HOLINESS AND ANOINTED BIBLE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

IKORODU, LAGOS.
COURSE: SYNOPTIC GOSPEL
LECTURER: PASTOR AYOOLA I.P
CLASS: MENTORSHIP CLASS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will cover the general background, the authorship, the purpose, synoptic problems
and sources of synoptic gospels. Emphasis will be laid on the person, the work, the teachings,
life and death of Jesus Christ.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Describe the historical and religious backgrounds of the Synoptic Gospels

2. Understand the genuineness of the gospels
3. Understand the event of Jesus life i.e birth, life, death and resurrection
4. Know the teaching of Christ on the kingdom of God
INTRODUCTION

Christianity as a movement owes its origin to the person and work of Jesus Christ,
its Founder and Head. The authentic records of his life are contained only in the four
gospels (____________________________________________), which the Christian
church has regarded as canonical from the earliest period of her history.
The gospels themselves do not claim to be exhaustive accounts of all that Jesus said or
did. John 20v30, Luke 1v1, Matt 1v1, and Mk 1v1. Each gospel was selective and distinct
to the purpose of the author.
The events, i.e. the life and teaching of Jesus, the miracles and healings of people are
historical events grounded in God’s revelation in human history. Jesus lived in certain
place, cultural and social context of the place affected Him and He also spoke certain
language.
Synoptic Gospel is an attempt to understand the literacy inter-relationship and
relationship of Matthew and Luke with the purpose of explaining their similarities and
differences.

The first three gospels (Matt, Mark, and Luke) had been called the ‘synoptic gospels’
Because, they display a closer inter-relation in content and in manner of expression.
The Synoptic Gospels which is from the Greek words, ‘syn’ meaning “together” and
“optanomai” “meaning to see”, they see together and take a common view of the life of
Jesus Christ. Gospel comes from the Greek word which means “good news”. Thus the
two terms together gives us the thought of “seeing the good news in the same way”.
Reading the three gospels, one will notice the close similarity of events in Matthew, Mark
and Luke. You as well notice some certain traits that are unique to each other. Yet they
combine to produce a message that is one.

SOURCES FOR GOSPEL WRITERS

Every thoughtful reader of the gospel must have asked the questions on how the writers
were able to report as they have done so much of what our Lord said and did, with all
those circumstances and incidents which so much affect the sense and design of it. Mere
memory would have been inadequate to the production of such narratives.
INSPIRATION enables the evangelist (the gospel writers) to produce, the senses of
circumstances, discourses and actions as we have them.
HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus promised to send them the prompter from heaven, it was not to recall his teaching
simply as it fell on their ears from his lips, but the HOLY SPIRIT was to teach as well as
remind them. To reproduce the whole teaching of Christ, not as they understand it but as
he meant it to be understood.

TRADITION
Previous to the gospel writings, there had been letters from one church leader to another
or to a church congregation, they tell much about the nature of the Christian faith in this
intervening period. Also there was evidence of their having existed at this time written
summaries of Jesus’ sayings and collections proof-text from old testament used by
Christian leaders in relation to incident in the life of Jesus Christ compared with the
expectation from the messiah.

THE QUELLE
There was another collection of sayings of Jesus called ‘Q’ from German “QUELLE”
meaning “source”. All the writers of the gospel might consult this source. The bible
scholars suggested that less stress be laid on the Q. we don’t know what the Q documents
are. No idea about the author. And that whatever theories scholars advance about how the
writing developed, remain just theory. All these materials with their own experiences
were available as sources of information to write.

PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
Personal contributions of the gospel writers, Matthew was an Apostle of Jesus Christ,
Mark was very close to the Apostles and Christ, during Jesus earthly ministry, Mark’s
mother’s house was used as prayer tower. (Acts 12v12). Luke the companion of Paul in
most of missionary tours. These writers had been with either Christ or the Apostles; they
could therefore contribute their experiences.

THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

AUTHORSHIP, DATE AND PLACE OF THE GOSPELS

AUTHORSHIP
1. MARK: some early Christian writers and students of the New Testament believed
that John Mark was the writer and author of Mark’s gospel. The gospel is closely
connected to Peter, Barnabas and Paul. Mark went with peter on many of his
preaching trips and was interpreting for him and that he thus learned from peter many
of the things he recorded in his gospel. Acts 12v11-25 and 1peter 5v17. Sometimes in
about AD115, having become peter’s interpreter, set down all that the Apostle could
remember of what Jesus had said and done. It is not possible to be certain whether
Mark wrote while Peter was alive or after he was martyred in the Neronian
persecution. But most likely he started the writing while peter was alive and
completed it after his death. There can be no doubt that this gospel was produced by a
man who new some of the Apostolic band and who had long and direct contact with
their preaching. Thus the gospel was written in probably in Rome for Roman
Christians, about the year AD 65-70. His hometown is Jerusalem. Acts 12v12.

2. MATTHEW
It is generally believed by some early Christian writers and some schools of thought
that not all Matthews gospel was written by Matthew the Apostle. Nowhere in the
gospel is Matthew explicitly called its author. As it is known to all that Matthew was
written in Greek and relied largely upon Mark, not the author’s first-hand experience.
Scholars like Irenaeus stated that Matthew also issued a written gospel among the
Hebrews in their own dialect. The testimony of Irenaeus would place its writing in the
time of Nero while Paul and Peter were in Rome, furthermore, Syria is still the most
likely possibility on the origin and likely date of writing is between 80 and 100AD.

3. LUKE
The gospel of Luke is the longest New Testament book. Of the three Synoptic
Gospels, Luke affords the greatest amount of information concerning its beginning.
Its author, who does not give his own name, supplied literary introduction stating his
aims in writing it, the method that he employed, and his relationships to his
contemporaries who had attempted the same thing. His introduction in chapter 1v1-4
is the key to the book and to the book of acts. This gospel had attempted some
systematic arrangement to draw up in narrative -1v1. The fact in the gospel were well
known to the Christians world and were accepted independently and of the narrative.
 Luke’s account covered mainly facts. His gospel contains many particulars that do
not appear in the others and they are representatives life of Christ. For example
chapter 1v5-80. He professed to write accurately and in logical order. His use of the
term in “order” does not necessarily presupposed Chronological order, but it does
mean that he had a definite plan of procedure and that he intended to adhere to it.
The gospel was written by the same author or Acts of the Apostles, for both
documents were addressed to the same person. -Theophilus-Luke1v3; Acts 1v1.
Both agree in literary style so they are both attributed to Luke. He was Paul’s
companion in many of his travel and in his imprisonment. He confirmed his
companionship with Paul in the pronoun “we” acts 11v22; 16v10-17; 20v5-15; 15v1-
18 etc. and by the mention of his name in the epistle of Paul. Col 4v14; 2Tim4v11,
Phil2v4.
It is also probably written in Rome during and after the imprisonment of Paul. Some
writers suggest Caesarea, Achaia, Asia, minor or eve Alexandria, they are mere
guesses. All that can be said is that it was written somewhere in Hellenistic world by
Luke who had worked among the gentiles. It is written in the Hellenistic world.
Around of AD 75-80 was suggested to be the written date.

CHRONOLOGY OF CHRIST’S LIFE

Introduction
Luke in his gospel gives us the full details about the birth of Christ more than any of
the gospels. He told Theophilus in chap 1v3 “it seemed good to me, having had
perfect undertaking of all things from the very first to write unto you in order. He
started from the visit of angel Gabriel unto Zecharias in the temple in chap1v5.
Not only was Zecharias a pries but his wife Elizabeth was. of priestly descent, for
Aaron her ancestor was the first Jewish high priest. The temple priests were divided
into 24 divisions or courses. Each division was on duty twice a year and for a week at
time. The course of Abijah was given to course 8; 1chronicles24v5-19; Luke 1v5.
Zecharias was burning incense in the inner sanctuary at a time of the morning and
evening sacrifices.

THE ANNUNCIATION
A. To Zecharias; Luke 1v11-25. This was the first authentic account of a divine
appearance or a voice of prophecy after the days of Malachi, after an interval of
about 400 years. The angelic appearance during inter-biblical era is not regarded
as being authentic by most bible students.
Luke 1v8-15; Zecharias was before the lord executing the priest office in order of
his course. To stand in the presence of God indicated Gabriel’s high rank. Angel
 Gabriel is mentioned only two times in the Old Testament, Daniel 8v16; 9v21 and
only two times in the New Testament,
Luke 1v19 and 26. “Zecharias doubted and asked for a sign. His subsequent
dumbness was naturally interpreted as a punishment for his doubt and a proof of
the truth of Gabriel’s wordv18-20.

