book70-100 CE

The Gospels

Disciplines:

Summary

The four canonical gospels of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — the primary narrative accounts of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Core Contribution

The founding narrative of Christianity: the Sermon on the Mount, parables, miracles, passion narrative, resurrection appearances. The synoptic problem: Matthew, Mark, and Luke share substantial material (Markan priority and Q source). John's gospel as theological meditation: the Logos, 'I am' sayings, the high priestly prayer. The most read and most influential texts in Western history.

Key Spikes & Highlights

The Gospel of Mark — the earliest gospel — is almost entirely incorporated into Matthew and Luke, suggesting it was used as a source. Yet Mark is the rawest and most vivid in literary terms: Jesus's disciples consistently fail to understand him.

Historical Influences

Hebrew Bible Jewish Apocalypticism

Intellectual Lineage

Jewish Prophetic Tradition Hellenistic Literature

Allied Works

Gospel of John Letters of Paul Acts of the Apostles

Contemporaries & Peers

Letters of Paul Gospel of Thomas

Minds Influenced

All of Western Civilization Christianity

Intellectual Posterity

Christianity Western Civilization Literary Tradition

Discussing

The Gospels

Ask anything about The Gospels — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.

book70-100 CE

The Gospels

Disciplines:

history

theology

Summary

The four canonical gospels of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — the primary narrative accounts of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Core Contribution

Key Spikes & Highlights

The Gospel of Mark — the earliest gospel — is almost entirely incorporated into Matthew and Luke, suggesting it was used as a source. Yet Mark is the rawest and most vivid in literary terms: Jesus's disciples consistently fail to understand him.

Historical Influences

Hebrew Bible Jewish Apocalypticism

Intellectual Lineage

Jewish Prophetic Tradition Hellenistic Literature

Allied Works

Gospel of John Letters of Paul Acts of the Apostles

Contemporaries & Peers

Letters of Paul Gospel of Thomas

Minds Influenced

All of Western Civilization Christianity

Intellectual Posterity

Christianity Western Civilization Literary Tradition

Discussing

The Gospels

Ask anything about The Gospels — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.