Notes by © Rev. Robert C. Swain
Minister Emeritus, Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society , Madison, Connecticut, for Reading in World Religions class at Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport, Stratford, CT
Paul’s (Authentic) Letters – the beginning of Christianity
Epistle to the Galatians (50-56 ce) was advice to the church in Galatia (in Asia Minor – now Turkey).
Epistle to the Thessalonians (50-51 ce?) – ostensibly to Christians in Thessalonika – questionable authenticity.
Epistle to Philemon (54-56 ce) returns the slave Onesimus.
Epistle to Philippians (54-56 ce – Ephesus, or 60-62 ce – Rome) was advice to church in Philippi, Macedonia.
Epistles to the Corinthians (55-56 ce) were advice to the church in Corinth, Greece.
Epistle to the Romans (57 ce) was advice to the church in Rome, Italy.
Structure & Character of the Pauline Letters
Epistle to the Galatians (50-56 ce)
Meaning of “gospel” [godspel = euangelos = “good news”] of redemption through faith in Christ’s resurrection
Story of Paul’s early persecution of Christians & relationship to Peter (Cephas), James, &al. [1.13-2.14]
Galatians makes all Christians Abraham’s scions, too, embracing Gentiles & Jews – “men of faith … are Abraham’s sons” [3.7] “There is no such thing as Jew and Greek, slave and freeman, male and female….” [3.28-29]
Freedom from the letter of the Law [3.11, 5.1-18] – Galatians explains how the Law does not apply to Christians.
Emphasis on faith, while expecting, as well, good works [3.22]
Epistles to the Corinthians (55-56 ce)
I Corinthians eschews worldly wisdom, bad associations, licentiousness; & better to marry than to burn. [cf Luther]
Paul advocates loving, compassionate application of Christians’ freedom from the Law. [9.19-10.23]
Paul’s paean to love (so popular at weddings) has nothing to do with love in marriage. [ICor chapter 13]
Paul says both that women are equal to men [Gal 3.28] and that they are inferior. [ICor 4.33]
II Corinthians is largely Paul’s re-establishing his credentials and authority – which were questioned in his absence.
Epistle to the Romans (57 ce)
Jesus as the 2nd Adam [5.12-19] – representing obdience instead of disobedience
Identification with Christ through baptism [ch 6] – “For in dying as he died…and in living as he lives…, you must regard yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God, in union with Christ Jesus.”
Paul escapes responsibility for Christians’ sinning. [7.20] – “…clearly it is no longer I who am the agent, but sin that has its lodging in me.” [“The Devil made me do it.”]
Paul defends vs. divine “injustice” [9.14ff] & defends salvation by Divine election. [9.18-23]
Paul always maintains Judaism’s claim on the heritage – along with believing Christians’. [9.1-9, 11.1-12]
Paul’s ethic: chapters 12-14
Panoply of Gospels purporting to display the Teachings & Life of Jesus
Synoptic Gospels – Mark (), Matthew () & Luke ()
Mark introduced a quasi-biographical story line.
Matthew infused “Q” logia into Mark’s story line.
Luke worked Mark’s story line around the “Q” logia.
“Q” Gospel (Logia) (“source” – ca. 200 verses common to Matthew & Luke)
Long presumed basis of Matthew & Luke, recently “found” in the canonical gospels
Layers of structure – logia only (like Thomas)
Gospel (Logia) of Thomas (independent logia source, significantly different from “Q”)
Composed strictly of logia, i.e., sayings of Jesus
Found among the “Gnostic” scriptures at Nag Hammadi (but not especially gnostic in character) in 1945
Parallels in canon: 47 to Mk, 40 to Q, 17 to Mt, 4 to Lk, 5 to Jn – 65 unique to Th; 114+ logia in Th
Pseudepigraphic & Apocryphal Gospels
Protevangelion/Apocryphon of James (i or ii cent) tells of Mary’s birth, Davidic lineage, pregnancy & delivery of Jesus. First half a dialogue between Jesus, Peter & James.
Gospel of the Hebrews (mid-i – Alexandria, Egypt) is Jewish-Christian, like Matthew (to which it is unrelated, but originally almost as long, & similar in style), & now extant only in fragments.
Has James, Jesus’ brother, first witness to resurrection
Has James at Last Supper
Gospel of the Ebionites (late ii, in Syria-Palestine) has no virgin birth because the (Jewish-Christian) Ebionites eschewed that dogma. Also, both John & Jesus are here vegetarians.
