By T. W. Parker

All four Gospels present Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfillment of (OT) Messianic promises and expectations. Matthew casts Jesus as the son of Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1). As Immanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23, 28:20, NIV). Throughout his Gospel, Matthew shows that Jesus fulfilled (OT) Messianic predictions in virtually every detail of His life and ministry. Mark presents Jesus as the “Messiah,” the Son of God” (Mark. 1:1), who died giving His life a “ransom for many” (Mark. 10:45). Luke traces Jesus’ ancestry back to Adam (Luke. 3:23, 38). He casts Jesus as the compassionate healer and friend of sinners (Luke. 19:7). John presents selected Messianic signs of Jesus as proof that Jesus is the Messianic Son of God (John. 20:30-31).

The Gospels concur that Jesus limited the scope of His mission to Israel while occasionally ministering to Gentiles, often at their initiative. Yet the people of Israel rejected Jesus’ Messianic claims, leading to His crucifixion. However, Jesus predicted a worldwide extension of His ministry, instructing His disciples that the Gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations before the end will come (Matt. 24:14, Mark. 13:10). Subsequently to His resurrection, Jesus charged His followers to go into all the world and disciple the nations (Matt. 28:18-20, Luke. 24:46-48, John. 20:21). The Gospels also agree that Jesus’ death is universally significant, extending salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews (John. 3:16). All four Gospels powerfully present Jesus of Nazareth as the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic promises and expectations. Matthew vividly portrays Jesus as both the son of Abraham and David (Matt. 1:1) and as Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Matt. 1:23, 28:20). Throughout his Gospel, Matthew demonstrates with precision how Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies in almost every aspect of His life and ministry.

Mark identifies Jesus as the “Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1), who selflessly gave His life as a “ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Luke traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam (Luke 3:23, 38), depicting Him as a compassionate healer and a friend to sinners (Luke 19:7). John highlights specific Messianic signs that Jesus performed, offering compelling evidence that He is truly the Messianic Son of God (John 20:30-31).

The Gospels converge on the notion that Jesus initially concentrated His mission on Israel, while also reaching out to Gentiles, often at their request. Unfortunately, the people of Israel rejected Jesus’ significant Messianic claims, leading to His crucifixion. However, with prophetic insight, Jesus foretold a future where His message would spread globally, instructing His disciples that the Gospel must be proclaimed to all nations before the end would come (Matt. 24:14, Mark 13:10). After His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to go forth into all the world and make disciples of every nation (Matt. 28:18-20, Luke 24:46-48, John 20:21). The Gospels unanimously affirm that Jesus’ death carries universal significance, offering the gift of salvation not only to Jews but also to all Gentiles (John 3:16).

Reference:

Carson, D. A. General Editor, NIV Zondervan Study Bible: Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. USA. 2015