Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey Bible study
September 26, 1993
Robert Gundry
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I. Mark, the Gospel of Jesus' saving activity.
A. Author: Early testimony by Papias (c. A.D. 120) claims John Mark as author.
B. Date: Probably before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70,
but no earlier than A.D. 45. Probably the earliest gospel.
C. Style:
1) Emphasis on Jesus' action rather than teaching.
2) The word "immediately" used often, and not always literally.
3) The "Messianic secret" is prominent. Jesus repeatedly warns people not to
reveal his identity. Mark 1:44; 3:12; 7:36; 8:30; 9:9
4) The Passion of Jesus makes up a third of the narrative.
D. Purpose and Plan:
1) Evangelistic purpose, to win converts to Christ.
2) Most likely a Gentile audience since Hebrew expressions are translated (5:41).
These Gentiles were probably Roman since Greek expressions are explained by
their Latin equivalents (12:42; 15:16).
3) Most simple layout of all the gospels:
a) Begins with John the Baptist and baptism of Jesus. Mk 1
b) Moves to the ministry of Jesus around Galilee. Mk 1-9
c) The ministry down the Jordan to Jerusalem. Mk 10
d) Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Mk 11-16
4) Main textual problem: the best early manuscripts end with 16:8, while later
ones add a short end, and others add a long ending. The long ending is found
in the King James Version.
II. Matthew, the gospel of the Messiah and the new people of God.
A. Author: Early tradition unanimously claims Matthew as the author (although
liberal scholars often deny it). It is the only gospel that mentions Jesus
paying the temple tax (17:24-27) and mentions "Matthew's house" rather than
"his house" like the other gospels (9:9-13). It was probably written from
Antioch, Syria.
B. Date: A short time after Mark. He probably wrote before the destruction of
the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70 because after this time Jews were much less
likely to convert.
C. Plan and themes:
1) Matthew begins with the nativity and then alternates between a condensed
narrative from Mark and sections of teaching by Jesus (called discourses).
The last three chapters contain the Passion and resurrection.
2) The discourses are basically long sermons:
a) The Sermon on the Mount. Matt 5-7
b) The commission of the Twelve. Matt 10
c) The Parables of Jesus about the Kingdom. Matt 13
d) The meaning of humility and forgiveness. Matt 18
e) Condemation of Pharisees and Second Coming. Matt 23-25
3) Jesus is the new and greater Moses.
a) Both have their teaching in five sections. (Matthew even omits the story of
the widow's mite so chapter 23 and 24-25 become one discourse making five.)
b) Both speak God's law from a mountain.
c) Both had to be spirited away at birth.
d) Jesus consciously sets his teaching alongside Moses' in the Sermon on the
Mount. (Luke covers the same material, but does not make the comparison.)
4) Groupings of three and seven are common.
D. Purpose:
1) Purpose is either to evangelize Jews or to teach young converts the ethical
requirements of Christian faith.
2) Old Testament prophecies are used to show that the Church has now become God's
new chosen people, and Jesus is the world's Messiah. Jewishness is also shown
by the genealogy to Abraham and the emphasis on Jesus as the "son of David."
3) There is also an emphasis on the universality of the gospel. The wise men
come from the distant East to worship Jesus, and the whole world figures in
several of the parables.
III. Luke, the gospel of historical certainty.
A. Author: this gospel and Acts must be from the same author since they refer
to each other. Luke has always been identified as the author of both since he
is the only companion of Paul to be included in each of the "we" sections of
Acts.
B. Date: Probably before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in A.D. 70,
though some think Luke 21:20 alludes to this Roman conquest. Acts appears to
be written before A.D. 67, and the gospel probably before then.
C. Style:
1) Emphasis on universality of gospel, even more so than Matthew. Old barriers
are broken down by Jesus and a single new people are made. Luke's genealogy
does not go back just to Abraham, but to Adam.
2) Gentile focus, probably reflecting the fact that Luke himself was a Gentile.
Jesus' dealings with Gentiles get special emphasis.
3) Social outcasts and sinners are included in the universal gospel. So are
women.
4) Jesus appears as a man of prayer. The work of the Holy Spirit is highlighted.
5) Like Acts, the gospel of Luke breathes success.
D. Plan:
1) The longest and most comprehensive gospel.
2) The last journey of Jesus to Jerusalem receives more emphasis from Luke than
the others. Many of the distinctive parables of Jesus appear here.
3) Among the unique parables: Good Samaritan, Rich Fool, Prodigal Son, rich man
and Lazarus, etc.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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