why are only matthew mark and luke called the synoptic gospels and not john?
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called Synoptic Gospels because they present Christ primarily in His humanity—as King, servant, and Son of Man—and share overlapping accounts like the wilderness temptations. John is distinct because it presents Christ as the Son of God in His deity, so it omits those human-centered events.
Les explains that the three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are grouped as Synoptic because they deal with Christ in His humanity. Matthew depicts Him as the King who would rule on David’s throne, coming through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David’s royal family. Mark depicts Him as the servant, showing willingness to serve from His human side. Luke depicts Him as the Son of Man, constantly emphasizing His human side. John, however, depicts Him as the Son of God in His deity. Les illustrates this with the wilderness temptations: Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record them, but John omits them because those temptations affected His human side, not His deity.