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Explain why the gospel authors at times differ from each other in their accounts.
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The authors at times differ from each other in their accounts. They may have been different because they all had different occupations and spoke from a different point of view. For example: Matthew , Mark, Luke, and John could have had a different audience and wrote from the eye of their gift and job title. Matthew was a tax collector and a business man. Therefore, he may have spoken about the importance of money, tax payments, and the increase or decrease cost of living. Mark was a missionary, one of God’s servants. His goal was probably focused on telling others about the message of the cross. He could have traveled with a mindset of helping others to understand the importance of God’s Word. Luke was a physician, historian, and scientist and because of his concern about the physical being, history of his homeland, and study of the universe, his messages could have focused on keeping the body healthy and clean by eating the proper foods in order to live a long life. John was a fisherman, he caught and sold fish for a living. His conversations may have influenced others to purchase three piece fish dinner.
Everyone has a different personality. Each of us have a different point of view. Even though we all may have witnessed the same account at the same time, our interpretation could sound and look totally different.
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The gospels offer different viewpoints.
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The gospels differ from one another for various reasons. Matthew and John were disciples so they gave eyewitness accounts of the life of Jesus while Mark was a disciple of Peter and used his accounts of Jesus to write his gospel. Luke was a Gentile believer who followed Paul and used extensive research to formulate his account.
Another reason that the accounts are different is that the gospel writers had different purposes and audiences. Matthew wrote specifically for Jewish listeners and wanted to show them that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah King that they hoped for. Mark portrayed Jesus as God’s servant. He also wrote to Roman citizens and because they did not know or have use for Jewish law, there was little reference to it. Luke wrote to Gentile believers and emphasized that Jesus was the savor of all people not just the Jews. Lastly John’s audience was all people and he wanted to prove Jesus was God, -
I find it very interesting and it helps give a more complex view of Jesus. Their audiences were different and needed to be told of His glory in ways they would understand. In the present day seeing these different views and putting them together is crucial. If you look at a sculpture you look at it from all sides, not from just the front. Their views complete the sculpture that is Jesus Christ and His life.
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Their account of the gospel depended upon their audience, their own interest, and their purpose for writing.