The Gospel of Matthew
MAIN EMPHASIS WAS JEWISH
1. Jew writing to Jewish audience
2. Great emphasis on the fulfillment of the OT prophecy
3. Presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophets
4. Many times uses the OT, 2:15 "Out of Egypt", 2:17-18 Spoken of by Jeremy, 2:23 "He s
Material Exclusive to Matthew
1. Visit of the wise men: a star in the East
2. Flight into Egypt
3. Slaying of Bethlehem children
4 Sermon on the Mount
Peculiar Things in Matthew
Matthew was a publican (tax gatherer)
-he mentions Jesus paying tribute to the tax collector of Capernaum
-he mentions sealing the stone and setting a watch at the tomb
-Matthew's feast for Jesus, Mark and Luke suggest that it was Matthew who gave the fea
The Gospel of Mark
MAIN EMPHASIS ON THE "DOINGS" OF JESUS
1. He was a Jew writing to the Gentiles (most likely Roman)
2. Used Peter as a main source of info
3. Emphasized the acts rather than the teaching (no long sermons)
4. Emphasized miraculous events
5. Imposes own orde
Material Exclusive to Mark
1. A young man wearing a sheet (Mark 14:51-52)
2. Signs that follow believers (Mark 16:17-18)
3. Very little of Mark is exclusive to his gospel, most likely his was the first written
Peculiar Things about Mark
1. Explanation of Jewish terms and phrases, probably because he was not writing to a Jewish audience
2. An anonymous reference to himself (Mark 14:51-52)
3. Only mention of Jesus as a carpenter
The Gospel of Luke
MAIN EMPHASIS ON THE UNIVERSALITY OF JESUS' TEACHINGS
1. Gentile writing to Theophilus, a Gentile Christian acquaintance
2. Emphasized Jesus' teachings, especially the parables.
3. Received info from interviewing eyewitnesses of the Savior and his ministr
Material Exclusive to Luke
1. Visits of Gabriel to Zacharias and to Mary
2. Birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, circumcision, and Simeon's prophecies
3. Jesus at the temple (age 12)
4. The bloody sweat
5. Discussion w/ a thief about paradise
6. Eating fish and honey after resu
Peculiar things about Luke
1. Special attention to illness and medical terms. Circumcision, sweat blood, withered hand, leprosy, healing of Malchus' ear, etc.
2. Emphasis on individual Salvation
The Gospel of John
DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHT-JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
1. Jew writing to both Jew and Gentile audiences who were members of the church
2. Main purpose was to emphasize that Jesus is the Son of God (nothing about the virgin birth)
3. In the past, John was viewed b
Underlying Concepts in the 4 Gospels
1. The 4 Gospels are complementary to one another rather than repetitive. Each were written to a different audience
2. They are testimonies of Jesus Christ, rather than biographies. Don't have a lot about Christ's everyday life
3. Men weren't called off t
Anna
(New Testament form of Hannah.) A prophetess of the tribe of Asher who, after a short married life of seven years, had been, at the time of our Lord's birth, a widow for 84 years. She was one of those who greeted the infant Jesus at His presentation in th
Circumcision
The token of the Abrahamic covenant during Old Testament dispensations. Those who received it thenceforth enjoyed the privileges and undertook the responsibilities of the covenant. It symbolized some aspects of separation or dedication (1) to God, to whom
Dove-sign
A prearranged means by which John the Baptist would recognize the Messiah at Jesus' baptism (John 1:32-34). "The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dov
Locusts
Large flying insects, moving in large numbers and destroying all vegetation. There are some ten different kinds, frequently referred to in the Old Testament. They were sometimes used for food (Lev. 11:21-22; Matt. 3:4), being cooked in various ways and ha
Magi
Called "wise men" (Matt. 2:1). Their identification is not made known in the scriptures, but it is certain that they were righteous men sent on an errand to witness the presence of the Son of God on the earth. Their spiritual capacity is evident: They saw
Pinnacle of the temple
Matt. 4:5; Luke 4:9. It is uncertain what is meant; probably part of the roof of one of the temple porches overlooking the deep valley of the Kidron.
