The Authorship of the Gospels

The Authentic Gospels: Orthodox Perspective on the Authorship of the Four Gospels  

We are all familiar with the four Gospels: the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  

But how do we know for sure that they were really written by these four Evangelists? And why do modern scholars begin to doubt their authorship? In addition to the "studies" conducted mainly by Protestant, secular, and atheist scholars, we also face criticism from other religious groups, such as Jewish and Muslim scholars, who claim that the four Gospels were not written by these specific individuals but rather by anonymous authors. How do we, as Orthodox Christians, respond to these critiques?  

The Identity of the Evangelists  

First and foremost, it is important for us to know who the Evangelists were. We have heard their names, but do we realize who they were and what their story is?  

Matthew was one of the original twelve disciples of our Lord Christ. He was a tax collector before being personally called by the Lord (Matthew 9:9).  

Mark was not one of the twelve disciples but a student of Saint Peter. According to the Church Fathers, he wrote his Gospel based on Peter’s preaching (1 Peter 5:13).  

Luke was not a disciple in the direct sense like Matthew but rather a companion of Saint Paul. He wrote not only the Gospel of Luke but also the Acts of the Apostles (Colossians 4:14).  

John, the beloved disciple, was like Matthew, personally chosen by Christ to be one of the Twelve. His Gospel strongly emphasizes Christ’s divine nature (John 1:1-14).  

Orthodox Affirmation of Authorship  

From the Orthodox perspective, the authorship of the Gospels is not in question. These texts were written by the four Evangelists, who were either disciples of Christ or closely associated with the original apostles. The Orthodox Church has preserved and passed down this Tradition throughout the centuries, reinforcing the authorship of the Gospels by these specific individuals.  

The Church Fathers, such as Irenaeus, Origen, and Eusebius, confirm that the Gospels were written by the mentioned authors. For example, Irenaeus writes:  

"Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome and laying the foundation of the Church." (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1)  

The Gospels as Testimonies of Faith  

It is important to remember that the Gospels were not written as historical biographies in the modern sense but rather as testimonies of faith and accounts of the life, teachings, suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were written to convey the message of salvation and the significance of Christ's life and ministry.  

While there may be differing opinions and interpretations among scholars and critics, the Orthodox Church holds firm to the belief in the authorship and reliability of the Gospels as handed down by the apostles and early Church Fathers. It is through faith and Tradition that we affirm the authenticity and authority of the New Testament scriptures.  

Internal Evidence within the Gospels  

In addition to the traditional understanding of the authorship of the Gospels, there are also internal clues within the texts themselves that support the belief that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were indeed the authors:  

- Matthew, being a tax collector, was familiar with finance and numbers. This is reflected in his Gospel, which includes detailed accounts of Jesus' teachings on money and stewardship (Matthew 6:19-24, 25:14-30).  

- Luke, as a physician, was drawn to the healing miracles of Jesus and His compassion for the sick and suffering (Luke 4:40, 8:43-48).  

- Mark, being a student of Peter, was likely influenced by Peter's direct and impulsive nature. This is reflected in the Gospel of Mark, which is the shortest and most concise of the four Gospels, focusing on action and movement (Mark 1:12, 1:29).  

- John, the beloved disciple, wrote a Gospel characterized by deep spiritual and theological insight into the divinity of Christ (John 1:1, 10:30).  

The Inspiration of the Holy Spirit  

Another important point to keep in mind is that all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). This means that every individual who wrote the Gospels and Epistles was inspired and led by the Holy Spirit without being "taken over" by Him. The Holy Spirit spoke through them but without "forcing" Himself upon them, meaning they retained their own personality and character in the way they spoke and wrote. Their free will remained intact, ensuring that their individuality and unique perspectives were preserved.