Understanding the Gospels

Welcome to our exploration of the Gospels, a fascinating journey into the heart of the New Testament. Let's dive into the stories of Jesus's life as told through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Overview of the Gospels of Jesus's Life

The Gospels are the cornerstone of the New Testament, providing a narrative of Jesus's life and teachings. They are traditionally attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but did you know that the actual authorship is a bit of a mystery?

"Did you know that Paul was actually the one who wrote first?"

The Role of Paul in the New Testament

Interestingly, the writings of Paul predate the Gospels. His letters, which form a significant portion of the New Testament, were written before the Gospels were composed. This means that Paul's influence was foundational in shaping early Christian thought.

Authorship of the Gospels

While the Gospels bear the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, they were not actually written by these individuals. The true authors remain unknown, adding an intriguing layer to their study.

"Mark was the first written, and it wasn't written by Mark."

Timeline of Gospel Writings

The timeline of the Gospel writings is quite fascinating:

Paul's Letters: Written in the 50s AD (or CE).
Mark: Likely the first Gospel, written in the 60s or 70s.
Matthew: Followed Mark, written about a decade later.
Luke and John: Written later, with John possibly completed in the 90s.

This timeline helps us understand the context and development of early Christian writings.

For more insights, continue to the next module on The Kingdom of Heaven Concept.