Lesson 1 of 4
Four portraits
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Study objective: Compare how each Gospel begins and states its purpose.
Reading: Mark 1:1Matthew 1:1Luke 1:1–4John 1:1–18John 20:30–31
Mark 1:1 WEB
1The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Matthew 1:1 WEB
1The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Luke 1:1–4 WEB
1Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
John 1:1–18 WEB
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. 12But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’” 16From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
John 20:30–31 WEB
30Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Background and context
Mark begins with John the Baptist; Matthew with a genealogy from Abraham; Luke with a preface about careful investigation; John with the Word in the beginning. Luke and John state their purposes directly. Many scholars think Mark was written first and used by Matthew and Luke; others hold different views.
Observe
- Mark calls his book “the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
- Matthew begins with Jesus as son of David and son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).
- Luke wrote an orderly account after careful investigation (Luke 1:3).
- John wrote so that readers may believe and have life (John 20:31).
Words, people and events to notice
- Synoptic Gospels
- Matthew, Mark and Luke, which can be “seen together” because they share much material and order.
Understand
- What does each opening emphasise about Jesus?
- How do Luke 1:1-4 and John 20:30-31 describe the writers’ aims?
- Why might four accounts be better than one?
Connect
- Acts 1:1–3
Luke’s second volume refers back to his Gospel.
Reflect
- Which Gospel have you read most?
- Which will you read next?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- Four Gospels give four complementary portraits of Jesus.
- Each writer tells us something about his purpose.
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