Bible passages

From the Bible reference to the explanation

All the Bible passages on this site, in the order of the books. For each one you will find the people, places, topics, episodes of The Chosen and films where we explain it; with a reading help, the essentials about the four Gospels and the four Gospels side by side.

The four Gospels side by side
Glossary

The four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Among all the writings of the New Testament the Gospels hold a special place: they are the principal witness to the life and teaching of Jesus. The Church firmly holds to their apostolic origin and affirms their historical character: they faithfully hand on what Jesus really did and taught1.

The sacred authors selected, summarized and explained, but always in such a way that they told us the honest truth about Jesus1.

Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels2: placed side by side, they show many shared passages. John tells much that the others do not, such as the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1–11) and the raising of Lazarus (Jn 11:1–44). The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle of Jesus that all four Gospels tell3.

Reading help

How to read a Bible reference

A reference such as Mt 14:13–21 gives the book (Matthew), the chapter (14) and the verses (13 to 21). A comma separates verses or sections in the same chapter: Jn 18:15–18, 25–27. When the dash runs across chapters, the passage covers more than one chapter: Mt 5:1–7:29 is the whole Sermon on the Mount.

Book abbreviations and verse numbers follow the New American Bible, Revised Edition4. Every reference on this site links to its chapter on the website of the U.S. bishops.

GospelChaptersTradition
Matthew285The early Church unanimously attributes it to the apostle Matthew, beginning with Papias around the year 130.6
Mark165The Church counts the longer ending (Mk 16:9–20) as part of the canonical text; the Council of Trent confirmed this.7
Luke245Luke dedicates his Gospel to Theophilus (Lk 1:1–4); the Acts of the Apostles looks back on this “first book” (Acts 1:1).4
John215Tradition connects it with the apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.89

Synopsis

The four Gospels side by side

Where do Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the same event? Choose two to four Gospels: for each event you see the Bible reference, and “not told” shows where a Gospel is silent.

