Part 1

No detail omitted or repeated Study Edition ˃ Charts showing harmonization of key passages

˃ Scripture references in body of text

The NET Bible Synthetic Harmony of the

Gospels Study Edition

Jerry Peyton, ed.

Biblical Studies Press

Richardson, Texas

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CONTENTS

PREFACE ........................................................................................................ 5

INTRODUCTION TO THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST ................................................ 9

BIRTH & CHILDHOOD OF JESUS [5 BC] ............................................................. 10

YEAR ONE: PREPARATION & BEGINNING [AD 28-29] ..................................... 16

MINISTRY IN JUDEA [AD 29] ............................................................................. 19 MINISTRY IN GALILEE ....................................................................................... 22 MINISTRY BEYOND GALILEE ............................................................................. 24 BACK IN GALILEE .............................................................................................. 24

YEAR TWO: A YEAR OF POPULARITY [AD 30] ................................................. 26

CONTINUED MINISTRY IN GALILEE .................................................................. 26 SERMON ON THE MOUNT ............................................................................... 27 CONTINUED MINISTRY IN GALILEE .................................................................. 31 FOCUS ON PARABLES ....................................................................................... 33 CONTINUED MINISTRY IN & AROUND GALILEE ............................................... 35 MINISTRY IN JUDEA ......................................................................................... 38 BACK IN GALILEE .............................................................................................. 39

YEAR THREE – INTENSIFIED REJECTION [AD 31] ............................................. 44

CONTINUED MINISTRY IN GALILEE .................................................................. 44 MINISTRY IN PHOENICIA & DECAPOLIS ............................................................ 45 MINISTRY AROUND THE SEA OF GALILEE ......................................................... 45 MINISTRY IN & AROUND JERUSALEM .............................................................. 46

YEAR FOUR: FOCUSED ON THE CROSS [AD 32] .............................................. 53

BACK IN GALILEE .............................................................................................. 53 HEADING TO JERUSALEM ................................................................................ 57 JUDEA .............................................................................................................. 57 HEADING NORTH TOWARDS GALILEE .............................................................. 66 NORTHERN SAMARIA/SOUTHERN GALILEE ..................................................... 69 PEREA .............................................................................................................. 69 BETHANY.......................................................................................................... 71 JERICHO AREA .................................................................................................. 72

LAST DAYS ON EARTH [AD 33] ...................................................................... 75

SATURDAY – APPROACHING JERUSALEM .............................................................. 75 SUNDAY – ENTERING JERUSALEM ......................................................................... 75 MONDAY .......................................................................................................... 77 TUESDAY .......................................................................................................... 77

Jesus Foretells the Future ............................................................................ 82 THURSDAY ....................................................................................................... 87

The "Upper Room" ....................................................................................... 87 Mount of Olives ........................................................................................... 90 FRIDAY ............................................................................................................. 93

Trials ............................................................................................................ 95 Crucifixion .................................................................................................... 99 SATURDAY/SUNDAY ...................................................................................... 102

The Resurrection ........................................................................................ 102 LAST 40 DAYS ................................................................................................. 104

APPENDICIES ............................................................................................. 108

I. BIBLICAL ABBREVIATIONS USED ................................................................. 108 II. ISSUES & STRATEGIES IN HARMONIZING THE GOSPELS............................. 109 III. HARMONIZING REJECTION AT NAZARETH ................................................ 112 IV. HARMONIZING CALLING DISCIPLES AT SEA OF GALILEE ........................... 113 V. HARMONIZING SERMON ON THE MOUNT ................................................ 114 VI. HARMONIZING HEALING BLIND MEN AT JERICHO ................................... 116 VII. HARMONIZING JESUS' PREDICTIONS OF THE FUTURE ............................. 117 VIII. HARMONIZING UPPER ROOM TO GETHSEMANE ................................... 120 IX. SIX TRIAL STAGES ...................................................................................... 122 X. HARMONIZING TRIALS & DENIALS ............................................................. 123 XI. HARMONIZING ANOINTING OF JESUS' BODY ........................................... 126 XII. HARMONIZING VISITS TO TOMB .............................................................. 127

