Who wrote the 4 gospels of the New Testament and when?

[tanach]

It is possible, now more than ever, to do research that will support any conclusion you might want to reach.

You have obviously been reading readers, whose goal is to discredit both the Bible and 4 centuries of highly regarded Church and secular history.

Most of us have different objectives!

I am not interested in reaching any old conclusion I am interested in learning what others have said about the subject. As none of us were there when the Gospels were written no one can definitely say exactly who wrote them but internal study does go a long way towards knowing how they were constructed and how they were used. Other than that we have three choices. We can ignore the entire subject speculate or resort to superstition. I have no idea what your objective is. I am
merely trying to put forward some answers/ideas relating to this thread. Perhaps I should have stated that they fell from heaven fully written. I would be keen to see a response to that suggestion. I may see it yet.

 

[GodIsSalvation]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the four gospels of course. They were written sometime in the 1st Century AD going by the physical evidences and implied supporting evidences, but no one really knows the exact date. Who knows that they may declare it? The authors know, maybe we can ask them at the end of the world. Then again, at the end of time one might point out that all time beforehand is somewhat a moot point.

 

[MarcR]

The apostles undoubtedly spoke and read both Hebrew and Aramaic. The likelihood is that most or all of them also read and wrote Greek. The fact that most of the apostolic writings in Scripture were written in rather clumsy Greek argues strongly against translation from Hebrew. If you go to the trouble of hiring a translator, why not find someone competent?

Evidence that the apostles were indeed conversant in Greek is found in the fact that they transitioned easily to Greek speaking locations.

 

[MarcR]

I am not interested in reaching any old conclusion I am interested in learning what others have said about the subject. As none of us were there when the Gospels were written no one can definitely say exactly who wrote them but internal study does go a long way towards knowing how they were constructed and how they were used. Other than that we have three choices. We can ignore the entire subject speculate or resort to superstition. I have no idea what your objective is. I am
merely trying to put forward some answers/ideas relating to this thread. Perhaps I should have stated that they fell from heaven fully written. I would be keen to see a response to that suggestion. I may see it yet.

The fact remains that the research you mentioned does NOT come from or agree with mainstream sources.

When a writer promotes a theory which deviates substantially from mainstream opinion; it is natural to question why he is promoting it. Improper motivation is a good key to recognizing faulty reasoning.

I did not question your motivation! I questioned the motivation of the sources of your research; and rightly so!

 

[Tintin]

Somewhere in my life, I thought I learned it was written somewhere between 71 AD - 95 AD.

If this were the case, there would have been mention of the fall of Jerusalem and her temple. That would been unheard of for Jewish Christians to not even mention such a huge event in their lives.

 

[Tintin]

I've read a book called The Authenticity of the New Testament Part 1: The Gospels by Dr. William Cooper concerning the early authorship of the gospels. Keep in mind, this is just one piece of evidence presented in his book. Here's an excerpt:

The Arrival of the Gospel in Great Britain:
Gildas, who lived during the 6th century, states that the arrival of the Gospel here in Britain was indeed an early event:
“This happened first, as we know [ut scimus], in the last years of Tiberius Caesar ....”

Now, Tiberius reigned from AD 14-37, thus placing the arrival here of the Christian Gospel within just four years of the Resurrection - a by no means impossible event, for news and documents travelled surprisingly fast throughout the Roman Empire, and four years is a very long time, even in their terms. We can only lament the brevity of Gildas’ statement which seems, if we are to believe the “ut scimus”, not to have been news to his readers. Much indeed has been lost. His statement, however, paints a rather different picture to that which certain influential scholars present us with, of the Gospels coming together from various oral traditions at the end of the 1st century or even later.

Cooper, Bill (2013-09-04). The Authenticity of the New Testament Part 1: The Gospels (Kindle Locations 144-152).

 

[Magenta]

Not to suit my preferences at all,common sence says you write it down so you can give it to people to read who will pass it on to others! That would still be doing what Jesus said wouldn't it ? " spread the word " can also mean the writen word as well as the spoken word surley. Please read #57, a very good answer,a believable explanation,scripture don't have to be so hard to understand,I'm sure God didn't want to confuse US

What Jesus did was, sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

AND
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.”So they went out and preached that men should repent.And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

AND
... He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”

AND
He said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

I see nothing about writing it down. They did as they had been explicitly instructed.

