'Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' Jesus Christ is the central figure in Western culture, and one of the most influential in all human history. Almost everything we know about him is contained in the four narratives of his life, death, and resurrection known as the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These form the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, and are regarded by Christians as their most precious and sacred writings. The Gospels are presented here in the words of the Authorized Version, or King James Bible, first published in 1611. This is the most widely-read translation of the Bible ever made, famous for the beauty and power of its language. The spelling of the original has been modernized, and the text is laid out in paragraphs for ease of reading. The Introduction guides the reader through the four Gospels in turn, highlighting how each offers its own distinctive and memorable portrait of Jesus. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.