Introduction To The GospelsSample

Unity of the Four Gospels

 In a general sense, we can say that the story that is told in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John is the gospel. In fact, this is why the books themselves are referred to as “the Gospels.” They are the books that tell the gospel story. But what exactly is the gospel story?

The word “gospel” translates the Greek word euangelion (εαγγέλιον) which simply means “good news.” So, when the Bible talks about the gospel of Jesus, it’s referring to the good news about Jesus. But what exactly is this good news? Who is Jesus? And what story do the Gospels tell about Him?

To answer these questions, we need to understand that the word “gospel” sometimes referred to a very specific type of news in the ancient world. Specifically, when warrior kings or emperors conquered new territories, they sometimes made imperial proclamations of their victories in announcements called “good news.” In this use of the term “gospel,” the “good news” was an announcement of a king’s victory and that his reign would bring blessings to his people. In fact, this is also how the term was sometimes used in the Old Testament.  For instance, consider words of Isaiah 52:7: 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 

In this passage, Isaiah envisioned the wondrous approach of messengers on the mountains surrounding Jerusalem announcing the good news that Israel’s time of exile was over. They announced peace and salvation because of the reign of God over all. 

In the context of Isaiah’s prophecy, the reign of God — the building of His kingdom on earth — was the good news that the people of Israel and Judah needed to hear. It was the news that under God’s kingship, they would have rest from their enemies and live in God’s worldwide kingdom forever. 

But in Isaiah’s day, God had not done this yet. Isaiah’s prophecy looked forward to a day in the future when God would come in power as king over the whole earth. And the good news that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John told was that this day had finally been realized in Jesus. The gospel writers all told the same story, pointing back to Jesus as the one who had brought the kingdom of God, and who was fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies. They were messengers with beautiful feet who announced the good news that the kingdom of God had come to earth through its final king: Jesus. This one story of the coming of the kingdom provides the overarching unity that all four gospels share.