Quick picksThe three Synoptic GospelsMark and John

MatthewsynopticMarksynopticLukesynopticJohnJohn
Origins and childhood
The genealogy of JesusMt 1:1–17–Lk 3:23–38–
The Annunciation to Mary––Lk 1:26–38–
Mary visits Elizabeth––Lk 1:39–56–
The birth of JesusMt 1:18–25–Lk 2:1–7–
The shepherds at the manger––Lk 2:8–20–
The circumcision and the presentation in the temple––Lk 2:21–40–
The magi from the eastMt 2:1–12–––
The flight into Egypt and the return to NazarethMt 2:13–23–Lk 2:39–
The boy Jesus in the temple––Lk 2:41–52–
Baptism and first disciples
John the Baptist appearsMt 3:1–12Mk 1:2–8Lk 3:1–20Jn 1:19–28
The baptism of JesusMt 3:13–17Mk 1:9–11Lk 3:21–22Jn 1:29–34
The temptation in the desertMt 4:1–11Mk 1:12–13Lk 4:1–13–
The first disciplesMt 4:18–22Mk 1:16–20Lk 5:1–11Jn 1:35–51
The wedding at Cana–––Jn 2:1–11
Nicodemus comes at night–––Jn 3:1–21
The woman at Jacob's well–––Jn 4:1–42
Ministry in Galilee
Rejection at NazarethMt 13:54–58Mk 6:1–6Lk 4:16–30–
The healing of a leperMt 8:1–4Mk 1:40–45Lk 5:12–16–
The healing of a paralyticMt 9:1–8Mk 2:1–12Lk 5:17–26–
The call of the tax collectorMt 9:9–13Mk 2:13–17Lk 5:27–32–
The choosing of the TwelveMt 10:1–4Mk 3:13–19Lk 6:12–16–
The Sermon on the Mount, in Luke the Sermon on the PlainMt 5:1–7:29–Lk 6:20–49–
The Our FatherMt 6:9–13–Lk 11:1–4–
The centurion of CapernaumMt 8:5–13–Lk 7:1–10Jn 4:46–54
The sinful woman in the Pharisee's house––Lk 7:36–50–
Women accompany Jesus––Lk 8:1–3–
The parable of the sowerMt 13:1–23Mk 4:1–20Lk 8:4–15–
The calming of a storm at seaMt 8:23–27Mk 4:35–41Lk 8:22–25–
The daughter of Jairus and the woman with a hemorrhageMt 9:18–26Mk 5:21–43Lk 8:40–56–
The mission of the TwelveMt 10:5–15Mk 6:7–13Lk 9:1–6–
The death of John the BaptistMt 14:3–12Mk 6:17–29Lk 9:7–9–
The feeding of the five thousandMt 14:13–21Mk 6:30–44Lk 9:10–17Jn 6:1–15
Jesus walks on the waterMt 14:22–33Mk 6:45–52–Jn 6:16–21
Peter's confessionMt 16:13–20Mk 8:27–30Lk 9:18–21Jn 6:67–69
The Transfiguration of JesusMt 17:1–8Mk 9:2–8Lk 9:28–36–
On the way to Jerusalem
The parable of the Good Samaritan––Lk 10:25–37–
Martha and Mary––Lk 10:38–42–
The parable of the lost son––Lk 15:11–32–
The raising of Lazarus–––Jn 11:1–44
Jesus blesses the childrenMt 19:13–15Mk 10:13–16Lk 18:15–17–
The healing of the blind man near JerichoMt 20:29–34Mk 10:46–52Lk 18:35–43–
Zacchaeus––Lk 19:1–10–
The anointing at BethanyMt 26:6–13Mk 14:3–9–Jn 12:1–8
In Jerusalem
The entry into JerusalemMt 21:1–11Mk 11:1–11Lk 19:28–40Jn 12:12–19
The cleansing of the templeMt 21:12–17Mk 11:15–19Lk 19:45–48Jn 2:13–22
Paying taxes to CaesarMt 22:15–22Mk 12:13–17Lk 20:20–26–
The poor widow's contribution–Mk 12:41–44Lk 21:1–4–
The judgment of the nationsMt 25:31–46–––
Passion and death
The Last Supper: bread and wineMt 26:26–30Mk 14:22–26Lk 22:14–20–
The washing of the disciples' feet–––Jn 13:1–20
The agony in the gardenMt 26:36–46Mk 14:32–42Lk 22:39–46Jn 18:1
The arrestMt 26:47–56Mk 14:43–52Lk 22:47–53Jn 18:1–11
Before the SanhedrinMt 26:57–68Mk 14:53–65Lk 22:66–71Jn 18:12–14, 19–24
Peter denies JesusMt 26:69–75Mk 14:66–72Lk 22:54–62Jn 18:15–18, 25–27
Before PilateMt 27:11–14Mk 15:1–5Lk 23:1–5Jn 18:28–38
Jesus before Herod––Lk 23:6–12–
Barabbas and the sentence of deathMt 27:15–26Mk 15:6–15Lk 23:13–25Jn 18:39–19:16
The way to GolgothaMt 27:32Mk 15:21Lk 23:26–32Jn 19:16–17
The crucifixionMt 27:33–44Mk 15:22–32Lk 23:33–43Jn 19:18–27
The death of JesusMt 27:45–56Mk 15:33–41Lk 23:44–49Jn 19:28–30
The burialMt 27:57–61Mk 15:42–47Lk 23:50–56Jn 19:38–42
Easter
The women at the empty tombMt 28:1–8Mk 16:1–8Lk 24:1–12Jn 20:1–10
The risen Lord appears to Mary of MagdalaMt 28:9–10Mk 16:9–11–Jn 20:11–18
The disciples on the road to Emmaus–Mk 16:12–13Lk 24:13–35–
The appearance to the disciples in Jerusalem–Mk 16:14Lk 24:36–49Jn 20:19–23
Thomas meets the risen Lord–––Jn 20:24–29
The appearance by the Sea of Tiberias–––Jn 21:1–14
The commissioning of the disciplesMt 28:16–20Mk 16:15–18Lk 24:46–49Jn 20:21–23
The Ascension–Mk 16:19–20Lk 24:50–53–
All sources for this comparison (80)
  1. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): book abbreviations and verse numbers in this edition (checked on October 21, 2026)
  2. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 1, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  3. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 3, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  4. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 1, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  5. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 2, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  6. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 2, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  7. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 2, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  8. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 3, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  9. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 1, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  10. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 1, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  11. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 4, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  12. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 4, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  13. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 5, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  14. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 2, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  15. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 3, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  16. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 3, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  17. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 4, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  18. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 13, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  19. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 6, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  20. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 8, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  21. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 9, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  22. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 2, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  23. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 10, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  24. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 3, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  25. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 6, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  26. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 5, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  27. New American Bible (vatican.va): Matthew 7, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  28. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 6, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  29. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 11, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  30. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 7, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  31. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 8, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  32. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 8, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  33. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 4, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  34. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 5, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  35. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 9, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  36. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 14, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  37. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 6, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  38. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 16, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  39. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 8, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  40. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 17, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  41. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 9, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  42. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 10, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  43. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 10, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  44. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 15, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  45. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 11, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  46. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 19, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  47. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 18, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  48. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 20, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  49. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 19, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  50. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 19, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  51. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 26, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  52. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 14, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  53. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 12, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  54. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 12, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  55. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 21, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  56. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 11, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  57. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 22, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  58. New American Bible (vatican.va): Mark 12, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  59. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 20, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  60. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 21, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  61. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 25, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  62. New American Bible (vatican.va): Matthew 25, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  63. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 22, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  64. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 13, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  65. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 18, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  66. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 27, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  67. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 15, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  68. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 23, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  69. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 23, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  70. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 19, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  71. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 19, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  72. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 28, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  73. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 16, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  74. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Luke 24, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  75. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 20, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  76. New American Bible (vatican.va): John 20, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  77. New American Bible (vatican.va): Matthew 28, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  78. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): John 21, sections and cross-references (checked on October 21, 2026)
  79. New American Bible (vatican.va): Mark 16, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)
  80. New American Bible (vatican.va): Luke 24, text and notes (checked on October 21, 2026)

