Matthew and Mark, two very famous gospels within the bible in which Jesus’ life is documented. However, even though the same general story is being told, the differences consist of many. Because Mark was the first gospel written a decade before Matthew, the author had less resources than that of the author of Matthew. The author of Matthew was able to utilize Marks gospel previously written, the Q which is a “collection of traditions” (Ehrman 78), and his own accounts of what happened referred to as the M. Because of these differences in writing, Jesus is portrayed slightly differently.

Although Jesus is portrayed in a good light in both Matthew and Mark, the author of Matthew portrays him slightly differently. Initially in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) Jesus is instilling thoughtful teachings to crowds and his disciples. He is teaching them how one may inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Next, in Jesus’ statement on the Jewish scriptures (Matthew 5:17-20), Jesus continues his sermon on the mount by saying that he is not trying to insinuate that Moses’ laws were invalid or incorrect. Quite the opposite, Jesus was essentially trying to further give understanding and more background to what the laws truly entail. Lastly, Jesus speaks of the “Antitheses” (Matthew 5:21-48). In this Jesus states the Jewish law and then gives his interpretation of how he believes his followers should follow these laws (Ehrman 86). Through these accounts of Jesus, Matthew seems to portray Jesus as more of a teacher and mentor rather than the miracle worker that Mark portrays Jesus as. Jesus definitely seemed much more in-tune with teaching the people one-on-one rather than strictly staying with his disciples. In Mark Jesus definitely seemed to strictly stay with his disciples and only interact with others when he was performing miracles. Matthew’s interest in Moses is prevalent when Jesus is explaining the Jewish scriptures as well as the antitheses. First, Jesus explains the “issues relating to the Torah” (Matthew 5:17-20 Notes). However, Jesus then goes on to tell them not to think that he has come to “abolish the law or the prophets”, but rather, he has come “to fulfill” the laws and prophets (Matthew 5:17). The connection with Moses is that he initially set forth laws that were documented in the ten commandments, these are in which Jesus is further analyzing them for the people of his time in order to give them better understanding of what the laws are stating, he is essentially making them more precise, adding to them, and building off of them.

By explaining these laws Jesus is essentially preparing his followers for the kingdom of Heaven. It is written that Jesus stated “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Those who receive God in this kingdom of heaven would be anyone who denies themselves and takes up their cross and follows him (Matthew 16:24). Those who know that they’ve sinned and then repent from those sins are the ones who will be deemed worthy in God’s eyes. This seems rather different from the life of those who live under the Roman Empire. Within this life, your worthiness is based on living the perfect life. Repenting from sin is not a thing for them, once you sin, you have sinned and you are no longer worthy. Worthiness is also based on one’s means. In their eyes, one who makes more financially will get into God’s kingdom sooner than one who doesn’t make quite as much.

Alyssa Crawford