The Literary Relations Among the Gospels, Essay Example

Although there are many differences between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the common theme that ties them together is the subject mater. The tone and style of the books are different in passage length, and Jesus taking in the third person, but the subject of atonement, faith, and kindness keep these separate books together. All of the books present Jesus as a wise person, who helped the poor. All of the books also at least make mention of the Kingdom of God as the goal of Jesus’ teachings, despite John focusing solely on Jesus’ teachings and practices and the other books focusing on the Kingdom of Heaven. When miracles were performed in the books, there’s a commonality between them as each book makes mention of miracles being performed, despite the cause of the miracles. Also, although the ceremonial event was different between John and the other books, they agree that the event that took place was one in which togetherness, or an event that bonded, was important. Thus, although the actions were different, the common theme was not different. All of the books agree that there were unknown authors to these books (although that number fluctuates between them). The books all agree that there is an importance of faith as well as works when it comes to attaining the Kingdom of Heaven, and that through both of these (not one alone, despite the emphasis in each book on one or the other) is needed to attain this glory. Therefore, despite stylistic and tonal changes, the running commensurate theme is that of salvation. It is salvation that each book truly emphasizes as its focal importance, and the doings and goings on of Jesus, serve to reiterate this point. Despite the many differences in the books, this theme of the Kingdom of Heaven is what ties them each together.

Works Cited

Filson, F.V. (1991). “The Literary Relations among the Gospels,” essay in C.M. Laymon: “The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible,” Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN.