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Title: A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ

Based on the Broadus Harmony in the Revised Version

Author: Archibald Thomas Robertson

Release Date: May 29, 2011 [EBook #36264]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS FOR ***

Produced by Ron Swanson

A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
FOR STUDENTS OF THE
LIFE OF CHRIST

Based on the Broadus Harmony
in the Revised Version

BY

A. T. ROBERTSON, M.A., D.D., LL.D., LITT.D.

CHAIR OF NEW TESTAMENT INTERPRETATION
SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me."

HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS

NEW YORK AND LONDON

COPYRIGHT, 1922,
BY HARPER & BROTHERS


PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO

ELIZA S. BROADUS

ELDEST DAUGHTER OF JOHN A. BROADUS
AN ELECT LADY BELOVED IN MANY LANDS

PREFACE

It is now just thirty years since one day his young assistant suggested to Dr. John A. Broadus that he prepare a harmony of the Gospels that should depart from the old plan of following the feasts as the turning points in the life of Jesus. He acted on the hint and led the way that all modern harmonies have followed. The book has gone through a dozen large editions and has become the standard harmony for many thousands of students all over the world. Broadus was concerned to bring out "the inner movements of the history, towards that long-delayed, but foreseen and inevitable collision, in which, beyond all other instances, the wrath of man was made to praise God." This he succeeded in doing with marvelous power.

A generation has passed by and it is meet that the work of Broadus should be reviewed in the light of modern synoptic criticism and research into every phase of the life of Christ. So I have made a new analysis that preserves Broadus's real purpose, but with new sections and new notes. The notes at the end of the old volume, written by me for the first edition, have been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. The Old Testament passages referred to in the Gospels are given in the text. The Gospel of Mark appears in the first column, then Matthew, Luke, and John. It is now known that Matthew and Luke made use of Mark for the framework of their Gospels. This change simplifies amazingly the unfolding of the narrative.

There is still dispute concerning the historical worth of the Gospel of John, but the Johannine authorship is not disproved. It still holds the field in my opinion. Dr. C. F. Burney's theory of an Aramaic original is already giving a new turn to Johannine criticism.

A harmony of the Gospels cannot meet every phase of modern criticism. The data are given, as free from bias as circumstances allow, so that all students can use the book and interpret the facts according to their various theories. Numerous historical items call for notes of various kinds that throw light on the passage in question. No effort is made to reconcile all the divergent statements of various details in the different Gospels. The differences challenge the student's interest as much as the correspondences and are natural marks of individual work. The notes and appendices at the end of the volume are meant for students who wish help for historical study of the life of Christ. A harmony cannot give all the aid that one needs, but it is the one essential book for the serious study of the life of Jesus. Students in colleges, theological seminaries, Young Men's Christian Association and Young Women's Christian Association classes, Sunday School teachers and pupils, preachers, all who read the Gospels intelligently must have a modern harmony of the Gospels. One who has never read a harmony will be amazed at the flood of light that flashes from the parallel and progressive records of the life of Jesus Christ.

Broadus began teaching the life of Jesus in 1859 and kept it up till his death in 1895. I began like work in 1888 and have kept on without a break till now. I count it one of the crowning mercies of my life that I have led so many successive classes of young ministers and young women (some five thousand in all) through the study of Christ's life. If only one can pass on to others in all their freshness and power the teachings of Jesus, he cannot fail. There was a time when men hung in wonder upon the words of Jesus, listening with awe and rapture as he spoke. The Figure of Christ fills the world today as never before. Back to Christ the world has come, the Christ of Faith and of Experience, the Jesus of History, the Man of Galilee, the Hope of Today, the Jesus Christ of the Four Gospels, in the full blaze of modern critical and historical study.

A. T. ROBERTSON.    

    Louisville,
        Kentucky.

CONTENTS

PREFACE CHIEF DIVISIONS OF THE HARMONY ANALYTICAL OUTLINE OF THE HARMONY TABLE FOR FINDING ANY PASSAGE IN THE HARMONY THE HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS EXPLANATORY NOTES ON POINTS OF SPECIAL DIFFICULTY IN THE HARMONY 1.

About Harmonies of the Gospels

2.

Synoptic Criticism

3.

The Authorship of the Fourth Gospel

4.

The Jesus of History

5.

The Two Genealogies of Christ

6.

The Probable Time of the Saviour's Birth

7.

The Feast of John 5:1, and the Duration of Our Lord's Ministry

8.

The Four Lists of the Twelve Apostles

9.

The Sermon on the Mount

10.

The Combination of Luke and John

11.

Did Christ Eat the Passover?

12.

The Hour of the Crucifixion

13.

The Time of the Resurrection of Christ

14.

The Length of Our Lord's Stay in the Tomb

A LIST OF THE PARABLES OF JESUS A LIST OF THE MIRACLES OF JESUS LIST OF OLD TESTAMENT QUOTATIONS IN THE GOSPELS A LIST OF SOME UNCANONICAL SAYINGS OF JESUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND CHIEF REPEATED SAYINGS

CHIEF DIVISIONS OF THE HARMONY

PART I:

THE SOURCES OF THE GOSPELS

§ 1

PART II:

THE PRE-EXISTENT STATE OF CHRIST AND HIS INCARNATION

§ 2

PART III:

THE TWO GENEALOGIES IN MATTHEW AND LUKE

§ 3

PART IV:

THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS

§§ 4-19. (Probably

B.C.

7 to

A.D.

7)

PART V:

THE BEGINNING OF THE BAPTIST'S MINISTRY

§§ 20-23. (Probably

A.D.

25)

PART VI:

THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST'S PUBLIC MINISTRY

§§ 24-36. (In all parts of Palestine. Probably

A.D.

26 and 27)

PART VII:

THE GREAT GALLILEAN MINISTRY

§§ 37-71. (Probably

A.D.

27 to 29)

PART VIII:

THE SPECIAL TRAINING OF THE TWELVE IN DISTRICTS AROUND GALILEE

§§ 72-95. (Probably Passover in

A.D.

29 to Tabernacles in

A.D.

29)

PART IX:

THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY

§§ 96-111. (Probably Tabernacles to Dedication in

A.D.

29)

PART X:

THE LATER PEREAN MINISTRY

§§ 112-127. (Probably Dedication in

A.D.

29 to Last Journey in

A.D.

30)

PART XI:

THE LAST PUBLIC MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

§§ 128a-138. (Friday before the Passover to Tuesday of Passion Week,

A.D.

30 or 29)

PART XII:

IN THE SHADOW WITH JESUS

§§ 139-152. (Tuesday afternoon to Thursday night of Passion Week,

A.D.

30 or 29)

PART XIII:

THE ARREST, TRIAL, CRUCIFIXION, AND BURIAL OF JESUS

§§ 153-168. (Early Friday morning to Saturday of Passion Week,

A.D.

30 or 29)

PART XIV:

THE RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES, AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST

§§ 169-184. (Forty days from Sunday of Passion Week,

A.D.

30 or 29)

ANALYTICAL OUTLINE OF THE HARMONY

PART I:

THE SOURCES OF THE GOSPELS

§ 1: IN THE DEDICATION LUKE EXPLAINS HIS METHOD OF RESEARCH

Luke 1:1-4.

 

PART II:

THE PRE-EXISTENT STATE OF CHRIST AND HIS INCARNATION

§ 2: IN HIS INTRODUCTION JOHN PICTURES CHRIST AS THE WORD (LOGOS)

John 1:1-18.

 

PART III:

THE TWO GENEALOGIES IN MATTHEW AND LUKE

§ 3: APPARENTLY JOSEPH'S GENEALOGY IN MATTHEW AND MARY'S IN LUKE

Matt. 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38.

 

PART IV:

THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS

SECTIONS 4-19

§ 4: THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST TO ZACHARIAS

Luke 1:5-25.

§ 5: THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 1:26-38.

§ 6: THE SONG OF ELIZABETH TO MARY UPON HER VISIT

Luke 1:39-45.

§ 7: THE MAGNIFICAT OF MARY

Luke 1:46-56.

§ 8: THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND HIS DESERT LIFE

Luke 1:57-80.

§ 9: THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Matt. 1:18-25.

§ 10: THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 2:1-7.

§ 11: THE PRAISE OF THE ANGELS AND THE HOMAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS

Luke 2:8-20.

§ 12: THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS

Luke 2:21.

§ 13: THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE HOMAGE OF SIMEON AND ANNA

Luke 2:22-38.

§ 14: MAGI VISIT THE NEW-BORN KING OF THE JEWS

Matt. 2:1-12.

§ 15: THE CHILD JESUS CARRIED TO EGYPT, AND THE CHILDREN AT BETHLEHEM SLAIN

Matt. 2:13-18.

§ 16: THE CHILD BROUGHT FROM EGYPT TO NAZARETH

Matt. 2:19-23; Luke 2:39.

§ 17: THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS AT NAZARETH

Luke 2:40.

§ 18: THE VISIT OF THE BOY JESUS TO JERUSALEM WHEN TWELVE YEARS OLD

Luke 2:41-50.

§ 19: THE EIGHTEEN YEARS AT NAZARETH

Luke 2:51-52.

 

PART V:

THE BEGINNING OF THE BAPTIST'S MINISTRY

SECTIONS 20-23

§ 20: THE TIME OF THE BEGINNING

Mark 1:1; Luke 3:1-2.

§ 21: THE MESSAGE AND THE MESSENGER

Mark 1:2-6; Matt. 3:1-6; Luke 3:3-6.

§ 22: A SPECIMEN OF JOHN'S PREACHING

Matt. 3:7-10; Luke 3:7-14.

§ 23: THE FORERUNNER'S PICTURE OF THE MESSIAH BEFORE SEEING HIM

Mark 1:7-8; Matt. 3:11-12; Luke 3:15-18.

 

PART VI:

THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST'S PUBLIC MINISTRY

SECTIONS 24-36

§ 24: JESUS BAPTIZED BY JOHN IN THE JORDAN

Mark 1:9-11; Matt. 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-23.

§ 25: THE THREE TEMPTATIONS OF JESUS

Mark 1:12-13; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

§ 26: THE TESTIMONY OF THE BAPTIST TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE SANHEDRIN

John 1:19-28.

§ 27: JOHN'S IDENTIFICATION OF JESUS AS THE MESSIAH

John 1:29-34.

§ 28: JESUS MAKES HIS FIRST DISCIPLES

John 1:35-51.

§ 29: JESUS WORKS HIS FIRST MIRACLE

John 2:1-11.

§ 30: JESUS MAKES A FIRST SOJOURN AT CAPERNAUM, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS KINDRED AND HIS EARLY DISCIPLES

John 2:12.

§ 31: THE FIRST CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE AT THE PASSOVER

John 2:13-22.

§ 32: THE INTERVIEW OF NICODEMUS WITH JESUS

John 2:23-3:21.

§ 33: THE PARALLEL MINISTRY OF JESUS AND JOHN WITH JOHN'S LOYALTY TO JESUS

John 3:22-36.

§ 34: CHRIST'S REASONS FOR LEAVING JUDEA

Mark 1:14; Matt. 4:12; Luke 3:19-20; 4:14; John 4:1-4.

§ 35: JESUS IN SAMARIA AT JACOB'S WELL AND IN SYCHAR

John 4:5-42.

§ 36: THE ARRIVAL OF JESUS IN GALILEE

John 4:43-45.

 

PART VII:

THE GREAT GALILEAN MINISTRY

SECTIONS 37-71

Eight Groups in the Period

(1)

The Rejection at Nazareth and the New Home in Capernaum

Sections 37-43.

(2)

The First Tour of Galilee with the Four Fishermen and the Call of Matthew (Levi) on the Return with the Growing Fame of Jesus

Sections 44-48.

(3)

The Sabbath Controversy in Jerusalem and in Galilee

Sections 49-51.

(4)

The Choice of the Twelve and the Sermon on the Mount

Sections 52-54.

(5)

The Spread of Christ's Influence and the Inquiry from John in Prison

Sections 55-59.

(6)

The Second Tour of Galilee (now with the Twelve) and the Intense Hostility of the Pharisees

Sections 60-63.

(7)

The First Great Group of Parables with the Visit to Gerasa (Khersa) and to Nazareth (final one)

Sections 64-69.

(8)

The Third Tour of Galilee (following the Twelve) and the Effect on Herod Antipas

Sections 70-71.

§ 37: GENERAL ACCOUNT OF HIS TEACHING IN GALILEE

Mark 1:14-15; Matt. 4:17; Luke 4:14-15.

§ 38: THE HEALING AT CANA OF THE SON OF A COURTIER OF CAPERNAUM

John 4:46-54.

§ 39: THE FIRST REJECTION AT NAZARETH

Luke 4:16-31.

§ 40: THE NEW HOME IN CAPERNAUM

Matt. 4:13-16.

§ 41: JESUS FINDS FOUR FISHERS OF MEN IN FOUR FISHERMEN

Mark 1:16-20; Matt. 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11.

§ 42: THE EXCITEMENT IN THE SYNAGOGUE BECAUSE OF THE TEACHING OF JESUS AND THE HEALING OF A DEMONIAC ON THE SABBATH

Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37.

§ 43: HE HEALS PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS

Mark 1:29-34; Matt. 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41.

§ 44: THE FIRST TOUR OF GALILEE WITH THE FOUR FISHERMEN

Mark 1:35-39; Matt. 4:23-25; Luke 4:42-44.

§ 45: A LEPER HEALED AND MUCH POPULAR EXCITEMENT

Mark 1:40-45; Matt. 8:2-4; Luke 5:12-16.

§ 46: THRONGED IN CAPERNAUM, HE HEALS A PARALYTIC LOWERED THROUGH THE ROOF OF PETER'S HOUSE

Mark 2:1-12; Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26.

§ 47: THE CALL OF MATTHEW (LEVI) AND HIS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF JESUS

Mark 2:13-17; Matt. 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32.

§ 48: JESUS IN THREE PARABLES DEFENDS HIS DISCIPLES FOR FEASTING INSTEAD OF FASTING

Mark 2:18-22; Matt. 9:14-17; Luke 5:33-39.

§ 49: AT A FEAST IN JERUSALEM (POSSIBLY THE PASSOVER) JESUS HEALS A LAME MAN ON THE SABBATH AND DEFENDS THIS ACTION TO THE PHARISEES IN A GREAT DISCOURSE

John 5:1-47.

§ 50: ANOTHER SABBATH CONTROVERSY WITH THE PHARISEES WHEN THE DISCIPLES PLUCK EARS OF GRAIN IN THE FIELDS

Mark 2:23-28; Matt. 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5.

§ 51: A THIRD SABBATH CONTROVERSY WITH THE PHARISEES OVER THE HEALING OF A MAN WITH A WITHERED HAND IN A SYNAGOGUE

Mark 3:1-6; Matt. 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11.

§ 52: JESUS TEACHES AND HEALS GREAT MULTITUDES BY THE SEA OF GALILEE

Mark 3:7-12; Matt. 12:15-21.

§ 53: AFTER A NIGHT OF PRAYER JESUS SELECTS TWELVE APOSTLES

Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16.

§ 54: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. PRIVILEGES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MESSIANIC REIGN, CHRIST'S STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matt. 5-7; Luke 6:17-49.

The Place and the Audience

      Matt. 5:1-2; Luke 6:17-19.

(1)

The Introduction: The Beatitudes and the Woes. Privileges of the Messiah's Subjects

      Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-26.

(2)

The Theme of the Sermon: Christ's Standard of Righteousness in Contrast with that of the Scribes and Pharisees

      Matt. 5:13-20.

(3)

Christ's Ethical Teaching Superior to that of the Scribes (both the Old Testament and the Oral Law) in Six Items or Illustrations (Murder, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliations, Love of Enemies)

      Matt. 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-30, 32-36.

(4)

The Practice of Real Righteousness unlike the Ostentatious Hypocrisy of the Pharisees as in Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting

      Matt. 6:1-18.

(5)

Single-hearted Devotion to God as Opposed to Worldly Aims and Anxieties

      Matt. 6:19-34.

(6)

Captious Criticism, or Judging Others

      Matt. 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42.

(7)

Prayer and the Golden Rule

      Matt. 7:7-12; Luke 6:31.

