Background of the Books of Gospel

Wnen Roman Emperor Augustus reigned, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, which was foretold by prophets hundreds years ago in the Old Testament Bible. Augustus

Jesus and his parents fled to Egypt. Nazareth Herod the Great As Jesus was born, Herod the Great, who was appointed by the Roman government as King of the Jews, tried to kill him. Jesus and his parents fled to Egypt. Latter they returned and settled in Nazareth, a small village in Galilee. Jesus lived there until he began to preach the gospel at the age of thirty. Jerusalem Bethlehem

By this time Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had ruled Judea and Samaria. Galilee and Perea (east of the Jordan River) were given to the tetrarch Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great. Jordan River Herod Antipas

Most Jews were living in Judea and Galilee. Samaritan were deemed as impure both in race and faith. They were dispised by the Jews, and seldom associated with the Jews. Jews called non-Jews as “Gentiles” (including those Roman rulers). They saw Gentiles as dogs, which were unclean. Religious Jews won’t enter Gentiles’ houses or eat with them to avoid ceremonical uncleanness.

Jews went to Jerusalem three times a year during three feasts: Jerusalem was the religious center of the Jews. There was a majestic temple. Jews went to Jerusalem three times a year during three feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles. The city were filled with people from everywhere during these occasions. Jerusalem

Before Jesus started to minister, God had sent John the Baptist as a pioneer. He called people to repent, and foretold that the Christ would come. He caused a spiritual revival in the whole Judean areas. Numerous people came to him to be baptised.

Jesus also came to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptised by John the Baptist. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Spirit of God) when he was baptised.

Jesus was then led by the Holy Spirit to the wildness to be tempted by the devil for forty days. Judean Desert After overcoming the devil, Jesus began his three and half year ministry.

People in the books of Gospel Pharisee Sadducee Scribe Pharisees: A religious sect who were zealous in keeping the Jewish religious laws. However, many of them were hypocrites. Sadducees: Another regious sect. Its members were either priests or men of noble birth. They were more interested in political power. Scribes: They were also called “Teachers of the Law”. They were experts of the Bible, and often were Pharisees.

People in the books of Gospel Herodian Zealot Tax Collector Herodians: A secular political party who supported Herod. Zealots: Extreme Jewish patriots who intended to overthrew Roman government by force. Tax Collectors: Those who collected tax for the Roman government. They used to extort their own people, and were dipised by the Jews. Sinners: Those who didn’t keep the Jewish religious laws.

Things in the books of Gospel Sabbath: The seventh day of a week, i.e., Saturday. According to Moses’ Law in the Old Testament, Israelis should not work on Sabbath. Latter the Scribes and Pharisees stated all things that could not be done on Sabbath, making the Law very enormous and trivious. Jesus healed the sick on Sabbath several times. This offended the Scribes and Pharisees, so they persecuted him. Synagogue: The place Jews meet, teach the Scripture and pray. Wherever Jews live, there are synagogues.

Sanhedrin The highest power institute of the Jews Things in the books of Gospel The highest power institute of the Jews Sanhedrin of Jerusalem In charge of all religious related matters

Sanhedrin Things in the books of Gospel 1 High Priest 22 Scribes 24 Chief Priests Sanhedrin Pharisees Sadducees of Jerusalem 24 Elders Citizen Representatives

Why are there four books of Gospel? In Revelation 4:6-7, John saw four strange creatures before God’s throne: “…In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.” Amazingly, these four faces represent the four features of Christ portrayed by the four books of Gospel: Emphasize on the law and essence of the kingdom of heaven. Lion: Mattrew -- Christ as King Emphasize on what Christ did more than what he said. Ox: Mark -- Christ as Servant Emphasize on Christ’s human life, such as prayer. Man: Luke -- Christ as Perfect Man Emphasize on Christ’s relationship with the heavenly Father. Eagle: John -- Christ as Son of God

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