he most trustworthy records of the events and statements of Jesus were of either direct or indirect eyewitness testimony. Four biographies about Jesus have withstood the test of scrutiny and time. To read brief descriptions about the biographical authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, see: (Authorship). Mark, an interpreter for Jesus’ disciple Peter, scribed his biography of Jesus likely between 50 and 70 AD. Jesus’ disciple, Matthew, wrote his biography of Jesus in Hebrew around 80 AD, intended for Jewish audiences. Luke, a Greek-educated physician, starts his biography of Jesus with a preamble to his sponsor, Theophilus:

"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word have handed them down to us, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught."

The last written of the primary four biographies was by Jesus’ disciple, John, who sought to be more unique in his content rather than merely repeating the other three biographies. John was living at Ephesus in Asia when he wrote his work.