Harmony of the Gospel (Conservative Version) shorter form Chapters 1-7
One
| Chapter 1 Prologue | Bible texts |
|---|---|
| Peace be with you. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one! Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Friend of God; that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed. The beginning of the everlasting Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (which is, being interpreted, Jesus Anointed, the Son of God). In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we saw, and our hands touched, concerning the Word of life (and the life was revealed, and we have seen, and testify, and declare to you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was revealed to us); that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. For God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, who, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels as the more excellent name he has inherited is better than theirs. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain of transfiguration. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. But grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him. Without controversy, the core mystery of truly godly religion is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life. "This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. Let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth; for I delight in these things,” says the LORD. No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up in the sight of all, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God. He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Not everyone who calls him, "Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of his Father in heaven. God will pay back to everyone according to their works: to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath, indignation, oppression, and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. For there is no partiality with God. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent”: “Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?” Belief by itself, if it has no works, is dead. You say you believe in God. Even the demons believe—and they shudder. As a body without the spirit is a dead corpse, so belief without works is dead. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world. And he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. But Jesus said to them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” He said, “My Teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the Teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.” And he said, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.” “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot endure to hear my word. Whoever is of God hears the words of God; the reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! |
John 20:19e Matthew 28:19, 20c Mark 12:29b Luke 1:1-4 Mark 1:1 Revelation 14:6b John 1:1-5 Luke 1:1-4 1 John 1:1-4 Hebrews 1:1-4 2 Peter 1:16-18 John 1:14b John 1:16-18 1 Timothy 3:16 John 1:10-13 1 John 2:23-25 John 17:3 Jeremiah 9:24 John 3:13-21 John 3:31-36 Matthew 7:21 Romans 2:6-11 John 6:29 Luke 6:46 James 2:17, 19 1 John 4:14 Mark 16:14b John 20:21 Luke 10:16 John 7:16-17 John 14:23 John 8:43, 47 Revelation 3:20 Revelation 22:20c Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9b; Luke 8:8b, 14:35b |
Two
| Chapter 2 | Bible texts |
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As it is written in the prophets,
there came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense. The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
“and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.” Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, before the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.” The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the Temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the Temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. She was consecrated to the Lord as a perpetual virgin according to the law of the Lord; and possessing an inheritance of her father according to the law of the Lord, a descendant of David according to the flesh, she was pledged to be married to one of the family of the tribe of her father, according to the law of the Lord. And Joseph, of David's house, was a just man who feared the Lord, and according to the law of the Lord he would not make void her consecration to the Lord. Having come in, the angel said to her, “I salute you, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” For she was consecrated to the Lord. The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her. And the Word became flesh, and lived among us. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,
When He brings in the firstborn into the world He says,
Now, as it is written in the law of the Lord, according to the law of the Lord:
Mary arose in those days and went from Galilee south into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah called Ain Karim, just southwest of Jerusalem, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.” And Mary stayed with her about three months. Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. Then Mary returned to her house. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. He made signs to them and asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled. His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God, and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people; and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to Abraham, our father, to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him. |
Mark 1:2-3 John 1:6-9 Luke 1:5-38 John 1:14a Hebrews 10:4-7 Hebrews 1:6 Numbers 30 Leviticus 27:1-8 Leviticus 22:1-3 Numbers 36:8-9 Luke 1:39-56a Luke 1:57 Luke 1:56b, 58-64, 67-79, 65-66 |
Three
| Chapter 3 | Bible texts |
|---|---|
Now the birth of Jesus Christ occurred this way (Christ means Anointed): After his mother, Mary, was betrothed to Joseph as his wife, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. As it is written in the law of Moses,
But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
which is, being interpreted, “God with us.” Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; and did not know her sexually at any time before she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus (which means, “God saves”). Now this is an account of the ancestry of Joseph, son of David. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the son of Heli, according to what is written in the law of the Lord,
And Jacob was the half-brother of Heli, according to Eusebius, born of one woman, Estha their mother, who was wife to Matthan and to Matthat, first to one and then to the other, in succession; for the law of Moses does not forbid a widow to marry again. Thus Jacob the son of Matthan of the house of David became the father of Joseph, the son of Heli the son of Matthat of the house of David. And this is the genealogy of Joseph, son of David. The sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream: six were born to him in Hebron; and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. All these were the sons of David. These are the heads of the clans of the house of David. David became the father of Solomon. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah. Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. And Jacob became the father of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David. Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, made later when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. But Joseph moreover went up from Galilee, out of his own city, the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. As it is written in the law of Moses,
