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Differences in the Gospels

Differences in the Gospels. General Facts About The Gospels.

jessicaesmith
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Differences in the Gospels

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  1. Differences in the Gospels

  2. General Facts About The Gospels The Gospel writers do not identify themselves. The Gospels were given their names in the second century AD (100s AD). The first Gospel written, called Mark, is thought to have been written in the 70s AD, about 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus (33 AD?). Three of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) present Jesus in a generally similar way. These three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels (“similar view”). The Gospel of John presents Jesus in a different way from the other Gospels.

  3. The Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Mark is thought to have been written in the 70s AD, probably after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Mark’s audience is Roman persons and emphasizes the deeds and actions of Jesus. Mark’s theme is that Jesus the Messiah is the “Servant of Jehovah”. In Mark, Jesus often tries to keep his identity as the Messiah a secret. Mark presents Jesus as the “Crucified Christ”.

  4. The Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been written in the 80s AD. Its intended audience was likely Jewish believers or Jews interested in learning more about Jesus, particularly Jewish believers in Palestine and East of Palestine. Matthew presents Jesus as the “Messiah, King of the Jews”. Jesus is also the “Teaching Christ”. Matthew reads like a manual for the early Church. It seems to be based on traditions handed down by the disciples and ministers of the early Christian Church.

  5. Matthew Continued Matthew shows how the prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament were fulfilled by Jesus which proves that He was the Messiah. For example, the geneology (family tree) found at the beginning of Matthew shows that Jesus was a descendant of David, something the Old Testament prophets foretold. Matthew also refers to prophecies found in Daniel, things that Jewish believers would relate to. The Messiah is referred to as “the Son of Man”, “the Son of David”, and “the Son of God”.

  6. The Gospel of Luke The Gospel of Luke is thought to have been written in the 80s AD. Luke’s intended audience were Greeks or Hellenized peoples (People accepting Greek Culture but not Greek gods). Luke was more interested in presenting the story of Jesus in correct chronological order than Mark or Matthew. Luke’s writer emphasized Jesus as the Ideal Man or the “Universal Christ”. Jesus is presented in the way Paul presented him – as Saviour for both Jew and Gentile. Jesus is presented as the “Servant of God”, a term Isaiah used in referring to the Messiah.

  7. The Gospel of Luke Luke also focuses on Jesus’ relationships to women (47 references to women and their stories). He presents the birth of Jesus and John the Baptist from the point of view of the women, Elizabeth and Mary. His geneology of Jesus is of Mary’s ancestors, not Joseph’s ancestors as Matthew does (This was a very unJewish thing to do). Luke tells stories of Jesus’ interaction of the poor and the outcasts. Only Luke has Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, The Lost Sheep and The Prodigal Son. Luke emphasizes how the Kingdom is full of forgiven sinners - outcasts, unclean and poor.

  8. The Gospel of John The Gospel of John is thought to have been written in the 100s AD. This Gospel’s intended audience was the Christian Church at Large, especially the Hellenized Christians (Accepting Greek Culture but not Greek gods). In John, Jesus is not secretive as in the other Gospels but says “I am…” in seven places to explain who He is. Jesus is presented as the “Eternal Christ”.

  9. The Gospel of John John uses concepts and words familiar to Hellenized peoples like his use of the word, Logos, to refer to Jesus and the theme of light and darkness, flesh and spirit – concepts in Hellenic Culture. But the Gospel of John presents a very different view of the body/flesh and spirit than the Hellenized world accepted.

  10. The Gospel of John For Greeks, God was very distant from man, the soul was imprisoned in the body which was evil, the soul only was worth saving and the way of “salvation” was through knowledge and denying the body’s wants. Against this, the Gospel of John affirms that God is close, He is like a father, the flesh is not evil, and salvation is not through works or knowledge but through belief or faith in the person, Jesus the Christ. John uses three sets of sevens: Seven signs, Seven discourses, Seven “I am” sayings.

  11. The Life of Christ From A Jewish Perspective The introduction of the King The authentication of the King The controversy over the King The training of the twelve by the King The opposition to the King The preparation of the disciples by the King The official presentation of the King The preparation for the death of the King The rejection of the King, His Trial and Death The resurrection and ascension of the King

  12. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 1 1. In the Synoptics, Jesus begins his ministry after the arrest of John the Baptist but in John, Jesus begins his ministry before the arrest of John the Baptist.

  13. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 2 2. In the Synoptics, Jesus travels from Galilee to Jerusalem just once during his ministry but in John, Jesus travels from Galilee to Jerusalem several times during his ministry.

  14. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 3 3. In the Synoptics, Jesus’ ministry lasts as little as one year since only one Passover occurs but in John, Jesus’ ministry lasts as long as three years since at least three Passovers are recorded.

  15. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 4 4. In the Synoptics, Jesus cleanses the Temple at the end of his ministry but in John, Jesus cleanses the Temple near the start of his ministry.

  16. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 5 5. In the Synoptics, Jesus’ last supper is a Passover meal and he dies on Passover day but in John, Jesus’ last supper is not a Passover meal and he dies on the day before Passover.

