Unit 6 - The Coming of Jesus - Gospel/Kingdom/Covenant (PART 1) THE FOUR BILBLICAL GOSPELS

A set of vocabulary flashcards focusing on the authors of the Gospels and their significance in the New Testament.

Who was Luke?

Luke was a Gentile (non-Jewish) Roman physician and meticulous historian. He is uniquely the only non-Jewish author in the New Testament, responsible for writing a two-volume historical work: the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

Who was John?

John was a Jewish disciple and Apostle, distinguished as part of Jesus' inner core (with Peter and James). He is often called "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and authored five New Testament books (Gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation), known for their profound theological insight.

What does 'gospel' mean?

The term Gospel is derived from the Greek word euangelion, which literally means Good News. in the New Testament, it specifically refers to the foundational message concerning the life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why did God provide four distinct Gospels?

The four Gospels were provided to grant a multifaceted, complete, and unique portrait of Jesus Christ from varied perspectives, thereby ensuring verification through multiple witnesses, lending credibility, and enriching the material for devoted study.

Who was Matthew?

Recognized as a Jewish tax collector (or publican) before his call, Matthew became one of the twelve original disciples. He wrote the longest Gospel, which places strong emphasis on demonstrating that Jesus is the prophesied King and Jewish Messiah, fulfilling the Old Testament.

Who was Mark (John Mark)?

Mark was a Jewish man and the cousin of Barnabas (an apostolic leader). Although not one of the Twelve, he was a pivotal ministry assistant, traveling extensively with Peter, whose sermons heavily influenced his writing. He is known for an early episode where he deserted ministry (Acts 13:13).

What structural combination makes the four Gospels unique among ancient biographies?

The Gospels uniquely and cohesively combine detailed historical accounts, eyewitness testimony, profound personal details about Jesus' character, and extensive fulfillment of Old Testament prophetic Scripture in a single narrative.

What stylistic features characterize Luke's writing?

Luke's Gospel is characterized by its exceptionally detailed, polished, and extensive vocabulary, often attributed to his high education as a physician and his commitment to presenting an orderly and historically rigorous account.

How does John's intimate relationship with Jesus (as a member of the inner circle) influence his Gospel?

John's relationship grants his Gospel a highly theological, intimate, and distinctive focus, concentrating more on Jesus' profound teachings, dialogues, and crucial 'I am' statements, rather than the chronological narrative found in the Synoptics.

What highly consequential profession did Matthew abandon to become a follower of Jesus?

Matthew left his former life as a tax collector (or publican), a lucrative but socially ostracized profession in Jerusalem, to become a dedicated disciple of Jesus.

What is the essential significance of the Gospel accounts being rooted in eyewitness testimony?

Eyewitness testimony (either directly from the authors or indirectly through close association with apostles like Mark and Peter) provides powerful credibility, authenticity, and historical reliability to the accounts of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection.

What significant role did Mark's family play in the history of the early church?

Mark's mother, Mary, housed a large gathering space in Jerusalem that served as a central and crucial location for the fledgling church, where early believers often met for prayer.

What primary role did the Apostle Peter play concerning the content of Mark's Gospel?

Peter served as Mark's primary source and key influential figure. Mark is largely considered to be Peter's written record of his own sermons and testimony concerning the life of Jesus.

What key realization can be made regarding the diversity of the Gospel writers' professional backgrounds?

The great range of their former lives (e.g., physician, tax collector, fisherman, missionary companion) reveals that the story of Jesus is verifiable across different social classes and provides varied, authentic perspectives.

Why are the four Gospels foundational and critically important for Christian believers?

The Gospels constitute the foundational source of historical and theological truth, detailing the deity of Jesus Christ, His life, His miracles, and the critical saving implications of His death and resurrection.

Which three Gospels are categorized as the Synoptic Gospels?

The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are called "synoptic" because they view the life of Christ with a similar perspective and outline (Greek: synopsis means "a general view").

What is the primary focus and target audience of Matthew's Gospel?

Matthew primarily aimed his Gospel at a Jewish audience, demonstrating that Jesus is the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law and prophecy, frequently using the phrase "this was done to fulfill…"

What is the primary focus and target audience of Mark's Gospel?

Mark's Gospel is action-oriented and primarily targeted at a Roman (Gentile) audience, emphasizing Jesus' power and service—presenting Him as God's mighty servant who is constantly acting on behalf of others.

What is the primary focus and target audience of Luke's Gospel?

Luke addressed a wider Gentile audience, emphasizing the universal scope of Jesus' mission, presenting Him as the perfect Son of Man whose salvation is available to all social strata and races.

What is the key focus that sets the Gospel of John apart from the Synoptics?