Lost Gospel According to Peter fragment (ref. 190 ce) has “disciple” Mary Magdelene first witness to resurrection.
Gospel of Mary [Magdalene] is in Berlin Gnostic Codex – Greek fragment from early iii century
Mary disputed by Peter, &al, until Levi reminds them Jesus made her “worthy” & loved her “more.”
“Do not weep and do not grieve nor be irresolute, for his grace will be entirely with you and will protect you.”
Gospel of Bartholomew (iii) emphasizes life of Mary (Jesus’ mother). Bartholomew pushing for answers, details.
Mary’s annunciation in Bt more detailed than Mt’s
Mary barely stopped from speaking the ineffable (telling of annunciation) & burning up earth. [ch 2]
Mary continually putting women down, deferring to Peter & other men [ch 2, 4]
Jesus descends into Hell & raises Satan (Beliar) to answer Bartholomew’s questions.
Satan/Beliar forced to tell all about demons & devils [ch 4] – most of gospel
Only 3 of 30,000 dead getting to Paradise daily. [ch 1]
Gospel of Philip (late iii, Syria, Gnostic) posits that the source of sin is the separation of the sexes in Eden.
Distinguishes proselytes of proselytes from proselytes of “Hebrews” – seemingly written by an ex-Jew
Full of Gnostic paradoxes – e.g., that Jesus revealed himself as like whatever was seeing him – great, small, angel or man.
3 Marys “always walked with the Lord” – his mother, his sister and his companion, Magdalene. Further: “Christ loved [Mary Magdelene] more than all the [other] disciples and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples were offended and expressed disapproval.” ….
Gospel of Nicodemus (iii/iv – after canonical gospels) includes Acts of Pilate, Christ’s Descent into Hell, Paradosis & Pistis Sophia, re the Christ Child’s union with the Spirit (Gnostic)
Pilate vindicated to extent he became Byzantine saint & Coptic martyr
Virulently anti-Jewish polemic – Jesus, his family & patriarchs not seen as Jewish (except Jesus called “rabboni,” Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathaea)
Christians interpreted as only “chosen people”
Infancy Gospel of Thomas serves as prototype of infancy gospels, but is less harsh in tone than the others.
Infancy Gospels of James, (Pseudo-)Matthew, &c. (Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Coptic, Arabic versions vary only slightly.)
Jesus born a speaking “perfect man” in Pseudo-Matthew
Cruel child Jesus strikes others dead, &c., stretches too-short board for Joseph, makes clay birds fly, &c.
In Latin InfG, virginity & miracle are emphasized.
Arabic InfG (similar to InfG/Thomas – including tale of children made goats) used by Muhammed.
Secret Gospel (Apocryphon) of Mark may have been the original of canonical book – with raising from death.
Gospel of John
The “Johns” who couldn’t have written the gospel
Liturgical character
No parable in John, just speeches & revelations
Intriguing mystery of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” [hgapa o Ihsou, efilei...] [John 13.23, 20.2, 21.7, 21.20]
John may be based on an earlier Gospel of Signs (featuring indications of Jesus’ messiahship)
Structure & Character of the Gospels
Gap of a whole generation between Jesus (d. 30) & the first gospels (Q, Mk, Th) & 1˝ centuries between the last gospel (Jn) & any extant copies – ca. 200 a.d.
125 – tiny fragment of Gospel of John (earliest extant fragment, but Jesus Seminar says not one saying in Jn is Jesus’)
200 – earliest substantial fragments of gospels
before 250 – Chester Beatty papyri (bought in 1930-32 from unknown source in Egypt)
before 340 – Codex Sinaiticus (found at St Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai peninsula in 1844)
after 350 – Codex Vaticanus (found in Vatican Library in 1868)
Messianic lineage from King David
Both Matthew [1.1-17 – from Abraham] & Luke [3.23-38 – from Adam] show the lineage via Joseph, not Mary.
Protevangelion/Apocryphon of James (ii cent. ce) recounts the Davidic lineage via Mary.
