GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN

acc. to...
WHO? "John Mark of tax collector & physician & John, son of
traditionally Jerusalem" (Acts apostle (Mark companion of Paul Zebedee; one of
attributed 12:12; 15:37; Col 3:18; Matt 9:9; (Col 4:14; 2Tim 12 apostles (Mark
author? 4:10; Phlm 1:24; 10:3; Luke 6:15; 4:11; Phlm 1:24 1:19; 3:17; cf. John
1Pet 5:13) Acts 1:13) only) 21:2)
WHO? bilingual (Aramaic multi-lingual Gentile Christian the "beloved
implied & Greek) Christian (Aramaic & Greek) convert; well disciple" and his
author? of the 2nd early Jewish educated Greek Jewish Christian
generation; Christian; trained "historian"; client followers (19:35;
"young man" of "scribe"of 13:52? of Theophilus (1:1- 21:20-24)
14:51-52? 4)?
TO WHOM? mostly Gentiles, better educated wealthier Gentile very mixed:
implied fairly new in their Jews who believe Christians in an mostly Jews, some
audience? faith, and facing in Jesus, but argue urban setting, Gentiles,
persecutions over the Law becoming Samaritans, etc.
complacent
WHERE? probably Rome; possibly Galilee; probably Greece; originally Galilee
written from possibly Decapolis, probably in or near possibly or Syria;
and/or to? Syria or Antioch in Syria Syria/Antioch traditionally
Alexandria? (Pauline missions) Ephesus (Asia
Minor)
WHEN? first written late 70's or 80's mid to late 80's main edition 90's
approximate "Gospel"; very late (w/ older sources, (incl. "many" (early edition
date? 60's or early 70's incl. one written earlier written 50's? epilogue
(Jewish War 66-70) by Matthew?) sources) after 100?)
WHAT? narrated "good book of "heritage" an "orderly much "testimony"
subtype of news" (1:1) about of Jesus (1:1) & account" for and "signs" for
"Gospel" Jesus, esp. his much of his attaining "secure believers (20:30-
genre? actions & his "teaching" (28:20) knowledge" (1:1-4) 31; 21:24-25)
death
WHY? to encourage a to teach a to challenge to strengthen a
community group undergoing community with believers to put group ostracized
circumstanc difficult trials and internal divisions their faith into by other Jews for
es & author's persecutions and external practice more fully their faith
purpose? enemies
See also my related webpage: Who Really Wrote the Gospels?

Literary, Stylistic and Thematic Comparisons:

# GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
acc. to...
1 Number of 16 28 24 21
chapters ( 678 / 11304 ) ( 1071 / ( 1151 / ( 879 / 15635 )
(verses 18345 ) 19482 )
and words)
2 Style of grammatically Semitic good, elegant, simple, but highly
Greek poor Greek influenced Greek literary Greek symbolic Greek
3 Geographic Galilean towns & Galilee, esp. one long journey multiple visits back &
al Focus villages; some mountains; to the goal: forth to Jerusalem
Gentile territory mostly Jewish Jerusalem
 areas
4 Literary quick action five major any story pairs "Amen, Amen, I say to
Features ("and then"; discourses; well- (with you."; irony;
"immediately"); organized male/female paradox; double-
episodes sections of characters); meanings
connected collected focus on prayer;
loosely, but pericopes many extra
grouped parables
5 Literary "Beginning of "Book of "Orderly Cosmic Hymn (1:1-18)
Introductio Good News" (1:1) Genealogy" (1:1) Account" (1:1-4)
n
6 Gospel John the Baptist's parallel birth J. B. points to "Lamb
Jesus' heritage:
Beginning preaching; stories: John the of God"; first disciples
David (royal),
Jesus' ministry Baptist & Jesus come (1:19-51)
Abraham
begins (1:2-15) (1:5–2:52)
(Jewish),
Emmanuel (God
with us) (1:2–
2:23)

