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Brief Summary of the Gospels & Intended Audience

Here’s a brief summary of each of the four Gospels and the intended audience for each:

Matthew – Written for a Jewish Audience

  • Emphasizes Jesus as the Messianic King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
  • Frequently references the Hebrew Scriptures, linking Jesus to Jewish expectations.
  • Includes a genealogy tracing Jesus to Abraham and David, reinforcing His legitimacy as Israel’s promised Messiah.

Mark – Written for a Roman (Gentile) Audience

  • A fast-paced, action-oriented Gospel, well-suited to Roman readers.
  • Focuses on Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Son of God.
  • Explains Jewish customs (Mark 7:3-4), suggesting it was written for non-Jews unfamiliar with them.
  • Emphasizes Jesus’ miracles and deeds over His teachings.

Luke – Written for a Greek (Gentile) Audience

  • Highlights Jesus as the Savior of all people, not just the Jews.
  • Emphasizes compassion, forgiveness, and inclusion, showcasing Jesus’ interactions with outcasts (e.g., tax collectors, Samaritans, women).
  • Written in a polished, historical narrative style, appealing to Greek intellectuals.
  • Includes a genealogy tracing Jesus back to Adam, showing His connection to all humanity.

John – Written for a Universal Audience

  • Focuses on Jesus as the Son of God and the source of eternal life.
  • Contains deep theological themes (e.g., Jesus as the Word of God, John 1:1).
  • Written to strengthen faith in Jesus as the Messiah, emphasizing belief (John 20:31).
  • Uses fewer parables but more discourses (e.g., “I am” statements).

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