Historical Background Issues:

GOSPEL acc. to... MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN

WHO? "John Mark of Jerusalem" tax collector & apostle (Mark physician & companion of John, son of Zebedee; one
traditionally (Acts 12:12; 15:37; Col 4:10; 3:18; Matt 9:9; 10:3; Luke Paul (Col 4:14; 2Tim 4:11; of 12 apostles (Mark 1:19;
attributed author? Phlm 1:24; 1Pet 5:13) 6:15; Acts 1:13) Phlm 1:24 only) 3:17; cf. John 21:2)
WHO? bilingual (Aramaic & Greek) multi-lingual (Aramaic & Gentile Christian convert; the "beloved disciple" and
implied author? Christian of the 2nd Greek) early Jewish well educated Greek his Jewish Christian
generation; "young man" of Christian; trained "scribe" of"historian"; client of followers (19:35; 21:20-24)
14:51-52? 13:52? Theophilus (1:1-4)?
TO WHOM? mostly Gentiles, fairly new in better educated Jews who wealthier Gentile Christians very mixed: mostly Jews,
implied audience? their faith, and facing believe in Jesus, but argue in an urban setting, some Gentiles, Samaritans,
persecutions over the Law becoming complacent etc.
WHERE? probably Rome; possibly possibly Galilee; probably in probably Greece; possibly originally Galilee or Syria;
written from and/or Decapolis, Syria or or near Antioch in Syria Syria/Antioch (Pauline traditionally Ephesus (Asia
to? Alexandria? missions) Minor)
WHEN? first written "Gospel"; very late 70's or 80's (w/ older mid to late 80's (incl. "many" main edition 90's (early
approximate date? late 60's or early 70's sources, incl. one written by earlier written sources) edition 50's? epilogue after
(Jewish War 66-70) Matthew?) 100?)
WHAT? narrated "good news" (1:1) book of "heritage" of Jesus an "orderly account" for much "testimony" and
subtype of "Gospel" about Jesus, esp. his actions (1:1) & much of his attaining "secure knowledge" "signs" for believers (20:30-
genre? & his death "teaching" (28:20) (1:1-4) 31; 21:24-25)
WHY? community to encourage a group to teach a community with to challenge believers to put to strengthen a group
circumstances & undergoing difficult trials and internal divisions and their faith into practice more ostracized by other Jews for
author's purpose? persecutions external enemies fully their faith
Literary, Stylistic and Thematic Comparisons:

