The Gospels:
Four Portraits of Jesus
RELIGION 10
MS.GAMBINO
(A) Mark’s Gospel: Written around 70 A.D.
The earliest and shortest Gospel
 Possibly written by John Mark, a companion of the
Apostle Peter
 Written for the church in Rome and for Gentiles
 Often recognized as the Gospel of Action where Jesus
is on the move
 Stresses the humanity and suffering of Jesus
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(The Passion and The Cross)
 Portrays Jesus as the suffering servant Messiah
 Messianic Secret: Jesus’ followers take some time to
catch on to who Jesus is, and when they finally do,
Jesus tells them to keep it a secret, given their
expectations of the Messiah
(B) Matthew’s Gospel: Written around 85
A.D. (The Bridge connecting the OT & NT)
 Written by a Jewish author for Jews who
were converting to Christianity
 Stresses Jesus as the fulfillment of
promises made by God in the Hebrew
Scriptures
 Demonstrates Jesus’ role as teacher and
preacher (RABBI)
 Discusses the responsibilities of Jesus’
followers
Matthew and Luke
 Infancy Narratives Genealogy Beatitudes:
 MT: Infancy Narratives with magi
 Genealogy traced to Abraham
 Sermon on mount
 LK: Infancy Narratives with shepherds
 Genealogy traced to Adam
 Sermon on plain
(C) Luke’s Gospel: Written around 85 A.D.
(The only Gentile Evangelist)
 Possibly written by a Gentile doctor for Gentile Christians
 Stresses the following themes:
The universality of the Christian message, by showing the
inclusion of outcasts (women, poor, and sick people)
 Jesus’ compassion, mercy, and concern for sinners
 The miracle stories emphasize Jesus’ compassion for those who
are suffering
 The central role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life
 The Gospel of Luke is the first of a two-volume work, the second
being the Acts of the Apostles focusing on the time period from
the Ascension to the Pentecost and St. Peter’s role in the early
Church

The Synoptic Gospels
 Mark, Matthew, and Luke are
referred to as
 the synoptic gospels because of
their similar portraits of Jesus.
 Synoptic:
seen with the same view or ‘eye’
(D) John’s Gospel: Written around 95 A.D.
 John offers a unique portrait of the Divinity of Jesus
 Probably written by followers of the Beloved Disciple
 Presents Jesus as "the Word of God"
 Stresses the incarnation similar to the creation story in
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
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Genesis (In the Beginning)
Emphasizes faith initiated by God
Builds on poetic and memorable images of Jesus
"I am" statements
Only Gospel to include

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Jesus washing the Apostles feet at the Last Supper
Jesus forgiving Peter
The Gospels:
 Evangelists spreading the good news!
 The core belief of Christianity is the
Resurrection
 (A) MARK
 (B) MATTHEW
 (C) LUKE
 (D) JOHN
The Gospels:
 Synoptic
Gospels
 (A) MARK
 (B) MATTHEW
 (C) LUKE
(D) JOHN
The Bible
 Old Testament
 New Testament
 Pentateuch
 Gospels
 Historical
 Acts of the Apostles
 Wisdom & Poetry
 Letters Epistles
 Prophets
 Revelation