RS1003 2024 – 8 Gospels and Acts.pdf

Unit 3: New Testament The Canonical Gospels & Acts of the Apostles Dr Alexander Chantziantoniou | Crandall University RS1003 Themes of the Bible | Fall 2024 | October 2 Introduction Class Objectives To outline, in broad strokes, the basic content of the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke,...

Unit 3: New Testament The Canonical Gospels & Acts of the Apostles Dr Alexander Chantziantoniou | Crandall University RS1003 Themes of the Bible | Fall 2024 | October 2 Introduction Class Objectives To outline, in broad strokes, the basic content of the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the Acts of the Apostles (e.g., what, who, why, how, and themes). Key Takeaway The Gospels are ancient biographies (bioi) of Jesus of Nazareth, which are described as “good news” (Mark 1:1), a “book” (Matt 1:1), or a “narrative” (Luke 1:1) about Israel’s Messiah and the establishment of God’s kingdom. Introduction Class Outline approximate length 1. The Gospel of Mark ~15 min 2. The Gospel of Matthew ~15 min Break ~10 min 3. The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles ~15 min 4. The Gospel of John ~15 min 1. The Gospel of Matthew What is it? The Gospel of Matthew is an ancient biography (bios) of Jesus of Nazareth, narrating his life, teachings, death, and resurrection in Roman Palestine, which is described as a “book.” “The book of the genealogy (βίβλος γενέσεως, biblos geneseōs) of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (1:1) “This is the book of the genealogy (βίβλος γενέσεως, biblos geneseōs) of the heaven and the earth.” (Gen 2:4) The genealogy has 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to the deportation to Babylon, and 14 generations from the deportation to Babylon to the messiah = ‫דוד‬, David (4 + 6 + 4) 2. The Gospel of Matthew What is it? It is the first but not the earliest of the Synoptic Gospels (e.g., Matthew, Mark, Luke), which are grouped together because they represent a “common view”: they share similar stories and repeat similar sayings, sometimes word for word. It is widely agreed that Matthew and Luke both used Mark as a source for their biographical accounts of Jesus. Approximately 80% of Mark occurs in Matthew, 65% occurs in Luke, 95% occurs in Matthew, Luke, or both. Eusebius’s Canon Tables 1. The Gospel of Matthew Who wrote it? Traditionally, the Gospel of Matthew has been attributed to Matthew (or Levi), a tax collector and one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” (Matt 9:9) “As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.” (Mark 2:14) The early church historian Eusebius (3rd–4th century CE) quotes Papias (c. 125 CE) as saying that Matthew “collected sayings of the Lord in the Hebrew language” (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3:39). Strictly speaking, the gospel is anonymous and written in Greek. While the title of the gospel (“according to Matthew”) is ancient, most scholar agree it was an early addition. There is no evidence to suggest it was originally written in Hebrew. 1. The Gospel of Matthew Why was it written? To fulfill, not to abolish, the Law and the Prophets (=Hebrew Bible) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (5:17; cf. 7:12; 17:3, 12) “To fulfill what was written by the prophet...” (12x) Birth (1:22–23), Egypt (2:15), death of children (2:17–18), Nazareth (2:23), Zebulun and Naphtali (4:14–16), exorcisms and healings (8:17), spirit-empowered servant (12:17–21), lack of understanding (13:14–15), parables (13:35), king riding on a donkey (21:4), arrest (26:54, 56), betrayal for money (27:9) 1. The Gospel of Matthew How does it unfold? Outline 1: Five Blocks of Teaching (“When Outline 2: Phases of Messianic Ministry Jesus had finished these words...”, 5x) (“From that time on, Jesus began...”, 2x) Sermon on the Mount: Preparation of Jesus the Messiah (1:1–4:16) Deuteronomistic Blessings (5–7) Proclamation of Jesus the Messiah to Missionary Discourse: Israel (4:17–16:20) “Mission without” (10) Passion of Jesus the Messiah (16:21–28:20) Parables of the Kingdom (13) Community Discourse: “mission within” (18) Eschatological Discourse: Deuteronomistic Curses (24–25) 1. The Gospel of Matthew Key Themes Fulfillment of Jewish Scripture: fulfils the Law and the Prophets Focus on Teaching/Discourse: five speeches of Jesus, like the five books