Matthew, Mark, Luke- synoptic gospels

*Liberals will say it's a sign that Jesus didn't claim these things and they were later beliefs by the church.

Differences/Similarities in Mark and John:

Mark: (parables)

-Jesus teaches in parables
purpose~ 4:11-12
-Keep outsiders (enemies) casual listeners in the dark
-Fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah (Jesus' parables)
-To convey truth to the spiritually open
-To keep his ministry from ending prematurely (too soon)
-Messianic Secret: (Jesus doesn't openly proclaim he's Christ (Messiah) or Son of God in his ministry. Tells people to keep quiet about it.

*Conservatives will say Jesus keeps his identity a secret-for the same reason he teaches in parables-to avoid his ministry coming to an end prematurely.

-Crowd control/only wants sincere people
-Gerasene Demoniac~ Mark 5
-Emphasis on Jesus' deeds-healing, exorcisms
-Low Christology
-Primary Theme:The Kingdom of God
~ the church on earth (his followers)
~ parable of the mustard seed
-The Kingdom come-after the last judgement of the world
-Strong Escatology (doctrine of "last things")
-End of the world is being seen as immanent (could happen at anytime)

John:(metaphors)

-Jesus teaches openly about everything including his identity (no so-called messianic secret)
~loudly proclaiming he is the Messiah/the Son of God
-Centers around Jesus' last days in Jerusalem
-Emphasis on teachings
-High Christology
-Weak Escatology
-End in indefinite future

*long metaphysical discourses on the nature of Jesus and his relationship to the Father. Primary theme is eternal life through faith in Jesus.