New Testament Gospel Outlines

Genres of passages and sections appear in colored text

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Outlining Books of Scripture (expanded, printable version)

Outlining the books of the New Testament is a common study tool that allows readers to see the content of a biblical book at a glance. This tool can easily be applied to the Book of Mormon or other scriptural books.

The process of producing an outline begins by identifying sections or "pericopes" (from the Greek "to cut around"). A pericope is generally a self-contained episode, story, or section of a larger unit, oftentimes discernable in the LDS edition of the King James Version by paragraph markings (Ά). Although editions of the Book of Mormon do not have such paragraph markers, other clues—in particular the use of "it came to pass," especially in the writings of Nephi—can help indicate divisions. In some study Bibles and commentaries, these pericopes are given titles or labels, making a quick review of the entire book easy.

Since reading the scriptures piecemeal—verse by verse or in chapters only—can harm the integrity of the overall text and allows readers to take an important passage out of context, reading the scriptures in sections provides a ready way of seeing how a verse or group of verses fits into the text before and after it. This helps avoid misinterpretation and the tendency to "proof text," the process of using verses to prove one’s own point rather than letting the text make its point.

Because the chapter and verse divisions are not original to the author of each book, sometimes pericopes overlap these later divisions. Occasionally, for instance, a pericope may bridge chapters and include only the first part of a verse while the next pericope begins in the second part of the same verse. Such divided verses are sometimes identified with letters—for instance, The Roman Trial of Jesus is found in John 18:12–19:17a, while the next pericope, The Crucifixion, constitutes John 19:17b–37.

Outlines can also can reveal something about the structure of the book by organizing pericopes into larger groups, graphically representing possible structures that highlight the author’s purposes or themes. A notable example of this is seen in an outline of Matthew, which divides into five major sections reminiscent of the Five Books of the Torah; since Matthew depicts Jesus as the New Moses, these divisions may reflect that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the New Law. While such structural analysis of a book may illustrate the plan of the original writer, one must remember that outlines are later impositions of the text and are tools for study, not definitive interpretations.

Genres

We read different types, or genres, of writing differently. For instance, we read a newspaper much differently than we read a novel. Likewise, a love letter affects us differently than reading a text book. Authors, including scriptural authors, use different kinds of writing to produce different effects in their reading audience.

The most fundamental division in types of writing is between prose and poetry. Prose is, effectively, straightforward writing that is reflective of how people speak. Poetry, on the other hand, is the creative use of language in which words are chosen and arranged create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm. Often, however, scriptural writing is mixed, with otherwise prosaic passages including poetic elements.

Genres are characterized by style, form, and content. Below is a helpful, but not all inclusive, list by Professor Felix Just of Loyola Marymount University of the many smaller genres found in the New Testament:

The gospels contained material from a number of subgenres, including the following:

 

Matthew

Overview For detailed view, click any of the items in the outline below.

 

Detailed View

Genealogy (1:1-17)

Infancy Narrative (1:18-2:23)

Part 1: Proclamation of the Kingdom (3:1-7:29)

Part 2: Galilean Ministry (8:1-10:42)

Part 3: Opposition to Jesus (11:1-13:53)

Part 4: Rejection by Israel (13:54-18:35)

Part 5: Journey to and Ministry in Jerusalem (19:1-25:46)

Climax: Passion, Death, and Resurrection (26:1-28:20)

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Mark

 

Overview For detailed view, click any of the items in the outline below.

 

Detailed View

Heading  (1:1)

Prologue (1:2-13)

 

Act I: Authoritative Mission in Galilee (1:14-8:30 )

Authoritative Ministry Begins: narrative and miracle/healing stories (1:14-45)

Five Controversy Narratives (2:1-3:6)

Transitional summary report: return to general healing stories of the ministry narrative (3:7-12)

Teachings and Deeds of Jesus Christ framed by the calling of the Twelve and the Lord’s rejection by family and townsmen (3:13-6:6a)

Transitional summary report: "And he went about the villages, teaching." (6:6b, narrative)

The Twelve and John (6:7-30, narrative)

Great Deeds 1 (6:31-6:54, miracle stories)

Christ on Pharisaic traditions (7:1-23, conflict narrative)

Great Deeds 2 (7:24-26, miracle stories)

Peter’s Declaration (8:27-30, narrative)

 

Act II:  On the Road to Jerusalem  (8:31-10:52) (The passion predictions begin: "the shadow of the cross falls across the narrative")

Cycle 1: Prediction, misunderstanding, instruction (8:31-9:1, correction narrative)

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection

Cycle 2: Prediction, misunderstanding, instruction (9:30-37, correction narrative)

