Words of Wisdom

Knowing God's Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from knowing His Word.

Christians are supposed to be the light of the world, but you can't be a light if you're not plugged in.

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Scripture Verses

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Acts 17:11

They were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

The Synoptic Gospel Parallels with John's Gospel

The synoptic Gospels are the first three Gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark and Luke and are considered as one unit. The Gospel parallels provided here also include the Gospel of John for comparison. The term synoptic is derived from a combination of the Greek words συν (syn = together) and οψις (opsis = seeing) to indicate that the contents of these three Gospels can be viewed side-by-side, whether in a vertical parallel column synopsis, or a horizontal synoptic alignment. These first three books have been called the synoptic Gospels since the 18th century and are so called because they give similar accounts of the ministry of Jesus. The term is also applied to apocryphal works of the 2nd century (e.g., The Gospel of Thomas). The Gospel according to John has a number of points of contact with the three synoptic Gospels but differs considerably from them in content and therefore not all Gospel synopses display the book of John. The fourth canonical gospel of John differs significantly from the synoptics in terms of Christology, which is the field of study within Christian theology which is concerned with the nature of Jesus the Christ, in particular, how the divine and human are related in his person. Christology is generally less concerned with the details of Jesus' life than it is with how the human and divine co-exist in one person.

The synoptic gospels often recount the same stories about Jesus, though sometimes with different and more or less detail, but mostly following the same sequence and to a large extent using the same words. The question of the relationship between the three is called the synoptic problem. This problem concerns the literary relationships between and among the first three canonical gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke collectively known as the synoptic Gospels. Similarity in word choices and event placement shows an interrelationship. The synoptic problem concerns how this interrelation came to pass and what the nature of this interrelationship is. Any solution must account for the similarities and differences in content, order, and wording. Possible answers speculate either a direct relationship (one Evangelist possessed one of the gospels) or indirect (two Evangelists having access to a shared source).

Most Protestant and some Roman Catholic scholars agree that Matthew and Luke were written later than Mark, which they followed closely. Matthew then divided Mark into five portions and used them in order, separating them by other material. Luke divided the book only in two, nine chapters being inserted between. Mark however, only accounts for half of the other two Gospels. Matthew and Luke each have about 100 verses in common, most of them sayings like the Beatitudes. Views about the dating of all four Gospels vary greatly from about 60–70 AD until the end of the first century where it is believed the Gospel of John was last written.

The tables of Gospel parallels here are where necessary repeated to give a continuous series of references in canonical order for each of the four gospels. The bold type in the tables indicates the verses in order for each gospel. For example, pericopes that are identical except for the difference in bold type shows that the pericope in bold comes before the other reference for the other gospel not in bold face. This done so the person using these synoptic Gospel parallels can scan down each Gospel's column, stopping only for the bold references, to get all the references and Gospel parallels in order for each Gospel.

  1. Preface
  2. Birth and Childhood
  3. Preparation
  4. The Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (According to John)
  5. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
  6. The Sermon on the Mount (According to Matthew)
  7. The Sermon on the Plain (According to Luke)
  8. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee Continued
  9. The Way to the Cross
  10. Last Journey to Jerusalem (According to Luke)
  11. Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles (According to John)
  12. The Ministry in Judea
  13. The Final Ministry in Jerusalem
  14. The Olivet Discourse
  15. Conclusion of the Account before the Passion
  16. The Passion Narrative
  17. The Resurrection
  18. The Endings of the Gospels

1. Preface

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
Prologue 1:1 1:1 1:1-4 1:1-18

2. Birth and Childhood

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
The Promise of the Birth of John the Baptist     1:5-25  
The Annunciation     1:26-38  
Mary's Visit to Elizabeth     1:39-56  
The Birth of John the Baptist     1:57-80  
The Genealogy of Jesus 1:2-17   3:23-38  
The Birth of Jesus 1:18-25   2:1-7  
The Adoration of the Infant Jesus 2:1-12   2:8-20  
The Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple     2:21-38  
The Flight into Egypt and Return 2:13-21      
The Childhood of Jesus at Nazareth 2:22-23   2:39-40  
The Boy Jesus in the Temple     2:41-52  

3. Preparation

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
John the Baptist 3:1-6 1:2-6 3:1-6 1:19-23
John's Preaching of Repentance 3:7-10   3:7-9  
John Preaching and Replies to Questioners     3:10-14  
John's Messianic Preaching 3:11-12 1:7-8 3:15-18 1:24-28
The Imprisonment of John 14:3-4 6:17-18 3:19-20  
The Baptism of Jesus 3:13-17 1:9-11 3:21-22 1:29-34
The Genealogy of Jesus 1:1-17   3:23-38  
The Temptation 4:1-11 1:12-13 4:1-13  

