Who Wrote the Bible:
New Testament Authors
The Mustard Seed newsletter, Campus Ministry column
September 2012 - May 2013
Pastor Ron Friedrich
September 2012 - May 2013
Pastor Ron Friedrich
Part 1
The best selling and most widely read book of all time is also the book that has been most harshly criticized, bitterly mocked, and even banned. Yet in our generation, people know so little about the Bible. Even many who call themselves Christian think of the Bible only as a book full of miracle stories and strict rules.
The Bible does indeed tell a story. It is the story of God's dealing with humanity -- people whom He created for a relationship with Him. The Bible is, from beginning to end, the story of Christ. Jesus told His critics: "You carefully study the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. They do in fact tell about Me." (John 5:39 NCV)
The Bible is organized into two sections:
The best selling and most widely read book of all time is also the book that has been most harshly criticized, bitterly mocked, and even banned. Yet in our generation, people know so little about the Bible. Even many who call themselves Christian think of the Bible only as a book full of miracle stories and strict rules.
The Bible does indeed tell a story. It is the story of God's dealing with humanity -- people whom He created for a relationship with Him. The Bible is, from beginning to end, the story of Christ. Jesus told His critics: "You carefully study the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. They do in fact tell about Me." (John 5:39 NCV)
The Bible is organized into two sections:
Old Testament (OT) |
New Testament (NT) |
39 documents |
27 documents |
by more than 36 authors |
by 9 authors |
written during 1,200 or more years before Jesus' birth |
written during 40 years after Jesus' death & resurrection |
Organized into 3 parts: History Poetry Prophecy |
Organized into 3 parts: History Letters Prophecy |
The people who wrote the 66 books that comprise the Bible were not brain-dead robots who merely acted as stenographers for the Holy Spirit. When we read what they wrote, we see clearly that they were real people in real places communicating God's Word to folks who were dealing with real circumstances. If we want to better understand what they wrote, we do well to learn who they were, when and where they lived, to whom they wrote and why they wrote.
During the nine months of the 2012-13 academic year, we will devote this page of the Mustard Seed to learning about the nine authors of the New Testament. Since we can only scratch the surface, I hope to tickle your curiosity to study the Bible more thoroughly on your own for discoveries about the people who wrote it.
Why Four Gospels?
The first section of the New Testament comprise five books of history. Their full titles are:
The Gospel According to Matthew
The Gospel According to Mark
The Gospel According to Luke
The Gospel According to John
The Acts of the Apostles
Nowadays we shorten these titles to just Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. The four gospels tell about Jesus' birth, life, teaching, death, and resurrection. Acts begins with Jesus ascending to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit to His Disciples; then it tells about the birth and spread of the Christian church.
Why does it take four books to tell the same story? When we set these four gospels side by side, we see some duplication. But each gospel offers an eye witness account from a unique perspective. Each one provides details that the other three omit.
When police officers investigate a serious traffic accident, or detectives investigate a serious crime, they are not satisfied with the word of just one witness. They interview as many witnesses as they can in order to get a complete picture. So it is with the four gospels. Only Matthew and Luke tell the story of Jesus' birth. When you read them together, you get a complete picture. Matthew tells about Joseph's experiences. Luke gives us Mary's memories. Matthew tells us about the Wise Men. Luke tells about the shepherds.
All four gospels tell about Jesus crucifixion and resurrection. But each one gives us special information about these important events. Without all four gospels, we would have an incomplete picture.
Part 2 - Matthew
The author of the first book in the New Testament was one of Jesus' Twelve Disciples. His friends called him by two different names. "Matthew" was probably his nickname. This is the name by which Matthew introduced himself in The Gospel According to Matthew (see Matthew 9.9). His legal name was "Levi son of Alpheus" (Mark 2.14). Mark and Luke refer to him by both names -- Levi and Matthew.
Why did Matthew have two names? This was not uncommon. My Jewish friends tell me that even today, when something dramatic happens in a Jewish person's life, he or his friends may change his name to reflect that event. In the Bible Abram became Abraham and Jacob became Israel when they each had an encounter with God. Simon son of John became Peter and Joseph the Levite from Cyprus became Barnabas when they became followers of Jesus. Even Mark had two names -- one Jewish (John) and the other Roman (Mark). The Bible is filled with other examples.
Why did Levi change his name to Matthew? The Bible does not say. The fact that both Mark and Luke introduce him as "Levi" but after that they refer to him as "Matthew" suggests to me that becoming a Disciple of Jesus was his motivation for taking a new name. "Matthew" means "gift of the Lord."
Matthew's birth name, Levi, also suggests that he may have belonged to the tribe of Levi -- parents tended to honor their children by giving them a name of a tribal patriarch. If this was the case for Matthew, that means that he was a Levite -- one to whom God had given responsibility for spiritual leadership in Israel. But when Jesus met Matthew, he was the opposite of a spiritual leader. Matthew was an outcast and a traitor. Matthew had become a Roman revenue officer (tax collector), famous for overcharging tax bills and embezzling.
Here is how Matthew tells the story of meeting Jesus:
The author of the first book in the New Testament was one of Jesus' Twelve Disciples. His friends called him by two different names. "Matthew" was probably his nickname. This is the name by which Matthew introduced himself in The Gospel According to Matthew (see Matthew 9.9). His legal name was "Levi son of Alpheus" (Mark 2.14). Mark and Luke refer to him by both names -- Levi and Matthew.
