Jesus and the Repentance of E. P. Sanders

This essay describes the view of E. P. Sanders with respect to Jesus Christ and repentance, and that description leads to the identification of a problem within Sander's view. Sanders argues that Jesus offered the kingdom of heaven to the wicked without repentance. The article analyzes how this problematic view arose.

Matthew 18:1-4 – “Who Is the Greatest?”

The issue of who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven was a matter of great weight to the Lord Jesus. The issue is addressed in all three Synoptic Gospels. For Jesus it is much more than a quarrel among his disciples; it is actually nothing less than the possibility that they will forego their place in the eschatological kingdom. The article focuses on Matthew 18:1-4, but the parallels in Mark and Luke are taken into account.

"Out of My Sight!", "Get behind Me!", or "Follow after Me!": There is No Choice in God's Kingdom

Matthew 16:23-24 is interpreted in mainly three different ways. The purpose of the author of this article is twofold. First, he wants to identify and to understand how, through linguistic and contextual analyses, each of these traditions originated. In the second place, he wants to emphasize that Jesus was concerned with discipleship in the kingdom of heaven.

The Baptism of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark

What is the significance of the baptism of Jesus according to the Gospels? Mark 1:9-11 relates the baptism of Jesus. Edwards considers the significance and function of this baptism in Mark. The baptism is related to the coming of the kingdom of heaven. Edwards further works out the significance of Jesus' baptism for our understanding of him as Son of God.