General Information

1. Four writers -Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
2. Symbols -connected to Ezekiel 1:10 and Revelation 4:7
1. Matthew -Man
2. Mark -Lion
3. Luke-Ox
4. John -Eagle
3. Purpose -not a biography, tells the life and teaching of Jesus written by Disciples of Christ; the Good News; only the Book of Gospels rests on the altar table; the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
4. Synoptic Gospels -"looks the same" -Matthew, Mark and Luke
1. similar in context and form
2. written second half of the 1^st C
3. written in Greek
5. St. Matthew (Nov.16) -one of the 12 Apostles;: tax collector; preached largely to the Jews
1. possibly written in 50-70 AD, in Aramaic for Jews originally
2. major theme -Christ the Incarnate God
3. genealogy of Christ -descended from David and Abraham
4. many Old Testament references
5. birth in Bethlehem -baptism by John -temptations in the wilderness -calling of the disciples -public ministry
6. longest, most detailed account of Christ's teaching -Sermon on the Mount (chs.5-7)
7. most consistently used text in liturgical worship (e.g. Beatitudes, Lord. sPrayer)
8. only one to contain the Apostolic Commission "...to baptize all nations.."
6. St. Mark (April 25) -one of the seventy Apostles
1. possibly the shortest, earliest written in 65-70 AD
2. major theme -Jesus Christ as Servant and Sacrifice
3. presents the "tradition of St. Peter"
4. begins immediately with Jesus' baptism -the call of the Apostles - the preaching of Jesus and His works of forgiveness and healing
7. St.Luke -one of the seventy; a physician: also wrote the Acts of the Apostles
1. probably written in Greece or Asia Minor around 70-90 AD, a Gentile Christian and associate with St.Paul
2. major theme -The Universality of the Gospel Message
3. forms the most complete history of Christ and the early Christian Church
4. complete account of the birth of Jesus and John the Baptist (most likely source of information is Mary); lots of detail concerning Christ and His concern for the poor and sinful
8. St. John -the beloved Disciple and Apostle of the Lord; son of Zebedee; a fisherman; youngest apostle
1. very different from the Synoptic Gospels and the latest written - near the end of the 1^st C, 96 AD.
2. major theme -The Eternal Son of God has come in the Flesh
3. most Orthodox Bibles begin with this gospel -begins on Pascha night
4. begins with identifying Jesus of Nazareth as the Divine Word of God of the Old Testament. who became flesh as Jesus the Son of God, who in turn grants to all who believe in Him the ability to become "children of God" - accounts of Jesus baptism -the call of the apostles -the signs or miracles and their significance -the passion of Christ and its meaning for the salvation of the world
5. accounts of the resurrection that only appear in this Gospel