An Overview of the Gospel Accounts

Matthew

Christ Fulfilling Kingdom Promises

Matthew

Timing and audience: Matthean Priority (i.e., the first Gospel written) and a primarily Jewish audience (AD 42ish)

Matthew

Purpose: Proves Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah

Mark

Christ Suffering for the Sins of Mankind

Mark

Audience: Romans

Mark

With an audience whose main interest was action as opposed to teaching, this book makes few references to teachings and more references to actions

Mark

Purpose: Present the servant of Jehovah who has come to accomplish a mission

Luke

Christ Offering Salvation to All

Luke

Audience: Greeks

Luke

Two areas of interest for the Greeks:      

(1). The concept of the ideal man

(2). Historical accuracy

Luke

Purpose: To “set in order” the events of Christ’s life (i.e., Chronology)

Luke

Concerns: Jerusalem, Gentiles, and Women

John

Christ is God Among Us

John

Purpose: Proving the deity of Jesus of Nazareth for the purpose of evangelism

John

. Uniqueness: The sevens of this Gospel:    

• Seven signs

• Seven discourses

• Seven I am statements

John

The “Word” (logos) as a title/name

John

Greek philosophy

John

Philonic writings

• Philo was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria Egypt and was a contemporary to the Lord Jesus and _______. He employed an allegorical hermeneutic, believing the “word” is more of an emanation of God or idea of God rather than a person

John

The “word of God/word of the LORD” of the OT (davar/memra),

John

Calling Jesus of Nazareth the “word” identifies Him with the God of Israel, as revealed in the OT. As the Word…

• He represents

• He reveals – the Son “exegetes” the Father

• He creates