Jesus, Gospel Relationships, and the Gospel According to Matthew J. Brian Tucker, Ph.D. Moody Theological Seminary

2 Jesus, Gospels, Matthew I. A Chronology of Jesus II. The Synoptic Problem III. The Writing of Matthew’s Gospel IV. Matthew’s Literary Structure V. Theological Themes in Matthew

3 A Chronology of Jesus Determining the precise dates for Christ’s life, ministry, and death is quite difficult. The one explicit date we do have occurs in Luke 3:1-3 Creating a precise chronology is difficult Introduction

4 A Chronology of Jesus The birth of Jesus occurred sometime between 6-4 BC, probably around 5 BC. Mt 2:1 and Lk 1:5, Jesus born during Herod’s reign – he died in 4 BC Dionysius Exiguus’ calendar is off Little further evidence for dates Census in Lk 2:1 Time in Egypt (Mt 2:14-16) Star in Bethlehem (Mt 2:2, 9-10) Dec 25th? (Lk 2:8) The Birth of Jesus

5 A Chronology of Jesus Köstenberger concludes, “Jesus was probably born in the winter of either 7-6 BC, or 5-4 BC, with a 5 BC date for Jesus’ birth perhaps the most likely.” (TCCC 2009: 139). The Birth of Jesus

6 A Chronology of Jesus The beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry is precisely dated in Luke 3:1-2: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.” Beginning of John’s and Jesus’ Ministry

7 A Chronology of Jesus What did Luke consider the fifteenth year of Tiberius? Tiberius began to rule in AD 14, thus suggesting a range from August 19, AD 28 to December 31, AD 29, for a range of time in which John’s ministry began. Beginning of John’s and Jesus’ Ministry

8 A Chronology of Jesus When did Jesus’ ministry start? In the summer of the year 29 (shortly before Passover), he would have been around 32 years old at the time he began his public ministry (Lk 3:23). Beginning of John’s and Jesus’ Ministry

9 A Chronology of Jesus What about John 2:20? What is the referent for the 46 years? Temple construction began Temple construction completed: “This sanctuary was built 46 years ago” The temple (naos) in Jn 2:20 was the inner sanctuary finished in 18/17 BC. Passover 46 years later would fall in the spring of AD 30. So, Jesus began his ministry in the summer or fall of AD 29 Beginning of John’s and Jesus’ Ministry

10 A Chronology of Jesus Jesus’ ministry was 3½ years long Synoptics record 1 Passover, John records 3 (Jn 2:13; 6:4; 12:1 cf. 5:1) John did not necessarily record every single Passover visit during Jesus’ ministry. Hoehner argues that another Passover occurred between Jn 2:13 and 6:4. Jesus’ ministry began in the summer or autumn of AD 29 and came to an end at the Passover of AD 33. Duration of Jesus’ Ministry

11 A Chronology of Jesus Jesus’ death is normally dated to either AD 30 or 33 (with 33 being the more likely). Pilate and Caiaphas both were simultaneously in office from AD 26-36 Jesus ate the Last Supper on Thursday evening of Passover week (Mt 26:20; Jn 13:2) and that the crucifixion occurred on Friday, Nissan 14. The crucifixion date of our Lord, more specifically [is] Friday, April 3, A.D. 33. Death of Jesus

12 A Chronology of Jesus

13 A Chronology of Jesus “Jesus was probably born between 6 and 4 BC (5 BC being the most likely date) and began his public ministry around AD 29. His ministry apparently lasted about three and a half years and included three or four Passover celebrations. His crucifixion probably occurred in AD 33.” (TCCC 143) Conclusion

14 Jesus, Gospels, Matthew I. A Chronology of Jesus II. The Synoptic Problem III. The Writing of Matthew’s Gospel IV. Matthew’s Literary Structure V. Theological Themes in Matthew

15 The Synoptic Problem The term problem Gospel Synopsis Four similarities: words, order, parenthetical material, and OT quotations Since Matthew, Mark, and Luke display very great similarities and very great differences in subject matter, sequence of events, and vocabulary and grammar, how then does one explain their literary relationship to one another?

