Gospels in the Early Church 300… · NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus? Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht Luke 2 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped

NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus? Gospels in the Early Church

Dieter Mitternacht

Luke 2 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. (Luk 2:1-18 NRS)

Adorations of the new-born child


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Matthew 2 1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Mat 2:1-11 NRS)

Adorations of the new-born child


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1 Gospel and Gospels

Meaning of εὐαγγέλιον In general a) reward for bringing good news to the emperor b) good news

NT: a) oral proclamation by Jesus (Matt 11:5) b) oral proclamation concerning Jesus (Acts 21.8; Eph 4.11; 2 Tim 4.5)

In the 2nd century: written traditions, written stories about Jesus’ words and deeds. The expression “in the Gospel” (ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ) appears.

JUSTIN (Apology 66.3) is first to use the word in the plural to describe written stories about Jesus’ words and deeds, suffering and resurrection (ἐν τοῖς ... ἀπομνημονεύμασιν ἅ καλεῖται εὐαγγελία, “in the recollections called gospels”).

End of 3rd century: a whole book (“Gospel according to … “, ex. εὐαγγέλιον κατὰ Ιωάννην, P66)

By the 4th century: writers of gospels are called “evangelists”.


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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels

Completely preserved Gospels Gospel of Mark (canonical) Gospel of Matthew (canonical) Gospel of Luke (canonical) Gospel of John (canonical) Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Truth Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians Gospel of Nicodemus (or the "Acts of Pilate") Gospel of Barnabas Gospel of Gamaliel

Infancy Gospels Gospel of the Nativity of Mary Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew Infancy Gospel of Thomas Infancy Gospel of James Arabic Infancy Gospel Syriac Gospel of the Boyhood of our Lord Jesus

Partially preserved Gospels Gospel of Judas Gospel of Peter Gospel of Mary Gospel of Philip

Fragmentary preserved Gospels Dialogue of the Saviour Papyrus Egerton 2 Gospel of Eve Fayyum Fragment Gospel of Mani Oxyrhynchus Gospels Gospel of the Saviour (or the Unknown Berlin gospel) Gospel of the Twelve

Reconstructed Gospels Gospel of the Ebionites Gospel of the Egyptians Gospel of the Hebrews Secret Gospel of Mark Gospel of Matthias Gospel of the Nazoraeans Gospel of Q (also known as the "Q document") Signs Gospel Cross Gospel

Lost Gospels References in ancient sources indicate that there were at least another 23 gospels


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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels

3 The early Church and the selection of four

3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew Augustine summarizes why the Early Church considered Matthew to be the most important Gospel: 1. The oldest Gospel, even with a predecessor in Hebrew, according to a claim by the

church Father Papias (3rd cent), stated in Eusebius, Church history. 2. Matthew was an Apostle 3. Especially suitable for liturgical use 4. Strong anti-pharisaic tone (“useful“ as Christendom wanted to distinguish itself from

Judaism) The gospel of Mark was considered an extract of Matthew. According to Augustine “he [Mark] followed Matt like a slave and produced a summary” (On the Agreement of the Evangelists, 1.2.4). The order of appearance of the Gospels in the New Testament was decided on the assumption that Matt wrote first. Some collections, however, put Matt and John at the beginning, on account that they were both Apostles.


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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and the selection of four

3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization

• Diatessaron – Gospel harmony (διὰ τεσσάρων = ”(*one+ through four”). Written about 175-200 CE by Tatian, a disciple of Justin Martyr. According to early traditions and legends embodied in the Doctrine of Addai (~400 CE), the Syriac speaking Church had a “New Testament” that consisted of

• The Diatesseron • The Epistles of Paul • The Book of Acts

In 423, Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus on the Euphrates in upper Syria found more than two hundred copies of the Diatessaron, which he "collected and put away, and introduced instead of them the Gospels of the four evangelists".

• Allegorical and spiritual harmony – Introduced by Origen Example: the cleansing of the temple, at the beginning in John, at the end in the Synoptics:

1) the Holy Spirit is not concerned with chronology or worldly accuracy, but with the deeper meaning;

2) the real, deeper meaning is independent of the historical occurrence: the temple is a symbol for that which is to be cleansed: the Church, Judaism or the human soul.