Why did Matthew have two names? This was not uncommon. My Jewish friends tell me that even today, when something dramatic happens in a Jewish person's life, he or his friends may change his name to reflect that event. In the Bible Abram became Abraham and Jacob became Israel when they each had an encounter with God. Simon son of John became Peter and Joseph the Levite from Cyprus became Barnabas when they became followers of Jesus. Even Mark had two names -- one Jewish (John) and the other Roman (Mark). The Bible is filled with other examples.
Why did Levi change his name to Matthew? The Bible does not say. The fact that both Mark and Luke introduce him as "Levi" but after that they refer to him as "Matthew" suggests to me that becoming a Disciple of Jesus was his motivation for taking a new name. "Matthew" means "gift of the Lord."
Matthew's birth name, Levi, also suggests that he may have belonged to the tribe of Levi -- parents tended to honor their children by giving them a name of a tribal patriarch. If this was the case for Matthew, that means that he was a Levite -- one to whom God had given responsibility for spiritual leadership in Israel. But when Jesus met Matthew, he was the opposite of a spiritual leader. Matthew was an outcast and a traitor. Matthew had become a Roman revenue officer (tax collector), famous for overcharging tax bills and embezzling.
Here is how Matthew tells the story of meeting Jesus:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9.9 NIrV)
Matthew was so excited about meeting Jesus, he hosted a dinner party and he invited his fellow tax collectors and "sinner" friends to meet Jesus. This prompted the Pharisees criticized Jesus for hanging out with the wrong crowd. (Matt. 9.10-12)
When Matthew became a Disciple of Jesus, he became the spiritual leader for Israel that God had called him to be. When we line up the four New Testament Gospel stories of Jesus' life, there is one thing that stands out about Matthew's Gospel. Matthew often interrupted his story to say, "This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet..." and then Matthew quoted a verse from the Old Testament.
By doing this, Matthew was making two points: (1) Everything that happened in Jesus' life, everything that He said and did, and everything happened to Him, was all by God's plan. Nothing happened by mistake, by accident, or by coincidence. And (2) Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, whom the prophets of Israel had promised would come.
It is clear that when Matthew wrote his story of Jesus' life, Matthew focused on winning his fellow Israelites to Christ. Matthew wrote for Jewish readers who knew and believed the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets of the Old Testament. We Gentile (non-Jewish) believers also benefit from Matthew's work, because it helps us connect with our Jewish roots of faith.
Some information that appears in Matthew which we do not find in the other three Gospels include:
When Matthew became a Disciple of Jesus, he became the spiritual leader for Israel that God had called him to be. When we line up the four New Testament Gospel stories of Jesus' life, there is one thing that stands out about Matthew's Gospel. Matthew often interrupted his story to say, "This happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet..." and then Matthew quoted a verse from the Old Testament.
By doing this, Matthew was making two points: (1) Everything that happened in Jesus' life, everything that He said and did, and everything happened to Him, was all by God's plan. Nothing happened by mistake, by accident, or by coincidence. And (2) Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, whom the prophets of Israel had promised would come.
It is clear that when Matthew wrote his story of Jesus' life, Matthew focused on winning his fellow Israelites to Christ. Matthew wrote for Jewish readers who knew and believed the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets of the Old Testament. We Gentile (non-Jewish) believers also benefit from Matthew's work, because it helps us connect with our Jewish roots of faith.
Some information that appears in Matthew which we do not find in the other three Gospels include:
- the birth of Jesus from Joseph's point of view (Matt. 1)
- the Wise Men (Matt. 2)
- the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7)
- Judgment Day stories (Matt. 25)
- the Great Commission (Matt. 28.18-20)
Part 3 - Mark
The second book of the New Testament is the shortest of the four Gospels. It is only 16 chapters long. Mark skips the Christmas story and starts at Jesus' baptism. Many scholars speculate that Mark wrote his Gospel first, and then Matthew and Luke expanded Mark's account with more details.
Who was Mark?
His name is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Those references give us interesting biographical information.
While Mark does not appear in any of the four Gospels, there is strong evidence that he was an eye witness to Jesus' life and ministry, His crucifixion and resurrection. His parents' home was in Jerusalem. They were wealthy enough to have a large house and paid servants. And we learn from Acts 12.12 that this house became a secret meeting place for Christians during a time of persecution. This text identifies Mark's mother, Maria (Mary), as a believer; it says nothing about Mark's father. We also learn that Mark's real Jewish name was Yohanan (John). "Mark" was his Roman nickname.
The Bible also tells us that Mark was a close relative ("cousin") of a prominent Jewish Christian leader whom the Disciples nicknamed Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement"). Once when Paul and Barnabas visited Jerusalem on business from their congregation in Antioch, Syria (300 miles north of Jerusalem), Barnabas brought Mark back to Antioch with them. A short time later Mark join Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But halfway through that trip, Mark quit and returned home to Jerusalem. (Acts 12 & 13)
When they were about to start their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to give Mark a second chance, but Paul didn't. Their disagreement was so strong, that Barnabas and Paul decided to split up. Barnabas took Mark as his helper and Paul went another route with Silas. Just as Barnabas had first mentored Paul, now Barnabas wanted to mentor Mark. (Acts 15.36-41)
Nine years later, when Paul was a prisoner in Rome, waiting his trial before Emperor Nero, Paul identified Mark as one of his faithful helpers (Colossians 4.10; Philemon 23-24). What changed Paul's attitude about Mark? We don't know for sure, but certainly much credit belongs to Barnabas.
The Bible's last reference to Mark is in 1 Peter 5.13, where Peter says that he was in "Babylon" (i.e. Rome), and that his helpers were Mark and Silas. Centuries later Roman Christians developed traditions regarding Mark's association with Peter in Rome.
What is unique about Mark's Gospel?
