Note 5 at Mr 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 was the only writer to record that there was an earthquake that rent the rocks (Mt 27:51). Matthew also was 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 recorded the very important statement of Jesus when He said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Lu 23:34). Luke was also the only Gospel writer who included the account of the salvation of one of the thieves crucified with Jesus (Lu 23:40-43). Luke alone recorded Jesus saying, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Lu 23:46).

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

John gave us the account of Jesus entrusting the care of His mother to John (Joh 19:26-27). John also gave us insight into why Jesus said He was thirsty (Joh 19:28), which the other writers did not include. John included information about the crucifixion day being the day before a special Sabbath (Joh 19:31-33), 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 (Nu 9:12 and Ps 34:20) and His side being pierced (Zec 12:10).

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