What Are the Gospels?
The term “Gospel” refers to the first four books of the New Testament–Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These foundational texts contain the testimony of Jesus Christ's life, ministry, death, and resurrection. While modern readers might expect conventional biographies, the Gospels are a unique ancient biographical form that aims to demonstrate Jesus’s identity as Israel’s promised Messiah and accomplish their authors’ theological purposes.
The Greek word euangelion, from which we get “Gospel,” literally means “good news” and can refer both to the proclamation of God's redemptive work through Jesus and to these written accounts that tell the story of that redemption. The Gospels emphasize the historical reality of Jesus as God's incarnate Son while introducing readers to his life and teachings, which have become fundamental to Christian doctrine and practice throughout history.
From their earliest circulation, these four Gospels have profoundly shaped the Christian Church's understanding and practice of faith. Their purpose extends beyond simply recording historical events–they aim to portray Jesus’s divine nature and foster faithful devotion to him among their readers. While various apocryphal gospels emerged in later centuries attempting to supplement these accounts, these non-canonical writings generally failed to provide reliable insights into Jesus’s ministry. The four canonical Gospels, by contrast, have consistently been regarded as authoritative by the church because they bear authentic witness to God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.
What Are the Gospels within the Bible?
Within the broader context of the Bible, the Gospels serve as the primary accounts of Jesus’s earthly ministry and teachings. Though we commonly call these writings “Gospels,” this term more broadly describes the narrative of God's redemption, particularly emphasizing Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension as the culmination of God's salvation plan. These texts preserve early declarations of Jesus's divine nature and authority, such as the confessions of disciples like Nathanael and Peter.
Interestingly, the Gospels were not the first New Testament documents written. Several of Paul's letters, including Galatians (dated around 48-55 AD), likely predate them. However, the early church expressly preserved these four Gospel accounts, with some church fathers connecting them to the four living creatures described in the biblical books of Ezekiel and Revelation. This preserved collection is distinct from later writings claiming the title “gospel,” which appeared well after the establishment of Christian orthodoxy.
When Were the Gospels Written?
While precise dating remains debated among scholars, general consensus places their composition in the latter half of the first century AD. Most scholars consider Mark the earliest Gospel, written approximately 65-70 AD. Matthew and Luke likely followed in the 70s or early 80s AD, while John, typically considered the last Gospel, was probably written between 80-100 AD.
These dates find support from diverse scholarly perspectives, including non-Christian scholars. However, a minority of Christian traditions argue for earlier dates, particularly suggesting that Matthew, Mark, and Luke were completed before Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD. A general timeline might look like this:
Mark: 65-70 AD
Luke: 70-75 AD
Matthew: 75-80 AD
John: 80-100 AD
Notably, dating discussions often reflect scholars’ underlying assumptions about divine inspiration and supernatural elements in the texts. Critical scholars typically favor later dates, while conservative scholars generally advocate earlier ones based on historical evidence and traditional authorship claims.
Who Wrote the Gospels?
Though none of the Gospels explicitly name their author within the text, early Christian tradition consistently attributes them to specific individuals connected to Jesus or his apostles. Understanding these traditional attributions helps us appreciate how the early church received and authenticated these accounts.
Who Wrote the Gospel of Matthew?
Matthew's Gospel is traditionally attributed to the tax collector-turned-disciple of the same name. As one of the twelve apostles, Matthew would have been an eyewitness to Jesus’s ministry. The earliest reference to his authorship comes from Papias (around 70-125 AD), who claimed Matthew wrote the "oracles of Jesus" in Hebrew. This has sparked some debate since our Gospel of Matthew appears to have been originally composed in Greek rather than translated from Hebrew. Some scholars suggest Matthew may have produced multiple versions, while others question the traditional attribution entirely.
Who Wrote the Gospel of Mark?
Mark's Gospel is traditionally connected to John Mark, a companion of the apostle Peter. Early church testimony, again beginning with Papias, indicates that Mark carefully recorded Peter's preaching about Jesus, essentially preserving Peter's eyewitness testimony in written form. This connection to Peter's authority helped establish the Gospel's credibility in the early church, with multiple church fathers affirming Mark's role as Peter's interpreter.
Who Wrote the Gospel of Luke?
Luke's Gospel comes from the physician Luke, a close associate of the apostle Paul mentioned in several New Testament letters. Unlike most New Testament authors, Luke was probably a Gentile rather than a Jew. While not an eyewitness to Jesus's ministry, Luke carefully investigated and compiled accounts from those present. His writing focuses on historical detail and reflects many themes emphasized in Paul's teaching.
Who Wrote the Gospel of John?
John's Gospel is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, one of Jesus's closest disciples. While the text itself doesn't explicitly name its author, it claims to come from an eyewitness whose testimony can be trusted. Many scholars place its writing in Ephesus as early as 78 AD, though many favor a later date. While this Gospel differs significantly in style and content from the other three (the Synoptic Gospels), these differences don't necessarily undermine its historical reliability or theological importance.
Concluding Thoughts for Today
The four Gospels remain central to Christian belief and practice, providing our primary window into Jesus’s life and teachings. While scholarly debates about their precise dates, authorship, and composition continue, their unified purpose is to proclaim the good news of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. These texts have shaped Christian thought and practice for nearly two millennia, offering believers a foundation for understanding both Christ's identity and his call to discipleship.
Whether approached through historical investigation or Christian faith, the Gospels invite readers into the story of Jesus, urging them toward greater faith in him as the divine Son of God and commitment to his Kingdom. Their careful preservation and consistent influence testify to their unique role in communicating the Christian message across cultures and generations.
This enduring relevance stems not just from their historical testimony but also from their ability to introduce readers directly to Jesus himself. Through their pages, we encounter his teachings, witness his miracles, feel the weight of his death, and celebrate his resurrection. In this way, the Gospels continue fulfilling their original purpose—helping people understand Jesus Christ and God's work of salvation through him.
