Gospels and their audiences
| Mark (ca. 70) | Matthew (80s) | Luke (80s) | John
(90s or later) | |
| trad. attrib. | John Mark, disciple of Peter, in Rome (cf. Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37) | apostle Matthew | Physician, travel companion of Paul (cf. Col 4:14 | "disciple whom Jesus loved" (Jn 21:20,24) |
| audience / location | Rome (?); audience not familiar with Aramaic | northern Galilee, Syria (?); Jewish setting | Pauline church (?); Gentile Church | Jewish setting; but highly antagonistic toward Jews. |
| Some key-ideas | "Passion account with extended introduction;" Jesus with human characteristics; Messianic secret; Roman soldier "gets it." | Jesus is second Moses, rightful interpreter of the law. (Additional biblical prophecies; mountains; Egypt) Mission restricted to lost sheep of Israel. | Jesus as scholar-philosopher; gentiles have shot at salvation; Jesus no political troublemaker (23:34); "Social Gospel" | Highly developed theologically; Jesus is Paschal Lamb. Intentionally antagonistic toward Jews (6:83) |
| Making sense of destruction of Temple | Jesus is teacher greater than Moses | Gospel part of bigger story that continues with Acts | Jesus is lamb of God, taking away sins of the world |