Christ in the Synoptic Gospels

Based on Mark’s style of writing, we may conclude that his purpose was to

stress Christ’s deity as revealed in His works of power.

The factor that most likely influenced the writing of Mark’s Gospel was

Peter’s impending death.

Scholars assume Mark is the author of the second Gospel based largely on the

testimony of Papias, a disciple of John the apostle.

Carefully analyzing the scriptural facts about Mark leads us to conclude that

Mark’s spiritual development was gradual, but as he matured, he found acceptance and respect in ministry.

How much information does the Bible give about Mark?

More information exists in the Bible about Mark than of the writers of the other Synoptic Gospels.

Regarding the true source of the Gospel accounts, we may conclude that

the Holy Spirit influenced each Synoptic writer to record accurately what God wanted written.

In the equation “Mark + Q + M = Matthew,” Q stands for

material that is common to Matthew and Luke.

Because of similarities between Matthew and Luke not shared by Mark, Bible scholars believe

Matthew and Luke relied on another source besides Mark.

Many assume the priority of Mark because Mark

is used almost entirely by Matthew and Luke.

Synoptic Gospels refers to the accounts of the good news presented by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and means they

viewed the gospel similarly.

Which statement about Matthew is based on biblical and historical evidence?

Matthew and Levi were one and the same person.

Which statement about the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew is true?

Papias stated that Matthew’s Gospel was a Greek translation and revision of an earlier Gospel Matthew wrote in Hebrew.

The writing of the Gospel of Matthew can best be dated

between AD 60 and AD 69.

We determine the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew on the basis of

the uniform, positive testimony of the early church fathers.

Matthew wrote his Gospel

to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament messianic promises and that Jesus is truly their long-awaited Messiah.

What biblical evidence supports Luke’s authorship of the third Gospel?

A close link between Luke and Acts, as well as the “we” sections in Acts, point to Luke as author.

The prefaces of Luke and Acts indicate that the

same person wrote the Gospel of Luke first and then Acts.

Which statement concerning the date of the Gospel of Luke is true?

Luke appears to depend on Mark, who wrote his Gospel around AD 58–65, which is one reason we conclude that Luke wrote his Gospel between AD 60–69.

One characteristic of the Gospel of Luke is that

Luke gives us more historical details than any other Gospel writer.

Unique characteristics of Luke’s Gospel in contrast to the other Synoptic Gospels are that Luke

gives more details on the birth and boyhood of John the Baptist and Jesus than the other Gospel writers.

Even though the Samaritans lived in Palestine, the Jews considered them to be social outcasts because the Samaritans were

a mixed race: partly Jewish and partly pagan with a pagan religious heritage from those whom the Assyrians had resettled in Samaria.

About one hundred years after the Assyrian conquest of Israel, the empire that arose as the instrument of God’s judgment to conquer first Assyria and then Judah was the

Babylonian Empire.

During the Persian period, the Jewish exiles in Babylon were

permitted to return to their homeland.

One important occurrence during the Persian period was the

appearance of the last Old Testament prophet.

The Greeks wanted to “Hellenize” their subjects because they

wanted to increase their influence in the civilized world.

The intertestamental period represents the time between

the end of Malachi’s prophetic ministry and the dawn of New Testament events.

Antipater was

a scheming Idumean who through intrigue won the control of Palestine and became the father of Herod the Great.

Which Herodian family statement is correct?

Jews never regarded the Herods as true Jews and made no attempt to hide their feelings of hatred toward these descendants of the Edomites.

Although the region is not mentioned by name in the New Testament, the land on “the other side of the Jordan” refers specifically to

Perea.

The Judeans were proud, haughty, and reserved compared to the Galileans because

they believed they were more “pure Jewish” than the Galileans.

In comparing the synagogue with the temple, we see that the

synagogue focused on reading and studying the Law.

The Pharisees were characterized by their

acceptance of the entire Old Testament—the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings—as authoritative for their lives.

Although the record is not clear, it appears the Pharisees came from

the Hasidim, who purposed to maintain the purity of the Jewish religion and culture against paganism.

Oral tradition, which concerns scholars’ interpretation of the Law, was a problem because

Pharisees gave it the same authority they gave to God’s law.

The typical Pharisee of Christ’s day may be described as one who

lived by the strict ceremonial requirements of the Law.

It is true that the Sadducees

felt that Hellenism and Roman rule were needed to maintain good business conditions and their privileged position.

If we compare the Essenes to the Pharisees, we find that

both groups focused on obeying the Law, but the Essenes were more legalistic.

Zealots differed from other Jewish religious groups in that they

were totally committed to direct action to reach their goals.

Which statement correctly describes the scribes?

New Testament scribes acted as copyists, preservers, and interpreters of the Law.

Based on our study, the term Sanhedrin suggests

“the Jewish governing council in Jerusalem and the local judicial system that handled most religious and civil affairs.”

Luke’s narrative reveals that Elizabeth, John’s mother, and Mary were relatives and that

in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel announced Christ’s coming.

Concerning the annunciation and birth of Jesus, Luke shares that

through a decree of Caesar Augustus, Joesph and Mary went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

One possible explanation for the difference between the genealogies given by Matthew and Luke is that

Matthew gives the royal lineage while Luke gives the actual physical descent.

According to the Law, presenting a child to the Lord required the parents to

take him to the temple in Jerusalem and offer a sacrifice.

Regarding the birth and babyhood of Jesus, Matthew records that

in dreams, God told the Magi not to return to Herod and told Joseph to flee to Egypt.

Jesus’ temple visit as a twelve-year-old was significant in that He

was prepared for His future role in the religious community.

The first time Luke’s record shows Jesus’ awareness of His unique relationship to God the Father was at His

visit to the Jerusalem temple at twelve years old.

