Abstract
M.A.
The theme of this thesis is mainly on the essence of repentance as exclusively
revealed by the Synoptic Gospels. As a starting point, repentance is looked at
against the backgrounds of the Old Testament and the Inter-testamental periods, which in this case are represented by JoIm the Baptist. Its climax and fulfilment are realized in and through the person and works of Jesus Christ, who embodies the kingdom of God. The Synoptics show a watershed in the history of repentance. According to them the difference came with the coming of the long awaited Messiah and the kingdom of God. They managed to demonstrate through their two main characters, John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, how repentance was first introduced and then fulfilled. The Synoptists have been realistic and honest in reporting the personal belief of
John the Baptist about the awaited apocalyptic kingdom. It it is human and realistic for a person so to believe. Probably unaware, the Synoptics reveal the fallibility that people in general seem to have. Although there were personal human misunderstandings and misconceptions about the main message, repentance was constantly proclaimed. It is interesting how the Synoptists show the manner in which John's belief was later corrected by Jesus. The three Synoptists succeeded individually to show how John the Baptist made a follow-up on the Old Testament repentance and also introduced the fulfilment of it. Through John the Baptist's humble attitude towards Jesus, they commonly reflect the unfulfilled nature of repentance which requires a personal relationship with the Messiah. On the other side the Synoptists also go on to demonstrate the full magnitude of repentance in and through the person, works and teachings of Jesus Christ amongst the people. Here, they show a new meaning that repentance carries when looked at against the background of the kingdom of God. In the light of the latter, both the indicative and the imperative aspects of repentance are equally maitained. God's acts of love and compassion towards people challenge and expect people to respond in a similar fashion towards other people and God himself Their protagonist, Jesus, did acts of love out of concern for people and he in turn instructed every person to do likewise. Thus, according to the Synoptists, repentance should be both productive and maintained. The magnitude of repentance is further confirmed by the way the Synoptists display how Christ demonstrates in real situations and parables concepts like, "faith," "love," "discipleship" and "obedience to the commandments." In this case the Synoptists ought to be credited for showing the depth, width and height of repentance in a concrete way. To sum it up, repentance is finally shown by the Synoptics as are-orientation of a person's attitude towards both other people and God.