Synoptic Problem & Mark

1. Synoptic Problem & Mark Tuesday, January 15, 2008

2. INTRODUCTION THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS THE GOSPEL GENRE General information about the Gospels: 1. Written 35 - 75 years AFTER Jesus’ death 2. Authors: • lived in different countries • wrote at different times • wrote to different communities • wrote about different problems & concerns • none were eye witnesses All wrote in Greek (remember: Jesus spoke Aramaic) All used (literary and oral) sources

3. INTRODUCTION THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS THE TERM “SYNOPTIC” MATTHEW MARK LUKE …………… ……………. …………… …………… ……………. …………… …………… ……………. …………… …………… ……………. …………… …………… ……………. …………… syn = “together” optic = “view” There is clearly a literary relationship between these three

4. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM What we notice is that between the three gospels . . . A THERE IS AGREEMENT IN WORDING Why do they agree so well? Because it is recording history? Not a satisfactory explanation because . . .i.Does not explain why they do not agree ii. Nor how Aramaic to Greek translation is so similar iii. Nor how John’s version is so different

5. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM What we notice is that between the three gospels . . . A THERE IS AGREEMENT IN WORDING Why do they agree so well? Because they were guided by the spirit? Not a satisfactory explanation because . . .i.Why was John’s spiritual guidance so different ii. How do you explain Synoptic differences

6. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM What we notice is that between the three gospels . . . B THERE IS AGREEMENT IN ORDER Why do they agree so well? If chronology why some historical differences? 2. Some material arranged according to topici.Mark 1:23 - 2:12 5 miracles Mark 2:13 - 3:6 controversy storiesii. Matthew alternates narratives with discourses (see next slide)

7. EVIDENCE OF LITERARY DEVICES IN MATTHEW’S GOSPEL NARRATIVE: Birth, Baptism, Temptation, Calling of 12 1-4 A DISCOURSE: The Sermon on the Mount 5-7 NARRATIVE: Miracle stories 8-9 BDISCOURSE: The Mission of the Disciples 10 NARRATIVE: The Rejection of the False-Israel 11-12 C DISCOURSE: The Parables of the Kingdom 13 NARRATIVE: The Partial Faith of the Disciples 14-17 D DISCOURSE: The Community of the Disciples 18 NARRATIVE: The Kingdom Taken Away 19-23 E DISCOURSE: Eschatology [end of kingdom] 24-25 NARRATIVE: The Passion and Resurrection 26-28

8. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM What we notice is that between the three gospels . . . C THERE IS AGREEMENT IN PARENTHETICAL MATERIAL Why the same editorial comments to the reader? MATTHEW 24:15 MARK 13:14 LUKE 21:20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, “So when you see “But when you see then know that its the desolating sacrilege the desolating sacrilege desolation standing in the holy place, set up where has come near. as was spoken of it ought not to be by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), (let the reader understand),

9. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM What we notice is that between the three gospels . . . C THERE IS AGREEMENT IN PARENTHETICAL MATERIAL Why the same editorial comments to the reader? MATTHEW 9:6 MARK 2:10-11 LUKE 5:24 “But so that you may “But so that you may “But so that you may know that know that know that the Son of Man the Son of Man the Son of Man has authority on earth has authority on earth has authority on earth to forgive sins” to forgive sins” to forgive sins” (he then said to (he then said to (he then said to the paralytic), the paralytic), the one who was paralyzed), “I say to you, “I say to you, “Stand up, take your bed stand up, take your mat stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” and go to your home.” and go to your home.”

10. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK Argument from length • 97% Mark found in Matthew • 88% Mark found in Luke • 40 % Matthew not found in Mark • 53% Luke not found in Mark

11. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK 2. Argument from grammar i.Colloquialisms and incorrect grammar(Mk 10:20, 2:4, 1:12 see original Greek)

12. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK 2. Argument from grammar ii.Aramaic expressions Mk 3:17 Boanerges Mk 5:41 Talitha cumi Mk 7:11 Corban Mk 7:34 Ephphatha Mk 14:36 Abba Mk 15:22 Golgotha Mk 15:34 Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani

13. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK 2. Argument from grammar iii.Redundancy (213 examples!) Mk 1:32 That evening, at sundown, Mk 2:18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,

14. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK Mark’s harder readings i. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ power (See next slides)

15. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ Power • MATTHEW 8:16 MARK 1:34 LUKE 4:40 • and he cast out And he cured many all those who had any • the spirits with a word, who were sick who were sick • and cured all with various diseases, with various kinds • who were sick. and cast out of diseases • many demons; brought them to him; • and he laid his hands on • each of them • and cured them.

16. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ Power • MATTHEW 8:16 MARK 1:34 LUKE 4:40 • and he cast out And he cured many all those who had any • the spirits with a word, who were sick who were sick • and cured all with various diseases, with various kinds • who were sick. and cast out of diseases • many demons; brought them to him; • and he laid his hands on • each of them • and cured them.

17. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ Power • MATTHEW 12:15 MARK 3:10 LUKE 6:19 • and he cured all of them, for he had cured many, and healed all of them.

18. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ Power • MATTHEW 12:15 MARK 3:10 LUKE 6:19 • and he cured all of them, for he had cured many, and healed all of them.