(8)

The Conclusion of the Sermon. The Lesson of Personal Righteousness Driven Home by Powerful Parables

      Matt. 7:13-8:1; Luke 6:43-49.

§ 55: JESUS HEALS A CENTURION'S SERVANT AT CAPERNAUM

Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10.

§ 56: HE RAISES A WIDOW'S SON AT NAIN

Luke 7:11-17.

§ 57: THE MESSAGE FROM THE BAPTIST AND THE EULOGY OF JESUS

Matt. 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35.

§ 58: WOES UPON THE CITIES OF OPPORTUNITY. THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST AS THE TEACHER ABOUT THE FATHER

Matt. 11:20-30.

§ 59: THE ANOINTING OF CHRIST'S FEET BY A SINFUL WOMAN IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON A PHARISEE. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS

Luke 7:36-50.

§ 60: THE SECOND TOUR OF GALILEE

Luke 8:1-3.

§ 61: BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION OF LEAGUE WITH BEELZEBUB

Mark 3:19-30; Matt. 12:22-37.

§ 62: SCRIBES AND PHARISEES DEMAND A SIGN

Matt. 12:38-45.

§ 63: CHRIST'S MOTHER AND BRETHREN SEEK TO TAKE HIM HOME

Mark 3:31-35; Matt. 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21.

§ 64: THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES

Mark 4:1-34; Matt. 13:1-53; Luke 8:4-18.

Introduction to the Group

      Mark 4:1-2; Matt. 13:1-3; Luke 8:4.

1:

To the Crowds by the Sea

  

(a)

Parable of the Sower

      Mark 4:3-25; Matt. 13:3-23; Luke 8:5-18.

  

(b)

Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself

      Mark 4:26-29.

  

(c)

Parable of the Tares

      Matt. 13:24-30.

  

(d)

Parable of the Mustard Seed

      Mark 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-32.

  

(e)

Parable of the Leaven and Many Such Parables

      Mark 4:33-34; Matt. 13:33-35.

2.

To the Disciples in the House

  

(a)

Explanation of the Parable of the Tares

      Matt. 13:36-43.

  

(b)

The Parable of the Hid Treasure

      Matt. 13:44.

  

(c)

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

      Matt. 13:45-46.

  

(d)

The Parable of the Net

      Matt. 13:47-50.

  

(e)

The Parable of the Householder

      Matt. 13:51-53.

§ 65: IN CROSSING THE LAKE, JESUS STILLS THE TEMPEST

Mark 4:35-41; Matt. 8:18, 23-27; Luke 8:22-25.

§ 66: BEYOND THE LAKE JESUS HEALS THE GERASENE DEMONIAC

Mark 5:1-20; Matt. 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-39.

§ 67: THE RETURN AND THE HEALING OF JAIRUS' DAUGHTER AND OF THE WOMAN WHO ONLY TOUCHED CHRIST'S GARMENT

Mark 5:21-43; Matt. 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56.

§ 68: HE HEALS TWO BLIND MEN AND A DUMB DEMONIAC, A BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION

Matt. 9:27-34.

§ 69: THE LAST VISIT TO NAZARETH

Mark 6:1-6; Matt. 13:54-58.

§ 70: THE THIRD TOUR OF GALILEE AFTER INSTRUCTING THE TWELVE AND SENDING THEM FORTH BY TWOS

Mark 6:6-13; Matt. 9:35-11:1; Luke 9:1-6.

§ 71: THE GUILTY FEARS OF HEROD ANTIPAS IN TIBERIAS ABOUT JESUS BECAUSE HE HAD BEHEADED THE BAPTIST IN MACHÆRUS

Mark 6:14-29; Matt. 14:1-12; Luke 9:7-9.

 

PART VIII:

THE SPECIAL TRAINING OF THE TWELVE IN DISTRICTS AROUND GALILEE

SECTIONS 72-95

§ 72: THE FIRST RETIREMENT. THE TWELVE RETURN, AND JESUS RETIRES WITH THEM BEYOND THE LAKE TO REST. FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

Mark 6:30-44; Matt. 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13.

§ 73: THE PREVENTION OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE TO PROCLAIM JESUS KING (A POLITICAL MESSIAH)

Mark 6:45-46; Matt. 14:22-23; John 6:14-15.

§ 74: THE PERIL TO THE TWELVE IN THE STORM AT SEA AND CHRIST'S COMING TO THEM ON THE WATER IN THE DARKNESS

Mark 6:47-52; Matt. 14:24-33; John 6:16-21.

§ 75: THE RECEPTION AT GENNESARET

Mark 6:53-56; Matt. 14:34-36.

§ 76: THE COLLAPSE OF THE GALILEAN CAMPAIGN BECAUSE JESUS WILL NOT CONFORM TO POPULAR MESSIANIC EXPECTATIONS

John 6:22-71.

§ 77: PHARISEES FROM JERUSALEM REPROACH JESUS FOR ALLOWING HIS DISCIPLES TO DISREGARD THEIR TRADITIONS ABOUT CEREMONIAL DEFILEMENT OF THE HANDS. A PUZZLING PARABLE IN REPLY

Mark 7:1-23; Matt. 15:1-20; John 7:1.

§ 78: THE SECOND WITHDRAWAL TO THE REGION OF TYRE AND SIDON AND THE HEALING OF THE DAUGHTER OF A SYRO-PHOENICIAN WOMAN

Mark 7:24-30; Matt. 15:21-28.

§ 79: THE THIRD WITHDRAWAL NORTH THROUGH PHOENICIA AND EAST TOWARDS HERMON AND SOUTH INTO DECAPOLIS (KEEPING OUT OF THE TERRITORY OF HEROD ANTIPAS) WITH THE HEALING OF THE DEAF AND DUMB MAN AND THE FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND

Mark 7:31-8:9; Matt. 15:29-38.

§ 80: THE BRIEF VISIT TO MAGADAN (DALMANUTHA) IN GALILEE AND THE SHARP ATTACK BY THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES. (NOTE THEIR APPEARANCE NOW AGAINST JESUS)

Mark 8:10-12; Matt. 15:39-16:4.

§ 81: THE FOURTH RETIREMENT TO BETHSAIDA JULIAS IN THE TETRARCHY OF HEROD PHILIP WITH SHARP REBUKE OF THE DULNESS OF THE DISCIPLES ON THE WAY ACROSS AND THE HEALING OF A BLIND MAN IN BETHSAIDA

Mark 8:13-26; Matt. 16:5-12.

§ 82: NEAR CÆSAREA PHILIPPI JESUS TESTS THE FAITH OF THE TWELVE IN HIS MESSIAHSHIP

Mark 8:27-30; Matt. 16:13-20; Luke 9:18-21.

§ 83: JESUS DISTINCTLY FORETELLS THAT HE, THE MESSIAH, WILL BE REJECTED AND KILLED AND WILL RISE THE THIRD DAY

Mark 8:31-37; Matt. 16:21-26; Luke 9:22-25.

§ 84: THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN IN THAT GENERATION

Mark 8:38-9:1; Matt. 16:27-28; Luke 9:26-27.

§ 85: THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS ON A MOUNTAIN (PROBABLY HERMON) NEAR CÆSAREA PHILIPPI

Mark 9:2-8; Matt. 17:1-8; Luke 9:28-36.

§ 86: THE PUZZLE OF THE THREE DISCIPLES ABOUT THE RESURRECTION AND ABOUT ELIJAH ON THEIR WAY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

Mark 9:9-13; Matt. 17:9-13; Luke 9:36.

§ 87: THE DEMONIAC BOY, WHOM THE DISCIPLES COULD NOT HEAL

Mark 9:14-29; Matt. 17:14-20; Luke 9:37-43.

§ 88: RETURNING PRIVATELY THROUGH GALILEE, HE AGAIN FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION

Mark 9:30-32; Matt. 17:22-23; Luke 9:43-45.

§ 89: JESUS, THE MESSIAH, PAYS THE HALF-SHEKEL FOR THE TEMPLE

Matt. 17:24-27.

§ 90: THE TWELVE CONTEND AS TO WHO SHALL BE THE GREATEST UNDER THE MESSIAH'S REIGN. HIS SUBJECTS MUST BE CHILDLIKE

Mark 9:33-37; Matt. 18:1-5; Luke 9:46-48.

§ 91: THE MISTAKEN ZEAL OF THE APOSTLE JOHN REBUKED BY JESUS IN PERTINENT PARABLES

Mark 9:38-50; Matt. 18:6-14; Luke 9:49-50.

§ 92: RIGHT TREATMENT OF A BROTHER WHO HAS SINNED AGAINST ONE, AND DUTY OF PATIENTLY FORGIVING A BROTHER (PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT)

Matt. 18:15-35.

§ 93: THE MESSIAH'S FOLLOWERS MUST GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR HIS SERVICE

Matt. 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62.

§ 94: THE UNBELIEVING BROTHERS OF JESUS COUNSEL HIM TO EXHIBIT HIMSELF IN JUDEA, AND HE REJECTS THE ADVICE

John 7:2-9.

§ 95: HE GOES PRIVATELY TO JERUSALEM THROUGH SAMARIA

Luke 9:51-56; John 7:10.

 

PART IX:

THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY

SECTIONS 96-111

§ 96: THE COMING OF JESUS TO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES CREATES INTENSE EXCITEMENT CONCERNING THE MESSIAHSHIP

John 7:11-52.

§ 97: STORY OF AN ADULTEROUS WOMAN BROUGHT TO JESUS FOR JUDGMENT

John 7:53-8:11.

§ 98: AFTER THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES IN THE TEMPLE JESUS ANGERS THE PHARISEES BY CLAIMING TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 8:12-20.

§ 99: THE PHARISEES ATTEMPT TO STONE JESUS WHEN HE EXPOSES THEIR SINFULNESS

John 8:21-59.

§ 100: JESUS HEALS A MAN BORN BLIND WHO OUTWITS THE PHARISEES. THE RULERS FORBID THE RECOGNITION OF JESUS AS THE MESSIAH. THE CONVERSION OF THE HEALED MAN

John 9:1-41.

§ 101: IN THE PARABLE (ALLEGORY) OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD JESUS DRAWS THE PICTURE OF THE HOSTILE PHARISEES AND INTIMATES THAT HE IS GOING TO DIE FOR HIS FLOCK AND COME TO LIFE AGAIN

John 10:1-21.

§ 102: THE MISSION OF THE SEVENTY. CHRIST'S JOY IN THEIR WORK ON THEIR RETURN

Luke 10:1-24.

§ 103: JESUS ANSWERS A LAWYER'S QUESTION AS TO ETERNAL LIFE, GIVING THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Luke 10:25-37.

§ 104: JESUS THE GUEST OF MARTHA AND MARY

Luke 10:38-42.

§ 105: JESUS AGAIN GIVES A MODEL OF PRAYER (COMP. § 54) AND ENCOURAGES HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY. PARABLE OF THE IMPORTUNATE FRIEND

Luke 11:1-13.

§ 106: BLASPHEMOUS ACCUSATION OF LEAGUE WITH BEELZEBUB

Luke 11:14-36.

§ 107: WHILE BREAKFASTING WITH A PHARISEE, JESUS SEVERELY DENOUNCES THE PHARISEES AND LAWYERS AND EXCITES THEIR ENMITY

Luke 11:37-54.

§ 108: HE SPEAKS TO HIS DISCIPLES AND A VAST THRONG ABOUT HYPOCRISY, COVETOUSNESS (PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL), WORLDLY ANXIETIES, WATCHFULNESS (PARABLE OF THE WAITING SERVANTS AND OF THE WISE STEWARD), AND HIS OWN APPROACHING PASSION

Luke 12.

§ 109: ALL MUST REPENT OR PERISH. (TWO CURRENT TRAGEDIES); PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE

Luke 13:1-9.

§ 110: JESUS HEALS A CRIPPLED WOMAN ON THE SABBATH AND DEFENDS HIMSELF AGAINST THE RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE. (CF. §§ 49-51 AND 114.) REPETITION OF THE PARABLES OF THE MUSTARD SEED AND OF THE LEAVEN

Luke 13:10-21.

§ 111: AT THE FEAST OF DEDICATION JESUS WILL NOT YET OPENLY SAY THAT HE IS THE MESSIAH. THE JEWS TRY TO STONE HIM

John 10:22-39.

 

PART X:

THE LATER PEREAN MINISTRY

SECTIONS 112-127

§ 112: THE WITHDRAWAL FROM JERUSALEM TO BETHANY BEYOND JORDAN

John 10:40-42.

§ 113: TEACHING IN PEREA, ON A JOURNEY TOWARD JERUSALEM, WARNED AGAINST HEROD ANTIPAS

Luke 13:22-35.

§ 114: WHILE DINING (BREAKFASTING) WITH A CHIEF PHARISEE, HE AGAIN HEALS ON THE SABBATH AND DEFENDS HIMSELF (COMP. §§ 49 TO 51 AND 110) THREE PARABLES SUGGESTED BY THE OCCASION

Luke 14:1-24.

§ 115: GREAT CROWDS FOLLOW HIM, AND HE WARNS THEM TO COUNT THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP TO HIM (COMP. §§ 70 AND 83)

Luke 14:25-35.

§ 116: THE PHARISEES AND THE SCRIBES MURMUR AGAINST JESUS FOR RECEIVING SINNERS. HE DEFENDS HIMSELF BY THREE GREAT PARABLES (THE LOST SHEEP, THE LOST COIN, THE LOST SON)

Luke 15:1-32.

§ 117: THREE PARABLES ON STEWARDSHIP (TO THE DISCIPLES, THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD; TO THE PHARISEES, THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS; TO THE DISCIPLES, THE PARABLE OF THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS)

Luke 16:1-17:10.

§ 118: JESUS RAISES LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD

John 11:1-44.

§ 119: THE EFFECT OF THE RAISING OF LAZARUS (ON THE PEOPLE, ON THE SANHEDRIN, ON THE MOVEMENTS OF JESUS)

John 11:45-54.

§ 120: JESUS STARTS ON THE LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM BY WAY OF SAMARIA AND GALILEE

Luke 17:11-37.

§ 121: TWO PARABLES ON PRAYER (THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW, THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN)

Luke 18:1-14.

§ 122: GOING FROM GALILEE THROUGH PEREA, HE TEACHES CONCERNING DIVORCE

Mark 10:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12.

§ 123: CHRIST AND CHILDREN AND THE FAILURE OF THE DISCIPLES TO UNDERSTAND THE ATTITUDE OF JESUS

Mark 10:13-16; Matt. 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17.

§ 124: THE RICH YOUNG RULER, THE PERILS OF RICHES, AND AMAZEMENT OF THE DISCIPLES. THE REWARDS OF FORSAKING ALL TO FOLLOW THE MESSIAH WILL BE GREAT, BUT WILL BE SOVEREIGN (PARABLE OF THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD)

Mark 10:17-31; Matt. 19:16-20:16; Luke 18:18-30.

§ 125: JESUS AGAIN FORETELLS TO THE DISCIPLES HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION (COMP. §§ 83, 85, 86, 88), AND REBUKES THE SELFISH AMBITION OF JAMES AND JOHN

Mark 10:32-45; Matt. 20:17-28; Luke 18:31-34.

§ 126: BLIND BARTIMÆUS AND HIS COMPANION HEALED

Mark 10:46-52; Matt. 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43.

§ 127: JESUS VISITS ZACCHÆUS, AND SPEAKS THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS, AND SETS OUT FOR JERUSALEM

Luke 19:1-28.

 

PART XI:

THE LAST PUBLIC MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

SECTIONS 128-138

§ 128a: JESUS ARRIVES AT BETHANY NEAR JERUSALEM

John 11:55-12:1, 9-11.

§ 128b: HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM AS THE MESSIAH

Mark 11:1-11; Matt. 21:1-11, 14-17; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19.

§ 129: THE BARREN FIG TREE CURSED, AND THE SECOND CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE (COMP. § 31)

Mark 11:12-18; Matt. 21:18-19, 12-13; Luke 19:45-48.

§ 130: THE DESIRE OF SOME GREEKS TO SEE JESUS PUZZLES THE DISCIPLES AND LEADS JESUS IN AGITATION OF SOUL TO INTERPRET LIFE AND DEATH AS SACRIFICE AND TO SHOW HOW BY BEING "LIFTED UP" HE WILL DRAW ALL MEN TO HIM

John 12:20-50.

