NTI Final Exam Study Guide Questions
& Answers
1. The social setting of Matthew and its relationship to the portrayal of Jesus and the Pharisees
in Matthew 23? - ANSWERSWritten out of a time after destruction of 2nd Temple
Trying to put Matthew into its historical context
Leadership in Judea having been decimated
Judaism trying to put itself back together
How is God leading during this time?
Matthew's community- It's Jesus!
Formative Judaism [Pharisaic tradition]- It's NOT Jesus!
Pharisee for Matthew = leaders who have followed the Pharisaic tradition post-Judaism.
CONFLICT
You see it in SM ("Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees" Mat 5:20)
You see if Matt 23- direct critique against the Pharisees
"Woe to you Pharisees and scribes you hypocrites!"
2. Matthew's characterization of Jesus. - ANSWERSGospel According to Matthew: Jesus is an
authoritative teacher who fulfills God's instruction and calls disciples to do it.
Jesus is also shown to be a second and superior Moses
He preaches the SM, a new covenant code, on a mountain like Moses receiving the Torah on Mt
Sinai
The SM is a better covenant code
"You have heard it said... but I say to you.."
Jesus' teaching > Torah teaching
,The themes of righteousness, Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSRighteousness/perfection (Matthew 5-7): These mean the same thing in Matthew. It
comes to a head in the sermon on the mount. It is based on the very character of God. God
brings the rain on both the just and unjust. It is a balance of grace and opportunity that is
extended toward others, even those with whom you strongly disagree (now put that in the
overall context of antagonism found in Mathew's community)
The themes of judgment in Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSJudgement: outsiders, insiders, all
Matt 23 (OUTSIDERS)
Matt 13 (the weeds and the wheat; INSIDERS)
Matt 24-25 (ALL)
The themes of forgiveness in Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSForgiveness (in ordered community --Matt 18) good community focus in 18--
extending forgiveness to all. It is an inherent theme throughout the entire gospel but culminates
in the parable in Mat 18.
Matthew's attempt to maintain continuity and discontinuity with Jewish traditions. -
ANSWERSMatthew attempts to maintain continuity and discontinuity by making use of both the
"old and new." Matthew 13:52-- "He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has
become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his
storeroom new treasures as well as old.'"
Barr-- "In his vision of Israel Matthew tried to include the best from the past, especially the Law
(5:17-19), and even much of the Oral Torah (23:2-3).
But the old is defined in light of the coming of the Messiah Jesus
What things are new in Luke/Acts and how do they necessitate the writing of two volumes? -
ANSWERSOrderly account- Checking sources--presents himself as a Hellenistic historian.
The prologue in Luke and Acts is a perfectly crafted Greek period to demonstrate his work
should be compared to other Greco-Roman writings of the period. In the NT, the Optative is a
very rare Greek mood to use. But Luke uses it very well.
,Birth Narrative Structure: (= liberation, hope, joy), Emphasis on women.
Mission of the 70--this points to Luke's Gentile concern. The number 70 seems to encapsulate
the number for All Nations, which Luke has a particular interest. Luke genealogy goes all the
way back to Adam, while Matthew's starts with Abraham. Inclusive community is also very
important to him.
Delay of the Parousia (12:45; 17:20-24; 19:11; 19:28-21:38 = Destruction of Jerusalem and
Parousia separated by "time of the Gentiles"
Ascension--binds the volumes together, goes beyond both Mark and Matthew.
The abundance of special L material.
Luke's characterization of Jesus. - ANSWERSIn Luke, Jesus is the Spirit-filled Prophetic Liberator
of Renewal
Luke 4:18-19 (theme statement of the book of Luke--Jesus quotes Isaiah)
How would you characterize the relationship of Jesus and the Spirit in Luke/Acts? -
ANSWERSLuke 4--The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
Triad of Connected Themes:
1. Prayer: Lk 11:1-13, special L material, topically organized, prayer ties Jesus to God; Spirit leads
him in prayer.
2. Spirit: The Spirit Guides Jesus.
3. Kingdom: Lk 17:20-21 "Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was
coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed;
21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among
you."
The social setting of the gospel according to Luke in terms of rich/poor, friendship, and
encountering of Greco-Roman culture. - ANSWERSThe idea of friendship in Luke
Possessions
Zacchaeus (Luke 19)
Written to the wealthy
, Question of friendship
Reciprocity
Give to those in need
PRACTICAL
Luke has a tendency to comment on what Jesus is doing as being attentive to friends and
friendship directions
Leads to Acts 2:42
Luke is writing to the wealthy
Scripture
Luke 14- invite the poor to the mea
Luke 16- Dishonest manager make friends
Luke 19- example Zaccheus made friends with the poor!
GENTILES
This friendship is assumed in the gospel to go beyond the Jews and extend to the nations
Godfearers in Acts
Centurions in Luke
How is the community described in Acts 2:42ff and 4:32ff in continuity with the community
forming around Jesus in Luke's gospel. - ANSWERSActs 2:42--They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 4:32: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their
possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Study Jesus' teachings (2:38)
Table fellowship (breaking of bread; 2:38)
Prayer (2:38)
Sharing possession (4:32)
& Answers
1. The social setting of Matthew and its relationship to the portrayal of Jesus and the Pharisees
in Matthew 23? - ANSWERSWritten out of a time after destruction of 2nd Temple
Trying to put Matthew into its historical context
Leadership in Judea having been decimated
Judaism trying to put itself back together
How is God leading during this time?
