Comparing the Gospels

The Four Gospel Writers

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story of Jesus from four different perspectives. They grew out of the teaching and preaching about Jesus in different early Christian communities’ beliefs about Jesus, but they do not tell us exactly what Jesus said and did in his life on earth. Inspired by God, the authors of the Gospels arranged the stories to bring out a particular understanding of Jesus that had great importance in their Christian communities.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar in their style and share much of the same content. They are called synoptic (from a Greek word that means “seeing the whole together”) Gospels. It is likely that Mark was written first and the authors of Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source in creating their own Gospels. The Gospel of John is quite different from the synoptic Gospels. It was written later than them and is more symbolic in its expression of who Jesus is.

The original Greek word for gospel is euangelion, which means “big or important news” (sometimes translated as “good news”). The authors f the Gospels wanted to share with others the important news of Jesus Christ. When you read these powerful stories of faith, let God use them to inspire and strengthen your faith in Jesus.

Matthew Mark Luke John The actual author of this The writer of this Gospel is Luke is believed to have The author of the Gospel Gospel is unknown. It is believed to be a Gentile, been a Gentile Christian according to John was believed that the author probably a disciple of St. who may have been a member of the community was associated with the Peter. It was written disciple of Paul. He wrote that was probably founded Apostle Matthew. It was around A.D. 65 – 70. this Gospel around A.D. 80 by the Apostle John. It was probably written around – 85 most likely written around A.D. 85 primarily for Jewish A.D. 90 – 100. converts to Christianity.

The Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Mark was The Gospel of Luke is a The Gospel of John was emphasizes Jesus as the probably the first of the four clear, orderly presentation the last Gospel written and promised Messiah of the Gospels to be written. It of Jesus’ mission to all seeks to show Jesus as the Jewish people. Jesus is portrays Jesus as an active people, Jews and Gentiles. fully divine Son of God. portrayed as the greatest healer and miracle worker This Gospel emphasizes This Gospel portrays Jesus prophet, teaching the new who accepts loneliness and Jesus’ mercy, compassion as noble and powerful, fully law and calling people to suffering as the cost of and concern for poor in control of his own be faithful to God. obedience to God’s will. people. destiny. Comparing the Gospels

The Baptism of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand John the Baptist Prophecy of Jesus Arrest of Jesus Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Matthew 3.13-17 Matthew 14.13-21 Matthew 3.1-12 Matthew 26.47-56 Matthew 21.1-11 Mark 1.9-11 Mark 6.30-44 Mark1.1-8 Mark 14.43-51 Mark 11.1-10 Luke 2.21-22 Luke 9.10-19 Luke 3.1-18 Luke 22.47-53 Luke 10.28-40 John 1.29-34 John 6.1-15 John 1.19-28 John 18.3-12 John 12.12-19 Jesus Cleanses the Temple The Plot to Kill Jesus Peter Denies Jesus The Burial of Jesus Resurrection Matthew 21.12-17 Matthew 26.1-5 Matthew 26.69-75 Matthew 27.57-61 Matthew 28.1-8 Mark 11.15-19 Mark 14.1-2 Mark 14.66-75 Mark 15.42-47 Mark 16.1-8 Luke 19.45-48 Luke 22.1-2 Luke 22.56-22 Luke 23.50-56 Luke 24.1-12 John 2.13-25 John 11.45-53 John 18.15-18, 25-27 John 19.38-42 John 20.1-10

What is the same?

What is different?

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