Exploring the Four Gospels
Photo Cred: reasonsforjesus.com
I am an English Major. I enjoy reading and have had many favorite authors throughout my time as a reader. While my taste has varied throughout the years from Barbara Park to K. L. Fogg to Jane Austen, it is always interesting to find specific authors that one enjoys to read. Knowing an author’s style and background help us better connect with the characters and plots of each of their books.
Likewise, it is important to understand the authors of each book of Scripture. We can see that Isaiah wrote very differently from Alma. However, understanding each author’s background and context allow new insight to flow into our lives as we study their inspired words. This is particularly true of the New Testament authors of the four gospels. While they cover the same amount of time and the life of the same person, each of their backgrounds and styles allow us to understand new things about our Savior Jesus Christ. I would like to explore the differences between their writings as well as some insights that I have gained because of them.
Matthew
Who is Matthew?
Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Matthew was a publican, which in Jesus’ time meant that he was not well-liked. Publicans were tax gatherers who worked for Rome. This did not make Matthew very popular with the people. So let’s ponder that for a second. Why would Jesus Christ choose a social outcast as one of His apostles? Was it symbolic? Jesus did not pick the most popular, smartest, best looking, etc. to be his chosen twelve but rather a myriad of people with a myriad of experiences because He knew that they could be of help to the children of Israel.
I have seen this in our own day as He calls leaders who may not be the ideal for the job. For example, ward clerks need no clerical knowledge in order to do so. Relief Society presidents are not always the ultimate homemakers with 18 children and a doily on every table. Bishops may not always be the most eloquent speakers. “Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” 1 I imagine that God qualified Matthew just as He qualifies me every time I am called to a calling that I do not feel adequate for.
Referring back to Matthew, it is inferred that Matthew as a publican was well-educated and knew how to read and write, likely in more than one language 2. Matthew most likely had a large knowledge of the Old Testament because he cites prophecies from the Old Testament frequently in his writings. These references to prophecy include words from Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, Jeremiah, and an unknown prophecy. Matthew likely referred to these prophecies because he was writing to the Jews with the main objective to convince the them that Jesus is the Messiah that was spoken of by the prophets. Christ must have needed Matthew’s abilities as a writer, Old Testament scholar, reader, and Jew to fulfill His purposes. Matthew wrote in a unique way that gives special insight into Christ’s life as one of His apostles.
What is unique about Matthew’s gospel?
Matthew, as explained, focuses primarily on convincing the Jews that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. In order to do so, Matthew writes thematically focusing on specific portions of Christ’s life. These themes allow us to not only focus on the Savior’s life chronologically but based on topic. Matthew, for example, has a section based upon the parables given by the Savior. Matthew is almost the English Major who is analyzing the life of the Savior with certain claims and supporting those claims as he splits them up and expounds upon them. Gaye Strathearn, a BYU professor, said of Matthew:
“Matthew’s Gospel is a powerful testimony of Jesus as the Christ. It was never intended that this work be a biography of Jesus’ mortal life from birth to resurrection. Instead, as the Joseph Smith Translation notes in the title, he was bearing his testimony to his readers. In that testimony, Matthew drew on Jesus’ teachings and experiences from his own memories as well as from other sources. His editorial work has helped readers throughout the ages to see Jesus as the new Moses who gave a new law to His people, as the Messiah of both word and deed, and as the Coming One who preached and healed. Through his work, we are able to gain a greater appreciation of the magnitude and depth of Christ’s ministry. Thus, it is no wonder that this Gospel was a frequent part of the Prophet Joseph’s sermons. As one New Testament scholar has noted, “The Gospel of Matthew is a book intended to be read as a whole and not in parts or pericopes. It is intended to be read not just once but several times.” 3
In following Professor Gaye Strathearn’s advice, I have read the New Testament several times. Several of the stories have specifically stood out to be in my personal journey to come to know Christ.
