The New Testament books describing the life of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
3
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1answer
43 views
Why did Jesus compare one born of the Spirit to the wind?
At John 3:8 (RSVCE) we see Jesus saying:
"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
What prominent scholars and/or denominations hold to Matthean priority?
This question discusses the differences between Marcan priority and Matthean priority and asks about the arguments in favor of Matthean priority. My question is who holds and promotes this view. I ...
0
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1answer
28 views
What does Catholic Church teach about the interpretation of the metaphor of “salt of the earth?”
We see Jesus telling at Matthew 5:13 (NRSVCE):
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out ...
0
votes
3answers
118 views
Why was the Sea of Galilee called so?
We see the mention of a freshwater lake of 167 km square in Israel called as the Sea of Galilee or the Sea of Tiberias at Mtt 4:18, Mtt 15:29, Mk 1:16, Mk 7:31 and Jn 16:1. I wish to know the logic ...
4
votes
1answer
60 views
According to the Catholic Church, was Mary's Magnificat a spontaneous utterance?
At Luke 1: 46-55 we see Blessed Virgin Mary singing a song of praise, now known as the Magnificat, while greeting her cousin Elizabeth. I wish to know if the song of Mary was a spontaneous utterance, ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
Did Barabbas have the first name Jesus?
At Matthew 27:17 of Contemporary English Version we read:
"So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, “Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is ...
1
vote
0answers
60 views
Why did Jesus treat the dove-sellers at the Temple with kindness?
At John 2:14-16 (NRSVCE) we read:
" In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of ...
4
votes
1answer
77 views
What did Jesus mean by “ many” beneficiaries of His ensuing blood-shed?
At Matthew 26:27-28 (NRSVCE) we read:
Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out ...
3
votes
2answers
174 views
What did Christian authors of the 7th - 15th centuries say about the Muslim claim of Gospels being direct revelations from God?
According to the Quran, God revealed the Gospels (which it calls Injeel) to Jesus, just like He revealed the Quran to Muhammad, and Torah to Moses, but the New Testament doesn't have any books that ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
Did the Risen Lord appear to Mother Mary? [duplicate]
We see the Gospels narrating how Mother Mary was present at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25–27). But we do not see an explicit narration, or even a mention, of Jesus appearing to His mother after ...
-1
votes
2answers
69 views
According to Catholicism, who can be referred to as the One Flock of Jesus in today's context? [duplicate]
In John 10:16 we see Jesus saying:
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."
Of ...
-1
votes
2answers
33 views
What was the original word used to imply goodness at Mark 10:17-18?
At Mark 10: 17-18 we read:
"As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do ...
1
vote
4answers
390 views
Why did the early Christians think Jesus would return soon?
In multiple New Testament passages the Disciples and even Jesus appear to think He would return within one generation or so:
Jesus says, 'What I say to you, I say to all: Watch, for you know not the ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
What was the literal meaning of the term 'stone rejected by builders'? [closed]
Matthew 21:42 (NASB) says:
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone
which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; This
came about from the Lord, ...
0
votes
1answer
224 views
What is the difference between the Gospel and the Holy Bible? [duplicate]
Probably my question here is trivial, but I'm interested to know the difference between the Gospel and the Holy Bible. Also, does anyone have the original version of it (I mean the original version ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
Why did Jesus compare the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven?
The Gospels according to Matthew and Luke mention the parable of the leaven (Mt:16:6 and Lk 13:20) with a positive image . Elsewhere, Jesus uses the euphemism of leaven to expose the hypocrisy of the ...
4
votes
1answer
80 views
Where is it documented that some people didn't want Gospel of John to be included as canonical?
I have heard in some debates that the Gospel of John had some push back from people (Church Fathers?) from being included into the Canon.
Can someone shed some light on this topic? Or provide a book ...
2
votes
2answers
92 views
Do we have or know of additional writings from the four Gospel Evangelists? [duplicate]
The New Testament of the Christian Bible is commenced with four Gospels: Matthew's, Mark's, Luke's, and John's. Early church tradition has taught us that Matthew and John's Gospels were written by two ...
6
votes
1answer
303 views
Early Church Fathers and “Q”
Starting with the early church, a large portion of Christian tradition has held the Augustinian hypothesis which believes that Matthew's Gospel was the first to be written, then Mark's, then Luke's, ...
6
votes
1answer
156 views
Did any of the Church Fathers think the current-day Gospels were not inspired?
I heard that some of the Church Fathers referred to the Gospels using terminology which indicates maybe they didn't think they were "inspired".
Is there any statement by one of them that indicates ...
2
votes
0answers
63 views
What defined the ownership of a treasure in Jesus' time?
Matthew 13:43 reads:
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
One is intrigued ...
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votes
3answers
390 views
Do Christians believe the gospels were written by some of 12 apostles? [closed]
From studying historical new testament the authors claim the gospels were written 50-100 years after Jesus by people that had no eyewitness connection to Jesus or the 12 apostles (instead collected ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Is there a co-relation between the name or Bethlehem and Jesus' teachings?
Bethlehem, the birth-place of Jesus literally means 'house of bread' . It is possible that the town had a good concentration of bakeries, from which oven-baked bread of prized quality was bought by ...
-1
votes
1answer
64 views
Actual days taken from Maundy Thursday to Crucifixion [duplicate]
What we currently know is that the Jesus was taken custody after the last supper (Maundy Thursday) and crucified on Good Friday, the day after the last supper.
My Question is, can this be true?
I ...
22
votes
5answers
6k views
According to those holding that Jesus was literally born of a virgin, why did Paul not mention it?
