01 01 introduction to life of christ narrated
TRANSCRIPT
Life of Christ
BI 1211 and BI 1311Kevin Ellis, Assistant Professor of Bible
Faulkner University
Comparing The Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The Four Gospels
Three “Synoptics” written around 60Mark: by a traveling companion of Paul
Matthew: by the apostle
Luke: by a physician travel companion of Paul
A more reflective gospel written around 90John: by the apostle
The oldest (c. 125) known
fragment of the New Testament is
this 3.5 inch piece of John
18:31-33 & 37-38.
Known as p52, or as the John
Rylands fragment, it was
discovered in Egypt in 1920.
Perspective & Structure of Matthew
PerspectiveStrong Jewish emphasisPerhaps for mixed Jewish-Gentile readership40 Quotes & 100 Allusions to the Old Testament
14 direct statements that Jesus fulfills Hebrew prophecy(significantly more than John 7x, Luke 4x, Mark 2x)
Content & Structure28 passages unique to Matthew“Narrative-Discourse” Structure
Structured around 5 sermons (“discourses”)Events in between (“narrative”)
Simple outline1-4 Introducing Jesus5-16 Ministry and Rejection16-28 Jerusalem, Crucifixion, Resurrection
Perspective & Structure of Mark
PerspectiveSense of urgency presenting the Gospel
“And immediately” used 42 timesBriefest Gospel, almost “just the facts”Fewer words of Jesus than the other Gospels
Assumes familiarity with Jews, explains some
Structure & ContentMostly about Galilean ministry, then JerusalemFocused treatment of last week
Nearly ½ of Mark is about heading toward the Passion.Predictions of Passion begin in chapter 8 (of 16).Last week of Jesus’ life begins in chapter 11.
Simple Outline1-9 Galilean Ministry10-13 Judean Ministry 14-16 Crucifixion and Resurrection
Perspective & Structure of Luke
Perspective“Orderly account” with historical details
Companion volume to Acts
Structure & ContentNearly half of content not in other Gospels
More information about childhood of Jesus
Prominent role of women
Simple Outline1-9 Public ministry mostly in Galilee9-19 Ministry mostly in Perea on the way to Jerusalem20-24 Crucifixion and Resurrection
Perspective & Structure of John
PerspectiveReflection on the Life of Jesus
Structure & ContentGospel of Belief: Verb “believe” about 100x
Leaves out much already in other Gospels
Includes much that is not in other Gospels
Simple Outline1-12 Public ministry of Christ13-21 Passion of Christ
Background to the Gospels
Geography and History of Israel
Physical Geography of Israel
Mediterranean SeaSea of Galilee
Dead Sea
Jordan River
Political and Ethnic Regions
Samaria
Decapolis
Perea
Galilee
IsraelDuring
The LifeOf
Christ Judea
Israel in Today’s World
Israel is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.
It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Israel in Today’s World
Israel is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.
It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Israel in Today’s World
Israel is at the eastern end of
the Mediterranean
Sea.
It is at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Egypt
Jordan
Syria
Lebanon
History of Jewish Identity
In the time of Christ
AbrahamUr to Canaan2000 B.C.
Exodus1447 B.C.Moses & Torah
Monarchy 400 yrs1000 B.C.David, Solomon
Exile to Assyriaand Babylon
586 B.C.Temple destroyedAbandon idolatry
Partial Returns540, 440 B.C.
Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures
About 500 years pass before Christ.
Various empires rule Israel. (dates rounded)Persia 540-330
Greece 330-170
Maccabees and Hasmoneans 170-60
Rome 60-330
Israel After the Hebrew Scriptures
Israel Dominated 500 years before Christ
Persian for two centuries, 539-331Cyrus takes Babylon for Persia in 539.Jewish identity changes at that time.
Adopt Aramaic language & create synagogues.Some Jews return to Jerusalem & rebuild.
Greek about a century and a half, 331-164 Alexander the Great, Ptolemies, SeleucidsHellenism, resisted by orthodox JewsSeleucid Antiochus Epiphanes insults Israel
Took bribes to appoint Jewish high priestsDefiled Temple, outlawed Jewish practices
The Septuagint (during Greek Rule)Greek translation from HebrewProduced by Jews group in AlexandriaPut OT in universal language of MediterraneanThe Bible quoted in the New Testament
Maccabees and Hasmoneans 164-60 = <100 yrsMaccabees lead revolt and gain independence.
They restore the Temple in 164. (= Hanukkah)
Their descendants become Hasmonean royalty.
Independent A Century Before Christ
Rome 60 BC – 100 AD (and until 639)
All of New Testament period (4 BC – AD 100)Romans intervene in Hasmonean power dispute.
Hyrcanus “Ethnarch” of Judea instead of king, 63 BCHerods rule for Rome 140 years, 40 BC – AD 100.
Also Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate
Roman Israel for 60 years before Christ
Take the Quiz
To register in Blackboard as having viewed this presentation, you must at least begin the quiz for Presentation 01-01. You may return to the quiz later and you may re-take the quiz later.