An Analytical Red Letter Harmony of the Four Gospels

[Pages:301]An Analytical Red Letter Harmony

of the Four Gospels:

A Return to the Historic Text (Authorized Version)

With Chronological Compendium

By Floyd Nolen Jones, Th.D., Ph.D.

1999

KingsWord Press

P. O. Box 130220 The Woodlands, Texas 77393-0220

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An Analytical Red Letter Harmonyof the Four Gospels: A Return to the Historic Text (Authorized Version) ? Copyright 1994-1999 ? Floyd Nolen Jones Floyd Jones Ministries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This book may be freely reproduced in any form as long as it is not distributed for any material gain or profit; however, this book may not be published without written permission. ISBN 0-9700328-1-1

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PREFACE ...

It is important for the Christian to have a reliable text as the basis for his faith and conduct, particularly that portion dealing with the life of its preeminent Personage ? He who is the focus of the entire Biblical message. Thus, a reliable chronological parallel account of the Scriptures covering the events attendant to the life of Christ Jesus must be viewed as a most essential study aid for the student.

The original manuscripts of the New Testament were copied many times. As copies were made from the differing generations of copies, over the years numerous variant readings came to appear in the NT manuscripts. Whereas many of these were merely spelling variations, some were far more serious. These consisted of the omission of words, phrases, clauses, and even entire sentences, verses and paragraphs. Arising either from inadvertent errors of copyists or from the efforts of scholars (whether well meaning or otherwise) intending to correct or "restore" the text, the existence of these variant readings has compromised its integrity in the eyes of both academia and the Church.

This work reflects the original conservative, evangelical view of the conflict which has arisen between the differing schools of thought among textual critics, each having its own presuppositions and methodologies for evaluating the authenticity of a given reading and the relative importance of a given manuscript. Having written two definitive works on the subject, this author is secure in selecting as his base the "Received Text" (Textus Receptus). It is this Greek text and not the recent "critical" text (UBS3 or Nestle/Aland26, the modern Eclectic school's versions of the 1881 Westcott-Hort revised NT text) which was the foundation relied upon by the Reformers and the great revivalists of the past few centuries.

The New Testaments of the King James Bible, The Bishops Bible, the Geneva (English), The Great Bible, Coverdale's, William Tyndale's, Luther's German Bible, Olivetan's French, and many other vernacular versions were derived directly from this Text. It is the "Traditional Text" of the historic Church whose readings have been traced as far back as AD 157 by Dr. Frederick Nolan's distinguished twenty-eight year study (published 1815). Preserved by the Greek speaking Church from the fourth century AD to the present, this text and the versions made from it were ruthlessly suppressed by the Roman church; yet its God-given Text has been preserved by an almighty Providence.

Represented by about 95 percent of the manuscript evidence (not to mention that of the ancient versions, Fathers, and Greek Lectionaries), this Text is in marked contrast to that of the two Romish spiritualists Westcott and Hort and their modern Eclectic counterpart. This latter "critical" text leans almost exclusively (about 98 percent) on but two unique manuscripts of the unreliable Egyptian text type, Codices Vaticanus B and Sinaiticus Aleph. Regarding their readings as having been corrupted, Erasmus and the Reformers knowingly rejected the Gnostic readings of B, Aleph, as well as the other three of the "five old Uncials" (i.e., all capital letter). Indeed, they regarded these dubious "treasures" as the depraved products of scribes who had changed the text to suit their own private interpretations. It is this text which is the unstable, cracked foundation upon which nearly all of today's versions rely. Moreover, as Jerome's Latin Vulgate was founded upon these same uncials, its testimony was also rejected by these men as being a corrupt version.

Unfortunately for the body of Christ Jesus, the "critical" text has dominated the world of scholarship for the past century, hence nearly all Harmony arrangements available to both the Church and general public today reflect one of the versions based upon that corrupt Greek foundation. The few which do hold to the Textus Receptus (KJB) are usually cluttered with numerous footnotes, many of which contain opinions often based upon modern erroneous theories dishonoring both our Lord and the clear content of His Word. The resulting complicated presentation tends to discourage their use, especially by the layman. Indeed, the chronological arrangement all too often has been based upon these theories or contextual oversights, and thus events have frequently not been properly placed.

In offering a solution to this problem, the following proposition is advanced: A systematic unified chronological Harmony of the four Gospels, totally independent of all modern theories of textual criticism and other liberal speculations, can be built based solely upon the internal content of the historic Greek text of the New Testament.

