Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke - Essay Example

JESUS IN THE GOSPELS OF MATTHEW AND LUKE Christianity is the most popular religion of the contemporary world as the number and percentage of its followers are the highest one in the world in comparison with the followers of other religious faiths and beliefs. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the vital personality of the Christian faith and the Christians strongly believe that Christ is the son of God who was sent to undergo the severest of the trials in order to lead the human beings towards perpetual forgiveness of their sins. Holy Virgin Mary gave birth to Christ and he started preaching the people when he was in cradle. The Christians believe that since the sins and misdeeds of humanity have exceeded to a great extent, God had to send His son to sacrifice for saving the humanity from Gods wrath. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) The Christians are also in wait of Christs second arrival in the world since they believe the very reality that Jesus is alive and will come to preach the humanity all regarding virtue and goodness. The Holy Bible is the sacred book among Christians, which consists of different versions and four main Gospels, which are the basic sources of information and knowledge regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Among these four versions, the Gospels of St. Matthews and of Luke maintain imperative place for the whole Christian community. It is therefore the philosophers, scholars, parsons and priests deliver sermons and make speeches from these two Gospels and cite the words and lines from them at the churches every Sunday and lay stress upon charity, piousness, sacrifice and compassion to all creatures of God without discrimination. Both the Gospels have distinguished place in Christianity. There are so many accounts and details of the life of Jesus, on which the Matthews and Luke are in consensus. Both the books view that Jesus Christ was the descendant of the chosen seed, which had been selected to convey the people the message of God. Both Luke and Mathew vehemently declare Jesus as the descendant of Abraham and David, both of them were highly revered personalities. Jews are the progeny of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. They had been the Heaven’s favorite-most nation since their creation on earth. Therefore, Jews are not only called as the chosen seed, but the blessings of the Lord on both Elizabeth and Mary were the outcome of the noble deeds made by the virtuous ladies from the chosen seed. Milton quotes in his Paradise Lost: “Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire that Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed”. (Book I, lines 6-7). The Gospels of Luke and Matthew agree on the very fact that Virgin Mary was blessed with the glad tidings by an angel regarding the birth of a holy son. Both the books view Mary, the mother of Jesus, as virgin. Luke refers to the verses of Isaiah which had already forecasted regarding the birth of the savior from a virgin. “For you did not receive”, Littleton quotes, “a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship.” (Romans 8:15, Retrieved in Littleton, 2001: p 1) Both Matthew and Luke agree that Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem near Judea. The description of the circumcision and naming the newly born child are also similar in the two books. “Centuries earlier”, Anderson notes, “the prophet Micah had predicted that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah”. (2005: p 19) Both the books, above-mentioned, describe the census to be taken place in Nazareth soon after the birth of Jesus. Luke describes in details the migration of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to Egypt in order to escape the King Herod’s instructions regarding the murder of the infants from the House of Jacob living in Nazareth. The preaching made by Jesus Christ are also one and the same. Both the books cite the Sermon on the Mount made by Christ while returning from Galilee. In the Sermon abovementioned, Christ announces God’s blessings to the people who are humble and meek, and always display goodness and kindness to others. Christ assures glad tidings to the humble, submissive and modest people and declares them as the blessed ones who display humility and reverence while dealing with the people at large. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5: 3-5) Hence, Christ proclaims blissful tidings to those who are free from rudeness, arrogance and pride. Not only this, but he offers a respectable place and luxurious life to the modest and meek, in the world Hereinafter. By this, he aims to preach love and benevolence in the hearts of the people for one another. Though both the gospels, above-mentioned, are essential source of facts and information regarding fundamental sets of belief, yet both these books contain many differences too. These differences are not only based on essential knowledge, but also variation between the two could be observed by going through the narratives related to the life and words of Jesus Christ. Hence both the gospels describe different circumstances from life to death of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of St. Matthews views Christ’s genealogy from Abraham to King David and from King David to Joseph, the fiancé of Virgin Mary. “The genealogy of Jesus Christ”, according to the Gospel of Matthews, “may thus be traced for fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the deportation to Babylon, and fourteen from the deportation to Christ himself.” (1:17) On the contrary, the Gospel of Luke traces Jesus’s genealogy up to more generations expanding it to Adam, the first human being. The scholars have written commentaries on the Gospels, which reflect their critical analyses regarding the founder personality of Christianity. “The essence of the Hebrew religion (i.e. Judaism)”, Alan (1993) states, “was that the Lord had made a covenant with the chosen people, the children of Israel.” The Chains of the holy prophets including Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Jethro, Zachariah, John, Christ and many more were sent to guide the people and all except one belonged to the same tribe of Israel. They were the spiritual leaders of the world at large and their Patriarchs suffered great pains in order to spread the message of God, and God blessed the progeny with respect and honor of worldly comforts and the reward in the hereafter. The reward hereafter was conditional with the good deeds and performances on the one hand and conveying the word of God on the other. W. D. Davies and Dale Allison have presented a detailed commentary on the Gospel of Matthews. They have made comprehensive analysis of the author i.e. Matthew and submitted the very fact that Matthew had command over Hebrew as well as the Scriptures including Torah and Gospel of King David. “Since Matthew knew Hebrew”, they opine, “he was almost certainly a Jew” (Vol. 1, p. 33) On the contrary, Gospel of Luke appears more comprehensive in describing the circumstances before and after the birth of Jesus. Matthews (1:18-24) indicates the appearance of an angel to Mary in order to give her glad tidings and happy news regarding the birth of a son, but the book does not mention the name of the angel. On the other hand, the Luke describes in details the name of the angel and Virgin Mary’s immediate reaction to his words. She exclaimed in utter surprise: “How this is going to happen, since I am a virgin?” (Quoted in Anderson, 2005: p14) Filson (1971) views that since there has not been described the name of the angel, it could be traced in the incident happened with Zechariah while his meeting with the same angel in the temple of Jerusalem during his burning of incense to God. Hill (1972) take it strange that Matthew could not describe the name of the archangel Gabriel, even he was not only a Hebrew, but also had command over the ancient Scriptures revealed in the House of Jacob. Matthew was well-acquainted with the Old Testament, which clearly states the countless favors of the Lord on the House of Jacob. And this favor was not the prejudiced one; rather, all that was the outcome of the great acts of obedience, performed by Abraham, the first patriarch, while serving the Lord and preaching His message to the people without discrimination. Luke is the only gospel that contains a detailed and comprehensive introduction in the beginning, in which the writer expresses his carefulness while citing each and every word from the Lord of Heavens as well as from the mouth of Jesus Christ. In addition, Luke has collected all the necessary details of the developments being made during the course of time. “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled [or been surely believed] among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4: retrieved in mystae.com) Matthew declares Jesus as the son of Abraham and David, while Luke cites him as the son of Mary. Matthew refers to Jesus as the Messiah, the promised one, while Luke observes him as the savior as well as son of God. Luke describes Mary’s visit to Elizabeth at the time when Elizabeth was expecting John the Baptist (1:39-56), while Matthew does not narrate that incident altogether. In addition, Luke views the special favors of the Lord as the token of special reward Lord has promised with the noble descendants of Abraham. Almighty God has divided the humanity into two categories: one who those are transgressors and breakers of the covenant of God, and imitate the path of Satan; and the other ones are those who sincerely comply with all the terms of the sacred covenant. The individuals, tribes, clans and communities which did not obey the word of God and committed crimes and practiced deviancies by following the path of Satan, were inflicted misery and wrath of the Lord. On the other hand, the nations which remained obedient to their Lord, and displayed virtue and evaded vice, were blessed with the spiritual leadership and God was pleased with them. The reward in the form of God’s favor and mercies was bestowed upon them and were declared as the people of God. In