No, the four Gospels were not written at the same time. While there's no universally agreed-upon consensus on the exact dating of each Gospel, scholars generally place their composition over a period of several decades in the first century CE.
Here's a commonly accepted range of dates, though it's important to remember these are estimates:
* Mark: Widely believed to be the earliest Gospel, likely written around 65-75 CE.
* Matthew: Often placed around 80-90 CE. Some scholars argue for a slightly earlier date, while others suggest a later one.
* Luke: Also typically dated around 80-90 CE, often considered to be written around the same time as Matthew or shortly after.
* John: Generally considered the latest Gospel, likely written around 90-110 CE.
Factors influencing these estimates include:
* Internal evidence: Clues within the texts themselves about historical events, cultural practices, and theological developments.
* External evidence: Mentions or allusions to the Gospels in other early Christian writings.
* Theological development: The Gospels reflect evolving understandings of Jesus and the Christian faith within the early church.
* The "Synoptic Problem": The relationship between Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share significant content and structure, suggests that Matthew and Luke likely used Mark as a source (or a common source alongside Mark) along with other sources.
Therefore, it's inaccurate to say that the four Gospels were written simultaneously. They emerged over a period of roughly 30-50 years, reflecting the developing traditions and needs of different early Christian communities.