Temple
The best known temple mentioned in the Bible is that which was built in Jerusalem in the days of Solomon. This was destroyed in 587 B.C. and rebuilt by Zerubbabel about 70 years later. The restored structure was partially burned in 37 B.C. and was partial
Beatitudes
Name given to certain declarations of blessedness in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-11; Luke 6:20-22). They describe certain elements that go to form the refined and spiritual character, all of which will be present whenever that character exists in i
Gehenna
The valley of Hinnom. South of Jerusalem, the scene of Moloch worship (2 Chr. 28:3; 33:6; Jer. 7:31; 19:2-6); polluted by Josiah (2 Kgs. 23:10); afterwards a place in which the refuse of the city was burned, and for that reason it was symbolic of the plac
Mammon
An Aramaic word meaning wealth or property.
Prayer
There are many passages in the New Testament that teach the duty of prayer (Matt. 7:7; 26:41; Luke 18:1; 21:36; Eph. 6:18; Philip. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:17, 25; 1 Tim. 2:1, 8). Christians are taught to pray in Christ's name (John 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16
Sacrifices
Soon after Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, the Lord gave them the law of sacrifices, which included offering the firstlings of their flocks in a similitude of the sacrifice that would be made of the Only Begotten Son of God (Moses 5:4-8)
Sermon on the Mount
A discourse by the Lord to His disciples who were about to be sent forth on missions. It should be placed chronologically soon after the calling of the Twelve. It is similar in many respects to a sermon recorded in Luke 6:20-49, although the Matthew accou
Caesar
The title by which a Roman emperor was known.
Gethsemane
The garden, across the brook Kedron, on the slope of the Mount of Olives, to which the Lord went on leaving the upper room on the night of His betrayal (Matt. 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:39; John 18:1). An old tradition identifies it with a garden still ex
Golgotha
A skull. The Aramaic name of the place where Christ was crucified (Matt. 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17). It is uncertain why it received this name�possibly because it was a round bare spot, bearing some likeness to a bald head. It was outside the gate (Ma
Joseph of Armathaea
Of Arimathea (of Ramah, 1 Sam. 1:1); a "counsellor," a member of the Sanhedrin, a rich and faithful Israelite who took no part in the condemnation of our Lord, and after the Crucifixion buried His body.
Mark
Also called John; son of Mary, who had a house of considerable size in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12); cousin (or nephew) of Barnabas (Col. 4:10); accompanied Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem (Acts 12:25) and on their first missionary journey, deserting them at P
Bethany
House of the poor. Village two miles from Jerusalem, on the southeast slope of Olivet; the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha (John 11:1-46; 12:1) and of Simon (Mark 14:3); the village in which our Lord stayed during Holy Week (Matt. 21:17; Mark 11:11).
Caiaphas
High priest from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36; son-in-law of Annas, high priest A.D. 7-14. He belonged to the Sadducee party and took an active part in the attack made upon our Lord and His disciples (Matt. 26:3, 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; 18:13-14, 24, 28; Acts 4:6
Cyrene
A town of Libya, on the northern coast of Africa, containing a large Jewish settlement, the home of Simon, who bore our Lord's cross (Matt. 27:32). Jews from here were present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10); its Christian converts took a
Gall
Something bitter; hence the word is applied to bile (Job 16:13; 20:25) and to the poison of serpents (20:14). More often it denotes the juice of some bitter plant (Deut. 29:18; 32:32; Matt. 27:34). See also Wormwood.
Legion
The chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about 6,000 infantry, with a contingent of cavalry.
Piece of Silver
In Matt. 26:15, a silver shekel, or stater (see Money). Thirty shekels was the price of a slave (Ex. 21:32).
Pilate
Roman prefect in Judea, A.D. 26-36 (Luke 3:1). His headquarters were at Caesarea, but he was generally present in Jerusalem at feast time. He had a great contempt for the Jewish people and for their religion. During his term of office there was much disor
Burial
According to Jewish custom at the time of Christ, after death the body was washed, covered with spices, and wound round and round with long cloths of linen or other material. The relatives at once gathered to the house of mourning, and so too did the hire
Calvary
A skull. The name by which the KJV (Luke 23:33) denotes the place where our Lord was crucified. Calvary is merely an English form of the Latin word calvaria, which is itself a translation of the Hebrew word Golgotha, "a skull." The popular expression "Mou
Conversion
Denotes changing one's views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God (Acts 3:19). If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on o
Crucifixion
A Roman form of punishment, usually inflicted only on slaves and the lowest criminals. The Lord was condemned to it at the request of the mob on a nominal charge of sedition against Caesar. The purple robe, the crown of thorns, and other insults to which
Emmaus
(1) A village 60 furlongs, or about 5 miles, from Jerusalem; generally identified with the modern Kulonieh, on the road to Joppa (Luke 24:13).
