FOUR GOSPEL COMPARISON SHEET

Historical Background Issues:

GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
WHO? "John Mark of tax collector & apostle physician & companion John, son of Zebedee;
traditionally Jerusalem" (Acts 12:12; (Mark 3:18; Matt 9:9; of Paul (Col 4:14; 2Tim one of 12 apostles
attributed 15:37; Col 4:10; Phlm 10:3; Luke 6:15; Acts 4:11; Phlm 1:24 only) (Mark 1:19; 3:17; cf.
author? 1:24; 1Pet 5:13) 1:13) John 21:2)
WHO? bilingual (Aramaic & multi-lingual (Aramaic & Gentile Christian the "beloved disciple"
implied author? Greek) Christian of the Greek) early Jewish convert; well educated and his Jewish Christian
2nd generation; "young Christian; trained Greek "historian"; client followers (19:35; 21:20-
man" of 14:51-52? "scribe"of 13:52? of Theophilus (1:1-4)? 24)
TO WHOM? mostly Gentiles, fairly better educated Jews wealthier Gentile very mixed: mostly
implied new in their faith, and who believe in Jesus, Christians in an urban Jews, some Gentiles,
audience? facing persecutions but argue over the Law setting, becoming Samaritans, etc.
complacent
WHAT? narrated "good news" book of "heritage" of an "orderly account" for much "testimony" and
subtype of (1:1) about Jesus, esp. Jesus (1:1) & much of attaining "secure "signs" for believers
"Gospel" genre? his actions & his death his "teaching" (28:20) knowledge" (1:1-4) (20:30f; 21:24f)
WHERE? probably Rome; possibly Galilee; probably Greece; originally Galilee or
written from possibly Decapolis, probably in or near possibly Syria/Antioch Syria; traditionally
and/or to? Syria or Alexandria? Antioch in Syria (Pauline missions) Ephesus (Asia Minor)
WHEN? first written "Gospel"; late 70's or 80's (w/ mid to late 80's (incl. main edition 90's (early
approximate very late 60's or early older sources, incl. one "many" earlier written edition 50's? epilogue
date? 70's (Jewish War 66-70) written by Matthew?) sources) after 100?)
WHY? to encourage a group to teach a community to challenge believers to to strengthen a group
community undergoing difficult trials with internal divisions put their faith into ostracized by other
circumstances & and persecutions and external enemies practice more fully Jews for their faith
author's
purpose?

Literary, Stylistic and Thematic Comparisons:

GOSPEL acc. MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
Number of 16 28 24 21
chapters ( 678 / 11304 ) ( 1071 / 18345 ) ( 1151 / 19482) ( 879 / 15635 )
(verses and
words)
Style of Greek grammatically poor Semitic influenced good, elegant, literary simple, but highly
symbolic
Geographical Galilean towns & Galilee, esp. mountains; one long journey to the multiple visits back and
Focus villages; some Gentile mostly Jewish areas goal: Jerusalem forth to Jerusalem
territory
Literary Features quick action ("and then"; five major discourses; stories often in pairs "Amen, Amen, I say to
immediately."); loosely well-organized sections (esp. Male/Female you."; irony; paradox;
connected episodes of characters); many extra double-meanings
collected pericopes parables
Literary "Beginning of Good "Book of Genealogy" "Orderly Account" (1:1- Cosmic Hymn (1:1-18)
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ashore07@uwindsor.ca
Introduction News" (1:1) (1:1) 4)

