Jesus & the Gospels

Why FOUR Gospels?

• Eyewitness accounts• Probably notes from

Jesus’ ministry• Early preaching• Numerous early

writings (Luke 1:1)

Jesus’ ministry

MatthewMarkLukeJohn

AD 30 – 33 AD 60 - 90

How did we get the Gospels?

H o w d i d w e g e t t h e G o s p e l s ?

“Synoptic” Gospels: Matthew, Mark & LukeSome sort of dependenceEach combines & paraphrases Ex 23:20 & Mal 3:1 in the same way.

Mat 11:10 “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way [before You].”

Ex 23:20 “Behold, I send an angel before [your face] to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”Mal 3:1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.”

Matthew

Mark

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Other source(s)

Most common theory:

H o w d i d w e g e t t h e G o s p e l s ?

Why these four Gospels?•Many early “gospels”– Gospel of Thomas– Gospel of Judas

• Only four from the apostles– Church used these four– Each is historically & theologically accurate– Each has different themes & emphases

W h y t h e s e f o u r G o s p e l s ?

• Criminal saved• Centurion• Veil rent• Earthquake & graves• Joseph’s tomb• Nicodemus• Scripture fulfilled• Tomb guarded

• Earthquake & angel• Group of women• Mary Magdalene• Two men/angels• Women afraid• Jesus & women• Disc. unbelief• Priests lie

• Peter & John• Jesus & Mary • Road to Emmaus• Jesus & disciples• Thomas• Peter’s restoration• Great commission• Ascension

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Events of Jesus’ death & resurrection

Each Gospel writer chose:• What to include• What to leave out• How to arrange the material• What truth he wanted to communicate

“The evangelists wrote with more than, but not less than, historical interest.”

W h y t h e s e f o u r G o s p e l s ?

Because…

the story of Jesus is too

to be told from only one perspective.

Why FOUR Gospe ls?importantlife-changingpivotalvitalcentralcrucial

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