Synoptic Gospels
The Gospel according to Mark –
Theme - “Jesus the Suffering Servant”
Timeline
· Around 60 C.E. (Common Era)
· It was a religious book based on the community’s reflections on the actual events and messages in Jesus’ life.
Audience
· Gentile Christians.
Message
· He stressed that Christians were the Disciples of Christ.
· Just as Jesus suffered and died so do those who become Christians for their faith.
· Mark stressed that a disciple must take up their cross and follow Jesus.
Background
· Mark knew that Christians were persecuted and martyred during the time of Nero in Rome, and many were asking why they had to endure these hardships.
Style and Technique
· The Gospel of Mark is the shortest Gospel.
· Mark focuses more on Jesus’ deeds than on his words.
· Use of symbolism.
· 4 major episodes:
– The Baptist and the baptized
– Who do you say that I am?
– Trial Narrative
– The Messiah Revealed to the World
-Marks Gospel provides an intimate portrait of Jesus. Jesus as the Suffering Servant.
The Gospel according to Matthew –
Theme – “Jesus the Teacher”
Timeline
· Around 80 C.E. (Common Era)
Audience
· Jewish Christians.
Message
· Jewish Christians wondered why the Jewish nation had not rallied to Jesus.
· They believed the messiah was to come from the Jewish people, but Christian Jews wondered how the Jewish nation misunderstood Jesus.
· Matthew explains that it was the Jews who rejected Christ, not Christ who rejected the Jews.
· Jesus preached among the Jewish people, but the religious leaders rejected his message.
Background
· During a time when the Jews had been at war with the Romans and lost their land including their sacred city of Jerusalem.
· The Jewish Christians refused to participate in the war due to their Christian convictions and nonviolent beliefs.
· After the war the Pharisees excommunicated the Jewish Christians for their lack of support.
· Jesus confronts the Pharisees and scribes.
Style and Technique
· Blends insight of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus.
· Infancy Narrative.
· Temptation Narrative.
· Beatitudes
· The judgment of nations
Matthew’s Gospel contains Jesus’ teaching in such a thorough, well-organized, and understandable manner, becoming the most popular and widely used of all the Gospels in the early Church.
The Gospel according to Luke –
Theme – “Jesus the Savior”
Timeline
· Around 90 C.E. (Common Era)
Audience
· Gentile.
Message
· He explained how Jesus’ message was for all people.
· Message for the poor, suffering, outcast, and women.
Background
· Luke traces Jesus’ birth back to Adam, thus showing that Jesus is the Savior of all, Jews and Gentiles alike.
· Luke tells his readers to concentrate on the importance of living everyday life in this world in the manner of Jesus.
· Emphasis on Jesus’ human qualities (mercy and compassion).
Style and Technique
· The movement in Luke’s Gospel is always toward the city of Jerusalem.
· Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem followed by presentation in the temple and then the boy Jesus lost in Jerusalem.
· Announcement of journey towards Jesus death in Jerusalem.
· After Jesus’ resurrection all of his appearances are in or near Jerusalem.
· Jesus was killed and the Church born in Jerusalem.
Luke’s Gospel clearly depicts a Jesus who deeply loves all men and women.