The Gospels

The Story of Jesus

The Gospel Defined:

The Gospel is the announcement, proclamation or preaching of good news. The Hebrew translation of the word means to share good news. The greek translation used the word “euangelion” which means good news, good message.

The Gospel is the good news referring to God’s salvation from enemies. Evangelist… one who announces good news… announces the good news of victory in a battle, bringing salvation from enemies.

The Gospel then is the good new’s about God’s victory over death and sin through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The 4 Gospels in the Bible

The Story of Jesus is told to us in 4 times through 4 different books written by 4 different people at different times.

The Book of Matthew

Matthew a Levi who had become a tax collector for the Romans and later a disciple of Jesus wrote the gospel of Matthew around 52-68 AD. Before the fall of Jerusalem.

This is the book of the King. Matthew wrote this book to the Jews. The purpose was to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus was the Kingly Messiah.

The book was written in Hebrew to appeal to the Jewish mind. It is also the gospel that contains the most Old Testament quotations. The Book of Matthew presents Jesus as the King who has come and His kingdom that is now present on earth.

So the beginning of the book starts with Genealogy. Why? Who is your father mattered to the Jews. They considered Abraham to be their father. and David to be their king. So how does Jesus fit into this story?

Matthew 1:1–17 NKJV

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

This introduction was a very strong and clear message to the Jews.

We can learn and apply from this text that God uses our past to speak to us about who He is.

The Book of Mark

Written by John Mark cousin of Barnabas and a companion of Peter. Many conclude that Mark was writing the Gospel according to Peter. Probably written between 55 and 68 AD

The purpose was to present Jesus as the perfect and faithful servant of Jehovah. It was written to the Roman mind. Showing Jesus to be obedient and a servant of Jehovah.

It was probably written in Rome and contains many latinisms. Also contains Jewish culture, places, coins and Aramaic expressions are explained.

The Book starts with the story of John the Baptist. A well known figure to the Romans.

John is the one who comes before Jesus and announces Jesus and confirms Him as the the Messiah

Mark 1:1–8 NKJV

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ” John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Good News Compels us to Repent, Or choose differently.

The application is in what ways are we choosing the good news today?

Jesus came to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.