“Harmony of the Four Gospels,” Ensign, Sept. 1974, 28
Special Issue: The Lord in the Four Gospels
Harmony of the Four Gospels
Each of the four gospels contributes information, details, and insights not found in the other three. When combined, they present the most complete and accurate picture we have of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Here, the major events concerning the known periods of the Savior’s life are listed, with locations and references given from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Arrangements like this are commonly referred to as harmonies. The exact location of all of the events is not known, but the suggested sequence of events and the general locale of yet unknown places can assist in a better understanding of the life of the Master.
The harmony and its division into periods of the life of Christ is based upon the harmony arranged by J. Reuben Clark, Jr. in Our Lord of the Gospels (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1957). This same work was used for the general arrangement of the lessons in this year’s (1974–75) Gospel Doctrine class. The unit reading assignments for the course are a consolidation of the scriptural references according to the major periods of Christ’s life as presented by President Clark. (The bookmark found in this issue of the Ensign has listed the unit reading assignments for the course.) See also The Four Gospels—Gospel Doctrine Teachers Supplement 1974–75, pp. vii, 1, 3, 15, 23, 37, 43, 65, 73, 83. The expanded format of the events as outlined by President Clark’s work is provided here for a more detailed study of the mortal life of the Savior. Of this arrangement President Clark wrote:
“I have arranged the incidents in a chronological order that seemed generally to represent the majority view of the harmonists consulted. It is not to be assumed that they necessarily represent the true chronological order of the incidents that made up the Savior’s life. It is thought they may approximate that order. It is certain that some would make a different chronological order from the one here used.
“But after all, the precise order of events may not be too material. What Jesus said and what he did, his teaching and doctrines, these are the things that are important.” (Our Lord of the Gospels, p. vi.)
The excellent New Testament works by Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary Volume I: The Gospels, (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1966), and James E. Talmage’s Jesus the Christ present the events of Christ’s life in the same general sequence as given here. Any notable differences have been footnoted in the harmony.
First Period: From Predictions of Jesus’ Mortality to John’s Ministry
(Sunday School Lessons 6–8)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Premortal life | |||||
Annunciation to Zacharias |
Jerusalem | ||||
Elisabeth in seclusion |
Judea | ||||
Annunciation to Mary |
Nazareth | ||||
Mary visits Elisabeth |
Judea | ||||
Joseph’s vision |
Nazareth | ||||
Birth of John |
Judea | ||||
Caesar Augustus decree | |||||
Birth of Jesus |
Bethlehem | ||||
Christ’s Genealogies | |||||
Shepherds |
Bethlehem | ||||
Circumcision |
Bethlehem | ||||
Presentation in the temple |
Jerusalem | ||||
Return to Nazareth |
Nazareth | ||||
Visit of the Magi |
Bethlehem or Jerusalem | ||||
Escape into Egypt |
Egypt | ||||
Slaughter of the babes |
Bethlehem | ||||
Return from Egypt |
Nazareth | ||||
Jesus in the temple |
Jerusalem | ||||
Residence in Nazareth |
Nazareth |
Second Period: From John’s Ministry to the First Passover of Jesus’ Ministry
(Sunday School Lessons 9–13)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Early ministry of John the Baptist | |||||
Beginning of the ministry |
Judea | ||||
Introduction and message of John |
Judea | ||||
John’s preaching | |||||
Announcement of Christ’s coming | |||||
John baptizes Jesus |
Bethabara | ||||
The Temptation |
Judea | ||||
John proclaims he is not the Christ |
Bethabara | ||||
John testifies Jesus is the Christ | |||||
Andrew and Simon meet Jesus | |||||
Philip and Nathanael found | |||||
The first miracle— Cana wedding |
Cana | ||||
Jesus goes to Capernaum |
Capernaum |
Third Period: Early Judean Ministry From the First Passover to the Return to Galilee
(Sunday School Lessons 14–15)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The first Passover— first clearing of the temple |
Jerusalem | ||||
Nicodemus visits Jesus |
Jerusalem | ||||
Returns to Judea |
Judea | ||||
John’s testimony to his disciples |
Judea | ||||
Herod imprisons John |
Machaerus | ||||
Jesus leaves Judea for Galilee |
Judea | ||||
The woman of Samaria |
Sychar | ||||
Jesus goes into Galilee |
Galilee |
Fourth Period: Great Galilean Ministry
A. From the Return to Galilee to the Choosing of the Twelve
(Sunday School Lessons 16–17) 1
NOTE: As used here, “Galilee” refers to a province of Palestine located north of Samaria, stretching eastward to the Jordan River and westward to the Sea of Galilee.