Guards at the Tomb
Matthew worked for Rome (the governing power at the time). Matthew must have had influence with the Roman army considering the trust they put in him to collect taxes. He likely communicated with political leaders frequently. This likely explains why Matthew’s is the only account to share information regarding the soldiers assigned to Jesus’ tomb and the events that follow the third day of Christ’s passing.
Matthew records that it had already been reported that angels had visited the tomb when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visited the tomb: “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” 4 The Roman guards had relayed this information to their leaders and Matthew had gotten word of it. Luckily, when Matthew was informed by the Marys that Christ had risen he was able to substantiate that information with that of the Roman guards.
Perhaps we ask why Matthew choose to include what the guards had seen. Jesus Christ was born at a time when Jerusalem was under Roman control. The prophecies of a Messiah who would save them brought hope to Israel in a time of political oppression. The only issue was that Jesus Christ would not save them from their political struggles but rather from spiritual anguish caused by sin and the natural man. Christ came to perform the atonement so that He could “ take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance.” 5 The Jews did not understand this type of spiritual deliverance and thus did not recognize Him as the chosen Messiah. Matthew, with the exact purpose of convincing the Jews of the Messiah, was doing his best to show that Christ, although He did not save them from political distress, had power over the Romans. Christ had the power to do all things, including the power over death when guarded by Romans.
My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light
Throughout my youth there were several scriptures that carried me through the difficult times of teenager-hood. I often found myself in these scriptures at moments when I felt I could not go on. One of these scriptures is found in Matthew. It reads, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 6 Although this scripture bought hope and light to my life as a teenager, it has gained an even greater significance for me since returning home from my mission a year ago.
According to Wayne Jackson of Christian Courier, “The Greek term [for easy] is chrestos, which in classical Greek denoted that which is "good for its purpose. It carries the idea of that which is “good, pleasant, kindly, easy (to wear).” 7 In reference to the yoke that Christ describes, when we are yoked with Christ that does not automatically make every burden and trial easy peasy lemon squeezy. However, the yoke is “easy to wear” or easy to manage. We also learn that every yoke is custom made. 8 This indicates that one size does not fit all when it comes to how to help us lift our trials and burdens. The yoke, as worn by oxen, is designed with the purpose of being equally yoked. This will allow that both oxen are working equally hard to pull the weight at hand. Yet we are all aware that we are not Christ’s equal (even if the Jews did not recognize it). His capacity as a perfect being far exceeds our “natural man abilities”. President Howard W. Hunter said, “Why face life’s burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter? To the heavy laden it is Christ’s yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support, balance, and the strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in the hardpan field of mortality.” 9
This past Christmas I sat waist deep in homework assignments, projects, and exams. Up to that point in my life, I had never been so overwhelmed by school and I felt I was drowning academically, emotionally, and mentally. A group of friends from my ward sat together eating pie one Sunday night as we reflected on the difficulty of the semester. Suddenly someone remembered that the 25 days of Christmas (the church’s program to increase service during the holiday season) would be starting soon. We looked up the videos online and saw the assigned daily service projects. We decided that service would be a great way to escape our school sorrows and made specific plans for daily service projects. Every day in the month of December, the busiest time of the semester, I participated in service projects. We gave hot chocolate to the students at the testing center, wrote to missionaries, gathered clothing for shelters, wrote anonymous notes to people in our ward that might need them among other acts of service.
As I took upon me Christ’s yoke through service, my burdens did become light. I learned that taking upon us His yoke is becoming like He is and putting off the natural man. As we do so, we become more equally yoked with Him. Despite the fact that we will never truly be equally yoked with Christ, when we make the effort to become like Him, He makes our burdens easier to carry. I was happier that December than I had been at any other Christmas time in my life
Mark
Who is Mark?
Mark’s full name is John Mark. 2 However, I assume that with John the Beloved and John the Baptist as already prominent parts of the story Mark was willing to go by his middle name. Mark was younger than many of the other apostles and was likely in his teens at the time of Christ’s ministry. This may explain why it is understood that Mark wrote under the direction of Peter. Mark was an apprentice of sorts but with real feelings and insights as well. Considering that Mark was later Peter’s missionary companion, it makes sense that Mark’s gospel was written by a Jew for non-Jewish readers. Mark focused on the actions of Christ and emphasized the doings more than the sayings of Jesus.