§ 131: THE BARREN FIG TREE FOUND TO HAVE WITHERED

Mark 11:19-25; Matt. 21:19-22; Luke 21:37-38.

§ 132: THE RULERS (SANHEDRIN) FORMALLY CHALLENGE THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS AS AN ACCREDITED TEACHER (RABBI)

Mark 11:27-12:12; Matt. 21:23-22:14; Luke 20:1-19.

§ 133: THE PHARISEES AND THE HERODIANS TRY TO ENSNARE JESUS ABOUT PAYING TRIBUTE TO CÆSAR

Mark 12:13-17; Matt. 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26.

§ 134: THE SADDUCEES ASK HIM A PUZZLING QUESTION ABOUT THE RESURRECTION

Mark 12:18-27; Matt. 22:23-33; Luke 20:27-40.

§ 135: THE PHARISEES REJOICE OVER THE ROUT OF THE SADDUCEES AND A PHARISAIC LAWYER ASKS JESUS A LEGAL QUESTION

Mark 12:28-34; Matt. 22:34-40.

§ 136: JESUS, TO THE JOY OF THE MULTITUDE, SILENCES HIS ENEMIES BY THE PERTINENT QUESTION OF THE MESSIAH'S DESCENT FROM DAVID AND LORDSHIP OVER DAVID

Mark 12:35-37; Matt. 22:41-46; Luke 20:41-44.

§ 137: IN HIS LAST PUBLIC DISCOURSE, JESUS SOLEMNLY DENOUNCES THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (COMP. § 107)

Mark 12:38-40; Matt. 23:1-39; Luke 20:45-47.

§ 138: JESUS CLOSELY OBSERVES THE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE TEMPLE, AND COMMENDS THE POOR WIDOW'S GIFT

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4.

 

PART XII:

IN THE SHADOW WITH JESUS

SECTIONS 139-152

§ 139: SITTING ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, AND HIS OWN SECOND COMING IN APOCALYPTIC LANGUAGE. THE GREAT ESCHATOLOGICAL DISCOURSE

Mark 13:1-37; Matt. 24, 25; Luke 21:5-36.

§ 140: JESUS PREDICTS HIS CRUCIFIXION TWO DAYS HENCE (JEWISH FRIDAY)

Mark 14:1-2; Matt. 26:1-5; Luke 22:1-2.

§ 141: AT THE FEAST IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE LEPER MARY OF BETHANY ANOINTS JESUS FOR HIS BURIAL

Mark 14:3-9; Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:2-8.

§ 142: JUDAS, STUNG BY THE REBUKE OF JESUS AT THE FEAST, BARGAINS WITH THE RULERS TO BETRAY JESUS

Mark 14:10-11; Matt. 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6.

§ 143: THE PREPARATION FOR THE PASCHAL MEAL AT THE HOME OF A FRIEND (POSSIBLY THAT OF JOHN MARK'S FATHER AND MOTHER)

Mark 14:12-16; Matt. 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13.

§ 144: JESUS PARTAKES OF THE PASCHAL MEAL WITH THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND REBUKES THEIR JEALOUSY

Mark 14:17; Matt. 26:20; Luke 22:14-16, 24-30.

§ 145: DURING THE PASCHAL MEAL, JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF HIS DISCIPLES

John 13:1-20.

§ 146: AT THE PASCHAL MEAL JESUS POINTS OUT JUDAS AS THE BETRAYER

Mark 14:18-21; Matt. 26:21-25; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-30.

§ 147: AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF JUDAS JESUS WARNS THE DISCIPLES (PETER IN PARTICULAR) AGAINST DESERTION, WHILE ALL PROTEST THEIR LOYALTY

Mark 14:27-31; Matt. 26:31-35; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:31-38.

§ 148: JESUS INSTITUTES THE MEMORIAL OF EATING BREAD AND DRINKING WINE

Mark 14:22-25; Matt. 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26.

§ 149: THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE TO HIS DISCIPLES IN THE UPPER ROOM

John 14.

§ 150: THE DISCOURSE ON THE WAY TO GETHSEMANE

John 15, 16.

§ 151: CHRIST'S INTERCESSORY PRAYER

John 17.

§ 152: GOING FORTH TO GETHSEMANE, JESUS SUFFERS LONG IN AGONY

Mark 14:26, 32-42; Matt. 26:30, 36-46; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1.

 

PART XIII:

THE ARREST, TRIAL, CRUCIFIXION, AND BURIAL OF JESUS

SECTIONS 153-168

§ 153: JESUS IS BETRAYED, ARRESTED, AND FORSAKEN

Mark 14:43-52; Matt. 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12.

§ 154: JESUS FIRST EXAMINED BY ANNAS, THE EX-HIGH PRIEST

John 18:12-14, 19-23.

§ 155: JESUS HURRIEDLY TRIED AND CONDEMNED BY CAIAPHAS AND THE SANHEDRIN, WHO MOCK AND BUFFET HIM

Mark 14:53, 55-65; Matt. 26:57, 59-68; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24.

§ 156: PETER THRICE DENIES HIS LORD

Mark 14:54, 66-72; Matt. 26:58, 69-75; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27.

§ 157: AFTER DAWN, JESUS IS FORMALLY CONDEMNED BY THE SANHEDRIN

Mark 15:1; Matt. 27:1; Luke 22:66-71.

§ 158: REMORSE AND SUICIDE OF JUDAS THE BETRAYER

Matt. 27:3-10; Acts 1:18-19.

§ 159: JESUS BEFORE PILATE THE FIRST TIME

Mark 15:1-5; Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38.

§ 160: JESUS BEFORE HEROD ANTIPAS THE TETRARCH

Luke 23:6-12.

§ 161: JESUS THE SECOND TIME BEFORE PILATE

Mark 15:6-15; Matt. 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16.

§ 162: THE ROMAN SOLDIERS MOCK JESUS

Mark 15:16-19; Matt. 27:27-30.

§ 163: JESUS ON THE WAY TO THE CROSS (VIA DOLOROSA) ON GOLGOTHA

Mark 15:20-23; Matt. 27:31-34; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17.

§ 164: THE FIRST THREE HOURS ON THE CROSS

Mark 15:24-32; Matt. 27:35-44; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27.

§ 165: THE THREE HOURS OF DARKNESS FROM NOON TO THREE P.M.

Mark 15:33-37; Matt. 27:45-50; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30.

§ 166: THE PHENOMENA ACCOMPANYING THE DEATH OF CHRIST

Mark 15:38-41; Matt. 27:51-56; Luke 23:45, 47-49.

§ 167: THE BURIAL OF THE BODY OF JESUS IN THE TOMB OF JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA AFTER PROOF OF HIS DEATH

Mark 15:42-46; Matt. 27:57-60; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-42.

§ 168: THE WATCH OF THE WOMEN BY THE TOMB OF JESUS

Mark 15:47; Matt. 27:61-66; Luke 23:55-56.

 

PART XIV:

THE RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES, AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST

SECTIONS 169-184

§ 169: THE VISIT OF THE WOMEN TO THE TOMB OF JESUS

Mark 16:1; Matt. 28:1.

§ 170: THE EARTHQUAKE, THE ROLLING AWAY OF THE STONE BY AN ANGEL, AND THE FRIGHT OF THE ROMAN WATCHERS

Matt. 28:2-4.

§ 171: THE VISIT OF THE WOMEN TO THE TOMB OF JESUS ABOUT SUNRISE SUNDAY MORNING AND THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS ABOUT THE EMPTY TOMB

Mark 16:2-8; Matt. 28:5-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1.

§ 172: MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER WOMEN REPORT TO THE APOSTLES, AND PETER AND JOHN VISIT THE EMPTY TOMB

Luke 24:9-12; John 20:2-10.

§ 173: THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS TO MARY MAGDALENE AND THE MESSAGE TO THE DISCIPLES

Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18.

§ 174: THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS TO THE OTHER WOMEN

Matt. 28:9-10.

§ 175: SOME OF THE GUARD REPORT TO THE JEWISH RULERS

Matt. 28:11-15.

§ 176: THE APPEARANCE TO TWO DISCIPLES (CLEOPAS AND ANOTHER) ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS

Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32.

§ 177: THE REPORT OF THE TWO DISCIPLES AND THE NEWS OF THE APPEARANCE TO SIMON PETER

Luke 24:33-35; 1 Cor. 15:5.

§ 178: THE APPEARANCE TO THE ASTONISHED DISCIPLES (THOMAS ABSENT) WITH A COMMISSION AND THEIR FAILURE TO CONVINCE THOMAS

Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25.

§ 179: THE APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES THE NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT AND THE CONVINCING OF THOMAS

John 20:26-31; 1 Cor. 15:5.

§ 180: THE APPEARANCE TO SEVEN DISCIPLES BESIDE THE SEA OF GALILEE. THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES

John 21.

§ 181: THE APPEARANCE TO ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED ON AN APPOINTED MOUNTAIN IN GALILEE, AND A COMMISSION GIVEN

Mark 16:15-18; Matt. 28:16-20; 1 Cor. 15:6.

§ 182: THE APPEARANCE TO JAMES THE BROTHER OF JESUS

1 Cor. 15:7.

§ 183: THE APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES WITH ANOTHER COMMISSION

Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8.

§ 184: THE LAST APPEARANCE AND THE ASCENSION

Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12.

TABLE FOR FINDING ANY PASSAGE IN THE HARMONY

MARK

Chap.

Verse

Section

 

Chap.

Verse

Section

1

1

20

 

9

33-37

90

1

2-6

21

 

9

38-50

91

1

7-8

23

 

10

1-12

122

1

9-11

24

 

10

13-16

123

1

12-13

25

 

10

17-31

124

1

14

34

 

10

32-45

125

1

14-15

37

 

10

46-52

126

1

16-20

41

 

11

1-11

128b

1

21-28

42

 

11

12-18

129

1

29-34

43

 

11

19-25

131

1

35-39

44

 

11

27-12:12

132

1

40-45

45

 

12

13-17

133

2

1-12

46

 

12

18-27

134

2

13-17

47

 

12

28-34

135

2

18-22

48

 

12

35-37

136

2

23-28

50

 

12

38-40

137

3

1-6

51

 

12

41-44

138

3

7-12

52

 

13

1-37

139

3

13-19

53

 

14

1-2

140

3

19-30

61

 

14

3-9

141

3

31-35

63

 

14

10-11

142

4

1-2

64

 

14

12-16

143

4

3-25

64

 

14

17

144

4

26-29

64

 

14

18-21

146

4

30-32

64

 

14

27-31

147

4

33-34

64

 

14

22-25

148

4

35-41

65

 

14

26,

32-42

152

5

1-20

66

 

14

43-52

153

5

21-43

67

 

14

53,

55-65

155

6

1-6

69

 

14

54,

66-72

156

6

6-13

70

 

15

1

157

6

14-29

71

 

15

1-5

159

6

30-44

72

 

15

6-15

161

6

45-46

73

 

15

16-19

162

6

47-52

74

 

15

20-23

163

6

53-56

75

 

15

24-32

164

7

1-23

77

 

15

33-37

165

7

24-30

78

 

15

38-41

166

7

31-8:9

79

 

15

42-46

167

8

10-12

80

 

15

47

168

8

13-26

81

 

16

1

169

8

27-30

82

 

16

2-8

171

8

31-37

83

 

16

9-11

173

8

38-9:1

84

 

16

12-13

176

9

2-8

85

 

16

14

178

9

9-13

86

 

16

15-18

181

9

14-29

87

 

16

19-20

184

9

30-32

88

 

 

MATTHEW

Chap.

Verse

Section

 

Chap.

Verse

Section

1

1-17

3

 

15

1-20

77

1

18-25

9

 

15

21-28

78

2

1-12

14

 

15

29-38

79

2

13-18

15

 

15

39-16:4

80

2

19-23

16

 

16

5-12

81

3

1-6

21

 

16

13-20

82

3

7-10

22

 

16

21-26

83

3

11-12

23

 

16

27-28

84

3

13-17

24

 

17

1-8

85

4

1-11

25

 

17

9-13

86

4

12

34

 

17

14-20

87

4

13-16

40

 

17

22-23

88

4

17

37

 

17

24-27

89

4

18-22

41

 

18

1-5

90

4

23-25

44

 

18

6-14

91

5

1-2

54

 

18

15-35

92

5

3-12

54

 

19

1-12

122

5

13-20

54

 

19

13-15

123

5

21-48

54

 

19

16-20:16

124

6

1-18

54

 

20

17-28

125

6

19-34

54

 

20

29-34

126

7

1-6

54

 

21

1-11,

14-17

128b

7

7-12

54

 

21

18-19,

12-13

129

7

13-8:1

54

 

21

19-22

131

8

2-4

45

 

21

23-22:14

132

8

5-13

55

 

22

15-22

133

8

14-17

43

 

22

23-33

134

8

18,

23-27

65

 

22

34-40

135

8

19-22

93

 

22

41-46

136

8

28-34

66

 

23

1-39

137

9

1-8

46

 

24, 25

...

139

9

9-13

47

 

26

1-5

140

9

14-17

48

 

26

6-13

141

9

18-26

67

 

26

14-16

142

9

27-34

68

 

26

17-19

143

9

35-11:1

70

 

26

20

144

11

2-19

57

 

26

21-25

146

11

20-30

58

 

26

31-35

147

12

1-8

50

 

26

26-29

148

12

9-14

51

 

26

30,

36-46

152

12

15-21

52

 

26

47-56

153

12

22-37

61

 

26

57,

59-68

155

12

38-45

62

 

26

58,

69-75

156

12

46-50

63

 

27

1

157

13

1-3

64

 

27

3-10

158

13

3-23

64

 

27

2,

11-14

159

13

24-30

64

 

27

15-26

161

13

31-32

64

 

27

27-30

162

13

33-35

64

 

27

31-34

163

13

36-43

64

 

27

35-44

164

13

44

64

 

27

45-50

165

13

45-46

64

 

27

51-56

166

13

47-50

64

 

27

57-60

167

13

51-53

64

 

27

61-66

168

13

54-58

69

 

28

1

169

14

1-12

71

 

28

2-4

170

14

13-21

72

 

28

5-8

171

14

22-23

73

 

28

9-10

174

14

24-33

74

 

28

11-15

175

14

34-36

75

 

28

16-20

181

LUKE

Chap.

Verse

Section

 

Chap.

Verse

Section

1

1-4

1

 

9

49-50

91

1

5-25

4

 

9

51-56

95

1

26-38

5

 

9

57-62

93

1

39-45

6

 

10

1-24

102

1

46-56

7

 

10

25-37

103

1

57-80

8

 

10

38-42

104

2

1-7

10

 

11

1-13

105

2

8-20

11

 

11

14-36

106

2

21

12

 

11

37-54

107

2

22-38

13

 

12

1-59

108

2

39

16

 

13

1-9

109

2

40

17

 

13

10-21

110

2

41-50

18

 

13

22-35

113

2

51-52

19

 

14

1-24

114

3

1-2

20

 

14

25-35

115

3

3-6

21

 

15

1-32

116

3

7-14

22

 

16

1-17:10

117

3

15-18

23

 

17

11-37

120

3

19-20

34

 

18

1-14

121

3

21-23

24

 

18

15-17

123

3

23-38

3

 

18

18-30

124

4

1-13

25

 

18

31-34

125

4

14

34

 

18

35-43

126

4

14-15

37

 

19

1-28

127

4

16-31

39

 

19

29-44

128b

4

31-37

42

 

19

45-48

129

4

38-41

43

 

21

37-38

131

4

42-44

44

 

20

1-19

132

5

1-11

41

 

20

20-26

133

5

12-16

45

 

20

27-40

134

5

17-26

46

 

20

41-44

136

5

27-32

47

 

20

45-47

137

5

33-39

48

 

21

1-4

138

6

1-5

50

 

21

5-36

139

6

6-11

51

 

22

1-2

140

6

12-16

53

 

22

3-6

142

6

17-19

54

 

22

7-13

143

6

20-26

54

 

22

14-16,

24-30

144

6

27-36

54

 

22

21-23

146

6

37-42

54

 

22

31-38

147

6

43-49

54

 

22

17-20

148

7

1-10

55

 

22

39-46

152

7

11-17

56

 

22

47-53

153

7

18-35

57

 

22

54,

63-65

155

7

36-50

59

 

22

54-62

156

8

1-3

60

 

22

66-71

157

8

4

64

 

23

1-5

159

8

5-18

64

 

23

6-12

160

8

19-21

63

 

23

13-25

161

8

22-25

65

 

23

26-33

163

8

26-39

66

 

23

33-43

164

8

40-56

67

 

23

44-46

165

9

1-6

70

 

23

45,

47-49

166

9

7-9

71

 

23

50-54

167

9

10-17

72

 

23

55-56

168

9

18-21

82

 

24

1-8

171

9

22-25

83

 

24

9-12

172

9

26-27

84

 

24

13-32

176

9

28-36

85

 

24

33-35

177

9

36

86

 

24

36-43

178

9

37-43

87

 

24

44-49

183

9

43-45

88

 

24

50-53

184

9

46-48

90

 

 

JOHN

Chap.

