The Four Biblical Gospels

Who was Luke?

• Ethnicity and Profession

  • Not Jewish

  • Roman doctor

• Characterization

  • Described as a 'master historian'

  • Author of the Book of Acts

  • Noted for an extensive and rich vocabulary

• Eyewitness Status

  • Not an eyewitness of Jesus

• Uniqueness

  • Only New Testament (NT) writer who was non-Jewish

Who was John?

• Ethnicity and Role

  • Jewish

  • Disciple/Apostle

• Close Relationship to Jesus

  • Part of Jesus' inner circle

  • Referred to as 'the one whom Jesus loved'

• Contributions

  • Wrote five books in the New Testament

  • Brother of James (both were disciples)

Why did God give us four Gospels?

1. To give us a more complete picture of Christ

2. To enable us to objectively verify the truthfulness of their accounts

3. To reward those who were diligent seekers

The Four Biblical Gospels

• Definition of Gospel

  • Means 'good news'

• Purpose and Importance

  • The four Gospels in the New Testament include historical and prophetic references and personal details.

  • Together, these details compose a very detailed and accurate picture of Jesus:

  • The Messiah

  • The King

  • The Servant

  • The Son of God

• Authors of the Gospels

  • Matthew

  • Mark

  • Luke

  • John

Who was Matthew?

• Ethnicity and Occupation

  • Jewish man

  • One of the twelve disciples

• Previous Profession

  • Before becoming a disciple, he was a tax collector

  • Tax collectors were despised by Jews

• Contributions

  • Wrote the longest Gospel

  • Left his old life to follow Jesus

Who was Mark?

• Ethnicity and Background

  • Jewish

  • Cousin of an apostle (Peter)

• Relationships and Role

  • Friend of Peter

  • Eyewitness of Jesus

  • His mother started one of the first early churches

  • Assisted Paul and Barnabas in their ministry

  • Known for a history of being a quitter

• Name

  • His full name was John Mark