Assignments:

1. Photocopy pages 12-16 in the Synopsis on John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-17 and parallels). Look at each passage across all the columns and find the places where the wording is the same. Underline the passages in the following way:

· Red: where Matthew agrees with Mark

· Blue: where Luke agrees with Mark

· Green: where Matthew agrees with Luke (that is, Q material)

· Orange: Agreement between Matthew, Mark and Luke (use orange in Mark only)

· Use dotted line where there is substantial but not precise agreement.

For example: if there is a part that is the same in all three synoptic gospels, you will underline that passage in orange in Mark, red in Matthew, and Blue in Mark. For a part that is the same only in Matthew and Mark, underline with red in both Matthew and Mark. Etc. That way, you can tell at a glance all the places in Matthew where Matthew simply copies the text of Mark, and by looking at the Mark column you can find all the places where both Matthew and Luke copy Mark. The parts you underline in green will be Q passages. Take care to underline only the parts that are exactly the same. If it is very close but not the same (for example, use of a similar word, or a slightly different order) use broken underline.

Write a 2 page report answering the following questions: What pictures do the various gospels present of John the Baptist, his message, and his relationship to Jesus? What inconsistencies do you find in the accounts? How might you account for these? Hand in both your photocopied pages and your 2-page discussion, stapled together.

2. Read the gospel miracle stories and the other ancient miracle stories. How are they similar? How are they different? 

3. Read the first set of passages and identify which speak of the kingly rule of God as present and which as future. Read the second set of passages and identify the social groups that are positively associated with the kingly rule of God. 

4. Read the assigned passages. What is the relationship between judgment and salvation in Jesus' teaching? Do you detect any differences among the gospels?

5. Read the three Jewish rabbinic parables. Compare the first with parables of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14/Luke 14:15-24) and the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew (Matthew 25:1-13); the second with the parable of the prodigal son in Luke (Luke 15:11-32); and the third with the parable of the generous master (Matthew 20:1-16. How are they similar and how are they different? Consider the imagery, the narrative structure, the characters, and the theological message. 

6. Read the passages. What are the dominant themes of Jesus' ethics?

7. Read the passion narratives in the Synopsis , carefully comparing the accounts of Jesus' prayer in the garden (In Mark, this story is told in 14:32-52). Describe the similarities and differences. Which is the earliest version, and how do you account for the differences? Explain your reasons.

8. Read the infancy narratives and the passages listed from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). How have the gospel writers drawn on the Hebrew Bible in writing about the birth of Jesus?