
Decoding the Enigmatic Synoptic Problem: An In-Depth Academic Analysis of Pentecostal Hermeneutics Applied to the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38
Issue: Vol.7 No.1 2025 Article 1 pp.1-15
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025711 | Published online 31st January, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This article presents a Pentecostal Hermeneutics approach to resolving the synoptic problem through the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. Employing a combination of textual analysis, comparative study, and the application of Pentecostal hermeneutics, the article unraveled the complexities and discrepancies found in these parallel passages. It explored the hypotheses put forth by various scholars, providing a nuanced understanding and trajectory of the synoptic enigma. By examining the structures, contents, and language of the genealogies, unique features and patterns were highlighted. A comparative study is conducted, shedding light on the theological and cultural implications of the differences and similarities between Matthew and Luke’s genealogies. Additionally, the article delved into the application of Pentecostal hermeneutics, demonstrating how this interpretive framework enhances the understanding of the genealogical narratives. By employing these methodological approaches, the article decoded the synoptic enigma, contributing to a deeper comprehension of the compositional techniques, theological significance, and historical context underlying these passages. This study serves as a valuable resource for academia, providing insights into a longstanding enigma in New Testament studies and helping to answer the synoptic problem.
Keywords: Pentecostal Hermeneutics, Genealogy, Synoptic Gospels, and Synoptic problem.
Agyapong, Kwasi Atta. “Religion amidst Tares and Weeds: A Pentecostal Perspective on the Hegemony of Non-Religious Movements and Scholarship on Religion in the 21st Century.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, November 8, 2022, 515–38. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20223121.
———. “Will You Not Revive Us Again? (Psalm 85:6): An Evaluation of Revival In The Context Of Evangelical-Pentecostal Movements.” Pentecostalism, Charismaticism and Neo-Prophetic Movements Journal, May 20, 2021, 11–22. https://doi.org/10.38159/pecanep.2021221.
Agyapong, Kwasi Atta, Diana Adjei-Fianko, Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo, and Emmanuel Foster Asamoah. “A Pentecostal Perspective of the Cultural and Spiritual Significance of the House of Joshua in Jewish and Christian Traditions.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, December 17, 2023, 1481–92. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234137.
Agyapong, Kwasi Atta, and Emmanuel Foster Asamoah. “The Earth Is the Lord’s (Psalm 24:1): A Pentecostal Perspective on the Doctrine of Creation.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, October 20, 2023, 1219–31. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234105.
Archer, Kenneth J. A Pentecostal Hermeneutic: Spirit Scripture and Community. Cleveland: CPT Press, 2009.
Archer, Kenneth J, and L William Oliverio. Constructive Pneumatological Hermeneutics in Pentecostal Christianity. Springer, 2016.
Asamoah-Gyadu, Kwabena J. “The Church in the African State: The Pentecostal/Charismatic Experience in Ghana.” Journal of African Christian Thought 1, no. 2 (1998): 51–57.
Baum, A. D. “The Semitic Background of the Gospels and the Proto-Gospel Hypothesis: Considerations in Connection to Guido Baltes.” Theologische Beitrage 44, no. 6 (December 2013): 306–23.
Dayton, Donald W. “Theological Roots of Pentecostalism.” Pneuma 2, no. 1 (1980): 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1163/157007480X00017.
Engelbrecht, Johan. “Challenging the Two-Source Hypothesis: How Successful Are the Commentaries?” Neotestamentica 30, no. 1 (1996): 89–101.
Etukumana, Godwin A. “How Does One Interpret the Synoptic Gospels’ Warning Passages While Affirming the Irrevocable Nature of Salvation?” HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 74, no. 3 (2018).
Goodacre, Mark. The Synoptic Problem: A Way through the Maze. Vol. 80. A&C Black, 2004.
Graham, Stephen. “Thus, Saith the Lord: Biblical Hermeneutics in the Early Pentecostal Movement.” Ex Auditu 12 (1996): 121–35.
Grünstäudl, Wolfgang. “Luke’s Doublets and the Synoptic Problem.” New Testament Studies 68, no. 1 (2022): 13–25.
Klein, Michele. “Picturing Jewish Genealogy: Using Nineteenth-Century Portrait Albums as a Genealogical Source.” Genealogy 7, no. 4 (2023): 87.
Land, Steven Jack. Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom. Cleveland: CPT Press, 2010.
Lee, Dorothy A. “Symbolism and ‘Signs’ in the Fourth Gospel.” In The Oxford Handbook of Johannine Studies, Oxford Handbooks , edited by Judith M. Lieu and Martinus C. de Boer, 259–73. Oxford Academic, 2018.
Nel, Marius. “Attempting to Define a Pentecostal Hermeneutics.” Scriptura: Journal for Contextual Hermeneutics in Southern Africa 114, no. 1 (2015): 1–21.
Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. 2nd ed. Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Paynter, Stephen E. “How the Synoptic Gospels Were Written An Evangelical Introduction to The Synoptic Problem, and to Source, Form, and Redaction Criticism,” 2015.
Pfister, Lauren. “A History of Chinese Christian Hymnody: From Its Missionary Origins to Contemporary Indigenous Productions.” International Bulletin of Mission Research 34, no. 4 (2010): 240.
Porter, Stanley E, and Bryan R Dyer. The Synoptic Problem: Four Views. Baker Academic, 2016.
Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. Baker Books, 2009.
Richie, Tony. Speaking by the Spirit: A Pentecostal Model for Interreligious Dialogue. Emeth Press, 2011.
Robertson, Palmer, O. The Final Word: A Biblical Response to the Case for Tongues and Prophecy. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1997.
Roy, Martin Lee. Introduction to Pentecostal Hermeneutics. Leiden: Brill, 2013.
Schokel, Alonso L. A Manual of Hermeneutics. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998. https://archive.org/details/manualofhermeneu0000alon.
Seymour, William J. “Father of Modern Day Pentecostalism.” In the Tradition, 1976.
Sim, David C. “The Synoptic Gospels.” The Expository Times 119, no. 7 (2008): 313–19.
Stein, Robert H. Studying the Synoptic Gospels: Origin and Interpretation. Baker Academic, 2001.
———. The Synoptic Problem: An Introduction. Baker Book House, 1988.
Stewart, Adam. “Quenching the Spirit: The Transformation of Religious Identity and Experience in Three Canadian Pentecostal Churches,” 2012.
Williams, Clayton J. The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Job. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2017.
Worsfold, W. Luke. “Subsequence, Prophecy and Church Order in the Apostolic Church, New Zealand.” Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, 2004.
Yong, A. “The Holy Spirit and the Justice Imperative: Toward a Pentecostal Theory of Social Transformation.” PentecoStudies 1, no. 7 (2008): 89–106.
Yong, Amos. The Spirit of Creation: Modern Science and Divine Action in the Pentecostal- Charismatic Imagination. Vol. 4. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2011.
Kwasi Atta Agyapong is a PhD candidate at the Philippines Christian University. He serves as a reviewer for academic works submitted to various peer-reviewed journals. Beyond academia, he is an ordained minister of the Church of Pentecost, currently the District Minister for Acherensua in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. His scholarly interests span several fields, including: Biblical Studies, Missions, Mythological Studies, Pentecostal Studies. He combines his academic pursuits with his spiritual calling, making meaningful contributions both within and beyond the scholarly community.
Agyapong, Kwasi Atta. “Decoding the Enigmatic Synoptic Problem: An In-Depth Academic Analysis of Pentecostal Hermeneutics Applied to the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38,” Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology 7, no.1 (2025):1-15. https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025711
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).