Sections follow the headings of the New American Bible, Revised Edition, the Bible translation of the U.S. Catholic bishops.

Index

All passages, book by book

Exodus

Leviticus

Deuteronomy

Zechariah

The Gospel according to Matthew

The Gospel according to Mark

The Gospel according to Luke

The Gospel according to John

The Acts of the Apostles

The Letter to the Galatians

The Letter of James

Bible references follow the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), the Catholic Bible translation of the U.S. bishops. We give the references and sum up the passages in our own words; each reference links to the full text on the bishops' website. Book abbreviations as in the NABRE: Ex, Lv, Dt, Zec, Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn, Acts, Gal, Jas. 399 passages; as of October 21, 2026.

Sources

  1. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, nos. 18–19
  2. Catholic Encyclopedia: Synoptics
  3. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Matthew 14, note on Mt 14:13–21
  4. New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C.: book abbreviations, verse numbers and names follow this edition; links go to the text on the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
  5. New American Bible (vatican.va): table of contents with all chapters
  6. Benedict XVI, General Audience, August 30, 2006: Matthew, the tax collector
  7. New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Mark 16, note on Mk 16:9–20
  8. Benedict XVI, General Audience, July 5, 2006: John, son of Zebedee
  9. Benedict XVI, General Audience, August 9, 2006: John, the theologian

Checked on October 21, 2026. Found a mistake? Write to us at hello@biblebehindthescreen.com.

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