IN THE WORD GOSPEL SYNOPSES

The purpose of this segment of the IN THE WORD website is to provide sections of text from the four New Testament gospels as they may be "seen together" for comparison.  These comparisons, or "synopses", are accessible through the Chronological Chart shown below.  The translation used for comparison is the New American Standard Bible - Updated (NASU).  The chronology as well as the content (or length) of comparable passages are significantly dependent on the work of R.C. Foster in his book Studies in the Life of Christ (Grand Rapids: Baker - 1971).  Deviations from Foster's outline are represented as additional comparisons and noted as such on the outline and individual synopses.  See also our Synopses Links page for other available web-based gospel synopses and chronologies.

Each individual synopsis is color-coded.  This coding will vary slightly between one section (or synopsis) and another.  Basically, the color coding is intended to show both the similarities of wording between the gospel accounts, as well as any differences.  This work is not intended to promote any particular solution to the "synoptic problem", however one may find the information here to support one theory more than another.  (However, an article about studying the synoptic problem and all of the theoretical answers can be read here.)

This section of the ITW website will be under a continuing editorial process.   Additional comparisons may yet be added for sayings that are shared between gospels.

A CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE

Individual synopses are linked from this outline (blue links as available).  ITW has not provided a gospel text when only one gospel (or any one New Testament book) records a particular narrative or teaching.

Part I - The Prologue:    Luke 1:1-4

Part II - The Incarnation:   John 1:1-18

Part III - The Genealogies

    1)  Genealogy according to Matthew:  Matthew 1:1-17 ADDED COMPARISON

    2)  Genealogy according to Luke: Luke 3:23-38  ADDED COMPARISON

Part IV - The Birth and Childhood of John and Jesus

    1)  The Birth of John Announced:  Luke 1:5-25

    2)  The Birth of Jesus Announced (to Mary):  Luke 1:26-38

    3)  Mary visits Elizabeth:  Luke 1:39-56

    4)  The Birth and Naming of John:  Luke 1:57-80

    5)  Announcement to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus:   Matthew 1:18-25

Special: Comparison of Angelic Announcements to Mary and to Joseph

    6)  The Birth of Jesus:   Matthew 2:1;  Luke 2:1-7

    7)  The Angels and the Shepherds:  Luke 2:8-20

    8)  Jesus Circumcised and Named:  Luke 2:21

    9)  Jesus Presented in the Temple:  Luke 2:22-38

    10)  The Visit of the Wise-men:  Matthew 2:1-12

    11)  The Flight Into Egypt & Slaughter of the Infants:  Matthew 2:13-18

    12)  The Return from Egypt and the Settlement at Nazareth:  Matthew 2:19-23;  Luke 2:39

    13)  The Youth of Jesus: Luke 2:40-52

Part V - The Ministry of John the Baptist

    1) The Beginning of John's Ministry:   Matthew 3:1-6;  Mark 1:1-6;  Luke 3:1-6

    2)  An example of John's preaching:   Matthew 3:7-12;  Mark 1:7,8;  Luke 3:7-18

PART VI - The Beginning of Christ's Ministry

    1)  The Baptism of Jesus:   Matthew 3:13-17;  Mark 1:9-11;  Luke 3:21-22

    2)  The Temptation of Jesus:   Matthew 4:1-11;  Mark 1:12-13;  Luke 4:1-13

    3)  John's Defense of His Ministry:  John 1:19-28 (Comparison 1)  (Comparison 2)

    4)  John's Identification of Jesus as the Christ:   John 1:29-34 (Noted)

    5)  The First Disciples of Jesus:  John 1:35-51

    6)  The First Miracle:  John 2:1-11

    7)  The Change of Residence to Capernaum:   John 2:12

    8)  The First Cleansing of the Temple:  John 2:13-22  (Comparison)

    9)  The Conversation with Nicodemus:  John 2:23-3:21

    10)  Jesus' Growing Ministry in Judea and John's Waning Ministry at Aenon:  John 3:22-36

    11)  The Ministry in Samaria:  John 4:1-42

Part VII - The Galilean Ministry

    1)  The arrest of John the Baptist:  Luke 3:19-20

    2)  Introductory Statements of the Galilean Ministry:  Matthew 4:12-17;  Mark 1:14-15;  Luke 4:14-15;  John 4:43-45

    3)  Healing of the Nobleman's Son:  John 4:46-54 (Noted Comparison)

    4)  His first rejection at Nazareth:  Luke 4:16-30

    5)  The Calling of Four Fishermen:   Matthew 4:18-22;  Mark 1:16-20;  Luke 5:1-11

    6)  Teaching and Miracles in Capernaum:   Matthew 8:14-17;  Mark 1:21-34;  Luke 4:31-41

    7)  The First General Tour of Galilee:   Matthew 4:23-25;  Mark 1:35-39;  Luke 4:42-44

    8)  The Cleansing of a Leper:   Matthew 8:2-4;  Mark 1:40-45;  Luke 5:12-16

    9)  The Healing of the Paralytic:   Matthew 9:1-8;  Mark 2:1-12;  Luke 5:17-26

    10)  The Call of Matthew and the Controversy of Eating with Sinners:  Matthew 9:9-13;  Mark 2:13-17;   Luke 5:27-32

    11)  The Controversy About Fasting:   Matthew 9:14-17;  Mark 2:18-22;  Luke 5:33-39

    12)  The Healing and Controversy at the Pool of Bethesda:  John 5:1-47

    13)  Another Controversy About Breaking the Sabbath:  Matthew 12:1-8;  Mark 2:23-28;  Luke 6:1-5

   14)  The Healing of a Man with a Withered Hand & Further Controversy:  Matthew 12:9-14;  Mark 3:1-6;  Luke 6:6-11

    15)  Jesus and the Multitudes:   Teaching & Healing:  Matthew 12:15-21;  Mark 3:7-12

    16)  The Calling of the Twelve Apostles: (Matthew 10:2-4);  Mark 3:13-19;  Luke 6:12-16

    17)  The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:1-8:1;  Luke 6:17-49 (+ Additional Comparisons from Luke) (Luke 6:40 Comparison)

    18)  Healing of the Centurion's Servant: Matthew 8:5-13;  Luke 7:1-10

    19)  Raising the Widow's Son at Nain:  Luke 7:11-17

    20)  John's Doubt and Jesus' Sermon on John:  Matthew 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35

    21)  Condemnation of Unbelieving Cities: The Great Invitation:  Matthew 11:20-30 (ADDED COMPARISON)

    22)  Scene and Sermon in the House of Simon the Pharisee:   Luke 7:36-50  (Noted Comparison)

    23)  Second Preaching Tour of Galilee:  Luke 8:1-3

   24)  Blasphemous charge by Pharisees that Jesus was in league with the devil:  Matthew 12:22-37; Mark 3:19-30

    25)  Scribes and Pharisees Demand a Sign:   Matthew 12:38-45  (ADDED COMPARISON)

    26)  Attempt of Jesus mother and brethren to interrupt His ministry:  Matthew 12:46-50;  Mark 3:31-35;  Luke 8:19-21

    27)  The Great Sermon in Parables: Matthew 13:1-35;  Mark 4:1-34;  Luke 8:4-18

    28)  Further private instruction in parables:   Matthew 13:36-53

    29)  A Conversation About Following Jesus:   Matthew 8:18-22;  Luke 9:57-62

    30)  Stilling the Tempest:   Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

    31)  Healing of the Gadarene Demoniacs:   Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39

   32)  Healing of a woman who touched Christ's garment, raising of Jairus' daughter:  Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

    33)  Healing of two blind men and a dumb demoniac:   Matthew 9:27-34

    34)  Last Visit to Nazareth:   Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6

    35)  The Twelve Sent on Evangelistic Campaign & Third tour of Galilee:  Matthew 9:35-11:1;  Mark 6:7-13;   Luke 9:1-6

    36)  Herod's conscience stricken: Confusion of John the Baptist & Jesus:  Matthew 14:1-12;  Mark 6:14-29;  Luke 9:7-9

    37)  Retirement of Jesus with the apostles: Feeding the Five Thousand: Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14

    38)  Jesus refusing the crown: Walking on the Water:  Matthew 14:22-33;  Mark 6:45-52;  John 6:15-21

    39)  Miracles at Gennesaret:   Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56

    40)  Collapse of Galilean Campaign in refusal to be a political Messiah:  John 6:22-71

    41)  Attack of Jerusalem Pharisees concerning traditions:  Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; John 7:1

    42)  Retirement to Phoenicia and healing of Syrophoenician woman's daughter:  Matthew 15:21-28;  Mark 7:24-30

