Unit 7 - Synoptic Gospels

Mr. Kuehl

Synoptic

“seeing together”

Mark; Matthew; Luke

similar style and content

view Jesus as Christology from below

Q

(German - Quelle) “source”

a source which Matthew and Luke share but not Mark

John the Baptist

A cousin of Jesus

baptizing and preaching in wilderness prepared way for Jesus

Suffering Servant

“anointed one”

“light to the nations”

rejection and faith

human pain and reward

anointed one

one chosen by god

faithful, humble

"light to the nations”

revealing God’s glory

Rejection and Faith

Jesus is rejected by people and suffers but still stays faithful to God’s plan

human pain and reward

Jesus takes on human pain even though he was innocent for reparation

he will be greatly rewarded by God for his faith

Messiah

Anointed one

Kenosis

(Greek) “self emptying”

Jesus chose to have human limitations

Disciple

a student, one who learns of God

Kingdom of God

The power of God’s love active in out lives and in the world

Infancy Narrative

A story of Jesus’ birth only found in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew

Annunciation

The announcement of the birth of Jesus

Fiat

Mary’s yes and consent to bearing Jesus

Emmanuel

God with us

Visitation

Mary visits Elizabeth and they both share the good news of their miraculous births, a very joyful moment in the Gospels

Magnificat

Mary’s canticle praising God for his justice

Elizabeth

Cousin of Mary

Had the miraculous birth of John

King Herod the Great

King which ruled during Jesus’ birth

Demanded for the killing of Infants in attempt to kill Jesus

Beatitudes

Blessed

Anawim

The people who God calls us to help, the poor, widows, etc.

Characteristics and Themes in Mark

Quick Pace (Immediately)

Suffering Servant

Remaining Faithful in Persecution

The “Hinge” of Mark’s narrative (MK 8:27-33)

Quick Pace

due to death of Jesus

important message

Jesus coming back for day of Judgement

Suffering Servant

Image in the prophecies of Isaiah

depicting one who is sent by God to suffer and die for the sins of humanity

prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ

Remaining Faithful in Persecution

Suffering will lead to grace

Grace = uniting with Jesus

“Hinge” of Mark’s Narrative

Peter calls Jesus Christ when asked who Jesus is

Why does Jesus choose to be Baptized?

to be like humans

to share human experiences

Temptations

Turning Stones into Bread

Jumping off the Temple

Worshipping the Devil

Bait of 1st Temptation

Bread (food)

Hook of 1st Temptation

to Put His will before God’s will

What does the 1st Temptation tell us about JC’s Mission?

Jesus will not bribe us

He will be dependent on God

He accepts human hunger

Bait of 2nd Temptation

the angels will support him

Hook of 2nd Temptation

misusing God’s power and putting Him to the test

What does the 2nd Temptation tell us about JC’s Mission?

Jesus will not attest God’s power or bribe us wih magic tricks

He will trust in God

He accepts God will provide

He accepts human pain

Bait of 3rd Temptation

Many Kingdoms united

Hook of 3rd Temptation

worshipping the devil and putting others and himself before God

What does the 3rd Temptation tell us about JC’s Mission?

Jesus will not be fooled by satan, take away free will, or be greedy

Jesus will obey God’s will

Jesus accepts human powerlessness

Purpose of JC’s Public Ministry

1) preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God

2) Healings of illnesses, demons, sins

What is the Kingdom of God?

God’s dream for us

quiet, powerful surprising

When is the Kingdom of God?

Now and Not Yet

Where is the Kingdom of God?

Where God Reigns

Who is the Kingdom of God

for the innocent, pure, those who hold God’s will before their own, those who accept self death and sacrifice, those who are dependent on God, those who give their life, the humble

TThe Kingdom of God as a radical Reversal of Human expectations

people may think it is only in Heaven, but it can be on earth too.

people may think you should have started a long time ago, but you can start now.

people may think it is only for the currant believer, but it could be for everyone.

Characteristics of Christian Disciples

1) called to follow

2) not perfect

3) one who is sent (apostles)

4) deny themselves and follow Jesus on the way of suffereing and death (kenosis)

Cost of Discipleship

deny themselves and follow Jesus on the way of suffereing and death (kenosis)

Messianic Expectations

political leader

military leader

overthrow foreign rulers

magnificent king like David

would come from house of David

Messianic Reality

would suffer and die

unite nation under God

be humble and listen to God’s will

would be rejected by Israel

Suffering Servant

would come from the house of David

Infancy Narrative Matthew

1. Joseph is told about the birth of Jesus through a dream
2. Jesus is born in Bethlehem
3. Magi inform Herod about Jesus, the “king of Jews”
4. Magi visit Jesus due to orders and give him gifts
5. Magi do not return to Herod like asked
6. Joseph is told to move to Egypt with his family
7. Herod kills all of the infants in Bethlehem
8. Joseph moves back to Galilee with his family

Infancy Narrative Luke

1. John’s birth is announced to his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah
2. Jesus’ birth is announced to virgin Mary
3. Jesus would be the son of God and inherit the throne of David
4. Mary travels to Judah to visit her cousin, Elizabeth
5. Mary and Elizabeth share the goood news of their miraculous pregnancies
6. Mary sings her canticle, the Magnifcat
7. She praises about God’s power and justice
8. Elizabeth gives birth to John
9. Zachariah sings his canticle
10. Jesus is born in Bethlehem
11. The Shepherds visit Jesus and give him gifts
12. Jesus is found praying in the temple

Infancy Narratives Similarities

Mary will concieve Jesus as a virgin

Jesus is born in Bethlehem linking his lineage to King David

Jesus is visited and gifted items from people

Angel Messenger

Travelling back to Nazareth

Mary and Joseph

Infancy Narratives Differences

MT:

a. Magi

b. Joseph-centric

LK:

a. John

b. Mary-Centric

c. Shepherds

Purpose of Genealogies

bridges OT to NT

Son of David, son of Abraham

Jc’s legal Davidic Ancestry as fulfillment of covenenant

to indentify Jesus as the Messiah

Hidden Years

* Family Life (Poor)
* Jewish faith and education (Torah)
* celebrated Jewish festivals
* contact with romans and greeks

Matthew Themes

New Moses

Son of David

Jesus as the New Moses in Matthew

slaughter of innocents

Sermon on the Mount

Flight to Egypt

Jesus gives the New Law (beatitudes)

Purpose of The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew

Jesus fulfills the Old covenant and tells us to extend ourselves and keep us from sinning to our core

Son of David in Luke

Genealogy

Herod’s concern about a new king

Visit of Magi

Josephh-centric infancy Narrative

Themes in Luke

Jesus’ concern for the anawim

Special role of Women

Jesus forgives his executioners

Parable of Lost Samaritan

Lost Parables

Jesus is poor

Befriends “sinners”

Special Role of Women in Luke

Elizabeth

Mary

Lost Parables in Luke

Shows how God will always come looking for us no matter what

Sheep, Coin, Son

Jesus’ Poverty in Luke

Born in a stable

two doved offered

visited by shepherds

Jesus befriending “sinners” in Luke

The good thief

Zacchaeus

Jesus’ concern for the anawim in Luke

Healing Samaritan Leper