THE GOSPELS COMPARED AND CONTRASTED

Topics

The Synoptic Gospels

John

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Probable Date

58 – 68 AD

55 – 65 AD

60 – 68 AD

80 – 90 AD

Place of Writing

Syria Antioch or Palestine

Rome

Rome/Greece

Ephesus

Original Audience

Jewish mind

Roman mind

Greek mind

Universal

Theme

Messiah – King

Servant -Redeemer

Perfect Man

Son of God

Traditional Picture of Christ

The Lion

(strength, authority)

The Bull

(service, power)

The Man

(wisdom, character)

The Eagle

(deity, person)

Portrait of Christ

God-man

God-man

Perspective

Historical

Theological

Unique Material

Less unique

More Unique

Chronology

Only one Passover mentioned

Multiple Passovers are mentioned

Geography

Concentrates on Galilean ministry

Concentrates on Judean ministry

Discourse Material

More public

More private

Teaching Method

Parables

Allegories

Teaching Emphasis

More on ethical, practical teachings

More on the Person of Christ

Relationship to Other Gospels

Complementary

Supplementary

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