Bible crossword puzzle: Gospels of Matthew and John

Sacred Scripture word puzzle on material in chapters 20 and 21 of Discovering the Bible, a textbook for Introduction to Biblical Literature

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese?

ACROSS

2 -- Sister of Lazarus who anointed Jesus' feet
4 -- Fisherman whose brother came to him and said, "We have found the Messiah." This man, who became one of Jesus' apostles, was given a new name by Jesus.
6 -- The disciple who doubted ("Unless I see the nail marks, . . . I will not believe it")
7 -- Tax collector who wrote one of the Four Gospels

DOWN

1 -- Jesus said, "I am the bread of . . ."
2 -- The sister of a woman named Mary
3 -- Simon Peter's brother and the first of Jesus' disciples (according to John's Gospel); he was the one who reported to the Lord that a little boy had 5 loaves and 2 fish
4 -- The one who introduced Nathaniel, as well as some unnamed Greeks, to Jesus ("We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote")
5 -- Raised from the dead by Jesus

Bible reading for this assignment: Matthew 5-18 and John 1-21

See syllabus for Bible and textbook reading for this assignment

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities, edited by Alex Varughese and published by what is now The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Comparison of Matthew and John

The Gospels of Matthew and John offer distinct perspectives on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Matthew's Gospel is often regarded as the most Jewish of the four gospels. It emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It traces his genealogy back to Abraham and highlights his role as the long-promised Messiah. It presents Jesus as a teacher, focusing on his ethical teachings such as those in the Sermon on the Mount.

In contrast, John's Gospel is more theological and reflective. It portrays Jesus as the divine Word made flesh. It emphasizes Jesus's deity and explores theological themes such as the concept of eternal life, the relationship between Jesus and the Father, and the significance of belief.

Both Gospels narrate Jesus's ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection. But they do so with distinct emphases and theological lenses. Together they provide complementary perspectives.

Bible book overviews and meditations

Overview of the book of Matthew in
Two devotionals from the Gospel according to Matthew
Overview of the book of John
What's the hurry? -- John 4
I am sending you -- John 20

More Bible crossword puzzles Click on letters to retrieve sheets

A | | B | C | | D | | E | | G | | H | I | | J | | K | | | L | M | | N