4. The Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (According to John)

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
The Call of the First Disciples       1:35-51
The Marriage at Cana       2:1-11
The Sojourn at Capernaum       2:12
The First Journey to Jerusalem       2:13
The First Cleansing of the Temple       2:14-22
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem       2:23-25
The Discourse with Nicodemus       3:1-21
Jesus' Ministry in Judea       3:22
John's Testimony to Christ       3:23-36

5. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
The Journey into Galilee 4:12 1:14a 4:14a 4:1-3
The Discourse with the Woman of Samaria       4:4-42
Ministry in Galilee 4:13-17 1:14b-15 4:14b-15 4:43-46a
Jesus' Preaching at Nazareth 13:53-58 6:1-6a 4:16-30  
The Call of the Disciples 4:18-22 1:16-20    
Teaching in the Synagogue at Capernaum   1:21-22 4:31-32  
Healing of the Demoniac in the Synagogue   1:23-28 4:33-37  
The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law 8:14-15 1:29-31 4:38-39  
The Sick Healed at Evening 8:16-17 1:32-34 4:40-41  
Jesus Departs from Capernaurn   1:35-38 4:42-43  
First Preaching Tour in Galilee 4:23 1:39 4:44  
The Miraculous Catch of Fish     5:1-11  
The Cleansing of the Leper 8:1-4 1:40-45 5:12-16  
The Healing of the Paralytic 9:1-8 2:1-12 5:17-26 5:8-9a
The Call of Levi (Matthew) 9:9-13 2:13-17 5:27-32  
The Question about Fasting 9:14-17 2:18-22 5:33-39  
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath 12:1-8 2:23-28 6:1-5  
The Man with the Withered Hand 12:9-14 3:1-6 6:6-11  
Jesus Heals Multitudes by the Sea 4:24-25
12:15-16		 3:7-12 6:17-19  
The Choosing of the Twelve 10:1-4 3:13-19 6:12-16  

6. The Sermon on the Mount (According to Matthew)

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
Occasion of the Sermon 4:24-5:2 3:7-13a 6:17-20a  
The Beatitudes 5:3-12   6:20b-23  
The Salt of the Earth 5:13 9:49-50 14:34-35  
The Light of the World 5:14-16 4:21 8:16  
On the Law and the Prophets 5:17-20   16:16-17  
On Murder and Anger 5:21-26   12:57-59  
On Adultery and Divorce 5:27-32 9:43-48 16:18  
On Swearing and Oaths 5:33-37      
On Retaliation 5:38-42   6:29-30  
On Love of One's Enemies 5:43-48   6:27-28
6:32-36		  
On Almsgiving 6:1-4      
On Prayer 6:5-6      
The Lord's Prayer 6:7-15 11:25 11:1-4  
On Fasting 6:16-18      
On Treasures 6:19-21   12:33-34  
The Sound Eye 6:22-23   11:34-36  
On Serving Two Masters 6:24   16:13  
On Anxiety 6:25-34   12:22-32  
On Judging 7:1-5 4:24-25 6:37-42  
On Profaning the Holy 7:6      
God's Answering of Prayer 7:7-11   11:9-13  
The Golden Rule 7:12   6:31  
The Straight and Narrow and Wide Broad Gate 7:13-14   13:23-24  
The Test of a Good Person, “By their Fruits” 7:15-20
12:33-35		   6:43-45  
Not Every One who “Says Lord, Lord” shall Enter into the Kingdom 7:21-23   6:46
13:25-27		  
The House Built upon the Rock 7:24-27   6:47-49  
The End and the Effect of the Sermon 7:28-29 1:21-22    

7. The Sermon on the Plain (According to Luke)

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
Occasion of the Sermon 4:24-5:2 3:7-13a 6:17-20a  
The Beatitudes 5:3-12   6:20b-23  
The Woes     6:24-26  
On Love of One's Enemies 5:38-48   6:27-36  
On Judging 7:1-5 4:24-25 6:37-42  
The Test of a Good Person, “By their Fruits” 7:15-20
12:33-35		   6:43-45  
The House Built upon the Rock 7:21-27   6:46-49  

8. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee Continued

Pericope Matthew Mark Luke John
Healing and Cleansing of the Leper 8:1-4 1:40-45 5:12-16  
The Centurion of Capernaum and his Servant 8:5-13 7:30 7:1-10
13:28-29		 4:46b-54
The Widow's Son at Nain     7:11-17  
The Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law 8:14-15 1:29-31 4:38-39  
The Sick Healed at Evening 8:16-17 1:32-34 4:40-41  
On Following Jesus, the Would-be Followers 8:18-22   9:57-62  
Stilling the Storm 8:23-27 4:35-41 8:22-25  
The Gadarene Demoniacs 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-39  
The Healing of the Paralytic 9:1-8 2:1-12 5:17-26 5:8-9a
The Call of Levi (Matthew) 9:9-13 2:13-17 5:27-32  
The Question about Fasting 9:14-17 2:18-22 5:33-39  
Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage 9:18-26 5:21-43 8:40-56  
Two Blind Men Healed 9:27-31
20:29-34		 10:46-52 18:35-43  
The Dumb Demoniac Healed 9:32-34
12:22-24		 3:22 11:14-15  
The Harvest is Great 9:35-38 6:6b
6:34		 8:1
10:2		  
Commissioning the Twelve 10:1-16 6:7-11
3:13-19		 6:12-16
9:1-6
10:3		  
The Coming Fate and Persecution of the Disciples 10:17-25
24:9-14		 13:9-13 6:40
12:11-12
21:12-19		 13:16
Exhortation to Fearless Confession 10:26-33   12:2-9  
Divisions within Households 10:34-36   12:51-53  
Conditions of Discipleship 10:37-39   14:25-27
17:33		 12:25
Rewards of Discipleship 10:40-42 9:41 10:16 13:20
Continuation of Journey 11:1      
John the Baptist's Question and Jesus' Answer 11:2-6   7:18-23  
Jesus' Witness concerning John 11:7-19   7:24-35
16:16		  
Woes Pronounced on Galilean Cities 11:20-24   10:12-15  
Jesus' Thanksgiving to the Father 11:25-27   10:21-22  
“Come unto Me” 11:28-30      
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath 12:1-8 2:23-28 6:1-5  
Healing the Withered Hand 12:9-14 3:1-6 6:6-11  
Jesus Heals Multitudes by the Sea 12:15-21 3:7-12 6:17-19  
The Woman with the Ointment 26:6-13 14:3-9 7:36-50 12:1-8
The Ministering Women     8:1-3  
Jesus is Thought to be Beside Himself   3:20-21    
On Collusion with Satan 12:22-30
9:32-34		 3:22-27 11:14-15
11:17-23		  
The Sin against the Holy Spirit 12:31-37
7:16-20		 3:28-30 12:10
6:43-45		  
Against Seeking Signs, the Sign of Jonah 12:38-42
16:1-4		 8:11-12 11:16
11:29-32		  
The Return of the Unclean Evil Spirit 12:43-45   11:24-26  
Jesus' True Kindred Relatives 12:46-50 3:31-35 8:19-21 15:14
The Parable of the Sower 13:1-9 4:1-9 8:4-8  
The Reason for Speaking in Parables 13:10-17 4:10-12
4:25		 8:9-10
8:18b
10:23-24		  
Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower 13:18-23 4:13-20 8:11-15  
“He who has Ears to Hear, Let him Hear” 5:15
7:2
10:26
13:12		 4:21-25 8:16-18  
The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly   4:26-29    
The Parable of the Tares (Weeds) 13:24-30      
The Parable of the Mustard Seed 13:31-32 4:30-32 13:18-19  
The Parable of the Leaven (Yeast) 13:33   13:20-21  
Jesus' Use of Parables 13:34-35 4:33-34    
Interpretation of the Parable of the Tares 13:36-43      
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl 13:44-46      
The Parable of the Net 13:47-50      
Treasures New and Old 13:51-52      
Jesus' True Kindred Relatives 12:46-50 3:31-35 8:19-21 15:14
Stilling the Storm 8:23-27 4:35-41 8:22-25  
The Gerasene Demoniac 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-39  
Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage 9:18-26 5:21-43 8:40-56  
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth 13:53-58 6:1-6a 4:16-30  
Second Journey (to Jerusalem)       5:1
The Healing at the Pool called Bethesda       5:2-47
Commissioning the Twelve 9:35
10:1-16		 6:6b-13 9:1-6  
Herod Thinks Jesus is John, Raised 14:1-2 6:14-16 9:7-9  
The Death of John the Baptist 14:3-12 6:17-29 3:19-20  
The Return of the Apostles   6:30-31 9:10a  
Feeding the Five Thousand 14:13-21 6:32-44 9:10b-17 6:1-15
The Walking on the Water 14:22-33 6:45-52   6:16-21
Healings at Gennesaret 14:34-36 6:53-56   6:22-25
The Bread of Life       6:26-59
What Defiles a Person - Traditional and Real 15:1-20 7:1-23 11:37-41
6:39		  
The Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman 15:21-28 7:24-30    
Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute and Many Others 15:29-31 7:31-37    
Feeding of the Four Thousand 15:32-39 8:1-10    
The Pharisees Seek a Sign 16:1-4
12:38-39		 8:11-13 11:16
11:29
12:54-56		  
The Leaven (Yeast) of the Pharisees 16:5-12 8:14-21 12:1  
A Blind Man is Healed at Bethsaida   8:22-26    

John and the Synoptic Gospels Comparison Chart - Page 2.