We have already seen that each author pushed for an [[Beginner's_Bible_Study_-_003#The_disciples_studied_the_Old_Testament|earlier start of the story]] of Christ. Each successive author adds material that the previous authors missed. Sometimes they choose not to address previous material` because the previous author handled it well. They were not in competition with each other, but as they became more proficient in "rightly dividing the word of truth" they wrote in order to pass that addition additional knowledge on to us.

In the text below concerning John the baptist, the green text in green is new information not covered by previous authors. Black text has been covered already and has the reference at the end of the line. You may wish to keep this page in another window as the portions below are discussed. It is easy to see that the repetitive text provides the framework for the narrative, and the important testimony that the Holy Spirit descended upon him. And the The authors contributed a deeper understanding of the Old Testament prophecy with each new book.

===[[Mr 1:2-11 | Mark]] ===

<blockquote style="border{{: solid thin gray;color:green" >:[[Mr 1:2]] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.:[[Mr 1:3]] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.:[[Mr 1:4]] John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.:[[Mr 1:5]] And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.:[[Mr 1:6]] And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;:[[Mr 1:7]] And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.:[[Mr 1:8]] I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.:[[Mr 1:9]] ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.:[[Mr 1:10]] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him::[[Mr 1:-11]] And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.</blockquote>}}

Matthew had a deeper understanding that the Messiah brought with him the judgement of manand introduced the Kingdom of Heaven.