The Differences Of Emphases Among Matthew, Mark And Luke

“The Helper (Worker)”

Have you ever thought about the differences that exist among the first three gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke? Let’s look at the last few verses of each of these gospels and notice the differences. In each case the Lord promises to do, or does something different, for his disciples.

Matthew 28:18-20 AV/KJV 18 And Jesus came and spake (spoke) unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye (you) therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Luke 24:50-53 AV/KJV 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Mark 16:19-20 AV/KJV 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

We see that in Matthew Jesus promised to be with his people. In Luke he blesses them. In Mark he worked with them as they preached everywhere.

In Matthew we find ourselves before a king. The gospel begins with a genealogy which included the person of David, king of Israel, and some of his descendants who were kings in Jerusalem. The gospel closes with this other King and Son of David who tells his people that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth! How much greater then is that promise that he will be with them to the end of the world in light of his enormous authority!

Luke begins his gospel with a scene in the temple and closes the gospel with the disciples of Jesus gathering in the temple to praise and bless the Lord! And surely it is through God’s Representative that we both receive blessing from the Lord and bless and praise him ourselves.

On the other hand Mark opens his gospel with the prophets. These prophets are preaching, Isaiah, Malachi and Moses, through the quotes from the Old Testament in chapter one verses 2 and 3. But then another prophet enters the scene, John the Baptist, and he also preaches. The first chapter of the gospel has not yet closed when we see Jesus going into Galilee preaching. This gospel closes with the same theme. The disciples go out everywhere preaching, and the Lord works with them. This is the gospel of the prophet, the preacher and the Lord who works with them. He works with us to preach the gospel everywhere to everyone.

We can work with each other, helping each other, in this great task. It should not surprise us that the human author, John Mark, joined the first missionary team of Paul and Barnabas as a helper. (Acts 13:5)

Other Coworkers and Helpers in the Bible

Romans 16:1-3 AV/KJV 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (helper) of the church which is at Cenchrea:

2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist (help) her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer (helper) of many, and of myself also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Acts 18:24-28 AV/KJV 24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him (helping him) the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

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