Harmony of the Gospels

NoteLuke states he worked from eyewitness accounts to give an orderly account. (Luke 1:1-4)

NoteJohn begins in eternity rather than at Bethlehem, in keeping with his stated aim to show Jesus as the Son of God. (John 20:31)

NoteMatthew traces the line from Abraham through David; Luke from Jesus back to Adam. Conservative scholars commonly see Matthew giving Joseph's legal line and Luke Mary's line, or both Joseph's through levirate descent. (Robertson, Harmony, note on the genealogies)

NoteMatthew tells the birth from Joseph's side; Luke from Mary's, which early writers connect to Luke's careful inquiry. (Luke 1:3; Luke 2:19)

NoteThe first of the signs John chose to record. (John 2:11; John 20:30-31)

NoteJohn places a cleansing at the first Passover; the other three record one in the final week. Many conservative harmonies, including Robertson, hold there were two cleansings; others see one event placed by John for theme. (Robertson, Harmony, sections 33 and 129)

NoteMatthew gives the fuller sermon as the first of his five discourses; Luke's shorter "sermon on the plain" is held by many to be the same sermon in shortened form, by others a similar sermon on another occasion. (Robertson, Harmony, section 54 note)

NoteMatthew mentions two men; Mark and Luke focus on the one who spoke. Mentioning one does not deny the other. (Robertson, Harmony, section 59 note)

NoteThe only miracle before the Passion recorded by all four writers.

NoteMark explains Jewish washing customs that Matthew's readers would already know. (Mark 7:3-4)

NoteLuke's long travel section (Luke 9:51-19:28) holds much material found only in his Gospel. (Luke 9:51)

NoteNote: Shown as text only; Bible Roadmap does not interpret unfulfilled prophecy.

NoteJohn does not record the bread and cup; his readers already had the other accounts, and he gives the upper room teaching instead. (Clement of Alexandria, in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6.14.7)

NoteEach writer records different sayings from the cross; together they give seven. None contradicts another. (Luke 23:34; Luke 23:43; John 19:26-27; Matthew 27:46; John 19:28; John 19:30; Luke 23:46)

NoteThe writers name different women and angels. Conservative harmonists show these as several visits and parts of one morning; Robertson gives one order, and others differ on details. (Robertson, Harmony, sections 176-180)