B. To Mary: v26-38
Luke is the only gospel writer to mention Mary’s hometown, v26- a city named
Nazareth- Joseph was a distant descendant of the royal house of David, he’s the
husband of Mary but not the father of Jesus

C. THE BIRTH OF JESUS LK 2V1-20

It was Roman practice to hold a census every fourteen years. Augustus Caesar
was Rome first emperor and an able administrator. He promoted this census as a
means of obtaining statistics helpful for governing the empire.
This exercise was not to pay their taxes as King James Version put it, but to be
enrolled or to be counted in a census, Greek word “Apographestal” meaning
Census or to be counted. Though they may pay their tax while there as part of
their exercise, but it is not the primary objective of the Roman empire.v1-3
We know from the history of the times that Herod died in the year four BC, and
that he was king when Jesus was born, Matthew’s story of Jesus childhood
indicated that Jesus was about two years old when Herod died, so the year 5 or 6
BC is thought to be the likely Jesus date of birth.
Joseph, being a descendant of King David had to go to Bethlehem, David’s birth
place, six miles from Jerusalem. David belong to the tribe of Judah and the Judea
was the name given to the tribal territory. No city could have been more
appropriate for the birth of Jesus. Matt2v6, had coated where the Messiah will be
born, Micah 5v2.

D. THE CIRCUMCISION AND PRESENTATION LUKE 2V21-40

The Lord Jesus was born under the law (Gal4v4) and therefore was subject to the
requirement of the law. Joseph and Mary faithfully carried out all that is required
of the first child of the family.
1. Circumcision of every named child on the eight day in connection with which
he was named (v21; Gen 17v12)
2. As a first child and a male, he must be presented before a priest and be
redeemed or bought back again in recognition of Israelites from Egypt at the
price of the first born of Egypt (Exo 13v1-4; 34v20). The redemption price
was five shekel, worth about 3.10 pounds or about 370(Num3v46-48)
3. The forty days after the birth of a son, the mother was requested to bring
offerings to the temple for her purification (Lev 12v2-8). In the case of Jesus,
 he was brought to the temple for her purification in Jerusalem before Simeon
the priest and Anna the Prophetess

E. THE MAGI OR THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST, MATT 2V1-12.
The word which Matthew used to designate the men (Magoi) in Greek means
Magicians, hence they were generally called the “magi”, they seemed to have
been well versed in the supposed science of astrology. About this time there came
from Mesopotamia and other countries east of Palestine, many who practice
magical act (acts 19v18-19). Most of them were deceivers, but the men of this
account were worshippers of God and most certainly the Lord had given them a
special revelation to herald concerning the birth of our Lord.
Many people believed that the appearance of a star heralded the coming of a great
person. It would be naturally then for the wise men, as they are acquitted with the
literature of their time including the Jewish scripture, to assume that a star
indicated the coming of a Jewish Messiah.

F. THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT, MATT 2V13-23

This was Herod the great, the first of the Herods; he was an Edomite by race.
Antipar was the father of Herod the great. Antipar was an ideumean. Ideumean
was a territory just south of Palestine, was originally the home of the Edomite.
Orthodox Jew saw and viewed them as pagans. At a time of the birth of Jesus, he
was nearing the end of his thirty seven years of bloody reign.
In his will, Herod had divided his kingdom to his three sons, Archelaus, Antipas,
and Philip. After the death of Herod who seeking to destroy Jesus, Mary and
Joseph intended to return to Bethlehem for it was Jesus birth place. But when they
realized that Judea was now ruled by Archelaus, who could be more cruel than his
father Herod, they decided that Nazareth, Mary’s town in the territory of Antipas
would be better and safer. Thus Jesus spent most of His earthly life in the
obscurity of Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy. “He shall be called a Nazarene”
matt 2v23. Every occurrence in the life of Jesus is to fulfill the law and prophecy.

