The Four Gospel Writers

During class presentations about the Gospel Writers, who are Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John, we covered who the writer was writing to, the language it was written in, symbol(s) that corresponded to the writer, the time period to which the book was written, the relationship between the Gospel Writer and Jesus, the purpose of the Gospel writer's work, and the historical background of the Gospel Writer. I learned that all the symbols related to the Gospel Writers included wings, which symbolizes someone being elevated from Earth because of their knowledge from reading and understanding the Gospels. Mark wrote his book around 72 A.D. to the Jews under the rule of Emperor Nero, and he was a follower of Peter the Apostle, who was a follower of Jesus. His purpose was to spread information about Jesus' life, which was inspired by Peter. Matthew wrote his book around 80-90 A.D. to Jewish Christian people while the community was going through political and social construction and revolts and tension were between Jews and the Roman Empire. Matthew was called by Jesus to be one of his followers and decided to write the Gospel to spread that Jesus was the Savior. Luke wrote his book to early Gentiles and the early Church around 90-110 A.D. most likely around Asia Minor or Rome, because he wanted to confirm the teachings of the Apostle Paul by writing in chronological order. Luke did not follow Jesus, but he was good friends with the Apostle Paul, during the time when people began to accept Christianity. John wrote his book to the people of the Church and to believers and non-believers around 90 or 100 A.D., which was believed to come from Syria and Ephesus in Asia Minor. John was believed to be a disciple of Jesus and testified that he saw all the events that he recorded.

Between Mark and Matthew, they both mentioned the people next to Jesus during His Crucifixion as revolutionaries and "both were abusing him" (Bible). They also explain Jesus' last words as "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (BibleGateway), which showed the doubt of God. In both the Gospel readings of Matthew and Mark, the centurion stated, "Truly this man is the Son of God" (Bible). Mark and Luke's writings were similarly not very detailed, compared to the other writings, and were both second-hand accounts. Also, Matthew and John's writing were detailed and were first-hand accounts. Luke and John wrote Jesus' last words differently but it shows that Jesus trusted God when He died.

  Mark and Luke's writings were less detailed and were second-hand hand accounts, compared to Matthew and John's detailed first-hand account writings. Mark and Matthew's Gospels explained that the two men next to Jesus were revolutionaries, while Luke explained them to be criminals and John stating they were "two others" (Bible). Jesus' last words were also different among the four Gospel readings because Mark and Matthew stated that He said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (BibleGateway), while Luke wrote, "Into your hands I commend my spirit" (Bible). Also, John wrote Jesus' last words to be, "It is finished" (Bible). This meant that Mark and Matthew's writings showed the doubt towards God, while Luke and John's writings showed the trust in God. The centurion had said the same thing in Mark and Matthew's writings ("Truly this man is the Son of God" (Bible)) while Luke's writing stated, "This man was innocent beyond about" (Bible). There was no centurion in John's writing.

The Gospel I would prefer reading is John's Gospel. I would prefer reading a first-hand account since they were an eyewitness of the events. John's writing was also more detailed compared to Mark and Luke's Gospel writings. When I read, I look for a good purpose in reading the text and the author's motivation to the readers. John's motive while writing was to "confirm and secure Christians in the faith" (Bible). John also refers to the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the Messiah and explains the blood and water that poured out of Jesus.

This image shows the Apostle John with Jesus after His crucifixion. (Gaultiere)

I chose this image because it shows that John was a first-hand account and he helped Jesus.

Works Cited

“BibleGateway.” Mark 15:33-35 NIV - - Bible Gateway, Biblica, Inc, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+15%3A33-35&version=NIV.

“BibleGateway.” Matthew 27:45-47 NIV - - Bible Gateway, Biblica, Inc,              www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27%3A45-47&version=NIV.

Gaultiere, Bill. “Growing through a Dark Night of the Soul.” Soul Shepherding, 5 Sept. 2016, www.soulshepherding.org/2008/08/growing-through-a-dark-night-of-the-soul/.