It is believed that Mark was written first of all of the gospels. There is reason to believe that Matthew and Luke both used Mark as a reference in their writings. With Peter, the prophet after Christ left the earth, as the director of Mark’s gospel, this seems logical.
What is unique about Mark?
Mark is the only gospel containing reference to the "Messianic Secret." This refers to when Christ would ask His followers to refrain from telling others of His miracles and His Messianic ministry. Mark records, “And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.” 10 While the reasons why Christ would be so sensitive to the knowledge of His miracles being revealed are unknown, I assume that Christ knew that His time had not yet come. The Savior had a specific mission on the earth and He knew it must all go according to planned. If the Romans had found out about His miracles and power before the allotted time, He would not have been able to accomplish all He had been sent to do. Mark in writing to non-Jews knew that they may not have understood the conflict between Rome and the Jewish people. By including the Messianic Secret he allows us to see a little more into the political oppression and fear that the Jews experienced as well as why the Savior did a lot of what He did.
Mark has three parts that are unique to his gospel which include the parable of the seed growing secretly, Jesus opens the ears and loosens the tongue of one, and Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida in stages. I would like to comment specifically on Jesus healing the blind man in stages.
Jesus Heals the Blind Man in Stages
Mark chapter 8 documents the story of the blind man at the pool of Bethsaida. As recorded:
“And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” 11
The first part that draws my attention is that the blind man was brought unto Jesus. I think oftentimes we are brought unto Christ by others. It is true that we must have a willing heart and a contrite spirit in order to truly experience a change but there are many times that we are assisted on our journey to Christ. These people come in many forms: teachers, leaders, parents, friends, visiting teachers, bishops, and sometimes even strangers. I have been greatly blessed by those that have brought me to the feet of Jesus Christ.
I specifically remember one friend who has always been an influence for good. Her name is Melissa Heiner and we are still good friends. She was always kind to others and to me. She reached out to those that needed her most. I remember one time particularly that I was with a group of friends at Melissa’s house. The group began to talk negatively and gossip about someone at school. I was also making negative comments. Melissa stopped us kindly and said, “I don’t think we should talk that way about her. Let’s do something else.” I remember first feeling guilty and slightly angry that I had been caught doing something wrong. But Melissa did not condemn us. She did not make us feel less than we were. Melissa may not remember that day and she may not even think she was doing much good, but I do. Melissa helped me come to Jesus Christ that day as we refrained from gossipping about a peer.
The second thing that impacts me about the Jesus Christ took the man by the hand and led him out of the town. I think oftentimes we need to be led to trust in Christ first before we experience the miracle. The blind man could not see. He had to have perfect trust in Christ that He would lead him to a safe place. Plus, Christ led the blind man that a place that he likely had never been considering it was outside the town. I remember as a missionary I was called to train another missionary after only 4 months in the country where I served. I was still unfamiliar with the language and my confidence as a missionary was limited. Little did I know, Christ was leading me to new places and I simply had to trust in Him. The first night as a trainer we found some golden investigators who later got baptized (the miracle).
In continuation with the blind man we see that Christ first spits on his eyes and asks what he sees. The blind man can see shadows and outlines of objects. Jesus again spits on the man’s eyes and he is fully healed. Too often we search for instant results and immediate relief. However, Christ often works through a process. Alma the Younger teaches us this principle when he said, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” 12
I always wanted my own testimony of the Book of Mormon. When I was 13 we were invited to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true in Young Womens. I felt that I couldn’t have a real testimony of the Book of Mormon until I had finished the entire book which I had not done at that time. I read a little bit every day and while it took me quite a while to get to Moroni 10, I eventually finished. As I knelt to pray to know for myself that the Book of Mormon was true, I didn’t get the huge earth-shattering answer that I was expecting. In fact, I felt a voice telling me, “Of course it’s true! You’ve known it all along!” I was confused and didn’t feel like I had a testimony of the Book of Mormon until my mission and I realized that Heavenly Father works in steps. Those steps lead us to the big things even though we may not have one accumulating moment of healing, testimony, or miracle.
