SECTION II. Chapter 13 - Comparison Chart of Theological Doctrines on Jesus Christ It is fascinating to see how various Christian sects pick and choose among the various gospel verses in the Bible to prove their own doctrines. As Jesus never wrote his own gospel (nor even indicated it was his intention to have a gospel written on his life), various Christian groups have developed their own doctrines based on one or more of their favorite gospel writers. Below is a comparison of how the four gospel writers treated various doctrines relating to the nature of Jesus and the Jews. DOCTRINE/FACT: MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN (1) Is Christianity perceived No; Jesus' life Yes; But Jews Yes; but the No; Jesus regards as based on a foundation ends the Legacy forfeited their Church now the Law as "their" of Judaism? of the Jewish birthright and replaces Israel Law. (10:34,15:25) Law.(13:10) Gentiles took their (13:34-5) (14:24) (See also 18:36) place. (2:5-6) (15:24) (2) Was Jesus descended from the royal line of King No; Hints that Yes (1:5) Yes (3:31) No. (7:40) David? (Note answers Jesus assumed the parallel those in (1)) role of messiah after his baptism by John the Baptist. (12:35-7) (3) Gospel states that Jesus No Yes Yes No was born of a virgin. (Answers parallel 1 & 2) (4) Birth of Jesus Born in Mary & Joseph residents Mary & Joseph are Pre-existed Nazareth of Bethlehem; Family residents of Nazareth with God at (2:1) moves to Egypt after They travel to Bethle- the Beginning Jesus' birth. Later they hem to register for a of Time. Jesus settle in Nazareth to register for tax came out of Jesus is born, then Nazareth & his they immediately father's name return to Nazareth. was Joseph. (5) Angel visits Mary/ An Angel visits Joseph The angel Gabriel Joseph ---- AFTER Mary is pregnant visits Elisabeth -------- (he's considering (mother of John the breaking off the Baptist) and then marriage.) (1:18-9) Mary to tell her she will conceive. (Here Jesus and John the Baptist are first- cousins.) (6) Characteristics of Loyal; Good citizen Strong, authoritative Loving; compassionate Powerful, the historical Jesus (ex: good Samaritan) authoritative, distant. (7) Jesus was ORIGINALLY Gentiles & Jews Only the Jews! But Jews AND Gentiles Jews and Gentiles sent to the: (13:10) they forfeited their (3:18) (3:17) birthright. (10:5-7) (15:24-6) (8) Why the Jews did not Jesus' message The Jews have Same as Matthew. The Jews are not believe: is a secret--ie God! traditionally killed (13:34-5). It was God" or even know" does not want them and persecuted their God's plan to God, and thus could to know; Plus the prophets and wise "conceal" the not have recognized Jews (including his men. (Future generations Truth about Jesus his son, Jesus. See disciples) are stupid of Jews would be (18:34) passage above that and without faith! punished for this the God of the Jews (4:11-2) generations' unbelief!) is the Devil(8:41-5) (23:29-36) God predestined that The Father has purposely many Jews would not "hidden these things believe.(John 12:34, from the wise and understanding 40. See also 18:36.) and revealed them to babes." (11:26) (9) Is Jesus depicted as No; "Why do you No; but is No; but is Yes; Pre-existed equal to God in an call me good? There stronger than in stronger than in with God in a all-powerful Trinity is no good person Mark. (12:32) Mark. (18:19) Trinity since the except the father in beginning of time. heaven'--JESUS(10:18) (1:1) (5:8) (Implies that Jesus became divine upon his baptism by John the Baptist--This was the Jewish Christian view) (10) Status of the disciples Faithless, stupid, The disciples are given The disciples are The disciples of of Jesus and undependable. the "secrets" of heaven. blessed for their Peter, James, and Peter is strictly (13:10) role in following John are MINOR charged to be silent Jesus blesses Peter for Jesus & will be characters. Instead when he declares knowing he is the Son of be greatly rewarded we hear of other Jesus is Christ. God. Peter is established in the afterlife. disciples--namely (4:12)(9:9)(8:29-30) as the rock of the future (10:23)(22:29) Philip, Nathaniel, church. (16:15-8) Nichodemes, and the "beloved disciple". (11) Why the early Christians This is an evil "This generation Remember, Jesus was were being persecuted age. Whoever endures It showed the Church had is an evil persecuted. Thus the the suffering to the inherited the legacy of the generation." followers of Christ end, will be saved. martyred prophets (5:11-2) (11:29,50) will be persecuted (13:13) also (15:18-27) (12) First person to recognize Roman (Gentile) Peter."You are the Christ, sames as Andrew (Peter is an Jesus' role as messiah centurian viewing the Son of the living God. Matthew obscure figure, in the gospels. Jesus at the cross (16:16) (9:20) while the focus is (Note relation to (2)) (15:38) on the the "beloved" disciple.) (13) Public nature of Jesus' Jesus orders no one All miracles are Miracles are done Jesus performs Miracles to publicize his done openly and openly. (24:23-6) "signs" that have messiahship (even as prophecised in an underlying demons are commanded the scriptures mystical, symbolic into silence) (4:23-5) double meaning. (9:9) (14) Area where Jesus spent In Galilee-- same same In Jerusalem.