Gospel Differences Flashcards
Which of the following is not material unique to Matthew? Genealogy of Jesus beginning with Abraham, Parable of the Good Samaritan, Peter walking on the water, the death of Judas.
Parable of the Good Samaritan (This is found only in Luke.)
The concept of “the church” is unique to which Gospel?
Matthew
Which Apostle is prominently featured in Matthew’s Gospel?
Peter
Which of the following is not a change Matthew makes to material found in the Gospel of Mark? Removal of parables, reorganization of material, portraying the religious leaders more negatively, portraying the disciples more positively.
Removal of parables. (Only John lacks parables.)
Which Gospel removes material that suggests that Jesus does not know certain things?
Matthew
Which Gospel heavily uses “fulfillment citations” to show Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies?
Matthew
Which Gospel organizes Jesus’ sayings into five main speeches?
Matthew
Which Gospel emphasizes the abiding presence of God in Jesus?
Matthew
Which Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the “Son of God”?
Matthew
Which Gospel emphasizes discipleship, i.e., how God wants people to live?
Matthew
Which Gospel has a theme about Jewish biblical interpretation briefly referred to as “binding and loosing”?
Matthew
Which Gospel portrays doubt and little faith as acceptable characteristics for God’s people?
Matthew
Which Gospel tells Jesus’ story with a sense of urgency?
Mark
Which Gospel writer makes frequent use of “the historical present”?
Mark
Which Gospel writer likes to sandwich one story with another (technically called “intercalation”)?
Mark
Which Gospel ends its story with women afraid to tell others about the resurrection of Jesus?
Mark
In which Gospel is the centrality of the cross most prominent?
Mark
Which Gospel writer highlights secrecy, including having Jesus tell others to be silent about his true identity?
Mark
Which Gospel highlights the failures of the disciples?
Mark
Which of the following is not unique to Luke’s Gospel? Dedication to Theophilus, Parable of the prodigal son, Jesus’ ascension to heaven, Jesus requiring two efforts to heal a blind man.
Jesus requiring two efforts to heal a blind man. (This is found only in Mark.)
Which of the following is not one of the ways Luke changes Mark? Changes the word “village” to “city,” removes references to Jesus becoming angry, Peter’s faith is highlighted, avoids scenes where Jesus might be mistaken for a magician.
Peter’s faith is highlighted. (This is unique to Matthew.)
Which Gospel puts most of the extra material about Jesus not found in Mark into the story of Jesus taking a long journey to Jerusalem?
Luke (in 9:51-19:44)
Which Gospel gives the most prominence to women?
Luke
Which Gospel focuses the most on riches and poverty?
Luke
Which Gospel emphasizes Jerusalem and the Temple?
Luke
Which Gospel goes to the greatest extent to remove Mark’s negative portrayal of Jesus’ disciples?
Luke
Which Gospel, Matthew or Luke, uses the most of Mark’s Gospel?
Matthew. Luke retains only 350 verses, omitting among other things all of Mark 6:45-8:20.
Which Gospel writes in a way to mimic the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament?
Luke
Which Gospel incorporates a lot of poetic material?
Luke
Which Gospel has a sequel?
Luke (The Book of Acts continues the story)
Which Gospel emphasizes worship and prayer?
Luke
Which Gospel makes use of food and meals as a major theme?
Luke
Which Gospel focuses on ministry to the excluded and disadvantaged?
Luke
Which Gospel highlights the availability of salvation in the present?
Luke
Which Gospel stresses the work of the Holy Spirit?
Luke
Which Gospel is most unlike the other three?
John
Which Gospel contains no parables?
John
Which Gospel does not tell of Jesus kicking out evil demons?
John
Which Gospel reports an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman?
John
Which Gospel records that Jesus turned water into wine?
John
Which Gospel has Jesus wash his disciples’ feet?
John
Which Gospel does not mention Jesus’ birth or baptism?
John
Which Gospel makes heavy use of symbolism?
John
Which Gospel has Jesus do most of his work in and around Jerusalem?
John
Which Gospel uses irony more than the others?
John
Which Gospel portrays Jesus as the true revelation of God?
John
Which Gospel is organized around seven signs and seven “I am” statements?
John
Which Gospel most clearly identifies Jesus as God?
John
Which Gospel most clearly portrays the death of Jesus as victory (i.e., glorification)?
John
Which Gospel speaks most often about love?
John
Which Gospel identifies the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete?
John
Which Gospel most often portrays “the Jews” negatively?
John
