Themes and Purposes of the Synoptic Gospels

Mark

• Attempts to encourage and build up the community during Nero's persecution of gentiles- writing for a community in crisis (community forming literature)
  • Demonstrated in emphasis on discipleship, evil and suffering (crucifixion).
• Creates a sense of urgency.
  • Jesus begins his ministry with the declaration "time is fulfilled" (MK1:14)
  • word "immediately" occurs 42 times.
  • Perhaps warning followers of the imminent coming of the Parousia.
  • emphasis on Jesus' actions rather than words.
• Portrays Jesus' death as the goal of his life and mission.
  • Jesus' enemies plot to kill him from the beginning (MK3:6)
  • Perhaps links to Nero's persecution.
• Appeals to gentiles
  • uses rough koine Greek 
  • translates Aramaic phrases (MK15:35) and explains Jewish customs (MK7:3-4)
• Create a biography of Jesus
  • Stanton- it is "a bios, a biography" (The Gospels and Jesus).
• Emphasis on disciple failure- Stanton highlights how they often misunderstand e.g. feeding of the 5000/ 4000.
• Papias- interpreter of Peter. However, there are few stories about Peter and MK's theme are more closely linked with those of Paul.

Matthew

• Uses organisational patterns
  • Arranged teaching of Jesus into 5 blocks, linking to the pentateuch. Stanton- possibly new Moses?
  • There are 12 fulfillment quotations, linking to the 12 tribes of Israel.
  • Genealogy (MT1:1-17) contains 14 generations, corresponding to the number of David's name (DVD=14).
• Gives Peter special prominence
  • Includes a number of stories about him not found elsewhere.
  • Calls Peter "the rock on which I will build my church." (MT16)
• Matthew is not…