NOTES ...................................................................................................... 129

PREFACE I began compiling the four Gospels into one narrative when I taught the Gospels at a Christian high school. While I understood the unique value of each Gospel, I wanted students to see the flow of Christ's life. And they appreciated not having to read every verse in all four Gospels, some of which are repeated almost verbatim. I also read a one-year chronological Bible and was amazed at how much I learned. After reading, studying and teaching the Bible for fifty years I saw things I hadn't seen before because I saw them in their historical context. The Bible flowed more like a story or movie than a collection of books. But I was frustrated at having to read the exact same accounts in different books—especially the historical books of Kings and Chronicles. It was then I decided to compile my own chronological harmony of the Gospels—not because other harmonies do not exist or that I can produce a better harmony, but because doing it would force me to deal with the text myself. Editor's Qualifications I have an MA in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and an MA in faith and culture, with an emphasis in international human rights, from Trinity International University. I gave my first sermon when I was fifteen, over fifty years ago, and have been a pastor or bible teacher ever since, including teaching Bible at a Christian college and high school. I did not formally study Greek or Hebrew and am not qualified to do Bible translation work, which is why I use the NET Bible for this harmony. Types of Harmonies In his article, "Is Harmonization Honest?" Dale Ellenburg describes four types of harmonies:

Radical harmonizing suppresses variant details in one text by replacing them with preferred wording drawn from another version. Radical harmonizing tends to produce a uniform official version of a saying or story in separate Gospels. A synthetic harmony expands a text by adding details from one account to another to produce a conflated version that is not identical with any one source. Sequential harmonizing preserves two or more versions of the same material as separate incidents in the same narrative. This produces repetitions of sayings and stories that literary critics call "doublets." . . . a parallel harmony presents two or more versions of the same account side by side in a synopsis for easy comparison. a

For more information see Appendix II. "Issues & Strategies in Harmonizing the Gospels." Sources Used While I sought to harmonize the four Gospels by evaluating every verse myself, I also used other harmonies for comparison and for the chronological framework:

Cheney, Johnston M. The Life of Christ in Stereo, Portland: Multnomah, 1969. (Sequential) • Cheney, Johnston M. & Ellisen, Stanley. The Greatest Story. Portland: Multnomah, 1994. (Sequential) • The One Year Chronological Bible (NLT). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1996, 2004. (Parallel) • Cox, Steven & Easley, Kendall. HCSB Harmony of the Gospels. Nashville: Holman Bible, 2007. (Parallel) • Robertson, A T. A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ: Based on the Broadus Harmony. San Francisco: Citizens Bank, 1950. (Parallel) a Steven Cox & Kendall Easley, HCSB Harmony of the Gospels (Nashville: Holman Bible Pub., 2007) 3.

Jackson, Jeffrey Glen. Synopsis of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. (Parallel) This is a Synthetic Harmony of the Gospels

No details have been omitted. For example, when different words are used in different Gospels referring to Jesus in the same event, the alternative words are put in parenthesis. Nothing is repeated that is not repeated within the same Gospel, including some things that sequential harmonies repeat because the details are different in different Gospels.

A four-year ministry of Jesus is adopted rather than the traditional three-year. I found the arguments for a four-year ministry by Johnston Cheney in his The Life of Christ in Stereo to be compelling. See Appendix IV (pp. 226-236) of his book for a detailed explanation.

o The chronology of much of the Gospels is not known. I have relied heavily on Cheney's chronology, while differing significantly from him in some instances. o This harmony flows like a movie script, where movement from one place or topic to another is geographically and topically logical. Chronology or sequence clearly stated in the text, such as "the next day," are maintained.

For specific events or teachings, the Gospel with the most detail is used primarily, adding in details from other Gospels. This is Not a "Perfect Harmony"a

No attempt is made to produce a "perfect harmony" that claims to resolve all the differences in the gospel accounts. My conclusion is that a perfect harmony of the four Gospels where there are no differences in details (numbers, time, sequence, pronouns used, etc.) is an illusionary goal.b There is evidence of differences in the most reliable New Testament manuscripts available, but this does not need to lessen the belief in and commitment to the supernatural origin and infallibility of the New Testament, including the inerrancy of the original autographs. But even those originals, which we do not have, most likely contain many of the same differences in details we encounter in the earliest manuscripts available today.

Difficulties in harmonizing details in the Gospels must be examined in light of the claims of the New Testament writers and Jesus himself.

o "Every scripture is inspired by God" (2Tm 3:14-16). o Peter's reference to Paul's letters as "scripture" and "truth" (2Pt 3:15-17). o "No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet's own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2Pt 1:15-21). o Jesus' prayer to the Father: "Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth" (Jn 17:17). o Jesus: "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place" (Mt 5:18).

