Historical Jesus Mid Term

Gospel of Mark

Shortest and earliest Gospel. Used as a source (Markan Priority) by Matthew and Luke. Ends abruptly (original ending is likely Mark 16:8).

Central Theme of Mark

The Secret Messiah (Messianic Secret). Jesus' identity is hidden/misunderstood; revealed only through his suffering on the cross.

Portrayal of Jesus in Mark

Son of God who suffers. Emphasizes action (uses 'immediately' frequently) and power over evil spirits, but also human emotion and pain.

Portrayal of Disciples in Mark

Extremely negative. The disciples are consistently dull, cowardly, and fail to understand Jesus' mission until after his death.

Gospel of Matthew

Uses Mark + Sayings Gospel Q + unique material (M). Structure built around five major discourses/speeches (e.g., Sermon on the Mount).

Central Theme of Matthew

Jesus as the New Moses and Jewish Messiah. Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (uses 'that it might be fulfilled' repeatedly).

Portrayal of Jesus in Matthew

The Law-Giver and Teacher. Presents a more orderly, authoritative Jesus. Birth narrative highlights his royal, Davidic lineage.

Key Literary Feature of Matthew

Strong emphasis on righteousness and ethics (e.g., Sermon on the Mount). Only Gospel to use the term 'church' ($\text{ekklesia}$).

Gospel of Luke

Uses Mark + Sayings Gospel Q + unique material (L). Paired with the Book of Acts; both addressed to Theophilus.

Central Theme of Luke

Inclusion of the Marginalized (poor, women, Samaritans, Gentiles) and the Centrality of the Holy Spirit.

Key Narrative Features of Luke

Unique infancy narratives (songs/hymns). Contains the extensive 'Travel Narrative' (Luke 9-19). Parables of reversal (Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan).

Portrayal of Jesus in Luke

Savior of All People. Jesus is deeply compassionate; his death is portrayed as a pious martyr (less emphasis on atoning sacrifice).

Gospel of John

Independent of the Synoptics (Mark, Matthew, Luke). Uses unique material; structure is based on long discourses and a sequence of seven 'signs.'

Central Theme of John

High Christology: Jesus is the pre-existent, divine Logos (Word) of God. Salvation as 'eternal life' (a present reality).

Key Literary Features of John

'I Am' statements (Seven 'I Am' Sayings), dualistic language (light/darkness, above/below), and long, reflective dialogues.

Portrayal of Jesus in John

The fully divine Son. Jesus is in complete control of events, even his own arrest and crucifixion. Focuses on ministry in Jerusalem (Synoptics focus on Galilee).

Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Likely 2nd century CE; an Aretalogy (a text detailing a hero's miracles) about Jesus' childhood (age 5-12).

Central Theme of Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Infant Prodigy: Jesus has divine power from a young age, but often uses it impulsively and punitively, showing him to be a powerful, volatile child.

Key Episodes in Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Clay Sparrows (making clay birds fly on the Sabbath). Curse Miracles (striking people dead or blind for annoying him). Schoolboy Wisdom (teaching his teachers the deeper meaning of the alphabet).

Significance of Infancy Gospel of Thomas

Satisfies curiosity about Jesus' missing years. Highlights an early view of Jesus' power that is unfiltered by adult morality or canonical theology.

Infancy Gospel of James

Likely mid-2nd century CE. Focuses on the birth and childhood of Mary, not Jesus.

Central Theme of Infancy Gospel of James

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary. Emphasizes Mary's absolute purity before, during, and after Jesus' birth to protect her sanctity.

Key Narrative Features of Infancy Gospel of James

Unique details on Mary's parents (Anna & Joachim) and her upbringing in the Temple (fed by an angel). Joseph is a widower chosen as her guardian, not husband. Salome's examination of Mary's virginity after the birth.

Source Dependence of Infancy Gospel of James

Harmonizes and expands the canonical infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke, adding dramatic and pious legends.

Gospel of Mary

A Post-Resurrection Dialogue text, highly Gnostic in tone, likely early-to-mid 2nd century CE, surviving mostly in fragments (Coptic).

Central Theme of Gospel of Mary

Gnosis (Secret Knowledge) over Apostolic Authority; salvation is achieved by overcoming bodily passions and discovering the 'child of true humanity' within.

Mary's Role

The favored disciple who receives special, esoteric revelations (visions/teachings) from the risen Jesus, presented as having superior understanding compared to male disciples.

Conflict & Criticism in Gospel of Mary

Peter and Andrew challenge Mary's authority, doubting a woman could receive such secret knowledge; Levi defends her, reflecting early Christian community tensions over women's leadership.

The Complete Gospels

A compilation of all known first and second-century gospels (canonical and non-canonical) in a single volume for scholarly and public use, free from ecclesiastical bias.

