New Testament
Exam Two Study Guide
(Gospels)
1. Gospels & Jesus
a. Gospels - Be able to identify the basic definition/concept of the following:
Canonical Gospels; Agrapha; Apocryphal Gospels; Jewish, Roman, and Christian concepts of
gospel; Best suggestion for Gospel Genre; Be aware that Gospels were written for many reasons;
Synoptic Gospels; Material in Synoptic Gospels but not in John; Material in John but not in
Synoptic Gospels; Chronological differences between the Synoptics and John; Synoptic Problem;
Four arguments of Literary Interdependence; Ur-Gospel hypothesis, Fragmentary hypothesis, and
Interdependence Hypothesis; Commendable Theories of Interdependence (Augustine, Griesbach,
Holtzmann, Streeter)
b. Jesus - Be able to identify and demonstrate understanding of the basic characteristics of
Jesus’ teaching:
Basic meaning of a parable; How were parables interpreted from Augustine to 19th century?; Two-
fold purpose of parables; Kingdom of God; Entrance Into the Kingdom; Discipleship in the
Kingdom; Social Justice; Ethics; Greatest Commandment
For the Gospels, be able to distinguish characteristics of each Gospel from the others
2. Gospel of Mark
• Introduction - Shortest of the four gospels and has least unique material; Only gospel to
refer to its message as gospel; Foundation for Matthew and Luke
• Authorship - Who was Mark according to Papias? What two apostles did he have close
contact with?
• Date - When was it written?
• Audience & Provenance - Where was Mark’s audience located and where was he writing
from?
• Occasion & Purpose - What was Mark’s audience going through? What are the two
purposes for Mark writing his gospel?
• Literary features - fast paced narrative (immediately); The importance of triads/sets of
threes
• Plot - Know that the temple theme is significant to Mark’s plot; Know that Jesus’ baptism is
a picture of his coronation as king; Know that Mark mentions Jesus’ temptation but does
not include how he was tempted; Why did Jesus keep his messianic identity secret at
times? What three events make up the turning point in the Gospel? Know that the cursing
of the fig tree and the torn temple veil is a picture of God’s judgment on the temple; Which
disciple betrayed Jesus?
Exam Two Study Guide
(Gospels)
1. Gospels & Jesus
a. Gospels - Be able to identify the basic definition/concept of the following:
Canonical Gospels; Agrapha; Apocryphal Gospels; Jewish, Roman, and Christian concepts of
gospel; Best suggestion for Gospel Genre; Be aware that Gospels were written for many reasons;
Synoptic Gospels; Material in Synoptic Gospels but not in John; Material in John but not in
Synoptic Gospels; Chronological differences between the Synoptics and John; Synoptic Problem;
Four arguments of Literary Interdependence; Ur-Gospel hypothesis, Fragmentary hypothesis, and
Interdependence Hypothesis; Commendable Theories of Interdependence (Augustine, Griesbach,
Holtzmann, Streeter)
b. Jesus - Be able to identify and demonstrate understanding of the basic characteristics of
Jesus’ teaching:
Basic meaning of a parable; How were parables interpreted from Augustine to 19th century?; Two-
fold purpose of parables; Kingdom of God; Entrance Into the Kingdom; Discipleship in the
Kingdom; Social Justice; Ethics; Greatest Commandment
For the Gospels, be able to distinguish characteristics of each Gospel from the others
2. Gospel of Mark
• Introduction - Shortest of the four gospels and has least unique material; Only gospel to
refer to its message as gospel; Foundation for Matthew and Luke
• Authorship - Who was Mark according to Papias? What two apostles did he have close
contact with?
• Date - When was it written?
• Audience & Provenance - Where was Mark’s audience located and where was he writing
from?
• Occasion & Purpose - What was Mark’s audience going through? What are the two
purposes for Mark writing his gospel?
• Literary features - fast paced narrative (immediately); The importance of triads/sets of
threes
• Plot - Know that the temple theme is significant to Mark’s plot; Know that Jesus’ baptism is
a picture of his coronation as king; Know that Mark mentions Jesus’ temptation but does
not include how he was tempted; Why did Jesus keep his messianic identity secret at
times? What three events make up the turning point in the Gospel? Know that the cursing
of the fig tree and the torn temple veil is a picture of God’s judgment on the temple; Which
disciple betrayed Jesus?
