Although the Passion narratives of all four Gospels are similar in many ways, there are also significant differences among them.  The majority of scholars hold that the Gospel of Luke is dependent upon Mark for the sequence of events in the Passion narrative. However,  Luke has incorporated other elements of the gospel story that he has received independent of Mark. Among the distinctive sections in Luke are:

1. the tradition of the institution of the Eucharist (Luke 22:15-20);
2. Jesus’ farewell discourse (Luke 22:21-38);
3. the mistreatment and interrogation of Jesus (Luke 22:63-71);
4. Jesus before Herod and his second appearance before Pilate (Luke 23:6-16);
5. words addressed to the women followers on the way to the crucifixion (Luke 23:27-32);
6. words to the penitent thief (Luke 23:39-41);
7. the death of Jesus (Luke 23:46, 47b-49). 

On the whole, Luke stresses the innocence of Jesus (Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22) who is the victim of the powers of evil (Luke 22:3, 31, 53) and who goes to his death in fulfillment of his Father’s will (Luke 22:42, 46). Throughout the narrative Luke emphasizes the mercy, compassion, and healing power of Jesus (Luke 22:51; 23:43) who does not go to death lonely and deserted, but is accompanied by others who follow him on the way of the cross (Luke 23:26-31, 49).

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