1. Lessons 18–20 were placed in error in Part A of the Great Galilean Ministry instead of in Part B with lessons 21–23. (See The Four Gospels—Gospel Doctrine Teachers Supplement 1974–75, pp. iii, 43.)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preaches in Galilee |
Galilee | ||||
Healing nobleman’s son |
Cana | ||||
Rejected at Nazareth |
Nazareth | ||||
Work at Capernaum |
Capernaum | ||||
Call of Peter, Andrew, James, and John |
Galilee | ||||
An unclean spirit cast out |
Capernaum | ||||
Peter’s wife’s mother healed; many miracles |
Capernaum | ||||
Jesus makes tour preaching |
Galilee | ||||
The leper healed |
Galilee | ||||
One sick with palsy is healed |
Capernaum | ||||
Call of Matthew who gives a feast. |
Galilee | ||||
John’s disciples question about fasting |
Near sea of Galilee | ||||
The second passover |
Jerusalem | ||||
Disciples pluck grain on Sabbath |
Galilee | ||||
Man with withered hand healed |
Galilee | ||||
Withdrawal to the Sea of Galilee | |||||
Ordination of the Twelve |
Galilee |
Fourth Period: Great Galilean Ministry (continued)
B. From the Sermon on the Mount to the Tour in Northern Galilee (Sunday School Lessons 18–23)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sermon on the Mount 1 | |||||
Centurion’s servant healed |
Capernaum | ||||
The son of widow of Nain raised |
Nain | ||||
John sends messengers, questions to Jesus |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus anointed by sinful woman |
Galilee | ||||
Another tour of Galilee |
Galilee | ||||
Blind and dumb man healed |
Capernaum | ||||
Charged with league with Beelzebub |
Capernaum | ||||
Jesus discourses on signs |
Capernaum | ||||
Sought by his mother and brethren |
Capernaum | ||||
Multitudes taught by parables (Sea of Galilee) |
Galilee | ||||
Parable of the sower |
Galilee | ||||
Parable of the seed growing |
Galilee | ||||
Parable of the tares |
Galilee | ||||
Parable of the mustard seed and leaven |
Galilee | ||||
Parable of the tares explained |
Galilee | ||||
Other parables | |||||
Storm stilled (Sea of Galilee) |
Galilee | ||||
Gadarene (Gergesenes) demoniacs cast out |
Gadara | ||||
Return to Capernaum |
Capernaum | ||||
Daughter of Jairus raised |
Capernaum | ||||
Woman with the issue healed |
Capernaum | ||||
Two blind men healed |
Capernaum | ||||
Dumb demonic healed |
Capernaum | ||||
Second rejection at Nazareth |
Nazareth | ||||
Tour of Galilee |
Galilee | ||||
Twelve sent forth— Parable of the soils and stewardships |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus continues His tour |
Galilee | ||||
Herod beheads John 2 |
Machaerus | ||||
Herod thinks Jesus is John |
Galilee | ||||
Twelve report their mission |
Capernaum | ||||
Ministry at Bethsaida |
Bethsaida | ||||
Five thousand fed (near Bethsaida) |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus prevents their making him king |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee |
Galilee | ||||
Discourse to multitude on Bread of Life |
Capernaum | ||||
People in Gennesaret healed |
Gennesaret | ||||
Discourse on cleanliness |
Capernaum | ||||
1. Both McConkie and Talmage indicate the Sermon on the Mount was given after the calling of the Twelve. (See McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Volume I; The Gospels, pp. 14–16, 213–15; and Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 230.) 2. In Talmage’s Jesus the Christ, the story of John the Baptist’s imprisonment to his death is considered as a whole, outside the chronology of events. (See Jesus the Christ, pp. 252–61.) |
Fourth Period: Great Galilean Ministry (continued)
C. From the Retirement into Northern Galilee to the Closing of the Galilean Ministry
(Sunday School Lessons 24, 25)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Journey into northern regions | |||||
Daughter of the Greek woman healed |
Region of Tyre, Sidon | ||||
Return to the Sea of Galilee |
Sea of Galilee | ||||
Deaf man healed |
Decapolis | ||||
Four thousand fed |
Decapolis | ||||
Jesus goes to Magdala (Sea of Galilee) |
Magdala | ||||
Discourses about signs |
Capernaum | ||||
Blind man healed |
Bethsaida | ||||
Peter’s testimony of the Christ |
Region of Caesarea-Philippi | ||||
Teaching to disciples concerning the death and Resurrection |
Region of Caesarea-Philippi | ||||