"What is at stake here is whether we have the ipsissima verba (the actual words of Jesus) or the ipsissima vox (the essential voice). There is no question that historians often record the voice of a character without due diligence to his very words at some points."c a See Appendix II. "Issues & Strategies in Harmonizing the Gospels" for a more detailed explanation.

b Differences not simply where one account adds or leaves out details in other accounts but where the details given differ from Gospel to Gospel.

c Dale Ellenburg, "Is Harmonization Honest?" in Cox & Easley, 4.

o The differences regarding exact words, including those of Jesus or God, are numerous. "This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight" (Mt 3:17) vs. "You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight" (Lk 3:22). Which was it? We don't know and it doesn't make any difference. And it doesn't seem to matter to God. o All the differences in the Gospels put together do not affect in the slightest any theological or historical fact/truth. Let's not strain at gnats and miss the camels.

The sequence of events in the four Gospels are very different, leading to the conclusion that neither the Gospel writers nor God who inspired them were always concerned about recording exact chronology. The Gospels are four concise biographies that have condensed and rearranged several years of events and teaching into a few pages without changing the truth of anything that was said or happened— because the writers were "carried along by the Holy Spirit."

No Gospel harmony can be produced without significantly rearranging the sequence of events in each Gospel. No chronology can be determined with certitude. The goal in chronologically arranging Scripture is to provide a flowing narrative presenting a clearer historical perspective.

Admitting to the existence in the earliest/best manuscripts available of variations in details does not automatically open the door to dismissing the accuracy of the Gospels. "Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?" by James Arlandson (https://bible.org/seriespage/12-are-there-contradictions-gospels) is an excellent explanation of how to view these differences. His references for further study are extremely valuable in addressing specific difficult issues of biblical accuracy.

o Coming to grips with the differences/variations in biblical accounts of the exact same event may challenge our understanding of what it means for the Bible to be the inspired word of God. But it is better for us to work that out for ourselves than blindly accept someone else's conclusions. And it is far better to ask questions and diligently seek answers than remain a child who depends on his parents' convictions. Wolves love going after such innocent, gullible children.

Appendices are included showing how some of the more difficult passages were harmonized. Textual Explanations

Text in parentheses ( ) are either in the NET Bible as parentheses or they are alternate words used in the various Gospels, i.e. "Lord", "Master", "Teacher", or "Rabbi" all referring to the same incident.

Text in brackets [ ] are not in the NET Bible but are inserted by the editor as connectives for enhancing the flow of the narrative or words for clarification.

Study Edition: For quick reference checks and explanations o Footnotes (a) on the bottom of pages and explanatory notes (1) at the end of the book o Scripture references placed in topical headings and within the body of the text

Reader's Edition: For a book-like format o Notes (1) at the end of the document (footnotes having been changed into endnotes) o Scripture references placed only in topical headings, not within the body of the text My hope is that this Gospel harmony will both fill a need and stimulate a thirst to know Jesus Christ better. I would encourage teachers and pastors to consider using such a harmony for new believers and Bible students— instead of telling them, "Begin by reading John's Gospel," which skips over much of the life of Jesus. Why not begin with the whole enchilada? Why not start at 30,000 feet to get the big picture before examining the trees?

Why not get to know Jesus Christ better by reading his life, ministry and teaching as one magnificent, unbelievable but true adventure? The greatest adventure story of all time.

Jerry Peyton Tucson, AZ - 2015

INTRODUCTION TO THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST Luke's Preface (Lk 1:1-4)

Lk 1:1 Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning. 3 So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know for certain the things you were taught. The Beginning (Mk 1:1; Jn 1:1-16)

Mk 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jn 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.

6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was created by him, but the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God's children 13 —children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by God.

14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. 15 John testified about him and shouted out, "This one was the one about whom I said, 'He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me.' "

16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.

Genealogy of Jesus: Joseph's Lineage (Mt 1:1-17)

Mt 1:1 This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah (by Tamar), Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz (by Rahab), Boaz the father of Obed (by Ruth), Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

David was the father of Solomon (by the wife of Uriah), 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15 Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.

