Timeline of the Gospels

Page still on construction more info to be added

Welcome to the Timeline of the Gospels! If you’ve ever wondered when the Gospels were actually written, you’re in the right place. Matthew is the most likely gospel to be written first about 41 AD followed by Mark 45-50 AD Finally, John wrapped things up with his unique take around 90-100 AD. It’s pretty fascinating to see how these texts came together over time, each one adding its own flavour to the story of Jesus. So, let’s dive in and explore the journey of these incredible writings!

Gospel of Matthew

Evidence for why I believe it was written by Matthew, it was the first Gospel and was written before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70.

Who was Matthew? Before Matthew joined the ranks of Jesus' disciples, he was living a pretty different life as a tax collector, or as folks back then called him, a “publican,” in Capernaum (Matthew 9:9 and 10:3). Interestingly, you might also see him referred to as Levi, the son of Alphaeus, in the accounts by Luke and Mark (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27). While Matthew’s journey from tax collector to disciple is well-known, it’s fascinating to note how Luke and Mark highlight his past without diving too deep into the specifics, leaving us to wonder about the transformation that took place in his life.

Evidence for when it was written and by whom.

Does not mention the death of Paul AD 64 or Peter AD 65 or the destruction of the Temple in AD 70
According to church tradition originating with Papias of Hierapolis (60–130 AD), "it was written by Matthew, the companion of Jesus"
We now go a step further by considering Matthew’s gospel. According to the unanimous testimony of the early church, Matthew was the first gospel written. The church father Eusebius places the date of Matthew’s gospel in A.D. 41. If the ancient testimony is true, and there is no reason to doubt it, then we have a third independent source about the life of Christ written during the eyewitness period.

Who quoted from the Gospel of Matthew. These are quotes from the early church fathers who wrote prior to the council of Nicaea 325 AD. In total there are over 36,000 quotes by them from the New Testament. Proof alone that they were in general circulation very early on from the late first century.

Ignatius 50 to 108 AD
He was the bishop of Antioch While on his way to martyrdom under armed guard, he wrote seven letters, six to churches, and one to Polycarp. In his Epistle to the Ephesians (19.1-3) (Paul wrote an epistle to a Christian community there around six decades earlier), Ignatius recounts the birth of Jesus in Matthean terms. He also quotes from Matthew in the same epistle (14.2).In his Epistle to the Smyrnaeans (1.1), he again quotes from Matthew.Ignatius does the same in his Epistle to Polycarp.
Polycarp (c. 69-155) He was the bishop of Smyrna (look under “Asia” on the map). He was a disciple of John the Apostle and a hearer of other apostles. He was martyred when he was eighty-six years old. In his Epistle to the Philippians 2.1-3 and 7.2, Polycarp quotes from Matthew. (Paul wrote an epistle to the Christian community in Philippi around six decades earlier.)
Justin Martyr (c. 100-165) He was a Christian apologist and defender of the faith. He quotes from Matthew: First Apology [Defence] 15, 16, 17, 19, several times, to cite only those references. In the same work (63), he quotes from the Old Testament and from the Gospel of Matthew, equating the two Scriptures, but he implies that New is the fulfilment of the Old.That is Justin’s point in his Dialogue with Trypho, as he cites the Old Testament and Matthew (e.g. 49, 51, and 76).

Gospel of Mark

Papias confirms this “Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ.

John Mark as a companion of Peter wrote down all that he was told by Peter in Rome in about 45 - 50. Peter arrived in Rome during the time of the Claudius and Nero about 42 to 54 AD. As such he wrote during the life of Peter from Rome and not from Israel. Since Peter dies in 64 it must predate this.

Evidence that John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark

For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him
, but afterwards, as I said, he followed Peter . . .”
Eusebius write in Church History “And they say that this Mark was the first that was sent to Egypt, and that he proclaimed the Gospel which he had written, and first established churches in Alexandria.
Irenaeus of Lyons 115 - 202 AD “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. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter.”
Origen, the second-third century Bible scholar, supported Mark’s authorship as well. In his commentary on Matthew he talks about the order the gospels were written in:
“The second written was that according to Mark, who wrote it according to the instruction of Peter, who, in his General Epistle, acknowledged him as a son, saying, ‘The church that is in Babylon, elect together with you, salute you; and so doth Mark my son.’”
Clement of Alexandria lived from 150AD to 215AD As Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had followed him for a long time and remembered his sayings, should write them out. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of this, he neither directly forbade nor encouraged it. But, last of all, John, perceiving that the external facts had been made plain in the Gospel, being urged by his friends, and inspired by the Spirit, composed a spiritual Gospel.

The Gospel of Luke

One of the four canonical gospels, presents a unique and comprehensive narrative of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Authored by Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, this gospel is distinguished by its meticulous attention to detail and emphasis on the compassion of Jesus. It offers a chronological account of Jesus' ministry, highlighting significant events such as His birth, parables, miracles, and interactions with diverse groups, including women and marginalised individuals. Luke's narrative not only reinforces the message of salvation for all humanity but also serves as a profound reminder of the trans formative power of faith and the importance of community in the journey of discipleship. Through its rich storytelling and theological depth, the Gospel of Luke invites readers to explore the life of Christ with a renewed perspective and understanding.

