Quadruple Tradition

The Triple Tradition is content that's found in all three synoptic gospels. The Double Tradition is content found in Matthew and Luke but missing from Mark.

How about a Quadruple Tradition? That is, which content is found in all four canonical gospels? My best answer is below.

Some notes on my process:

Hover over a text fragment for correlative references, or a note for details.

A reference does not imply a full quotation.


1:2As it is written in the prophets, “I send 3the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make the Lord's paths straight!’

1:4John came baptizing in the wilderness. 7He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is greater than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to . 8I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”

1:9Jesus came to John. 10The heavens parted and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. 11A voice said, “This is God's Son.”

1:14After John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee.

1:17Jesus spoke to Simon. 18Simon followed him.

1:39He went into their synagogue in Galilee, preaching.

6:4Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.”

6:32Jesus and the apostles went away to a deserted place. 33The multitude followed him. 34Jesus saw the great multitude. 37He said to his disciples, “Give them something to eat.”

6:38“There are five loaves and two fish.”

6:39Jesus commanded the multitude to sit down. 41He took the loaves and the fish, broke them, and gave to his disciples to set before them. 42They all ate and were filled. 43They took up twelve baskets of broken pieces. 44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

8:29Jesus asked the disciples, “?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

11:1Jesus came to Jerusalem. 7He sat on a donkey. 9The multitude cried out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

14:3As Jesus sat at the table, a woman came having some ointment. She poured it on him. 4-5Someone criticized what happened.

14:10Judas Iscariot sought how he might betray Jesus.

14:18Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover. Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” 19They began to ask, “Surely not I?”. 20Jesus said, “He is at this meal. 21I go as it has been determined.”

14:31Peter said to Jesus, “I am willing to die with you.” 30Jesus replied, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

14:32Jesus and his disciples came to . 43Judas came—and with him a multitude with weapons, from the chief priests. 46They seized him. 47But a certain one drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

14:53They led Jesus away to the high priest. 54Peter followed him until he came into the court of the high priest. 66One of the maids said, “You were also with Jesus.” 68But he denied it. 69Someone said, “This is one of them.” 70But he again denied it. Someone else said, “You are one of them.” 71Peter denied it again. 72The rooster crowed.

15:1They delivered him up to Pilate. 2Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”

15:6Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner. 7There was a criminal called Barabbas. 9Pilate asked the multitude whom to release. 11The multitude asked Pilate to release Barabbas 13-14and to crucify Jesus. 15Pilate handed over Jesus to be crucified.

15:16They led him away, 17and struck him. 21Someone carried Jesus' cross 22to “the place of a skull.” 24They parted his garments among them, casting lots on them. 26Written near him was, “the king of the jews.” 27With him they crucified two others, one on his right hand, and one on his left. 36Someone offered him vinegar to drink. 37Jesus spoke, and gave up the spirit. 40There were also women watching 41who had followed him.

15:42It was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath. 43Joseph of Arimathaea, who also himself was spiritual, came. He went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. 46Joseph took Jesus, wound him in a linen cloth and laid him in a tomb. Someone rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

16:2Women came to the tomb very early on the first day of the week. 4They saw that the stone was rolled back. 6Jesus was not there. He had risen. 7They the disciples.