Here is a visual comparison between Matthew 3:1-7 and Luke 3:1-22. It is obvious that Matthew and Luke are using a common source. It is also obvious that they have very different agendas when telling this story.
The green underline is when they quote verbatim (exactly word for word). The orange wavy underline is when they say similar things, but the wording is different. The purple indicates parts that are unique to Matthew. The blue indicates parts that are unique to Luke.
What do you observe as you notice the similarities and contrasts? (feel free to download and use this graphic)
Thanks for the great image, Steve. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you produce this side-by-side comparison? The text looks like it originate in Logos. Do they have a comparison tool I don’t know about or is this something you added later in an image editor?
Steve, here was my process.
First, I did a comparison in Logos (good eye) by highlighting everything by hand. I had Matthew in one window and Luke in another. I love the fact that you can use all different kinds of highlights.
Second, I did three screen captures of the passages. I had to do three in order to make sure the font was big enough to read.
Third, I brought those three screen-captured .jpg files into Photoshop and stitched them together.
Fourth, I carved up the Matthew side of the image and spread it out to be parallel with the matching texts in Luke.
Fifth, I exported the finished PSD file as a jpg.
There you have it. Does this make sense?