The Gospel Synopsis and Timeline Part 16

147. The Walking on the Water

Matthew, Mark and John all record Jesus walking on water while Luke omits this event.

Matthew and Mark record the same setting while John records it differently

Jesus insists the disciples head across the lake vs the disciples waiting for Jesus then heading across the lake

Matthew and Mark record 3 O’clock in the morning while John records 3-4 miles

They all struggled against the wind and were all afraid when they saw Jesus.

The ending of each story is a little different

Only Matthew records Peter’s faith to walk on the water and sinking because of doubt

Matthew ends with them worshipping and exclaiming he was the Son of God

Mark ends with them being amazed but not understanding the miraculous feeding because thier hards were too hard

John just says they arrived at their destination immediately.

148. Healing at Gennesaret

Following the walking on the water event Matthew and Mark again are in sync with Jesus healing those who touched the fringe of his robe.

John just talks about the crowds crossing the shore to look for Jesus - this is to set up what John says next…

149. The Bread of Life

Only John Records this event

150. Defilement - Traditional and Real

Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus talking with the Pharisees about what makes one clean and unclean, John does not.

Luke’s recount of the story is simple and short.

Luke says the setting is a little different than Mark and Matt. He puts it at a Pharisee’s house having a meal.

Matthew and Mark record Pharisees and experts of the law come to Jesus from Jerusalem.

They ask him why his disciples don’t obey the traditions of the elders (eating with unwashed hands)?

Matthew and Mark both quote the OT, Exodus 20:12, Exodus 20:17, and Isa 29:13.

Mark explains some Jewish things that Matthew didn’t need to explain.

Matt adds that the disciples came to Jesus and said he offended the Pharisees and Jesus responds by saying plants not planted by the Father will be uprooted.

151. The Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman

Only Matthew and Mark record this event. It is obviously the same event although some words are different.

Matthew calls her a canaanite while Mark says she was a Greek, of Syropheonician origin.

Matthew records her having great faith while Mark records Jesus saying “Because you said this…”

152. Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute and Many Others

Again only Matthew and Mark record the event of the mute being healed at the Sea of Galilee

Mark specifically tells of the mute and deaf being healed while Matt just said that “They saw the mute speaking…”

153. Four Thousand are Fed - (See no 146)

Not to be confused with the feeding of the five thousand, the feeding of the four thousand is only recorded in Matthew and Mark.

They both record Jesus saying I have compasssion on the crowed because he believed they would faint on the way home.

Seven loaves and a “few” small fish.

Matthew mentions that women and children were not counted in the 4000 but Mark says there were about 4000 who ate.

The biggest difference is that Matthew records them going to the region of Magadan while Mark says they went to the district of Dalmanutha

154. The Pharisees Seek a Sign - (See no 119 & 191)

This event is one we already looked at but it was put here also because Matthew records two of these events.

155. The Leaven of the Pharisees - (See no 195)

John says nothing about this topic but the synoptics do.

Luke says a large crowed had gathered and were trampling each other then he warned them to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and identifies it as hypocrisy.

Matthew and Mark go into greater detail. talking about the feeding of the 5000 and 4000 and how many baskets were left over.

Two significant differences.

Matthew jesus says “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” and in Mark he says “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Harod.”

Mark ends with Jesus asking if they still do not understand while Matthew ends with the disciples understanding that the yeast is the teaching of the Pharisee and Sadducees.

156. A Blind man is Heal at Bethsaida

Only Mark records this event.