Comprehensive Study Guide: The Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

Background and Profile of Matthew the Apostle

• Identity of the Writer:     - Traditionally recognized as Matthew, also known by the name Levi.     - He was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus.     - Former Occupation: Prior to following Jesus, he served as a tax collector. This profession made him significantly unpopular with the Jewish population of that era.

• Primary Audience: Matthew wrote his account specifically for Jewish Christians.

• Central Objective: To demonstrate and prove that Jesus is the promised King (Messiah) who fulfills the ancient prophecies found within the Old Testament. His narrative frequently connects Jesus’s life events and teachings to these specific prophetic requirements.

• Traditional Symbol: The Man or the Angel.     - Symbology Meaning: This is often linked to the opening of his Gospel, which details the human family tree (genealogy) of Jesus.

Background and Profile of Mark (John Mark)

• Identity of the Writer:     - Traditionally attributed to John Mark.     - He was not one of the original twelve disciples.     - He served as a close companion and an interpreter for the Apostle Peter.

• Primary Audience: Primarily written for Roman Christians (Gentiles) who were enduring periods of persecution.

• Central Objective: To portray Jesus as the powerful, hard-working Servant of God.

• Distinctive Stylistic Features:     - It is the shortest of the four Gospels.     - The narrative is fast-paced, frequently utilizing the word "immediately."     - The text prioritizes Jesus's actions and miracles over long discourses or speeches.

• Traditional Symbol: The Lion.     - Symbology Meaning: Represents royalty, power, and action, which aligns with Mark’s emphasis on the authority of Jesus.

Background and Profile of Luke the Physician

• Identity of the Writer:     - Traditionally believed to be Luke, a Gentile (non-Jewish) doctor.     - He was a traveling companion to the Apostle Paul.     - Notably, he is the only Gentile writer in the New Testament.

• Primary Audience:     - Explicitly addressed to a person named Theophilus.     - Intended for a wider Gentile (non-Jewish) audience.

• Central Objective: To present Jesus as the universal Savior for all of humanity, specificially highlighting those who were poor, ignored, or sick.

• Key Themes: Emphasizes compassion, the practice of prayer, and the significant role of women in Jesus's ministry.

• Traditional Symbol: The Ox or the Bull.     - Symbology Meaning: As a sacrificial animal, it represents Luke's focus on Jesus's ministry to the weak and his ultimate sacrifice.

Background and Profile of John the Apostle

• Identity of the Writer:     - Traditionally identified as John, one of the original twelve disciples.     - Frequently referred to throughout the text as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."

• Primary Audience: Written for all believers worldwide with the intent to deepen their faith.

• Central Objective: To prove that Jesus is the fully Divine Son of God (fully God).

• Key Theological Focus:     - Focuses on belief, the concept of eternal life, and the specific identity of Jesus.     - Features the influential "I Am" statements.

• Traditional Symbol: The Eagle.     - Symbology Meaning: The eagle, which flies at high altitudes, represents the high, spiritual, and divine perspective of Jesus presented in this specific Gospel.

Review Questions and Content Specifics: Matthew

• Question 1: What was Matthew’s job before he followed Jesus?     - Answer: Tax collector (also known as Levi).

• Question 2: Which other name is Matthew also known by?     - Answer: Levi.

• Question 3: Who was Matthew’s main audience?     - Answer: Jewish Christians.

• Question 4: What is the main purpose of Matthew’s Gospel?     - Answer: To prove Jesus is the King (Messiah).

• Question 5: Matthew often calls Jesus the promised King, or the Messiah.

• Question 6: Matthew tries to show that Jesus fulfilled promises made in the Old Testament.

• Question 7: What is the symbol traditionally linked to Matthew?     - Answer: The Man or Angel.

• Question 8: Matthew is one of the three Gospels called the Synoptic Gospels.

• Question 9: Matthew begins his Gospel by tracing Jesus’s family tree back to which important figure?     - Answer: Abraham.

• Question 10: What famous teaching of Jesus is found in chapters $5-7$ of Matthew?     - Answer: The Sermon on the Mount.

• Question 11: What is the name given to the nine statements of blessing Jesus teaches at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount?     - Answer: The Beatitudes.

• Question 12: Where did Matthew say Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount?     - Answer: A mountain.

• Question 13: Which special visitors came to see Jesus when he was a baby, according to Matthew?     - Answer: Wise men (Magi).

• Question 14: What command does Matthew record Jesus giving to his followers at the very end of the Gospel?     - Answer: The Great Commission (command to share the Gospel).