 

[atwhatcost]

If this were the case, there would have been mention of the fall of Jerusalem and her temple. That would been unheard of for Jewish Christians to not even mention such a huge event in their lives.

Imagine an army came into Sidney, destroyed all the churches and went after all the members of those churches. Which do you want to learn about -- how to deal with life right now, or the destruction of Sydney? I see much of Revelation as a "batten down the hatches, you seven churches, 'cuz it's coming." With even more "God wins. His glory exceeds all we're going through right now and even this is worth it."

I mean, obviously I'm wrong there, but that's how I've been seeing all these years. They were in the midst and needed encouragement, knowledge and to know, even in this, all is to God's glory and our good.

 

[GrahamDennis]

Actually, it's supposed to be the year Jesus was born. But, here's the kicker -- Jesus was born anywhere from 7 BC to 10 AD. They didn't exactly have birth records back then. Many seem to lean toward 4-7 AD. (Something about when shepherds are keeping sheep around Bethlehem, and something about that astronomical event that got the magi coming.)

And given that means Jesus could have died as late as 43 AD, you're missing the concept that the gospels were written a mere 20-50 years later. I really do remember 1995 easily. I remember RFK and MLK being assassinated too. AND, the last one written was by John who was quite young when he followed Jesus and died in his 90's. If memory serves me, (and it often doesn't, so don't count on this as real fact, more something you can check into), John wrote his gospel last. (After Revelation and his three letters.) So, sure -- 20-50 years after Jesus died. If you knew someone who became this important, how long after you knew him would it dawn on you it might be a good thing to write an article about the person you knew?

If you're into the big picture, (how the whole Bible came to be), I recommend "The Books ad the Parchments" by F.F. Bruce. (It might get dry in places, unless you like semantics and linguistics, like I do, but it's okay to skip the "boring" parts just to check out the history.) I think the very creation of what we call the Bible is downright miraculous.

Thank you,I will read the books you recommend,unlike others on here u don't start abusing me just because I'm asking questions,I find this subject very interesting,I have already found a lot of material,there seems to be much debate about the time lines,the search continues!

 

[GrahamDennis]

Imagine an army came into Sidney, destroyed all the churches and went after all the members of those churches. Which do you want to learn about -- how to deal with life right now, or the destruction of Sydney? I see much of Revelation as a "batten down the hatches, you seven churches, 'cuz it's coming." With even more "God wins. His glory exceeds all we're going through right now and even this is worth it."

I mean, obviously I'm wrong there, but that's how I've been seeing all these years. They were in the midst and needed encouragement, knowledge and to know, even in this, all is to God's glory and our good.

that's a good anology,thank you,it's kind of the way I've been looking at it aswell,what I can't understand is people now trying to relate these writings to the present day,or the "double phrophesise " where one phrophecy supposedly relates to many events and people,stuff like Jesus had appeared befor as other people in the Old Testament? This goes against the 2nd coming of Christ dosent it? How many times has He been among us? Not to get to pedandic about it it but He was born a man to Mary,that's his first coming,he died on the cross and rose from the dead,that's his second coming are we waiting now ffor the third coming?

 

[GrahamDennis]

What Jesus did was, sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

AND
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place.And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.”So they went out and preached that men should repent.And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

AND
... He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”

AND
He said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

I see nothing about writing it down. They did as they had been

Mabey they should of written it down,in one instruction Jesus sends them out with only a staff and sandals,in another He tells them NOT to wear sandals? What do you think that means?

 

[GrahamDennis]

I've read a book called The Authenticity of the New Testament Part 1: The Gospels by Dr. William Cooper concerning the early authorship of the gospels. Keep in mind, this is just one piece of evidence presented in his book. Here's an excerpt:

The Arrival of the Gospel in Great Britain:
Gildas, who lived during the 6th century, states that the arrival of the Gospel here in Britain was indeed an early event:
“This happened first, as we know [ut scimus], in the last years of Tiberius Caesar ....”

Now, Tiberius reigned from AD 14-37, thus placing the arrival here of the Christian Gospel within just four years of the Resurrection - a by no means impossible event, for news and documents travelled surprisingly fast throughout the Roman Empire, and four years is a very long time, even in their terms. We can only lament the brevity of Gildas’ statement which seems, if we are to believe the “ut scimus”, not to have been news to his readers. Much indeed has been lost. His statement, however, paints a rather different picture to that which certain influential scholars present us with, of the Gospels coming together from various oral traditions at the end of the 1st century or even later.

