The following videos begin not with the Gospel of Matthew, but with the development of the gospel tradition, with particular emphasis on the first three gospels. These three are called the "synoptic gospels," because they see the story of Jesus in largely the same way (συν or "syn" = "with," and "optic" is easily recognizable as a root related to sight or seeing). These three gospels are so similar that two must have copied the other, but who copied whom? That problem, the so-called "synoptic problem," is presented in the second video, where the consensus solution is presented as well. Once one has a working theory of the relationship of the three gospels, one can examine the changes the later authors make to their source to derive a sense of the theological and pastoral interests of these later authors. We call this kind of study "redaction criticism," because you're studying the work of the later redactor (or editor). As we examine the Gospel of Matthew in the remaining videos, we'll be building our sense of Matthew's teachings and concerns from his narrative structure (using narrative criticism) and from the ways he changes Mark (redaction criticism).
The seven numbered videos are the most important material, corresponding to the slides. While you don't have to watch them, they may help you prepare for class or fill in gaps after. Below the numbered videos, you will find some additional videos and links, including an overview of Exercise #2 Using Biblical Research Tools. The lecture videos include discussions of the political theology of Matthew's gospel and his presentation of Jesus' death as a sacrifice that providentially allows for atonement now that the Jerusalem Temple has been destroyed. The Romans destroyed that Temple in 70 CE during the First Jewish Revolt, and additional videos provide background on Nero's Rome and the subsequent destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
Use the links to the right to access pdf files of the slides shown in the videos. Two formats are available: 1 slide per page and three slides per page. Both versions have slides for the numbered videos.
The videos below are thumbnails; to enlarge the view, click the play button and select at the bottom of the frame either "YouTube" (to watch the video on YouTube, which in some cases will be clearer) or the full-screen icon ().
1
The Development of the Gospel Tradition
This video introduces the consensus view today of how the gospel came to be written in the first century. It describes the major differences and similarities between the first three—the Synoptic Gospels—and the Gospel of John.
14.52
2
The Synoptic Problem and its Solution
This video focuses on the "synoptic problem"— namely, how to account for the literary relationship of the first three gospels. Three typical "cases" of evidence from these three gospels are offered, and then the consensus view of the relationship, the Two Source Hypothesis, is introduced and explained.
18.19
3
Redaction Criticism
This video introduces our second major critical method, redaction or editorial criticism, and our last Bible tool, the synopsis. You will learn the steps of redaction criticism, which you will practice on a passage of your choosing for your paper next week. You will also learn how to navigate the pages of a synopsis.
19.53
4
How Matthew Edits Mark
This video introduces redaction criticism, describing the method and applying it to some passages in the first half of Matthew's gospel. It draws out the themes visible in this editorial activity, and compares them to those we discerned in the infancy narrative.
21.03
5
Matthew's Infancy Narrative
This video introduces infancy narratives, and then approaches our earliest example, Matthew's infancy narrative, as a kind of overture to the major themes of Matthew's gospel. We will use narrative criticism to identify motifs and allusions that Matthew repeats across the genealogy and five episodes of this opening narrative, so that we are primed to notice them as we continue reading the gospel.
22.53
6
The Narrative Structure of Matthew's Gospel
This video surveys the structure of the entire gospel of Matthew, with a special focus on the five narrative blocks in the body of the work: how they are structured, how they advance the plot, and what they tell us about Matthew's themes or interests.
22.42
7
Narrative & Redactional Themes in Matthew
This video summarizes Carter's identification of the kernels and satellites in Matthew's plot. Then, drawing from our narrative critical and redaction critical work, it identifies themes that both methods expose.
16.22
Introduction to Exercise #2
Using Biblical Research Tools - This video introduces some of the fundamental tools of biblical research and the group exercise you will be doing to explore them. You may use one or more of these in your exegetical research paper, or in subsequent personal or pastoral work with the Bible.
16.04
Optional Videos & Links
Manuscript Evidence for Matthew - This video introduces the manuscript evidence for the Gospel of Matthew, with an emphasis on our earliest manuscripts.
3.07
Roman Imperial Theology - This video introduces ways in which politics and theology reinforced each other in the Roman imperial world. It describes the particular incentive that the founder of the initial Julio-Claudian imperial dynasty, Octavian, had in presenting himself as an agent of the gods, and surveys some techniques for how he did this. The video also touches on the imperial theology of the second major imperial dynasty, the Flavian dynasty, in power at the time of the gospels' composition.
26.33
The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Caesar -This video uses social-scientific criticism to explore how Matthew frames Jesus vis-à-vis the Roman Empire. We will explore a social system (politics) at the macro-level, examining the context for claims in Matthew with a deductive approach starting with a model of Roman imperial theology. Since this focuses on ideology rather than a development of thought, it is a synchronic approach.
20.04
The Loss of the Temple & the Sacrifice of Christ - This video explores Anders Runesson's thesis that Matthew blames the Pharisees for the loss of the Jerusalem Temple, and frames the execution of Jesus as a Temple sacrifice properly conducted by the Jewish priests and functioning as a permanent replacement for the atoning effected by the Temple cult. Thus atonement is available despite the loss of the temple and in advance of the final judgment, an initiative of the mercy of God.
25.48
Rome and Jerusalem at War - The Destruction of the Jewish Temple - A compelling account of Titus' destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, posted on YouTube by Prometheus Unchained.
18.35
Domus Aurea Outside - Altair4 Multimedia Archeo3D Production provides a fly-over of a 3D reconstruction of Nero's Domus Aurea or Golden Palace, which he built on the ruins of a residential section of the city after Rome burnt.
7.10
Domus Aurea Inside - Altair4 Multimedia provides view inside Nero's Domus Aurea and lake; the house currently lies under Trajan's baths and the lake was filled in to build the Flavian Amphitheatre, or Colosseum.
The following videos begin not with the Gospel of Matthew, but with the development of the gospel tradition, with particular emphasis on the first three gospels. These three are called the "synoptic gospels," because they see the story of Jesus in largely the same way (συν or "syn" = "with," and "optic" is easily recognizable as a root related to sight or seeing). These three gospels are so similar that two must have copied the other, but who copied whom? That problem, the so-called "synoptic problem," is presented in the second video, where the consensus solution is presented as well. Once one has a working theory of the relationship of the three gospels, one can examine the changes the later authors make to their source to derive a sense of the theological and pastoral interests of these later authors. We call this kind of study "redaction criticism," because you're studying the work of the later redactor (or editor). As we examine the Gospel of Matthew in the remaining videos, we'll be building our sense of Matthew's teachings and concerns from his narrative structure (using narrative criticism) and from the ways he changes Mark (redaction criticism).
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