of Moses New Moses and the Law: “You have heard it said, but I say to you...” (5–7); “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (7:12) Deuteronomistic Blessings/Curses: “Blessed are those... ” (5), “Woe to you... ” (23) Divine Presence: “Immanuel, God with us” (1:23), “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (18:20), “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (28:20) New Temple: “something greater than the temple is here” (12:6) The Christ Assembly: only gospel to mention “the church” (16:17–19; 18:15–20) Jews and Judaism: the “Jewish Gospel” and “anti-Judaism” 2. The Gospel of Mark What is it? The Gospel of Mark is the first ancient biography (bios) of Jesus of Nazareth, narrating his life, career, and death in Roman Palestine, which is described as a “gospel.” “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s son” (1:1) The genre of ancient biographies (bioi) centres around the lives and especially the deaths of prominent philosophical, religious, or political figures as a model to be followed. e.g., Philo’s Life of Moses Diogenes Laertius’s Lives of Eminent Philosophers 2. The Gospel of Mark What is it? The word “gospel” (εὐα1έλιον) refers to the public announcement of “good news” (whether orally or literarily), in this case, “the good news of Jesus Christ” (1:1), which are often political in nature. It was famously used to announce the birthday of Caesar Augustus in the Priene Calendar Inscription (9 BCE). 2. The Gospel of Mark What is it? “Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a saviour, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance [excelled even our anticipations], surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good news Second stone of the Priene Calendar Inscription (εὐα1έλιον, euangelion) for the world, which came by (IK Priene 14), Priene, Western Turkey, 9 BCE reason of him,” which Asia resolved in Smyrna.” 2. The Gospel of Mark Who wrote it? Traditionally, the Gospel of Mark has been attributed to John Mark, a travelling companion and coworker of Paul (Acts 13:5, 13; 15:36–41; Phlm 24; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11) and disciple of Peter (1 Pet 5:13). The early church historian Eusebius (3rd–4th century CE) quotes Papias as saying that Mark was the scribe of Peter in Rome. After the deaths [of Peter and Paul], Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, himself also handed down to us in writing the things which Peter had proclaimed. (Ecclesiastical History 5.8.3; cf. 3.39.15–16) Strictly speaking, the gospel is anonymous. While the title of the gospel (“according to Mark”) is ancient, most agree it was an early addition. 2. The Gospel of Mark Why was it written? Possibly written from Rome to a gentile audience to solicit loyalty (pistis, “faith”) towards the son of God. An underlying question the gospel tries to answer is: “Why did the messiah suffer and die?” 2. The Gospel of Mark How does it unfold? Prologue: Baptism and Preparation for Ministry (1:1–13) Ministry in/around the Galilee (1:14–8:21) Narrative (1:14–3:35) Discourse: apocalyptic parable of the kingdom (4:1–35) Narrative (4:36–8:21) Journey to Jerusalem (8:22–10:52) Peter confesses Jesus as messiah Three passion predictions Suffering and Death in Jerusalem (11–15) Narrative (11–12) Discourse: mini-apocalypse (13) Narrative (14–15) Epilogue: Empty Tomb and Fear (16:1–8) [Long Ending: 16:9–20] 2. The Gospel of Mark Key Themes The Way of Yhwh and Isaiah’s New Exodus: Yhwh returns to comfort his people, restore them from captivity, and thus to reveal himself to the nations (1:2–3; cf. Isa 40:3) “Immediately”: fast paced, almost journalistic Focus on Actions/Events: healings, exorcisms, traveling, recruitment Righteous Suffering and Death: “a passion narrative with an extended introduction” Apocalypticism and the Kingdom of God: Jesus proclaims the “good news” or “gospel” of God (“The time is fulfilled; God’s kingdom has come near; repent, and trust in the good news,” 1:14–15) Messianism: God’s beloved son (baptism), “truly this man is God’s son” (death), “king of the Jews” Mystery and Irony: the “messianic secret,” vindication through suffering, redemption through death Resurrection? 