addition Luke provides the readers with the details of the birth of John the Baptist, who would support Jesus Christ in his campaign of preaching the Jews. On the other hand, Matthew does not reflect the account of John’s birth. Fitzmyr (1981: p 19) opines that the Gospel of Luke identifies the series of incidents in the pretext of the historical background and leaves no significant event untouched while giving the account of the life and words of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Luke describes the incident of the angels’ encounter with the shepherds in Bethlehem, after the birth of Jesus. The angels communicated with the poor shepherds and informed that their savior had arrived. By listening to all the details, the shepherds proceeded towards the manger where there savior was lying covered in clothes. On the contrary, Matthew does not cite any such incident taken place after the birth of the savior. Instead, Matthew presents the incident of the Magi, which visited the King Herod to inform him regarding the arrival of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew gives a comprehensive account of the visit of the Magi from Persia, which had been blessed with the knowledge of astrology. The interaction with Zoroastrians had purified their belief in oneness of God, though most of them did not practice it for long. On the basis of that knowledge and wisdom, the Magi set out for a long journey towards Nazareth to see the holy child and present their gifts to the savior. The Magi, according to Matthews, first met the Roman King Herod and informed him that the King of Israel had born according to their astrological interpretations. On this, the King asked them search out their king so that he could also worship him. Luke submits to the readers the details of the return of Jesus along with Joseph and Mary, from Egypt to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old. (2:41-52) “Luke has”, Stanton submits, “not merely received records of past events, but the word of God, the Christian Gospel, and it is this which he intends to transmit to Theophilus.” (1989: p 84) The Gospel of Luke also describes the miracles attributed to Jesus Christ. Among them, healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons are most dominating. The fertilizing of the barren fig tree is also one of the prominent miracles of Jesus Christ. The circumstances leading Jesus Christ towards his death also vary ion both the gospels. Matthew calls Jesus as the son of King David and the prophet of God, who was to enter Jerusalem as victorious one to implement the word of God in the city. “And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee."” (Matthew 21: 10-11) On the contrary, Luke portrays him as the King of Glory and the son of God, who was to fulfill the promise of freeing his nation from the load of sins and clutches of injustice. In addition, the description of the trial scenes and death also varies in both these gospels. Luke always declares that he calls himself the son of God, while Matthew believes that he was rebuked and tortured on claiming as the prophet of the Lord. In addition, Luke maintains that Jesus was crucified due to instigating the people for revolting against the payment of taxes to the King. In the same way, both the gospels maintain that he was crucified because he tried to destroy the gambling system prevailing in the premises of the temple of Jerusalem. Jesus loved the poor and the needy, and did not like the rich and the dishonest. (Luke, 12:16-21) The main reason of the differences between the two sources of inspiration is their constant interaction with Greek and Roman civilizations. The life and activities of the People of the Book made them forgot the predictions made by many prophets before the birth of Christ on the one hand, and the glorious teachings of Jesus Christ on the other. “Looking ahead several centuries”, Goldenberg reviews, “the Jews under Greek and Roman rule were driven by two distinct factors to adopt diverse attitudes toward paganism: their own Scriptures gave them an ambiguous teaching on the subject, and then they had to apply that teaching under circumstances which themselves were highly varied.” REFERENCES: http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Jesus-Birth.htm Filson, F.V., (1991) "The Literary Relations among the Gospels," essay in C.M. Laymon: "The Interpreters One-Volume Commentary on the Bible," Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN Fitzmyer, Joseph. (1981) The Gospel according to Luke : introduction, translation, and notes Jacobus, Lee A., Kennedy, Dorothy M., Kennedy, X.J. & Maria, F. Muth. (2007) A World of Ideas. 7th Edition Bedfort/st Martins Publication Littleton, Mark. Jesus. (2001) Westminster John Knox Press Kentucky Malikail, Joseph. (2000) Iris Murdoch on Good, God and Religion. (Retrieved in http://www.ul.ie/~philos/vol4/murdoch.html) The Gospel according to Luke (Quoted in http://www.mystae.com/restricted/reflections/messiah/luke.html Stanton, Graham N. (1989) The Gospels and Jesus, The Oxford Bible Series, paperback, p 83 Read More