Bible Query Harmony of the Gospels – short version
Q: Who were the first writers in history to make a harmony of the gospels?
A: Tatian (c.172 A.D.) made a harmony of the gospels, called the Diatessaron, meaning "through [the] four". This testifies that there were only four gospels accepted, and it accurately quotes word for word 79% of the gospel verses. However, Tatian was an Encratite Gnostic, and he selectively left out all verses that emphasize the humanity of Jesus, such as genealogies. But even this heretic included all the verses that show Jesus is God.
Theophilus of Antioch (168-181/188 A.D.) wrote a harmony/commentary on the gospels according to Jerome, but it has been lost. (ANF vol.2 p.87-88
Dionysius of Alexandria (246-265 A.D.) (partial) showed that the gospel writers did not "disagree or contradict each other" and gave a good and rather complete harmony of the gospels after the resurrection in his Letter 5 - to Bishop Basilides canon 1 Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.6 p.94-95.
Ammonius of Alexandria made a harmony of the gospels in the early third century. He used Matthew as a standard, and showed how the other gospels compared. See Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series vol.1 p.38-39 and vol.6 p.69
Juvencus (329 A.D.) made an epic poem of the gospels, harmonizing much of them.
Eusebius of Caesarea (313-339/340 A.D.) made a harmony that was easier to read, because he put the columns side by side. However Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series vol.6 p.69 says it was flawed in that he often had a parallelism where there was no need for one. See Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series vol.1 p.38-39.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) also wrote a work called Harmony of the Gospels. This is in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series vol.6 p.77-236.
In the middle ages the following had harmonies of the gospels: Osiander, Jansen, Robert Stephens, John Calvin, Du Moulin, and Chemnitz according to Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series vol.6 p.69.
In modern times, a harmony of the gospels is in The New Unger's Bible Dictionary p.495-498.
Here is a harmony prior the ministry of Jesus: Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:1-13; Lk 1:1-3:18; Lk 3:21-4:13; Jn 1:1-42
It is important to distinguish between what is said to be order versus what may be in order. Numbers refer to events that must follow preceding numbers. Letters such as a,b,c refer to events that could happen in any order. Prior to the ministry of Jesus, everything in the gospels was written in chronological order, except the underlined parts. Markers of location, time, and sequence found in the gospels are in bold.
B1a. In the beginning, Jesus pre-existed in Heaven. Jn 1:1-5; Jn 17:5
B1b. Mary's genealogy from Adam (with gaps). Lk 3:23-37
B1c. Joseph's genealogy from Abraham (with gaps). Mt 1:1-17
B2. In Jerusalem, while Herod ruled (37 B.C. to 4 B.C.), Gabriel visits Zechariah; Elizabeth will be expecting. Lk 1:1-25
B3. In Elizabeth's 6th month, Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth, telling her she will be with child. Lk 1:26-38
B4. Mary is pregnant, though still a virgin. Mt 1:18-19
B5. After Mary is pregnant, Gabriel visits Joseph. Mt 1:20-25
B6. Traveling to Judea, Mary visits Elizabeth. Lk 1:39-56
B7. John the Baptist is born. Lk 1:57-80
B8. While Herod was king (37-4 B.C.), Christ is born in Bethlehem of Judea. Mt 2:1; Lk 2:1-7
B9. In nearby fields, angels tell shepherds to visit Jesus. Lk 2:8-20
B10a1. On the 8th day, Jesus is circumcised. Lk 2:21
B10a2. After Mary's purification (33 days later according to Lev 12:1-4), at the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus is presented to the Lord. Lk 2:22-38
B10b. In a house in Bethlehem, Magi from the east come to worship Jesus. Mt 2:2-12
B11. After the Magi left, the flight to Egypt. Mt 2:13-15
B12. Within 2 years, Herod kills the male babies of Bethlehem. Mt 2:16-18
B13. After Herod died, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to Nazareth. Mt 2:19-22; Lk 2:40a
B14a. In Nazareth of Galilee, Jesus grows up. Mt 2:23; Lk 2:40b
B14b. Every year at Passover, Jesus' parents go to Jerusalem. Lk 2:41
B15. At 12 years old, Jesus goes to the Temple in Jerusalem. Lk 2:42-52
B16. In the Desert of Judea, John the Baptist preaches. Mt 3:1-12; Mk 1:1-8; Lk 3:1-18; Jn 1:6-28
B17a. When Jesus was about 30 (probably 33-34), He is baptized in the Jordan River. Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-23
B17b. The next day [after John's remark] Jesus comes to John the Baptist. John testifies that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Jn 1:29-34
B18a. At the Jordan River, Jesus calls Peter, Andrew and another. Jn 1:35-42
B18b1. Jesus decides to return to Galilee the next day after John the Baptist speaks. Jn 1:43a
B18b2. Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael. Jn 1:43b-51
B18c. For 40 days in the wilderness, Satan tempts Jesus. Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13
In this list, 1 event is identical to all four gospels, 2 are in the synoptic gospels, 3 are in Matthew and Luke, 5 are in Matthew alone, 5 are in John alone, 10 are in Luke alone, and 0 are in Mark alone. Mark only supplies 3 events here, and they are in common with Matthew and Luke. One could easily conclude that none of these were eyewitnesses of these early events, they got their material primarily from different sources, though Luke has the most information prior to Jesus' ministry and Mark has the least.
By the way, The NIV Study Bible p.1636-1641 (at the end of John) has an extensive harmony of the gospels. I was not aware of that when I did these harmonies of the gospels, and I have not compared my results to theirs yet.
Here is a harmony of the gospels for the early ministry of Jesus
The early ministry is up to the time John the Baptist is killed. Before giving the order of events, it is good to know some geography.