Genealogy of Jesus: Mary's Lineage (Lk 3:23-38)

Lk 3:23 Jesus was 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 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 Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, 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 Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of 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 Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

BIRTH & CHILDHOOD OF JESUS [5 BC]

Birth Announcement of John the Baptist – Jerusalem, Judea (Lk 1:5-25)

Lk 1:5 During the reign of Herod king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and he had a wife named Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, following all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. 7 But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.

8 Now while Zechariah was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the holy place of the Lord and burn incense. 10 Now the whole crowd of people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 An angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense, appeared to him. 12 And Zechariah, visibly shaken when he saw the angel, was seized with fear.

13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John. 14 Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."

18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well." 19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place."

21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they began to wonder why he was delayed in the holy place. 22 When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the holy place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was over, he went to his home.

24 After some time his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she kept herself in seclusion. She said, 25 "This is what the Lord has done for me at the time when he has been gracious to me, to take away my disgrace among people."

Birth of Jesus Announced to Mary – Nazareth, Galilee (Lk 1:26-38)

Lk 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!"

29 But Mary was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting. 30 So the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! 31 Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end."

34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?" 35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.36 And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age—although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! 37 For nothing will be impossible with God."

38 So Mary said, "Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

Mary and Elizabeth, Mary's Hymn of Praise - Judea (Lk 1:39-56)

Lk 1:39 In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, 40 and entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! 43 And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? 44 For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled."

46 And Mary said, "My soul exalts the Lord, 47 and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior, 48 because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; 50 from generation to generation he is merciful to those who fear him. 51 He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, 55 as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

56 So Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home. Birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:57-66) Lk 1:57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother replied, "No! He must be named John."

61 They said to her, "But none of your relatives bears this name." 62 So they made signs to the baby's father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed.

64 Immediately Zechariah's mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about. 66 All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the Lord's hand was indeed with him.

Zechariah's Praise and Prediction (Lk 1:67-80) Lk 1:67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people. 69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant— 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. This oath grants 74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God's tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

80 And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

Birth of Jesus Announced to Joseph – Nazareth, Galilee (Mt 1:18-25)

Mt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately.

20 When Joseph had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

22 This all happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will name him Emmanuel," which means "God with us."a

24 When Joseph awoke from sleep he did what the angel of the Lord told him. He took his wife, 25 but did not have marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus.

The Birth of Jesus – Bethlehem, Judea (Lk 2:1-7)

Lk 2:1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.

a Isa 7:14; 8:8, 10

6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The Shepherds' Visit (Lk 2:8-20)

Lk 2:8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!"

15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. 17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. 19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. 20 So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.

Jesus at the Temple: Simeon & Anna – Jerusalem (Lk 2:21-39)

Lk 2:21 At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord"a), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.b

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,

29 "Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: 32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

33 So the child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!"

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 37 She had lived as a widow since then for eightyfour years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Visit of the Wise Men1 – Bethlehem (Mt 2:1-12)

Mt 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem 2 saying, "Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for it is written this way by the prophet:

6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah,a for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' "b

7 Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well." 9 After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star they shouted joyfully. 11 As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

Escape to Egypt (Mt 2:13-18)

Mt 2:13 After the wise men had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to look for the child to kill him." 14 Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and went to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: "I called my Son out of Egypt."c

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud wailing, Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone."d Return to Nazareth (Mt 2:19-23; Lk 2:40)

Mt 2:19 After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 saying, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." 21 So he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee. 23 He came to a town called Nazareth and lived there. Then what had been spoken by the prophets was fulfilled, that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

Lk 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

a Mic 5:2

b 2 Sam 5:2

c Hos 1:11

d Jer 31:15

Jesus in the Temple at Twelve [AD 8] (Lk 2:41-52) Lk 2:41 Now Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day's journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

49 But Jesus replied, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.

YEAR ONE: PREPARATION & BEGINNING [AD 28-29] Ministry of John the Baptist [AD 28, Fall] – Jordan River, Judea (Lk 3:1-18; Mt 3:1-12; Mk 1:1-8)

Lk 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the wilderness region of Judea around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, Mt 3:2 proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

3 For he is the one about whom Isaiah the prophet had spoken:

Mk 1:2 "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, Who will prepare your way,a the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Lk 3:5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be brought low, and the crooked will be made straight, and the rough ways will be made smooth, 6 and all humanity will see the salvation of God.' "b

Mt 3:4 Now John wore clothing made from camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. 5 Then people from Jerusalem, as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him, 6 and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, 9 and don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 10 Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Lk 3:10 So the crowds were asking him, "What then should we do?" 11 John answered them, "The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise."

