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| | The four books of the Gospels have fascinating differences in perspective, and [[ordering the Gospels|their optimal ordering]] is probably not their current one: | | The four books of the Gospels have fascinating differences in perspective, and [[ordering the Gospels|their optimal ordering]] is probably not their current one: |
| − | *[[Gospel of Matthew]] - the longest eyewitness account, by [[the Apostles|the Apostle]] [[Matthew]]; thorough with many powerful [[parables]], expanding on the [[Gospel of Mark]]. (28 chapters in the Gospel of Matthew) | + | *[[Gospel of Matthew]] - the longest eyewitness account, by [[the Apostles|the Apostle]] [[Matthew]]; thorough with many powerful [[parables]], expanding on the [[Gospel of Mark]] (28 chapters in the Gospel of Matthew). |
| − | *[[Gospel of Mark]] - first written, also by an eyewitness ([[Mark]]), this is concise, fearless, and irreverent towards [[the Apostles]] and the "Herodians". (totaling 16 chapters) | + | *[[Gospel of Mark]] - first written, also by an eyewitness ([[Mark]]), this is concise, fearless, and irreverent towards [[the Apostles]] and the "Herodians" (totaling 16 chapters). |
| − | *[[Gospel of Luke]] - the most beautiful book ever written, this longest Gospel describes everything with the elegance of a historian. (totaling 24 chapters) | + | *[[Gospel of Luke]] - the most beautiful book ever written, this longest Gospel describes everything with the elegance of a historian (totaling 24 chapters). |
| − | *[[Gospel of John]] - an entirely independent eyewitness account by [[the Apostles|the Apostle]] [[John]], and the most profound and theological. (totaling 21 chapters) | + | *[[Gospel of John]] - an entirely independent eyewitness account by [[the Apostles|the Apostle]] [[John]], and the most profound and theological (totaling 21 chapters). |
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| − | The first gospel chronologically was by Mark, probably a [[Gentile]], who was fearless of authorities and irreverent towards all other than Jesus. Matthew then reused 97% of Mark's gospel,<ref>"Matthew adopted all but 304 of Mark's 11,025 words." [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/matthews-use-of-mark-did-matthew-intend-to-supplement-or-to-replace-his-primary-source/2893B4D82A9178BDD6693A64A9237E53 New Testament Studies, published online by Cambridge University Press]</ref> omitting merely some of its boldness and irreverence, while adding more content. The [[Gospel of John]] was completely independent, and thus a corroboration of what is found in the other Gospels. | + | The first gospel chronologically was by Mark, probably a [[Gentile]], who was fearless of authorities and irreverent towards others (except [[Jesus]]). Matthew then reused 97% of Mark's gospel,<ref>"Matthew adopted all but 304 of Mark's 11,025 words." [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/abs/matthews-use-of-mark-did-matthew-intend-to-supplement-or-to-replace-his-primary-source/2893B4D82A9178BDD6693A64A9237E53 New Testament Studies, published online by Cambridge University Press]</ref> omitting merely some of its boldness and irreverence, while adding more content. The [[Gospel of John]] was completely independent, and thus a corroboration of what is found in the other Gospels. |
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| − | The Gospels were originally written in [[Greek language|Greek]], the common [[lingua franca]] (common or commercial language among diverse peoples) of the Roman Orient. No original Gospels have been found in [[Aramaic]]; the only known Aramaic Gospels are translations from Greek versions. None of the Gospels quotes from Hebrew [[Scripture]]s; only two out of four (Matthew and Luke) quote from Scriptures by using the Greek translation (the [[Septuagint]]). Some say that the Gospel according to Matthew was written particularly for [[Jews]]; the Gospel according to Mark was written particularly for [[Roman]]s; the Gospel according to Luke was written particularly for [[Greeks]]; and the Gospel according to John was written for everyone. The different styles may simply reflect the different backgrounds and ethnicities of the authors. | + | The Gospels were originally written in [[Greek language|Greek]], the common [[lingua franca]] (common or commercial language among diverse peoples) of the Roman Orient. No original Gospel has been found in [[Aramaic]]; the only known Aramaic Gospels are translations from Greek versions. None of the Gospels quotes from Hebrew [[Scripture]]s; only two out of four (Matthew and Luke) quote from Scriptures by using the Greek translation (the [[Septuagint]]). Some say that the Gospel according to Matthew was written particularly for [[Jews]]; the Gospel according to Mark was written particularly for [[Roman]]s; the Gospel according to Luke was written particularly for [[Greeks]]; and the Gospel according to John was written for everyone. The different styles may simply reflect the different backgrounds and ethnicities of the authors. |
