What is important for us to know about the genre of the Gospels?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible, as a collection of 66 different books, contains writings in several different genres. Each genre affects how one reads, understands, and applies a passage. Therefore, to rightly understand the author’s meaning, one must understand the genre he used to convey it. The Gospel genre is limited to the New Testament and includes Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—historical accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. While perhaps resembling other first-century biographies, they are presented realistically rather than as embellished, hero-worship accounts. The genre of Gospel, therefore, contains historical narrative but is more than just that. The writers were deliberately precise (Luke 1:1–4), showed that Jesus was who He claimed to be, and therefore must be understood literally. Additionally, one must recognize that the accounts are often situational, not promises for all believers. For example, when Jesus sent out the disciples (Luke 10:1–3), commands such as not taking even sandals (Luke 10:4) and protection from harm (Luke 10:19) were specific to those individuals. Thus, not everything directly applies to today. However, the authors have recorded these accounts to teach us about Jesus so that we believe in Him (John 20:30–31). From them we learn of His suffering (Luke 22:44), humility (John 13:4–5), authority (Mark 1:27), obedience (John 6:38), and death (John 19:30).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The genre of the Gospels is not found in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The genre of the Gospels is exclusively found in the New Testament. The four books in this genre are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• While some scholars have noted similarities to other first-century biographies, what stands out about the biblical Gospels is that they are carefully written as factual, verifiable eyewitness accounts of Jesus (e.g., Luke 1:1–4). Therefore, they are to be read as true accounts, not mythical or embellished ones. Though debates exist, Mark is believed to be the first to be written and to have circulated within 15 years of Jesus’ ascension, supporting the assertion that they are factual.
• The Gospels have an explicitly theological purpose and are to be read as such, not merely historical accounts. While each author has their own particular focus, all four were writing so that readers would know that Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 1:1), the Messiah (Matthew 1:1), and the Savior (Luke 2:11). Of His purpose, John said, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30–31). Ultimately, they wanted people to know and believe in Jesus.
• Of Him, they showed many attributes. This included His suffering (Luke 22:44), humility (John 13:4–5), authority (Mark 1:27), obedience (John 6:38), and death (John 19:30). They intended for future disciples to know Jesus so they would first believe in Him and then strive to be like Him.
• Because the Gospels are real accounts of Jesus’ time on earth, they are also situational, meaning they are describing events as they happened. Thus, not everything in them is prescriptive, meaning not everything is directly applicable to believers today. For example, in Luke 10:1–3 Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples. As He did, He told them to take nothing, not even sandals with them (Luke 10:4), that they could pronounce judgment on a city (Luke 10:10–12), and even have authority over anything that might otherwise harm them (Luke 10:19). Because Jesus was talking with those specific individuals, believers today are not to expect the same authority or protection. Part of reading the Gospels is discerning the difference between a description of a first-century event and understanding what the author intended to apply to all readers.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Each Gospel was written so people could come to have a saving relationship with Him. In them, you will:

Discover that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Luke 24:27)Learn that Jesus was fully God and yet added a true human nature to be like us and save us (John 1:1, 14)See how the people responded, both in belief (John 2:11) and disbelief (John 1:11), and how even the demons tremble before Him (Mark 1:23–27)Realize that His authority was unlike any other (Matthew 7:28–29)Read that He did nothing according to His will but only followed the Father’s will (John 6:38)Discover that He and the Father were one (John 10:30)Watch Jesus avoid capture (John 7:30) and allow capture (John 18:4–8) because He died willingly (John 10:17–18) but on the Father’s timetableMourn the death of the perfectly innocent Lamb of God dying for the sins of the world (John 1:29; 19:30)But Jesus did not stay dead! Just three days later (Luke 24:6–7), His tomb was found empty (John 20:1–8). He appeared to the women (Matthew 28:9–10), then the disciples (John 20:19–29), and was seen by at least 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:6). Then, 40 days later, He gathered His friends together to witness His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:3, 9–11), where He is to this day (Hebrews 1:3).

But the good news is that He is coming back! No one knows when (Matthew 24:36), but when He does, it won’t be like the first time as a humble servant. It will be as the ruling King (Revelation 19:11–16). He will judge His enemies (Revelation 19:19–21), resurrect His people (John 6:39–40), and reign forevermore (Revelation 11:15).

If you don’t know this Jesus, pick up the Gospels and read today! If you do know Jesus, don’t keep this good news to yourself—read and share the truth of the Gospels so others may come to know the Savior they reveal!

UNDERSTAND

• The Gospels are carefully written historical accounts, grounded in eyewitness testimony, and are to be read as factual and verifiable rather than mythical or embellished.
• Each Gospel was written with an explicit theological purpose — to lead readers to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life in His name.
• Reading the Gospels requires understanding the difference between history and teachings intended for universal application.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that the Gospel writers were deliberate historians who carefully recorded eyewitness accounts strengthen your confidence in the reliability of what they recorded about Jesus?
• Which attribute of Jesus revealed in the Gospels do you most need to meditate on in this season of your life, and why?
• How does the distinction between situational and prescriptive passages in the Gospels change the way you read and apply what Jesus said and did?

ENGAGE

• How does understanding the Gospels as both historical accounts and theological testimonies shape the way you read them and respond to Jesus?
• What can the differences between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John teach us about how God uses different authors, perspectives, and circumstances to reveal the same truth about Christ?
• Why is it important to recognize the difference between historical events and timeless truths in the Gospels?