   43)  Third retirement and ministry in Decapolis:  Matthew 15:29-38;  Mark 7:31-8:9

    44)  Brief visit to Magadan and the demand for a sign from heaven:  Matthew 15:39-16:4;  Mark 8:10-12

    45)  Fourth withdrawal to eastern side of lake: Warning to the disciples:  Matthew 16:5-12;  Mark 8:13-26

    46)  Peter's great confession at Caessarea Philippi:  Matthew 16:13-20;  Mark 8:27-30;  Luke 9:18-21

    47)  First distinct prediction of Jesus' death:  Matthew 16:21-28;  Mark 8:31-9:1;  Luke 9:22-27

    48)  The Transfiguration:   Matthew 17:1-8;  Mark 9:2-8;  Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18

   49)  Discussion of the vision:   Matthew 17:9-13;  Mark 9:9-13;  Luke 9:36

    50)  Healing of a demoniac boy: Matthew 17:14-20;  Mark 9:14-29;  Luke 9:37-43a

    51)  Third prediction of Jesus death:  Matthew 17:22-23;  Mark 9:30-32;  Luke 9:43b-45

    52)  Jesus and the Temple Tax:   Matthew 17:24-27

    53)  Discussion of who shall be the greatest:  Matthew 18:1-5;  Mark 9:33-37;  Luke 9:46-48

    54)  The unknown worker of miracles:   Mark 9:38-41;  Luke 9:49-50

    55)  The question of stumbling blocks:  Matthew 18:6-14;  Mark 9:42-50

    56)  Discussion of mistreatment and forgiveness: Matthew 18:15-35

    57)  Jesus and His unbelieving brethren:   John 7:2-9

    58)  Private journey through Samaria to Jerusalem:  Luke 9:51-56;  John 7:10

PART VIII - The Later Judean Ministry

    1)  Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles:   John 7:11-52

    2)  Discussion about a woman taken in adultery:  John 7:53-8:11

    3)  Sermon on the light of the world:   John 8:12-59

    4)  Jesus heals a man born blind:   John 9:1-41

    5)  Sermon on the good shepherd:  John 10:1-21

    6)  The mission of the seventy:  Luke 10:1-24 (Comparison vs 1-12, 16)  (Comparison vs 13-15, 21-22)

    7)  The parable of the good Samaritan:   Luke 10:25-37 (Noted Comparison vs 25-28)

    8)  Jesus and Mary and Martha:  Luke 10:38-42

    9)  Discourse on prayer:  Luke 11:1-13 (Comparison vs 2-4 & 9-13)

    10)  Discussion of the charge that Jesus was in league with the devil:  Luke 11:14-36 (Comparison vs 14-23)    (Comparison vs24-32)     (Comparison vs 34-36)

    11)  Denunciation of the Pharisees:   Luke 11:37-54  (Comparison vs 39-52)

    12)  Disciples warned against fear of men:   Luke 12:1-12

    13)  The parable of the rich fool:   Luke 12:13-21

    14)  Exhortation to trust in God:   Luke 12:22-34 (Comparison vs 22-31)

    15)  Watchfulness: Parable of the waiting servants and the wise steward:  Luke 12:35-59 (Comparison vs 39-46)   (Comparison vs 51-53)  (Comparison vs 54-56)   (Comparison vs 57-59)

    16)  Discourse on repentance:  Luke 13:1-9

    17)  Discussion of healing on the Sabbath and of the coming kingdom:  Luke 13:10-21 (Comparison vs 18-21)

    18)  Jesus at the Feast of Dedication:   John 10:22-39

PART IX - The Later Perean Ministry

    1)  Retirement from Jerusalem to Perea:   John 10:22-39

    2)  Discussions in Perea:  Luke 13:22-35 (Comparison vs 23 & 25-27)   (Comparison vs 28-29)   (Comparison vs 34-35)

    3)  Healing in a Pharisee's home on the Sabbath:  Luke 14:1-24  (Added Comparison for vs 16-24)

    4)  Sermon on the cost of discipleship:   Luke 14: 25-35 (Comparison vs 26,27)  (Comparison vs 34,35)

    5)  Parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son:  Luke 15:1-32  (Comparison vs 3-7)

    6)  Parable of the unjust steward:   Luke 16:1-13 (Comparison vs 13)

    7)  Parable of the rich man and Lazarus:   Luke 16:14-31 (Noted Comparison vs 16)    (Comparsions vs 17 & 18)

