New Testament Exam 1

Hellenization

The spread of Greek culture, language, philosophy, and customs throughout the ancient world, especially after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

First century Jewish Messianism

The belief and expectation among Jews that God would send a Messiah (anointed one) to deliver Israel, restore the kingdom, and bring salvation.

Pharisees

Emphasized law, purity, traditions.

Sadducees

Priestly, controlled the Temple, denied resurrection.

Essenes

Separatist, ascetic, likely connected to Dead Sea Scrolls.

Zealots

Revolutionary group opposing Roman rule.

Persian rule

539-332 BC.

Greek rule

Alexander the Great (332-167 BC).

Seleucid rule

167-164 BC, Antiochus IV, harsh persecution.

Maccabean/Hasmonean rule

164-63 BC.

Roman rule

63 BC onward, Herod the Great appointed king.

Alexander the Great

Greek conqueror, spread Hellenization.

Antiochus IV

Seleucid ruler, persecuted Jews, desecrated Temple (167 BC).

Herod the Great

Roman client king, rebuilt the Temple, ruled during Jesus' birth.

Genealogies of Jesus in Matthew

Connects Jesus to Abraham and David, showing fulfillment of Jewish messianic hopes.

Genealogies of Jesus in Luke

Traces back to Adam, emphasizing Jesus' universal mission.

Central beliefs of Judaism in the first century

Monotheism, covenant, Torah, Temple worship, hope in resurrection (Pharisees), awaiting Messiah.

Language of the New Testament

Greek.

Canonical gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Synoptic gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke.

Meaning of the word 'synoptic'

'Seeing together' → these gospels share similar structure, content, and perspective.

Genre of the gospels

Ancient biography (focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus).

Meaning of the word 'gospel'

Good news.

Approximate writing dates of the gospels

Mark - c. AD 65-70 (earliest), Matthew - c. AD 70-85, Luke - c. AD 70-90, John - c. AD 90-100 (latest).

Matthew's occupation

Tax collector.

Jesus' discourses in Matthew

Five major discourses (teaching sections). Matthew organizes his gospel around these.

Purposes and themes within Matthew

Jesus as fulfillment of the Old Testament, emphasis on Jesus' teaching and authority, Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus fulfills the law.

John the Baptist

Prophet who prepared the way for Jesus, Jesus's cousin, baptized him.

Meaning of the term 'Messiah'

'Anointed one' → expected savior/deliverer.

Great Commandment

Love your neighbor as yourself/love others how Christ loves you.

Great Commission

Make disciples of all nations.

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5-7 (Beatitudes, Lord's Prayer, ethics of the kingdom).

Sermon on the Plain

Parallel teaching in Luke 6, shorter than Matthew's.

Parable

A short story or comparison used by Jesus to teach spiritual truth.

In which gospel does Jesus use the word 'church'?

Matthew

Who was Mark?

Companion of Peter; Mark's gospel reflects Peter's teaching.

Which apostle most influenced Mark?

Peter

What is a Markan-sandwich?

Literary technique in Mark—story within a story for emphasis.

What are some of the main characteristics of Mark?

Fast-paced ('immediately'), emphasis on action, highlights Jesus' suffering, shorter than others.

What about the earliest manuscripts cause some to question the authenticity of the long-ending of Mark?

Earliest manuscripts end at 16:8; later manuscripts add verses 9-20, so authenticity is debated.

Which of the four gospels is most likely written first?

Mark

Which of the four gospels is most likely written last?

John

Was Jesus tempted?

Yes, he rebuked it with scripture.

Which gospel has the longest birth narrative?

Luke

Which gospel has the story of the magi bringing gifts to Jesus?

Matthew

Did Jesus predict his own suffering and death?

Yes, multiple times.

Which gospel writer is known as Paul's 'beloved physician'?

Luke

Which of the four gospels is the longest?

Luke

Which of the four gospels is the shortest?

Mark

Who is the gospel of Luke addressed to?

Theophilus.

What other book in the New Testament did Luke write?

Acts

What did Jewish people generally think of Samaritans?

Generally despised them as outsiders and religiously impure.

Why did Jesus eat with sinners and tax collectors?

To show God's mercy and call the lost to repentance.

After Jesus' death, who did two disciples walk with on their way to Emmaus?

Resurrected Jesus.

What is the purpose statement in John's Gospel?

John 20:31 — written so that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in his name.

Who is the 'disciple that Jesus loved'?

John

Which Gospel has a section referred to as 'the book of signs'?

John

What is the meaning of the word 'Logos'?

'Word' → divine Word of God, pre-existent Christ.

Where can you find the verse 'For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.'?

John 3:16

What are the 'I am' sayings of Jesus from the Gospel of John?

'I am the bread of life.' 'I am the light of the world.' 'I am the gate.' 'I am the good shepherd.' 'I am the resurrection and the life.' 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.' 'I am the true vine.'

In John, what is Jesus' first miracle/sign?

Turning water to wine.

Who is Lazarus and what happens to him?

Friend of Jesus whom he raised from the dead.

What is the significance of Jesus washing the disciples' feet?

Act of humility, teaching servant leadership.

What themes are in the teaching of Jesus in the Farewell Discourse?

Jesus' final teachings → love, unity, Holy Spirit, promise of eternal life.

Who betrays Jesus leading to his arrest?

Judas.

What is the name of the criminal who is released in place of Jesus?

Barabbas.

Who denies knowing Jesus after his arrest, and how many times does he deny him?

Peter 3 times.

How does Jesus restore Peter in John 21?

Jesus asks Peter three times 'Do you love me?' and commissions him to feed his sheep.

What are the various Jewish sects in the first century?

Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes

Zealots

What are the major periods in history of Palestine in the Intertestamental Period?

Persian rule, Greek rule (Alexander the Great), Seleucid rule, Maccabean/Hasmonean rule, Roman rule