In Christian tradition, the Four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four canonical Gospel accounts. In the New Testament, they bear the following titles: the Gospel of Matthew; the Gospel of Mark; the Gospel of Luke; and the Gospel of John. These names were assigned to the works by the early church fathers in the 2nd century AD; none of the writers signed their work.[1]
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels, because they include many of the same stories, often in the same sequence. While the periods to which the gospels are usually dated suggest otherwise,[2][3] convention traditionally holds that the authors were two of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, John and Matthew, as well as two "apostolic men,"[4] Mark and Luke, whom Orthodox Tradition records as members of the 70 Apostles (Luke 10):
Matthew – a former tax collector (Levi) who was called by Jesus to be one of the Twelve Apostles,
Mark – a follower of Peter and so an "apostolic man,"
Luke – a doctor who wrote what is now the book of Luke to Theophilus. Also known to have written the book of Acts (or Acts of the Apostles) and to have been a close friend of Paul of Tarsus,
They are called evangelists, a word meaning "people who proclaim good news," because their books aim to tell the "good news" ("gospel") of Jesus.[5]
Symbols
In iconography, the evangelists often appear in Evangelist portraits derived from classical tradition, and are also frequently represented by the symbols which originate from the four "living creatures" that draw the throne-chariot of God, the Merkabah, in the vision in the Book of Ezekiel (Chapter 1) reflected in the Book of Revelation (4:6–9ff), referred to as the four 'Seraphims', though neither source links the creatures to the Evangelists (of course the depiction of the Seraphims predates in chronology the writing of the new testaments books which portrays the writers John, Luke, Mark, Matthew as symbolically emodied by the four Seraphims ). Images normally, but not invariably, appear with wings like angels.[6][7] When the symbols of the Four Evangelists appear together, it is called a Tetramorph, and is common in the Romanesque art of Europe, in church frescoes or mural paintings, for instance.
The meanings accruing to the symbols grew over centuries, with an early formulation by Jerome,[6] and were fully expressed by Rabanus Maurus, who set out three layers of meaning for the beasts, as representing firstly the Evangelists, secondly the nature of Christ, and thirdly the virtues required of a Christian for salvation:[7] These animals may have originally been seen as representing the highest forms of the various types of animals, i.e., man, the king of creation as the image of the creator; the lion as the king of beasts of prey (meat-eating); the ox as the king of domesticated animals (grass-eating) and the eagle as the king of the birds.
The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells. The four winged creatures symbolize, top to bottom, left to right, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Matthew the Evangelist, the author of the first gospel account, is symbolized by a winged man, or angel. Matthew's gospel starts with Joseph's genealogy from Abraham; it represents Jesus' Incarnation, and so Christ's human nature. This signifies that Christians should use their reason for salvation.
Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second gospel account, is symbolized by a winged lion – a figure of courage and monarchy. The lion also represents Jesus' resurrection (because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, a comparison with Christ in the tomb), and Christ as king. This signifies that Christians should be courageous on the path of salvation.
Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account (and the Acts of the Apostles), is symbolized by a winged ox or bull – a figure of sacrifice, service, and strength. Luke's account begins with the duties of Zechariah in the temple; it represents Jesus's sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being High priest (this also represents Mary's obedience). The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.
John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel account, is symbolized by an eagle – a figure of the sky, and believed by Christian scholars to be able to look straight into the sun. John starts with an eternal overview of Jesus the Logos and goes on to describe many things with a "higher" christology than the other three (synoptic) gospels; it represents Jesus's Ascension and Christ's divine nature. This symbolizes that Christians should look on eternity without flinching as they journey towards their goal of union with God.
Each of the symbols is depicted with wings, following the biblical sources first in Ezekiel 1–2, and in Revelation. The symbols are shown with, or in place of, the Evangelists in early medieval Gospel Books, and are the usual accompaniment to Christ in Majesty when portrayed during the same period, reflecting the vision in Revelation. They were presented as one of the most common motifs found on church portals and apses, as well as many other locations.[8]
When surrounding Christ, the figure of the man usually appears at top left – above Christ's right hand, with the lion above Christ's left arm. Underneath the man is the ox and underneath the lion is the eagle. This both reflects the medieval idea of the order of "nobility" of nature of the beasts (man, lion, ox, eagle) and the text of Ezekiel 1:10. From the thirteenth century, their use began to decline, as a new conception of Christ in Majesty, showing the wounds of the Passion, came into use.[8] Sometimes, in Evangelist, portraits they appear to dictate to the writing evangelist.