Two stories which appear only in Mark's Gospel include the healing of the Deaf man (7.31-37), and an account of a young man who "ran away naked" when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (14.51). We wonder.... Was that "young man" Mark?
The second book of the New Testament is the shortest of the four Gospels. It is only 16 chapters long. Mark skips the Christmas story and starts at Jesus' baptism. Many scholars speculate that Mark wrote his Gospel first, and then Matthew and Luke expanded Mark's account with more details.
Who was Mark?
His name is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Those references give us interesting biographical information.
While Mark does not appear in any of the four Gospels, there is strong evidence that he was an eye witness to Jesus' life and ministry, His crucifixion and resurrection. His parents' home was in Jerusalem. They were wealthy enough to have a large house and paid servants. And we learn from Acts 12.12 that this house became a secret meeting place for Christians during a time of persecution. This text identifies Mark's mother, Maria (Mary), as a believer; it says nothing about Mark's father. We also learn that Mark's real Jewish name was Yohanan (John). "Mark" was his Roman nickname.
The Bible also tells us that Mark was a close relative ("cousin") of a prominent Jewish Christian leader whom the Disciples nicknamed Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement"). Once when Paul and Barnabas visited Jerusalem on business from their congregation in Antioch, Syria (300 miles north of Jerusalem), Barnabas brought Mark back to Antioch with them. A short time later Mark join Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. But halfway through that trip, Mark quit and returned home to Jerusalem. (Acts 12 & 13)
When they were about to start their second missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to give Mark a second chance, but Paul didn't. Their disagreement was so strong, that Barnabas and Paul decided to split up. Barnabas took Mark as his helper and Paul went another route with Silas. Just as Barnabas had first mentored Paul, now Barnabas wanted to mentor Mark. (Acts 15.36-41)
Nine years later, when Paul was a prisoner in Rome, waiting his trial before Emperor Nero, Paul identified Mark as one of his faithful helpers (Colossians 4.10; Philemon 23-24). What changed Paul's attitude about Mark? We don't know for sure, but certainly much credit belongs to Barnabas.
The Bible's last reference to Mark is in 1 Peter 5.13, where Peter says that he was in "Babylon" (i.e. Rome), and that his helpers were Mark and Silas. Centuries later Roman Christians developed traditions regarding Mark's association with Peter in Rome.
What is unique about Mark's Gospel?
- Mark emphasized that Jesus is "Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1.1)
- Mark stressed that Jesus is true God and "Lord." (1.3)
- Jesus is "Lord of the Sabbath" (2.28)
- Jesus is "David's Lord" (12.36-37).
- Jesus has unique authority in His teaching (1.22).
- Jesus has authority over Satan (1.27; 5.1-20).
- Jesus has authority to forgive sins (2.10).
- Jesus has authority over nature (4.39-41).
- Jesus has authority over disease and death (5.21-43).
Two stories which appear only in Mark's Gospel include the healing of the Deaf man (7.31-37), and an account of a young man who "ran away naked" when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (14.51). We wonder.... Was that "young man" Mark?
Part 4 - Luke
The author of the third Gospel also wrote the fifth book of the New Testament. When you look at the opening verses of both Luke and Acts, it is obvious that these two books are written by the same person for the same purpose.
The author of the third Gospel also wrote the fifth book of the New Testament. When you look at the opening verses of both Luke and Acts, it is obvious that these two books are written by the same person for the same purpose.
Luke 1:1-4 |
Acts 1:1-3 |
Many people have attempted to write about the things that have taken place among us. Reports of these things were handed down to us. There were people who saw these things for themselves from the beginning and then passed the word on. I myself have carefully looked into everything from the beginning. So it seemed good also to me to write down an orderly report of exactly what happened. I am doing this for you, most excellent Theophilus. I want you to know that the things you have been taught are true. (NIrV) |
Theophilus, I wrote about Jesus in my earlier book. I wrote about all he did and taught until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before Jesus left, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen. He did this through the Holy Spirit. After his suffering and death, he appeared to them. In many ways he proved that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days. During that time he spoke about God’s kingdom. (NIrV) |
Luke was a historian. It is doubtful that he ever met Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry. But Luke spent a lot of time in Palestine, especially when his friend, Paul, was in prison for two years waiting trial. This gave Luke the opportunity to interview people who knew Jesus personally and do careful research. This research became the basis for his account of Jesus' life which we call "The Gospel According to Luke." Luke then followed that work with his history of the early church, which we call "The Acts of the Apostles," or just "Acts."
Luke never mentions himself by name. But in the course of Paul's missionary travels, the text of Acts often says things like, "We traveled to Philippi," and "One day we were going to the place of prayer." In those sections of the story where Luke uses the pronouns "we" and "us," it is obvious that Luke joined Paul during those parts of Paul's travels. (See Acts 16.8-16; Acts 20-21; and Acts 27-28.)
Who was Luke?
A key text which gives us important background to Luke is Colossians 4. In verse 14, Paul describes Luke as "the beloved physician." Apparently Luke was a medical doctor. Sometimes Luke's professional interest shows itself in the details he provides when he reports healing miracles.
That same chapter of Colossians also gives us important information about Luke that Bible students often overlook. A few verses before Paul's reference to his friend Luke, Paul names three men (Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus), about whom Paul says, "They are the only Jews who work together with me for God’s kingdom." (Col. 4.11 NIrV). Then Paul goes on to name other Christian coworkers who are not Jews, including Luke. So we may deduce that Luke was a Gentile, not Jewish.
