The Aspen Grove

A Comparison of the Johannine Account with the Synoptic Accounts of the Crucifixion

Note Planted:
3 min read

The Big Idea

Commonalities in the Passion Story

In the NIV Application Commentary on John, Gary Burge notes that all four Gospels share a common outline with regard to the Passion Story. The 12 main points of his outline are:

  1. Jesus and the disciples depart from the city for a location on the West side of the Mount of Olives (John 18:1, Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:39)
  2. Judas arrives with a crowd to take Jesus into custody (John 18:3-5, Matthew 26:47, Mark 14:43, Luke 22:47)
  3. Jesus is examined by the high priest (John 18:19-24, Matthew 26:57-66, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:66-71)
  4. Jesus is examined by the Roman Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-32, Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-5)
  5. Pilate infers Jesus’ innocence and offers to release one of his prisoners (John 18:38-40, Matthew 27:15-23, Mark 15:6-10, Luke 23:13-16)
  6. The crowd calls for Barabbas’ release (John 18:40, Matthew 27:20-21, Mark 15:11-14, Luke 23:18)
  7. Pilate gives the order of death for Jesus (John 19:13-16, Matthew 27:24-26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:24-25)
  8. Jesus is crucified with two men (John 19:18, Matthew 27:38, Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32-33)
  9. The soldiers divide Jesus’ clothes among themselves (John 19:23-24, Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34)
  10. Jesus is offered wine (John 19:29, Matthew 27:48, Mark 15:36, Luke 23:36)
  11. Jesus dies (John 19:30, Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46)
  12. Joseph of Arimathea requests Jesus’ body for burial.1 (John 19:38, Matthew 27:57-58, Mark 15:43-46, Luke 23:50-52)

Distinguishing Characteristics Between Gospels

John is unique both in the chiastic arrangement of the episodes and in the exclusive concentration on episodes of theological import. Each of the Johannine vignettes is carefully drawn, and the narrative is stripped of all that could distract. It is interesting to make a list of the details of the Synoptic narratives not found in John:

  • Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26)
  • Wailing women on the way to Calvary (Mark 15:40-41)
  • Offering of drugged potion (Mark 15:23, Matthew 27:34)
  • Jesus’ prayer for the forgiveness of his executioners (Luke 23:34)
  • Time indications, e.g., 9 A.M. (Mark 15:33); noon to 3 P.M. (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44)
  • Various mockeries (Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32, Luke 23:35-39)
  • Repentance of the “good thief” (Luke 23:40-43)
  • Darkness over the land (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44-45)
  • The cry, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!” (Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46)
  • The suggestion that he seeks deliverance by Elijah (Mark 15:35, Matthew 27:47)
  • Jesus’ final loud cry (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46)
  • The words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
  • The rending of the temple curtain (all three Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45)
  • The earthquake and the opening of the tombs (Matthew 27:51-53)
  • Reaction of the centurion (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47)
  • Repentance of the multitudes going home (Luke 23:48)
  • Pilate’s investigation to affirm the death of Jesus (Mark 15:44-45)
  • The wrapping of the body in a linen shroud (Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:45, Luke 23:53)
  • The presence of the women at the tomb (all three Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke 23:55)
  • Purchase of spices by the women (Luke 23:56)2

Footnotes

  1. Gary M. Burge, John (NIV Application Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 485-486. ↩

  2. Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel according to John: Introduction, Translation, and Notes (Anchor Bible, Volume 29A; Garden City: Doubleday, 1970), 914. ↩

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