• Question 15: Matthew records more of Jesus’s discourses (long talks or speeches) than Mark does.

• Question 16: In Matthew, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven. What does this mean?     - Answer: References spiritual reign and the fulfillment of God's promises.

• Question 17: True or False: Matthew records the birth of Jesus.     - Answer: True.

• Question 18: Which writer often quotes from the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the Messiah?     - Answer: Matthew.

• Question 19: Which Gospel tells the story of Judas Iscariot hanging himself?     - Answer: Matthew.

• Question 20: In Matthew, Jesus gives a special warning about judging others. What is it?     - Answer: Do not judge others.

• Question 21: What did Matthew do immediately after Jesus called him to follow?     - Answer: He left everything and followed Jesus.

• Question 22: The name 'Immanuel' means "God is with us." In which Gospel is this name emphasized?     - Answer: Matthew.

• Question 23: What are the short stories used by Jesus to teach spiritual lessons called?     - Answer: Parables.

• Question 24: Which Gospel includes the story of Peter walking on water?     - Answer: Matthew.

• Question 25: What important religious group does Matthew show Jesus often arguing with?     - Answer: Pharisees (religious leaders).

Review Questions and Content Specifics: Mark

• Question 1: What is the name of the author of the second Gospel?     - Answer: John Mark.

• Question 2: Who was Mark's main audience?     - Answer: Roman Christians (Gentiles).

• Question 3: What is the main idea or theme of Mark’s Gospel?     - Answer: Jesus as the active Servant of God.

• Question 4: What is the symbol traditionally linked to Mark?     - Answer: The Lion.

• Question 5: What animal is the symbol of Mark?     - Answer: Lion.

• Question 6: Mark was a close companion of which major Apostle?     - Answer: Apostle Peter.

• Question 7: Mark’s Gospel is known for being the shortest of the four Gospels.

• Question 8: Which word does Mark use very often that shows his Gospel moves quickly?     - Answer: Immediately.

• Question 9: In Mark, Jesus is often shown doing many powerful acts called miracles.

• Question 10: Mark emphasizes Jesus as the powerful Servant, not just a teacher.

• Question 11: Mark’s Gospel contains fewer long discourses (speeches) than the other Gospels.

• Question 12: What famous event does Mark's Gospel start with?     - Answer: Jesus's baptism (no birth narrative).

• Question 13: Mark’s Gospel shows Jesus commanding people not to tell others about his identity. What is this famous term called?     - Answer: Messianic Secret.

• Question 14: True or False: Mark includes a detailed story of Jesus's birth.     - Answer: False.

• Question 15: Which apostle is Mark believed to have gotten many of his stories from?     - Answer: Peter.

• Question 16: How does the book of Mark often portray the disciples (Jesus's followers)?     - Answer: Often confused or slow to understand.

• Question 17: What is the name of the criminal released by the crowd instead of Jesus in Mark?     - Answer: Barabbas.

• Question 18: Mark’s Gospel was likely written during a time when Roman Christians were facing what challenge?     - Answer: Persecution.

• Question 19: The symbol of a Lion suggests that Jesus is a figure of power and what else?     - Answer: Authority.

• Question 20: In Mark, Jesus teaches that he "came not to be served, but to serve."

• Question 21: What happens in the very last chapter of Mark (Chapter $16$)?     - Answer: Jesus's Resurrection appearances.

• Question 22: Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels. Why is it so short?     - Answer: It focuses on actions and miracles rather than long speeches.

• Question 23: When Jesus heals people in Mark, he often commands them to keep his identity secret. Why?     - Answer: Messianic Secret (to control the timing/nature of his revelation).

• Question 24: Who was Mark’s cousin who later helped him travel?     - Answer: Barnabas.

• Question 25: In Mark, what does Jesus do immediately after his baptism?     - Answer: He is led into the wilderness.

Review Questions and Content Specifics: Luke

• Question 1: What was Luke’s job or profession?     - Answer: Doctor.

• Question 2: Who was Luke's main audience?     - Answer: Theophilus and non-Jewish people (Gentiles).

• Question 3: What is the main idea or theme of Luke’s Gospel?     - Answer: Jesus as the universal Savior.

• Question 4: What is the symbol traditionally linked to Luke?     - Answer: The Ox or Bull.

• Question 5: Luke is the only Gospel writer who was a Gentile (not Jewish).

• Question 6: Luke wrote his Gospel as an orderly and historical account to a person named Theophilus.

• Question 7: Luke traces Jesus’s family tree back to which earliest human figure?     - Answer: Adam.

