Four authors and their audiences
Matthew to Jews (King), Mark to Romans (Servant), Luke to Greeks (perfect Man), John to the world (God the Son). Audience shapes emphasis without splitting…
Lesson 1 · Course 51
Introduction to the New Testament
Four Gospels at a glance, the 400 silent years, and a world prepared for the Savior.
At a glance
Summary
Four Gospels at a glance, the 400 silent years, and a world prepared for the Savior. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Everything points to Christ (Luke 24:44).
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Everything points to Christ (Luke 24:44).
- Gospel means good news. The four Gospels are persuasive histories written by the evangelists — Jesus did not write them, and we do not need Him to have written them in order to trust them.
- Matthew: tax collector, Jew, apostle — to the Jews — Christ as King — key word Kingdom — Lion. Mark: with Peter — to Romans — Christ as Servant — immediately — Ox. Luke: physician, Greek, with Paul — to Greeks — perfect Man — Son of Man — Man. John: fisherman, apostle — to the whole world — Christ is God — believe and life — Eagle.
- The 400 silent years were not empty years: Babylon, Persia, Greece (Septuagint, 285 BC, Hebrew into Greek), Maccabees, Rome. Herod was crowned by Julius Caesar. Pax Romana paved roads for preachers.
- Pharisees (“to separate”) and Sadducees stood opposite each other. It was the Sadducees who denied the supernatural — a detail that still saves you from mixing the parties in a sermon.
Four Gospels at a glance
| Gospel | Author | Audience | Theme | Key word | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew | Tax collector, Jew, apostle | Jews | Christ as King | Kingdom | Lion |
| Mark | Jew/Roman, with Peter | Romans | Christ as Servant | immediately | Ox |
| Luke | Physician, Greek, with Paul | Greeks | Christ as perfect Man | Son of Man | Man |
| John | Fisherman, Jew, apostle | Whole world | Christ is God | believe / life | Eagle |
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Key word, verse, symbol, and emphasis compared
Kingdom / Lion; immediately / Ox; Son of Man / Man; believe and life / Eagle. One Lord, four faithful portraits — preach them as harmony, not as rivals.
Seven course objectives
A survey’s aim: know the lay of the land, the writers, the silent years, and how each book serves Christ and the church. Use the objectives as a checklist when…
Herod
Herod is crowned by Julius Caesar
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Four authors and their audiences
- Key word, verse, symbol, and emphasis compared
- Seven course objectives
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 100% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Author | the evangelists — Jesus did not write them, and we do not need Him to h |
| Audience | shapes emphasis without splitting Jesus into four |
| Date | 285 BC, Hebrew into Greek), Maccabee |
| Purpose | know the lay of the land, the writers, the silent years, and how each book serves Christ a |
| Key word | Kingdom — Lion |
| Portrait | King |
| Key claim | The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. Everything points to Christ (Luke 24:44). |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Four Gospels at a glance
- Matthew: tax collector, Jew, apostle — to the Jews — Christ as King — key word Kingdom — Lion
- Mark: with Peter — to Romans — Christ as Servant — immediately — Ox
- Luke: physician, Greek, with Paul — to Greeks — perfect Man — Son of Man — Man
- John: fisherman, apostle — to the whole world — Christ is God — believe and life — Eagle
Pharisees and Sadducees
- Pharisees (“to separate”) and Sadducees stood opposite each other.
- Pharisees (“to separate”) and Sadducees stood opposite each other.
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Pax Romana paved roads for preachers.
- It was the Sadducees who denied the supernatural — a detail that still saves you from mixing the parties in a sermon.
- One Lord, four faithful portraits — preach them as harmony, not as rivals.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. Jesus wrote the New Testament.
FalseThe evangelists wrote the Gospels. Jesus is the subject, not the scribe.
2. Everything in the Gospels points to Jesus.
TrueLuke 24:44 — law, prophets, and psalms find their yes in Him.
3. Matthew was a doctor.
FalseLuke is the beloved physician. Matthew was a tax collector.
4. The key word in Matthew is Kingdom.
TrueThe King and His kingdom — that is Matthew’s drumbeat.
5. John was written to the entire world.
TrueNot a house newsletter. “Whoever believes” is the horizon.
6. John includes the greatest number of parables.
FalseJohn has none of the Synoptic parables. Luke has the most.
7. Luke is the most Jewish-oriented Gospel.
FalseMatthew is the most Jewish Gospel. Luke writes with Greeks in view.
8. The Septuagint is the Hebrew Bible translated into Greek.
TrueAbout 285 BC — God preparing a Greek-speaking world for a Greek New Testament.
9. Herod was crowned by Julius Caesar.
TrueRome’s politics become the cradle of the nativity story.
10. The Pharisees denied the supernatural.
FalseThe Sadducees denied the supernatural. Keep the parties straight.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Four authors and their audiences
Matthew to Jews (King), Mark to Romans (Servant), Luke to Greeks (perfect Man), John to the world (God the Son). Audience shapes emphasis without splitting Jesus into four.
Key word, verse, symbol, and emphasis compared
Kingdom / Lion; immediately / Ox; Son of Man / Man; believe and life / Eagle. One Lord, four faithful portraits — preach them as harmony, not as rivals.
Seven course objectives
A survey’s aim: know the lay of the land, the writers, the silent years, and how each book serves Christ and the church. Use the objectives as a checklist when you review.