ITW Explanation of Gospel Color Codes and General Format

Those who are utilizing the ITW Gospel Synopses will notice that an effort has been made to color code text based on some sort of similarity between the gospels.  ITW has attempted to provide a standard pattern of coding for all of the gospel synopses posted on this website.  However, one will find some variation and should consult the "KEY" at the top of each synopsis.

But what is the color coding about?  Essentially the color coding is ITW's attempt at highlighting identical words and/or phrases that are shared between two or more gospels.  Gospels may share similar ideas or details without utilizing identical words, but you will not see ideas color coded as identical (or similar) - only words.  Black text identifies text that is found in only that one gospel. 

Color-coding, which reveals identical words between gospels, may serve as evidence that supports various theories of how the gospel tradition(s) became written works.  The sharing of identical words may tell us something just as well as the difference between words (even while sharing the same idea) may tell us something.  Just the same, the inclusion of an idea or detail in only one or two gospels may imply something significant regarding the traditions that existed prior to our written gospels.  Plain black text (particular to one gospel) is as meaningful as any other colored text.  Nevertheless, the attempt in all of this is not to interpret colors to fit a particular hypothesis, but merely to explain the use of the colors as they appear.  As much as possible, the synopses are meant to provide a presentation of the facts, not opinions or theories.   However, one will find opinionated commentary at the bottom of some synopses.   A discussion about synoptic theories can be read here.

Furthermore, the color coded text in the NASU should not lead one to take the data at face value.  ITW has made an effort to check into a Greek New Testament text upon which the English (NASU) translation has been made.  Sometimes this has revealed a difference in Greek where the English appears identical, and sometimes the exact opposite has been discovered.  But some things may have been missed.  Therefore, those who use the ITW synopses should consult a Greek New Testament before making any bold claims based on what they find here.   If one is not able to use a Greek text, it is highly recommended that one restrain himself from drawing dogmatic conclusions when observing similarities and differences (in the color coding) of any English translation.

It should be noticed that words or phrases that are identical in the Greek text, but are not identical as translated in the NASU, have been put in italics.  If black text has been italicized, that often means that the Greek text revealed enough difference between the gospels that such words were not colored as equal, even though they appear equal (or nearly equal) in the NASU translation.  It is advisable to check the Greek text when these italics appear, or be mindful of the details that are not always visible in the NASU translation.

One other item: The ITW comparisons follow the gospel-authors' order of presentation in the individual synopses.   With that it mind, the comparisons are color-coded even though the same words are not always read side-by-side between gospels.