Geography: The Sea of Galilee, the Lake, the Sea of Tiberias, are all the same freshwater lake. Galilee is west of the Sea of Galilee, and Decapolis is southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida is on the Sea of Galilee due north, and west of it is Capernaum on the shore, with Korazin due north of Capernaum. Magdala is on the shore due west of the Sea of Galilee, and Cana is due west of that. Nain is southwest of the Sea of Galilee about 10 miles away from the shore. The land of the Gerasenes, Gennesaret, or the Gadarenes are either all the same place or places very close to each other east and southeast of the Sea of Galilee. Hard Sayings of the Bible p.373 says that Gerasa was 30 miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee and its lands did not reach to the Sea. Gadara was five miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee and its lands did reach the Sea, as proved by Josephus mentioning this and a coin of Gadara showing a ship.
Order: It is important to distinguish between what is said to be order versus what may be in order. For these 65 events, numbers refer to events that must follow the preceding numbers in order. Letters such as a,b,c refer to events that might be in order, but could happen in any order. The bold words indicate markers of time, order, and location. The underlined verses show passages that likely are not in chronological order in the gospel.
Early Ministry: Mt 4:12-14:12, Mk 1:14-6:29, Lk 3:19-20; 4:14-9:9, Jn 1:43-5:47
E1a1. At Cana on the third day (3rd day after return to Galilee, after John spoke, or 3rd day of the week?), Jesus turns water into wine. First miracle in Galilee, though His time is not yet come. Jn 2:1-11
E1a2a. During the Passover (14th day 1st month) in Jerusalem, Jesus drives out the moneychangers. Jn 2:12-25
E1a2b. Jesus teaches Nicodemus on being born again. Jn 3:1-21
E1a3. In the Judean countryside, John testifies of Jesus. Jn 3:23-35
E1a4a. At Sychar in Samaria, en route to Galilee, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman. Jn 4:1-42
E1b1. John rebukes Herod the Tetrarch. Mt 14:3; Lk 3:19-20
E1b2a. After Jesus hears John is cast in prison, Jesus returns to Galilee and begins to preach "The kingdom of God is near". Mt 4:12-17, Mk 1:14-15; Jn 4:43-45
E1b2b. From Cana Jesus heals nobleman's son in Capernaum as His 2nd miracle. Jn 4:46-54
E1b2c1. In Galilee and Nazareth, Jesus reads a scroll. Lk 4:14-15
E1b2c2. Jesus explains the prophecy, and the Jews try to kill Him. Lk 4:16-31
E1b2d1. Beside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew. Mt 4:18-20; Mk 1:16-18; Lk 5:1-10
E1b2d2. In Capernaum Jesus casts out a demon. Mk 1:21-28; Lk 4:31-37
E1b2e. Calling James and John. Mt 4:21-22; Mk 1:19-20; Lk 5:6-11
E1b2f. In Galilee, Jesus heals the sick. Mt 4:23-25; Lk 4:40-44
E2a. Sermon on the Mount, including the Lord's prayer. Mt 5:1-7:29
E2b. In the evening, heals Simon's mother-in-law and others. Mt 8:14-17; Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-39
E2c. Jesus prays alone. Mk 1:35-38; Lk 4:42-44
E2d. Travel through Galilee. Mk 1:39
E2e. Heals gossipy leper. Mt 8:1-4; Mk 1:40-45; Lk 5:12-15
E2f. In lonely places, Jesus often withdrew to pray. Lk 5:16
E2g1. In Capernaum Jesus heals paralytic. Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:17-26
E2g2. Calling Matthew/Levi. Mt 9:9-13; Mk 2:13-17; Lk 5:27-32
E3c1. In Galilee by the lake, cost of following Jesus. Mt 8:18-22
E3c2. In Nazareth Jesus heals the paralytic. Mt 9:1-8
E3c3. John's disciples ask about fasting. Mt 9:14-17; Mk 2:18-22; Lk 5:33-39
E2h1. One Sabbath, Jesus in a field; appeal to David. Mt 12:1-8; Mk 2:23-27; Lk 6:1-11
E2h2. In the synagogue, Jesus heals withered hand. Mt 12:9-14; Mk 3:1-6; Lk 6:6-11
E2h3. Crowds follow Jesus. Mk 3:7-12
E2i1. On a mountainside, Jesus prays all night to God. Lk 6:12
E2i2. Jesus appoints the 12 disciples. Mk 3:13-19; Lk 6:13-16
E2j1. Sermon on the level place. Lk 6:17-49. If it was the same as in Matthew, it should be called the Sermon on the Plateau.
E2j2. In Capernaum Jesus heals the centurion's servant. Mt 8:5-13; Lk 7:1-10
E3a. Some time later in Jerusalem for a feast [probably in the 7th month] at the pool Jesus heals a man who was an invalid for 38-years. Jn 5:1-15
E3b. Life through Jesus. Jn 5:16-47
E3c. At Nain, Jesus heals the widow's son. Lk 7:11-17
E4. En route to the land of the Gadarenes/Gerasenes, Jesus calms the storm from inside the boat. Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-26 (Note: storms are more frequent in the fall and winter]
E5a. In Gennesaret, healing two demon-possessed men; demons in swine. Mt 8:28-34
E5b. Healing the Gerasene [Gennesaret] demoniac. Mk 5:1-20; Lk 8:26-39 (Note: Gadarenes, Gennesaret, and Gerasene most likely refer to the same place.)
