OVERVIEW OF THE GOSPELS

1. In Matthew – To Jews - The Prophesied Messiah- King: Supremacy & Kingship - to

reign and rule.
2. In Mark – To Romans - The Obedient Servant and Redeemer: to serve and suffer
3. In Luke – To Greeks - The Perfect Son of Man: to share and sympathize
4. In John – To World - The Divine or Perfect Son of God: to reveal God and redeem

THE GOSPEL, ACCORDING TO MATHEW

This book links the Old to the New Testament.
Mathew, also called Levi and formerly a tax collector (9:9, 10), appeals to the Jews: “The
book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (1:1).
This is a record of Christ, the Messiah, the anointed One (cf. Ps. 2:2; Isa. 45:1), who was
descended from David (His royal ancestry) and Abraham (His human ancestry).
Purpose
There appears a twofold purpose for this Gospel: 1) to connect the message of the Old
Testament with the Gospel (i.e., the good news) and 2) to demonstrate, especially on the basis
of the Old Testament prophecies, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the king of the Jews.
Both the teachings of Jesus and His works, particularly His death and resurrection,
substantiate the claim that He is the Messiah.

Basic Outline of Matthew

I. The Introduction of the King 1:1 – 4:11
II. The Demands of the King 4:12 – 7:29
III. The Deeds of the King 8:1 – 11:1
IV. The Program of the King 11:2 – 13:53
V. The Destiny of the King 13:54 – 19:2
VI. The Problems of the King 19:3 – 26:2
VII. The Death and Resurrection of the King 26:3 – 28:15
VIII. The Final Commission by the King 28:16 -20

Special Features of Matthew

Several emphases appear in Matthew which distinguishes it from the other Gospels.
1. The emphasis on the King. Both by explicit statement and by implication, the Gospel
stresses that Christ is the King. See 1:1-17; 2:1-12; 21:5; 25:31 -46; 27:37.
2. The Discourses. In each of the five major divisions of the Gospels a major discourse
appears. It seems that Matthew grouped his material carefully, as narrative sections are
followed by discourse in each case. Thus, the Gospel becomes well suited for teaching
purposes in view of this systematic pattern.
a. The Sermon on the Mount (5:1 – 7:29).
b. The commission to the Twelve (10:1 – 42).
c. The parables of the Kingdom (13:1 – 53).
 d. The meaning of greatness and forgiveness (18:1 – 35).
e. The Olivet discourse (24:1 – 25:46).
3. The Prediction of the Church (16:13 – 20). Only Matthew among the Gospels makes
mention of the church
4. The Fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. From the onset at opening chapter of his
Gospel, Matthew emphasizes the fact that Jesus by His coming fulfilled many of the
predictions of the Old Testament writers (see 1:22; 21:4; 26:56 & 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17;
12:17; 13:35; 26:54; 27:9)

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

According to Papias and later writers, John Mark the disciple of the Apostle Peter was the
writer of the Gospel which bears his name. He is severally mentioned (Acts 12:12; Col. 4:10,
14).
The title of the Gospel, “The beginning of the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ” (1:1),
gives an indication of what the writer is setting out to record. The key verse (10:45) amplifies
this title and gives a specific character to the narrative. On the basis of these statements the
following observations may be made:
1. To show, in organized fashion, the importance of the works – especially the
redemptive work – of Christ. Consequently, activity is stressed above formal
teaching.
2. This active narrative that is Mark was for the benefit of the practical-minded Roman
readers.
3. From the apologetic point of view, the Gospel shows the rising tide of animosity
against Jesus as the Jewish leaders plot His death.

As Matthew presented Jesus as “the King of the Jews”, so Mark emphasizes the truth that
Jesus is “the Servant of the Lord”. This is principally borne out by the picture of continual
activity which Mark depicts.