As it is written,
And
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them. When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Behold the blood of the Lord! Begone, you hostile powers! His name shall be called in Israel, Yeshua ben David, ben Avraham, ben Adonai, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Jesus Anointed, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Now the number of the name of David by the reckoning of gematria is fourteen. And this is the reckoning of the generations. Abraham, one, became the father of Isaac, two. Isaac became the father of Jacob, three. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers, four. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, five. Perez became the father of Hezron, six. Hezron became the father of Ram, seven. Ram became the father of Amminadab, eight. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, nine. Nahshon became the father of Salmon, ten. Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab, eleven. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth, twelve. Obed became the father of Jesse, thirteen. Jesse became the father of King David, fourteen. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife, one. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, two. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah, three. Abijah became the father of Asa, four. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat, five. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram, six. The son of Joram was Ahaziah, seven. The son of Ahaziah was Joash, eight. The son of Joash was Amaziah, nine. The son of Amaziah was Azariah, also called Uzziah, ten. (But Joram was the father of Uzziah.) Uzziah became the father of Jotham, eleven. Jotham became the father of Ahaz, twelve. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah, thirteen. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, fourteen, the first of that generation deported to Babylon. (The king of Assyria took Manasseh in chains, bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.) Manasseh became the father of Amos, who was called Amon, the second generation. Amon became the father of Josiah, the third generation. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, the fourth generation, at the time of the exile to Babylon, according to what is written,
After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, one. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel, two. Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud, three. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, four. Eliakim became the father of Azor, five. Azor became the father of Zadok, six. Zadok became the father of Achim, seven. Achim became the father of Eliud, eight. Eliud became the father of Eleazar, nine. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, ten. Matthan became the father of Jacob, eleven. Jacob became the father of Joseph, twelve. Joseph became the husband of Mary, thirteen (a full generation younger than he). From Mary was born Jesus, who is called Christ, Anointed, fourteen. When the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, the Anointed, fourteen generations. Now, as it is written in the Law of the Lord:
When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord,
and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ, the Lord's Anointed. He came in the Spirit into the Temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, about one hundred and six years, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, about the age of fifteen, and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who did not depart from the Temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem. |
Matthew 1:18-19 Deuteronomy 24:1 Matthew 1:20-25 Matthew 1:16a Luke 3:23b Deuteronomy 25:5-6 1 Chronicles 3:1-9a Matthew 1:6b-16a Luke 3:24-31 Luke 2:1-7 Leviticus 12:2 Leviticus 15:19-23 Leviticus 15:31 Luke 2:8-21 Luke 1:55 Matthew 1:1-8 1 Chronicles 3:11-12 Matthew 1:9-10a 2 Chronicles 33:11 "brought him to Babylon" Matthew 1:10b-11 Genesis 15:16a Matthew 1:12-16 Galatians 4:4-5 Matthew 1:17 Leviticus 12:1-4 Luke 2:22-38 |
Four
| Chapter 4 | Bible texts |
|---|---|
| Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, two years later wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ, the Anointed One, would be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” Having heard the king, they went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went on ahead of them, and they did not see it before it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw the young toddler-child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there up to when I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and was there up to the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.” He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee. When they had thus accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. He came and lived in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets:
which means “Branch”. As it is written in Isaiah,
And in Jeremiah,
and,
And Zechariah:
The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. As it is written in the Psalms,
|
Matthew 2:1-22 Luke 2:39 Matthew 2:23 Isaiah 11:1 Jeremiah 23:5 Jeremiah 33:15 Zechariah 3:8c Zechariah 6:12b Luke 2:40 Psalms 80:17 |
Five
| Chapter 5 | Bible texts |
|---|---|
| Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting in the middle of the Teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Jesus, from infancy having known the holy Scriptures, said to them:
“What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not grab on to it, and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” “Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? “David himself says in the book of Psalms,
"David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?” One of the scribes asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “The greatest is,
"This is the first commandment. The second is like this,
"There is no other commandment greater than these.” When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” They did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men, according to what is written,
All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” Now Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ, died. And Jesus himself, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, when he began, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. So all the generations from Adam to Jesus are seventy-seven generations: from Adam to Enoch seven generations, and from Enoch to Shelah seven generations, and from Shelah to Abraham seven generations, and from Abraham to Admin seven generations, and from Admin to David seven generations, and from David through Nathan to Joseph seven generations, and from Joseph to Joshua seven generations, and from Joshua to Shealtiel seven generations, and from Shealtiel through Rhesa son of Zerubbabel to Mattathias seven generations, and from Mattathias to Joseph seven generations, and from Joseph to Jesus seven generations. |
Luke 2:1-47 2 Timothy 3:15a Matthew 12:11-12 Matthew 12:3-5 Luke 20:42-44 Mark 12:28-31 Luke 2:48-52 Proverbs 3:3-4 Luke 4:22 Matthew 1:16b Luke 3:23a Romans 1:3b Luke 3:23b-38 |
Six
| Chapter 6 | Bible texts |
|---|---|
| And the child John, the son of Zecharias and Elizabeth, was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert to the day of his public appearance to Israel. He was by birth a priest descended from Aaron the priest, the brother of Moses, of the sons of Levi son of Jacob, called Israel.
