I just noticed that the Greek word Ioudaios (translated as Jew, Jews, Jewish) appears numerous times throughout the gospel of John, but extremely few times in the synoptics.

Here are the statistics:

  • Matthew - Appears 5 times (Matthew 2:2, 27:11, 27:29, 27:37, and 28:15). Four of the five times, the word is in the context of “King of the Jews.”
  • Mark - Appears 6 times (Mark 7:3, 15:2, 15:9, 15:12, 15:18, 15:26). Five of the six times, the word is in the context of “King of the Jews.”
  • Luke - Appears 5 times (Luke 7:3, 23:3, 23:37, 23:38, 23:51). Three of the five times, the word is in the context of “King of the Jews.”
  • John - Appears 70 times (verses too numerous to list; 66 of them). Appears in every chapter except chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, and 21.

Could it be that at the time John was written, the term was in more common use? Or could the intended audience have something to do with it?

The word is also abundant throughout the book of Acts, appearing more than 80 times. Why so frequent in Acts and not Luke, when the two writings are supposed to be by the same author?

From Wikipedia, regarding Luke and Acts:

“The traditional view is that both books were written c. 60, though most scholars, believing the Gospel to be dependent (at least) on Mark’s gospel, view the book(s) as having been written at a later date, sometime between 70 and 100.” (From entry on Acts of the Apostles)

“Most scholars accept the two-source hypothesis, that the text is based in part on the Gospel of Mark and a now lost document, and place the composition of Luke between 80 and 90. A few scholars postulate an earlier date.” (From entry on Gospel of Luke)

From Wikipedia, regarding the gospel of John:

“Most scholars agree on a range of c. 90–100 for when the gospel was written, though dates as early as the 60s or as late as the 140s have been advanced by a small number of scholars.” (From entry on Gospel of John)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke tend to use the words “scribes” and/or”Pharisees” more frequently, instead of “Jews.” Both words provide a more specific identify than does “Jews.” “Scribes and Pharisees” are often seen written together in the gospels. In New Testament times, the scribes were generally part of the Pharisees. Both were extremely knowledgeable of the ancient written law. The scribes would make written copies of the law and also teach it to others. Scribes are sometimes called “lawyers.” Pharisees were noted for self-righteousness and pride, and would supplement the ancient law with their own traditions.

The word “Jew” originally designated someone from the tribe of Judah, but later came to be used more widely of anyone of the whole Hebrew nation.