Nativity - Mark:

What are we not told?

Christ (Gk) = Messiah (Heb) = “anointedone” = “imbued with the spirit of God”

(according to Mk)

“Son of God” does not imply supernaturalstatus

Nativity - Matthew:

Jesus’ genealogy (Mt 1: 1-16)

Emmanuel (Mt 1: 23) = “God is with us”

Jesus as fulfillment of Jewish scripturee.g. Mt 1: 23 = Isa 7: 14 (Septuagintversion). Gk parthenos = “virgin”or (as in Heb) “young woman”

Nativity - Luke:

Like Mt, seeing Jesus as offspring of virgin mother and divine power

Jesus as fulfillment of Jewish hope(Lk 1: 32-33, 54-55, 68-73)

Jesus as saviour (Lk 2: 11 and 1: 69-77)

Salvation of the Gentiles (Lk 2: 32)

Nativity - Luke:

Formal preface in Gk literary style(Lk 1: 1-14), written for Theophilus(“friend of God”)

Provides historical background, two hymns,story of shepherds at manger

Jesus in childhood (Lk 2: 41-52) vs.Jesus’ genealogy (Lk 3: 23-38)

Jesus = “the Lord is salvation”

Baptism - Mark:

John and God reinforcing Jesus’ positionas Messiah and son of God

Combination of imbuing with Holy Spiritand declaration of son-ship andMessiah-ship

Baptism - Matthew:

Breaking down of old order: repentanceinstead of lineage (Mt 3: 7-12)

Significance of fire (Mt 3: 11)

Divine plan (Mt 3: 15)

Baptism - Luke:

Baptism as event in world history(Lk 3: 1-3)

Role of “the crowds” (Lk 3: 7-14)

Temptation - Mark:

40 as number associated with transitions

Signals struggle between supernaturalforces

Temptation - Matthew:

Use of Hebrew Bible

Jewish teachings reflecting Christianethic (Mt 4: 4-10)

Temptation - Luke:

Matching Matthew - both using Q?

Role of Holy Spirit. Evolved fromGod’s “breath” or “wind” in HBto individual entity that will playimportant role. Reminder of God’sintervention in human affairs