Introduction to the Gospels and the Distinctiveness of John

This material introduces the literary nature of the four canonical Gospels, explains why multiple Gospel accounts were written, and highlights key ways John’s Gospel differs from the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The aim is to give clear categories for reading the Gospels well and to prepare for deeper study of John’s Gospel, John’s Letters, and Revelation.

Course Scope and Emphasis

The overall module surveys John’s Gospel, John’s Letters, and Revelation within a very limited time frame. Emphasis will fall mainly on John’s Gospel and Revelation; John’s Letters will receive a shorter treatment due to time constraints.

Why Four Gospels?

Each Gospel offers a unique portrait of Jesus. Rather than one exhaustive account, the Church received four complementary witnesses that together communicate who Jesus is and what he did. These are historical, narrative, and theological writings intended to convey reliable testimony about Jesus’ deeds and words, interpreted for faith and discipleship.

The Synoptic Gospels

“Synoptic” (from syn, “together,” and optic, “seeing”) designates Matthew, Mark, and Luke because they can be “seen together”: they follow a broadly similar outline and share much material and perspective on Jesus’ public ministry.

What Kind of Literature Are the Gospels?

Historical Literature
  • They report events that occurred in concrete times and places in first-century Palestine under Roman rule.
  • The authors drew on eyewitness testimony and earlier traditions to compile their accounts (e.g., Luke’s stated method in Luke 1:1–4; John’s appeal to a witnessing disciple in John 21:24).
  • The intent is to transmit truthful, grounded information about Jesus, not timeless myths detached from history.
Narrative Literature
  • The Gospels are stories with settings, plots, and characters. They trace Jesus’ public ministry, journey to Jerusalem, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.
  • They are not mere collections of sayings; even where teaching is prominent, it is embedded in a narrative arc.
Ancient (Greco-Roman) Biography
  • The closest ancient genre is “Lives” (biographies) that highlight a subject’s public, exemplary life rather than providing modern, cradle-to-grave coverage.
  • Accordingly, the Gospels devote most space to Jesus’ public ministry (about three years) and especially to the final week, with relatively little on his birth and nothing on his youth and twenties except Luke 2’s episode.
  • Ancient biographers arranged materials thematically as well as chronologically and felt free to paraphrase, abridge, or interpret their subject’s words without reproducing exact wording in every instance.
Theological Literature
  • Each evangelist is also a theologian who selects, orders, and frames materials to communicate Jesus’ identity and saving work for the intended audience.
  • Introductions signal emphases (e.g., Matthew’s genealogy and fulfillment motif; Mark’s brisk announcement of the “gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”; Luke’s orderly account for a Gentile reader).

Acceptable Diversity Among the Gospels

  • The same episode may appear in different locations or sequences (e.g., the order of Jesus’ temptations in Matthew vs. Luke; programmatic placement of the Nazareth sermon in Luke 4 vs. later in Mark 6). Such differences reflect ancient biographical practice, not error or deception.
  • Large teaching blocks (e.g., Matthew 5–7) may be grouped thematically, while parallel content in Luke appears distributed across multiple contexts.

Why the Canonical Four (and Not Others)?

Besides the four canonical Gospels, later writings (e.g., “Gospel of Thomas,” “Gospel of Judas,” “Gospel of Peter”) appeared in the second century and beyond. These lack the historical rooting and apostolic testimony of the canonical Gospels and reflect later theological agendas. The early Church therefore rejected them as unhistorical and non-inspired.

How the Gospels Came to Be (A Four-Stage Sketch)

  1. Events: Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection occurred in history.
  2. Oral Tradition: Eyewitness apostles and early servants of the word transmitted narratives and sayings in living memory within communities where literacy rates were low.
  3. Written Sources: Prior to our four Gospels, various written collections and narratives began to circulate; Luke acknowledges “many” attempts to compile accounts.
  4. Evangelists’ Compositions: Each evangelist investigated, selected, ordered, and retold materials into an “orderly account” suited to purpose and audience.

What Distinguishes John’s Gospel?

  • High Christology Stated Overtly: John emphasizes Jesus’ divine identity with great clarity (e.g., the opening confession of the eternal Word who “was with God” and “was God”).
  • Extensive Discourses: John preserves long, reflective speeches of Jesus, offering sustained theological teaching rather than brief aphorisms alone.
  • Holy Spirit Teaching: John contains distinctive material on the Spirit’s person and work (e.g., the Paraclete sayings), which will be explored in detail later in the course.

Reading the Four Introductions as Theological Signposts

  • Matthew: Genealogy foregrounds Jesus as the Messiah, “son of David, son of Abraham,” and frames fulfillment of Scripture as a key theme.
  • Mark: Concise, urgent opening—“the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”—introduces a swift, action-oriented narrative.
  • Luke: Preface pledges careful investigation and an orderly account for assurance of the truth, signaling a broad Gentile horizon.
  • John: The prologue (to be studied next) launches from eternity, identifying the pre-existent Word and framing Jesus’ mission in terms of revelation and new creation.

Key Takeaways

  • The four canonical Gospels are historically grounded narratives shaped as ancient biographies and crafted with clear theological aims.
  • Divergences in order or wording reflect accepted conventions of ancient biography and do not undermine reliability.
  • John stands apart by explicitly articulating Jesus’ divine identity, preserving extended discourses, and presenting distinctive teaching on the Holy Spirit.