When Were The Four Gospels Written?

This article provides evidence and arguments supporting the belief that the four Gospels were written in the first century, including internal clues, historical reliability, textual criticism, and early manuscript evidence.

Early Evidence for First-Century Composition of the Gospels

The early dating of the Gospels is supported by internal evidence within the New Testament. For instance, the unanimous belief within the early church that Matthew was the first Gospel written places its composition within three decades of the resurrection of Jesus. This indicates that the Gospel of Matthew was likely authored in the first century, providing a close connection to the events it describes. Moreover, this early belief within the church about the sequence of Gospel composition sheds light on the proximity of the Gospel accounts to the life and ministry of Jesus, emphasizing their historical significance and credibility.

Furthermore, the Gospel of John, although potentially the last to be written, bears evidence of being composed while eyewitnesses of Jesus were still alive. This is significant as it underscores the proximity of the Gospel’s composition to the actual events it records, strengthening its historical reliability and accuracy. The presence of eyewitnesses during the writing of the Gospel of John aligns with the early dating proposed for the Gospels, indicating that they were likely written in the first century when firsthand witnesses were still available to attest to the accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

Moreover, the early church’s belief regarding the sequence of Gospel composition sheds light on the dating of the Gospels. It is widely recognized that the first three Gospels were written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70, indicating their early composition. This historical context and the internal clues within the New Testament serve as strong evidence for the first-century composition of the Gospels, offering invaluable insights into the timeline of their origin and the reliability of their content.

Hostile Witnesses Supporting Early Dating

The early dating of the Gospels is substantiated by the fact that they were written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70. This is a significant piece of evidence indicating the first-century composition of the Gospels, as it suggests that the authors had firsthand knowledge of the events leading up to this pivotal historical moment. The Gospels’ accurate portrayal of these events before A.D. 70 lends credibility to the belief in their early dating.

Moreover, the sequence of Gospel composition within the New Testament provides additional insight into the early dating of the Gospels. The early church unanimously believed that Matthew was the first Gospel written, placing it within thirty years of the resurrection of Jesus. This belief highlights the widespread understanding within the early Christian community that the Gospels were composed relatively soon after the death and resurrection of Jesus, further supporting their early dating.

Additionally, the Gospel of John was likely the last to be composed, but it was written during the time when eyewitnesses were still alive. This internal evidence from the New Testament points to the early composition of the Gospels, as it underscores the proximity of their writing to the actual events and the availability of eyewitnesses during their composition.

Additionally, the connection between Luke and Mark, with evidence suggesting that Luke may have used Mark as a source, places Mark’s Gospel at an earlier date, further supporting the early dating of the Gospels. This intertextual relationship between the Gospels offers evidence for the early dating of Mark, providing additional support for the first-century composition of the Gospels.

Historical Reliability and Genre of the Gospels

The historical reliability of the Gospels continues to be a subject of ongoing debate among scholars. While there is a general consensus that Jesus of Nazareth existed, there are differences in opinion regarding the historical accuracy of specific events and episodes mentioned in the biblical accounts. This debate plays a crucial role in understanding the early composition of the Gospels, as it prompts scholars to delve into the historical and cultural contexts in which these texts were written.

In evaluating the historical reliability of the Gospels, scholars take into account various factors. One such factor is textual criticism, which involves analyzing textual variations among the numerous manuscripts of the Gospels to establish the most authentic wording of the text, aiming to approximate the original as closely as possible. This meticulous process allows scholars to scrutinize the historical authenticity of specific sayings and narrative events, shedding light on the reliability of the Gospels as historical documents. Furthermore, the genre of the Gospels as Ancient Greco-Roman biographies is a significant consideration in evaluating their historical accuracy and authenticity, shaping scholarly perspectives on the composition and purpose of these texts.

Moreover, scholars use textual criticism to resolve questions arising from textual variations among the numerous manuscripts to decide the most reliable wording of a text as close to what the “original” may have looked like. This approach provides a robust method for evaluating the historical reliability of the Gospels, contributing to the understanding of their early dating and the authenticity of their content.

