Synoptic Relationships of the Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar in that they all relate the same incidents in the life of Jesus. They are a testimony to God and his work in the world that is given to us out of the life of the early church. The gospels faithfully bear witness to us of the truth they had come to see in Jesus. Although they are similar, there are also many differences. For instance, Luke wrote his gospel for a Gentile audience, emphasizing that the Messiah came to the poor, lowly, outcast and Gentiles, while Matthew addressed the Jews, proving to them that Jesus was the Messiah and fulfilled Old Testament scriptures. Mark addressed a Roman audience and described Christ's triumphal procession to the cross in a way comparable to a Roman emperor.