The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament, each one an account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the “synoptic” Gospels, which means that they cover many of the same details that describe the life and ministry of Christ. The Gospel of John does this also, but is quite different in style, and “John’s Gospel omits a large amount of material found in the synoptic Gospels”. W. Hall Harris III remarks that John also includes events not featured in the others. Each writer’s voice is a little different, too, and John’s Gospel is rich with imagery compared with the others. Together, all four are necessary in order to convey the fullest possible picture of who Jesus is and what he did while he preached and ministered. The following are tips for beginners approaching the Gospels for the first time or for the first time in a long while.
1. Remember Who the Gospels Are About
Benjamin Gladd suggests that “we often make the mistake of focusing on secondary characters (e.g., the disciples, Bartimaeus, Mary Magdalene) and not on Jesus Himself.” Yet, every Book of the Bible is ultimately about Jesus who was both the Son of God and a Jewish man in First Century Galilee. This is HIS story.
A long list of names from the Old Testament might seem irrelevant to a first-time reader of the Gospel, especially if you are impatient to get to the narratives about Jesus healing people. But Matthew’s lineage affirms that Jesus’ birth fulfills prophecy and that he had always been anticipated, all the way through the Old Testament. This helps to reinforce our understanding that Jesus was not Plan B when other plans did not work for the salvation of God’s people. His lineage also supports our understanding that Jesus is the Christ, not just another “Jesus” (which was a common name at that time).
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16). But why are certain characters and events featured? What is the meaning of those confusing parables? Jesus is the key. When you keep him in your sights, you start to see Jesus in everything because He IS at the center of it all. His relationships and interactions are meant to demonstrate his character and how Jesus' followers not only think about the Father but also how to apply their knowledge based on Jesus’ example. After all, as Jesus said of himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Keeping focus on Jesus also helps you to remember that every other person in the Gospels is a normal human being. Jesus interacts with sinners we can relate to and heals ordinary individuals like you and me. The people Jesus meets are relatably needy, relatably sinful, and relatably human. Jesus’ compassion and love are displayed to them, and this same compassion is available to us.
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2. Learn about the Location of the Gospel Scenes
Imagine a “wilderness” of desert, some lush areas around the banks of the River Jordan, and olive groves. Picture the Sea of Galilee (a lake in reality), its surface glassy calm one minute, rent by terrific winds the next. There is considerable elevation change from the valleys (much of the Jordan River flows below sea level) to the higher sections from which Satan tempted Jesus to jump (Matthew 4:6). Jesus preached in Galilee, near its eponymous sea, and along the Jordan River where John was baptizing repentant sinners (Matthew 3). “See” where Jesus’ ministry took place. If your Bible contains maps, consult them once in a while.
Jesus, a Jew himself, preached to First Century Jews and Gentiles in Roman-ruled villages and cities. Many of them worshiped gods like Apollo, Zeus, etc, at the many temples dedicated to deities from Graeco-Roman belief.
Some areas of his travels were remote; others were urban; certain travel routes were popular with thieves and wild animals. Alltrails provides statistics for hiking at least 60km of the “Jesus Trail.” While the extent of Jesus’ travels is nothing by modern standards, he and his disciples traveled on foot (except when they crossed the sea), so their stamina under the hot desert sun is extraordinary. Crossing the Sea of Galilee was potentially challenging at any time because of storms and strong winds, which regularly and suddenly whip up and can take sailors by surprise. (Mark 4:35-41)
The journey alone was a trial that Jesus did not forsake. He gladly took to the exhausting road wearing sandals, no hi-tech hikers, no port-a-potties, convenience stores, or luxuries like the occasional cab ride. His mission on earth would not be obstructed because the terrain was too difficult, and the risks were too high. Knowing these details adds to a growing wonder and awe as you continue to read.
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3. Pay Close Attention to Repeated Words and Phrases
If you see a word frequently repeated or one that you do not recognize, come back to it at the end of a passage, learn its meaning, and then read the passage again. The word “peace” appears more than 20 times in all four gospels. “Repent” also pops up frequently, along with “joy,” “bless,” and their derivatives. If a word is repeated, it is significant. Try to understand why.
