The Gospels

4 Books - Same Story

Jesus’ spoke in Aramaic, the gospels were all written in Greek.

Jesus did not write a gospel.

A collection of teachings of Jesus + stories about Jesus.

Jesus had 1 audience while each writer was writing for a different audience.

4 different communities of believers needed their own account of the life of Jesus.

• 30 Jesus Died

• 60 Mark Shortest The Facts to the Romans

• 70 Matthew The Proof to the Jews
  

• 70 Luke The History to the Gentiles
  


• 95 John The Message to the World from Jesus's best friend
  

The Followers of Christ were expanding:
From rural, Aramaic-speaking Israel
To urban, Greek-speaking Rome, Ephesus, Corinth, etc.

They needed an account that would be understood by all.

What it meant Then
2-levels

1. Jesus’ context of ministry in Palestine – doing ministry prior to the resurrection and Pentecost.


2. Each writer’s context years later and usually far away – doing ministry after the resurrection and Pentecost.

Jesus’ teachings were spread widely and orally for 30 years or more before they were written down.

Each gospel writer had a different situation and group of people he was addressing .

Matthew and Luke probably had copies of the earlier records
John probably did not.

Jesus’ commands often have been avoided as throwbacks to OT legalism.
They are not methods of salvation but they are direction for living the grace-filled life.

Key theme: Kingdom of God

1. The Expectation: John the Baptist preached that, “The kingdom of God is near.” Anticipation was at a feverish pitch.
2. Messianic expectations were fueled by Jesus – causing anticipation of liberation from Rome.
3. Crucifixion crushed hopes.
4. Resurrection renewed such hopes.
5. Disciples expected Jesus to establish the kingdom .
6. Giving the Holy Spirit.
7. The Return