Jesus: His Earthly Life in Chronological Order

© Copyright 2012 Peter Davies.

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isbn: 978-1-4669-0467-5 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-0468-2 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4669-0466-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011960899

Trafford rev. 02/16/2012

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CONTENTS

DEDICATION

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Appendix I

Appendix Ii

Appendix III

Appendix IV

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all those who obeyed the command,

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16 vs 15

Acknowledgements

Reference has been made to the following publications.

A CONCISE BIBLE DICTIONARY

Published by R L Allan and Sons Ltd, Glasgow. Printed by Universal Press, Cambridge.

THE NEW OPEN BIBLE

New King James Version, Study Edition, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990.

(Comparative studies were made with this edition’s Harmony of the Gospels, information about when the Gospels were written, and with information on Old Testament prophesies fulfilled in the Gospels.)

THE NEW UNGER’S BIBLE DICTIONARY

First edition, Chicago: Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

(Comparative studies were made with this edition’s Harmony of the Gospels and with information about when the Gospels were written.)

HALLEY’S BIBLE HANDBOOK

Fiftieth Anniversary Edition 1924-1974, Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House.

(Information of the Jewish calendar was obtained from this edition, and dates on when the Gospels were written.)

DAKE’S ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE

Lawrenceville, Georgia: Finis Jennings Dake, 1963.

(Reference was made to the actual translation from the Greek text, comparisons involving the time of events during Jesus’ life on earth, and to information about when the Gospels were written.)

SMITH’S BIBLE DICTIONARY

Grand Rapids Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House.

(Information was obtained from this edition about when the Gospels were written.)

My grateful thanks to Mrs. Lucille Le Roux, who has spent many hours on her computer in putting together the text and has, with a cheerful smile, made the many changes which became apparent as the text unfolded. It has taken approximately three years to finalise the work. Thank you, Lucille.

I would also like to thank my daughter, Megan, for typing the other parts of this book not contained in the main text, and for the research required for publication.

My niece, Colleen Holland, kindly undertook the editing of the introduction and notes. Thank you, Colleen.

Introduction

This book does not seek to replace the Gospels. Rather, it attempts to place the earthly life of Jesus in chronological order by using the four Gospels recorded in the New Testament.

Each verse in the Gospels is either accounted for in the text or in the comparative passages in Appendix 3. However, there are two duplications.

The first is the parable of the mustard seed and leaven. Matthew records this after the parable of the sower, in Matthew 13 vs 31-35. Luke records the same words at a later date before the Feast of Dedication, in Luke 13 vs 18-21.

The second duplication is the lament over Jerusalem. Luke records this after the Feast of Dedication, in Luke 13 vs 34-35, while Matthew records the same words during Jesus’ discourses at the temple after His triumphant entry, in Matthew 23 vs 37-39.

As both duplications appear appropriate where the writers have recorded them, they are included in the text with comparative references.

There are many accounts written about the life and teachings of Jesus, as illustrated in Luke 1 vs 1: "In as much many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which are most surely believed among us".

At the council of Carthage in AD 397, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—together with Acts, the Epistles of Paul, James, Peter, John, Jude and the Revelation of John—were ratified and accepted as scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, and have come down to us as the New Testament.

Matthew, Mark and Luke, the first three of the four Gospels, have much common material. They are known as the Synoptic Gospels, synoptic meaning to share the same general view of the Life and Teachings of Jesus.

However, each Gospel is unique in that it represents and emphasises different aspects of Jesus’ life. Matthew emphasises His Messiahship foretold in the Old Testament; Mark His service to mankind; Luke His humanity; and John His divinity.

The reason for the Life, Sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus was to redeem sinful mankind to God the Creator. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3 vs 16).

We are required to believe, that is, to have a child-like faith; to be obedient to His commandments; and to live by the doctrine (uncontaminated by man) we find in the New Testament.

Not only did Jesus sacrifice Himself for us, but He opened a direct access to God for each one of us. And behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27 vs 51); and Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need (Hebrew 4 vs 16).

Did He not say In this manner, therefore, pray, Our Father in Heaven (Matthew 6 vs 9)?

There will come a time when each one of us will stand before God and give an account of ourselves. For we must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5 vs 10). In Romans 14 vs 11, Paul quotes from Isaiah 45 vs 23: As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God; and in Romans 14 vs 12: So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

We have been given these short years on earth to get to know God, which we can do if we get to know Jesus, for He said If you had known me, you would have known my Father also, and from now on you know Him and have seen Him (John 14 vs 7).

If, through the pages of this book and, more importantly, through study of the Holy Scriptures, you get to know Jesus and our Father through the Holy Spirit, the reason for your own existence will be fulfilled.

In the compilation of this book, the first step used was to compare the arrangement of the Gospels put together by various authorities, which are named under Acknowledgements. However, it was found that this so-named Harmony of the Gospels did not altogether agree with one another. Furthermore, some events that appear to be the same are in fact different. For example, The Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, 6 & 7, and The Sermon on the Plain, in Luke 6 vs 20-49, are placed together but are actually two different sermons that were given at different times.

