The Synoptic Gospels are composed of the gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke. These three gospels covered many of the same stories; yet, they disagree with each other on various details within certain stories. Also, numerous events that are in Mark, is not in Matthew or Luke and vice versa. Many historians have concluded that Mark was the first of the three gospels written and that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source to their own gospels. The Synoptic Gospels were first written in Greek, which would suggest to some ambiguity within Mark, Matthew, and Luke due to certain perceptions and translations within the Greek language. One ambiguity that is shown within the Synoptic Gospels dealt with Jesus’s view on marriage and divorce. Using Burton H. Throckmorton, Jr’s Gospel Parallels, readers can dissect what Jesus may have thought of marriage and divorce and realize the ambiguities shown among the Synoptic Gospels; even bringing into questions the ideas of sexism and homosexuality.
In the Synoptic Gospels, only Mark and Matthew write about Jesus preaching to the Pharisees in Judea about marriage and divorce. Luke instead quotes Jesus’s thoughts on marriage and divorce in between Jesus’s preaching of the Pharisees about money. Mark and Matthew seems to disagree on many of the chronology and details regarding what he preached. Mark 10:1 states: “He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan.” Mark suggests that Jesus left a “place” and went to two locations; both Judea and beyond Jordan to preach marriage and divorce; however, Matthew disagrees. In Matthew 19:1, it is quoted: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.” Matthew defines M...
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...they would not have to follow the rules of marriage and divorce.
The gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels. Many of the writings in these gospels on what Jesus thought of marriage and divorce are similar; however, the details of many events and wordings of the writing are dramatically different. The writings are vague and ambiguous and may hold one of many meanings. This ambiguity may have occurred because of the translations from Greek to other languages or because each of the gospels writers thought differently on each of the subjects. Using Burton H. Throckmorton, Jr’s Gospel Parallels the readers can dissect what Jesus may have said about marriage and divorce and realize its ambiguity. It is up to the reader to interpret what Jesus may have thought about marriage and divorce according to the reader’s own beliefs and thoughts.
The authors of the Gospel According to Matthew, and the Gospel According to Luke made some considerable modifications, deletions, and additions to the Gospel of Mark. To the average reader the changes seem rather significant and one might ask why these changes were made. Well, there are several reasons why these changes were made. For example, the authors wanted to show readers that Jesus was more holy than the original author set him out to be. Also, the authors sought after to express the gospel in, what they thought, were better words to make it appear more authentic. Furthermore the authors of the Gospel According to Matthew and the Gospel According to Luke wanted simply to modify the text because they didn’t see eye to eye with what the original author said.
Matthew chapter five is a sermon by Jesus. It tells us what perspective we ought to have in dealings with each other and with our attitude. Those who are weak shall be strong, and those who mourn shall be comforted tell of positive actions or humility being rewarded. Jesus goes through a list of these, exalting the poor and the weak. Mt. 5:17-20 is between the first section of what actions are righteous and before the section of what seem to be his own version of commandments relative to the law. It says that all shall be done and judged through and by him. So he gave a perspective on the humble and then judged the law. He tells people to be righteous and then tells them the manner in which to achieve righteousness. It included removing anything from your life that brought you away from Christ. If your eyes were causing you temptation to sin, poke them out. All you do ought to be done in Christ and to glorify God the Father, so whatever didn't achieve those things were not to be done and one should do whatever necessary to stop them.
But if the Gospels are thoroughly researched in depth, it becomes evident that the two writers were targeting different readers. Matthew writes for a Jewish audience, while John directs his book to all Christ-believers around the world. Another evident difference is the central theme that each Gospel relates to. Matthew’s major theme is Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy. While John continuously writes about belief in Jesus is required for salvation, making this his central theme. The last difference seen between both Gospels are the perspective of Jesus that is portrayed throughout the book. Matthew presents Jesus as a Messiah but John describes Jesus as the Son of God. With just knowledge from two Gospels on Jesus, they provide one clear message that Jesus is one, true Son of
So it can be said that gnosis is secret knowledge revealed to man hat only get by someone or a
The Gospel of Matthew is an eyewitness story written for an audience of believers, under great stress, and persecution. Matthew develops a theological plot incorporating genealogy, speeches, parables, inter and intra textual references, common vocabulary, and fulfillment quotations, with a tension that builds as we are invited into the story. The crucifixion and resurrection bring us to a Christological climax that symbolically points beyond its conclusion to God’s Kingdom, bringing atonement, salvation and the ushering in the Eschaton. The extraordinary events surrounding the crucifixion act as commentary, adding important details concerning the death of Jesus.1
Mark’s gospel and John’s gospel contain many differences from the beginning, but both end with Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The gospels of John and Mark represent Jesus as two different people. The disparity is that Mark represents Jesus as a servant while John portrays Jesus as a divine being. However, one must realize the two texts are meant to read by different audiences during different time periods. Each description presents a particular aspect of the life of Historical Jesus.
