4.1 Gospels and the life of Jesus

The Gospels provide crucial accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, and significance. They offer diverse perspectives on his ministry, from birth to resurrection, shaping Christian theology and practice. Each Gospel has unique emphases, reflecting different audiences and purposes.

Jesus' ministry, as depicted in the Gospels, includes powerful teachings, miracles, and conflicts with religious leaders. His death and resurrection form the cornerstone of Christian faith, with his teachings and actions continuing to inspire and challenge believers worldwide.

Canonical gospels

• The canonical gospels refer to the four gospels included in the New Testament of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
• These gospels are considered authoritative accounts of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and form the foundation for Christian theology and practice

Synoptic gospels vs John

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• The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) share many similarities in content, structure, and wording, suggesting a literary relationship or common sources
  • They often present events in the same order and use similar language to describe them
  • The term "synoptic" comes from the Greek words meaning "seeing together"
• The Gospel of John differs significantly from the synoptic gospels in style, content, and theological emphasis
  • John includes unique material not found in the synoptic gospels (e.g., the wedding at Cana, the raising of Lazarus)
  • John emphasizes Jesus' divinity and uses more symbolic language and extended discourses

Authorship and dating

• The gospels are traditionally attributed to Matthew (a tax collector and apostle), Mark (a companion of Peter), Luke (a physician and companion of Paul), and John (the "beloved disciple")
  • However, the gospels themselves do not explicitly name their authors, and there is ongoing scholarly debate about their precise authorship
• The gospels were likely written between 70-100 CE, with Mark being the earliest and John being the latest
  • The dating is based on internal evidence, such as the mention of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (70 CE) and the development of theological themes

Purpose and audience

• Each gospel was written with a specific purpose and audience in mind, shaping the selection and presentation of material
  • Matthew: Written for a Jewish audience, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of a new covenant
  • Mark: Written for a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience, focusing on Jesus' actions and suffering and presenting him as the powerful Son of God
  • Luke: Written for a Gentile audience, particularly those interested in history and social justice, presenting Jesus as the savior of all people
  • John: Written to encourage belief in Jesus as the divine Son of God, using symbolic language and emphasizing Jesus' relationship with the Father

Birth and early life of Jesus

• The gospels provide limited information about Jesus' birth and early life, with Matthew and Luke being the only gospels to include infancy narratives

Genealogy and virgin birth

• Matthew and Luke both include genealogies of Jesus, tracing his lineage back to King David and ultimately to Abraham (Matthew) or Adam (Luke)
  • The genealogies differ in some details, possibly due to different emphases or sources
• Both Matthew and Luke describe Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit and his virgin birth to Mary
  • This is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 7:14) and a sign of Jesus' divine origin

Childhood and family

• The gospels provide few details about Jesus' childhood, with the exception of Luke's account of Jesus teaching in the Temple at age 12
• Jesus is described as growing up in Nazareth with his mother Mary, his earthly father Joseph, and his siblings (brothers and sisters)
  • The gospels mention Jesus' brothers James, Joses, Judas, and Simon, as well as unnamed sisters

Ministry and teachings

• The majority of the gospel accounts focus on Jesus' public ministry, which lasted approximately three years and took place primarily in Galilee and Judea

Baptism and temptation

• All four gospels describe Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of his public ministry
  • At his baptism, the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven proclaims him as the beloved Son of God
• The synoptic gospels also describe Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness following his baptism
  • Jesus resists temptation and remains faithful to God, setting the stage for his ministry

Disciples and followers

• Jesus calls twelve disciples (also known as apostles) to follow him and participate in his ministry
  • The twelve include Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot
• In addition to the twelve, Jesus is followed by a larger group of disciples, including women such as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna
  • These followers provide support for Jesus and his ministry and are witnesses to his teachings and miracles

Parables and sermons

• Jesus frequently teaches through parables, which are short stories or comparisons that convey spiritual truths
  • Examples include the parables of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Sower
• The gospels also record several extended discourses or sermons by Jesus
  • The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a prime example, in which Jesus teaches about the values and ethics of the Kingdom of God

Miracles and healings

• The gospels record numerous miracles performed by Jesus, demonstrating his divine power and authority
  • These include healings of the sick and disabled (e.g., the blind, the lame, lepers), exorcisms of demons, and nature miracles (e.g., calming the storm, walking on water)
• Jesus' miracles serve as signs of his identity as the Son of God and the coming of the Kingdom of God
  • They also reveal his compassion for the suffering and his power over evil and death

Conflicts with religious leaders

• Throughout his ministry, Jesus faces opposition and criticism from religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees
  • These conflicts center around issues such as Sabbath observance, ritual purity, and Jesus' claims to divine authority
• Jesus often challenges the religious leaders' hypocrisy and legalism, emphasizing the importance of love, mercy, and inner righteousness
  • He also asserts his own authority as the Son of God and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies

Passion and crucifixion

• The final week of Jesus' life, known as the Passion, is a central focus of all four gospels and the climax of his earthly ministry

Last Supper and betrayal

• Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples, known as the Last Supper
  • During this meal, he institutes the Eucharist (or Lord's Supper), using bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood, which will be given for the forgiveness of sins
• After the meal, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, where he is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the religious authorities
  • Judas, one of the twelve disciples, had agreed to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver

Trial and sentencing

• Jesus is brought before the Jewish high priest and the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council) for questioning
  • He is accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God and the Messiah
• Jesus is then taken before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who has the authority to execute him
  • Pilate initially finds no basis for a charge against Jesus but ultimately yields to the pressure of the crowd and sentences him to crucifixion

Death and burial

• Jesus is crucified at Golgotha (the Place of the Skull) along with two criminals
  • He is mocked by the crowds and the soldiers, who place a crown of thorns on his head and a sign reading "King of the Jews" above him
• Jesus dies on the cross after several hours, uttering his final words (which vary slightly among the gospels)
  • At his death, the curtain of the Temple is torn in two, and a centurion acknowledges him as the Son of God
• Jesus' body is taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, and buried in a new tomb
  • The tomb is sealed with a large stone and guarded by Roman soldiers at the request of the religious leaders

Resurrection and ascension

• The resurrection of Jesus is a central event in the gospels and the foundation of Christian faith and hope

Empty tomb and appearances

• On the third day after Jesus' death, women followers (including Mary Magdalene) go to the tomb and find it empty
  • They are met by angels who announce that Jesus has risen from the dead
• The risen Jesus appears to his disciples and followers on several occasions, providing evidence of his resurrection
  • These appearances include the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the eleven disciples in the upper room, and Thomas (who initially doubts)

Great Commission and ascension

• Before his ascension, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission, instructing them to make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  • He promises to be with them always, to the end of the age
• Jesus then ascends into heaven in the presence of his disciples, with the promise that he will return in the same way
  • The ascension marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of the disciples' mission to spread the gospel

Significance for early church

• The resurrection and ascension of Jesus are foundational events for the early church
  • They confirm Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, and they provide the basis for Christian hope in eternal life
• The early church proclaims the resurrection as the central message of the gospel and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
  • The resurrection is seen as the vindication of Jesus' claims and the defeat of sin and death

Historical Jesus

• The study of the historical Jesus seeks to reconstruct the life, teachings, and context of Jesus using historical and critical methods, distinct from theological or confessional approaches

Quest for the historical Jesus

• The quest for the historical Jesus began in the 18th century with the rise of critical scholarship and the Enlightenment
  • Scholars sought to distinguish the Jesus of history from the Christ of faith and to uncover the "real" Jesus behind the gospel accounts
• The quest has gone through several phases, each with different methodologies and conclusions
  • These include the First Quest (19th century), the "No Quest" period (early 20th century), the New Quest (mid-20th century), and the Third Quest (late 20th century to present)

Criteria for authenticity

• Scholars have developed various criteria to assess the historical reliability of the gospel accounts and to determine which sayings and actions of Jesus are most likely to be authentic
  • These criteria include multiple attestation (an event or saying is found in multiple independent sources), dissimilarity (a saying or action is distinct from the interests of the early church or Judaism), and embarrassment (an event or saying that would have been embarrassing or problematic for the early church)
• The application of these criteria has led to a range of conclusions about the historical Jesus, from a apocalyptic prophet to a wisdom teacher to a social revolutionary

Jesus in non-Christian sources

• In addition to the gospels, there are several non-Christian sources that mention Jesus or provide information about the early Christian movement
  • These include the Jewish historian Josephus (who mentions Jesus' crucifixion under Pontius Pilate), the Roman historian Tacitus (who describes the persecution of Christians under Nero), and the Babylonian Talmud (which contains references to Jesus and his disciples)
• While these sources provide limited information and are often later than the gospels, they help to corroborate some aspects of the gospel accounts and situate Jesus within the historical context of first-century Palestine

Christology and theology

• Christology is the study of the nature, person, and work of Jesus Christ, and it is a central aspect of Christian theology

Titles and attributes of Jesus

• The gospels and other New Testament writings use various titles and attributes to describe Jesus and his significance
  • These include Messiah (or Christ), Son of God, Son of Man, Lord, Savior, and Word (Logos)
• Each title emphasizes different aspects of Jesus' identity and role, such as his divine origin, his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and his authority and power

Divine and human nature

• Christian theology affirms that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, a doctrine known as the Incarnation
  • The gospels portray Jesus as having human characteristics (e.g., hunger, thirst, emotions) while also possessing divine attributes (e.g., forgiving sins, accepting worship)
• The early church developed the doctrine of the Trinity to articulate the relationship between Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit
  • Jesus is understood as the eternal Son of God, equal with the Father and the Spirit in divinity but distinct in personhood

Relationship to God the Father

• The gospels, particularly the Gospel of John, emphasize Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father
  • Jesus speaks of the Father as sending him, giving him authority, and being one with him
• Jesus' prayers and statements reflect a deep intimacy and unity with the Father, while also maintaining a distinction in roles and submission to the Father's will
  • This relationship is the basis for Christian understanding of divine love and communion

Salvation and atonement

• The death and resurrection of Jesus are understood in Christian theology as the means of salvation and atonement for sin
  • Jesus' death on the cross is seen as a sacrificial act that pays the penalty for human sin and reconciles humanity with God
• Various theories or models of atonement have been developed to explain how Jesus' death achieves salvation
  • These include the ransom theory (Jesus' death is a payment to Satan), the satisfaction theory (Jesus' death satisfies God's justice and honor), and the moral influence theory (Jesus' death is an example of love that inspires moral transformation)
• The resurrection of Jesus is seen as the confirmation of his victory over sin and death and the basis for Christian hope in eternal life and the future resurrection of believers