Textual Criticism and Manuscript Evidence

Textual criticism, a method used to analyze ancient manuscripts to determine the most accurate wording of a text, is instrumental in establishing the early dating of the Gospels. This scholarly discipline involves comparing the numerous manuscripts of the Gospels to identify textual variations and determine the closest possible representation of the original text. By carefully examining these variations, scholars can trace the development and transmission of the Gospel texts, providing valuable insights into their early composition and reliability.

For example, the extensive collection of over five thousand Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, including the Gospels, offers a rich source of material for textual criticism. These manuscripts, some of which date back to the time shortly after Jesus, provide tangible evidence of the early existence of the Gospels and support their composition in the first century AD. Furthermore, the use of early citations from the Church Fathers, prominent Christian leaders of the early centuries, serves as corroborative evidence for the presence of the Gospels within the first century. These citations not only affirm the existence of the Gospels but also endorse their widespread recognition and usage within the early Christian community, bolstering the argument for their early dating.

Additionally, the Book of Acts can be dated to around AD 62, which means Luke and Mark would have been written earlier. This historical context adds to the body of evidence supporting the first-century composition of the Gospels, providing valuable insights into the timeline of their origin and the reliability of their content.

Proposed Dates for the Composition of Each Gospel

The proposed dates for the composition of each Gospel provide valuable insights into the timeline of their origin. Matthew’s Gospel is believed to have been written in the 60s AD, likely within three decades of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This early dating is significant as it suggests that the account was recorded while eyewitnesses and individuals who were familiar with the events were still alive, providing a level of credibility to its content.

Similarly, Mark’s Gospel is thought to have been written in the late 40s or early 50s AD, making it one of the earliest records of the life and teachings of Jesus. The early dating of Mark’s Gospel is supported by the fact that Luke may have used Mark as a source, placing Mark’s composition at an earlier date. This intertextual relationship between the Gospels offers evidence for the early dating of Mark.

Moreover, the Gospel of Luke is proposed to have been written in the mid to late 50s AD, placing it within a relatively short period after the events it describes. This early composition is supported by the Book of Acts, which provides historical clues that indicate an early date for Luke’s Gospel. The absence of certain historical events recorded in the book of Acts further strengthens the argument for the mid to late 50s AD dating of Luke.

Lastly, the Gospel of John is dated to AD 80 to 85, although some scholars propose a wider range from AD 50 to 100. The late dating of John’s Gospel is significant as it aligns with the time when eyewitnesses were still alive, contributing to the historical authenticity of the account. This proposed date is supported by internal evidence from the New Testament, suggesting that the Gospels were composed fairly soon after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Therefore, the proposed dates for the composition of each Gospel offer compelling evidence for their early origin and close proximity to the events they narrate.

Primary Sources of Historical Information about Jesus

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke stand as the primary sources of historical information about Jesus. Each of these Gospels offers a unique perspective on the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus Christ. For instance, the Gospel of Matthew, believed to have been composed in the 60s AD, is known for its emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, presenting Him as the long-awaited Messiah. Its Jewish audience-centric approach provides a detailed genealogy of Jesus, reinforcing His lineage from King David, and focusing on His teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount.

Similarly, the Gospel of Mark, with its proposed composition in the late 40s or early 50s AD, is recognized for its brevity and focus on action. It presents Jesus as a powerful and miraculous figure, emphasizing His deeds rather than His teachings. Mark’s Gospel is particularly notable for its portrayal of the suffering and humanity of Jesus, offering a unique angle on His character and mission.

Moreover, the Gospel of Luke, thought to have been written in the mid to late 50s AD, stands out for its attention to detail and historical accuracy. Luke, the only Gentile author of a Gospel, presents Jesus as the universal Savior for all people. His Gospel contains parables and stories not found in the other Gospels, including the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, which emphasize themes of compassion and forgiveness.

In contrast, the Gospel of John, composed around AD 80 to 85, is distinct in its theological focus. It emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and contains unique material not found in the Synoptic Gospels, such as the “I am” sayings of Jesus and the extended discourses on theological topics. While it may contain less historical information, it provides essential theological insights into the nature of Jesus, enriching the overall understanding of His identity and mission.

