Gospel Differences

Question 1

Which of the following is not material unique to Matthew? Genealogy of Jesus beginning with Abraham, Parable of the Good Samaritan, Peter walking on the water, the death of Judas.

Answer 1

Parable of the Good Samaritan (This is found only in Luke.)

Question 2

The concept of “the church” is unique to which Gospel?

Answer 2

Matthew

Question 3

Which Apostle is prominently featured in Matthew’s Gospel?

Answer 3

Peter

Question 4

Which of the following is not a change Matthew makes to material found in the Gospel of Mark? Removal of parables, reorganization of material, portraying the religious leaders more negatively, portraying the disciples more positively.

Answer 4

Removal of parables. (Only John lacks parables.)

Question 5

Which Gospel removes material that suggests that Jesus does not know certain things?

Answer 5

Matthew

Question 6

Which Gospel heavily uses “fulfillment citations” to show Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies?

Answer 6

Matthew

Question 7

Which Gospel organizes Jesus’ sayings into five main speeches?

Answer 7

Matthew

Question 8

Which Gospel emphasizes the abiding presence of God in Jesus?

Answer 8

Matthew

Question 9

Which Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the “Son of God”?

Answer 9

Matthew

Question 10

Which Gospel emphasizes discipleship, i.e., how God wants people to live?

Answer 10

Matthew

Question 11

Which Gospel has a theme about Jewish biblical interpretation briefly referred to as “binding and loosing”?

Answer 11

Matthew

Question 12

Which Gospel portrays doubt and little faith as acceptable characteristics for God’s people?

Answer 12

Matthew

Question 13

Which Gospel tells Jesus’ story with a sense of urgency?

Answer 13

Mark

Question 14

Which Gospel writer makes frequent use of “the historical present”?

Answer 14

Mark

Question 15

Which Gospel writer likes to sandwich one story with another (technically called “intercalation”)?

Answer 15

Mark

Question 16

Which Gospel ends its story with women afraid to tell others about the resurrection of Jesus?

Answer 16

Mark

Question 17

In which Gospel is the centrality of the cross most prominent?

Answer 17

Mark

Question 18

Which Gospel writer highlights secrecy, including having Jesus tell others to be silent about his true identity?

Answer 18

Mark

Question 19

Which Gospel highlights the failures of the disciples?

Answer 19

Mark

Question 20

Which of the following is not unique to Luke’s Gospel? Dedication to Theophilus, Parable of the prodigal son, Jesus’ ascension to heaven, Jesus requiring two efforts to heal a blind man.

Answer 20

Jesus requiring two efforts to heal a blind man. (This is found only in Mark.)

Question 21

Which of the following is not one of the ways Luke changes Mark? Changes the word “village” to “city,” removes references to Jesus becoming angry, Peter’s faith is highlighted, avoids scenes where Jesus might be mistaken for a magician.

Answer 21

Peter’s faith is highlighted. (This is unique to Matthew.)

Question 22

Which Gospel puts most of the extra material about Jesus not found in Mark into the story of Jesus taking a long journey to Jerusalem?

Answer 22

Luke (in 9:51-19:44)

Question 23

Which Gospel gives the most prominence to women?

Answer 23

Luke

Question 24

Which Gospel focuses the most on riches and poverty?

Answer 24

Luke

Question 25

Which Gospel emphasizes Jerusalem and the Temple?

Answer 25

Luke

Question 26

Which Gospel goes to the greatest extent to remove Mark's negative portrayal of Jesus' disciples?

Answer 26

Luke

Question 27

Which Gospel, Matthew or Luke, uses the most of Mark's Gospel?

Answer 27

Matthew. Luke retains only 350 verses, omitting among other things all of Mark 6:45-8:20.

Question 28

Which Gospel writes in a way to mimic the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament?

Answer 28

Luke

Question 29

Which Gospel incorporates a lot of poetic material?

Answer 29

Luke

Question 30

Which Gospel has a sequel?

Answer 30

Luke (The Book of Acts continues the story)

Question 31

Which Gospel emphasizes worship and prayer?

Answer 31

Luke

Question 32

Which Gospel makes use of food and meals as a major theme?

Answer 32

Luke

Question 33

Which Gospel focuses on ministry to the excluded and disadvantaged?

Answer 33

Luke

Question 34

Which Gospel highlights the availability of salvation in the present?

Answer 34

Luke

Question 35

Which Gospel stresses the work of the Holy Spirit?

Answer 35

Luke

Question 36

Which Gospel is most unlike the other three?

Answer 36

John

Question 37

Which Gospel contains no parables?

Answer 37

John

Question 38

Which Gospel does not tell of Jesus kicking out evil demons?

Answer 38

John

Question 39

Which Gospel reports an encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman?

Answer 39

John

Question 40

Which Gospel records that Jesus turned water into wine?

Answer 40

John

Question 41

Which Gospel has Jesus wash his disciples' feet?

Answer 41

John

Question 42

Which Gospel does not mention Jesus' birth or baptism?

Answer 42

John

Question 43

Which Gospel makes heavy use of symbolism?

Answer 43

John

Question 44

Which Gospel has Jesus do most of his work in and around Jerusalem?

Answer 44

John

Question 45

Which Gospel uses irony more than the others?

Answer 45

John

Question 46

Which Gospel portrays Jesus as the true revelation of God?

Answer 46

John

Question 47

Which Gospel is organized around seven signs and seven "I am" statements?

Answer 47

John

Question 48

Which Gospel most clearly identifies Jesus as God?

Answer 48

John

Question 49

Which Gospel most clearly portrays the death of Jesus as victory (i.e., glorification)?

Answer 49

John

Question 50

Which Gospel speaks most often about love?

Answer 50

John

Question 51

Which Gospel identifies the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete?

Answer 51

John

Question 52

Which Gospel most often portrays "the Jews" negatively?

Answer 52

John