Messianic prophesies & fulfillment
Where Messiah to be born – Mt 2.4,
Messiah should suffer – Lk 24.26, Lk 24.46,
How Paul’s Letters reshaped Judaism of the Jesus cult
Second Adam
Obedience to the Law (i.e.,Torah) not required of Greek Christians; all believers scions of Abraham
Structuring Resurrection significance
How the Gospels reshaped Pauline Christianity
Retention of Jesus’ early (actual) teachings (vs only post-resurrection speeches)
Preservation of some biography/history (vs liturgical expressions)
Restructuring Resurrection significance
Crucifixion/Passion/Resurrection stories:
36 ce (after John the Baptist’s execution in 35ad) at age 42-43 (John 8.57: contemporaries said he was “not yet 50”)—or 30 ce? in late 30s?
Mark 14f: almost-Passover stall; nard anointing “for burial”; Judas; seder with 12 & symbols; predicts betrayal, weakness; Gethsemane prayer; capture; all flee, including naked man; [15] trial at High Priest’s house; betrayal by Peter; to Pilate in chains; release Barabbas; mocking; Simon Cyrene carries cross; crucifixion at Golgotha “at 9 am”; bandits mock J; noon darkness & “Eli…”; centurion: “was the son/God.”; Mary Magdalene, Mary m/ James & Joseph, & Salome &al.; Joseph/Arimathaea; tomb & stone at entrance
Mark 16.1ff: Mary M, Mary m/ James, Salome to tomb at sunrise; “a youth: ‘he has been raised again.’ ‘Go tell Peter.’” They told no one.
Mark 16.9-20:M/M told others, who did not believe her; J came to 2 walkers who were not believed; Later J “reproached” 11 for not believing; J: “Go forth & proclaim” – unbelieving condemned, believers will perform miracles (even “handle snakes”); J taken up into heaven
Mark 16.9f: short version
Matthew 26-28: J predicts; follows Mark except naked youth; before going to Pilate, adds Judas returning money; adds only minor details to crucifixion, with same last words; but has centurion’s remark in response to earthquake; women present include also m/ sons of Zebedee; adds request for guard & sealed stone; adds earthquake at tomb; met by “angel”: adds “going on before you to Galilee where you will see him”; women “ran to tell disciples”; adds “bribed guards” – “current in Jewish circles”; J transfers authority & charges 11 with mission
Luke 22-24: adds “Satan entered Judas”; adds J as paschal lamb to be slaughtered; some texts add mass wording; adds Satan again, plus authority transfer as “judges over 12 tribes”; adds mission with purse, pack & sword; adds angel in Gethsemane; J heals cut-off ear; follows Mark/Matthew, but J’s last words: “Forgive them” & “into thy hands…”; centurion: “innocent”; Sabbath rest; “stone rolled away”; “2 men in dazzling garments”; adds “reported to 11”; women: MM, Joanna & Mary m/ James; appeared “nonsense”; adds talk on road to Emmaus (24.13-32); appears again: “Touch me & see”& then ate with them; “am sending my Father’s promised gift”
Acts 1 continues Luke with Pentecost appearance.
John 20-21: Passion is preceded by 5 chapters (13-18) of farewell discourses; adds many details, including names, dialogue & more scriptural fulfillments; Jews are always referred to in 3rd person; at cross are “(mother) Mary, Mary wife of Clopas, MMagdalene…& the disciple whom he loved”; Friday as “eve of Passover” (so last supper not seder); MM finds stone rolled away & runs to tell “Simon Peter & the other disciple, the one whom J loved” – who (then) are first to enter empty tomb; after they left, 2 angels come to MM weeping; then J himself; later same night, J appears to others, charges with authority & (a week later) lets doubting Thomas touch him;[21] J appears to fishing Peter, Thomas, &al.: “Feed my lambs”; concludes with claim that “disciple whom J loved” wrote gospel of John.
Preaching Ministry of Jesus:
The “Q” document (as derived from Luke & Matthew)—3 levels of textual accretion [Kloppenborg, 1988]
Q1 = original (40-60ad) – 7 clusters sharing audience, grammar, concerns, &c.
Beatitudes: 8 “How fortunate are the poor; they have God’s kingdom. How fortunate the hungry; they will be fed. How fortunate are those who are crying; they will laugh.” [Q8 = Luke 6.20ff, Matthew 5.2ff, Thomas 54, 68, 69]
Love: 9 “…Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you….Give to anyone who asks, and if someone takes away your belongings, do not ask to have them back. As you want people to treat you, do the same to them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? [Q9-14 = Luke 6, Matthew 12, cf Thm 34, 26, 45] [Q10-14 are on other teachings, & Q19-20 speak to the Jesus Movement.]