# GOSPEL acc. to... MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN

1 Number of ________________ ______________________ _____________________ _____________________
chapters
(verses and ( 678 / 11304 ) ( 1071 / 18345 ) ( 1151 / 19482 ) ( 879 / 15635 )
words)
2 Style of Greek grammatically poor Semitic influenced Greek good, elegant, literary simple, but highly symbolic
Greek Greek Greek
3 Geographical Galilean towns & one long journey to the multiple visits back & forth to
Focus villages; some Gentile goal: Jerusalem Jerusalem
territory
5 Literary "Beginning of Good Cosmic Hymn (1:1-18)
Introduction News" (1:1)
6 Gospel Beginning ) Jesus' heritage: David (royal),
Abraham (Jewish), Emmanuel
(God with us) (1:2–2:23)
7 First Words of [to two disciples of John the
Jesus Baptist]:
"What are you looking for?"
(1:38)
and "Come and See" (1:39)
8 Birth of Jesus theology of incarnation: "Word
(narrative became flesh and dwelt among
emphasis) us" (1:14)
9 Inaugural Event Exorcism in the Sermon on the Mount: Jubilee reading from Isaiah Wedding Feast at Cana:
Synagogue Fulfillment of Torah/Law (ch. 61: first of Jesus' "signs" (2:1-11)
of Capernaum (1:21- 5–7) Rejection at Nazareth (4:14-
28) 30)
10 Jesus' Major "the Jews" (esp. leaders in
Opponents Jerusalem);
Pharisees; High Priest
Caiaphas
11 Jesus' [Seven]
Last
Words on the
Cross
12 Focus of Passion authorities' plots & treachery
(ch. 26-27)
13 Last Major Event Empty Tomb, outside
of Jerusalem (16:1-8)
14 Final Literary women leave tomb in Jesus tells the disciples, "I am disciples return to 1: many more signs (20:30-31)
Ending fear & silence with you always" (28:20) Jerusalem temple with joy 2: [many other books, 21:24-25]
(16:8) [16:9-20 added praising God (24:53)
only later]
. GOSPEL acc. to... MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
15 Christology I: great Prophet (in word &
Main Titles for deed);
Jesus Lord (of Israel, and of all
nations);
Savior (of all, but esp. of the
poor)
16 Christology II: speaking God's words; doing
Jesus' Major God's works;
Actions revealing his intimate
relationship with God
17 Discipleship I: persevere in faith leave everything to follow see, believe, know, remain in
Teachings about despite suffering; Jesus; share with poor; Jesus & God, despite hostility;
Disc. follow Jesus "on the
 way" to the cross; be accept everyone, esp. love one another; be in unity;
ready for his return outcasts, women, enemies serve humbly
18 Discipleship II: Peter (16:13-20);
Role Models for children (18:1-5);
Disc. faithful servants (24:45–25:46)
19 Pneumatology Spirit descends at Mary with child from the H.S.; H.S. esp. active in Infancy H.S. as Spirit of Truth;
Jesus' Baptism; God's Spirit in Jesus' actions & Narrative; Paraclete/Advocate/Comforter/
conflict with speech Jesus receives prophetic Counselor
unclean/demonic anointing
spirits
20 Eschatological imminent and false prophets will arise; many after Jerusalem is destroyed realized eschatology; all who
Expectations suddenly, but no one will fall away; & Gentiles' time is fulfilled; hear & believe have eternal life
knows when; Gospel must first be preached not so soon; pray! (21:20- already now, are not judged
so "Keep awake!" to all (24:10-14) 24, 28, 36) (5:21-25)
(13:1-37)
21 Basis for Final whether you how you use wealth / whether or not you believe in
Judgment persevere in faith possessions; Jesus
despite persecutions parables of Rich & Poor (3:16-18; 5:19-24; 12:44-50)
(13:13) (16:1-31)
22 Other Major Messianic secret; fulfillment of Scripture; fulfillment of God's plan; "eternal life" = "life in his name";
Themes main disciples don't divisions within the community; eschatological reversal; Paraclete = Holy Spirit;
understand, final separation of good vs. tax collectors & sinners Christian unity;
but minor characters bad favored mutual indwelling of
do believe God/Jesus/us
23 Evang.Symbols (cf
. Rev 4:7)
24 Liturgical Feast April 25 September 21 October 18 December 27
Day
25 Use in Sunday Year B Year A Year C mixed, esp. Lent & Easter
Lectionary
26 Typical Portrait

27 Emphasized by Modern Historians Catholics (esp. ecclesial Protestants (esp. social Orthodox Xns
Whom? (oldest historical structures) justice focus) (esp. logos Christology)
account)

Structural and Geographical Comparisons:

GOSPEL acc. to... MARK MATT LUKE JOHN

Approximate Date very late 60's late 70's (or 80's) (late 70's) or 80's late 80's or 90's
Introduction:
Literary Preface
Genealogy
Infancy Narrative
Preparatory Episodes: 1:2-13 3:1—4:11 3:1—4:13 1:1-51
John Baptist's Preaching 1:2-8 3:1-12 3:1-20 1:19-36
Baptism of Jesus 1:9-11 3:13-17 3:21-22 [1:31-33]
Temptation of Jesus 1:12-13 4:1-11 4:1-13 xxx
Jesus' Early Ministry,
mostly to Jews in Galilee:
Initial Preaching
Call of First Disciples
Outside of Galilee
On the Way to Jerusalem 8:22—10:52 16:13—20:34 9:18—19:27 [xxx]
Initial Stages 8:22—9:50 16:13-18:35 9:18-50 [7:1-9]
1st Passion Prediction 8:31-33 16:21-23 9:22 xxx
2nd Passion Prediction 9:30-32 17:22-23 9:43b-45 xxx
 To Jerusalem Itself 10:1-52 19:1—20:34 9:51—19:27 [2:13; 5:1; 7:10]
3rd Passion Prediction 10:32-34 20:17-19 18:31-34 xxx
Ministry in Jerusalem 21:1—25:46 19:28—21:38 [Ch. 2B, 3, 5, 7-12]
Teachings & Disputes 21:1—23:39 19:1—21:4 most of this
Eschatological Discourse 24:1-36 21:5-36 xxx
Passion Week 14:1—15:47 26:1—27:66 22:1—23:56 13:1—19:42
Last Supper 14:17-31 26:20-35 22:14 -38 13:1—17:26
Crucifixion 15:22-41 27:33-56 23:33-49 19:17-37
Resurrection Narrative
Empty Tomb Story
Appearance Stories