Gospel Comparing

Mark: Jesus’ Burial and John: Burial

Comparison

Joseph asked for the body of Jesus and Pilate granted it after confirming his death.

Jesus was buried in a Jewish manner.

It was the day of Preparation, the day before the Sabbath.

Contrast

Joseph was a member of the council who also had a belief in the Kingdom of God in Mark’s whereas he was a disciple of Jesus in John’s.

Joseph alone buried Jesus in Mark’s while Nicodemus and Joseph buried him in John’s.

Pilate summoned the centurion and inquired on the death of Jesus for the burial in Mark’s whereas soldiers confirmed the death when they tried to take executed bodies off for the Sabbath day. Besides, they harmed the body by piercing him with a spear before the burial.

Overview

Overall, the gospel of John has more descriptions on the process as well as explanations on Jewish traditions, which might show that it’s targeting non-Jewish population, whereas the gospel of Mark lists the facts in short sentences, especially focused on the fact that Jesus died and buried.

Mark: Empty tomb and resurrection and John: the resurrection.

Comparison

The stone was rolled by a mysterious force.

The very person who found Jesus resurrected is female.

Contrast

When finding the stone rolled out, Mary Magadalene was alone in John’s whereas there were Mary Magadalen and Mary the mother of James and Salome.

Jesus was anointed before he was put in a tomb in John’s whereas Marys were going to anoint Jesus after the Sabbath.

In Mark, it seems that God granted their wish to move the stone for anointment when they realized the blockage whereas the stone was moved in advance before Mary arrived the tomb in John.

Marys found Jesus, entering the tomb, who told other disciples in astonishment, even though they didn’t believe it in Marks. In Johns, many disciples came altogether, ending up without discovery of Jesus’ trace, however Mary remained and encountered angles that brought Jesus in front of her. Afterwards, she told the disciples about it.

Overview

This section is especially emphasized by the presence of females. They are the ones who cared to attend to the tomb and found Christ. However nobody was willing to believe what they said around the time when females didn’t hold much credibility. This must be related to faith in some way but I can’t connect any more dots to plot a bigger picture.