Swift answer to: what are the symbols of the 4 gospels?

The symbols of the 4 gospels are as follows: Matthew – angel or winged man, Mark – winged lion, Luke – winged ox, and John – eagle. These symbols are often used to represent the four evangelists or authors of the gospels in Christian art and literature.

Explanatory question

The symbols of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, have been widely recognized and used in Christian art and literature throughout history. Each symbol has its own unique meaning and represents the author and the themes present in their respective gospels.

1. Matthew – The symbol for Matthew is an angel or a winged man. This symbol represents the human nature of Jesus and highlights Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus’s humanity and his role as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.

2. Mark – Mark’s symbol is a winged lion. This symbol was derived from the opening verse of his gospel, which describes the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mark 1:3). The lion represents strength, royalty, and power, reflecting Mark’s focus on Jesus as the powerful and mighty Son of God.

3. Luke – The symbol associated with Luke is a winged ox or bull. This symbol represents sacrifice, service, and patience. It reflects Luke’s emphasis on Jesus as the compassionate Savior and the sacrificial nature of his ministry, culminating in his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

4. John – John’s symbol is an eagle. The eagle symbolizes soaring heights, keen insight, and divine inspiration. It represents John’s theological and metaphysical approach in his gospel, where he focuses on the divinity of Jesus and his eternal nature.

One fascinating fact is that these symbols not only distinguish the authors but can also be seen as a representation of the four living creatures described in the book of Ezekiel and Revelation. These living creatures surround the throne of God and are believed to symbolize different aspects of God’s creation and the attributes of Christ.

A quote from an early church father, Jerome, provides further insight into the symbolism of these gospel authors: “Matthew has published his Gospel… as the man, Mark as the lion, Luke, however, as the ox, and John, lastly, as the eagle.” This quote highlights the enduring tradition of associating these symbols with the four gospels.

To summarize, the symbols of the four gospels are rich in meaning and provide a visual representation of the authors and the themes conveyed in their writings. These symbols, including the winged man for Matthew, winged lion for Mark, winged ox for Luke, and eagle for John, have become iconic representations of the evangelists and their respective gospels.

Watch related video

This video explores the symbolism associated with the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each writer is represented by a specific creature – the man, the lion, the ox, and the eagle – mentioned in biblical texts. Matthew is linked to a divine man, Mark to a lion, Luke to an ox, and John to an eagle. These symbols represent different aspects of the Gospels – incarnation, intensity, sacrifice, and heavenly nature – highlighting their universal reach. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not only reading the Bible but also engaging with early Christian teachings and the Church. They encourage viewers to pray, attend Church, and delve into what the Scriptures reveal about Jesus Christ. The video concludes by expressing gratitude to the audience and introducing upcoming episodes discussing the four Gospels.

Online, I discovered more solutions

It was also Jerome who gave the order in which the texts should appear. In his Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Jerome associated each Evangelist with one of the living creatures: Matthew is the Man; Mark is the Lion; Luke is the Calf and John is the Eagle.

Relevant information

Surely you will be interested