We don't know Luke's ethnic roots. But we do know that Luke joined Paul's missionary team in Troas (not far from the ancient city of Troy), on the northwest coast of Turkey. Then the next five or six years Luke worked in Philippi in Macedonia (northern Greece) while Paul continued his missionary travels. Later, Luke stayed with Paul and supported him while Paul was in prison.
What is unique about Luke's Gospel?
Luke gives us many important facts about Jesus which are not reported in any of the other three Gospels.
Luke never mentions himself by name. But in the course of Paul's missionary travels, the text of Acts often says things like, "We traveled to Philippi," and "One day we were going to the place of prayer." In those sections of the story where Luke uses the pronouns "we" and "us," it is obvious that Luke joined Paul during those parts of Paul's travels. (See Acts 16.8-16; Acts 20-21; and Acts 27-28.)
Who was Luke?
A key text which gives us important background to Luke is Colossians 4. In verse 14, Paul describes Luke as "the beloved physician." Apparently Luke was a medical doctor. Sometimes Luke's professional interest shows itself in the details he provides when he reports healing miracles.
That same chapter of Colossians also gives us important information about Luke that Bible students often overlook. A few verses before Paul's reference to his friend Luke, Paul names three men (Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus), about whom Paul says, "They are the only Jews who work together with me for God’s kingdom." (Col. 4.11 NIrV). Then Paul goes on to name other Christian coworkers who are not Jews, including Luke. So we may deduce that Luke was a Gentile, not Jewish.
We don't know Luke's ethnic roots. But we do know that Luke joined Paul's missionary team in Troas (not far from the ancient city of Troy), on the northwest coast of Turkey. Then the next five or six years Luke worked in Philippi in Macedonia (northern Greece) while Paul continued his missionary travels. Later, Luke stayed with Paul and supported him while Paul was in prison.
What is unique about Luke's Gospel?
Luke gives us many important facts about Jesus which are not reported in any of the other three Gospels.
- Historical dates of New Testament events.
- The appearance of the angel Gabriel to Jesus' mother, Mary.
- The story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem -- the first Christmas.
- The story of the boy Jesus, age 12, in the temple.
- The story of the ten lepers.
- Parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son, the rich man and Lazarus, and the Pharisee and the tax collector.
- Jesus' prayer from the cross: "Father forgive them..."
- Jesus' promise to the repentant criminal: "Today you will be with me in Paradise."
- Jesus' resurrection appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
- And, of course, Luke's history of the New Testament church in the book of Acts is invaluable.
Part 5 - John
The author of the fourth Gospel was one of Jesus' Twelve Disciples. When Jesus first met him, John was a commercial fisherman, working in partnership with his brother James, their father Zebedee, and two friends who were also brothers -- Peter and Andrew. Both sets of brothers became Jesus' Disciples (See Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11).
John (Yohanan) was a common name in Israel. This causes some confusion because more than one John is cited in the New Testament (e.g., John the Baptist).
In the latter part of Jesus' ministry, He chose three of His Disciples as His "inner circle" -- Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. Only those three were permitted to be with Jesus when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Luke 8:51-55). Only those three were with Jesus when He was transfigured on the mountain (Luke 9:28-36). The night Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked those three to stay awake and pray with Him (Matthew 26:36-39).
However, in all of John's narration of Jesus' life, John never once mentioned himself by name. Once he referred to "the two sons of Zebedee." Other times John referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," or simply a "disciple."
As Jesus hung on the cross, John stood next to Jesus' mother, Mary. When Jesus saw them together, He gave John the responsibility to care for Mary (John 19:25-27). John's own mother was also nearby. She was part of a group of women who supported Jesus and His Disciples (Matthew 27:55-56). John's mother previously earned notoriety when she asked Jesus, "Let one of my two sons sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your kingdom." (Matthew 20:20-28)
After Jesus' ascension, we briefly find John teaming up with Peter (Acts chapters 3, 4, & 8). Then after that, we learn a little about John's travels from later historical documents not included in the Bible.
John's Gospel reports only a few of Jesus' miracles and none of His parables. Instead, John focused on Jesus' teaching. The first verse sets John's theme:
The author of the fourth Gospel was one of Jesus' Twelve Disciples. When Jesus first met him, John was a commercial fisherman, working in partnership with his brother James, their father Zebedee, and two friends who were also brothers -- Peter and Andrew. Both sets of brothers became Jesus' Disciples (See Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11).
John (Yohanan) was a common name in Israel. This causes some confusion because more than one John is cited in the New Testament (e.g., John the Baptist).
In the latter part of Jesus' ministry, He chose three of His Disciples as His "inner circle" -- Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. Only those three were permitted to be with Jesus when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Luke 8:51-55). Only those three were with Jesus when He was transfigured on the mountain (Luke 9:28-36). The night Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked those three to stay awake and pray with Him (Matthew 26:36-39).
However, in all of John's narration of Jesus' life, John never once mentioned himself by name. Once he referred to "the two sons of Zebedee." Other times John referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved," or simply a "disciple."
As Jesus hung on the cross, John stood next to Jesus' mother, Mary. When Jesus saw them together, He gave John the responsibility to care for Mary (John 19:25-27). John's own mother was also nearby. She was part of a group of women who supported Jesus and His Disciples (Matthew 27:55-56). John's mother previously earned notoriety when she asked Jesus, "Let one of my two sons sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your kingdom." (Matthew 20:20-28)
After Jesus' ascension, we briefly find John teaming up with Peter (Acts chapters 3, 4, & 8). Then after that, we learn a little about John's travels from later historical documents not included in the Bible.
