The Gospels
The life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4 books🎯 Learning objective
Get to know the four Gospels, their differences and their shared message: Jesus is the Son of God who dies and rises for us.
📜 Introduction
The Gospels are the heart of the whole Bible. Four witnesses —Matthew, Mark, Luke and John— tell of the life, words, miracles, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
🏛️ Historical context
Jesus was born in Bethlehem around 6-4 BC, under the Roman Empire, and died in Jerusalem around AD 30. His teaching was first handed down orally by the apostles and written down between AD 65 and 100. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called "synoptic" because they are very similar and can be read in parallel columns.
🕰️ Timeline
- 6-4 BCBirth of Jesus in Bethlehem
- Around AD 27-28Jesus' baptism and the start of his ministry
- Around AD 30Death and resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem
- AD 30-60Oral preaching of the apostles
- Around AD 65-70Gospel of Mark
- Around AD 80-90Gospels of Matthew and Luke
- Around AD 90-100Gospel of John
🧭 Comparison chart
| Book | Author | Date | Central theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Saint Matthew the apostle (by tradition) | Around AD 80-90 | Jesus the Messiah · Kingdom of heaven |
| Mark | Saint Mark, disciple of Saint Peter | Around AD 65-70 | Jesus' identity · Discipleship |
| Luke | Saint Luke, physician and companion of Saint Paul | Around AD 80-90 | Mercy · The poor and excluded |
| John | Saint John, the beloved disciple, and his community | Around AD 90-100 | Jesus' divinity · Faith and eternal life |
💡 Why it matters
As the Second Vatican Council says, the Gospels "have a special preeminence" because they are the principal witness to Jesus (Dei Verbum 18).
📖 How to read these books
Start with Mark, the shortest, then read the others. Notice what each evangelist highlights. Contemplate the scenes: imagine the place, listen to Jesus and ask what he says to you.
Matthew
The Gospel according to Saint Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah promised to Israel, the new Moses who teaches with authority and founds his…Read →Mark
The Gospel according to Saint Mark is the shortest and probably the first written. It vividly tells Jesus' actions and leads to the key question: who…Read →Luke
The Gospel according to Saint Luke is the gospel of mercy, prayer, the Holy Spirit and the poor. It is the first part of a work that continues in the…Read →John
The Gospel according to Saint John is the most profound and spiritual. It presents Jesus as the eternal Word made flesh, who reveals the Father…Read →📖 Ask Bible AI
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