The Holy Bible: New Testament Gospels (King James Version)

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are collectively known as the gospels. The word "gospel" comes from an Old English word that meant "good tale" or "good news." Today the word "gospel" is used to describe the 4 New Testament books that present the life of Christ. Matthew was written to convince Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. Matthew is also a handbook on the teachings of Jesus. It contains five collections of teachings concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark is a fast-paced gospel that portrays Jesus as the powerful, suffering servant of God. Mark shows that Jesus taught with authority, as affirmed by the miracles He performed. Luke, which presents Jesus to the Gentiles as the savior of all mankind, contains numerous references to the activity of the Holy Spirit. Luke paid special attention to women, narrating the birth of Jesus from Mary's perspective and mentioning that women contributed monetarily to Christ's ministry and observed the crucifixion. John, the gospel of belief, was written to show the world that Jesus was the Christ, the "Son of God." John was one of the three who were selected to be with Jesus at the raising of Jairus' daughter, the transfiguration, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. John's purpose for writing this gospel was expressly stated in John 20:31, "these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." Some of the deepest truths about God can be found in within the four chapters of the upper room discourse, and some of the most memorable events in the life of Jesus are presented only in John (such as the wedding feast at Cana, the woman at the well, and the raising of Lazarus.