John's Gospel reports only a few of Jesus' miracles and none of His parables. Instead, John focused on Jesus' teaching. The first verse sets John's theme:
In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God." (John 1:1)
The "Word" (Logos) was John's code name for Christ Jesus. Throughout his Gospel, John emphasized that Jesus is true God. John said that the reason he wrote the story of Jesus' life was:
...so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you may have life through His name." (John 20:31)
John also wrote four other books of the New Testament -- three letters and the book of Revelation. The letter of 1st John echoes many themes in his Gospel. This letter may have been John's own preface to his Gospel story of Jesus' life. His other two letters (2nd and 3rd John) are the shortest books in the Bible, 13 verses each.
In John's introduction to the book of Revelation, he said that he received this vision "on the Lord's day" while he was on the Roman prison island of Patmos. John was incarcerated because of his testimony about Jesus (Rev. 1.9-10). Revelation 2 and 3 consist of seven short letters to "the seven churches of Asia" (western Turkey). The first of those letters is addressed to the church in Ephesus, where John may have spent the latter part of his life in ministry, prior to his arrest.
In John's introduction to the book of Revelation, he said that he received this vision "on the Lord's day" while he was on the Roman prison island of Patmos. John was incarcerated because of his testimony about Jesus (Rev. 1.9-10). Revelation 2 and 3 consist of seven short letters to "the seven churches of Asia" (western Turkey). The first of those letters is addressed to the church in Ephesus, where John may have spent the latter part of his life in ministry, prior to his arrest.
Part 6 - Paul
Thus far in this series we have learned about the famous four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Our attention now turns to the most prolific of the New Testament authors, the Apostle Paul. Paul's letters comprise 25% of the New Testament. Thanks to Dr. Luke's record of Paul's conversion and his early missionary work, we know more about Paul than any other New Testament author.
We know that his Jewish birth name was Saul, not Paul. He changed his name about 15 years after his conversion. Neither Paul nor Luke tell us why he changed his name, but it occurred when Paul began his outreach to non-Jewish people in the Roman world (Acts 13:9).
Paul described his background this way:
Thus far in this series we have learned about the famous four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Our attention now turns to the most prolific of the New Testament authors, the Apostle Paul. Paul's letters comprise 25% of the New Testament. Thanks to Dr. Luke's record of Paul's conversion and his early missionary work, we know more about Paul than any other New Testament author.
We know that his Jewish birth name was Saul, not Paul. He changed his name about 15 years after his conversion. Neither Paul nor Luke tell us why he changed his name, but it occurred when Paul began his outreach to non-Jewish people in the Roman world (Acts 13:9).
Paul described his background this way:
"I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia. But I grew up here in Jerusalem. I was well trained by Gamaliel in the law of our people." (Acts 22:3)
"I was circumcised on the eighth day. I am part of the people of Israel. I am from the tribe of Benjamin. I am a pure Hebrew. As far as the law is concerned, I am a Pharisee. As far as being committed is concerned, I opposed and attacked the church. As far as keeping the Law is concerned, I kept it perfectly." (Philippians 3:5-6 NIrV)
Tarsus was a city in an area that today we call south central Turkey, near the northeast coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Paul's parents were Jewish Roman citizens. Paul's Roman citizenship gave him legal protections when he was arrested and put on trial for telling people about Jesus. Paul's teacher, Gamaliel, was the prominent Rabbi of his time. Paul's religious zeal made him lead the charge persecuting Christians. On one of his missions to arrest Christians in Damascus, Paul met Jesus in a vision that temporarily blinded him. After that, Paul was fully committed to Christ. (Acts 9)
When Paul returned to Jerusalem and tried to join with the Jewish Christians there, they distrusted him. They could not believe that his conversion was genuine. A Christian leader named Barnabas went to Paul, listened to his story, and welcomed him into the fellowship. Later, when Barnabas was serving as pastor for a new growing church of Gentile Christians in Syria, Barnabas recruited Paul to assist him. Later, when Barnabas and Paul launched their first missionary trip, they changed roles. Paul became the leader.
Dr. Luke describes Paul's first three mission trips -- on each trip Paul was accompanied by different helpers. Luke's history ends with Paul in Rome under house arrest, waiting trial. Paul's later letters alert us to the likelihood that Paul was released and he continued to travel throughout the Roman world, sharing Jesus.
Paul wrote many letters, 13 of which appear in the Bible. He wrote four short letters to individual friends, and sent nine other letters to Christian congregations. His letters teach basic Christian doctrine. Paul also taught about Christian conduct and church practices. He wrote a few letters to correct serious problems and misunderstandings -- chiefly 1st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. His letters to Timothy and Titus give advice about church leadership and policies. And he wrote one special letter on behalf of a runaway slave who returned to his master as a brother in Christ (Philemon).
One other small bit of trivia about Paul's background that we glean from Luke's history was that Paul earned his living by making tents. (Acts 18:3)
The Bible does not report how Paul died. He wrote his second letter to Timothy from prison, fully aware that he would soon be executed.
When Paul returned to Jerusalem and tried to join with the Jewish Christians there, they distrusted him. They could not believe that his conversion was genuine. A Christian leader named Barnabas went to Paul, listened to his story, and welcomed him into the fellowship. Later, when Barnabas was serving as pastor for a new growing church of Gentile Christians in Syria, Barnabas recruited Paul to assist him. Later, when Barnabas and Paul launched their first missionary trip, they changed roles. Paul became the leader.
Dr. Luke describes Paul's first three mission trips -- on each trip Paul was accompanied by different helpers. Luke's history ends with Paul in Rome under house arrest, waiting trial. Paul's later letters alert us to the likelihood that Paul was released and he continued to travel throughout the Roman world, sharing Jesus.
