Canonical gospels are the four books in the New Testament which are attributed to the authorship of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John These four gospels are traditionally accepted as being the only valid biographical accounts of the life and death of Jesus Christ and his teachings. In the modern era, there are fervent disagreements between advocates of the various non-canonical gospels and those who hold to the canon.
The term “Canonical” derives from the Greek κανὼν, meaning “measuring rod”. In the context of the New Testament, the term applies to those books in the Bible which are thought to be the most reliable and authoritative. This means that among all of the books which claim to tell the story of Christ, only four meet the criteria of being universally accepted by the majority of Churches and Christian denominations.
The four books that have gained the most acceptance are the Gospels. Although they reflect different aspects of the New Testament, they all hold the narrative of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in high regard. Biblical scholars will often refer to them collectively as the “Synoptic Gospels”, due to their common themes, stories, and accounts of Christ’s ministry.
The best examples of the four Gospel accounts are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Gospel of Matthew, which is believed to have been written in the mid-1st century, is an account of the life and teachings of Jesus. It is the first book in the New Testament and is filled with examples of Jesus’ compassion, power, and mercy. It also contains some unique stories, such as the parable of the sower and the good Samaritan. It is thought to have been the primary source for Mark.
The Gospel of Mark, which is believed to have been written in the 1st century, is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus. It contains some of the best-known stories about Jesus in the Bible, such as the feeding of the 5000, his transfiguration, and his parables.
The Gospel of Luke, written in the mid-1st century, is an account of Jesus’ birth and life up to his ascension into heaven. It is believed to be the most accurate biography of Jesus, due to its attention to detail and its emphasis on historical accuracy. It also contains parables and miracle stories.
The Gospel of John, believed to have been written in the late 1st century, is an account of Jesus’ ministry, teachings, and death. It is unique among the gospels due to its emphasis on Jesus’ divinity. It contains stories such as the Wedding at Cana, Jesus’ raising of Lazarus, and the Last Supper.
Together, these four books make up the Canonical Gospels, a collection of books whose authorship and Bible-worthiness have been debated for centuries. They are the most accepted biographical sources of Jesus' life and teachings and are thought to have been written by their named authors. Although some find the question of their authenticity to be a matter of theological dispute, these four texts are widely accepted by the majority of Christian denominations as valid and faithful accounts of Jesus’ life.