The Sunday News
Witness Dingani
THIS week, I found it noble to explain about the four gospels since the exams are now very close and students countrywide face challenges in understanding the four gospels. The term gospel has been defined by H A Guy as good news, concerning the life of Jesus Christ. The first four books of the New Testament are regarded as gospels because of the good news which they bear. The first three books which include Mathew, Luke and Mark are regarded as synoptic because of the similarities which they have. John is not regarded as a synoptic gospel because of the differences which will be discussed next week. The term synoptic according to B J Campbell is derived from the Greek word syn which simply means together and opsesthai meaning seeing together. The synoptic gospels have similarities, this includes word to word similarities.
In the synoptic gospels there are similarities in wording for instance Luke 16: 13 and Matthew 6: 24. Some similarities can be noted especially when one is comparing Matthew 9: (9-13, Mark 2: 13-17, Luke 5: 27-32). The word to word similarities has the New Testament students questioning who copied the other.
Similar story outline
In the synoptic gospels there are similarities in the story outlining, for instance Matthew and Luke included the birth narratives and the teachings on the sermon. The birth narratives are recorded in Luke chapter 1-3, whereas in Matthew they are recorded in chapter 1-2. This leads one to ask different questions, concerning the exact book which was written first and who relied on the other.
In as much as there are similarities in the synoptic gospels one should note that there are minor differences, this will lead one to believe that existence of differences among the first gospels disqualify the notion to be label them as synoptic. In the synoptic gospels there are differences in story outlining, Matthew records that Jesus taught the multitude on the sermon the mount (Matthew 5: 1), this is different in Luke who recorded that Jesus taught the multitude on the plain (Luke 6: 17).
There are also differences on the birth narratives, the birth narratives are found in Matthew and Luke. Matthew states that the Angel appeared to Joseph (Matthew 1: 20), whereas Luke states that the angel appeared to Mary (Luke 1: 37).
The above differences will lead one to ask different questions, for instance, which gospel is correct? Why do we have differences? Does this mean that it would have been better if one gospel would have been written? Does it also mean that the gospel writers used different sources? Why then do we have differences in wording while we regard them as synoptic? The above questions have developed what has been termed the synoptic problem. The synoptic problem and its solutions will be further explored below.
The synoptic problem
The synoptic problem refers to the challenges which have been faced by scholars in trying to explain the reasons why we have differences and similarities among the synoptic gospels. There are possible solutions which have been propounded by various scholars. The solutions address the reasons why we have differences and similarities. It is prudent to note that the solutions have got strength and weaknesses.
Possible solutions
— Markan priority
— Two source hypothesis
— Four source hypothesis
— Quelle source
— Two gospel hypothesis
— Farrer Hypothesis
— Traditional theory
— Inspirational theory
— Oral hypothesis
Book of Matthew
In order for one to understand the book of Matthew one should be able to understand the authorship, dating and purpose of the book. In the previous years Zimsec has set questions which require candidates to address the above issues. Many books have been written addressing the above fundamental questions. To begin with the author of the book of Matthew, one should note that the authorship is very controversial because the internal evidence is silent about it, B J Campbell in the book entitled “The synoptic gospels” page 9 stated that “it is generally agreed that not all of Matthew’s gospel was written by the apostle Matthew”. This has been supported by Dr Constable citing the works of Papias, “Papias’ use of the term logia to describe Matthew’s work, cited above, is not a clear attestation to Matthean authorship of the first gospel. Since Matthew was a disciple of Jesus and one of the 12 Apostles, his work carried great influence and enjoyed much prestige from its first appearance. We might expect a more prominent disciple such as Peter or James to have written it”, the apostle Matthew is identified as Levi in chapter 9: 9, there are some scholars who believe that the book was written by Mathew the tax collector, this has been further supported by Constable in his work entitled “Matthew”, as he stated that “Internal evidence of Matthean authorship is also strong. As a tax collector for Rome, Matthew would have had to be able to write capably. His profession forced him to keep accurate and detailed records, which skill he put to good use in composing his gospel”.
The book of Matthew is also ascribed to the trained scribe in Matthew 13: 52; this has been further supported by the apologetics who also argue that the book of Matthew was written by the compiler of the Q-source.
The dating of the book of Matthew is a matter of debate just like its authorship, most scholars date the book of Matthew to be around the 70AD as he was still waiting for the book of Mark to circulate, since the book of Mark was written around 65AD, this is also supported by B J Campbell. Scholar William Farmer in his two gospels argued that the book of Matthew was not written around 70AD, however this view has more weakness than strength.
This indicates that the dating of Matthew is controversial.
There are many reasons why Matthew wrote his gospel, some believe that Matthew wrote his gospel to show that the Old Testament prophesies had been fulfilled, the Old Testament prophecies include the following (1st Samuel 7: 2, Isaiah 7: 14, Micah 5: 2, Zach 9: 9, Isaiah 40: 3, Jeremiah 31: 15).
This has been further supported by A T Robertson, page 37 in his work entitled Word Pictures in the New Testament when he asserted that “The author probably wrote primarily to persuade Jews that Jesus is the fulfilment of their Messianic hopes as pictured in the Old Testament”.
Matthew might have written his gospel to the church, this can be supported by the inclusion of the church discourse (Matthew 16: 18 and Matthew 17: 18) and the role played by the church in the preparation of the internal kingdom.
Martin L Franzmann, in his work entitled Discipleship According to Saint Matthew noted the following as the purpose of writing for Matthew, “There are at least three wider purposes that Matthew undoubtedly hoped to fulfil with his gospel. First, he wanted to instruct Christians and non-Christians concerning the person and work of Jesus. Secondly, he wanted to provide an apology to aid his Jewish brethren in witnessing to other Jews about Christ. Third, he wanted to encourage all Christians to witness for Christ boldly and faithfully. It is interesting that Matthew is the only Gospel writer to use the Greek verb matheteuo, “to disciple” (13 :52; 27 :57; 28 :19; Acts 14: 21 for its only other occurrence in the New Testament). This fact shows his concern for making disciples of Christ”.
-Witness Dingani is a Zimbabwe-based author, motivational Speaker, columnist, youth coach, publisher, radio host, cricketer and member of Chain Support Foundation Counselling Company. He is the founder of charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organisation”. In 2016 he was voted as the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and was voted 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society. A-level Divinity questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number +263777896159 or email address: [email protected].