Luke
Who is Luke?
Luke was a physician. He did not know Jesus personally but when he was introduced to the gospel by Paul he decided to leave his profession and follow Paul in his ministry. Knowing that Paul taught Luke infers that Luke was a gentile, especially because he was taught after Christ’s death. Luke was very focused on getting eyewitness accounts in order to prove to the gentiles that Jesus was human but also the Son of God.
What is unique to Luke?
It is understood that Luke used Mark as a reference when writing his gospel. However, we also know that Luke spoke with Mary, the mother of Jesus, to gain insight into the Savior’s life. 13 Luke likely interviewed many people considering the variety of parables he includes. Luke has the most unique parables of the four gospels. Many of the parables and stories that Luke shares involve women (more than the other four gospels). Luke, having a Christian background, was not as prone to Jewish women stereotypes as were the other gospel writers.
Luke is also the longest of the four gospels and the longest book in the New Testament. 14 According to lds.org:
In recounting the early spread of Christianity, Luke’s Gospel demonstrates the Lord’s interest in all people—Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles . . . Because Luke’s Gospel begins and concludes at the temple, it also signals the temple’s importance as a principal location of God’s dealings with mankind (see Luke 1:9; 24:53). 14
Luke was unique in his use of all types of people as well as the temple. With the combination of so many accounts of the Savior’s life, Luke was able to show a side of the Savior that many others could not have shown.
Parable of the Two Debtors
One of the specific, unique parables to Luke is the Parable of the Two Debtors. Jesus is invited by Simon to have dinner. While He is dining with Simon, a woman came into the house and began to bathe the Savior’s feet with her tears. She used an expensive ointment to wash his feet. She is identified as a sinner. Simon asks why the valuable ointment is not sold for money and Jesus, perceiving his thoughts, gives a powerful parable. He tells of two debtors who owe money to their creditor. One owes ten times more than the other. Jesus asks Simon, “which of [the debtors] will love [the creditor] most?” 15 Simon answers that the one who owed more most likely loves the creditor more. The Savior shows Simon that the woman at His feet is like the debtor who owed 10 times more. He says unto Simon, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” 16
The Savior’s parable, while intended for Simon and helping him correct his ways as a Pharisee, teaches us that repentance is a joyful and beautiful experience filled with love. Elder Neil L. Andersen explains,
Years ago, I was asked to meet with a man who, long before our visit, had had a period of riotous living. As a result of his bad choices, he lost his membership in the Church. He had long since returned to the Church and was faithfully keeping the commandments, but his previous actions haunted him. Meeting with him, I felt his shame and his deep remorse at having set his covenants aside. Following our interview, I placed my hands upon his head to give him a priesthood blessing. Before speaking a word, I felt an overpowering sense of the Savior’s love and forgiveness for him. Following the blessing, we embraced and the man wept openly.
I am amazed at the Savior’s encircling arms of mercy and love for the repentant, no matter how selfish the forsaken sin. I testify that the Savior is able and eager to forgive our sins. Except for the sins of those few who choose perdition after having known a fulness, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. What a marvelous privilege for each of us to turn away from our sins and to come unto Christ. Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience.” 17
The sin, the circumstance, and the person who has committed the sin do not matter as long as the person is repentant and has real intent. Randall L. Ridd says, “Living with real intent means understanding the “why” and being aware of the motives behind your actions.” 18 When our motives are pure, repentance becomes a way of becoming closer to our Savior. As we use the atonement we better understand its meaning as well as the love of our Savior. As I fervently pray for forgiveness, my understanding of Christ’s love for me expands, and I am more eager to repent when I make the next mistake. As expressed by a recent journal entry of mine: “. . . the Savior is not just going to leave me high and dry and allow me to do it all alone. He will help me up, lift me up, encourage me until I am up.” 19
John
Who is John?