  17. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 6 6. In the Synoptics, Jesus’ style and speech reflect “messianic secrecy” but in John, Jesus’ style and speech reflect “messianic openness”

  18. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 7 7. In the Synoptics, Jesus proclaims and teaches “the kingdom of God” but in John, Jesus promises “life” or “eternal life” as he teaches.

  19. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 8 8. In the Synoptics, Jesus’ miracles are called “mighty works” and include exorcisms but in John, Jesus’ miracles are called “signs” and do not include exorcisms.

  20. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 9 9. In the Synoptics, Jesus addresses the issue of wealth and poverty but in John, Jesus does not address the issue of wealth and poverty.

  21. Differences Between The Synoptics And John: 10 10. In the Synoptics, Jesus repeats the “first” and “second” commandments of love but in John, Jesus gives a “new commandment” of love.

  22. Relationships Between the Synoptic Gospels The Gospel of Mark seems to have been a source for both Matthew and Luke. Matthew and Luke added Jesus’ birth stories (not in Mark), some Resurrection stories (Mark had none) and additional stories not recorded by Mark.

  23. Some Items Found Only in John · The Opening Prologue (1:1-18) · "Signs," beginning with the Wedding at Cana (2:1-12) · Dialogue with Nicodemus (2:23–3:21) · Jesus and/or his Disciples Baptize People (3:22-26; 4:1-2) · Samaritan Woman at the Well (4:1-42) · Jesus Heals a Sick Man at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1-18) · New Details at the Feeding of the 5000 (6:1b, 3-6, 8-9, 12b, 14-15) · Bread of Life Discourse (6:22-65) · [Woman caught in Adultery (7:53–8:11) - added later] · Jesus Gives Sight to a Man Born Blind (9:1-41) · Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead (11:1-44) · Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet (13:1-20) · "Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" (13:23-25; 19:26-27; 20:2-10; 21:7, 20-24; cf. 18:15-16?)

  24. Some Items Found Only in John · Last Supper Discourses, incl. "Paraclete" & "Vine and Branches" (13:31–16:33) · Great Prayer of Jesus (17:1-26) · New Details at the Trial before Pilate (18:28–19:16) · New Details at the Crucifixion (19:20-24, 26-28, 30-37, 39) · First Resurrection Appearance to Mary Magdalene alone (20:11-18; cf. Matt 28:9) · Resurrection Appearance to Thomas (20:24-29) · Another Resurrection Appearance at the Sea of Tiberias/Galilee; Dialogue between Jesus & Peter (21:1-25; cf. Luke 5:1-11) · First and Second Endings to John's Gospel (20:30-31; 21:24-25) 

  25. Some Items NOT Found in John No Infancy Narrative  (but see John 1:14 - "the Word became flesh") No Childhood Episodes  (but see 1:12; 13:33; 21:5 - believers are called "children") No Baptism of Jesus  (but see 1:19-34 - John testifies about Jesus) No Temptation in the Desert  (but see 8:44; 13:2, 27 - the role of Satan & the Devil) No Calls to Repentance  (but see 1:29; 5:14; 9:41; 15:22; 20:23 - on sin and forgiveness) No Sermon on the Mount; no Beatitudes  (but see 13:17; 20:29 - Jesus calls believers "blessed") No Lord's Prayer  (but see 17:1-26 - the Great Prayer of Jesus) No List of "Twelve Apostles"  (but see 13:16 - messengers; 1:35-51; 6:67-71; 20:24; 21:2 - disciples; "the Twelve") No Mission of the Disciples during Jesus' Lifetime  (but see 13:20; 14:12; 20:21 - the risen Jesus sends them out) No Parables  (but see 10:6; 15:1-8; 16:25, 29 - a few "paroimia" or "figures of speech")

  26. Some Items NOT Found in John Few "Kingdom of God" Teachings  (only 3:3-5; cf. 1:49; 6:15; 12:13-15; 18:33-39 - Jesus' role as "King of Israel") Few "Ethical" Teachings  (only 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; cf. 14:21-24 - "Love One Another" and "Love Jesus/God") Few Predictions of Jesus' Return  (only 14:3; 21:22-23 - Jesus will "come again" or "come" to believers ) No Exorcisms  (but see 7:20; 8:48-52; 10:19-21 - Jesus is accused of having a "demon") No Transfiguration Story  (but see 1:45; 3:14; 5:45-47; 9:28-29 - Jesus is associated with Moses) No Passion Predictions  (but see 5:18; 11:50-53 & 18:14; 12:24-25, 32-33; 18:31-32 - talk of Jesus' death) No Institution of Eucharist at the Last Supper  (but see 6:22-59; 13:1-20 - Bread of Life discourse; Washing of Feet) No Ascension Narrative  (but see 3:13; 6:62; 20:17 - Jesus talks about descending and ascending)

  27. Questions for Reflection and Discussion: Why does the Fourth Gospel omit so many stories found in the Synoptic Gospels? Does the Fourth Evangelist presume that the reader knows the material contained in the Synoptics? What is the significance of all the new material found only in the Fourth Gospel? What is the significance of the changes or additions made in the stories found both in John and the Synoptics?

  28. End of Presentation

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