16 The Synoptic Problem Words

17 The Synoptic Problem Mark wrote his Gospel first, and Matthew and Luke used Mark in writing their own Gospels. (Markan priority) Matthew and Luke wrote first, and Mark used both of these earlier Gospels in writing his Gospel. (Two Gospels) Special connection: Mk to Mt to Lk

18 The Synoptic Problem Order – remarkable similarity in organization of pericopes.

19 The Synoptic Problem “Analysis of the order of pericopes by itself cannot prove one theory over the other but must be used in conjunction with the study of other types of similarities and differences” (TCCC 162). Order:

20 The Synoptic Problem “let the reader understand” (Matt 24:15-18; Mark 13:14-16; lacking in Luke 21:20-22) Mark 15:10, “For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed him over.” The statement is closely paralleled by Matt. 27:18, “For he knew it was because of envy that they handed him over.” Parenthetical Material:

21 The Synoptic Problem OT Quotations

22 The Synoptic Problem Literary Independence Literary Interdependence Explanations for Similarities:

23 The Synoptic Problem Mt first, then Mk used Mt, and Lk used both Augustinian view:

24 The Synoptic Problem Mt first, then Lk (who used Mt), and Mk (who used both) Two-Gospels view:

25 The Synoptic Problem Early church was consistent with regard to Mt being written first This view offers an answer for the Mt-Lk agreements It explains Markan redundancies Q (hypothetical source) is not required Support of the Two-Gospels view:

26 The Synoptic Problem Mk wrote independently (memoirs of Peter) Most agreements can be explained by Markan priority Redundancies are rather small in number Not all alternative views need Q Assessment of the Two-Gospels view:

27 The Synoptic Problem Mk first, then Mt and Lk used it as a source Markan Priority view:

28 The Synoptic Problem Mk is shortest, because it lacks blocks of material found in Mt and Lk Mk transliterates Aramaic words into Gk, others omit or give Gk equivalent Mk has harder readings Mt and Lk seldom agree against Mk Differences easier to explain with Mk pri. Mk’s style found in shared material with Mt Support of the Markan Priority view:

29 The Synoptic Problem Mk first, Mt and Lk used it independently, and another source referred to as Q Two Document Hypothesis:

30 The Synoptic Problem Accounting for material omitted and/or included (prodigal son, magi) Lk places material it shares with Mt in different contexts Mt and Lk do not share the same order for material not in Mk Conclusion: Mt and Lk must have had a common source, i.e., Q. Evidence for Q:

31 The Synoptic Problem Rather than Q, it is more likely that Luke used Matthew’s Gospel Minor agreements Responses: (1) Mk and Q overlaps; (2) minor agreements and textual variants; (3) oral traditions led to revisions of Mk Farrar-Goulder Hypothesis:

32 The Synoptic Problem Summary Chart of Views:

33 The Synoptic Problem The two-document hypothesis has been the consensus view, though it would not be correct to say that there is still a consensus on this issue. Markan priority, however, is held by the majority of NT scholars. Conclusions:

34 Jesus, Gospels, Matthew I. A Chronology of Jesus II. The Synoptic Problem III. The Writing of Matthew’s Gospel IV. Matthew’s Literary Structure V. Theological Themes in Matthew

35 The Writing of Matthew Author: Matthew Date (50s-60s; pre-70) Provenance: Unknown, likely Antioch Syria Destination: Jewish audience, possible Antioch Syria Purpose: demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the OT Theme: Jesus is Immanuel, the Messiah, and the Savior of God’s people Key Verses: 16:13-20 Key Facts

36 The Writing of Matthew 1:1-4:25 Jesus’ birth and the beginning of his ministry 5:1-9:38 Jesus’ authority as teacher and healer established 10:1-12:50 Rising opposition to Jesus’ ministry 13:1-16:20 Polarization with regard to Jesus and his kingdom Unit Content (following Dever)

37 The Writing of Matthew 16:21-18:35 Jesus teaches about discipleship 19:1-25:46 Judgment on those who reject Jesus 26:1-28:20 Jesus’ suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection Summary Unit Content (following Dever)

38 The Writing of Matthew Scribe and Theologian Matthew is formally anonymous ‘According to Matthew’ Author

39 The Writing of Matthew External: Papias “Therefore, on the one hand Matthew arranged in order the sayings in the Hebrew dialect; on the other hand, each translated these as he was able.” (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3.39.16) Church uniformly affirmed Matthew’s authorship Author

40 The Writing of Matthew Internal: Jewish Christ-follower Matthew and tax collector named Levi (Mk 2:14, Lk 5:27, Mt 9:9) Payment of imperial taxes (Mt 22:15-22; 17:24-27) Author

