Note 5 at Mk. 15:23: The gospel writers' accounts of the crucifixion give us a good example of how the gospels as a whole give us a more complete record than we would have had through any one writer alone.

Matthew is the only writer to record that there was an earthquake that rent the rocks (Mt. 27:51). Matthew also is the only one to record the saints being raised from the dead and appearing to many in the city (Mt. 27:52-53).

Luke alone records the very important statement of Jesus when He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:34). Luke is also the only gospel writer that includes the account of one of the thieves who was crucified with Jesus receiving salvation (vv. 40-43). Luke alone records Jesus saying, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (v. 46).

John is the only writer to tell us that the place where Jesus was crucified was "nigh to the city" (Jn. 19:20). Also, John alone records the chief priests' objections to the title that Pilate had placed on the cross above Jesus (Jn. 19:21). John gives the most detailed account of the soldiers parting Jesus' clothing among them, revealing that Jesus' "coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout" (Jn. 19:23).

John's gospel gives us the account of Jesus entrusting the care of His mother to John (Jn. 19:26-27). John also gives us insight into why Jesus said He was thirsty (v. 28), which the other writers did not include. John includes information about the crucifixion day being the day before a special Sabbath (Mk. 15:31), explaining why the soldiers did not break the legs of Jesus. John's is the only account that shows fulfillment of the prophecies concerning none of Jesus' bones being broken (Num. 9:12 and Ps. 34:20) and His side being pierced (Zech. 12:10).

Without the combined accounts of all four of these men, our knowledge of the crucifixion would be quite different.