The Gospel Overview (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, terms, and concepts from the lecture notes on the four Gospels, their authors, and the historical world of early Christianity.

Gospel

The good news; the four gospel accounts about Jesus in the New Testament, originally written in Greek.

Four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four New Testament accounts describing Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, each with its own emphasis.

New Testament

The second part of the Christian Bible, primarily written in Greek, detailing Jesus’ life and the early Christian Church.

Gospel of Matthew

Written by Matthew, a disciple and former tax collector; aimed at Jews; emphasizes Jesus as the Promised King and Savior and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Gospel of Mark

Written by John Mark, a companion of Peter; the shortest Gospel; aimed at Romans; presents Jesus as a powerful, dynamic Savior; narrator as a storyteller.

Gospel of Luke

Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul; not a disciple; aimed at Greeks; presents Jesus as the Man and the Perfect Savior with a salvation-focused mission.

Gospel of John

Written by John, the Apostle; aimed at all who believe; depicts Jesus as God and Personal Savior; written with a theologian’s focus on Jesus’ teaching.

Publican

A tax collector; Matthew’s former occupation before following Jesus.

Apostle

One of the early followers commissioned to spread Jesus’ teachings; Peter, James, John, etc.; John is described as an Apostle of Love.

Hellenistic culture

Greek culture that spread widely and used Greek as a common language, shaping the New Testament’s original language.

Caesar Augustus decree

Luke 2:1: a decree that all the world should be registered, facilitating the historical setting of Jesus’ birth.

Tiberius

Roman emperor during Jesus’ ministry and death; a key historical frame for Gospel events (referenced by historians and Luke).

Pharisees

Jewish group known for strict law-keeping and oral tradition.

Sadducees

Jewish group associated with the temple and priestly leadership.

Scribes

Interpreters of the Law and Scripture within Judaism.

Essenes

Puritan Jewish sect known for living in secluded communities away from the Temple.

Sanhedrin

The ruling Jewish council that governed religious matters.

Herod’s temple

The Jerusalem temple rebuilt in Herod’s era; central worship site in Jewish life.

Pilgrims

People who traveled to Jerusalem to attend religious festivals.

The Roman power

Influence of Roman authority that helped spread the gospel across the empire.

The Greek culture

Hellenistic influence and the Greek language that served as the NT’s common tongue.

Judaism in NT times

The religion of the Jews, including groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Essenes; Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Tacitus

Roman historian (AD 55–120) who confirms several Gospel details, linking Jesus to the era of Tiberius and Pilate.

Pliny the Younger

Roman governor whose letters attest large Christian communities and that Christians worship Christ as God.

Josephus

Jewish historian who confirms Jesus as Christ and mentions Jesus’ brother James; important first-century Palestine source.

Epistles

Letters in the New Testament; Pliny’s correspondence references epistles in discussing Christian practice.

Gospel

The good news; the four gospel accounts about Jesus in the New Testament, originally written in Greek.

Four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four New Testament accounts describing Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, each with its own emphasis.

New Testament

The second part of the Christian Bible, primarily written in Greek, detailing Jesus’ life and the early Christian Church.

Gospel of Matthew

Written by Matthew, a disciple and former tax collector; aimed at Jews; emphasizes Jesus as the Promised King and Savior and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Gospel of Mark

Written by John Mark, a companion of Peter; the shortest Gospel; aimed at Romans; presents Jesus as a powerful, dynamic Savior; narrator as a storyteller.

Gospel of Luke

Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul; not a disciple; aimed at Greeks; presents Jesus as the Man and the Perfect Savior with a salvation-focused mission.

Gospel of John

Written by John, the Apostle; aimed at all who believe; depicts Jesus as God and Personal Savior; written with a theologian’s focus on Jesus’ teaching.

Publican

A tax collector; Matthew’s former occupation before following Jesus.

Apostle

One of the early followers commissioned to spread Jesus’ teachings; Peter, James, John, etc.; John is described as an Apostle of Love.

Hellenistic culture

Greek culture that spread widely and used Greek as a common language, shaping the New Testament’s original language.

Caesar Augustus decree

Luke 2:1: a decree that all the world should be registered, facilitating the historical setting of Jesus’ birth.

Tiberius

Roman emperor during Jesus’ ministry and death; a key historical frame for Gospel events (referenced by historians and Luke).

Pharisees

Jewish group known for strict law-keeping and oral tradition.

Sadducees

Jewish group associated with the temple and priestly leadership.

Scribes

Interpreters of the Law and Scripture within Judaism.

Essenes

Puritan Jewish sect known for living in secluded communities away from the Temple.

Sanhedrin

The ruling Jewish council that governed religious matters.

Herod’s temple

The Jerusalem temple rebuilt in Herod’s era; central worship site in Jewish life.

Pilgrims

People who traveled to Jerusalem to attend religious festivals.

The Roman power

Influence of Roman authority that helped spread the gospel across the empire.

The Greek culture

Hellenistic influence and the Greek language that served as the NT’s common tongue.