Therefore, although reference has been made to these authorities, this book has been compiled by the author’s own studies.

The text from the New King James version has been used in the compilation of this book. It includes the fulfilment of Old Testament predictions of the New Testament.

As these events took place some 2000 years ago, one cannot be adamant of the year or month of Jesus’ birth, nor of His subsequent Life on earth.

Accepted dates and probable dates, together with explanatory notes, are also included.

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

CHAPTER 1: PREFACE, NATIVITY AND CHILDHOOD

Accepted Dates: 1 BC to 12 AD

Probable Dates: 6 BC to 7 AD

CHAPTER 2: FROM THE BAPTISM TO THE FIRST PASSOVER

Accepted Dates: 29 AD to March/April 30 AD

Probable Dates: September/October 25 AD to March/April 26 AD

CHAPTER 3: FROM THE FIRST PASSOVER TO THE SECOND PASSOVER

Accepted Dates: March/April 30 AD to March/April 31 AD

Probable Dates: March/April 26 AD to March/April 27 AD

CHAPTER 4: FROM THE SECOND PASSOVER TO THE THIRD PASSOVER

Accepted Dates: March/April 31 AD to March/April 32 AD

Probable Dates: March/April 27 AD to March/April 28 AD

CHAPTER 5: FROM THE THIRD PASSOVER TO THE ARRIVAL AT BETHANY

Accepted Dates: March/April 32 AD to March/April 33 AD

Probable Dates: March/April 28 AD to March/April 29 AD

CHAPTER 6: FROM THE ARRIVAL AT BETHANY TO THE RESURRECTION

From Friday (Thursday evening to Friday evening) to Sunday (Saturday evening to Sunday evening). This period covers nine days.

CHAPTER 7: FROM THE RESURRECTION TO THE ASCENSION

From Sunday to forty days later.

Chapter 1

PREFACE, NATIVITY AND CHILDHOOD

Accepted Dates: 1 BC to 12 AD

Probable Dates: 6 BC to 7 AD

Distant past ages

John 1 vs 1-5 Pre-incarnation of Christ

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1 vs 6-13 Witness of John

⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. ¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹He came to His own, and aHis own did not receive Him. ¹²But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1 vs 14 Incarnation of Christ

¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 1 vs 1-4 Introduction from Luke

(Note 1) 1Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, ²just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, ³it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Accepted date: June 1 BC

Probable date: June 6 BC

Luke 1 vs 5-25 Angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias

⁵There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. ⁸So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, ⁹according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹²And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. ¹³But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷"He will also go before Him in bthe spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ¹⁸And Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years. ¹⁹And the angel answered and said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. ²⁰But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time. ²¹And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. ²²But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. ²³And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. ²⁴Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵"Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

Accepted date: December/January 0 BC/AD

Probable date: December 5 BC

Luke 1 vs 26-38 Angel Gabriel appears to Mary

²⁶Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" ²⁹But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. ³²"He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord cGod will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. ³⁴Then Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I do not know a man? ³⁵And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷For with God nothing will be impossible. ³⁸Then Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Probable date: December/January 6-5 BC

Luke 1 vs 39-55 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth

³⁹Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³"But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." ⁴⁶And Mary said:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,

⁴⁷And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

⁴⁸For He has regarded the lowly state of His

maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will

call me blessed.

⁴⁹For He who is mighty has done dgreat

things for me,

And holy is His name.

⁵⁰And eHis mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

⁵¹He has shown fstrength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the

imagination of their hearts.

⁵²He has put down the mighty from their

thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

⁵³He has gfilled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

⁵⁴He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

⁵⁵As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever."

Accepted date: March/April 1 BC

Probable date: March/April 5 BC

Luke 1 vs 56-66 Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁶And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. ⁵⁷Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. ⁵⁸When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. ⁶⁰His mother answered and said, No; he shall be called John. ⁶¹But they said to her, There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name. ⁶²So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. ⁶³And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. So they all marveled. ⁶⁴Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. ⁶⁵Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, What kind of child will this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Luke 1 vs 67-80 Prophecy of Zacharias

⁶⁷Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

⁶⁸"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,

For He has visited and redeemed His people,

⁶⁹And has raised up a horn of salvation for us

In the house of hHis servant David,

⁷⁰As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,

Who have been since the world began,

⁷¹That we should be saved from our enemies

And from the hand of all who hate us,

⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers

And to remember His holy covenant,

⁷³The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

⁷⁴To grant us that we,

Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

Might serve Him without fear,

⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him all the

days of our life.

⁷⁶"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the

Highest;

For you will go before the face of the Lord to

prepare His ways,

⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited

us;

⁷⁹To give light to those who sit in darkness and the

shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace."

⁸⁰So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Matthew 1 vs 18-25 Birth of Jesus from Matthew

Note 2 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. ²⁰But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. ²¹And she will bring forth ia Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. ²²So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us." ²⁴Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Accepted date 0