Paul wrote many letters, 13 of which appear in the Bible. He wrote four short letters to individual friends, and sent nine other letters to Christian congregations. His letters teach basic Christian doctrine. Paul also taught about Christian conduct and church practices. He wrote a few letters to correct serious problems and misunderstandings -- chiefly 1st & 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. His letters to Timothy and Titus give advice about church leadership and policies. And he wrote one special letter on behalf of a runaway slave who returned to his master as a brother in Christ (Philemon).
One other small bit of trivia about Paul's background that we glean from Luke's history was that Paul earned his living by making tents. (Acts 18:3)
The Bible does not report how Paul died. He wrote his second letter to Timothy from prison, fully aware that he would soon be executed.
"I am already being poured out like a drink offering. The time has come for me to leave. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is a crown waiting for me." (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIrV)
Part 7 - Peter
Near the end of the New Testament we find two short letters by the most famous of Jesus' Twelve Disciples -- Simon Peter.
Simon was a commercial fisherman, making his living in partnership with his brother Andrew and with three members of another family: Zebedee and his two sons, James and John. They fished with nets in the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake near the north end of the Jordan River. Together they owned two large fishing boats and they based their operation in the Galilean city of Capernaum.
Simon was first introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. When John the Baptizer introduced Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," Andrew found his brother and told him, "We have found the Messiah (Christ)." Then Andrew took Simon to meet Jesus. The first thing Jesus said to Simon was,
Near the end of the New Testament we find two short letters by the most famous of Jesus' Twelve Disciples -- Simon Peter.
Simon was a commercial fisherman, making his living in partnership with his brother Andrew and with three members of another family: Zebedee and his two sons, James and John. They fished with nets in the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake near the north end of the Jordan River. Together they owned two large fishing boats and they based their operation in the Galilean city of Capernaum.
Simon was first introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. When John the Baptizer introduced Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," Andrew found his brother and told him, "We have found the Messiah (Christ)." Then Andrew took Simon to meet Jesus. The first thing Jesus said to Simon was,
"You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas." Cephas means Peter. (John 1:35-42 NIRV)
"Cephas" and "Peter" mean "Rock" in the Aramaic and Greek languages.
Shortly after this first meeting, Jesus met Peter and Andrew again on the lake shore where they were fishing with their nets. Jesus asked to borrow one of their boats, so he could sit in it a short distance out while he taught the people on the shore. When Jesus was finished teaching, He told Peter and Andrew to take the boat out to deeper water and drop their nets for a catch of fish. They caught so many fish on just one haul, they needed both boats to bring them all ashore. Peter responded to this miracle by kneeling down before Jesus and saying, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!" Jesus said, "Don't be afraid. From now on you with be fishing for people." Further down the beach Jesus found James and John; they also followed Jesus. (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
Peter and his wife shared their home in Capernaum with other relatives, including Andrew and Peter's mother-in-law, whom Jesus once healed of a high fever (Mark 1:29-31). Jesus probably stayed at Peter's house when He was in Capernaum. (Archeologists have discovered what appears to have been Peter's home, which was later transformed into a church.)
Peter was an interesting fellow. He was loyal. It was Peter who swung the sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, trying to defend Jesus from getting arrested. Peter was impulsive; he often spoke before he thought about what he was saying. Peter boasted, "Even if I must die with You, I will never leave You." But a couple hours later he shamefully told people, "I don't know Him." After Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus assured Peter that He forgave him.
Peter was like a teacher's prize student, not because he was particularly smart, but because he was bold enough to say what everyone else was thinking. Today we benefit from a lot of Jesus' teaching which He directed specifically to Peter.
Peter became the leader of the Twelve Disciples simply because he was the first to step out in child-like faith. He was the one who dared to walk to Jesus on the water in the middle of a storm (Matthew 14:15-33). Peter was the chief preacher at Pentecost (Acts 2). He was the first apostle whom God sent to bring the Good News of Christ to non-Jews (Acts 10).
Peter was in Rome when he wrote his first letter with the help of Silas (1 Peter 5:12). Silas had been a leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15) and part of Paul's support team (Acts 16-18). The letter of First Peter encourages believers to have faith and be faithful even when they are suffering persecution. Peter's second letter teaches about Christ's future return, the end of the world, and the final judgment.
During one of Peter's conversations with Jesus, Jesus told Peter that he (Peter) would die as a martyr for his Lord. According to popular tradition, when Romans soldiers crucified Peter, he asked to be hoisted upside down, because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did.
Shortly after this first meeting, Jesus met Peter and Andrew again on the lake shore where they were fishing with their nets. Jesus asked to borrow one of their boats, so he could sit in it a short distance out while he taught the people on the shore. When Jesus was finished teaching, He told Peter and Andrew to take the boat out to deeper water and drop their nets for a catch of fish. They caught so many fish on just one haul, they needed both boats to bring them all ashore. Peter responded to this miracle by kneeling down before Jesus and saying, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!" Jesus said, "Don't be afraid. From now on you with be fishing for people." Further down the beach Jesus found James and John; they also followed Jesus. (Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
Peter and his wife shared their home in Capernaum with other relatives, including Andrew and Peter's mother-in-law, whom Jesus once healed of a high fever (Mark 1:29-31). Jesus probably stayed at Peter's house when He was in Capernaum. (Archeologists have discovered what appears to have been Peter's home, which was later transformed into a church.)
Peter was an interesting fellow. He was loyal. It was Peter who swung the sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, trying to defend Jesus from getting arrested. Peter was impulsive; he often spoke before he thought about what he was saying. Peter boasted, "Even if I must die with You, I will never leave You." But a couple hours later he shamefully told people, "I don't know Him." After Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus assured Peter that He forgave him.
