Religious Literature: The New Testament

5. Religious Literature: New Testament: Read four Gospel accounts (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) in the New Testament dealing with the death and resurrection of Jesus (the end sections of each gospel). Note the similarities of each and the differences of each. Pay close attention to each pertinent detail. Write up your findings.


Mathew

Within this section of the New Testament it traces Jesus’ ancestors back to the biblical patriarch Abraham who was the founding father of the Israelite people. It describes Jesus’ conception and how Mary was “found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (1:18). Joseph is praised for not abandoning his fiancé. In Bethlehem Jesus was born. He and his parents were visited by the three wise men from the East bearing gifts. They had followed the star to Bethlehem. Because their king Herod the Great hears that a baby named Jesus is the “king of the Jews” (2:2), he ordered that all young children in Bethlehem were to be killed. To avoid Jesus being killed Joseph, Mary, and Jesus go to Egypt. They later return to Israel after Herod is dead and then move to Nazareth to a town in the north known as Galilee. Jesus then grows up. The prophet John the Baptist, who lived off of wild honey and locusts and would wear a loincloth, began to prophesize throughout Judea stating that Jesus was the one who will come to “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (3:11). John the Baptist later meets Jesus and baptizes him where he receives the blessing of God, who says, “This is my Son, the Beloved” (3:17). Jesus then enters the wilderness for forty days without food or water and is tested by Satan. After the forty days Jesus emerges triumphant and begins to preach his most repeated proclamation: “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven has come near” (4:17). This is when Jesus’ ministry begins. His earliest followers were Simon, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Early on his ministry reached a peak with the Sermon on the Mount because it deeply impressed his large group of followers. The sermon emphasizes humility, obedience, and love of one’s neighbor, the proper way to pray, and trusting in God. Jesus also says that the poor, meek, and hungry are blessed. Jesus travels through Galilee attracting more and more people. There are ten miracles that he performs that are also described in the Gospel of Mark. He cures a paralytic, a leper, a hemorrhaging woman, a centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law, he calms a storm, exorcizes demons, brings a dead girl back to live, and gives eyesight to the blind. During this time he (Jesus) appoints twelve apostles to preach that the “kingdom of heaven has come near”. They are told that they will be persecuted but should not be afraid. Jesus also instructs them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons, all without payment (10:7). Chapter 11 focuses on Jesus himself and goes over opposition Jesus faces. Jesus associates with sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes and some people disapprove of this. They call him names but Jesus does not apologize he admonishes those who reject him. He responds with a collection of parables; the parables of the sower, the weeds, the mustard seed, and the leaven and explains that his disciples are part of his family. After traveling throughout Galilee he comes to his hometown of Nazareth where he is rejected. Even though he performs miracles people become more resistant and do not believe him. The miracles he performs are multiplying loaves of bread and fish, which give him the ability to feed thousands on very little food. Even after continuing to heal the sick and preaching the message of spiritual righteousness his disciples repeatedly lack faith in him. When he walks across water his disciples assume he must be a ghost. Simon is the only one who properly professes his faith, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (16:16). Simon is then renamed by Jesus as “Peter” and announces, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (16:18). He then lays out the rules for communal relations among Christians, emphasizing humility, forgiveness, and obedience to his teachings. He also forbids divorce and advocates chastity. In Jerusalem he is greeted by cheering crowds and expels moneychangers from the Jewish temple, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers” (21:13). Jesus sees the wickedness of Jerusalem and tells his disciples to be prepared for the end of the world but the Son of man, Jesus himself, will come and the righteous will be saved. Chapter 26 talks about Jesus celebrating the Last Supper with the disciples during which Jesus indicates that Judas will betray him. He also predicts that after his (Jesus’) death the other disciples will flee and Peter will betray him as well. During the Last Supper the breaking of bread and drinking wine with the disciples initiates a ritual that has become known as the Eucharist. The Eucharist’s is where the consumption of bread and wine symbolizes Jesus’ body and blood. Afterwards Jesus goes into Gethsemane, which is a garden, and prays to God asking if it is possible to escape suffering. After leaving the garden he is approached by Judas who is accompanied by a mob and a great number of Roman soldiers. Judas identifies Jesus as the man who claims to be the Son of God by kissing him. Jesus is then arrested and brought to the Jewish court and convicted of blasphemy. For a final ruling Calaphas, the high priest, sends him to Pointius Pilate who is the governor of Rome. Pilate is indecisive and turns to the crowd for judgment and they all chant, “Let him be crucified!” (27:22) and he agrees. A crown of thorns is placed on his head and lead out, mocked, and crucified. While on the cross, Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (27:46) and then dies. There is are many woman at the execution with whom include Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. After his passing he is buried by Joseph of Arimathea and a guard is set over the tomb. Three days after the crucifixion Mary and Mary Magdalene go to visit Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body with oils and spices but find the tomb empty. They are astonished and see an angel who tells them that Jesus has been resurrected from the dead and they can find him in Galilee. They women leave the tomb and are greeted by Jesus who asks them to have his disciples meet him in Galilee. The guards report to the city’s chief priests what has happened and the priests bribe the guards to report that Jesus’ body was stolen while they had fallen asleep. In Galilee Jesus teaches his disciples to baptize unbelievers as they travel throughout the world.


