Part 2 · Deep dive
The gospel in the original languages
How Hebrew heralds and Roman decrees shaped the word the apostles chose.
The New Testament writers had many words available. They chose one loaded with history from both Israel's prophets and the Roman empire.
Basar: the runner from the battlefield
בָּשַׂר basar — to bring news, usually good news
In 2 Samuel 18, runners race to bring David news of battle. The messenger's arrival decided whether the city rejoiced or mourned.
Isaiah takes this picture and lifts it to the highest level: a herald runs over the mountains to Jerusalem announcing that God Himself has returned to reign and save. Jesus read Isaiah 61 in Nazareth and said, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled.'
Euangelion: good news for the whole world
εὐαγγέλιον euangelion — good message (eu = good, angelion = message)
The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) uses related words to translate basar, so the apostles inherited Isaiah's meaning.
An inscription from Priene (9 BC) calls the birthday of Caesar Augustus 'the beginning of the good news (euangelia) for the world'. Christians announcing the 'gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God' (Mark 1:1) were making a bold claim: the true Lord and Savior is not Caesar but Jesus.
Euangelizō, kēryssō, martyreō
εὐαγγελίζω euangelizō — to announce good news
The root of 'evangelize'. It describes the act, not a technique.
κηρύσσω kēryssō — to proclaim as a herald
A herald does not invent the message or negotiate it; he announces the king's word faithfully.
μαρτυρέω martyreō — to bear witness, testify
The witnesses told what they had seen. Many sealed that witness with their lives, which is how 'martyr' gained its later meaning.
Why four books are called 'Gospels'
Mark begins 'This is the Good News about Jesus'. By the second century, the four accounts of Jesus' life were called 'the Gospel according to' Matthew, Mark, Luke and John: one gospel, told four ways.
The early church
Irenaeus of Lyons · c. 180 · Against Heresies 3.11.8
Defended exactly four Gospels as the 'fourfold gospel' held together by one Spirit.
What the words teach us
Together these words show that the gospel is (1) good, bringing joy; (2) news, about real events; (3) royal, announcing a King; and (4) public, meant for the whole world.
Key takeaways
- Basar and euangelion both mean a joyful announcement of victory.
- The gospel announces Jesus as the true King and Savior.
- Preaching the gospel means faithfully passing on news, not inventing it.