Irenaeus, a really important Christian leader from a long time ago, explained who wrote the four Gospels and why we trust them. He was a disciple of polycarp, and polycarp was a disable of apostle john.Here's what he said about the authors:
Matthew: Irenaeus said that Matthew, who was one of Jesus' close followers (called an apostle), wrote his Gospel especially for the Jewish people. He said, “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome and laying the foundations of the Church.” This means that Matthew wrote his Gospel when other important Christians, Peter and Paul, were spreading the message in Rome.
Mark: Irenaeus said that Mark wasn’t one of the apostles but he was very close to Peter, one of Jesus' main apostles. He wrote, “Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter.” So, Mark wrote down what Peter taught about Jesus.
Luke: Irenaeus explained that Luke was a good friend of Paul, another very important Christian teacher. He wrote, “Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.” This means Luke wrote down the things Paul taught about Jesus, even though he wasn’t one of the twelve apostles.
John: Finally, Irenaeus said that John, who was very close to Jesus, wrote his Gospel much later. He said, “John, the disciple of the Lord, who also leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.” This tells us that John wrote his Gospel when he was living in a place called Ephesus, and since he knew Jesus really well, we can trust what he wrote.
Irenaeus wanted everyone to know that these four Gospels were written by people who either knew Jesus personally or were really close to the apostles who did. That’s why Christians believe these Gospels are so important and trustworthy!
Irenaeus, a really important Christian leader from a long time ago, explained who wrote the four Gospels and why we trust them. He was a disciple of polycarp, and polycarp was a disable of apostle john.Here's what he said about the authors:
Matthew: Irenaeus said that Matthew, who was one of Jesus' close followers (called an apostle), wrote his Gospel especially for the Jewish people. He said, “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome and laying the foundations of the Church.” This means that Matthew wrote his Gospel when other important Christians, Peter and Paul, were spreading the message in Rome.
Mark: Irenaeus said that Mark wasn’t one of the apostles but he was very close to Peter, one of Jesus' main apostles. He wrote, “Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter.” So, Mark wrote down what Peter taught about Jesus.
Luke: Irenaeus explained that Luke was a good friend of Paul, another very important Christian teacher. He wrote, “Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.” This means Luke wrote down the things Paul taught about Jesus, even though he wasn’t one of the twelve apostles.
John: Finally, Irenaeus said that John, who was very close to Jesus, wrote his Gospel much later. He said, “John, the disciple of the Lord, who also leaned upon His breast, did himself publish a Gospel during his residence at Ephesus in Asia.” This tells us that John wrote his Gospel when he was living in a place called Ephesus, and since he knew Jesus really well, we can trust what he wrote.
Irenaeus wanted everyone to know that these four Gospels were written by people who either knew Jesus personally or were really close to the apostles who did. That’s why Christians believe these Gospels are so important and trustworthy!