E6. Raising Jairus' daughter and the woman with blood. Mt 9:18-26; Mk 5:21-43; Lk 8:40-56
E7. As He went on Jesus heals two gossipy blind men. Mt 9:27-31
E8. While they were going out, Jesus heals a mute demoniac. Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub. It does not mention Jesus responding to this accusation at this time.) Mt 9:32-34
E9a. Jesus goes to many cities and villages. Mt 9:35-38; Mk 6:6
E9b. Jesus sends out the twelve. Mt 10:1-42; Mk 6:7-13; Lk 9:1-9
E9c. Jesus preaches in Galilee. Mt 11:1
E9d. John the Baptist sends a message from prison and Jesus tells the parable of the kids in the market. Mt 11:2-19; Lk 7:18-35
E9e. Eating at Simon the Pharisee's house, a sinful woman with an alabaster jar anoints Jesus' feet with oil. Jesus speaks on loving more and loving less. Lk 7:36-50
E10. Immediately Jesus withdraws to a mountain. Mk 6:45-46
E11. Afterwards at Gennesaret, Jesus heals many. Mk 6:53-56
E12a. Rebuking Galilean cities. Mt 11:20-24
E12b. At that time, Jesus taught rest for the weary. Mt 11:25-30
E13. Jesus withdraws from that place. Mt 12:15-21
E14. In a house where it was too crowded to eat, Jesus' family thinks He is out of his mind. Mk 3:20-21
E15. Jesus heals a blind demon-possessed man. Mt 12:22-23
E16. Jesus speaks of the strong men in the house, and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Mt 12:24-37; Mk 3:22-30
E17. Jesus' mother and brothers. Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:31-35; Lk 8:19-21
E18. First demand for a sign, and prophecy of three days and nights. Mt 12:38-45
E19. In Galilee from the boat, the parable of the sower. Mt 13:1-23; Mk 4:1-20; Lk 8:1-15
E20. Parable of the weeds. Mt 13:24-30
E21. Parable of the lamp on a stand. Mk 4:21-25; Lk 8:16-18
E22. Parable of the growing seed. Mk 4:26-29
E23. Parable of the mustard seed. Mt 13:31-35; Mk 4:30-34
E24. In the house, explains parable of the weeds. Mt 13:36-43
E25. Parables of the hidden treasure, pearl, and net. Mt 13:44-53
E26. Jesus returns to Nazareth; prophet without honor. Mt 13:53-58; Mk 6:1-6
E27. How John the Baptist was killed. Mt 14:1-12; Mk 6:14-29; Lk 9:7-9
In this list of 65 events, 0 events were common to all 4, 13 events were common to the three Synoptics, 1 event was common to Matthew and Luke, 4 events were common to Matthew and Mark, 4 events were common to Matthew and Luke, 4 events were common to Mark and Luke, 15 events were in Matthew alone, 7 events were in Mark alone, 7 events were in Luke alone, and 8 events were in John alone.
Key assumption that I used here..
a) Some of John's passages were placed in the middle period, when they could fit here too. The gospel harmony in The NIV Study Bible places John's passages differently.
b) The Gospels were in chronological order, except where underlined, which is in more than 10 places.
Here is a harmony fo the gospels for the middle period ministry of Jesus
The middle period of 24 events includes the two feedings and ranges from when John the Baptist was killed and Jesus left Galilee to the time at Caesarea Philippi. Numbers refer to events that must follow preceding numbers. Letters such as a,b,c refer to events that could happen in any order. The bold words indicate markers of time, order, and location. The underlined verses show passages that likely are not in chronological order.
Middle Ministry: Mt 14:13-16:28, Mk 6:30-9:1, Lk 9:11-27, Jn 6:1-7:9
M1. Leaving Galilee, Jesus and the disciples withdraw to Bethsaida. Lk 9:10
M2a. The crowds find Jesus. Lk 9:11
M2b. On the shore opposite of Capernaum, Jesus preaches to the crowds and heals. Mt 14:13-14; Jn 6:1-4
M3. On the grass (not in Gennesaret), Jesus' first feeding: 5,000 men plus women and kids, with 5 loaves and 2 fish. They were Jews who had been with Jesus one day. 12 baskets left over. Mt 14:15-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:12-17; Jn 6:1-14
M4. En route to Gennesaret, during the fourth watch of the night, Jesus and Peter walk on water. Mt 14:22-36; Mk 6:45-52
M5a. In Gennesaret, Jesus heals men. Mt 14:34-36; Mk 6:53-56
M5b. Jesus withdraws to a mountain. Jn 6:15
M6a1. En route to Capernaum after rowing 3 or 3 1/2 miles, the disciples see Jesus walking on water. Jn 6:16-24a
M6a2. Immediately the boat arrives. Jn 6:24b
M6a3. On the lake by Capernaum, Jesus is the bread of life. Jn 6:25-71
M6a4. Until Feast of Tabernacles Jesus stays in Galilee. Jn 7:1-9
M6b. Pharisees criticize Jesus' disciples; clean and unclean. Mt 15:1-20; Mk 7:1-23
M7. In Tyre and Sidon, Jesus heals a woman's daughter. Mt 15:21-28; Mk 7:24-30
M8. In Decapolis Jesus heals the deaf and mute man. Mk 7:31-37
M9. In Galilee Jesus heals and teaches crowds. Mt 15:29-31; Mk 8:1
M10. On the ground along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus' 2nd feeding of another large crowd: 4,000 men plus women and kids with seven loaves and a few small fish. They were Gentiles who had been with Jesus three days. 7 baskets left over. Mt 15:32-38; Mk 8:2-9
M11. Jesus goes in the boat to Magadan/Dalmanutha. Mt 15:39; Mk 8:10
M12a. Pharisees make 2nd demand for a sign from Heaven. Mt 16:1-4; Mk 8:11-13
M12b. Jesus speaks of yeast and the 2 feedings. Mt 16:5-12; Mk 8:14-21
M12c. At Bethsaida Jesus heals a blind man. Mk 8:22-26
M12d. Near Caesarea Philippi (where there was a large rock), Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. Mt 16:13-20; Mk 8:27-30; Lk 9:18-20
M13. Jesus predicts His death. Mt 16:21-22; Mk 8:31; Lk 9:21-22
M14. Jesus tell Peter, "Get you behind me, Satan". Mt 16:23; Mk 8:32-33
M15. Cost of following Jesus. Mt 16:24-28; Mk 8:34-9:1; Lk 9:23-27
Here are key asusmptions that I made.to come up with this sequence of events.
a) The gospels are in chronological order for the middle period of Jesus' ministry. While they could have some things out of order, there is no reason to suspect so.
b) Some passages in Luke, which I placed in the later ministry of Jesus, would fit in this section too.
