1. Know the key themes of Mark. Be able to recognize a likely quote from Mark if it matches one of the following themes:
- The hiddenness of Jesus’ identity
- The disciples’ lack of understanding
- The connection between Jesus’ death and him being the Messiah
2. Know the following possibilities of the Gospel of Mark’s situation
- That it was likely written primarily for Gentiles
- That it was likely written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem (AD70)
- Know AD70 as that date.
3. Know the key themes of Matthew. Be able to recognize a likely quote from Matthew if it matches one of the following themes:
- Jesus is the Son of David, the king
- Jesus is the authoritative teacher/interpreter of the Law, the new Moses
- Jesus fulfills the Old Testament
- Most Jewish Gospel—focused on Israel in his early mission (but also has the Great Commission)
- Most apocalyptic Gospel
- Hardest on the Pharisees—and the unfaithful in the church
4. Know the following possibilities of the Gospel of Matthew’s situation
- Primarily Jewish Christian audience
- Used Mark as a source (maybe Q), so possibly 70s
- Hardness on Pharisees may be because they were the primary alternative group at the time
5. Know the key themes of Luke. Be able to recognize a likely quote from Luke if it matches one of the following themes:
- The gospel is for everyone.
- Good news for the marginalized: the poor, widows, orphans, emphasis on the role of women, the lost sheep of Israel.
- Emphasis on prayer and the Holy Spirit
- More for Acts, but Christians aren’t troublemakers
6. Know the following possibilities of the Gospel of Luke’s situation
- Probably a primarily Gentile audience—indeed author may be a Gentile
- Used Mark as a source (maybe Q), maybe knew Matthew, so possibly 80s
- Written in honor of a patron, Theophilus, who may have been a Roman official
7. Know the key themes of John. Be able to recognize a likely quote from John if it matches one of the following themes:
- Jesus pre-existed his time on earth.
- Emphasis on the signs Jesus did
- Importance of faith in Jesus in order to have eternal life
- Use of “I am” sayings to show who Jesus is (bread of life, light of world, resurrection and life, I AM, way/truth/life, good shepherd…)
8. Know the following possibilities of the Gospel of John’s situation
- Very different from the Synoptic Gospels, possibly very symbolic
- Maybe Ephesus, engaging both early Gnostics and non-believing followers of John the Baptist
- Source is the Beloved Disciple (uncertain identity), although possibly put in its current form by someone else
- Likely written in the 90s
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