SYNOPTIC GOSPELS The importance of Gospels in the life of a Christian is remarkable they provide us with the primary sources of information. The second Vatican Council recognizes the gospels in its dogmatic constitution on divine revelation, Dei Verbum (art18) when it says among all scriptures even those of the New Testament the gospels have a special pre-eminence, because they are the principle witness of life and teaching of the incarnate word our savior the English word Gospel is the translation of the Greek word euangelion (n) which literally means “good news” or “good tidings.” The term “synoptic” is an adjective formed from the noun “synopsis” Synopsis is derived from the compound Greek word syn(= together)+opsis (= seeing ,vision , view) hence “seeing together” or “common perspective. This was found by scholars in the 18th century “the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke gives a common view of the gospel story, but priority was given to the gospel of Mark (Marken Priority)it was the earliest manuscript, the content of which is Jesus himself. They are called synoptic because they share a common view of Jesus, as opposed to the quite different view of in John’s gospel. Matthew and Luke also have some materials in common which was found by Qulle a Scholar. And it is believed that Matthew and Luke could have probably copied from Mark some materials along with theirs, Mark + Matt + Luke + Q = Matthew and Luke Gospels. 1. However Qulle the Q Problem remains a theory and a theory only. 2. However one must never fear to question when necessary but not to the extent of losing the value of the Word of God. 3. However the principles do not change.- [2Pt.2:21] The synoptic Gospels differ substantially at many levels from the Gospel of John. The first three evangelists interpret the mystery of Christ more or less in the same way, whereas John interprets the mystery of Christ in quite a different way. The differences between the synoptic and John could be seen with regard to the place of Jesus public ministry, the duration of Jesus ministry, the narration of incidents and the theological emphases. The place of Jesus Ministry according to the synoptic gospels, Jesus spent the major part of his public ministry in Galilee, making Capernaum as the centre of his activities. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus spent his major part of his public ministry in Judea making Jerusalem as its centre of his activities. The duration of Jesus ministry it is from [Lk.3:23] that we know that Jesus begins his public ministry when he was about thirty years of age. Since the synoptic mention only one visit to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover feast [Matt.26:2, Mk.14:1, Lk.22:1], this gives the impression that Jesus public ministry may have lasted less than one year. But according to John Jesus made four journeys to Jerusalem [Jn.2:13, 5:1, 7:10-14, 12:12] since John mentions at least three Passover feasts [Jn.2:13, 6:4, 11:15 and 12:1]. One could conclude that Jesus public ministry lasted about three years. Differences in narration of incidents. There are striking differences in the narration of incidents between the synoptic and John 1. Jesus cleansing of the temple takes place earlier in the beginning of Jesus public ministry. [Jn.2:13-22] whereas a few days before Jesus death in the synoptics. [Mk.11:15-19] 2. John appears to have changed the position of the cleansing of the temple for theological rather than chronological reasons. Probably to make the Lazarus episode the cause of Jesus death. 3. According to the synoptics the main theme of Jesus preaching is the Kingdom of God. [Mk.1:15, Matt.4:17-23, Lk.4:43, 8:1] Whereas the main theme of Jesus preaching in John is “eternal life”. [Jn.1:4, 5:21, 24, 6:53, 10:10, 14:6, 20:1] 4. John presents High Christology in his writing. His extraordinary depth and profundity in the ministry of Christ is seen. He begins his gospel with the pre-existent Word of God. It is primarily the evangelist’s own grasp of truth of the Christian claims about Jesus that we see reflected in his gospel. 5. The teaching of the pre- Easter Jesus 6. In John what we find is Christology from above or descending Christology. Whereas in the synoptics a Christology from below or an ascending Christology 7. According to the opinion of modern scholars it is the synoptic gospels that are closer to the historical Jesus – A human being like us in all things except sin. The Three stages of Gospel formation. The public ministry or activity of Jesus of Nazareth (the first third of the 1 st century 1 to 33 AD). During this period Jesus did many things, orally proclaimed his message, and interacted with others. He chose companions who travelled with him and saw and heard what he said and did. Their memories of his words and deeds supplied the raw, “Jesus material.” These memories were already selective. These were memories of what was said and done by a Jew who lived in Galilee and Jerusalem in the 20s. The (Apostolic) preaching about Jesus (the second third of the 1 st century 33 to 66 AD). Those who had seen and heard Jesus had their following of him confirmed to post-resurrection appearances; and they came to full faith in the risen Jesus as the one through whom God had manifested ultimate salvation to