In A.D. 20, Parthian generals conquered the regions of northern India and declared independence to form the “Indo-Parthian Kingdom.” Roman-Parthian relations had become increasingly centered on Armenia, which was geopolitically situated between the Roman Empire and Parthia, Rome’s implacable foe in the east, "the kings of the east". In both Crassus’s and Antony’s campaigns (ending 53 and 31 B.C., near the end of the Roman Republic in 27 B.C.), the Armenians had already played an influential role in the early history of Roman-Parthian relations; the Armenian king had a large role as a guide, and “betrayer,” as some sources state. Since the reign of Augustus Caesar, it had been Roman policy to appoint vassal kings there and so make Armenia a buffer state against Parthia and the kings of the east. An advance on Armenia from one side was often interpreted as a pretext for war by the other. Throughout the remaining history of Roman-Parthian relations, Armenia would have the role of a “buffer state” between the two powers. Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. He who sent him to baptize with water said to him, “On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying,
As it is written in the Book of the Words of Isaiah the Prophet,
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey, he ate locusts and wild honey. Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan, all the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.” The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.” Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.” As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, the Anointed One, John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire, whose winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! Do not think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. “I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.” If you are willing to receive it, John is Elijah, “who is to come.” As it is written in the book of the prophet Malachi,
And,
It is as the angel Gabriel sent from God declared to Zacharias concerning John before he was conceived, “He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
“and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.” |
Luke 1:80 Luke 3:1-2 John 1:33b Matthew 3:1-2 Luke 3:3 Matthew 3:3 Luke 3:4-6 Mark 1:4 Matthew 3:4-6 Mark 1:5-8 Luke 3:7-18 Matthew 3:7-12 Matthew 11:14 Malachi 4:1, 5-6 Luke 1:19 adapted Luke 1:13b adapted Luke 2:21 adapted Luke 1:17 (see Luke 1:11-19) |
Seven
| Chapter 7 | Bible texts |
|---|---|
| Then in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him; and Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan. Now when all the people were baptized, and Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying; when Jesus was baptized, he went up directly from the water. Immediately on coming up from the water, the sky was opened. He saw the heavens parting, and behold, the heavens were opened to him! He saw the Spirit, the Spirit of God descending as a dove, descending like a dove and alighting on him. The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him, and a voice came out of the sky, saying, "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased." Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness of Judea west of the Jordan. And John cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, westward. And then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he was there in the wilderness for forty days. He fasted forty days and forty nights, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; tempted by the devil; and he ate nothing in those days. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, when they were completed, he was hungry; he was hungry afterward. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written,
The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written,
He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, for it is written,
"and,
Jesus answering, said to him, “It has been said,
The tempter came close and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
"and,
Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written,
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written,
Then, when the devil had completed every temptation, the devil left him; he departed from him awaiting another time. And behold, angels came and served him; and the angels were serving him. To which of the angels did he say at any time,
and again,
When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says,
Of the angels he says,
But of the Son he says,
And,
But which of the angels has he told at any time,
Are they not all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. |
Mark 1:9a Matthew 3:13-15 Mark 1:9b Luke 3:21a Matthew 3:16a Mark 1:10a Luke 3:21b Mark 1:10b Matthew 3:16b Mark 1:10c Matthew 3:16c Luke 3:22a Mark 1:11 Luke 3:22b Matthew 3:17 Mark 1:12 John 1:15 Luke 4:1a Matthew 4:1 Luke 4:1b-2a Mark 1:13ab Matthew 4:2a Luke 4:2b Matthew 4:2b Luke 4:2c-12 Matthew 4:3-11a Luke 4:13 Hebrews 1:5-14 Luke 4:14a |
Original Conservapedia Edition revised and completed 5/19/2018 vigil of Pentecost—developed by Michael Paul Heart and the editors of Conservapedia.
