Matthew – one of the 12 apostles
Date: before 70 AD (temple in Jerusalem had not yet been destroyed when written)
Genealogy: Yes
Broad Division: The humanity of Jesus from an earthly perspective; evangelistic messages for lost humanity; His public life is in focus.
Primary Area of Ministry: Capernaum in Galilee
Prominent Concept: Law
Emphasis: Words of Jesus; numerous discourses
Style & Outlook: Prophetic; Jesus as Teacher; a teaching manual for converts
Themes/Special Focus: Power; Jesus as Messiah-King; Son of Abraham
Arrangement of Material: Topical
Unique Material: 42% found only in Matthew
Original Culture Addressed: Jews
Era Associated With: past and present
Percent of Words Spoken By Jesus: 60%
Outstanding Sections: Sermons
Key Words: Fulfilled; Kingdom; “repent” (4:17)
Key Verse: 21:5
Quotations from the Old Testament: 53
Allusions to the Old Testament: 76
Fascinating Features: Stress is on “The Kingdom of Heaven – term used 33 times; many Old Testament quotations affirming His deity; many allusions to prophecy; topic of money often addressed; contains The Sermon on the Mount
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Mark – not an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus; nephew of Barnabas; friend of Peter and Paul
Date: before 70 AD
Genealogy: None
Broad Division: Stress is on the humanity of Jesus, from the earthly perspective; evangelistic messages for lost humanity; public life of Jesus is in focus.
Primary Area of Ministry: Capernaum in Galilee is central
Prominent Concept: Power and Service (10:45)
Emphasis: the deeds of Jesus
Style & Outlook: practical; simple narration of facts; miracles; discourse; few parables
Themes/Special Focus: Jesus as the Mighty Conqueror & Preacher
Arrangement of Material: chronological
Unique Material: only 7% is not found in the other three Gospels
Original Culture Addressed: Romans
Era Associated With: past and present
Percent of Words Spoken By Jesus: 42%
Outstanding Sections: miracles
Key Words: straightway; immediately
Key Verse: 10:45
Quotations from the Old Testament: 36
Allusions to the Old Testament: 27
Fascinating Features: Stress is on miracles; no nativity/childhood; much movement: emphasizes the actions of Christ
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Luke – not an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry; a physician and friend of Paul; a Greek from Troas
Date: before 70 AD
Genealogy: Yes
Broad Division: stress on humanity of Jesus; from an earthly perspective; evangelistic messages for lost humanity; public life Christ in focus
Primary Area of Ministry: Capernaum in Galilee
Prominent Concept: Grace for lost humanity
Emphasis: emotions and feelings
Style & Outlook: humanity of Jesus; historical style; well organized; excellent Greek
Themes/Special Focus: the historical Jesus; Jesus as the Perfect man – son of Adam
Arrangement of Material: chronological
Unique Material: 59% is unique to Luke
Original Culture Addressed: Greeks
Era Associated With: past and present
Percent of Words Spoken By Jesus: 50%
Outstanding Sections: parables
Key Concepts/Words: Son of man – came to save the lost
Key Verse: 19:10
Quotations from the Old Testament: 25
Allusions to the Old Testament: 42
Fascinating Features: the empathy of Jesus; only Gospel writer to tell of the Perean ministry, which would be of particular interest to Greek readers; women and children’s interaction with Jesus are more prominent.
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John – an eyewitness – “the beloved disciple,” a fisherman and one of the 12 apostles
Date: 85-90 AD
Genealogy: None
Broad Division: Stress is on the deity of Jesus – from the heavenly perspective
Primary Area of Ministry: Jerusalem in Judea
Prominent Concept: the Glory of God
Emphasis: the thoughts of Jesus and the Father
Style & Outlook: theological treatise from the spiritual/doctrinal perspective
Themes/Special Focus: the wisdom of God; Jesus as Savior and Son of God
Arrangement of Material: Topical
Unique Material: 92% is material unique to John’s Gospel
Original Culture Addressed: all of humanity; the world
Era Associated With: present and future
Percent of Words Spoken By Jesus: 50%
Outstanding Sections: doctrinal and theological teachings
Key Words: believe; sign; witness; life
Key Verse: 20:31
Quotations from the Old Testament: 20
Allusions to the Old Testament: 105
Fascinating Features: Emphasizes the early Judean ministry of Jesus, whereas Synoptic writers tend to emphasize His ministry in Galilee; no parables are recorded; unique discourses and teachings; written to strengthen faith