The GospelsTentMakers NTS Survey

April 2010

Why Four Gospels?

Luke: Man

WisdomCharacte

r

John: EagleDeityEternity

Luke: OxSuffering

ServantServicePower

Matthew: LionMessiah KingAuthorityStrength

Topic Matthew Mark Luke JohnDate 50-68 50-68 60-68 96-100

Place Syria RomeRome/Greece

Ephesus

AudienceJewish Mind

Roman Mind

Hellenistic Jewish Mind

Universal

Traditional Portrait

Lion Bull Man Eagle

Uniqueness

42% 7% 59% 92%

Key Words “fulfilled” “immediately”

“Son of Man”

“believe”

The Gospels Compared and Contrasted

Synoptic Gospels

•97% of Mark is repeated in Matthew and Luke

•Matthew and Luke gain over 40% of their content from Mark

•Matthew and Luke also share about 25% of their content - perhaps from a common source

Two Source

Hypothesis

•97% of Mark is repeated in Matthew and Luke

•Matthew and Luke gain over 40% of their content from Mark

•Matthew and Luke also share about 25% of their content - perhaps from a common source

MarkMarkMarkMark QQQQ

MatthewMatthew LukeLuke

Matthean Primacy•Early Church Witness•Papias•Ignatius•Irenaeus (link to Polycarp)

MarkMarkMarkMark

LukeLukeLukeLuke

MattheMattheww

MattheMattheww

JohnJohnJohnJohn

JohnJohnJohnJohn

Gospel of Matthew

• “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” 27:37

• Authorship

• Genealogy to David and Abraham

• OT Link with 5 Teaching Blocks 5:3-7:27, 10:5-42, 13:13-52, 18:3-35, 24:4-25:46

• Eschatology in parables and 24-25, 28:20

• Kingdom of Heaven

• Authority over Israel’s most prized institutions: Law, Sabbath, Prophets, Temple, and Kingship

• Only Gospel that mentions “Church” 16:18 and 18:11

• Still concerned for Gentiles 8:11-12, 15:24, 21:43, 28:19 despite Jewish emphasis

Overview of Matthew

Gospel of Mark

• “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 10:45

• Authorship (with Peter)

• Interesting Omissions

• Rapid succession of events “Immediately” 41x

• Pattern of discipleship

• Stresses secrecy imposed by Jesus 1:25, 34, 44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26, 30; 9:9

• Repeatedly notes the presence of the masses with removal from crowds for discipleship

• 11-16 on last week of life

• Emotions of Jesus noted

• High Christology

Overview of MARK

Gospel of Luke

• “For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost” 19:10

• Authorship

• Genealogy to David and Abraham

• Emphasis on ministry of the Holy Spirit 1:15, 35; 3:22; 4:1, 18; 10:21

• Only tie to secular history 2:1-2, 3:1

• Jewish emphasis often overlooked 1:8, 21-22; 2:27,37, 41-51; 24:53)

• Over twenty references to angels, highlighting the deity of the Son of man

• Emphasis on redemption with extensive reference to Isaiah 53 and 40-66

• Special “travelogue” section of progression to Jerusalem 9:51-19:27

Overview of LUKE

Gospel of John

• “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” 27:37

• Authorship 20:30-31

• Elephant’s swimming pool

• Personal interviews

• 7 Key Signs or Miracles

• Father Son relationship

• Holy Spirit discourses

• Prologue is unique with focus on “logos”

• 92% unique, philosophical/theological

• Geographical difference with focus on Judea

• Three or four passovers gives a ministry of about 3 and 1/2 years

Overview of John