The Four Gospels

The four Gospels contain the historical record of the earthly ministry of Christ to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). While there are some applications for us in the Gospels we must be very careful because their primary doctrinal setting concerns the prophetic kingdom program of Israel. Christ did not come to reveal the mysteries that He later did from heaven through Paul (Eph. 3), but to confirm what He already promised to the Jewish fathers (Rom. 15:8). 

Why four books? In the Bible four is the number of the earth and the fourfold picture of our Lord’s earthly ministry is the unveiling of a fourfold prophetic portrait of the greatest life ever spent on earth. The four Gospels present four different perspectives of the same Messiah. 

1)  Matthew emphasizes Christ as King 

a) Branch of David (Jer. 23:5)

b) Behold thy King (Zech. 9:9)

2) Mark emphasizes Christ as the Servant

a) my servant the BRANCH ( Zech. 3:8)

b) Behold.. my servant (Zech. 3:8)

3) Luke emphasizes Christ as the Son of Man

a) the man whose name is the BRANCH (Zech. 6:12)

b) Behold the man (Zech. 6:12-13)

4) John emphasizes Christ as the Son of God

a) the branch of the LORD (Isa. 4:2) 

b) Behold your God (Isa. 40:9)

There are features that are common to all four books but there are also distinctions. The four records do not contradict but rather compliment each other. There is no need to try and harmonize four different records. Each of the Gospel records has a different emphasis. Consider some examples of this from how the records open and close. 

Lineage

1) Matthew – His genealogy traced through the royal line back to Abraham 

2) Mark – No genealogy, the record of His service begins immediately 

3) Luke – His genealogy traced all the way back to Adam 

4) John – No genealogy, a declaration that He is God 

Ascension 

1) Matthew – No ascension recorded, as King of the Jews His place is on the earth 

2) Mark – He ascended up to continue His work through His apostles 

3) Luke – He was “carried up into heaven,” implying He ascended by the power of His Father

4) John – No ascension recorded, the omnipresent God