Peter was like a teacher's prize student, not because he was particularly smart, but because he was bold enough to say what everyone else was thinking. Today we benefit from a lot of Jesus' teaching which He directed specifically to Peter.
Peter became the leader of the Twelve Disciples simply because he was the first to step out in child-like faith. He was the one who dared to walk to Jesus on the water in the middle of a storm (Matthew 14:15-33). Peter was the chief preacher at Pentecost (Acts 2). He was the first apostle whom God sent to bring the Good News of Christ to non-Jews (Acts 10).
Peter was in Rome when he wrote his first letter with the help of Silas (1 Peter 5:12). Silas had been a leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15) and part of Paul's support team (Acts 16-18). The letter of First Peter encourages believers to have faith and be faithful even when they are suffering persecution. Peter's second letter teaches about Christ's future return, the end of the world, and the final judgment.
During one of Peter's conversations with Jesus, Jesus told Peter that he (Peter) would die as a martyr for his Lord. According to popular tradition, when Romans soldiers crucified Peter, he asked to be hoisted upside down, because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did.
Part 8 - James and Jude
Near the back of the Bible we find a couple of short letters written by two brothers. We don't give those authors much attention perhaps because they had an older half-brother who is much more popular than they. Their famous half-brother was Jesus.
The Bible says that after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had four sons, whose names were Iakobos, Iosef, Simon, and Ioudas, which translators render as "James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas." They were named after great patriarchs of Israel -- Jacob, Joseph, Simeon, and Judah. We are not certain about their birth order because the lists of their names that appear in Matthew 13:53-57 and Mark 6:1-6 are in slightly different sequence. James is named first in both texts, so it is safe to assume that he was the oldest of the four. The gospels also report that Mary and Joseph had daughters, but they don't tell us their names or how many daughters they had.
What was it like for these siblings having Jesus as their older brother? It wasn't easy, if we were to judge by the way these four brothers felt about Jesus. The Bible says,
Near the back of the Bible we find a couple of short letters written by two brothers. We don't give those authors much attention perhaps because they had an older half-brother who is much more popular than they. Their famous half-brother was Jesus.
The Bible says that after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had four sons, whose names were Iakobos, Iosef, Simon, and Ioudas, which translators render as "James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas." They were named after great patriarchs of Israel -- Jacob, Joseph, Simeon, and Judah. We are not certain about their birth order because the lists of their names that appear in Matthew 13:53-57 and Mark 6:1-6 are in slightly different sequence. James is named first in both texts, so it is safe to assume that he was the oldest of the four. The gospels also report that Mary and Joseph had daughters, but they don't tell us their names or how many daughters they had.
What was it like for these siblings having Jesus as their older brother? It wasn't easy, if we were to judge by the way these four brothers felt about Jesus. The Bible says,
"Not even his own brothers believed in Him." (John 7:5)
That is not surprising. If your brother said things like "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one can go to the Father except through Me," (John 14:6) you might think he was crazy. That's what Jesus' brothers thought about Him.
The Gospel of Mark describes an incident when Jesus' popularity embarrassed His brothers: Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat. His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, "He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:20-21 NIRV)
You may remember a famous scene when Jesus hung on the cross. Standing near the cross was His grieving mother, Mary. Since she was a widow, her eldest son, Jesus, was responsible for her care. But His earthly ministry would soon end. His younger brothers would then be responsible to care for Mary. But His brothers weren't there; they wanted nothing more to do with Jesus. So Jesus gave the responsibility for His mother's care to one of His disciples (John 19:26-27).
But then something strange happened. The Bible says that after Jesus rose to life and ascended into heaven, His disciples met for prayer. The group comprised Jesus' 11 Disciples, "with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." (Acts 1:14)
What changed their minds? We find a hint in 1 Corinthians 15:7. It seems that after Jesus rose from the dead, He made a special appearance to His four skeptical brothers. They had rejected Him, but He still loved them and He forgave them.
As Dr. Luke describes the beginning of Christian history, we learn that James the brother of Jesus became the senior pastor of the Jerusalem church. (See Acts 12:1-2, 16-17; and Acts 15) Throughout Paul's ministry, Paul recognized "James the brother of our Lord" as the church's leading apostle (See Galatians 1:13-19 and Acts 21:17-19)
Now look at the opening verses in the New Testament letters of James and Jude. The first thing we must note is that in the original Greek text the name "Jude" is actually "Ioudas" (Judas). An early tradition developed to translate his name as "Jude," lest readers confuse him for the other Judas who betrayed Jesus.
We must also note that, while Jude (Judas) identified himself as "the brother of James," neither James or Jude identified himself as a brother of Jesus. Rather, they both described themselves as "servants of Jesus Christ." (James 1:1; Jude 1)
Finally, both of these letters end with a blessing that describes James' and Jude's own experience:
The Gospel of Mark describes an incident when Jesus' popularity embarrassed His brothers: Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat. His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, "He is out of his mind." (Mark 3:20-21 NIRV)
You may remember a famous scene when Jesus hung on the cross. Standing near the cross was His grieving mother, Mary. Since she was a widow, her eldest son, Jesus, was responsible for her care. But His earthly ministry would soon end. His younger brothers would then be responsible to care for Mary. But His brothers weren't there; they wanted nothing more to do with Jesus. So Jesus gave the responsibility for His mother's care to one of His disciples (John 19:26-27).
