Jon Gary Williams
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A. Written by Matthew (a "publican") (9:9; 10:3)

B. Written probably between 62-68 A. D. 


C. Contains 1071 verses divided into 28 chapters 

D. Is the most Jewish of the gospels ("A book written by a Jew, for Jews, about a Jew") 

1. Traces Jesus' genealogy:
a) Through his "father" Joseph - 1:16; b) The Abraham (1 - 2)

2. Jewish arrangement of genealogy (in sections of 14) (1:17)

3. Jewish phrases used for the temple: "temple of God" (21:12); "the holy place" (24:15)


4. Jewish phrases used for Jerusalem: "city of the great king" (5:35); "holy city" (4:5; 
27:53)

5. Other Jewish phrases: "binding and losing" (16:19; 18:18); "gnashing of teeth" (8:12; 
13:42)

E. Keeps the Old Testament before its readers, showing that in Jesus is to be found the 
fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies (1:22,23; 2:5,6,15,17,23; 3:3; 4:6,7)

F. Stresses the "kingdom" more than the other gospels (3:2; 4:17,23; 5:3,10,19,20; 6:33; 
7:21; 9:35; 10:7; 11:11; 18:1,3,4,23; 19:14,23,24)

G. Attention given to Jesus' discourses 

1. Sermon on the mount (5 - 7)

2. Instructions to the twelve (10)

3. Parables of the kingdom (13) 


4. Reproof of scribes and Pharisees (23) 


5. The final judgment - (13; 24:35 - 25:46)

H. Things peculiar to Matthew

1. The only gospel using the phrase "kingdom of heaven" - 29 times 


2. The only gospel to use the word "church" (16:18; 18:17)

A. The early years of Jesus

1. Birth of Jesus (1:1 - 2:23)

2. Ministry of John (3:1-17)

3. Temptations of Jesus (4:1-11)

B. The ministry of Jesus


1. Beginning in Galilee (4:12-25)

2. Sermon on the mount (5:1 - 7:29)


3. Ten miracles (8:1 - 9:34)


4. Mission of the twelve (9:35 - 10:42)

5. Unbelieving cities (11:1-30; 18:17)

6. Conflict with the Pharisees (12:1-50)

7. Parables of the kingdom (13:1-52)

C. Ministry in areas outside Galilee 

1. Healings and controversies (13:53 - 16:12)

2. Messiahship and suffering (16:13-28)


3. The mountain and the valley (17:1-27)


4. Life in the kingdom (18:1-35) 

5. The ministry in Perea (19:1 - 20:34)

D. The last days 

1. Jesus in Jerusalem (21:1 - 22:46)


2. Denunciation of the scribes and pharisees (23:1-39)


3. Prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world (24:1 - 25:46)

4. The suffering and death of Jesus (26:1 - 27:66)

5. The resurrection (28:1-20)

A. Written by Mark


1. Called "John" (Acts 12:12,25; 15:37) and "Marcus" (Col. 4:10; Phile. 23; I Pet. 5:13)

2. Nephew of Barnabas ("cousin" ADV) (Col. 4:10)

B. Probably written about 65-68 A. D. 


C. Contains 678 verses divided into 16 chapters 


D. Written to those with a Roman background 

1. Omits the birth and genealogy of Jesus which would not be of concern to Romans 


2. Contains terms adapted to Romans - "executioner" (or "soldier of the guard" ASV) (3:27); 
"vessels" (7:4); "Praetorium" (15:16)

3. Explains Jewish customs which would not be necessary if addressed to Jews (7:2-4; 12:42; 
14:12; 15:42) 


4. Explains Jewish words which would not be necessary if addressed to Jews (3:17; 5:41; 
7:34; 14:36)

E. Is the shortest of the gospel accounts with less attention given to strict history and genealogy 
which would not be that important to the Romans 


F. Its rapid nature is seen in the use of "euthus," often translated "immediately" and 
"straightway," found over 40 times. 


G. Though it contains fewer accounts, many are more vivid that in the other gospels

1. Stilling the storm (4:35-41)

2. Other examples (14:12-16; 14:51,52)

H. Shows Jesus as a servant or worker which would impress the Roman mind (Sometimes called 
"The gospel of Jesus' deeds." 


I. Begins with his baptism - his identity as the Son of God and his work in preaching (1:9,14)


J. Reveals Jesus as a doer of impressive works which show him ti be the "Son of God" (1:1)

1. Statements showing amazement - "what thing is this?" (1:17); "We never saw it on this fashion" (2:12); "What manner of man is this?" (4:41)

2. Records eighteen of Jesus' miracles including many instances of casting out demons (1:23-27; 32-34; 3:11; 22-27; 5:1-20; 7:25-30; 19:17-29)

K. Other things peculiar to Mark



1. More than one third deals with the last eight days of Christ's life (11:1 - 16:20)

2. Records only four parables 

1. Called "Lucas" (Phile. 24)

2. Identified as a physician (Col. 4:14)

3. Was with Paul during much of his preaching journeys, on his voyage to Rome and 
during his imprisonment (Acts 27:1; 28:2; II Tim. 4:11)

4. Was probably a Greek (Gentile) - spoken of separate from "the circumcision" (Jew) (Col. 
4:11,14)

1. Both Luke and Acts are addressed to the same person, Theophilus (Lk. 1:3; Acts 1:1)

2. Luke is called "the former treatise" (Acts 1:1)


3. Acts is actually a continuation of Luke 


1. In Luke Jesus' genealogy begins with Jesus and works back, whereas Matthew begins with 
Abraham and works forward (Lk. 3:23-38; Matt. 1:1-16)

2. In Luke Jesus' genealogy is traced through Mary's line, whereas Matthew traces it through 
Joseph's line (Lk. 3:23; Matt. 1:16)

3. Mentions two emperors of the Roman empire (2:1; 3:1) (Note: Two others are also 
mentioned by Luke (Acts 11:28; 25:10,11)

1. His genealogy is traced back to the first man, Adam, the father of all humanity (3:23-38)

2. His genealogy is traced through his fleshly mother, Mary, instead of Joseph as recorded by Matthew (both eventually come together through David) (Lk. 3:23-31)

1. A sinful woman (7:36-50)


2. A sinful son (16:11-24)


3. A detested tax collector (19:1-10)

4. A thief (23:39-43)

1. The Samaritan on the Jericho road (10:25-37)

2. The one Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus (19:11-19; Matt. 1:6-16)