Studying the Synoptic Gospels : Origin and Interpretation

by Stein, Robert H.

• ISBN13: 9780801022586
• ISBN10: 0801022584
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: Baker Academic

Summary

A substantial introduction to basic issues of interpretation for students of the Synoptic Gospels

Author Biography

Robert H. Stein (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Mildred Hogan Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous works, including A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible and Luke in the New American Commentary series.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	10	(1)
Preface to the Second Edition	11	(2)
Preface to the First Edition	13	(2)
Abbreviations	15	(2)
Introduction	17	(12)
Early Comparisons of the Gospels
The Development of Gospel ``Synopses''
Part 1: The Literary Relationship of the Synoptic Gospels
The Literary Interdependence of the Synoptic Gospels	29	(20)
Agreement in Wording
Agreement in Order
Agreement in Parenthetical Material
Luke 1:1-4
Unusual Literary Agreements
Conclusion
The Priority of Mark	49	(48)
Mark's Shortness: The Argument from Length
Mark's Poorer Writing Style: The Argument from Grammar
Mark's Harder Readings
The Lack of Matthew-Luke Agreements against Mark: The Argument from Verbal Agreements
The Lack of Matthew-Luke Agreements against Mark: The Argument from Order
Literary Agreements
The Argument from Redaction
Mark's More Primitive Theology
Conclusion
The Existence of Q	97	(28)
Did Luke Know Matthew?
Was Q a Written Source?
Conclusion
The Matthew-Luke Agreements against Mark	125	(18)
Matthew-Luke Agreements in Omission
Matthew-Luke Agreements in Grammar and Editing
The Most Significant Matthew-Luke Agreements
Explanations for the Matthew-Luke Agreements
Conclusion
The ``Solution'' to the Synoptic Problem	143	(10)
The Griesbach Hypothesis
The Priority of Mark and Q
Conclusion
The Value of Source Criticism	153	(20)
Source Criticism and Historical Criticism
Source Criticism and Redaction Criticism
Source Criticism and Hermeneutics in General
Conclusion
Part 2: The Preliterary History of the Gospel Traditions
The Rise and Presuppositions of Form Criticism	173	(22)
The Rise of Form Criticism
The Presuppositions of Form Criticism
Conclusion
The General Reliability of the Oral Transmission of the Gospel Traditions	195	(28)
Gospel Materials That Witness to the Traditions' Faithful Transmission
The Early Church's High View of Tradition
The Role of Eyewitnesses in Transmitting the Gospel Traditions
A Sitz im Leben for the Gospel Traditions in Jesus' Ministry
Other Considerations Favoring the Gospel Traditions' General Reliability
Conclusion
The Value of Form Criticism	223	(14)
The Gospels Are Not Chronological Biographies
Much of the Gospel Material Originally Circulated as Independent Units
The Gospel Material Was Preserved for Its Religious Value
The Evangelists' Editorial Work Is Seen More Clearly
Jesus' Ipsissima Verba
Interpretative Insights from Form Criticism
Homiletical and Didactic Insights from Form Criticism
Light on the Early Church
Part 3: The Inscripturation of the Gospel Traditions
The Rise of Redaction Criticism	237	(6)
The Method and Practice of Redaction Criticism	243	(30)
Luke 5:17-18-Jesus the Healer
The Holy Spirit in Luke
The Lukan Emphasis on Prayer
Matthew 13:10-17, 18-19, 23-The Need to Understand
The Matthean Fulfillment Quotations
Matthew 18:12-14-A Matthean Application of a Jesus Tradition
Markan Redaction Criticism
Mark 8:31-10:45-Following Jesus
The Value of Redaction Criticism	273	(8)
The Evangelists as Interpreters of Tradition
The Gospels as Wholes
The Meaning of the Gospels
The Entire History of the Gospel Traditions
The Quest of the Historical Jesus
Hermeneutical Insights
Conclusion
Glossary	281	(4)
Subject Index	285	(4)
Author Index	289	(4)
Scripture Index	293