The Four Evangelists
The Church receives four canonical Gospels under the names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Two evangelists are also among the Twelve; Mark and Luke appear as missionary coworkers in the apostolic writings.
Why it matters
The Gospels are the principal canonical witnesses to Christ and should be read together without flattening their distinctive emphases.
Perspective note
Shared subject; this bundled record was originally written with an Orthodox-informed editorial lens.
Tradition note
The received Gospel titles and authorial identifications belong to early Church tradition. The Atlas distinguishes that reception history from what each Gospel explicitly says within its narrative.
Scripture
- Matthew 1:1 — The opening of the Gospel according to Matthew.
- Mark 1:1 — The opening of the Gospel according to Mark.
- Luke 1:1-4 — The author describes investigation, prior witnesses, and an orderly account.
- John 20:30-31 — The Gospel states its purpose: that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in His name.
Primary sources
Athanasius lists:
Athanasius's 367 Festal Letter expressly names four Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among the books of the New Testament.
Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Passage context and translation
Athanasius proceeds to list the New Testament books in a 367 letter. Section 7 distinguishes books he calls canonical from other books he says are useful for instruction; this is one regional bishop's influential witness.
Before the excerpt
Thus far constitutes the Old Testament.
After the excerpt
Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven
Eusebius preserves Papias's report:
Papias, as quoted by Eusebius, reports the early tradition connecting Mark's writing with Peter's preaching.
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order
Passage context and translation
The reported presbyter goes on to say Mark did not personally follow Jesus and that Peter's teaching was adapted to hearers. The fragment is a later witness about Gospel origins, not the Gospel's own authorship statement.
Before the excerpt
This also the presbyter said
After the excerpt
whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ
Irenaeus writes:
Irenaeus records the second-century attribution of a Gospel to Luke, Paul's companion.
Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.
Passage context and translation
Irenaeus names Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John while defending the public apostolic Gospel against rival claims. The statement reports his second-century attribution, not a first-person signature in Luke's preface.
Before the excerpt
what had been preached by Peter
After the excerpt
Afterwards, John, the disciple of the Lord, who also had leaned upon His breast