Matthew and Luke each open with an account of Jesus' miraculous virginal conception and birth. The virgin birth is widely seen as an essential belief in Christianity, being found for example in the ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Wasn't Peter just trying to avoid getting caught when he denied Jesus three times? [closed]
Simon Peter's denial of Jesus is seen as a horrible sin, but it seems to me that it wasn't that bad; Peter was among enemies and they surely would have taken Peter or sent him out if they found out he ...
2
votes
3answers
454 views
Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another Gospel? (LDS perspective)
Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another Gospel?
Paul tells us not to accept any other gospels apart from the one he has preached. Is the Book of Mormon considered to be another gospel? If so, ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
What writing materials did the writers of the Gospels use?
I am wondering what kind of writing materials the writers of the Gospels used to make the original scrolls.
I know that papyrus and parchment were used widely at the time.
5
votes
2answers
3k views
Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke called 'synoptic' gospels?
The first three gospels are sometimes known as the "synoptic" gospels. What does this term mean, and how does it differentiate them from the gospel of John?
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2answers
216 views
At the time of Peter's confession, who knew that Jesus was Messiah?
In the synoptic gospels, Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Messiah.
Matthew 16:15-17 (NASB) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son ...
4
votes
1answer
179 views
What is the basis for the belief among some Protestants that Christ's teachings do not apply to us today?
I have seen some Protestants arguing that Christ's teachings in the Gospels don't apply to us; that they were applicable only to the Jews, the immediate audience, since the new covenant did not begin ...
5
votes
1answer
140 views
Are there any Christian denominations that reject some of the gospels in the New Testament?
Are all four gospels in the NT accepted by every Christian denomination (whether trinitarian or non-trinitarian)? For example, you could have a christian denomination that accepts Mark’s gospel but ...
18
votes
2answers
611 views
What is the origin of the idea that Matthew, Mark, and Luke didn't mention Lazarus in order to protect him?
As discussed in another question, on why Matthew, Mark, and Luke didn't mention the raising of Lazarus, this miracle is only related in John 11 – the Synoptics, though they presumably knew about it, ...
30
votes
2answers
6k views
According to those holding that Lazarus was literally raised from the dead, why did Matthew, Mark, and Luke not mention it?
John 11 tells the remarkable story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead:
43 When [Jesus] had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Which version of the Gospels do the authors of the Philokalia refer to?
Which version of the Gospels do the authors of the Philokalia (such as Gregory Palamas) refer to? Clearly this would be some Greek version.
But I would like to know what would be the closest thing ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
200 Denarri sufficient for purchasing Bread?
In Mark 6:37, some disciples comments and indicate that the 200 denarii would have been enough to purchase bread needed to feed the 5000.
But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” ...
3
votes
1answer
224 views
Did any ancient source believe in more than four gospels?
I'm listening to a lecture series by Dale Martin (Professor of Religious Studies, Yale), and he makes the passing claim that during development of the New Testament canon there were some who thought ...
5
votes
1answer
390 views
How do the church fathers reconcile the accounts of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew to be apostles?
How do the church fathers reconcile the accounts of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew to be apostles?
With scriptures listed below it appears that though John, Andrew, and Peter were the first to ...
0
votes
2answers
307 views
Which Christian traditions value the Gospels more than the Epistles?
I'm wondering if there are (or were) any Christian communities or traditions that pay (or paid) more attention to the teaching of Jesus than to the teaching of apostles.
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Was there any significance for the make of the tomb which was used to lay the body of Jesus?
As per the Gospels of Matthew (27:60), Mark (15:46 ) and Luke (23:53) , the Body of Jesus, after his crucifixion was laid in a tomb 'hewn in the rock'. That all the evangelists except John mention the ...
12
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1answer
3k views
In which one of the four Gospels is the Old Testament quoted the most?
In which one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) is the Old Testament quoted the most?
5
votes
1answer
591 views
What is the relation of Jesus's and Jonah's boat stories?
Studying about "sleep" in the Bible I came across some passages and found out that the story of Jonah and Jesus in boats are quite similar.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, ...
7
votes
1answer
230 views
Who were the “scribes” whom Jesus often disputes against in the canonical gospels?
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at
his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and
not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29 ESV)
There are ...
2
votes
2answers
467 views
Do Matthew and John have a discrepancy with regards to Jesus before Pilate?
Matthew 27:11-12 (Mark has a very similar account in Mark 15:1-11)
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Was it necessary for Jesus to be identified by a disciple of His? [duplicate]
Why did the Jewish leaders have to seek the help of Judas Iscariot in identifying Jesus for them ( Matt 26:49 ; Mark 14:45 ) . Is it that Jesus looked so similar to his disciples that it was ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
Who, exactly, are James son of Alphaeus and Judas the Son [Brother] of James?
One note specifically is that some translations read that Judas (not Iscariot) was known as Judas brother of James, but most say Judas Son of James.
Luke 6:16 NIV
Judas son of James, and Judas ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John write anything other than the Gospels?
Currently I'm studying Youth Ministry and have a New Testament class that has been challenging. One of the tips for understanding an author better is to read everything they've written.
Have these ...
17
votes
3answers
844 views
Among modern critics who believe in the attributed authorship of the Gospels, what are their arguments?
According to the many online lectures by biblical scholars, not to mention entries in Wikipedia and other online sites, whether the experts are on either the liberal side or the conservative side of ...
22
votes
6answers
4k views
What explanations have been offered for the “messianic secret” passages?
In a number of places in the Gospel accounts, Jesus performs a miracle and then tells the healed person and others who witnessed it not to spread the word. For example,
After healing a leper,
And ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Did Jesus perform a single miracle before his fast and temptation?
Did Jesus perform a single miracle before his 40 day fast and temptation by the Devil?
