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Page 17: The Life of Christ Following the Harmony of the Gospels
An ongoing series on the life of Christ, following the Harmony of the Gospels found in the Thompson Chain Bible.
We are beginning at Jesus' baptism (paragraph 47) and will continue until His ascension.
The gospel harmonies attempt to place each event of the life of Christ
in order and give the relevant scripture as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
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222: Jesus before Herod- Luke 23:6-12
Luke 23:6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod,
who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long
season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle
done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a
gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at
enmity between themselves
Pilate found no fault in Jesus, but that doesn’t win him any kudos in my book. He had the
power to stop the whole proceeding, but quickly found a loophole by which he hoped to
escape responsibility for the death of Jesus. He would send Him to Herod who had authority
over Galilee. Evidently there had been some jurisdictional disputes between the two. Now
would be a good time to mend that political fence.
Herod had suffered a guilty conscience ever since allowing John the Baptist to be killed. He
had been wanting to see Jesus. Perhaps he would do a miracle for Him. Evidently Jesus
wasn’t up to performing miracles for Herod’s amusement.
Herod questioned Jesus extensively. Even though the chief priests and scribes brought railing
accusation, Jesus said nothing in His defense.
Herod was happy that Pilate had recognized his jurisdiction, but he would rather not have the
responsibility for the death of Jesus either. He sent Jesus back to Pilate. Before doing so, he
curried favor with the frenzied crowd by by joining his cohorts in mocking and abusing Jesus.
They adorned Him in a fine purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate. These two scoundrels
forgot their past difficulties and became friends. What timing!
Back to 222: Jesus before Herod
Down to 224: The Appeal of Pilate’s Wife
223: Pilate’s attempt to Release Jesus
Mt. 27:15-26; Mk. 15:6-15; Lu 23:13-24; Jn.
18:39-40
Jn 18:39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye
therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
At Passover, there was an established custom that the Roman governor (Pilate) would release
on prisoner of the Jew’s choice. Pilate gave the Jews a choice between Jesus, in whom he
stated he could find no fault, and Barrabbas a robber. The crowd demanded that Jesus be
crucified while shouting, “Give us Barrabbas.”
Back to 223: Pilate’s attempt to Release Jesus
Down to 225: Pilate Washes His Hands
224: The Appeal of Pilate’s Wife - Mt. 27:19
Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a
dream because of him
Back to 224: The Appeal of Pilate’s Wife
Down to 226: Pilate Gives the Death Sentence
225: Pilate Washes His Hands - Mt. 27:24-25
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was
made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Pilate’s wife had suffered all night in torment because she could see that her husband was
about to condemn a “just man.” She begged her husband to have no further part in the
proceedings, but to no avail. Pilate the politician, symbolically washed his hands and declared
himself innocent of the blood of Jesus. The crowd cried out, “Let His blood be on us and our
children.”
Back to 225: Pilate Washes His Hands
Down to 227: Jesus Mocked
226: Pilate Gives the Death Sentence
Mt. 27:26-30; Mk. 15:15; Lu. 23:24; Jn. 19:1-16
Pilate tried to get Jesus to defend Himself, but Jesus would not. Pilate stated to Him,” I have
the power to crucify you or set you free. Why not speak up?”
Jesus told him, “You really don’t have any power except that which God has allowed you.”
Pilate asked the Jews if he could give them Jesus as King of the Jews. The crowd cried out
Pilate released Barrabbas, and although he found no fault in Jesus, he still allowed Him to be
scourged and beaten. The soldiers placed a scarlet robe on Jesus and a crown of thorns on His
head. They placed a scepter of thorns in His right hand and while bowing they mockingly
cried “Hail, King of the Jews.”
The crowd reminded him that to recognize Jesus as King would be an insult to Caesar, even
crying out “We have no king but Caesar.’ Considering that the Caesars considered
themselves to be gods, it appears that Jews were actually committing idolatry.
Back to 226: Pilate Gives the Death Sentence
Down to 228: Suicide of Judas
227: Jesus Mocked - Mt. 27:30; Mk. 15:16-20; Jn. 19:1-3
Matthew 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own
raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled
to bear his cross.