John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sin and

announced Christ’s coming to prepare people for Him.

Christ felt the need to be baptized because

it identified Him with sinful humanity and pointed to His death, burial, and resurrection.

Our Lord’s temptation is most significant in that He

was tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin.

One historical indicator that helps us to date the beginning of Christ’s ministry is

the beginning of John’s ministry in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar.

The historical indicators reveal that at the beginning of His public ministry, Christ was

no more than thirty-two years of age.

What significant event occurred during Jesus’ first year of ministry?

Herod imprisoned John the Baptist.

During Christ’s early Galilean ministry, He

appointed the twelve as apostles to be with Him.

During His early Galilean ministry, Christ

ministered fairly widely through the province of Galilee.

In his account of Christ’s early Galilean ministry, Matthew

presents the Sermon on the Mount and describes the calling, instructing, and sending out of the Twelve.

During Christ’s middle Galilean ministry, which event began to show a shift in people’s attitude toward Jesus?

John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Christ if He really was the Messiah.

The later phase of Christ’s extended Galilean ministry

began with the feeding of the five thousand.

During Jesus’ entire time in Galilee, His ministry

included extensive training of His disciples.

In His Galilean ministry, criticism of Christ and unbelief

increased during the middle and late periods.

While the Synoptic Gospels give fair coverage of the final months and the Passion Week, we rely on John’s Gospel for

the basic progression of events in the Judean/Perean ministry.

We may determine the time of Jesus’ later Judean/Perean ministry by

considering John’s references to the feasts in this period.

Luke’s record of Christ’s later Judean/Perean ministry includes the

healing of the crippled woman on the Sabbath.

In the context of Christ’s last week, the word Passion refers to

the Last Supper; His prayer and agony in the Garden; and His arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, and burial.

The term Passion, as used in reference to the last week of Christ’s public ministry, speaks of

the afflictions laid on a submissive victim.

On day one (Sunday) of Passion Week, Christ

entered Jerusalem in triumph.

During the Passion Week, Christ drove the money changers from the temple on day

Two

On day three (Tuesday) of Passion Week, Christ

delivered His Olivet Discourse on future events.

In terms of the events of day four, we concluded that Christ

possibly had a meal at Simon the Leper’s home and that Judas went to the chief priests to betray Christ.

Which event took place on day five (Thursday) of Passion Week?

Christ instituted the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

Of Christ’s postresurrection appearances recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, Luke gives

the most extensive treatment and indicates that the Eleven first saw Christ in Jerusalem.

Where the Synoptic accounts differ, we may conclude that

each writer was selective in what he wrote, so variations indicate differences in perspective rather than essential facts.

According to Luke’s Gospel and our study textbook, which of these men saw Jesus first after His resurrection?

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus

What helps us understand how Christ fulfilled His promise to rise from the dead on the third day?

He was in the tomb part of Friday, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday; the custom in those days was to count parts of days as whole days.

The two people who asked Pilate for Christ’s body were

members of the Jewish Council.

Which statement is true concerning Jesus’ crucifixion?

Christ was arrested at midnight, was crucified at 9:00 a.m., and died at 3:00 p.m., a total of about fifteen hours.

Since blasphemy was not a capital crime under Roman law, the religious leaders accused Christ of

claiming to be a king in opposition to Caesar.

From the Synoptic Gospels’ record of Jesus’ arrest, we see that

only Matthew says Christ could have called twelve legions of angels to help Him.

Concerning Christ’s arrest, all of the Synoptic writers record that

Judas kissed Christ.

The Garden of Gethsemane events are significant because they show

God’s love for people that caused Him to pay the penalty for their sins.

Christ showed himself to be a master teacher in that He

loved and knew His students.

Christ taught by using

rhetorical questions, lectures, and storytelling.

Which Gospel writer appeals to the Jews’ respect for teachers and teaching?

Matthew

Mark mentions Christ’s teachings less than the other Synoptic accounts because he

emphasizes Christ’s actions more than His words.

In Luke’s Gospel, Christ’s teachings are

given in the form of parables and scattered throughout the narrative.

How were Christ’s teachings linked to His redemptive purpose?

They demonstrated His credibility as an acceptable person and thus as an appropriate sacrifice.

What can we conclude about the Scriptures based on Christ’s teachings?

Since He believed and used them, He regarded them as genuine.

What did Christ teach about God, himself, and the Holy Spirit?

The Godhead is a Trinity or three distinct Persons, each of whom expresses the qualities of personality: intellect, feeling, and will.

What did Christ teach concerning the church?

In Christ’s time, the church was future, and it would withstand the gates of hell.

Christ’s teaching on future things indicates that

His second coming is the focal point of the future and is linked with the resurrection and judgment.

According to our study, the terms kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven

are essentially synonymous.

According to their concept of kingdom, the Jews in Christ’s day expected

the Messiah to deliver His people from foreign rule and restore Israel to political greatness.

The Jews rejected Christ’s teaching on the Kingdom because

Christ was assuming equality with God in ruling the Kingdom.

By saying followers of Christ live between the times, we mean that

what Christ has already initiated in believers will not be fully realized until His second coming.

Regarding the present and future aspects of the Kingdom, it is true that the present aspect

is invisible and internal, while the future aspect will be visible and physical.

About the future aspect of the Kingdom, Christ taught that

He will come in power and glory and separate the wicked from the righteous.

The moral aspect of God’s kingdom involves

the inner nature of a person.

Which statement distinguishes the rules of God’s kingdom from the Jewish concept of the Kingdom?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

In His teachings about the kingdom of God, Christ gave importance to

internal purity.

Membership in the Kingdom requires a person to make Christ his or her Lord, follow His teachings, and

undergo an inner transformation of character.