New Testament

Bible Sections

  • Old Testament (39 books / 1400 BC to 400 BC)

  • New Testament (27 books / 40 AD to 90 AD)

Written originally in: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek


Intertestamental Period

  • 400 years between testaments

Empire Influence on Jews

  • Persia allows temple rebuilding

  • Greece Hellenizes Jewish culture

  • Seleucid oppression sparks Maccabean Revolt

  • Hasmonean independence ends with Roman control in 63 BC


Jewish Factions

  • Sadducees: Temple leaders cooperating with Rome

  • Pharisees: Experts in the Law and oral tradition

  • Essenes: Separatists communities seeking purity

  • Zealots: Nationalists resisting Roman authority


Judaism Core Beliefs (1st Century)

  • Monotheism

  • Identify as God’s chosen people

  • God given promised land

  • Torah centered living

  • Hope for messianic restoration


Matthew

Begins with an account of the records of the beginning of Jesus

~

Matthew/Levi was a tax collector for Rome

  • He was seen as a traitor to his people because of this


Great Commission ~ Matthew 28:18-20

  • All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son and holy spirit. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


Four Major Purpose of Matthew

  1. Declare that Jesus is the expected Messiah

  2. Explain that God’s kingdom began in life, death and resurrection of Jesus

  3. Commission to make disciples

  4. Encourage Gentile inclusion


Five Major Discourses of Matthew (parallel to the five books of the Pentateuch)

  1. Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7)

  2. Instruction of the 12 (Matt 10)

  3. Parables of the Kingdom (Matt 13)

  4. Parables of the Kingdom (Matt 18)

  5. Olivet Discourse (Matt 24-25)


3 Major Sections of Matthew

  1. Identity of Jesus (Matt 1-4)

  2. Jesus proclaims the kingdom (Matt 4:17 - 16:20)

  3. Jesus (16:21 - 28:20)


  • The word CHURCH is only ever used in Matthew, not the other gospels

  • Matthew shows that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament

  • Quotes the Old Testament to connect to fulfillment


Synoptic Gospels


Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels

  • synoptic = seeing together


Synoptic problem/question ~ what accounts for similarities and differences in these three books?

  • One proposal that another source was used for Matthew and Luke as they wrote.

  • source name ~ Q (German word Quelle, meaning source)


Timeline

  • gospels first written between 50AD and 90AD

  • meaning, the first one was written within 20 years of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension

  • latest one was written no later than 60 years after his resurrection and ascension


Four reasons to write the gospel down

  1. Preservation

  2. Evangelism

  3. Discipling

  4. Spreading


The “Other” Gospels

Apocryphal Gospels - written much later, after the death of eyewitnesses

  • reflect gnostic teachings and are no in accord with the rest of canonical Scripture

Pseudepigraphal Gospels - claim to written by authors who did not write them (Gospel of Thomas, Secret Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Peter)

«THESE gospels are not recognized as true


OUR Gospels are at the very center and heart of Christian faith

  • gospels are THE story of Jesus’ life

  • the only reliable sources regarding the life and teachings of Jesus

  • there are a few extra-biblical sources that mention Jesus, but none with substantial info

«There is no difference between ‘my Jesus’ and ‘your Jesus’, there is the Jesus of the gospels


Mark

Also known as John Mark

  • close with Peter, son of Mary

  • cousins with Barnabas

  • traveled with Paul and Barnabas, left missionary trip early

  • not one of the 12, used Peter as his source (according to Eusebius)

  • Eusebius wrote the first “Church History in the 4th century

  • written between 50-60AD, possibly from Rome


Characteristics about the Gospel itself

  • likely the first written

  • awkward writing, due to Greek being his second language (patterns were Aramaic)

  • shortest gospel

  • focused on the actions of Jesus

  • “Immediately” is used often

  • He wraps one story within another (called a Markan sandwich)


Structured in two major parts

  1. Portrays power of Jesus as the Son of God

  2. Shows that Jesus is the Son of God/suffering servant


What does Mark’s writing show?

