The document summarizes key information about the four Gospels of the New Testament. It provides details on the author, approximate date written, intended audience, symbolic image, and theological focus of each Gospel. Mark is the earliest and shortest Gospel written for persecuted Christians around AD 60 portraying Jesus as the Suffering Servant. Matthew, written around AD 80 for Jews, focuses on Jesus as the Teacher of the Torah. Luke, written around AD 85 for disciples in Ephesus, emphasizes Jesus as the Savior for all people. John, the latest Gospel written around AD 90 for Greek audiences, presents Jesus as truly God and truly man.

1. The Gospels

2. What they are! Accounts of the Life and Teachings of Jesus Written by supporters of Jesus Texts written over a period of 40 years Written almost 30 years after the events occurred Based on memories True

3. What they are not! Eyewitness testimony Historical accounts Written by apostles, except one (maybe) Biblical Mythology

4. Facts There are Four Gospels Gospels mean “Good News” Each writer has a symbol taken from book of Daniel As a group, the Gospel writers are called EVANGELISTS Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called SYNOPTIC since they are written ‘in the same sight’

5. MARK Written about AD 60 The shortest Gospel Symbolized by a Lion Begins with John the Baptist Written to a group of persecuted Christians Focuses on Jesus as the Suffering Servant

6. MATTHEW Written about AD 80 Used Mark as source, as well as Q source Symbolized by a human Begins with the Genealogy of Jesus through Joseph Written to a large group of Jews Focuses on Jesus as Teacher of the Torah

7. LUKE Written about AD 85 Used Mark as source, as well as Q source Symbolized by Ox Begins with Infancy Narrative Written to disciples in the city of Ephesus Focused on Jesus as Savior for All

8. JOHN Written about AD 90 Very philosophical Symbolized by an eagle Contains nothing about Eucharist Written to Greek speaking world Focused on Jesus as Truly God and Truly Man

9. GOSPEL CHART Place the information into a chart 1. What general topics are there? Name Date written Audience Focus of Jesus as… Symbol

10. Gospel Chart 2. What information falls under each topic? Names Mark Matthew Luke John

11. Dates MT 80 MK 60 LK 85 JN 90

12. Audience MT Jews MK Persecuted Christians LK Ephesus JN Greeks

13. Image of Jesus as… MT Teacher of the Torah MK Suffering Servant LK Savior of All JN Truly God and Truly Man

14. Symbol MT Human MK Lion LK Ox JN Eagle

15. EAGLE TRULY GOD AND TRULY MAN GREEKS 90 JN OX SAVIOR FOR ALL EPHESUS 85 LK HUMAN TEACHER OF THE TORAH JEWS 80 MT LION SUFFERING SERVANT PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS 60 MK SYMBOL IMAGE AUDIENCE DATE NAME