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Sunday, 19 May 2024, 8:31 AM
Site: Birmingham Theological Seminary
Course: The Gospels (The Gospels)
Glossary: Glossary for Lessons 1-4

Plutarch

Secular Greek historian, A.D. 46-120. Wrote a biography of the Life of Cicero, which is an example of how even secular biographies at that time tried to preserve accurate records.

Josephus

Jewish historian from the 1st century A.D. Mentions Jesus Christ in his writings.

Synoptic

Means "seen together." The term is used for the first three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, because of their similarities.

Origen

Early Christian writer (185-232 AD), who argued that only the four gospels we now have were authentic. Eusebius quotes him as saying, "The four Gospels...are the only indisputable ones in the Church of God under heaven."

Eusebius

Early Christian historian (263-340). Wrote Ecclesiastical History, in which he quotes Origen's comments about the four gospels, as well as comments from other writers.

Irenaeus

Early Christian writer (130-202). Wrote Against Heresies, in which he says affirms the validity of the four gospels, and also makes the following comment on the Gospel of Matthew: "Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome, and laying the foundations of the Church."

Euangelion

Greek word (transliteration) for "gospel." Literally means "good news."

Christos

Greek word (transliteration) for Messiah, literally "The Annointed One."

Kurios

Greek word (transliteration) for "Lord."

Eschatology

Theological term for the study of the "last things."

Yahweh

Hebrew name for God, which comes from the phrase, "I am that I am."

Papias

Early Christian writer (from early 2nd century). Eusebius quotes him in Ecclesiastical History as making comments about the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Levi

Matthew's other name

Joseph

The legal father of Jesus (not physical), husband of Mary, descendant of David.

Son of David

Name that Matthew uses frequently (more than all the other gospels combined) for Jesus

Kingdom of Heaven

Phrase used only by Matthew to refer to the new spiritual realm established by Jesus. Matthew uses this phrase without the name "God" to follow the Jewish custom of avoiding using His name.

Kahal

Hebrew term for assembly, people of God

Ecclesia

Greek term for assembly, people of God, church.

Peter

Apostle who was assisted by Mark in Rome. According to church historians, Mark relied on his accounts of the life of Christ to write his gospel. He called Mark his "son."

Rufus

Mentioned in the Gospel of Mark as one of the sons of the man who carried the cross of Christ. Probably the same person mentioned by Paul in Romans as a member of the church in Rome.

Capernaum

City on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus often preached here and performed miracles early in His ministry.

Elijah

Old Testament prophet who appeared along with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus.

Moses

Old Testament liberator who appeard with Elijah at the transfiguration of Jesus.

Sadducees

Jewish sect at the time of Christ who did not believe in the resurrection.

Pilate

Roman prefect who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus

Zealots

Jewish sect at the time of Christ who believed that God would usher in the kingdom through their rebellion against the authorities

Apocalyptic

Name give to Jewish groups at the time of Christ who believed that God would intervene in a miraculous way to destroy their enemies and initiate His kingdom

Nomists

Name given to Jewish groups who believe that God would not intervene to establish His kingdom until Israel became obedient in keeping the Law

Theophilus

Person to whom Luke addressed his gospel and Acts.

Muratorian Fragment

Earliest known document listing the canonical New Testament books, AD 170-180.

Kratiste

Greek expression (transliteration) meaning "most excellent," a person of highest honor, sometimes used for Roman governors. Luke uses the expression when he refers to Theophilus.

Nero

Roman emperor from 54-68 AD. Persecuted the Christians.

Gabriel

Angel who appeared to announce in Daniel 9 that the exile would last hundreds of years. In Luke, he announces the birth of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus. 

Salvation

Deliverance from the tyranny of evil and from God's judgment against sin

Barnabas

Cousin of Mark (the author of the second gospel). Accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, along with Mark, who left them before they finished their trip. Since Paul did not want to take Mark with him on his second missionary journey, this man took Mark with him on a separate journey.

Boanerges

Aramaic expression meaning "sons of thunder," used by Christ with James and John.