New Testament

The books of the New Testament tell the story of Jesus Christ and the birth of Christianity from a number of different points of view . Each book basically tells the same story . The reader is taken through Christ 's birth , teachings and death , but each is told in a different manner . Each book not only emphasizes different parts of the story , and to a different degrees , but they also place different levels of value on the people Jesus interacted with and what each individual took from his teachings

The books of St

. Matthew and St . Luke , for instance , vary from one another greatly . Matthew , overall , appears to take a stronger , harsher tone from the very beginning of the story . More emphasis is placed on Jesus ' lectures , and on punishment and the importance of prophecy Luke , on the other hand , places more importance on the relationships between Christ and those around him as well as a changing social structure and ethics

This difference is obvious immediately when reading the two books side-by-side . The book of Matthew begins the New Testament by discussing the lineage of Jesus through his earthly father Joseph . Not only does this establish Christ as being from a pre-chosen line , but allows for the suggestion of prophecy coming true , mainly that the Savior will come from the line of David . It shows the value in tradition when the very bloodlines you come from make a difference

At the conception of Jesus , Matthew mentions at length the concerns of Joseph as to Jesus ' parentage , further increasing the importance of the bloodline and tradition . Also , there is much justifying of Jesus divinity by the use of prophecy . For example , Matthew 1 :22 states Now this was done , that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet ' This line and others like it are used many times throughout Matthew to justify various events and actions , showing the importance of not just lineage , but also past religious leaders and beliefs

The book of St . Luke , however , has Mary and her cousin spending three months together , both delighted over their upcoming motherhood . There is more emotion and bonding shown between family members , rather than suspicion and mistrust . The book even begins with the story of John the Baptist 's birth and the relationship between their mothers , rather than with mention of Jesus himself . His paternal parentage is not taken note of until Luke 3 :23-38

It is interesting to note when comparing the first two pages of each book , that while Matthew is concerned first and foremost with the paternal lineage , only Mary 's family is noted in the early pages of Luke

It is also important to observe that in Matthew , John the Baptist is rarely mentioned at all , other than his baptizing of Jesus and his death . Luke , however , places him as a character of much greater importance . This again shows the greater significance placed on the surrounding relationships and family . John is the cousin of...