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3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization

3.3 Arguments for the canonization of “The Four” • Age: the four are among the oldest • Apostolicity: the four were considered to be (somehow) connected to an apostle • Regional recognition • Relative similarity

3.4 Why “Four”? Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon (end of 2nd cent) argued that there should be four gospels, no more no less, as there are also: • four directions of the earth (north, south, east, west) • four winds • four cherubim • four covenants (Adam, Noah, Moses, Christ)


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3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization 3.3 Arguments for the canonization of “The Four” 3.4 Why “Four”? 3.5 The symbolism of “The Four”

Irenaeus of Lyons (c.120-202 CE) The association between the Four Evangelists and Four living creatures seems to have been made first by Irenaeus, as part of an argument against heretics that there are only four gospels:


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Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.11.8:

"It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the world in which we live, and four principal winds, while the... "pillar and ground" of the Church is the Gospel and the spirit of life; it is fitting that she should have four pillars, breathing out immortality on every side.... He who was manifested to men, has given us the Gospel under four aspects, but bound together by one Spirit.... For the cherubim, too, were four-faced, and their faces were images of the dispensation of the Son of God. The first living creature was like a lion, symbolizing His effectual working, His leadership, and royal power; the second was like a calf, signifying His sacrificial and sacerdotal order; but the third had, as it were, the face as of a man - an evident description of His advent as a human being; the fourth was like a flying eagle, pointing out the gift of the Spirit hovering with His wings over the Church. And therefore the Gospels are in accord with these things, among which Christ Jesus is seated. "


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Background: The four living Creatures In a vision of the throne of God, Ezekiel (ch 1) describes the Merkabah, -riding) as a four = ֶמְרכַּבְְ)wheeled vehicle, the throne-chariot of God, driven by four "chayot" ("living creatures"). Each creature has wings, their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox,

and an eagle.


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The heavenly throne – Revelation (4.6-9ff), William Blake

The four living Creatures – Revelation (4.6-9ff), Ottheinrich-Bible, Matthias Gerung, 1530-1532


3.1 The Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization 3.3 Arguments for the canonization of “The Four” 3.4 Why “Four”? 3.5 The symbolism of “The Four”

Irenaeus Jerome (347-420 CE) and Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) Other Church Fathers also made the symbolic association, especially Jerome and Augustine. Each of the three mentioned applied the symbols based on their varying interpretations of the animal symbolism and theit understanding of the main themes of the Gospels.

Church Father Man Lion Ox Eagle

Irenaeus of Lyons Matthew John Luke Mark

Augustine of Hippo Mark Matthew Luke John

Jerome Matthew Mark Luke John


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Mark – the roar of the lion

Matthew – the teacher of Israel Luke – The bearer of burdens

John – The high flying eagle

Jerome's interpretation is the one that stuck and has been used in Christian art throughout history.


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Codex Amiatinus

692 CE


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The Book of Kells (around 800 CE)

Folio 27V

Beautifully illuminated

manuscript that

contains the four

Gospels in Latin.

Written on vellum (calf-

skin) with insular

majuscules.


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Carolingian miniature c. 820


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Entrance Arch Relief St Trophime in Arles, 12th to 15th Century


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The Four Evangelists Pier Francesco Sacchi-Dottori della Chiesa ca 1516


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Four evangelists Bloemaert, 1615


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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and the selection of four 4 Other Gospels

4.1. High Regard in the Church Besides the four, other early “Gospels” were kept in high regard in the early Church and up to the Middle Ages. Most prominent:

• The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE): containing information about the child Jesus

• James’ Protoevangelion (~150 CE): containing detailed information about events preceding the birth of Jesus: the birth of Mary, Joseph’s previous marriage, etc.


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Excerpt from The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE) 1:1-5

1 When the boy Jesus was five years old, he was playing at the ford of a rushing stream. And he gathered the disturbed water into pools and made them pure and excellent, commanding them by the character of his word alone and not by means of a deed. 2 Then, taking soft clay from the mud, he formed twelve sparrows. It was the Sabbath when he did these things, and many children were with him. 3 And a certain Jew, seeing the boy Jesus with the other children doing these things, went to his father Joseph and falsely accused the boy

Jesus, saying that, on the Sabbath he made clay, which is not lawful, and fashioned twelve sparrows. 4 And Joseph came and rebuked him, saying, “Why are you doing these things on the Sabbath?” But Jesus, clapping his hands, commanded the birds with a shout in front of everyone and said, “Go, take flight, and remember me, living ones.” And the sparrows, taking flight, went away squawking. 5 When the Pharisee saw this he was amazed and reported it to all his friends.

