Gospels

1. Is the uniqueness of the four gospels not destroyed by harmonizing them?

A harmony of the gospels should not try to make a fifth gospel out of the four we have. The four should rather be laid side by side, allowing each one to speak for itself. It is like listening to each family member in family therapy. Each one gives his/her own perspective on the problem in his/her own words, enhancing the understanding of the problem by confirming some information and by adding new information. Likewise, each gospel gives some new information while it confirms other information. In this sense the four gospels are complementary and not contradictory. When we listen carefully to all four gospels we get a pretty good idea what happened, and what the sequence of events were.
 

2. What are the unique contributions of each gospel?

Books have been written on this question, and various authors have highlighted various aspects. God allowed each gospel-writer’s unique background, personality, circumstances and goals to be reflected in his book without violating the truth about Jesus. Most conservative  theologians agree that the three synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke) were written between 58 and 69 AD, and the gospel of John about 85 AD.

a. Mark wrote his gospel from Peter’s lips while they were in Rome. For Roman Christians they had to explain Jewish customs. Deeds were important for Romans, therefore they described Jesus as the serving KING by focusing more on His deeds than on His teachings.

b. Matthew incorporated most of Mark’s gospel in his own, but as he was writing for Jewish Christians, he quoted extensively from the Old Testament to show how messianic prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. He also added many of the teachings of Jesus and thus portrayed Him as PROPHET.

c. Luke. While Paul was jailed in Israel for two years, his Greek friend, Luke, did his own research about Jesus by contacting many eyewitnesses who were still alive. In his opening words it is clear that he was acquainted with the gospels of Mark and Matthew, but he added a lot of new material too. Jesus’ mercy for the despised caught the eye of this physician, thus he wrote more about women, children, and the sick. By adding many prayers of Jesus, Luke painted Jesus as the PRIEST.

d. John wrote his gospel about 20 years after the synoptic gospels which were then well known. He did not have to repeat that. By describing the debates between Jesus and the religious leaders, as well as Jesus’ teaching to the disciples, John gave much information about Jesus as the SON OF GOD.

 These various angles are not contradictory but complementary. Together they give the complete picture of the Messiah. By laying the gospels side by side, we do not take away their unique viewpoints; on the contrary, we are enriched and enlightened by their unique perspectives. For friends of Jesus the four witnesses are not irreconcilable but they are rather confirming the same truth, each in their own words.

For more information on the gospel writers, click on
    Gospel Writers