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 He told them, "Collect no more than you are required to." 14 Then some soldiers also asked him, "And as for us—what should we do?" He told them, "Take money from no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your pay." 15 While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I am is coming after me—I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire."

18 And in this way, with many other exhortations, John proclaimed good news to the people. Baptism of Jesus - Jordan River2 (Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-23)

Mk 1:9 Now in those days Mt 3:13 when all the people were baptized, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. 14 But John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?"

a Mal 3:1

b Isa 40:3-5

15 So Jesus replied to him, "Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John yielded to him.

16 After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water and praying, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending on him in bodily form like a dove. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight."

Lk 3:23 So Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years old. Temptation of Jesus - Wilderness (Mt 4:1-11; Lk 4:1-15; Mk 1:12-13)

Lk 4:1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River and was led—driven—by the Spirit into the wilderness, Mk 1:13 with wild animals. Mt 4:2 After he fasted forty days and forty nights, eating nothing, Jesus was famished. 3 The devil, the tempter, came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."

4 But Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "a

Lk 4:9 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, had him stand on the highest point of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' 11 and 'with their hands they will lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "b

Mt 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Once again it is written: 'You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.' "c Lk 4:5 Then the devil led him up to a very high mountain and showed him in a flash all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. 6 And he said to him, "To you I will grant this whole realm—and the glory that goes along with it, for it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. Mt 4:9 I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! For it is written: 'You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' "d

Lk 4:13 So when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from Jesus until a more opportune time. Mt 4:11 Then angels came and began ministering to his needs.

Testimony of John the Baptist – Bethany, across the Jordan River (Jn 1:19-34)

Jn 1:19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

20 He confessed—he did not deny but confessed—"I am not the Christ!" 21 So they asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not!" "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No!" 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 John said, "I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord,'e as Isaiah the prophet said."

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 So they asked John, "Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, 27 who is coming after me." 28 These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing.

29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one about whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.' 31 I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining—this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God."

First Disciples (Jn 1:35-42)

Jn 1:35 Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. 36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37 When John's two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them, "What do you want?"

So they said to him, "Rabbi" (which is translated Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39 Jesus answered, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. Now it was about four o'clock in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which is translated Christ).

42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

Return To Galilee (Jn 1:43-51)

Jn 1:43 On the next day Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 (Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.) 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46 Nathanael replied, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip replied, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, "Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!"a

48 Nathanael asked him, "How do you know me?" Jesus replied, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!" 50 Jesus said to him, "Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 He continued, "I tell all of you the solemn truth—you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Turning Water into Wine – Cana, Galilee (Jn 2:1-12)

Jn 2:1 Now on the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no wine left."

4 Jesus replied, "Woman, why are you saying this to me? My time has not yet come." 5 His mother told the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it."

a An allusion to Ps 32:2

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washing, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, "Fill the water jars with water." So they filled them up to the very top. 8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the head steward," and they did.

9 When the head steward tasted the water that had been turned to wine, not knowing where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!"

11 Jesus did this as the first of his miraculous signs, in Cana of Galilee. In this way he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this Jesus went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there a few days.

MINISTRY IN JUDEA [AD 29]

Cleansing the Temple [Spring] - Jerusalem (Jn 2:13-22)

Jn 2:13 Now the Jewish feast of Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables. 15 So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

16 To those who sold the doves he said, "Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father's house a marketplace!" 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will devour me."a

18 So then the Jewish leaders responded, "What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things?" 19 Jesus replied, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again." 20 Then the Jewish leaders said to him, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and are you going to raise it up in three days?"

21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 So after he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken.

"You Must Be Born Again" (Jn 2:23-3:21)

Jn 2:23 Now while Jesus was in Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover, many people believed in his name because they saw the miraculous signs he was doing. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. 25 He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.

3:1 Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, 2 came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time, can he?"

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must all be born from above.' 8 The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus replied, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don't understand these things? 11 I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you people about earthly things and you don't believe, how will you a Ps 69:9 believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,a so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.