Illumination from an Ambrosian manuscript


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Excerpt from The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE) 8:1-3 1 And again, after many days, Jesus was playing with other children on a certain roof of an upstairs room. And one of the children fell and died. The other children, seeing this, went to their homes. And they left Jesus alone. 2 The parents of the dead child came and accused Jesus saying, “You knocked down our child.” But Jesus said, “I did not knock him down.”

Illumination from an Ambrosian manuscript

3 And while they were raging and shouting, Jesus came down from the roof and stood beside the body and cried out in a loud voice saying, “Zeno, Zeno—for this was his name—rise and say if I knocked you down.” And he rose and said, “No, Lord.” When they saw, they were amazed and the parents of the child praised God for these wonders.


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Excerpt from James’ Protoevangelion (~150 CE)

2.3 And Anna was sore grieved …. And she saw a laurel-tree and sat down underneath it and besought the Lord saying: O God of our fathers, bless me, and hearken unto my prayer, as you did bless the womb of Sarah, and gave her a son, even Isaac.

3.1 And looking up to the heaven she espied a nest of sparrows in the laurel-tree, and made a lamentation within herself, saying: Woe unto me … even this earth brings forth her fruits in due season and blesses thee, O Lord.

4.1 And behold an angel of the Lord appeared, saying unto her: Anna, Anna, the Lord has hearkened unto your prayer, and you shall conceive and bear, and your seed shall be spoken of in the whole world.… Behold Joachim thy husband comes with his flocks: for an angel of the Lord came down unto him saying: Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has hearkened unto thy prayer. Get down hence, for behold your wife Anna hath conceived. 3 And Joachim sat him down and called his herdsmen saying: Bring me ten lambs without blemish and without spot, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and for the assembly of the elders; and an hundred kids for the whole people. 4 And behold Joachim came with his flocks, and Anna stood at the gate and saw Joachim coming, and ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now know I that the Lord God has greatly blessed me: for behold the widow is no more a widow, and she that was childless shall conceive. And Joachim rested the first day in his house…. 5.2 And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought forth. And she said unto the midwife: what have I brought forth And she said: A female. And Anna said: My soul is magnified this day, and she laid herself down. And when the days were fulfilled, Anna purified herself and gave suck to the child and called her name Mary.


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4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church 4.2 Recently discovered

• The Gospel of Thomas: some scholars argue that it may be the earliest Gospel

Excerpt: 12. The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?“ Jesus said to them, "No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being.“ 13. Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I am like.“ Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a just messenger.“ Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher.“ Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like.“ Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended." And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?" Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you.“ 77. Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."


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• The Gospel of Thomas • The Gospel of Judas: late 2nd century CE, discovered in the 1970s; Cited by Irenaeus of

Lyons; Gnostic influence; Portrays Judas's actions as done in obedience to instructions given by Christ. Excerpt: “Truly [I] say to you, Judas, [those who] offer sacrifices to Saklas, the great fool, [... exemplify ...] everything that is evil. But you will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me. Already your horn has been raised, your wrath has been kindled, your star has shone brightly, and your heart has [been hardened...+” “… When he heard this, Judas said to him, “What good is it that I have received it? For you have set me apart for that generation.” Jesus answered and said, “You will become the thirteenth, and you will be cursed by the other generations—and you will come to rule over them. In the last days they will curse your ascent to the holy *generation+.”


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• The Gospel of Thomas • The Gospel of Judas

4.3 Jewish-Christian Gospels

None of these gospels survives today, all we know is from references in the Church Fathers 1) The Gospel of the Nazarenes – more than 30 quotations mainly from Jerome 2) The Gospel of the Ebionites – 7 quotations in Epiphanius’ Panarion 3) The Gospel of the Hebrews – 1 quotation ascribed to Cyril of Jerusalem, 6 to Jerome


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Documents

Gospels in the Early Church 300… · NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus? Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht Luke 2 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped