Criteria by which to assess the similarities and differences between the two texts are set out at this point. The bulk of the study consists of pericopal exegesis of John 6 with special reference to Mark 6-8 and a few related passages. A verse by verse analysis of each section is followed by an examination of the similarities and differences and an assessment of their implications. The exegesis indicates that John 6 echoes most of the material between Mark's feeding of the 5000 and Petrine confession according to a simple structure shared by both. The exegesis implies some literary influence of Mark on John, but with a definite tension in the evidence.
Some findings imply a close, detailed relationship, but others a distant, general one.
If the Johannine evangelist knew Mark well, perhaps through performing it in community readings, the evidence of close contact would be explained with no compromise to John's essential independence.