Why Are There Four Gospel Books in the Bible?

Why are there four gospel books in the Bible? The truth is that this makes the story of Christ more authentic. Imagine four college students go to the same Football game and after the game they write to their family about what they saw. One might tell about how the band played, while the others might talk about how they spilt their nachos or caught up with an old friend. Simply put, they may not include the same details, but that doesn’t make the story less accurate.

The stories in these books are not always written in the same order or in the same way. This is because there were four different people who wrote them. Each writer has a view point that adds to the Bible.

Mathew was writing to a Hebrew audience. He would write many themes that would connect with his audience. This book starts off describing Jesus as, “King of the Jews.” The first verse tells us, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Mathew 1:1). describes Jesus as in the lineage of David. This would carry a heavy meaning with Jews since many of them were taught the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, from a young age.

The book of Mark tells us about Christ the servant. This book doesn’t include a genealogy because a servant doesn’t need one. In fact, Mark 10:45 describes this truth so well, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark focused on more on what Jesus did rather than what he said.

Luke wrote to a gentile audience. He is referred to by Paul as, “Luke, the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). It’s been said before that, “Preachers see people at their best. Lawyers see people at their worst. Doctors see people as they really are[1].” (Zuck p.156).

The Gospel of John gives us a glimpse into the fact that Christ was the Son of God. He is personified as grace. This book specifically tells why it was written, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31).

Mathew portrays Christ as the king. In Mark, He is the servant. In Luke, He is the son of man, and in John, He is the son of God. Each book is written so that we might believe, and each gospel book gives us a glimpse into the life of Christ.

[1] Zuck, Roy B. The Speaker’s Quote Book: Over 4,500 Illustrations and Quotations for All Occasions. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997. Print.