The soldiers led a naked Jesus away to be crucified. On th way they continued to mock, spit
on and beat Him, while compelling Him to carry the cross on which He would be crucified.
Jesus fell beneath the load. A passer by named Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry the cross
for Him. I hope that Simon appreciated this honor that was bestowed upon him. I’m
reminded of the words of an old song, “must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go
free.” The song concludes, “No, there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for me.”
Something to consider.”
Back to227: Jesus Mocked
Down to 229-241: The Events of the Crucifixion
228: Suicide of Judas - Mt. 27:3-10; Acts 1:18-19
Judas finally woke up and was sorry, but it was too late. He tried to return the thirty pieces
of silver, but the council refused to take it because it was the price of blood. They purchased a
field to bury strangers. Judas couldn’t find repentance. He committed suicide and was the first
to be buried in the potter’s field. What irony!
Conclusion and Application:
This is the season when the suffering of our Lord is recalled even by the reshowing of
movies that depict the events in graphic detail. That's fine, but for the Christian these events
must be totally embedded in our consciousness. We must remember that Jesus suffered and
died in our stead that we might escape the penalty of our sins.
We live in an age when Christians feel a sense of entitlement, feeling that Jesus will give us
anything we ask. He will, if it advances the goals of His kingdom. He was crucified for the
kingdom, not for my selfish desires. I won't lay the price of earthly success on His back.
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul, who had many earthly attainment. He counted them as
nothing if he could only win Christ. He had already seen Him and heard His voice from
heaven. He was even caught up to heaven and the Lord talked to him there. Yet he said, "I
have not apprehended." He cried out, "Oh that I might know Him in the power of His
resurrection!" He then stated just how that goal could be realized. It was by being made
conformable unto His death (Philippians 3:4-14).
Back to 228: Suicide of Judas
Down to 242 - 251: The Events on Resurrection Day
229-241: The Events of the Crucifixion
Matthew. 27:31-66; Mark. 15:20-47; Luke. 23:53; John. 19:16-42
No matter how vividly one tries to portray the events of the crucifixion, it seems impossible
to comprehend the depths of out Lord’s suffering.
After the consent of Pilate that allowed Jesus to be crucified, Jesus was cruelly mocked by
the Roman soldiers just as he had been by by the Sanhedrin and Herod’s guard. The mocking
by the Roman soldiers continued and was joined in by passers-by, as He hung on the cross. I would imagine that some of the insults hurled at Him were very vulgar and
debased.
As Jesus was being lead away, many women began to wail because of the indignities He was
suffering. Jesus told them that they should rather weep for themselves. The days were not
too far in the future when the inhabitants of Jerusalem would cry for the mountains to fall on
them. This was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and slew one and a half million Jews in just a few days.
Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
Jesus refused to drink a sedative that was offered to Him which consisted of vinegar mixed
with myrrh. He chose instead to experience the agonies of death without relief. By being fully
alert, He also felt a deep sense of rejection by His Father, as He became a sinful curse in our
stead.
Mark. 27:35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon
my vesture did they cast lots.
36 And sitting down they watched him there;
37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE
JEWS.
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the
left.
Jesus was crucified between two thieves who both railed against Him. As He was being
crucified He cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” The four
soldiers assigned to Him divided His garments into four parts. Because His robe was
seamless, they decided to gambled for it rather than to cut it apart. J.W. Shepherd in The
Christ of the Gospels states that while Jesus was being nailed to the cross, the religious leaders
were observing Passover at the temple. When they showed up at the crucifixion site they
protested that Pilate had placed an inscription over Jesus which read, "JESUS OF
NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS." He was probably just getting back at them
because they had out maneuvered him by demanding that Jesus be crucified. At any rate, he
refused to change the inscription, by stating, "What I have written, I have written."
Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him,
saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Jesus endured cruel mockings while hanging on the cross. “He saved others, let Him save
Himself.” “If you be the King of Israel, come down from the cross and we will believe you.”
“Surely God would deliver His own Son?”
Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be
Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in
the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done
nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Both thieves had been railing against Jesus but one of them had a change of heart. He
reminded the other that they both were receiving their just deserts. Jesus however had
done nothing wrong. He then cried out, "Lord remember me when you come into your
kingdom.” Jesus promised the thieve that he would be with Him in paradise, that very day.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary
the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he
saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took
her unto his own home.
The apostle John had stayed near Jesus throughout the ordeal of the crucifixion. He stood
near the cross with several women including Mary the mother of Jesus. Jesus’ own brothers
did not believe on Him at this point. The dying Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to
John, who then took her to his own home.
Luke 23:44 ¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth
until the ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
At noontime darkness descending over the area as Jesus the light of the world was about to
die on the cross. What irony. The darkness lasted until 3:00 P.M. At this time Jesus cried out,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He then stated that He was thirsty. He
was offered some vinegar which He now accepted. This refreshed Jesus just enough that He
was able to cry with a loud voice, “It is finished.” With this said, He died.
Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
When Jesus died, the veil of the temple which was before the Holy of Holies was torn from
the top to the bottom. The veil was very thick, so clearly this was an act of God which
signified that the old order of the law was now ended. Grace was now appearing. Thank God.
Also, there was an earthquake and some of the saints arose from the grave and appeared to
many in Jerusalem.
Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly
this was a righteous man.
One of the hardened centurions had been watching Jesus and observing all that transpired. He
was moved to cry out, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.”
It was the day of preparation for the Sabbath and it was unlawful for anyone to hang on a
cross on the Sabbath. Some soldiers, I assume of the temple guard, asked permission of Pilate
to brake the legs of those on the crosses so that they would quickly die. This they did for the
two thieves, but because Jesus was already dead, they did not break His legs. They did
however, thrust His side through with a spear. From it came forth both blood and water(John
19:34; I John 5:6-8). John was an eyewitness of this event . The scripture was fulfilled that
stated that not a bone of his shall be broken (Psalms 34:30). Also, the piercing was foretold in
scripture with the promise that at some future time those who pierced Him would look upon
him (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7).
v
Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a rich counselor went to Pilate and begged for the body of
Jesus. He placed the the body in his own new unused tomb. He was joined in this effort by
Nicodemus, the one who had come to Jesus by night to inquire of salvation. Nicodemus
brought with him a hundred pound mixture of myrrh and aloes. Together they wrapped the body and the myrrh and aloes in linen and lovingly placed it in the tomb. This followed the burial customs of the Jews of that day.
Matthew 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye
can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
The chief priests and Pharisees remembered that Jesus had promised to rise again in three
days. They feared that His disciples would steal the body and perpetrate a hoax by claiming
that Christ has risen. They asked Pilate to seal the tomb and set a watch over it. Pilate granted
their request and told them to make the tomb as secure as possible.
Links Applicable to this Devotional:
The Cross of Jesus
The Message of the Cross by Pastor Bill Lobbs
Conclusion and Application:
There are many things that I don't really comprehend. I don't know why God decided that sin
could only be remitted by the shedding of blood. But the fact is that is what God ordained, so
it is up to me to accept it or reject it. I accept it wholeheartedly. God laid down the principal
that He would pass over us when He saw the blood.. As the apostle Paul stated, I will glory
in nothing except the cross. As the song says, "I should have been crucified, but Jesus God's
Son took my place." Thank you Jesus!
Men mocked Him then and will still be mocking until the day that He returns. They that
pierced Him will wail, but it will be to late. The Lord Jesus will descend from heaven
exercising vengeance upon them who don't know God and haven't believed the gospel (II
Thessalonian's 1:8).
The thief on the cross was accepted by Jesus upon his repentance. That has not changed.
Jesus said that if any man came to Him He would not cast him out (John 6:37). However, I
believe that the penitent sinner is commanded by scripture to follow through with water
baptism in the name of the Jesus and the infilling of the promised Holy Spirit as set forth in
the second chapter of Acts ( Acts 2:36-42).
Just as the sun refused to shine at Calvary, it will also refuse to shine in the end times (Acts
2:20).
They sealed and guarded the tomb as best they could, but watch out, Sunday's coming.
