Differences Between John And The Synoptic Gospels Pdf
The Bible is a book that contains the history and teachings of the Christian faith. It is divided into two main sections: the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament is further divided into four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These gospels talk about the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but each one has its unique style and content. In this article, we will be comparing the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in PDF format, and we will explore their differences.
What Are The Synoptic Gospels?
The Synoptic Gospels are called "synoptic" because they share a similar vision or point of view. These gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and they are referred to as synoptic gospels because they share a common perspective on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They follow a similar narrative structure and sequence of events, and they share a lot of the same stories and parables.
What Is The Gospel Of John?
The Gospel of John is different from the Synoptic Gospels because it has a unique style and content. It was written at a later time than the Synoptic Gospels and is believed to have been written by John, the disciple of Jesus. The Gospel of John focuses more on the spiritual and theological aspects of Jesus’ life and teachings rather than on his actions and miracles.
The Differences Between John And The Synoptic Gospels
Now, let's explore the differences between the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels:
1. Narrative Structure
The Synoptic Gospels follow a similar narrative structure, and they present Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection in a chronological order. In contrast, the Gospel of John presents Jesus' teachings and miracles thematically rather than chronologically. John's Gospel is more focused on revealing the spiritual nature of Jesus.
2. The Book of Signs
The Gospel of John contains a significant portion of material that is unique compared to the Synoptic Gospels. The material includes seven signs or miracles performed by Jesus, which are not found in the other gospels. These signs are symbolic and are meant to reveal the true identity and nature of Jesus.
3. The I Am Sayings
The Gospel of John contains several "I am" sayings that highlight the divinity of Jesus Christ. These sayings are not found in the Synoptic Gospels and are unique to John. These include "I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world," "I am the good shepherd," and "I am the resurrection and the life."
4. The Discourses
John's Gospel contains lengthy discourses by Jesus that are not found in the Synoptic Gospels. These discourses are more theological in nature and include Jesus' teachings on his own divinity, the Holy Spirit, and salvation. The discourses in John's Gospel are marked by their highly symbolic language and imagery.
5. The Passion Narrative
The Passion narrative in John's Gospel differs from the Synoptic Gospels in several ways. In John's Gospel, Jesus' trial before Pilate is more extensive, and Pilate is portrayed as sympathetic to Jesus. Also, in John's Gospel, the Last Supper is not a Passover meal, and the timing of Jesus' death is different from the Synoptic Gospels. Finally, John's Gospel does not include the agony in the garden or Jesus' prayer asking God to take the cup away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels are different in terms of narrative structure, content, and focus. The Synoptic Gospels present more of the historical and chronological aspects of Jesus' life and teachings, while John's Gospel focuses more on the spiritual and theological aspects. The Gospel of John also contains material that is unique and not found in the other gospels, such as the seven signs, the "I am" sayings, lengthy discourses, and an extended trial before Pilate.
Both the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels are important parts of the New Testament and provide different perspectives on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. By reading and studying all four gospels, we can gain a fuller and more complete understanding of Jesus and his message.