John focuses highly on the deity of Christ, providing deep theological discourses and emphasizing Jesus' identity over His chronological actions. About 90\% of John's material is unique and not contained in the Synoptics.

What key phrase does Matthew use to refer to the Kingdom of God?

Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, often uses the term Kingdom of Heaven instead of Kingdom of God, possibly out of reverence for the divine name (YHWH).

To whom did Luke dedicate his historical accounts (both the Gospel and Acts)?

Luke dedicated his writings to a figure named Theophilus, likely a high-ranking Roman official, writing specifically to establish the certainty and accuracy of the Christian faith for him.

Why is Mark often referred to as the "Gospel of Action"?

Mark uses the Greek word for eutheos ("immediately" or "at once") over 40 times, creating a sense of rapid movement, urgency, and power in Jesus' ministry.

What unique aspect of Jesus' ministry does Luke especially highlight?

Luke frequently highlights Jesus' profound compassion and interaction with marginalized groups, including women, the poor, Samaritans, and Gentiles, demonstrating the universality of His ministry.

What is the main thesis, or purpose statement, found in John 20:31?

The purpose of John's Gospel is stated as: "These [signs] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

What is the structural difference between Matthew's and Luke's genealogies of Jesus?

Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph back to Abraham and David (emphasizing royalty and covenant), while Luke traces it through Mary/Heli back to Adam (emphasizing Jesus' full humanity and universal kinship).

What theological term, central to Greek philosophy and Judaism, opens John's Gospel?

The term is The Logos (The Word), used in John 1:1, signifying Jesus' pre-existence, deity, and role in creation, bridging philosophical thought with Christological truth.

How is Matthew's Gospel traditionally understood to be structurally organized?

Matthew is often structured around Five Great Discourses (sermons), such as the Sermon on the Mount, interspersed with narrative sections, traditionally seen as mirroring the five books of the Torah.

Why does Matthew place intense emphasis on citing prophecies from the Old Testament?

Matthew cites the Old Testament repeatedly to solidify his central theme: Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises made to Israel and the undeniable, promised Jewish Messiah.

What is meant by the "Synoptic Problem"?

The Synoptic Problem refers to the scholarly puzzle concerning the literary interrelationship between Matthew, Mark, and Luke—specifically, why they share so much similar material (sometimes word-for-word) while also containing unique content.

Who are the three disciples that constituted Jesus' inner circle?

The three disciples in Jesus' inner circle, who witnessed exclusive events like the raising of Jairus' daughter and the Transfiguration, were Peter, James, and John.

What is the meaning of the name 'Immanuel' used by Matthew when referring to Jesus (Matthew 1:23)?

Immanuel, a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, means "God with us," emphasizing the deity of Jesus Christ descending into humanity.

What historical reference is consistently used in Luke's Gospel to accurately date events?

Luke regularly grounds his narrative using references to specific secular Roman and Jewish rulers (e.g., governors, caesars) and contemporary movements, giving his Gospel high marks for historical context and chronological accuracy.

Why is Mark's Gospel highly valued despite being the shortest?

Mark is highly valued because it is widely believed to be the earliest Gospel written and represents the vivid, forceful testimony of the Apostle Peter, thus providing a direct, early perspective.

What key event, unique to Luke, serves as the structural transition from Galilee to Jerusalem?

Luke includes a significant "Travel Narrative" (chapters 9:51\mbox{--}19:27) that details Jesus' focused journey to Jerusalem, where he teaches and prepares for his passion and ultimate sacrifice.

What key event in Jesus' life must all four Gospels relate to be considered canonical?

All four canonical Gospels must and do contain accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the central historical and theological event of the Christian faith and the validation of His claims.

Why does Mark choose to emphasize Jesus' suffering and service so intensely?

Writing primarily to Roman readers, Mark emphasizes Jesus' role as the humble and suffering servant of God (Isaiah 53), contrasting Him with the Romans' expectations of a dominating political leader.

In the Gospel of Luke, who is Mary?

In the Gospel of Luke, Mary refers to the Mother of Jesus, whom Luke details extensively in his infancy narrative, providing historical details from a marginalized cultural perspective (including the Magnificat).

What does the term Apostle mean, as it relates to the Twelve Disciples?

The term Apostle means "one who is sent" or "messenger." It refers to the original Twelve men (like Matthew and John and excluding Luke and Mark) chosen specifically by Jesus to witness His life and resurrection and preach the Gospel with unique authority.

Which Gospel is generally believed by scholars to have been written first?

Mark's Gospel is widely accepted by biblical scholars as the earliest Gospel written, potentially serving as a source for Matthew and Luke, a theory central to solving the Synoptic Problem.