11.1 The Gospels and their Greco-Roman literary context
3 min read•august 9, 2024
The Gospels, early Christian narratives about , blend Greco-Roman and Jewish literary traditions. They incorporate elements of , , and , showcasing Jesus' life, teachings, and miraculous deeds while emphasizing his and moral lessons.
The (, , and ) share similarities in content and structure, raising questions about their relationships and sources. Meanwhile, stands apart with its unique emphasis on Jesus' divinity and , 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 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' )
Incorporated supernatural elements (, 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
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 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
hypothesized as shared material between Matthew and Luke
Consisted primarily of Jesus' sayings and teachings
Derived from Greek word "Quelle," meaning "source"
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
played crucial role in preserving Jesus' teachings
Transmitted stories and sayings within early Christian communities
Shaped by 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 ()
Presented a with developed theological concepts
Included unique narratives (, , )
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