Saints LightThe Gospels: Four Portraits of One Lord
The four Gospels are four faithful portraits of the one Jesus, each written for a different audience, and together they are the heart of the Bible.
What this lesson teaches
- The Gospels are the center of the Bible because they show us the life and teaching of Jesus.
- Matthew stresses fulfillment, Mark urgency and Peter's witness, Luke mercy and careful research, John deep reflection on who Jesus is.
- The Gospels formed in three stages: Jesus' life, the apostles' preaching, and the evangelists' writing.
- Differences in detail are the mark of real witnesses, not a sign of invention.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 124-127
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Luke 1:1-4; John 20:31.
A sample question from this lesson
Which Gospel does ancient tradition link to the preaching of St Peter?
- Matthew
- Luke
- Mark
- John
Show the answer
Mark. The lesson notes that Papias, around the year 100, reported that Mark wrote down Peter's preaching.
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Evangelist
- One of the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
- Synoptic
- 'Seen together': the name for Matthew, Mark and Luke, which share much material.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"The Gospels: Four Portraits of One Lord" is lesson 7 of The Bible, the Catholic Way. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
Every course is open free for your first 14 days. After that, one payment of $14.99 unlocks every course. There is no subscription.