Scholars typically date the writing of the Gospels relative to Jesus' death?

• A. During Jesus' lifetime
• B. Decades after Jesus' death
• C. Before Jesus' birth
• D. Several centuries after

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the Gospels were written after Jesus’ death, not during his lifetime. The written accounts were produced as the early Christian communities began to preserve and organize their memories and teachings about Jesus, often several decades after the events of his life.

In practice, most scholars place Mark first, around the 60s CE, with Matthew and Luke following in the 70s–80s, and John later still, roughly 90–110 CE. This timing fits the pattern of circulating oral tradition, reliance on earlier written sources, and the need for written records to teach and unify growing Christian communities after the events of Jesus’ life. It also aligns with historical markers and the development of church leadership and theology in the first generation or two after Jesus.

So the best fit is that the Gospels were written decades after Jesus’ death, rather than during his lifetime, before his birth, or centuries later.