Verse

Section

 

Chap.

Verse

Section

1

1-18

2

 

11

1-44

118

1

19-28

26

 

11

45-54

119

1

29-34

27

 

11

55-12:1,

9-11

128a

1

35-51

28

 

12

12-19

128b

2

1-11

29

 

12

20-50

130

2

12

30

 

12

2-8

141

2

13-22

31

 

13

1-20

145

2

23-3:21

32

 

13

21-30

146

3

22-36

33

 

13

31-38

147

4

1-4

34

 

14

...

149

4

5-42

35

 

15, 16

...

150

4

43-45

36

 

17

...

151

4

46-54

38

 

18

1

152

5

1-47

49

 

18

2-12

153

6

1-13

72

 

18

12-14,

19-23

154

6

14-15

73

 

18

24

155

6

16-21

74

 

18

15-18,

25-27

156

6

22-71

76

 

18

28-38

159

7

1

77

 

18

39-19:16

161

7

2-9

94

 

19

16-17

163

7

10

95

 

19

18-27

164

7

11-52

96

 

19

28-30

165

7

53-8:11

97

 

19

31-42

167

8

12-20

98

 

20

1

171

8

21-59

99

 

20

2-10

172

9

1-41

100

 

20

11-18

173

10

1-21

101

 

20

19-25

178

10

22-39

111

 

20

26-31

179

10

40-42

112

 

21

...

180

NOTE:—The verses that are omitted in the Canterbury Revision do not appear in this Harmony. They are Mark 7:16; 9:44, 46; 11:26; 15:28; Matthew 17:21; 18:11; 23:14; Luke 17:36; 23:17; John 5:4.

In addition to the Gospels use is made of

    Acts 1:3-8 in § 183.
    Acts 1:9-12 in § 184.
    Acts 1:18-19 in § 158.
    1 Cor. 11:23-26 in § 148.
    1 Cor. 15:5 in § 177.
    1 Cor. 15:5 in § 179.
    1 Cor. 15:6 in § 181.
    1 Cor. 15:7 in § 182.

A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
FOR STUDENTS OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST

PART I
THE SOURCES OF THE GOSPELS

§ 1. IN THE DEDICATION LUKE EXPLAINS HIS METHOD OF RESEARCH^a

Luke 1:1-4

1    Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been ¹fulfilled among us, 2 even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus;^b 4 that thou mightest know the certainty concerning the ²things ³wherein thou wast instructed.

¹ Or, fully establish.

² Gr. words.

³ Or, which thou wast taught by word of mouth.

^a Luke is the first critic of the life of Christ whose criticism has been preserved to us. Others had drawn up narratives of certain portions of Christ's work. Others still had been eyewitnesses of the ministry of Jesus and gave Luke their oral testimony. Luke sifted it all with care and produced an orderly and reasonably full narrative of the earthly ministry of Jesus. We cannot reproduce all the sources that Luke had at his command, but it is clear that he followed in the main our Gospel of Mark, as any one can see for himself by comparing the two Gospels in this Harmony. Both Matthew and Luke made use of Mark. But they had other sources also. See note 2 on Synoptic Criticism at the close of the Harmony. See also Chapter IV, "Luke's Method of Research" in my Luke the Historian in the Light of Research.

^b Luke alone follows the method of ancient historians in dedicating his Gospel, as also the Acts (1:1), to a patron who probably met the expense of publication. So Luke as a Gentile Christian writes an historical introduction in literary (Koiné) Greek after the fashion of Thucydides and Plutarch. Mark had no formal introduction. Matthew's introduction is genealogical because he is writing for Jewish readers to prove that Jesus is the Messiah of Jewish hope. John, writing last of all, has a theological introduction to meet the Gnostic and philosophical misconceptions concerning the Person of Christ. Thus he pictures Christ as the Eternal Logos, with God in his pre-incarnate state, who became flesh and thus revealed the Father to men.

PART II
THE PRE-EXISTENT STATE OF CHRIST AND HIS INCARNATION

§ 2. IN HIS INTRODUCTION JOHN PICTURES CHRIST AS THE WORD (LOGOS)

John 1:1-18

1    In the beginning was the Word,^a and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made ¹by him; and without him ²was not anything made that hath been made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness ³apprehended it not. 6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. 9 ⁴There was the true light, even the light which lighteth ⁵every man, coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made ¹by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto ⁶his own, and they that were his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 which were ⁷born, not of ⁸blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word^a became flesh, and ⁹dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of ¹⁰the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. 15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, ¹¹This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was ¹²before me. 16 For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given ¹by Moses; grace and truth came ¹by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; ¹³the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

¹ Or, through.

² Or, was not anything made. That which hath been made was life in him; and the life &c.

³ Or, overcame.

⁴ Or, The true light, which lighteth every man, was coming.

⁵ Or, every man as he cometh.

⁶ Gr. his own things.

⁷ Or, begotten.

⁸ Gr. bloods.

⁹ Gr. tabernacled.

¹⁰ Or, an only begotten from a father.

¹¹ Some ancient authorities read this was he that said.

¹² Gr. first in regard of me.

¹³ Many very ancient authorities read God only begotten.

^a The Fourth Gospel makes no further use of the term Logos (Word) for Christ. No other Gospel employs the term, but in 1 John 1:1 we find "the Word of life" in this sense and in Rev. 19:14 we have: "and his name is called the Word of God." The Greek word has a double sense (reason and speech) and John seems to have both ideas in mind (1:18). Christ is the Idea of God and the Expression of God. The Stoics followed Plato in the philosophical use of Logos. Philo took it up and made it familiar to Jewish readers who were already used to the Hebrew Mêmra (Word) in a personal sense. But John carried the term further than any of his predecessors and placed it on a par with Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, and other phrases that portray aspects of the Person of Christ. John writes his Gospel to prove the deity of Jesus (John 20:31) against Gnostics (Cerinthian) who denied it, as he wrote his First Epistle (1 John 1:1-4) to prove the humanity of Jesus against Docetic Gnostics who disclaimed it. See note 3 at end of Harmony.

PART III
THE TWO GENEALOGIES IN MATTHEW AND LUKE

§ 3. APPARENTLY JOSEPH'S GENEALOGY IN MATTHEW AND MARY'S IN LUKE^a

Matt. 1:1-17. (

Cf.

1 Chron. 1:34;

2:1-25; 3:1-19.)

Luke 3:23-38. (

Cf.

1 Chron. 1:1-4,

24-28; 2:1-15; 3:17; Ruth 4:18-22.)

1

    

¹

The book of the

²

generation

of Jesus Christ, the son of David,

the son of Abraham.

2

    Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac

begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah

and his brethren;

3

and Judah begat

Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and

Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron

begat

³

Ram;

4

and

³

Ram begat

Amminadab; and Amminadab

begat Nahshon; and Nahshon

begat Salmon;

5

and Salmon begat

Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat

Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat

Jesse;

6

and Jesse begat David the

king.

    And David begat Solomon of

her

that had been the wife

of Uriah;

7

and Solomon begat Rehoboam;

and Rehoboam begat Abijah;

and Abijah begat

⁴

Asa;

8

and

⁴

Asa

begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehosh-

aphat begat Joram; and Joram

begat Uzziah;

9

and Uzziah begat

Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz;

and Ahaz begat Hezekiah;

10

and

Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and

Manasseh begat

⁵

Amon; and

⁵

Amon begat Josiah;

11

and Josiah

begat Jechoniah and his brethren,

at the time of the

⁶

carrying away

to Bablyon.

12

    And after the

⁶

carrying away

to Babylon, Jechoniah begat

⁷

Shealtiel; and

⁷

Shealtiel begat

Zerubbabel;

13

and Zerubbabel

begat Abiud; and Abiud begat

Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

14

and Azor begat Sadoc; and

Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim

begat Eliud;

15

and Eliud begat

Eleazar; and Eleazar begat

Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

16

and Jacob begat Joseph the

husband of Mary, of whom was

born

^b

Jesus, who is called Christ.

17

    So all the generations from

Abraham unto David are fourteen

generations; and from David unto

the

⁶

carrying away to Babylon

fourteen generations; and from the

⁶

carrying away to Babylon unto the

Christ fourteen generations.

^c

    Being the son (as was supposed)

of Joseph, the

son

of Heli,

24

the

son

of Matthat, the

son

of Levi,

the

son

of Melchi, the

son

of Jannai, the

son

of Joseph,

25

the

son

of Mattathias, the

son

of Amos, the

son

of Nahum,

the

son

of Esli, the

son

of Naggai,

26

the

son

of Maath, the

son

of

Mattathias, the

son

of Semein,

the

son

of Josech, the

son

of

Joda,

27

the

son

of Joanan, the

son

of Rhesa, the

son

of Zerubbabel,

the

son

of

⁷

Shealtiel, the

son

of

Neri,

28

the

son

of Melchi, the

son

of Addi, the

son

of Cosam, the

son

of Elmadam, the

son

of Er,

29

the

son

of Jesus, the

son

of

Eliezer, the

son

of Jorim, the

son

of

Matthat, the

son

of Levi,

30

the

son

of Symeon, the

son

of Judas, the

son

of Joseph, the

son

of Jonam,

the

son

of Eliakim,

31

the

son

of

Melea, the

son

of Menna, the

son

of Mattatha, the

son

of Nathan, the

son

of David,

32

the

son

of Jesse,

the

son

of Obed, the

son

of Boaz,

the

son

of

⁸

Salmon, the

son

of

Nahshon,

33

the

son

of Amminadab,

⁹

the

son

of

¹⁰

Arni, the

son

of

Hezron, the

son

of Perez, the

son

of

Judah,

34

the

son

of Jacob, the

son

of Isaac, the

son

of Abraham, the

son

of Terah, the

son

of Nahor,

35

the

son

of Serug, the

son

of Reu,

the

son

of Peleg, the

son

of Eber,

the

son

of Shelah,

36

the

son

of

Cainan, the

son

of Arphaxad, the

son

of Shem, the

son

of Noah,

the

son

of Lamech,

37

the

son

of

Methuselah, the

son

of Enoch,

the

son

of Jared, the

son

of

Mahalaleel, the

son

of Cainan,

38

the

son

of Enos, the

son

of Seth, the

son

of Adam, the

son

of God.

¹ Or, The genealogy of Jesus Christ.

² Or, birth: as in ver. 18.

³ Gr. Aram.

⁴ Gr. Asaph.

⁵ Gr. Amos.

⁶ Or, removal to Babylon.

⁷ Gr. Salathiel.

⁸ Some ancient authorities write Sala.

⁹ Many ancient authorities insert the son of Admin; and one writes Admin for Amminadab.

¹⁰ Some ancient authorities write Aram.

^a This view is not accepted by all scholars, though it is found as early as Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. i, 7). See note 5 at end of Harmony.

^b The Sinaitic Syriac, against all the early Greek manuscripts, reads in Matt. 1:16: "But Joseph, to whom the Virgin Mary was betrothed, begat Jesus." This ancient Ebionitic text is followed by Von Soden in his Griechisches Neues Testament and by Moffatt in his New Translation of the New Testament, but it is difficult to believe it genuine, for in Matt. 1:18-22 the writer pictures Joseph as on the point of putting Mary away privily. The two reports in the Sinaitic Syriac flatly contradict each other. Those who accept it say that the writer of the Virgin Birth view in 1:18-20 overlooked 1:16 (certainly a serious oversight). It is easier to think that an Ebionitic scribe in copying altered 1:16, but passed by 1:18-20. The Ebionites denied the deity of Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke (1:26-38) give the Virgin Birth of Jesus, but they preserve separate traditions on the subject.

^c Observe that Matthew's three divisions of the genealogy represent three great periods in the history of Israel. See note 5 at end of Harmony for discussion of the differences between the genealogies in Matthew and in Luke.

PART IV
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS

Probably B.C. 7 to A.D. 7

§§ 4-19. These sections include the annunciations, the birth, infancy, and childhood of both John and Jesus.

§ 4. THE ANNUNCIATION^a OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST TO ZACHARIAS

Jerusalem, in the Temple. Probably B.C. 7

Luke 1:5-25^b

5    There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now ¹well stricken in years.

8    Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the ²temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor ³strong drink [see Num. 6:3; Judg. 13:4-6; 1 Sam. 1:11]; and he shall be filled with the ⁴Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. 17 And he shall ⁵go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children [see Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6], and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife ⁶well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God [see Dan. 8:16; 9:21]; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. 20 And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled ⁷while he tarried in the ²temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the ²temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb. 23 And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house.

24    And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.

¹ Gr. advanced in their days.

² Or, sanctuary.

³ Gr. sikera.

⁴ Or, Holy Spirit: and so throughout all the Gospels.

⁵ Some ancient authorities read come nigh before his face.

⁶ Gr. advanced in her days.

⁷ Or, at his tarrying.

^a There are three annunciations: (1) to Zacharias § 4, (2) to Mary § 5, (3) to Joseph § 9. Luke gives the first two and Matthew the third. The Angel Gabriel is named by Luke (1:19, 26), but Matthew simply has "an angel of the Lord" (1:20).

^b It is certain that Luke tells the infancy stories from the standpoint of Mary while Matthew writes from the standpoint of Joseph. Matthew gives the public account while Luke tells the private story from Mary herself (Ramsay, Was Christ Born at Bethlehem? p. 79). Luke could have seen Mary, if still alive, or could have obtained it from one of Mary's circle either orally or in manuscript form. Some scholars even suggest "Gospel of Mary" and even, "Gospel of the Baptist" as a written source for Luke in 1:5-2:52. Sanday (The Life of Christ in Recent Research, p. 166) says: "These two chapters—whatever the date at which they were first committed to writing—are essentially the most archaic thing in the whole New Testament." Certainly Luke reveals the use of Aramaic or Hebrew sources by the sudden changes in his style from 1:1-4. Luke, if familiar with the current account as seen in Matthew, apparently felt that he owed it to Mary to record her story of her great experience.

§ 5. THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Nazareth. Probably B.C. 7 or 6

Luke 1:26-38

26    Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art ¹highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.² 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found ³favour with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS [see Isa. 7:14]. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David [see 2 Sam. 7:12-17]: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob ⁴for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also ⁵that which ⁶is to be born ⁷shall be called holy [see Ex. 13:12], the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that ⁸was called barren. 37 For no word from God shall be void of power [see Gen. 18:14]. 38 And Mary said, Behold, the ⁹handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

¹ Or, endued with grace.

² Many ancient authorities add blessed art thou among women. (See ver. 42.)

³ Or, grace.

⁴ Gr. unto the ages.

⁵ Or, the holy thing which is to be born shall be called the son of God.

⁶ Or, is begotten.

⁷ Some ancient authorities insert of thee.

⁸ Or, is.

⁹ Gr. bondmaid.

§ 6. THE SONG^a OF ELISABETH TO MARY UPON HER VISIT

Hill Country of Judea

Luke 1:39-45

39    And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; 42 and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? 44 For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that ¹believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.

¹ Or, believed that there shall be.

^a This hymn or psalm springs from the omen to Elisabeth.

§ 7. THE MAGNIFICAT OF MARY

Hill Country of Judea

Luke 1:46-56

46                                          And Mary said,

 

My soul doth magnify the Lord [

see 1 Sam. 2:1-10

],

47

    

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48

    

For he hath looked upon the low estate of his

¹

handmaiden:

 

For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed [

see 1 Sam 1:11

].

49

    

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;

 

And holy is his name [

see 1 Sam. 2:2

].

50

    

And his mercy is unto generations and generations

 

On them that fear him [

see Ps. 103:17

].

51

    

He hath shewed strength with his arm;

 

He hath scattered the proud

²

in the imagination of their heart [

see 1 Sam. 2:4; Ps. 89:10

].

52

    

He hath put down princes from

their

thrones,

 

And hath exalted them of low degree [

see Job 5:11; 12:19

].

53

    

The hungry he hath filled with good things;

 

And the rich he hath sent empty away [

see Ps. 107:9

].

54

    

He hath holpen Israel his servant,

 

That he might remember mercy [

see Isa. 41:8-9

]

55

    

(As he spake unto our fathers)

 

Toward Abraham and his seed for ever [

see Gen. 17:7; Mic. 7:20

].

56    And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.

¹ Gr. bondmaiden.

² Or, by.

§ 8. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST, AND HIS DESERT LIFE

Hill Country of Judea. B.C. 7 or 6

Luke 1:57-80

57    Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67    And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68

    

Blessed

be

the Lord, the God of Israel;

 

For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people [

see Ps. 72:18; 111:9

],

69

    

And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us

 

In the house of his servant David [

see 1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 18:3

]

70

    

(As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began),

71

    

Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us [

see Ps. 106:10

];

72

    

To shew mercy towards our fathers,

 

And to remember his holy covenant;

73

    

The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father [

see Gen. 17:7; Lev. 26:42; Ps. 105:8; Mic. 7:20

],

74

    

To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies

 

Should serve him without fear,

75

    

In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76

    

Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High:

 

For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways [

see Mal. 3:1

];

77

    

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people

 

In the remission of their sins,

78

    

Because of the

¹

tender mercy of our God,

 

²

Whereby the dayspring from on high

³

shall visit us [

see Mal. 4:2

],

79

    

To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death;

 

To guide our feet into the way of peace [

see Isa. 8:22; 9:2

].

80    And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.^a

¹ Or, heart of mercy.

² Or, Wherein.

³ Many ancient authorities read hath visited us.

^a Dwell on this summary statement as to John's retired life in the wild regions of Judea, whence he will come forth thirty years later.

§ 9. THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Nazareth

Matt. 1:18-25

18    Now the ¹birth ²of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the ³Holy Ghost. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is ⁴conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

23

    

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son [

see Isa. 7:14

],

 

And they shall call his name

⁵

Immanuel;

which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

¹ Or, generation: as in ver. 1 in § 3.

² Some ancient authorities read of the Christ.

³ Or, Holy Spirit.

⁴ Gr. begotten.

⁵ Gr. Emmanuel.

§ 10. THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Bethlehem. Probably B.C. 6 or 5

Luke 2:1-7

1    Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the ¹world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.^a 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

¹ Gr. inhabited earth.

^a Observe how the ruler of the civilized world is unconsciously bringing it about that the Messiah, the son of David, shall be born at Bethlehem, though his mother's home was Nazareth. All the previous history of Rome and of Israel gathers about this manger. As to Quirinius, and as to the probable time of the Saviour's birth, see note 6 at the end of the book. The vindication of Luke's historical statements in these verses is one of the triumphs of modern research, as is shown in that note.

§ 11. THE PRAISE OF THE ANGELS AND THE HOMAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS

Near Bethlehem

Luke 2:8-20

8    And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping ¹watch by night over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is ²Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising^a God, and saying,

14

    

Glory to God in the highest,

 

And on earth

³

peace among

⁴

men in whom he is well pleased.

15    And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this ⁵thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these ⁶sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

¹ Or, night-watches.

² Or, Anointed Lord.

³ Many ancient authorities read peace, good pleasure among men.

⁴ Gr. men of good pleasure.

⁵ Or, saying.

⁶ Or, things.

^a The Gloria in Excelsis.

§ 12. THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS

Bethlehem

Luke 2:21

21    And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him [see Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3], his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

§ 13. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE HOMAGE OF SIMEON AND ANNA

Jerusalem

Luke 2:22-38

22    And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) [see Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Lev. 12:1-8], 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,^a

29

    

Now lettest thou thy

¹

servant depart, O

²

Lord,

 

According to thy word, in peace;

30

    

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [

see Isa. 52:10

],

31

    

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;

32

    

A light for

³

revelation to the Gentiles,

 

And the glory of thy people Israel [

see Isa. 42:6; 49:6

].

33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was ⁴of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

¹ Gr. bondservant.

² Gr. Master.

³ Or, the unveiling of the Gentiles.

⁴ Gr. advanced in many days.

^a The four New Testament psalms, given by Luke, breathe the atmosphere of Old Testament piety, quite in contrast to the formalism of the Pharisees and yet thoroughly Jewish in background and Christian in sentiment. But it is primitive Christian feeling. Section 7 gives the Magnificat of Mary in response to the song of Elisabeth in § 6. In § 8 we have the Benedictus of Zacharias and in § 13 The Nunc Dimittis of Simeon.

§ 14. MAGI VISIT THE NEW-BORN KING OF THE JEWS

Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Matt. 2:1-12

1    Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, ¹wise men from the east [see Num. 24:17] came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 ²Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written ³by the prophet,

6

    

And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,

 

Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:

 

For out of thee shall come forth a governor [

see Mic. 5:1-2

],

 

Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.

7 Then Herod privily called the ¹wise men, and learned of them carefully ⁴what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. 9 And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

¹ Gr. Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Dan. 2:12.

² Or, Where is the King of the Jews that is born?

³ Or, through.

⁴ Or, the time of the star that appeared.

§ 15. THE CHILD JESUS CARRIED TO EGYPT, AND THE CHILDREN AT BETHLEHEM SLAIN

Probably B.C. 5

Matt. 2:13-18

13    Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son [see Hos. 11:1]. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the ¹wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully learned of the ¹wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken ²by Jeremiah the prophet, saying [see Jer. 31:15],

18

    

A voice was heard in Ramah,

 

Weeping and great mourning,

 

Rachel weeping for her children;

 

And she would not be comforted, because they are not.

¹ Gr. Magi.

² Or, through.

§ 16. THE CHILD BROUGHT FROM EGYPT TO NAZARETH

Probably B.C. 4

Matt. 2:19-23

Luke 2:39

19

    But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel

of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in

Egypt, saying,

20

Arise and take the young child

and his mother, and go into the land of Israel:

for they are dead that sought the young child's

life.

21

And he arose and took the young child

and his mother, and came into the land of

Israel.

22

But when he heard that Archelaus was

reigning over Judea in the room of his father

Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being

warned

of God

in a dream, he withdrew into

the parts of Galilee,

23

and came and dwelt in a

city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken

¹

by the prophets,

^a

that he

should be called a Nazarene.

39

    And when they

had accomplished

all things that were

according to the law

of the Lord, they

returned into Galilee,

to their own city

Nazareth.

¹ Or, through.

^a Cf. Isa. 11:1 where the Messiah is called Netzer, a Branch, though Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

§ 17. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS AT NAZARETH

Probably B.C. 4 to A.D. 7

Luke 2:40

40    And the child grew, and waxed strong, ¹filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.^a

¹ Gr. becoming full of wisdom.

^a This simple statement of Luke tells more in one sentence than all the apocryphal Gospels of the Infancy, with their silly legends about the miraculous prowess of the child Jesus.

§ 18. THE VISIT OF THE BOY JESUS TO JERUSALEM WHEN TWELVE YEARS OLD

Probably A.D. 7 or 8

Luke 2:41-50

41    And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover [see Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:1-8]. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the ¹doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, ²Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be ³in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

¹ Or, teachers.

² Gr. Child.

³ Or, about my Father's business.

§ 19. THE EIGHTEEN YEARS^a AT NAZARETH

Probably A.D. 7 to A.D. 26 (or 6 to 25)

Luke 2:51-52

51    And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these ¹sayings in her heart.

52    And Jesus advanced in wisdom and ²stature, and in ³favour with God and men [see 1 Sam. 2:26].

¹ Or, things.

² Or, age.

³ Or, grace.

^a After the return to Nazareth, we know nothing of Jesus' life at that place beyond the general statements of Luke 2:52, with the knowledge and dispositions indicated in the narrative of § 18 and the fact that he was a carpenter, until he comes forth to be baptized by John, his forerunner. The social and political conditions of this period in Galilee are described by Edersheim, D. Smith, and other writers on the Life of Jesus, and briefly stated in Broadus's Commentary on Matthew, p. 30 f. Dwell on the general statement of Luke 2:52. Other passages throw light on the life in Nazareth as to habits of worship (Luke 4:16), the family group of brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3 = Matt. 13:55 f.), work as carpenter (ibid.). A helpful book on this obscure period is Ramsay's The Education of Christ.

PART V
THE BEGINNING OF THE BAPTIST'S MINISTRY

Probably six months and in A.D. 25. In the Wilderness of Judea and beside the Jordan, §§ 20-23

§ 20. THE TIME OF THE BEGINNING

Mark 1:1

Luke 3:1-2

1

    The beginning of the

gospel of Jesus Christ,

¹

the Son God.

1

    Now in the fifteenth

^a

year of the

reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate

being governor of Judea, and Herod

being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother

Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa

and Trachonitis, and Lysanias

^b

tetrarch of Abilene,

2

in the

highpriesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,

the word of God came unto John the

son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

¹ Some ancient authorities omit the son of God.

^a See note 6 at end of Harmony.

^b See note 6. Luke follows the custom of ancient historians in dating events by the names of the rulers. As the son of a priest John was probably thirty years old when he came forth.

§ 21. THE MESSAGE AND THE MESSENGER

Mark 1:2-6

Matt. 3:1-6

Luke 3:3-6

2

    Even as it is written

¹

in Isaiah the prophet,

    Behold, I send my

      messenger before

      thy face [

see
      Mal. 3:1

],

    Who shall prepare

      thy way;

3

   The voice of one

      crying in the

      wilderness [

see
      Isa. 40:3

],

    Make ye ready the

      way of the Lord,

    Make his paths

      straight;

4

John came, who

baptized in the

wilderness and

preached the baptism

of repentance unto

remission of sins.

5

And

there went out unto

him all the country

of Judea, and all

they of Jerusalem;

and they were

baptized of him in the

river Jordan,

confessing their sins.

6

And John was clothed

with camel's hair,

and

had

a leathern

girdle about his loins,

and did eat locusts

and wild honey.

1

    And in those days

cometh John the

Baptist, preaching in

the wilderness of

Judea, saying,

^a 2

Repent ye; for the

kingdom of heaven is

at hand.

3

For this is

he that was spoken of

²

by Isaiah the prophet,

saying,

    The voice of one

      crying in the

      wilderness,

    Make ye ready the

      way of the Lord,

    Make his paths

      straight.

4

Now John himself

had his raiment of

camel's hair, and a

leathern girdle about

his loins; and his

food was locusts and

wild honey.

5

Then

went out unto him

Jerusalem, and all

Judea, and all the

region round about

Jordan;

6

and they

were baptized of him

in the river Jordan,

confessing their sins.

3

    And he came into

all the region round

about Jordan, preach-

ing the baptism of

repentance unto re-

mission of sins;

4

as it

is written in the book

of the words of Isaiah

the prophet,

    The voice of one

      crying in the

      wilderness,

    Make ye ready the

      way of the Lord,

    Make his paths

      straight.

5

   Every valley shall

      be filled,

    And every moun-

      tain and hill shall

      be brought low;

    And the crooked

      shall become

      straight,

    And the rough

      ways smooth;

6

   And all flesh shall

      see the salvation

      of God [

see Isa.
      40:4-5

].

¹ Some ancient authorities read in the prophets.

² Or, through.

^a See Mark 1:15 (= Matt. 4:17); Matt. 10:7; Acts 2:38.

§ 22. A SPECIMEN^a OF JOHN'S PREACHING

Matt. 3:7-10

Luke 3:7-14

7

But when he saw many of the

Pharisees and Sadducees coming

to his baptism, he said unto them,

Ye offspring of vipers, who warned

you to flee from the wrath to

come?

8

Bring forth therefore fruit

worthy of

¹

repentance:

9

and think

not to say within yourselves, We

have Abraham to our father: for

I say unto you, that God is able

of these stones to raise up children

unto Abraham.

10

And even now

is the axe laid unto the root of the

trees: every tree therefore that

bringeth not forth good fruit is

hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7

    He said therefore to the multitudes

that went out to be baptized

of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who

warned you to flee from the wrath

to come?

8

Bring forth therefore

fruits worthy of

¹

repentance, and

begin not to say within yourselves,

We have Abraham to our father:

for I say unto you, that God is

able of these stones to raise up

children unto Abraham.

9

And

even now is the axe also laid unto

the root of the trees: every tree

therefore that bringeth not forth

good fruit is hewn down, and cast

into the fire.

10

And the multitudes

asked him, saying, What then must

we do?

11

And he answered and

said unto them, He that hath two

coats, let him impart to him that

hath none; and he that hath food,

let him do likewise.

12

And there

came also

²

publicans to be

baptized, and they said unto him,

³

Master, what must we do?

13

And

he said unto them, Extort no more

than that which is appointed

you.

14

And

⁴

soldiers also asked

him, saying, And we, what must

we do? And he said unto them,

Do violence to no man, neither

⁵

exact

anything

wrongfully; and be

content with your wages.

¹ Or, your repentance.

² That is, collectors or renters of Roman taxes.

³ Or, Teacher.

⁴ Gr. soldiers on service.

⁵ Or, accuse any one.

^a Here we see Matthew and Luke preserving a non-Markan section, as so frequently hereafter, an example of the so-called Logia (Discourses).

§ 23. THE FORERUNNER'S PICTURE OF THE MESSIAH BEFORE SEEING HIM

Mark 1:7-8

Matt. 3:11-12

Luke 3:15-18

7

And he preached,

saying, There cometh

after me he that

is mightier than I,

the latchet of whose

shoes I am not

²

worthy to stoop

down and unloose.

8

I baptized you

¹

with

water; but he shall

baptize you

¹

with the

³

Holy Ghost.

11

I indeed baptize

you

¹

with water unto

repentance: but he

that cometh after me

is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not

²

worthy to bear: he

shall baptize you

¹

with the

³

Holy Ghost

and

with

fire:

12

whose

fan is in his hand,

and he will throughly

cleanse his threshing-

floor; and he will

gather his wheat into

the garner, but the

chaff he will burn up

with unquenchable

fire.

15

    And as the people

were in expectation,

and all men

reasoned in their

hearts concerning

John, whether haply

he were the Christ;

16

John answered,

saying unto them all, I

indeed baptize you

with water; but there

cometh he that is

mightier than I, the

latchet of whose

shoes I am not

²

worthy to unloose: he

shall baptize you

¹

with the

³

Holy Ghost

and

with

fire:

17

whose

fan is in his hand,

throughly to cleanse

his threshing-floor,

and to gather the

wheat into his garner;

but the chaff he will

burn up with

unquenchable fire.

18

    With many other

exhortations therefore

preached he

⁴

good

tidings unto the people.

^a

¹ Or, in.

² Gr. sufficient.

³ Or, Holy Spirit.

⁴ Or, the gospel.

^a One can easily put together all that we are told of John the Baptist in John 1:6-15 and in Sections 4, 6, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 49, 57, 71, 86, 132. See also Acts 1:5, 22; 10:37; 13:24; 18:25; 19:1-7. For a full discussion of the Baptist see my John the Loyal. These months of John's ministry prepared the way for the Messiah.

PART VI
THE BEGINNING OF CHRIST'S PUBLIC MINISTRY

THE YEAR OF OBSCURITY^a

Probably Part of A.D. 26 and 27

In all parts of the Holy Land (the first Perean Ministry, the first Galilean Ministry, the first Judean Ministry, the first Samaritan Ministry). §§ 24-36. This early ministry includes the baptism, the temptation, John's witness to Jesus, the first disciples, the first miracle and work in Galilee, the first work in Judea, the arrest of John, the work in Samaria, and the return to Galilee.

^a The precise duration of this early ministry cannot be determined. Our Lord's baptism must have been at least two months before the Passover, and may have been some weeks or months earlier. Then the highly successful ministry in Judea after the Passover must have lasted several months (John 3:22; 4:1-3). If the "yet four months" in John 4:35 be understood to be not a common saying as to the usual interval between seedtime and harvest, but a statement that it was then just four months before harvest, that would make the Judean ministry extend eight months after the Passover. But this interpretation is upon the whole improbable, and we can only say that the opening ministry lasted several months. The time occupied makes very little difference for our understanding the events and discourses. All of the incidents during this period after the temptation are given in John's Gospel. But for the Fourth Gospel we should not know that Jesus did not plunge at once into the great Galilean Ministry.

§ 24. JESUS BAPTIZED BY JOHN IN THE JORDAN

Bethany beyond Jordan. Probably A.D. 26

Mark 1:9-11

Matt. 3:13-17

Luke 3:21-23

9

    And it came to

pass in those days,

that Jesus came from

Nazareth of Galilee,

and was baptized of

John

⁴

in the Jordan.

10

And straightway

coming up out of the

water, he saw the

heavens rent asunder,

and the Spirit as a

dove descending

upon him:

11

and a

voice came out of the

heavens, Thou art

my beloved Son, in

thee I am well pleased

[

see Ps. 2:7; Isa.
42:1

].

13

    Then cometh Jesus

from Galilee to the

Jordan unto John, to

be baptized of him.

^a 14

But John would have

hindered him, saying,

I have need to

be baptized of thee,

and comest thou to

me?

15

But Jesus

answering said unto

him, Suffer

¹it

now:

for thus it becometh

us to fulfil all right-

eousness. Then he

suffereth him.

16

And

Jesus, when he was

baptized, went up

straightway from the

water: and lo, the

heavens were opened

²

unto him, and he

saw the Spirit of

God descending as

a dove, and coming

upon him;

17

and lo, a

voice out of the heavens,

saying,

³

This is

my beloved Son, in

whom I am well

pleased.

21

    Now it came to

pass, when all the

people were baptized,

that, Jesus also having

been baptized,

and praying, the

heaven was opened,

22

and the Holy Ghost

descended in a bodily

form, as a dove,

upon him

^b

[

see John
1:32-34

], and a

voice came out of

heaven, Thou art my

beloved Son; in thee

I am well pleased.

^c 23

And Jesus himself,

when he began

to teach,

was about

thirty years of age.

¹ Or, me.

² Some ancient authorities omit unto him.

³ Or, This is my son; my beloved in whom I am well pleased.

⁴ Gr. into.

^a The Gospel of the Hebrews (one of the apocryphal gospels) is quoted by Jerome (adv. Pelag. iii, 2) as having the following: "Behold, the Lord's mother and His brethren were saying to Him, John the Baptist baptizes unto the remission of sins; let us go and be baptized by him. But he said unto them, What sin have I done, that I should go and be baptized by him? unless perchance this very thing which I have said is an ignorance."

^b The Gospel of John does not describe the baptism of Jesus, but refers to the event in a way that shows knowledge of the Synoptic Gospels.

^c Codex Bezae (D) reads in Luke: "Thou art my beloved son, to-day have I begotten thee." The Gospel of the Ebionites has: "Thou art my beloved son, in thee I am well pleased, to-day I have begotten thee."

See § 85 for similar language at the Transfiguration.

§ 25. THE THREE TEMPTATIONS^a OF JESUS

The Wilderness of Judea. Probably A.D. 26

Mark 1:12-13

Matt. 4:1-11

Luke 4:1-13

12

    And straightway

the Spirit driveth him

forth into the

wilderness.

13

And he

was in the wilderness

forty days tempted

of Satan; and he

was with the wild

beasts;

                and the

angels ministered

unto him.

1

    Then was Jesus led

up of the Spirit into

the wilderness to be

tempted of the devil.

2

And when he had

fasted forty days and

forty nights, he

afterward hungered.

3

And the tempter

came and said unto

him, If thou art the

Son of God,

command that these

stones become

¹

bread.

4

But he answered and

said, It is written [

see
Deut. 8:3

], Man shall

not live by bread

alone, but by every

word that proceedeth

out of the mouth

of God.

5

Then the

devil taketh him into

the holy city; and

he set him on the

²

pinnacle of the

temple,

6

and saith

unto him, If thou art

the Son of God, cast

thyself down: for it is

written [

see Ps.
91:11-12

],

    He shall give his

      angels charge

      concerning thee:

    And on their hands

      they shall bear

      thee up,

    Lest haply thou

      dash thy foot

      against a stone.

7

Jesus said unto him,

Again it is written

[

see Deut. 6:16

], Thou

shalt not tempt the

Lord thy God.

8

Again,

the devil taketh him

unto an exceeding

high mountain, and

sheweth him all the

kingdoms of the

world, and the glory

of them;

9

and he said

unto him, All these

things will I give

thee, if thou wilt fall

down and worship

me.

10

Then saith Jesus

unto him, Get thee

hence, Satan: for it is

written [

see Deut.
6:13

], Thou shalt

worship the Lord thy

God, and him only

shalt thou serve.

11

Then the devil

leaveth him; and behold

angels came and

ministered unto him.

1

    And Jesus, full of

the Holy Spirit,

returned from the

Jordan, and was led

³

by the Spirit

2

in the

wilderness during forty

days, being tempted

of the devil [

see Heb.
4:15

]. And he did eat

nothing in those days:

and when they were

completed, he

hungered.

3

And the

devil said unto him, If

thou art the Son of

God, command this

stone that it become

⁴

bread.

4

And Jesus

answered unto him,

It is written [

see Deut.
8:3

], Man shall not

live by bread alone.

5

And he led him up,

and shewed him all

the kingdoms of

⁵

the

world in a moment

of time.

6

And the

devil said unto him,

To thee will I give

all this authority, and

the glory of them:

for it hath been

delivered unto me; and

to whomsoever I will

I give it.

7

If thou

therefore wilt worship

before me, it shall

all be thine.

8

And

Jesus answered and

said unto him, It is

written [

see Deut.
6:13

], Thou shalt wor-

ship the Lord thy God,

and him only shalt

thou serve.

9

And he

led him to Jerusalem,

and set him on the

²

pinnacle of the

temple, and said unto

him, If thou art the Son

of God, cast thyself

down from hence:

10

for it is written [

see
Ps. 91:11-12

],

    He shall give his

      angels charge

      concerning thee,

      to guard thee:

11

 And on their hands

      they shall bear

      thee up,

    Lest haply thou

      dash thy foot

      against a stone.

12

And Jesus answering

said unto him, It is

said [

Deut. 6:16

],

Thou shalt not tempt

the Lord thy God.

13

    And when the devil

had completed every

temptation, he

departed from him

⁶

for

a season.

¹ Gr. loaves.

² Gr. wing.

³ Or, in.

⁴ Or, a loaf.

⁵ Gr. the inhabited earth.

⁶ Or, until.

^a Mark gives only a summary account while the Logia (the oldest known record) tells the temptations in detail. This early document reveals the Messianic consciousness of Jesus as distinctly as it appears in the Gospel of John. The record of the baptism in § 24 and of the temptation in § 25 goes back to the two oldest strata of the Gospel sources (Mark or the Memoirs of Peter and the Logia of Matthew) and shows that Jesus enters upon his Messianic work knowing that he had his Father's approval and the power of the Holy Spirit upon him.

§ 26. THE TESTIMONY OF THE BAPTIST TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE SANHEDRIN

At Bethany beyond Jordan

John 1:19-28

19    And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No. 22 They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet [see Isa. 40:3]. 24 ¹And they had been sent from the Pharisees.^a 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize ²with water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not, 27 even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in ³Bethany beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

¹ Or, And certain had been sent from among the Pharisees.

² Or, in.

³ Many ancient authorities read Bethabarah, some Betharabah.

^a In 1:19 the priests and Levites are Sadducees. The idea seems to be that the Pharisees had the Sadducees sent on this embassy (cf. § 22). Later Jesus will say that John was Elijah that was to come; some will even take Jesus to be Elijah.

§ 27. JOHN'S IDENTIFICATION OF JESUS AS THE MESSIAH

At Bethany beyond the Jordan

John 1:29-34

29    On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, which ¹taketh away the sin of the world [see Isa. 53:7]! 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is become before me: for he was ²before me. 31 And I knew him not; but that he should be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing ³with water. 32 And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize ³with water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth ³with the Holy Spirit. 34 And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the son of God.^a

¹ Or, beareth the sin.

² Gr. first in regard of me.

³ Or, in.

^a Put together the Baptist's testimonies to Jesus in sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, 57. Add John 1:6-15. Note also the four testimonies of Jesus to John, sections 49, 57, 86, 132. Observe the four successive days here in John 1:19, 29, 35, 43, and the third day from the last in John 2:1, making a week that is covered in detail (cf. the Passion Week at the close). We have other glimpses of special days in the ministry, as the Busy Day of the blasphemous accusation and the parables (Matt. 12 and 13). In John 1:39 the very hour is preserved, probably Roman time (ten in the morning), as John writes long after the destruction of Jerusalem and outside of Palestine and uses the Roman reckoning (midnight to midnight) in John 20:19. But see note 11 at end of Harmony for Ramsay's objections to this view.

§ 28. JESUS MAKES HIS FIRST^a DISCIPLES

At Bethany beyond the Jordan

John 1:35-51

35    Again on the morrow John was standing, and two of his disciples; 36 and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God [see Isa. 53:7]! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned, and beheld them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? And they said unto him, Rabbi (which is to say, being interpreted, ¹Master), where abidest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two that heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He findeth first his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being interpreted, ²Christ). 42 He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, thou art Simon the son of ³John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, ⁴Peter).

43    On the morrow he was minded to go forth into Galilee, and he findeth Philip: and Jesus saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the son of God; thou art King of Israel^b [see 2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7]. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man^c [see Gen. 28:12].

¹ Or, Teacher.

² That is, Anointed.

³ Gr. Joanes: called in Matt. 16:17, Jonah.

⁴ That is, Rock or Stone.

^a Notice here a series of First Things; first testimony of John, first disciples, first miracle, first residence at Capernaum, first passover during his ministry, first extended discourse.

^b Notice that these first disciples at once believed that Jesus was the Messiah (ver. 41, 45, 49). Compare the confession of Jesus (§ 35) to the Woman at Jacob's well and the confessions of Peter in Matt. 14:33; John 6:69; Matt. 16:16 (§§ 74, 76, 82).

^c Cf. the close of the temptation in the wilderness and the experience in the Garden of Gethsemane.

§ 29. JESUS WORKS HIS FIRST MIRACLE

At Cana in Galilee

John 2:1-11

1    And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ¹ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 9 And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water ²now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

¹ Or, steward.

² Or, that it had become.

§ 30. JESUS MAKES A FIRST SOJOURN AT CAPERNAUM, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS KINDRED AND HIS EARLY DISCIPLES

(Later Capernaum will become his home)

John 2:12

12    After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and there they abode not many days.

§ 31. THE FIRST^a CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE AT THE PASSOVER

Jerusalem.^b Probably A.D. 27

John 2:13-22

13    And the passover^c of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; 16 and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house shall eat me up [see Ps. 69:9]. 18 The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this ¹temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this ¹temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the ¹temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

¹ Or, sanctuary.

^a Many scholars consider this the same incident as that in the Synoptic Gospels and placed by them in Passion Week (§ 129) probably on Monday. It is urged that Jesus would not have repeated such an act and hence one must follow either the order of John or of the Synoptics. But there is no inherent difficulty in the repetition of such an act when one reflects on the natural indignation of Jesus at the desecration of the temple on his visit during his ministry and considers that Jesus may have wished to make one last protest at the close of his ministry. Certainty, of course, is not possible in such an argument one way or the other.

^b Observe the successive scenes of this early ministry—beside the Jordan, on the eastern side, at Cana of Galilee, at Capernaum, at Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria.

^c This is the first of the passovers in John's Gospel (2:13; 6:4; 13:1). There may have been another.

§ 32. THE INTERVIEW OF NICODEMUS WITH JESUS

At Jerusalem during the Passover

John 2:23 to 3:21

23    Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. 24 But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, 25 for that he knew all men, and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning ¹man; for he himself knew what was in man.

1    Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus,^a a ruler of the Jews: 2 the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born ²anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born ²anew. 8 ³The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness of that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, even the Son of man, ⁴which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness [see Num. 21:8-9], even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 that whosoever ⁵believeth may in him have eternal life.

16    For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not has been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20 For every one that ⁶doeth ill hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be ⁷reproved. 21 But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, ⁸that they have been wrought in God.

¹ Or, a man; for ... the man.

² Or, from above.

³ Or, The Spirit breatheth.

⁴ Many ancient authorities omit which is in heaven.

⁵ Or, believeth in him may have.

⁶ Or, practiseth.

⁷ Or, convicted.

⁸ Or, because.

^a Nicodemus appears as an exception to the statement of 2:24, as one whom Jesus did trust, and who amid all difficulties of temperament and station proved not unworthy of the trust.

§ 33. THE PARALLEL MINISTRY OF JESUS AND JOHN WITH JOHN'S LOYALTY TO JESUS^a

John 3:22-36

22    After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there ¹was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

31    He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: ²he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 What he hath seen and heard, of that he beareth witness; and no man receiveth his witness. 33 He that hath received his witness hath set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that ³obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

¹ Gr. were many waters.

² Some ancient authorities read he that cometh from heaven beareth witness of what he hath seen and heard.

³ Or, believeth not.

^a Jesus gained his first disciples from John at Bethany beyond Jordan and many in Jerusalem. Now he is surpassing John. On John's loyalty to Jesus see my John the Loyal.

§ 34. CHRIST'S REASONS FOR LEAVING JUDEA

John 4:1-4

1    When therefore the Lord knew how that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), 3 he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs pass through Samaria.

Luke 3:19, 20

19    But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done, 20 added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.^a

Mark 1:14

Matt. 4:12

Luke 4:14

14

    Now after that

John was delivered

up, Jesus came into

Galilee.

12

    Now when he

heard that John was

delivered up, he

withdrew into Galilee.

14

    And Jesus returned

in the power of

the Spirit into Galilee.

^a The place of John's imprisonment was Machærus, east of the Dead Sea. See Josephus. War, Ch. VII, vi. In Antiquities, Ch. XVIII, v, 2 Josephus gives the public and political reason for John's imprisonment because of Herod's fear of a revolution. He "feared lest the great influences John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion."

§ 35. JESUS IN SAMARIA.^a

At Jacob's Well and in Sychar

John 4:5-42

5    So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph: 6 and Jacob's ¹well was there [see Josh. 24:32]. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat ²thus by the ¹well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a Samaritan woman? (³For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, ⁴Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life. 15 The woman saith unto him, ⁴Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come all the way hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and said unto him, I have no husband. Jesus saith unto her, Thou saidst well, I have no husband: 18 for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: this hast thou said truly. 19 The woman saith unto him, ⁴Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. 22 Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know: for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: ⁵for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24 ⁶God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (which is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

27    And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her? 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ? 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to him. 31 In the mean while the disciples prayed him, saying, Rabbi, eat. 32 But he said to them, I have meat to eat that ye know not. 33 The disciples therefore said one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. 35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are ⁷white already unto harvest. 36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 For herein is the saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye have not laboured: others have laboured, and ye are entered into their labour.

39    And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him ^abecause of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans came unto him, they besought him to abide with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word; 42 and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.^b

¹ Gr. spring: and so in ver. 14; but not in ver. 11, 12.

² Or, as he was.

³ Some ancient authorities omit For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

⁴ Or, Lord.

⁵ Or, for such the Father also seeketh.

⁶ Or, God is spirit.

⁷ Or, white unto harvest. Already he that reapeth &c.

^a Notice that John also had recently been preaching to Samaritans (§ 33) and compare hereafter Philip's work in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5 ff.)