Here is a harmony of the gospels for the later ministry of Jesus?
It is important to distinguish between what is said to be order versus what may be in order. For these 67 events, numbers refer to events that must follow preceding numbers. Letters such as a,b,c refer to events that could happen in any order. The bold words indicate markers of time, order, and location. If someone were to believe the gospels were all in chronological order for this part of Jesus' ministry, they would see no problems.
Later Ministry: Mt 17:1-20:34, Mk 9:2-10:52, Lk 9:28-19:28, Jn 7:10-11:57
L1. After about eight days (or six days), Jesus took Peter, James and John to the Mount of Transfiguration (probably Mount Tabor). Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; Lk 9:28-35
L2. Do not tell until the resurrection. Mt 17:9; Mk 9:9-10; Lk 19:36
L3. Jesus speaks on Elijah. Mt 17:10-13; Mk 9:11-13
L4. The next day, Jesus heals an epileptic boy the disciples could not. Mt 17:14-21; Mk 9:14-29; Lk 9:37-45
L5. In Galilee, Jesus again predicts His death. Mt 17:22-23; Mk 9:30-32
L6a. In Capernaum (on the north shore of Lake Galilee), Jesus pays the Temple tax with coins in a fish's mouth. Mt 17:24-27
L6b. At that time, the disciples argue over who is greatest (could have occurred multiple times). Mt 18:1-9; Mk 9:33-37; Lk 9:46-48
L6c. John and disciples tell another to stop casting out demons in Jesus' name. Mk 9:38-41; Lk 9:49-50
L6d1. En route to Jerusalem, Samaritans will not welcome Jesus. Lk 9:51-56
L6d2. While walking along a road, commitment of a disciple: foxes, dead, family. Lk 9:57-62
L6d3. Jesus sends out the seventy-two. Lk 10:1-24
L7a1. In Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles (5th day of 7th month), Jesus comes. Jn 7:10-52
L7a2. In Jerusalem, woman caught in adultery. Jn 8:1-11
L7a3. Jesus' testimony is valid Jn 8:12-59
L7b. Jesus heals a blind man, who goes to the Pharisees. Jn 9:1-41
L7c1. Jesus teaches on the shepherd. Jn 10:1-21
L7c2. At the Feast of Dedication [Winter] in the Temple area in Jerusalem, Jesus says, "I and my Father are One". Jn 10:22-39
L7c3. Jesus goes to where John the Baptist had been baptizing. Jn 10:40-42
L7d1. The lawyer's question on who is my neighbor. Lk 10:25-28
L7d2. The parable of the good Samaritan. Lk 10:29-37
L7d3. [Probably in Bethany of Judea], devoted Mary and hard-working Martha. Lk 10:38-42
L7e. In Bethany of Judea, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Jn 11:1-44
L7f. One day, Jesus told His disciples how to pray, using the Lord's Prayer (probably a second time). Lk 11:1-13
L7g1. Jesus drives out mute demon, accused of being in league with Beelzebub. Lk 11:14-26
L7g2. Woman blesses Jesus' mother, Jesus disagrees with her. Lk 11:27-28
L7h. As the crowds increased, Jesus says they only have the sign of Jonah. Lk 11:29-32
L7i1. Lamp of the body. Lk 11:33-36
L7i2. At the Pharisee's house, speaks six woes. Lk 11:37-53
L7i3a1. Meanwhile, teaching on disclosing in the light. Lk 12:1-7
L7i3a2. Acknowledging Jesus before men and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Lk 12:8-12
L7i3b. The parable of the rich fool. Lk 12:13-21
L7i3c. Parable to be watchful for the master's return. Lk 12:35-48
L7i3d. Prophecy of division among families. Lk 12:49-53
L7i3e. Interpreting the times. Lk 12:54-59
L7i3f Jesus mentions Galileans killed when the Tower of Siloam fell. Lk 13:1-9
L7j On a Sabbath Jesus heals a crippled woman. Lk 13:10-17
L6k. Parables of the mustard seed and yeast. Lk 13:18-21
L6l1. While going through the towns and villages, the parables of the narrow door, and sorrow over Jerusalem. Lk 13:22-30
L6l2. At that time, Jesus' sorrow over Jerusalem. Lk 13:31-35
L6m. One Sabbath at a prominent Pharisee's house, Jesus heals a man with dropsy and the parable of the great banquet. Lk 14:1-24
L6n. When large crowds were with Jesus, He spoke of the cost of being a disciple, for the 2nd time: parents, parables of the tower, king, and salt. Lk 14:25-35
L6o. Teaching on little children. Mt 18:10-11
L6p. Parable of lost sheep. Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:1-7
L6q1. Parable of the lost coin. Lk 15:8-10
L6q2. Jesus continued, the parable of the lost son. Lk 15:11-32
L6r. Parable of the shrewd manager. Lk 16:1-15
L6s. Teaching on forgiveness and the unmerciful servant. Mt 18:15-35
L6t. Teaching on John and the Law. Lk 16:16-17
L6u. Traveled from Galilee to Transjordan. Mt 19:1-2; Mk 10:1
L6v. Teaching on divorce. Mt 19:3-12; Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18
L6w. Parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lk 16:19-31
L6x. To His disciples, Jesus teaches on sin, parable of the tree planted in the sea, and parable of a servant's duty. Lk 17:1-10
L6y. Between Galilee and Samaria en route to Jerusalem, Jesus healed 10 lepers (...where are the other 9?). Lk 17:11-19
L6z. Pharisees ask how the kingdom of God comes. Lk 17:20-37
L7a. Parable of the persistent widow. Lk 18:1-8
L7b. Parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Lk 18:9-14
L7c. People were bringing babies to Jesus to bless; disciples rebuke them. Mt 19:13-15; Mk 10:13-16; Lk 18:15-17
L7d. Rich young ruler asks a question: ... eye of a needle. Mt 19:16-30; Mk 10:17-31; Lk 18:18-30
L8. Parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Mt 20:1-16
L9. En route to Jerusalem, Jesus predicts his death and resurrection. Mt 20:17-19; Mk 10:32-34; Lk 18:31-34
L10a. The mother of James and John comes with them to ask a request of Jesus. Mt 20:20-28; Mk 10:35-45
L10b. Leaving Jericho (probably the Old Jericho), Jesus heals two blind men who cry out "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" (NIV) Mt 20:29-34
L10c. Entering Jericho (probably the New Jericho), Jesus heals a blind man, Bartimaeus, who cries "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (NIV) Mk 10:46-52; Lk 18:35-43
L11a. At Jericho, Jesus meets Zacchaeus. Lk 19:1-10
L11b. Near Jerusalem (the two Jerichos were 15-17 miles northeast of Jerusalem), Jesus tells the parable of the ten servants and ten minas. Lk 19:11-28
L12. Caiaphas and Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus. Jn 11:45-53
L13. Thus, Jesus withdraws to the village of Ephraim. Jn 11:54
Here are key assumptions I made for the previous sequence.