Naming
Matthew is often cited as the "first Gospel account," not only owing to its place in the canon, but also in view of the patristic witness to this effect. Most biblical scholars however, see the gospel account of Mark as having been written first (see Markan priority) and John's gospel account as having been written last.
It has become customary to speak of "the Gospel of Matthew" ... "the Gospel of John", not least because of its shorter length; but it is worth noting that the ancient titles do not use the genitive of possession, but the preposition "according to", signifying that each evangelist sets forth the one "Gospel of God" according to his own capacity, but not in the sense of creating his own story.
^"The good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1
^ abJerome, St; Hieronymus, Sophronius Eusebius; Jerome, Saint (December 2008). "Jerome, Preface to Commentary on Matthew". The Fathers of the Church. Vol. 117. ISBN9780813201177.
^ abMale, Emile (1913). L'Art religieux du XIIIe siècle en France [The Gothic Image: Religious Art in France of the Thirteenth Century] (3 ed.). London: Collins. pp. 35–7. ISBN978-0064300322.
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April 29, 2023
four, evangelists, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, july, 20. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Four Evangelists news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message For the painting see The Four Evangelists painting See also Synoptic gospels In Christian tradition the Four Evangelists are Matthew Mark Luke and John the authors attributed with the creation of the four canonical Gospel accounts In the New Testament they bear the following titles the Gospel of Matthew the Gospel of Mark the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of John These names were assigned to the works by the early church fathers in the 2nd century AD none of the writers signed their work 1 Jacob Jordaens The Four Evangelists 1625 1630 Contents 1 Gospels 2 Symbols 3 Naming 4 Depictions 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksGospels Edit The four winged creatures that symbolise the Four Evangelists surround Christ in Majesty on the Romanesque tympanum of the Church of St Trophime in Arles The lion symbol of St Mark from the Echternach Gospels here without wings Bibliotheque nationale de France Paris The gospels of Matthew Mark and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories often in the same sequence While the periods to which the gospels are usually dated suggest otherwise 2 3 convention traditionally holds that the authors were two of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus John and Matthew as well as two apostolic men 4 Mark and Luke whom Orthodox Tradition records as members of the 70 Apostles Luke 10 Matthew a former tax collector Levi who was called by Jesus to be one of the Twelve Apostles Mark a follower of Peter and so an apostolic man Luke a doctor who wrote what is now the book of Luke to Theophilus Also known to have written the book of Acts or Acts of the Apostles and to have been a close friend of Paul of Tarsus John a disciple of Jesus and the youngest of his Twelve Apostles They are called evangelists a word meaning people who proclaim good news because their books aim to tell the good news gospel of Jesus 5 Symbols EditIn iconography the evangelists often appear in Evangelist portraits derived from classical tradition and are also frequently represented by the symbols which originate from the four living creatures that draw the throne chariot of God the Merkabah in the vision in the Book of Ezekiel Chapter 1 reflected in the Book of Revelation 4 6 9ff referred to as the four Seraphims though neither source links the creatures to the Evangelists of course the depiction of the Seraphims predates in chronology the writing of the new testaments books which portrays the writers John Luke Mark Matthew as symbolically emodied by the four Seraphims Images normally but not invariably appear with wings like angels 6 7 When the symbols of the Four Evangelists appear together it is called a Tetramorph and is common in the Romanesque art of Europe in church frescoes or mural paintings for instance The meanings accruing to the symbols grew over centuries with an early formulation by Jerome 6 and were fully expressed by Rabanus Maurus who set out three layers of meaning for the beasts as representing firstly the Evangelists secondly the nature of Christ and thirdly the virtues required of a Christian for salvation 7 These animals may have originally been seen as representing the highest forms of the various types of animals i e man the king of creation as the image of the creator the lion as the king of beasts of prey meat eating the ox as the king of domesticated animals grass eating and the eagle as the king of the birds The symbols of the four Evangelists are here depicted in the Book of Kells The four winged creatures symbolize top to bottom left to right Matthew Mark Luke and John Matthew the Evangelist the author of the first gospel