Answer Key Four Portraits, One Jesus Workbook

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Answer Key

Four Portraits, One Jesus Workbook

Note: The example responses given in this answer key are intended to be representative of the kinds of answers that are correct for a given question. The answers are intended to be a guide so that teachers, students, and independent learners can verify whether their responses are on the right track. Not all answers are complete or comprehensive.

Part One Introduction to the Four Gospels

Chapter 1 What Are the Gospels?

Assignment 1.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 1 and Addendum

1. Identify the unique portrait of each of the Gospels, as suggested in the textbook.

Matthew: The Gospel of the the Messiah .

Mark: The Gospel of the Suffering Son of God .

Luke: The Gospel of the Savior for all people .

John: The Gospel of the Divine Son who reveals the Father .

2. What are the Synoptic Gospels? What are the main differences between the Synoptics and the Gospel of John? The Synoptics are Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Features of the Synoptics Features of John 1. Emphasize the Galilean setting of the 1. Considerable movement between first part of Jesus’ ministry Galilee and Judea

2. Little information given to determine 2. Mentions at least three different the length of Jesus’ ministry; material Passover feasts (2:13; 6:4; 13:1), and so could fit into a single year a ministry of 2 ½ to 3 ½ years

3. Jesus teaches mostly in parables, 3. Relates long speeches by Jesus, short sayings, and epigrams dialogues with his opponents, and interviews with individuals 4. Teaching focuses on the kingdom of God; healings and exorcisms 4. Teaching focuses on Jesus himself demonstrate the power of the kingdom and the Son’s revelation of the Father. and the dawn of eschatological Signs or miracles reveal Jesus’ identity salvation and glorify the Father; no exorcisms

3. Describe the gospel genre in terms of the three characteristics. What do each of these mean?

History They have a history of composition; they are set in a specific historical context; they are meant to convey accurate historical information

Narrative They have varying plots, characters and settings

Theology They are theological documents written to instruct and encourage believers and to convince unbelievers of the truth of their message.

4. Why were the Gospels written? What suggestions have been made concerning why the authors wrote?

Each had a particular portrait of Jesus; they emphasize certain theological themes and address specific concerns within the church

1. Historical: The need for a faithful and authoritative record of the words and deeds of Jesus 2. Catechetical: The need to instruct converts in the Christian faith 3. Liturgical: The need for worship material in the church 4. Exhortatory: To encourage and assure believers in their faith 5. Theological: The need to settle internal disputes 6. Apologetic: The need to respond to external attacks on the church 7. Evangelistic: The need to call people to faith in Jesus

5. To whom were the Gospels written? What does the text say concerning whether the Gospels were written to believers or unbelievers? To a specific or a general audience?

They were written primarily to believers. Only Luke addresses his to a specific person, but certainly expected others to read it. Matthew seems to have had the Jewish Christian community in mind and Mark possibly wrote in the context of the suffering church in Rome. The writers were probably a part of local communities, but also wrote with the greater church in mind.

6. Why do we have four Gospels instead of one? Why are there only four in the New Testament?

The early church recognized that each of the four writers presented unique perspectives. These unique perspectives would be lost if they were combined.

The early church only saw divine inspiration in these four.

7. What does it mean to read the Gospels “vertically”? What are the benefits of doing

this?

To read vertically is to read each Gospel from beginning to end. The benefit is to be able to follow the progress of each narrative from introduction, to conflict, to climax, to resolution.

8. What does it mean to read the Gospels “horizontally”? What are the benefits of doing this?

To read horizontally is to compare the Gospels to each other. The benefit is that this allows the reader to identify each writer’s unique themes and theology.

9. When is a harmonistic approach to the Gospels legitimate? When is it not?

A harmonistic reading risks distorting each Gospel’s narrative and theological themes by reading one Gospel’s ideas into another. It may be useful to harmonize asking historical questions—what actually happened and how to explain apparent contradictions.

Addendum Questions

1. What are some things we learn in the writings of the apostle Paul about the historical Jesus?

Jesus was descended from David (Rom 1:3); he lived under the law (Gal 4:4); he had a brother named James (Gal 1:19) lived in relative poverty (2 Cor 8:9), chose twelve special disciples (1 Cor 15:5), taught on such issues as marriage and divorce (1 Cor 7:10), instituted the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:23ff.), was crucified, buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor 15:4). He addressed God with the Aramaic term Abba (“Father”; Gal 4:6; Rom 8:15).

2. What do we learn about Jesus in the writings of Flavius Josephus?

He describes Jesus as a wise teacher who did extraordinary deeds. He acknowledges that he was executed under Pontius Pilate and that his followers claimed he rose from the dead. Josephus also recounts that the high priest Ananus was deposed for orchestrating the execution of Jesus’ half brother, James.

3. How helpful are the Apocryphal Gospels in providing reliable information about the historical Jesus?

They are mostly unhelpful and are recognized for the most part as late, legendary, and dependent on the four canonical Gospels. They provide us with little help in understanding Jesus.

Chapter 2 Exploring the Origin and Nature of the Gospels: Historical-Critical Methods of Gospel Research

Assignment 2.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 2

1. Summarize the four stages of composition that led to the production of the Gospels and identify the method that was developed to analyze each stage.

STAGE METHODOLOGY FOR STUDY

a. Stage 1: Historical events a. Historical Jesus research

b. Stage 2: Oral tradition b. Form criticism

c. Stage 3: Written sources c. Source criticism

d. Stage 4: Gospels d. Redaction criticism

Underline the sentence in Luke 1:1–4 below corresponding to each stage and mark that sentence as either “stage 1”, “stage 2”, “stage 3” or “stage 4”.

Luke 1:1–4 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among stage 3 stage 1 us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses stage 2 and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most stage 4 excellent Theophilus so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

2. What is the Synoptic Problem?

The question of how the Synoptics are related to each other. Did they borrow from each other? Which was written first and which used the others as sources?

3. What is source criticism? What are its goals?

A type of historical criticism that seeks to identify the written sources behind each Gospel and the relationship of the Gospels to one another.

The goal is to identify the written sources for the Gospels; to determine their relationship to one another, including the order in which they were written and how they borrowed from each other.

4. What is the most widely held solution to the synoptic problem?

a. What is Markan Priority?

This view is that Mark is the oldest Gospel and that Matthew and Luke composed their Gospels by adding to the framework of Mark.

b. What is the two-source theory?

Matthew and Luke borrowed from Mark and an unknown document or documents referred to as Q (from Quelle = “source”).

c. What is the four-source theory?

Matthew and Luke independently used Mark, Q (material common to Matthew and Luke) as well as M (material unique to Matthew) and L (material unique to Luke).

5. Draw a chart showing the relationship between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Q according to (a) Markan Priority, (b) the Two-Source Theory, and (c) the Four-Source Theory.

Markan Priority Two-Source Theory Four-Source Theory

MARK MARK Q M MARK Q L

MATTHEW LUKE MATTHEW LUKE MATTHEW LUKE

6. What is “Q”? (What is it at its most basic? What additional claims about “Q” have been made?

Q, also called the Synoptic Sayings Source, refers to the material common to Matthew and Luke but not present in Mark.

Q could be: (1) a figment of scholarly imagination (If Luke used Matthew or vice versa there is no reason to posit a Q document.) (2) a variety of sources written and oral rather than a single document; (3) a single written source; (4) a single written source, containing the core teachings of a distinct community within Christianity

7. What is form criticism? What are its goals? What are its main strengths and weaknesses?

Definition A type of historical criticism that studies the oral or spoken traditions behind the written gospel sources.

Goals To classify forms (mini-genres); to determine the church context in which that form originated and was used; to trace the history of its development and transmission in the church.

Strengths It shows the importance of preaching the gospel in the early church; it takes seriously genre identification; it shows the importance of individual pericopes.

Weaknesses Many form critics begin with assumption of nonhistoricity and an antisupernatural bias; form critics often assume there was an exclusively oral period; classifications are not clear-cut; there is a great deal of subjectivity in identifying the setting in life and tracing a transmission history

8. Identify the main “forms” of the gospel tradition. Use the categories developed by Vincent Taylor (Figure 2.10).

Pronouncement stories, miracle stories, sayings and parables, stories about Jesus, and passion narrative

9. What is redaction criticism? What are its goals? What are its main strengths and weaknesses?

Definition

A type of historical criticism that studies how the Gospel writers edited their sources to achieve their distinct theological goals.

Goals To analyze how the Gospel writers “redacted” or edited their sources; to discern from this redaction the theological emphases of each writer; to determine each author’s purpose in writing; to identify their “setting in life.”

Strengths Affirms that the Evangelists were purposeful writers and not mere compilers of material; by treating the Gospels as wholes, it corrects the approach of form criticism, which looks only at individual units of tradition; it affirms the unique theological contribution of each Evangelist

Weaknesses Sometimes these critics too quickly assume that a saying or story found in only one Gospel was created by the writer; the tendency to think any alteration has theological significance; high degree of subjectivity.

Assignment 2.2 Synoptic Comparison Worksheet

The best way to understand the relationship of the Synoptic Gospels to one another is to carefully compare them yourself. This project helps you to do that.

Directions You can either highlight or underline. Use one color (black pen or yellow highlight) to highlight or underline all of the agreements between Matthew, Mark and Luke. Underline with a blue pen or highlight all the agreements between Matthew and Mark. Underline in a red pen or red highlight, all the agreements between Mark and Luke. Underline in a green pen or highlight all the agreements between Matthew and Luke.

NOTE: Do not worry about getting everything exactly “right” (there will be some exact agreements and some with very minor differences). Your goal is to get general impressions only. If you are not sure if something is an agreement or not, make a quick decision and then move on.

Matthew 22:23-33 Mark 12:18-27 Luke 20:27-40 23 That same day the Sadducees, 18 Then the Sadducees, 27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, who say there is no resurrection, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. came to him with a question. came to Jesus with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without wrote for us that if a man’s wrote for us that if a man’s having children, brother dies and leaves a wife brother dies and leaves a wife his brother must marry the but no children, the man must but no children, the man must widow and raise up offspring marry the widow and raise up marry the widow and raise up for him. offspring for his brother. offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were seven 20 Now there were seven 29 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one brothers. The first one married brothers. The first one married a married and died, and since he and died without leaving any woman and died childless. had no children, he left his wife children. to his brother. 26 The same thing 21 The second one married the 30 The second 31 and then the happened to the second and third widow, but he also died, leaving third married her, and in the brother, right on down to the no child. It was the same with same way the seven died, seventh. the third. 22 In fact, none of the leaving no children. 27 Finally, the woman died. seven left any children. Last of 32 Finally, the woman died too. all, the woman died too. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, 23 At the resurrection whose 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be of the wife will she be, since the seven whose wife will she be, since the seven, since all of them were were married to her?” seven were married to her?” married to her?”

Matt. 22:29 Jesus replied, “You 24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in 34 Jesus replied, are in error because you do not error because you do not know know the Scriptures or the the Scriptures or the power of power of God. God? 30 At the resurrection people 25 When the dead rise, they will “The people of this age marry will neither marry nor be given neither marry nor be given in and are given in marriage. 35 in marriage; they will be like the marriage; they will be like the But those who are considered angels in heaven. angels in heaven. worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry

nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 31 But about the resurrection of 26 Now about the dead rising— 37 But in the account of the the dead—have you not read have you not read in the Book of burning bush, even Moses what God said to you, Moses, in the account of the showed that the dead rise, for he burning bush, how God said to calls the Lord ‘the God of 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, Abraham, and the God of Isaac, the God of Isaac, and the God of the God of Isaac, and the God of and the God of Jacob.’ Jacob’ ? Jacob’ ? He is not the God of the dead but 27 He is not the God of the dead, 38 He is not the God of the dead, of the living.” but of the living. You are badly but of the living, for to him all mistaken!” are alive.”

33 When the crowds heard this, 39 Some of the teachers of the they were astonished at his law responded, “Well said, teaching. teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 9:1-8 Mark 2:1–12 Luke 5:17–26 9:1 Jesus stepped into a boat, 2:1 A few days later, when Jesus 17 One day Jesus was teaching, crossed over and came to his again entered Capernaum, the and Pharisees and teachers of own town. people heard that he had come the law were sitting there. home. 2 They gathered in such large They had come from every numbers that there was no room village of Galilee and from left, not even outside the door, Judea and Jerusalem. And the and he preached the word to power of the Lord was with them. Jesus to heal the sick. 2 Some men brought to him a 3 Some men came, bringing to 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. him a paralyzed man, carried by paralyzed man on a mat and four of them. tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 4 Since they could not get him to 19 When they could not find a Jesus because of the crowd, they way to do this because of the made an opening in the roof crowd, they went up on the roof above Jesus by digging through and lowered him on his mat it and then lowered the mat the through the tiles into the middle man was lying on. of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he 20 When Jesus saw their faith, said to the man, “Take heart, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, he said, “Friend, son; your sins are forgiven.” your sins are forgiven.” your sins are forgiven.” 3 At this, some of the teachers of 6 Now some teachers of the law 21 The Pharisees and the the law said to themselves, were sitting there, thinking to teachers of the law began themselves, thinking to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 7 “Why does this fellow talk like “Who is this fellow who speaks that? He’s blaspheming! Who blasphemy? Who can forgive can forgive sins but God alone?” sins but God alone?”

4 Knowing their thoughts, 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his 22 Jesus knew what they were spirit that this was what they thinking were thinking in their hearts,

Jesus said, and he said to them, and asked, “Why do you entertain evil “Why are you thinking these “Why are you thinking these thoughts in your hearts? things? things in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your 9 Which is easier: to say to this 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, up and walk’? take your mat and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that 10 But I want you to know that 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on the Son of Man has authority on the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said earth to forgive sins.” So he said earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, to the man, to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go 11 “I tell you, get up, take your “I tell you, get up, take your mat home.” mat and go home.” and go home.” 7 Then the man got up 12 He got up, took his mat 25 Immediately he stood up in and walked out in full view of front of them, took what he had them all. been lying on and went home. and went home praising God. 8 When the crowd saw this, they This amazed everyone 26 Everyone was amazed were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had and they praised God, saying, and gave praise to God. They given such authority to man. were filled with awe and said, “We have never seen anything “We have seen remarkable like this!” things today.”

Matthew 19:13-15 Mark 10:13-16 Luke 18:15-17 13 Then people brought little 13 People were bringing little 5 People were also bringing children to Jesus for him to place children to Jesus for him to place babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for his hands on them, his hands on them. them. But the disciples rebuked them. but the disciples rebuked them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, 14 When Jesus saw this, he was 16 But Jesus called the children indignant. He said to them, to him and said, “Let the little children come to “Let the little children come to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for me, and do not hinder them, for me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs the kingdom of God belongs to the kingdom of God belongs to to such as these.” such as these. such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never God like a little child will never enter it.” enter it.” 15 When he had placed his 16 And he took the children in hands on them, he went on from his arms, placed his hands on there. them and blessed them.

Matthew 9:9-13 Mark 2:13-17 Luke 5:27–32 13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 9 As Jesus went on from there, 14 As he walked along, he saw 27 After this, Jesus went out and he saw a man named Matthew Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at saw a tax collector by the name sitting at the tax collector’s the tax collector’s booth. of Levi sitting at his tax booth. booth. “Follow me,” he told “Follow me,” Jesus told him, “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,

him, and Levi got up and followed 28 and Levi got up, left and Matthew got up and him. everything and followed him. followed him. 15 While Jesus was having 29 Then Levi held a great 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, banquet for Jesus at his house, dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners and a large crowd of tax many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his collectors and others were eating came and ate with him and his disciples, for there were many with them. disciples. who followed him.

16 When the teachers of the law 30 But the Pharisees and the 11 When the Pharisees saw this, who were Pharisees saw him teachers of the law who eating with the sinners and tax belonged to their sect collectors, they asked his disciples: complained to his disciples, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax “Why do you eat and drink with “Why does your teacher eat with collectors and sinners?” tax collectors and sinners?” tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to 31 Jesus answered them, 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, them, “It is not the healthy who need a “It is not the healthy who need a “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. doctor, but the sick. doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I have not come to call the 32 I have not come to call the For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” righteous, but sinners to righteous, but sinners.” repentance.”

Questions

1. Which of the Synoptics agree with each other the most?

Mark and Luke agree with each other the most.

2. What is your impression of the similarities between the following?

Matthew and Mark

Matthew and Mark agree quite a lot.

Matthew and Luke

Matthew and Luke rarely agree with just each other.

Mark and Luke

Mark and Luke agree quite a lot.

3. What are your impressions as to which Gospel(s) might be using another (or others) as a source?

Matthew and Luke are using Mark, or Mark is using both.

Assignment 2.3 Redaction Criticism Project

Redaction criticism examines the process of editing whereby an author/editor (redactor) utilized sources to develop a particular narrative perspective and emphasize certain theological themes. In this assignment you will compare several Synoptic passages, seeking to determine redactional purposes.

Directions Compare the Synoptic Gospels on each of the passages below. Answer these questions: (1) What differences do you see? (2) What theological purposes might lie behind these differences? Be careful about drawing firm conclusions when differences might be of style rather than substance.

Appearance of John the Baptist Mark 1:2-4 Luke 3:3-6 He (John) went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is send my messenger ahead of you, who will written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths straight paths for him.’” And so John came, for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every baptizing in the desert region and preaching a mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. sins. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

(1) What differences do you see?

Luke says that John went into all the country around the Jordan; Luke includes more of the Isaiah passage.

(2) What theological purposes might lie behind these differences?

By doing this Luke widens the ministry of Jesus to include the salvation of all mankind.

The Baptism of Jesus Mark 1:9-11 At that time Jesus came Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were from Nazareth in Galilee and was being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus And as he was praying, heaven was opened was coming up out of the water, he saw and the Holy Spirit descended on him in heaven being torn open and the Spirit bodily form like a dove. And a voice came descending on him like a dove. And a from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I voice came from heaven: “You are my love; with you I am well pleased.” Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

(1) What differences do you see?

Mark writes of heaven being torn open; Luke writes that Jesus was baptized with the people; Luke indicates that the dove descended in bodily form; in Luke Jesus is praying.

(2) What theological purposes might lie behind these differences?

Variety of possibilities: Luke wants to show the connection between Jesus and the people. He wants to emphasize Jesus’ prayer life.

The Transfiguration Mark 9:2-4 … Jesus took Peter, James Luke 9:28-31 … he took Peter, John and and John with him and led them up a James with him and went up onto a high mountain, where they were all mountain to pray. As he was praying, the alone. There he was transfigured before appearance of his face changed, and his them. His clothes became dazzling clothes became as bright as a flash of white, whiter than anyone in the world lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, could bleach them. And there appeared appeared in glorious splendor, talking with before them Elijah and Moses, who were Jesus. They spoke about his departure, talking with Jesus. which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

(1) What differences do you see?

Luke writes that Jesus was praying before the transfiguration; Luke writes that Jesus’ face became bright as a flash of lightening; Luke writes that Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor; Luke writes about Jesus’ departure which would occur in Jerusalem

(2) What theological purposes might lie behind these differences?

Again emphasis on Jesus’ prayer life, and so intimacy with the Father. Only Luke provides the topic of conversation—his departure (exodus). Luke will place a strong emphasis on Jesus’ ascension.

The Beatitudes Matt. 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-26 Looking at his disciples, he “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs said: is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is Blessed are those who mourn, for they the kingdom of God. will be comforted. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you Blessed are the meek, for they will will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep inherit the earth. Blessed are those who now, for you will laugh. hunger and thirst for righteousness, for Blessed are you when men hate you, when they will be filled. they exclude you and insult you and reject Blessed are the merciful, for they will be your name as evil, because of the Son of shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in Man. heart, for they will see God. Blessed are “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, the peacemakers, for they will be called because great is your reward in heaven. For sons of God. Blessed are those who are that is how their fathers treated the persecuted because of righteousness, for prophets. theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have “Blessed are you when people insult you, already received your comfort. Woe to you persecute you and falsely say all kinds of who are well fed now, for you will go evil against you because of me. Rejoice hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for and be glad, because great is your reward you will mourn and weep. Woe to you in heaven, for in the same way they when all men speak well of you, for that is persecuted the prophets who were before how their fathers treated the false prophets. you.

(1) What differences do you see?

