“…He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day.” (Luke 24:6-7)
One of the best descriptions of the Easter story comes through Jesus himself, spoken here to Mary by “two men…clothed in dazzling robes” (verse 4). These two angels (divine messengers) met Mary as she approached the empty tomb, early on Sunday morning of the first Easter. They tell Mary to go and tell the disciples that He is risen!
This Easter, to illuminate Jesus’ arrest, death, and resurrection, I’ve combined in parallel form the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and sprinkled in as many Old Testament prophesies about Jesus as possible. I’ve also added an approximate timeline starting late on Friday evening after the Last Supper (11:30 pm?), all the way through Jesus’ ascension forty days later (Acts 1:3). To read, click here on Parallel Easter Gospels.
The gospels written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar, and called synoptic gospels (‘same view’), because it is believed that they shared much of the same source material. The gospel of John is believed to have been written a few years later, with a different point of view and purpose. To our advantage, John’s account of the Easter story complements and expands on the synoptics. Overall, it is fascinating to see what each gospel writer includes in their account, and what is left out. All four gospels in parallel provide a rich account, especially with prophetic words from the Psalms, Isaiah, Zechariah, Exodus, and Numbers. I’ve also included Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and Psalm 69 – these are explicit prophesies of Jesus.
If you enjoy the gospels in parallel, there are several published versions available for the entire gospels. Search Amazon for ‘synoptic gospels’ or ‘parallel gospels’ – some versions include the three synoptic gospels, and some include John as well.
Did you know Jesus prayed specifically for you and I? Yes! Incredibly, toward the end of the Last Supper, He prayed to our Father directly for us, to receive Him through His disciples’ message. When we have the parallel gospels and Jesus’ prayer, what more could we ask for?
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
(John 17:20-21)
Amen.
words on The Word 