Although the Gospel of Mark is presented second in the New Testament, scholars typically agree it was the first Gospel written; therefore, it set an example for other writers. Throughout the other two Synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Luke, influences of Mark are easily recognized in wording, structure, and the sequence of narrative events. While Mark is believed to have been recorded first, it is more condensed and simpler than Matthew and Luke; how...
The contents of the Bible have dealt with controversy in regards to its inerrancy since publication, and will surely continue to. Historians progress to learn more about biblical stories in order to provide evidence for the reliability of information. Many believers today understand that not everything in the Bible has been factually proven. An outstanding topic many scholars pay attention to lies within the four gospels. The three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, replay essentially the same story with minor inconsistencies, while John portrays Jesus in an entirely different way. The differences in each gospel are due to how each gospel entertains different portrayals of the life and understanding of Jesus himself, in order to persuade
God’s written law is something that is and should be continuously turned, to not only when Christians find themselves in need, but also throughout in one’s daily life. The four gospels tell to story of Jesus’ life and his teachings he gave while on the earth making it possible for there to be a true example of Christ-like faith. The proposition that there are differences in the story of Jesus and in his teachings seems to question the basis upon which the Christian faith is found upon. Rather than proclaiming the gospels as falsehoods because on the differences they possess, by analyzing the differences in the context of the particular gospel it can be understood that the differences are not made by mistake, rather as a literary device. While
Certainly anyone who has been involved with Sunday school at church, has taken a religion class, or has any knowledge of the Christian religion has heard of Moses, the man who carried a big stick, parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites out of slavery into the “Promised Land.” However, there is more to Moses’ story than a forty-year excursion through the desert. Besides his role in freeing his people, Moses also served as a vessel for the Word of God. The events that this man was so instrumental in have been referenced throughout history, and the Law of Moses provides the basis of John Milton’s discussion of divorce in his 1644 treatise Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce. In his exposition, Milton compares the approaches on divorce put forth by the Mosaic Law and that proclaimed by the Law of Grace, and uses them to support his own beliefs on the issue. As Milton argues his case for divorce, it becomes clear that he manipulates Scripture to support his points.
Marriages in Biblical Tradition typically represent a symbolic expression of the covenantal union between God and his people. A wedding banquet during this time period in history was a joyous occasion that had a great importance in the lives of the betrothed. “The Gospel of Matthew, like all the New Testament Gospels, was composed as a literary work to interpret the theological meaning of a concrete historical event to the people in a particular historical situation” (Boring 89). Mt. 22:1-14 utilizes this tradition and expresses wedding celebrations in order to exemplify the significance of Jesus’s goal to bring salvation to those on Earth. The parable of the wedding feast unfolds into three parts: the inviting of guests, a call to the outcasts, and a removal.
The first three gospels are sometimes called the 'synoptic' (same view) gospels. This is because they each cover teaching and miracles by Jesus that are also covered in another account. John, writing later, recounts Jesus' other words and miracles that have a particular spiritual meaning.
The four gospels are detailed accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Each portrays a unique story and angle of Jesus, who is the savior of the Jews and the world. Apostle Matthew’s writings are to prove to the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah. Mark stressed the humanity of Jesus and also his deity. Luke wanted to show that the gentile Christian in God’s kingdom is based on the teachings of Jesus. John speaks of Jesus as one sent from God to reveal His love and grace to man. The four gospels work together to elaborate on the several key themes; salvation, spreading His word, and the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise.
The term “Synoptic Problem” alludes to the similarities and differences that is apparent in the Synoptic Gospels. Events that occurred are detailed in somewhat different arrangements and narrations. These differences and similarities have caused observant Christians to wonder what could cause what appear to be a chronological difference in these Gospels and why do we have more than one Gospel? All of these observations and questions in essence make up the “Synoptic Problem.” (Lea and Black,The New Testament Its Background and message 2003:114) The development of the Gospel as described by Luke referred to “eyewitnesses” an “account of the things” and “an orderly account”. These stages correlate to the Oral tradition, the period of written sources, and the period of final composition.(Lea and Black,The New Testament Its Background and message 2003:115)