Gospels

Concept

The four Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — are the canonical accounts of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The designation "Gospel according to" is ancient, reflecting that each is an account of the one gospel message narrated from a particular perspective. Mark is generally considered the earliest (c. 50–65 A.D.), while Matthew and Luke likely drew on Mark and a shared sayings source (Q), and John represents an independent tradition (c. 85–95 A.D.). Matthew was written primarily for a Jewish-Christian audience, emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of OT messianic prophecy. Mark is the most direct and action-focused account. Luke, written for a Gentile audience, stresses universal salvation and the Holy Spirit. John is the most theological, opening with a prologue on the pre-existent Word and structuring Jesus' ministry around seven signs and seven "I am" discourses. Together the four Gospels present a stereoscopic portrait of the person of Christ while maintaining theological harmony on all essentials of the faith.