INTRODUCTION

The word Gospel originates from the meaning of the New Testament Greek word evangelion
meaning “good news”. This meaning was transmitted literally into Old English as god-spell, eventually
becoming “Gospel”. The very life of Jesus Christ is the Good News of God’s love and Salvation for all. The
Gospels are the main source of information about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. According to
Cathecism of the Catholic Church (CCC 125), The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures "because
they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior”. CCC 126 also
distinguishes the three stages in the formation of the Gospels:

1. The life and teaching of Jesus. The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, "whose
historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he
lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was
taken up.
2. The oral tradition. For, after the ascension of the Lord, the apostles handed on to their
hearers what he had said and done, but with that fuller understanding which they,
instructed by the glorious events of Christ and enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now
enjoyed.
3. The written Gospels. The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain of the
many elements which had been handed on, either orally or already in written form; others
they synthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the churches, the while
sustaining the form of preaching, but always in such a fashion that they have told us the
honest truth about Jesus.

There are four Gospels in the New Testament, which are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John. Despite their unique qualities, the first three gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—share many
of the same accounts of Christ, often shared in the same order and with the same wording. Because of
their similar perspectives on Jesus’ ministry, together they’re known as the synoptic gospels. (The word
“synoptic” comes from the Greek word synoptikos, meaning “able to be seen together.”). Each of the
the Four Gospels depicts Jesus in a different way. Here’s a short overview of each:

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Matthew was a publican, a tax collector at the Roman Empire at Capernaum until the day Jesus
called him to the discipleship, by simply saying to him; “Follow Me”. So he arose and followed Him.
Matthew’s objective was to demonstrate that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah because in Him
all the prophecies of the old Prophets had been fulfilled. It highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of many Old
Testament hopes and prophecies. He validates the community’s link to the covenant promises of the
past, while justifying their new devotion to Christ and his mission.

GOSPEL OF MARK

Mark is a Gentile who may have been a disciple of Peter who calls him “Son”. Mark emphasizes
the humanity of Jesus. This Gospel focuses on Jesus’ role as the suffering servant and Son of God. While
the other Gospels contain long discourses and sermons of Jesus, Mark is all about action. His purpose
was to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God and that everything in nature are subjected to Him.
Therefore, he makes a point of reporting about the miracles as well as the exorcisms performed by
Jesus.

GOSPEL OF LUKE

“Luke, the Beloved Physician”was a Syrian born in a pagan family. He had the fortune of
conversion to Christianity and to meet Paul, becoming his loyal companion and disciple for many years –
even sharing prison with him in Rome. He was also called the Ëvangelist of Mercy” since the Parables of
the Prodigal Son, the Lsot Drachma, the Good Samaritan, and others related only appear in His Gospel.
Luke is the longest of the four Gospels. It is the historical, journalistic Gospel; a throughout account of
the episodes in Jesus’life arranged in a chronological order. Luke paints a picture of Jesus as the
compassionate Savior who welcomes all.

GOSPEL OF JOHN

John is a native of Bethsaida. He was the brother of James the Great, children of Salome, sister
of Virgin Mary. John is the persuasive Gospel. It’s written to show the miracles of Jesus, so that those
who read his story will believe in Him and have everlasting life. John’s account of Jesus’teachings and
miracles emphasize the divine nature of Jesus Christ. To John, Jesus is the cosmic Son of God, who came
to destroy the works of the devil. John is telling the story of the divine being who became flesh, dwelt
among us, and died so that we might have an everlasting life.

MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

JOB BEFORE TAX COLLECTOR NONE MEDICAL DOCTOR FISHERMAN
AUDIENCES JEWS ROMANS GREEKS CHURCH
JESUS AS KING SERVANT/MESSIAH GOD/MAN GOD
WHAT JESUS SAID DID FELT MEANT