a) All the gospels are in chronological order for Jesus' later ministry. While they could be out of order, there is no reason to suspect that they are.
b) Some of the passages of John, placed here, could have been in Jesus' middle ministry.
c) The following events only occurred one time: the Transfiguration, the parable of the lost sheep, the rich young ruler.
d) Raising Lazarus, Mary and Martha's brother, happened about the same time Jesus was at their house.
Here is a harmony of the gospels for Passion Week, the last week prior to the Resurrection
It is important to distinguish between what is said to be order versus what may be in order. For these 104 events, numbers refer to events that must follow preceding numbers. Letters such as a,b,c refer to events that could happen in any order. The bold words indicate markers of time, order, and location. If someone were to believe the gospels were all in chronological order in this section, they would see no problems.
Passion Week: Mt 21:1-27:66, Mk 11:14-15:47, Lk 19:29-23:56, Jn 12:11-19:42
P1. In Bethany, six days before Passover, the day before the triumphal entry, Jesus attends a feast at Simon the leper's house in his honor, where Mary served. Lazarus is reclining there too. Jesus is anointed, for the second time, by Mary with a pint of nard, worth a year's wages, from an alabaster jar. (Note this is the town where Lazarus lived, not the house.) Judas Iscariot and the disciples complain. Jn 12:1-12a; Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9
P2. Jesus at Bethphage at the Mount of Olives. Mt 21:1; Mk 11:1-6; Lk 19:29-34
P3. Jesus tells them to bring a young donkey and the mother. Mt 21:2-6; Mk 11:2-6; Lk 19:29-34
P4. The disciples return with the donkey and colt. Mt 21:7a; Mk 11:7-10; Lk 19:35-35; Jn 12:14-15
P5. On Palm Sunday, the Triumphal Entry. Mt 21:7b-11; Mk 11:7-11a; Lk 19:35-44; Jn 12:12b-19
P6a. Jesus predicts His death, and the Father speaks from Heaven. Jn 12:20-50
P6b. Jesus spends the night in Bethany. Mk 11:11b
P6c. [Sunday or Monday or both] Jesus drives moneychangers out of temple for the second time. Mt 21:12-13; Lk 19:45-48
P6d1. In the temple, Jesus heals blind and lame. Mt 21:14-16
P6d2. Jesus spends the night in Bethany. Mt 21:17
P7. Early in the morning the next day [Monday or Tuesday], returning to Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree. Mk 11:12-14. Note this is Jesus' second trip to the temple.
P8. Early in the morning [Tuesday or Wednesday], Jesus curses a fig tree a second time. Mt 21:18-19a
P9a. Immediately the fig tree withers. Mt 21:19b-22
P9b. The fig tree withers. Mk 11:20-25
P10. Jesus enters the temple, discusses authority (Mt 21:23-32) and drives out the moneychangers for the 3rd time. Mk 11:15-18 (Note: it would be strange if Jesus drove them out one day and permitted them the next.)
P11. In the evening, they leave the city. Mk 11:19
P12. At the Temple one day [Tuesday or Wednesday] Jesus is questioned about His authority. Mk 11:27-33; Lk 20:1-8
P13. Parable of the tenants. Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19
P14. Jesus tells the parable of the wedding banquet. Mt 22:1-14
P15a. Pharisees and Herodians ask about paying taxes to Caesar. Mt 22:15-22; Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26
P15b. The Sadducees question Jesus about resurrection. Mt 22:23-33; Mk 12:23-27; Lk 20:27-39
P16. After the Sadducees, a Pharisee asks the greatest commandment. Mt 22:34-40; Mk 12:28-33
P17a. Nobody asked Jesus any more questions. Mt 22:46; Mk 12:34; Lk 20:40
P17b. While the Pharisees were together, Jesus asks a question on Psalm 110:1. Mt 22:41-45; Mk 12:35-37; Lk 20:41-44
P18a. Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees. Mt 23; Mk 12:38-40; Lk 20:45-47
P18b. Jesus observes the widow's offering. Mk 12:41-44; Lk 21:1-4
P19. Leaving the temple, Jesus prophesies its ruin. Mt 24:1-2; Mk 13:1-2; Lk 21:5-6
P20. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus teaches on the end times. Mt 24:3-44; Mk 13:3-37; Lk 21:7-36
P21. Each day in the Temple Jesus teaches and spends the night on the Mount of Olives. Lk 21:37-38
P22. Three parables of the Master's return. Mt 24:45-25:30
P23a. The teaching of the sheep and goat judgment at Jesus' throne. Mt 25:31-46
P23b. Two days from the Passover, the chief priests and elders plot to arrest Jesus. Mt 26:1-5; Mk 14:1-2; Lk 22:1-2
P24. Judas secretly talks with priests to betray Jesus. Mt 26:14-16; Mk 14:10-11; Lk 22:2-6
P25. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they prepare the Last Supper. Mt 26:17-19; Mk 14:12-16; Lk 22:7-13
P26. Jesus washes His disciple's feet Jn 13:1-18
P27. In a large upper room (Mk 14:15), they eat the Lord's Supper. Mt 26:20-29; Mk 14:17-25; Lk 22:14-23; 1 Cor 11:23-26
P28. Jesus says Judas will betray Him. Jn 13:18-28a
P29. Jesus' new command to love one another. Jn 13:31-35
P30. In the midst of the last supper, Judas leaves. Jn 13:28b-30
P31. Either at the Last Supper of shortly thereafter, another argument over who is greatest. Lk 22:24-30
P32a1. After Judas left, en route to the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicts Peter will deny Him three times. Mt 26:30-35; Mk 14:26-31; Lk 22:31-38; Jn 13:36-38
P32a2. In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-43a; Lk 22:39-46
P32b. From the Last Supper to the Mount of Olives, Jesus speaks. Jn 14:1-16:33
P33. Jesus' pre-arrest prayer. Jn 17:1-26
P34. After Jesus finishes praying, they cross the Kidron Valley and go into an olive grove. Jn 18:1
P35. Arrest of Jesus. Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43b-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:2-11
P36. The go to the house of Annas, father-in-law to Caiaphas the high priest. Lk 22:54; Jn 18:12-13.