Prayer: 26 “When you pray, say, ‘Father, may your name be holy. May your rule take place. Give us each day our daily bread. Pardon our debts, for we ourselves pardon everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to trial (into a trying situation).’” [Q26f = Luke 11.1-4, Matthew 6]
Possessions: 39 “I am telling you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [Q35f, 38-40 = Luke 12, Matthew 6, cf Thomas 5, 6, 33, 36, 76]
True Believers: 50 “Everyone who glorifies himself will be humiliated, and the one who humbles himself will be praised.” 52 “Whoever does not hate his father and mother will not be able to learn from me. Whoever does not hate his son and daughter cannot belong to my school. Whoever does not accept his cross (bear up under condemnation) and so become my follower, cannot be one of my students. Whoever tries to protect his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life on account of me will preserve it.” [Q50-53 = Luke 14, &c., Matthew 10, 5]
Additions to the Q Document
Q2 = additions to Original “Q” – criticism, opposition answered [‘QS’ = ‘Q Segment’ as numbered in BL Mack]
John the Baptist [QS3-5 = Luke 3, Matthew 3]
Pronouncements vs. Towns rejecting Disciples (“Sodom will have it easier….”) [QS21f = Luke 10, Matthew 11]
Criticisms [QS28-32 = Luke 11, Matthew 12] (miracle cures by Satan?)
Vs. Pharisees [QS34 = ] & coming Judgment [QS41-45 = Luke 12, Matthew 16, 24, cf Thomas 21, 103, 16, 91]
Public Loyalty [QS38] & outside the Kingdom [QS47-48 = Luke 12, 13, Matthew 16, 7, 8]
Rules for the Christian Community [QS54-59 = Luke 16, 17, Matthew 5, 6, 18, cf Thomas 107, 47]
Coming Judgment (41“…Be ready. For the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 43“No. Not peace, but a sword.” 61…Everyone who has will receive more, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”) [Q41-48, 60f = Luke 12, 13, Matthew 16.2, 13, cf Thomas 21, 103,16, 91, 20, 96]
Q3 = additions to Original “Q” – more relaxed embellishments
Temptations 6“Then Jesus was led into the wilderness by the spirit for trial by the accuser. He fasted for forty days and was hungry.” &c.—“stones into bread,” “throw yourself down,” & “reverence me” [QS6 = Luke 4, Matthew 4]
John the Baptist & Jesus’ interactions [QS15-18 = Luke 7, Matthew 3, 8, cf Thomas 78, 46]
Hidden teachings & divine Authority 24“You have kept these things hidden from the wise….” [QS24 = Luke 10.21f, Matthew 11.25ff, cf Thomas 61?] 62“And you who have followed me will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jerusalem Lament [QS49 = Luke 13.34f, Matthew 23.37ff] – obviously after the Temple’s destruction in 80ad
Torah 56“The law of Moses and the prophets were authorities until John. Since then the kingdom of od has been overpowered by violent men. It is easier for the heavens and the earth to pass away than for one stroke of the law to lose its force.” [QS56 = Luke 16.16ff, Matthew 5, 11]
Mark’s Story-line borrowed by Matthew & Luke (together, called “synoptic gospels” for similarities)
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus & Jesus tempted & begins healing. (1)
Gathers disciples in Galilee; teaches with authority at synagogue in Capernaum; heals & preaches in Galilee & Capernaum, gathering crowds; blasphemes by forgiving sins; associates with tax-collectors & sinners; & violates letter of Jewish law: e.g., ‘Fresh skins for new wine!’ (2)
Appoints 12 disciples, heals more, is said to be crazy & divorces his family. (3)
Teaches in parables & calms storm on lake. (4)
Performs Miracles; raises dead child (‘Talitha cum’) (5)
Goes home (mention of 4 brothers); sends 12 on a mission; execution of John the Baptist; feeds 5k with 5 loaves & 2 fish; walks on water; then more healing (6)
Growing tension over ritual law; more miraculous cures (7)
Feeds 4k with 7 loaves & a few fish; predicts return & asks ‘Who do men say I am?’ (–‘Messiah’) (8)
Transfiguration for a few; betrayal near; harsher sayings, ending with “be salted with fire.” (9)
On divorce, children, Kingdom & eternal life; Jesus predicts death; some ask favors, others have faith. (10)
Rides to the temple in triumph; withers fig tree & drives out temple merchants; question of authority (11)
Parable of vineyard; “Pay Caesar what is Caesar’s”; “Love your neighbor”; vs. injustices; widow’s mite. (12)
Signs of the end & condemnation for discipleship; be wary of impostors; “be alert” to signs of the end. (13)
Passover annointing; seder; Peter’s pledge; Judas’ betrayal; naked youth; death sentence & Peter’s betrayal (14)
Pilate’s examination; “Crucify him!”; scoffing & crucifixion; Joseph of Arimathaea. (15)
Empty tomb found by 2 Marys & Salome; 11 doubted MM; appearances to 2 & then to 11 at supper. (16)
Birth stories of Jesus:
Written: 7-6 bce in Matthew (2 years before Herod the Great’s death) vs. 6-7 ce in Luke (Quirinius census)
Genealogies: Matthew proves lineage on Joseph’s side (?!) (Luke via Mary’s)
Original Luke surely starts with John the Baptist & address to Theophilus.
