Gospel parallels

Matthew

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Matthew 3:1

Mark

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4

Luke

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins Luke 3:3

John

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. John 1:23

Read it: Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-18, John 1:19-28

Matthew

and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Matthew 3:16

Mark

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: Mark 1:10

Luke

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son Luke 3:22

John

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. John 1:32

John does not tell the baptism itself; John the Baptist tells what he saw (1:32-34).

Read it: Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34

Matthew

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1

Mark

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan Mark 1:13

Luke

Being forty days tempted of the devil. Luke 4:2

Matthew and Luke give the three temptations, in a different order (Matthew 4:5-8, Luke 4:5-9).

Read it: Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13

Matthew

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

Mark

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:17

Luke 5:1-11 tells Simon, James and John leaving all to follow him after a great catch of fish; whether it is the same call, the text does not say.

Read it: Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20

Matthew

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15

Mark

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up Mark 1:31

and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. Mark 1:31

Luke

And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever Luke 4:39

and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Luke 4:39

Read it: Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39

Matthew

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will Matthew 8:3

be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:3

Mark

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will Mark 1:41

Luke

And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. Luke 5:13

Read it: Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16

Matthew

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Matthew 8:8

Luke

Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Luke 7:6

but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. Luke 7:7

In Matthew the centurion comes to him himself (8:5); in Luke he sends elders of the Jews, then friends (7:3, 7:6).

Read it: Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10

Matthew

and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy Matthew 9:2

Son, be of good cheer Matthew 9:2

thy sins be forgiven thee. Matthew 9:2

Mark

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:5

Luke

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. Luke 5:20

Mark and Luke tell of the man let down through the roof (Mark 2:4, Luke 5:19).

Read it: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26

Matthew

he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Mark

he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Mark 2:14

Luke

and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. Luke 5:27

Matthew names him Matthew; Mark and Luke name him Levi. That they are one man is how this has long been read; the text does not say it.

Read it: Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32

Matthew

his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. Matthew 12:1

For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. Matthew 12:8

Mark

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Mark 2:28

Luke

And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Luke 6:5

Read it: Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5

Matthew

Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth Matthew 12:13

and it was restored whole, like as the other. Matthew 12:13

Mark

he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:5

Luke

he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Luke 6:10

On the sabbath, in the synagogue (Matthew 12:9-10, Mark 3:1-2, Luke 6:6).

Read it: Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11

Matthew

Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea Matthew 8:26

and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26

Mark

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

Luke

Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24

Read it: Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

Matthew

there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, Matthew 8:28

Mark

immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Mark 5:2

Luke

there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, Luke 8:27

Matthew tells of two men, in the country of the Gergesenes; Mark and Luke tell of one, in the country of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1, Luke 8:26).

Read it: Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39

Matthew

he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. Matthew 9:25

Mark

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked Mark 5:42

for she was of the age of twelve years. Mark 5:42

Luke

And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. Luke 8:55

Mark and Luke name him Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue (Mark 5:22, Luke 8:41); Matthew calls him "a certain ruler" (9:18). All three tell, on the way, of the woman who touched his garment (Matthew 9:20, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48).

Read it: Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56

Matthew

he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Matthew 10:1

Mark

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two Mark 6:7

Luke

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1

Read it: Matthew 10:1-15, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6

Matthew

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. Matthew 14:10

Mark

And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, Mark 6:27

Luke 9:9 has Herod say, "John have I beheaded".

Read it: Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29

Matthew

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. Matthew 14:21

Mark

And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. Mark 6:44

Luke

For they were about five thousand men. Luke 9:14

John

So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. John 6:10

The only miracle of his ministry that all four Gospels tell.

Read it: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14

Matthew

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25

Mark

and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. Mark 6:48

John

they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. John 6:19

Only Matthew tells of Peter walking on the water to him (14:28-31).

Read it: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:15-21

Matthew

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. Matthew 15:38

Mark

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. Mark 8:9

Jesus speaks of both feedings, the five thousand and the four thousand, in Matthew 16:9-10 and Mark 8:19-20.

Read it: Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10

Matthew

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

Mark

And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. Mark 8:29

Luke

Peter answering said, The Christ of God. Luke 9:20

Read it: Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-21

Matthew

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:2

Mark

and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. Mark 9:2

Luke

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. Luke 9:29

Read it: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke 9:28-36

Matthew

And Jesus rebuked the devil Matthew 17:18

and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Matthew 17:18

Mark

he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. Mark 9:25

Luke

And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. Luke 9:42

His disciples could not cast it out (Matthew 17:16, Mark 9:18, Luke 9:40).

Read it: Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43

Matthew

Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14

Mark

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14

Luke

Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16

Read it: Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17

Matthew

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matthew 19:21

Mark

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21

Luke

Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:22

Matthew calls him a young man (19:20); Luke, a ruler (18:18).

Read it: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30

Matthew

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, Matthew 20:30

Mark

and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. Mark 10:46

Luke

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: Luke 18:35

Matthew tells of two men, as they departed from Jericho (20:29); Mark of one, Bartimaeus, as he went out of Jericho; Luke of one, as he came nigh unto Jericho.

Read it: Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43

Matthew

Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord Matthew 21:9

Mark

Hosanna Mark 11:9

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Mark 11:9

Luke

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Luke 19:38

John

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:13

Read it: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19

Matthew

and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, Matthew 21:12

Mark

and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, Mark 11:15

Luke

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought Luke 19:45

John

And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, John 2:15

Matthew, Mark and Luke tell it in the last week. John tells it at a passover early in his ministry (John 2:13); whether it happened once or twice, the text does not say.

Read it: Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-46, John 2:13-17

Matthew

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s Matthew 22:21

and unto God the things that are God’s. Matthew 22:21

Mark

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. Mark 12:17

Luke

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Luke 20:25

Read it: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Matthew

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:37

Mark

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

In Luke 10:25-27 a lawyer gives the same commandment, at another time, before the parable of the good Samaritan.

Read it: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34

Matthew

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. Matthew 26:7

Mark

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious Mark 14:3

John

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: John 12:3

Matthew and Mark: a woman, his head, the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. John: Mary, his feet, Bethany, six days before the passover (12:1). Whether it is one event, the text does not say. Luke 7:36-38 tells of a woman who anointed his feet and wiped them with her hair, in a Pharisee's house; whether it is the same, the text does not say either.

Read it: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8

Matthew

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Matthew 26:21

Mark

Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. Mark 14:18

Luke

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Luke 22:21

John

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. John 13:21

Luke tells it after the bread and the cup (22:19-21); Matthew and Mark, before.

Read it: Matthew 26:20-25, Mark 14:17-21, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:21-30

Matthew

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat Matthew 26:26

this is my body. Matthew 26:26

Mark

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. Mark 14:22

Luke

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

John tells of the supper (13:2) without the bread and the cup.

Read it: Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20

Matthew

That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matthew 26:34

Mark

That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. Mark 14:30

Luke

I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:34

John

The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. John 13:38

Matthew and Mark tell it after they went out into the mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26); Luke and John, at the supper (Luke 22:14, John 13:2). Mark has the cock crow twice.

Read it: Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:36-38

Matthew

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

Mark

Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee Mark 14:36

take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. Mark 14:36

Luke

Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

John 18:1 tells of the garden over the brook Cedron, without the prayer.

Read it: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46

Matthew

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master Matthew 26:49

and kissed him. Matthew 26:49

Mark

he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master Mark 14:45

and kissed him. Mark 14:45

Luke

and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. Luke 22:47

John

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, John 18:12

John does not tell of the kiss.

Read it: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-12

Matthew

and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Matthew 26:51

Mark

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Mark 14:47

Luke

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. Luke 22:50

And he touched his ear, and healed him. Luke 22:51

John

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. John 18:10

Only John names Peter and Malchus; only Luke tells that Jesus healed the ear.

Read it: Matthew 26:51-54, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11

Matthew

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75

Mark

And the second time the cock crew. Mark 14:72

Luke

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. Luke 22:61

John

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. John 18:27

Read it: Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-27

Matthew

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Matthew 27:26

Mark

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. Mark 15:15

Luke

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. Luke 23:24

John

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. John 19:16

Read it: Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40, John 19:1-16

Matthew

they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. Matthew 27:32

Mark

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. Mark 15:21

Luke

they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. Luke 23:26

John 19:17 says he went forth bearing his cross.

Read it: Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26

Matthew

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: Matthew 27:35

Mark

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Mark 15:25

Luke

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33

John

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. John 19:18

What he said on the cross, from all four, is on Words from the cross.

Read it: Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-37

Matthew

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: Matthew 27:60

Mark

and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. Mark 15:46

Luke

and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. Luke 23:53

John

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day John 19:42

for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. John 19:42

All four name Joseph of Arimathaea (Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51, John 19:38).

Read it: Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

Matthew

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6

Mark

Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen Mark 16:6

he is not here: Mark 16:6

Luke

He is not here, but is risen: Luke 24:6

John

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. John 20:1

Who came to the sepulchre, and whom they saw there, each Gospel tells in its own way; every appearance after he rose is on After he rose.

Read it: Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10