A Comparative Analysis of New Testament Theology: An Essay

This essay provides a comparative analysis of New Testament Theology, focusing on the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Gospel of John. The author highlights key differences in their portrayal of Jesus' ministry, the roles of John the Baptist and the disciples, and the emphasis on values and miracles. The Synoptics are presented as narrating a one-year ministry of Jesus, while the Gospel of John portrays a three-year ministry, with differing accounts of events, miracles, and the identity of key figures. The essay emphasizes that despite differences in narrative and style, both the Synoptics and the Gospel of John aim to preach the same message, the supremacy of God and the importance of living a good and moral life, with the role of the interpreter being critical in understanding the nuances and interpretations of these sacred texts. The essay uses several sources to support its arguments.

Running head: NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
New Testament Theology
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
“The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.”
The above quoted line from the “Bible” clearly indicates the nature of the interpretation
which the individuals are to follow. The “Bible” therefore is being interpreted on the basis of
the dictums provided by the Son of God, Jesus ("King James
Bible". Universityheightspresbyterianchurch.Org). The “Testament” consists of various
segments with the primary ones being the “Synoptics” and the “Gospel of John” ("New
Testament Theology". Google Books). The “Synoptics” consists of the gospels of Matthew,
Mark and Luke ("New Testament Theology". Google Books). They have been grouped
together as the stories as well as the events which they narrate are almost similar to each
other in content and narrative style. The “Gospel of John”, on the other hand, is often
considered to be one of the main components of the four canonical gospels which form a part
of the “New Testament” ("New Testament Theology". Google Books). The “Gospel of John”
is a completely original work and the stories as well as the events narrated in the gospel are
completely different form the ones narrated in the “Synoptics”. The “Gospel of John” is an
anonymous work. However, the work is often attributed to “John the Apostle”, who was one
of the twelve apostles of Jesus. It is to be noted that both the “Synoptics” and the “Gospel of
John” have been interpreted in various ways by the interpreters.
It is to be noted that both the “Synoptics” as well as the “Gospel of John” try to preach the
same message through the plethora of various diverse events and stories. The inherent
message of the supremacy of God and the importance of living a good as well as moral life as
per the precepts of the Christian principles has been portrayed by both the works. However,
there are some inherent different differences between some of the events and content which
both the gospels portray through various ways. The first difference between the two works is
the way they represent the ministry of Jesus. The “Synoptics” states that the ministry of Jesus
lasted for one year whereas the “Gospel of John” state that the ministry of Jesus lasted for

2NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
three years ("Passion Narratives And Gospel Theologies". Google Books). The “Synoptics”
talk about only journey to the holy city of Jerusalem whereas the “Gospel of John” talks
about multiple journeys to the holy city of Jerusalem. The “Synoptics” states that “John the
Baptist” is Elijiah and insists on the doctrine of repentance ("Passion Narratives And Gospel
Theologies". Google Books). However, the “Gospel of John” states that “John the Baptist” is
not Elijiah and was a “witness” to Jesus ("The Gospel Of John". S3.Amazonaws.Com). The
“Gospel of John” states that the ministry of Jesus overlaps with that of John whereas the
“Synoptics” states that the ministry of Jesus begins after the arrest of “John the Baptist”. The
“Synoptics” insist that the first four disciples of Jesus are two pair of brothers, namely, James
and John and Simon and Andrew ("Passion Narratives And Gospel Theologies". Google
Books). However, the “Gospel of John”, on the other hand, states that the first five disciples
are Andrew, the name of the second one is anonymous, Simon Peter, Philip and Nathanael
( "The Gospel Of John". S3.Amazonaws.Com). The “Synoptics” preaches values and virtues
like “Love thy neighbor”, “Love thy enemies”, “Love God” ("Passion Narratives And Gospel
Theologies". Google Books). The “Gospel of John”, on the other hand, preaches the concept
of ““Love one another” ( "The Gospel Of John". S3.Amazonaws.Com). The “Synoptics”
consists of many “miracles” but includes very few long monologues or speeches. The
“Gospel of John”, on the other hand, consists of very few “miracles” but includes many long
monologues and speeches. Peter is considered to be the first as well as the most important of
the “Twelve Apostles”. According to the “Gospel of John”, “Martha of Bethany”, “Mary
Magdalene and the “Beloved Disciple” are considered to be the most important disciples of
Jesus ( "The Gospel Of John". S3.Amazonaws.Com). These in short are some of the major
differences between the “Synoptics” and the “Gospel of John”.
Therefore, from the above discussion it becomes clear that there are several similarities
between the “Synoptics” and the “Gospel of John”. However, the differences between the

3NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
two far outweigh the differences between the two gospels. It is to be noted that both the
gospels more or less narrate the same events and incidents by the use of different techniques.
However, the differences arise in the facts which they represent. It is here that the role of the
interpreter becomes very important in this context.

4NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
References
"King James Bible". Universityheightspresbyterianchurch.Org. Last modified 2018.
Accessed March 9, 2018.
http://www.universityheightspresbyterianchurch.org/uploads/King_James_Bible_Ebook.pdf.

5NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
"New Testament Theology". Google Books. Last modified 2018. Accessed March 9, 2018.
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=e7xuufXUSo8C&oi=fnd&pg=PR17&dq=the+new+testament&ots=c39zpW2
D0q&sig=MWy_DNZoD0qSQz-f3zSuFVjf9TA#v=onepage&q=the%20new
%20testament&f=false.
"Passion Narratives And Gospel Theologies". Google Books. Last modified 2018. Accessed
March 9, 2018. https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=fKJKAwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=Synoptics&ots=BpUzPPIDkU&
sig=2cIWCPC0mbFdCtLNIJCBn
"The Gospel Of John". S3.Amazonaws.Com. Last modified 2018. Accessed March 9, 2018.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/37073495/Bultmanns_Commentary.Fore
word.final_1.pdf?
AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1520590200&Signature=5%2
BpVfAfl%2FZr6mQ6pXF%2B9na1p1gs%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B
%20filename%3DForeword_to_The_Gospel_of_John_A_Commen.pdf.