Why Four Gospels Instead of One: A Closer Look at Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

The New Testament of the Christian Bible is primarily made up of four gospels, each providing different perspectives on the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus Christ. This diversity of testimony is intriguing, but why not just one gospel? Let's explore the unique perspectives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and how each author tailored their narratives to suit their target audience and purpose.

Matthew: A Gospel for the Jews

Matthew was written by a Jew, for the Jews. This gospel plays a significant role in portraying Jesus as the rightful heir to the throne of Judah. The author emphasizes Jesus as the Lion, a figure often associated with strength and kingship, which is depicted in the vision of the four-faced beast in the Book of Ezekiel and the throne of God in Revelation.

In Matthew, Jesus' genealogy is traced back to Abraham, underscoring his royal lineage. Unlike Mark and Luke, Matthew is the only gospel to mention the kingdom of heaven, referring to Jesus' coming millennial rule as king. Key events in this gospel include the visit of the 3 Magi to honor the baby Jesus as the future king and Herod's attempt to kill the infant with his 'slaughter of the innocents.'

Mark: A Gospel for the Romans

Mark was penned by a Roman for the Roman audience. This gospel emphasizes Jesus as the perfect servant, with a focus on action over words, a characteristic favored by Romans. The face of the ox or cherubim in the four-faced beast symbolizes Jesus, representing the glory and honor associated with serving rather than being served.

Mark's gospel features a high amount of action, reflecting Roman preferences. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate servant, demonstrated through his self-sacrifice on the cross, which served as the ultimate proof of his perfect servitude. This gospel also highlights instances of Jesus interacting with religious leaders but places less emphasis on these discussions, focusing more on the events that unfolded.

Luke: A Gospel for the Greeks

Luke was written by a Greek to the Greek audience. This gospel emphasizes Jesus as the perfect man. The face of a man on the four-faced beast symbolizes Jesus, representing an ideal man. The genealogy in Luke goes back to Adam, proving that Jesus was of the race of Adam, making him fit to redeem that race through his sacrificial blood.

Luke is the only gospel where the story of Mary and Joseph is emphasized, highlighting the virgin birth of Jesus. The focus on Jesus as the perfect man and the importance of his descent from Adam are key themes. This gospel also has special emphasis on the humanity of Jesus and his compassion for people, reflecting the Greek ideal of a perfected human.

John: A Gospel for Christians

John is distinctive in its portrayal of Jesus as the Word or God, emphasizing his divine nature. The face of the eagle, the highest flying creature, symbolizes Jesus as being above his creation. In John, Jesus is seen discussing with the religious leaders, emphasizing his unique relationship with God, as evidenced by his statement, 'before Abraham was I AM.'

This gospel is rich in theological discussions, highlighting Jesus' divinity and his role as the Son of God. Key themes include Jesus' pre-existence, his uniqueness in relation to God, and his role in redemption.

Conclusion: The four gospels, each with its unique perspective, provide a comprehensive and diverse testimony of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tailored their narratives to resonate with their specific audiences, ensuring that the message of Christianity was accessible and meaningful to a wide range of people. Their different focuses and emphases make the Bible rich and multifaceted, offering insights into the life and ministry of Jesus that transcend time and culture.

Keywords: four gospels, gospels of the new testament, purpose of gospels