P37. Jesus was sent to Caiaphas' house. John 18:24. Mt 26:56-57 and Mk 14;51-53 skip the previous and just mention this.
P38a1. In/near the courtyard of the high priest, Jesus is tried by the Sanhedrin. Mt 26:57-68; Mk 14:53-65; Lk 22:66-71; Jn 18:12-14; Jn 18:19-23
P38b1. Because "this disciple" [John] was known the high priest, he went into the courtyard. Then he went back out and spoke to the girl/maid/servant on duty and brought Peter in through the door. Jn 18:15-16
P38b2. 1st accusation: In the courtyard, one girl/maid/servant girl of the high priest who was at the door, came to him (Mt), came by (Mk) and looked at Peter in the firelight, and spoke to Peter that he was with Jesus. Peter was warming himself in the courtyard. Mt 26:69; Mk 14:66-67; Lk 22:54-56; Jn 18:17a
P38b3. 1st denial: Peter denied Jesus, saying "Woman, I don't know Him" (Lk) "I don't know what you're talking about" (Mt) or "I don't know or understand what you are talking about." (Mk) before them all (Mt). Mt 26:70; Mk 14:68; Lk 22:57; John 18:17
P38b4. 2nd round of accusations: Then Peter went to the gateway (Mt), and another girl [allu] said to the crowd "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." (Mt). Peter was accused "You also are one of them." (Lk) The maid (Mk) seeing Peter again, said to the crowd "This fellow is one of them." (Mk) Peter was asked, "you are not one his disciples, are you?"(Jn) Mt 26:71; Mk 14:69; Lk 22:58a; Jn 18:25a
P38b5. 2nd denial: Peter with an oath said "I am not" (Jn), "Man [anthrope], I am not!" (Lk) "I don't know the man" (Mt), and denied Jesus a second time. Mt 26:72; Mk 14:70a; Lk 22:58b; Jn 18:25b
P38b6a. 3rd round of accusations: About an hour later (Lk) those standing by [a small crowd?] said Peter was one of them and mentioned his Galilean accent. Mt 26:73; Mk 14:70b; Lk 22:59
P38b6b One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged Peter that he had seen Peter in the olive grove. Jn 18:26
P38b7. 3rd denial: Peter cursed, said "I don't know what you are talking about!" (Lk) "I don't know the man" (Mt) or "I don't know this man you are talking about." (Mk, Jn), and denied Jesus a third time. Immediately, when they were still in the house, the cock crowed. Jesus looked at Peter (Mt 26:74-75; Mk 14:71-72; Lk 22:60-62; Jn 18:27).
P38c. Judas hangs himself. (The rope broke either before or after he died.) The body falls and is broken open. The chief priests buy the field where Judas' body lies. The field was called Akeldama. Mt 27:1-10; Acts 1:18-19
P38a2. Soldiers mock, beat, and blindfold Jesus. Lk 22:63-65
P39. At daybreak, the Jewish council asked Jesus (or asked Him again) "If you are the Christ, tell us." And they reached a decision. Mt 27:1; Mk 15:1; Lk 22:66-71
P40a. By now it was early morning, and Jesus, accompanied by the priests left the house of Caiaphas and went to Jesus' trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Mt 27:2; Mk 15:1; Lk 23:1; Jn 18:28-38.
