The Synoptics

The first three gospels are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because of their similar structure and stories.  Although these stories are similar, they are different in many ways.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar because of the death and resurrection of Christ.  This is the biggest and most important similarity between the three books.  Secondly, all three books have the story of Jesus being baptized, and the ministry of John leading up to His coming.  Another very important similarity in all three stories is Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah.   There are many other minor similarities that are in all three such as the death of John the Baptist, the triumphal entry, and the transfiguration of Jesus.  From all these similarities a person might ask why all three gospels would be placed in the Bible.  Well, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are also very different from each other.  Two of the books take place in the area of Palestine where one of them takes place more specifically in the region near the Sea of Galilee.  Matthew and Luke both contain the genealogies of Christ, but Mark does not.  They all had different authors that all wrote from a different perspective.  The books have many differences and similarities.