Matthew seems to write from a “spiritual” perspective while Luke looks more to physical needs; Luke’s description of persecution is more concrete than Matthew’s. Luke adds “woes” for the rich and powerful. Luke writes that those who appear to be blessed will experience a reversal in the future.

(2) What theological purposes might lie behind these differences?

Luke is showing Jesus’ compassion for the poor; he then reinforces this by speaking next about those who are physically hungry; Luke has an emphasis on the reversal of fortune not only for the “outsiders” (the ones who were considered without honor) but also for the “insiders” (the ones who were considered honored).

Chapter 3 Reading and Hearing the Gospel Stories: Literary-Critical Methods of Gospel Research

Assignment 3.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 3

1. What is the difference between historical and literary criticism, as defined in the text?

Historical criticism studies and traces the history of the Jesus traditions through its various stages. Literary criticism studies the Gospels as literary wholes.

2. What is the goal of narrative criticism? (See Assignment 3.2 below for the categories of narrative analysis)

The goal is to study how the story functions to produce the desired effect on the reader.

3. Summarize the main goal of each of these other literary methods and identify one strength and one weakness of each of these methods

a. rhetorical criticism

Goal – studies the means of persuasion and rhetorical strategy of authors

Strength – it uses ancient categories to analyze ancient literature

Weakness – This method is less effective with narrative than with epistles since it depends on determining the setting in life of authors and readers, which is less certain with the Gospels.

b. canon criticism

Goal – to study the biblical text as the church’s Scripture

Strength – this method focuses on the unity of the Gospels and their role as inspired Scripture

Weakness – there is a danger in shifting the locus of meaning from author and texts to the reading community

c. structuralism

Goal – to ascertain the deep structure in the story, which will reveal its meaning

Strength – provides a more objective analysis of the narrative

Weakness – it moves meaning from the author to the text, apart from the author’s intention d. reader-response criticism

Goal – to ascertain meaning in the response of the reader

Strength – this method takes into account the importance of the reader in the communication process

Weakness – result is a plethora of subjective responses as to the meaning e. liberation and feminist criticism

Goal – to read the text from a particular viewpoint, in particular, the oppressed, outsider, or minority

Strength – we are enriched when we hear a reading through the eyes of others

Weakness – this methods tends to force concerns into the text f. deconstruction

Goal – to free readers from the oppression of language and other types of oppression

Strength – points out that all communication is imprecise and ambiguous

Weakness – it misses the ability of communication to convey truth, even if only partially

Assignment 3.2 Categories of Narrative Analysis

Summarize the following categories of narrative analysis as discussed in the text. Try to give an example of each.

1. What is the difference between an author, an implied author, and a narrator?

Author – historical person who wrote the gospel Implied author – the literary version of the author as discerned in the text Narrator – the voice we hear telling the story

2. What is the “narrative world” of the text?

The world created by the implied author within which the story takes place

3. What is the evaluative point of view? Whose evaluative point of view do we always get in the Gospels?

The values, beliefs, and worldview that the reader is expected to adopt in order to judge the events and characters of the narrative

In the Gospels we always get the evaluative point of view of God

4. What is an implied reader? How is this different from a real reader?

An imaginary person who responds appropriately to the narrative strategy

A real reader is the actual reader, either ancient or modern

5. What is an event? A scene? An act?

Event – (also known as incidents or scene parts) refers to any actions or sayings by a character Scene – (also known as an episode) is a group of related events Act – a group of related scenes

6. What are the basic features of a plot?

Causation, conflict, climax, resolution

7. What is “story time”? Identify a place in the Gospels where story time speeds up or jumps forward. When does story time slow to close to the pace of real time?

Story time concerns the passage of time in the narrative world of the text

Matt 9:35 summarizes weeks or months into one sentence

Story time usually slows when the writer wants to emphasize something

8. What is the difference between flat and round characters? Dynamic and static characters?

Flat characters are simple, one-dimensional and predictable

Round characters are complex and often unpredictable

9. What kinds of settings do narratives have? Give an example of each.

Local settings - Galilee

Temporal settings – one day he was teaching (Luke 5:17)

Social-cultural settings – the gospel narratives take place during the Roman occupation of Palestime in the first century AD

10. Define the following terms and give an example of each from the Gospels.

a. Chiasm – inverse parallelism, a series repeats itself in reverse order ABBA, John 1:1-18

b. Inclusio – a “bookend” structure in which the narrator identifies the boundaries of a section, Luke 2:40 and 52 are the bookends for 2:41-51

c. Intercalation – one story is inserted in the middle of another, Mark 11:12- 25, the cleansing of the temple, is in the middle of the story of the withered fig tree

d. Situational irony – when events themselves are ironic

e. Verbal irony – when a character speaks ironically

Assignment 3.3 Narrative Analysis of a Gospel Text

Read Mark 2:1-12

1. What is the setting of this episode? What is the significance of Capernaum (see 1:21; 3:1-6)?

The setting is a home in Capernaum

This was his base of operations in Galilee; he had already healed on the Sabbath there in Mark’s Gospel.

2. What role do the crowds play in the drama?

They are a hindrance to the paralyzed man seeking healing; they are the witnesses of the healing and praise God for it, in contrast to the religious leaders.

3. What would be the reaction of the “implied reader” in verse 5? In verse 12? v. 5 – They would be shocked that a mere man was forgiving sins v. 12 – They would be convinced that God had acted because of the man’s healing

4. How does an “omniscient” narrator aid in the telling of the story?

He knows what all the characters are thinking, including the religious leaders and Jesus himself.

5. Note some features of the story that provide it with drama and color.

The 4 friends are persistent, the lowering of a mat through the roof, the presence of teachers who don’t wait for the evidence of healing, but make judgment; these teachers provide statements that unintentionally validate who Jesus is.

Part Two The Setting of the Gospels

Chapter 4 The Historical Setting of the Gospels

Assignment 4.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 4

1. Fill in the blanks in the table below, identifying the various empires that ruled over Israel from the Old Testament to the New Testament period.

Assyrian Empire 722–605 BC Babylonian Empire 605–539 BC Persian Empire 539–334 BC Macedonian-Greek Empire 334–166 BC • Conquests of Alexander the Great 334–323 BC • Ptolemaic Domination of Israel 323–198 BC • Seleucid Domination of Israel 198–166 BC Jewish independence won by the Maccabees 166–63 BC The Roman Empire 63 BC–AD 135 • Conquest of Palestine 63 BC • Destruction of Jerusalem AD 70 • Defeat of Second (Bar-Kokhba) Revolt AD 135

2. What is Hellenization? How did the conquests of Alexander the Great result in widespread Hellenization?

Hellenization refers to the spread of Greek language and culture.

He introduced Greek ways throughout the territories he conquered.

3.Where was the Ptolemaic Empire centered? How did the Jews fare under the Ptolemies?

It was centered in Egypt.

They lived in relative peace and prosperity under the Ptolemies.

4. What great Bible translation was produced during the period of the Ptolemies?

The Septuagint (LXX)

5. Where was the Seleucid Empire centered? What actions did Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” take against the Jews?

It was centered in Syria.

He increased taxation and repeatedly looted the treasures of the Jerusalem temple; he sold the office of High Priest; he attempted to eradicate Judaism by banning Sabbath observance, circumcision and by offering pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple.

7. Who sparked the Maccabean revolt? Who led it in the years that followed?

Mattathias, a priest, refused to offer a pagan sacrifice and then killed the Syrian official who had ordered it and the Jew who agreed to do it.

Judas his son, known as Maccabeus (the “hammer”), led the revolt after his father’s death.

8. What Jewish Feast celebrates the cleansing of the temple by the Maccabees?

Hanukkah

9. Who were the Hasmoneans?

The descendants of Mattathias who ruled in Israel after the successful revolt

10. From where did the Pharisees and Essenes emerge? The Sadducees?

The Pharisees and Essenes arose in opposition to the corruption of the Hasmoneans.

The Sadducees came from the supporters of the Hasmoneans.

11. Who was Antipater? Who was Herod the Great? What was the nature and significance of his rule?

Antipater was the advisor to Hyrcanus II, who had been installed as high priest and ethnarch by the Romans

Herod the Great was the son of Antipater and later was appointed king by the Romans.

He was a mix of cleverness, efficiency, and cruelty; he encouraged the development of synagogue communities; he was a great builder.

12. Who was Archelaus and what did he rule?

He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled over Judea, Samaria, and Idumea until he was deposed by the Romans because of misrule.

13. Who was Herod Antipas and what did he rule?

He was a son of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea.

14. What Roman emperor ruled at the time of…

Jesus’ birth? Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian

Jesus’ public ministry? Tiberius

15. What Roman prefect (governor) ruled over Judea during Jesus’ public ministry? Why was he ruling in place of a Jewish king? (Whom did the governors replace?)

Pontius Pilate was the prefect during Jesus’ ministry.

When Archelaus was removed by Rome, Judea converted from a client state to an imperial province.

16. What was the Pax Romana and what emperor established it? How did it aid in the spread of Christianity?

Caesar Augustus inaugurated the Pax Romana, which was an unprecedented period of peace and tranquility throughout the Mediterranean region.

It provided freedom and relative safety for travel throughout the empire.

17. In what year was Jerusalem and the temple destroyed? How did the Jewish revolt of AD 66- 74 change the face of Judaism? What effect did it have on Christianity?

It was destroyed in 70 AD.

The priestly hierarchy lost its influence and eventually disappeared; the synagogue replaced the temple sacrificial system.

Christians saw it as judgment on the Jews who had rejected Jesus and the beginning of a new era of salvation.

18. Who was Johanan ben Zakkai? What happened at Jamnia?

He established an academy for the study of the law at Jamnia; this marked the beginning of rabbinic Judaism.

19. Who was Flavius Josephus and why is he important to our study?

He was a Jewish historian, he provided a great deal of knowledge of first-century history.

Assignment 4.2 The Geographical Context

Using one of the maps in the textbook (such as on pages 107 and 419) or a map in a Bible or Bible atlas, identify the following locations on the map below:

Regions Cities Geographical Features Galilee Jerusalem Caesarea Philippi Sea of Galilee Samaria Bethlehem Chorazin Jordan River Judea Bethany Gadara Dead Sea Perea Nazareth Cana Mediterranean Sea Decapolis Nain Sychar Mt. Gerizim Phoenicia Capernaum Caesarea Maritima Mt. of Olives Idumea Tiberias Sidon Mt. Hermon Bethsaida Tyre Mt. Tabor

Chapter 5 The Religious Setting: First-Century Judaism

Assignment 5.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 5

1. Identify the three core beliefs of Judaism upon which all the major groups and parties of Judaism would have agreed. Note how these beliefs distinguished Judaism from pagan religions.

a. Monotheism as opposed to the polytheistic pagan religions.

b. The covenant: Israel as God’s people. God had chosen Israel and set them apart as his special people

c. The Law (Torah): Standards for covenant faithfulness; the Jews were to worship only Yahweh, practice circumcision for all male children, observe a weekly Sabbath rest, and follow special dietary regulations.

2. Place the following categories correctly under the two great pillars of first-century Judaism below:

Priests & Levites Study of Torah (Law) Sadducees Located in Jerusalem Scribes & Rabbis Offering Sacrifices Pharisees Located in many places

TEMPLE SYNAGOGUE COMMUNITIES

Priests & Levites Scribes & Rabbis

Offering Sacrifices Study of Torah (Law)

Sadducees’ center of power and Pharisees’ center of influence influence

Located in Jerusalem Located in many places

3. What role did the temple play in Israel’s national life?

It was the center of Israel’s religious, judicial, and community life.

4. Define the following:

a. Levites – descendants of Levi, they served as assistants to the priests in service at the temple

b. Priests – They were those Levites who were descendants of Aaron; they were to offer daily sacrifices, maintain the temple grounds, collect tithes, pronounce blessings, and perform purification rites.

c. High Priest – The highest priestly office; he was to oversee temple worship, collect taxes and perform many administrative functions.

d. Sanhedrin – the Jewish high court, presided over by the high priest

5. What role did the synagogue play in Jewish life?

Meeting places for worship, education and community gatherings

6. Who were the scribes or teachers of the law?

They were experts in the exposition and interpretation of the law of Moses

7. Identify some of the main beliefs of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

a. Pharisees – strict adherence to the oral traditions as well as the written law; they believed they should follow the purity laws originally intended for priest and Levites; they believed in the resurrection of the dead, took a middle path between the Sadducees’ belief in freewill and the predestination of the Essenes, believed the Messiah, a son of David, would deliver Israel from the foreign oppression of the Romans

b. Sadducees – only the first five books of Moses were fully authoritative Scripture; they rejected the oral traditions of the Pharisees; they were not looking for a messiah (king) from David’s line; they rejected belief in predestination, the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body.

8. Which group’s beliefs continued to thrive after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple?

The Pharisees

9. Who were the Essenes? What is the relationship of the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Qumran community?

Like the Pharisees, they grew out of the Hasidim movement. It is believed by most scholars that a group of Essenes produced the Dead Sea Scrolls.

10. Who were the Zealots? What did they wish to achieve?

They were Jewish insurrectionists who engaged in revolutionary activities against the Roman authorities. Their goal was to overthrow the Roman rulers.

11. Who were the Herodians?

They were active supporters of the pro-Roman Herodian dynasty.

12. What is apocalypticism? What are its main features?

A Jewish movement that arose during times of national crisis and looked to the imminent intervention of God in human history to establish his kingdom, deliver the righteous, judge sinners, and bring in the age to come.

13. What were the primary messianic expectations of first-century Israel?

A Davidic Messiah who would destroy Israel’s oppressors, reestablish her independence, and reign forever on David’s throne in justice and righteousness

14. Write out a very brief definition of the following:

Apocrypha – A collection of Jewish texts written after the Old Testament period. The Apocrypha is rejected by Protestants as authoritative Scripture but accepted by Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Pseudepigrapha – A diverse collection of over 60 intertestamental works, most dated later than the Apocrypha.

Mishnah – Oral traditions of the rabbis, codified in written form in about AD 200. Mostly legal rulings

Talmud – Includes the Mishnah and Gemara, the complete body of Jewish oral law

Targums – Aramaic paraphrases of the Hebrew Scriptures

Midrashim – Rabbinic commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures

Assignment 5.2 Groups within Judaism

Match the following groups in Judaism with their descriptions below. It will help if you have answered the questions in Assignment 5.1. Answer may be used more than once. A. scribes C. priests E. Sadducees G. Zealots B. Levites D. Pharisees F. Essenes H. Herodians

1. _____ The name of this party is probably derived from the Hebrew word for “separatists.” D 2. _____ This group broke away from the Temple leadership and lived in monastic communities like the one at Qumran. F 3. _____ This party probably arose from the supporters of the Hasmonean priesthood. E 4._____ This group of scholars traced their origin back to Ezra. A 5. _____ They advocated the violent overthrow of the government. G 6. _____ Members of this position were descendants of Aaron who offered sacrifices in the Temple. C 7. _____ This Israelite tribe was not given an allotment in the land, serving as assistants to the priests. B 8. _____ Most scholars believe this group produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. F 9. _____ These were “lawyers,” or experts in the Mosaic law. A 10. ____ This party sought to meticulously keep the Law, both oral and written. The apostle Paul was one. D 11. _____ This party dominated the Sanhedrin in Jesus' day. E 12. _____ This group was an apocalyptic sect that viewed itself as the “true Israel.” F 13. _____ Members of this profession are often seen in the Gospels allied with the Pharisees. A 14. _____ This group interpreted Scripture using a method called pesher, where they applied biblical. prophecies to their own situation. F 15. _____ This religious and political party rejected belief in the resurrection. E 16. _____ This group was expecting two Messiahs, one from the line of David and one from the line of Aaron. F 17. _____ As supporters of the Herodian dynasty, this party was politically pro-Roman. H 18. _____ Though the Sadducees had greater political power, this party was more popular with the common people and in the synagogue communities. D 19. _____ This party considered only the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) to be inspired Scripture. E 20. _____ This group was not expecting a Messiah from the line of David, since they already held significant political power. E 21. _____ Those who held out against the Romans at Masada were part of this group. G 22. _____ The beliefs of this group eventually became the main beliefs of rabbinic Judaism. D 23. _____ Their influence as a party collapsed after the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. E

Chapter 6 The Social and Cultural Setting of the Gospels

Assignment 6.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 6

1. What was the nature of first-century family life?

Families were patriarchal, with the extended family all living together; parents were honored; a woman’s honor came through childbearing; large families were the norm; sons were more desirable than daughters.

2. How did first-century weddings and marriages differ from those in the West today?

Marriages were arranged by parents and were within the same socioeconomic class; girls got married generally between 12 and 16; broken engagements required a divorce; weddings were major affairs, the largest and most elaborate events of village life.

3. What role did slavery play in the Roman Empire?

Slavery was not related to race. Many slaves were prisoners of war; some people sold themselves into slavery because of extreme poverty. Slaves could have almost any social status, from managers of huge estates, who could own property and even their own slaves, to lowly galley slaves whose lives were brutal and short. Many slaves were able to purchase their own freedom.

4. What function did meals and banquets have in society?

Formal banquets were rituals of social status. They caused shame and honor in the society.

5. Were most people in the Roman Empire from the upper, middle, or lower classes?

Lower classes

6. What were the most common agricultural products in Israel?

Olives and grapes

7. What was the nature of travel and commerce in the Roman Empire?

Traveling by ship was often the quickest and most efficient, but could be dangerous if there was bad weather or slow if the winds were calm. Road travel was slow and sometimes dangerous, though the vast Roman road system greatly improved travel from previous centuries.

8. Describe some Greco-Roman forms of entertainment and recreation.

Arena games, public baths and gymnasiums for hygiene, exercise and socializing, theaters, athletic contests.

Assignment 6.2 First-Century Social Values

Summarize the significance of each of the following social values and the impact they had on first-century culture, noting how these values may differ from your own cultures’ values.

1. Group mentality vs. individual mentality

In group mentality, identity comes from the group, actions are for the good of the group rather than for the individual. Group mentality has more of an emphasis on the structures of society.

2. Honor and shame

Honor brings status and esteem from others, while shame loses it. Gaining honor is more important than wealth, fame, or power.

3. Family loyalty and allegiance

The goal for children wasn’t to make a better life for themselves or even their parents, but to guard the traditions, status, and honor of the family and to keep the bonds strong.

4. Hospitality

This is a fundamental value and includes welcoming strangers. A host was expected to meet the needs of a guest, and to offer the guest the best of food and lodging.

5. The significance of social status

Everyone knew his/her place in life, who was above and who was below.

6. Patronage and client/patron relationships

The patron or benefactor provides favors to a client of lower status; in return the patron expects loyalty, obedience, and honor from the client.

Assignment 6.3 Social Values Illustrated in Luke’s Gospel

Read the following Gospel texts. How might what you have learned about the social/cultural world of the Gospels in Chapter 6 inform your reading of these texts?

1. Luke 7:36-50. Deal with issue of social status at meals, the social interaction of men and women, ritual purity and hospitality.

For the Pharisee, the woman was of a lower social status. The forgiving of a debt would have been seen as acquiring honor for the moneylender. Simon did not do the basics of hospitality, while the woman showed great love through her great hospitality.

2. Luke 10:38-42. Deal with issues of first-century social roles of men and women and the qualifications of discipleship.

It is shocking that Mary would take the position of a disciple of Jesus, instead of fulfilling the traditional role of women. While Martha takes what was considered the appropriate role for women (domestic service), Jesus says Mary has chosen what is better. A woman’s greatest role is as a disciple of Jesus.

3. Luke 11:5-8. Deal with issues of first-century family sleeping arrangements, hospitality, and shame and honor. The NIV 2011 has a footnote in v. 8 on the phrase “yet because of his boldness” which reads “yet to preserve his good name….” How might this change the interpretation of the passage?

While in our Western world, the obnoxious and offensive person would be the one knocking in the middle of the night since his friend would have had to climb over his family to get to the door. The parable would be about persistence in prayer. But some scholars insist that in a Middle Eastern context, it is the man who at first refuses to get up who is being offensive, since hospitality is of greatest importance. In order not to be shamed, the whole community should work to provide hospitality for the guest. In this case the parable indicates that God will certainly not be shamed. He will take care of his people when they ask.

4. Luke 14:7-11; 14:12-14. Deal with issues of social status at meals, honor and shame, and reciprocity.

Being at a lower place would not be as shameful as having a host ask a man to move to a lower place, which may be lower than he would have been at if he hadn’t tried to elevate himself.

