A Comparison of John and the Synoptic Gospels the Synoptic Gospels

¶ … Synoptic Gospels: A Comparison of John and the Synoptic Gospels

A Comparison of John and the Synoptic Gospels: The Synoptic Gospels

A Comparison of John and the Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptic Gospels)

John

Significant Narratives

These cover some important episodes in Jesus; life and ministry that are notable excluded from John. These include the institution of the Lord's Supper (Matt 27: 17-25; Luke 22: 7-14; Mark 14: 12-20), the Transfiguration (Matt 17: 1-13; Mark 9: 2-13; Luke 9: 28-36), and the Temptation of Jesus (Mark 1: 12-13; Matthew 4: 1-11; Luke 4: 1-13)

These provide examples of Jesus casting out demons (Matt 8: 28-34; Mark 5: 1-17; Luke 8: 28-37)

Narrative parables are presented (such as the parable of the sower in Matt 13: 1-23; Mark 4: 1-25 and Luke 8: 4-18), as well as the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6: 6-13; Luke 11: 1-4) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5: 14-16; Mark 4: 21-23; Luke 8: 16-17)

Exclude the story of Lazarus' resurrection

No mention of the Extended Farewell discourse

The Gospel of John notably excludes the institution of the Lord's Supper, the Transfiguration, and the temptation of Jesus

There is no mention of Jesus casting out demons

No narrative parables (the Vine and the Branches presented in John 15: 1-8 is not regarded as a parable)

No mention of the Lord's prayer and the Sermon on the Mount

Mentions Lazarus' resurrection -- the Seventh sign Miracle (John 11)

Describes the Extended Farewell Discourse (John 13-17)

Jesus' Early Life and Ministry

Exclude information on Jesus' early Galilean ministry

No mention of Jesus' visits to Jerusalem prior to the Passion week

Focus more on Jesus' final journey

John chapter 2 to 4 all talk about the early Galilean ministry

Describes Jesus' visits to Jerusalem prior to the Passion week

Length of Jesus' Ministry

Only describe Jesus' final journey, with His ministry taking place within one year (Pate, 2011)

Jesus' ministry takes between three and four years, during which he moves severally from Galilee to Jerusalem (ate, 2011)

Style

Pass information mainly in the form of proverbial, 'pithy' sayings

presents material in extended discourse form (John 3- with Nicodemus; John 4 -- with the Samaritan woman; John 13-17 -- farewell with the disciples)

Chronology

the Last Supper took place on Passover Eve (Matson, 2002)

Assault in the temple courtyard took place near the end of Jesus' ministry