(2) Or Nicopolis. A town on the maritime plain, two-thirds of the way from Jerusalem to Lydda; the scene of the
Esaias
The New Testament (Greek) form of the name Isaiah, as in Luke 4:17 and Acts 8:30. Also an ancient prophet who lived in the days of Abraham and who was blessed by him. He was a bearer of the Melchizedek Priesthood (D&C 84:11-13).
Paradise
A Persian word meaning "a garden.. Paradise is that part of the spirit world in which the righteous spirits who have departed from this life await the resurrection of the body. It is a condition of happiness and peace. However, the scriptures are not alwa
Son of God
It does not appear from the Gospels that our Lord frequently applied this title to Himself (but see Matt. 27:43; Luke 22:70; John 5:25; 9:35-37; 10:36; 11:4), though we often find it used by others in speaking to Him (Matt. 14:33; 16:16; Luke 4:41; John 1
Aenon
Springs. A place where John performed baptisms (John 3:23). Its site is uncertain, but its selection because there "was much water there" emphasizes baptism by immersion.
Baptism
From a Greek word meaning to "dip" or "immerse." Baptism in water is the introductory ordinance of the gospel and must be followed by baptism of the Spirit in order to be complete.Baptism symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection and can only be done by
Bar
Aramaic for son. Throughout the New Testament it is the first component of several names, such as Barabbas, Bar-jona, Bar-jesus, Barnabas, Bartholomew, etc.
Bethesda
House of mercy or house of grace. Pool at Jerusalem, having five porches or cloisters. It seems to have had medicinal properties, popularly attributed to the "troubling" of the waters by an angel (John 5:4). There was possibly an intermittent spring flowi
Cana of Galilee
A town within a few miles of Nazareth, exact site of which is uncertain; the scene of Christ's first miracle (John 2:1-11), as well as of a subsequent one (John 4:46-54), and the birthplace of Nathanael (John 21:2).
Feasts Passover
The Feast of the Passover was instituted to commemorate the passing over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when God smote the firstborn of the Egyptians, and more generally the redemption from Egypt (Ex. 12:27; 13:15).
Fiery Serpetns
Snakes marked with flamelike spots, or whose bite caused acute inflammation (Num. 21:6). The Lord sent these upon the children of Israel to "straiten them," and He prepared a way that those who were bitten might be healed by looking at the serpent of bras
Jacob's Well
The scene of our Lord's conversation with the woman of Samaria (John 4:1-42); a well of the same name still exists, 75 feet deep, near Nablus, the ancient Shechem, close to the main road from Judea to Galilee. Shechem was Jacob's home for some years after
John-Gospel of
Written by John the Apostle. In 20:31 he tells us his object in writing is to testify (1) that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and (2) that Jesus is the Son of God. The scenes from Jesus' life that he describes are carefully selected and arranged with t
Meat
Anything to eat; food; a meal (not necessarily flesh) (Gen. 1:29-30; Lev. 22:11, 13; 2 Sam. 13:5; Isa. 62:8; Ezek. 47:12; Hab. 3:17; Acts 16:34). In KJV meat is sometimes used to connote an offering made of grain ("meat offering") but no flesh is involved
Miracles
Matthew. (1) The curing of two blind men (9:27-31); (2) the casting out of a devil from the dumb man (9:32-34); (3) a piece of money in the fish's mouth (17:24-27).
Mark. (1) The healing of a deaf and dumb man (7:31-37); (2) the restoration of the sight o
Nathanael
God has given. His friendship with Philip and call to be a disciple are found in John 1:45-51; see also 21:2, where we learn that he belonged to Cana in Galilee. He is generally identified with Bartholomew, on the ground that Nathanael is always mentioned
Nicodemus
A "ruler of the Jews," member of the Sanhedrin; comes to Jesus by night (John 3); defends Him to the Pharisees (7:50); brings spices to His burial (19:39).
