| Question | Answer |
| Who were the Pharisees ? | -"separated ones"
-were a likely offshoot of the hasidin.
-strict observance of torah
-believed in resurrection of the dead and spirits/angels |
| Who were the Saducees? | -temple Judaism
-Jewish aristocracy: blood lines to zadok(high priest during the time of David and Soloman)
-Closed interpretation of Torah: rejected oral readings of Law
-accommodated to Hellenistic traditions |
| Who were the Essenes? | -not mentioned in rabbinic literature or in new testament
-withdrawal group
-society in Qumran
-believed that temple worship and the priesthood was corrupt
-produced the dead sea scrolls
-anti-Hellenization |
| Who were the Sicarii ? | -may have been descendants of the fourth philosophy
-name came from the curved daggers that they carried to kill roman sympathizers
-were in active war against Rome |
| Who were the Zealots? | -extreme nationalist who were ready to fight Rome for Jewish freedom
-came about shortly before the Roman War |
| What is the most common solution to the synoptic problem? | - two source theory
-the earliest gospel was Mark and Mathew and Luke borrowed from Mark |
| What three books are the synoptics? | Mark,Mathew, and Luke |
| Which Gospel was written differently in comparison to the others? | the gospel of john |
| What is the alternate solution to the synoptic problem? | -4 source theory
- M and L may reflect stories and traditions of Christian communities |
| Similarities between Mark , Luke , and Mathew | - known as synoptics
- John the Baptist ends and Jesus starts after he is gone
-1 year ministry
-Jesus went to Jerusalem one time
-consists of short sayings and parables |
| How is the Gospel of John different from the other three Gospels? | -John the Baptist and Jesus preach together
-3 year ministry
-Jesus goes to Jerusalem three times
-Long stories |
| Key characteristics of the Gospel of Mark | -anonymous
- dated 66-70
-origins in Rome
-divided by Mrk 1-9 in Galilee and Mrk 10-16 in Jerusalem
Gentile audience |
| Opening of the Gospel of Mark | John the Baptist was baptizing Jesus in the Jordan river and the ensuing temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. |
| Mark consisted of what two types of eschatology ? | -apocalyptic eschatology: John the Baptist
- Ethical eschatology(here and now) : Jesus |
| How does the Gospel of Mark end ? | in an empty tomb |
| What is the key to mark ? | -suffering |
| What are the major themes of Mark? | 1. Discipleship: follow me
2. Jesus "Son of Man" : redeeming figure
3. "Son of God" : faithful service |
| What is the messianic secret ? | -dont tell
-Jesus demands secrecy during his ministry |
| Where did the truest confession of Jesus as the Christ come from? | a roman solider |
| Key characteristics of the Gospel of Mathew | - most popular Gospel and the most Jewish
-anonymous
-Dated: 85-90
-Origins in Antioch
-Puts Jesus in the ancestry of David and of heroic foreign women |
| How is Jesus presented in the gospel of Mathew? | the hope and fulfillment of Judaism |
| Opening of the Gospel of Mathew | starts with the birth of Jesus and the genealogy of Jesus that traces him back to David and then Abraham
-emphasizes his Jewish heritage |
| How does the Gospel of Mathew end? | the death and Resurrection of Jesus |
| What are the characteristics and themes of Mathew? | -fulfillment of Torah
-Radical Righteoudness
-Son of God
-the teachings of Jesus |
| "I have not come to abolish but to fulfill" -Mathew 5:17 is an example of... | fulfillment of Torah |
| the Beatitudes came from what gospel? | Mathew |
| Key characteristics of Gospel of Luke | -anonymous
-Dated 70-100
-Origins in Gentile Christians
-dedicated to Theophilous
-marken outline |
| Opening of the Gospel of Luke | Birth of John the Baptist and Elizabeth and Mary speaking |
| How does the Gospel of Luke end ? | passion narrative and Resurrection appearances |
| Key stories in Luke | -Zaccheus: climbs tree to see Jesus
- Jesus goes to the temple at age 12
-Good Samaritan
-Story of Mary and Martha
-parable of the prodigal son |
| Themes of the Gospel of Luke | -universal salvation: for all people
-concern for outsiders
-concern for women
-the holy spirit |
| Key characteristics of the Gospel of John | -anonymous writers
-dated 90-100
-Origins in Ephesus
-3 year ministry
-goes to Galilee and Jerusalem at least three times
-John the Baptist and Jesus ministered together |
| how is the Gospel of John presented? | in a series of seven signs / miracles |
| what is realized eschatology ? | the kingdom of God is here |
| what is Pentecost ? | -the start of the church
- early church followers experienced the holy spirit |
| who is theophilous ? | lover of God |
| who was Stephen? | one of the 7 deacons. was stoned to death for his faith |
| Who was Phillip ? | -the first Christian missionary |
| Who was Zacchaeus ? | a tax collector who climbed a tree in order to see Jesus |
| Who was Peter? | -father of the Christian church
- one of Jesus's disciples |
| Who was Paul? | -disciple of Jesus |
| Who was Cornelius? | -a roman centurion in caesarea |
| Gospel of Thomas | |
