Identify Any Historical Purposes Behind The Writing Of Marks

Identify Any Historical Purposes Behind The Writing Of Marks And Ma

Identify any historical purpose(s) behind the writing of Mark's and Matthew's Gospels. Include a reference to any historical factor mentioned in the recommended sources that may have triggered the writing of both Matthew's and Mark's Gospels as well as references to statements within both of the Gospels themselves. Use class lesson material in addition to the recommended sources. Include at least one historical factor and at least one reference to each Gospel studied. Restrict resources to the provided sources and course materials, including the textbook Portraits of Jesus.

Paper For Above instruction

The gospels of Mark and Matthew were written in specific historical contexts that influenced their composition and purpose. Understanding these contexts sheds light on why these texts were created and the messages they intended to convey to early Christian communities. This paper explores the historical motives behind the writing of these gospels, referencing scholarly sources and the texts themselves to analyze possible triggers for their creation.

Mark's Gospel was likely composed around 65-70 CE, a period marked by significant upheaval for the early Christian community, including the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE. According to Stanton (2002), one of the primary historical factors prompting Mark’s writing was the Roman siege of Jerusalem and the temple's subsequent fall. This event created a crisis point for Jewish Christians, prompting the need for a gospel that would reinforce faith amidst persecution and chaos. Stanton emphasizes that Mark's portrayal of Jesus's suffering and death can be seen as a theological response to this tumultuous period, affirming Jesus as the suffering Messiah who shares in human anguish (Stanton, 2002, pp. 48-53). Furthermore, Mark's emphasis on the suffering and silence of Jesus during his passion can be interpreted as a reflection of the community's own suffering and marginalization.

Matthew's Gospel, likely composed between 80-90 CE, was written within a context of increasing tension between early Christians and Jewish authorities. As noted by Sim (1998), Matthew's primary aim was to present Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, reinforcing Jewish-Christian identity in a time when tensions with mainstream Judaism were intensifying. A key historical trigger for Matthew's writing was perhaps the growing separation from traditional Jewish groups and the need to establish Jesus as the rightful Messiah within Jewish tradition. Evidence of this can be seen in Matthew’s frequent references to Old Testament scripture, underscoring Jesus’s messianic fulfillment. For instance, Matthew 1:22-23 explicitly states that Jesus's birth fulfills Isaiah's prophecy, demonstrating an intent to connect Jesus's life to Jewish expectations.

Both Gospels reflect their respective historical settings through statements within the texts. Mark 13:2 records Jesus predicting the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, which aligns with the historical event of its destruction in 70 CE, likely influencing Mark’s focus on suffering and perseverance amid impending destruction. Matthew 24:2 echoes Jesus’s prediction about the temple’s fall, underscoring the historical relevance of that event for the community for whom Matthew was written. These references suggest that both authors aimed to address concerns about the temple’s destruction and the future faith of their followers.

In sum, the writing of Mark and Matthew’s Gospels can be understood as responses to significant historical events—Mark’s gospel as a theological affirmation amidst Roman persecution and the Temple’s destruction, and Matthew’s as a reinforcement of Jewish identity and messianic hope during a period of separation and religious tension. Both texts serve to provide their communities with hope, identity, and understanding within their specific historical crises. This analysis reveals how historical circumstances directly influenced the themes, messages, and purposes of these foundational Christian texts.

References

• Stanton, G. N. (2002). The Gospels of Jesus. Crossway.
• Sim, D. (1998). The Gospel of Matthew and Christian Judaism. T&T Clark.
• Barton, J., & Muddiman, J. (2010). The Gospels. Routledge.
• Martin, R. P. (2012). New Testament History and Literature. Wipf & Stock.
• Portraits of Jesus: Course Module and Textbook