What Are the Gospels in the Bible? Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Explained
What are the Gospels in the Bible?
The Gospels in the Bible are the first four books of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They recount the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective, giving us a fuller picture of who Jesus is and what He came to do.
FAQ:
Why are there four Gospels?
The four Gospels offer different perspectives on Jesus' life, helping us see the fullness of His ministry.Are the Gospels biographies?
Not exactly. They are theological narratives, blending history, teaching, and proclamation.Did the same person write all the Gospels?
No. Each Gospel has a different author and audience, which shapes its emphasis.Are the Gospels historically accurate?
The Gospels are rooted in eyewitness testimony and early Christian preaching, intended to convey both truth and meaning. Yes.
The greatest book ever written - revealing the goodness of God, especially in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Introduction: The Gospels Are Not Just Books—They're Proclamations
If you’ve ever opened the New Testament, you’ve started with the Gospels. These four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are not simply biographies of Jesus. They are carefully crafted testimonies, each with a distinct voice, announcing the good news (euangelion) that through Jesus, God has acted to redeem the world.
The Gospels form the heart of the New Testament, and they are the primary source through which Christians across generations and continents have come to know Jesus. But why are there four of them? And why do they sometimes tell the same story differently?
Let’s explore what the Gospels are, who wrote them, and why they matter.
Why Are They Called “Gospels”?
The word "gospel" means "good news." In the ancient world, a gospel was a public announcement—a message of victory, peace, or the birth of a king. The early Christians borrowed this term to describe the story of Jesus. To them, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was not just meaningful—it was the turning point of history.
The four Gospels aren’t just informative. They are proclamations. They tell us what God has done through Jesus, and they invite us to respond.
Why Are There Four Gospels?
Wouldn’t one Gospel have been enough?
Actually, the early church preserved multiple accounts of Jesus precisely because each one highlights different dimensions of his life and mission. Together, they offer a more complete picture:
Matthew emphasizes fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Mark highlights urgency and suffering.
Luke presents a universal message of compassion.
John focuses on Jesus’ divine identity and intimacy with the Father.
These four Gospels don’t contradict; they complement. Just as a diamond reveals its brilliance when viewed from different angles, Jesus' life shines more brightly when seen through these four faithful witnesses.
Overview of Each Gospel
Matthew: Jesus the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
Matthew was likely written for a Jewish-Christian audience. It opens with a genealogy that links Jesus to David and Abraham, showing him as the rightful heir to God’s promises.
Matthew quotes the Old Testament frequently and presents Jesus as the new Moses—the one who brings a new law through the Sermon on the Mount. He is Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, but his kingdom looks very different from what many expected.
Key Themes:
Jesus fulfills Scripture
Kingdom of heaven
Teaching and discipleship
Mark: Jesus the Suffering Servant
Mark is the shortest Gospel, and it moves fast. Action-packed and urgent, it uses the word "immediately" over 40 times. Likely written for a Roman audience under persecution, Mark emphasizes Jesus’ authority and suffering, which are themes in the Gospel of Mark.
Mark doesn’t include a birth narrative; it dives straight into Jesus' ministry. It also ends abruptly, challenging the reader to decide: will you believe?
Authority and miracles
Suffering and the cross
Discipleship under pressure
Luke: Jesus the Savior for All People
Luke was written by a Gentile physician and historian who also authored the Book of Acts. It’s addressed to Theophilus, likely a patron or Roman official. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ compassion, especially for the poor, women, outsiders, and sinners.
Luke offers unique material like the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, and it pays close attention to historical and geographic detail.
Universal salvation
Joy, prayer, and the Holy Spirit
Reversal of status (the humble exalted)
John: Jesus the Word Made Flesh
John is strikingly different. There are fewer parables and no exorcisms, but much more theological depth. It opens not with a manger, but with eternity: "In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was God."
John includes long discourses where Jesus explains his identity: "I am the bread of life... the light of the world... the good shepherd." He invites the reader into belief and intimacy. There are 7 of Jesus’ “I am” statements.
Jesus as divine Son
Light vs. darkness
Love and abiding
How the Gospels Differ (and Why That’s Good)
Some readers get concerned when they notice that the Gospels recount the same events with slight differences. For example:
The wording of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5 vs. Luke 6): Comparing Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount with Luke’s Sermon on the Plain
The order of temptations in the wilderness
The number of angels at the tomb
But these aren’t contradictions—they are theological choices. Ancient biography didn’t aim for modern journalistic precision. Instead, the Gospel writers selected, arranged, and emphasized material to make theological points.
It’s not unlike a documentary film—two filmmakers might cover the same event but choose different angles, interviews, and sequences. What matters is the truth conveyed, not identical phrasing.
Are the Gospels Historically Accurate?
The Gospels are not legend or myth. They are rooted in real history. Luke explicitly tells us that he investigated "everything carefully" and relied on eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1-4). Scholars date the Gospels to within a few decades of Jesus’ life—in a time when eyewitnesses were still alive.
Their intent isn’t just to record facts, though. It’s to interpret them through the lens of faith. The Gospels blend historical reporting with theological reflection—because Jesus is not just a figure of the past, but the living Lord.
What the Gospels Mean for Us Today
The Gospels aren’t just ancient texts. They are living words. They challenge us, comfort us, and call us into a new way of life.
Each Gospel gives us a window into the person of Jesus. Together, they show us a Messiah who heals the broken, confronts injustice, forgives sinners, and calls us to follow Him. They teach us that salvation is not about escaping earth but about God's kingdom coming to earth.
They tell us, again and again: this is good news.
Want to Go Deeper?
Conclusion
The Gospels are at the heart of the Christian story. They are not merely records but revelations. Through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we come face to face with the person of Jesus—his teachings, his mercy, his challenge, his triumph.
In a world full of noise, the Gospels speak clearly. They say, Look at Jesus. Hear his words. Trust his heart.
And that is still good news for every generation.