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles What is it? The Gospel of Luke is an ancient biography (bios) of Jesus of Nazareth, narrating his life, death, and resurrection in Roman Palestine, which is described as “an orderly account” or “a narrative.” The Acts of the Apostles, which was written by the same author to the same intended audience as the gospel, is an ancient biographical account of Jesus’s first followers (especially Peter and Paul) immediately after his resurrection and ascension, narrating their missionary movement from Jerusalem to the nations. Taken together, the literary material collectively known as Luke-Acts makes up approximately 25% of the entire New Testament. 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles Who wrote it? Traditionally, the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles have been attributed to Luke, the “beloved physician” (Col 4:14), a travel companion and coworker of Paul (Phlm 24; 2 Tim 4:11). The author is often identified by his first-person (“we,” “us,” “our”) accounts of travelling with Paul within the narrative itself (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1–28:16). “After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.” (Acts 16:10) 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles Who wrote it? A fragment of the Muratorian Canon, a copy of one of the earliest known lists of New Testament documents (170–180 CE), identifies the author this way. “The third book of the Gospel is that according to Luke. Luke, the well-known physical, after the ascension of Christ, when Paul had taken with him as one zealous for the law, composed it in his own name, according to [general] belief. Yet he himself had not seen the Lord in the flesh; and therefore, as he was able to ascertain events, so indeed he begins to tell the story from the birth of John...” Strictly speaking, the gospel and Acts are anonymous. While the title of the gospel (“according to Luke”) is ancient, most scholar agree it Muratorian fragment, Milan, was an early addition. Bibliotheca Ambrosiana, Cod. J 101 sup 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles Why was it written? “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the “Many have undertaken to draw up an account apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented of the things that have been fulfilled among himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was us, just as they were handed down to us by alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he those who from the first were eyewitnesses and was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not servants of the word. With this in mind, since I leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, myself have carefully investigated everything which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy from the beginning, I too decided to write an Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, orderly account for you, most excellent are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Theophilus, so that you may know the truth of He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1–4) the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:1–8) 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles How does it unfold? Luke: To Jerusalem Acts: To the Nations Infancy Narrative (1–2) Preparation for Witness (1) Preparation for Ministry (3–4) Witness in Jerusalem (2–6) Witness in Judea and Samaria (6–12) Ministry in Galilee (4–9) Witness throughout the Roman World (13:1–21:26) Travel Narrative: “He set his face to go to Paul’s Arrest and Transfer to Rome (21:27–28:15) Jerusalem” (9–19) Paul’s Witness in Roman Custody (28:16–31) Ministry in Jerusalem (20–24) Six Geographical Movements: Teaching (20–21) Jerusalem (1–6); Judea and Samaria (6–9); Passion (22–23) Gentiles (9–12); Asia (12–16); Europe (16–19); Resurrection (24 Rome (19–28) 3. The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles Key Themes Holy Spirit: empowers Jesus (Luke) and his followers (Acts) Lordship and Salvation: “universal” focus on both Israel and the nations, the messiah as Davidic king of Israel (Luke) who inherits the nations (Acts), genealogy goes all the way back to Adam Unique Material to the Gospel of Luke: parable of the good Samaritan, lost coin, prodigal son, the road to Emmaus Prayer and Praise: magnificat (Luke 1:46–56), benedictus (1:67–79), gloria in Excelsis (2:14), nunc Dimittis (2:19–32) Marginalized or Disadvantaged Peoples: gender (e.g., women), ethnicity (e.g., Samaritans, foreigners), social status (e.g., poor, sick, impoverished, “sinners”) Paul the Apostle: gentile mission (Acts 15–20), prison and trail (21–28) 4. The Gospel of John What is it? The Gospel of John is an ancient biography (bios) of Jesus of Nazareth, narrating his life, death, and resurrection in Roman Judea, which is distinct from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Approximately 90% of the Gospel is new material that is unique to itself. Unlike the Synoptics, there is no mention of Jesus’s birth, baptism, test in the wilderness, transfiguration, parables, exorcisms, predictions of Jerusalem’s destruction, institution of the Lord’s supper, or references to the Parousia. Other differences: three Passovers (not one) implies three-year ministry, cleansing of the Temple comes at the beginning (not end) of Jesus’s ministry, Jesus dies on Passover (not the day after), takes place mainly in Jerusalem (not the Galilee), refers to “eternal life” (not the kingdom of God), refers to Jesus’s wonderworking as “signs” (not miracles) 4. The Gospel of John Who wrote it? The author of the Gospel is not anonymous in the same way as the Synoptics: the writer identifies himself but does not provide a name. The author self-identifies as the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” an eyewitness of Jesus’s ministry and close personal friend of Jesus himself, who leaned on Jesus’s chest at the last supper (13:23–26), who stood with Jesus’s mother at the foot of the cross (19:25–27), who outran Peter to Jesus’s tomb to see if it was empty (20:2–10), who first recognized Jesus after his resurrection (21:7), and who was rumoured to never die (21:20–23). This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and who has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (21:24–25) 4. The Gospel of John Who wrote it? Traditionally, the “beloved” disciple has been identified as John the Apostle, the Son of Zebedee and brother of James, one of Jesus’s 12 disciples and a member of his “inner circle” (Peter, James, and John). But ancient Christian tradition has also identified this disciple with another “John” known as John the Elder, who is often associated with the Johannine Epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John), or with yet another “John” known as John the Seer, who is often associated with the book of Revelation. Other alternatives include Lazarus (“See how he loved him!” 11:36), whom Jesus raised from the dead, or Mary Magdalene (19:25–27). Strictly speaking, the author is unnamed, and may have drawn on the testimony of the beloved disciple without being the same person. Scholars often identify the author(s) with the so-called Johannine community. 4. The Gospel of John Why was it written? “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to trust that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and that through trust you may have life in his name.” (20:30–31) 4. The Gospel of John How does it unfold? Prologue: The Word, Wisdom, and Temple of God (1:1–18) Book of Signs: Revelation of Jesus (1:19–12:50) Opening (seven) Days of Revelation (1:19–51) Discourse on the Journey through Cana (2–4) Jewish Festivals in Jerusalem (5–10) Movement to Hour of Death/Glory (11–12) Book of Glory: Glorification of Jesus (13:1–20:29) The “Upper Room” Discourse (13–17) Passion and Death (18–19) Empty Tomb and Resurrection Appearances (20:1–29) Initial Conclusion (20:30–31) Epilogue (21:1–25) 4. The Gospel of John Key Themes Word and Wisdom: new creation (chs 1 and 20), new Exodus, new temple, new Passover In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,a and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.... And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,d full of grace and truth.... From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,e who is close to the Father’s heart,f who has made him known.” (1:1–4, 14–18) Divine Name and Revelation: “I am” sayings, hidden “I am” statements (before Abraham was, I am), “God is” sayings, Jesus as audible and visual representation of God himself Irony: “exalted” when “lifted up” on the cross Unity/Authenticity? 7:53–8:11 and ch 21 Unit 3: New Testament The Canonical Gospels & Acts of the Apostles Dr Alexander Chantziantoniou | Crandall University RS1003 Themes of the Bible | Fall 2024 | October 2