The Four Gospels:
Some Comparative Overview Charts
by Prof. Felix Just, S.J. -
Loyola Marymount University
see also: New Testament Canon through the Times >>
Historical Background Issues:
| GOSPEL acc. to... | MARK | MATTHEW | LUKE | JOHN |
|
WHO?
traditionally attributed author? |
"John Mark of Jerusalem" (Acts 12:12; 15:37; Col 4:10; Phlm 1:24; 1Pet 5:13) | tax collector & apostle (Mark 3:18; Matt 9:9; 10:3; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) | physician & companion of Paul (Col 4:14; 2Tim 4:11; Phlm 1:24 only) | John, son of Zebedee; one of 12 apostles (Mark 1:19; 3:17; cf. John 21:2) |
|
WHO?
implied author? |
bilingual (Aramaic & Greek) Christian of the 2nd generation; "young man" of 14:51-52? | multi-lingual (Aramaic & Greek) early Jewish Christian; trained "scribe"of 13:52? | Gentile Christian convert; well educated Greek "historian"; client of Theophilus (1:1-4)? | the "beloved disciple" and his Jewish Christian followers (19:35; 21:20-24) |
|
TO WHOM?
implied audience? |
mostly Gentiles, fairly new in their faith, and facing persecutions | better educated Jews who believe in Jesus, but argue over the Law | wealthier Gentile Christians in an urban setting, becoming complacent | very mixed: mostly Jews, some Gentiles, Samaritans, etc. |
|
WHAT?
subtype of "Gospel" genre? |
narrated "good news" (1:1) about Jesus, esp. his actions & his death | book of "heritage" of Jesus (1:1) & much of his "teaching" (28:20) | an "orderly account" for attaining "secure knowledge" (1:1-4) | much "testimony" and "signs" for believers (20:30f; 21:24f) |
|
WHERE?
written from and/or to? |
probably Rome; possibly Decapolis, Syria or Alexandria? | possibly Galilee; probably in or near Antioch in Syria | probably Greece; possibly Syria/Antioch (Pauline missions) | originally Galilee or Syria; traditionally Ephesus (Asia Minor) |
|
WHEN?
approximate date? |
first written "Gospel"; very late 60’s or early 70's (Jewish War 66-70) | late 70’s or 80’s (w/ older sources, incl. one written by Matthew?) | mid to late 80’s (incl. "many" earlier written sources) | main edition 90’s (early edition 50’s? epilogue after 100?) |
| WHY? community circumstances & author's purpose? | to encourage a group undergoing difficult trials and persecutions | to teach a community with internal divisions and external enemies | to challenge believers to put their faith into practice more fully | to strengthen a group ostracized by other Jews for their faith |
| GOSPEL acc. to... | MARK | MATTHEW | LUKE | JOHN |
|
Number of chapters (verses and words) |
16 ( 678 / 11304 ) |
28 ( 1071 / 18345 ) |
24 ( 1151 / 19482) |
21 ( 879 / 15635 ) |
| Style of Greek | grammatically poor | Semitic influenced | good, elegant, literary | simple, but highly symbolic |
| Geographical Focus | Galilean towns & villages; some Gentile territory | Galilee, esp. mountains; mostly Jewish areas | one long journey to the goal: Jerusalem | multiple visits back and forth to Jerusalem |
| Literary Features | quick action ("and then"; immediately…"); loosely connected episodes |
five major discourses;
well-organized sections of collected pericopes |
stories often in pairs (esp. Male/Female characters); many extra parables | "Amen, Amen, I say to you…"; irony; paradox; double-meanings |