242 - 251: The Events on Resurrection Day
Complementary Audio clip: The Resurrection of Christ
MP3
RealAudio/Dialup
Par. 242 - 251:The Events on Resurrection Day
Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-14; Luke 24:1-48; John 20:1-31
Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
Pilate had granted the request of the enemies of Jesus to seal the tomb and to set extra guards
so that the tomb could not be entered. All this was to no avail against the power of the
supernatural. The earth began to shake and the angel of the Lord, whose countenance was like
lightening and whose raiment was pure white gave the stone a little push and it rolled away.
The guards were terrified with fright and did nothing to try and prevent the angel from
fulfilling his assignment. That was probably in their best interest. I wonder if any of these
guards were later Christian converts?
Jesus made five appearances on this Resurrection Sunday and five more in Galilee before His
ascension. The events and order of appearances are hard to harmonize between the four
gospel writers. This is not that they are contradictory, but that they do not all give a complete
account. I believe that the gospel of John gives the clearest picture of the four.
John 20:1 ¶ The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark,
unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved,
and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not
where they have laid him.
Mary Magdalene and the other women came early on Sunday morning to anoint the body of
the Lord. They were probably ignorant of the tomb being sealed. It appears that Mary ran
ahead of the group and saw that the stone was rolled back, she assumed that the body of the
Lord had been taken away. She ran back and reported this to Peter and John. Peter and John
had a foot race to the tomb with the younger John being the winner. Upon entry they saw
that the tomb was empty but that the grave clothes were folded and laid out in an orderly
fashion. This ruled out grave robbers. John states that although he was ignorant of the
scripture concerning the Lord’s resurrection, he believed at that point. They both then
departed to their homes.
Mary evidently returned to the tomb and upon entering she saw two angels. One of them
spoke to her and said, “He is not here, He is risen just like He said. Go tell His disciples and
Peter. He’ll meet you in Galilee.” Mary turned and saw a figure whom she thought was the
gardener. She inquired as to where the Lord’s body had been taken. Evidently, the words of
the angel were slow to sink in. Jesus called her by name and all doubt and fear was removed
from her mind. As she and the others ran back to tell the disciples, Jesus met them on the
way, and they worshiped Him there. Mary then reported to the disciples that she had indeed
seen the Lord.
v
Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and
went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Luke gives us an amplified account of Jesus appearing to two downhearted disciples who
were walking on the road to Emmaus. Jesus listened to them and then opened the scriptures
to them of things concerning Himself. They invited Him in to eat and their eyes were opened
as He began to break bread. They beat a hasty retreat for an eight mile trek to Jerusalem to
report to the disciples. They reported to the eleven that the Lord is risen and has appeared to
Peter. I find it odd that Peter is in the group and as yet has said nothing to the others. Paul
also mentions the appearance of Jesus to Peter, but I can’t find any other reference to it in
scripture.
As they were speaking, Jesus entered the room, through the locked door, no less. The group
was terrified, but Jesus showed them His hands and feet. They were overjoyed and didn’t
know just what to believe. Jesus asked for something to eat. As He was eating, He gave
instruction as to just what it all meant.
Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was
yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in
the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise
from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Thomas was absent at this appearance. Later when he was told of it he stated that He would
not believe unless he could put his hands into the wounds on the Lord’s hands and feet. Eight
days later Thomas got his opportunity. He could only exclaim, “My Lord and My God!”
Conclusion and Application:
The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Paul said, If Christ be not risen
Our preaching and our faith is in vain, we are still in our sins.
Josh McDowell pointed out in his book Evidence That Demands a Verdict, that if all the
eyewitnesses of the resurrection were to testify, a jury could reach no other conclusion than
that it was indeed fact. Originally Mr. McDowell had started out to disprove the
resurrection. When he examined the record and the fact that the apostles who were radically
changed after this event, all went to their deaths proclaiming the gospel. In a few short years,
they turned the world upside down.
The resurrection being proven validates all the other claim of Jesus such as His Deity and His
second coming.
It is also of interest that the gospels make mention that Mary Magdalene and the other
women were the first to see Jesus, while the apostle Paul makes no mention of her in I
Corinthians 15 where he lists the appearances of the Lord
You can hear a complementary audio clip of this study at:
The Resurrection of Christ
MP3
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