Cooper, Bill (2013-09-04). The Authenticity of the New Testament Part 1: The Gospels (Kindle Locations 144-152).

Very interesting,I'll have to read this book,thank you

 

[GrahamDennis]

Evidence that the apostles were indeed conversant in Greek is found in the fact that they transitioned easily to Greek speaking locations.

as I'm led to belive,the apostles were all "normal ' men who worked for a living when they were called to serve and follow Jesus,I find it hard to belive fishermen and carpenters were multi lingual in Hebrew,Aramaic and Greek. I my self am a tradesman and know knowone who can speak more than 1 language Fluently let alone 3! I can understand some French and Spanish but only a few familiar words,this just doesn't sit right with me I'm afraid,unless of course the Holy Spirit enabled them to be multi lingual although I haven't read that anywhere in the NT

 

[GrahamDennis]

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the four gospels of course. They were written sometime in the 1st Century AD going by the physical evidences and implied supporting evidences, but no one really knows the exact date. Who knows that they may declare it? The authors know, maybe we can ask them at the end of the world. Then again, at the end of time one might point out that all time beforehand is somewhat a moot point.

I think if I was writing about such a magnificent event I would of added dates and places for authentic reasons,like " and then in nazerth ( for example) On the 2nd/5/oo30 Jesus cured a leper befor our very eyes!!! " it's seems a pretty simple concept to me considering the apostles Knew they Were in The presence of The Lord Jesus

 

[Splagna]

GrahamDennis, if you have 47 minutes, I'd suggest listening to a lecture by a current evangelical scholar that may answer your questions. The lecture can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzi6LjZRpE

 

[GrahamDennis]

GrahamDennis, if you have 47 minutes, I'd suggest listening to a lecture by a current evangelical scholar that may answer your questions. The lecture can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzi6LjZRpE

Thank you,I will listen this afternoon

 

[MarcR]

GrahamDennis, if you have 47 minutes, I'd suggest listening to a lecture by a current evangelical scholar that may answer your questions. The lecture can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzi6LjZRpE

Dr Keener seems to make no allowance for inspiration. The notion of dating by consensus rather than historical evidence is, IMO, a poor approach.

 

[GrahamDennis]

They were written with historical bias too. (And that word really is "historical," not "historic.")

It's what most of us would be inclined to do if we were to write something about the Gettysburg Address. We'd include the actual words, but our bias is most likely given to us from where we lived when we learned about the Civil War.

I had the strange circumstances of getting stuck with the Civil War history in three different high schools, because I moved every summer. But, I got it from three different biases -- The Yankee bias, the Southern bias, and the Western bias (in a state that wasn't all that involved in the war.)

History is written by the victors

 

[GrahamDennis]

Just sayin', but aren't most of us, (not including you or Marc -- but you two are the only ones I can think of right now that get this stuff well), on this site massively ignorant of lower textual criticism, history and the canon? At best, I've only read one book on how the Bible came to be. It's just not one of those things I want to spend years studying. I'm more geared toward what lessons I can pick up from bonehead things biblical people did... and even then because those are the same kinds of things I'd be dumb enough to try.

Sure, we're ignorant. At least GrahamDennis is trying to rise above that.

thank you,I'm not trying to disprove anything,I'm trying to ask proper questions,like I've said in another answer,if I was writing about such wonderous events and knew the importance of Jesus/God walking among us as the apostles did then I would of included dates and times and specific places I witnessed His work,as any commentator/witness to major historical events always has,except in the Bible?

 

[Willie-T]

as I'm led to belive,the apostles were all "normal ' men who worked for a living when they were called to serve and follow Jesus,I find it hard to belive fishermen and carpenters were multi lingual in Hebrew,Aramaic and Greek. I my self am a tradesman and know knowone who can speak more than 1 language Fluently let alone 3! I can understand some French and Spanish but only a few familiar words,this just doesn't sit right with me I'm afraid,unless of course the Holy Spirit enabled them to be multi lingual although I haven't read that anywhere in the NT

Even today, in Europe and other continents where the borders of three or four countries are only a short distance apart, many, many people speak several languages. It is completely reasonable that it was the same back then.