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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Scripture and Interpretation

Gospel

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/ˈɡɒspəl/nounCommon term

In religious studies & theology, Gospel means: One of the four accounts of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament, attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; also the Christian message itself.

In Turkish: İncil, Müjde

How it is used

Capitalized for the books (the Gospel of John, the four Gospels) and usually lowercase for the message (preach the gospel). Matthew, Mark and Luke are the Synoptic Gospels. The word comes from Old English 'good news', a translation of Greek euangelion.

Example sentences

  1. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they share much material.

  2. The Gospel of John differs from the other three in style and structure.

Common collocations

  • the four Gospels
  • the Synoptic Gospels
  • the Gospel of Mark
  • preach the gospel
  • BibleThe sacred scriptures of Christianity, made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament; the Jewish Bible, or Tanakh, largely corresponds to the Old Testament.
  • ChristianityA monotheistic religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God; it began in the first century CE.
  • canonThe official list of books that a religious community accepts as authoritative scripture, such as the biblical canon; also a rule or decree made by a church council.
  • exegesisCareful, detailed explanation of a text, especially of scripture, that tries to bring out its meaning through its language, historical context and tradition of reading.

More terms: Scripture and Interpretation

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