The expectation was that if a man gave to others by hosting a party, the others would be expected to pay the person back in the future by inviting him to their party. This kind of reciprocity could not be practiced by the poor, who had no

money to host a party. So it was shocking for Jesus to encourage people to invite the poor to their parties.

5. Luke 14:15-24. Deal with issues of social status and honor and shame.

When hospitality was offered, the recipient was expected to receive it. Coming up with excuses would have been disrespectful to the host.

Part Three The Four Gospels

Chapter 7 Mark: The Gospel of the Suffering Son of God

Assignment 7.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 7

1. Describe Mark’s literary style.

Mark has a fast-moving narrative style with vivid descriptions of persons and events.

2. Define the following common Markan literary devices

Intercalation

He “sandwiches” one event between the beginning and end of another.

Triads

He likes to present his events or scenes in sets of threes.

Irony

He presents many situations that are ironic.

3. How is Jesus presented in the first half of the Gospel? In what ways does he demonstrate his authority?

For the first half, Jesus is presented as the mighty Messiah and Son of God. He demonstrates his authority through announcing the kingdom, calling disciples, healings, exorcisms, controlling nature, and in various other ways.

4. What is the relationship between the Beelzebul controversy in 3:22-30 and the two incidents relating to Jesus’ family (3:20-21, 31-35)? What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus’ family thought he was out of his mind, and the teachers of the law ascribed his actions to being possessed by Satan. The point is that Jesus’ own people are rejecting him, so that Jesus says his true family are those who do the will of his Father.

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ascribes the actions of the Spirit to Satan instead of God.

5. Why does Jesus teach in parables, according to Mark 4:10-12?

To reveal secrets of the kingdom of God to the disciples but to conceal them from those who have rejected Jesus’ kingdom preaching

6. What is the key turning point in Mark’s narrative, the “hinge” on which the Gospel story turns?

Peter as the chief representative of the disciples confesses that Jesus is “the Christ,” but Jesus defines the Messiah’s role as one of suffering and sacrifice.

7. What significance does the first passion prediction have coming immediately after Peter’s confession?

The disciples are confronted with the idea that the Christ will suffer, which in their minds means he will be defeated.

8. Describe the three cycles of passion predictions and responses. What verse serves as a key theme verse for Mark’s Gospel?

Each time Jesus predicts that he will suffer, the disciples demonstrate some act of pride or self-centeredness. Each time following their response, Jesus teaches on servant leadership and the suffering role of a true disciple.

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

9. What is allegorized in the parable of the wicked tenant farmers? What does each character represent? To what Old Testament passage does this parable allude?

The history of God’s dealings with Israel is allegorized.

The religious leaders are the tenant farmers over God’s vineyard; the prophets are the owner’s messengers; Jesus is the owner’s son

Isaiah 5, the Song of the Vineyard

10. What impression of Jesus’ crucifixion is given in Mark’s narrative?

The crowds try to humiliate him; the disciples desert him; Jesus feels deserted by the Father. From a merely worldly perspective, Jesus’ mission has been a failure.

11. What does the centurion at the foot of the cross say? How does this illustrate an important theme in Mark’s Gospel?

“Surely this man was the Son of God!”

The important theme is that through Jesus’ suffering and death he confirms his role as the Messiah and Son of God. The irony of a Roman soldier recognizing who Jesus was points to the fact that the gospel will eventually go to the Gentiles.

12. Why is Mark’s resurrection account so unusual? What textual problem occurs at the end of Mark’s Gospel?

The gospel ends with an angel speaking to the women telling them to go and tell others that Jesus had risen. Instead they run away in fear and tell no one.

Verses 16:9-20 are not in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts

13. How is Jesus’ identity gradually revealed in Mark’s Gospel? Describe its gradual recognition.

Though the reader knows who Jesus is from the first line, his identity is only gradually revealed. At his baptism God identifies him as his Son. Then the reader is told the demons recognize him; next Peter confesses but fails to comprehend that this involves suffering. Finally, the centurion recognizes that he is the Son of God in his suffering.

14. What messianic title does Jesus most often use for himself in Mark’s Gospel? What is its significance?

Son of Man. It identifies him as a true human being, but also as the exalted Messiah of Daniel 7:13–14.

15. Mark places great emphasis on the disciples in his Gospel. What role do they play and how does this relate to Mark’s theme of discipleship?

Despite their special status and responsibility, they are more often examples of failure than success. They present the negative model, while Jesus presents the positive one.

16. What role do the “minor characters” in Mark’s Gospel play?

They present the right response to Jesus; they tend to demonstrate faith.

17. What does the “kingdom of God” mean in Mark’s Gospel?

The kingdom refers to God’s sovereign rule. It is both a present reality and a future reign.

18. What is Mark’s three-fold narrative purpose according to the textbook?

a. to confirm that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah and Son of God, the inaugurator of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of Israel’s promises

b. to show that he fulfills these promises in a surprising way – not through conquest, but through servanthood and suffering

c. to call believers to follow in the suffering path of their Messiah and Lord

19. What do we know about John Mark from the New Testament? According to church tradition, whose version of the Gospel did Mark record?

He was the son of Mary in whose house the Jerusalem church met; he was the cousin of Barnabas and traveled with Paul and Barabas on the their first missionary journey. Because Mark deserted them on this journey, Paul refused to take him on his second journey. Despite this division, they were eventually reconciled and Paul later refers to Mark as his “fellow worker” (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24) and says he is “profitable to me for ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).

Mark also worked with Peter later in his ministry and is said to have recorded Peter’s version of the gospel.

20. From where and under what historical circumstances was Mark’s Gospel likely written?

From Rome during a time of persecution

Two Guided Reading Projects on Mark’s Gospel The best way to get to know the Gospels is to read through them carefully and identify their narrative and theological themes. These two projects (7.2 and 7.3) are intended to guide your reading and help you draw out Mark’s themes.

Instructions  Read carefully through each section of Mark’s Gospel, answering the questions as you go.  Try to read the text with fresh eyes. Don’t impose your preconceptions about Jesus onto the text, but listen to the story the narrator tells.  Be sure to read the questions under each section before you read that section so you will know what to look for as you read the text.

Note to Instructors: Depending on the nature and length of your course, these projects can be used “as is” or broken up into smaller assignments. Another option is to choose select questions from each project for the students to answer.

Assignment 7.2 Guided Reading Project on Mark 1–8 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Mark 1

1. Why do you think Mark begins his Gospel with the ministry of John the Baptist? (What role does John play in relation to Jesus?) What Old Testament verses are quoted with reference to John?

 John’s ministry links Jesus’ with the Old Testament and the theme of promise/fulfillment  John prepares the way for the Lord  Isaiah 40 and Malachi 3:1

2. How is Jesus’ identity confirmed at his baptism? What does the reader learn about Jesus here?

 A voice from heaven stated that Jesus was his Son and the Spirit descends on him like a dove.  God calls him his Son; he is loved by God and God is pleased with him

3. What message does Jesus proclaim when he begins his public ministry (1:15)? What do you think Jesus means when he says, “the kingdom of God is near”?

 “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near, Repent and believe the good news!”  The prophecies of the Old Testament are coming to fulfillment; God is coming to save his people.

4. Using a literal translation (NASB, KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, ESV), count the number of times the word “immediately”(the Greek term euthus) appears in this chapter. What impression of Jesus’ ministry does the narrator convey with this term?

 In KJV - 17 times in Mark, 13 in Luke, 6 in Matthew and 5 in John; but when the Greek word is searched it appears 40 times in Mark with a total of 49 in all four Gospels  His ministry was happening quickly

5. What do all these episodes—calling disciples, casting out demons, healing many—have in common? What is the response of the crowds to Jesus? What is the narrator trying to teach his reader about Jesus?

 Jesus’ authority  People responded to him as one they should follow and listen to  The people are amazed  Jesus is different from all who had come before

6. Why do you think Jesus forced demons to remain silent (1:34)? Why did he tell the man healed of leprosy not to tell anyone (1:43-44)?

 He didn’t want evil demons proclaiming his identity  He didn’t want the people drawn to the demons just because they said something that was true  He wanted to define his messiahship on his own terms  He knew the crowds would be drawn to him only for what they could get from him

Read Mark 2-3 7. Chapters 2-3 continue the theme of Jesus’ authority. What kind of authority does Jesus demonstrate in these episodes?

2:1–12 – he had the authority, which they knew only God had, to forgive sins

2:13–17 – he had the authority to bring sinners back to God

2:23–28 – he was a higher authority than the law

8. The other theme that begins in chapter 2 is a growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. What actions or words of Jesus provoke each of these conflicts?

Healing the paralyzed man (2:3-12): he forgave sins

Calling Levi to be a disciple (2:14-17): he ate with sinners and tax collectors

Question about fasting (2:18-22): he was not having his disciples fast the way the Pharisees and John’s disciples were fasting

Lord of the Sabbath (2:23–28): he said his actions were above their interpretation of the law

Healing in the synagogue (3:1-6): he violated their understanding of what could be done on a Sabbath

9. What role and responsibilities did Jesus give to the twelve disciples (3:14)? What implications might this have for followers of Jesus today?

 They were to be with him and to be sent out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons

 We are to represent Jesus in the world

 We are also to maintain a closeness with him so that we also can preach and have his authority

10. The scenes of conflict climax in the Beelzebub incident in 3:22-30. What accusation is leveled against Jesus? What proof does Jesus give that he is not acting under Satan’s power?

 They said his power came from Satan  Satan would not have someone loyal to him destroy his own followers

11. What, in this context, is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (3:30)?

 To attribute to Satan the work of the Holy Spirit

12. Notice that the Beelzebub incident (3:22-30) is framed on either side with an account of Jesus’ rejection by his family or relatives (3:20-21; 3:31-35). This “sandwich” or framing technique (known as intercalation) is common in Mark and connects these three incidents to one another. What is their relationship?

 Jesus is rejected by his own people  In all 3 accounts they are not recognizing that what he was doing was from the power of the Holy Spirit

Read Mark 4:1–6:6

13. The Parable of the Sower and the Soils (4:1–20) is meant to reflect the response to Jesus’ preaching among his contemporaries. What is the main theme of this parable?

 All will hear, but not all believe with a depth that lasts

14. Why does Jesus speak in parables (4:10-12; there is a two-fold reason relating to “insiders” and “outsiders”)? What might be the relationship between the Beelzebub controversy and the beginning of Jesus’ teaching in parables?

 Jesus speaks in parables to reveal and to conceal.

 Those who do not really want to understand what he says will remain blind

15. Jesus’ sovereign authority is on full display in this section. Using the phrase “authority over ______” identify the nature of Jesus’ authority in each of the four miracles recounted in this section.

4:35–41 over nature

5:1–17 over the demons

5:21–24, 35–43 over death

5:24–34 over illnesses

16. How are the disciples contrasted with Jesus in the episode of the calming of the storm? (4:35-41)

 They are more terrified, but he is calm  He has great authority, even over nature

17. Notice that despite Jesus’ extraordinary displays of power, the people of his hometown (Nazareth) reject him (6:1-6). What significance might this episode have for Mark’s narrative as a whole? (How might it relate to the Beelzebub episode and the rejection by Jesus’ relatives in 3:20-21 and 3:31-35?)

 This is a continued rejection of Jesus by his own people, despite the miracles and the acknowledgement of his wisdom

Read Mark 6:7-8:26 18. Notice that Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to preach and to heal immediately after his rejection in his hometown. The division between the “insiders” (those who respond positively to Jesus’ kingdom preaching) and the “outsiders” (those rejecting it) is widening. What are the disciples to do on this mission? How does their role relate to Jesus’ role?

 They were to preach that people were to repent and turn back to God and from the response they received they were to discern who had the ears to hear and who didn’t  Thus doing what Jesus has been doing

19. Mark’s “sandwich” technique (cf. 3:20-35; 5:21-43) appears again here as the account of John’s martyrdom is framed on either side by the departure and return of the Twelve. How are the stories related? (Hint: How does what happened to John relate to the role of Jesus’ disciples?)

 In both there is a division between those who believe and those who don’t  John’s faithfulness to the point of death is a model for the disciples on their mission.

20. Jesus’ great popularity continues in the miraculous feeding of 5000 people. Notice the contrast between Jesus’ desire to get away with his disciples and his growing popularity (6:31-33). What does this episode communicate about Jesus’ person, his relationship with his disciples, and his overall mission?

 Jesus replicates the miraculous feeding of the Israelite in the wilderness. His divine authority is like God’s, who provided manna in the wilderness. While the disciples show lack of faith, Jesus trusts God for the miracle.

21. What is the main point of Jesus’ teaching on clean and unclean things in 7:1-23? Contrast this with the perspective of the Pharisees and scribes.

 Jesus was focused on the true meaning of the law and not the traditions that had grown up around the law. The Pharisees were more concerned with rituals and the following of their traditions.

22. Note that the Syrophoenician woman Jesus encounters is a Gentile rather than a Jew (7:24–30). What might be the significance of the account for Mark’s narrative purpose? For whom does Jesus say he has come to minister? Is there foreshadowing here of where the Gospel will ultimately go?

 This takes Jesus’ message to the Gentile  He said he had come first for the Jews  The gospel will ultimately go to the Gentiles

23. The feeding of the 4000 appears to be in the same Gentile region as the previous episodes, and so the crowds are probably Gentiles. Since the first feeding involved Jews, what might the narrator be suggesting with this account?

 Jesus’ compassion for the Gentiles also

24. What problem are the disciples facing in 8:15-21? Are they in danger of going the way of the Pharisees? What is at stake here?

 The disciples were not believing in Jesus’ power  If they continue to not see they could continue further into blindness

Assignment 7.3 Guided Reading Project on Mark 8–16 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Mark 8:27–10:52 1. This passage is a key turning point in Mark’s narrative. What is the significance of Peter’s confession for the progress of Mark’s narrative?

 Peter’s confession marks the high point of the first half of the book. Jesus’ words and deeds have now resulted in recognition that he is indeed the Christ.

2. What transition occurs through Jesus’ teaching immediately after Peter’s confession? How does this serve to clarify Jesus’ role as the Messiah?

 The messiah must first suffer and die in order to fulfill the messianic task.  It clarifies that the Messiah will suffer

3. What do you think is the significance of the Transfiguration account (9:2-13)? Why does Mark records this event here at this point in his narrative?

 It gives the disciples a preview of Jesus’ glory that he will receive after suffering.  It should give confidence on how his story will end.

4. The main theme of this section (chs. 8–10) is the cost and nature of discipleship. In the verses below note the failures of the disciples and how Jesus responds to them.

8:32–38 They failed to believe what Jesus said; he responds by stating the cost of following him or not following will have severe consequences.

9:33–37 They are still thinking that the Messiah will not suffer; Jesus responds by reversing their expectations of what it will mean to follow him.

10:35-45 They continue to fail to see that he will suffer; he responds by stating that there will be a heavy cost for following him and that the disciples will suffer and again gives a reversal of their expectations.

5. What does Jesus say is his role in Mark 10:45? (This verse is often viewed as the theme verse of Mark’s Gospel.)

 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

6. How does the episode of the Rich man (10:17-31) relate to the issue of discipleship? What does he find it impossible to do?

 Having wealth does not guarantee God’s seal of approval.  It is impossible for human beings to be saved by human effort or human resources.

Read Mark 11-12 7. What is the significance of Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem (11:1-11)? Read Zechariah 9:9-13 for the Old Testament background. Based on this OT passage, what public statement is Jesus making about himself and his mission?

 Jesus’ triumphal entry seems to be an intentional fulfillment of Zechariah 9 on Jesus’ part.  He is declaring himself to be the Messiah

8. Notice that the withering of the fig tree is another one of Mark’s framing patterns (intercalation), with the clearing of the Temple (11:15-19) coming between the cursing of the tree and its result (11:12-14; 11:20-21). How might the fig tree incident relate to the Temple clearing? What does the tree and its fate symbolize?

 Both the cursing of the fig tree and the clearing of the temple represent Jesus’ judgment of Israel.

9. The Parable of the Tenants is adapted from the Song of the Vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7. Read this passage in Isaiah then identify each allegorical figure in Isaiah and in Mark.

Isaiah 5:1-7 Mark 12:1-12 The Owner = God The Owner = God__

The Vineyard = Israel The Vineyard = Israel__

The Tenants = the religious leaders__

The Messengers = the prophets__

The Son = Jesus__

What is the main point of this allegorical parable?

 It is the religious leaders who are opposed to God and they will be destroyed in the end

10. Notice that chapters 11-12 contain a series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders. In each case, how does Jesus turn the tables on his opponents?

Authority Questioned (11:27-33) He asks them from where John the Baptist’s authority came from. They refuse to answer since the people believe John is a prophet.

Paying Taxes to Caesar (12:13-17) He tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. He avoids their trap.

Marriage at the Resurrection (12:18-27) He states the institution of marriage will not be in heaven, showing the Sadducees do not understand either Scripture or the power of God.

The Greatest Commandment (12:28-34) He actually affirms this young scribe and says he is not far from the kingdom of God.

The Question of David’s Son (12:35-40) He goes back to Psalm 110:1, in the psalm the son is also called Lord by David. The point is that the Messiah is much more than the son of David. The scribes don’t understand the mission and message of the Messiah.

Read Mark 13–14

11. In the Olivet Discourse (so-called because it was given on the Mount of Olives) Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age. Parts of the discourse are related to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70; other parts refer to the end of the age, for which the destruction of Jerusalem serves as a preview and model. What is the key theme of this discourse? (Hint: see verses 5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37).

 The sermon is about the events related to the end of the age and the key theme is to be alert and prepared.

12. How ought Jesus’ warnings here to guide all speculation today about the end times?

 Rather than trying to figure out when it will occur, we should always be ready.

13. Why is it significant that the Last Supper was a Passover celebration? How does Jesus describe the significance of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in 14:22-24?

 Jesus institutes a new Passover with his own blood accomplishing God’s salvation. Jesus’ own blood is the blood of the covenant that is poured out for many.

14. How does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane contrast with the actions of the disciples?

 Jesus is intensely focused whereas the disciples are not aware of the significance of the coming hours.  Jesus shows faithfulness and obedience to God, while the disciples fall asleep.

15. What accusations are made against Jesus at his trial (14:58, 64)? What does Jesus say that results in a guilty verdict?

 He is accused of speaking against the temple and of blasphemy  He says he is the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One, and that he will sit at the right hand of God

16. How does Peter’s denial (14:66-72) contrast with Jesus’ statements at his trial?

 He denies even knowing Jesus

Read Mark 15–16

17. Read through Mark’s crucifixion scene. With what impressions does it leave you?

 Jesus’ sense of isolation; his innocence; the sense of God’s judgment

18. How is Pilate portrayed? The soldiers? The religious leaders?

 Pilate appears as a weak and vacillating character; he allows a great injustice to occur  The soldiers mocked Jesus and beat him  The religious leaders come across as self-serving and glad to be rid of the threat to their positions

19. Why do you think Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)? What is he experiencing at that moment? You might want to read Psalm 22 to help you answer this question.

 Everyone else had betrayed or abandoned him and now he is feeling abandoned by the one he has always trusted. This may indicate that at this moment the sins of the world are laid on him.

20. What do you think is the significance of the tearing of the curtain in the temple?

 The way to God has been opened  Perhaps a symbol of judgment against Israel.

21. What is the significance of the centurion’s cry (15:39)? Contrast his statement with that of the high priest in 14:61, 63. Is it important for Mark’s story that the centurion is a Gentile? Why?

 The centurion recognizes him as the Son of God, whereas the high priest rejects Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. He accuses Jesus of blasphemy and calls for his death. The centurion’s statement can be seen as a bridge to the Gentiles

22. What is the major textual problem concerning Mark 16:9-20. Read the textbook to find the answer to this. It should also be dealt with in the margin of most translations, in study Bibles or in commentaries.

 It is non-Markan in style, does not seem to fit the previous narrative, seems to be a summary of resurrection appearances in other Gospels.

23. Assuming that Mark intended to end his Gospel at 16:8, what purpose might this rather abrupt ending serve?

 He wanted the readers to be left with a decision. Do they believe he is the Son of God?

24. What does the angel announce about Jesus? In what way are those who read this Gospel like the women who heard the resurrection announcement?

