Intro to Gospels: Exam 2 - Matthew, Luke, & John

What is the primary portrayal of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew?

Jesus is portrayed as God's Messiah, Son of David, and teacher of the Kingdom of Heaven.

What unique structure does the Gospel of Matthew have?

It contains five discourses, each ending with 'When Jesus had finished saying these things...'.

What are the two major turning points in Matthew's narrative?

1) Kingdom announcement in 4:17; 2) Passion prediction in 16:21.

What themes are emphasized in Matthew's genealogy?

The genealogy emphasizes the connection from Abraham to David to Jesus.

What is the significance of the term 'ekklesia' in Matthew?

Matthew uniquely uses 'ekklesia' to refer to the church, emphasizing community and authority.

What is the main purpose of the Gospel of Luke?

To provide an orderly account of the events surrounding Jesus and confirm the reliability of Christian teaching.

What are the key themes in Luke's infancy narrative?

Parallel births of John and Jesus, angelic announcements, and the early emphasis on Jesus's identity as the Son of God.

What is the structure of the Gospel of Luke?

1. Preface; 2. Infancy Narrative; 3. Preparation for Ministry; 4. Galilean Ministry; 5. Journey to Jerusalem; 6. Jerusalem Ministry; 7. Passion Narrative; 8. Resurrection & Ascension.

What is a significant theme in the Gospel of Luke?

Emphasis on the poor, women, outsiders, and the theme of universal salvation.

How does the Gospel of John differ from the Synoptic Gospels?

John focuses on the identity of Jesus rather than just his actions and is stylistically different.

What is the significance of the 'I AM' sayings in John's Gospel?

They connect Jesus to God's divine name and express his divine identity.

What does the Prologue of John's Gospel emphasize?

It presents Jesus as the eternal Word (Logos) and emphasizes his pre-existence and divinity.

What is the central theme of Christology in John's Gospel?

Jesus reveals the Father and is in total unity with Him.

What does Jesus offer according to John's Gospel?

Jesus offers eternal life now, which is defined as a relationship with God through Him.

How is the crucifixion portrayed in the Gospel of John?

The crucifixion is seen as Jesus's glorification rather than humiliation.

What role does the Paraclete play in John's Gospel?

The Paraclete (Holy Spirit) continues Jesus's revelation and testifies to his divine identity.

What is a key literary feature of Matthew's Gospel?

The use of fulfillment citations to show how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies.

What is the historical context of the Gospel of Matthew?

Written for a Jewish-Christian community around 80-85 A.D., possibly in Antioch, Syria.

What is the significance of the Great Commission in Matthew?

It emphasizes the mission to all nations and the authority given to the church.

What does the term 'Gentile' refer to in the context of the Gospels?

A non-Jew.

What is the importance of the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew?

It is presented as present but hidden, fully revealed at the final judgment.

What is the purpose of the Gospel of John?

To reveal the identity of Jesus as the divine Son of God and the giver of eternal life.

What is the significance of the Last Supper in Matthew?

It marks the events leading to Jesus's betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.

What are the two primary ways to outline the structure of the Gospel of Matthew?

The first method identifies five major teaching discourses, each concluding with the phrase, 'When Jesus had finished saying these things...'. The second method divides the book into three sections using the phrase, 'From that time Jesus began to...'.

Who was the intended audience for Matthew's Gospel?

Matthew's Gospel was written for a Jewish-Christian community familiar with the Torah and Jewish customs.

What key issues was the community facing in Matthew's Gospel?

The community was likely wrestling with its identity, debating the inclusion of Gentiles, and experiencing tension with the leadership of local synagogues.

What was the primary purpose of the author of Luke's Gospel?

The author states the purpose is to provide an 'orderly account' for an individual named Theophilus.

What are two major theological themes emphasized in the Gospel of Luke?

The emphasis on social outsiders and the concept of universal salvation.

What is the significance of the term 'Logos' in John's Gospel?

The 'Logos' is presented as the pre-existent, divine Word who was with God and was God, serving as the agent of creation.

From what tradition does the concept of 'Logos' draw?

The concept draws from the Jewish tradition of 'Wisdom' as seen in the book of Proverbs.

How do form critics view the Gospels?

Form critics view the Gospels as collections of many individual units, or pericopes, rather than seamless biographies.

What is the primary goal of form critics when analyzing the Gospels?

Their goal is to classify the literary genre of individual texts and find clues about the historical Jesus.

What is the theological importance of the 'I AM' sayings in the Gospel of John?

They connect Jesus to God's divine name revealed in Exodus and express claims to divine identity.

How do the Gospels conform to the genre of ancient Greco-Roman biography?

They conform in style and sometimes didactic nature.

What is a significant way the Gospels differ from ancient Greco-Roman biographies?

They have a disproportionate focus on the last week of Jesus's life and death.

What is the nature of the 'Kingdom of Heaven' according to Matthew's Gospel?

It is portrayed as a reality that is both present and future.

How is the Kingdom of Heaven made present according to Matthew?

It is inaugurated through the person, teaching, miracles, and work of Jesus.

What is redaction criticism?

Redaction criticism examines how a Gospel author edited their source materials to understand their unique theology and community concerns.

What does redaction criticism seek to understand about the Gospel writers?

It seeks to understand the unique theology, purpose, and community concerns of the final author.

What is allegorical interpretation?

A method of scriptural interpretation that seeks a meaning beyond the literal text.

What is an apologia?

A work written as a legal defense.

What does ascension refer to in Christian theology?

Jesus's ascent into heaven after his resurrection.

What is the Greek term for ancient biographies?

Bioi.

What is Christology?

The theological study and definition of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

What is a high Christology?

It emphasizes Jesus's pre-existence and divinity.

What is a low Christology?

It focuses on Jesus's human origins starting from his conception.

What does Ekklesia mean?

The Greek word for 'church'.

What is the eschatological discourse in Matthew?

The fifth of Matthew's major teaching blocks focusing on the end times, final judgment, and return of Jesus.

What does Evangelion mean?

The Greek word for 'good news' or 'Gospel'.

What is exaltation in Christian theology?

The events of Jesus's resurrection and ascension.

What is form criticism?

A critical method that seeks to classify the form or literary genre of individual New Testament texts.

What are fulfillment citations?

A key literary feature in Matthew's Gospel where the author quotes the Old Testament to show fulfillment.

Who is considered a Gentile?

A person who is not Jewish.

What is Greco-Roman biography?

The literary genre to which the Gospels most closely conform.

What is inclusio?

A literary device where a text is 'bookended' with a common theme or phrase.

What is the incarnation?

The theological concept that the divine Word became human flesh.

What do the terms Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God refer to?

God's reign and rule, inaugurated in Jesus's ministry but not fully realized until the future.

What does Logos mean in the context of John's prologue?

It refers to the pre-existent, divine, creative Son of God who becomes incarnate in Jesus.

What is the Magnificat?

A hymn from the Gospel of Luke, sung by Mary upon visiting Elizabeth.

What is the Paraclete?

A title for the Holy Spirit used in the Gospel of John.

What is a pericope?

An individual, self-contained unit of text or story within the Gospels.

What is a synagogue?

A Jewish place of worship.

What are the Synoptic Gospels?

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share a large amount of similar content.

Who is Theophilus?

The individual to whom the unified two-volume work of Luke-Acts is addressed.

What is the Torah?

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Law of Moses).

What is Yahweh?

The covenant name of God in the Old Testament.