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| | Each Gospel reflects the perspective of its author. Matthew has economic parables; Mark has a simplistic, youthful style; Luke has the beauty of a historical writer; and John has philosophical truths. | | Each Gospel reflects the perspective of its author. Matthew has economic parables; Mark has a simplistic, youthful style; Luke has the beauty of a historical writer; and John has philosophical truths. |
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| | ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| − | "Gospel" is derived from the Middle English word "godspel," in which "god" means "good" and "spel" means "news." Thus "Gospel" literally means "good news," and some denominations like to use the phrase "good news" because they feel it conveys the nature of the Gospel clearly. It is a translation of the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), which is also the root of the word "evangelist;" an evangelist is someone who spreads the good news. The "good news" here is, specifically, the news of Christ's redemption. The four Gospels offer different, yet complementary, accounts of the story of Jesus's life and teachings, and lay the foundation for the doctrine of Christ's redemption. | + | "Gospel" is derived from the Middle English word "godspel," in which "god" means "good" and "spel" means "news." Thus, "Gospel" literally means "good news," and some denominations like to use the phrase "good news" because they feel it conveys the nature of the Gospel clearly. It is a translation of the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), which is also the root of the word "evangelist"; an evangelist is someone who spreads the good news. The "good news" here is, specifically, the news of Christ's redemption. The four Gospels offer different, yet complementary, accounts of the story of Jesus's life and teachings, and lay the foundation for the doctrine of Christ's redemption. |
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| | ==The relationship of the Gospels== | | ==The relationship of the Gospels== |
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| | ==Non-canonical Gospels== | | ==Non-canonical Gospels== |
| − | In addition to the four Canonical gospels, other texts claiming to record the accounts of Jesus's earthly ministry have survived in part or in whole. Most notable among these is the [[Gospel of Thomas]], which contains additional sayings and teachings. Recently, a [[Gospel of Judas]] surfaced, but this text is decidedly a later one, and its claim for any original authority is very slim. These Gospels are considered apocryphal by modern Christianity, and therefore not authoritative texts. | + | In addition to the four Canonical gospels, other texts claiming to record the accounts of Jesus's earthly ministry have survived in part or in whole. Most notable among these is the [[Gospel of Thomas]], which contains additional sayings and teachings. Recently, a [[Gospel of Judas]] surfaced, but this text is decidedly a later one, and its claim for any original authority is very slim. These Gospels are considered apocryphal by modern [[Christianity]], and therefore not authoritative texts. |
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| | A number of other "gospels" were written sometime between the second and fourth centuries, mostly after the dates when the disciples lived. They include the Gospel of the Ebionites, Gospel of the Hebrews, [[Marcion of Sinope|Gospel of Marcion]], Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, and the Infancy Gospel of James.<ref>Donald Harman Akenson, Surpassing Wonder: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmuds, 216.</ref> | | A number of other "gospels" were written sometime between the second and fourth centuries, mostly after the dates when the disciples lived. They include the Gospel of the Ebionites, Gospel of the Hebrews, [[Marcion of Sinope|Gospel of Marcion]], Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Thomas, Infancy Gospel of Thomas, and the Infancy Gospel of James.<ref>Donald Harman Akenson, Surpassing Wonder: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmuds, 216.</ref> |