The theme of all four gospels is to reveal that Jesus is the son of God, the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. Each gospel aims this message toward a particular audience, be it Jews, gentiles, or the early church community. Each gospel is clear that salvation comes exclusively through Jesus. Unlike in most of the ancient world (excluding Judaism), the gospels state that one cannot worship multiple gods but must make a choice.
Beyond that, each gospel tries to show what Jesus was like as a human being walking the earth. Therefore, each gospel tells stories about his life and ministry. Here, too, the themes expressed are very similar. In all of the gospels, Jesus was the embodiment of love, mercy, and forgiveness. One common theme, made most explicit in John, is that Jesus lived out the "logic" of God he was God's "word" (will) made flesh. The beginning of John...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
states:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
All the gospels also make clear that God wants us all to live as Jesus lived: fully loving, forgiving, and doing good to our neighbors, ourselves, God, and our enemies. As we do so we become more fully humane/human. This is quite different from the notion of the violent, vengeful godhead understood as supremely powerful in most of the ancient world. Jesus's power, in contrast, is made manifest not through destructive force but through love.
Another theme common to the four gospels is to show that Jesus conquered death. Because he was resurrected in the body, all his followers can be too. This answers a deep yearning in the human heart to live forever.
All four gospels in the New Testament relate the theme that Jesus is the Son of God. They all contain the words and works of Jesus. The major proof of Jesus' divinity in all four gospels is the resurrection. However, each gospel was probably written for a different audience; thus each stresses different aspects of this theme. Mark was probably aimed at a Roman audience who valued great deeds. It focuses on Jesus as a suffering servant. His miraculous works are accomplished in order to serve both mankind and God. According to Luke 1:1-4, this gospel was meant to be a historical investigation of Jesus, primarily for a man named Theophilus. Since this is a Greek name and Greeks aspired to human perfection, this gospel's theme focuses on Jesus as the perfect man. Matthew, a Jew, wanted to prove Jesus was the much anticipated Messiah. Thus his gospel includes many allusions to Messianic prophesies in the Old Testament. All three of these gospels are similar in the accounts they give of Jesus and are thus called the Synoptic Gospels. John's gospel is very different. Probably written much later than the first three gospels, it is organized around seven key events in Jesus' ministry. It emphasizes the idea that God came to earth in the flesh,"so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ. . and believing you may have life in his name." ( John 21:31). Thus it has a more mystical theme, the wonder of God's visitation on earth.