“Merciful Father, as you have sent the Holy Spirit on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to write all that You wished and wanted, we pray You, send the same Holy Spirit on us, so that we may understand, appreciate Your Word, and make it our plan of life. This we ask for the merits of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
The Life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel. The Evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have not written a biography of Jesus. The Synoptists wrote about the Teachings and Miracles during a span of six weeks. John wrote about the events that took place in three weeks.
7. ....Many people almost think that the Bible dropped from heaven. They know nothing about the Formation of the Bible.
The Church received the Old Testament from the Jews and the New Testament was compiled by the Catholic Church alone during the first four generations, for obvious reasons, that no other "church" existed 2000 years ago except the Church of Christ.
The Life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel. The Evangelists; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have not written a biography of Jesus. The Synoptists wrote about the Teachings and Miracles during a span of six weeks. John wrote about the events that took place in three weeks.
‘Synoptic Gospels’ is a term used for the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark and Luke,. Do we know they are called so? The ethymology of the word will explain it. Synopsis is derived from two Greek words; ‘sun’ meaning ‘together’ and ‘opsis’ meaning ‘sight’. These three versions present the same general view of our Lord’s Life. They offer a contrast to the fourth according to St.John.
Matthew the Evangelist, the author of the first gospel account is symbolized by a winged man, or angel. Matthew's gospel starts with Jesus' genealogy from Abraham; it represents Jesus' Incarnation, and so Christ's human nature.
Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second gospel account is symbolized by a winged lion - a figure of courage and monarchy. Mark has John the Baptist preaching "like a lion roaring" at the beginning of his Gospel. It also represents Jesus' Resurrection (because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, a comparison with Christ in the tomb), and Christ as king.
Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account (and the Acts of the Apostles) is symbolized by a winged ox or bull - a figure of sacrifice, service and strength. Luke's account begins with the duties of Zacharias in the temple; it represents Jesus' sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being High priest (this also represents Mary's obedience). The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.
John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel account is symbolized by an eagle - a figure of the sky, and believed to be able to look straight into the sun. John starts with an eternal overview of Jesus the Logos and goes on to describe many things with a "higher" level than the other three (synoptic) gospels; it represents Jesus' Ascension, and Christ's divine nature. This represents that Christians should look on eternity without flinching as they journey towards their goal of union with God.
Matthew wrote for his own people, the Jews, converted to Christianity, and he presented Jesus as the King. For this reason he mentions the geneology, the Family Tree of Jesus, starting from Abraham, through King David. He declares that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, prophecied from years before His Birth. Yet, Jesus was refused by the priests and the Pharisees.
Mark got all his information through Peter, for this reason we find nothing about Jesus’s Infancy. He wrote for the converted gentiles. He wanted to present Jesus the way peter presented Jesus to him, that is as the Son of God. It is the shortest of the four accounts, but very descriptive.
Luke, according to Tradition wrote for the ‘neophytes’, those converted by Paul’s teaching. As we know for Paul there exists, absolutely no difference between Jews and gentiles, pagans. All are ssinners and all are in need of God’s mercy. Luke’s Gospel is the Gospel of the poor, of the sinners, of the sick, of those ignored by society, of the lost sons, of the lost sheep and the lost coin. They are all waiting to be return to the Father’s House.
John wrote his account of the Gospel from personal experience, that is he did not depend on others for second hand information…he himself declared it, ‘by one who was there’. It is a Theological account. In the Synoptist, Jesus seemed to have wanted to hide the fact that He was the Messiah, whilst in John’s account He almost admits right away. We must remember that John was fortunate enough, had the grace of witnessing Christ’s intimate life.
Please note that Wikipedia is the source of some of the information written above.
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