Four Gospels are included in the canonical Christian Bible, although other gospels continue to be discovered and circulate. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have several stylistic similarities, although each offers a slightly different approach, conveying different information and opinions on the life of Jesus.
The Gospels can be challenging for people unfamiliar with ancient culture to interpret. This is because the Gospels had a very specific intended audience: Jews familiar with Jewish law, culture and prophecies. All four Gospel authors were Jewish followers of Jesus who used the history of the Jewish people to shape their narrative. Jesus is repeatedly presented as an answer to the challenges faced by Jews and the fulfillment of God's promises to his people.
Third Person Narrative
All four Gospels are written in third person, with very brief forays into first person when the author injects opinion or commentary. This is primarily the result of stylistic preferences of the time. However, this approach to narrative also indicates that the authors wrote the Gospels as historical documents, not autobiographies or works of opinion or philosophy. Debate is ongoing about whether some Gospels were written by multiple authors, but the third-person narrative preserves continuity across the Gospels.
All four Gospel authors occasionally interject their own commentary into the books. This approach allows them to explain basic concepts -- such as common words or Jewish history -- to their readers. In the original texts, comments are introduced using certain Greek symbols, but in contemporary Bibles, editors may opt to put the commentary in footnotes, parenthesis or italics.
Emphasis on Prophecies
All four Gospel texts present Jesus as a fulfillment of Jewish prophecies, though the degree to which the authors emphasize this theme varies. Matthew places the strongest emphasis on prophecies, presenting Jesus as a messiah and "King of the Jews." Luke, by contrast, portrays Jesus as a savior for both Jews and gentiles, emphasizing how Jesus acts through the holy spirit. Although both John and Mark portray Jesus as the son of God and a leader, they rely less on Jewish prophecies to explain Jesus' role.
- The Journal of the American Academy of Religion: Narrative Criticism and the Gospel of Mark
- Tom Boomershine: The Narrative Technique of Mark
- Catholic Resources: The Four Gospels -- Some Comparative Overview Charts
- Exploring the New Testament, Volume 1; David Wenham et al.
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