Who Wrote the 4 Gospels?

The four canonical gospels of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are widely considered the foundational texts of Christianity. They provide unique and often complementary accounts of Jesus' life, teachings, and resurrection, forming the core of Christian belief and practice. But who wrote these influential gospels?

Evidence and Attribution

While the gospels themselves do not explicitly name their authors, early Christian tradition and historical scholarship provide strong evidence for their authorship.

Matthew

Traditional Attribution: Matthew, a tax collector who became one of Jesus' twelve apostles.

Evidence: Papias of Hierapolis, an early church father, wrote around 120 AD that Matthew "compiled the oracles [sayings of Jesus] in the Hebrew language."

Mark

Traditional Attribution: John Mark, a companion of both Peter and Paul, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles.

Evidence: Irenaeus of Lyons, another early church father, wrote around 180 AD that Mark "wrote down accurately what Peter proclaimed."

Luke

Traditional Attribution: Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, who is also believed to have written the Acts of the Apostles.

Evidence: The prologue to Luke's gospel states that he "followed all things closely from the very first" and wrote for the benefit of Theophilus.

John

Traditional Attribution: John the Evangelist, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, who is also identified with the author of the Book of Revelation.

Evidence: The gospel of John claims to be written by "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and tradition holds that this refers to John.

Other Considerations

Despite the strong evidence for the traditional attributions, some scholars have suggested alternative theories:

  • Multiple Authors: Some argue that the gospels were not written by single authors, but rather a collaboration of different sources and traditions.
  • Pseudonymity: Others propose that the authors used pseudonyms to convey the authority of well-known figures such as Matthew or John.
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However, the traditional attributions remain widely accepted and provide a solid foundation for understanding the origins and authenticity of the four gospels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote the Gospel of Matthew?

The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew the apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. However, modern scholarship generally views the authorship as uncertain and suggests that it was written by an unknown author.

Who wrote the Gospel of Mark?

The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to Mark the Evangelist, a disciple of the apostle Peter. However, modern scholarship suggests that the author was an unknown individual who used Mark's name as a pseudonym.

Who wrote the Gospel of Luke?

The Gospel of Luke is traditionally attributed to Luke the Evangelist, a companion of the apostle Paul. Modern scholarship generally accepts this attribution, as the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (also attributed to Luke) share a similar style and vocabulary.

Who wrote the Gospel of John?

The Gospel of John is traditionally attributed to John the Evangelist, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. However, modern scholarship suggests that the author was an unknown individual who wrote in the name of John.

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