THE FOUR GOSPELS
The life and teachings of Jesus Christ from four perspectives.
Gospel Why four Gospels?
From euangelion (Greek), which means good news. • Different original audiences and different purposes.
This refers to Jesus’ message, the good news of the • Four perspectives for a fuller picture.
Kingdom of God. • Repetition for emphasis.
MATTHEW LUKE
Author: tax collector called to become an apostle. Author: the beloved physician and companion of
Original audience: Jewish readers. Paul.
Emphasis: on the fact that Jesus is Original audience: Theophilus and gentile readers.
the Messiah prophesied in the Emphasis: on Jesus’ humanity and His kindness to
Old Testament. the weak, suffering and outcasts.
Interesting fact: Matthew Interesting fact: Luke alone tells of Jesus’
alone uses the term kingdom experience at the temple at age 12.
of heaven (equivalent to
Kingdom of God).
Some things covered
in all four Gospels:
• Ministry of John the Baptist.
• Feeding of the 5,000.
• Betrayal by Judas.
• Denial by Peter.
• Trial and crucifixion of Christ.
• Resurrection of Christ.
• Promise of His second coming.
MARK JOHN
Author: Author: fisherman called to become an apostle.
served with Original audience: gentile Christians at the end
Paul, Barnabas of the first century.
and Peter.
Emphasis: on the last days
Emphasis: on and hours of Christ’s life so
Jesus’ mighty and “that you may believe that
miraculous works that prove He is the Messiah. Jesus is the Christ” (John
Interesting fact: “Only four paragraphs . . . are 20:31).
unique to Mark” (Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Interesting fact: John alone
Bible, p. 499). gives Jesus’ great “I am”
statements and describes Jesus’
washing of the apostles’ feet on Passover.
For further study, see our LifeHopeandTruth.com article “Gospels” and related articles.
