A strong line of textual and theological continuity among the four Gospels is the central place of Jesus's words and the strategic function of his teachings in each narrative.
"In the beginning was the Word," John begins, and the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:1, 14).
The Word dwelt among us.
The Word also spoke among us!
In the Gospels we behold his glory by reading and hearing his words.
Matthew incorporates large blocks of Jesus's discourse at strategic locations in his book (e.g., the sermon on the mount in Matt 5–7).
Mark typically focuses on Jesus's actions but he also highlights a block of Jesus's parables on the kingdom (Mk 4) and discussion of the end of days (Mk 13).
Luke's extensive account of Jesus's final journey to Jerusalem is dominated by teaching, parables, and proclamations on the cost and treasure of discipleship (Lk 1–9).
John provides lengthy accounts of Jesus's theological conversations and mega-prayers (Jn 14–17).
In these ways, all the Gospel writers strategically showcase the fact that Jesus is a master teacher whose words embody divine wisdom and carry unparalleled weight.
Jesus as a master teacher, then, represents both a common theological theme in the Gospels and a clear facet of each writer's compositional strategy.
Jesus brings out of the storehouses words old and new (Matt 13:52) as he fulfills and fills out messianic expectation.
Common refrains in the Gospels include, "Whose son is he?" and, "Who is this man?" Many answers are given to these questions, but the burden of the Gospel writers is to show that Jesus provides the definitive answer to these questions he himself often raises.
As he journeys toward Jerusalem before the cross, Jesus explains that "the son of man must suffer many things . . . and be killed, and on the third day be raised" (Lk 9:22).
As he journeys away from Jerusalem after the resurrection, he once again explains, that these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you" that "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled" (Lk 24:44).
In other words, the first one to produce a post-resurrection "biblical theology of the Messiah" is the resurrected Christ himself.
He who has ears let him or her hear what the master teacher has taught us about himself!
In the Gospels we behold his glory by reading and hearing his words.
Matthew incorporates large blocks of Jesus's discourse at strategic locations in his book (e.g., the sermon on the mount in Matt 5–7).
Mark typically focuses on Jesus's actions but he also highlights a block of Jesus's parables on the kingdom (Mk 4) and discussion of the end of days (Mk 13).
Luke's extensive account of Jesus's final journey to Jerusalem is dominated by teaching, parables, and proclamations on the cost and treasure of discipleship (Lk 1–9).
John provides lengthy accounts of Jesus's theological conversations and mega-prayers (Jn 14–17).
In these ways, all the Gospel writers strategically showcase the fact that Jesus is a master teacher whose words embody divine wisdom and carry unparalleled weight.
Jesus as a master teacher, then, represents both a common theological theme in the Gospels and a clear facet of each writer's compositional strategy.
Jesus brings out of the storehouses words old and new (Matt 13:52) as he fulfills and fills out messianic expectation.
Common refrains in the Gospels include, "Whose son is he?" and, "Who is this man?" Many answers are given to these questions, but the burden of the Gospel writers is to show that Jesus provides the definitive answer to these questions he himself often raises.
As he journeys toward Jerusalem before the cross, Jesus explains that "the son of man must suffer many things . . . and be killed, and on the third day be raised" (Lk 9:22).
As he journeys away from Jerusalem after the resurrection, he once again explains, that these are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you" that "everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled" (Lk 24:44).
In other words, the first one to produce a post-resurrection "biblical theology of the Messiah" is the resurrected Christ himself.
He who has ears let him or her hear what the master teacher has taught us about himself!
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Christology
February 7, 2025
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