CUR 140 : "Interpretation Module #5"
Selected Passages From The Synoptic Gospels

Remember, handing in the short essay for this IM is Optional. If you are satisfied with your grade on IM #4, do not hand in a written essay for this assignment-your IM#4 grade will be counted twice in the final grade. If you are not satisfied with your grade on IM#4, write a brief (2-3 pages) essay with a thesis statement and supporting evidence drawn from your observations in the worksheet portion of the assignment.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE HANDING IN AN ESSAY, YOU MUST DO THE WORKSHEET PORTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR CLASS.

Read ALL of the following passages. CHOOSE ONE of them, and answer the questions in the worksheet below.

(a) Luke 9:28-36 (b) Mark 14:3-9 (c) Matthew 3:11-12 (d) Mark 7:24-30

CHOOSE ONE PASSAGE from the list, and find its parallels (that is, the story as told in other Synoptic Gospels). Read ALL VERSIONS of the passage (for instance, the version in Mark and the version in Luke and the version in Matthew) closely.

This Worksheet for this IM has TWO parts: Part One: comparison of the parallel texts. Part Two: choosing ONE of the versions of the passage and, on the basis of your comparisons and its historical and literary contexts, considering how the author of the passage uses it (in his particular form) to make a particular point or argument. In other words, what is the cumulative effect of the changes that one author makes to the original version? How does X edit Y, and with what results or purpose.