Jesus again foretells his death and resurrection

Cycle 3: Prediction, misunderstanding, instruction (10:32-45, correction narrative)

Jesus foretells his death and resurrection a third time

Alternate structure: Three cycles of prediction, misunderstanding, and instruction framed by the healing of the blind man (8:22-26) and blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52), emphasizing the blindness of the disciples to the full mission of the Savior

 

Act III:  Climax in Jerusalem (11:1-16:8)

Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem (11:1-12:44)

Jesus’ Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem (13:1-37)

Apocalyptic Vision of the Destruction of Jerusalem (13:1-8)

Setting the Scene for the Passion (14:1-11)

Last Hours with the Disciples (14:12-42)

Gethsemane (14:32-42)

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (14:43-52)

Jewish Hearing and Roman Trial (14:54–15:20a)

The Crucifixion and Burial (15:20b–47)

Resurrection (16)

in progress

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Luke

Overview For detailed view, click any of the items in the outline below.

 

Detailed View

Prologue (1:1-4)

Infancy Narrative (1:5-2:52)

Preparation for Ministry (3:1-4:13)

Galilean Ministry (4:14-9:50)

Journey to Jerusalem (9:51-19:27)

Jerusalem Ministry (19:11-21:38)

Passion Narrative (22:1-23:56)

Resurrection Narrative (24:1-53)

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John

Overview For detailed view, click any of the items in the outline below.

Detailed View

n

Prologue (the Logos Hymn; 1:1-18)

The Book of Signs (1:19-12:50)

  • Initial Days of the Divine Revelation (1:19-2:11)
    • John as a witness (1:19-24)
      • concerning his own mission (1:19-28)
      • concerning Jesus (1:29-34)
    • the Baptist's disciples come to Jesus (1:35-51)
      • Andrew and "another" (1:35-40)
      • Simon Peter (1:41-42)
      • Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
  • First to Second Cana Miracle (2:1-4:54, overlaps with initial days)
    • First sign: water to wine at the wedding at Cana (2:1-11)
    • Jesus goes to Capernaum (narrative transition report, 2:12)
    • Jesus at the first Passover (2:13-25)
      • the cleansing of the temple (2:13-22)
      • reaction (2:23-25)
    • Discourse on the New Birth: Dialogue with Nicodemus (3:1-21)
    • The Baptist's final witness (discourse, 3:22-36)
    • Jesus leaves Judea (narrative transition report, 4:1-3)
    • Discourse on the Water of Life: dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well (4:4-42)
    • Jesus returns to Galilee (narrative transition report, 4:43-45)
    • Second sign: healing the nobleman's son in Cana (4:46-54)
  • Jewish Feasts and Their Replacements by Christ (5:1-10:42)
    • Jesus on the Sabbath (Shabbat, 5:1-47)
      • Third Sign: Healing of the Lame Man at the Pool of Bethesda (5:1–18)

      • Discourse on the Divine Son (5:17–47)

    • Jesus at Passover (Pesach, 6:1-71)

      • Fourth Sign: Feeding of the 5,000 (6:1–15)

      • Fifth Sign: Walking on Water (6:16–21)

      • narrative transition: people come to see Jesus at Capernaum (6:22-24)

      • preface to the Bread of Life discourse (6:25-34)

      • Discourse on the Bread of Life (6:35–58)

      • Reactions to the Bread of Life discourse (6:59-71)

    • Jesus at Tabernacles (Sukkot, 7:1-10:21)

      • narrative transition: Jesus goes to Jerusalem secretly (7:1-13)

      • Discourse on the Life-Giving Spirit (7:16–52, with interruptions)

      • story of the adulteress (7:53-8:11)

      • Discourse on the Light of the World (8:12–59)

      • Sixth Sign: Healing of the Man Born Blind (9:1–41)

      • Discourse on the Good Shepherd (10:1–21)

    • Jesus at Dedication (Chanukah, 10:22-42)

      • Jesus the Messiah and Son of God (10:22-39)

      • narrative transition: conclusion of the public ministry, Jesus withdraws to Perea 10:42)

  • Raising of Lazarus and Its Aftermath (11:1-12:50)
    • Death of Lazarus (11:1-16)
    • Jesus the Resurrection and the Life (11:17-27)
    • Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (miracle story, 11:28-44)
    • The plot to kill Jesus (11:45-54)
    • Will Jesus Come to the Passover? (narrative transition, 11:55-57)
  • Scenes Preparatory to Passover and Death (12:1-36)
    • The anointing at Bethany (12:1-8)
    • The plot to kill Lazarus (12:9-11)
    • Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19)
    • Passion Prediction (12:20-36a)
      • narrative transition: some Greeks wish to see Jesus (12:20-26)
      • Jesus and the coming hour (12:27-36a)
  • Conclusion to the Book of Signs (12:36b-50)
    • Summary of the people's response to Jesus (12:36b-43)
    • Summary proclamation of Jesus' teaching (12:44-50)