• Question 8: Which Gospel includes many famous stories (parables) that are not in the others?     - Answer: Luke.

• Question 9: What is the name of the famous story in Luke about a lost son who returns home?     - Answer: The Prodigal Son.

• Question 10: What is the name of the famous story in Luke about a man helping an injured stranger?     - Answer: The Good Samaritan.

• Question 11: True or False: Luke often includes stories about women, prayer, and the poor.     - Answer: True.

• Question 12: Which Gospel gives the most detailed account of Jesus's birth told from the perspective of Mary?     - Answer: Luke.

• Question 13: Which symbol is associated with Luke, representing his focus on sacrifice and service?     - Answer: The Ox/Bull.

• Question 14: What other book in the New Testament did Luke also write?     - Answer: The Book of Acts.

• Question 15: What important Jewish holiday is Jesus celebrating with his disciples at the Last Supper in Luke?     - Answer: Passover.

• Question 16: When Jesus heals people, Luke emphasizes Jesus's great feeling of compassion.

• Question 17: Which tax collector does Jesus visit, leading to that man giving half his wealth to the poor?     - Answer: Zacchaeus.

• Question 18: Luke emphasizes that Jesus is a Savior for all people, including the poor and ignored.

• Question 19: What is the name of the famous hymn or prayer Mary sings when she is pregnant?     - Answer: The Magnificat.

• Question 20: In Luke, where does Jesus first announce his ministry by reading from the prophet Isaiah?     - Answer: A synagogue in Nazareth.

• Question 21: Luke often shows Jesus praying. What does this emphasize about Jesus?     - Answer: His reliance on God.

• Question 22: Which Gospel has the famous story about two disciples walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection?     - Answer: Luke.

• Question 23: Luke's Gospel is considered one of the two longest books in the New Testament (along with the Book of Acts). True or False?     - Answer: True.

• Question 24: What are the short lessons about life that Jesus used to teach called?     - Answer: Parables.

• Question 25: What Jewish religious group is often criticized by Jesus in Luke for their pride and judgment?     - Answer: Pharisees.

Review Questions and Content Specifics: John

• Question 1: What is the name of the author of the fourth Gospel?     - Answer: John.

• Question 2: What was John’s job before he became Jesus’s disciple?     - Answer: Fisherman.

• Question 3: What is the main purpose or theme of John’s Gospel?     - Answer: To prove Jesus is the fully Divine Son of God.

• Question 4: What is the symbol traditionally linked to John?     - Answer: The Eagle.

• Question 5: The symbol of an Eagle suggests a focus on what kind of view of Jesus?     - Answer: High, spiritual, and divine view.

• Question 6: John refers to Jesus as "The Word" at the very beginning of his Gospel.

• Question 7: What are the key identity statements Jesus makes in John that begin with "I Am" called?     - Answer: "I Am" statements.

• Question 8: Name one of the "I Am" statements Jesus makes in John.     - Answer: "I Am the Bread of Life" (or any of the $7$ statements).

• Question 9: True or False: John is considered one of the Synoptic Gospels.     - Answer: False.

• Question 10: John focuses on belief and having eternal life.

• Question 11: Which Gospel records the miracle of turning water into wine?     - Answer: John.

• Question 12: Which Gospel records the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead?     - Answer: John.

• Question 13: How many of the original $12$ disciples are named John?     - Answer: One.

• Question 14: The Book of John includes long discussions or talks, often called discourses.

• Question 15: John refers to himself in the Gospel using a specific phrase instead of his name. What is this phrase?     - Answer: The disciple whom Jesus loved.

• Question 16: John’s Gospel emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God (meaning fully God).

• Question 17: What important new birth ritual did Jesus discuss with Nicodemus in John $3$?     - Answer: Being born again.

• Question 18: In John, what does Jesus wash for his disciples at the Last Supper?     - Answer: Their feet.

• Question 19: John’s Gospel starts with a famous line: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

• Question 20: What is the main evidence John uses to prove that Jesus is the Son of God?     - Answer: Signs (miracles).

• Question 21: Which disciple was known for doubting Jesus’s resurrection until he saw and touched Jesus?     - Answer: Thomas.

• Question 22: The miracles in John’s Gospel are often called what?     - Answer: Signs.

• Question 23: In John, what does Jesus call the Holy Spirit, who will come to help the disciples after he leaves?     - Answer: The Helper (or Advocate).

• Question 24: What did Jesus say he was before Abraham?     - Answer: "I am."

• Question 25: Which Gospel focuses the most on events that took place in Jerusalem and Judea?     - Answer: John.