The Evangelists
Meet the four Gospel writers who gave us the life of Christ in writing. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each brought unique perspectives to their accounts, and together their Gospels form the heart of the New Testament and the foundation of Christian faith.
The Evangelists
Writers ofthe Gospels
The four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - are the sacred authors who, under divine inspiration, committed the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to writing. Their Gospels preserve the words and deeds of Our Lord for all generations, forming the central texts of Christian Scripture.
Each Evangelist wrote for a particular audience and with a distinct theological emphasis. Matthew presented Jesus as the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy. Mark offered an urgent, action-filled account. Luke, the physician, gave careful historical detail and emphasised mercy. John soared to theological heights, revealing Christ as the eternal Word.
Christian art traditionally depicts the Evangelists with symbolic creatures from Ezekiel and Revelation: Matthew with a man (or angel), Mark with a lion, Luke with an ox, and John with an eagle. These symbols reflect the opening themes of each Gospel and remind us that the fourfold witness reveals the one Christ.
At a Glance
Four Gospels, One Christ
Each Evangelist offers a unique perspective on Jesus, yet together they reveal the one Lord and Saviour.
Divine Inspiration
The Church teaches that the Evangelists wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, ensuring the truth of their accounts.
Living Witnesses
Matthew and John were apostles who walked with Christ; Mark and Luke drew on apostolic testimony.
Explore Topics
The Four Evangelists
Discover the lives, writings, and legacies of the four men who gave us the Gospels. Each brought unique gifts to the sacred task of recording the Good News.
Browse the pages below to explore St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke, and St John - their backgrounds, their Gospels, and their enduring witness to Christ.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
SJ
St John
John 1:1
The Gospel Witness
The Evangelists gave their lives to preserving the memory of Christ. Their writings remain the primary source for knowing Jesus and form the heart of the Church's liturgy and teaching.