Which canonical gospel is the shortest?

• A. Mark
• B. Matthew
• C. Luke
• D. John

Answer: (A)

The gospel attributed to Mark is the shortest. It has sixteen chapters, fewer than Luke’s twenty-four, Matthew’s twenty-eight, and John’s twenty-one. It also tends to use a more concise, action-driven style, focusing on Jesus’ deeds and the flow of events, rather than the longer infancy material or extended teaching blocks found in the other gospels. Matthew and Luke expand the narrative with additional background and episodes, while John includes substantial theological discourse and reflection, which broadens its content.