What the Gospels Meant

New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Garry Wills interprets the four Gospels

Garry Will‛s recent New York Times bestselling books What Jesus Meant and What Paul Meant were tour-de-force interpretations of the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. Now Wills turns his remarkable gift for biblical analysis to the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Wills brilliantly examines the goals, methods, and styles of the evangelists and how these shaped the gospel‛ messages. The earliest book, Mark, emphasizes Jesus the sufferer; in Matthew, Jesus the teacher; in Luke, Jesus the reconciler; and in John, Jesus the mystic. Hailed as“one of the most intellectually interesting and doctrinally heterodox Christians writing toda” (The New York Times Book Review), Wills guides readers through the maze of meanings that have accrued around these foundational texts, revealing their essential Christian truths. What the Gospels Meant will prove to be a valuable source of wisdom and inspiration for all.

"Wills's follow-up to his bestselling works, What Jesus Meant and What Paul Meant, sheds new light on the four books of the Bible best known to most Christians. In taking the gospels apart, Wills helps readers see the oft-read stories from the life of Christ in a new way. As a former teacher of ancient and New Testament Greek, he provides his own translations of the texts, accompanied by incisive analysis that incorporates the work of other scholars. Although some Christians remain uncomfortable with the use of biblical scholarship to expand upon Christianity's scriptures, Wills is obviously convinced of its value and holds that it need not weaken one's faith. In his epilogue, for instance, he notes how scholar Raymond Brown, whom he quotes extensively, remained a devout believer even as he plumbed the depths of biblical scholarship. Wills explains that the gospels 'are not historically true as that term would be understood today,' adding that they were composed several decades after Christ's resurrection and are the culmination of an oral preaching process. Rather than historical accounts, he considers them to be a form of prayer: a 'meditation on the meaning of Jesus in the light of Sacred History as recorded in the Sacred Writings.' Readers willing to have their impressions about these texts challenged by an erudite scholar will find this to be fascinating and worthwhile reading." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"New York Times"-bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Wills interprets the four Gospels, brilliantly examining the goals, methods, and styles of the evangelists and discussing how these shaped their messages.

Garry Wills studied for the priesthood, took his doctorate in the classics, and taught ancient and New Testament Greek for many years at Johns Hopkins University. He is now professor of history emeritus at Northwestern University.