    8)  Parable of the unprofitable servant:   Luke 17:1-10   (Comparison vs 1,2)

    9)  The raising of Lazarus:  John 11:1-44

    10)  Plots to kill Jesus:  John 11:45-54

    11)  The healing of ten lepers:  Luke 17:11-19

    12)  Sermon on the time of the coming of the kingdom:  Luke 17:20-37  (Comparison vs 22-24, 34-36, 37)     (Comparison vs 33)

    13)  Parable of the unjust judge:   Luke 18:1-8

    14)  Parable of the Pharisee and publican:   Luke 18:9-14

    15)  Jesus in Perea: Teaching concerning divorce:  Matthew 19:1-12;  Mark 10:1-12

    16)  Jesus and the little children:   Matthew 19:13-15;  Mark 10:13-16;  Luke 18:15-17

    17)  The rich young ruler:   Matthew 19:16-22;  Mark 10:17-22;  Luke 18:18-23

    18)  Discussion of the peril of riches and the reward of the disciples:  Matthew 19:23-30;  Mark 10:23-31;  Luke 18:24-30

    19)  Parable of laborers in the vineyard:   Matthew 20:1-16

    20)  Another prediction of the death of Jesus:  Matthew 20:17-19;  Mark 10:32-34;  Luke 18:31-34

    21)  Rebuke of James and John for asking the chief honors:  Matthew 20:20-28;  Mark 10:35-45

    22)  Healing of the blind men at Jericho:  Matthew 20:29-34;  Mark 10:46-52;  Luke 18:35-43

    23)  Jesus and Zacchaeus:  Luke 19:1-10

    24)  The parable of the pounds:  Luke 19:11-28  (Comparison vs 11-27)

Part X - The Last Public Ministry in Jerusalem

   1)  The arrival at Bethany:  John 11:55-12:1, 9-11

   2)   The Anointing of Jesus by Mary (at Bethany):  Matthew 26:6-13;   Mark 14:3-9;  John 12:1-8

   3)  The triumphal entry: Matthew 21:1-11;  Mark 11:1-11;  Luke 19:29-44;  John 12:12-19

    4)  Cursing the fig tree: Second cleansing of the temple: Matthew 21: 18,19, 12-17;  Mark 11:12-18;   Luke 19:45-48

    5)  Discussion about the withered fig tree:  Matthew 21:20-22;  Mark 11:19-25 [26];  Luke 21:37,38

    6)  The authority of Jesus challenged by His enemies:  Matthew 21:23-27;  Mark 11:27-33;   Luke 20:1-8

    7)  The parable of the two sons:   Matthew 21:28-32

    8)  The parable of the vineyard: Matthew 21:33-46;  Mark 12:1-12;  Luke 20:9-19

    9)  The parable of the wedding garment:   Matthew 22:1-14   (Added Comparison)

    10)  The question of tribute to Caesar:  Matthew 22:15-22;  Mark 12:13-17;  Luke 20:20-26

    11)  The question of the resurrection:  Matthew 22:23-33;  Mark 12:18-27;  Luke 20:27-40

    12)  The question of the greatest commandment:  Matthew 22:34-40;  Mark 12:28-34

    13)  The question about the Son of David:  Matthew 22:41-46;  Mark 12:35-37;  Luke 20:41-44

    14)  Denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees:  Matthew 23:1-39;  Mark 12:38-40;  Luke 20:45-47

    15)  The widow's mite:   Mark 12:41-44;  Luke 21:1-4

    16)  Sermon on significance of life and death:  John 12:20-50

    17)  Prediction of the fall of Jerusalem and the second coming: Matthew 24:1-51;  Mark 13:1-37;  Luke 21:5-36

   18)  Parable of the ten virgins:  Matthew 25:1-13

    19)  Parable of the talents:  Matthew 25:14-30 (ADDED COMPARISON)

    20)  Discussion of the final judgement:   Matthew 25:31-46

    21)  Fifth prediction of Jesus' death:  Matthew 26:1-5;  Mark 14:1,2;  Luke 22:1,2

    22)  The plot of Judas to betray Jesus: Matthew 26:14-16;  Mark 14:10,11;  Luke 22:3-6

    23)   Preparation for the Passover Meal:  Matthew 26:17-19;  Mark 14:12-16;  Luke 22:7-13