Special Features of Mark

1. Conciseness and Activity
2. A large portion of the narrative is devoted to the Passion Week, stressing the fact that
“the redeeming death act is not Christ’s life and teaching, but His death and
resurrection.”
3. The number of miracles and parables is proportionately larger in Mark than in the
other Gospels.
4. If Matthew has painted a royal portrait of Jesus, Mark has presented a series of
“picture glimpses,” all designed to incite wonder and produce belief.
5. One strange feature in the story is the appearance of the unnamed young man in the
Garden of Gethsemane the night of Jesus’ betrayal (14:51, 52). Who was he? And
why was he here? Church tradition suggests that Mark was the young man and was
therefore an eyewitness to the events of that night.
 THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
Introduction
In Luke’s account, Jesus is “the Son of Man” who came “to seek and to save that which was
lost” (19:10). He strongly brought out the human interest: the prominence of women and
children, examples of prayer, songs, the careful recording of medical cases showing a
physician’s interest and many parables which grip and hold the reader’s attention.
Luke was a medical doctor and a fellow worker with the apostles especially Paul (1:1-4; Acts
1:1-5; Col. 4:14; Philemon 24; II Timothy 4:11).
This Gospel is addressed, first of all, to an individual, Theophilus, called by Luke “most
excellent” (1:3). Little is known about this man. Theophilus may have been a Roman officer
who had been previously introduced to the Christian message and was now the recipient of a
full and orderly record of the life of Christ (1:4). It is directed primarily to Greek audience.
Purpose
The purpose was to present an orderly account of the things he had heard so that Theophilus
might know the certainty of the things in which he has been instructed.
A number of important statements appear in this introduction that should be carefully studied.
1. Many people had written down some record of the life of Christ. Apparently, for Luke’s
purpose at least, none of these was adequate (1:3).
2. Luke felt the need to provide for Theophilus another account of the earthly life and
ministry of Jesus and the story of the Gospel (1:3). He professes to have “traced the course of
all things accurately” (1:3). He had a good grasp of the factual material.
3. Luke had traced these things “from the first” (1:3). The rendering “from the first” is
retained and must be meaning “from the beginning.” This means, then, that Luke had an
acquaintance with the facts which dated from an earlier time and that he also knew personally
some of the persons who knew Christ firsthand. And as in all the writings of Scripture, the
Holy Spirit was the guardian and Guide of all that was written.
4. Theophilus had been instructed beforehand, now Luke seeks to establish him firmly in the
things which he has been taught.

Outline
I. Prologue: The Purpose Stated 1:1-4
II. The Preparation of the Son of Man 1:5 – 4:15
III. The Galilean Ministry of the Son of Man 4:16 – 9:50
IV. The Samarean Ministry of the Son of Man 9:51 – 18:30
V. The Jerusalem Ministry of the Son of Man 18:31 – 21:38
VI. The Passion Ministry of the Son of Man 22:1 –b 23:56
VII. The Resurrection Ministry of the Son of Man 24:1 – 53

Special Features of Luke

Luke emphasizes several things in his Gospel. The following are a few of them:
1. The infancy narrative (1:5 – 2:52): He includes the annunciation to Zacharias of the
birth of his son, John and to Mary, concerning the birth of her son Jesus.
 2. The genealogy of Christ (3:23-38): Luke puts his genealogy in the reverse order from
Mathew (Matt. 1:2-17) and traces Jesus’ ancestry back beyond Abraham to Adam.
3. The Emmaus road narrative (21:13-35): The story clearly demonstrates the reality of
the resurrection in the experience of two of the disciples of Jesus. Sadness turns to joy
as they realize who their Companion is.
4. Miracles and parables: six miracles and nineteen parables that are peculiar to Luke.

The six miracles are:

The draught of fishes 5:1-11
A widow’s son raised 7:11-17
A woman with an infirmity healed 13:10-17
A man with dropsy healed 14:1-6
Ten lepers cleansed 17:11-19
Malchus’ (the high priest’s servant) ear healed 22:49-51

