Parallel Gospel

The Synoptic Gospels presented side-by-side

American Standard Version

Current Translation:

The synoptic gospels consist of books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three gospels contain much of the same material. The books of Matthew and Luke tell nearly all of the stories told in Mark. Matthew and Luke also share several stories that are not in Mark. In addition, all three books are written as if the authors had personally observed all of the events and were reporting what they saw at the time.

The Gospel of John specifically omits much of the material found in the synoptic gospels. It also contains a considerable amount of material that is not found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It appears that John wrote his gospel as a supplement to the other gospels. Whether or not John actually had seen them is unknown, but it appears that he at least knew the contents of synoptic gospels. In the areas where John does tell of the same events, he tends to add information that is not in the other gospels. This may primarily be because the Gospel of John was written many years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. This is supported by the literary style used in John. The author is obviously telling the narrative looking back on the events in a more reflective style than the synoptic gospels. The contents of John also supports this view. For instance, in John's telling of the Anointing in Bethany (John 12:1-8), John names Mary as the woman who anointed Jesus with nard. The synoptic gospels left the woman nameless, most likely to protect her. By the time that John wrote his gospel, the threat to her for being named would have past.

Insights like these are why it is so important to study all of the gospels together. That is why we've put this site together, so you can study the life of Jesus with each gospel side-by-side.

1. Preface

 

Prologue

Matthew 1

1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Mark 1

1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Luke 1

1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the things wherein thou wast instructed.

John 1

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not. 6There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. 9There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. 15John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me. 16For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.