why do the gospels give different accounts concerning events surrounding Jesus?

Question

the account about if Jesus carried his own cross, who was the first to see him after his death and ressurection and even his geneology are different.

for instance, one will say simon carried the cross for Jesus and another said Jesus carried his cross himself.

Answer 1

Just as people who are interviewed by investigators at scenes of crimes or accidents have different stories, so also the Gospel writers.

Matthew wrote his Gospel to the Hebrews, using more Messianic prophecies than any of the other writers. He focused on Jesus' fulfillment of the Scriptures as they relate to the Messiah.

Mark was actually Peter's secretary, and wrote his Gospel from Peter's accounts and sermons.

Luke was a Gentile, not a Jew, unlike the other Gospel writers. He said that he "carefully investigated" the accounts and recorded them in an orderly account. His primary audience was Gentiles.

John wrote his Gospel last, and used material that had not been used in the other Gospels. He tells us that he wrote his Gospel, "But these have been recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that through believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) He also mentioned just prior to that saying, "But these have been recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that through believing you may have life in his name." (v.30)

Just as people see different parts of a scene, or recall certain moments, the Gospel writers did the same. They wrote from different perspectives, and to different audiences.

I hope that helps!

Answer 2

Elliott,

The answer, is not going to make some hard core believers very happy. The book we call the Bible, did not come into existence, until 325 A.D. Jesus Himself, who was quite literate, never wrote down any of His teachings. It is widely believed that He also told His disciples, to refrain from doing so. Most of the original scriptures did not come into existence, until long after He had died and risen. In the year 325, Roman emperor Constantine, found himself in charge of a crumbling empire. He needed something to glue Roman society back together. He, in a stroke of brilliance, decided to take the fledgling faith, known as "The Way", and put it to good use. He summoned all of the elders and leaders of the various congregations throughout the Empire, and ordered them to bring all known copies of the sacred writings. Under his supervision, an orthodox version of what came to be called "Christianity" was forged. Men called "Correctores" rewrote the scriptures as needed, to fit into the new "Universal Church". Many of the teachings of Jesus were lost. Many pagan aspects were added. When they were done, just about anybody could join the new church, regardless of their relationship with God. "Christianity", became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Legend has it, that Constantine marched his army through the local river, and baptised them, and their horses, all at once. It is of interest to note, that the new head of the church, Emperor Constantine, murdered both his wife, and his son before his death. He was baptised himself, as he drew his last breaths. What is really amazing to me, is that the gospels are not identical copies. I guess old Constantine figured that if they were too much alike, folks would get a bit suspicious. All of the original scriptures that didn't match up with the new faith, were destroyed. Any church leaders or members, who disagreed with the faith, were banished, or worse. Having said all that, there are still some truths, that escaped the pens of the "Correctores". You have to learn to seperate the wheat from the chaff. You must have God's Spirit dwelling within you for that. If you ever become curious as to how that gets done, you can check out some of my other answers.

Answer 3

You get details in the different writings.
Christ was not able to carry the cross the whole way, so Simon was grabbed by the Romans to carry the cross the rest of the way. So!

Too many take a magnifying glass to view an elephant.

Answer 4

both accounts of him carrying his cross are true.. Jesus did carry his own cross, until he fell, then a gaurd told a man to carry it the rest of the way.

all of the accounts are the same but some have more details than some.
if you and I were to watch the same movie, and was later asked what the movie was about, would you give the exact same wording as I would about the same movie? highly doubtful.
you would have favorite parts of the movie that you would want to expound on while I would have my own.
the disciples watched all of this unfold and expound more on the parts that really hit home for them.

Answer 5

I know what your talking about, each name of the gospels is the author in the way they remembered itJohn is the most different only one that lets Jesus .Be the true Lamb of G-D.in one simon was the one that carried Jesus cross Matthew Mark Luke . not in John

Answer 6

Jesus did carry His cross until he fell under the weight of it...The accounts all say Mary saw Him, if another doesnt mention who else was there, it doesnt make the account wrong nor contradictory... the geneology in one account is from the line of Mary from her Levitical side and the over from her side of David.

Answer 7

The 4 gospel bills are like 4 eyewitness bills that an investigating officer could get carry of from 4 different persons. countless the main considerable factors tournament up. some info are ignored by using countless the witnesses. countless the main considerable factors are in basic terms given by using one witness. as long as none of them contradict there's no reason to doubt the validity of the thoughts.

Answer 8

NO they are not different - you get 4 people to write about the same event - each will be a little different - each mentioning something the other one doesn't:

Check out http://www.johnfourteen.com from John 14 in the Bible
Look at "Studies in the Bible" and "Lessons from the Pulpit"
many answers to everyday life can be found there.

Answer 9

The gospels were written after Jesus died by people who knew pieces and parts of Jesus' ministry and were relating what they had heard and had been told. If you only know part of the story, then that's all you can write down.

Answer 10

the Gospels were written by four different disciples, years after Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and when they had lived apart for awhile. Memory gets fuzzy, and the differing accounts offer us believers different perspectives, or different chances to accept HIM as Savior.