Of the nineteen parables found only in Luke, the following are outstanding:
The good Samaritan 10:30-37
The prodigal son 15:11-32
The rich man and Lazarus 16:19-31
5. The human interest features: A few examples are: Martha and Mary (10:38-42),
Zacchaeus (19:1-10), and The Emmaus disciples (24:13-35).
6. The prayers of Jesus: Seven occasions on which Jesus prayed found only in Luke are:
i. At his baptism (3:21), ii. Following a day of miracles (5:16), iii. Before choosing
His disciples (6:12), iv. Before predicting His death (9:18), v. At the transfiguration
(9:29), vi. Before teaching His disciples to pray (11:1), and vii. On the cross (23:34,
46).
7. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit: some very notable ones include the
following: Jesus’ conception by the Holy Spirit (1:35), attested by the Holy Spirit
(3:22), led into the wilderness in the Spirit (4:1), anointed by the Holy Spirit (4:18),
and rejoiced in the Spirit (10:21).
8. A universal Gospel: this book makes its appeal to people everywhere. Many
expressions which show this outreach are: the good tidings came to “all people”
(2:10), and to “men” (2:14); salvation was prepared before the face of “all peoples”
(2:31), and to “the Gentiles” (2:32); “all flesh” shall see God’s salvation (3:6); the
Samaritans are mentioned three times (9:54; 10:33;17:16); Jesus came to save “the
lost one” (1910); and the Gospel was to be preached to “all the nations” (24:47).

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Apostle John (1:14; 19:35; 21:20) in his gospel presents Jesus as “the Son of God”.
The major purpose of the Gospel of John comes near the end of the book (20:30, 31). The
book is written so that people may see (signs), believe and live.
Outline
I. Prologue: The Presentation of the Son of God 1:1 – 18
II. The Public Ministry of the Son of God 1:19 – 12:50
III. The Private Ministry of the Son of God 13:1 – 17:26
IV. The Passion Ministry of the Son of God 18:1 – 20:31
V. Postscript: The Final Appeal of the Son of God 21:1 – 31

Special Features of John

1. The seven signs:
These seven signs are designed to picture for the reader that this man Jesus is the Messiah
of Israel and the Son of God (20:31).
Name Reference Testimony
Water to wine 2:1 – 11 Power over quality
Healing the nobleman’s son 4:46 – 56 Power over distance
Healing the impotent man 5:1 – 18 Power over time
Feeding the five thousand 6:1 – 14 Power over quantity
Walking on water 6:16 – 21 Power over natural law
Healing the blind man 9:1 – 12 Power over helplessness
Raising of Lazarus 11:1 – 46 Power over death

2. The seven I Am’s:

Using seven natural figures, Jesus claims for Himself qualities which are clearly
supernatural in character. These are:
The Bread of Life 6:35
The Light of the World 8:12 (9:5)
The Door 10:7
The Good Shepherd 10:11, 14
The Resurrection and the Life 11:25
The Way, the Truth and the Life 14:6
The True Vine 15:1
In addition, the absolute use, “I am,” occurs three times in chapter eight (8:24, 28, and
58). The last of these, “Before Abraham was, I am” brought forth accusation of
blasphemy from the Jews (cf. Exodus 3:14) and they took up stones to kill Him.
3. The personal interview:
As people came face to face with Jesus, they either rejected or accepted Him; belief or
unbelief was exhibited. Among the most outstanding interviews are with Nicodemus (ch.
3), the Samaritan woman (ch. 4), the blind man (ch. 9), and Martha and Mary (ch. 11).
4. The portrayal of Jesus as God-man
Both these emphases are stated clearly in the prologue of the Gospel: “The Word was
God” (1:1), and “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14). Even as Jesus
claimed that “I and the Father are one” (10:30), and “no man taketh my life from me. I lay it
down of myself that I might take it again” (10:18), He was also weary (4:6), He wept (11:35),
He died and was buried (19: 17 – 42). The emphasis climaxes in the confession of His deity
by Thomas as He stands among His disciples following His resurrection from the grave
(20:28).
In his Gospel, then, John has described a unique individual, One who call forth personal faith
and deep devotion. This is indeed “the Christ, the Son of God, even he that cometh into the
world” (11:27).
Jesus commissions his disciples to all the world to make disciples: Mathew 28:18-20; Mark
16:14-20; Luke 24:44-48; John 20:21.
Check the Appendix I on the historical parallels of the gospels and the Roman rulers.
Working Questions
1. Distinguish between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John?
2. What practical lesson(s) can you draw from the themes of each of the historical books
for your own life and career?
3. Discuss the two identities of Jesus Christ (Humanity and Deity), demonstrating how it
played out in his ministry (See Appendix II)