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INTRODUCTION ... The Word of God does not say that we are to merely "read" its contents, it enjoins us to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim.2:15). Toward that end, various preparatory study helps often prove most useful as well as timesaving. As the technical name of a Biblical work, a "Harmony" is, of course, an arrangement of the Scriptures in chronological order so that the mutual agreement of the respective parts may be rendered apparent and thus the true succession of events clearly understood. The configuration is a far different yet comparably useful investigative research apparatus for both the earnest student and scholar. However a word of caution is necessary. Whereas a Harmony offers the obvious advantage of placing all the Gospel accounts along side one another so that the student may piece the entire given story together, a downside does exist. Namely, that having been removed from its Holy Spirit-given placement in a particular Gospel, the specific emphasis which that story or event is intended to set forth or reinforce as seen in the recorded events which precede and/or follow it may be lost. That is, often the event has been uniquely tailored by the Holy Spirit and deliberately placed in a particular setting within each individual Gospel account to establish, strengthen, and/or support the teachings found in the verses surrounding it; thus there is purpose and reason for both the peculiar wording and positioning of the incident. This study is for the student who wishes an uncluttered reference source, one free of distracting and often erroneous remarks, comments, personal judgments, etc.; one in which the footnotes lack faith ravaging references to supposed "scribal errors", "emendations", "restorations", "corrections", etc., in the Text or a supposed Synoptic problem (see Appendix A). Toward that end, a "standard" harmony of the Gospels has been constructed which will address this subject in a Scriptural and scholarly, yet easy to understand, manner. To obtain optimal direct comparison capability, the computer word processor has been fully utilized so that key words in a given Gospel narrative may be placed alongside the same wording in the other Gospel accounts (a feature which was impractical heretofore). The computer also facilitated the inclusion of red lettering for the words of Christ. For these reasons, this "analytical" harmony will prove advantageous as a study aid over previous works such as Kerr's (1903) and Robertson's (1922), long held as standard references in the field. It will be seen that every chronological statement contained in the Sacred Writ is consistent with all other chronological statements contained therein. Nevertheless, this statement is not to be understood as one of finality with regard to the chronological arrangement of the events in the life of Christ Jesus as recorded in the Gospels and found in this or any other Harmony's order. The internal data of this portion of Scripture, as indeed the remainder of the New Testament, is not written in a manner such as to allow for the construction of a Harmony possessing the degree of precise chronological nature as in my earlier publication, A Chronology of the Old Testament: A Return to the Basics. Thus a "standard" Harmony is the above stated goal of this endeavor, not an "absolute" Harmony. This admission, however, should not discourage the user as, for the most part, the majority of other Harmony arrangements are generally similar. Moreover, the individual events recorded in the various Gospel accounts may be viewed in their full content irrespective of the chronological sequence surrounding that particular episode. Of course if the event is chronologically misplaced, the general setting enveloping the event would then be lost and the larger contextual effect diminished. Finally, as the Biblical calendar was established on the arrival of the new moon, the dates in the Compendium and Harmony were derived from a computer calendar program based on that lunar event and developed by two Harvard programmers/astronomers.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHRONOLOGICAL COMPENDIUM OF THE EVENTS IN CHRIST'S LIFE............................. 1

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BEGINNING OF GOSPEL ACCOUNTS UNTO THE PUBLIC MINISTRY.............................. 11

A. Preliminary Facts...................................................................................................... 11

The Word was God ? Pre-existent Christ ? Incarnation...................................................... 11 Luke's Preface.............................................................................................................. 11 Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist................................................. 12 Espousal of Mary to Joseph............................................................................................ 12 Annunciation to Mary of the Conception of Jesus............................................................... 13 Mary visits Elizabeth.................................................................................................... 13 Birth of John the Baptist............................................................................................... 14 Annunciation to Joseph of the Conception of Jesus............................................................. 14

B. Nativity and Youth of Christ Jesus............................................................................ 15

Genealogy of Christ Jesus.............................................................................................. 15 Birth of Jesus.............................................................................................................. 16 Praise of Angels and Adoration by the Shepherds.............................................................. 16 Magi visit Herod seeking new born King of the Jews.......................................................... 16 Adoration of Christ child by the Magi............................................................................... 17 Flight to Egypt.............................................................................................................. 17 Herod slays male children.............................................................................................. 17 Circumcision of Jesus.................................................................................................... 18 Return from Egypt........................................................................................................ 18 Temple presentation ? homage of Simeon and Anna........................................................... 18 Return to Nazareth....................................................................................................... 19 Childhood of Jesus........................................................................................................ 19 Visit of Jesus to Jerusalem at age twelve.......................................................................... 19 The eighteen years at Nazareth...................................................................................... 19

C. John's Youth and Ministry......................................................................................... 20

John's Youth................................................................................................................ 20 John the Baptist begins his Ministry................................................................................ 20

D. Special Preparation................................................................................................... 23

John Baptizes Jesus...................................................................................................... 23 Temptation of Jesus...................................................................................................... 23 John's Witness to Jesus................................................................................................. 25 Jesus calls first five disciples.......................................................................................... 25 Jesus performs first miracle at wedding in Cana................................................................ 26 Jesus visits Capernaum................................................................................................. 26