The transfiguration— conferring of priesthood keys |
Mt. of Transfiguration 1 | ||||
Demoniac healed | |||||
Jesus tours Galilee again |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus asked about tribute money |
Capernaum | ||||
Discourse on meekness and humility |
Capernaum | ||||
Discourse on forgiveness and sealing power |
Capernaum | ||||
Responsibility of those acting for Christ |
Capernaum | ||||
Discourse on sacrifice 2 |
Capernaum | ||||
Seventy sent forth |
Capernaum | ||||
Encouraged to go to Judea—rejected by kinsmen |
Galilee | ||||
Jesus starts for Jerusalem | |||||
1. Mt. Hermon or Mt. Tabor. 2. Jesus the Christ, p. 306, footnote d. |
Fifth Period: Later Judean Ministry
(Sunday School Lessons 26, 27, 28)
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preaching at the Feast of the Tabernacles |
Jerusalem | ||||
Woman taken in adultery |
Jerusalem | ||||
Light of the world and oneness Discourse |
Jerusalem | ||||
Discourse to the Jews about their sins |
Jerusalem | ||||
Seventy return 1 |
Judea | ||||
Two great commandments— parable of the good Samaritan |
Judea | ||||
Jesus visits Mary and Martha |
Bethany | ||||
Instruction to disciples on prayer |
Judea | ||||
Casting out of dumb devil—accused | |||||
Discourse on cleanliness | |||||
Jesus teaches multitude—parable of the foolish rich man |
Judea | ||||
Slaughter of the Galileans, parable of fig tree |
Judea | ||||
Jesus heals man born blind 2 |
Jerusalem | ||||
Parable of the good shepherd |
Jerusalem | ||||
Feast of Dedication—Jesus proclaims Messiahship |
Jerusalem | ||||
1. Talmage lists as a later event, but indicates exact time not known. (Jesus the Christ, p. 427.) 2. This event is presented earlier in the chronology of events by Talmage. (Jesus the Christ, p. 412, footnote i.) |
Sixth Period: Perean Period
(Sunday School Lessons 29, 30, 31)
NOTE: Jesus retreated to the province of Perea, an area of land beyond Jordan, after almost losing his life at the Feast of the Dedication. He preached in the area for approximately three months, converting many. When John the Baptist began his ministry, this area was the first in which he labored.
Event |
Place |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jesus goes beyond the Jordan |
Perea | ||||
Healing on Sabbath of woman 1 |
Perea | ||||
Parable of the mustard seed 1 |
Perea | ||||
Beginning of journey to Jerusalem 1 |
Perea | ||||
Warning about Herod Antipas 1 |
Perea | ||||
Message that Lazarus is sick |
Perea | ||||
Man with dropsy healed on Sabbath 1 |
Perea | ||||
Discourse on sacrifice 1 |
Perea | ||||
Parables: 1 |
Perea | ||||
Lost sheep | |||||
Lost coin | |||||
Return of prodigal son | |||||
Unjust steward | |||||
Discourse on covetousness 1 |
Perea | ||||
Parable of the rich man and Lazarus 1 |
Perea | ||||
Discourse on offense and faith 1 |
Perea | ||||
Raising of Lazarus |
Bethany | ||||
Plot against Jesus |
Jerusalem | ||||
Journey to city of Ephraim |
Ephraim | ||||
Continues journey—Jesus heals ten lepers 1 |
Samaria | ||||
Discourse of Kingdom of God |
Galilee | ||||
Parables: |
Galilee | ||||
Importunate widow 2 | |||||
Pharisee and the publican 1 | |||||
Crosses Jordan into Perea | |||||
Pharisees tempt Jesus 1 |
Perea | ||||
Blesses little children 1 |
Perea | ||||
Rich young ruler asks about eternal life 1 |
Perea | ||||
Parable of laborers in vineyard |
Perea | ||||
Goes before the Twelve, toward Jerusalem |
Perea | ||||
Ambitions of John and James |
Perea | ||||
Blind Bartimaeus healed (near Jericho) | |||||
Jesus stays with Zacchaeus the publican |
Jericho | ||||
Parable of the ten pounds |
Jericho | ||||
Continues toward Jerusalem | |||||
Many seek him |
Jerusalem | ||||
1. Talmage discusses these events in an earlier time sequence (Jesus the Christ, pp. 443–82), but suggests they could have occurred at a later time (p. 490). 2. This parable is treated by Talmage earlier only to illustrate a doctrinal teaching of the Master. He suggests it was given later as shown in the harmony here. (Jesus the Christ, pp. 435–36.) |
Seventh Period: The Week of Atoning Sacrifice
(Sunday School Lessons 32–44) 1
Note: Events during the last week of Jesus Christ’s life occurred within the city walls or in the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem.
