How are the Synoptic Gospels different from the Gospel of John?

The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are so named because their similar structure, content, and wording allow them to be viewed side by side. The Gospel According to John differs significantly in its arrangement, theological focus, and perspective.12

Key differences include:

• Christology and Discourse: While the Synoptics focus on the Kingdom of God and often depict Jesus concealing his identity, John features a heightened Christology where Jesus speaks openly about himself as the divine Son of God, often through "I am" sayings.32
• Chronology and Setting: John’s ministry timeline spans two to three years, whereas the Synoptics telescope it into one. John also locates much of the ministry in Judaea and presents a different sequence of events, such as placing the cleansing of the temple at the beginning of the ministry rather than the end.32
• Eschatology: In John, eternal life is presented as already present for the believer ("realized eschatology"), whereas the Synoptics emphasize waiting for the future Parousia.3
• Content: John omits stories found in the Synoptics, such as the baptism of Jesus, his temptations, and demon exorcisms, focusing instead on specific signs and long, self-revelatory discourses.32