--Per most of his time preaching. Jesus is crucified John,the purging of after visiting the Temple occurs Jerusalem early in Jesus' ministry, and he visits Jerusalem several times. (15) During his triumphant one colt one colt AND one one colt ass's colt entry into Jerusalem, (11:2) ass (21:7) (19:34) (12:14) did Jesus ride: (16) Jesus celebrates the Yes Yes Yes No; Jesus was Eucharist (Last Supper) crucified ONE day with his disciples. before Passover Supper (ie on the day the Passover lamb is sacrificed) (17) Jesus' reply to Pilate's "You have said "So you think that I same as "My kingship is not question, "Are you the so" (15:2) cannot appeal to my Mark(23:3) of this world; if my King of the Jews". Father, and he will at kingship were of this once send me more than world, my servants twelve legions of angels? would fight that I You have said so." might not be handed over to the Jews but my kingdom is not from the world." (18:36) (18) Inscription on the Cross "The King of the "This is Jesus--The "This is the King "Jesus of Nazareth, of Jesus Jews" (15:26) King of the Jews" of the Jews" the King of the (27:37) (23:38) Jews" (19:19) (19) Suffering of Jesus Jesus suffers on the cross for man's sins (Same as Mark) (Same as Mark) Jesus is godlike-- and therefore does not appear to suffer. (20) Was Mary, the mother of No; Only No; Mary Magdalene, No; same as Yes; Jesus says to Jesus present during "women" who looked Mary the mother of Mark & Matthew her on the cross, His hours on the cross? from a distance James & Joseph (24:10) "Woman, behold your including Mary IS mentioned by name son!" (19:26) Magdalene & Mary but not Jesus' mother the mother of James (27:55) and Salome (16:40) (21) Last words of Jesus "My God, my God (Same as Mark) "Father, into your "It is finished!" why have you (27:46) hands I commit my (19:28) forsaken me." spirit."(23:46) (33:35) (22) Portents upon Jesus' Total darkness; Temple curtain is torn; same as Mark None mentioned. death on the Cross the Temple curtain the earth shook; spirits (23:44-5) was torn in two. of saints rose from tombs (15:33,38) (27:55-7) (23) Was Jesus' tomb guarded No. Yes. No. No. (24) Did the women at Jesus' a "young man in a "an angel" two men in "two angels" tomb discover: white robe" (16:5) (28:2) "dazzling (20:12) apparel"(24:4) (25) Was the reaction of the "trembling", saying of "fear and at first "startled skepticism on women, one of "nothing to any one, great joy" and frightened" the part of Mary for they were afraid" (28:8) (24:36); but leave Magdalene (who (16:8) "with great joy" mistakes Jesus (24:50) for the gardener (26) Quotes Jesus as Saying at first) (20:15) the World is About to End and that Jesus would return during the lifetimes of Yes (9:11) Yes.(4:17)(24:29) Yes (21:32) No; but the the current generation. (28:30) (14:61) (24:34) (10:23) hour is still near (16:28) (26:64) (5:25) (27) Probable times gospel After Jewish Revolt-- written sometime between 70-100 AD 70-125 AD 90-140 AD 66-120 AD Listing of Quotations (All quotations taken from the REVISED STANDARD VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT) (1) Is Christianity a Continuation of Judaism? Mark 13:9-10,12-3 "But take heed to yourselves; for they will deliver you up to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them. AND THE GOSPEL MUST FIRST BE PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS....And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." [emphasis mine] Matthew: 2:5-6 Herod was told by the chief priests and scribes that Christ was to be born: "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from thee shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Matthew 15:24: "I [Jesus] was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Luke 13:34-5: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken! And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" John 8:41-45: Jesus' debate with the "Jews": Although the father of the Jews was Abraham, still the Jews do not worship the true "Father": The Jews: "said to him, 'We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.' Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But, because I tell the truth, you do not believe me." John 15:18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his mater.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me." John 16:2-3 "They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me." (2) Was Jesus from Bethlehem? Descended from the Royal Line of David? Mark 12:35-7 "And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thy enemies under thy feet'. David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son?" Matthew 1:1-16 & Luke 3:23-38 (Genealogy of Jesus clearly goes through David) John 7:40 When the crowds accuse Jesus of NOT being descended from David, nor born fro Bethlehem--the gospel writer of John never has Jesus refute this accusation. "When they heard these words [of Jesus], some of the people said, 'This is really the prophet.' Others said, 'This is the Christ.' But some said, 'Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?' Note the gospel of John also has NO nativity scene or reference of Jesus being born of a virgin. (6) Characteristics of the Historical Jesus Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it." (7) Was Jesus Originally Sent to the Jews, Gentiles, or Both? Matthew 10:5-7 "These twelve [disciples] Jesus sent out, charging them, 'Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Matthew 15:24-6 "'...I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel'... "'It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." [to which the Canaanite women replied] "'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' tables.'" Luke 14:24 And in the parable of the man who gave a great banquet: "For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet." John 3:18 "He who believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (8) Why the Jews Did Not Believe: Mark 4:11-12: Regarding the question by the disciples why Jesus spoke in parables, he replied, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven. And he [Jesus] said to them, 'Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" Matthew 23:29-36 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, saying 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth... Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation." Luke 13:34-5: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken! And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Luke 18:34 "But they did not understand this saying [of Jesus], and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it." John 12:40 Here the gospel writer John has Jesus quoting the prophet Isaiah in explaining why the Jews did not believe: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, least they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and turn for me. John 12:34 In the passage below Jesus is explaining to his disciples why he is persecuted, and why they can expect the same. "It is to fulfill the word that is written in their law [ie the Jews' law], 'They hated me without a cause." John 8:42-5 Jesus speaking to the Jews: "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did...If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God..." Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But, because I tell the truth, you do not believe me." John 18:36 "If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not of this world." (9) Is Jesus Portrayed as an Equal, All-Powerful Member of a Trinity? Mark 10:17-8 "And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.' Matthew 12:32 "And whoever says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" Luke 18:18-19 "And a ruler asked him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." John 5:8 And Jesus replied to the Sadducees 'In very truth I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.' (10) Status of the Disciples. Mark 4:12 "And [Jesus] said to [his disciples], 'Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?" Mark 9:9 "And as they [the disciples] were coming down the mountain, he [Jesus] charged them to tell no one what they had seen [Jesus' transfiguration], until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant." Mark 17:21: [the following scene occurs after the disciples had already seen Jesus miraculously feed 5000 people, and then wonder later how a group of 4000 people would be fed]: Jesus: "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?... Do you not yet understand?" Mark 8:29-30 "And he [Jesus] asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Christ.' And he charged them to tell no one about him." Matthew 13:10 "To you [disciples] it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given." (Note this verse also appears in Mark, but the disciples are shown to consistently fall short of this goal). Matthew 16:15-18 "[Jesus] said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." Luke 10:23 "Then turning to the disciples he [Jesus] said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not set it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Luke 22:28 [Jesus speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper, in response to being asked which disciple would be regarded the greatest among them"] "You are those who have continued with me in my trials; as my Father appointed a kingdom for me, so do I appoint for you that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (12) First Person to Recognize Jesus' Role as Messiah Mark 15:38 "And when the centurion, who stood facing [Jesus on the cross] saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, 'Truly this man was a son of God.'" Matthew 16:16-17 "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven." Luke 9:20 "And he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.' (13) Public or Secret Nature of Jesus' Ministry Mark 9:9 "And as they [the disciples] were coming down the mountain, he [Jesus] charged them to tell no one what they had seen [Jesus' transfiguration], until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant." Matthew 4:23-5 "And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick...and he healed them. And great crowds followed him..." Luke 24:23-6 Jesus, answering Pharisee accusation that anyone who speaks of forgiving sins is committing blasphemy: "Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you', or to say, 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins'--he said to the man who was paralyzed--'I say to you, rise, take up your bed and go home'. And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, 'We have seen strange things today.'" (20) Was Jesus' Mother Present During Jesus' Crucifixion Scene? Mark 15:40-41 "There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the yonder and of Joses, and Salome, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and minister to him; and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem." Matthew 27:55-6 "There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Luke 24:10 "Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles." John 19:25-6 "...but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' (26) Predictions of the End of the World During the Current Generation Mark 9:1 "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." Mark 28:30 "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place." Mark 14:61: "...Again the high priest asked him [Jesus], 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 11:25-6 At that time Jesus declared [ie Jesus just finished describing Judgment Day for the wicked] 'I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.'" Matthew 10:21-3 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. But he who endures to the end will be saved...truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes." Matthew 16:28 "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." Matthew 24:33-4 "So also, when you see all these things [darkening of sun and moon, stars falling from heaven, etc] you know that [the Son of man] is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place." Matthew 26:64: "...But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." [note "hereafter" is not the same as "in the hereafter", and is generally interpreted to mean during the lifetime of Jesus' contemporaries.] Matthew 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." Luke 21:27-8: "And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and treat glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:32-3 "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." John 5:25,28 "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live... Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, whose who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment." John 18:36 "If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight that I might not be handed over to the Jews."