A Harmony of the Gospels: A Useful Tool for Every Story
Today, we’re looking at a common, but sometimes overlooked tool for studying the Bible: a Harmony of the Gospels.
We’ll look at:
- What a Harmony of the Gospels actually is and where to find one.
- The best ways to use this tool.
- And the different types since a “harmony of the gospels” can include more than one type.
Letting the Bible Teach Us How to Best Read It
A harmony of the Gospels will help us to get more well-rounded understandings of the stories told in the Gospels. When we are able to look at these stories with other Biblical accounts as supplemental information, we get a sturdier, more nuanced understanding of what the Bible is telling us.
How to Apply What We Learn
At the end of this teaching, you’ll not only understand the value of this tool, but you’ll also know where to find some for your own use. I’ll include some free resources to make sure you are well-equipped for study.
The Big Ideas and Helpful Highlights of a Harmony of the Gospels
How You Can Unearth the Value in the Differences
A Harmony of the Gospels is a tool that presents (usually in a visual format) sections of the Gospels that chronicle the same events, conversations, or topics.
This way of approaching the happenings of the Gospels gives us the strength of more than one perspective on a single event.
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs
There are different types of Harmonies of the Gospel. Some emphasize finding unity between passages, and other place the highest value on tracking chronology. Make sure you understand the types as outlined in this teaching so that you can choose the one that’s right for you.
A Simple Way of Exploring an Abundance of Overlap
Many of the Gospel relay stories that are also in at least one of the other Gospels. This is most true of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). While John tends to overlap less.
The depth and breadth of individual harmonies vary widely, so check into what you plan to use and perhaps use more than one!
Where to Find a Harmony of the Gospels for Use
Many study Bibles include some form of a Harmony of the Gospels in their pages. You can also find quite a few available for free online. I’ll link to a few of them at the bottom of these notes.
How This Helps You Read the Bible Better
Remember, the Gospels aren’t meant to be journalism or court testimony. Each is written with a specific intention by a unique individual, addressing an audience situated in a concrete time and place.
By comparing and contrasting the details and stories included or omitted by the different gospel writers, you can not only get a more comprehensive understanding of the events described. But you can also start to identify some of the thematic differences between the Gospels themselves.
Once you start to see the Gospels as unique piece in a collection, you’ll find more ways to investigate what they hold while also contextualizing the specific of what’s communicated within that framework.
How to Learn Even More as You Read
There are so many great tools inside a Study Bible. Many of them are never utilized to their full potential. Get a copy of my FREE resource, “A Guide to Your Study Bible” and start realizing the maximum potential of your Study Bible’s tools. Sign up for your download below!
Check out these free Harmonies of the Gospel found online:
Bible Hub’s parallel passages resource is formatted so that this Harmony of the Gospel is easy to follow.
BlueLetterBible.org has a collection of very comprehensive resources.
This article has EXCELLENT background information about harmonies of the Gospel, including information on the different types.
I use Logos Bible software for the majority of my Bible study. Logos has some features that present harmonies and parallel passages any point in your study. Check out Logos for its huge variety of Bible study capabilities. It’s a game-changer.