The many similarities among the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have long been noted. The following passages illustrate some of the relationships: Matthew and Luke sometimes depart from Mark, but never simultaneously. When Luke departs from Mark, Matthew does not. When Matthew departs from Mark, Luke does not. When Matthew and Luke agree, they also agree with Mark. This general pattern dominates the parallels among these three Gospels. In the following, agreements among all three Gospels are in bold; agreements between any two are in italics.
Matthew 12:46–50
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothersstood outside, asking to speak to him.
But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said “Here aremy mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Mark 3:31–35
And his mother and his brotherscame; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here aremy mother and my brothers!Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Luke 8:19–21
Then his mother and his brotherscameto him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. and he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”
But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
