Background Notes on the Four Gospels
The following notes provide key background and overview information that will help you study the four New Testament gospels more effectively.
Comparing the Four Gospels
Each gospel provides a measure of unique material.
Matthew contributes 21% unique gospel content.
Mark contributes 3% unique gospel content.
Luke contributes 30% unique gospel content.
John contributes 46% unique gospel content.
If any one of the gospels had not been written, we would not know certain things from the life and ministry of Jesus.
Matthew tells us about …
- The angel talking with Joseph (Matt 1:19-25)
- The magi visiting the child Jesus (Matt 2:1-12)
- The bribery of the Roman guards by the Jews (Matt 28:11-15)
Mark tells us about …
- Blind man that Jesus healed at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26)
- The young man who fled out of the Garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51-52)
Luke tells us about …
- Mary’s song of praise (Luke 1:46-55)
- The testimonies of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-39)
- The visit of Jesus to the Temple when He was twelve years old (Luke 2:41-52)
John tells us about …
- The first miracle of Jesus, changing water into wine (John 2:2-11)
- The resurrection of Lazarus from the grave (John 11:1-53)
- The meeting that Jesus arranged with Peter on the shore, after his resurrection from the dead (John 21:15-23)
The Gospel of Matthew
Biographic Insights
Levi was his original Hebrew name (Mark 2:1).
His Christian name was Matthew (Matt 9:9).
He was a publican by profession (a tax collector for the Roman government).
- He collected taxes for Herod’s district in the Roman Empire. Orthodox Jews considered him to be a dishonest traitor.
- After his conversion, he hosted an evangelistic banquet for his unsaved companions (Matt 9:10-13, Mark 2:15-17, Luke 5:29-32).
Historical tradition indicates that he ultimately may have carried the gospel as far at Ethiopia.
Gospel Insights
He wrote to a Jewish audience.
He makes distinct references to money, mention more and rarer kinds of currency that the other gospel writers.
He quotes frequently from the Old Testament, as many as 129 times, more than any other gospel. He uses the phrase “that it might be fulfilled nine times,” to demonstrate the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
He uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” 32 times with reference to the kingdom of Christ. Other gospel writers use the phrase “kingdom of God.”
Since Matthew wrote primarily to the Jews, he would have guarded against provoking another political revolution. Using the phrase “kingdom of God” would have more easily encouraged such a response. This is a possible reason why he would have preferred the phrase “kingdom of heaven” instead.
Purpose: show that Jesus Christ was indeed the Jewish Messiah prophesied throughout the Old Testament
The Gospel of Mark
Biographic Insights
He was the son of Mary (not the mother of Jesus) (Acts 12:12). Incidentally, his nickname was John, otherwise known as John Mark.
Barnabas was his uncle (Col 4:10).
His trade or profession is unknown, probably due to his young age.
He became a ministry associate of Peter (1 Pet 5:13).
- He accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch (Mark 12:25).
- He accompanied them on Paul’s first missionary journey but left the team prematurely (Acts 13:13).
- He joined Barnabas later, on a mission trip to the island of Cyprus (Acts 15:36)
- Paul eventually considered him to be a valuable partner in ministry (Col 4:10, 2 Tim 4:11).
Gospel Insights
He wrote to a Roman audience.
- He gives translations for Aramaic words (Mark 3:17, 5:41, 7:34, 15:22)
- He uses Latin terminology (4:21, 6:27, 42, 15:15-16, 39)
The key word is (transliterated) euthus. English translations of this word include “immediately,” “straightway,” and “anon.”
This gospel is a book of action. It is the “front page”, “sports page” gospel. Mark emphasizes the activity and authority of Christ.
The key statement in this gospel is found in Mark 10:45.
Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45
Purpose: portray Christ as a servant, the ultimate hero of mankind
The Gospel of Luke
Biographic Insights
The only known Gentile (see Acts 1:19) engaged by God to write scripture, unless Job was not a Hebrew.
He provides more New Testament content than any other writer.
The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are sequels. As a two-volume set, they contribute more total content to the New Testament than all of Paul’s epistles combined.
He was a medical doctor by profession (Col 4:14).
He became a traveling companion of the Paul the apostle. If you were Paul, you would be glad to have a physician join your mission team!
Gospel Insights
He wrote to a Greek audience.
He employs meticulous detail.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
Luke 1:5
He gives noticeable attention to women, with a total of 43 references. (Matthew and Mark combined equal only 49 references.)
He emphasizes the ministry of the Holy Spirit (19 references) and the prayer life of Jesus Christ (seven references).
Purpose: present Christ, the second Adam, as the perfect man
The Gospel of John
Biographic insights
He was the son of Zebedee and Salome (Matt 4:21, Mark 16:1).
He was the brother of James (the disciple) (Matt 4:21).
He was a fisherman by trade (Matt 4:21).
He knew the High Priest personally (John 18:15-16).
Gospel insights
He wrote to an inclusive audience, the world. He also uses terms such as whosoever, etc.
His gospel is distinct from the other three gospels (the synoptic gospels), since 90% of its content is unique.
He places a dominant emphasis on the Passion Week (John 12-20).
The key statement in this gospel is found in John 20:31.
Truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31
Purpose: proclaim that Jesus Christ is God, the Savior of the world
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).