The Book of Glory (Passion and Resurrection Narratives; 13:1-20:31)

  • The Last Supper (13:1-17:26)
    • The Meal and Its Activities (13:1-30)
      • The theme of love introduced (13:1)
      • The Footwashing (13:2-20)
      • Jesus foretells his betrayal (13:21-30)
    • The Last Supper Discourses (13:31-17:26)
      • Part 1A
        • Christ's Departure: Jesus the Way to the Father (14:1-14)
        • Promise of the Holy Spirit or Paraclete (14:15-26)
          • First Paraclete Saying: The Spirit as Helper (14:15-17)
          • Second Paraclete Saying: The Spirit as Interpreter (14:25-26)
        • qPeace and the Love of the Father (14:27-31)
      • Part 2
        • Jesus the True Vine (15:1-17)
        • The Hatred of the World (15:18-16:4a)
          • Third Paraclete Saying: The Spirit as Witness (15:26-27)
      • Part 1B
        • Christ's Departure: The Work of the Spirit (16:4b-15)
          • Fourth Paraclete Saying: The Spirit as Prosecutor (8-11)
          • Fifth Paraclete Saying: The Spirit as Revealer (16:12-15)
        • Christ's Departure: Sorrow Will Turn to Joy (16:16-24)
        • Peace and the Love of the Father (16:25-33)
      • Part 3
        • The Great Intercessory Prayer (17:1-26)
  • The Passion Proper (18:1-19:42)
    • The Arrest of Jesus (18:2–11)
      • Judas Leads Arresting Party to Jesus (18:2-3)
      • Jesus’ "I Am" Proclamation to the Arresting Party (18:4–8a)
      • Jesus Intervenes for His Disciples (18:8b–9)
      • Servant of the High Priest Wounded (18:10)
      • Jesus Rebukes the Defending Disciple (18:11)
    • Jewish Hearing and Roman Trial (18:12–19:17a)
    • The Crucifixion and Burial (19:17b–42)
  • The Resurrection (20:1-29)
  • Conclusion to the Book of Glory: Statement of the Author's Purpose (20:30-31)

20:30–31 seems to be the natural end to the Fourth Gospel: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

Epilogue (21:1-25)

  • Jesus Meets the Disciples in Galilee (John 21:1–14)
    • Jesus and Peter (21:15–19)
      • Three-fold affirmation of Peter's love
        • Compensates for the earlier threefold denial
    • Jesus and the Other Disciple
      • "Translation" and the mission of John (D&C 7:1–8)
  • Truthfulness of John's testimony (21:24)
    • Beloved disciple as original source, "we" as redactors or as community?

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Passion Narratives (Harmonized)

Jesus and the Disciples Go to Gethsemane (Mark 14:32; Matt 26:36; Luke 22:39; John 18:1)

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-42; Matt 26:37-47; Luke 22:40–46)

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Mark 14:43-52; Matt 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:2–3)

Jesus Before the Jewish Authorities (Mark 14:43–65; Matt 26:57–68; Luke 22:54–71; John 18–28)

Jesus in the Hands of the Romans (Mark 15:1–21; Matt 27:1–32; Luke 23:1–32; John 18:29–19:17a)

At Calvary (Mark 15:22–28; Matt 27:33–38; Luke 23:33–34, 38; John 19:17b–24)

Activities at the Cross (Mark 15:29–32; Matt 27:39–44; Luke 23:35–43; John 19:25–27)

Last Moments (Mark 15:33–37; Matt 27:45–50; Luke 23:44–46; John 192:28–30)

Signs and Reactions to Christ’s Death (Mark 15:38–41; Matt 27:51–56; Luke 23:45b, 47–49; John 19:31–37)

The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42–47; Matt 27:57–66; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)

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Resurrection Narratives (Harmonized)

The Empty Tomb (Mark 16:1–8; Matt 28:1–8; Luke 24:1–9; John 20:1–10)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9–11; Matt 28:9–10; Luke 24:10–11; John 20:11–18)

Chief Priests React to the Resurrection (Matt 28:11–15)

The Road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–35)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:26–48; John 20:19–23 [to the Ten only])

Jesus and Thomas (John 20:24–29)

John's Epilogue

20:30–31 seems to be the natural end to the Fourth Gospel: "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

The Apostolic Commission

The Ascension (Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:49–53)

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