John was also known as John the Beloved. This denotes that John was well-loved both by Jesus and by others. John was one of Jesus’ apostles and was part of the First Presidency. He knew Christ on an intimate level. John was a fisherman-- simple, skilled, and humble. He was a Christian and wrote to a Christian audience. John asked to live forever and preach the gospel. We believe that He still lives on the earth today.
What is unique about John?
John, writing to Christians, emphasizes Christ’s role as the Son of God. This is evident even from the start of his writings in John 1 when he starts with the phrase, “In the beginning . . .” which is also the first line of Genesis. John draws a parallel to show the divinity of Jesus Christ and His role in the creation.
John has the most unique material of all the authors. It is understood that this is because his account was written last. Having read the other accounts of Christ’s life, John chose specific stories to illustrate that Christ was the Son of God that were unique to only him. Many of the experiences depicted by John are intimate in a way that other could not have known. However, John’s account contains no parables. This indicates that all of the parts that John includes are involving real people-- allowing us to see the Savior’s ministry. One of these real people is the adulterous woman.
The Adulterous Woman
John tells us that Jesus was at the temple when the Pharisees came to him with a woman. They tell Him that this woman was caught in the act of adultery and they want to know if they should stone her to death, as the law states. The Pharisees were attempting to catch the Savior in a wrong so that they could report Him-- it was all a set up. The Savior, of course, knew this.
Now, let us ponder the situation for a moment. This woman was caught in the VERY ACT. That’s awkward. And to make matters worse, she is publically shamed for it directly afterward. Let us apply this situation to our times. Let’s say that Sister Johnson gets up to bear her testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting and blatantly points out the pregnant teenager in the congregation. It’s awkward. Everyone is uncomfy and shifting in their seats. Everyone is trying to avoid eye contact. Our dear Savior must have felt the awkwardness that surrounded the situation-- He was human experiencing human things. In a congregation, people may start doodling on their programs trying to distract themselves from the palpable embarrassment. Jesus drew on the ground. I don't think He felt awkward himself, although I bet He could sense the situation. But Jesus doesn't get angry with the adulterous woman. He doesn’t even stand up from the ground. He simply writes in the dirt. He finally answers the Pharisees and says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” 20 Jesus shows the importance of not judging as He is confronted by this situation.
There is so much judgement in LDS culture sometimes. We’re all trying our best! And I am not without fault on the judging end. I do my fair share, whether intentionally or not. But I do know that we must simply love those around us. There is a story I once heard of a homeless woman wandering into a church service, sitting on a bench next to a woman in the congregation and laying her head on her shoulder. The church going woman simply wrapped her arm around her shoulder and allowed her to be there. I hope that I can be the one that wraps my arm around that woman some day. I hope we can all become that person someday.
Conclusion
The four gospels of the New Testament are fundamental to our knowledge of the life of Jesus Christ. Without the comments, stories, and insights provided by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, my testimony of Jesus Christ would not be what it is today. I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer, Friend, Advocate, Savior, Older Brother, Example, and King. I love Him and I am grateful for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John’s contribution to my knowledge and testimony of the Savior.
References:
- Thomas S. Monson, “Duty Calls,” Ensign, May 1996, 44.
- Strathearn, Gaye, “Matthew as an Editor of the Life and Teachings of Jesus” in How the New Testament Came to Be: The Thirty-fifth Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Frank F. Judd Jr. (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006), 141–156.
- Matthew 28:2-4
- Alma 7:12
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Howard W. Hunter, “Come Unto Me”, October 1990 General Conference.
- Mark 8:29-30
- Mark 8: 22-25
- Alma 37:6
- Bruce R. McConkie. The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. (1979–81), 1:324.
- Luke 7:42
- Luke 7:47
- Neil L. Andersen, “Repent … That I May Heal You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 40–41
- Leah Kelson, New Testament Journal Entry from March 8, 2018.
- John 8:7
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