 The angel says Jesus is risen and will meet with his disciples in Galilee  Mark’s readers, like the women, hear the announcement of the resurrection and must make a decision to believe it and proclaim it or not.

25. What is your overall impression of Mark’s resurrection narrative? (16:1–8)

 Mysterious  It starts slowly and then comes to a quick end with the announcement of a miracle that can’t be denied

Summary

26. Summarize in a sentence the portrait of Jesus found in Mark’s Gospel. (What titles does he stress? What kinds of actions? What role does Jesus play?)

 He is the Messiah and Son of God who willingly suffered as a ransom payment for sins.

27. What does Mark’s Gospel teach about discipleship?

 Discipleship is a total commitment that will likely bring sacrifice and suffering.

Chapter 8 Matthew: The Gospel of the Messiah

Assignment 8.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 8

1. What are the two main structural signals that have been identified with Matthew’s “outline”?

At the end of each of Jesus’ five major discourses: “And it came about when Jesus finished these words …”

It occurs twice – “From that time Jesus began to …”

2. What is a fulfillment formula and how does Matthew use these for his narrative purpose?

It is used to demonstrate that the events of Jesus’ life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies

He uses them to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah

3. How does Matthew’s narrative style compare to Mark’s? (Who adds more details? Who is more concise?)

Whereas Mark has a lively expansive style with lots of details, Matthew is generally shorter and more concise

4. What are the key themes of the five major discourses in Matthew’s Gospel?

a. Sermon on the Mount, chs. 5-7

b. Commissioning of the Twelve, ch. 10

c. Parables of the kingdom, ch. 13

d. Church Life and Discipline, ch. 18

e. Woes and Olivet Discourse, chs. 23-25

5. What is Matthew’s theological purpose in his genealogy? Who are the main characters in Matthew’s genealogy, and why?

His purpose is to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the descendant of David born to be king.

The main characters are Abraham and David, because these are two whose key promises were fulfilled through Jesus. Also significant are the 5 women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, the

wife of Uriah, and Mary the mother of Jesus. The inclusion of the women points towards the inclusion of outsiders.

6. What is the key theme of the temptation in Matthew?

Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s role and purpose.

7. What two portraits control Matthew’s Christology?

Jesus as the Messiah and as Immanuel, the Presence and Wisdom of God

8. What title for Jesus does J. D. Kingsbury claim is most important for Matthew? Why?

Son of God; the title appears at critical points in Matthew’s narrative

9. How are the disciples presented in Matthew compared to Mark? How is Peter presented?

Matthew puts the disciples in a more positive light than Mark does. Matthew gives Peter a prominent role.

10. How are the religious leaders presented in Matthew as compared to Mark?

In Matthew, the religious leaders play a more negative role than in Mark.

11. What role do the crowds play?

They are representative of Israel; they are amazed and go to him for healing, but do not grasp who he is

12. What is Matthew’s central theological theme?

Salvation history reaches its goal and purpose in Jesus the Messiah

13. What apparent contradiction surrounds Jesus’ teaching about the law? How would you resolve this difficulty?

On the one hand he teaches the continuity of the law, but on the other hand he appears to abolish aspects of the law at times.

The law came in at a particular time for guidance. As the inaugurator of a new covenant Jesus had the authority to interpret, expand or change how laws would be understood. He is also the fulfillment of the law, since his life, death and resurrection brought in the new age of fulfillment and the law written on our hearts.

14. What is Matthew’s primary narrative purpose?

To demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish hopes for the Messiah

15. What is the likely makeup of Matthew’s audience and what are their circumstances?

They are probably Hellenistic Jews along with some Gentiles debating with the larger Jewish community

16. From where was Matthew’s Gospel likely written (according to many scholars)?

Antioch in Syria

17. What is the evidence that Matthew the tax collector was the author of this Gospel?

Primarily church tradition

Two Guided Reading Projects on Matthew’s Gospel The best way to get to know the Gospels is to read through them carefully and identify their narrative and theological themes. These two projects (8.2 and 8.3) are intended to guide your reading and help you draw out Matthew’s themes.

Instructions  Read carefully through each section of Matthew’s Gospel, answering the questions as you go.  Try to read the text with fresh eyes. Don’t impose your preconceptions about Jesus onto the text, but listen to the story the narrator tells.  Be sure to read the questions under each section first so you will know what to look for as you read the text.

Note to Instructors: Depending on the nature and length of your course, these projects can be used “as is” or broken up into two or more smaller assignments. Another option is to choose select questions from each project for the students to answer.

Assignment 8.2 Guided Reading Project on Matthew 1–14 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Matthew 1-2 1. Who are the most important figures in Matthew’s genealogy? (Hint: look at the beginning and end of the genealogy.) Why do you think these two are important? For a clue, see the covenant from God each receives in Genesis 12:1-3 and 2 Samuel 7:12–16?

 Abraham and David; Abraham received the promise that his descendants would be the vehicle of God’s blessings to all people and David was promised that God would give the throne to one of his descendants and it would be an eternal kingdom.

2. Why do you think Matthew begins his Gospel with this genealogy? (Why is it important for the narrator to identify certain of Jesus’ ancestors?)

 His theme is that Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s role and purpose. He needs to show Jesus’ connection to David and Abraham.

3. What role do the Magi (wise men) play in the story? Do you think it is significant for Matthew’s purpose that they are foreigners (Gentiles)? How so?

 It shows God’s purpose for his salvation to go to the Gentiles. They recognize and respond correctly to Jesus as a king

4. Identify the various dreams that occur in these first two chapters. What is their role in the narrative? (What point is the narrator trying to communicate about the story and about God’s actions with these dreams?)

 Joseph’s dream – it showed that Mary being pregnant was an act of God.  The magi’s dream – just as they recognized Jesus’ importance they listened to God through the dream on what they should do. Doing that helped to protect Jesus and maybe themselves  Joseph’s 2nd dream – Joseph listened and obeyed, recognizing it was God leading him to go to Egypt  Joseph’s 3rd dream – Again Joseph listened and obeyed, recognizing it was God leading him to return  Joseph’s 4th dream – Again Joseph listened and obeyed, recognizing it was God leading him to go to Galilee rather than back to Nazareth

5. Identify the places the narrator refers to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. (Check marginal notes in your Bible to determine where the prophecy comes from.) What point is the narrator trying to make about the events that are unfolding?

 1:2 and 1:6 – Jesus is a descendant of David and Abraham  1:23 from Isa 7:14. In Isaiah the writer is referring to a young woman, Matthew applies the passage to Jesus because it spoke of God with us  2:16 from Hosea 11:1, where it is Israel God is calling out of Egypt, Matthew is connecting the life of Jesus with the life of the nation Israel  2:18 from Jer. 31:15 – Rachel through Joseph is the ancestor of Ephraim and Manasseh and her weeping relates to her descendants being carried off to Babylon. Matthew connects her emotion to that of the mothers of the slain babies.  2:23 – for this one Matthew does not cite a direct quotation. Neither Nazareth or Nazarene appear in the Old Testament

Read Matthew 3-4

6. What is the central message of John the Baptist (3:2)? How is this theme developed in John’s preaching in verses 7-12?

 Repent, the kingdom of Heaven has come near  The repentance is to turn back to God, and demonstrate in their lives true worship, because judgment is coming.

7. The question has been raised why, if Jesus was sinless and superior to John, he submitted to John’s “baptism of repentance.” How does Matthew’s narrative explain this?

 John says the purpose is “to fulfill all righteousness.” This probably means that, as the one who will fulfill Israel’s role, he needs to identify with Israel. 56

8. Look up Deuteronomy 8:2-3, the first Old Testament passage Jesus quotes in response to Satan’s temptations (4:7). Who is being tested in this Old Testament passage and how does this relate to Jesus temptation? (What analogy is being drawn?)

 In Deuteronomy the reference is to Israel not depending on God. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeds.

9. The narrator says that Jesus’ move to Galilee was a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2. Go back and read Isaiah 9:1-7. Why might the narrator be interested in this prophecy? (Hints: With whom is Galilee associated? Upon whose throne will the Messiah reign?)

 In Isaiah the writer is referring to lands that had been taken over by the Assyrians. This was the first part of Israel to feel God’s judgment and will now be the first to see God’s salvation. The narrator is interested in this prophecy because it shows that the Messiah will be from the line of David, which Jesus was, and that he will come from Galilee, which Jesus did.

10. Summarize the key aspects of Jesus’ ministry, according to Matthew 4:18-22 and 4:23-25.

 He called disciples who would be the beginning of a new Israel; he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom; he healed and cast out demons

Read Matthew 5-7

11. The “Sermon on the Mount” is the first of five major discourses, or teaching sections, in Matthew. Read through the sermon and see if you can summarize its central theme or themes in a few phrases.

 Those who have been considered not blessed, will be blessed; those who follow Jesus will experience persecution from the same group of people who persecuted the prophets; his disciples were to be witnesses of him by their lives; God’s law will be honored; he reinterprets the law and expands on it.

12. Six times Jesus reinterprets or clarifies the Law with the antithesis, “You have heard it said… But I say to you….” In what way does he clarify the commands against murder, adultery and divorce (5:21-22, 27-30, 31-32)?

 Murder – it is more than the actual act; Jesus condemns the anger it grows out of.  Adultery – they defined adultery as a man having sexual relations with another man’s wife; Jesus goes beyond and condemns the one who lusts after a woman—adultery of the heart

 Divorce – Jesus appears to counter the allowance for divorce in the OT and the easy-divorce policy of some Pharisees. He points to marriage as a sacred covenant that should not be broken.

13. Summarize Jesus’ teaching concerning the Law. What might it mean to “fulfill the Law” (5:17)?

 Jesus both describes the true intent behind the law and also indicates that his coming will forever transform the law and its role. God’s law will henceforth entail an internal transformation not just external rules.

14. The actions addressed in 6:1-18—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—were considered the three pillars of Jewish piety. What does Jesus teach here about how these good deeds ought to be practiced? How does this fit with the main theme(s) of the sermon?

 They should be practiced out of the limelight. They should be practiced for God alone, not for human praise.

15. How does the so-called “Golden Rule” in 7:12 fit into the overall theme of the sermon?

 We are to treat others as we want to be treated, this sums up the whole law.

16. Notice how the narrator concludes the sermon (7:28). Each of Jesus’ sermons in Matthew ends with a statement like, “When Jesus had finished saying these things….” What contrast does the narrator draw between Jesus and the religious leaders?

 The religious leaders claimed authority from tradition while Jesus claims to have authority of his own.

Read Matthew 8-10

17. In chapters 8 and 9 the narrator relates stories that illustrate the nature of Jesus’ ministry. What key themes are introduced?

 Jesus’ healing and casting out demons; Gentiles showing faith; the high cost of discipleship; Jesus’ authority over nature; Jesus has the authority to forgive sins; Jesus having fellowship with “outsiders”

18. What conflict begins in these chapters?

 His confrontations with the religious leaders

19. In what ways does the episode in 9:27-34 summarize the various themes of these two chapters? (Note, too, the summary statement in 9:35.)

 Jesus demonstrates who he is by his healings, but wants to define what kind of Messiah he will be.

20. The theme of the cost of discipleship that is introduced in 8:18-22 is developed in detail in Jesus’ commission to the Twelve in chapter 10 (the second major discourse in Matthew’s Gospel). Try to summarize the essence of Jesus’ instruction in a few phrases or sentences.

 Don’t acquire possessions; trust in God; accept hospitality  Be shrewd, but innocent  You will be persecuted; following Jesus will come at a cost

21. Why do you think Jesus chose and sent out 12 disciples (ch. 10)? In what way does Jesus limit the disciples’ ministry in 10:5? Why might this be?

 Twelve relates to the 12 tribes of Israel  His ministry was first to call Israel back to its original purpose

Read Matthew 11-14

22. What might have caused John the Baptist to question Jesus’ messiahship? (What kind of a Messiah was John looking for?) In his response to John, how does Jesus define his ministry?

 John expected a strong messiah who would defeat the Romans, but John is sitting in jail. Jesus defines his ministry in terms of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isa 35:4-6, the one who would bring salvation

23. The controversies with the religious leaders intensify in chapter 12. What are the indications of this intensification? (See especially verses 10, 14, 24, 30-32, 34, 39.)

 10 – they looked for a reason to bring charges against him; 14 – they plotted how they might kill him; 24 – they attributed his miracles to Satan; 30-32 – he accuses them of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; 34 – he calls them evil and claims their hearts are evil; 39 – he calls them wicked and adulterous, Jonah’s message was one of judgment if the people of Nineveh did not repent

24. The collection of parables of the kingdom in chapter 13 is the third of Jesus’ five major discourses in Matthew. How does Jesus’ teaching in parables relate to his rejection by the religious leaders? (What is the purpose of the parables, according to 13:10-16?)

 The parables were meant to reveal to those who had ears to hear, but to conceal from those who rejected Jesus

25. Identify (briefly!) the main point of each of the parables of the kingdom in chapter 13.

The Parable of the Sower

 Of all who hear the gospel, some will reject, some will respond but will fade, some will respond and stay strong and cause others to believe

The Parable of the Weeds

 In the midst of those who believe there will be those who do not, but rather than trying clear them we are to focus on growing and let Jesus do the weeding out

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

 Kingdom life may look small and unimportant, but it will grow

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Value

 Attaining the kingdom of heaven is the highest value

The Parable of the Net

 At the end of the age, the angels will separate the righteous from the wicked

26. Notice that Jesus is rejected in his hometown (13:54–58) immediately before Matthew tells the story of the execution of John the Baptist (14:1–12). What common theme do we see in these two passages?

 Jesus’ hometown did not see his value and rejected him, just as Herod did not see the value of John the Baptist and rejected him.

Assignment 8.3 Guided Reading Project on Matthew 15–28 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Matthew 15-18

1. How does the account of the Canaanite woman in 15:21-28 relate to the theme of the rejection of Jesus?

 The Jews who should have recognized Jesus did not while a Gentile does

2. In what way is the question of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in 16:1 ironic? (Hint: note the series of powerful “nature miracles” in chapters 14-15.) What is the significance of Jesus’ reply?

 They asked for a sign and yet that is exactly what he has been doing. In his reply he accuses them of recognizing signs of nature, but fail to see his miracles. His message is that judgment will come to those who do not repent.

3. In what ways does Peter’s confession and Jesus’ response (16:13-20) reveal a growing understanding on the part of the disciples?

 They recognize he is from God and Peter recognizes him as the Messiah,

4. How does Jesus correct Peter’s misconceptions about the Messiah in his teaching that follows the confession (16:21-23)?

 Peter expects him to be the warrior messiah who will defeat the Romans and vindicate Jews; Jesus states that the Messiah must suffer and die. Peter’s rejection of this truth is Satanic.

5. What role might the transfiguration (17:1-13) play in relation to Jesus’ teaching about his suffering and death?

 The transfiguration provides assurance that after suffering there will be vindication.

6. Chapter 18 is Jesus’ fourth major discourse in Matthew. Read through this chapter and summarize its major theme or themes.

 Don’t cause fellow believers to sin  God desires to seek and protect those who trust him  Procedures for dealing with sin in the church  The need to forgive others as we have been forgiven

7. According to 18:15-20, what steps should believers take when confronting a sinning brother or sister?

 Speak one-on-one with the person, if the person resists go again with one or two others, if the person still resists go with the community of believers, if the person still won’t listen treat him as an unbeliever

Read Matthew 19-22

8. What does Jesus teach about divorce in 19:3-9? Notice Jesus’ use of “permitted” (v. 8) instead of the Pharisees’ “commanded” (v. 7). Why did Moses permit divorce (Deut. 24:1-4)? Why is divorce an inappropriate option for the people of the kingdom? (Consider Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.)

 God is the only one who can regulate the husband-wife relationship. Moses permitted it but did not command it.  As people of the kingdom, any issues in a marriage should be able to be resolved since in Christ we are already reconciled to God and therefore through repentance, forgiveness, and humility we should live out reconciliation with each other.

9. In the story of the rich young man, the man’s dependence on his riches makes it impossible for him to be saved. How does Jesus say someone can be saved (19:26)? How does the parable that follows in 20:1-16 illustrate this principle?

 God alone has the power to save someone; we cannot earn salvation by our wealth or resources; those who trust in riches for salvation cannot be saved.  The parable teaches that salvation is a free gift of grace, not merit earned.

10. From whom does the request for chief seats in the kingdom for James and John come in 20:20-28? Compare this with Mark 10:35. Considering Matthew’s presentation of the disciples, why might he have drawn this distinction?

 Their mother  In light of Matthew’s more positive presentation of the disciples, he would like to present them in a more favorable light, so it is the mother who asks.

11. According to Matthew, Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem on a colt fulfills Zechariah 9:9 (21:4-5). In what ways does this Old Testament passage fit well with Matthew’s portrait of Jesus?

 Riding on a colt presents a humble messiah rather than a warrior.

12. What do Jesus’ actions in the temple (21:12-13) and the account of the withered fig tree (21:18-19) have in common?

 They relate to judgment on Israel

13. The three parables, the Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32), the Parable of the Tenants (21:33-45), and the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (22:1-14), all serve to summarize what is happening in Jesus’ ministry. Briefly note what each teaches.

The Two Sons

 What God wants is those who do his will, those who only give lip service will be rejected

The Tenant Farmers

 Just as the prophets were persecuted and killed, so the religious leaders will kill Jesus. Yet he will be vindicated and they will be judged.

The Wedding Banquet

 God has been yearning for his people to come to him, but they have rejected him and even killed those he sent. With their rejection, God’s invitation goes out to all; some who are invited will come but will fail to honor God in the right way.

14. Notice that the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders intensifies in this section. In what ways do they challenge him and attempt to trap him? What is the conclusion of these conflicts (22:46)?

 They try to trap him by getting him to say something they could use against him before the Roman authorities and by asking him a theological question hoping his answer can be used against him.  They failed to put him in a bad light.

Read Matthew 23-25

15. Chapters 23-25 represent the fifth major discourse in Matthew. Criticism of the religious leaders is particularly severe in Matthew’s Gospel, more so than in the other Synoptics. Read through chapter 23 and identify Jesus’ main points of criticism against scribes and Pharisees. (What characteristics does he attack most?)

 He attacks their hypocrisy the most. He also criticizes their desire to be honored, the burdens they lay on the people, how they interpret the law in such a way as to benefit their way of life, their failure to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

16. The end of chapter 23 (23:33-39) functions as a narrative introduction for the topic discussed in Jesus’ discourse on the Mount of Olives (the Olivet Discourse). What is the relationship between these passages?

 He accuses them of acting like their fathers in how they persecuted the prophets and messengers God had sent and that they will face judgment and what they honor the most, the temple, will be destroyed.

17. What two questions by the disciples prompt Jesus’ Olivet Discourse? Try to discern at what points in the discourse Jesus is answering each question. What is the main answer to each question?

1. When will the temple be destroyed? Jesus provides signs (like the abomination that causes desolation) that will mark its destruction. 2. What will be the sign of Jesus’ coming and of the end of the age? There will be wars and turmoil, Jesus’ followers will be persecuted and the gospel will be preached to all nations, but Jesus did not know exactly when the end would come.

18. With what important theme does the discourse begin and end (24:4, 42-44; 25:13)?

 Keep watch, be ready, many will come trying to deceive

19. How do the three main parables associated with Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Ten Virgins [25:1–13], Talents [25:14–30], Sheep and Goats [25:31–46]) illustrate this key theme?

 Five virgins were ready and entered the kingdom and five were not, they were excluded; two servants remained faithful and one did not and was rejected; those who have been compassionate towards God’s people will be brought into the kingdom, those who have not will be rejected

Read Matthew 26-28

20. In what ways are Jesus’ actions and attitudes in chapter 26 starkly contrasted with the actions and attitudes of the disciples?

At the anointing in Bethany (26:6-13):

 Jesus commends the woman for her devotion while the disciples criticize her for the waste of money.

During the Last Supper (see 26:31-35):

 Peter will fall away and deny Jesus, while Jesus will remain faithful to his calling.

In Gethsemane (26:36-46):

 Jesus is alert and focused because he knows what is coming while the disciples still do not see the suffering that will come.

At his arrest (26:47-56):

 Jesus is calm, accepting what will happen while the disciples are ready to fight to keep it from happening.

At his trial (26:57-75; compare Jesus’ actions with Peter’s):

 Peter is afraid of what might happen to him while Jesus accepts and boldly speaks to the Sanhedrin and the priests.