P40b. The night before the trial with Pilate, his wife had a dream about having nothing to do with condemning Jesus. Mt 27:19
P41. Jesus' trial before Pilate. Mt 27:11-14; Mk 15:1-15; Lk 23:1-6; Jn 18:28-37
P42. Pilate sends Jesus to Herod. Lk 23:7-11a
P43a. Herod sends Jesus sent back to Pilate. Lk 23:11b-12
P44. Jesus is returned to Pilate. Luke 23:13-16
P45. Pilate says he is innocent of his blood, appeals to the crowd and releases Barabbas. Mt 27:15-26; Lk 23:17-25; Jn 18:38-40
P46. Roman soldiers flog and mock Jesus and put on Him purple-scarlet rob and crown of thorns. Mt 27:27-31a; Mk 15:16-20a; Jn 19:1-3
P47. Pilate goes out the Jews again. Jn 19:4-15
P48. Jesus is led away to be crucified. Mt 27:31b; Mk 15:20b; Lk 23:26a; Jn 19:16
P49. Jesus [at first] carried His own cross. Jn 19:17a
P50. Simon of Cyrene [then] is made to carry Jesus' cross. Mt 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26b
P51. Jesus says, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children..." Lk 23:28-31
P52a. On Golgotha on the third hour [9:00am], Jesus is crucified. Mt 27:33; Mk 15:22,25; Lk 23:33; Jn 19:16b-22
P52b. Wrote the trilingual sign above Jesus' head. Mt 27:37; Mk 15:26; Lk 23:38
P52c. Two criminals are crucified alongside Jesus. Mt 27:38; Mk 15:27; Lk 23:32-33
P53a. Jesus says "Father forgive them, they know not what the do." Lk 23:34a
P53b. Some offer Jesus drink but He refuses. Mt 27:34; Mk 15:23
P53c.Casting lots for clothes. Mt 27:35-36; Mk 15:24; Lk 23:34b; Jn 10:23-24
P54a. Jesus said, "woman here is your son; son here is your mother". Jn 19:25-27
P54b. Others say "He saved others, let him save himself...". Mt 27:40-43; Mk 15:29-30; Lk 23:35a
P54c. Priests mock Jesus too. Mk 15:31-32; Lk 23:35b
P54d. Soldiers mock Jesus on the cross. Lk 23:36-37
P54e.1 Thief on the left insults Jesus. Mt 27:44; Lk 23:39
P54.e.2 Thief on the right defends Jesus. Lk 23:40-43a
P54.e.3 Jesus says "...today you will be with me in paradise". Lk 23:43b
P54.f. Jesus says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me". Mt 27:45-47; Mk 34-36
P54.g. Jesus says, "I am thirsty" Jn 19:28-29. For the second time is offered drink from a sponge. Mt 27:48
P54.h Some wait to see if Elijah comes. Mt 27:49
P54.i. Darkness from about the sixth hour until the ninth hour. Mk 15:33; Lk 23:44-45a
P55a. Jesus says, "It is finished". Jn 19:30
P55b. Right before dying Jesus says, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". Lk 23:46a
P56a. Jesus dies. Mt 27:50; Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46b
P56b. At that moment, the Temple curtain was torn in two. Mt 51a; Mk 15:38-39, Lk 23:45b (also Thales 52 A.D.)
P56c. An earthquake occurred, tombs broke open and dead people appear. Mt 51b-53.
P57a. Soldiers break thieves' legs, but not Jesus'. Jn 19:31-37
P57b. Centurion says surely this was a righteous man. Lk 23:47-49
P57c. Centurion says "This was the/a Son of God!" Mt 27:54; Mk 15:39
P57d. Many women were watching. Mt 27:55-56
P58. As evening came, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for the body of Jesus. Mt 27:57-58; Jn 19:38
P59a. In the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Joseph and Nicodemus buried Christ's body and a stone is rolled over the tomb. Mt 27:59-61; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-54; Jn 19:39-42
P59b. Before the Sabbath, the women get spices. Lk 23:55-56
P59c. Pilate agrees to a guard of soldiers at the tomb. Mt 27:62-65
P60. They put a seal on the tomb and post a guard. Mt 27:66
Here are the assumption I used for a harmony of the Passion Week of Jesus.
a) Jesus left Jerusalem more than one night.
b) Jesus drove out the moneychangers at least twice.
c) Jesus cursed the fig tree the day before it withered, and the next day too.
d) Everything in the gospels is in chronological order for Passion Week, except for Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Mark 22:46; Luke 22:54-62, and Luke 23:38.
Q: In the Gospels, was Jesus crucified on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday?
A: People's speculations have run from Wednesday to Saturday. In summary, Wednesday and Saturday would not work. Friday works with the rest of the chronology, but Thursday would work too. However, early Christians say it was Friday, with the exception of Origen, who said it was either that or the day before.
Justin Martyr (151-155 A.D.) Jesus was crucified on the day before Saturday [Friday] and rose the day after Saturday [Sunday]. First Apology of Justin Martyr ch.67 p.186
Victorinus of Petau (martyred 304 A.D.) "On the sixth day [i.e. Friday], .... On this day also on account of the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, we make either a station to God, or a fast. On the seventh day..." On the Creation of the World p.341
Peter of Alexandria (306,285-311 A.D.) discusses the fourth day and that Jesus suffered on the sixth day [Friday] for us. Then he says, "But the Lord's day we celebrate as a day of joy, because on it He rose again, on which day we have received it for a custom not even to bow the knee. " The Canonical Epistle Canon 15 p.278
Origen (225-254 A.D.) "He who was spoken of by the prophets, but also to the other heathen nations, that He who was crucified yesterday or the day before underwent this death voluntarily on behalf of the human race, " Origen Against Celsus book 1 ch.31 p.409
However, of the 80 or so writers after the Bible and prior to Nicea, three writers with one view is not very many. See the previous question for the discussion. See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.375-376 for more info.
Q: In Mt 12:40 was Jesus in the tomb three days and three nights, or did He rise on the third day in Mk 8:31, or through three days in Mk 14:58, or in three days in Jn 2:19 or the third days comes today in Lk 24:21?
A: After three days was a known Hebrew idiom in the Bible meaning part or all of three days.
Day and night are counted if just one part. Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah (1st century A.D.) states, "A day and a night are an onah [a portion of time], and the part of an onah is as the whole of it" (Mishnah, Jerusalem Talmud: Shabbath, Chapter IX, paragraph 3, Babylonian Talmud: Pesahim 4a)
Part of a day counts as a full day. Besides the previous quote, Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel also discussed this with others. "And how long is a full 'onah? - Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel explained: A night and half a day. But do we require an 'onah to be so long? Is not [such a requirement] rather incongruous with the following: If a person's winepresses or oil-presses were unclean and he desired to prepare his wine and oil respectively in conditions of cleanness, how is he to proceed? He rinses the boards, the twigs and the troughs;" Babylonian Talmud Tractate Niddah folio 65a
Some have tried to say that an onah referred only to a woman's days of uncleanness, but the previous quote shows that an onah is a general period of time.