^b In this early ministry Jesus allowed himself to be regarded as the Messiah by his first disciples (§ 28), and personally declared that he was the Messiah to the woman at the well (§ 35) (John 4:26), which many other Samaritans also personally believed (John 4:39, 42). He never declared this to the Jewish rulers at Jerusalem till the very end (§ 155), doubtless because such an avowal would lead them to kill him, and so must not be made till his work in teaching the people and training his disciples should be completed. Compare what he says later to Peter in Matt. 16:17-20 (§ 82). At the baptism and the temptation of Jesus it was clear that Jesus knew that he was the Son of God, the Messiah, and was so regarded by the Baptist. Events in Judea and Galilee change the early policy of Jesus and lead to silence on his part in the use of the word Messiah, though many of the people know that he makes Messianic claims and the rulers in Jerusalem come to suspect him and to fear him. See my volume on The Pharisees and Jesus.

§ 36. THE ARRIVAL OF JESUS IN GALILEE

John 4:43-45

43    And after the two days he went forth from thence into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country [see Luke 4:24; Mark 6:4; Matt. 13:57]. 45 So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

PART VII
THE GREAT GALILEAN MINISTRY

Probably^a Autumn of A.D. 27 to Spring of 29

(Apparently about a year and a half)

§§ 37-71. Great fulness of detail in Mark for this period and condensed report in Luke while Matthew is chiefly topical in this portion. Mark's Gospel plunges at once into the Great Galilean Ministry (cf. Peter's summary of Christ's life in Acts 10:36-43 to the household of Cornelius). The mass of material makes clear grouping difficult, but there is progress^b in the development of events.

    

1.

  

The Rejection at Nazareth and the New Home in Capernaum, §§ 37-43.

    

2.

  

The First Tour of Galilee with the Four Fishermen and the Call of Matthew (Levi) on the Return with the Growing Fame of Jesus, §§ 44-48.

    

3.

  

The Sabbath Controversy in Jerusalem and in Galilee, §§ 49-51.

    

4.

  

The Choice of the Twelve and the Sermon on the Mount, §§ 52-54.

    

5.

  

The Spread of Christ's Influence and the Inquiry from John in Prison, §§ 55-59.

    

6.

  

The Second Tour of Galilee (now with the Twelve) and the Intense Hostility of the Pharisees, §§ 60-63.

    

7.

  

The First Great Group of Parables with the Visit to Gerasa (Khersa) and to Nazareth (final one), §§ 64-69.

    

8.

  

The Third Tour of Galilee (Following the Twelve) and the Effect on Herod Antipas, §§ 70-71.

^a We cannot confidently determine the length of the ministry in Galilee. We are not sure whether it began in summer or late autumn (see footnote 7 in Explanatory Notes at end of Harmony). If the feast of John 5:1 was a passover or there is an unknown passover, the Galilean ministry lasted at least sixteen months, for it ended when another passover was near (John 6:4). Otherwise we should not certainly know that it lasted more than some six or eight months. About the two subsequent periods of our Lord's ministry we shall find no room to question that each lasted six months; but here we have to admit much uncertainty as to the time. After all, a determination of the time employed would be a matter of very little importance to our study of this period. But the immense amount of material in this period argues for a length of over a year.

^b Throughout this great ministry in Galilee, and the periods that will follow after, the reader ought to trace carefully the progress of the history along several lines: (1) the Saviour's progressive self-manifestation; (2) the gradual training of the Twelve who are to carry on his teaching and work after his death; (3) the deepening and spreading hostility of the Jewish influential classes and official rulers. By constantly observing these parallel lines of progress, it will be seen that the history and teachings of our Lord exhibit a vital growth, moving on to an end by him foreseen (Luke 12:50), when the hostility of the rulers will culminate as he before the Sanhedrin avows himself to be the Messiah, and the Twelve will be almost prepared to succeed him.

§ 37. GENERAL ACCOUNT OF HIS TEACHING IN GALILEE

Mark 1:14-15

Matt. 4:17

Luke 4:14-15

14

    [Now after that

John was delivered

up, Jesus came into

Galilee], preaching

the gospel of God,

15

and saying, The

time is fulfilled, and

the kingdom of God

is at hand: repent

ye, and believe in

the gospel.

17

    From that time

began Jesus to preach,

and to say, Repent

ye; for the kingdom

of heaven is at hand.

14

    [And Jesus returned

in the power of

[

see John 4:3, 43

] the

Spirit into Galilee]:

and a fame went out

concerning him

through all the region

round about.

15

And

he taught in their

synagogues, being

glorified of all.

In sections 38-43 (the Rejection at Nazareth and the New Home in Capernaum) Jesus revisits Cana and Nazareth, recalls the four fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, and begins his ministry of teaching and healing in Capernaum.

§ 38. THE HEALING AT CANA OF THE SON OF A COURTIER OF CAPERNAUM

John 4:46-54

46    He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain ¹nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe. 49 The ¹nobleman saith unto him. ²Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his ³servants met him, saying, that his son lived. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.

¹ Or, king's officer.

² Or, Lord.

³ Gr. bondservants.

§ 39. THE FIRST REJECTION AT NAZARETH

Luke 4:16-31

16    And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him ¹the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the ²book, and found the place where it was written,

18

    

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

 

³

Because he anointed me to preach

⁴

good tidings to the poor:

 

He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives,

 

And recovering of sight to the blind,

 

To set at liberty them that are bruised,

19

    

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [

see Isa. 58:6; 61:1-2

].

20 And he closed the ²book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 23 And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself [see John 6:42; 7:15]: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country [see John 4:44]. 25 But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land [see 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1-2]; 26 and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to ⁵Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow [see 1 Kings 17:8-9]. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian [see 2 Kings 5:1-14]. 28 And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things; 29 and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way. 31 And he came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.

¹ Or, a roll.

² Or, roll.

³ Or, Wherefore.

⁴ Or, the gospel.

⁵ Gr. Sarepta.

§ 40. THE NEW HOME IN CAPERNAUM

Matt. 4:13-16

13 And leaving Nazareth,^a he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken ¹by Isaiah the prophet [see Isa. 8:23; 9:1-2], saying,

15

    

The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

 

²

Toward the sea, beyond Jordan,

 

Galilee of the

³

Gentiles,

16

    

The people which sat in darkness

 

Saw a great light,

 

And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death,

 

To them did light spring up.

¹ Or, through.

² Gr. The way of the sea.

³ Gr. nations: and so elsewhere.

^a Nazareth was never the Saviour's residence during his public ministry. After the wedding at Cana he lived a short time at Capernaum, and henceforth that city will be his abode, till he leaves Galilee six months before the crucifixion—most of the time, however, being actually spent in several journeys throughout Galilee, together with a trip to Jerusalem, and retirement to districts around Galilee.

§ 41. JESUS FINDS FOUR FISHERS OF MEN IN FOUR FISHERMEN^a

By the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum

Mark 1:16-20

Matt. 4:18-22

Luke 5:1-11

16

    And passing along

by the sea of Galilee,

he saw Simon and

Andrew the brother

of Simon casting a

net in the sea: for

they were fishers.

17

And Jesus said unto

them, Come ye after

me, and I will make

you to become fishers

of men.

18

And

straightway they left the

nets, and followed

him.

19

And going on

a little further, he

saw James the

son

of

Zebedee, and John

his brother, who also

were in the boat mending

the nets.

20

And

straightway he called

them: and they left

their father Zebedee

in the boat with the

hired servants, and

went after him.

18

    And walking by

the sea of Galilee, he

saw two brethren,

Simon who is called

Peter, and Andrew

his brother, casting

a net into the sea;

for they were fishers.

19

And he saith unto

them, Come ye after

me, and I will make

you fishers of men.

20

And they straightway

left the nets, and

followed him.

21

And

going on from thence

he saw other two

brethren,

¹

James the

son

of Zebedee, and

John his brother, in

the boat with Zebedee

their father, mending

their nets; and he

called them.

22

And they

straightway left the

boat and their father,

and followed him.

^a 1

    Now it came to

pass, while the multitude

pressed upon

him and heard the

word of God, that he

was standing by the

lake of Gennesaret;

2

and he saw two boats

standing by the lake:

but the fishermen had

gone out of them, and

were washing their

nets.

3

And he entered

into one of the boats,

which was Simon's

and asked him to

put out a little from

the land. And he

sat down and taught

the multitudes out of

the boat.

4

And when

he had left speaking,

he said unto Simon,

Put out into the

deep, and let down

your nets for a

draught.

5

And Simon

answered and said,

Master, we toiled all

night, and took nothing:

but at thy word I will

let down the nets.

6

And

when they had this

done, they inclosed a

great multitude of

fishes; and their nets

were breaking;

7

and

they beckoned unto their

partners in the other

boat, that they should

come and help them.

And they came, and

filled both the boats, so

that they began to sink.

8

But Simon Peter, when

he saw it, fell down at

Jesus' knees, saying,

Depart from me; for I

am a sinful man, O

Lord.

9

For he was

amazed, and all that were

with him, at the draught

of the fishes which they

had taken;

10

and so were

also James and John,

sons of Zebedee, which

were partners with

Simon. And Jesus said

unto Simon, Fear not;

from henceforth thou

shalt

²

catch men.

11

And

when they had brought

their boats to land, they

left all, and followed him.

¹ Or, Jacob: and so elsewhere.

² Gr. take alive.

^a Three of these two pairs of brothers (Andrew and Peter, John and James) had already become disciples of Jesus at Bethany beyond Jordan (James probably soon afterwards), but now they leave their prosperous fish business and follow Jesus continuously as many business men since have given up a lucrative business for the ministry. They, along with Philip and Nathaniel, had been with Jesus in the early ministry (the year of obscurity).

§ 42. THE EXCITEMENT IN THE SYNAGOGUE BECAUSE OF THE TEACHING OF JESUS AND THE HEALING OF A DEMONIAC ON THE SABBATH

Mark 1:21-28

Luke 4:31-37

21

    And they go into Capernaum;

and straightway on the sabbath

day he entered into the synagogue

and taught.

22

And they

were astonished at his teaching:

for he taught them as having

authority, and not as the scribes.

23

And straightway there was in

their synagogue a man with an

unclean spirit;

24

and he cried out,

saying, What have we to do with

thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?

art thou come to destroy us? I

know thee who thou art, the

Holy One of God.

25

And Jesus

rebuked

¹

him, saying, Hold thy

peace, and come out of him.

26

And the unclean spirit,

²

tearing

him and crying with a loud voice,

came out of him.

27

And they were

all amazed, insomuch that they

questioned among themselves,

saying, What is this? a new teaching!

with authority he commandeth

even the unclean spirits, and

they obey him.

28

And the report of

him went out straightway

everywhere into all the region of

Galilee round about.

31

    [And he came down to

Capernaum, a city of Galilee.] And

he was teaching them on the

sabbath day:

32

and they were

astonished at his teaching; for his

word was with authority.

33

And

in the synagogue there was a

man, which had a spirit of an

unclean

³

devil; and he cried out

with a loud voice,

34 ⁴

Ah! what

have we to do with thee, thou Jesus

of Nazareth? art thou come to

destroy us? I know thee who thou

art [

see Ps. 16:10

], the Holy One

of God.

35

And Jesus rebuked him, saying,

Hold thy peace, and come out of

him. And when the

³

devil had

thrown him down in the midst, he

came out of him, having done him

no hurt.

36

And amazement came

upon all, and they spake together,

one with another, saying, What

is

⁵

this word? for with authority

and power he commandeth the

unclean spirits, and they come

out.

37

And there went forth a

rumour concerning him into every

place of the region round about.

¹ Or, it.

² Or, convulsing.

³ Gr. demon.

⁴ Or, Let alone.

⁵ Or, this word, that with authority ... come out?

§ 43. HE HEALS PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MANY OTHERS

At Capernaum, in Peter's Home

Mark 1:29-34

Matt. 8:14-17

Luke 4:38-41

29

    And straightway

³

when they were come

out of the synagogue,

they came into the

house of Simon and

Andrew, with James

and John.

30

Now

Simon's wife's mother

lay sick of a fever;

and straightway they

tell him of her:

31

and

he came and took

her by the hand, and

raised her up; and

the fever left her,

and she ministered

unto them.

32

    And at even, when

the sun did set,

they brought unto

him all that were

sick, and them that

were

¹

possessed with

devils.

33

And all the

city was gathered

together at the door.

34

And he healed many

that were sick with

divers diseases, and

cast out many

⁴

devils;

and he suffered not

the

⁴

devils to speak,

because they knew

him.

⁵ 14

    And when Jesus

was come into

Peter's house, he saw

his wife's mother

lying sick of a fever.

15

And he touched her

hand, and the fever

left her; and she

arose, and ministered

unto him.

16

    And when even was

come, they brought

unto him many

¹

possessed with devils:

and he cast out the

spirits with a word,

and healed all that

were sick:

17

that it

might be fulfilled

which was spoken

²

by Isaiah the prophet

[

see Isa. 53:4

], saying,

Himself took our

infirmities, and bare

our diseases.

38

    And he rose up

from the synagogue,

and entered into the

house of Simon. And

Simon's wife's mother

was holden with a

great fever; and they

besought him for

her.

39

And he stood

over her, and rebuked

the fever; and it left

her: and immediately

she rose up and

ministered unto them.

40

    And when the sun

was setting, all they

that had any sick

with divers diseases

brought them unto

him; and he laid his

hands on every one

of them, and healed

them.

41

And

⁴

devils

also came out from

many, crying out, and

saying, Thou art the

Son of God. And

rebuking them, he

suffered them not to

speak, because they

knew that he was

the Christ.

¹ Or, demoniacs.

² Or, through.

³ Some ancient authorities read when he was come out of the synagogue, he came &c.

⁴ Gr. demons.

⁵ Many ancient authorities add to be Christ. See Luke 4:41.

In sections 44-52 Jesus makes his first tour of Galilee with the Four Fishermen whom he has now called to follow him continuously. On the return to Capernaum Matthew is called and various miracles arouse the enthusiasm of the multitudes and the hostility of the Pharisees to Christ's teachings.

§ 44. THE FIRST TOUR OF GALILEE WITH THE FOUR FISHERMEN

Mark 1:35-39

Matt. 4:23-25

Luke 4:42-44

35

    And in the

morning, a great while

before day, he rose

up and went out,

and departed into a

desert place, and

there prayed.

36

And

Simon and they that

were with him followed

after him;

37

and

they found him, and

say unto him, All

are seeking thee.

38

And he saith unto

them, Let us go

elsewhere into the next

towns, that I may

preach there also; for

to this end came I

forth.

39

And he went

into their synagogues

throughout all

Galilee, preaching

and casting out

⁴

devils.

23

    And

¹

Jesus went

about in all Galilee,

^a

teaching in their

synagogues, and

preaching the

²

gospel

of the kingdom,

and healing all manner

of disease and all

manner of sickness

among the the people.

24

And the report of him

went forth into all Syria:

and they brought unto

him all that were sick,

holden with divers

diseases and torments,

³

possessed with devils,

and epileptic, and

palsied; and he healed

them.

25

And there

followed him great

multitudes from Galilee

and Decapolis and

Jerusalem and Judea and

from

beyond Jordan.

42

    And when it was

day, he came out and

went into a desert place:

and the multitudes

sought after

him, and came unto

him, and would have

stayed him, that he

should not go from

them.

43

But he said

unto them, I must

preach the

⁵

good

tidings of the kingdom

of God to the

other cities also: for

therefore was I sent.

44

    And he was

preaching in the

synagogues of

⁶

Galilee.

¹ Some ancient authorities read he.

² Or, good tidings: and so elsewhere.

³ Or, demoniacs.

⁴ Gr. demons.

⁵ Or, gospel.

⁶ Very many ancient authorities read Judea.

^a This journey about all Galilee included a great mass of teaching and healing (dwell on Matt. 4:23-25), of which only a few specimens are recorded, and these apparently occurred at Capernaum, his headquarters. The journey given by Luke only (8:1-3) is probably distinct from this, and if so it would be a second, while that of Luke 9:1-6 (= Mark 6:6-13 = Matt. 9:35-11:1), which is quite certainly distinct, would then be a third journey about Galilee. The reader ought to expand his imagination and take in these extended labors.

§ 45. A LEPER HEALED, AND MUCH POPULAR EXCITEMENT

Mark 1:40-45

Matt. 8:2-4

Luke 5:12-16

40

    And there cometh to

him a leper, beseeching

him,

¹

and kneeling

down to him,

and saying unto him,

If thou wilt, thou

canst make me clean.

41

And being moved

with compassion, he

stretched forth his

hand, and touched

him, and saith unto

him, I will; be thou

made clean.