21. How are the religious leaders portrayed by the narrator at Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin (26:57-68)? (Identify their character traits as revealed in the narrative.) What charges are brought against Jesus at his trial?

 They were devious, looking for any charges regardless of the truth of it. They wanted him to state who he was to use it against him. The irony was the truth they wanted to use was the very truth that should have had them worshipping him rather than killing him. They accuse him of blasphemy.

22. How is Pilate portrayed in Jesus’ trial (27:11-26)? (Identify his character traits as revealed in the narrative.)

 He was more concerned with protecting his position than doing what was right. He was arrogant, trusting in his own wisdom rather than listening to his wife. He chose to blame others for actions he was responsible for.

23. Identify the events that occur at the moment Jesus dies. What might be the significance of each of these?

 The curtain in the temple was torn in two, the earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  The curtain that represented God’s separation from the people was torn and the bodies coming out of the tombs were symbolic of the end times resurrection.

24. Compare Matthew’s resurrection narrative with Mark’s. What key differences do you see? What is the narrator trying to communicate?

 Matthew’s is more dramatic and colorful; the earthquake is reminiscent of OT perspective of the earth shaking when God would come; Mark ends abruptly with the women too afraid to tell the disciples; in Matthew the women meet Jesus on the way, worship him and then go to tell the disciples

 Jesus comforts the women and confirms his resurrection

25. What is the significance of the Great Commission (28:18-20) in the context of Matthew’s portrait of Jesus? (What does it teach about his death and resurrection?) What is its significance in relation to the portrait of the disciples? (What does it teach about their restoration and mission?)

 The good news was to go through the Jews to the rest of the world. Jesus’ resurrection marks the beginning of the new age.  Despite their failures he still entrusts them with the authority to take the gospel to the nations.

Summary

26. Summarize in a sentence the portrait of Jesus found in Matthew’s Gospel?

 He is the fulfillment of the promises that Abraham’s descendants would be a blessing to the world.

27. What does Matthew’s Gospel teach about the church?

 The church is to be a blessing to the world by sharing the gospel and by living as kingdom people.

Chapter 9 Luke: The Gospel of the Savior of the World

Assignment 9.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 9

1. What do we mean by the literary and theological “unity” of Luke-Acts?

Theological means they share the same theological themes and emphases. Literary means Luke-Acts is one essential story from beginning to end.

2. How does Luke’s literary style compare to the other Gospels?

Luke-Acts presents some of the finest Greek in the New Testament.

3. Why does Luke introduce such a strong Jewish emphasis in the birth narrative?

He is showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

4. What is the central theme of Luke’s birth narrative? What two structural features carry this theme forward?

The arrival of God’s salvation and the fulfillment of his promises to Israel

The two features are the dual accounts of the births of Jesus and John and the series of birth narrative hymns or songs of praise.

5. What are the two main theological themes of the episode of the boy Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem?

Jesus’ growing awareness of his unique father-son relationship with God and Jesus’ growth in wisdom.

6. What is unique about Luke’s presentation of the ministry of John the Baptist?

Luke includes up to Isa 40:5 confirming the worldwide significance of John’s announcement; only Luke recounts John’s ethical teachings.

7. What is the main emphasis of Luke’s genealogy? How does it compare to Matthew’s?

Luke’s genealogy goes back to Adam while Matthew only went to Abraham. The implication is that salvation will be available to all humanity

8. What is the theme of Luke’s temptation account (Luke 4:1–11)? With whom is Jesus contrasted?

The theme is the obedience of the Son to the Father; Jesus is contrasted with Israel and Adam

9. How is Jesus’ Nazareth sermon (Luke 4:14–30) important for Luke’s narrative purpose?

Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth foreshadows his coming rejection by his own people, Israel.

10. What are the main features of Jesus’ Galilean ministry?

Jesus proclaims the message of the kingdom of God, calls disciples, and performs miracles.

11. In what way is Peter’s confession a key turning point in the narrative?

It is the climax of the first stage of Jesus’ self-revelation; he radically clarifies the role of the Messiah.

12. How does the transfiguration in Luke prepare for Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem? How is Luke’s description of this event unique?

Whereas Matthew and Mark report a preview of Jesus’ second coming, Luke looks to the heavenly glory of Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation. In Luke Jesus talks about Jesus’ “departure” (exodus) that he will accomplish in Jerusalem.

13. What role does the travel narrative (journey to Jerusalem) play in Luke’s Gospel?

It is not a straight line trip to Jerusalm, but a period of heightened resolve to reach his Jerusalem goal. The reader is always reminded that Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem.

14. Why is the travel narrative also called “the Gospel for the Outcasts”? Name some of the stories and parables that carry forward this theme.

Many of the stories and parables are concerned with God’s special care for the poor and outcast.

Good Samaritan, rich fool, great banquet, things lost, rich man and Lazarus, persistent widow, the Pharisee and the tax collector

15. What theological role does Jerusalem play in Luke’s Gospel?

It is there that he will fulfill his role of the suffering Messiah.

16. What role does the story of Zacchaeus play at the climax to Luke’s travel narrative (journey to Jerusalem)?

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, the worst of the worst, and yet Jesus even offers salvation to him. This is the climax of the travel narrative.

17. What is central to Luke’s passion narrative? What Christological theme appears repeatedly throughout the trial and crucifixion narrative?

The fulfillment of Scripture as Jesus the righteous and innocent suffering Servant who remains faithful to God’s calling and purpose.

Jesus’ innocence

18. What does Jesus reveal to the Emmaus disciples about the role of the Christ?

He confirms that his death and resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s purpose in salvation history.

19. Summarize two main features of Luke’s Christology?

Prophet and Messiah

20. What is the central theme of Luke-Acts?

Jesus is the savior for all people

21. Identify some of the important sub-themes and state how they relate to this central theme.

The coming of the Spirit heralds the dawn of the new age; divine sovereignty and the purpose of God; a new age of reversals; joy and rejoicing at God’s end-time salvation.

22. Note some of the evidence for the universal application of salvation in Luke’s Gospel.

Jesus’ association with sinners and Samaritans is more prevalent in Luke; Luke emphasizes the value Jesus placed on women as disciples and partners in ministry.

23. What is the significance for Luke of Jesus’ sending out of the seventy(-two)?

It may connect with the Table of Nations in Genesis 10 and so symbolizes the mission to the Gentiles.

24. What do the “we” passages tell us about the author of Luke-Acts?

Indicates the author traveled with Paul

25. What do we know about Luke from Acts and from Paul’s epistles? What do we know about him from church tradition?

He was with Paul in Rome; he was a Gentile; he was a physician.

26. Who might Theophilus have been? Why did Luke write his two-volume work?

He was probably the patron who sponsored Luke’s project; he probably had a high political or social status.

He wrote to confirm the things that he had been taught.

Two Guided Reading Projects on Luke’s Gospel The best way to get to know the Gospels is to read through them carefully and identify their narrative and theological themes. These two projects (9.2 and 9.3) are intended to guide your reading and help you draw out Luke’s themes.

Instructions  Read carefully through each section of Luke’s Gospel, answering the questions as you go.  Try to read the text with fresh eyes. Don’t impose your preconceptions about Jesus onto the text, but listen to the story the narrator tells.  Be sure to read the questions under each section first so you will know what to look for as you read the text.

Assignment 9.2 Guided Reading Project on Luke 1–12 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Luke 1–2 1. According to the prologue (1:1-4), why is the author writing? Where did the author get his information for the composition? Identify words or phrases that point to the historical veracity of the account.

 He is writing so that the reader might know the certainty of the things they have been taught; he got his information from eyewitnesses  Eyewitnesses, carefully investigated, orderly account

2. Identify the main characters of the birth narrative. How is each described in chapters 1-2? What overall impression of these people does the narrator try to give the reader?

Zechariah priest, righteous, observed all the laws, blameless, skeptical, focused on how God will vindicate Israel and defeat their enemies

Elizabeth righteous, observed all the laws, blameless

Mary trusting, speaks of God’s faithfulness and care for those not considered blessed

Joseph little is said, did what was required by the law, poor

Simeon righteous and devout, had been promised that he would see the Lord’s Messiah,

Anna prophet, servant, trusting, focused on the redemption of Israel

They were faithful and trusting

3. Identify the main themes of the songs of praise of Mary (1:46-55) and Zechariah (1:67- 79).

 Mary focuses on the reversal of fortunes with the coming of the Messiah.  Zechariah focuses on how God will vindicate Israel and defeat their enemies.

4. How is John the Baptist described (1:13–17, 76–77)? What will be his primary role?

 He will come as an answer to prayer, he will be called John, he will be a delight to his parents, he will be great in the sight of the Lord, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, he is not to drink wine or other fermented drink, he will go in the power and spirit of Elijah, his mission will be to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

5. How is Jesus described (1:31–33; 2:11)? What terms are used to describe him?

 He will be called Jesus; he will be great and will be called the Son of God and Son of the Most High; he will receive the throne of his father David; his birth will be a miracle performed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. What does Simeon predict about Jesus (2:29-35)?

 Jesus will provide salvation and will be a light for revelation for Gentiles and for the glory of Israel; speaking to Mary he says that Jesus will cause many to fall and to rise, he will be a sign that will be spoken against, through him people’s hearts will be revealed, and his life will cause pain for Mary

7. What do we learn about Jesus’ identity from the story of his visit to the temple at twelve years old (2:40–52)?

 He was eager to learn from the teachers, he saw the most important place to be was in his father’s house, he was obedient, he grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man

Read Luke 3:1-4:13

8. Summarize the message of John the Baptist in a sentence or two (3:7-18). What does he call the people to do?

 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance; just being Jewish isn’t enough; one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire will come

9. How far back does Luke trace Jesus’ genealogy (3:23-37)? What is the significance of this?

 He goes back to Adam as the first Son of God; Jesus as the Son of God will succeed where Adam and Israel failed.

Read Luke 4:14-6:49

10. Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth is often viewed as thematic and a preview of the whole Gospel (Luke 4:14-30). What happens here that prepares the reader for the rest of the Gospel?

 He states that in himself the prophecy (a reference to the Lord’s Messiah) made through Isaiah is being fulfilled; he connects his ministry to that of Elijah who reached out to two gentiles and we have the first instance in Luke of his own people rejecting him; this will be the pattern throughout Luke- Acts: God’s blessings for the Gentiles, while the majority of Israel rejects.

11. How do the events in chapters 4-6 that follow the Nazareth sermon relate to what happens there? (How do the healings, exorcisms, controversies, and teaching of Jesus fulfill the ministry described in the sermon?)

 Jesus casts out demons (setting people free); heals people with illnesses; proclaims the good news to the people; forgives sins; proclaims the reversal of fortunes

12. Luke relates the call of the disciples differently from Mark, by describing a miraculous catch of fish (5:1–11). Why does Peter say, “Go away from me, Lord!” after the catch? How does Jesus respond?

 In the presence of Jesus’ awesome power, Peter recognizes his own sinfulness; Jesus responds by calling him to fish for people.

13. Compare Luke 6:17-26, the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon, with the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-12. How is Luke’s emphasis different from Matthew’s?

 Luke’s beatitudes are more concrete, relating to actual poverty and deprivation; Luke balances these blessings with woes against the rich and powerful; he has more references to the reversal of fortunes

Read Luke 7-9

14. How does the account of the faith of the centurion (7:1-10) prepare for the reader for the book of Acts, where the Gospel goes beyond Israel to the Gentiles?

 The centurion expresses a level of faith that Jesus had not seen among the Jews who should have recognized; in Acts the gospel will go to Gentiles

15. What do the people say about Jesus when he raises the widow’s son from the dead (7:11-17)? Does the author consider Jesus to be a great prophet?

 The people were filled with awe and recognized him as a prophet, one who spoke the words of God. Yes, Jesus is presented as a great prophet in Luke- Acts.

16. What is the main theme of the story of the anointing of Jesus by a sinful woman and the parable that Jesus tells (7:36-50)? How does this relate to what is happening in Jesus’ ministry? (Go back and read 7:29-30.)

 Those who have been forgiven much, love much, but those who trust in their own righteousness love little.  In Jesus’ ministry the sinners and outcasts are gratefully receiving the kingdom, while the religious leaders who don’t think they need to repent are missing it.

17. Jesus’ authority is displayed in a series of powerful miracles from 8:22-56? Over what does Jesus demonstrate authority?

 He has authority over nature, demons, and death.

18. Luke 9:20-21 marks a key transition in Jesus’ ministry. How does Jesus’ teaching in verses 21-27 clarify Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah?

 Jesus recognizes that when Peter calls him God’s Messiah that Peter is envisioning a different messiah from how Jesus will define himself. The Messiah must suffer and die.

19. Luke’s transfiguration account is unique in that Moses and Elijah speak of Jesus’ “departure” (Greek: Exodos) that he is going to fulfill in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). What might Luke mean by this “exodus”?

 The exodus in the OT was to bring Israel out of Egypt into the Promised Land, or God’s rest (Heb 3:18, 4:1). Jesus will lead believers on a new exodus that will end in God’s rest (= salvation).

Read Luke 9:51–12:59

20. Luke 9:51 marks the beginning of Luke’s “Travel Narrative” or “Journey to Jerusalem” (chapters 9-19). What takes only a chapter to cover in Mark becomes in Luke an entire period of Jesus’ ministry. Look for a changed emphasis from this point forward as Jesus prepares to face his suffering role in Jerusalem. Also look for key teachings and parables of Jesus that illustrate the themes of (1) the gospel for outsiders and (2) the training of the disciples. Why do you think the Samaritans rejected Jesus in 9:53?

 Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem and the temple there. The Samaritan temple was on Mt. Gerizim. They reject Jesus since they are rejected by the Jews.

21. How is the mission of the seventy different than the mission of the twelve described earlier (10:1-24)? What might the number twelve symbolize? What about the number seventy? (You might get help here from the textbook, or from a study Bible or commentary. Note that there are seventy names listed in the table of nations in Genesis 10).

 When the 12 disciples were sent in 9:1-6, they were told to go many places. They were to discern who was responding and who wasn’t. In chapter 10, he sends out seventy/seventy-two. They were to go and stay and not move around from city to city. Twelve symbolizes the 12 tribes of Israel and the seventy perhaps represents the nations in Genesis 10.

22. What two questions prompt the parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25, 29)? What is the main theme of the parable and how does this fit Luke’s emphasis throughout his Gospel?

 What must I do to inherit eternal life? Who is my neighbor? The point is not who my neighbor is, meaning whom should I love as myself. The point is God’s people should be neighbors to those who are in need. Luke is expanding the people of God beyond the Jews.

23. What does Jesus commend Mary for doing (10:38-40)? Note that Mary is taking the traditional role of a disciple, learning at the feet of her teacher.

 He commends her for desiring to sit at his feet as a disciple. Also, relationship with Jesus is more important than doing stuff for him.

24. Chapters 11-12 contain warnings against Pharisees and challenges to Jesus’ disciples to faithfulness and watchfulness. Identify at least three important themes in these chapters (cite chapter and verse).

 11:35 – See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness

 11:37-41 – they were to be wary of the Pharisees who were concerned with outward rituals  12:13-15 – they were to be on guard against all kinds of greed

25. What is the main theme of the parable of the Rich Fool? Notice how Jesus introduces it (12:13-21). Look back over your notes and note where this theme has occurred earlier in Luke.

 We are not to store up and trust in treasures here on earth  Same theme in 9:25 and in many parables and stories.

26. Jesus says that he came to bring fire to the earth and that he came not to bring peace, but division (12:49–53). What do you think this means?

 Conflict and judgment is coming and it is necessary to choose whose side you are on. It is impossible to stay neutral with reference to the kingdom of God.

Assignment 9.3 Guided Reading Project on Luke 13–24 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read Luke 13–14 1. Chapters 13 and 14 provide much teaching on the role and cost of discipleship. Identify several of the main themes here.

 People will have to choose; unbelief will result in judgment; many who were not true disciples will want to enter the kingdom, but entry will be denied; Jesus’ disciples are to carry their own crosses; disciples would need to put commitment to Jesus ahead of everything and everyone else

2. What is the main point of the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast (13:18–21)? What do we learn here about the kingdom of God and how does this relate to Luke’s purpose in Luke-Acts?

 The kingdom of God will have a small beginning but will grow over time. The proclamation of the gospel will start in Jerusalem and will then go out to the ends of the earth.

3. What is the main theme of the parable of the Great Banquet (14:15–23)? How does this symbolize what is happening in Jesus’ ministry? How does it relate to Jesus’ teaching in 14:7- 14?

 The Great Banquet refers to the end of the age. Israel expects to be there, but Jesus states that those who reject Jesus’ call to discipleship will not be at the banquet and those considered outsiders would be there.  Many Jews expected to have places of honor because of their ethnicity

Read Luke 15–16 4. What is the central point of the three parables of things lost (Sheep, Coin, Son) in chapter 15? Who do each of the main characters represent in the parable of the prodigal son (the son, the father, the older brother) and how does this parable illustrate what is happening in Jesus’ ministry?

 God is persistent in wanting to bring back to him those who are lost. The religious leaders were not interested in them  The son represents the sinners, poor, and outcasts to whom Jesus is ministering. The father is God and the older brother represents the Jewish leaders who consider themselves better than “sinners”.

5. What do you think is the point of Jesus’ puzzling parable of the shrewd manager (or “unjust steward”)? How does Jesus’ teaching after the parable illuminate its meaning?

 The manager by going around and lowering bills brought honor to his master, something the master would have lost if he didn’t accept the lowered bills; the manager would have a good reputation because he would be associated with an honorable master.  Jesus’ teaching emphasizes to use worldly wealth for eternal purposes; that those who are faithful with a little will be entrusted with more; that no one can serve two masters.

6. What is the central theme of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31)? How might the closing verses (vv. 29-31) relate to Jesus’ ministry? (Hint: who will rise from the dead?)

 This story repeats the theme of the reversal of fortunes. Jesus’ point is that the Jewish leaders have not listened to God’s messengers and even when he is resurrected they will not believe.

Read Luke 17–19

7. What do we learn about the one leper who returned to thank Jesus after ten were healed (17:11-19)? How is this leper’s identity significant for Luke’s Gospel and for Acts?

 He was a Samaritan; the gospel was to go from Jerusalem to Judea and then Samaria (Acts 1:8).

8. What important theme is illustrated by the parable of the Persistent Widow (18:1-8)?

 People should be persistent in their prayers. God will be faithful.

9. What important theme is illustrated by the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (18:9-14)?

 There will be a reversal of fortunes in the age to come. Those who are honored on earth will be humbled and those who humble themselves before the Lord will be honored.

10. How is key theme from Luke’s Gospel illustrated by the account of the rich ruler (18:18–30)?

 We cannot trust in treasures here on earth. Being wealthy was generally considered to be a blessing from God, but Jesus points to the danger of riches, since they make us self-sufficient instead of dependent on God.

11. The account of Zacchaeus is the climax of Luke’s “Gospel for the Outcast” and 19:10 is often viewed as the key summarizing verse of his whole Gospel. What key theme does this passage bring out?

 Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.

12. What does the parable of the ten minas (19:12-27) teach about good stewardship? There is a second theme as well, related to Luke’s introduction to the parable (19:11). What do you think is this theme?

 We can honor God with however much or however little we have been given; we will be held accountable for what we have been given.  The second theme is the delay in the coming of the kingdom.

13. How does Jesus’ teaching in 19:41-44 relate to Jesus’ actions in the temple that follow in 19:45-48?

 The day will come when God will bring judgment on Jerusalem; the clearing of the temple is symbolic of the judgment God will bring on the nation for rejecting their Messiah.

Read Luke 20–21 14. Like Matthew and Mark, Luke presents a series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem (ch. 20). The parable of the tenants allegorizes Jesus’ ministry (20:9-19). Identify whom each character represents in the ministry of Jesus.

The vineyard – Israel

The owner – God

The tenant farmers – religious leaders

The servants – the prophets

The son – Jesus

15. What do you think it means, in the context of Luke and Acts, that the owner will “give the vineyard to others” (20:16)? Who are these others?

 It could refer to the leaders of the church, the new people of God, or to the Gentiles who will enter the kingdom.

16. In each of the controversies of chapter 20, how does Jesus turn the tables on his opponents?

Authority Questioned (20:1-8) He asked them from whom John the Baptist had received his authority. If they said his authority was from God, he could ask them why they didn’t believe him. If they said his authority was merely human, the people would reject them, since the people revered John as a prophet.