We sometimes use inclusive time today. http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=6&article=756. mentions that even today if someone checks into a hotel at night, and does not leave by the checkout time, they are charged for two full days.
A Biblical example is the application of Leviticus 12:2-3. It says that Jewish boys were to be circumcised on the eight day. So if a Jewish boy was born on Monday, when was he to be circumcised? He was to be circumcised on Monday a week later. What if he were born on Monday at 11:59 pm? He would still be circumcised on Monday a week later. That is inclusive timekeeping.
Here are nine other examples of inclusive timekeeping from the Bible.
1. In Genesis 42:17, Joseph imprisoned his brothers for three days. But in verse 18 he released ten of them on the third day.
2. Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 10:5 told the people "three days return to me". Yet in 2 Chronicles 10:12, the people returned "on the third day, as the king commanded."
3. In 1 Samuel 30:12 a sick Egyptian slave told David he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights. Yet a person could not survive outside in the desert with no water at all for 72 hours. Undoubtedly the slave meant part of three days.
4. In Esther 4:16 Esther says to fast for her, "for three days, night and day" and she would do the same. Yet Esther 5:1 says it happened "on the third day" Esther had a banquet, so this is an equivalent time.
5. Matthew 27:62b-63a "saying, Lord, we have recalled that that deceiver said while living, After three days I will rise. Therefore, command that the grave be secured until the third day,"
6. In referring to Christ's death and resurrection, Jesus himself said in Matthew 12:40 says "three days and three nights", Mark 8:31 says "the third day he will rise up", Mark 14:58 says "through three days", John 2:19 says "in three days", and Luke 24:21 says "This third day comes today".
7. So "three days and three nights" in Mt 12:40 (and presumably Jonah 1:17) is equivalent to "on the third day" in Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19 and Lk 13:32. It is equivalent to "Is it the third day" in Luke 24:21.
8. But there is nothing special here about the number three. The phrases "seven days" and "on the seventh day" are interchangeable too. 1 Kings 20:29a says, "For seven days they camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle was joined."
9. The phrase four days in Acts 10:30 means parts of four days in Acts 10:3,9,23,24.
Here is a harmony of the gospels after the Resurrection
First of all I should acknowledge that I merely "re-invented the wheel" here. Way back in 246-265 A.D., Dionysius, bishop of Alexandria, showed that the gospel writers did not "disagree or contradict each other" and gave a good and rather complete harmony of the gospels after the resurrection in his Letter 5 - to Bishop Basilides canon 1 Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.6 p.94-95. Anyway, here is a harmony of these 29 events, and it agrees with his.
Numbers refers to events that must have in order, and letters such as a,b,c refer to events that could happen in any order. The bold words indicate markers of time, order, and location. The underlined verses show where passages that are not in chronological order.
After Jesus Rose from the Dead: Mt 28, Mk 16, Lk 24, Jn 20-21
R1a. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, the other Mary [the mother of James], Salome, and the women start to travel to the tomb. Mt 28:1b; Mk 16:1-3; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1
R2a. There was an earthquake as the angel hurled away the stone. The guards became like dead men. Mt 28:2-4
R2b. The angel hurled away the stone. Mk 16:4; Lk 24:2
R1b. No body found, and two "men" speak to the women. Lk 24:3-8; Jn 20:2
R3. The morning that Jesus rose, an angel appears to the women and tells them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee. Mt 28:5-7; Mk 16:5-8
R4a. While the women were hurrying back, Jesus also appears to the women and tells them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee. Mt 28:8-10
R4b1. When the women returned from the tomb, the disciples do not believe the women. Lk 24:9-11
R4b2. Peter and John run to the tomb; John gets there first. Lk 24:12; Jn 20:3-9
R4b3. Then the disciples return to their homes [in Jerusalem]. Jn 20:10
R4c. The guards tell the priests; the priests then bribe them. Mt 28:11-15
R4d. As Mary wept, two men, and then Jesus, appear to Mary Magdalene. Mk 16:9-11; Jn 20:11-18
R5. The same day on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appears to two disciples (not of the eleven disciples). He stays with them until evening. Mk 16:12; Lk 24:13-29
R6. Immediately the two disciples rushed back to Jerusalem (7 miles away) and tell the 11 disciples. Mk 16:13; Lk 24:33-35
R7. In Jerusalem, the evening of the same day that Jesus rose, while the two are talking to the disciples, Jesus appears, the first time, to ten disciples. Jn 20:19-23
R8. Other disciples tell Thomas they have seen Jesus. Jn 20:25
R9. Eight days later, Jesus appears, 2nd time, to the eleven disciples including Thomas. Mk 16:14; Jn 20:19,26-31
R10. Jesus appears to them (3rd time), by the Sea of Tiberias [Galilee]. They catch 153 fish. Mt 28:19-20; Jn 21:1-14
R11a. Three times, Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves Him. Jn 21:15-23
R11b1. Jesus appears to more than 500 followers. 1 Cor 15:6
R11b2. Jesus appears to James his brother. 1 Cor 15:6
R12. In Galilee Jesus appears to the disciples and gives great commission. Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15-18
R13. They return to Jerusalem, either staying there or at Bethany, a suburb.
R14. While they are eating, Jesus commands them to remain in Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:4). They obey this command. Lk 24:52
R15. Jesus leads them to Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem on slope of the Mount of Olives. Lk 24:50
R16. Forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3), Jesus ascends to Heaven in the clouds. Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11
R17a1. Returning to Jerusalem, the apostles remain in the temple. Lk 24:52-53
R17b. The 11 apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas. Acts 1:15-26
R18. In Jerusalem on Pentecost (50 days after the Passover), the apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2
R19. After this, the apostles travel freely. Mk 16:20