Jesus Exalted by John the Baptist - Jordan River, Judea (Jn 3:22-36)

Jn 3:22 After this, Jesus and his disciples came into Judean territory, and there he spent time with them and was baptizing. 23 John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming to him and being baptized. 24 (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

25 Now a dispute came about between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew concerning ceremonial washing. 26 So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you testified—see, he is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to him!"

27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but rather, 'I have been sent before him.' 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete. 30 He must become more important while I become less important."

31 The one who comes from above is superior to all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is superior to all. 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The one who has accepted his testimony has confirmed clearly that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he does not give the Spirit sparingly.

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God's wrath remains on him.

John the Baptist Imprisoned, Jesus Leaves for Galilee3 (Lk 3:19-20; Jn 4:1-4; Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14a)

Lk 3:19 When John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil deeds that he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked up John in prison. Mt 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, Jn 4:1 and knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was winning and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself was not baptizing but his disciples were), 3 he left Judea and set out once more for Galilee. Jn 4:4 But he had to pass through Samaria.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – Samaria, N of Judea (Jn 4:5-26)

Jn 4:5 Now Jesus came to a Samaritan town called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, so Jesus, since he was tired from the journey, sat right down beside the well. It was about noon.

7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me some water to drink." 8 (For his disciples had gone off into the town to buy supplies.)

a An allusion to Num 21:5-9

9 So the Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you—a Jew—ask me, a Samaritan woman, for water to drink?" (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, "If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, 'Give me some water to drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

11 "Sir," the woman said to him, "you have no bucket and the well is deep; where then do you get this living water? 12 Surely you're not greater than our ancestor Jacob, are you? For he gave us this well and drank from it himself, along with his sons and his livestock."

13 Jesus replied, "Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life."

15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water."

16 Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back here." 17 The woman replied, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "Right you are when you said, 'I have no husband,' 18 for you have had five husbands, and the man you are living with now is not your husband. This you said truthfully!"

19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem."

21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You people worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

25 The woman said to Jesus, "I know that Messiah is coming" (the one called Christ); "whenever he comes, he will tell us everything."

26 Jesus said to her, "I, the one speaking to you, am he."

Workers for the Harvest (Jn 4:27-42)

Jn 4:27 Now at that very moment his disciples came back. They were shocked because he was speaking with a woman. However, no one said, "What do you want?" or "Why are you speaking with her?"

28 Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can't be the Messiah, can he?" 30 So they left the town and began coming to him.

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." 33 So the disciples began to say to one another, "No one brought him anything to eat, did they?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Don't you say, 'There are four more months and then comes the harvest?' I tell you, look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest! 36 The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together. 37 For in this instance the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor."

39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the report of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. He stayed there two days, 41 and because of his word many more believed.

42 They said to the woman, "No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world."

MINISTRY IN GALILEE

Welcomed in Galilee (Jn 4:43-45; Lk 4:14-15; Mk 1:14b)

Jn 4:43 After the two days Jesus, Lk 4:14 in the power of the Spirit, Jn 4:43 departed from there to Galilee and Mk 1:14 proclaimed the gospel of God. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him because they had seen all the things he had done in Jerusalem at the feast (for they themselves had gone to the feast).

Lk 4:14 News about Jesus spread throughout the surrounding countryside, 15 and he began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by all.

Rejected in Nazareth (Lk 4:16-30; Mt 13:53-58; Mk 6:1-6)a

Lk 4:16 Now Jesus, with his disciples following him, came to Nazareth, his hometown where he had been brought up. He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom, and began to teach the people. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."b

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then Jesus began to tell them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read."

22 All were speaking well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. Mk 6:2 They said, "Where did he get all these ideas? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands? 3 Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Joseph and Mary, and brother of James, Joses (Joseph), Judas, and Simon? And aren't his sisters here with us? Mt 13:56 Where did he get all this?"

23 Jesus said to them, "No doubt you will quote to me the proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself!' and say, 'What we have heard that you did in Capernaum, do here in your hometown too.' " 24 And he added, "I tell you the truth, Mk 6:4 a prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own house."

Lk 4:25 Jesus continued, "In truth I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's days, when the sky was shut up three and a half years, and there was a great famine over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to a woman who was a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, yet none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."

28 When they heard this, all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage Mk 6:3 and took offense at him. Lk 4:29 They got up, forced him out of the town, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But he passed through the crowd and went on his way.

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