Judaism in NT times

The religion of the Jews, including groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Essenes; Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Tacitus

Roman historian (AD 55–120) who confirms several Gospel details, linking Jesus to the era of Tiberius and Pilate.

Pliny the Younger

Roman governor whose letters attest large Christian communities and that Christians worship Christ as God.

Josephus

Jewish historian who confirms Jesus as Christ and mentions Jesus’ brother James; important first-century Palestine source.

Epistles

Letters in the New Testament; Pliny’s correspondence references epistles in discussing Christian practice.

Old Testament

The official book of Jewish Scriptures, including the Law, Prophets, and Writings, which form the basis for much of the New Testament's prophecies.

Koine Greek

A common Greek dialect used during the Hellenistic period, in which the New Testament was originally written.

Torah

The Jewish religious law, particularly the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch), revered by groups like the Pharisees.

Bethlehem

The city where Jesus was born, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Galilee

The region where a significant part of Jesus' ministry took place, including his hometown Nazareth.

Pontius Pilate

The Roman governor of Judea who presided over Jesus' trial and ordered his crucifixion.

Jesus' Teachings

The teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on moral and spiritual principles for his followers.

Gospel

The good news; the four gospel accounts about Jesus in the New Testament, originally written in Greek.

Four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four New Testament accounts describing Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, each with its own emphasis.

New Testament

The second part of the Christian Bible, primarily written in Greek, detailing Jesus’ life and the early Christian Church.

Gospel of Matthew

Written by Matthew, a disciple and former tax collector; aimed at Jews; emphasizes Jesus as the Promised King and Savior and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Gospel of Mark

Written by John Mark, a companion of Peter; the shortest Gospel; aimed at Romans; presents Jesus as a powerful, dynamic Savior; narrator as a storyteller.

Gospel of Luke

Written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul; not a disciple; aimed at Greeks; presents Jesus as the Man and the Perfect Savior with a salvation-focused mission.

Gospel of John

Written by John, the Apostle; aimed at all who believe; depicts Jesus as God and Personal Savior; written with a theologian’s focus on Jesus’ teaching.

Publican

A tax collector; Matthew’s former occupation before following Jesus.

Apostle

One of the early followers commissioned to spread Jesus’ teachings; Peter, James, John, etc.; John is described as an Apostle of Love.

Hellenistic culture

Greek culture that spread widely and used Greek as a common language, shaping the New Testament’s original language.

Caesar Augustus decree

Luke 2:1: a decree that all the world should be registered, facilitating the historical setting of Jesus’ birth.

Tiberius

Roman emperor during Jesus’ ministry and death; a key historical frame for Gospel events (referenced by historians and Luke).

Pharisees

Jewish group known for strict law-keeping and oral tradition.

Sadducees

Jewish group associated with the temple and priestly leadership.

Scribes

Interpreters of the Law and Scripture within Judaism.

Essenes

Puritan Jewish sect known for living in secluded communities away from the Temple.

Sanhedrin

The ruling Jewish council that governed religious matters.

Herod’s temple

The Jerusalem temple rebuilt in Herod’s era; central worship site in Jewish life.

Pilgrims

People who traveled to Jerusalem to attend religious festivals.

The Roman power

Influence of Roman authority that helped spread the gospel across the empire.

The Greek culture

Hellenistic influence and the Greek language that served as the NT’s common tongue.

Judaism in NT times

The religion of the Jews, including groups like Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, and Essenes; Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Tacitus

Roman historian (AD 55–120) who confirms several Gospel details, linking Jesus to the era of Tiberius and Pilate.

Pliny the Younger

Roman governor whose letters attest large Christian communities and that Christians worship Christ as God.

Josephus

Jewish historian who confirms Jesus as Christ and mentions Jesus’ brother James; important first-century Palestine source.

Epistles

Letters in the New Testament; Pliny’s correspondence references epistles in discussing Christian practice.

Old Testament

The official book of Jewish Scriptures, including the Law, Prophets, and Writings, which form the basis for much of the New Testament's prophecies.

Koine Greek

A common Greek dialect used during the Hellenistic period, in which the New Testament was originally written.

Torah

The Jewish religious law, particularly the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch), revered by groups like the Pharisees.

Bethlehem

The city where Jesus was born, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Galilee

The region where a significant part of Jesus' ministry took place, including his hometown Nazareth.

Pontius Pilate

The Roman governor of Judea who presided over Jesus' trial and ordered his crucifixion.

Jesus' Teachings

The teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on moral and spiritual principles for his followers.

Synoptic Gospels

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share significant similarities in content, order, and wording, allowing them to be viewed together.

Acts of the Apostles

A book in the New Testament written by Luke, detailing the early history of the Christian Church and the spread of the Gospel after Jesus' ascension.

Parables of Jesus

Short, illustrative stories used by Jesus to convey moral or spiritual lessons, often drawn from everyday life (e.g., the Parable of the Sower, the Prodigal Son).

Gentiles

Non-Jewish people; a key group to whom the Gospel message was extended, particularly emphasized in Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts.

Septuagint

The Greek translation of the Old Testament, widely used by Jews in the Hellenistic world at the time of Jesus and the early Church, and often quoted in the New Testament.