This is the sixth post in a series of blogposts highlighting some of the similarities between the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels. For this post I have made use of the ESV text of BibleWorks 9.

Active in Galilee

“This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.” John 2:11 (ESV). All four Gospels indicate Jesus was active in Galilee. See Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:39 and Luke 5:17.

Driving People out of the Temple

“And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.” John 2:15 (ESV). All four Gospels indicate Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem around the time of the Passover and drove people out of it. See Luke 19:45-46; Mark 11:15-17 and Matthew 21:12-13.

Destroy this Temple

“Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.” John 2:19-21 (ESV). In Matthew and Mark somewhat similar sayings are attributed to Jesus by (false?) witnesses at his trial (see Matthew 26:61 and Mark 14:58). Perhaps John’s Gospel gives something approximating the actual saying of Jesus and its historical context.