G. JESUS AT TWELVE YEARS OLD LK. 2V40-52

Vs 40 Jesus grew, waxed strong in spirit and full of wisdom, and the Grace of
God was with him. This means that during His earthly life, although He was fully
divine, he did not independently exercise His attribute of knowing everything. He
developed as any other child will develop. Besides growing in wisdom, He also
became increasingly popular with His neighbors and gratifying of God. Silent
years of Jesus are 2 years to 12 years and 12 years to 30 years.
 Male Jews were commanded to go to the temple at least three times a year for the
feast of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles –Exo. 23:14-17. “Twelve” is an
important age for a Jewish boy; for it marks the beginning of his being grown-up
and assuming full adult responsibility, especially in matter of Jewish laws. In
between age 12 and 13, the boy received series of teachings and instructions
concerning the law from Rabbi, by thirteen, he should be able to read the Law for
the first time in the synagogue and become a son of the Law, entitled to wear the
Tallith (Prayer-Shawl), and some small leather containing passages of the Laws,
one worn on the head and on the left arm, as a reminder that God’s Law must be
in mind.

THE GOSPELS

For authentic information concerning the earthly life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, we depend
on the Gospels in the New Testament. As earlier said, none of the Gospels is a full biography of
our Lord, not all of them put together. Except for a few incidents which occurred in connection
with His birth and the account of one journey to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old, the
gospels did not have anything to say about the youth of our Lord. Of all the three, Luke is the
only one who gives a glimpse of his youth, the most part of the thirty years of his life are passed
over in silence, and he did not include the early Judean ministry. The other differences of the
gospel are counter balance by strong resemblances of order, content and phraseology. Since they
are dealing with the same person, it is only natural that there should be substantial agreement in
the description of the main features of Jesus’ career.

Distinctions: these are materials in each one which are not found in any of the others, nor do
they give in the same order. Each writer wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his own
peculiar style, that is why the accounts look alike and not the same. Each gospel has its own
objectives and organizes its material for effect rather than chronology. That is why there are
some differences of opinion on the preferred order of events in the life of Christ. Such
distinctions are;

Distinctions and similarities in synoptic; there are differences even in similar passages, such as

 Baptism of Jesus: Matthew 3v13-17; Mark 1v9-11; Luke 3v 21-22. It was only in
Matthew that Jesus talked, in other gospels Jesus didn’t talk.
 His Temptation: Matt 4v3-11; Mk 1v12-15; Luke 4v1-12
-Mark was silent over the dialogue between Jesus and the Devil
-whereas in Matthew, the dialogue was stressed
 -In Luke, the temptation was not in order of account of Matthew

* Bartimaeus son of Timeus: Matt 20v29-43; Mk 10v46-52, Luke 18v35-43.

* The Burial of Jesus: Matt 27v57-58; Mk 18v42-45, Lk 23v50-53

Narratives places in different contexts e.g.

Narratives places in different contexts e.g Jesus rejection at Nazareth. Lk 4v16-30; Mk 6v1-6.

The synoptic writers had

1. The freedom to rearrange their sources. Hence the events in Jesus ministry are not in
chronological order in the entire synoptic Gospel.
2. The culture, personality and purposes determine the use they made of the materials.
3. The matter of the context sometimes determined by the need of the audience.

CAUSES OF DIFFERENCES IN WRITING

The original works of the gospel writers that are, the parchments of the papyrus
manuscript which they wrote have been lost, so the writers depend on the copies of
copies of rewritten one.
Where different reading occurred in old handwriting copies, the students of the
texts of the New Testament have to determine the best they could from all the copies
available just what the inspired author did right. Not only that, the three was written at
different time, in different places for distinct constituencies. They were read separately
when first published and not as a harmonistic work.

CHARACTERISTICS
1. Mark:
(a) An important characteristic of the gospel is its orderly arrangement. For
his aggressive Roman readers, Mark pictured Jesus as a man of action and
power, “the son of God” as well as the Jewish Messiah. The ministry of
Jesus was divided into two parts; the first part begins with baptism of
Jesus and continued with a selection of miracles. The second part begins
with Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi to transfiguration upon the
journey to the cross.
 (b) Of all the gospels, Mark’s is the most vivid and fresh in style. When such
passages such as Chap 2v1-2, Chap 4:35-41;5 are compare with the
corresponding passages in Matt and Luke, one notices the differences.
(c) Mark was written for the gentiles Christians, because of this he does not
quote much from the Old Testament and when he mentioned Jewish
custom, he explains them-2v26, 7v2,14v12,15v42 etc.
(d) The gospel of Mark is concise, clear and pointed, a style that would appeal
to the Roman mind; Mark was intended for the unevangelized laymen of
practical roman mentality