Paying Taxes to Caesar (20:20-26) He told them to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and to God what was God’s. By saying that God and Caesar had separate realms, he could not be accused of rebellion, nor would the people turn against him for siding with the Romans. He also implicitly condemned them, since they were carrying coins with pagan images on them.

Marriage at the Resurrection (20:27-38) He refuted them by asserting that there wouldn’t be marriage after the resurrection. Then he pointed to God’s continuing relationship with the patriarchs as proof that there was a resurrection.

The Question of David’s Son (20:41-47) He initiated the question and cited Psalm 110:1 asking them if the Messiah is David’s son, why does David call him Lord? He is showing that the Messiah is more than just David’s descendant.

17. How is the widow of 21:1-4 set in contrast to those described in 20:46-47?

 They exploit the poor, while she self-sacrificially gives from her poverty.  Others see this as an example of what Jesus has just said – the teachers of the law are exploiting her by taking what little she had.

18. Luke’s version of the “Olivet Discourse” (said to be given on the Mount of Olives in Mark’s Gospel) places greater stress than Mark or Matthew on the destruction of Jerusalem. What is said about this event here?

 Luke writes in 21:20 that Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. Mark refers to the abomination that causes desolation. In 21:24 Luke says that the Jews will be taken captive and that Jerusalem will be trodden on by the Gentiles.

Read Luke 22-23

19. At the Last Supper, Jesus says that the cup they are drinking represents the “new covenant in my blood” (22:20). The background of this “new covenant” is Jeremiah 31:31–34 (look up this passage). What is Jesus claiming about his death?

 His death will initiate this new covenant.

20. How is Jesus’ faithfulness contrasted with the disciples’ unfaithfulness in the account of his prayer on the Mount of Olives, his arrest, and Peter’s denial?

 While he prayed, they slept. His prayer strengthened him to boldly step forward while the disciples’ lack of prayer led them to fear.

21. There is special emphasis in Luke’s Gospel on the innocence of Jesus. Count the number of times Pilate declares Jesus to be innocent (chapter 23; add to this 23:42, 47).

 Pilate 4 times – 4, 14, 15, 22; criminal – 1 time; centurion – 1 time

22. Only Luke describes Jesus’ offer of forgiveness (23:34) and his conversation with the criminals on the cross (23:39-43). What key theme in Luke is illustrated by these statements?

 Salvation for the outsider

23. What does the centurion at the foot of the cross say at the moment of Jesus’ death? How is this different from what he says in Mark’s Gospel and how does this illustrate an important theme in Luke?

 Luke – “Surely this was a righteous man”  Mark – “Surely this man was the Son of God”  Jesus is the righteous and innocent Servant of the LORD, predicted by Isaiah

Read Luke 24

24. Only Luke recounts the resurrection appearance on the road to Emmaus. What key themes are brought out in this episode?

 He starts with the disciples’ expectations of what the Messiah would accomplish; the prophets wrote that the Messiah would suffer

25. Compare Jesus’ words in 24:45-49 with his words in 24:24-27. What is Luke’s emphasis here?

 Both passages emphasize the suffering of the Messiah, a key theme from this point onward in Luke’s story. In 24:45-49 his emphasis continues with what will happen in Acts: the good news being preached beginning with Jerusalem and that Jesus will send the disciples what his father had promised and when it came they would receive power.

26. The last event in Luke’s Gospel is not the resurrection. It is the ascension (24:50–53). Why might this be important for Luke’s theological purposes?

 Jesus’ ascension is his vindication and enthronement as the Messiah and prepares the way for his pouring out of the Spirit in Acts. This is the lead in

to Acts which will focus the progress of the Holy Spirit from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

Summary

27. Summarize in a sentence the portrait of Jesus found in Luke’s Gospel? (What titles does he stress? What kinds of actions? What role does Jesus play?)

 Jesus is the savior for all humanity; prophet, Messiah, Lord; the initiator of God’s new covenant

28. List some of Luke’s main theological themes.

 The arrival of God’s end-time salvation; the Spirit as a sign of God’s end time salvation; the sovereign purpose of God; salvation for outsiders; joy and praise in response to God’s salvation; Jerusalem and the temple as settings of rejection and salvation; Jesus’ prayer life and intimacy with the Father

Chapter 10 John: The Gospel of the Son Who Reveals the Father

Assignment 10.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 10

1. How is John unique among the Gospels? What kinds of Synoptic material does John not include in his Gospel?

90% of John’s material is not in the other Gospels.

No exorcisms or parables, no table fellowship with sinners, Jesus’ baptism and temptation, the transfiguration and the institution of the Lord’s Supper

2. In what way is John’s style unique?

It is characterized by simplicity, repetition, long discourses, and dialogues with opponents.

3. What does John’s Gospel tell us about the length of Jesus’ public ministry?

Because of the mention of three Passovers, it looks to be from 2 ½ to 3 ½ years.

4. Identify the basic four-fold structure of John.

Name of Section Reference (1) Prologue Jesus as the preexistent Word

(2) Book of Signs 7 signs or miracles

(3) Book of Glory Jesus’ passion

(4) Epilogue Postresurrection appearance to the disciples

5. What main three types of teaching appear in John’s Gospel?

a. Interviews with individuals

b. Dialogues and debates with the Jewish leaders

c. Private teaching of his disciples

6. What are the purpose and significance of the “signs” of John’s Gospel?

They are connected to his teachings that reveal Jesus’ identity and mission.

7. What is the main theme of the prologue of John’s Gospel?

Jesus is the self-revelation of God

8. How do the interviews with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman contribute to John’s purpose?

The Samaritan woman who is thought to be far from God, responds to Jesus’ message, while Nicodemis, one of the spiritual elite, does not.

9. Which miracle appears in all four Gospels? What is its significance in John?

The feeding of the 5,000

Jesus symbolically serves as the host of God’s end-time messianic banquet, a symbol of God’s salvation. It also recalls the miraculous healings in the wilderness, portraying Jesus as a Moses-like deliverer.

10. What is the significance of Jesus’ “I am” statement in John 8:58?

It recalls God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14

11. What key role does the raising of Lazarus play in John’s narrative?

It provokes the religious leaders to act against Jesus and forms as a transition from the Book of Signs to the Book of Glory.

12. What will be the Spirit’s role after Jesus’ departure? What does “Paraclete” mean?

“Paraclete” means counselor or advocate and his role will be to mediate the presence of the Father and the Son to the disciples, teaching, guiding, and comforting them.

13. What does Jesus ask for in his “high-priestly” prayer?

Protection and unity for the disciples

14. What is the main theme of John’s trial and crucifixion narrative?

Jesus is in control of his destiny and is acting according to God’s plan.

15. How is Thomas’ declaration in 20:28 significant for John’s narrative progression?

An inclusio with 1:1, “the word was God” moves to “My Lord and my God!”

16. Summarize the Christology of John’s Gospel.

Jesus is God’s Word, his self-revelation.

17. What do we mean by John’s theological dualism?

An individual is either of God or of the world.

18. What is the central theme of John’s Gospel?

The revelation of the Father through the Son

19. How is the theme of salvation presented in John’s Gospel and how is this different from the Synoptics?

John presents salvation as eternal life whereas the Synoptics present it as entrance into the kingdom.

20. What is the narrative purpose of John’s Gospel?

He wrote so that people would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they might have life in his name (20:31).

21. Summarize the evidence suggesting that John the apostle wrote the Fourth Gospel? What problems exist with this identification?

The author calls himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved”; he claims to be an eyewitness and demonstrates awareness of geographic locations that were destroyed in AD 70.

Problem – This “disciple” is not mentioned until the Last Supper; he doesn’t include key Synoptic events.

22. When and from where does early church tradition claim John wrote his Gospel?

When? Late first century

From where? Ephesus

23. How did the discovery of the John Rylands fragment influence the dating of John?

A fragment from the Gospel of John dating back to the first half of the second century was found in Egypt, showing John was likely written before the end of the first century AD.

Two Guided Reading Projects on John’s Gospel The best way to get to know the Gospels is to read through them carefully and identify their narrative and theological themes. These three projects (10.1, 10.2, and 10.3) are intended to guide your reading and help you draw out John’s themes.

Instructions  Read carefully through each section of John’s Gospel, answering the questions as you go.  Try to read the text with fresh eyes. Don’t impose your preconceptions about Jesus onto the text, but listen to the story the narrator tells.  Be sure to read the questions under each section first so you will know what to look for as you read the text.

Assignment 10.2 Guided Reading Project on John 1–11 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read John 1 1. The Prologue of John in 1:1–18 is one of the great statements of Christology (who Jesus is) in the New Testament. List some of the things we learn about “the Word” in these verses.

 With God in the beginning, was God  All things made through him  Life was in him, this the light of men, darkness couldn’t conquer this light  A man came to be a witness of the light (which is the word) to say he was coming  He, the word, was in the world he made and it didn’t recognize him  His own didn’t receive him  Those who received were added to his family  This Word became flesh, lived here  He is from the father and has great glory, being full of grace and truth

2. What is the main theme of John 1:1–18? Look especially at verses 1, 14, 18.

 Jesus is God and he came to live among us and to reconcile us to God

3. What role was John the Baptist to play? See verses 6, 15.

 He was sent by God to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming

4. How does John the Baptist describe Jesus in John 1:29-34? What does “Lamb of God” mean? For background see Isaiah 53:7.

 Lord, the One whose sandals John was not worthy to untie  Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world  a man who was before John and surpassed him, who was his reason for baptizing in Israel  he would baptize with the Holy Spirit  he on whom the Spirit remains  The Son of God  He is the one whom God has provided to be the sacrifice for the sins of mankind

Read John 2 5. How does the author summarize the result of the miracle of turning water into wine (2:11)? What does this tell us about John’s purpose in writing?

 The sign (turning the water into wine) which reveals a glimpse of Jesus’ glory  This is a call to decision for Jesus’ disciples.  John follows this pattern, sign - Jesus’ glory revealed - call to decision, throughout his Gospel.

6. The clearing of the temple occurs here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in John’s Gospel (2:12-22). It occurs near the end in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptics). What do you think this event is meant to symbolize in the context of Jesus’ ministry? What, according to the narrator, did Jesus mean when he said, “Destroy this temple…”? (See 2:19–22.)

 To indicate that the physical temple and all it represented as the center of worship had become corrupted  To show that Jesus was creating a new and direct way to the Father, through the temple that was his body.

Read John 3 7. What do we learn about Nicodemus from verse 1? In what ways might Nicodemus represent the attitudes and inadequacies of the Jewish leadership? What doesn’t he understand?

 His inability to understand the spiritual truths of Jesus  Jesus talks about the inner changes of new birth, reflecting a spiritual renewal.  Coming at night may symbolize that the leaders are in darkness

 He doesn’t understand that God is creating something new

8. The phrase translated “born again” in verse 3 could also be translated “born from above.” What does Jesus mean by this?

 Re-born into a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit

9. What does Jesus mean when he says the Son of Man must be “lifted up”? For background see the account of Moses lifting up the bronze snake in the wilderness in Numbers 21.

 At this point, he means that belief in him will bring eternal life just as those who trusted God in Numbers and looked to the snake lived.

10. How does John answer the concern of his disciples in 3:26? What does he say about his own role in verse 28 and Jesus’ role in verse 29?

 He tells them that it is right that people should look to Jesus instead of John, John is not to be the focus because one greater than him has come from God and what he has to offer is greater than what John offered. John only prepared the way.

Read John 4 11. What do you know about the relationship between Jews and Samaritans in Jesus’ day? Did Jesus “have to go through Samaria”? If not, what does this mean?

 Jews did not associate with Samaritans because a history of conflict and because of differing beliefs. Jesus did not have to go through Samaria to get to Palestine. He could have gone around. But he had a divine appointment with this woman. God had ordained it.

12. What did Jesus offer the woman in verse 10? What does this mean?

 He offered her living water, which refers to God’s eternal salvation.

13. What does Jesus mean when he says that salvation comes through the Jews (4:21– 22)?

 God has revealed himself through his people the Jews, and the Messiah would be a Jew from the line of David.

Read John 5-6 14. Why does the healing at the pool of Bethsaida provoke a confrontation with the Jewish leadership? (What had Jesus done?)

 The healing takes place on the Sabbath and the leaders accuse him of working on the Sabbath and therefore violating the law.  Jesus calls God his Father and makes himself equal with God by explaining that only he and the Father can work on the Sabbath.

15. Jesus justifies his healing on the Sabbath by saying that his Father is always working and so is he (5:17). Why do the Jewish leaders get so angry? (Hint: What is Jesus claiming about himself?)

 He is claiming to be equal to God. God alone works on the Sabbath and Jesus claims the same right.

16. Who is Jesus referring to as the one who testifies about him in v. 32? What is the testimony about Jesus that is even greater than John’s testimony (v. 36)?

 The Holy Spirit testifies about him; that he is the Son of God and through him will be provided eternal life for all who believe.

17. The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle that occurs in all four Gospels. Here in John, how do the people respond to the feeding?

 They want to make Jesus a king so he can continually feed them.

18. What is the connection between the feeding miracle and the teaching that follows (6:25-59)?

 The discourse is about Jesus being the miraculously provided bread from heaven that brings eternal life.

19. What does Jesus mean when he says his flesh is true bread and that people must eat his body and drink his blood? What response did this difficult teaching receive from the crowds (6:60, 66)? What response did it get from the disciples (6:68)?

To eat his body and drink his blood is to make a total commitment to him. They consider this hard teaching and many stop following him. Peter, however, affirms that there is no place else to go, since Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Read John 7–8 20. Identify the various questions and conclusions the people and the Jewish leaders draw concerning Jesus in 7:14-52? Is John using irony in verses 41-42? If so, explain how.

 How does he know so much without studying? (v. 15)

 He is demon-possessed (v.20)  Who does he think is trying to kill him? (v. 20)  We know his origin but the Christ’s can’t be known (v. 27)  Will the Christ do more miracles than Jesus? (v. 31)  Where will he go that they won’t find him? (v. 35)  Some think he is the Prophet or the Christ (vv. 40-41)  He can’t be the Messiah if he comes from Galilee. (v. 41, 52)  No one ever spoke like this one (v. 45)

 John probably uses irony in verses 41-42 since he knows Jesus in fact was born in Bethlehem and their very words confirm he is the Messiah

21. John 7:53-8:11 was probably not originally part of the Gospel of John (it is not in our earliest or most reliable manuscripts). But many scholars think it was an authentic tradition about Jesus passed down independently of the Gospel of John. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her”? Why do you think the oldest ones left first (v. 9)?

 They all knew that they had sin in their lives; the oldest ones had lived longer and had more sins to account for.

22. What claim does Jesus make about himself in 8:48-59 (especially in v. 58)? You may need to follow cross-references here, or consult a study Bible or a commentary.

 Implying continuous existence from before Abraham  Also using the title of deity which God claimed for himself when he sent Moses to Pharaoh to begin the process of freeing the Israelites (Exodus 3:14).

Read John 9-11

23. The disciples ask an interesting question in 9:2. Is illness always caused by sin? Is it ever caused by sin? What is the purpose of this man’s blindness, according to Jesus (9: 3)?

 Some illnesses could be caused by an individual’s actions and when sin entered the world, illness and brokenness did also.

 The purpose was so that the works of God might be displayed in him

24. Notice through the story that the formerly blind man gradually “sees” more clearly who Jesus is while Pharisees grow gradually blinder and blinder to spiritual sight. How does the blind man testify concerning Jesus? How do the religious leaders respond?

 He said that Jesus had put mud on his eyes and then said to go to Siloam to wash, at which point he could see. He said that a sinner could not perform a 90

miracle. He called Jesus a prophet. Regardless of whether he was a sinner or not, before he could not see, but now he could.

 They persist in rejecting that Jesus could be a godly person because he had performed the miracle on the Sabbath.

25. What metaphors does Jesus use to describe himself in 10:1-18? What characteristics do they bring out?

 The good shepherd - who willingly lays down his life for his flock (believers)  The gate - through whom all who believe will be saved

26. Who are the “other sheep” Jesus mentions in verse 16?

 They are non-Jews

27. Why did the people try to stone Jesus in verse 31? What did he claim?

 He claimed that he and the Father were one

28. Why did Lazarus get sick, according to Jesus (v. 4)? Was Jesus wrong when he said that Lazarus’ sickness would not end in death? If not, what did he mean? Why do you think Jesus stayed where he was for the next two days?

 His sickness would provide an opportunity for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it. Jesus meant that Lazarus’s death would not be permanent. Jesus delayed because it was God’s plan to raise Lazarus from the dead.

29. When Jesus says to Martha that Lazarus will rise from the dead, how does she respond (v. 24)? What did she mean that Lazarus would rise “in the resurrection”? What did Jesus mean when he said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (v. 25)?

 She knew that when the Messiah came at the end of times the righteous would be raised. By identifying himself as the resurrection, Jesus claims that it will be through him that the dead will rise to new life.

30. What response did the raising of Lazarus provoke among the Sanhedrin (see 11:45- 57; see also 12:10)? Caiaphas, the high priest, makes an inadvertent prophecy about what Jesus will accomplish (11:48-52). What did Caiaphas originally mean by this prophecy? How does John take it?

 They begin to plot to take Jesus’ life. They fear antagonizing the Romans by any hint of insurrection or divided loyalties.

 Caiaphas believed that the most important thing was the survival of the nation Israel.  The death of the one man is the only way the nation will live.

Assignment 10.3 Guided Reading Project on John 12–21 (See instructions above)

Answers are representative, not complete or comprehensive

Read John 12-13 1. Why does Judas object when Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume? Why does Jesus commend her?

 He said the money could be spent in a better way, but in reality he was greedy and wanted more money to come into their funds so he could use it.

 He commends her because she recognized his worth and was fully devoted to him.

2. What is the significance that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (instead of a war horse, as a conquering king would)? What verse does John cite as fulfilled in this passage?

 He wants to model that his messiahship would be one of humility, suffering, sacrifice, and dependence on God. Zech 9:9.

3. John 12:23 is an important turning point because throughout the Gospel Jesus had often said his “time had not yet come.” What does he say now and what does this mean?

 He says it is time for the Son of Man to be glorified, which refers to his death and resurrection, which will accomplish salvation.

4. What is the significance of the washing of the disciples’ feet in the context of Jesus’ ministry (13:1–17)? Why did Peter protest and how does Jesus respond?

 He demonstrates the true nature of servant leadership, showing how he came to serve not to be served to show the great extent of his love.

 Peter still doesn’t understand that how Jesus defined his messiahship was different from what 1st century Judaism expected

5. What do you think it means that Satan entered Judas (13:27; see also 13:2)? Was Judas still responsible for his actions?

 The relationship of God’s intention, Satan’s influence and Judas’s free will is a difficult question. We can say that this action was Satanic and evil on Judas’s part, but that God accomplished his purpose through it.

6. In John 13:31 Jesus first announces that the time for his (the Son of Man’s) glorification has come. Based on what you have learned throughout John’s Gospel, what does this mean?

 The glorification refers to his death and resurrection, which would be the vindication of his faithful obedience in going to the cross

7. In what way is loving each other a “new commandment” (verse 34)?

 They were to love others as Jesus had loved them, as servants

Read John 14–15

8. What amazing promise does Jesus give to those who believe in him in 14:12-14? What does this mean?

 That his disciples would do even greater things than he had and that he would give them whatever they asked in his name

 Perhaps this means that the body of Christ—his church—will have a much broader scope and ministry than Jesus alone could have had.

9. What role will the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) have in the life of the disciples and in the world? (See especially 14:15-27; 15:26-27; 16:5-15.)

 He will be their counselor  will dwell in them  will teach them  will remind them of Jesus’ teachings  convict the world of sin  guide the believer into truth  make known what Jesus has said

10. Jesus says, “I am the true vine” in 15:1. This is the seventh of Jesus’ “I am” statements. (See the others at John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1.) What does the vine and branches metaphor teach concerning Jesus’ relationship with the disciples?

 They receive their sustenance from Jesus.  They must abide in him to live their Christian life.  Disciples of Jesus require pruning (further instruction and discipline) in order to produce more fruit

11. Why does Jesus say the world will hate his disciples? What do believers share in common with Jesus that provokes hatred and persecution?