II JESUS BEGINS PUBLIC MINISTRY (EARLY JUDEAN)...................................................... 27 From the First to Second Passover

First cleansing of the Temple at Passover......................................................................... 27 Nicodemus interviews Jesus during Passover................................................................... 27 The disciples baptize..................................................................................................... 28 John the Baptist's last witness of Jesus........................................................................... 28 John Imprisoned (thus Jesus departs Judea).................................................................... 28 Jesus departs Judea for Galilee through Samaria............................................................. 29 Samaritan woman at Jacob's well................................................................................... 29

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III THE GREAT GALILEAN MINISTRY BEGINS...................................................................... 31

Jesus in Galilee............................................................................................................ 31 Healing son of nobleman................................................................................................ 31 The first rejection at Nazareth....................................................................................... 32 Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum....................................................................... 32 Draught of fish ? Jesus calls four fishers of men............................................................... 33 Demoniac in the synagogue........................................................................................... 34 Peter's mother-in-law healed......................................................................................... 35 Many healed the same evening...................................................................................... 35 The first withdrawal ? prayer........................................................................................ 35 First tour of Galilee...................................................................................................... 36 The healing of a leper................................................................................................... 36 Second withdrawal of Jesus ? prayer............................................................................... 37 Healing of man with the palsy........................................................................................ 37 Matthew's call; feast in his home.................................................................................... 39 Fasting question........................................................................................................... 39 Parable of the wine skins and new wine........................................................................... 40

IV THE YEAR OF POPULARITY ? THE 2ND YEAR OF PUBLIC MINISTRY ............................. 41 From the Second to Third Passover

Feast of the Jews.......................................................................................................... 41 Jesus heals at Bethesda Pool ? His Deity Challenged......................................................... 41 Disciples pluck corn on the Sabbath ? Controversy with Pharisees....................................... 42 Healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath................................................ 43 Multitudes healed by Jesus at Sea of Galilee.................................................................... 44 Choosing of the twelve ? night prayer.............................................................................. 45 Sermon on the Mount................................................................................................... 46 Healing of the Centurion's servant................................................................................... 51 Raising of the son of the Widow of Nain............................................................................ 52 Message from John the Baptist ? John's eulogy................................................................ 52 Jesus upbraids Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida......................................................... 53 Jesus anointed at Pharisee's house by sinful woman.......................................................... 54 Jesus on second tour of Galilee with companions............................................................... 54 Demoniac delivered....................................................................................................... 54 Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.................................................................................. 55

Sign of Jonah ? Scribes and Pharisees seek a sign....................................................... 56 Unclean Spirit returns............................................................................................ 57 Blessed if one keeps The Word.................................................................................. 57 Eye is lamp of the body............................................................................................ 57 Christ's mother and brethren seek to take Him home........................................................ 58

Kingdom Parables by the Sea of Galilee: the Sower.............................................................................................................. 58 the Candle............................................................................................................. 61 the Growing seed.................................................................................................... 61 the Tares............................................................................................................... 61 the Explanation of Tares.......................................................................................... 61 the Mustard Seed.................................................................................................... 62 the Leaven hidden in meal....................................................................................... 62 the Treasure hidden in a field................................................................................... 62 the Pearl of Great Price............................................................................................ 62 the Dragnet........................................................................................................... 62 the Householder ? treasures new and old................................................................... 63 Conclusion of the Kingdom parables.......................................................................... 63

Discipleship tested....................................................................................................... 63 Jesus stills the tempest................................................................................................. 63 Gadarene demoniacs..................................................................................................... 64 Jairus' daughter raised from the dead.............................................................................. 66

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IV

(Year of Popularity ? 2nd yr of public ministry cont'd)

Woman with issue of blood healed................................................................................... 67 Two blind men healed................................................................................................... 69 Dumb demoniac delivered............................................................................................. 69 Jesus' second rejection at Nazareth................................................................................. 69 Third tour of Galilee ? the 12 sent out in pairs................................................................. 69 John the Baptist beheaded by Herod Antipas.................................................................... 72 Apostles return to Jesus and withdraw............................................................................ 73 Feeding of the 5,000 near Passover................................................................................. 74 Jesus walks upon the water............................................................................................ 76 Triumphal healing tour................................................................................................. 77 "I AM the bread of life".................................................................................................. 78

V THE YEAR OF OPPOSITION ? THE 3RD YEAR OF PUBLIC MINISTRY.............................. 81 From the Third to Fourth Passover