Written in time before Paul's death around 65 - 70 AD

Evidence for Luke writing the Gospel

Irenaeus (AD 185) wrote this about the gospel, “Luke also, the companion of Paul, recorded in a book the Gospel preached by him.” (Against Heresies 3:1:1). “Luke also, the follower and disciple of the apostles, referring to Zacharias and Elisabeth, from whom, according to promise, John was born, says: "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Against Heresies 3:10:1). “for thus Luke, who has mentioned His years, has expressed it: "Now Jesus was, as it were, beginning to be thirty years old,” when He came to receive baptism” (Against Heresies 2:22:5).
Clement of Alexandria also confirmed Luke to be the author of both books, “And to prove that this is true, it is written in the Gospel by Luke as follows: "And in the fifteenth year, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias.” (Stromata 1:21). “It remains that we understand, then, the Unknown, by divine grace, and by the word alone that proceeds from Him; as Luke in the Acts of the Apostles relates that Paul said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.” (Stromata 5:12)
The Muratorian Canon (AD 170-190) states that the physician Luke wrote the third Gospel and mentions that he had never seen Jesus in the flesh. It would have been unthinkable to ascribe the Gospel to Luke, who had not been an eyewitness to Jesus, unless he was the real author. “The third book of the Gospel, that according to Luke, the well-known physician Luke wrote in his own name in order after the ascension of Christ, and when Paul had associated him with himself as one studious of right. Nor did he himself see the Lord in the flesh; and he, according as he was able to accomplish it, began his narrative with the nativity of John.”
Eusebius (AD 300) wrote this in his history of the church, "Luke, who was by race an Antiochan and a physician by profession, was long a companion of Paul, and had careful conversation with the other apostles, and in two books left us examples of the medicine for souls which he had gained from them. One of these is his gospel, in which he testifies that he has recorded, 'as those who were from the beginning eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word,' delivered to him, whom also, he says, he has in all things followed. The other is his Acts of the Apostles, which he composed, not from what he had heard from others, but from what he has seen himself. It is also said, that Paul usually referred to his (Luke's) gospel, whenever, in his epistles, he spoke of some particular gospel of his own, saying, 'according to my gospel.'" (Historia Ecclesiastica 3:4)
Jerome (AD. 400) wrote this about Luke’s Gospel, “The third is Luke, the physician, by birth a native of Antioch, in Syria, whose praise is in the Gospel. He was himself a disciple of the Apostle Paul, and composed his book in Achaia and Boeotia. He thoroughly investigates certain particulars and, as he himself confesses in the preface, describes what he had heard rather than what he had seen. (Prefaces to Commentaries: Luke). “Luke, a physician of Antioch as his writings indicate was not unskilled in the Greek language. An adherent of the apostle Paul, and companion of all his journeying, he wrote a Gospel, concerning which the same Paul says, "We send with him a brother whose praise in the gospel is among all the churches” and to the Colossians "Luke the beloved physician salutes you,” and to Timothy "Luke only is with me.” He also wrote another excellent volume to which he prefixed the title Acts of the Apostles, a history which extends to the second year of Paul's sojourn at Rome, that is to the fourth year of Nero, from which we learn that the book was composed in that same city.”

The Gospel of John

Often noted for its unique perspective among the four Gospels, has been the subject of considerable scholarly debate regarding its dating. Recent studies suggest that this Gospel may have been composed as early as the late first century, with some scholars proposing a date around A.D. 68-70. This time frame aligns with the historical context of the early Christian community, reflecting both the theological developments and the challenges faced by believers in a post-Temple Jerusalem. Understanding the early date of the Gospel of John not only enriches our comprehension of its message but also highlights its significance in the formation of early Christian identity and thought.

According to the writings of early church fathers, the Apostle John is believed to have lived to an advanced age in Ephesus, marking him as the last surviving apostle. His death around AD 100 signifies not only the conclusion of the apostolic era but also the enduring legacy of his teachings and the profound impact of his Gospel. John's unique perspective and theological insights continue to resonate within the Christian tradition, providing invaluable guidance and inspiration for generations to come. This timeline reflects the significant moments in the history of the Gospels, highlighting the pivotal role of John in the early church.

Evidence for John

Irenaeus John lived into the reign of Trajan, who became emperor in AD 98, right at the end of the first century. “those who were conversant in Asia with John, the disciple of the Lord, [affirming] that John conveyed to them that information. And he remained among them up to the times of Trajan.” (Against Heresies 2:22:5).
Irenaeus“Then, again, the Church in Ephesus, founded by Paul, and having John remaining among them permanently until the times of Trajan, is a true witness of the tradition of the apostles”. (Against Heresies 3:3:3)
Clement of Alexandria wrote this “For when, on the tyrant's death (probably Domitian - AD 96), he (John) returned to Ephesus from the isle of Patmos, he went away, being invited, to the contiguous territories of the nations, here to appoint bishops, there to set in order whole Churches, there to ordain such as were marked out by the Spirit.” (Rich Man’s Salvation 42)
Polycrates, Bishop of Ephesus, wrote this (AD 190), clearly identifying John as the beloved disciple "John, moreover, who reclined on the Lord's bosom, and who became a priest wearing the mitre, and a witness and a teacher - he rests at Ephesus.” (Epistle to Victor) Irenaeus, in AD 170, the Bishop of Lyons, said that the gospel was by the apostle John. He had been a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, so Irenaeus's words have authority.
"John, the disciple of the Lord, who leaned on his breast, also published a gospel while living in Ephesus in Asia". (Against Heresies 3:3:1).
Clement of Alexandria quoted by Eusebius "John perceiving that the bodily facts have been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends and inspired by the Holy Spirit, composed a spiritual gospel". (Eusebius Ecclesiastical History VI.14)

John was the only disciple to die a natural death in Ephesus. Tradition holds that the local elders asked him to write down his memory of Jesus and his life as disciple.