This is a question that many Muslims ask:
If God sent down the “Gospel,” why do we find four Gospels in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? Isn’t it supposed to be just one book?
An important question…and the answer to it opens up a deeper understanding of what the “Gospel” actually is.
First: What is the “Gospel”?
The word “Gospel” does not mean one book, but rather “good news” or “good news.”
The Gospel is:
The good news about Jesus Christ—Who is he, what did he do, and why did he come?
This is why one writer begins by saying:
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1)
So, “the gospel” in essenceOne message…But it was conveyed to us through more than one witness.
Second: Why four Gospels?
simply:
Because God wanted to give usA complete picture from more than one angle.
Imagine an important event…and four people who witnessed it and wrote about it. Does this weaken the story? Or does it make it richer and more reliable?
Third: Four witnesses…one testimony
The Gospel is not four contradictory stories, but…Four integrated certificatesAbout the same person: Jesus.
✦ Matthew: Jesus is the awaited king
Emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies.
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet…” (Matthew 1:22)
✦ Mark: Jesus the strong servant
Jesus is presented through his works and miracles.
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45)
✦ Luke: Jesus who is close to everyone
It shows Jesus’ concern for the poor, the weak, and all people.
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10)
✦ John: Jesus is the Son of God
Focuses on Jesus’ deep identity.
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
Fourth: Why was there not only one Gospel?
If there were only one book, some would ask another question:
Why is there only one witness?
But the presence of four Gospels means:
- More than one witness
- More than one angle
- Stronger emphasis on events
This is similar to what we see in life:
On important issues,There are many testimonies to confirm the truth.
Fifth: Are the Gospels different from each other?
Some may notice differences in details…but this is normal in any real certificates.
In fact, this is itEvidence of honestyAnd not weakness.
Because everyone agrees on the basic things:
- Jesus lived among people
- He made miracles
- solid
- He rose from the dead
This is the heart of the Gospel.
As someone wrote:
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31)
Sixth: Why was the Bible not written in the same way as the Qur’an, for example?
Because God chose to reveal HimselfThrough history, and through people.
He did not give a single text that was revealed all at once, but rather he gave itLiving testimony from witnesses who saw and heard.
As Luke says:
“For many have undertaken to compose an account… just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses handed it down to us” (Luke 1:1-2)
in the end…
The Gospel is one in its message:
God loves you, and He has drawn near to you in Jesus Christ.
But we have four Gospels because:
- The story is great
- The event is unique
- And testimony is important
God gave us more than one witness…so that we could see it more clearly.
Question for you
If God gave all these testimonies about Jesus… perhaps it is worth asking:
Have you read this Bible yourself?
What prevents you from discovering it?