Okay, let's break down the intended audience and portrayal of Jesus in each of the four Gospels:
1. Matthew:
* Intended Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians (possibly in Palestine or Syria). The Gospel assumes a familiarity with Jewish customs, scriptures, and history.
* Portrayal of Jesus:
* The Messiah and King: Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the promised Messiah, and the rightful King of the Jews. He traces Jesus' genealogy back to Abraham and David to establish his royal lineage.
* The New Moses/Teacher: Matthew often presents Jesus as a new Moses, delivering a new law (the Sermon on the Mount). He highlights Jesus' teachings and wisdom.
* Emmanuel ("God with us"): Matthew begins and ends his Gospel with the theme of God's presence with his people in Jesus.
* Authoritative Judge: Matthew highlights Jesus' role as the one who will judge the nations at the end of the age.
2. Mark:
* Intended Audience: Probably Roman Christians or those in the Roman world. Mark explains Jewish customs and Aramaic phrases, suggesting a non-Jewish readership.
* Portrayal of Jesus:
* The Powerful Son of God: Mark presents Jesus as a man of action and power. The Gospel is fast-paced and focuses on Jesus' miracles and exorcisms.
* The Suffering Servant: Mark emphasizes the suffering and death of Jesus as the means of redemption. The "Messianic Secret" (Jesus telling people not to reveal his identity) is prominent in Mark, perhaps to emphasize that true understanding of Jesus comes through his suffering.
* The Human Jesus: Mark portrays Jesus as experiencing human emotions such as compassion, anger, and sorrow. He also acknowledges Jesus' limitations (e.g., not knowing the exact time of the end).
* A model for discipleship: Mark makes the radical demands of following Jesus clear.
3. Luke:
* Intended Audience: Gentile Christians, perhaps those in the Greek-speaking world. Luke addresses his Gospel to "Theophilus," which may be a symbolic name meaning "lover of God" or a real individual.
* Portrayal of Jesus:
* The Savior of All People: Luke emphasizes Jesus' compassion and concern for the marginalized – the poor, the outcast, women, and Samaritans. He traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam, emphasizing Jesus' connection to all humanity.
* The Spirit-Filled Prophet: Luke highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' life and ministry. Jesus is often portrayed as being led and empowered by the Spirit.
* A Man of Prayer: Luke emphasizes Jesus' prayer life.
* A Friend of Sinners: Luke tells stories such as the prodigal son and the good Samaritan to illustrate God's boundless love and forgiveness.
4. John:
* Intended Audience: A broader audience, including both Jewish and Gentile Christians. The Gospel is written for those who already believe in Jesus and for those who are considering belief.
* Portrayal of Jesus:
* The Divine Word (Logos) Incarnate: John emphasizes Jesus' divinity and pre-existence as the Word of God. He is presented as being one with the Father.
* The "I AM": John uses "I AM" statements (e.g., "I am the bread of life," "I am the good shepherd") to connect Jesus with the divine name revealed to Moses.
* The Source of Eternal Life: John emphasizes that belief in Jesus is the key to eternal life.
* The Revealer of the Father: John presents Jesus as the one who makes God known to humanity.
* Focus on Love: John stresses the importance of love in Jesus' teachings, especially love for one another.
Important Considerations:
* Overlapping Themes: It's important to note that there is some overlap in the portrayals of Jesus in each Gospel. For example, all the Gospels present Jesus as the Messiah, but each emphasizes different aspects of his messianic identity.
* Theological Emphasis: Each Gospel author had a particular theological perspective that shaped how they selected and presented the material about Jesus.
* Historical Context: The Gospels were written in different times and places, and the authors were writing to address specific needs and concerns of their communities.
* Complementary, not Contradictory: The Gospels are not intended to be contradictory accounts, but rather complementary perspectives on the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They offer a multifaceted portrait of Jesus, each illuminating different aspects of his character and significance.
By understanding the intended audience and the specific portrayal of Jesus in each Gospel, we can gain a richer and more nuanced understanding of the New Testament and the person of Jesus Christ.