The authors of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each wrote their accounts from occurrences that took place in first-century Palestine. Although each gospel was written to a different audience and at different times, in each account, the subject is Jesus. Jesus’ life, ministry, and teachings were within the same century that the gospel writers wrote their accounts. Although little is known about first-century Palestine, there is enough documented history to see how the era and region affected the writings of the synoptic gospels. Palestine, known today as Israel, had a clearly defined culture and incredibly limited resources. It is mesmerizing to see how these few resources are represented so richly in each of the gospels.
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Additionally, the shepherds were the first to see the newborn Christ. It is not likely that shepherds would be the recipient of such news and witness in America today, as there are not many shepherds hanging around in the midnight field. Yet, in first-century Palestine, shepherds would have been seen commonly, even through the dark hours of the night. And according to John Cabrido in “A Portrayal of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew : A Narrative-Critical and Theological Study,” shepherds were equated with being in the same social classes as “robbers and trouble makers” (438). This depiction shows how God used a common, even lowly, class of people to accomplish big things, and was symbolic of how he could also use the average person of Palestine. More importantly, Jesus referred to himself using same lowly status to represent his role here on Earth, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (New American Standard Bible John 10.11). Because shepherds were something that the people of this time period could relate to, their references are used throughout the gospels. People of that day would have understood the shepherds duties, their place in society, and their significance to daily life. And the allusions that the gospel writers and Jesus used were done so appropriately and effectively for their time period. However, the references are much less relevant for today’s reader without understanding the context in which they were
Additionally, the shepherds were the first to see the newborn Christ. It is not likely that shepherds would be the recipient of such news and witness in America today, as there are not many shepherds hanging around in the midnight field. Yet, in first-century Palestine, shepherds would have been seen commonly, even through the dark hours of the night. And according to John Cabrido in “A Portrayal of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew : A Narrative-Critical and Theological Study,” shepherds were equated with being in the same social classes as “robbers and trouble makers” (438). This depiction shows how God used a common, even lowly, class of people to accomplish big things, and was symbolic of how he could also use the average person of Palestine. More importantly, Jesus referred to himself using same lowly status to represent his role here on Earth, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (New American Standard Bible John 10.11). Because shepherds were something that the people of this time period could relate to, their references are used throughout the gospels. People of that day would have understood the shepherds duties, their place in society, and their significance to daily life. And the allusions that the gospel writers and Jesus used were done so appropriately and effectively for their time period. However, the references are much less relevant for today’s reader without understanding the context in which they were