But then something strange happened. The Bible says that after Jesus rose to life and ascended into heaven, His disciples met for prayer. The group comprised Jesus' 11 Disciples, "with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." (Acts 1:14)
What changed their minds? We find a hint in 1 Corinthians 15:7. It seems that after Jesus rose from the dead, He made a special appearance to His four skeptical brothers. They had rejected Him, but He still loved them and He forgave them.
As Dr. Luke describes the beginning of Christian history, we learn that James the brother of Jesus became the senior pastor of the Jerusalem church. (See Acts 12:1-2, 16-17; and Acts 15) Throughout Paul's ministry, Paul recognized "James the brother of our Lord" as the church's leading apostle (See Galatians 1:13-19 and Acts 21:17-19)
Now look at the opening verses in the New Testament letters of James and Jude. The first thing we must note is that in the original Greek text the name "Jude" is actually "Ioudas" (Judas). An early tradition developed to translate his name as "Jude," lest readers confuse him for the other Judas who betrayed Jesus.
We must also note that, while Jude (Judas) identified himself as "the brother of James," neither James or Jude identified himself as a brother of Jesus. Rather, they both described themselves as "servants of Jesus Christ." (James 1:1; Jude 1)
Finally, both of these letters end with a blessing that describes James' and Jude's own experience:
"Anyone who turns a sinner from going down the wrong path will save him from death. God will erase many sins by forgiving him." (James 5:20 NIRV)
That's what Jesus did for them.
Part 9 - The anonymous author of "Hebrews"
As we bring this topic to a close, we are left with one book of the New Testament that has an unknown author. The Letter to the Hebrews lacks an opening greeting that identifies the writer and recipients, which we normally find in the other NT letters.
Near the end of the letter we find this helpful bit of information:
As we bring this topic to a close, we are left with one book of the New Testament that has an unknown author. The Letter to the Hebrews lacks an opening greeting that identifies the writer and recipients, which we normally find in the other NT letters.
Near the end of the letter we find this helpful bit of information:
"I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you." (Hebrews 13:23 NIRV)
Timothy was part of the Apostle Paul's support team. The two of them traveled a lot together. So, could the author of "Hebrews" be Paul? It is possible, but not very probable. In many ways, this letter does not match Paul's style of language and composition that we see in 13 other New Testament letters which Paul dictated or wrote.
Both the author of Hebrews and the people who received this letter were very Jewish. The entire letter reviews Jewish history and Jewish worship traditions in great detail, and then it applies these tidbits of information to Christ and to the daily life of Christians. There are strong indications that the recipients of this letter were Jewish converts to Christ who were living in Rome (see Hebrews 13:24).
There are several names which scholars and historians have suggested as the possible author of the book of Hebrews. One name which floats to the top of the list as the most likely candidate is the name of Apollos. Like Timothy, Apollos was part of Paul's support team. We first meet him in Ephesus...
Both the author of Hebrews and the people who received this letter were very Jewish. The entire letter reviews Jewish history and Jewish worship traditions in great detail, and then it applies these tidbits of information to Christ and to the daily life of Christians. There are strong indications that the recipients of this letter were Jewish converts to Christ who were living in Rome (see Hebrews 13:24).
There are several names which scholars and historians have suggested as the possible author of the book of Hebrews. One name which floats to the top of the list as the most likely candidate is the name of Apollos. Like Timothy, Apollos was part of Paul's support team. We first meet him in Ephesus...
At that time a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was an educated man from Alexandria [Egypt]. He knew the [Old Testament] Scriptures very well. Apollos had been taught the way of the Lord. He spoke with great power. He taught the truth about Jesus. But he only knew about John's baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila heard him. So they invited him to their home. There they gave him a better understanding of the way of God.
Apollos wanted to go to Achaia [Corinth, Greece]. The brothers agreed with him. They wrote to the believers there. They asked them to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who had become believers by God's grace. He argued strongly against the Jews in public meetings. He proved from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:24-28 NIRV)
Apollos' thorough knowledge of the Old Testament and his gift for logically and systematically "proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ" is also a good description of the writer of the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews. We can't know for sure that Apollos is the author of this letter, but he certainly could be.
Nothing more is mentioned about Apollos in Luke's history of the early church, but we know that Apollos kept a life-long association with Paul. After his visit to Corinth, he returned to Ephesus just in time to team up with Paul (Acts 19). Paul urged Apollos to visit Corinth again, but Apollos refused to go, perhaps because Apollos didn't want to fuel the popularity contest that was raging in Corinth between fans of Paul and fans of Apollos (1 Corinthians 1 & 3). Years later Paul identified Apollos as the courier of Paul's letter to a missionary pastor on the island of Crete (Titus 3:13). (For more information about Apollos, see our series on Great Unknown People in the Bible.)
Whether it was Apollos who wrote Hebrews, or someone else whose name we may never know, we are thankful for the rich treasure in this letter that helps us better understand the Old Testament.
Nothing more is mentioned about Apollos in Luke's history of the early church, but we know that Apollos kept a life-long association with Paul. After his visit to Corinth, he returned to Ephesus just in time to team up with Paul (Acts 19). Paul urged Apollos to visit Corinth again, but Apollos refused to go, perhaps because Apollos didn't want to fuel the popularity contest that was raging in Corinth between fans of Paul and fans of Apollos (1 Corinthians 1 & 3). Years later Paul identified Apollos as the courier of Paul's letter to a missionary pastor on the island of Crete (Titus 3:13). (For more information about Apollos, see our series on Great Unknown People in the Bible.)
Whether it was Apollos who wrote Hebrews, or someone else whose name we may never know, we are thankful for the rich treasure in this letter that helps us better understand the Old Testament.