 The world will hate his disciples because they will not have allegiance to the world and its values.

 Their values will come from God and not the world

Read John 16–17

12. Jesus says in 16:23 that the Father will grant the disciples’ requests when they “ask in my name.” What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name?

 To ask in his name is to ask for what the Spirit has guided us to desire.

13. In John 17:1 Jesus again says, “the hour has come” (see also 2:3; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23; 12:27; 13:1) and prays that God would “Glorify your Son,” What does Jesus mean by his glorification in John’s Gospel?

His glorification refers to his death and resurrection, which will accomplish salvation and so bring glory to God.

14. List some of the things Jesus prays for his disciples in what is sometimes called his “high priestly prayer” (John 17).

 To protect them, that they would have the full measure of his joy  that God would not take them out of the world but would protect them from the evil one  that all his disciples would be one  that disciples would be in him  that they would be brought to complete unity  that the disciples would be with him and see his glory

Read John 18-19

15. See Jesus’ statements in 18:4, 11 at his arrest that he is aware of what will happen to him. What do we learn here about John’s perspective on Jesus’ suffering and death?

 He knew it was coming and he was ready to go through it

16. Compare Peter’s response to the questions asked of him in 18:17, 25–27 with Jesus’ response in 18:20-21. What is the difference?

 While Peter denies he knows Jesus, Jesus boldly and openly proclaims who he is.

17. How does Jesus define his kingship at his trial before Pilate? What do you think this means in the context of John’s theology?

 Not of this world. Jesus is speaking of the spiritual realm, not a political or earthly realm.  God’s kingdom requires internal spiritual renewal (rebirth), not just the overthrow of political powers.

18. How does Jesus respond to Pilate’s statement that he has the power to release or to crucify him? In what way does this fit the main theme of John’s arrest and trial narrative?

 Jesus knows that all that will happen is according to God’s will and any power Pilate has is because God has allowed it.

19. Why does Pilate finally agree to crucify Jesus? What does this tell us about his character?

He found no basis under Roman law, but caves in to pressure. He is a coward who doesn’t care about justice and is molded by the will of others.

20. Why did the religious leaders object to the sign that Pilate placed on the cross? How did Pilate respond and why?

 They did not want Jesus to be identified as their king.  He said he had done it and that was the end of it. He was irritated with the Jewish leaders and it was a way to get back at them.

21. In John’s Gospel Jesus’ last words from the cross were, “It is finished!” What does this mean?

 Jesus had completed what God had sent him to do. Salvation had been achieved through his sacrificial death on the cross.

Read John 20-21

22. After Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb, she tells Peter and the “other disciple” (probably John). We learn in 20:8 that this other disciple saw the empty tomb and “believed.” What role does belief play in John’s Gospel? See especially John 2:11 and 3:16.

 Belief glorifies Jesus and is the only way to eternal life

23. Why do you think Mary did not at first recognize Jesus? When did she finally recognize him?

 She was not expecting him to be alive and he looked different from the last time she saw him at his crucifixion; she recognized him when he said her name.

24. In 20:19, Jesus appears suddenly among the disciples despite the fact that they are behind locked doors. What does this tell us about his resurrection body? What proof does he give of his resurrection?

 It was recognizable but also different. He could appear immediately. He proves he is alive by showing them his hands and side.

25. What commission does Jesus give his disciples in 20:21?

 He sends them out as he was sent by the Father.

26. How does the account of the resurrection appearance to Thomas prepare the way for the statement of purpose in John 20:30-31?

 Thomas sees and believes. But blessed are those who don’t see, but who hear the message and believe.  Also, the resurrection is Jesus’ greatest sign. John’s primary purpose is evangelistic in nature. The signs (miracles) he relates bring the readers to a point of decision (or rededication). The signs will enable the reader to believe that Jesus is the Christ.

27. What is the stated purpose of John’s Gospel (20:30–31)?

 That people would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of god, and that by believing would have eternal life

28. Chapter 21 serves as an epilogue to the book. What is the significance of Jesus’ questions to Peter and his commission to “feed my sheep”? (Hint: what had Peter done after Jesus was arrested?)

 John’s version of the great commission. Jesus passes the baton on to Peter (and the disciples as a whole) to make disciples as the new earthly shepherd.

29. Based on your overall reading of John, try to summarize his Christology (his perspective on Christ) in a sentence or two.

 Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. He is the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes for a Savior (the Christ), but also the eternal Son of God – God’s self- revelation to humanity.

Part Four The Historical Jesus

Chapter 11 Searching for the Real Jesus

Assignment 11.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 11

1. What role did Reimarus play in launching the First Quest for the Historical Jesus?

He claimed that Jesus considered himself a human messiah who would free his people from the Romans and establish a political kingdom on earth. After Jesus’ crucifixion, his disciples stole his body and claimed he rose from the dead.

2. What were the main characteristics of the First Quest for the Historical Jesus?

It sought to explain the events of Jesus’ life from a rationalistic perspective. Jesus was a mere man, an ethical teacher proclaiming the love of God and the brotherhood of all human beings.

3. What impact did Albert Schweitzer’s book, The Quest for the Historical Jesus, have on the First Quest?

He claimed the First Quest had recreated Jesus in their own image.

4. Summarize in a phrase or sentence the significance of the following for historical Jesus studies.

E. Troeltsch All historical judgments are statements of probability and relative truth; all historical events should be understood with reference to our common experience; all historical phenomena exist in a chain of cause and effect.

D. F. Strauss The miracles were in reality just myths and legends created by the early church.

J. Weiss Jesus was a wild-eyed eschatological prophet who sacrificed himself to bring in the kingdom.

W. Wrede The gospels are not historical biographies, but theological “propaganda” created to reflect the community’s beliefs.

M. Kähler The historical Jesus cannot be reconstructed; all we have is the Christ of faith.

The History-of-Religions School Religions develop in an evolutionary manner from simple to complex.

5. Summarize the theological perspective of R. Bultmann.

Very little can be known of the historical Jesus; the early church focused not on the person but on the Christ of faith; stories were created with legend and myth; the Gospels are not historical biographies; the human Jesus went from Jewish Messiah to Lord over time; what was important was the Christ of faith, not a historical person.

6. Why is Bultmann’s era known as the period of No Quest?

There was great skepticism concerning the possibility of finding the historical Jesus

7. What is the difference between the “historical Jesus” and the “Christ of faith,” according to Bultmann and others?

Bultmann claimed the earliest church had little interest in the historical Jesus. They were concerned only with the Christ of faith whom they worshipped in the present, rather than the Jesus of history shrouded in the mysteries of the past. Since the Christ of faith was still speaking to the church through his prophets, the church felt no inconsistency in placing the words of these prophets and teachers on the lips of Jesus.

8. How was the New (Second) Quest started? What are its characteristics?

It was begun by Ernst Käsemann, rejecting Bultmann’s extreme skepticism, but still rejecting the supernatural. They generally held to an existential worldview, a separation between the historical Jesus and the Christ of faith. The Gospel writers were far removed from eyewitnesses and creations of the early church

9. What is the Third Quest? What is the Jesus Seminar? What were its goals? What were its conclusions? The Third Quest is a name given by some to recent scholarship that has renewed Jesus studies with a variety of new methods and approaches. In general, the Third Quest stresses the Jewishness of Jesus, gives priority to the Gospels as sources, and sees eschatology is a key focus of Jesus’ teaching and actions.

The Jesus Seminar was a group of scholars formed in 1985 to study and vote on the words and actions of the historical Jesus and bring their conclusions to the church. Very liberal conclusions: Gospels have little historical value; about 15% of sayings in Gospels are authentic. Some identify the Jesus Seminar as part of the Third Quest; some say they are different.

10. What are the “criteria of authenticity”?

Criteria used to judge the historicity of the sayings of Jesus

11. Summarize briefly the following criteria and provide an example of each.

Criterion of Dissimilarity

A saying or action is authentic if it is dissimilar to the characteristic emphases both of ancient Judaism and of the early church.

Criterion of Coherence

This would be used to validate sayings and actions that are similar to those accepted under the criterion of dissimilarity.

Criterion of Multiple Attestation

A saying or story is authentic if it appears in most or all of the sources behind the Gospels.

Criterion of Embarrassment

Statements are authentic if they would have been theologically difficult or an embarrassment in the early church.

Criterion of Semitic Flavor

Something would be authentic if it had a pronounced Jewish or Palestinian flavor.

Criterion of Divergent Traditions

Something is likely authentic if it preserves a tradition that does not serve the purpose of the writer.

12. What is the difference between and inductive and a deductive approach to the historical Jesus?

Inductive moves from individual facts to conclusions. Deductive starts with a hypothesis and then tests it against the data.

13. Summarize the five main portraits of Jesus:

Cynic-like Philosopher

A wandering countercultural peasant espousing egalitarian ideals.

Jewish Mystic or Spirit-endowed Holy Man

A Jewish mystic uniquely in touch with God.

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Social Revolutionary

Someone working for a social transformation of community life.

Eschatological Prophet

Jesus was a herald announcing the imminent coming of God’s end-times salvation.

Messiah

The one who not only announces God’s salvation but also accomplishes it – prophet and Messiah.

14. Match the following Jesus scholars with the portraits of Jesus noted above: John Dominic Crossan, Marcus Borg, Richard Horsley, E. P. Sanders, John P. Meier, Paula Fredriksen, Bart Ehrman, Dale Allison, N. T. Wright, Ben Witherington. These are in order of answers???

Cynic-like Philosopher

John Dominic Crossan

Jewish Mystic or Spirit-endowed Holy Man

Marcus Borg

Social Revolutionary

Richard Horsley

Eschatological Prophet

E. P. Sanders, John P. Meier, Paula Fredriksen, Bart Ehrman, Dale Allison

Messiah

N. T. Wright, Ben Witherington

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Chapter 12 The Historical Reliability of the Gospels

Assignment 12.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 12

1. Is it possible to write or read history without presuppositions and a worldview? Why or why not?

No it is not. Everyone comes to the text with a particular worldview and certain presuppositions.

2. Do the faith commitments of the Gospel writers negate their claim to writing accurate history? Why or why not?

No. Those passionately interested in particular events are often the most meticulous in recording them.

3. What do we mean by the “burden of proof” in Gospel studies? On whom does the burden lie?

It means the responsibility for demonstrating the authenticity of something. The burden of proof should lie with whomever is making a claim.

4. What is some of the evidence that Luke was an accurate historian?

Attention to historical detail: names of cities and titles of government officials and even the political intrigue behind the scenes.

5. What is the evidence for a generally reliable gospel tradition?

The testimony of eyewitnesses; the careful transmission of the gospel tradition; the church’s willingness to preserve difficult sayings; the distinction between the words of Jesus and of Christian prophets; the absence of discussion on key issues in the later church, ethical issue – the disciples who taught the greatest ethical system, suffered and died for their faith would at the same time commit fraud.

6. How might we explain some of the apparent contradictions among the Gospels?

 Paraphrasing and interpretation on the part of the Gospel writers.  Abbreviation and omission  Reordering of events and sayings  Reporting similar events and sayings

7. What is the evidence for the historical reliability of John?

He provides eyewitness details, knowledge of predestruction Jerusalem and knows the traditions of Palestinian Judaism.

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8. How do we explain the different way Jesus seems to speak in John’s Gospel?

The author may be using his own style to present and translate Jesus’ words; John’s gospel may reflect Spirit-inspired interpretation. But these differences should not be overemphasized. There are examples where the Synoptics use a similar style as John (see Matthew 11:25-27).

9. Can good theology also be good history? Explain.

Yes. The evidence suggests that the Gospel writers were passionate about preserving accurately the words and deeds of Jesus.

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Assignment 12.2 History and Theology in the Gospels

This project raises the question, “How far is too far in seeking to harmonize the Gospel accounts?” Examine the passages below and answer the questions concerning their harmonization. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer. The purpose of the project is for you to consider the nature of the Gospel parallels and whether they can and should be harmonized. You might want to turn to the passages in your Bible to examine their contexts.

There is not necessarily a right answer here. The goal is to encourage students to wrestle with these issues.

1. The Beatitudes in Matthew and Luke

Matthew 5:3–4 Luke 6:20-25

He said: Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the “Blessed are you who are poor, for kingdom of heaven. yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be Blessed are you who hunger now, for comforted. you will be satisfied. Blessed are you Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Blessed are you when people hate you, righteousness, for they will be filled. when they exclude you and insult you Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown and reject your name as evil, because mercy. of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. and leap for joy, because great is your Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called reward in heaven. For that is how their children of God. ancestors treated the prophets. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Consider whether Matthew and Luke are recording the same sermon here or similar ones given on different occasions. Could one or both Gospel writers have edited the sermon this much and still preserved the “historicity” of the account? Give your perspective.

Various possibilities.

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2. The Centurion at the Cross

Mark 15:39 Luke 23:47

And when the centurion, who stood there in The centurion, seeing what had happened, front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, praised God and said, “Surely this was a “Surely this man was the Son of God!” righteous man.”

Did the centurion say both of these things, or has Mark or Luke edited the other’s words for their own purposes?

The centurion may have said both, or Luke may be emphasizing that Jesus’ status as Son of God means he is the innocent and righteous Servant of the Lord.

3. Cursing a Fig Tree

Mark 11:12–14 Matt. 21:18 –20 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was Early in the morning, as Jesus hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to was on his way back to the find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found city, he was hungry. Seeing a nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. fig tree by the road, he went up Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you to it but found nothing on it again.” And his disciples heard him say it. except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit After clearing the Temple (Mark 11:15–19) again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples Mark 11:20–21 saw this, they were amazed. In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree “How did the fig tree wither so withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, quickly?” they asked. “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Are these two accounts able to be harmonized? How?

It may be that Matthew is not interested in providing a strict chronology but rather in emphasizing the fact of the miracle.

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4. Healing a Centurion’s Servant

Matthew 8:5–6 Luke 7:1–3

When Jesus had entered When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were Capernaum, a centurion listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, came to him, asking for whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The help. “Lord,” he said, “my centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to servant lies at home him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came paralyzed, suffering to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves terribly.” to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

Are these accounts able to be harmonized? How?

Matthew may be abbreviating the events using the words of the centurion that were spoken to Jesus through the elders.

5. Clearing the Temple

John 2:13–17 Mark 11:15–17

When it was almost time for the Jewish On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts and began driving out those temple courts he found people selling cattle, who were buying and selling there. He sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables overturned the tables of the money changers exchanging money. So he made a whip out of and the benches of those selling doves, and cords, and drove all from the temple courts, would not allow anyone to carry merchandise both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of through the temple courts. And as he taught the money changers and overturned their them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get will be called a house of prayer for all these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of house into a market!” His disciples robbers.’ ” remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Notice that Jesus clears the temple at the beginning of his ministry in John, but at the end in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Do you think Jesus cleared the temple twice or has one or the other of the Gospel writers moved the event for their own reasons?

It’s possible that he did it more than once. At the beginning of his ministry he did not have the following that he had in the beginning so it might have been forgotten. Or, either John or the Synoptics may have moved the event to fit their narrative purpose.

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6. The Anointing of Jesus

Luke 7:36–39 Mark 14:3–9

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have While he was in Bethany, reclining at the dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house table in the home of Simon the Leper, a and reclined at the table. A woman in that town woman came with an alabaster jar of very who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there broke the jar and poured the perfume on with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood his head. Some of those present were behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet saying indignantly to one another, “Why his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with this waste of perfume? It could have been her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on sold for more than a year’s wages and the them. When the Pharisee who had invited him money given to the poor.” And they saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a rebuked her harshly. prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Luke describes the anointing of Jesus by a woman during the early part of his ministry. Matthew, Mark and John describe similar anointings near the end of Jesus’ ministry. What differences do you see between these two accounts? Are these the same events described differently, or two different events?

Luke’s account stresses Jesus’ inclusion of those who were considered sinful or unclean – the outsider. Mark’s account stresses that this woman recognizes that Jesus will die and honors him when the others fail to heed his words and do not value him as the woman does. It could be two events or the same event seen from different perspectives.

7. The Healing of a Blind Man near Jericho

Mark 10:46 Matt. 20:29-30

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his As Jesus and his disciples were leaving disciples, together with a large crowd, were Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus blind men were sitting by the roadside, and (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting when they heard that Jesus was going by, they by the roadside begging. shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Can you harmonize these two accounts?

There could have been more than one healing of blind men as they left Jericho. Or, Mark may have reported only one blind man. Could Matthew have added a second individual to provide additional testimony for the miracle?

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8. Angels Announcing the Resurrection

Mark 16:5 Luke 24:4

But when they looked up, they saw that the They found the stone rolled away from the stone, which was very large, had been rolled tomb, but when they entered, they did not find away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were young man dressed in a white robe sitting wondering about this, suddenly two men in on the right side, and they were alarmed. clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Can you harmonize these two accounts?

Mark doesn’t say there was only one. He may be focusing on the main figure.

9. Jesus’ Sermon in His Hometown Mark 6:1–6 Luke 4:16–30

Jesus left there and went to his He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on hometown, accompanied by his the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet began to teach in the synagogue, Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this and many who heard him were amazed. scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious has been given him? What are these words that came from his lips. “ remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in without honor except in his own town, your hometown what we have heard that you did in among his relatives and in his own Capernaum.’ ” home.”

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“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in He could not do any miracles there, Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a except lay his hands on a few sick half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. people and heal them. He was amazed Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in around teaching from village to village. Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

Compare Jesus’ sermon in his hometown in Mark 6:1–6 and Luke 4:16–30. Are these the same events? Can they be harmonized?

They could easily be reporting the same event with Luke including more because the details are important for his narrative purpose

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Chapter 13 The Contours and Chronology of Jesus’ Ministry

Assignment 13.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 13

1. Identify the key features of Jesus’ ministry that are agreed upon by almost everyone.

 The preaching of John the Baptist  The baptism of Jesus;  Galilean ministry of healing and exorcism;  Judean ministry climaxing in conflict with the religious leaders  Crucifixion;  Resurrection appearances

2. Between what years was Jesus born? Who was reigning in Israel at the time?

7 – 4 BC, during the reign of Herod the Great

3. About how old was Jesus when his public ministry began? How do we know this?

He was about thirty years old – see Luke 3:23.

4. What are the most likely dates for Jesus’ public ministry and for his crucifixion?

There are two main possibilities, approximately 27-30 AD or 30-33

5. During what Jewish festival was Jesus crucified?

Passover

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Chapter 14 Jesus’ Birth and Childhood

Assignment 14.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 14

1. What is the evidence that Matthew and Luke are using historical traditions in their birth narratives, rather than merely creating stories to fit their theological agendas?

Luke clearly states his intention of historical accuracy; even though Matthew cites Old Testament verses he seems to insert them into traditional material rather than building stories around them.

2. What are the main differences between the genealogies of Matthew and Luke?

Matthew goes from Abraham to Jesus; Luke goes backward from Jesus to Adam. Luke has more names while Matthew focuses on groups of 14; Matthew follows Solomon’s descendants while Luke traces through David’s son Nathan.

3. Identify some possible solutions to the problem of two different genealogies for Jesus.

Luke follow’s Mary’s line while Matthew follows Joseph’s; Matthew presents a royal lineage while Luke presents Joseph’s physical ancestors; Jesus had two different lineages because of a levirate marriage.

4. What is the theological significance of Jesus’ virginal conception? (What has been proposed and what is clear from the biblical text?)

Some would say it was necessary to protect Jesus’ sinlessness. But this is not clear from the text. The thing that is certain is that it is a supernatural and creative act by God.

5. What is the theological significance of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem?

It was the hometown of David, through whose line the Messiah was to come (see Micah 5:2).

6. What are some of the problems and possible solutions concerning the census associated with Jesus’ birth?

 No other evidence of a single empire-wide census. Possible solution: there were numerous local censuses under Caesar Augustus.  Luke said it was the first done by Quirinius, but he wasn’t governor until AD 6. Possible solution: a better translation might be that the census was “before” he was governor or he may have held an administrative position prior to being governor.

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 Romans didn’t require people to go to their hometowns. Possible solution: they may have followed Jewish traditions or Joseph may have owned land in Bethlehem which he had to register.

7. Identify some common misconceptions related to the birth of Jesus, such as the nature of the “inn,” the number of wise men, and the time of their arrival.

