How the Four Gospels Relate

Read

Study objective: Compare how each Gospel begins and states its purpose.

Reading: Mark 1:1 · Matthew 1:1 · Luke 1:1–4 · John 1:1–18 · John 20:30–31

Background and context

Mark begins with John the Baptist; Matthew with a genealogy from Abraham; Luke with a preface about careful investigation; John with the Word in the beginning. Luke and John state their purposes directly. Many scholars think Mark was written first and used by Matthew and Luke; others hold different views.

Observe

• Mark calls his book “the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
• Matthew begins with Jesus as son of David and son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).
• Luke wrote an orderly account after careful investigation (Luke 1:3).
• John wrote so that readers may believe and have life (John 20:31).

Words, people and events to notice

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark and Luke, which can be “seen together” because they share much material and order.

Understand

1. What does each opening emphasise about Jesus?
2. How do Luke 1:1-4 and John 20:30-31 describe the writers’ aims?
3. Why might four accounts be better than one?

Connect

• Acts 1:1–3

  Luke’s second volume refers back to his Gospel.

Reflect

1. Which Gospel have you read most?
2. Which will you read next?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Four Gospels give four complementary portraits of Jesus.
• Each writer tells us something about his purpose.

Read

Study objective: Compare one event told in all four Gospels.

Reading: Mark 6:30–44 · John 6:1–15

Background and context

The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle, apart from the resurrection, in all four Gospels. Comparing accounts shows what each writer includes and emphasises. On BibleKenya you can open the story page and switch between the accounts.

Observe

• Mark notes Jesus’ compassion because the crowd was like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).
• John names Philip and Andrew and mentions a boy’s barley loaves (John 6:5-9).
• Both mention twelve baskets left over.
• Only John says the crowd wanted to make Jesus king (John 6:15).

Words, people and events to notice

Parallel

The same event or saying recorded in more than one Gospel.

Understand

1. List details unique to Mark and unique to John.
2. What does each writer seem to emphasise?
3. How does John 6:15 connect with what follows in John 6?

Connect

• Matthew 14:13–21

  Matthew’s account.

• Luke 9:10–17

  Luke’s account.

Reflect

1. What did comparing the accounts show you that one alone did not?
2. How could you use parallels in your own study?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Parallel accounts complement each other.
• Differences show each writer’s emphasis.

Read

Study objective: Look honestly at differences between accounts, using the empty tomb.

Reading: Mark 16:1–8 · Matthew 28:1–10 · Luke 24:1–12 · John 20:1–10

Background and context

The four accounts of the empty tomb differ in which women came, whether there was one angel or two, and what was said. They agree that women came early on the first day of the week and found the tomb empty. The earliest manuscripts of Mark end at 16:8; verses 9–20 appear in later manuscripts. Christians explain such differences in various ways, from harmonising the details to seeing independent testimony.

Observe

• All four place the discovery early on the first day of the week.
• The named women differ between accounts.
• Mark and Matthew mention one angel; Luke and John, two.
• Mark 16:8 ends with the women’s fear and silence.

Words, people and events to notice

Manuscript

A hand-written copy of a biblical book. Comparing many manuscripts helps establish the original text.

Understand

1. List what all four accounts agree on.
2. Which differences seem most significant to you, and why?
3. What might independent accounts with differing details suggest?

Connect

• 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

  Paul’s early list of resurrection appearances.

Reflect

1. How do you feel about differences in the Gospels?
2. What do the accounts’ shared core say to you?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• It is honest to notice differences; they are part of reading carefully.
• The core testimony is shared by all four.

Read

Study objective: Notice what is distinctive in John’s Gospel.

Reading: John 2:13–22 · Mark 11:15–18 · John 6:35 · John 11:25–26

Background and context

John places the clearing of the temple near the start of Jesus’ ministry; Mark, Matthew and Luke place it in the last week. Readers explain this as two events, or as John arranging his account by theme. John also records long discourses and “I am” sayings not found in the other Gospels.

Observe

• John 2 places the temple clearing early; Mark 11 places it after the entry into Jerusalem.
• John records Jesus saying, “I am the bread of life” (6:35).
• And “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25).
• John explains the meaning of events in long conversations.

Words, people and events to notice

“I am” sayings

Sayings in John where Jesus describes himself with an image: bread, light, gate, shepherd, resurrection, way, vine. John 6:35 · John 8:12 · John 10:11 · John 14:6 · John 15:5

Understand

1. How would you explain the different placement of the temple clearing?
2. What do the “I am” sayings show about how John presents Jesus?
3. Why might John choose different material from the other Gospels?

Connect

• John 21:25

  John says much more could have been written.

Reflect

1. Which “I am” saying means most to you?
2. How does John’s voice add to the other three?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• John complements the Synoptic Gospels with a distinct perspective.
• Where order differs, faithful readers offer more than one explanation.