Jesus secretly goes to Jerusalem for Passover................................................................... 81 Pharisaic tradition condemned ? Heart ? Corban.............................................................. 81 Syrophoenician woman's daughter healed........................................................................ 83 Deaf, dumb, and others healed in Decapolis...................................................................... 83 Feeding of 4,000............................................................................................................ 84 Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign.......................................................................... 85 Warning against the leaven of the Pharisees..................................................................... 85 Blind man healed at Bethsaida ? "I see men as trees"......................................................... 86 Peter's second confession as to the person of Christ............................................................ 86 First prediction by Jesus of His death and resurrection...................................................... 87 Cost of discipleship........................................................................................................ 87 Transfiguration of Jesus................................................................................................ 88 Elijah shall come first.................................................................................................... 89 Demonized boy delivered after disciples failed................................................................... 90 Jesus again foretells His death and resurrection............................................................... 91 Tax coin taken from fish's mouth..................................................................................... 92

Discourses on: Humility ? "Who shall be the greatest?"...................................................................... 92 Sectarianism rebuked.............................................................................................. 93 Woe on those who cause little ones to stumble............................................................. 93 Warning of Hell...................................................................................................... 93

Lost sheep parable........................................................................................................ 94 Offending and restoration............................................................................................... 94 Unmerciful servant parable............................................................................................. 95 Jesus rejects his brothers' advice..................................................................................... 95

VI THE LATER JUDEAN MINISTRY....................................................................................... 97

Departure from Galilee.................................................................................................. 97 Jesus at Feast of Tabernacles......................................................................................... 97

Opinion divided over Jesus...................................................................................... 98 Nicodemus defends Jesus........................................................................................ 98 Adulteress taken in the act........................................................................................... 98 "I AM the Light of the World - before Abraham was, I Am"................................................. 98 Stoning of Jesus attempted.......................................................................................... 100 Jesus rejected in Samaria............................................................................................. 100 Seventy disciples sent out............................................................................................. 100 The Good Samaritan................................................................................................... 100 Home of Martha and Mary............................................................................................ 101 Model prayer taught to the disciples.............................................................................. 101 Persistent friend parable............................................................................................. 101 Jesus heals man born blind.......................................................................................... 102

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VI

(Later Judean ministry cont'd)

"I AM the good shepherd"............................................................................................. 103 The seventy disciples return......................................................................................... 103 Woes upon the Pharisees............................................................................................. 103 Leaven of the Pharisees................................................................................................ 104 Fear not man ? God cares............................................................................................. 104 "Who made me a judge...?"............................................................................................ 105 Rich fool parable......................................................................................................... 105 "Take no thought for your life"...................................................................................... 105 Watchful & wise servant.............................................................................................. 105 Christ divides ? discern................................................................................................ 105 Repent or perish......................................................................................................... 106 Barren fig tree parable................................................................................................. 107 Healing on Sabbath of Infirm woman (18 yrs).................................................................. 107 Mustard seed & Leaven parables taught a second time..................................................... 107 Feast of the Dedication................................................................................................. 107 Stoning attempted for the second time............................................................................ 108 Jesus withdraws to Perea............................................................................................. 108

VII CIRCUITOUS JOURNEY THROUGH PEREA TOWARD JERUSALEM............................... 109

Travel toward Jerusalem.............................................................................................. 109 The straight gate................................................................................................... 109 Jesus warned of "that fox" Herod Antipas.................................................................. 109 First lament of Jesus over Jerusalem....................................................................... 109 Man with Dropsy healed on Sabbath........................................................................ 109 Great Supper parable and the ambitious guest.......................................................... 110 Cost of discipleship............................................................................................... 110

Parables: Lost Sheep (2nd)................................................................................................ 111 Lost Coin.......................................................................................................... 111 Prodigal son and loving father............................................................................. 111 Unjust steward.................................................................................................. 112

Pharisees covetous................................................................................................. 112 Rich Man & Lazarus the old beggar......................................................................... 113 Discourse on forgiveness, faith and duty................................................................... 113 Lazarus of Bethany raised from the dead........................................................................ 113 Caiaphas etc., conspire to slay Jesus.............................................................................. 115 Jesus withdraws......................................................................................................... 115

VIII FINAL JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM VIA GALILEE, SAMARIA & PEREA........................... 117

Ten lepers healed......................................................................................................... 117 The Kingdom is within................................................................................................ 117 Persistent widow parable............................................................................................. 117 Pharisee and publican parable...................................................................................... 118 From Galilee into Perea............................................................................................... 118 Divorce issue taught.................................................................................................... 118 Jesus blesses children.................................................................................................. 119 Rich young ruler......................................................................................................... 120 One-hundred fold reward............................................................................................. 121 Parable of the Laborers................................................................................................ 121 Death and Resurrection predicted ? the third time.......................................................... 122 Ambitious mother of James and John............................................................................ 122 Blind Bartimaeus and another healed............................................................................ 123 Zacchaeus the publican of Jericho converted................................................................... 124 Parable of the pounds.................................................................................................. 124 Last Passover at hand................................................................................................. 125

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