Overview of the Gospels

Why were the Gospels written? Looking at when they were written, many of the first generation Christians who had seen Jesus and the apostles were disappearing. A second generation that had never witnessed Jesus and the apostles was emerging. The Gospels were written for them and future generations of believers so that they would know and remember Jesus and the beginnings of Christianity.

I. Matthew

Author – Matthew was a disciple of Jesus. He was a tax collector before becoming a disciple. He was also called Levi.
When – Written sometime between 60 and 80 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-20)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 21-28)

Key verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Interesting facts – Matthew quotes Old Testament Scripture more than the other Gospels. What does that tell you as far as whom his Gospel was directed at? The Jews. Matthew was providing them with evidence that Jesus was the Messiah prophesied by the writers of the Old Testament. It’s perhaps why Matthew was made the first Gospel. It bridges the Old Testament with the New Testament.

II. Mark

Author – John Mark. The home of Mark’s mother served as a church where the first Christian’s gathered (Acts chapter 12.) His cousin Barnabas was a Christian missionary. As a young man, Mark went on missionary trips with Barnabas and the second pillar of the early Christian movement Paul. Mark was the source of a strong disagreement between Barnabas and Paul (Read Acts 15:36-41.) Mark matured from this bad experience to become a leader in the early Church. At the end of his life, Paul praised Mark for being helpful to him in his ministry (II Timothy 4:11.) Peter refers to Mark as “my son” (I Peter 5:13). Tradition holds that Peter was Mark’s primary source in writing his gospel.
When – Written about 60 A.D. Mark is the oldest of the four Gospels.
Outline:
-Baptism of Jesus and calling of the Twelve Disciples (chapter 1:1-20)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapter 1:21-chapter 10)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 11-16)

Key verse: The most important one (commandment), answered Jesus, is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)

Interesting facts – Mark is the smallest of the four Gospels. Scholars believe Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source for their Gospels.

III. Luke

Author – Luke was a Greek which means he was a Gentile. He played an active role in the growth of Christianity. He was with Paul on many of his missionary journeys. In Colossians 4:14, Paul refers to Luke as a doctor which means he was well educated. Luke’s educational background produced a well organized and detailed account of the life of Jesus. It includes all of the major events and teachings of Jesus, plus a few not found in other Gospels. Examples – Birth of John the Baptist and the boy Jesus in the Temple teaching the teachers.
When – Written about 70 A.D.
Outline:
-Birth and Early Life (chapters 1-4)
-Ministry of Jesus (chapters 5-19)
-Death and Resurrection (chapters 20-24)

Key verse: Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

Interesting facts – Luke wrote his Gospel not to a group of people but to an individual named Theophilus. Read Luke 1:1-4. He is also the author of the Book of Acts.