The Four Gospels

Authors color key

Mark

Luke

Matthew

John

Occupations

Missionary

Physician

Tax Collector

Fisherman

Original Audience

Romans

Greeks

Jews

All People

Spoken by Christ

42%

50%

60%

50%

% Unique Material

42%

7%

59%

93%

Key Verse

Luke 19:10

John 20:31

Mark 10:45

Matthew 4:17

Who Jesus is

Servant of God

Son of Man

Promised King

Son of God

Writers Style

Storyteller

Historian

Teacher

Theologian

Significant Themes

Jesus is the Messiah because he fulfilled the OT prophecy.

Jesus backed up His words with action.

Jesus was God but also fully human.

Belief in Jesus is required for Salvation.

Date

A.D. 50-60

A.D. 50-70

A.D. 60

A.D. 80-90

Thinks that are unique to the book

Sermon on the Mount, Christ as a child

More focus on the works instead of words

Salvation of the Thief on the cross and the prodigal son

Water to wine, raising Lazarus, the "I Am" statements, Thomas' doubts, Peter's Restoration

How do they present Jesus?

A new start for humanity

As a Royal Servant

As a Greater Moses

Yahweh the God of Israel becoming human

Historical context when the book was written

The Romans subdued armed Jewish rebellions, and Christians experienced persecution in Rome

Written when the persecution of Jews and Christians was intensifying

Written after Romans had destroyed Jerusalem

Jewish leaders banned Christians from the synagogues.