2. MATTHEW.
(a) Quotation from Old Testament; Matthew frequently appealed to the old
Testament to show that the events in the life of Jesus were in fulfillment of
prophecies. 136 quotations were included in this gospel. Showing the
Jewish Christian readers that Jesus was the long awaited Jewish messiah.
(b) Matthew wrote to the Jewish Christians yet his tone is often anti-Jewish.
The Jewish leader received severe condemnations (3v7; 21v43). The
whole of chapter 23 contains a list of woes against this leader.
(c) He put the title “Son of David” in places where it is not found elsewhere,
e.g in Mark, blind Bartimaeus at Jericho is the first to use it, whereas in
Matthew, people healed much earlier did so (12v23) even foreigners
(15v12). The palm Sunday crowd did so (21v9)
(d) The theme of the gospel is announced by its opening words “the book of
generation of Jesus….(1v1). The structure of Matthew is built around a
double outline that can be traced by recurring phrases in the book. The two
point of divisions are (Matt 4v17) “from time” the other (Matt 16v21)
“from that time”. The former indicate the rise of Christ preaching career
and second ministry culmination of his ministry.
(e) This gospel shows interest in the end of all things and in the second
coming of Christ, it is considerably expanded in Chap 24 of it while Mark
also dealt with it in Chap 13 but not expanded.
(f) In order to make the miracles of Jesus more impressive, Matthew make his
own adaptation of and adds to the stories that he takes from Mark.
(g) Another distinctive feature is the careful arrangement of the subject
matter. The subject matters are carefully arranged in eight groups.

OUTLINES OF MATTHEW
i. The Prophecies of the Messiah Realized
 The advert…………………………………………….. 1:1-4:11

ii. The Principles of the Messiah Announced

The inaugural Address………………………………... 4:12-7:29
Challenge to enter….. …………………………………7:13-14
iii. The Power of the Messiah Revealed
The miracles…………………………………………..8v1-11v1
Challenge to follow…………………………………… 10v34-39
iv. The Program of the Messiah explained
The parables…................................................................11v2-13v53
Challenge to acceptance……………………………….. 11v28
Challenge to understand…………………………….13v51
v. The Purpose of the Messiah Declared
The crisis of the cross………………………………13v54-19v2
Challenge to testify…………………………………16v13-15
vi. The Problems of the Messiah Presented
The conflict with opponents……………………….19v3-26v2
Challenge to repentance…………………………....23v3-39
vii. The Passion of the Messiah Accomplished
The death and resurrection…………………………26v3-29
viii. Epilogue
Rumor and reality…………………………………. 28v11-20
Challenge to action………………………………… 28v16-20.

The peculiarities of Mathew

1. Matthew has already been observed as a Jewish gospel:
-kingdom of heaven 33 times, kingdom of God 4 times
-Son of David 9 times, in Mark 3 times, also in Luke 3 times
-Matthew quotes O.T about 65 times, sometimes using Hebrew O.T and
another time in the Greek Septuagint

2. the word “Church” only appears in Matthew 3 times- matt 6v18; 18v17 twice.

3. The repentance of Judas 27v5-10

4. The false story of the disciples stealing Jesus body by night. 27v62-66

5. The raising of many of the dead saints after his resurrection 27v51-54

3. LUKE.
(a) Luke wrote his gospel to give as full accounts as possible of the grounds
of the faith to a high ranking gentile converts. Jesus life was design to
 appeal to gentile readers. Jesus is also presented as more than the messiah
of the Jews but the savior of the world 2v32.
i. When giving date, Luke was the names of Roman emperors and
mentioned name of Jewish officials last(2v1,and 3v1)
ii. Luke calls attention to gentiles –the good Samaritans, the ten
lepers, the great commission, etc.
(b) Luke is interested not only in gentiles, but also in the poor, and the
disciples (4v187v22).
Two of these parables emphasize the importance of the post (14v16-24,
16v19-31) and the penitent thief (23v39-43).
(c) In Luke’s gospel as in the acts, the importance of the Holy Spirit is
stressed. The gospel ends the disciples waiting to be cloth with power
from on high, the power which came upon them in the early chapter of the
book of acts.
(d) There is more mentioned in this gospel than in others of Jesus prayer life-
3v21, 6v12, 9v18, 11v1, 22, 32, 23, 34. Etc. three of the parables recorded
only by Luke teach the need for persistent prayer e.g the friend at midnight
11v5-13, the unjust judge 18v1-8, and Pharisee and Publican.
Luke mentions prayer before all important events in the ministry of Jesus-
-at his Baptist 3v21
-the choice of the twelve 6v12
-in the garden of gethsemane 22v41

THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

In Mark’s description of the activity of the Lord Jesus Christ, there are
fourteen references to the facts that he was engage in teaching the
multitude or his disciples. Luke and Matthew also speak frequently of his
teaching work. Instruction was his delight and its effectiveness is well
attested by the way in which his disciples remembered his words and
repeated them to others.