 “Inn” was either a guest room in a private residence or informal public shelter (a caravansary) and since there was not enough space they stayed in the area where the animals were  The text speaks of 3 different gifts, but not how many magi there were  Since Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem when they came and Herod wants to kill boys as old as two, Jesus was probably around 2 when they arrived.

8. How does the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem fit the known character of Herod the Great?

He was known to have killed his sons, wives, and all manner of political opponents.

9. Who were Jesus’ brothers? What was their actual relationship to Jesus? (Identify the various views.)

James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon Roman Catholics consider them cousins; some think they are from Joseph having a previous marriage; most likely these are Jesus’ half-brothers, the offspring of Mary and Joseph.

10. What does it mean that Jesus was a “carpenter”? Where might he have worked?

The term means someone who works with materials like stone, wood, or metal. He might have worked building homes or public buildings, or making farm tools or household items.

11. What are the “infancy Gospels”?

Fictional accounts of Jesus’ boyhood by later Christians. They often depict Jesus as a child prodigy and miracle worker.

12. What does the account of Jesus’ Passover visit to Jerusalem suggest about his growing awareness of his relationship to God?

He was starting to become aware of his special relationship with God.

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Chapter 15 The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry

Assignment 15.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 15

1. What role does John the Baptist play in the gospel tradition?

He calls Israel to repent in preparation for God’s coming to them.

2. What Old Testament passages are used to describe John the Baptist?

Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6

3. How did Jesus describe John the Baptist?

He was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets.

4. What are the possible backgrounds to John’s “baptism of repentance”?

Ceremonial washings; Jewish proselyte baptism; a unique eschatological application of cleansing and initiatory rites found in first-century Judaism.

5. What were the circumstances leading to John’s death?

During Herod’s birthday, Salome (daughter of Herodias who had been the wife of Herod’s brother Philip) danced and Herod in appreciation offered her whatever she wanted. Her mother got her to ask for the head of John the Baptist, who had spoken out against the marriage to Herod.

6. Why is the historicity of Jesus’ baptism by John nearly certain?

Even radical skeptics do not believe that the early church would have invented a story where Jesus submits to the authority of John.

7. Why might Jesus have submitted to John’s baptism?

Matthew tells us, “In order to fulfill all righteousness.” It may have been to identify with the movement John had launched.

8. What might be the significance of the dove imagery at Jesus’ baptism?

Various views:  Some see an allusion to Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit “hovers” over the waters at creation. Jesus could here be identified with the new creation.  Others suggest an allusion to Genesis 8:8-12, where Noah’s dove represents God’s gracious deliverance after judgment.

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9. What Old Testament passages are alluded to in the Voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism, and what is their significance?

“You are my Son” Psalm 2:7, God announced the Messiah’s divine sonship and legitimate rule from Mount Zion

“Whom I love” Gen 22:2, a link with Isaac as Abraham’s only son whom he loved

“With you I am well pleased” Isa 42:1, the faithful and suffering Servant of the Lord is identified as God’s chosen one

10. What is the main theme of the temptation account?

The obedience of the Son to the will of the Father

11. What two analogies appear to be present in the temptation account in Matthew and Luke? Explain their significance.

a. Jesus’ 40 days to Israel’s 40 years of testing, Jesus remained faithful and succeeded where Israel was unfaithful and failed

b. An Adam typology, where Jesus resists the temptation to sin.

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Chapter 16 The Message of Jesus

Assignment 16.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 16

1. What distinguished Jesus’ teaching from that of the scribes of his day?

He taught with a sense of originality and personal authority whereas the scribes appealed to the traditions of the past.

2. What were Jesus’ favorite teaching techniques?

He used parables, proverbs, metaphors, similes, riddles, puns, hyperbole, paradox, irony, and examples drawn from every-day life.

3. What was Jesus’ central message?

The coming of the kingdom of God

4. What is the OT and Jewish background to the kingdom of God?

It was both God’s ever present reign as king over all the earth as well as the full restoration of that reign at some time in the future.

5. What did Jesus mean by the “kingdom of God”? How do the present and future dimensions of the kingdom relate to one another?

It is God’s present reign over all as well as a future fulfillment; the future has entered into the present in Jesus.

6. Did Jesus affirm the validity of the OT law or did he overrule it? What is the solution to this apparent paradox?

Jesus claimed that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This means both that he defined its true meaning and also that he completed its purpose. He established a “new covenant” with the people of God, where the law is written on people’s hearts, not tablets of stone.

7. How did Jesus bring out the true meaning of the law? In what ways is Jesus the fulfillment of the law?

He pushed beyond the external requirements of the law to the true intention of God. The purpose of the law was to reveal God’s righteous standards and to provide the means of forgiveness when Israel failed to meet those standards. In his life and teaching he achieved the first part and with his death and resurrection he achieved the second.

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8. How can we reconcile Jesus’ teaching on God’s free grace offered to sinners, and the high cost of discipleship?

Grace is the free gift offered to sinners and the high cost of discipleship are the standards expected of those who have been transformed by the Spirit of God.

9. Is Jesus’ teaching about poverty and wealth meant to be taken spiritually or literally? How do these two relate to one another?

It is to be taken spiritually and literally. Having material wealth makes it difficult to totally depend on God.

10. Summarize the history of research on parables, especially in relation to whether they should be interpreted allegorically.

An allegory is a story in which the characters and events stand for something else. Adolf Jülicher argued that interpreting parables in this way was wrong. He said parables were intended to convey one main point. Many scholars today would say some parables contain some allegorical elements and some make only one point.

11. Why did Jesus teach in parables, according to Mark 4:11-12?

In order to reveal their meaning to those who believed and conceal from those who have rejected his kingdom proclamation.

9. Identify the key principles for interpreting the parables identified in the text.

(1) Always interpret within the context of Jesus’ ministry.

(2) Always keep in mind Jesus’ central message of the kingdom of God.

(3) Be aware of cultural, historical, and literary allusions.

(4) Seek the primary point of the parable.

(5) Be cautious concerning allegorical elements.

(6) Examine the context of the parable in the Gospel in which it appears.

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Assignment 16.2 Figures of Speech used by Jesus

Match the following figures of speech with these sayings of Jesus. Try to do this on your own and then check your answers with figure 16.1 in the textbook or the answer key on p. ____ of this workbook. a. Proverb c. Simile e. Hyperbole g. Riddle b. Metaphor d. Paradox f. Pun h. Irony

1. ______“You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14) B 2. ______Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” (John 10:32) H 3. ______“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19; referring to his own body) G 4. ______“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) E 5. ______“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) B 6. ______“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matt. 7:1) A 7. ______“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (Luke 10:3) C 8. ______“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others…” (Matt. 11:16) C 9. ______“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:24) D 10. ______“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat (Aramaic: galma) but swallow a camel (Aramaic: gamla).” (Matt. 23:24) F 11. ______“How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23) G 12. ______“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) A 13. ______“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26) E 14. ______“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) D 15. ______“And I tell you that you are Peter (petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church.” (Matt. 16:18) F 16. ______“…many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 8:11) H

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Chapter 17 The Miracles of Jesus

Assignment 17.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 17

1. In what ways is the question of miracles both a philosophical and a historical one?

During the Enlightenment, miracles came to be viewed as outside the realm of scientific enquiry. Philosophical deism and materialism rejected the miracle tradition as contrary to the laws of nature.

2. How would you answer David Hume’s objections to miracles?

He is assuming his own conclusions. His belief that miracles only occur among ignorant people or have not been attested to by intelligent witnesses are simply false. The fact that humans are drawn to the spectacular or that miracles occur in all religions does not prove that the spectacular does not occur.

3. Why do most historians accept that Jesus had a reputation as a healer and exorcist? What is the evidence for this?

 The gospel tradition is permeated throughout with the miraculous.  Even Jewish sources outside the New Testament refer to Jesus’ miracles.

4. To what ancient parallels have Jesus’ miracles been compared?

First-century magicians, Hellenistic “Divine Men”, Jewish Charismatic Rabbis

5. What similarities and differences were there between Jesus and so-called “divine men”?

1st century Apollonius is recorded to have performed healings, exorcisms, mastery over storms and even resuscitation.

The stories were written in the 3rd century rather than by eyewitnesses and likely were embellished. There are far more differences than similarities and most scholars deny any direct dependence between the story of Apollonius and the Gospels.

6. What similarities and differences between Jesus and charismatic holy men?

They were known for powerful healings and rainfall. Like Apollonius they were written several centuries after they supposedly occurred rather than from eyewitnesses. While there are some superficial parallels to Jesus’ individual miracles, his ministry as a whole is very different. These rabbis were pious men

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whose prayer life prompted God to act on their behalf. Jesus claimed personal authority to perform miracles, linking them to the presence of the kingdom of God in his own words and deeds.

7. According to Jesus’ own teaching, what was the significance of his exorcisms?

They were a spiritual assault on the dominion of Satan by the kingdom of God.

8. What is the significance of Jesus’ healings?

They are a foretaste of the restoration of creation promised in Isaiah and the prophets.

9. What is the significance of Jesus’ revivications (or resurrections)?

They symbolically represent the inauguration of the kingdom of God and the new creation.

10. What is the significance of Jesus’ nature miracles?

They function as enacted parables. Just as the parables reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to those with ears to hear, so these miracles demonstrate the in-breaking power of the kingdom to those with eyes to see.

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Chapter 18 The Messianic Words and Actions of Jesus

Assignment 18.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 18

1. Summarize the significance of the following claims of Jesus that exhibit his extraordinary sense of authority?

a. Announcing and inaugurating the kingdom of God

Jesus claimed to be the agent of God’s final salvation, bringing restoration to Israel, and healing and wholeness to the world.

b. Demonstrating authority over demons and disease

This reinforced his claim to be the inaugurator of God’s kingdom.

c. Using the Hebrew term amēn (“truly”)

An indicator of his extraordinary sense of divine authority

d. Claiming authority over the Law and the Sabbath

He goes beyond previous prophets or rabbis and places himself in authority over the two foundations (Law and Sabbath) of Judaism.

e. Claiming authority to forgive sins

His offer of forgiveness is evidence that he is inaugurating the new covenant between God and his people.

f. Claiming authority to judge all people at the final judgment

The destiny of human beings depended on their response to him.

2. What do the following features of Jesus’ ministry indicate about his aims or purpose?

a. His appointment of the Twelve

Creation of a new community of faith symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel

b. His association with sinners and outcasts

The universal offer of the kingdom

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c. His attitude toward the Gentiles

Salvation for all humanity

d. His entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey

He seems to be deliberately acting out the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and so presenting himself as the messianic king.

e. His clearing of the temple

A symbolic act of judging Israel

3. Summarize the Jewish background of the following messianic titles:

a. Messiah

The “Lord’s anointed” was used for Israel’s kings and priests, but especially of the king from David’s line. It came to be used of God’s end-time agent of salvation, the Messiah from the line of David.

b. Son of Man

The Hebrew and Aramaic phrase mean “a human being,” but Jesus’ use is drawn especially from the exalted messianic figure of Daniel 7:13–14.

c. Son of God

Sometimes used of angels, but more commonly used for the nation Israel or the king from David’s line. It points to the Messiah’s unique relationship to God and in many contexts carries implications of deity.

d. Lord

The Greek term (kyrios) has a range of meanings, from “sir” to “Lord” in its most exalted sense—Yahweh, the creator God.

4. Summarize the evidence that Jesus identified himself with each of these titles. What did he mean by them?

a. Messiah

Jesus doesn’t use this term to refer to himself and only in Mark 14:62 does he specifically accept the term. Yet his actions, both explicit and implicit, provide strong evidence that he viewed himself as the Messiah, God’s agent of salvation.

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b. Son of Man

This is the term Jesus used most for himself. It is debated whether the title primarily stresses his humanity or whether it is to be linked with the exalted messianic figure of Dan 7:13–14. Since Jesus repeatedly alludes to this latter passage, it would seem that both of these senses were part of Jesus’ self- understanding.

c. Son of God Jesus clearly referred to God as his “Father.” But did he view himself as the unique Son of God? Three key Synoptic passages provide strong evidence that Jesus spoke of himself as the unique Son of God: Mark 12:1-11 pars.; Mark 13:32//Matt. 24:36; and Matthew 11:27//Luke 10:22.

d. Lord

Passages like Mark 12:35–37 suggest that the term goes back to the historical Jesus and that it has implications of deity.

5. What does Marana-tha mean and what is its significance for the early church?

It means “Our Lord comes”. It is Aramaic and so evidence that the earliest Aramaic-speaking church identified Jesus as Lord, perhaps with implications of deity.

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Chapter 19 The Death of Jesus

Assignment 19.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 19

1. What role did the Roman authorities and the Jewish religious leaders likely play in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus?

a. Roman authorities

Since crucifixion is a Roman, not a Jewish, method, it is evident that Pilate gave the order to execute Jesus and that Roman soldiers carried it out.

b. Jewish religious leaders

Jesus is unlikely to have been viewed as a serious threat by the Romans. His primary enemies were the religious leaders. This suggests that it was the Jewish authorities who initiated actions against him and turned him over to the Romans.

2. Why did Pilate act against Jesus, despite Jesus’ apparent innocence or at least harmlessness?

The Jews threatened to report him to Rome as a leader who allowed sedition. This makes sense knowing what we do about Pilate’s rocky relationship with the Jerusalem leadership.

3. What brought Jesus into conflict with the teachers of the law (scribes) and Pharisees?

He claimed to have authority over the law, treated the Sabbath command as secondary to human needs, and accused the Pharisees of elevating their oral law – mere human traditions – over the commands of God

4. What brought Jesus into conflict with the high priest and the Sanhedrin?

If he disturbed the peace the Romans might come in and take away their positions; he identified himself with the OT prophets who were persecuted and murdered.

5. What is the evidence that Jesus foresaw and predicted his own death?

He identified himself with the prophets, who frequently suffered and experienced martyrdom. He must have known the danger of going to Jerusalem. Three times in Mark’s gospel he predicts that he will suffer, die, and rise again. These passion predictions would likely be more specific about the means of execution if they were created by the church.

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6. What significance did Jesus give to his death? What evidence is there for the historicity of Jesus’ Eucharistic words and of the ransom saying of Mark 10:45?

According to Mark 10:45 and the last supper narrative (Mark 14:23-24/Matt. 26:26- 29/Luke 22:15-20/1 Cor. 11:23-26) he viewed his death as a sacrifice of atonement, leading his people into a new covenant relationship with God.

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Assignment 19.2 Events of Passion Week

Instructions Using the map on the next page, identify the approximate locations of the following events of Passion Week. You will find help from the map in Chapter 19 of the text. Some of these locations are approximations. Others are simply guesses, such as the trial at the home of the High Priest and the trial before Pilate. Do a little research here. Where was the Last Supper held? Where do scholars think Jesus stood before Pilate?

After labeling these places, draw lines tracing Jesus’ probably route during these events.

1. Jesus’ approach to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday

2. Clearing the Temple

3. Debates with the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees

4. Discourse to his disciples on the Mount of Olives

5. Jesus’ anointing at Bethany

6. Site of Passover and the Last Supper

7. Prayer and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane

8. Trial at the home of the High Priest

9. Trial before Pilate (could be the Fortress of Antonia or Herod’s Palace)

10. Crucifixion

11. Burial

12. Resurrection

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Chapter 20 The Resurrection of Jesus

Assignment 20.1 Overview Questions for Chapter 9

1. Summarize the various rationalistic explanations for the resurrection. Which is the most widely held today?

a. The Swoon Theory

Jesus never died on the cross, he just fainted and later revived in the tomb.

b. The Wrong Tomb Theory

The women went to the wrong tomb, which was empty, and assumed the resurrection.

c. The Theft Theory

The disciples stole his body and then announced the resurrection.

d. Visionary and Legendary Development Theories

The Gospel narratives arose as legendary developments of early visionary experiences. Days, weeks, months, and even years after Jesus’ death, Peter and the other disciples began having visions and dreams in which they saw Jesus alive.

This is the most widely held today for those who deny the resurrection

2. Note the five pieces of evidence identified in the text that together support the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus.

a. Jesus was crucified by the Romans around AD 30

b. Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea

c. The tomb was discovered empty on the third day

d. Many credible witnesses saw Jesus alive

e. The transformed lives of the disciples

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3. What was the significance of the resurrection of the dead in first-century Judaism? When was it expected to occur?

The resurrection was viewed as God’s final intervention, the vindication of the righteous and the judgment of the wicked.

4. In what sense is the resurrection of Jesus the beginning of the final resurrection?

Since his death inaugurated the new covenant and the age of salvation, his resurrection must be viewed as the beginning of the end-time resurrection of the people of God.

5. How would Jesus and his followers likely have understood the resurrection in light of the teaching of Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets?

It signaled the beginning of the last days and the final resurrection, the defeat of Satan, sin, and death.

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Assignment 20.2 The Aims of the Historical Jesus (Chapters 18–20)

Even if we were to adopt a very skeptical historical-critical approach to the Gospels, there is still a great deal we can discern about Jesus’ self-understanding and his goals.

Instructions The following points are widely viewed as having a high degree of historical validity. Based on what you have learned in Chapters 18–20 of your textbook, state very briefly: (1) The reason each point is viewed as historically reliable; (2) Its significance concerning Jesus’ self-understanding. You may work individually or in groups (your teacher will instruct you).

1. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was arriving through his own words and actions.

Few dispute that Jesus’s message was the coming kingdom of God.

He was claiming to be the agent of God’s final salvation, bring restoration to Israel, and healing and wholeness to the world.

2. Jesus performed (or was reported to have performed) healings and exorcisms and linked these actions to the arrival of the kingdom of God.

Everyone agrees Jesus was reported to have performed healings and exorcisms. Reports of his miracles permeate the gospel tradition and appear in extra-biblical sources.

The significance of this is that these actions reinforced his claim to be the inaugurator of God’s kingdom and the one to restore creation.

3. Jesus chose twelve disciples.

Few dispute that Jesus chose disciples and the phrase “the Twelve” appears in all four Gospels. Even after Judas’ death, the phrase is used, showing it was a technical term for a group of key disciples.

The significance is that Jesus saw himself creating a new community, a restoration of Israel. He himself was not one of the Twelve, suggesting that he, like Yahweh, was the one who called this new Israel into existence.

4. Jesus identified himself as the Son of Man.

All four Gospels put the title exclusively on Jesus’ lips and it is not a title for him used by the early church.

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It stressed his humanity and was a veiled reference to Dan 7:13–14, identifying Jesus as the exalted Messiah who would receive an eternal kingdom and dominion.

5. Jesus used the Hebrew term amēn (“truly”) when he taught.

Confirmed by the criterion of Semitic flavor, dissimilarity, and multiple attestation.

It signifies Jesus’ sense of divine authority.

6. Jesus addressed God with the Aramaic term Abba.

Likely authentic because the early church retained the Aramaic term.

Suggests Jesus believed he had a unique Father-Son relationship with God.

7. Jesus entered Jerusalem in the last week of his life riding on a donkey?

Probably not a creation, since Mark does not cite Zech 9:9. Also, the cry “Hosanna” is a Hebrew word. It is unlikely this was invented by the Greek-speaking church.

Jesus seems to be deliberately acting out Zech 9:9, identifying himself as the messianic king

8. A titulus or plaque was placed above Jesus’ cross identifying him as “king of the Jews.”

Few doubt the historicity of the plaque since this was common practice for crucifixion victims and since the early church did not use the title “king” for Jesus.

Shows that Jesus was crucified as a messianic pretender.

9. At his Last Supper, a Passover meal, Jesus established a “new Passover” centered on his own body and blood and linked his death to the “new covenant” of Jeremiah 31.

This has a strong case for authenticity, since Jesus’ words here seem to have a Semitic background and since Paul reports this same event in 1 Corinthians 11.

Suggests Jesus viewed his death as a sacrifice of atonement, leading people into a new covenant relationship with God.

10. The tomb Jesus was buried in was discovered empty on the third day after his death.

There is strong evidence, (1) that Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea and (2) that the tomb was discovered empty on the third day. The fact

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that women are described as discovering the tomb is strong evidence, since women were not viewed as reliable witnesses in Judaism.

11. Jesus’ disciples claimed to see him alive after his death.

Again, the first appearances were to women, suggesting these stories were not invented. Paul claims that 500 people saw Jesus alive and that many were still alive when he was writing (about AD 55).

This is the evidence that there will be a bodily resurrections.

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