“Star in the East” would have been West for the (Persian) magi.
J had to be “born in Bethlehem” (Judaea) to satisfy OT prophesies, although he was known to be from Galilee.
Temptations in the Desert (Mark 1.12f – Q3, Matthew 4.1ff, Luke 4ff)
Miracle!—hunger
Jump!—fear & temptation
Take! & Worship Satan!—lust for worldly power
Jesus as a Greek Cynic
Characteristics of “Q” people more like Greek Cynics than those of charismatic Jewish Prophets. [BLM, 43]
Principal themes expressed in Q1 are those of 1st century Greek Cynics. [BLM, 113f] – Rejoice when reproached. (QS 8) Love your enemies. (QS 9) Bless those who curse you. (QS 9) If struck on one cheek, offer the other. (QS 9) Give to everyone who begs. (QS 9) Judge not and you won't be judged. (QS 10) First remove the stick from your eye. (QS 12) Leave the dead to bury their dead. (QS 19) Go out as lambs among wolves. (QS 20) Carry no money, bag, or sandals. (QS 20) Greet no one on the road. (QS 20) Eat what is set before you. (QS 20) Ask and it will be given to you. (QS 27) Don't be afraid. (QS 36) Don't worry about your life. (QS 39) Make sure of God's rule over you. (QS 39) Sell your possessions and give to charity. (QS 40)
Greek gnomologia [maxims] among Cynics were not sacrosanct, were added to & quoted variously. 503 logia are ascribed to Jesus [JDCrossan]; probably fewer than 10% can be authentic. [BLM, 191]
Cynics avoided the entanglements of family; were voluntarily homeless, simple in dress, unkempt & unclean; flaunted a carefree fearlessness, & lived by begging.
Gospel of Thomas:
Found complete at NagHammadi (1946); only fragments found hitherto (Oxyrhynchus papyrus)
Harsh, provocative sayings, judgments:
10Jesus said, “I have cast fire upon the world, and see, I am guarding it until it blazes.”
16Jesus said, “Men think, perhaps, that it is peace which I have come to cast upon the world. They do not know that it is dissension which I have come to cast upon the earth: fire, sword, and war. For there will be five in a house: three will be against two, and two against three, the father against the son, and the son against the father. And they will stand solitary.” (cf _)
37His disciples said, “When will You become revealed to us and when shall we see You?” Jesus said, “When you disrobe without being ashamed and take up your garments and place them under your feet like little children and tread on them, then [will you see] the Son of the Living One, and you will not be afraid.”
55Jesus said, “Whoever does not hate his father and his mother cannot become a disciple to Me. And whoever does not hate his brothers and sisters and take up his cross in My way will not be worthy of Me.”
70Jesus said, “That which you have will save you if you bring it forth from yourselves. That which you do not have within you will kill you if you do not have it within you.”
71Jesus said, “I shall destroy [this] house, and no one will be able to rebuild it.”
82Jesus said, “He who is near Me is near the fire, and he who is far from Me is far from the Kingdom.”
Close to one-third of logia (33 of 114) determined likely to be authentic (pink or red) by Jesus Seminar. Some sayings are very reminiscent of NT logia.
2Jesus said, “Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished and he will rule over the All.”