Gospel John the Baptist's Jesus' heritage: David parallel birth stories: J. B. points to "Lamb of
Beginning preaching; Jesus' (royal), Abraham John the Baptist & God"; first disciples
ministry begins (1:2-15) (Jewish), Emmanuel Jesus (1:5–2:52) come (1:19-51)
(God with us)
Birth of Jesus [never mentioned!] men: David, Joseph, women: Elizabeth, incarnation: " Word
(narrative Herod, Magi; Mary, Anna; became flesh and dwelt
emphasis) power: King of Jews? angels; shepherds; Holy among us" (1:14)
murder of infants! Spirit
Inaugural Event Exorcism in Synagogue Sermon on the Mount; Jubilee reading from Isa Wedding Feast at Cana;
of Capernaum (1:21-28) Fulfillment of Law (ch. 5- 61; Rejection at first of Jesus' "signs"
7) Nazareth (4:14-30) (2:1-11)
Jesus' Major 1- Pharisees & "scribes & Pharisees"; unjust authorities (civil & "the Jews" (i.e. the
Opponents Herodians; "hypocrites & blind religious); rich & corrupt leaders usually); esp.
2- chief priests, scribes guides" people Pharisees
& elders
Jesus' [Seven] "My God, my God, why [same as in Mark] "Father, forgive them..." "Woman, behold, your
Last have you forsaken me?" (Mt 27:46) (22:34); son"; "Behold, your
Words on the (15:34) "You will be with me in mother" (19:26f);
Cross Paradise" (23:43); "I am thirsty" (19:28);
"Father, into your hands "It is finished" (19:30)
I commend my Spirit"
(23:46)
Focus of death as tragedy (ch. plots & treachery (ch. Jesus' innocence (ch. Jesus' exaltation (ch.
Passion 14-15) 26-27) 22-23) 18-19)
Last Major Event Empty Tomb, outside of Great Commission, on Ascension, from 1: disciples & Thomas
Jerusalem (16:1-8) Mountain in Galilee Bethany just East of (20:19-29)
(28:16-20) Jerusalem (24:50-53) 2: [Peter & Beloved
Disciple (21:1-23)]
Final Literary women leave tomb in Jesus tells the disciples, disciples return to 1: many more signs
Ending fear & silence (16:8) "I am with you always" Jerusalem temple with (20:30f)
[16:9-20 added only (28:20) joy praising God (24:53) 2: [many other books
later] 21:24f]
GOSPEL acc.
MARK MATTHEW LUKE JOHN
to...
Christology I: Christ/Messiah & Son of Son of David, Son of a great Prophet (in word Divine Logos (Word
Main Titles for God; Suffering Son of Abraham; Great & deed); Lord (of all made Flesh); Son sent
Jesus Man; Eschatological Lawgiver and Teacher nations); Savior (esp. of from Father; Passover
Judge (like Moses); the poor) Lamb; "I Am." / "Equal
Emmanuel; King of to God"
Jews
Christology II: miracles; overcoming teaching disciples; healing sick & impaired speaking God's words;
Jesus' Major evil powers; arguing decrying religious people; forgiving sinners doing God's works;
Actions with religious authorities hypocrisy & debtors revealing God and
himself
Discipleship I: persevere in faith be righteous; forgive leave everything to see, believe, know,
Teachings about despite suffering; follow always; live ethically follow Jesus; share with remain in Jesus & God,
Disc. Jesus "on the way" to (Golden Rule); fulfill poor; accept everyone, despite hostility; love
the cross; be ready for God's laws, esp. esp. outcasts, women, one another; be in unity;

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ashore07@uwindsor.ca
 his return charitable deeds enemies serve humbly

Discipleship II: anon. women (5:25; Peter (16:13-20); Mary (1:26–2:51); Good John Bapt. (ch.1); blind
Role Models for 7:24; 12:41; 14:3); children (18:1-5); faithful Samaritan (10:25-37); man (ch.9); Martha
Disc. Jairus (5:21); servants (24:45–25:46) Zacchaeus (19:1-10) (11:27); the B.D.
Bartimaeus (10:46) (13:23ff)
Eschatological imminent and suddenly, false prophets will arise; after Jerusalem is realized eschatology; all
Expectations but no one knows when; many will fall away; destroyed & the who hear & believe
so "Keep awake" (13:1- Gospel must first be Gentiles' time is fulfilled; have eternal life already
37) preached to all (24:10- not so soon; pray! now and are not judged
14) (21:20-24, 28, 36) (5:21-25)
Basis for Final whether you persevere what you do for "the how you use wealth / whether or not you
Judgment in faith despite least" people; Sheep & possessions; parables believe in Jesus (3:16-
persecutions (13:13) Goats parable (25:31- of Rich & Poor (16:1-31) 18; 5:19-24; 12:44-50)
46)
Other Major Messianic secret; fulfillment of Scripture; fulfillment of God's plan; "eternal life" = "life in his
Themes main disciples don't divisions within the eschatological reversal; name"; Paraclete =
understand, but minor community;final tax collectors & sinners Holy Spirit; Xn unity;
characters do believe separation of good vs. favored mutual indwelling of
bad God/Jesus
Typical Portrait Jesus on the Cross Sermon on the Mount Jesus Heals the Sick Christ the Revealer
Emphasized by Modern Historians Catholics (esp. Church Protestants (esp. social Orthodox Xns (esp.
Whom? (oldest witness) structures) justice focus) logos Christology)

Anne Shore Assumptionu.ca

ashore07@uwindsor.ca