Catholic Bible Study Lectio The Case for Jesus: When Were the Gospels Written?
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Jun 20, 2024 Explore the intriguing timeline of when the Gospels were written and the implications for their reliability. Discover how the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD relates to Jesus' prophecies and the documentation of the events. Delve into the synoptic challenge and the relationships among the first three Gospels. Hear arguments suggesting the Gospels could have been composed closer to Jesus' life than expected, based on the abrupt ending of the Acts of the Apostles. The significance of firsthand accounts is also unpacked, paving the way for deeper discussions on Jesus' identity.
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How Scholars Date The Gospels
- Dating of the Gospels relies heavily on internal references to known historical events rather than explicit publication dates.
- Scholars mainly use Jesus' predictions about the 70 AD Temple destruction as a key chronological marker.
Ask How Scholars Know Dates
- Always ask "How do you know?" when presented with scholarly claims about dates or origins.
- Demand historical reasons rather than appeals to majority opinion.
The Temple Destruction As A Dating Anchor
- The Temple's destruction in 70 AD is the chief event used to place Mark around 65–70 AD and later dates for Matthew, Luke, and John.
- The logic often assumes Jesus could not have predicted that destruction, so accounts must be written after it occurred.