Core Purpose of The Complete Gospels

To present all known first and second-century gospels in a single volume for scholarly and public use.

Key Feature of The Complete Gospels

The Scholars Version (SV) Translation—a fresh, contemporary English translation intended to capture the historical and literary spirit of the original Greek and Coptic texts.

Gospels Included in The Complete Gospels

Includes the Canonical Four (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John) and major non-canonical texts like Sayings Gospel Q, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary, Infancy Gospel of James, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, and Gospel of Peter.

Scholarly Affiliation of The Complete Gospels

Produced by scholars associated with the Jesus Seminar (Westar Institute), featuring scholarly annotation and introductory essays on historical context and central themes.

Significance of The Complete Gospels

Provided a comprehensive library of early gospel materials, demonstrating the diversity of Jesus traditions in the first two centuries of Christianity.

Virgin Birth of Jesus

The phrase 'A Virgin Shall Conceive' relates to the virgin birth of Jesus, focusing on the prophecy and fulfillment often cited from the Book of Isaiah.

Main Theme of Tabor's Chapter on Jesus' Birth

Explores the historical interpretation of the 'virgin' prophecy versus the traditional or literal theological understanding.

Significance of 'Son of David'

Connects Jesus to the Messianic lineage of the royal house of David, crucial for validating his claim as the Messiah.

Tabor's Investigation on Jesus' Davidic Ancestry

Investigates the historical certainty or nature of the claimed lineage to King David and its importance for the Kingdom of God concept.

Unnamed Father

Contrasts with the traditional figure of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, or the concept of the Divine Father (God).

Core Historical Puzzle of 'Unnamed Father'

Addresses contradictions or ambiguities in the Gospel accounts regarding Jesus' paternity and early life that challenge the standard narrative.

Children in Context of Jesus

Most likely refers to Jesus' siblings (brothers and sisters), particularly those mentioned in the Gospels.

Focus on 'Children of a Different Father'

Concerns the identity of Jesus' family and whether they shared the same father or mother, impacting the Perpetual Virginity doctrine.

The Lost Years

Generally refers to the period between childhood (around age 12) and the start of Jesus' public ministry (around age 30), which is largely undocumented in the Gospels.

Tabor's hypothesis on missing time

Possible historical activities, training, or influences that shaped Jesus before he began preaching, perhaps involving Qumran or other Jewish movements.

First-century Jews' expectation of the Messiah's Kingdom

A physical, political, and literal restoration of the Davidic Kingdom of Israel, 'of this world.'

Tabor's argument about Jesus' true mission

That Jesus' original vision was a tangible, earthly, and immediate political-religious Kingdom, not solely a spiritual or future one.

Distinction of 'The Religion of Jesus' from 'Christianity'

It focuses on the Jewish faith and practices of Jesus himself, separate from the later development of Christian dogma and gentile-oriented religion.

Jewish sect aligned with Jesus according to Tabor

Jewish Restorationism (a type of Messianic Judaism), emphasizing adherence to the Torah and the purity of Israel.

'Hearing the Voice' allusion in the Gospel

Baptism of Jesus, where a voice from heaven declares him as God's Son, or other key revelatory experiences.

Historical examination of Jesus' authority

The nature of Jesus' call or commission, the source of his authority (prophetic, divine, or self-proclaimed), and its impact on his ministry.

Implied problem of 'Crucial Missing Year'

Chronological difficulties or gaps in the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry, possibly involving the sequence of events with John the Baptist or his first public acts.

Beginning of Jesus' public ministry

The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and the subsequent period of preaching in Galilee.

'Judaisms' in Jesus' time

Different Jewish groups with their own beliefs and practices (e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes).

Sadducees

Wealthy, priestly group tied to the Temple; didn't believe in resurrection.

Pharisees

Group focused on law, oral tradition, and believed in resurrection.

Importance of the Temple in Jesus' time

It was the center of worship, sacrifice, and Jewish identity.

Major forces shaping Jewish society in Jesus' time

Roman rule, religious conflict, and economic pressures.

Miraculous birth stories

Stories where people are born through divine or supernatural means.

Importance of studying ancient miraculous birth stories

They help us understand the cultural background of Jesus' birth narratives.

Example of a non-Christian miraculous birth

Hercules, said to be born from Zeus and a human woman.

Reason early Christians told stories of Jesus' miraculous birth

To show his divine origin and special status.

'Jesus: The 21st Century Interview'

A creative piece imagining how Jesus might respond to modern questions.

Peter's denial

Human fear, failure, and the theme of forgiveness.

John the Baptist according to ancient sources

A preacher who baptized people and was executed by Herod.

James, the brother of Jesus

A church leader who was martyred; mentioned by Josephus.