Mark

This Gospel begins by describing Jesus’ adult life, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). It tells of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus after which the Holy Spirit of God recognizes Jesus as his son. It tells again of Jesus going into the wilderness where Satan tests him for forty days however Jesus comes back triumphant. He travels to Galilee and gathers the first of his disciples Simon and Andrew who are brothers who are both fishermen. Jesus tells him that if they follow him he will show them how to fish for people rather than fish. Simon and Andres follow Jesus as well as James and John. In Galilee Jesus cleanses a leper. He also heals a paralytic, Simon’s sick mother-in-law, and a man with a withered hand. These miracles have been mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew as well. These miracles cause crowds to gather to watch Jesus however become fearful. The followers of Herod and Pharisees begin plotting to kill Jesus however he stays focused on his ministry. Through the miracles Jesus’ performs he displays the supernatural power of his authority. During which he becomes misunderstood and rejected. These accounts are again mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew. He is continued to be spoken of abusively in his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus’ ministry is mentioned to King Herod Antipas who is the ruler of Galilee. Again this is mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew. He tells his disciples to disperse and has them spread the Gospel and to heal the sick. It seems as though the Gospels of both Mathew and Mark are very similar through the course of the story. One of the differences is Mark delves into more detail when Jesus feeds people from a loaf of bread. Mark actually indicates that Jesus divides five loaves of bread and two fish and feeds all 5,000 people. Mark also mentions that When the Pharisees question Jesus about abandoning the traditional Jewish laws he replies by saying that it is important to obey the spirit of the law rather than simply going through the technical actions that he law proscribes. He says that human intention, not human behavior determines righteousness. Mark also indicates another similar miracle where in Palestine he multiplies a small amount of bread and fish to feed 4,000 people. In Mark he accounts of when they travel across Galilee that Jesus appears to some of his disciples to be transfigured and made of brilliantly white light. Not only does he preach against divorce like in Mathew but against remarriage as well. Like in the Gospel of Mathew Jesus journeys to Jerusalem and drives the moneychangers from the Jewish temple and preaches of loving one’s neighbor. However in Mark says that loving one’s neighbor is the greatest commandment. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus talks about the eternal sin being one of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus goes to the garden to pray and once he returns he is approached by Judas with the chief priests and a crowd. (Just like Mathews Gospel.) Judas kisses Jesus to identify him to the priests in which he is arrested and taken to the court of the high priest. Then the Jews deliver him to Pointius Pilate and agrees to crucify him where Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (15:34) He dies and is then buried by Joseph of Arimathea. Mary Magdalen and other woman come to Jesus’ grave on the third day after the crucifixion just like in the Gospel of Mathew hand are told by an angel of Jesus’ resurrection and told them to tell Peter of Jesus’ resurrection. However they failed to do so. Jesus then appears to his apostles in resurrected form. It seems as though Mark relies much on the Gospel of Mathew for much of its information. However adds additional information as well.


Luke

In two chapters of Luke the story of the miraculous births of Jesus and the man who becomes his prophet John the Baptist is told. It differs from the other two Gospels when the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and tells him that his wife Elizabeth is pregnant. Soon afterwards, Gabriel appears again but to Elizabeth’s relative the virgin Mary, who is betrothed to Joseph and tells her that she is going to give birth to a child by the grace of the Holy Spirit. This Gospel continues to differ from the others by adding the story of how Zechariah was struck mute for the duration of the pregnancy as a punishment for his lack of belief in Gabriel’s prophecy. The story proceeds and is more similar to the Gospels before. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born. It differs again when Jesus is presented at the temple where two Jewish prophets, Simeon and Anna, recognize the sanctity of the child. Again becomes similar to the other two Gospels when speaking of Jesus growing up and being baptized by John the Baptist. However differs when Luke gives Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to the first man Adam. Again is similar when speaking of Jesus being tested by Satan for forty days in the wilderness and returns victorious. He is rejected in his hometown of Nazareth and then wanders through Galilee and works many miracles. One miracle that is mentioned here and not in other Gospels is the miracle enabling Simon Peter, a fisherman, to catch many fish. The Gospel becomes similar again when he against his apostles. He encounters the Pharisees who question his adherence to traditional Jewish laws such as the Sabbath observance, fasting and what not. He gains popularity and delivers a shorter version of Mathew’s great Sermon on the Mount. It continues to differ from the other Gospels when John the Baptist who is imprisoned, sends messengers to ask Jesus who he is. Rather than give a straightforward answer he responds only by pointing out the many miracles he has worked. It becomes similar to the prior Gospels again when talking of Jesus’ travels continuing as he preaches and works miracles. These miracles include calming a storm, curing a man possessed by a demon and a woman with a hemorrhage, and revives the daughter of Jairus. Jesus sends twelve Apostles out to preach the Gospel and to cure illness. He performs another miracle of the loaves and fish multiplying to feed 5,000 people. It begins to differ yet again from the other Gospels when it goes into Jesus questioning the faith of his apostles by asking, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter replies, “The Messiah of God.” The Gospel of Luke becomes similar again when Jesus predicts that he will be executed and resurrected and continues to travel toward Jerusalem. Yet differs again when he appoints seventy missionaries to spread his word among all the nations. When he tells his disciples how they should pray; in this Gospel he teaches them the Lord’s Prayer, and says, “Ask, and it will be given you” (11:9). When Jesus warns his followers to be prepared for the unexpected final judgment and of the danger of riches it is similar to the previous Gospels. More information than the other Gospels is added to the story when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem and foresees the destruction of the great city as a punishment for its failure to recognize him. The similar story continues when Jesus goes into the temple and compares the chief priests to wicked tenants, who will be evicted and punished by the Lord. Jesus celebrates a Seder meal with his disciples, which later becomes known as the Last Supper. The creation of the Eucharist happens here where the ritual consumption of wine and bread are symbols of Jesus’ blood and body. During the meal Jesus also foretells that Simon Peter will falter in his faith. The Gospel ends unlike other Gospels with the story of Jesus healing a woman with a haemorrhage accidentally. She is in a crowd and touches Jesus’ cloak and is then miraculously healed. He continues into a family’s home where he raises a young girl from the dead.



