Synoptic Gospels: How to Read and Understand Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Podcast-style audio course - 21 Topics
Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
Saint Mary's Seminary & University
(3 customer reviews)
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00
Audio Download + Subscription
$0.00

Audio Sample:

Viewed together, the synoptic gospels tell one of the greatest stories ever written. In this brilliantly taught course, you will gain a profound understanding of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Derived from the Greek work synopsis (“summary”), the term “synoptic” refers to the first three New Testament books, which record many of the same events and parables. The “synoptic problem,” or the speculation around the exact literary relationship among the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, remains one of the most fascinating topics in literary history.

As with any literary work, you have to study the context out of which the gospels emerged to arrive at a fuller understanding of the stories they tell. In Synoptic Gospels: How to Read and Understand Matthew, Mark, and Luke, a comprehensive audio course, Fr. William Burton, O.F.M.,

Audio Sample:

Viewed together, the synoptic gospels tell one of the greatest stories ever written. In this brilliantly taught course, you will gain a profound understanding of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Derived from the Greek work synopsis (“summary”), the term “synoptic” refers to the first three New Testament books, which record many of the same events and parables. The “synoptic problem,” or the speculation around the exact literary relationship among the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, remains one of the most fascinating topics in literary history.

As with any literary work, you have to study the context out of which the gospels emerged to arrive at a fuller understanding of the stories they tell. In Synoptic Gospels: How to Read and Understand Matthew, Mark, and Luke, a comprehensive audio course, Fr. William Burton, O.F.M., breaks down the first three gospels for an astute audience. Carefully situating each in its historical and cultural context,Fr. Burton gives you fresh insights into the similarities and differences across their accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Under his guidance, you will dissect the chronology and authorship of the gospels, the religious milieus in which the evangelists wrote, and issues of translation. By way of conclusion, you will ask why the fourth gospel, John, marks such a radical departure from the earlier three.

Unravel the mysteries of the Gospels and gain new insights into Christ’s mission as you embark on this engaging exploration of how the synoptic gospels came into being.

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Fr. William L. Burton, O.F.M., SSL, STD, is a celebrated teacher and biblical studies expert. He received a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute of Rome, a Master of Divinity and an M.A. in Theology from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and a Master in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University, Chicago.
A Professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Mary’s Seminary & University, Fr. Burton is a Franciscan priest and member of the provincial council of the Sacred Heart Province. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in biblical studies at Quincy University and undergraduate courses at DePaul University.
Fr. William Burton has also guided and taught hundreds of students and pilgrims throughout the Holy Land, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Italy. He has published many articles in The Bible Today and elsewhere, and has recorded Bible-study DVDs for Paraclete Press and Franciscan Media: The Biblicist Series: An Introduction to the Bible and Demystifying the Book of Revelation.
Praise for William Burton
“Fr. Bill Burton’s knowledge of Greek, Roman, and Jewish cultures, the very cultures in which Jesus lived and the New Testament was written, provides fresh and novel insights into our understanding of the sacred texts. For years, Bible Study participants have delighted in his accessible, eye-opening, and lively presentations!”
– Albert Haase, O.F.M., bestselling author
“Fr. William Burton, O.F.M., is a talented and engaging teacher whose erudition and skill at bringing the Sacred Scriptures to life for his hearers is second to none. His lively delivery and obvious devotion to the Word of God make his presentations accessible and enjoyable for everyone, at whatever level of scholarship they may have attained.”
– David J. Poirier, SA, Pastor, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Archdiocese of Vancouver
“Father Burton is an excellent Scripture professor at our seminary; our students always find him engaging and insightful. I have also witnessed his teaching expertise as he delivers parish missions, and everyone walks away engaged and excited about the Word of God. I highly encourage those interested in learning more about the Bible to sit back and enjoy his knowledge of the Scriptures.”– Msgr. David L. Toups, President, St. Vincent dePaul Regional
“Fr. Bill Burton has proven himself to be a careful biblical interpreter and a skilled teacher. This program on the Synoptic Gospels will give evidence of this to all those fortunate enough to benefit from it. It will be a fine addition to anyone’s library of biblical courses.”– Dianne Bergant, Catholic Theological Union

  • Introduction: Context is Everything
  • Historic and Linguistic Contexts
  • Problems with Ancient Manuscripts
  • Why Did They Write?
  • How Do We Know What We Know?
  • Judaism at the Time of Jesus?
  • Sects of Judaism at the Time of Jesus
  • Pharisaic Ritual Purity
  • Ritual Purity and its Contagious Nature
  • The Hellenistic World of Jesus
  • The Origins of the Gospels
  • Stories of Jesus Are Told and Retold
  • The Priority of Mark
  • Important Themes in Mark
  • The Gospel of Matthew
  • The Gospel of Luke
  • Parables From Luke
  • Meals in Luke
  • Geography in Luke
  • Persecution & Prayer in Luke & Acts
  • How John Differs From the Scriptures

3 reviews for Synoptic Gospels: How to Read and Understand Matthew, Mark, and Luke

  1. Kristi, TX

    2018 Spring Survey

    I am still listening to the course, but so far, I

  2. Fr. Mark B. OMI, Canada

    Summer 2018 Survey

    Synoptic Gospels by Fr. William Burton O.F.M. is bursting with details that make vivid and real the cultural world and customs in which the synoptic gospels were composed. In great detail also are shown ancient jewish sources of the New Testament teachings especially the table fellowship nature of the religion of Israel.

  3. Gary, London, Canada

    Summer 2018 Survey

    The historical and anthropological information helped me make sense of many aspects of Jesus mission and preaching as received by the early Christian communities.

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