I. METHODS.
Christ used many methods to pass across messages to his hearers. One of the
methods is teaching for which he is best known is the
 i. Parable: parables could be easily remembered, for they were neither
lengthy nor abstract.
ii. A second method Jesus used was short poem or Epigram. In this,
category is Beatitudes (matt5v3-12) or the statement “he that findeth
his life shall loose it; and he that looseth his life for my sake shall find
it” (matt10v39). Many of these epigrams contain words that make
them all the more striking and sticking.
iii. Occasionally, Jesus employed arguments, in his teaching, but when he
did so, he usually argued on the basis of scriptures rather than fron
abstract assumption. Matt 22v15-45
iv. Another of the master’s favorite’s methods was that of question and
answer. His questions were never insignificant but they were generally
related to the deepest human problems. Sometimes they were
promising, e,g “for which is easier, to say, thy sins are forgiven, or to
say, rise and walk?” Matt 9v5. “For what shall it profit a man, if he
shall gain the whole world and loose his life?”(16v26). In this
questions, he was not expecting answers from them but to make them
think.
v. On some occasions, Jesus used object lessons as another method of
teaching aid. He took a little child to demonstrate humility (matt18v1-
6). He drew a lesson from the action of the widow who contributed to
the treasury by giving (Lk 21v1-4). Most of the parables implied
object lessons, either the materials are present or not

PARABLES

Definitions of parables

The word parable comes from a Greek word which means “to put things side by side”. A parable
links the familiar to the unfamiliar in terms of the learners understanding. The unfamiliar things
are spiritual truth in the New Testament concept. Parables have central truth but some are
allegorical in nature (the parable of the sower matt 13v3-9, v24-32) therefore have one or more
truths.

Christ’s approach in using this method was simple and unique. He took his source from familiar
examples from everyday human life and nature to teach spiritual truth. Parable is not just a story
or a proverb; parables of Christ are spiritually inclined.
Under listed are some parables chosen from the synoptic gospel that according to the bible
scholars meet the criteria for true parables:

Matthew only

The hidden treasure ……………. 13v44

The Net …………………………13v47-50

The house owner ………………13v47-52

The unmerciful servant ……….18v23-34

The workers in the vineyard………..20v1-16

The two sons …………………………21v28-32

The wedding banquet ……………… 22v1-14

The ten virgins ………………………. 25v1-13

The talent ……………………………25v14-30

The sheep and the goat……………….25v31-46

Mark only

The growing seed…………………….. 4v26-29

The house owner and his servants………13v34-37

Luke only

The two debtors……………………….7v41-43

The Good Samaritan…………………… 10:30-37

The friend at midnight…………………. 11:5-8

The rich fool……………………………. 12:14-21

The waiting and watching servant………. 12:35-38

The place of Honour……………………... 14:7-11

The Great Banquet………………………..14:16-24

The Lost Coin……………………………… 15:19-31

The Lost Son……………………………… 15:19-31

The shrewd Manager……………………. 16:1-13

The Rich man and Lazarus………………16:19-31

The unprofitable Servants……………… 17:7-10

The persistent widow………………….. 18:1-8

The Pharisee and Tax collector…………18:9-14

Mathew and Luke

The two builders…………..7:24-27; 6:46-49

The Evil spirit that returned…….12:43-45; 11:24-26

The yeast………………………..13:33; 13:20-21

The Lost sheep………………….18:12-14; 15:3-7

The faithful and Evil Servants……………24:45-51; 12:42-46

Mathew, Mark and Luke

The Guests of the Bridegroom……………… Matt 9:14-15; mark 2:19-20; Lk 5:34-35

The New wine in old Garment………………Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Lk. 5:37-39