| Literary Introduction | "Beginning of Good News" (1:1) | "Book of Genealogy" (1:1) | "Orderly Account" (1:1-4) | Cosmic Hymn (1:1-18) |
| Gospel Beginning | John the Baptist’s preaching; Jesus’ ministry begins (1:2-15) | Jesus as Emmanuel (1:2-2:23); "King of Jews" vs. King Herod | Elizabeth & Mary; parallel birth stories J. B. & Jesus (1:5-2:52) | J. B. points to "Lamb of God"; first disciples come (1:19-51) |
| Inaugural Event | Exorcism in Synagogue of Capernaum (1:21-28) | Sermon on the Mount; Fulfillment of Law (ch. 5-7) | Jubilee reading from Isa 61; Rejection at Nazareth (4:14-30) | Wedding Feast at Cana; first of Jesus’ "signs" (2:1-11) |
| Jesus’ Major Opponents |
1- Pharisees & Herodians; 2- chief priests, scribes & elders |
"scribes & Pharisees"; "hypocrites & blind guides" | unjust authorities (civil & religious); rich & corrupt people | "the Jews" (i.e. the leaders usually); esp. Pharisees |
| Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross | "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (15:34) |
[same as in Mark] (Mt 27:46) |
"You will be with me in Paradise" (23:43); "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit" (23:46) | "Behold your son; behold you mother" (19:26f); "I am thirsty" (19:28); "It is finished" (19:30) |
| Focus of Passion | ch. 14-15 - death as tragedy | ch. 26-27 - plots & treachery | ch. 22-23 - Jesus innocent | ch. 18-19 - Jesus’ exaltation |
| Last Major Event | Empty Tomb, outside of Jerusalem (16:1-8) | Great Commission, on Mountain in Galilee (28:16-20) | Ascension, from Bethany just East of Jerusalem (24:50-53) |
1:
disciples & Thomas (20:19-29)
2: [Peter & Beloved Disciple (21:1-23)] |
| Final Literary Ending |
women leave tomb in fear
& silence (16:8) [16:9-20 added only later] |
Jesus tells the disciples, "I am with you always" (28:20) | disciples return to Jerusalem temple with joy praising God (24:53) |
1: many
more signs (20:30f)
2: [many other books 21:24f] |
| GOSPEL acc. to... | MARK | MATTHEW | LUKE | JOHN |
|
Christology I: Main Titles for Jesus |
Christ/Messiah & Son of God; Suffering Son of Man; Eschatological Judge | Son of David, Son of Abraham; Great Lawgiver and Teacher (like Moses); Emmanuel; King of Jews | a great Prophet (in word & deed); Lord (of all nations); Savior (esp. of the poor) | Divine Logos (Word made Flesh); Son sent from Father; Passover Lamb; "I Am…" / "Equal to God" |
|
Christology II: Jesus’ Major Actions |
miracles; overcoming evil powers; arguing with religious authorities | teaching disciples; decrying religious hypocrisy | healing sick & impaired people; forgiving sinners & debtors | speaking God’s words; doing God’s works; revealing God and himself |
|
Discipleship I: Teachings about Disc. |
persevere in faith despite suffering; follow Jesus "on the way" to the cross; be ready for his return | be righteous; forgive always; live ethically (Golden Rule); fulfill God’s laws, esp. charitable deeds | leave everything to follow Jesus; share with poor; accept everyone, esp. outcasts, women, enemies | see, believe, know, remain in Jesus & God, despite hostility; love one another; be in unity; serve humbly |
|
Discipleship II: Role Models for Disc. |
anon.
