In Christian tradition, the Four Evangelists are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four canonical Gospel accounts. In the New Testament, they bear the following titles: the Gospel of Matthew; the Gospel of Mark; the Gospel of Luke; and the Gospel of John.
Gospels
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the
Synoptic Gospels, because they include many of the same stories, often in the same sequence or even verbatim. While the periods to which the gospels are usually dated suggest otherwise,
convention traditionally holds that the authors were two of the
Twelve Apostles of
Jesus, John and Matthew, as well as two "apostolic men",
Mark and Luke, whom Orthodox Tradition records as members of the 70 Apostles (Luke 10):
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Matthew (Greek: Ματθαῖος, Matthaîos
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Mark (Greek: Μᾶρκος, Mârkos) – a follower of Saint Peter and so an "apostolic man"
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Luke (Greek: Λουκάς, Loukas) – a doctor who wrote what is now the book of Luke to Theophilus. Also known to have written the book of Acts (or Acts of the Apostles) and to have been a close friend of Paul of Tarsus
-
John (Greek: Ἰωάννης, Iōannēs
They are called Evangelism, a word meaning "people who proclaim good news", because their books aim to tell the "good news" ("gospel") of Jesus.
Symbols
In
iconography, the evangelists often appear in Evangelist portraits derived from classical tradition, and are also frequently represented by the symbols which originate from the four "
Chayot" that draw
Merkabah in the vision in Ezekiel 1 reflected in the Book of Revelation (ff), referred to as the four '
', though neither source links the creatures to the Evangelists (of course the depiction of the Seraphim predates in chronology the writing of the New Testament which portrays the writers John, Luke, Mark, Matthew as symbolically embodied by the four Seraphim). Images normally, but not invariably, appear with wings like
.
When the symbols of the Four Evangelists appear together, it is called a
Tetramorph, common in the
Romanesque art of Europe such as church
or
.
The meanings accruing to the symbols grew over centuries, with an early formulation by Jerome,
-
Matthew the Evangelist, the author of the first gospel account, is symbolized by a winged man, or angel. Matthew's gospel starts with Saint Joseph's genealogy from Abraham; it represents Jesus's incarnation, and so Christ's human nature. This signifies that Christians should use their reason for salvation.
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Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second gospel account, is symbolized by a winged lion—a figure of courage and monarchy. The lion also represents Jesus's resurrection (because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, a comparison with Christ in the tomb), and Christ as king. This signifies that Christians should be courageous on the path of salvation.
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Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account (and the Acts of the Apostles), is symbolized by a winged ox or bull—a figure of sacrifice, service, and strength. Luke's account begins with the duties of Zechariah in the temple; it represents Jesus's sacrifice in his Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being high priest (this also represents Mary's obedience). The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.
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John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel account, is symbolized by an eagle—a figure of the sky, and believed by Christian scholars to be able to look straight into the sun. John starts with an eternal overview of Jesus the Logos and goes on to describe many things with a "higher" christology than the Synoptic Gospels; it represents Jesus's Ascension and Christ's divine nature. This symbolizes that Christians should look on eternity without flinching as they journey towards their goal of union with God.
Each of the symbols is depicted with wings, following the biblical sources first in Ezekiel 1–2, and in Revelation. The symbols are shown with, or in place of, the Evangelists in early medieval , and are the usual accompaniment to Christ in Majesty when portrayed during the same period, reflecting the vision in Revelation. They were presented as one of the most common motifs found on church portals and , as well as many other locations.[Male, op. cit.]
When surrounding Christ, the figure of the man usually appears at top left—above Christ's right hand, with the lion above Christ's left arm. Underneath the man is the ox and underneath the lion is the eagle. This both reflects the medieval idea of the order of "nobility" of nature of the beasts (man, lion, ox, eagle) and the text of . From the 13th century, their use began to decline, as a new conception of Christ in Majesty, showing the wounds of the Passion, came into use.
Naming
Matthew is often cited as the "first Gospel account", not only owing to its place in
Biblical canon, but also in view of the
patristics witness to this effect. However, most biblical scholars see
Markan priority and John's gospel account as having been written last of the four.
It is customary to refer to the gospels phrased as "the Gospel of Matthew" or as "Matthew's Gospel", and so on.
Depictions
File:Peter Paul Rubens - The four Evangelists (1614).jpg|Rubens, 1614
File:The Four Evangelists (Abraham Bloemaert).jpg|Abraham Bloemaert, , Princeton University Art Museum
File:MIMI 76F1 NS 161V 162R.jpg|Symbol facing evangelist portrait at the start of the Gospel of St. John; Egmond Gospels, Royal Library of the Netherlands
File:CodxAmiatinusMaiestasDomini.jpg|Codex Amiatinus, earliest surviving complete Vulgate Bible, 8th century
File:Karolingischer Buchmaler um 820 001.jpg|Carolingian art from an Aachen Gospel, 820
See also
External links
