Why are the "books" of Matthew and Mark almost identical in the bible?

Question

Is it because they are two accounts of the same events by two different people?

Answer 1

Because they are first hand accounts of what those men saw. They were both followers of Jesus, so they were together with him when those things happened, so they both told the same stories.

Answer 2

Matthew Mark and Luke, are called the Synoptic Gospels. The authors of each have different concerns.

Mark written first about 60 AD is the "crudest", that is, the least polished of the Gospels, and is interested in more of what Jesus did than on his words and teachings.

Matthew writes from the perspective of a Jew and to Jews. As such he presents Jesus as the Messiah that the Jews looked for. Ex. The magi see a star in the East

Luke writes to a Gentile audience. His Gospel is more concerned with a message to the poor and the outsider. Ex. Shepherds in the fields are visited by angels. The parable of the Good Samaritan praises the outsider rather than the righteous people.

Answer 3

Things have to be confirmed by the mouth of two or three witnesses. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are giving their witness that the Messiah Dan.9:24-27; has come and has been cut off and has risen. Matt.22:42-45; It was told by David that he would sit on the right hand of God Acts 2:31-35; Heb.1:1-13; until his enemies that is satan and his angels would be on the footstool earth.
Rom.16:30; and Rev.12:7-12; Michael and his angel did cast Satan and his angels out of heaven to make way for those to be raised up to be with the Lord john 14:3; 6:39.40.44; 1Thes 4:15-17;

Answer 4

The gospels of Mathew and Luke are based on Mark. Mark was written about 60AD. Mathew used Mark, along with another source (called Q), and composed his gospel sometime after 70AD. Luke wrote his gospel also by using Mark and a sayings source (Q). As a consequence, much of the material is identical, or mostly the same. However, Mark did NOT use the Q source as someone else answered above (only Mathew & Luke). Over 90% of Mark can be found in Mathew and Luke. These three gospels are referred to as the Synoptics because of their close relationship to one another.

Answer 5

Both the Gospel of Mark and that of Matthew took their story from an older story, called 'Q' by Bible scholars. Unfortunately, 'Q' has been lost, although there are a lot of similarities with the Gospel of Thomas (which is not part of the Bible).

Below is a link to some discussions of early Christian writings.

The person below is right. Mark didn't use 'Q'. Sorry.

Answer 6

matthew and mark's book are almost identical , for the same reason god choose 12 disciples to give us a different point of view. and to remind us that two people can have difference of oppinion and still be talking about the same thing . mathew and mark are different in many ways but yet they both see thing much the same as the other. this helps us to keep predjudism out of our heart, and allow us to see or heir the persons spirit and not their outer appearance. remember in the begining adam and eve had know eyes theirfor they only identifed each other by the sound of their voice or spirit, it wasn't till they took of the forbiden fruit that their eye's were open and they saw themself in the nature. so when you listen to someone this week don't automaticly assume they are tellin a ly. remember the disciple they say things different but yet the same perhaps other people have a different way of seeing thing theirfor a different way of identifying what they saw. blue might be blue to you but perhaps they see it yellow green and red. which may also be blue in a more nuetralized way . so befor you look at a picture look at it and identify what the artist saw, and how he illustrated what he saw then look at the picture and put yourself into it and you will find none of us are that much more different then the other. sincerely yours at heart trueagape from above

Answer 7

because they copied from the same gospel. Maybe Matthew was written first and Mark just copied from him, or vice versa, but scholars tend to think that both Matthew and Mark are re-writes of a different Gospel. So, in other words, these two gospels, the authors plagiarized the story of Jesus

Answer 8

One came first (I think it was Matthew, but I can't remember exactly). The second one is an account of what happened based on what was written in the first one.
You have to remember that back in early days of Christianity, there were no printing presses, so there wasn't wide spread distribution of a single work. In order to get the message to more people, more books were written.
There are striking similarities between all four of the Gospels.

Answer 9

The major difference between Matthew's and Mark's gospels, is their point of view. Matthew addresses the profecies of the messiah, as the 'Son of David'. It starts with his royal lineage. Mark addresses other proficies, that see the messiah as the 'Servant of God'.

They are so similar, because the authors used Lukes account for research. (Lukes account takes the 'Son of Man' point of view)

And yes, even inspired apostles have to do a little research!

Answer 10

Yes. They are two accounts,but one is more detailed. Mark goes a little further in to events than Matthew. It explains more.

Answer 11

Because Mark copied Matthew's Gospel. Seriously, I did a whole study on it in my Theology class.