Thank you for the question on the recipients of the Gospels, “What were the people way back then thinking about the gospel of Matt, Mark, Luke, and John?”
As the Gospel of Salvation was being proclaimed to the Gree-Roman world and beyond, the believers wanted to know more about this Jesus and the salvation that he offers. They wanted to know more about this man’s words and works.
The Jews who heard Jesus words and works knew him. The Greeks-Romans and other nationalities didn’t hear his words or saw his works. Thus, there was a desire to know more about the Savior whom they come to believe in.
The writings of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give a varying view of the life of Jesus. In Luke’s Gospel, we find that Theophilus heard the Good News but wanted to know more. Thus, Luke writes a private letter to him.
Luke 1 says this, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (NIV).
As time passed, people wanted a record or the testimony of the Apostles of what they heard and saw about Jesus. They wrote to remind the believers of the things that they had heard and seen.
II Peter 1 says this, “So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (NIV).
Summary: The early Christians were appreciative of the letters that were written to them that affirm their faith in Jesus Christ. It wasn’t just by word of mouth, but now there was a written record by the Apostles.
-Kingston