account is symbolized by a winged man or angel Matthew s gospel starts with Joseph s genealogy from Abraham it represents Jesus Incarnation and so Christ s human nature This signifies that Christians should use their reason for salvation Mark the Evangelist the author of the second gospel account is symbolized by a winged lion a figure of courage and monarchy The lion also represents Jesus resurrection because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes a comparison with Christ in the tomb and Christ as king This signifies that Christians should be courageous on the path of salvation Luke the Evangelist the author of the third gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles is symbolized by a winged ox or bull a figure of sacrifice service and strength Luke s account begins with the duties of Zechariah in the temple it represents Jesus s sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion as well as Christ being High priest this also represents Mary s obedience The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ John the Evangelist the author of the fourth gospel account is symbolized by an eagle a figure of the sky and believed by Christian scholars to be able to look straight into the sun John starts with an eternal overview of Jesus the Logos and goes on to describe many things with a higher christology than the other three synoptic gospels it represents Jesus s Ascension and Christ s divine nature This symbolizes that Christians should look on eternity without flinching as they journey towards their goal of union with God Each of the symbols is depicted with wings following the biblical sources first in Ezekiel 1 2 and in Revelation The symbols are shown with or in place of the Evangelists in early medieval Gospel Books and are the usual accompaniment to Christ in Majesty when portrayed during the same period reflecting the vision in Revelation They were presented as one of the most common motifs found on church portals and apses as well as many other locations 8 When surrounding Christ the figure of the man usually appears at top left above Christ s right hand with the lion above Christ s left arm Underneath the man is the ox and underneath the lion is the eagle This both reflects the medieval idea of the order of nobility of nature of the beasts man lion ox eagle and the text of Ezekiel 1 10 From the thirteenth century their use began to decline as a new conception of Christ in Majesty showing the wounds of the Passion came into use 8 Sometimes in Evangelist portraits they appear to dictate to the writing evangelist Naming EditMatthew is often cited as the first Gospel account not only owing to its place in the canon but also in view of the patristic witness to this effect Most biblical scholars however see the gospel account of Mark as having been written first see Markan priority and John s gospel account as having been written last It has become customary to speak of the Gospel of Matthew the Gospel of John not least because of its shorter length but it is worth noting that the ancient titles do not use the genitive of possession but the preposition according to signifying that each evangelist sets forth the one Gospel of God according to his own capacity but not in the sense of creating his own story Depictions EditPaintings Rubens 1614 Abraham Bloemaert ca 1612 1615 Princeton University Art MuseumIlluminated Manuscripts Symbol facing evangelist portrait at the start of the Gospel of St John Egmond Gospels Royal Library of the Netherlands Codex Amiatinus earliest surviving complete Vulgate Bible eighth century Carolingian depiction from an Aachen Gospel 820 Miniatures from the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany Queen consort of France 1477 1514 Saint Matthew Saint Mark Saint Luke Saint John The Four Evangelists 10th century Saint Matthew Saint Mark Saint Luke Saint JohnSee also Edit Bible portal Christianity portalGospel harmony Authorship of the Johannine works Tetramorph Gospel Four GospelsReferences Edit The Gospels World History accessed 2022 06 23 Lincoln Andrew 2005 11 25 Gospel According to St John Black s New Testament Commentaries ISBN 9781441188229 France R T 2007 07 11 The Gospel of Matthew p 18 ISBN 9780802825018 Tertullian Adv Marc V 2 The good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God Mark 1 1 a b Jerome St Hieronymus Sophronius Eusebius Jerome Saint December 2008 Jerome Preface to Commentary on Matthew The Fathers of the Church Vol 117 ISBN 9780813201177 a b Male Emile 1913 L Art religieux du XIIIe siecle en France The Gothic Image Religious Art in France of the Thirteenth Century 3 ed London Collins pp 35 7 ISBN 978 0064300322 a b Male op cit External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Four Evangelists The Four Evangelists in Stained Glass Catholic Encyclopedia Evangelist PBS Frontline The Story of the Storytellers The Four Evangelists at the Christian Iconography web site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Four Evangelists amp oldid 1141792928, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
