1. Synoptic Gospels

2. Vocab Gospel = Good News – Message of Christ & salvation – Also preaching/writing that message Synoptic: “seen together” – Many similarities with each other – Telling the story Four Evangelists – Spreading the Word – Gospel Writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

3. Age Tradition: Matthew is the oldest Later scholarship puts Mark first First Century AD (within a generation or two) – Mark: 67-73 AD – Matthew & Luke: 80s AD

4. “Q” Unknown author – Lost to us now Common stories for Matthew & Luke – Mark had his own sources Matthew & Luke also had unique sources – M & L, respectively

5. Symbolism Many early Christians illiterate – Pictures became universal symbols Gospel writers had a symbol – All symbols have wings: angels & heaven – Matthew: man – reason & Incarnation – Mark: lion - courage – Luke: ox - sacrifice

6. Mark Disciple of Peter – Writing in Rome – Audience: Romans & other Gentiles Highlights deeds, not words – Follow in the footsteps of Jesus (WWJD) Uniquely: begins with his baptism – Skips the nativity & childhood

7. Mark’s Jesus Son of God – “Christ” / Messiah – Son of Man: a prophecy from Daniel about the Messiah’s title Suffering Servant of man (Isaiah’s servant songs) Come in glory but also suffer and sacrifice Human – Angry – Curses a fig tree – People do think poorly of him – Sleeps

8. Matthew A Jewish scribe – Connected with the apostle Matthew – Writing for his fellow Jewish Christians – Criticizes other Jewish communities – Only Gospel to mention organization & rules Jewish elements: – Fulfillment of the Messiah prophecies (“Son of David”) – References to Israel & Scripture quotes

9. Jesus as the New Moses Emphasis of Jesus as a teacher – Title of Rabbi – 5 major “books” within Matthew, each centered on a sermon Jesus gives a New Law, replacing the Old Law of Moses – New Covenant of Jeremiah

10. Luke Gentile Christian – Also wrote the Acts of the Apostles – Doctor, traveling companion of St. Paul St. Paul was the major evangelist to the non- Jews in early Christianity Audience: other Gentile Christians (Hellenistic culture)

11. Luke, cont’d Highlights Jerusalem as a physical center of the faith 2 Themes – Gospel a cause for celebration – Jesus saves Jews & Gentiles alike Let Jesus into our hearts so that we may be transformed

12. Jesus in Luke Forgiving – Dines with tax collectors & sinners – “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34) Gentleness, compassion & sensitivity – Healing love – Openness to women (praise of his mother) Jesus seeks out the outcasts – Lepers & Samaritans

13. Guess who