in Bethlehem.

Birth Narrative

Was this in the birth narrative or is it part of the Christian tradition: Mary is having her baby and the innkeeper won't let them in, but will let them stay in dirty nasty place.

Christian tradition

Who reacted this way to the angels: was afraid and when told of the future asked for proof of it despite having knowledge in the law and praying for the future that was being given.

Zacharias

Who reacted this way to the angels: was afraid and then asked for understanding and when it was given rejoiced.

Mary

Who reacted this way to the angels: was afraid and then went to see that which the angels had told them.

the Shepards

Who sang this song in the birth narrative: Magnificat

Mary

Who sang this song in the birth narrative: Benedictus

Zacharias

Who sang this song in the birth narrative: Gloria in Excelsis

the Angels

Who sang this song in the birth narrative: Nunc Dimintis

Simeon

What is the Latin title of this song in the birth narrative: My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Magnificat

What is the Latin title of this song in the birth narrative: Blessed is the Lord God of Israel

Benedictus

What is the Latin title of this song in the birth narrative: Now Depart

Nunc Dimintis

What is the Latin title of this song in the birth narrative: Glory to God in the highest

Gloria in Excelsis

What is the great reversal theme in Luke? What are a few examples?

The theme where the socially low are lifted up and the socially high are lowered down. The Beatitudes in Luke 6:20-26. The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. Lazarus and the rich man. Mary's Song.

Give details of the Boy in the Temple story.

Jesus, "grew" in wisdom and in favor with God and men. Family tension when Jesus says "did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?"

What were the details on John the Baptist's message?

Prepare the way for He who comes after me is greater. Repent from your sins, that which is not fruitful is gotten rid of.

What were the details of Jesus' baptism in Luke?

The Holy Spirit descends upon him, and a voice from heaven says, "You are my beloved son" Only time where the Trinity is all in one place.

Explain why Luke puts his genealogy after Jesus' baptism.

Before it God says Jesus is his son. After Satan asks Jesus, "if you are the son of God." This has to do with showing Jesus' identity.

Why is Luke's order of the temptations different than Matthew's?

Luke's makes the temple temptation the last one keeping in line with his travel narrative. The destination for Jesus is the temple

What is the most likely explanation for the difference between Luke's genealogy and Matthew's?

Both are Joseph's line. One is legal, and one is biological. Kinsmen redeemer law required husband's brother to marry wife and have kids if husband died before kids to keep name alive.

What are the details of the story when Jesus teaches in the synagogue in Nazareth?

Jesus reads the prophet Isaiah which says "God has anointed Me to preach and give liberty." Jesus says this has been fulfilled to day. The synagogue audience is amazed! Jesus then says that God favors people who aren't Jewish and they try to kill him but he somehow escapes.

What are the details of the three stories in Luke 7?

A centurion has more faith that people in Israel, Jesus heals his servant and raises a widow's son from the dead. John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus if he is the coming one or should they wait. Jesus does more miracles and says go tell John about this.

What are the details of the Good Samaritan and the conversation that precedes it? Explain how this parable is dealing with boundaries. How are the lawyer's questions designed to test Jesus and justify himself?

What must I do... Do the two commandments (neighbor and God love them). Who is my neighbor (trying to justify himself and appear more righteous than Jesus since he has a small group). Samaritan takes care of the man. Samaritan is the neighbor. This about boundaries because Jesus just said to a Jew to be like a samaritan. Your neighbor is everyone.

How are the 3 parables in Luke 15 similar? How is the 3rd one unique? Why? What is the occasion where Jesus spoke these parables? How might this parable be understood as a parable about Israel?

In the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son these characteristics exist in each: something is lost, there is search, the something is found, there is a celebration, then there is an angelic celebration (except in the prodigal son). The prodigal son leaves out the angelic celebration because it ends on a cliff hanger as to whether the older son will join the party. Sinners are with Jesus and the Pharisees are judging him for it. The lost thing is Israel, and Jesus/God is finding the items in each parable.

Recall at least one ancient near-eastern cultural insight on the parable of the prodigal son.

If a son asks for inheritance before father is dead he is basically saying his father is dead to him. Most would beat him in the public square. Also rich land owners don't run, it would be considered embarrassing (prodigal father runs to his son). The oldest son during a party is supposed to host the party (the oldest son in the parable disrespects his fathers wishes to do this).

What does the word "'prodigal" mean? How might the Father be considered prodigal?

Extravagant, wasteful. He gave his son his entire inheritance to blow and then we he got back he threw him a party.

What are the details of the parable of the shrewd manager?

