Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the same story but from different perspectives and with different emphases.
Why do you think God preserved four accounts instead of one single, unified narrative?
To really know the life of Jesus, we need all 4 gospels. Each gospel was written to a different audience and the author’s approach was to show something specific about Christ.
Mathew was written to the Jews. His goal was to present Jesus as their Messiah; the Lion of Judah. He lists more Old Testament verses of prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus because the Jews know the Old Testament. Jesus genealogy begins with the first Jew, Abraham and runs through to Israel’s king David. Matthew’s gospel speak to who Jesus was and is.
Mark’s gospel was written to the Romans and portrays Jesus as the obedient servant characterized by the ox. There’s no genealogy because no one really cares about the genealogy of a servant. It’s been called the snap shot gospel because it goes here and there quickly. The most frequent phrase is ‘immediately’ or ‘straight away’. It’s really Peter’s account of events that the young Mark heard and captured in his gospel. This gospel speaks to what Jesus did.
Luke’s gospel was written to the Greeks and presents Jesus as the Son of man. The Son of man was mentioned prior in Daniel 7 and later in Acts 7. Jesus genealogy begins with Adam, the first man and follows Mary’s line. Matthew follows Joseph’s line. The gospel speaks to what did Jesus say.
John’s gospel was written to the church and presents Jesus as the Son of God, characterized by the eagle. It contains 7 miracles, 7 I AM statement and 7 discourses. John is what they call a mystical writer. It covers only 21 days out of Jesus’ 3 1/2 year ministry and 10 of its chapters are devoted to one week. Jesus genealogy begins before time began. This gospel speaks to how did Jesus feel.
So you can see how all 4 gospels are needed to get the complete picture of who Jesus is.
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I would say four witnesses are better than one.
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What Bestill posts is very true. And interestingly enough the four descriptions: Lion, Ox, man, and Eagle (bestill didn’t mention the eagle–but John’s Gospel clearly teaches Jesus is God, and the eagle does represent soaring above all)—these four are the “faces” on the LIVING CREATURES before God’s throne. Each one of the creatures has these four (Lion, Ox, Man and Eagle)–and there are (4) creatures. Why did God create (4) of them? Why are there (4) Gospels? God only knows. 
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Mat_18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
A lot of good info in this article about each Gospel and their different emphases:
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Highly recommend this.
J.
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Good question ellen.
The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person.
There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth.
His Kinship was expressed in Matthew
His Heirship in Mark,
His Mediatorship in Luke, &
His Judgeship in John.
The 4 living creatures are Christ`s Spirit of life, shown separately as 4 but in reality blended majestically into one Royal Divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ the King – (Lion)
Christ the Sacrifice (Heir) – (Calf)
Christ the Mediator – (Man)
Christ the Creator – (Eagle)
For Christ to fulfill God`s plan, His covenant to man, He needs to function in each area.
Christ is given the ultimate authority to rule, (Lion)
Christ humbled Himself to be the ultimate sacrifice, (Calf).
Christ is both God & man to be the Mediator of both, (Man).
Christ has ultimate power to create all things new, (Eagle).