11.1 The Gospels and their Greco-Roman literary context

The Gospels, early Christian narratives about Jesus, blend Greco-Roman and Jewish literary traditions. They incorporate elements of biography, aretalogy, and historiography, showcasing Jesus' life, teachings, and miraculous deeds while emphasizing his divine nature and moral lessons.

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) share similarities in content and structure, raising questions about their relationships and sources. Meanwhile, John's Gospel stands apart with its unique emphasis on Jesus' divinity and symbolic language, reflecting the diverse literary influences on early Christian writings.

Gospel Genres and Literary Influences

Greco-Roman Biographical Elements

• Greco-Roman biography influenced gospel structure and content
• Focused on character and moral teachings of a central figure
• Included birth narratives, significant events, and death accounts
• Emphasized virtues and ethical lessons drawn from subject's life
• Utilized anecdotes and sayings to illustrate character (Jesus' parables)
• Incorporated supernatural elements (miracles, divine interventions)

Aretalogy and Historiographical Influences

• Aretalogy showcased divine power through miraculous deeds
• Highlighted Jesus' supernatural abilities and divine nature
• Hellenistic historiography shaped narrative structure and purpose
• Aimed to provide accurate accounts of events (Luke's prologue)
• Incorporated eyewitness testimonies and historical context
• Blended factual reporting with theological interpretation

Jewish Exegetical Traditions

• Midrash influenced gospel interpretations of Old Testament scriptures
• Applied creative exegesis to connect Jesus' life with prophetic fulfillment
• Reinterpreted Jewish traditions in light of Jesus' teachings
• Utilized typology to draw parallels between Old Testament figures and Jesus
• Incorporated allusions and quotations from Hebrew scriptures

Synoptic Gospels and Sources

Synoptic Relationship and Similarities

• Synoptic Gospels include Matthew, Mark, and Luke
• Share significant similarities in content, structure, and wording
• Presented chronological narratives of Jesus' life and ministry
• Contained overlapping material, suggesting common sources
• Displayed distinct theological emphases and target audiences
• Synoptic Problem addresses relationships and composition theories

Q Source and Two-Source Hypothesis

• Q source hypothesized as shared material between Matthew and Luke
• Consisted primarily of Jesus' sayings and teachings
• Derived from Greek word "Quelle," meaning "source"
• Two-Source Hypothesis proposed Mark and Q as primary sources
• Explained similarities and differences among Synoptic Gospels
• Accounted for material unique to Matthew and Luke

Oral Tradition and Transmission

• Oral tradition played crucial role in preserving Jesus' teachings
• Transmitted stories and sayings within early Christian communities
• Shaped by cultural memory and communal recitation practices
• Influenced variations in gospel accounts and wording
• Gradually codified into written form over time
• Reflected Hellenistic and Jewish oral storytelling techniques

Unique Features

Johannine Distinctiveness

• Gospel of John differed significantly from Synoptic Gospels
• Emphasized Jesus' divine nature and pre-existence
• Structured around seven "I am" statements and sign miracles
• Incorporated extended discourses and dialogues
• Utilized symbolic language and dualistic themes (light/darkness)
• Presented a high Christology with developed theological concepts
• Included unique narratives (Nicodemus, Samaritan woman, Lazarus)

Parabolic Teachings and Interpretation

• Parables formed distinctive feature of Jesus' teaching style
• Consisted of short, illustrative stories with moral or spiritual lessons
• Drew from everyday life experiences (agriculture, fishing, family)
• Required interpretation and often challenged societal norms
• Varied in complexity from simple analogies to elaborate narratives
• Synoptic Gospels contained more parables than John's Gospel
• Reflected both Greco-Roman and Jewish storytelling traditions