Religious Literature

Religious Literature

After reading the end of the four Gospels of the New Testament I was able to notice the slight differences and similarities in each, which makes since because if four people go to any event chances are that each of their stories would be slightly different.  Not to mention the fact that the Gospels were not written until some time after Jesus’ death. 

When it comes to the death of Jesus the books of Matthew and Mark are very similar they both talk about the brutal beating that he endured, they talked about how they placed a crown of thorns on His head as the Roman soldiers mocked Him.  They mention Simon who was the man that was forced to carry Jesus’ cross up the hill to the mount of skulls.  Then each book goes in to detail on how long it took Jesus to die, and they mention his final words “My God why have you forsaken me” shortly after according to the first two Gospels Jesus died and the curtain in the temple ripped completely, and the sky filled black. 

The Gospel of Luke is slightly different from Matthew and Mark.  Luke still talks about haw Jesus was beaten and mocked by the Roman guards.  But his story starts to change when Jesus is walling up the mount of skulls, with Simon caring Jesus’ cross behind Him, there are a large group of women following them crying and weeping over what is about to happen.  Then Jesus turns to them and says “don’t cry for me cry for yourselves because hard times will soon come your way” meaning that the Romans will come and soon destroy the Temple causing many heartaches for them.  Luke also talks more about the two other men who were nailed to the cross on the same day.  It is said that both of these men were criminals and one of them hurled insults at Jesus and the other asked Jesus to remember him when he reaches His kingdom.  Jesus then tells him “I tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke’s book says that Jesus last words were not “God why have you forsaken me?” but, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

The book of John is also quit different from the rest.  John never mentions anything about Simon caring Jesus’ cross, and he also does not mention anything about the other two men who were also crucified on the same day.  John does talk about the people who were there for example His mother, the other Mary, and Mary Magdalene.  Jesus says to then “Dear woman, here is your son.” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  John says that Jesus last words were I am thirsty and then when he was done drinking He said I am finished.  Following those words John says that Jesus then lowered His head and gave up his spirit.  He does not mention anything about the sky tuning black or the tearing of the temple curtain.