Comparative analysis of the four gospels

Comparative analysis of the four gospels

1. Comparative Analysis of the Four Gospels JEFF CLYDE G. CORPUZ DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY MANILA

2. Mark Matthew Luke John The evangelist “John Mark” Acts 12:12 Companion of Peter in the mission in Asia minor and Rome. Feast Day April 25 “Levi son of Alphaeus ” Mark 2:14 A tax collector Feast Day September 21 A companion of St. Paul 2 Tim 4:11; Philemon 1:24 A physician Col 4:14 He also wrote the “Acts of the Apostles” Feast Day October 18 “John the Apostle” son of Zebedee Disciple whom Jesus loved Identified with the author of revelation as well as 3 epistles which bears the name “John” Feast :Dec 27

3. Mark Matthew Luke John Audience Persecuted Jewish and Gentile Christians Jewish Christians Gentile Christians from the lower urban classes of the Roman World Christians communities with issues against “Jews” and “Gnostics”

4. Mark Matthew Luke John Date and place of Composition 70 AD Rome after the death of Peter 80 AD Antioch 80-85 AD Rome 90-98 AD Ephesus

5. Mark Matthew Luke John Characteristics Shortes t Gospel Gospel of deeds “Jesus performing miracles” Messianic secret Jesus true identity is kept hidden during his earthly life and revealed only by the cross Seeks to show that the NT is the continuation of the OT. 5 great teachings of Christ The only gospel to use the word Church (16:18) Universality of salvation Most theological of the gospels Full long discourses with less actions of Jesus and many things such as light , light , and glory which demand deeper level of reflections.

6. Mark Matthew Luke John Identity of Jesus Jesus as the suffering servant Jesus is a man, by his suffering at the cross, his divinity is revealed Jesus as the divine Messiah announced by the prophets, the bringer and the herald of salvation Jesus as divine savior and healer He is the “savior of the world.” Jesus as the Eternal Word made flesh John 1:2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

7. Mark Matthew Luke John Message Jesus is the suffering servant, one with those persecuted. He consoles them and sustains their faith. The reign of God is open not only to the Jews but also to all humankind Christianity is a universal religion which witnesses to the love of Jesus for all people Jesus Christ, he who “dwelt among us” is truly God, the only begotten Son of God.

8. Mark Matthew Luke John Symbols Lion – It fits mark’s style which is vivid and as direct as the lions roar. Man – His gospel opens with a record of Jesus human ancestors. Ox - His gospel opens with Zechariah offering a sacrifice to God in the temple . Eagle – His gospel starts with a prologue that expresses a hymn of praise to Jesus, who alone can uniquely look on the face of God just as the eagle alone can look upon the sun.

9. Matthew Mathew was a tax collector. He has the longest gospel. He wrote for the Christians converted from Judaism in Palestine. Jesus in his gospel is pictured as the Servant-Messiah Emmanuel

10. Mark The shortest gospel of the four is the one written by Mark who was known as John Mark. He was with Paul and Peter in the missionary activity. Mark wrote for the persecuted non-Jewish Christians in Rome. The Suffering Messiah is the image of Jesus in the Gospel

11. Luke Luke is a learned man and physician by profession. He belonged to a Greek family in Antioch. Luke wrote for the gentile Christians stressing salvation as universal.

12. John John focuses on Christ’s divinity. Christ is the revealer of the Father. John is the son of Zebedee, the brother of James, the disciple whom Jesus loved. This gospel was written for the Hellenistic Community.