What do we know about the writers of the Gospels?
The Church describes how the Gospels came to us.
First, while he was alive, people listened to Jesus. They watched him and thought about what he said. Some chose to 'follow' his words and actions: they became his disciples - students who learned from their Rabbi or teacher.
After Jesus died and rose again, these 'eye witnesses' told others about Jesus, so that soon those who had not even met Jesus came to believe in him. In turn, these new believers told others and a chain reaction was started! The word spread!
Finally, many years later, and in communities miles from where Jesus had actually lived, the stories of Jesus were written down.
What does all this mean?
First, it helps us understand the differences in the Gospels.
Those who wrote the Gospels did not know Jesus personally. None of them were eye witnesses: they did not wander around with Jesus with pens and paper writing down everything he said and did! Instead, they came to believe in Jesus through hearing others speak about him. So, when they came to write down what they had come to believe, they used the oral stories they had heard.
When we look at the Gospels it is easy to see that Luke heard stories that Mark, Matthew and John did not, the Good Samaritan for example. Similarly, Matthew and Luke heard stories that Mark did not, the sermon on the mount for example.
We also see that even when they tell the same story, the details are sometimes different; the crucifixion of Jesus and the feeding of the 5000 for example.
Second, it helps us understand why each writer wrote....their purpose in writing.
The Gospels are not intended to be biographies or historical reports. Each of the Gospels was written to do just one thing: help people come to believe that Jesus was the messiah, God in human form.
Finally, knowing about how the Gospels came to us helps us know how to interpret them.
When we read the Gospels we should look for truths, but not the kind of truths scientists or lawyers look for. We should look for truths about life, about Jesus, about being human, about life in God's time. This kind of truth is held in the message of the story, not in the detail. As one very wise woman once said: when you read the Gospels, don't ask 'Is it true?', ask 'What does it mean?'
So! What do we know about each writer? Look at our posters!
NEW!! Poster on the author of the Gospel of MARK!
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About the Gospel Writers