7 First Words [to unspecified [to John the [12-year-old, to [to two disciples of
of Jesus crowds]: "The Baptist, before his parents in John the Baptist]:
time is fulfilled, his baptism]: Jerusalem]: "What are you looking
and the kingdom "Let it be so now; "Why were you for?" (1:38)
of God has come for it is proper for searching for and "Come and See"
near; us in this way me? Did you not (1:39)
repent, and to fulfill all know that I must
believe in the righteousness" be in my Father's
good news" (3:15) house?" (2:49)
(1:15)
8 Birth of Jesus' birth is not focus on men: focus on women: theology of
Jesus narrated; but David, Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary, incarnation: "Word
(narrative he's called Herod, Magi; Anna; became flesh and
emphasis) "Son of Mary" power: King of angels; dwelt among us"
(6:3) and "the Jews? murder of shepherds; Holy (1:14)
Nazarene" infants! Spirit
(14:67)
9 Inaugural Exorcism in the Sermon on the Jubilee reading Wedding Feast at
Event Synagogue Mount: from Isaiah 61: Cana:
of Capernaum Fulfillment of Rejection at first of Jesus' "signs"
(1:21-28) Torah/Law (ch. Nazareth (4:14- (2:1-11)
5–7) 30)
1 Jesus' Major 1- Pharisees & "scribes & unjust authorities "the Jews" (esp.
0 Opponents Herodians; Pharisees"; (civil & religious); leaders in Jerusalem);
2- chief priests, "hypocrites & rich & corrupt Pharisees; High Priest
scribes & elders blind guides" people Caiaphas
1 Jesus' "My God, my [same as in "Father, forgive "Woman, behold, your
1 [Seven] God, why have Mark] them..." (23:34); son"; "Behold, your
Last you forsaken (Mt 27:46) "You will be with mother" (19:26-27);
Words on me?" (15:34) me in Paradise" "I am thirsty" (19:28);
the Cross (23:43); "It is finished" (19:30)
"Father, into your
hands I
commend my
 Spirit" (23:46)
1 Focus of horrible authorities' plots Jesus' innocence; Jesus'
2 Passion suffering; tragic & treachery (ch. forgiveness (ch. exaltation/glorification
death (ch. 14– 26-27) 22–23) (ch. 18–19)
15)
1 Last Major Empty Tomb, Great Ascension, from 1: disciples & Thomas
3 Event outside of Commission, on Bethany just East (20:19-29)
Jerusalem (16:1- Mountain in of Jerusalem 2: [Peter & Beloved
8) Galilee (28:16- (24:50-53) Disciple (21:1-23)]
20)
1 Final women leave Jesus tells the disciples return 1: many more signs
4 Literary tomb in fear & disciples, "I am to Jerusalem (20:30-31)
Ending silence with you always" temple with joy 2: [many other books,
(16:8) [16:9-20 (28:20) praising God 21:24-25]
added only later] (24:53)
. GOSPEL MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
acc. to...
1 Christology Christ/Messiah & Son of David; great Prophet (in Eternal Logos; Divine
5 I: Son of God; Son of Abraham; word & deed); Word made Flesh;
Main Titles Suffering Son of King of the Jews; Lord (of Israel, Only-begotten Son;
for Jesus Man; New Lawgiver & and of all sent from Father;
Eschatological Great Teacher nations); Passover Lamb; "I
Judge (like Moses); Savior (of all, but Am" / "Equal to God"
Emmanuel ("God esp. of the poor)
with us")
1 Christology miracles; teaching his healing sick & speaking God's
6 II: overcoming evil disciples; impaired people; words; doing God's
Jesus' Major powers; decrying forgiving sinners works; revealing his
Actions arguing with religious & debtors intimate relationship
religious hypocrisy with God
authorities
1 Discipleshi persevere in be righteous; leave everything see, believe, know,
7 p I: faith despite forgive always; to follow Jesus; remain in Jesus &
Teachings suffering; follow live ethically share with poor; God, despite hostility;
about Disc. Jesus "on the (Golden Rule); accept everyone, love one another; be
way" to the fulfill God's esp. outcasts, in unity; serve humbly
cross; be ready commands, esp. women, enemies
for his return in charitable
deeds
1 Discipleshi anon. women Peter (16:13-20); Mary of Nazareth John [the Baptizer]
8 p II: (5:25; 7:24; children (18:1-5); (1:26–2:51); (ch. 1);
Role 12:41; 14:3); faithful servants Good Samaritan man born blind (ch.
Models for Jairus (5:21); (24:45–25:46) (10:25-37); 9); Martha (11:27);
Disc. Bartimaeus Zacchaeus (19:1- the B.D. (13:23ff);
(10:46) 10) Mary Magdalene
(20:1-18)
1 Eschatologi imminent and false prophets after Jerusalem is realized eschatology;
9 cal suddenly, but no will arise; many destroyed & all who hear & believe
Expectation one knows when; will fall away; Gentiles' time is have eternal life
s so "Keep Gospel must first fulfilled; not so already now, are not
awake!" (13:1- be preached to soon; pray! judged (5:21-25)
37) all (24:10-14) (21:20-24, 28,
 36)
2 Basis for whether you what you do for how you use whether or not you
0 Final persevere in "the least" wealth / believe in Jesus
Judgment faith people; possessions; (3:16-18; 5:19-24;
despite Sheep & Goats parables of Rich 12:44-50)
persecutions parable (25:31- & Poor (16:1-31)
(13:13) 46)
2 Other Major Messianic secret; fulfillment of fulfillment of "eternal life" = "life in
1 Themes main disciples Scripture; God's plan; his name";
don't divisions within eschatological Paraclete = Holy
understand, the community; reversal; Spirit; Christian unity;
but minor final separation tax collectors & mutual indwelling of
characters do of good vs. bad sinners favored God/Jesus/us
believe
2 Evang. Lion Human [or Ox Eagle
2 Symbols Angel]
(cf. Rev
4:7)
2 Liturgical April 25 September 21 October 18 December 27
3 Feast Day
2 Use in Year B Year A Year C mixed, esp. Lent &
4 Sunday Easter
Lectionary
2 Typical Jesus on the Sermon on the Jesus Heals the Christ the Revealer
5 Portrait Cross Mount Sick
2 Emphasize Modern Catholics (esp. Protestants (esp. Orthodox Xns (esp.
6 d by Historians (oldest ecclesial social justice logos Christology)
Whom? historical structures) focus)
account)