In this episode, Spencer and Jack observe the differences present within various narratives in the synoptic gospels, talk about why we shouldn’t try to harmonize them and offer a better way of reading through them.

Music:
“Kid Kodi”
Blue Dot Sessions
www.sessions.blue

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Episode #62 – The Synoptic Problem

Parable of the Wicked Tenants – Historical Changes (Mark 12:1–12; Matt 21:33–46; Luke 20:9–19)

• Mark – the son is killed and then thrown out of the vineyard
• Matthew and Luke – the son is first thrown out of the vineyard and then killed
  • The vineyard is metaphorical for Jerusalem/Israel and Matthew and Luke’s changes to Mark help the parable better fit the actual events of Jesus’ death, who was killed outside the gates of Jerusalem. 

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit – Context Change (Mark 3:19b–30; Matt 12:22–32; Luke 12:4–12)

• Mark defines what Jesus means by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, it was that the scribes said Jesus was filled with an “unclean spirit.”
  • The context is Jesus’ family saying he has gone crazy. 
• Matthew
  • It is the Pharisees, not scribes, who accuse Jesus. 
  • The context is an explicit instance of Jesus casting out a demon. 
  • Jesus specifically attributes his ability to cast out demons to the Holy Spirit, connecting the Pharisees’ statement that he is possessed by a demon to the Holy Spirit. 
• Luke
  • Luke has the statement of Jesus about a divided kingdom in 11:14–23, but no mention of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. 
  • Luke’s statement about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit comes a chapter later and is in the context of boldly proclaiming Jesus in front of others no matter the consequences. 

Jesus’ Sweat Drops of Blood – Stylistic Changes (Luke 22:43)

• Jesus’ Death
  • Mark 15:34 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 
  • Luke 23:46 – “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” 

Beatitudes/Sermon on the Mount – Q Source; Theological Change (Matt 5:1–11; Luke 6:17–26)

• In Matthew Jesus is on a mountain and in Luke Jesus is in a plain.
  • The plain is probably original and Matthew changes it to a mountain. Jesus being on mountains is important for Matthew who is presenting Jesus as the new Moses. 
  • The first Moses went up a mountain, saw God face to face, and received the 10 commandments. 
  • Jesus teaches on a mountain and reinterprets the Law of Moses (Sermon on the Mount; Matt 5–7). 
  • Jesus goes up a mountain and is transfigured and declared to be God’s Son (Matt 17:1–13). 
  • Jesus’ earthly ministry concludes with him going up a mountain and giving a mission to his disciples (The Great Commission; Matt 28:16–20). 
• Luke’s beatitudes, while having the same sentiment as Matthew’s, are shorter and focus on the state of being of the poor and hungry, because Luke emphasizes Jesus’ ministry to the outcast and needy. 

Lord’s Supper – Liturgical/Oral Tradition (Mark 14:22–25; Matt 26:26–30; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Cor 11:23–26)

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We mentioned a couple different documents throughout the episode. Those documents are available here at the links below:

A Comparative Analysis of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Looking at How the Greek Compares and Contrasts in the Synoptic Gospels