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Gospels of Mark and Matthew

            The Gospels of Mark and Matthew while being of the same synoptic tradition contain many differences. Although much of the material is similar we can find many variances between certain accounts of the same stories. There are many theories as to why the stories differ in certain accounts, but the basic reasons for this discrepancy can be discover through critical observation. .
             The two authors have reasons for writing different stories and accounts. Both have a message to convey, and both have an audience to speak to. Each Gospel is written in a manner that reflects what the author's purpose is behind the words and stories, as each is trying to do something different with the same original tradition.
             Through careful study many theologians have discovered that Mark's Gospel most likely was written first, probably around 70 CE. Therefore most scholars conclude that Mark was a source used by Matthew. Because of this we can contrast Mark and Matthew in a more distinct light, and analyze how and why Matthew would have made certain additions or subtractions. .
             The first contrast to look at is the messages of the two Gospels. Mark uses the symbolism of the cross as a representation of Jesus, while Matthew uses the symbol of the Torah. Why the two different symbols? Mark's Gospel focuses on the following of Jesus. Mark tells us we must all pick and bear our own cross in order to follow in the footsteps of our lord. While Mark's Gospel brings us in with its astonishment and wonder, we are dropped of at the roadside half way through being told to walk the rest of the way ourselves.
             Matthews Gospel has a different purpose. Matthew reads more like an instruction manual. This directly relates to Matthew's portrayal of Jesus as a teacher. By following the lessons in Matthew we can follow Jesus. This is probably one of the reasons the Catholic Church liked this Gospel especially. It is easier to understand certain messages when they are laid out in this fashion.


Essays Related to Gospels of Mark and Matthew

1. The Gospels And The Audience

... the same 40-year span. This is where the synoptic problem was introduced. It is an investigation into the existence and nature of the literary interrelationship among the first three synoptic gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels, in contrast with John, because they can readily be arranged in a three-column harmony called a synopsis. The synoptic ... so much in terms of their factual content, but in the selection of that content, the arrangement of the material, and wording of the parallels. This is the cornerstone of historical critical scholarship of the gospe...

  • Word Count: 2415
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: High School

2. The Death Of Jesus

... all in all they a particularly the same with little dispute. The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell their own personal perspective of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Scholars began to theorize that Mark wrote his gospel first and Matthew and Luke used his gospel as a stepping-stone for their gospels. Those three gospels only differ in certain parts but never in all three, for example Luke ... may leave out or change a part that is in Mark but Matthew will agree with Mark in that same ... instance . John is the odd man out of the gospels; unlike the ...

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  • Approx Pages: 5
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3. The Storytellers - The Men Who Wrote the Gospels

... from the literal Greek translation, it means "seen together"." The first three gospels of the New Testament of the Bible, the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are referred to as the "Synoptic Gospels " because they each contain many of the same stories, oftentimes having similar wording and being in same sequence as each other. Although the gospels are so identical in more than just a few ways, they present the ... as it is in Mark and Matthew, but with some differences in how Jesus is portrayed. In chapter 23, rather than suffering in pain as He does in the previous two go...

  • Word Count: 1542
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. the birth of chirst: matthew

... gathered all the "cheif priests and scribes of the people" and "inquired of them where the Christ was to be born" (Matthew 2:4). With these conditions, and the fear of persecution, it is difficult for the author of Matthew to reach the Jews and Gentile of the community. The story of the birth of Jesus is present in the both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but not in the Gospels of Mark and John. This inclusion of the birth narrative may be ... gathered all the "cheif priests and scribes of the people" and "inquired of them where the Christ was to be born" (Matthew 2:4). With these cond...

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5. The Passion of the Christ:: A comparison with the Gospels

... to dramatize The Passion. In comparing Gibson's movie with the Gospels, I have compared and contrasted several of the scenes. The Conspiracy against Jesus In dealing with the conspiracy against Jesus, Gibson refers to several passages in the Gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke, all refer to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Matthew is the only gospel that refers specifically to the thirty pieces ... Gibson does not touch upon this in his movie and leaves it unexplained. During the examination by the high priests, Gibson refers to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark frequently. Both Gospels...

  • Word Count: 1673
  • Approx Pages: 7
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6. A Portrait of Jesus

... Gospels consist of three synoptic Gospels and one that is not. Which is John however, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic Gospels. Every of the Gospels have an important and diverse portrait of who Jesus is. In the book of John, which he portrays Jesus as a Jewish Messiah, because John was a Jew himself. The Gospel of John reveals Jesus as an in control, supernatural King. John describes Jesus as a supernatural Teacher. Because of ... One who is the Universal savior. Jesus is shown as harmless in Chapter 23 by Pilate, Herod, and two thieves. That being said, the representation of Jesus ...

  • Word Count: 815
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Mark

... faced during the reign of Nero. Mark is the shortest gospel, and is believed to be the first gospel written. It is also believed that the source of Mark's information is the Apostle Peter. Mark gives us a look at Jesus that is not quite like the gospels that precedes it in the canon (but likely not in history), Matthew. Mark, though he acknowledges the divinity of Jesus, he tends to ... look more at the human side of Jesus than ... the other gospels do. He refers to Jesus as a carpenter ... ...

  • Word Count: 537
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Mark's Gospel

... to be an abbreviation of Matthew and hence less important because over 600 of its 661 verses find a parallel in Matthew's. The author fails to mention himself and this is a characteristic of all the Gospels. They all seemed to have the ambition of diverting attention away from themselves and giving the main character of their books the centre stage. The Gospel of Mark is so titled because a man named Mark wrote it. Most Bible ... to broadcast the fact of who He is. This is also recorded in the other Gospels but not in the same frequency. Mark's Gospel is not the Gospel for converting pe...

  • Word Count: 1145
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Comparison Of Matthew & Mark

In reading the Gospels according to Mark and Matthew I was fascinated by many things. I have never read the Gospels before, and was taken back by the differences between the two interpretations of the meaning of Jesus" life, death and resurrection. Mark's interpretation is very fast paced, and reminds me of the script for an action movie. Unlike Matthew's explanation, Mark has little tolerance for dialogue and personal reflection. Matthew warms up his audience by giving the some ... historical background before documentation of ... ...

  • Word Count: 274
  • Approx Pages: 1
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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