Ask a Pastor Column

Q: What are the differences in the four gospel accounts?

A: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are indeed about as different as four works on the same subject can be! Each was written to a different recipient or recipients, each had a different author with a unique relationship with Jesus, and each was written for a slightly different reason, which gives each account a unique flavor and feel.

Many scholars think the Gospel of Mark was written first. It carries with it the energy and fervency experienced by the early church as the gospel was racing across the Roman Empire. The excitement of those fir...