author: John Mark (acts) friend of Peter

date: 60-70 c.e.

audience: early Christians in Rome (under Nero)

style: is short, direct and to the point (no frills)

picture of Jesus: divine man of action, suffering servant (healing)

theme: Jesus truly is the son of God

*16 books

*first written

*starts with baptism of Jesus

author: Matthew; apostle, tax collector, or one of Matthew's followers

date: 80-100 c.e.

audience: Jews who became Christians (Antioch, Jerusalem)

style: teaching gospel, longest; copied Mark's gospel then adds info

picture of Jesus: Jesus is the new Moses, Rabbi, &teacher

theme: Jesus is the promised Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament

*30 quotes

*writes sections to correspond with the Torah

*only evangalist to use the word "church"

*lists family tree of Jesus in "prologue"

*first story of gospel is the birth

author: not an eyewitness; dedicates gospel to Theopolis, is a doctor &friend of Paul

date: 80-100 c.e.

audience: Greek Christians

style: Luke copies Mark; well written "story tellers gospel"

picture of Jesus: compassionate and merciful

theme: Jesus came to save everyone especially the poor, lonely, the women, and the oppressed 

*writes prologue

*only evangalist to explain why he wrote the gospel

*Theology-study of God

*Theopolis asks Luke to make a gospel

^^ means literally "Friends of God" and is a newly Christian city

author: John the apostle "John the beloved" or his followers (on a remote island)

date: 90-100 c.e.

audience: written for "the future"

style: not synoptic, theological, reflective, poetic-focuses on meaning

picture of Jesus: Jesus is "the Word"

theme: Jesus as word made flesh, reveals glory of "The Father"

*epiphany- sudden realization

*history+prophecy+theology=incarnation

^facts ^OT ^study of God ^God becoming human