The Gospels: Four Perspectives, One Savior

Introduction: A New Christian’s Guide to the Gospels

Good morning, everyone! Whether you’re new to the faith or just starting your journey with Jesus, one of the first things you’re going to hear about is the Bible. And when you open it up, you’ll find the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—right at the start of the New Testament. You might wonder, Why do we have four versions of the same story? Isn’t one enough?

Well, if you've ever seen four different people describe the same event—let’s say a birthday party—you’d probably get four unique stories, right? One person might talk about the cake, another about the games, another about the awkward conversation with your uncle, and someone else might talk about the moment you blew out the candles. Each story captures the essence of what happened but from a different perspective. That’s exactly what the four Gospels do for the life and teachings of Jesus.

Each Gospel paints a different, yet complementary picture of Jesus, revealing different aspects of His character. Today, I want to give you a quick rundown of each Gospel, who wrote them, when they were written, and why it matters to you as a new Christian. This is where your Bible reading journey begins—because these four books will show you not only who Jesus was, but who He wants you to become.

1. Matthew: The Teacher's Gospel

First up, we have Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector—yes, you heard that right. A tax collector. These guys were like the used car salesmen of the ancient world: no one liked them. They worked for the Romans, took more money than they should, and made a good living by cheating people out of their cash. But Jesus saw something in Matthew, and He called him to follow Him. Talk about a turnaround!

Matthew’s Gospel is all about showing that Jesus is the King—the fulfillment of all the prophecies from the Old Testament. Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, so he really wants them to see that Jesus is the Messiah they had been waiting for. He goes through Jesus’ life with a lot of details that connect to the Old Testament scriptures, showing how Jesus is the ultimate Teacher and the promised Savior.

When was Matthew written?

Matthew was likely written around 50-60 AD, which makes it one of the earlier Gospels. It was written while many people who had witnessed Jesus’ life were still alive, which means it’s grounded in eyewitness testimony. This gives us confidence that the events Matthew describes are reliable.

Why should you read Matthew first?

If you’re new to the faith, Matthew is a great place to start because it’s like a Christian roadmap. It’s full of Jesus’ teachings—especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He talks about what it looks like to live as part of God’s Kingdom. If you’re looking for solid lessons on how to live a Christ-like life—how to love others, how to forgive, and how to live with humility—Matthew is the place to start.

2. Mark: The Action-Packed Gospel

Next, we have Mark. Now, Mark was not one of the twelve disciples, but he was a close companion of Peter, one of Jesus’ inner circle. Mark’s Gospel is short and to the point—think of it as the "action movie" of the Gospels. There’s very little small talk, and Mark doesn’t spend a lot of time on Jesus’ birth or long speeches. He jumps straight into the action, focusing on the miracles, the healings, and the powerful moments of Jesus' ministry. It's fast-paced and emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of God who came to serve, not be served.

Mark was writing to a Roman audience, so he focused on showing how Jesus was a powerful, compassionate servant, always on the move. You’ll notice that Mark often uses the word “immediately”—Jesus is always doing something, always teaching, always healing, always saving.

When was Mark written?

Mark was likely written around 60-70 AD, making it one of the first Gospels to be written. It’s often believed that Mark was the source for both Matthew and Luke, as both of them have similar stories and wording, but with extra details. This gives Mark a unique place in the timeline of the Gospels.

Why should you read Mark next?

If you like fast action, Mark’s for you. But more importantly, Mark shows us the servant-heart of Jesus. If you want to know what it means to be humble and put others first, read Mark. Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and He wants us to do the same. Mark will challenge you to move from a passive "believer" to an active "doer" in the Kingdom of God.

3. Luke: The Compassionate Gospel

Then there’s Luke, the physician, who gives us a more detailed account of Jesus’ life. Luke was a Gentile (non-Jewish), and he wrote his Gospel to a Greek audience, wanting them to understand that Jesus came for everyone. He focuses a lot on Jesus’ compassion, especially toward the poor, the outcasts, the sick, and the sinners—the people society often forgets. Luke emphasizes that Jesus was for the people who were often left behind, which, for many of us, is a powerful reminder that Jesus cares about each and every person.

Luke includes parables that no other Gospel writer does, like the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)—powerful stories that show the heart of God for those who are lost, broken, and need redemption.

When was Luke written?

Luke was likely written around 60-70 AD, just a few years after Mark. Luke was a careful researcher, and he says in his opening that he "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" (Luke 1:3). So, when you read Luke, know that it’s well-researched, with a goal to present a clear, orderly account of Jesus’ life.

Why should you read Luke?

If you’re looking for a more compassionate, heart-centered view of Jesus, Luke is the Gospel for you. Jesus shows us that we are called to love and serve all people, no matter their background or social status. Luke will inspire you to be more compassionate and inclusive in your own life, showing the same love and grace that Jesus showed.

4. John: The Deep Thinker’s Gospel

Finally, we have John, the beloved disciple. Now, John is a bit different from the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which are often called the “Synoptic Gospels” because they share a similar view of events. John’s Gospel is more spiritual and theological—it’s like the deep thinker of the bunch.

While the other Gospels focus more on what Jesus did, John focuses on who Jesus is. He starts off with the famous verse, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Deep, right?

John’s Gospel is all about showing that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, sent to bring us eternal life. John wants us to understand the divine nature of Jesus—His divinity, His intimate relationship with the Father, and His ultimate mission to bring salvation to the world.

When was John written?

John was likely written around 90-100 AD, making it the last Gospel to be written. By this time, many of the first witnesses of Jesus’ life had passed away, so John wrote his Gospel to preserve the deeper theological truths about Jesus’ identity and purpose. This late date means John was writing from a more mature perspective, reflecting on all that had happened and what it all truly meant.

Why should you read John?

If you want to dig deeper into the identity of Jesus, and understand His divine mission, start with John. This Gospel will help you understand the heart of God’s love for the world and His desire to offer us eternal life. John’s deep insights into who Jesus is will challenge you to grow in your relationship with Him and to live out the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Conclusion: The Full Picture of Jesus

So, why read the Gospels as a new Christian? Because these four books show us a complete, well-rounded picture of who Jesus is and who we are meant to become. Each Gospel reveals a different aspect of Christ’s character—His authority as King (Matthew), His servant heart (Mark), His compassion for the lost (Luke), and His divine nature (John). Together, they show us the full story of Jesus—how He came to save, heal, and transform us.

As you begin your journey of reading the Bible, don’t just skip over these Gospels—take the time to soak in each one. Start with Matthew, move on to Mark, then Luke, and dive into John. And as you do, ask yourself: What does this show me about Jesus? What does this tell me about how I should live like Him?

Reading the Gospels is the best way to start your Christian walk. It’s where you’ll find Jesus, not just as a historical figure, but as your Savior and example.

Let’s pray

Father, thank You for the Gospels and the beautiful, multi-faceted picture they paint of Your Son, Jesus. Help us as we read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, to see Jesus more clearly and follow His example in our own lives. Give us the wisdom to understand Your Word and the courage to live it out. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go ahead—grab your Bible and dive into the Gospels. Jesus is waiting for you to discover Him in a fresh way!