The modern usage of a word might not be the same as its original (or at least its first-century) purpose. Strong’s Concordance is available at Bible Hub, providing the Greek and Hebrew translations, plus an in-depth understanding of how a word is being used in a given passage. Sometimes, there are multiple meanings, and they are not always obvious. In fact, never assume that you know a word based on today’s vernacular.
Read cross-references in the footnotes at the bottom of a page or at the very end of a sentence or passage in the Scripture you are reading. The story of Christ’s conception and birth features many cross-references to Isaiah, for example, which can help you to grasp the fact that the Old Testament was preparing us for Christ’s coming. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”(Isaiah 7:14) Now re-read Mary’s story in light of this and other cross-references, which will sometimes lead to New Testament writings which help to explain events and sayings.
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4. Take Advantage of Free and Accessible Bible Study Tools
If you have the resources, purchase a Bible that provides as much detail as possible about the texts you read. A slim, cheaper Bible is fine if you cannot afford it or are daunted by a thick, heavy study Bible. Find an app featuring comments and explanations, such as the ESV online, or websites such as Bible Study Tools. You can even buy the Gospels separately as study journals, which feature all the text on one side of the page and empty spaces on the other for taking notes. These are slim and easy to carry on the bus or train.
Select a Bible that is written in a style you can follow but that stays true to the Gospels. Certain Bibles, like The Message, for example, focus on readability. You get the gist of what Jesus is saying and a strong sense of immediate context, but as Timothy Andrew says, “With a paraphrase, it’s impossible to completely eliminate the translator’s own personal theology.”
It is better to have the very words of Jesus before you rather than someone else’s idea of what he was trying to say, although The Message is a helpful reference when Scripture is hard to understand. Some accurate and reliable translations (word-for-word or meaning-for-meaning) include the KJV, ESV, CSB, and NIV.
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5. Read the Gospels with a Humble Heart
Beware the temptation to approach Bible reading from your own ideological standpoint as an American patriot, a feminist, or a member of the LGBQT: right away, you are looking for Jesus to affirm your worldview rather than submitting to his perspective and purpose. Ask God for the humility to listen and to let him speak, regardless of how his words impact your current ideology.
You are going to be offended by some of the things Jesus says, but part of the reason for that could be personal experience or simply reading from a modern perspective where the events make no sense. How can Jesus call a woman a dog? How can we love a God who makes a whip and uses it on vendors in the synagogue? Are we going to really eat his flesh and drink his blood? (John 6:54)
If you have heard about Jesus and decided to follow him or to think about following him, there is a compelling reason: what was it? You might have fallen in love with his compassion and his sense of justice, the way Jesus spent time with marginalized individuals like the homeless and the ritually unclean. Perhaps the evidence for his death and resurrection is simply too powerful to ignore, or you have seen bitterness turn to joy in friends’ lives. In that case, remember the reasons you are drawn to Jesus and give the Gospels a chance to fully tell their story. Make no judgments or assumptions. Consult reference material, make notes, and ask for help when the text does not make sense, but let Jesus’ words and actions be your main source of evidence.
People will tell you to read the Gospels in order to read John first, to start with Luke: it really does not matter. Each one is especially attractive to a certain type of reader. Mark is succinct. Matthew conveys the Jewishness of Christ and of the culture out of which his ministry arose. Luke is a meticulous scientist arriving on the scene as the new “Christians” are beginning ministry. John is a word painter. Jesus is everything, fulfills the needs of every heart, and calls to each one of us personally. Start where you feel you can connect best, but read them all and follow them with teaching from the New Testament. As you do, Jesus becomes first an outline, then a full shape, and finally comes to undeniable life. You realize that he was not just a historical figure; he is the Living God today, as always.
Sources: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/how-to-read-the-gospels
https://biblehub.com/
https://www.saxum.org/the-storms-at-the-sea-of-galilee/
https://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN160-TRAVELS.htm
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/israel/northern-district-hazafon/jesus-trail
https://www.seetheholyland.net/jordan-river/
https://bible.org/seriespage/2-major-differences-between-john-and-synoptic-gospels
https://www.esv.org/
https://biblehub.com/
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Originally published Tuesday, 04 February 2025.