INTRODUCTION TO JESUS' LIFE IN THE GOSPELS

Introduction to Jesus’ Life in the Gospels

  • Definition of a Gospel: A Gospel is a literary genre focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word "Gospel" comes from Old English "godspel" meaning "good news."

  • Purpose: The Gospels blend biography, history, and theology to convey the significance of Jesus' life and message.

Date of the Four Gospels

  • Mark: 68-72 CE (late 60s to early 70s)

  • Matthew: 80-90 CE (late 1st century)

  • Luke: 80-120 CE (late 1st century to early 2nd century)

  • John: 90-110 CE (late 1st century to early 2nd century)

Relationship between the Four Gospels

  • Two-Source Hypothesis:

    1. Mark was the first Gospel written; Matthew and Luke used it as a source.

    2. Matthew and Luke shared a common source known as Q (Quelle), containing Jesus' sayings and teachings.

    3. John was written independently of the other three Gospels.

Distinctive Characteristics of Each Gospel

  1. Matthew:

    • Emphasizes fulfillment of Jewish scripture and tradition.

    • Presents Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.

    • Includes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

  2. Mark:

    • Focuses on Jesus' actions and miracles.

    • Emphasizes Jesus as the Son of God.

    • Provides a fast-paced narrative centered on Jesus' passion and resurrection.

  3. Luke:

    • Highlights Jesus' message of salvation for everyone.

    • Portrays Jesus as compassionate and inclusive.

    • Contains unique parables like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.

  4. John:

    • Emphasizes Jesus' divine identity and the need for faith.

    • Presents Jesus as the Logos (Word) of God.

    • Features unique material, including Jesus' discourses in chapters 14-17.

Implications for the Life Story of Jesus

  • Salvation: Highlights Jesus' mission to save humanity from sin.

  • Kingdom of God: Jesus as the figure ushering in a realm of justice, love, and peace.

  • Redemption: Jesus as the Redeemer freeing humanity from sin's bondage.

  • New Covenant: Jesus mediating a new covenant based on faith rather than Jewish law.

John 20:30-31 Interpretation

  1. Faith and Salvation: The signs recorded facilitate belief leading to salvation.

  2. Revelation of Divine Identity: Reveals Jesus as the Christ, enhancing understanding of God's love and redemption.

Historical Background of the Birth Stories of Jesus

  • Context: Set in the 1st-century Roman Empire and Jewish world.

  1. Roman Empire: Dominated by Emperor Augustus, backdrop for Jesus' birth.

  2. Jewish World: Strong national identity and messianic expectations were prevalent.

  3. Herodian Dynasty: Herod the Great, noted for brutality, ruled Judea during this time.

  4. Census and Taxation: Required travel to Bethlehem around 6-4 BCE (Luke 2:1-4).

The Birth Stories of Jesus (Matthew vs Luke)

Matthew's Account (Matthew 1-2)

  1. Genealogy: Traces Jesus' ancestry to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17).

  2. Magi Visit: Magi visit after Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:1-12).

  3. Flight to Egypt: Escape to Egypt from Herod’s persecution (Matthew 2:13-15).

Luke's Account (Luke 1-2)

  1. Annunciation: Angel Gabriel announces Jesus' birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).

  2. Birth of Jesus: Shepherds visit Jesus post-birth (Luke 2:1-20).

  3. Circumcision and Presentation: Actions in the Temple (Luke 2:21-38).

Mark and John's Gospels

  • Mark: Begins with Jesus' baptism, excludes birth account.

  • John: Theological prologue discussing the Logos, without a birth narrative.

Herod the Great’s Rise and Reign

  • Background: Born in Idumea around 72 BCE, Herod was appointed governor of Galilee.

  • Appointment as King: Appointed King of Judea in 40 BCE by the Roman Senate.

  • Brutality: Known for harsh policies, including the massacre of innocents (Matthew 2:16-18).

Assessment of Herod's Account

  • Extra-Biblical Sources: Josephus highlights Herod's brutality but lacks evidence for the massacre, suggesting it might be a literary device.

Achievements of Herod

  • Rebuilding the Second Temple: Major expansion project led to the reconstruction of the Temple.

  • Infrastructure Development: Built fortresses and cities; promoted economic growth.

