Who Wrote The Gospels?

Who Wrote The Gospels?

Part 1-The Gospel of John

The common story we’re told in the church has always been that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all of these men being disciples or close associates of Christ or his disciples. (except in the case of Luke) Each wrote the corresponding gospel that shares their name. This is why these particular books hold so much weight since all four of these men witnessed firsthand the ministry and possibly the miracles of Jesus Christ. This is in contrast to the majority of the New Testament that was written by Paul, someone who never met Christ before he was crucified.

This is what I was taught in church, and what the majority of Christians will likely tell you is the case. But as it turns out that’s not really the case at all.

First off let’s talk about the fact that the 4th gospel, The Gospel of John is the only one that is considered not to be a “synoptic” gospel.

What does this mean?

Well, you see, the other three gospels all share a similar account of Jesus, synoptic meaning “seen together”, whereas the 4th deviates from those accounts in many ways.

So let’s start with that fourth deviated gospel.

The Gospel of John

First off The Gospel of John describes Jesus’ ministry going on for multiple years, while the other gospels only mention it being one. It also mentions him making multiple trips to Jerusalem, while the others describe him only making one trip there.

It also mentions Jesus’s ministries in Judea and Samaria, which some see as being in contrast to his statement in Matthew about only coming for the “lost sheep of Israel” who are usually interpreted as referring to the ethnic descendants of Jacob, although Judeans and Samaritans consider themselves to be descendants of the Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which could be interpreted as “lost sheep of Israel” as well.

These stories seem to be present to expand on the inclusivity of Christianity, which as we know developed into a religion very welcoming of Gentiles.

The concept of Jesus being a savior for people other than the Jews is mentioned in the great commission in Matthew, which is basically a mirror of the verses from Mark. There are a couple of brief mentions in Luke with Simeon saying the baby Jesus is “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel,” as well as the story of the Good Samaritan showing that hey maybe those people you hate for being different aren’t all bad… but nothing as elaborate as the stories of Jesus’ ministries to “others” mentioned in The Gospel of John.

The Gospel of John also never mentions Jesus teaching in parables as he does in the other three gospels, as well as never mentioning him exorcising anyone of a demon and it seems to take a much harder focus on him being a divine eternal being, and the son of God, rather than just mentioning him being the Messiah.

We need to remember here that the Messiah is seen as a figure that would come and redeem Israel, likely to be a high Priest or King…but not a deity. Christians often use the term interchangeably with God, Judaism does not however do this.

This gospel also labels him as “the word” that has existed since the beginning of time, as well as multiple “I am” statements, to make it clear that he is divine and frankly God, the other gospels make no mention of these statements, although they do mention him being the son of God, but just don’t drive home the point quite as much. In addition, it showcases Jesus having a wider range of emotions, such as weeping (John 11:35) and being troubled in spirit (John 13:21).

It also includes stories that don’t exist in the other gospels, such as the wedding at Cana where Christ turns water into wine, the conversation with Nicodemus, the raising of Lazarus, washing the disciples’ feet, and the detailed farewell conversation at the Last Supper.