The Books of the New Testament



Origin of the Gospels

Destruction of the Temple (70 CE)
Sacrificial worship of Yahweh ceased forever
Both Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism a response to this event
Defining period for early Christianity
The four gospels (written in Greek)
Mark: early 70s
Matthew: c 85
Luke: c 85
John: 90-100
Earlier texts:
Letters of Paul: 50s
Q (Quelle 'source'): ?
oral traditions in Aramaic
a collection of sayings
Structure and events of the Tanakh serve as paradigms for the NT
Structure:
Tanakh (OT) New Testament
Historical books: Genesis to Kings Historical books: Mark to Acts
Prophetic books Letters of Paul
The Writings Other Letters
Historical books: Nehemiah and Chronicles A Post-historical book: Revelations
A few parallel events:
Tanakh (OT) New Testament
Temptation of Adam and Eve Temptation of Jesus
Israelites spend 40 years in desert Jesus spends 40 days and nights in desert
12 tribes 12 apostles
Pharaoh slays Israelites' sons Herod slays the Innocents
Moses survives slaying Jesus survives slaying
Exodus out of Egypt Jesus' family returns from Egypt
First-born sons spared at Passover Jesus slain at Passover
Prophecies reinterpreted as prophecies of Jesus:
Songs of the suffering servant: Isaiah, esp. 52:13 to 53:12
frequently quoted, e.g. Matt. 8:17
"He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."


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