What is the first Gospel written? Definition and Scope When discussing which of the four canonical Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—was written first, the primary focus is on the textual origins, historical placement, and early witness from church documents. The question usually involves two major perspectives: the view that Matthew’s Gospel predated the others (as some early church writers believed) and the widely held position in modern scholarship that Mark’s Gospel was the earliest. Each viewpoint draws from Scripture, early ecclesiastical testimony, and manuscript analysis. Below is an overview of the most significant lines of inquiry, both historical and textual, that inform this question. Early Historical Witnesses Papias of Hierapolis (early 2nd century) Early tradition attributes one significant reference to Papias, preserved in Eusebius’ “Ecclesiastical History” (3.39.16). Papias is quoted regarding both Matthew and Mark: • Matthew: Papias mentions that Matthew composed “the oracles” in the Hebrew language, which some interpret as either early notes or a writing that evolved into the Greek Gospel we now have. • Mark: Papias notes that Mark was Peter’s interpreter, accurately writing down Peter’s recollections, though not always in chronological order. Papias’s account relies on second-hand testimony and can be interpreted to suggest either Matthew or Mark as original in different senses—Matthew potentially earlier in a Hebrew form, Mark earlier in a Greek text reliant on Simon Peter’s preaching. Other Church Fathers Some church fathers, such as Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3.1.1), and Clement of Alexandria, provide overlapping or sometimes conflicting commentary on the Gospels’ order, but they do affirm that Mark wrote with influence from Peter in Rome. Irenaeus leans toward Matthew being first, but his statement is often read in a theological, not strictly chronological, framework. Manuscript and Textual Indicators Common Literary Dependencies Many scholars observe that Matthew and Luke share passages that mirror Mark almost verbatim, suggesting they made use of Mark’s Gospel (a concept known as “Markan Priority”). For instance, accounts such as Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29–31; Matthew 8:14–15; Luke 4:38–39) show nearly identical wording in Greek. This is often seen as an indication that Mark served as a foundational source. Style and Structure of Mark Mark is shorter than the other Gospels and has a “fast-paced” style, jumping quickly from one event to another with the frequent use of words like “immediately” (e.g., Mark 1:12). This characteristic brevity and urgency are interpreted by many scholars as indicative of the earliest known written narrative about Jesus. From a historical-literary standpoint, an older text is often briefer before subsequent authors enhance it with more details and teachings. Ancient Papyrus Fragments • While early fragments for John’s Gospel (like the Rylands Library Papyrus P52) exist, direct fragments for Mark from the early 2nd century are less prevalent. Still, the patterns in the extant papyri and quotations by early writers support Mark’s circulation at a very early date, often earlier than we see for Luke or John. Arguments for Matthew’s Priority Ecclesiastical Tradition Church fathers such as Augustine considered Matthew to be the earliest Gospel. This view largely stood for centuries, supported by Papias’s mention of Matthew’s “Hebrew oracles.” It suggests that Matthew first recorded the teachings of Jesus for a Jewish audience. Hebraic Context and Content Matthew includes numerous Old Testament quotations (e.g., Matthew 1:22–23: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet…”). Proponents of Matthew’s priority argue that Matthew’s Jewish focus is more reflective of an early stage of Christian witness before the mission expanded significantly among Gentiles (Acts 9–11). Some see the close alignment with Hebrew expressions (for instance, the preference for “kingdom of heaven” rather than “kingdom of God”) as evidence of a direct early Hebrew or Aramaic tradition. Arguments for Mark’s Priority Literary Dependency Those suggesting Mark was first typically point out that nearly all verses in Mark’s Gospel appear in Matthew or Luke, often with Mark’s wording intact. The phenomenon of shared material in Matthew and Luke but absent from Mark is also explained by the possible existence of other early source material, often referred to as “Q,” though the hypothesis concerning “Q” is not without its detractors. Chronological Hints Mark’s Gospel opens with a direct, succinct statement: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). It presents fewer extended discourses than Matthew or Luke, consistent with the idea that Mark may have been written first as a concise evangelistic record of Jesus’ ministry. Patristic Confirmation Writers like Clement of Alexandria (cited by Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6.14.6–7) remark that Mark wrote upon hearing the apostle Peter teach, at the behest of listeners who desired a written record. This scenario places Mark’s completion during or just following Peter’s lifetime, situating it early in the Christian era (commonly dated between the 50s and late 60s AD). Analyzing Both Positions Harmonization of Papias’s Statements One possible reconciliation is that Matthew first composed a collection of Jesus’ sayings or a shorter Hebrew outline, while Mark developed a cohesive narrative in Greek. Later, Matthew’s Gospel in Greek expanded or reworked material not only from that Hebrew/Aramaic source but also from Mark’s account. This theory allows for a form of “Matthew first” (Hebrew version) yet still permits the Greek Gospel of Mark to be the earliest fully formed canonical Gospel we have in Greek. Modern Consensus vs. Early Testimony The modern consensus among many New Testament textual scholars is that Mark was likely the first Gospel written in Greek for a broader audience. Early church tradition, however, often cites Matthew as first, though possibly in a form different from the canonical Greek Gospel. Past and Ongoing Debates • Intellectual exchange on this topic has persisted since the early centuries of the church. • Most textual critics place Mark first, followed by Matthew or Luke, and then John. • Many conservative interpreters still uphold Matthew’s priority, referencing historical testimony from the church fathers. • The core truths of all four Gospels remain consistent, regardless of which was penned first, reflecting a unified testimony of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Conclusion When addressing “What is the first Gospel written?,” viewpoints differ: • Many scholars and textual critics hold that Mark’s Gospel was the earliest written, likely composed in the 50s or 60s AD, based on its succinct style and apparent use by the authors of Matthew and Luke. • A long-standing ecclesiastical tradition, deriving from the early church, asserts that Matthew wrote first—possibly in Hebrew or Aramaic—thus making Matthew the earliest in some form, even if the Greek version we have came later. Both perspectives ground themselves in early manuscript evidence, patristic testimony, and internal features of the texts themselves. Regardless of the order, each of the canonical Gospels carries apostolic authority and testifies consistently to the ministry, teachings, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Berean Standard Bible underscores: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). This core declaration dwarfs the differences concerning the precise chronology of writing and unites believers around the central truth of the Gospel message. |
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