John

This Gospel opens up by stating that John is God’s witness to the light. John is questioned by the priests the Jews sent asking who he is. John replies with, “I am 'the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord' as Isaiah the prophet said." (1:23). The following day John saw Jesus walking towards him and he identified him as “The Lamb of God” (1:29). John, Andrew and Simon Peter began to follow Jesus’. Simon proclaimed, "We have found the Messiah!" (meaning, of course, Christ).(1:39) Jesus then renamed Simon, the son of John, Peter. Jesus then traveled to Galilee. Up until this part of the story it has been similar to the other Gospels. Here there is more information added to the story. Two days after having arrived in Galilee Jesus, Jesus’ mother, and his disciples attend a wedding where they had run out of wine. Jesus asked the servants to gather the six very large stone water-jars that stood on the floor. The servants were instructed to fill them with water and then to take it to the master of ceremonies. By the time it had arrived to the master of ceremonies it had been transformed into wine. Afterwards Jesus, his mother, and his disciples traveled to Jerusalem. This is where the story again becomes like the previous Gospels. In Jerusalem Jesus drives out the pigeon-dealers out of the Temple. Through a conversation with Nocodermus Jesus states his reason for coming down from heaven to earth. To save earth and that any one who believes in him will not be judged at all but those who do not are already condemned. Jesus then travels to Judea with his disciples. During which Jesus has a conversation with John explaining Heaven and how to gain eternal life through believing in God. Jesus then meets a Samaritan woman asking for a drink of water. She is surprised, "How can you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" Jesus doesn’t answer the question straightforward but tells her about how praying with just your eyes close will change. Praying in spirit will be the new way to pray. Jesus then went to Galilee to heal a young boy who was on the verge of death. Jesus then went to Jerusalem and met a sick man whom he told to “Pick up your bed and walk!” (5:8) The man then picked up his bed and walked. He had become healed. Because these events had occurred on the Sabbath the Jews wanted to persecute Jesus and also because he referred to his father as God. Jesus then refers to him self as the man that Moses had wrote about. Jesus then crossed the Lake of Galilee. Many people who were hungry around 5,000 followed him. He took five loaves of bread and a couple of fish and multiplied it to feed the hungry crowd. The next day he walked on water toward the men. They were terrified but assured them that it was he and they calmed down. Later on Jesus speaks of one of the apostles who will betray him, Judas. He continued to move around Galilee towards a festival, which he delayed, going into because he knew the Jews wanted to kill him. Then he proceeds to the Temple in which he proclaims his authority as the Son of God. Jesus reassured the Jews, "If you are faithful to what I have said, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!" (8:31) They argued with Jesus over whether or not he was mad and the Son of God and tried to stone him. Jesus made his way through the Temple and escaped. On the Sabbath Day Jesus came upon a man who was blind from birth. He made clay out of his saliva and the dirt and applied it to the man’s eyes and said, "Go and wash in the pool of Siloam" (9:6) and his eyesight was restored. The Pharisees hear of what has occurred and send for the man that was once blind who can now see. And he confirms the stories they have heard. Jesus then walks around inside the Temple in Solomon's cloisters and is approached by the Jews who want to stone him for saying, “I and the Father are One." (10:25) He escaped their arrest and went across the Jordan. Jesus then traveled to Bethlehem where he had found that his friend Lazarus has been dead and in the grave for four days. He went to the grave and said, "Lazarus, come out!" (11:43) and he came out and was alive again. The Pharisees heard of these events and became threatened and planned to kill Jesus. These events are similar to the ones in the previous Gospels. This is where this Gospel ends unlike the other Gospels it does not speak of Jesus’ crucifixion.