Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-3 | Issue-03 | 460-469
Review Article
The Impact of Different Audiences among Authors of the Synoptic Gospels: An Exegetical Exploration of Synoptic Problem in the Gadarene Demoniac Story “Work Forming Part of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts In Religious Studies of Kenyatta University”
Alexander Mwita, Humphrey Waweru
Published : March 30, 2018
Abstract
The first three gospels in the New Testament give their records in a
similar way of expression, content and structure; however, these Gospels have
differences in some similar narrations. The existence of similarities and differences
in these Gospels is known as „the Synoptic Problem‟. The purpose of this study
was to explore how different audience among the author of the Synoptic Gospel
influenced the Synoptic Problem. The researcher used Exegetical study to
investigate the story of the Gadarene demoniac found in Matthew 8:28-34; Mark
5:1-20 and Luke 8:29-39. Findings showed that the authors addressed different
audiences who had different challenges and experiences who in turn led the authors
to focus on their needs focusing on specific issues which in turn affected their
style, form, rhythm, occurrences, inclusion and vocabulary of each presenter and
finally differences and similarities came upon their canonical gospels.