Josephus

A Jewish historian who mentioned Jesus, John the Baptist, and James.

Ehrman's view on Mary during Jesus' ministry

She's rarely mentioned; her role is unclear in the Gospels.

Difficulty in studying Mary's role historically

Her role is unclear in the Gospels.

Mary's role in history

The texts say little, and later stories may not be historically accurate.

Jesus and Mary in Conversation texts

Stories (some non-biblical) showing interactions between Jesus and Mary.

Ehrman's comparison of Mary and Mary Magdalene

He shows how their roles were shaped and changed by tradition.

Development of Mary traditions

To reflect changing theological views, not just historical facts.

Essenes

A separatist group, lived in isolated communities; practiced strict purity laws and communal living; rejected the Temple as corrupt; awaited two messiahs; believed in apocalyptic judgment and end times; possibly responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Zealots

Political rebels who opposed Roman rule; believed in using violence to achieve freedom; wanted to restore Jewish independence; considered Roman occupation a violation of God's law; may have seen messiah as a military leader; played a major role in the Jewish revolt (66-70 CE).

Scribes

Experts in the law; often aligned with Pharisees; taught and interpreted Scripture; held respected positions in society; criticized by Jesus for hypocrisy in some Gospel accounts.

Herodians

Political group who supported King Herod and his dynasty; collaborated with Romans to maintain power; mentioned in the Gospels as opponents of Jesus; more of a political faction than a religious one.

People of the Land

Ordinary Jews not aligned with a sect; often looked down on by religious elites; practiced Judaism but not always strictly; Jesus often associated with them in his ministry.

Rolled Oaths

The concept refers to oaths or pledges made in a group that are 'rolled'—i.e., repeated or bound together—especially in early Christian or Roman sources.

Roman view of Christians

As superstitious, obstinate, foolish, and as a novel, mischievous superstition; marginalized for refusing to participate in pagan ritual.

Rumors about Christians

That Christians were immoral, that they 'eat and drink the body and blood of their god,' that they were obstinate, and that their beliefs threatened social order.

Pliny the Younger's report

Christians met on a fixed day before dawn, sang hymns to Christ as to a god, bound themselves by oaths not to commit crimes; also refusal to worship Roman gods or the emperor.

Testimonium Flavianum

A passage in Josephus that is important for understanding historical references to Jesus.

Testimonium

A passage in Josephus' Antiquities Book 18 that refers to Jesus as a wise man, doer of wonderful works, condemned by Pilate, and that his followers believed he was resurrected.

Scholarly consensus about the authenticity of the Testimonium

Most scholars accept that there is an underlying authentic kernel (i.e. Josephus did say something about Jesus), but that parts were likely modified by Christian copyists (interpolations).

James Passage

The section in Antiquities Book 20 where Josephus mentions the execution of 'James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ.'

Reliability of the James Passage

Most scholars accept this passage as authentic, because it lacks overtly Christian language and fits with Josephus' style.

Influence of different textual versions

They provide variants of the Testimonium that sometimes use more cautious wording ('he was believed to be Christ' rather than 'he was the Christ'), which may be closer to what Josephus originally said.

Principle of Embarrassment

The idea that if a story is potentially embarrassing to early Christians (e.g., Peter denying Jesus), it is more likely to be historically authentic.

Methods to study the historical Jesus

Multiple attestation (appears in more than one source) and dissimilarity (differs from Jewish or early Christian beliefs).

Mix of legend and history

Over time, historical memories can be shaped by storytelling, theology, and cultural needs, making it hard to separate fact from legend.

Cultural impact of Hellenism on Judaism

It introduced Greek language, philosophy, and customs, influencing Jewish thought and causing conflict between traditionalists and Hellenizers.

Alexander the Great

He spread Greek culture across the Near East; his conquests set the stage for the Hellenistic world Jesus was born into.

Maccabean Revolt

A Jewish rebellion against Greek rule in the 2nd century BCE, leading to the Hasmonean dynasty and Jewish independence—for a time.

Samaritans

A group with their own version of the Torah and a rival temple on Mount Gerizim; viewed as heretics by Jews in Jerusalem.

Four biblical Gospels

Mark, Matthew, Luke, John.

Focus of the Gospel of Matthew

Shows Jesus as the Jewish Messiah who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

Unique aspect of the Gospel of Luke

Emphasizes inclusion (women, poor, outsiders), and contains the most polished Greek.

Unique aspect of the Gospel of John

High theology; presents Jesus as divine from the start ('the Word'), less focus on parables or exorcisms.

Infancy Gospels

Non-canonical texts like the Infancy Gospel of James and Thomas that tell stories about Jesus' and Mary's early life.

Luke's census under Quirinius

Quirinius ruled after Herod's death, but Luke says Jesus was born when both were ruling.