How to Display Parallel Passages from the Gospels in Logos

Today’s post is from Morris Proctor, certified and authorized trainer for Logos Bible Software. Morris, who has trained thousands of Logos users at his two-day Camp Logos seminars, provides many training materials.

I remember years ago preparing a sermon on Jesus’ Gethsemane prayer. During my study, I discovered that all four Gospel writers spoke of this event.

Since at the time I didn’t own a harmony of the Gospels (a book presenting in parallel columns the same event from various gospels) here’s what I did. I started off turning the pages in my Bible back and forth from Matthew to Mark to Luke to John and then back to Matthew. After a few paper cuts, I devised a better plan. I photocopied the Gethsemane verses from each Gospel and taped them together side by side. I made my own harmony!

That homemade harmony severed its purpose for that message, but thankfully today in Logos 6 there’s a much improved method—the Parallel Gospel Reader.

Here’s one way to use it:

• Select the tools menu (A)
• Click All interactive resources (B)

• Click Parallel Gospel Reader (this interactive resource is only available in Logos 6 Gold and higher) (C)

• Select a Bible, such as the English Standard Version, from the drop-down list (this Bible will be used to display the verses) (D)
• Select a harmony from the drop-down list, such as A Harmony of the Gospels by A.T. Robertson (E)
• Notice the table of contents displaying events in the life of Jesus (F)

• Jump to the Gethsemane prayer using either of these methods:
  • Scroll to section 152 (G), or
  • Type a reference from the event, such as John 18:1, in the reference box (H) and press the Enter key

• Click the section title to display the verses (I)
• Notice the accounts of the same event from different Gospel writers

I encourage you to carefully read the various accounts of Jesus’ prayer in the garden several times. As you do, you’ll see that Matthew, Mark, and Luke each present different details about the agonizing prayer. Matthew uses words like troubled, very sorrowful even unto death, and fell on his face. Mark adds greatly distressed and Abba. Luke writes knelt down, angel from heaven strengthening him, and his sweat became like great drops of blood. All three refer to this cup.

By comparing and contrasting these various accounts, you’ll discover this agonizing prayer was not a brief, easy time of reelection as is often portrayed; this was a spiritual wrestling match!

So as you’re studying the Gospels, forget the paper and tape, but don’t forget this helpful interactive resource that quickly displays parallel passages from various harmonies of the Gospels.

For more detailed information about working with interactive resources, as well as the rest of Logos 6’s new tools, check out these new Logos 6 training materials:

• Logos 6: What’s New? Manual (print)
• Logos 6: What’s New? (digital)
• Logos 6: What’s New? Video Training

And for live, hands-on training, be sure to register for an upcoming Camp Logos live training seminar, including events in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Columbus, Georgia (Atlanta area).