The sower………………………………Matt 13:3-9, 18-23; Mk. 4:3-9, 13-20; Lk. 8:5-8;11-15

The Mustard Seed…………………….Matt 13:31-32; Mk 4:30-32; Lk 13:18-19

The Rejected Stone…………………… Matt 21:42-44; Mk 12:10-11, Lk 20:17-18

THE PURPOSE OF JESUS IN USING PARABLES. MATT 13:10-11,34-35; MK 4:1-11,

33-34, LK 8:9-10
 1. To fulfill the prophecy- Ps 78:2; Matt 13:35
2. To illustrate moral and spiritual truths by comparing it with things physical and social
3. To put things which were imperfectly understood in such forms that they could be easily
remembered later e.g. As Moses lifted up the serpent……., As Jonah was in the belly of
the whale for three days.
4. To state truths that is sincerely desirous to know that truth could be remembered while
those who are for criticism would not see the point.
5. As judgment against those who were willfully blind
6. The sincere hearer would readily understand it because he would instantly recognize its
relation to his daily life.

PARABLES EMPHASIZING PREPAREDNESS

1. Parables Of The Ten Virgins………………..Matt 25:1-13

2. Parables of the Noah and Ark……………… Matt 24:36-39; Lk 17:26-27
3. Parables of the talents……………………… Matt 25:14-30; Lk 19:11-26
4. Parables of the thief in the night…………... Matt 24:42-44
5. Parables of the store keeper ……………….Mk 13:33-37
6. The Parables of the Rich man………………Lk 12:16-21
7. Parables of the Steward……………………Matt24:45-51
8. Parables of the Gateman……………….......Lk 12:35-40

MIRACLES

Definition:

(a) A miracle is an even in the external world in which the power of God operates
immediately. It is not a reverse of natural order. It supersedes the forces that are working
in the universe. It attest the presence of God and the approval of the person through
whom the work is wrought.
(b) A miracle is a supernatural events that is beyond human reasoning performed by God.

Words used in the New Testament to describe miracles

 Wonders-Acts 2:19, 22; Signs: John 2:11; powers-(mighty works); Matt 1:1-20; Works-
John 5:36; 14:11-12

VALUE OF MIRACLES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

(a) They attested to God’s approval of Jesus and a commission to bear a message from God.
(b) They confirmed His claim about himself and teachings which He proclaimed.
(c) They revealed the nature of his mission-self-given rather than self-exaltation Lk 4:18-19;
Acts 10:38.
(d) They were performed in power granted to him by the father and Holy spirit Matt 12:28;
Lk 4:14; Jn 11:42-44; 14:10

MIRACLES COMMISIONED TO THE HANDS OF CHRISTIANS

(a) He promised his disciples that they would do “greater work” as is found in the book of
Jn14:12
(b) Signs and wonders, Casting of Demons shall follow the ministration of Christians. Mk
16:17-18

MIRACLES IN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

Miracles MATTHEW MARK LUKE

Healing Leper 8:2-4 1:40-44 5:12-14
Healing Of Centurion Servant 8:5-10 7:1-9
Healing of peter’s mother-in-law 8:14-15 1:29-31 4:38-39
Healing after Sunset 8:16-17 1:32-34 4:40-41
Healing of a paralytic 9:2-8 2:1-12 5:17-26
Healing of a withered hand 12:9-14 3:1-6 6:6-11
Healing of a Gadarene Demoniac 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-39
Healing of Jarius daughter 9:18-19; 23:26 5:21-24; 35:43 8:40-
42;49-56
Healing of two blind men 9:20-22 5:25-34 8:43-48
Healing of women with the issue of 9:32-34
blood
Dumb demoniac healed 9:32-34
Jesus walked on the water 14:24-33 6:47-53 9:10-17
Feeding the 5000 12:13-21 6:31,44
Deaf and dumb healed 15:21-28 7:31
Daughter of a Greek woman healed 15:21-28 7:31
Unclean spirit cast out 17:14-20 7:25-30
Bartimeaus received his sight 20:29-34 10:46-52 18:35-43
 REFRENCES

J.B Green, et al. 1992. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Downers Grove: intervarsity press.

D.A Carson et al 1999 An introduction to the New Testament, Michigan: Apollos.

A.M hunter, 1960 interpreting the parables, London: SCM press Ltd

Campbell, D.B.J 1966. The synoptic Gospels: a commentary for teachers and students, London:
John Murray.

Guy, H.A 1960. The synoptic gospels: London Macmillan education Limited

Stein Robert H. 1987. The synoptic problem: an introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House