41 The Writing of Matthew Inconclusive but lends support to the traditional view of Matthew as the author This is goes against much of contemporary scholarship Author

42 The Writing of Matthew Most NT scholars date the Gospel to mid- to late 80s Date prior to 70 is to be preferred May have written it anytime beginning in the mid-50s or, perhaps more likely, in the early 60s Osborne suggests pre-70 date is to be preferred Date

43 The Writing of Matthew Unknown could be Judea, but also Antioch of Syria Combined Jewish and gentile interest First quoted by Ignatius, bishop of Antioch Mt 17:24-27 - stater Provenance

44 The Writing of Matthew Unknown, but the ekklēsia in Antioch of Syria is most likely the intended audience Destination

45 The Writing of Matthew Written to demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah Written to give an answer to the question, “If Jesus is the Messiah, why did he fail to establish his kingdom?” Written to confirm the legitimacy of the gentile mission Summary Theme: Jesus as Messiah, Son of David, and the King of the Jews Purpose

46 Jesus, Gospels, Matthew I. A Chronology of Jesus II. The Synoptic Problem III. The Writing of Matthew’s Gospel IV. Matthew’s Literary Structure V. Theological Themes in Matthew

47 Matthew’s Literary Structure Matthew’s congregation may have had the saying of Jesus that Matthew had produced in Aramaic years earlier. Matthew’s Gospel was likely produced because his Jewish-Christian audience was undergoing persecution by their Jewish neighbors. Relating to the Occasion

48 Matthew’s Literary Structure Papias, “Matthew arranged in order the sayings [of Jesus]” (Eusebius, Eccl. Hist. 3.39). Papias probably referred to the fact that Matthew began with a genealogy and an account of Jesus’ birth, gave a more thorough treatment of Jesus’ postresurrection appearances, and arranged Jesus’ teaching into five major sections. Literary Concerns Proper

49 Matthew’s Literary Structure Structure of Mt centers on the five major discourses that present the essence of Jesus’ teachings (5-7; 10:5-42; 13:1-52; 18:1-35; and 23-25). ‘When Jesus had finished saying these things’ (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). Literary Concerns Proper

50 Matthew’s Literary Structure The five ‘books of Jesus’ in Mt’s Gos. appear to correspond to the five books of Moses. Sermon on the Mount in located in chapters 5-7. Literary Concerns Proper

51 Matthew’s Literary Structure Gospel follows a general chronological order. B. W. Bacon: ‘And when Jesus finished’. The phrase “when Jesus had finished” occurs at 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; and 26:1 and appears to denote definite sections in the book. This phrase allows the interpreter to identify the overall structure of Matthew’s gospel. Literary Concerns Proper

52 Matthew’s Literary Structure Köstenberger and the Five Discourse

53 Jesus, Gospels, Matthew I. A Chronology of Jesus II. The Synoptic Problem III. The Writing of Matthew’s Gospel IV. Matthew’s Literary Structure V. Theological Themes in Matthew

54 Theological Themes This is one of the most significant theological themes in Mt. Mt 1-4 highlight this theme: Jesus as Fulfillment of OT Predictions

55 Fulfillment of OT in Mt 1-4

56 Theological Themes Narrative substructure: son of David, son of Abraham, and the new Moses. Jesus as Fulfillment of OT Predictions

57 Theological Themes Mt 8:4 – obey Moses’ commands Moses and the Transfiguration Moses’ teaching as referent point Subtle parallels Jesus intends to present Jesus as the new Moses Jesus as the New Moses

58 Theological Themes Messiah to come from the line of David (Mt 1:20) People recognized Jesus as the son of David (9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 20:20-31; 21:9; 21:15; 22:41-45) Psalm 110:1 Jesus as the Davidic King

59 Canonical Contribution Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham, the son of David (1:1-17) Account of the virgin birth of Christ (1:18-25) Fulfillment quotations showing that Jesus is the Messiah (1-4) What are Matthew’s Contributions to the Canon?

60 Canonical Contribution Five major discourses or teaching sections of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the Commissioning of the Twelve (10), Jesus’ parables of the kingdom (13; 18), and his final teachings, including the Olivet Discourse on the end times (24-25) The Great Commission (28:16-20) What are Matthew’s Contributions to the Canon?

61 The End