19. Apparent limitations of Jesus’ Power MATTHEW 13:58 MARK 6:5-6 And he did not do And he could do many deeds of power there, no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed because of their unbelief. at their unbelief.

20. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM The consensus on a solution . . . D THE PRIORITY OF MARK Mark’s harder readings ii. Negative descriptions of the disciples

21. Negative Descriptions of Disciples MATTHEW 13:18 MARK 4:13 LUKE 8:11 “Hear then And he said to them, “Now the parable is this: the parable of the sower. “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?

22. Negative Descriptions of Disciples MARK 6:51-52 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

23. Negative Descriptions of Disciples MARK 10:13-14 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me;

24. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM E THE FOUR-SOURCE HYPOTHESIS • Mark wrote first • Matthew and Luke wrote concurrently using Mark• Matthew and Luke used their own ‘special’ material

25. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM E THE FOUR-SOURCE HYPOTHESIS • Matthew and Luke both used a ‘sayings’ source (Q)• NOTE: The context is removed from such a source

26. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM F EXAMPLE OF Q (see handout or next slide)

27. Note how the speech (saying) of John is identicalWhat do you make of the context created by the author?

28. Matthew has John condemnthe Jewish leadership Luke has John condemnthe crowd

29. How do you determine the original context?

30. By knowing the predilections/interests of the author HIS THEOLOGICAL TEXT

31. THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM G EVIDENCE OF THEOLOGICAL EDITING

33. III. The Synoptic Problem G EVIDENCE OF EDITING (see handout)

34. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

35. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR Who wrote this Gospel? Two conflicting answers:- first comes from tradition- second comes from a critical analysis of the text

36. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR • The traditional answersi. One version: 4th cent. Eusebius of Caesarea (Ecclesiastical History) - he cites 2nd cent. Papias: Mark became Peter’s interpreter, he wrote down accurately, although not in order, all that he remembered of what was said or done by the Lord. For he had not heard the Lord nor followed Him, but later, as I have said, he did follow Peter, who made his teaching fit his needs without, as it were, making any arrangement of the Lord’s oracles, so that Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things down as he remembered them. (3.39)

37. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR • The traditional answersi. One version: 4th cent. Eusebius of Caesarea (Ecclesiastical History) - he cites 2nd cent. Papias: Note how 2nd century reader already saw chronological problems with and theological intrusions into the text! Mark became Peter’s interpreter, he wrote down accurately, although not in order, all that he remembered of what was said or done by the Lord. For he had not heard the Lord nor followed Him, but later, as I have said, he did follow Peter, who made his teaching fit his needs without, as it were, making any arrangement of the Lord’s oracles, so that Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things down as he remembered them. (3.39)

38. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR • The traditional answersi. One version: 4th cent. Eusebius of Caesarea (Ecclesiastical History) - he cites 2nd cent. Papias:ii. Another version: John Mark, a companion of Paul Acts 12:12 . . . He [Peter] went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name is Mark . . . Acts 13:5 . . . They proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. Acts 13:13 Then Paul and his companions set sail . . . John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem.

39. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR • The traditional answersi. One version: 4th cent. Eusebius of Caesarea (Ecclesiastical History) - he cites 2nd cent. Papias:ii. Another version: John Mark, a companion of Paul Association with Peter or Paul part of the early Church criteria for accepting as canonical, namely: • Being written by an apostle OR • By someone associated with the apostles

40. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A THE AUTHOR • The critical answeri. Strong evidence of oral traditionii. Stories passed down, molded and then finally writteniii. Looks like product of community effort (one member records memories of the community) • We call the author ‘Mark’ but we know little about him!

41. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Important clue about readership. What do you see? Mark 7:2-5[The Pharisees] had observed a few of his disciples eating meals without having purified‑that is to say, washed their hands. The Pharisees and in fact all Jews, cling to the custom of their ancestors and never eat without scrupulously washing their hands. Moreover, they never eat anything from the market without first sprinkling it. There are many other traditions they observe‑for example, the washing of cups and jugs and kettles.So the Pharisees and the scribes questioned him....

42. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Important clue about readership. What do you see? Mark 7:2-5 Author interrupts narrative to address readers. Would not be necessary unless audience was Gentile (non-Jewish) and unfamiliar with Jewish customs

43. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 1. MARK 5:41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 2. MARK 7:11 But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban’ (that is, an offering to God)— 3. MARK 7:34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

44. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 4. MARK 14:36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” 5. MARK 15:22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 6. MARK 15:34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

45. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 7. MARK 15:42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, . . . The Aramaic expressions are either translated or interpreted

46. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS • Do not know Aramaic and some Jewish customs (e.g., washing hands)

47. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see?

48. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 1. MARK 1:13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts . . . 2. MARK 2:23 “How can Satan cast out Satan? . . .

49. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 1. MARK 1:13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts . . . 2. MARK 2:23 “How can Satan cast out Satan? . . . There is no need to explain who ‘Satan’ is

50. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND B THE ORIGINAL READERS Some more clues about readership. What do you see? 1. MARK 9:43 . . . it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to Gehenna, . . . 2. MARK 9:45 . . . it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into Gehenna. 3. MARK 9:47 . . . it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into Gehenna,