What are the Gospels?
The Gospel Origin
The Gospels are four eyewitness accounts of the teachings, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Gospel literally means “good news” it was often used by messengers from the battlefield carrying news of victory, or proclamations of the inauguration of a new King.
The story of Jesus is the proclamation of the good news of what God has done through Christ. How he has been victorious on the battlefield over sin and death and has been inaugurated king over a new kingdom that we are invited to join and become citizens of.
In Zondervan Academic, we learn that the term “gospel” tells us how the early church viewed these works. These weren’t dry historical accounts of the life of Christ, but written versions of the greatest news ever shared. The gospels were meant to be proclaimed . . . and believed.
As we learn about the Bible, its teachings, and the good news of the Lord, we read about it from different perspectives. Each gospel was written for a different (original) group of people, by a different author, who was trying to accomplish a different purpose, as shared in Jeffrey Kranz’s “Guide to the Four Gospels”.
The first four books of the New Testament, also known as the Gospels are:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Four Versions, One Story
Mark Strauss’ course on Four Portraits, One Jesus shares a powerful message that the Gospels record the “greatest story ever told”. For anyone interested in knowing more about Jesus, the study of the four biblical Gospels is essential. To study the Gospels is to study the foundation of Christianity in Four Portraits,
In the blog, What Are the Gospels, and Why Are There Four of Them? It is expressed that each evangelist has a story to tell and a subject to emphasize. Each brings out unique aspects of Jesus’ identity.
Let’s see how each gospel introduces Jesus:
Each gospel was written with a specific audience in mind. Matthew speaks to the Jews and the deeply religious. Mark spoke to the Romans, who were leaders during that time. Luke, a Greek, naturally drew the Greeks who loved culture, beauty, and ideas. And John wrote to everyone because he believes that everyone needs to meet God, and through Jesus, He is revealed.
Brittanica adds that these stories were shaped by the purpose for their telling: to inspire belief. Their creedal beginning was expanded with material about the life and teachings of Jesus, which reverence for and a preoccupation with the holy figure of Jesus demanded out of loving curiosity about his earthly ministry and life.
Tim Mackie of BibleProject reminds us that these gospel accounts were designed to be read many times, and eventually memorized. There will be insights about Jesus that you will only pick up after reading the Gospels multiple times and paying attention to the repeated words and themes. You cannot immerse yourself in these four Gospels too much!
The Four Gospels
OverviewBible gives us the lowdown on each one in the simplest way possible.
Matthew’s Gospel
Jesus is King of Jews
emphasis on the teachings of Jesus
Jesus fulfills the words of the law and prophets (basis of the Jewish faith)
Matthew opens with a simple statement of who Jesus is (the Messiah), and closes with a simple statement of what we should do (make disciples for Him). Matthew shows how Jesus fulfills the prophecies, focusing on Jesus’ role as the Messiah. (The promised king descended from David.)
Matthew bridges the gap between the Old Testament and the New.
Mark’s Gospel
Jesus is a suffering servant
shows Jesus’ authority
the whole book is a declaration of Jesus’ work
a source for Matthew and Luke
This shortest gospel emphasizes two important characteristics of Jesus Christ: his authority as the Son of God and compassionate service to people (particularly in miracles).
Mark’s approach is a quick, urgent, bold message about who Jesus is and what He did.
Luke’s Gospel
Jesus is a Savior for all
provides an educational approach, seeks to arrange details of Jesus’ life and ministry in order
written by a non-Jewish person to another non-Jew
Luke tells Jesus’ story in extensive detail, more so than any other Gospel. Luke records miracles, sermons, conversations, and personal feelings - a thorough historian who researched everything. Luke’s attention to detail shows: not only is his the longest of the four gospels, but it’s also the longest book of the New Testament.
Luke recounts the story of Jesus Christ—exactly as it happened.
John’s Gospel
Jesus is God
written to inspire belief
written long after the other gospels
mostly unique content
focus on signs and statements
John is the persuasive Gospel. It’s written to show the miracles of Jesus so that those who read his story will believe in him and have everlasting life. John focuses on the deity of Christ more so than the other four: we see Jesus as the Word of God, the Son of God, and God Himself. Jesus is a great miracle worker, an omniscient teacher, a compassionate provider, and a faithful friend.
John knows Jesus as God, who came down to save the world.
This book was written by a disciple whom Jesus loved.
Key Takeaways
In What are the Gospels? by Mackie, he explains how the gospel is the most serious literature you will ever read, and the best news you could ever hear. Through these stories, Jesus springs to life, inviting us into a thrilling and challenging adventure of following him. He also shares how these teachings have the potential to shape and form us to become like Christ.
These four gospels in the Bible are the most historically accurate, divinely inspired accounts of Jesus Christ.
Jesus and the Gospels conclude that the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have been used to inspire billions of people to believe in Jesus and the salvation he brings.
Each standing the test of time... with a unique story to bring to life what it means to follow Jesus’ life and ministry.