INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS WITH COMPARISON
The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—present one Lord, Jesus Christ, through four inspired perspectives. Together they form a complete and harmonious witness to His life, teaching, death, and resurrection. The Church preserved all four because each contributes something essential to our understanding of Christ and Christian discipleship.
1. Author’s Background and Knowledge of Jesus
Matthew was one of the Twelve Apostles and a former tax collector. He knew Jesus personally during His public ministry and heard His teachings directly. His Gospel reflects both firsthand experience and careful organization of Jesus’ words for instruction within the Church.
Mark was not one of the Twelve and did not follow Jesus full-time. His knowledge comes primarily from the preaching and eyewitness testimony of Peter. For this reason, Mark’s Gospel reflects apostolic authority through Peter and preserves the urgency of early Christian proclamation.
Luke was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ ministry. He was a Gentile Christian, a physician by profession, and a companion of Paul. Luke carefully investigated traditions by consulting eyewitnesses and early Christian communities, including those close to Mary.
John was one of the Twelve and part of Jesus’ inner circle. He knew Jesus intimately from the beginning of His ministry and later reflected deeply on its meaning over many decades of prayerful contemplation.
2. Difference in Audience or Intended Readers
Matthew wrote primarily for Jewish Christians. He assumes familiarity with Jewish law, customs, and Scripture and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises.
Mark wrote mainly for Gentile Christians, especially in Rome. He explains Jewish practices and emphasizes perseverance, action, and faith in times of suffering and persecution.
Luke addressed Gentile Christians more broadly. He highlights the universality of salvation and carefully explains Jewish customs for non-Jewish readers.
John wrote for a mixed and mature Christian audience, including believers facing doctrinal confusion and opposition. His aim was to deepen faith rather than introduce basic Gospel facts.
3. Symbolic Representations of the Evangelists
From early Christian tradition, each evangelist is represented symbolically.
Matthew is associated with the figure of a man, emphasizing the humanity of Jesus and His messianic lineage.
Mark is symbolized by a lion, reflecting strength, courage, and the powerful proclamation of Christ amid suffering.
Luke is symbolized by an ox, a sign of sacrifice, service, and compassion, reflecting Luke’s concern for mercy and priestly care.
John is symbolized by an eagle, soaring high, representing his profound theological vision and focus on the divine mystery of Christ.
4. Uniqueness of Each Evangelist
Matthew stands out as the teacher and catechist of the Church, carefully arranging Jesus’ teachings for instruction.
Mark emerges as the urgent preacher of the cross and radical discipleship.
Luke appears as the historian, pastor, and theologian of mercy and compassion.
John is the contemplative theologian who reveals divine love and eternal life.
Each Gospel reflects not only the message of Christ but also the personality, vocation, and pastoral concern of its author.
5. Difference in Time Period of Writing
Mark is generally considered the earliest Gospel, written around 65–70 AD during a period of persecution.
Matthew and Luke were written around 70–85 AD, when the Church was expanding and clarifying its identity.
John was written last, around 90–100 AD, when deeper theological reflection was needed to address false teachings and strengthen mature faith.
6. Difference in Style and Emphasis
Matthew emphasizes teaching, structure, and fulfillment of prophecy.
Mark emphasizes action, urgency, and suffering discipleship.
Luke emphasizes history, mercy, prayer, and the universal scope of salvation.
John emphasizes theology, identity, belief, love, and abiding in Christ.
The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—share a similar narrative style and structure, while John adopts a reflective and symbolic approach.
7. What Is Common to All Four Gospels
All four Gospels proclaim Jesus as the Son of God and Savior, narrate His public ministry, passion, death, and resurrection, call people to faith, conversion, and discipleship, and place the cross and resurrection at the center of God’s saving plan. The Synoptic Gospels in particular share common material, miracles, parables, and a similar outline of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem.
8. Why Are Matthew, Mark, and Luke Called the Synoptic Gospels?
They are called “synoptic” because they can be viewed “with one eye.” They share similar structure and chronology, common traditions and sayings of Jesus, and a strong focus on His actions, parables, and proclamation of the Kingdom of God. They present complementary perspectives on the same historical events using shared traditions.
9. Why Is John Different from the Synoptic Gospels?
John differs because he focuses more on Jesus’ divine identity than on repeating narrative details. He includes long theological discourses instead of short parables, structures the Gospel around signs and feasts rather than strict chronology, and begins with Jesus’ eternal existence rather than His birth. John presumes familiarity with the Synoptic tradition and seeks to deepen understanding rather than repeat earlier accounts.
10. Why Do We Need to Study All Four Gospels?
No single Gospel gives a complete picture of Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels show what Jesus did and taught, while John reveals who Jesus is at the deepest level. Together, history and theology, action and contemplation, humanity and divinity are held in harmony. Studying all four allows believers to encounter the fullness of Christ—His words and deeds, His compassion and glory.
11. The Fourfold Witness to One Christ
The four Gospels may be compared to four portraits of the same person. Each is true, each is incomplete on its own, and together they reveal the whole. The Church preserved all four because the mystery of Christ is too rich to be contained in a single perspective.
Conclusion
The fourfold Gospel is a profound gift to the Church. It teaches that unity does not require uniformity and that divine truth can be expressed through multiple inspired voices. By reading and reflecting on all four Gospels together, Christians grow in faith, understanding, and love for Jesus Christ.