  • what is means to be a disciple of Jesus

  • writing to train Jesus’ followers for mission


Markan Sandwich

  • Intro to story A (Mark 5:21-24)

  • Different story (B) (Mark 5:25-34)

  • Conclusion of story A (Mark 5:35-43)


»Modern manuscripts of mark have a longer conclusion, ancient ones have a short ending. This causes lots of controversy


«Jesus’s ministry started in Galilee



Luke

author - Luke

  • Luke was the longest book in the New Testament, followed by Acts (both written by Luke)

  • Luke was not one of the 12 apostles

  • Luke traveled with Paul when he wrote Colossians

  • Was imprisoned with Paul

  • Paul’s physician


Luke is writing to Theophilus

  • Theophilus = lover of God

Luke likely interviewed several eyewitnesses, even Mary, to write his book


Luke’s Structure

  1. Prologue (1- 4:13)

  2. Galilean Ministry (4:14 - 9:50)

  3. Journey to Jerusalem ( 9:51 - 19:27)

  4. Ministry in Jerusalem/Crucifixion/Resurrection/Ascension (22:39 - 24:51)


Theme of Luke: Salvation

  • Jesus was the savior of the poor, oppressed and the sick


Longest Christmas Narrative

Tells of John the Baptist and Jesus’ birth

Traces Jesus’ ancestry back to Adam (Matthew traces to Abraham)


What does the temptation narrative represent?

  • Jesus’ identity as the Son of God

  • Jesus faced temptation

  • Jesus used scripture to resist

  • Jesus does not give into temptation

  • Jesus is without sin


Luke gives the Sermon the Plain

  • same teachings as the Sermon the Mount


Luke emphasized the women who followed Jesus

  • it was uncommon for women to be taught by a Rabbi

  • Luke names some of the women followers


Luke 9:51-19:27

  • Travel Narrative

  • Jesus is journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem


Important stories from Luke

  • Good Samaritan

  • Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son

  • The Pharisee and the Tax Collectors prayer

  • The rich young ruler

  • Zachaeus

  • Jesus’ Triumphal Entry

  • Jesus cleanses the temple


Luke gives a longer resurrection narrative than other gospels


John

Stands apart from the Synoptic Gospel

John’s purpose: So that his readers might believe in Jesus as the Christ. the Son of God, and through that belief, receive eternal life


Date of John: 70s - 80s AD

Written in: Ephesus

Author: Technically anonymous, there is evidence that John the apostle is the author

  • identified as the ‘beloved disciple’

  • one of the 12 (an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry)

  • John = son of Zebedee, bother of James

Written decades after ministry and contemplation


Structure of John

  1. Prologue (1:1-18) - the eternal Word becomes flesh

  2. Book of Signs (1:19 - 12:50) - seven signs interwoven with teaching and Jewish festivals

  3. Book of Exaltation (13:1 - 20:31) - The Farewell Discourse, betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection

  4. Epilogue (21:1 - 25) - restoration of Peter and the closing testimony


John 1:1 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

  • Logos: Greek term meaning “Word” / referred to the rational principle that ordered the universe

  • evoked God’s creative Word

  • Not an abstract principle, divine Person —- Jesus Christ


Incarnation (verse 14)

  • The word became flesh and dwelt among us


Seven Signs in John

  1. water into wine (john 2)

  2. healing the officials son (john 4)

  3. healing the lame man (john 5)

  4. feeding the multitude (john 6)

  5. walking on water (john 6)

  6. healing the man born blind (john 9)

  7. raising Lazarus (john 11)


sign/semeion = key word

  • not meerly wonders

  • point to Jesus’ identity


John highlights intimate dialogues that reveal the heart of the gospel

  • Nicodemus (Pharisee and ruler) tells him to be born again

  • The Samaritan Woman (marginalized woman at Jacon’s well) offers her the living water


John frequently situates Jesus’ ministry with festivals — Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication


Seven I Am Statements of John

  1. I am the bread of life

  2. I am the light of the world

  3. I am the door

  4. I am the good shepherd

  5. I am the resurrection and the life

  6. I am the way, the truth, and the life

  7. I am the true vine


The night before Jesus died, he spoke to his disciples regarding ….

  • servant leadership

  • new commandment

  • promise of the Spirit

  • vine and the branches

  • high priestly prayer