The Four Gospels of the Bible’s New Testament
Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
There are four gospel books in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The word “gospel” means good news, in context, Jesus is the good news.
All the four gospels present Jesus Christ as the Son of God and son of man. Although each disciple wrote in slightly varying emphasis and details as individual writers would normally differ, the contents are basically the same – they all record the same main events in the life of Jesus Christ, as follows:
- John the Baptist preaches and announces his message of Jesus’ coming
- Baptism and temptation of Jesus
- Jesus begins work in Galilee
- Jesus goes to Jerusalem, chooses his 12 disciples and instructs them what to do
- Jesus teaches and preaches through stories and parables
- Jesus performs miracles
- Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount
- Last week of Jesus – last supper, trial and death
- Resurrection of Jesus
About the Gospel Writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Matthew was one of the first 12 disciples of Jesus and therefore an eye-witness. He records the entire Sermon of the Mount; his focus is on the teachings of Jesus that concerns God’s heavenly kingdom.
Mark was Peter’s son (perhaps, spiritual son), and his gospel is more coming from Peter’s eye-witness account.
Luke, a fellow worker of Paul, was a doctor and therefore more inclined to details. Luke collated all his interviews from local eye-witnesses who followed Jesus. He also recorded the details of Mary’s conception, Jesus’ birth and her extended family.
John, like Matthew, was also one of the first 12 disciples and therefore an eyewitness. His account not only provides the practical aspect of Jesus ministry but brings out spiritual significance and with additional teachings and miracles.
Book of Matthew
The Book of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and the first of the Four Gospels. It has 28 Chapters.
Unlike the other three gospels, Matthew gives account information of Mary’s conception, her ancestry, escape to Egypt, Herod’s order to kill the children and the return from Egypt.
An important idea Matthew stresses is that through Jesus’ teachings, God expects obedience from his people and wants them to grow in their faith. He also points out the return of Jesus as the Messiah as aligned to the Old Testament prophecies.
Book of Mark
The Book of Mark is the second book of the New Testament and the second of the Four Gospels. It has 16 chapters. It is the shortest of the four gospels.
Unlike the other three gospels, Mark reflects on the fate of John the Baptist. He also accounts for Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after his resurrection.
The book has full of action and amazing miracles. From the start of his ministry, Jesus worked through many amazing miracles. After choosing his first four disciples, all of them fishermen, he immediately performed miracles of healing, including the man possessed with an evil spirit and a man with leprosy, among others. Mark repeatedly tells how Jesus healed people, and that he did them by the power of God.
According to Mark, the most significant and powerful miracle of Jesus is his victory over suffering and death. Mark repeatedly stresses that the wondrous miracles performed by Jesus is done by the power of God.
Book of Luke
The Book of Luke is the third book of the New Testament and the third of the Four Gospels. It has 24 chapters.
Luke provides the reason why he writes the book. His gospel also takes account when Jesus is taken to heaven, the ascension.
The thrust of Luke is God’s love to humankind, especially to the poor. More than any other writer in the New Testament, Luke’s mention of the spirit of God is evident. The best-known stories that Jesus use to teach about God’s love are found in Luke, including The Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep, and the Prodigal Son. It is also Luke who tells how Jesus visited in the home of a hated tax collector and promised life in paradise to a dying criminal.
He ensures that the physical death of Jesus is clearly communicated. Also significant is the way he ends the book: the last words of Jesus to his disciples on his return to heaven is for them to tell everyone about the things that happened.
Book of John
The Book of John is the fourth book of the New Testament and the fourth book of the Four Gospels. It has 21 chapters.
Something different from the other gospels is John’s use of the word “Word.” John equates Jesus by calling him the “Word” in which God the creator created everything: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Genesis 1:1). In effect, the first chapter of John becomes a hymn, a song to a music writer or a poem to a poet.
John also teaches a lot more about Jesus by showing what Jesus did when he was with other people – through miracles, including the conversations of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. He also includes the famous doubting Thomas, his fellow disciple.
John tells the story of Jesus in a more unique and meaningful way. For example, he shows the conversations of Jesus with various people and how he projects who he is and what God’s purpose is in sending him, Jesus teaching significant things, including the best-known quote among Christians that he is “the way, the truth and the life.” John also captures it when Jesus makes a claim being the light of the world, the true vine and the good shepherd.
Resources about the Four Gospels of the Bible’s New Testament
The New Testament Gospel Accounts
The Gospel of Matthew, Luke and John
Holy Bible New International Version (NIV), Hodder & Stoughton
Tel Asiado is a writer, author, and business consultant, previously, IT manager & consultant. Her articles reflect her interests, from small business, biographies & histories, to classical music especially Mozart, art & literature, biographies, and Christian writings. Tel has produced non-fictions, e-books and anthologies. Her education is MBA in Computer Management, BSc Chemistry, Diploma in Small Business & Internet Mktg, and Cert IV Training and Assessment (TAA). Her small office/home site is homebizideasnow.com, and numerous information of Mozart and classical music, mozartandclassicalmusic.com.
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