Steward is wasting goods. Rich man fires him. Steward goes and cuts people's debts owed to the Rich man down (he gives up his share) in order to make other rich people want to hire him. The rich man commends him. (The rich man in God, the steward are the Pharisees, the debtors are the sinners and tax collectors)

What are the details of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

The rich man does nothing for Lazarus at his gate. Lazarus has a name, and the rich man doesn't. Rich man should have helped Lazarus. Not descriptive of hell since a parable. Rich man still treats Lazarus as a lackey. Hey rich friend Abraham send lazarus. Rich man not allowed to go back and tell his friends. If they don't listen to prophets then they wouldn't listen if someone came back from the dead (like Jesus). Also not punished for wealth since Abraham in heaven and also rich.

What are common elements that we find in the meals in Luke? What is the significance of these common elements?

Steps: Takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, gives it to them. This is the meal of the Lord's supper. Jesus says, I will not eat this again until it is fulfilled. He eats it in the same way during road to emmaus story.

Reflect on the Lord's Supper.

A meal designed to represent unity and remembrance turns into a point of division. Disciples argue about who is the greatest. V. 23-30. Reflect on the historic church. Is this prophetic action?

What are the details of the material in Acts regarding the Lord's supper?

Breaking bread becomes a loaded term. They have the meal daily in Jerusalem but as church spreads they only have it weekly. Breaking bread in story where dude falls out window. Breaking bread symbolic of resurrection.

What are four examples of the innocence theme in Luke 23?

v. 4 (no fault in this man-Pilate), v. 14 (nothing deserving of death has been done by him-Pilate), v. 41 (done nothing wrong-thief), v. 47 (certainly this was a righteous Man!-Centurion)

What are the details of the resurrection narratives in Luke 24? What is the role of Scripture in Luke 24? What is the relationship between the Jesus' life/death/resurrection and Scripture?

Jesus meets two on the road to Emmaus. They don't recognize him. He shows them why He had to die and rise again in scripture. He then breaks bread with them and they recognize them. Then he disappears. Then he reappears to all of the disciples and proves that he is risen. Then he shows them how everything was fulfilled in scripture. The relationship and role is one which shows why he had to die and rise again and Jesus points the disciples to the parts concerning himself.

How does Luke's portrait of Jesus' coping and dealing with the arrest, trial, and crucifixion (Passion) differ from Mark's? Give evidence and provide an explanation for this.

It seems he knows exactly what he is doing and he is very intentional in doing it and very calm, as opposed to in Mark where he seems very distraught and doesn't want to go. In Luke 23:46 "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." In Mark "Why have you forsaken me!?"

How does Acts 1 overlap with Luke 24?

Luke addresses Theophilus again. He mentions how Jesus suffered, gave convincing proofs of his being raised from the dead, and then his ascension. The book picks up immediately before Jesus' ascension and continues on.

What are the "many convincing proofs" the Jesus gave to his disciples as referenced in Acts 1?

You could see and touch his scars in his hands and feet. Jesus also ate.

Which of the following statements appears in the parable of the rich man who builds bigger barns?

"But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided'"

Which two apostles are quick to judge Samaritans in not welcoming them in Luke 9?

James and John

True or False. In Luke Jesus goes to Pharisees for meal and surprises them since he didn't was before the meal.

False

True or False. In Luke Jesus said that when people have a meal they should invite their friends, brothers, and relatives.

False

True or False. In Luke risen Jesus led disciples into Bethany where he ascended.

True

What does Theotokos mean?

Mother of God

What does Christotokos mean?

Mother of Christ

What does Jesus do when he has the Lords supper?

1. Takes Bread

2. Gives thanks

3. Breaks Bread

4. Gives it to them

Examples of parables?

-One-line proverb or maxim

-Simile or Metaphor

-Riddle

-Similitude

Story parable

extended, fiction comparisons in story form that refer to a unique event

Example parable

"go and do likewise" or "go and don't do likewise"

Where are Jesus' parables found?

the synoptic gospels

Parables use what type of imagery?

simplistic, but the meaning is not simplistic and is intentionally hidden

What are the three audiences of parables?

Jesus' audience (1st Century Jews), Gospel writers' audience (1st Century Christians), Us (21st Century Christians)

How do you look for the primary meanings of parables?

Try to find out the original meaning by looking for contextual clues before and after the parable, looking for old testament roots, and how it proclaims the kingdom.

What are all parables?

Parables of the kingdom

What kingdom things do parables teach?

An invitation to the kingdom, values of the kingdom, or warning of the kingdom

What are some things to avoid in interpreting parables?

Don't over-allegorize, don't over-moralize, don't universalize too quickly, don't christianize too quickly, don't individualize too quickly

A graph exists. On the y axis the further up is more general context and the further down is more specific. On the X axis the further left is direct confrontation, the further right is indirect confrontation. Where are parables on this graph?

Down and right, specific context, indirect confrontation