women (5:25; 7:24; 12:41; 14:3); Jairus (5:21); Bartimaeus (10:46) |
Peter (16:13-20); children (18:1-5); faithful servants (24:45--25:46) | Mary (1:26--2:51); Good Samaritan (10:25-37); Zacchaeus (19:1-10) | John Bapt. (ch.1); blind man (ch.9); Martha (11:27); the B.D. (13:23ff) |
| Eschatological Expectations | imminent and suddenly, but no one knows when; so "Keep awake" (13:1-37) | false prophets will arise; many will fall away; Gospel must first be preached to all (24:10-14) | after Jerusalem is destroyed & the Gentiles’ time is fulfilled; not so soon; pray! (21:20-24, 28, 36) | realized eschatology; all who hear & believe have eternal life already now and are not judged (5:21-25) |
| Basis for Final Judgment | whether you persevere in faith despite persecutions (13:13) | what you do for "the least" people; Sheep & Goats parable (25:31-46) | how you use wealth / possessions; parables of Rich & Poor (16:1-31) | whether or not you believe in Jesus (3:16-18; 5:19-24; 12:44-50) |
| Other Major Themes |
Messianic secret; main disciples don’t understand, but minor characters do believe |
fulfillment of Scripture; divisions within the community;final separation of good vs. bad | fulfillment of God’s plan; eschatological reversal; tax collectors & sinners favored | "eternal life" = "life in his name"; Paraclete = Holy Spirit; Xn unity; mutual indwelling of God/Jesus |
|
Evangelists' Symbols (see Rev 4:7) |
Lion | Human [Angel] | Ox | Eagle |
| Liturgical Feast Day | April 25 | September 21 | October 18 | December 27 |
Structural and Geographical Comparisons:
| GOSPEL acc. to... | MARK | MATT | LUKE | JOHN |
| Approximate Date | very late 60’s | late 70’s (or 80’s) | (late 70’s) or 80’s | late 80’s or 90’s |
|
Introduction: Literary Preface Genealogy Infancy Narrative |
1:1 1:1 ("good news") xxx xxx |
1:1 - 2:23 xxx 1:1-17 1:18 - 2:23 |
1:1 -
2:52 1:1-4 ("orderly account") [3:23-38] 1:5 - 2:52 |
1:1-18
(prologue) 1:1-18 ("Word of God") xxx [1:14] |
|
Preparatory Episodes: John Baptist's Preaching Baptism of Jesus Temptation of Jesus |
1:2-13 1:2-8 1:9-11 1:12-13 |
3:1 - 4:11 3:1-12 3:13-17 4:1-11 |
3:1 - 4:13
3:1-20 3:21-22 4:1-13 |
1:1-51
1:19-36 [1:31-33] xxx |
|
Jesus' Early Ministry, mostly to Jews in Galilee: Initial Preaching Call of First Disciples Outside of Galilee |
1:14 - 8:21
1:14-15 |
4:12 - 16:12
4:12-17 |
4:14 - 9:17
4:14-30
|
[Ch.
2, 4, 6]
xxx
|
|
On the Way to Jerusalem Initial Stages 1st Passion Prediction 2nd Passion Prediction To Jerusalem Itself 3rd Passion Prediction |
8:22 - 10:52 8:22 - 9:50 8:31-33 9:30-32 10:1-52 10:32-34 |
16:13 - 20:34 16:13-18:35 16:21-23 17:22-23 19:1 - 20:34 20:17-19 |
9:18 - 19:27
9:18-50 9:22 9:43b-45 9:51 - 19:27 18:31-34 |
[xxx] [7:1-9] xxx xxx [2:13; 5:1; 7:10 xxx |
|
Ministry in Jerusalem Teachings & Disputes Eschatological Discourse |
11:1 - 13:37 11:1 - 12:44 13:1-37 |
21:1 - 25:46 21:1 - 23:39 24:1-36 |
19:28 - 21:38
19:1 - 21:4 21:5-36 |
[Ch.
3, 5, 7-12] most of this xxx |
|
Passion Week Last Supper Crucifixion |
14:1 - 15:47 14:17-31 15:22-41 |
26:1 - 27:66 26:20-35 27:33-56 |
22:1 -
23:56 22:14 -38 23:33-49 |
13:1 -
19:42 13:1 - 17:26 19:17-37 |
|
Resurrection Narrative Empty Tomb Story Appearance Stories |
16:1-8 16:1-8 xxx [16:9-20 added later] |
28:1-20 28:1-8 28:9-10, 16-20 |
24:1-53
24:1-12 24:13-53 |
20:1-31 [21:1-25 added later] 20:1-13 20:14-31; 21:1-25 |
see also: New Testament Canon through the Times >>
with permission of Prof. Dr. Felix Just. For more resources visit his excellent site
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