The Gospels

largely based from http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm

GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
WHERE? probably Rome; possibly Galilee; probably Greece; originally Galilee or
written from possibly probably in or possibly Syria; traditionally
and/or to? Decapolis, Syria near Antioch in Syria/Antioch Ephesus (Asia Minor)
or Alexandria? Syria (Pauline missions)
WHEN? first written late 70's or 80's mid to late 80's main edition 90's
approximate "Gospel"; very (w/ older sources, (incl. "many" (early edition
date? late 60's or early incl. one written earlier written 50's? epilogue after
70's (Jewish War by Matthew?) sources) 100?)
66-70)
WHAT? narrated "good book of an "orderly much "testimony" and
subtype of news" (1:1) about "heritage" of account" for "signs" for believers
"Gospel" Jesus, esp. his Jesus (1:1) & attaining "secure (20:30-31; 21:24-25)
genre? actions & his much of his knowledge" (1:1-
death "teaching" 4)
(28:20)
WHY? to encourage a to teach a to challenge to strengthen a group
community group undergoing community with believers to put ostracized by other
circumstanc difficult trials and internal divisions their faith into Jews for their faith
es & persecutions and external practice more
author's enemies fully
purpose?
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
WHO? "John Mark of tax collector & physician & John, son of Zebedee;
traditionally
Jerusalem" (Acts apostle (Mark companion of one of 12 apostles
attributed12:12; 15:37; Col 3:18; Matt 9:9; Paul (Col 4:14; (Mark 1:19; 3:17; cf.
author? 4:10; Phlm 1:24; 10:3; Luke 6:15; 2Tim 4:11; Phlm John 21:2)
1Pet 5:13) Acts 1:13) 1:24 only)
WHO? bilingual (Aramaic multi-lingual Gentile Christian the "beloved disciple"
implied & Greek) (Aramaic & convert; well and his Jewish
author? Christian of the Greek) early educated Greek Christian followers
2nd generation; Jewish Christian; "historian"; client (19:35; 21:20-24)
"young man" of trained "scribe" of Theophilus
14:51-52? of 13:52? (1:1-4)?
TO WHOM? mostly Gentiles, better educated wealthier Gentile very mixed: mostly
implied fairly new in their Jews who believe Christians in an Jews, some Gentiles,
audience? faith, and facing in Jesus, but urban setting, Samaritans, etc.
persecutions argue over the becoming
Law complacent

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
Symbols for the Evangelists

http://www.biblekids.eu/new_testament/evangelist/evangelist_coloring_pages/evangelist_29.png
Christian tradition has long connected the authors of the four canonical Gospels
(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) with the four "living creatures" that surround God's throne,
as described in Rev 4:7.

However, various traditions about four heavenly creatures, are already found in several older biblical texts:
Ezekiel 1:1-14 - vision of four heavenly creatures with four faces each: human being, lion, ox, eagle.
Ezekiel 10:1-22 - throne vision of cherubim with four faces each: cherub, human being, lion, eagle.
Daniel 7:1-8 - vision of four beasts representing four empires: lion, bear, leopard, a terrible fourth beast with iron
teeth and ten horns.

Moreover, early Christian writers connected the four evangelists with the four living creatures in various
combinations:

Early Christian Author Human/Angel Lion Ox Eagle

St. Irenaeus of Lyons Matthew John Luke Mark

St. Augustine of
Mark Matthew Luke John
Hippo
Pseudo-Athanasius Matthew Luke Mark John
St. Jerome Matthew Mark Luke John
http://catholic-resources.org/Art/Evangelists_Symbols.htm#Irenaeus
# GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
acc. to...
1 Number of 16 28 24 21
chapters ( 678 / 11304 ) (1071 / 18345) ( 1151/19482 ) ( 879 / 15635 )
(verses
and words)
2 Style of grammatically Semitic good, elegant, simple, but
Greek poor Greek influenced literary Greek highly symbolic
Greek Greek
3 Geographic Galilean towns Galilee, esp. one long journey multiple visits
al Focus & villages; some mountains; to the goal: back & forth to
Gentile territory mostly Jewish Jerusalem Jerusalem
areas
4 Literary quick action five major any story pairs "Amen, Amen, I
Features ("and then"; discourses; well- (with say to
"immediately"); organized male/female you."; irony; pa
episodes sections of characters); radox; double-
connected collected focus on prayer; meanings
loosely, but pericopes many extra
grouped parables
http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
# GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
5 Literary "Beginning of
"Book of "Orderly Account" Cosmic Hymn (1:1-
Introduction Good News" (1:1)
Genealogy" (1:1) (1:1-4) 18)
6 Gospel John the Baptist's
Jesus' heritage: parallel birth J. B. points to
Beginning preaching;
David (royal), stories: John the "Lamb of God";
Jesus' ministry
Abraham (Jewish), Baptist & Jesus first disciples
begins (1:2-15)
Emmanuel (God (1:5–2:52) come (1:19-51)
with us) (1:2–
2:23)
7 First Words [to unspecified [to John the [12-year-old, to [to two disciples
of Jesus crowds]: "The Baptist, before his his parents in of John the
time is fulfilled, baptism]: Jerusalem]: Baptist]:
and the kingdom "Let it be so now; "Why were you "What are you
of God has come for it is proper for searching for me? looking for?"
near; us in this way Did you not (1:38)
repent, and to fulfill all know that I must and "Come and
believe in the righteousness" be in my Father's See" (1:39)
good news" (1:15) (3:15) house?" (2:49)

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
# GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
acc. to...
8 Birth of Jesus' birth is
focus on men: focus on theology of
Jesus not narrated;
David, Joseph, women: incarnation:
(narrative but he's called
Herod, Magi; Elizabeth, Mary, "Word became
emphasis) "Son of Mary"
power: King of Anna; flesh and dwelt
(6:3) and "the
Jews? murder of angels; among us"
Nazarene"
infants! shepherds; Holy (1:14)
(14:67) Spirit
9 Inaugural Exorcism in the
Sermon on the Jubilee reading Wedding Feast
Event Synagogue
Mount: from Isaiah 61: at Cana:
of Capernaum
Fulfillment of Rejection at first of Jesus'
(1:21-28)
Torah/Law (ch. Nazareth (4:14- "signs" (2:1-11)
5–7) 30)
10 Jesus' 1- Pharisees & "scribes & unjust "the Jews" (esp.
Major Herodians; Pharisees"; authorities (civil leaders in
Opponents 2- chief priests, "hypocrites & & religious); Jerusalem);
scribes & elders blind guides" rich & corrupt Pharisees; High
people Priest Caiaphas

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
 # GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
11 Jesus' "My God, my God, [same as in Mark] "Father, forgive
"Woman, behold,
[Seven] Last why have you (Mt 27:46) them..." (23:34);
your son"; "Behold,
Words on forsaken me?" "You will be with me
your mother"
the Cross (15:34) in Paradise" (23:43);
(19:26-27);
"Father, into your
"I am thirsty"
hands I commend
(19:28);
my Spirit" (23:46)
"It is finished"
(19:30)
12 Focus of horrible suffering; authorities' plots & Jesus' innocence; Jesus'
Passion tragic death (ch. 14– treachery (ch. 26-27) forgiveness (ch. 22– exaltation/glorificati
15) 23) on (ch. 18–19)
13 Last Major Empty Tomb, outside Great Commission, Ascension, from 1: disciples &
Event of Jerusalem (16:1-8) on Mountain in Bethany just East of Thomas (20:19-29)
Galilee (28:16-20) Jerusalem (24:50-53) 2: [Peter & Beloved
Disciple (21:1-23)]
14 Final Literary women leave tomb Jesus tells the disciples return to 1: many more signs
Ending in fear & silence disciples, "I am with Jerusalem temple (20:30-31)
(16:8) [16:9-20 you always" (28:20) with joy praising God 2: [many other
added only later] (24:53) books, 21:24-25]

