The four Gospels each depict Christ from a distinct viewpoint: Matthew presents Him as King, Mark as Servant, Luke as Son of Man, and John as Son of God.
Les Feldick teaches that Matthew emphasizes Christ's royal lineage, while Mark repeatedly shows Him serving others—even washing the disciples' feet. Luke highlights His humanity as the Son of Man, and John presents His deity as the Son of God. The three Synoptic Gospels focus on His human side, whereas John's Gospel is set apart to reveal His divine nature.
Matthew 1:1 — Matthew opens with Christ's royal genealogy, establishing His kingly position as son of David and son of Abraham.
Mark 10:45 — Jesus describes Himself as coming to minister and give His life a ransom, revealing the servant aspect central to Mark's Gospel.
Luke 19:10 — Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man, a title that pervades Luke's Gospel and emphasizes His humanity.
John 1:1 — John identifies the Word as God, presenting Christ's deity from the very first verse.
The Gospel of Matthew opens with the record of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1), a genealogy suited to a king. Mark records Jesus saying, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). In Luke, Jesus states, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). John begins with the declaration that the Word was God (John 1:1).
Les Feldick emphasizes that Matthew depicts Christ as the King, which is why the Gospel begins with a royal genealogy. Mark presents Christ as the Servant; Les points to His washing of the disciples' feet as the ultimate example of humble service. Luke portrays Christ as the Son of Man, constantly showing His human side. John uniquely depicts Him as the Son of God in His deity. Les also explains that the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—focus on Christ's humanity, while John's Gospel is set apart to reveal His deity. This is why John omits the wilderness temptations: they affected His human side but not His divine nature.
Les Feldick explains that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they deal with Christ in His humanity. Matthew depicts Him as the King who would rule on David's throne; Mark shows Him as the Servant; Luke presents Him as the Son of Man. Thus, even though He is the Messiah, the Son of God, His humanity is predominantly in force in these three Gospels. John is set apart because it deals with Christ as God.
Les notes that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Christ's temptations in the wilderness, but John does not. The reason, Les says, is that those temptations had an immediate effect upon the human side of Jesus, but they had no effect upon His deity side. Since John presents Christ as God, the temptations are not included.
Matthew's Gospel establishes Christ's kingship through a genealogy. Les explains that a king must have a royal genealogy because he assumes the throne by virtue of the royal family. Matthew therefore traces Jesus through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the royal family of David.
Revelation 4 & 5 Explained: The Throne Room & the Scroll
creatures, the first one was like a lion. The second one is like a calf, or I'm going to use the term ox. And the third one had the face of a man, and the fourth one was as an eagle. Now that's back here in Revelation. All right, now turn back with me to Ezekiel chapter, I think it's chapter 1, I'll have to look a second. Ezekiel, it's either chapter 1 or 2, but we'll find it in a second.
Four Gospel Portraits and the Omission of Temptations
Les explains the four Gospel depictions and why John leaves out the wilderness temptations: they affected His humanity, not His deity.
Matthew Presents Christ as the King
Les shows that Matthew depicts Christ as King and therefore includes a royal genealogy, because a king must come from a royal family.
The Synoptic Gospels Focus on Christ's Humanity
Les clarifies that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because they deal with Christ as King, Servant, and Son of Man—His humanity.
Who Can Open the Scroll? Daniel 7 & Revelation 5 Explained
All right, now that's the picture here. Jesus comes before God the Father and the question is, Who can pay this mortgage? And now look what it says. Verse 6, And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts. Now again, that word is simply living creatures, angelic beings.
The Four Gospel Titles
Les lists the four Gospel portrayals—King, Servant, Son of Man, and Son of God—and stresses how the whole Book fits together.
John's Gospel Reveals Christ's Deity
Les explains that John's Gospel stands apart from the Synoptics because it presents Christ as God, and John does not show Jesus praying to the Father as the Synoptics do.
Christ as the Servant Washing Feet
Les illustrates Mark's servant theme by pointing to Jesus washing the disciples' feet, an act that displayed His humility and servitude.
Matthew 1:1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
This verse opens Matthew's Gospel and establishes the royal lineage of Jesus, supporting His kingly portrayal.
Mark 10:45: For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus explicitly states that He came to serve, which is the central theme of Mark's Gospel.
Luke 19:10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
This verse highlights Jesus' humanity as the Son of Man, a key emphasis in Luke's Gospel.
John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John opens by declaring the deity of Christ, the central theme of his Gospel.
Les Feldick explains that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Christ's humanity—as King, Servant, and Son of Man. John is set apart because it deals with Christ as God, emphasizing His deity.
Because Matthew presents Christ as the King. As Les points out, a king must have a royal genealogy to assume a throne, so Matthew traces Jesus through Abraham and David.
Les says those temptations affected Jesus' human side, but they had no effect on His deity. Since John reveals Christ as God, the temptations are omitted.
Watch the Teaching: Revelation 4 & 5 Explained: The Throne Room & the Scroll