Event |
Matt. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jesus comes to Bethany | ||||
First Day of the Week (Sunday) Entry into Jerusalem from Bethany | ||||
Return to Bethany | ||||
Second Day of the Week (Monday) Cursing of the barren fig tree | ||||
Second cleansing of temple | ||||
Return to Bethany | ||||
Third Day of the Week (Tuesday) Discourse on faith | ||||
Question of authority | ||||
Parable of the two sons | ||||
Parable of the wicked husbandman | ||||
Parable of the king’s son | ||||
Question about tribute to Caesar | ||||
Sadducees question about marriage after the resurrection | ||||
Lawyer questions about great commandment | ||||
Jesus asks Pharisees about Christ | ||||
Scribes and Pharisees condemned | ||||
Jesus’ lamentation over Jerusalem | ||||
Widow’s mite | ||||
Sought by Greeks, voice from heaven 2 | ||||
Christ declares purpose of mission | ||||
Discourse on the Second Coming | ||||
Parable of the ten virgins | ||||
Parable of the talents | ||||
Final judgment—sheep and goats | ||||
Betrayal foretold | ||||
Plot to take Jesus | ||||
Simon’s supper; Mary anoints Jesus 3 | ||||
Judas arranges betrayal | ||||
Fourth Day of the Week (Wednesday) Bethany | ||||
Fifth Day of the Week (Thursday) Disciples arrange for Passover meal | ||||
Seating and strife about precedence | ||||
Washing of feet 4 | ||||
Passover meal—Sacrament 5 | ||||
Indication of the betrayer | ||||
Judas leaves the chamber 6 | ||||
Jesus foretells his death | ||||
Peter declares loyalty 7 | ||||
Discourse about the Comforter 7 | ||||
Sing hymn, go to Mount of Olives 7 | ||||
Teaches of relationships to his Father in heaven 7 | ||||
Again explains his impending death 7 | ||||
Great prayer 7 | ||||
Peter to deny Christ three times, disciples declare loyalty 7 | ||||
Prayer of Christ in garden | ||||
Betrayal | ||||
Arrest | ||||
Sixth Day of the Week (Friday) Jesus before Annas | ||||
Sent to Caiaphas—examination, mistreated, Peter’s denial | ||||
Formal trial and condemnation before the Jews | ||||
Judas Iscariot’s death | ||||
Before Pilate | ||||
Before Herod | ||||
Again before Pilate (Barabbas released) | ||||
Crucifixion—superscription on the cross | ||||
First utterances on the cross | ||||
Division of clothing by soldiers | ||||
Mocking, scoffing of rulers | ||||
Furthers utterances from the cross | ||||
Darkness covers the earth | ||||
Last utterances from the cross | ||||
Jesus dies | ||||
Centurion’s testimony | ||||
Jesus’ side pierced | ||||
Burial | ||||
Seventh Day of the Week (Saturday) Guard at the tomb | ||||
First Day of the Week (Sunday) Resurrection—angels open tomb | ||||
Mary Magdalene to the tomb | ||||
Mary tells Peter and John | ||||
Peter and John visit tomb | ||||
Jesus appears to Mary | ||||
Mary tells disciples | ||||
Other women come to the tomb | ||||
Christ appears to the women | ||||
Other women tell the disciples | ||||
Chief priests told of resurrection by guards | ||||
Appears on road to Emmaus | ||||
Appears unto Peter | ||||
Appears to all apostles except Thomas | ||||
Appearances subsequent to those of the first day of the week. Appears to apostles including Thomas | ||||
Appears to disciples at Sea of Tiberias | ||||
Appearance to disciples—Peter | ||||
Appearance to great multitude (1 Cor. 15:6) | ||||
Appears to James (1 Cor. 15:7) | ||||
Appearance to disciples in Galilee (Acts 1:1–8) | ||||
Ascension (in Bethany) | ||||
Disciples return to Jerusalem | ||||
John’s testimony | ||||
1. This period is consolidated into three parts A, B, C in the Sunday School course. 2. Jesus the Christ, p. 518, footnote h. 3. Jesus the Christ, p. 522, Note 5. 4. Jesus the Christ, pp. 592–596. 5. Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Volume I: The Gospels, pp. 716–724; Jesus the Christ, pp. 597–599. 6. Jesus the Christ, p. 619, Note 2. 7. Jesus the Christ, p. 619, Note 4. |