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
. GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
15 Christology I: Christ/Messiah & Son of David; Son of great Prophet Eternal Logos;
Main Titles for Son of God; Abraham; King of (in word & Divine Word
Jesus Suffering Son of the Jews; deed); made Flesh;
Man; New Lawgiver & Lord (of Israel, Only-begotten
Eschatological Great Teacher (like and of all Son; sent from
Judge Moses); nations); Father;
Emmanuel ("God Savior (of all, Passover
with us") but esp. of the Lamb; "I Am" /
poor) "Equal to God"
16 Christology II: miracles; teaching his healing sick & speaking
Jesus' Major overcoming evil disciples; impaired God's
Actions powers; decrying religious people; words; doing
arguing with hypocrisy forgiving God's
religious sinners & works; reveali
authorities debtors ng his intimate
relationship
with God

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
. GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
17 Discipleship I: persevere in faith be righteous; forgive leave see, believe,
Teachings despite suffering; always; live ethically everything to know, remain in
about Disc. follow Jesus "on (Golden Rule); fulfill follow Jesus; Jesus & God,
the way" to the God's commands, share with despite
cross; be ready for esp. in charitable poor; accept hostility; love
his return deeds everyone, esp. one another;
outcasts, be in unity;
women, serve humbly
enemies
18 Discipleship II: anon. women Peter (16:13-20); Mary of John [the
Role Models (5:25; 7:24; 12:41; children (18:1-5); Nazareth Baptizer] (ch.
for Disc. 14:3); faithful servants (1:26–2:51); 1);
Jairus (5:21); (24:45–25:46) Good man born blind
Bartimaeus (10:46) Samaritan (ch. 9); Martha
(10:25-37); (11:27);
Zacchaeus the B.D.
(19:1-10) (13:23ff); Mary
Magdalene
(20:1-18)

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
 MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
19 Pneumatolog Spirit descends Mary with child H.S. esp. H.S. as Spirit
y/ Role of the at Jesus' from the H.S.; active in of Truth;
Holy Spirit Baptism; God's Spirit in Infancy Paraclete/Ad
conflict with Jesus' actions & Narrative; vocate/Comf
unclean/demoni speech Jesus orter
c spirits receives
prophetic
anointing
20 Eschatological imminent and false prophets will after realized
Expectations/
suddenly, but no arise; many will Jerusalem is eschatology;
End Times
one knows fall away; destroyed & all who hear
when; Gospel must first Gentiles' & believe
so "Keep be preached to all time is have eternal
awake!" (13:1- (24:10-14) fulfilled; not life already
37) so soon; now, are not
pray! (21:20- judged
24, 28, 36) (5:21-25)

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
 MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
21 Basis for whether you what you do for how you use whether or
Final persevere in "the least" wealth / not you
Judgment faith people; possessions; believe in
despite Sheep & Goats parables of Jesus
persecutions parable (25:31- Rich & Poor (3:16-18;
(13:13) 46) (16:1-31) 5:19-24;
12:44-50)
22 Other Messianic fulfillment of fulfillment of "eternal life"
Major secret; Scripture; God's plan; = "life in his
Themes main disciples divisions within eschatologic name";
don't the community; al reversal; Paraclete =
understand, final separation of tax Holy Spirit;
but minor good vs. bad collectors & Christian
characters do sinners unity;
believe favored mutual
indwelling of
God/Jesus/u
s

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm
 MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
23 Evang.Symbols Lion Human [or Ox Eagle
(cf. Rev 4:7) Angel]
24 Liturgical Feast April 25 September 21 October 18 December 27
Day
25 Use in Sunday Year B Year A Year C mixed, esp.
Lectionary Lent & Easter
26 Typical Portrait
Jesus on the Cross Sermon on the Jesus Heals Christ the
Mount the Sick Revealer
27 Emphasized by Modern Catholics (esp. Protestants Orthodox Xns
Whom? Historians (oldest ecclesial (esp. social (esp. logos
historical account) structures) justice focus) Christology)

http://catholic-resources.org/Bible/Four_Gospel_Chart.htm