Comparing the Synoptics

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels.

Matthew gives a great overview of all of Christ’s life – from His birth to His final words of the Great Commission. He starts with a genealogy and works his way through Jesus’s ministry, preparations to His death, the crucifixion, and the resurrection.

Mark on the other hand does not include any of Christ’s early years. Instead, he jumps right in and focuses more on His ministry – especially in Galilee. Although Mark is the shortest of the Synoptic Gospels, it still incudes the main points of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Luke is the densest of all the Synoptics. It includes all of Christ’s parables and sermons. However, it has the shortest ending of all the books. The resurrection is very concise, but Jesus’s ascension is still mentioned.