42

And

straightway the

leprosy departed from

him, and he was

made clean.

43

And he

²

strictly charged him,

and straightway sent

him out,

44

and saith

unto him, See thou

say nothing to any

man: but go thy way,

shew thyself to the

priest, and offer for

thy cleansing the

things which Moses

commanded, for a

testimony unto them.

45

But he went out, and

began to publish it

much, and to spread

abroad the

³

matter,

insomuch that

⁴

Jesus

could no more openly

enter into

⁵

a city,

but was without in

desert places: and

they came to him

from every quarter.

2

And behold, there

came to him a leper

and worshipped him,

saying, Lord, if thou

wilt, thou canst make

me clean.

3

And he stretched

forth his hand, and

touched him, saying,

I will; be thou made

clean. And straightway

his leprosy was

cleansed.

4

And Jesus saith unto

him, See thou tell

no man; but go thy

way, shew thyself to

the priest, and offer

the gift that Moses

commanded, for a

testimony unto them.

12

    And it came to

pass, while he was

in one of the cities,

behold, a man full of

leprosy: and when

he saw Jesus, he fell

on his face, and

besought him, saying,

Lord, if thou wilt,

thou canst make me

clean.

13

And he

stretched forth his

hand, and touched him,

saying, I will; be thou

made clean. And

straightway the

leprosy departed from

him.

14

            And

he charged him to

tell no man: but go

thy way, and shew

thyself to the priest,

and offer for thy

cleansing, according

as Moses commanded,

for a testimony

unto them [

see Lev.
13:49; 14:2-32

].

15

But so much the

more went abroad the

report concerning him:

and great multitudes

came together

to hear, and to be

healed of their

infirmities.

16

But he

withdrew himself in

the deserts, and

prayed.

¹ Some ancient authorities omit and kneeling down to him.

² Or, sternly.

³ Gr. word.

⁴ Gr. he.

⁵ Or, the city.

§ 46. THRONGED IN CAPERNAUM, HE HEALS A PARALYTIC LOWERED THROUGH THE ROOF OF PETER'S HOUSE

Mark 2:1-12

Matt. 9:1-8

Luke 5:17-26

1

    And when he

entered again into

Capernaum after some

days, it was noised

that he was

⁴

in the

house.

2

And many

were gathered

together, so that there

was no longer room

for them,

no, not even

about the door: and

he spake the word

unto them.

3

And they

come, bringing unto

him a man sick of the

palsy, borne of four.

4

And when they could

not

⁵

come nigh unto

him for the crowd,

they uncovered the

roof where he was:

and when they had

broken it up, they let

down the bed whereon

the sick of the

palsy lay.

5

And Jesus

seeing their faith

saith unto the sick of

the palsy,

¹

Son, thy

sins are forgiven.

6

But

there were certain

of the scribes sitting

there, and reasoning

in their hearts,

7

Why doth this man

thus speak? he

blasphemeth: who can

forgive sins but one,

even

God?

8

And

straightway Jesus,

perceiving in his spirit

that they so reasoned

within themselves,

saith unto them, Why

reason ye these things

in your hearts?

9

Whether is easier, to

say to the sick of the

palsy, Thy sins are

forgiven; or to say,

Arise, and take up

thy bed, and walk?

10

But that ye may

know that the Son

of man hath

³

power

on earth to forgive

sins (he saith to the

sick of the palsy),

^a 11

I

say unto thee, Arise,

take up thy bed, and

go unto thy house.

12

And he arose, and

straightway took up

the bed, and went

forth before them all;

insomuch that they

were all amazed, and

glorified God, saying,

We never saw it on

this fashion.

1

    And he entered into

a boat, and crossed

over, and came into

his own city.

2

And behold, they

brought to him a man

sick of the palsy,

lying on a bed:

and Jesus seeing their

faith said unto the

sick of the palsy,

¹

Son, be of good

cheer; thy sins are

forgiven.

3

And

behold, certain of the

scribes said within

themselves, This man

blasphemeth.

4

And Jesus

²

knowing

their thoughts said,

Wherefore think ye

evil in your hearts?

5

For whether is easier,

to say, Thy sins are

forgiven; or to say,

Arise, and walk?

6

But

that ye may know

that the Son of man

hath

³

power on earth

to forgive sins (then

saith he to the sick

of the palsy), Arise,

and take up thy bed,

and go unto thy

house.

7

And he arose,

and departed to his

house.

8

                But

when the multitudes

saw it, they were

afraid, and glorified

God, which had given

such

³

power unto

men.

17

    And it came to

pass on one of those

days, that he was

teaching; and there

were Pharisees and

doctors of the law

sitting by, which were

come out of every

village of Galilee and

Judea and Jerusalem:

and the power of the

Lord was with him

⁶

to heal.

18

And behold,

men bring on a

bed a man that was

palsied: and they

sought to bring him

in, and to lay him

before him.

19

And not

finding by what

way

they might bring him

in because of the

multitude, they went

up to the housetop,

and let him down

through the tiles with

his couch into the

midst before Jesus.

20

And seeing their

faith, he said, Man,

thy sins are forgiven

thee.

21

And the scribes

and the Pharisees began

to reason, saying,

Who is this that

speaketh blasphemies?

Who can forgive

sins, but God alone?

22

But Jesus perceiving

their reasonings,

answered and

said unto them,

⁷

What

reason ye in your

hearts?

23

          Whether

is easier, to say, Thy

sins are forgiven thee;

or to say, Arise and

walk?

24

But that ye may

know that the Son

of man hath

³

power

on earth to forgive

sins (he said unto

him that was palsied),

I say unto thee,

Arise, and take up

thy couch, and go

unto thy house.

25

And

immediately he rose

up before them, and

took up that whereon

he lay, and departed

to his house,

glorifying God.

26

And

amazement took hold

on all, and they

glorified God; and they

were filled with fear,

saying, We have seen

strange things to-day.

¹ Gr. Child.

² Many ancient authorities read seeing.

³ Or, authority.

⁴ Or, at home.

⁵ Many ancient authorities read bring him unto him.

⁶ Gr. that he should heal. Many ancient authorities read that he should heal them.

⁷ Or, Why.

^a Note the parenthetic explanation of the writers in the middle of the saying of Jesus. It is proof that each of the Gospels had the same written source here or rather, as we know otherwise, that Matthew and Luke had Mark before them.

§ 47. THE CALL OF MATTHEW (LEVI) AND HIS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF JESUS

Capernaum

Mark 2:13-17

Matt. 9:9-13

Luke 5:27-32

13

    And he went forth

again by the sea side;

and all the multitude

resorted unto him,

and he taught them.

14

And as he passed

by, he saw Levi the

son

of Alphæus sitting

at the place of toll,

and he saith unto

him, Follow me. And

he arose and followed

him.

15

And it came

to pass, that he was

sitting at meat in his

house, and many

⁴

publicans and sinners

sat down with Jesus

and his disciples: for

there were many, and

they followed him.

16

And the scribes

⁵

of

the Pharisees, when

they saw that he was

eating with the sinners

and publicans,

said unto his disciples,

⁶

He eateth

⁷

and

drinketh with publicans

and sinners.

17

And when Jesus

heard it, he saith

unto them, They that

are

³

whole have no

need of a physician,

but they that are

sick: I came not to

call the righteous, but

sinners.

9

    And as Jesus

passed by from thence,

he saw a man, called

Matthew, sitting at

the place of toll: and

he saith unto him,

Follow me. And he

arose, and followed

him.

10

    And it came to

pass, as he

¹

sat at

meat in the house,

behold, many

publicans and sinners

came and sat down

with Jesus and his

disciples.

11

            And when

the Pharisees saw it,

they said unto his

disciples, Why eateth

your

²

Master with

the publicans and

sinners?

12

But when he heard

it, he said, They that

are

³

whole have no

need of a physician,

but they that are sick.

13

But go ye and learn

what

this

meaneth,

^a

I desire mercy,

and not sacrifice: for

I came not to call the

righteous, but sinners.

27

    And after these

things he went forth,

and beheld a publican,

named Levi,

sitting at the place of

toll, and said unto

him, Follow me.

28

And he forsook all,

and rose up and

followed him.

29

                  And

Levi made him a

great feast in his

house: and there was

a great multitude of

publicans and of

others that were sitting

at meat with them.

30

And

⁸

the Pharisees

and their scribes

murmured against his

disciples, saying, Why

do ye eat and drink

with the publicans

and sinners?

31

        And Jesus

answering said unto

them, They that are

³

whole have no need

of a physician; but

they that are sick.

32

                I am

not come to call the

righteous but sinners

to repentance.

¹ Gr. reclined: and so always.

² Or, Teacher.

³ Gr. strong.

⁴ That is, collectors or renters of Roman taxes: and so elsewhere.

⁵ Some ancient authorities read and the Pharisees.

⁶ Or, How is it that he eateth ... sinners?

⁷ Some ancient authorities omit and drinketh.

⁸ Or, the Pharisees and the scribes among them.

^a Hos. 6:6.

§ 48. JESUS IN THREE PARABLES DEFENDS HIS DISCIPLES FOR FEASTING^a INSTEAD OF FASTING

Mark 2:18-22

Matt. 9:14-17

Luke 5:33-39

18

    And John's

disciples and the

Pharisees were fasting:

and they come and say

unto him, Why do

John's disciples and

the disciples of the

Pharisees fast, but

thy disciples fast not?

19

And Jesus said unto

them, Can the sons of

the bride-chamber fast,

while the bridegroom

is with them?

as long as they have

the bridegroom with

them, they cannot

fast.

20

But the days

will come, when the

bridegroom shall be

taken away from

them, and then they

will fast in that day.

21

                No

man seweth a piece

of undressed cloth on

an old garment: else

that which should

fill it up taketh from

it, the new from the

old, and a worse rent

is made.

22

And no

man putteth new wine

into old

²

wine-skins:

else the wine

will burst the skins,

and the wine perisheth,

and the skins:

but

they put

new wine

into fresh wine-skins.

14

    Then come to him

the disciples of John,

saying, Why do we

and the Pharisees fast

¹

oft, but thy disciples

fast not?

15

And Jesus

said unto them, Can

the sons of the bride-

chamber mourn, as

long as the bridegroom

is with them?

but the days will come,

when the bridegroom

shall be taken

away from them, and

then will they fast.

16

                And no

man putteth a piece

of undressed cloth

upon an old garment;

for that which should

fill it up taketh from

the garment, and a

worse rent is made.

17

Neither do

men

put

new wine into old

²

wine-skins: else the

skins burst, and the

wine is spilled, and

the skins perish: but

they put new wine

into fresh wine-skins,

and both are

preserved.

33

    And they said unto

him, The disciples

of John fast often, and

make supplications;

likewise also

the

disciples

of the

Pharisees; but thine

eat and drink.

34

And

Jesus said unto them,

Can ye make the sons

of the bride-chamber

fast while

the bridegroom is

with them?

35

But the days will

come; and when the

bridegroom shall be

taken away from

them, then will they

fast in those days.

36

        And he spake

also a parable

^b

unto

them; No man rendeth

a piece from a new

garment and putteth

it upon an old

garment; else he will

rend the new, and

also the piece from

the new will not agree

with the old.

37

And

no man putteth new

wine into old

²

wine-

skins; else the new

wine will burst the

skins, and itself will

be spilled, and the

skins will perish.

38

But new wine must

be put into fresh

wine-skins.

39

And no

man having drunk

old

wine

desireth new:

for he saith, The old

is

³

good.

¹ Some ancient authorities omit oft.

² That is, skins used as bottles.

³ Many ancient authorities read better.

^a It was probably the presence of the disciples of Christ at Matthew's feast on one of the Jewish fast days that occasioned the complaint of John's disciples and the Pharisees. It is sad to see disciples of John aligned with the Pharisees against Jesus.

^b Note the use of the term parable in Luke. There are three parables (the sons of the bride-chamber, the new patch on an old garment, the new wine in old wine-skins) here together. A few isolated ones have already occurred as in John 2:19.

In sections 49 to 51 we see the Pharisees attacking Jesus both in Jerusalem and in Galilee with great hostility and with the purpose of killing him because of violation of the Pharisaic regulations about the Sabbath. Jesus defends himself and his disciples by various arguments and personal claims.

§ 49. AT A FEAST IN JERUSALEM (POSSIBLY THE PASSOVER) JESUS HEALS A LAME MAN ON THE SABBATH AND DEFENDS THIS ACTION TO THE PHARISEES IN A GREAT DISCOURSE

John 5:1-47

1    After these things there was ¹a feast^a of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.^b

2    Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew ²Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, blind, halt, withered³. 5 And a certain man was there, which had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity. 6 When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldst thou be made whole? 7 The sick man answered him, ⁴Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And straightway the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.

    Now it was the sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed [see Ex. 20:10; Deut. 5:14]. 11 But he answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 They asked him, Who is the man that said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 But he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing befall thee. 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole. 16 And for this cause did the Jews persecute Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. 18 For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only brake the sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19    Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son also quickeneth whom he will. 22 For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgement unto the Son; 23 that all may honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgement, but hath passed out of death into life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: 27 and he gave him authority to execute judgement, because he is ⁵the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, 29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have ⁶done ill, unto the resurrection of judgement.

30    I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 It is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye have sent unto John, and he hath borne witness unto the truth. 34 But the witness which I receive is not from man: howbeit I say these things, that ye may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that burneth and shineth: and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light. 36 But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father which sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he sent, him ye believe not. 39 ⁷Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; 40 and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. 41 I receive not glory from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in yourselves. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from ⁸the only God ye seek not? 45 Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope. 46 For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?^c

¹ Many ancient authorities read the feast.

² Some ancient authorities read Bethsaida, others Bethzatha.

³ Many ancient authorities insert, wholly or in part, waiting for the moving of the water: 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole, with whatsoever disease he was holden.

⁴ Or, Lord.

⁵ Or, a son of man.

⁶ Or, practised.

⁷ Or, Search the scriptures.

⁸ Some ancient authorities read the only one.

^a This feast of John 5:1 was most probably a Passover (see note at end of volume, note 7). If so, we should know that our Lord's public ministry lasted three years and a fraction, and that the great ministry in Galilee lasted some 18 to 20 months. Otherwise, we should know of only two years and a fraction for the former, and 6 to 8 months for the latter; as John gives three passovers beyond question (John 2:13; 6:4; 12:1), and our Lord's ministry began some time before the first of these. If the feast of 5:1 was not a passover, it is quite impossible to determine what other feast it was. While one would be glad to settle these questions, if it were possible, yet it really does not matter as regards understanding our Lord's recorded history and teachings during the great ministry in Galilee, the only point of difference being that if this feast was a Passover (or if there is an unmentioned Passover) we should conceive of the three journeys about Galilee as occupying a longer time, and including more extensive unrecorded labors in preaching and healing.

^b It is to be noted that John's Gospel gives the Jerusalem Ministry of Jesus almost entirely except Galilee in ch. 2, Samaria and Galilee in ch. 4, Galilee in ch. 6 and again in ch. 21. It seems clear that John wrote with full knowledge of the Synoptic Gospels and supplements them at certain points. Both Luke and John were thus critics of the Gospel records.

^c Observe that here more than a year before the crucifixion, and probably two years (i.e. if the feast of 5:1 was a passover or if an unnamed passover is granted), the hostility of the Jews at Jerusalem (comp. John 4:1) has reached the point of a desire to kill him, as a sabbath breaker and a blasphemer (5:16-18). So we shall find him staying away from Jerusalem at the passover of John 6:4, and until the Tabernacles six months before the crucifixion (John 7:1-10). Meantime, the hostility will go on increasing in other parts of the country (Mark 3:6, etc.).—Notice also that in this discourse at Jerusalem our Lord repeatedly declares himself in a high sense the Son of God, and the appointed judge of mankind (ver. 27), and says that Moses wrote concerning him (ver. 46). All this indicated that he was the Messiah, but he did not here expressly assert it as he did in Samaria (John 4:26). That would have precipitated the collision, for to claim to be the Messiah would in the view of the Jewish rulers involve political consequences. Comp. John 11:48.

§ 50. ANOTHER SABBATH CONTROVERSY WITH THE PHARISEES WHEN THE DISCIPLES PLUCK EARS OF GRAIN IN THE FIELDS