Early Christian Attributions and Noncanonical Writings

The traditional authorship of the Gospels is supported by early noncanonical Christian writings and attributions. For instance, the names of the Gospels were attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in early Christian writings, indicating a strong connection between the Gospels and these authors. This attribution provides valuable historical evidence for the traditional authorship of the Gospels and adds weight to the argument for their early composition in the first century.

Furthermore, these early noncanonical Christian writings offer insights into the widespread acceptance of the Gospels within the early Christian community. They demonstrate that the Gospels were recognized and attributed to their respective authors at a time when the memory of the events surrounding Jesus’ life was still fresh within the collective consciousness of the Christian community. This attestation from noncanonical writings contributes to the body of evidence supporting the early dating of the Gospels and their historical reliability, as it reflects the early church’s belief in the authorship and authenticity of the Gospels.

Early Christian writings attribute the Gospels to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, providing valuable historical evidence for the traditional authorship of the Gospels and strengthening the case for their early composition in the first century. These attributions from early Christian writings underscore the widespread recognition and acceptance of the Gospels within the early Christian community, reflecting the collective understanding of their authorship and authenticity.

Unlikelihood of Late Composition

The unlikelihood of late composition of the Gospels is underscored by the surviving Greek manuscripts of the Gospels, which date from not long after the time of Jesus. This early dating of the manuscripts indicates that the Gospels could not have been written later than the first century A.D. This is supported by the fact that the surviving Greek manuscripts are uniquely well-attested compared to other important ancient writings, further emphasizing the improbability of a late composition.

Moreover, the Gospels’ historical reliability and the consensus among scholars about their early dating contribute to the unlikelihood of late composition. The ongoing debate and evaluation of the historical elements in the Gospels, coupled with the factors scholars consider when assessing their historical reliability, all point toward an early composition. Additionally, the internal evidence within the New Testament, the early church’s unanimous belief that Matthew was the first Gospel written, as well as the sequence of Gospel composition within the early church, all provide compelling support for the Gospels being authored within the first century A.D. [1, 4]. These combined pieces of evidence make a compelling case for the Gospels being composed in the first century, rendering late composition highly improbable.

The Gospels are uniquely well attested compared to other important ancient writings, providing substantial evidence for their early composition in the first century A.D. The surviving Greek manuscripts of the Gospels date from not long after the time of Jesus, further strengthening the argument for their first-century authorship. This rich manuscript evidence, along with the widespread recognition and acceptance of the Gospels within the early Christian community, adds weight to the unlikelihood of late composition, emphasizing the historical authenticity and reliability of the Gospels.

Conclusion

The evidence presented strongly supports the early dating of the Gospels, providing valuable insights into the timeline of Gospel composition for theological and historical understanding. The early church’s unanimous belief that Matthew was the first Gospel written, placing it within thirty years of Jesus’ resurrection, is a compelling indication of the Gospels’ early composition. This aligns with the internal evidence from the New Testament, suggesting that the Gospels were composed fairly soon after Jesus’ death and resurrection. For example, the Gospel of John was likely the last to be composed but was written during the time when eyewitnesses were still alive, underscoring the proximity of the Gospel writings to the events they describe.

Furthermore, the early church’s belief regarding the sequence of Gospel composition sheds light on the dating of the Gospels. It is widely recognized that the first three Gospels were written before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70, indicating their early composition. This historical context and the internal clues within the New Testament serve as strong evidence for the first-century composition of the Gospels, offering invaluable insights into the timeline of their origin and the reliability of their content.

The Gospels are based on a large number of Greek manuscripts and ancient versions, with over five thousand Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. These surviving Greek manuscripts of the Gospels date from not long after the time of Jesus, providing substantial evidence for their early composition in the first century A.D. [5]. This attestation from noncanonical writings contributes to the body of evidence supporting the early dating of the Gospels and their historical reliability, as it reflects the early church’s belief in the authorship and authenticity of the Gospels.