Gospel Tradition Literary Issues Jesus Tradition Mark/Matthew Luke-Acts 1. Authorship A. External Evidence 1. Anonymous (no Gospel has a signature) 2. Irenaeus (180):, late, Ephesus 3. Eusebius (325): Irenaeus s information came from Polycarp, disciple of (H.E. 5.20) 4. Almost unanimous opinion 5. Questioned only rarely (theological issues) Gnostics used (first commentary) differences from Synoptics 1. Authorship B. Internal Evidence 1. Eyewitness implied (1:14; 19:35; 21:24; cf. 1:35 39; 18:15; 19:35; 20:2 10) 2. Role of the beloved disciple (historical?) main figure shadowing passion events: last supper (13:21 24); trial (18:15 16); cross (19:26 27, 35); empty tomb (20:2, 8 9); postresurrection (21:2, 7, 20 25) main witness for JComm (Raymond Brown) Jn. 13:21 24: After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me. The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples the one whom Jesus loved was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.
2. Date: Post-War A. Irenaeus (180): point source of all early tradition; says s post-war ministry in Ephesus B. Modern scholars agree late first century A. Among Early Church Fathers 1. Divergence from Synoptics widely felt 2. Early Church Fathers were wary of use early Gnostic adoption proved a dilemma Spirit teachings fueled Montanist heresy B. The Maverick Gospel 1. Contrasting coverage Incidents unique to the Synoptics Incidents unique to Similar incidents treated differently 2. Contrasting arrangement cleansing of the Temple Jerusalem trips during ministry Unique Synoptic Incidents birth narratives baptism temptation preaching k/god exorcisms parables Lord s Prayer life with sinners Galilean ministry Caesarea Philippi transfiguration one trip/jerusalem Mt/Olives Discourse Lord s Supper Gethsemene Unique annine Incidents Cana miracle Nicodemus Judean ministry Samaritan woman Bethesda healing I am sayings blind man healing raising Lazarus foot washing farewell discourses consecration prayer one trip/jerusalem Beloved Disciple doubting Thomas appearance by sea feed my sheep
Incidents Handled Differently Faith of disciples Synoptics: later : immediate Cleasing of the Temple Synoptics: end of ministry : beginning of ministry Death of Jesus Synoptics: Nisan 15 (first day of Passover) : Nisan 14 (Passover eve) B. The Maverick Gospel 3. Contrasting language missing Synoptic vocabulary: pity, publican, rich, compassion, sinner, scribe, Sadducee style of Jesus rhetoric Synoptics: short pithy sayings; quick short stories; spur of moment answers : lofty, long discourses for chapters; much less movement, action B. The Maverick Gospel 4. Heavy passion emphasis (content distribution) 11/21 chapters (over half) are one week in the life of Jesus, the week he died remaining 10 chapters: add up to only 13 additional days in the life of Jesus Luke-Acts 4. Traditions: Contextualization A. Paradigm shift on cultural context (based on Qumran discoveries) 1. pre-qumran: s language and thought thoroughly Hellenistic or Gnostic, non-jewish 2. post-qumran: s language and thought thoroughly Jewish
4. Traditions: Contextualization B. Paradigm shift on historical context 1. Traditional: late Gospel = late traditions 2. Newer evaluation: early, accurate, Palestinian pre-a.d. 70 knowledge of Samaritans: theology, Gerezim worship, Jacob s well pre-a.d. 70 knowledge of Jerusalem pools of Bethesda and Siloam Solomon s Porticos as winter shelter stone pavement of Praetorium 5. Traditions: Distinctives A. Teaching about Christ 1. Logos doctrine (explicit in prologue as title, but also implicit in Gospel teachings) 2. Christ as: truth (both prologue and Gospel) life (signs reveal giver of life) light (explicit in prologue; implicit in healing man born blind object of faith (no noun, only verb believe ) 5. Traditions: Distinctives A. Teaching about Christ 2. Christ as: pre-existent (not in Synoptics) I am sayings authoritative, in control always B. Signs versus miracles (revealing Jesus vs. pointing to kingdom) C. Spirit as Paraclete D. Realized eschatology Jesus I Am Sayings the bread of life (6:35) the light of the world (8:12) the door (10:9) the good shepherd (10:11) the resurrection and the life (11:25) the way, the truth, and the life (14:6) the true vine (15:1)
6. Traditions: Other Questions A. Language and Ideas 1. Constant use of the Jews = antisemitic? 2. Use of body / blood in 6 = eucharistic? 3. Jesus death = atoning sacrifice (Synoptics)? B. Sources and Events 1. Sources behind Prologue, Jn. 14:31, 21? 2. Jesus and baptizing in Judea = historical? 3. Synagogue expulsion in 9 = Jamnia? 4. Spirit: breathed ( 20), or descent (Acts 2)? 7. Text: The Pericope Adulteress (7:53 8:11) A. Evidence 1. Missing in many early and diverse mss. 2. Missing in many early translations (Syriac, etc.) 3. Style, vocabulary differ noticeably from 4. Interrupts actual sequence of 7:52 and 8:12 5. Placement varies in manuscripts four different places in even in Luke in one manuscript 7. Text: The Pericope Adulteress (7:53 8:11) B. Conclusion 1. Authenticity of placement: evidence is overwhelming = not original to s Gospel 2. Authenticity of pericope spiritual value unquestioned floating piece of authentic oral tradition circulating in 2nd century Western church placement in perhaps to provide illustration contrasting 7:51 and 8:15
Possible Context for Pericope Adulteress Background: Jesus earlier social interaction with unmarried Samaritan woman in 4 Foreground: Jn. 7:51 (Nicodemus challenges the Pharisees): Our law does not judge a person unless first hearing from them to ascertain what they are doing, does it? Jn. 8:15 (Jesus responds to the Pharisees): You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 8. Purpose: to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing have life in his Name (Jn. 20:30 31) 9. Theme: Jesus the Incarnate Word brings heaven to earth and earth back to heaven. 10.Outline A. Prologue (1:1 18) B. Book of Signs (1:19 12:50) C. Book of Glory (13:1 20:31) D. Epilogue (21:1 25)