Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, 2nd ed.

by Craig Blomberg

Publisher:

B&H

, 2009

Overview

This second edition of Jesus and the Gospels prepares readers for an intensive study of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the events they narrate. Craig Blomberg considers the historical context of the Gospels and sheds light on the confusing interpretations brought forth over the last two centuries. This updated version, factoring in new scholarship, debate, critical methods, and the ongoing quest of the historical Jesus, ensures that the work will remain a top tool for exploring the life of Christ through the first four books of the New Testament.

Key Features

• Offers a scholarly study of the Gospels
• Discusses the quest for the historical Jesus
• Examines issues concerning the canonical and noncanonical Gospels

Contents

• Part One: Historical Background for Studying the Gospels
  • Political Background
  • Religious Background
  • Socioeconomic Background
• Part Two: Critical Methods for Studying the Gospels
  • Historical Criticism of the Gospels
  • Literary Criticism of the Gospels
• Part Three: Introduction to the Four Gospels
  • The Gospel of Mark
  • The Gospel of Matthew
  • The Gospel of Luke
  • The Gospel of John
• Part Four: A Survey of the Life of Christ
  • The Historical Jesus
  • The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
  • The Beginnings of Jesus’ Ministry
  • Jesus’ Galilean Ministry—Earlier Stages
  • Jesus’ Galilean Ministry—Later Stages
  • Additional Teachings of Jesus in Matthew, Luke, and John
  • Jesus’ Judean Ministry
  • Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection
• Part Five: Historical and Theological Syntheses
  • The Historical Trustworthiness of the Gospels
  • The Theology of Jesus

Top Highlights

“Thirdly, no doubt the most pervasive result of Alexander’s conquests was the spread of the Greek language itself.” (Page 13)

“Prayer and good works came to be viewed as an adequate substitute for animal sacrifice.” (Page 46)

“In short, the Gospel of Mark is about why Jesus died.^{21” (Page 133)}

“Whatever else a Jewish man did or did not obey, three practices were virtually inviolable if he wanted to remain a member of the community in good standing—the dietary laws (keeping a ‘kosher’ table), observing the Sabbath, and circumcision.” (Page 49)

“Based on the Platonic dualism of matter and spirit, Gnostics argued that the material world was inherently evil; only the spirit world was potentially good.” (Page 37)

Endorsements

Nothing of significance that has appeared in the last dozen years seems to have been missed by Craig Blomberg and his assistants in this careful updating of his well-received survey text on Jesus and the Gospels in order to fit it for a fresh generation of students. This is a rich resource from which even the seasoned scholar can pick up valuable material.

—I. Howard Marshall, honorary research professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen

There is no more important subject than ‘Jesus and the Gospels’ and no obvious rival to Blomberg’s book for those wanting an introduction to the subject . . . [the book] is wide-ranging and up-to-date, scholarly and accessible, conservative and intelligent.

—David Wenham, vice-principal, Trinity College, Bristol, England

This is a fine book, which deserves a wide readership. It provides students and teachers with a good textbook, and it would help an evangelical student studying in an unsympathetic college or university by filling in the gaps left by more sceptical teaching.

—Steve Walton, Themelios, Volume 24, Issue 2

Product Details

• Title: Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey
• Author: Craig Blomberg
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Publisher: B&H
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. › Study; Jesus Christ › Humanity; Jesus Christ › Divinity
• ISBNs: 9781430080602, 9781433668425, 1433668424, 1430080604
• Resource ID: LLS:JESUSGOSP2ED
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-01-16T19:17:31Z

About Craig Blomberg

Craig Blomberg is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary, where he has been teaching since 1986. Blomberg earned degrees from Augustana College, Trinity Divinity School, and Aberdeen University in Scotland. He previously taught at Palm Beach Atlantic College and spent one year in Cambridge as a research fellow with Tyndale House. He has been on translation committees for the New Living Translation, English Standard Version, and the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Blomberg is the author, coauthor, or co-editor of numerous books and more than 80 articles in journals or multi-author works. A recurring topic of interest in his writings is the historical reliability of the Scriptures, and he has also covered such diverse issues as wealth and poverty, hermeneutics, and women in ministry. His books include Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, 2nd ed., Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: James, A Handbook of New Testament Exegesis, Making Sense of the New Testament, Preaching the Parables, and The NIV Application Commentary: 1 Corinthians.