why are there differences in the 4 gospels?

Question

besides the obvious fact that all 4 gospels were written by different authors, why are there differences in the 4 gospels?

Answer 1

Matthew and Luke are derived from Mark. Collectively, those three make up the "Synoptic Gospels," because they are alike. John is not included because it focuses much more on the sayings and philosophy of Jesus than his actions.

There are differences because they had different agendas they were trying to set. Matthew is different because it focuses heavily on the Jewishness of Jesus, attempting to portray Jesus to the Jews as being the Messiah. John's mission was to portray Jesus as being God incarnate. Just a couple examples, though.

Answer 2

There is more than one theory, the one mentioned by KC Superstar being acceptable to many scholars. A less well known theory, offered up by David Blivin and Roy Blizzard, Jr. (you can Google these names or go to Amazon to find the books), presents the postulate that there was a single document penned in Hebrew, presumably penned by one or more of the original twelve, and that fragments of it were circulated and the first three gospels are derivative of it.

None of these theories are essential to comprehension. If you read three different reports from three different news services which all relate to the same event, and if those reports differ somewhat from one another, you probably would not discount the described event as a rumor or a deception. You would accept the event as real, while being uncertain of some details. Yet, skeptics often shoot down the gospels for this very reason, claiming that they are complete fiction because of some apparent contradictions.

IF the bible was inspired, then the central harmony and cohesion over a thousand and a half years can be expected to have a few wrinkles. It is unique in its prophecy, much of which has been fulfilled hundreds or even thousands of years after being written (the return of the Hebrews and the recreation of Israel was prophesied some nineteen hundred years before hand). Over a hundred events in the life of Jesus were prophesied hundreds of years prior, including His death on the cross with no broken bones. No other writing comes even close (sorry to you Koran readers!)

There have been vast works published that focus on the harmonies of the Bible and the Gospels, and also a great deal has been made of the differences and discrepancies. In either case, from either viewpoint, the truth can be found, if one seeks it sincerely.

Answer 3

They can be reconciled for two reasons. 1. They are the personal views of the writers, and just as in a court of law eye witness accounts of the same event will vary, so do theirs. 2. Each one is written with a different aim in mind. One will want to emphasis Christ's miracles so lumps them together, another will concentrate on his treaching, etc. This is why they vary. But Luke said in the last verse of his gospel that if everything about Christ had been written down, the world would not be able to hold the books. In other words the Gospels only scratch the surface. It almost certain that they will have been edited to fit the available space.

Answer 4

Two of these accounts were written by eyewitnesses. The other two were written by those who either recorded testimony, or investigated what they wrote.

Ask any police officer investigating a traffic accident or crime. When the witnesses' testimonies agree completely, you suspect collusion. When the essentials are relatively similar, but different aspects get focused by some, and not others, you are able to pull together a complete picture.

Same with the Gospel accounts. It is because these accounts are different enough that I am more convinced than ever, that they are true.

Answer 5

Its internal harmony is significant

This is especially so in view of the fact that the books of the Bible were recorded by some 40 men as diverse as king, prophet, herdsman, tax collector, and physician. They did the writing over a period of 1,610 years; so there was no opportunity for collusion. Yet their writings agree, even in the smallest detail. To appreciate the extent to which the various portions of the Bible are harmoniously intertwined, you must read and study it personally.

Answer 6

because there were thousands of scribes, of several nations who added and deleted to the stories over several century's, they all put their own spin on on their work. The truest of the gospels is not in the bible , it is the gospel of Thomas, found at Nag Hammadi Egypt, in 1945! Try my web site TheAsender on line and see what I found!

Answer 7

The gospels are synoptic, meaning they all fit together. Their differences are only in different parts of Jesus' life.

Answer 8

Simple, the authors spoke with different people to get their info. How often do news reports from Fox News and CNN line up word for word? Diffrent witnesses, diffrent testimonies.

Answer 9

Ever play "Telephone" as a kid?

Now try it from Aramaic to Greek to English
over the span of 1500 yrs.


Maybe the Bible is an interesting book but this is why I can't take it literally.

Answer 10

What other answer do you need? Each author had their own take on what happened, or their own interpretation of what *may have happened.