Israel. And eventually the whole world. A faith they vocalized through confessional titles Messiah, Christ, Lord, Savior, Son of God etc. that post resurrection faith illumined the memories of what they had seen and heard during the pre resurrection period; and so they proclaimed his words and deeds with enriched significance. We speak of these preachers as “apostolic” because they understood themselves as sent forth by the risen Jesus, and their preaching is often described as kerugmatik proclamation intended to bring others to faith. Eventually the circle of missionary preachers was enlarged beyond the original companions of Jesus and the faith experiences of newcomers like Paul enriched and proclaimed. Another factor operative in this stage of development was the necessary adaptation of the preaching to new audience. If Jesus was a Galilean Jew of the first third of the 1 st century who spoke Aramaic by mid- century his gospel was being preached in the Diasporas to urban Jews and Gentiles in Greek, a language that he did not normally speak. This change of language involved translation in the broadest sense of that term that is a vocabulary and patterns that would make the message intelligible and alive for new audiences. The Written Gospels (the last third of the 1st century approximately) While Mark, the first evangelist was writing the gospel some written materials were available. During the oral period the narratives and sayings circulated mainly as single and self- contained detached units each complete in it. The passion narrative circulated as one single unit. Mark joined them together on a non chronological basis. The BIBLE (The Good news) is a document written by believers to believers and for believers they are interpretations of the life of Jesus Christ. The New Testament was written in Greek Apostolic Preaching – Oral Period. The census was taken at the birth of Jesus. The death of Herod the Great occurred in 04 BC. Death of Jesus occurred at around 30AD. 30 to 68 AD. The incidents in the life of Jesus was orally communicated, there was a 30 years gap before writing the Gospel. Some of reasons for the delay are • Imminent expectation of dolorosa. • AD 35 – Materials such as some of the miracles, Parables, and sayings of Jesus and Passion of Christ was already available • Presence of the eye witnesses • Considered oral transition superior to written transition • Illiteracy • AD 66 – Jerusalem war began • AD 70 – Jerusalem was destroyed MARK is the Author known as John Mark Cousin of Barnabas also known as Marcus in Latin, companion of Paul, disciple of Peter – is the first written Gospel, Written during the rule of Nero around the period 55 - 68 AD to the persecuted Christians in Rome the source being Peter. • The message of Mark to his audience is “For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many”[Mk.10:45] service and sacrifice is seen all through his writings, • [Mk.14:51] records of a young man who followed Jesus. Here Notice the word young man, The Lord’s supper [14:14] speaks of a large upper room furnished. Which could have been the house of Mark? The same place the believers were praying [Act.12:12-14], here is mother Mary mentioned describes that she was a widow and they were probably very wealthy. • Notice they were able to afford a servant (Rhoda). It is assumed that John Mark during the Lord’s Supper expected Jesus to stay there overnight and learning of Jesus going to the Garden of Gethsemane he could have hurriedly worn only the linen and left his robe behind. Notice the Linen which was a very costly garment and only the wealthy could afford it and he rejected the fine Linen cloth and left. • [Lk.22:9-13] speaks of John Marks house as only he was a man so rich was able to afford men slaves to carry water [Lk.19:30-31], also probably was John Mark’s house. • Mark is best known by his Latin name Marcus, but in the Jewish circle he was called by his Hebrew name John whose surname was Mark. And he wrote to the Hellenistic (Greek) probably his father was a Greek the reason of his wealth. In his Gospel he uses words such as Legion, Centurion, [15:16], Praetorium, [6:27], executioner, [12:42], and penny. Which were more of Latin [Act.2:25] Saul and Barnabas took Mark with them on their journey, [Act.13:5] as assistant [Act.13:13], he departs from them [Act.15:37], Cousin of Barnabas, [2Tim.4:11], Barnabas determined to take John Mark, Split of Paul and Barnabas, [Col.4:10], Helpful for ministry Phlmn.24, fellow laborer [1Pt.5:13], Peter addresses him as son, (even in the Gospel he gives more importance to Peter after Jesus.) the following scriptures reveal that Peter could have confirmed such evidence only to a person of loyalty [Mk.9:5, 14:40, 8:33], The gospel Mark is an elaborate form of [Act.10:34-43], The incident in [Mk.5:21-43], Mark uses 395 words to explain whereas Luke uses 285 words and Matthew uses 138 words this study was done by William Lane. • Joseph’s name is not mentioned in his book • The words Son of God mentioned addressed by a pagan centurion • Mark was reportedly torn to pieces by a mob in Alexandria after he told them that their god, a statue carved from stone, was worthless
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:44:31 +0000
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