Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 25:71 (Autumn 2021)
Article: The Two Eyewitness Chroniclers Of The Jesus Story
Author: Don L. Trest, Jr.

JODT 25:71 (Autumn 2021) p. 195

The Two Eyewitness Chroniclers Of The Jesus Story1

Don L. Trest Jr.

* Don L. Trest Jr., MBS, D.Min., professor of Bible & theology, Tyndale Theological Seminary & Biblical Institute

Jesus chose twelve disciples to accompany Him in his ministry to the people of Israel (Matt 4:18–23; 10:1–4; Mark 1:14–20; 3:13–19; Luke 5:1–11; 6:13–16) “whom he named apostles (Luke 6:13).”2 The Twelve were officially called to journey with Jesus upon commencement of the Lord’s ministry in the territories of Israel (Matt 4:12–25). Peter, James, and John served as administrative assistants (Luke 9:13–16, 22:8–13), Judas as the treasurer of the group (John 12:4–6), Matthew and others as possible chroniclers of the synoptic story of Jesus. Since Jesus commissioned the twelve disciples to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8), it is likely that they are the principal sources for the four gospels.

Significantly, in choosing a successor for Judas the disciples required that he be “one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection” (Acts 1:21–22). Matthias was qualified as one who could bear witness to the story of Jesus: “to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place” (Acts 1:25).” “Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus” (Acts 1:23) was another qualified candidate, but not the one chosen to replace Judas. Whether these two men were the only ones who accompanied Jesus or merely the ones thought most qualified is not known. Either way, the disciples understood that as his witnesses they were to give a true and accurate account of Jesus’ words and works from the earliest days of the Lord’s public ministry.

JODT 25:71 (A...