The purpose of the synoptic Gospels is not solely to establish their credibility, but rather to present the life, teachings, and significance of Jesus Christ. While credibility is important for the Gospels to be taken seriously as historical documents, their primary purpose is to convey the message of Jesus and his impact on the world. The Gospels seek to provide a reliable account of Jesus' life and teachings in order to inspire faith and guide the beliefs and practices of Christians. Therefore, while credibility is important, it is not the sole purpose of the synoptic Gospels. **

While credibility is certainly an important aspect of the synoptic Gospels, their essence goes beyond just being seen as credible historical accounts. The synoptic Gospels are primarily focused on presenting the life, teachings, and significance of Jesus Christ. They aim to convey the message of salvation and the Kingdom of God to their readers. While credibility is important for establishing the reliability of the Gospel accounts, their true essence lies in their portrayal of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of humanity. **

The Gospel of John differs significantly from the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) due to its unique theological perspective and purpose. John focuses more on the divinity of Jesus and presents him as the Son of God, emphasizing his miracles and teachings to convey this message. Additionally, John's Gospel was written later than the synoptic Gospels, allowing for more time for theological reflection and development. The author of John likely had a different audience and cultural context in mind, leading to a distinct narrative style and content compared to the synoptic Gospels. **

The Gospel of John differs significantly from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) due to its unique theological perspective and literary style. John emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and focuses more on spiritual themes rather than historical events. The author of John likely had access to different sources and traditions than the authors of the Synoptic Gospels, leading to distinct narratives and teachings. Additionally, John was written later than the Synoptic Gospels and may have been influenced by the theological developments and debates of the early Christian community. **

The Gospel of John is not considered one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) because it differs significantly in content, structure, and style. John's Gospel focuses more on theological themes and spiritual insights rather than a chronological account of Jesus' life and teachings. Additionally, John includes unique stories and discourses not found in the synoptic Gospels, such as the Wedding at Cana and the Bread of Life discourse. The Gospel of John also presents Jesus' ministry in a different light, emphasizing his divinity and unique relationship with God. **

One can distinguish what was written by Matthew, Luke, or Mark in a synoptic comparison by examining the unique content, writing style, and theological emphasis of each Gospel. Each author has distinct characteristics that can help identify their contributions. For example, Matthew often includes references to Old Testament prophecies, Luke emphasizes the universal nature of the Gospel message, and Mark's Gospel is known for its fast-paced narrative style. By comparing these elements across the Gospels, one can differentiate between the contributions of each author. **

One can differentiate what was written by Matthew, Luke, or Mark in a synoptic comparison by examining the unique content, writing style, and theological emphasis of each Gospel. Matthew often includes references to Old Testament prophecies and emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies. Luke, on the other hand, focuses on the universal message of salvation and includes details about marginalized groups like women and the poor. Mark's Gospel is known for its fast-paced narrative and emphasis on Jesus' actions rather than his teachings. By analyzing these distinct characteristics, one can identify which Gospel is being referenced in a synoptic comparison. **

The contradictions between the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Gospel of John can be explained by understanding the different perspectives, purposes, and audiences of the authors. The synoptic Gospels focus on the life and teachings of Jesus from a similar viewpoint, while the Gospel of John emphasizes a more theological and symbolic interpretation of Jesus' ministry. Additionally, the authors of the Gospels may have had access to different sources and traditions, leading to variations in the details of the events they describe. Ultimately, these differences do not necessarily undermine the overall message and significance of Jesus' life and teachings. **