Transcript Bible Work Chapter 4

Bible Work Chapter 4
Infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke
Document # 1
Matthew 1:18-25
(note* all footnote
questions)
6 points
1. What is the significance of the word “betrothed” in Matthews
account?
(2 pt)
[1:18] Betrothed to Joseph: betrothal was the first part of the marriage,
constituting a man and woman as husband and wife. Subsequent
infidelity was considered adultery. The betrothal was followed some
months later by the husband’s taking his wife into his home, at which
time normal married life began.
Betrothed was like being married except they did not live together for
a few months. If they were unfaithful it was considered adultery
2. Why is Joseph considered righteous for wanting to divorce Mary
quietly
(2 pt)
[1:19] A righteous man: as a devout observer of the Mosaic law, Joseph
wished to break his union with someone whom he suspected of gross
violation of the law. It is commonly said that the law required him to do
so, but the texts usually given in support of that view, e.g., Dt 22:20–21
do not clearly pertain to Joseph’s situation. Unwilling to expose her to
shame: the penalty for proved adultery was death by stoning; cf. Dt
22:21–23.
• He was a very faith filled Jew who followed the law so for him not to
do as the law required was a very serious question
3. What does “the angel of the Lord” mean?
(2 pt)
• [1:20] The angel of the Lord: in the Old Testament a common
designation of God in communication with a human being. In a
dream: see Mt 2:13, 19, 22. These dreams may be meant to recall the
dreams of Joseph, son of Jacob the patriarch (Gn 37:5–11, 19). A
closer parallel is the dream of Amram, father of Moses, related by
Josephus (Antiquities 2, 9, 3; (par.) 212, 215–16).
• That God is speaking to that person in a dream
Document # 2
Matthew 2:1-12
3 points
4. Who are the visitors to the baby Jesus in Matthew’s Infancy
Narrative? (1 pt.)
• Magi from the east
5. Why did they not return to Herod? (1 pt.)
• They had been warned in a dream not to return
6. What did the apparent of a new start mean in ancient times?
(2 pt.) corrections to this point 1/6/16
• [2:2] We saw his star: it was a common ancient belief that a new star
appeared at the time of a ruler’s birth. Matthew also draws upon the
Old Testament story of Balaam, who had prophesied that “A star shall
advance from Jacob” (Nm 24:17), though there the star means not an
astral phenomenon but the king himself.
• That a star appeared when a ruler was born
Document #3
Luke 2:1-30
6 points
7. To whom does the angel of the Lord announce the birth of Jesus to
and what is the significance of this group?
(2 pt)
• [2:8–20] The announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds is in
keeping with Luke’s theme that the lowly are singled out as the
recipients of God’s favors and blessings (see also Lk 1:48, 52).
• It is announced to the shepherds as they represent that God has
special care and blessings for the poor and lowly
8. What does the angel tell this group?
(1pt.)
• Not to be afraid, I have good news, a savor has been born. You will
find him in a manger
9. What is the significance in Luke’s gospel of the words savior and Lord? (3 pt.)
• * [2:11] The basic message of the infancy narrative is contained in the angel’s
announcement: this child is savior, Messiah, and Lord. Luke is the only synoptic
gospel writer to use the title savior for Jesus (Lk 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23; see also Lk
1:69; 19:9; Acts 4:12). As savior, Jesus is looked upon by Luke as the one who
rescues humanity from sin and delivers humanity from the condition of alienation
from God. The title christos, “Christ,” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew
māšîaḥ, “Messiah,” “anointed one.” Among certain groups in first-century
Palestinian Judaism, the title was applied to an expected royal leader from the
line of David who would restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6). The political
overtones of the title are played down in Luke and instead the Messiah of the
Lord (Lk 2:26) or the Lord’s anointed is the one who now brings salvation to all
humanity, Jew and Gentile (Lk 2:29–32). Lord is the most frequently used title for
Jesus in Luke and Acts. In the New Testament it is also applied to Yahweh, as it is
in the Old Testament. When used of Jesus it points to his transcendence and
dominion over humanity.
• Jesus will savor all from sin and give us back right relationship with God. Lord
show Jesus as a bring salvation not political power
Document #4Matthew 3:13-17
2
points
10. What does “to fulfill all righteousness” mean in Matthew gospel?
(2pt.)
• [3:14–15] This dialogue, peculiar to Matthew, reveals John’s awareness of
Jesus’ superiority to him as the mightier one who is coming and who will
baptize with the holy Spirit (Mt 3:11). His reluctance to admit Jesus among
the sinners whom he is baptizing with water is overcome by Jesus’
response. To fulfill all righteousness: in this gospel to fulfill usually refers to
fulfillment of prophecy, and righteousness to moral conduct in conformity
with God’s will. Here, however, as in Mt 5:6; 6:33, righteousness seems to
mean the saving activity of God. To fulfill all righteousness is to submit to
the plan of God for the salvation of the human race. This involves Jesus’
identification with sinners; hence the propriety of his accepting John’s
baptism.
• To fulfill God’s plan to save us Jesus will associated with sinners to show
God’s saving actions in Jesus