Serpent-Brazen
Made by Moses at God's command to be a sacramental means of healing for the Israelites in the wilderness (Num. 21:9). It seems to have been carefully preserved and became an object of superstitious worship (2 Kgs. 18:4); it was accordingly destroyed by He
Amen
Firm, true. The word is used to denote acceptance (Deut. 27:15-26) or truthfulness (1 Kgs. 1:36). Amen was the proper response of a person to whom an oath was administered (1 Chr. 16:36; Neh. 5:13; 8:6). Christ is called "the Amen, the faithful and true w
Blasphemy
Generally denotes contemptuous speech concerning God or concerning something that stands in a sacred relation toward God, such as His temple, His law, or His prophet. Our Lord was on several different occasions charged by the Jews with speaking blasphemy,
Blindness
-A common affliction in the Middle East in Bible times. Several types of blindness are spoken of.
-There are many instances of Jesus healing the blind. Indeed, part of His mission as foretold by Isaiah included "recovering of sight to the blind"
-In addit
Elias
Thus the word Elias has many applications and has been placed upon many persons as a title pertaining to both preparatory and restorative functions. It is evident from the questions they asked that both the Jewish leaders and the disciples of Jesus knew s
Feasts-s.v. Dedication
The Feast of the Dedication was instituted in the days of Judas Maccabaeus to commemorate the dedication of the new altar of burnt offering after the profanation of the temple and the old altar by Antiochus Epiphanes. The feast began on the 25th Chisleu,
Comforter
Two Comforters are spoken of. The first is the Holy Ghost (John 14:16-27; Moro. 8:26; D&C 21:9; 42:17; 90:11). The Second Comforter is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. "When any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to
Furniture
Traditionally, not much furniture was required in Middle Eastern homes because people usually squatted or sat cross-legged on the ground or on a mat or cushion. In our Lord's time the Roman practice had come in of lying on couches at meal times, supported
Grace
A word that occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul. The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, m
Holy Ghost
The third member of the Godhead and a personage of Spirit, not possessing a body of flesh and bones (D&C 130:22). The Holy Ghost has been manifest in every dispensation of the gospel since the beginning, being first made known to Adam.
For some reason not
Paraclete
The word does not occur in the KJV. It is an English form of the Greek parakletos, a name applied by the Lord (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) to the Holy Spirit and that may be translated Comforter, Advocate, or Helper. The same name is applied by John (1 J
Spikenard
The Greek word denotes pistic nard, pistic being perhaps a local name; some take it to mean "genuine"; others, "liquid." Nard was made from the root of a tree, with a strong aromatic odor (Song 1:12; 4:13-14; Mark 14:3-5; John 12:3-5).
Solomon's Porch
A cloister on the eastern side of the court of the Gentiles in Herod's temple (John 10:23; Acts 3:11; 5:12).
Ascension
The formal departure of the Risen Savior from the earth, 40 days after His Resurrection. During the 40 days He had visited from time to time with the Apostles, speaking to them "of things pertaining to the kingdom of God." The Ascension took place from a
Cedron
The ravine below the eastern wall of Jerusalem (John 18:1). Called Kidron in the Old Testament (2 Sam. 15:23; 1 Kgs. 2:37).
Clean and Unclean
The distinction that the Israelites drew between clean and unclean had a great effect upon the whole of their religious and social life. It applied in the first place to food. Certain animals, birds, and fishes were regarded as clean and might be eaten, w
Hyssop
A kind of wild marjoram, used at the Passover (Ex. 12:22); for sprinkling purposes in the purification of lepers (Lev. 14:4, 51) and in the sacrifice of the red heifer (Num. 19:6; see also 1 Kgs. 4:33; Ps. 51:7). According to John (19:29), the sponge with
Judgment Hall
Sometimes used in the KJV for the Latin word Praetorium. In John 18:28, 33; 19:9, it denotes Pilate's official residence in Jerusalem; in Acts 23:35 it denotes a part of the buildings erected by Herod in Caesarea. In Matt. 27:27 praetorium is translated
Mary
(1) Mother of Jesus. The virgin, cousin of Elisabeth (Luke 1:36); betrothed to Joseph (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:27); the Annunciation (26-38); visits Elisabeth (40-45); magnifies the Lord (46-55); returns (56); Joseph warned not to put her away (Matt. 1:18-25);
Resurrection
The Resurrection consists in the uniting of a spirit body with a body of flesh and bones, never again to be divided. The Resurrection shall come to all, because of Christ's victory over death. Jesus Christ was the first to be resurrected on this earth (Ma