9Jesus said, “Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them. Some fell on the road; the birds came and gathered them up. Others fell on rock, did not take root in the soil, and did not produce ears. And others fell on thorns; they choked the seed(s) and worms ate them. And others fell on the good soil and produced good fruit: it bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure.”
14Jesus said to them, “If you fast, you will give rise to sin for yourselves; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms you will do harm to your spirits. When you go into any land and walk about in the districts, if they receive you, eat what they will set before you, and heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you, but that which issues from your mouth—it is that which will defile you.”
20The disciples said to Jesus, “Tell us what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.” He said to them, “It is like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds. But when it falls on tilled soil, it produces a great plant and becomes a shelter for birds of the sky.” (cf 96)
26Jesus said, “You see the mote in your brother’s eye, but you do not see the beam in your own eye, When you cast the beam out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to cast the mote from your brother’s eye.”
31Jesus said, “No prophet is accepted in his own village; no physician heals those who know him.”
32Jesus said “A city being built on a high mountain and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden.”
36Jesus said, “Do not be concerned from morning to evening and from evening to morning about what you will wear.”
47Jesus said, “It is impossible for a man to mount two horses or to stretch two bows. And it is impossible for a servant to serve two masters; otherwise, he will honor the one and treat the other contemptuously. No man drinks old wine and immediately desires to drink new wine. And new wine is not put into old wineskins, lest they burst; nor is old wine put into a new wineskin, lest it spoil it. An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, because a tear would result.”
54Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
86Jesus said, “[The foxes have their holes] and the birds have [their] nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head and rest.”
Some sayings are provocatively different from NT logia.
3Jesus said, “If those who lead you say to you, ‘See, the Kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the Kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father. But if I you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.”
6His disciples questioned Him and said to Him, “Do You want us to fast? How shall we pray? Shall we give alms? What diet shall we observe?” Jesus said, “Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain … uncovered.”
17Jesus said, “I shall give you what no eye has seen and what no ear has heard and what no hand has touched and what has never occurred to the human mind.”
22Jesus saw infants being suckled. He said to His disciples, “These infants being suckled are like those who enter the Kingdom.” They said to Him, “Shall we then, as children, enter the Kingdom?” Jesus said to them, “When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside, and the above like the below, and when you make the male and the female one and the same, so that the male not be male nor the female female; and when you fashion eyes in place of an eye, and a hand in place of a hand, and a foot in place of a foot, and a likeness in place of a likeness; then will you enter [the Kingdom].”
23Jesus said, “I shall choose you, one out of a thousand, and two out of ten thousand, and they shall stand as a single one.”
24His disciples said to Him, “Show us the place where You are, since it is necessary for us to seek it.” He said to them, “Whoever has ears, let him hear. There is light within a man of light, and he (or: it) lights up the whole world. If he (or: it) does not shine, he (or: it) is darkness.”
53His disciples said to Him, “Is circumcision beneficial or not?” He said to them, “If it were beneficial, their father would beget them already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become completely profitable.”
62Jesus said, “It is to those (who are worthy of My) mysteries that I tell My mysteries. Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
63Jesus said, “There was a rich man who had much money. He said, ‘I shall put my money to use so that I may sow, reap, plant, and fill my storehouse with produce, with the result that I shall lack nothing.’ Such were his intentions, but that same night he died. Let him who has ears hear.”
77Jesus said, “It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the All. (From Me did the) All come forth, and unto Me did the All extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find Me there.”
Additions to Mark
“Son of God” in opening sentence, “Here begins the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.”
Indignation expressed in Mark 1.41 when healing a demanding leper
Closing, following Jesus’ burial – Mark 16.9-20, & probably all of Mark ch. 16
Additions to Matthew --Juxtaposes harsh & softer pronouncements as means of mitigation & explanation:
Divorce prohibition mitigated by “except for immorality” (19.9)
Rejection of Family mitigated by “more than he loves me” (Matthew 10.34ff, 37ff, cf Luke 14.26)
Anti-materialism in answer to rich man – Jesus added to commandments, “sell everything” & give to poor, & “follow me.” (Matthew 19.16-22 vs. Luke 18.20)
Honors rejection of home, family for his sake (Matthew 19.29) with Torah’s ‘honor your parents.’ (5.48)
“Chosen people” status taken from “Jews” & given to another “nation.” (21.43)
Birth story & genealogy
Additions to Luke
Christmas stories, miracles
John’s imprisonment & Jesus’ baptism
Joseph of Arimathaea getting body to bury (also in John)
Final appearances of Christ chastising on road to Emmaus; told “he has appeared to Simon”; & at their discussion, “It is I myself. Touch me and see…,” & he “ate before their eyes.”
Explications of dogma:
Miraculous birth, i.e., Christmas story (1.5-2.52)
Messiah identification: “This is what I meant by saying, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms was bound to be fulfilled.” (24.44)
Setup for Pentecost (24.49)
Entire gospel according to John is inserted into Luke-Acts continuum (addressed to Theophilus).
Gospel According to John:
Gnostic tendencies:
Logos in the beginning (1.1ff)—cf Apocryphon of John [son of Zebedee] (ii cent): “And the word followed the will. For because of the word, Christ the divine Autogenes created everything.”(AJ, nhl 102)
Preaching ministry represented by John is sketchy, less significant than prophesy & proofs of messiahship
Late “Incident in the temple” where Jesus stops crowd from stoning “woman caught committing adultery.”
John alone has crucifixion “on eve of Passover” (vs. Sabbath following) & alone has “proof” of Jesus’ death.
John alone has after appearances in Tiberias (to Peter, Thomas & 3, fishing) – “the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection” – or 4th or 6th ??? (cf below, under “Bodily Resurrection”) – followed by “tend my sheep.”
Cites “Disciple whom Jesus loved”—only mentioned in John—at end as author of Gospel According to John.
30 Jesus crucified?
40-60 “Q1,” quotes collected from J’s contemporaries
“Q2,” interpolations of new Christian dogma
80? “Q3,” additional stories and quotes
50 Letter by Paul (I Thessalonians)
55 Letters by Paul (Philippians, Colossians, Philemoon) in Ephesus
56 Letter by Paul (I, II Corinthians, Galatians, Romans) & other early leaders
57 Letter by Paul (Romans) at Corinth
60-64 i Peter maybe? (others say 65-135); Paul in Rom
64-75 Mark’s story of J’s life—baptism to crucifixion
70 Mark’s gospel—baptism to crucifixion (if after temple’s destruction)
Passion/Resurrection tales added to synoptic gospels
Messianic tales about Jesus
80-85 Matthew’s gospel
85-90 OT canon closed by Jamnia synod
90-100 Luke/Acts gospel
92 Paul’s letters first circulated as a gathered collection with authority
95 Letter to Hebrews & Revelation
96 i Peter maybe? (others say 60-135)
100-110 John’s gospel
125 Oldest extant NT ms copy—fragment of John’s gospel—about same time that Jesus’s remembered words were just beginning to take on authority (According to Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, & Papias, bishop of Hierapolis)
140 Shepherd of Hermas written
144 Marcion replaces OT with Luke + 10 Pauline letters (Galatians, Corinthians i & ii, Romans, Thessalonians i & ii, Laodiceans (Ephesians?), Colossians, Philippians & Philemon) declaring Paul only apostle who really understood Jesus’ gospel
150 Didache (collected teachings of 12 apostles)
165 Justin Martyr d. ; first cites written “memoirs” of apostles authoritatively
160-172 Diatessaron, collected by Tatian from 4 gospels into one for liturgical use; considered “scripture”
175? Pastoral Epistles being recognized by late in ii cent, & various epistles are frequently cited by the early Apostolic Fathers.
185-251? Origen: oral tradition no longer stands up vs. written epistles & gospels. Hexapla
325-6 Eusebius’ church history makes first real attempt at a closed canon
350? Ms copy: Codex Vaticanus (iv cent) LXX OT & most of NT
350? Ms copy: Codex Sinaiticus (iv cent) first copy with entire NT canon
367 Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, compiled first NT canon (composed exclusively of only books now used in canon)
397 Canon of Carthage Synod
419 Canon of Carthaginian Council
400? Vulgate—Jerome’s translation of the LXX into Latin—long the standard.
1382-88 Wyclife, vernacular medieval English v.
1522? Luther vernacular German v.
1525? Tyndale English v. set English translation style
1535? Coverdale English v., esp Psalms still used in Book of Common Prayer
1582-10 Rheims-Douay French v. Catholic based on Vulgate alone
1611 King James (Authorized) English v.
100 or more English “versions” published since KJV.