While the First Gospel certainly reflects ecclesiological concerns, it is principally the Christology of Matthew that has determined its character.

The clue to the Christology of Mark's Gospel is found in the story itself, not in the tradition Mark used nor in the community for which he wrote.

The differences between the four canonical gospels are ultimately the expression of distinctive Christologics which represent the refraction of the significance of Jesus for the church.

In the story of Luke's Gospel, the primary conflict at the human level is that between Jesus and the religious authorities. This conflict, while it reaches its culmination in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, comes to its head in the episode of Jesus on the cross. Whereas the authorities believe that Jesus' death vindicates them as Israel's rightful rulers, the reader knows that, ironically, the cross is the place where Jesus is at once publicly proclaimed as Israel's Messiah-King (...) and anticipates the onset of his glorious reign of salvation. (shrink)

For disciples who live in the sphere where God rules through the risen Jesus, doing the greater righteousness is the normal order of things.