Bible Final: Background

Matthew

Presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, often including detailed genealogies and Jewish customs. 

Mark

Considered the earliest Gospel, with a fast-paced narrative focusing on Jesus' miracles and power.

Luke

Portrays Jesus as compassionate and concerned for the marginalized, including many parables and stories about women 

John

Emphasizes Jesus' divinity through philosophical dialogues and "I Am" sayings, presenting a more theological perspective.

Synoptic

“seeing together”

The Griesbach Hypothesis

Matthew was the earliest gospel, Luke used Matthew as a source, Mark creatively wove together Matthew and Luke

The Two-Source Hypothesis

Mark was the earliest gospel, Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source but didn’t use one another, Matthew and Luke also used a written collection of Jesus sayings, called Q (hypothetical document

Zealots

• Wanted to overthrow Roman rule in Judea

• Relied on violence

• 66 CE- lead a rebellion against Romans

• 70 CE- Roman crushes the rebellion

• 73 CE- after 3 years, 960 Zealots commit suicide at Masada

• Biblical evidence of some zealots who followed Jesus: Simon

Essenes

• “Ascetics” – retreated to the wilderness

• Maybe inhabited Qumran and are the source of the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Communal living with strict codes of conduct

• Against violence – “children of light” 

• What happened to them??

Sadducees

• Know very little of

• Wealthy, priestly class in Judea

• Beliefs:

  • Rejected resurrection, afterlife, and angels existing

  • Rejected oral traditions, relied on Pentateuch

• Died out with the destruction of the temple (A.D. 70)

• Saw Pharisees as opponents of Jesus

Pharisees

• “Blue-collar” Jews

• Observance of Torah, purity, and faithfulness to God

• Opponents of Sadducees

  • Believed in resurrection and relied on oral tradition

• Evolved into rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the temple

Matthew

Jesus is depicted primarily as a compassionate and authoritative figure

Mark

portrayal emphasizes Jesus as a shepherd and teacher

Luke

Jesus is portrayed as a prayerful and compassionate provider