Matthew's community- It's Jesus!
Formative Judaism [Pharisaic tradition]- It's NOT Jesus!
Pharisee for Matthew = leaders who have followed the Pharisaic tradition post-Judaism.
CONFLICT
You see it in SM ("Your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees" Mat 5:20)
You see if Matt 23- direct critique against the Pharisees
"Woe to you Pharisees and scribes you hypocrites!"
2. Matthew's characterization of Jesus. - ANSWERSGospel According to Matthew: Jesus is an
authoritative teacher who fulfills God's instruction and calls disciples to do it.
Jesus is also shown to be a second and superior Moses
He preaches the SM, a new covenant code, on a mountain like Moses receiving the Torah on Mt
Sinai
The SM is a better covenant code
"You have heard it said... but I say to you.."
Jesus' teaching > Torah teaching
,The themes of righteousness, Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSRighteousness/perfection (Matthew 5-7): These mean the same thing in Matthew. It
comes to a head in the sermon on the mount. It is based on the very character of God. God
brings the rain on both the just and unjust. It is a balance of grace and opportunity that is
extended toward others, even those with whom you strongly disagree (now put that in the
overall context of antagonism found in Mathew's community)
The themes of judgment in Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSJudgement: outsiders, insiders, all
Matt 23 (OUTSIDERS)
Matt 13 (the weeds and the wheat; INSIDERS)
Matt 24-25 (ALL)
The themes of forgiveness in Matthew and their relationship to "ordered community." -
ANSWERSForgiveness (in ordered community --Matt 18) good community focus in 18--
extending forgiveness to all. It is an inherent theme throughout the entire gospel but culminates
in the parable in Mat 18.
Matthew's attempt to maintain continuity and discontinuity with Jewish traditions. -
ANSWERSMatthew attempts to maintain continuity and discontinuity by making use of both the
"old and new." Matthew 13:52-- "He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has
become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his
storeroom new treasures as well as old.'"
Barr-- "In his vision of Israel Matthew tried to include the best from the past, especially the Law
(5:17-19), and even much of the Oral Torah (23:2-3).
But the old is defined in light of the coming of the Messiah Jesus
What things are new in Luke/Acts and how do they necessitate the writing of two volumes? -
ANSWERSOrderly account- Checking sources--presents himself as a Hellenistic historian.
The prologue in Luke and Acts is a perfectly crafted Greek period to demonstrate his work
should be compared to other Greco-Roman writings of the period. In the NT, the Optative is a
very rare Greek mood to use. But Luke uses it very well.
,Birth Narrative Structure: (= liberation, hope, joy), Emphasis on women.
Mission of the 70--this points to Luke's Gentile concern. The number 70 seems to encapsulate
the number for All Nations, which Luke has a particular interest. Luke genealogy goes all the
way back to Adam, while Matthew's starts with Abraham. Inclusive community is also very
important to him.
Delay of the Parousia (12:45; 17:20-24; 19:11; 19:28-21:38 = Destruction of Jerusalem and
Parousia separated by "time of the Gentiles"
Ascension--binds the volumes together, goes beyond both Mark and Matthew.
The abundance of special L material.
Luke's characterization of Jesus. - ANSWERSIn Luke, Jesus is the Spirit-filled Prophetic Liberator
of Renewal
Luke 4:18-19 (theme statement of the book of Luke--Jesus quotes Isaiah)
How would you characterize the relationship of Jesus and the Spirit in Luke/Acts? -
ANSWERSLuke 4--The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
Triad of Connected Themes:
1. Prayer: Lk 11:1-13, special L material, topically organized, prayer ties Jesus to God; Spirit leads
him in prayer.
2. Spirit: The Spirit Guides Jesus.
3. Kingdom: Lk 17:20-21 "Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was
coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed;
21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among
you."
The social setting of the gospel according to Luke in terms of rich/poor, friendship, and
encountering of Greco-Roman culture. - ANSWERSThe idea of friendship in Luke
Possessions
Zacchaeus (Luke 19)
Written to the wealthy
, Question of friendship
Reciprocity
Give to those in need
PRACTICAL
Luke has a tendency to comment on what Jesus is doing as being attentive to friends and
friendship directions
Leads to Acts 2:42
Luke is writing to the wealthy
Scripture
Luke 14- invite the poor to the mea
Luke 16- Dishonest manager make friends
Luke 19- example Zaccheus made friends with the poor!
GENTILES
This friendship is assumed in the gospel to go beyond the Jews and extend to the nations
Godfearers in Acts
Centurions in Luke
How is the community described in Acts 2:42ff and 4:32ff in continuity with the community
forming around Jesus in Luke's gospel. - ANSWERSActs 2:42--They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 4:32: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their
possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Study Jesus' teachings (2:38)
Table fellowship (breaking of bread; 2:38)
Prayer (2:38)
Sharing possession (4:32)
