Differences between John and Synoptics handout

Differences between John and Synoptics Synoptics 1. Chronology 1 Passover (1-yr. min.). 1 journey to Jerusalem. Mainly in Galilee. Temple-cleansing at end. Last Supper is Passover. Brief scenes/sayings strung together. Many miracles, exorcisms. Many parables. Few stories in John also in Synoptics (90% of John has no close parallel). John 3 Passovers (3-yr. min.). 3 journeys. Mainly in Judea. Temple-cleansing at beg. Last Supper not Passover. Long thematic discourses. Only 7 miracles, no exorcisms. No parables. Omits key Synoptic events: baptism; temptation; Peter’s confession; transfiguration; institution of Lord’s Supper; agony in Gethsemane. 2. Style 3. Content 4. Language Down-to-earth language of everyday Palestine (sowing, plowing, making bread, Pharisees, tax collectors, etc.). Cosmic, philosophical language (in the beginning; above/below; light/darkness; descending/ascending; truth/knowing; etc.) 5. Jesus’ teaching Main theme is Kingdom of God. Reservation about his own person. Jewish rabbi or prophet (with mysterious added dimension). Kingdom of God hardly mentioned. Explicit christological claims (Son of God; heavenly Revealer; “I am” sayings; etc.) 6. Depiction of Jesus Divine, heavenly envoy with super-human powers.