    24)  The Passover meal: Matthew 26:20;  Mark 14:17;  Luke 22:14-16, 24-30   (Noted Comparison Luke 22:30)

    25)  The disciples' feet washed by Jesus:   John 13:1-20

    26)  Judas pointed out as the traitor: Matthew 26:21-25;  Mark 14:18-21;  Luke 22:21-23;  John 13:21-30

    27)  The disciples warned:   Matthew 26:31-35;  Mark 14:27-31;  Luke 22:31-38;  John 13:31-38

    28)  The Lord's Supper Instituted:  Matthew 26:26-29;  Mark 14:22-25;  Luke 22:17-20;  I Corinthians 11:23-26

    29)  Jesus' farewell discourse:  John 14:1-31

    30)  The parable of the vine:  John 15:1-27

    31)  Further solemn instruction:  John 16:1-33

    32)  The prayer of Jesus:  John 17:1-26

    33)  The agony in the garden:   Matthew 26:30, 36-46;  Mark 14:26,32-42;  Luke 22:39-46;  John 18:1

    34)  The arrest:   Matthew 26:47-56;  Mark 14:43-52;  Luke 22:47-53;  John 18:2-12

    35)  The trial before Annas:  John 18:12-14;  19-23

    36)  The trial before Caiaphas:   Matthew 26:57, 59-68;  Mark 14:53, 55-65;  Luke 22:54, 63-65;  John 18:24

    37)  The denials of Peter: Matthew 26:58, 69-75;  Mark 14:54,66-72;  Luke 22:54-62;  John 18:15-18, 25-27

    38)  The final condemnation by the Sanhedrin: Matthew 27:1;  Mark 15:1;  Luke 22:66-71

   39)  The death of Judas:   Matthew 27:3-10;  Acts 1:18-19

    40)  The first trial before Pilate:   Matthew 27:2, 11-14;  Mark 15:2-5;  Luke 23:1-5;  John 18:28-38

    41)  Jesus before Herod:  Luke 23:6-12

    42)  The second trial before Pilate:  Matthew 27:15-26;  Mark 15:6-15;  Luke 23:13-25;   John 18:39-19:16

    43)  The torture by the Roman soldiers:  Matthew 27:27-30;  Mark 15:16-19

    44)  The way to Golgotha: Matthew 27:31-34;  Mark 15:20-23;  Luke 23:26-33;  John 19:16, 17

    45)  The death of Christ:  Matthew 27:35-50;  Mark 15:24-37;  Luke 22:33-46;  John 19:18-30

    46)  Miracles accompanying the death of Christ: Matthew 27:51-56;  Mark 15:38-41;  Luke 23:45, 47-49

    47)  The Burial:  Matthew 27:57-60;  Mark 15:42-46;  Luke 23:50-54;   John 19:31-42

    48)  The watch at the tomb:   Matthew 27:61-66;  Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55,56

    49)  The resurrection of Christ: Matthew 28:1-8;  Mark 16:1-8;  Luke 24:1-8;  John 20:1

    50)  The report of the women and the visit of Peter and John:  Luke 24:9-12;  John 20:2-10

    51)  The appearance to Mary: Mark 16:9-11;  John 20:11-18

    52)  The appearance to the other women:   Matthew 28: 9,10

    53)  The report of the Roman guard:   Matthew 28:11-15

    54)  The appearance to the two disciples: Mark 16:12,13;  Luke 24:13-32

    55)  The report of the two: Appearance to Peter:  Luke 24:33-35;  1 Corinthians 15:5

    56)  Appearance to the ten:  Mark 16:14;  Luke 24:36-43;  John 20:19-25

    57)  Appearance to the eleven:  John 20:26-31;  I Corinthians 15:5

    58)  Appearance to seven by the sea of Galilee:  John 21:1-23

    59)  Appearance to five hundred / The Great Commission:  Matthew 28:16-20;  1 Corinthians 15:6

    60)  Appearance in Jerusalem:  The Great Commission repeated:  Mark 16:15-18

    61)  The appearance to James:  1 Corinthians 15:7

    62)  The appearance to the disciples with further commission:  Luke 24:44-49;  Acts 1:3-8

    63)  The ascension:  Mark 16:19,20;   Luke 24:50-53;  Acts 1:9-12

Part XI - The Epilogue:     John 21:24-25

**)  An Appearance to Saul/Paul (ADDED COMPARISON): Acts 9:3-9; Acts 22:6-11; Acts 26:12-18

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