Challenges to the Historicity of Luke 2:1-7

  1. Lack of Evidence: No records of a census requiring ancestral home return.

  2. Roman Practices: Roman censuses processed locally, not requiring travel.

  3. Dating Issues: Conflicts regarding Quirinius' governorship timings.

Scholarly Solutions

  1. Reinterpretation of Census: Considered local rather than Roman.

  2. Earlier Governorship: Possible earlier role for Quirinius.

  3. Theological Emphasis: Luke’s focus on heritage rather than accuracy.

Key Scholars and Their Views on Luke 2:1-7

  1. Raymond Brown: Views the census as theological rather than historical.

  2. Richard Bauckham: Suggests an earlier governorship could reconcile issues.

  3. Darrell Bock: Agrees on the historical plausibility of Luke’s account.

Quirinius and the Census of Judaea

  • Historical Figure: Confirmed by Roman records, governed Syria and conducted a census.

  • Connections to the Census: His role corroborated by inscriptions and archaeological findings.

Commentary on the Birth Stories of Jesus (Matthew) 1:18-2:23

  • Structure:

Matthew 1:18-25: The Birth of Jesus Foretold

  1. Virgin Birth: Emphasizes the divine conception.

  2. Joseph’s Response: Receives divine instruction to marry Mary.

  3. Fulfilling Prophecy: Quoting Isaiah 7:14.

Matthew 2:1-12: The Visit of the Magi

  1. Magi’s Journey: Following a star to find Jesus.

  2. Herod’s Response: Feels threatened and inquires of the Magi.

  3. Worship and Gifts: Magi worship Jesus and present gifts.

Matthew 2:13-15: The Flight to Egypt

  1. Angel’s Warning: Flight to Egypt to escape Herod.

  2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Hosea 11:1 referenced.

Matthew 2:16-23: The Massacre of the Innocents

  1. Herod’s Decree: Orders the massacre of infants.

  2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Quotes Jeremiah 31:15.

  3. Return to Nazareth: Departure post-Herod’s death, fulfilling another prophecy.

Jesus as the Promised Messiah and Son of David (Matthew)

  • Genealogy: Tracing ancestry to David and Abraham.

  • Messiah Title: Described as the anointed one in various references.

  • Old Testament Fulfillment: Emphasizes prophecies about Jesus’ birth and role.

Commentary on the Titles of Jesus (Messiah and Son of David)

  • Messiah: Anointed future king of Israel.

  • Son of David: Restoration of David's lineage with expectations of salvation.

The Prologue of John’s Gospel (John 1:1-18)

Background and Significance

  • Logos Concept: Derived from Jewish and Greek thought; related to creation, divine wisdom, and covenant.

  • Countering Beliefs: Addresses threats from Docetism and Gnosticism.

Biblical Background

  • Key Passages: Include Genesis, Exodus, Proverbs, and Wisdom literature emphasizing creation and revelation.

Gnostic Threat and John's Response

  • Heretical Claims: Explains Gnostic beliefs and how John aims to assert orthodox Christian views against them.

Commentary on John 1:1-18

  • Divine Logos: Presented as part of creation and associated with life and light.

  • The Incarnation: Asserts the importance of Jesus becoming flesh.

Key Themes from John 1:1-18

  1. Cosmology: The Logos is the agent of creation.

  2. Witness: Importance of testimony about Jesus.

  3. Incarnation: God becoming flesh for human salvation.

The Johannine Community Context

  • Composition: Likely Jewish Christians expelled from synagogues, shaping their understanding of Jesus’s identity.

Impacts of John's Teachings

  1. Christological Identity: Establishes Jesus’ divine nature and mission.

  2. Salvation Emphasis: Centers on faith in Christ for eternal life.

  3. Community and Mission: Promotes love, unity, and sharing of the Gospel.

Gnosticism Analysis in John's Gospel

  • Overview of Gnosticism: Beliefs in dualism, secret knowledge, and a redeemer.

  • John's Position: Counters Gnostic ideas, emphasizing faith in Jesus as the true path to salvation.

Conclusion on Heresy and Gnosticism

  • Prologue's Language: Contains Gnostic terminology, yet it critiques rather than aligns with Gnosticism.

  • Critical Strategy: John’s possible aim to subvert heretical beliefs through familiar language.