CONSIDERING PARALLEL PASSAGES TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE


INTRODUCTION: In addition to context in learning to interpret and understand the Bible, one must study parallel passages in order to get the full picture of any particular story or teaching in the Bible. This is because, the editorial choice of the person operating the camera determines what we see in movies or on television. While others are there in the moment, the camera captures what the editor believes to be important to the film. The same is with the verses, passages, and narrations of the Bible. Each writer may capture some topics, events, or statements in his narration or teaching, depending on his first choice and in addressing the first recipients of the book. This is why it is important to consider other verses, passages, or accounts in order to have an unbiased interpretation and understanding of the Bible.

 

The nature and aims of parallel passages in the Bible

(1) Parallel passages mean other verses, passages, or accounts on a particular topic, issue, or event in a different chapter or book of the Bible that are related, similar, interdependent, etc.

(2) Parallel passages are other verses, passages, or accounts in other parts of the Bible that contain identical synthetic elements in corresponding teaching. They are verses, passages, or accounts of a particular topic, issue, or event in the Bible that are similar in all essential doctrines or teachings of the Bible.

(3) The aim of observing the principles of parallel passages in interpreting or understanding the Bible is to have an unbiased comparison of verses, passages, or accounts of other portions of the Bible in order to have a harmonious interpretation or understanding of the Bible. This is in agreement with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:13: "We do not use words that came from human wisdom." Instead, we speak words given to us by the spirit, using the spirit’s words to explain spiritual truth (New Living Translation).

(4) The entire Bible is inspired and given to us by the Spirit; therefore, let us learn to interpret or understand the Bible, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truth by observing the principle of parallel verses, passages, or accounts in our interpretation of the Bible.

(5) Parallel passages help to avoid errors and extremes. So many students and scholars have fallen victim to errors and extremes in the interpretation of the Bible because they failed to take the rule of parallel verses, passages, or accounts into consideration.

 

 Some examples of parallel passages in the crucifixion story  

 (1) Mark and Matthew tell that Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh before he was crucified. (Matt.27:33-34; Mk.15:22-23)

(2)All of the four gospel writers tell that they put over the head of Jesus the charge against him, which read as “The King of the Jews.” (Mk.15:26; Mtt.27:37; Lk.23:38; Jn.19:19)

 (3) Although all four Gospels tell that the sign of the charges against Jesus was nailed over His head, but only John gives the complete wording of the sign, and only John tells that it was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. (Mk.15:26; Mtt.27:37; Lk.23:38; Jn.19:19-20).

 (4) Only Luke gives Jesus’ prayer for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him. (Lk.23:34)

 (5) Although all four Gospels tell that they crucified Jesus and divided His garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take, only John gives the full story of the division of His clothing.(Mk.15:24; Mtt.27:35; Lk.23:34b; Jn.19:23-24)

 (6) John doses not mention how the soldiers and the people taunted Jesus. However, the other three Gospel writers tell of this; also mentioning that the two thieves taunted Him; but, only Luke records that one of the thieves defended Him and asked a blessing of Jesus, and that Jesus responded to that thief.(Mk.15:29-32; Mtt.27:44; Lk.23:43)

(7) Although the four Gospels tell of the presence of certain women with their names at the place of crucifixion, only John tells of Jesus giving His mother into John’s care. (Mk.15:40-41; Mtt.27:55-56; Lk.23:48-49; Jn.19:25-27)

(8) Luke, Mark, and Matthew tell of the darkness that was over the land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, but John doses not tell of the darkness over the land.( Mk.15:33; Mtt.27:45; Lk.23:44)

 (9) Only Matthew and Mark continue to tell of Jesus cry, ‘’Eloi, Eloi Lama Sabachthani?”(Mk.15:34) Matt.27:46

 (10) Only John tells of Jesus saying, “I am thirsty.” (Jn.19:28)

 (11) Also, only John records that Jesus said, “It is finished.”(Jn.19:30)

 (12) However, only Luke Jesus’ dying words, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”(Lk.23:46)

        The above twelve points from the four accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus should be sufficient to show the necessity of studying all the parallel passages in order to get the full story, or the full teaching on an topic.

Differences in parallel passages are not contradictory but complementary

Another important point to remember in understanding the Bible is that there is no contradiction unless there are two statements that are exactly oppose.

 As an example, the four Gospel writers gives different wording for the sign that Pilate placed over Jesus’ head on the cross.

(1) Matthew records (27:37), “this is Jesus the king of the Jews”

(2)Mark record it (15:26), “the king of the Jews”

(3) Luke records it (23:38), “this is the king of the Jews”

(4) John records it (19:19), Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.”

There is no contradiction in these statement: they complement each other and, together, give a complete account. This principle applies to most Old Testament passages which some scholars and students hastily point to as contradicting accounts.

CONCLUSION

A sincere observance of the rules of parallel passages would enable anyone who is studying the Bible to have a correct interpretation and understanding of the Bible.