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(1)
The work of the "Forerunner", John the Baptist.
(2)
The last supper, but no reference to the institution of a memorial feast.
(3)
The anointing at Bethany.
(4)
The miracle of feeding the 5000.
(5)
The miracle of walking on the sea.
(6)
The crucifixion.
(7)
The resurrection.
The word "synoptic" has been used in the note above, and it may be that some readers
are not quite clear as to its actual meaning. The word means, "to see together", "to have
a common point of view"; and it is this common point of view that unites the three
Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. John, while recording some of the same incidents in
the life and death and ministry of the same Lord, has a point of view entirely his own.
This different point of view is manifest in the opening verse: "In the beginning was the
Word", and throughout the Gospel. We shall therefore learn more by "trying the things
that differ" than by observing the things in common, and we will therefore record a few
of these differences as examples.
The Companion Bible draws attention to some 84 words that are employed by John
that are not used by the Synoptic writers, and these will be noted as our exposition
proceeds. There are also other words, not exclusive to John, but used by him with great
frequency than in the other Gospels, and these are grouped together in The Companion
Bible in the foreword to John's Gospels. Of this list of 32 words we give the following
by way of example.
Word.
John's Gospel.
Synoptic Gospels.
Kosmos . . . THE WORLD . . .
79 times
15 times.
Ho Pater . . . THE FATHER . . .
121
66
(used of GOD)
Martureo . . . WITNESS . . .
33
3
Aletheia . . . TRUTH . . .
25
7
Pempo . . .
SEND . . .
33
15
Teleioo . . . FINISH . . .
19
Twice
These six words, which are so characteristic of John's message, would, if studied
together, throw considerable light upon the special purpose of his Gospel.
The following inter-relation of the four Gospels is common knowledge, but is set out
here in order that our testimony may be complete, and that any new reader may have the
benefit.
MATTHEW.--Christ is set forth as KING. "Behold thy King" (Zech. 9: 9).
Christ is set forth as David's BRANCH.
"Behold . . . . . I will raise unto David a righteous Branch
and a King shall reign and prosper" (Jer. 33: 5, 6; 33: 15).
Christ genealogy is therefore given from Abraham through David (Matt. 1: 1-17).
Christ, relatively, presented as in the highest earthly position, a KING.