Color-Coded Synopsis of the Gospels

The color scheme is patterned after the rainbow, with the red text used for Matthew, yellow for Mark, green for Luke, and violet for John. (Since yellow text is difficult to read, we have used yellow highlighting instead for Mark.) Different colors are used for different combinations of text. Colors for the Synoptics are chosen without regard for what John does.

Colors should match: If a word is orange, it should be in the Matthew column, and should also be orange in the Mark column. If it is black on one column, it should be black in all three synoptic columns, and so forth.

Colors in John follow a similar pattern. If the word is shared with Matthew but not Mark or Luke, then it is red. The fact that the word is also in John is indicated by the fact that it is in the fourth column. If the word is shared with Matthew and Mark but not Luke, it is orange, and so forth.

I have no doubt made a few mistakes along the way. If you notice any, let me know at m.morrison@gcs.edu.

Several numbering schemes have been used in Gospel Harmonies and Synopses. Rather than make a new scheme, I have used the numbering scheme of Kurt Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels (United Bible Societies, 1985), with only occasional modifications.

Their permissions statement includes the following: “You may copy the NET Bible® and print it for others as long as you give it away, do not charge for it and comply with our guidelines for content control including current valid copyright and organizational acknowledgments…. The NET Bible® verse text (no Notes) can be used by anyone and integrated into your non-commercial project or publication upon condition of proper Biblical Studies Press copyright and organizational acknowledgments.”