[Lineage of Jesus through Joseph to Abraham.]
14 generations from Abraham to David, vs.2-6;
14 generations from David to Babylon captivity, vs.6-11;
14 generations from Babylon captivity to Christ, vs.12-16.
Espoused to Joseph, Mary with child of the Holy Spirit. Intending to put her away privately, Joseph has a dream, with an angel revealing God's will and subsequent marriage, unconsummated until after Christ's birth. Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us), born to save His people from their sins.

[Jesus' Birth.] Wise men's visit. Herod and the entire city are troubled. His deceptive inquiry and request of the wise men to locate the Christ-child. Wise men's star-guided journey. Jesus is found and worshiped. Warned in a dream, wise men depart for their own country. Joseph, also warned in a dream, flees with Mary and Jesus into Egypt until Herod's death. Herod's ordered slaughter of children under age two. Herod's death. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return from Egypt, turning aside to live in Nazareth of Galilee, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus being called a Nazarene.

[John the Baptist's Ministry.] Preaches repentance in the wilderness to all Jerusalem, Judea, and Jordan, with many confessing their sins and baptized. Confrontation and rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees. John's testimony to Christ. Jesus comes upon the scene, baptized reluctantly by the Baptist. Descension of the Spirit. Testimony to Christ by the voice of God.

[Jesus' Temptation.] Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, fasted forty days and nights, then hungered, tempted by Satan. First two to prove His identity, third to give allegiance to Satan. Refuted by scripture on each occasion. Satan departs. Angels minister to Jesus. John is imprisoned; Jesus goes to Capernaum in Galilee. Begins to preach. (Repentance His first message.) Calls Peter and Andrew by Galilee to be fishers of men, then James and John. Teaches in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing many. His fame spreads and great multitudes follow Him, from Decapolis to Jerusalem and beyond Jordan.

[Sermon on the Mount to His Disciples and Multitude, Chapters 5-7.] Eight basic beatitudes. First four deal with vertical relationship with God; second four, horizontal relationship with fellow man. Examples given are: the salt of the Earth and the light of the world. He has come not to destroy the Law, but to elevate it from a legal carnal plane to a spiritual moral one and to fulfill it. He uses six familiar laws to teach this new meaning: Murder, Adultery, Divorce, Swearing, Revenge, and Neighborly Love. Challenges all to perfection (of heart) as their Father in Heaven. (Commandments of the Law are for the carnal; commandments of Love are for the spirit.)

[Sermon Continued.] Expands on above teachings by contrasting three basic practices of the wise man and the hypocrite. Each practice to be done in secret before God and He will reward openly: (1) Almsgiving, (2) Prayer (Model Prayer), and (3) Fasting. Now expands on vs.8. Let your affection and labor be for Heaven and His righteousness, and He will take care of your earthly needs: food, drink, and clothing. This truth is illustrated with His care for all His creation; the birds and lilies of the field are given as examples. One should have a single eye only, fixed toward heaven, not a second looking upon the things of this Earth. (One's heart should never follow after his carnal eye, Job 31:1; Prov.7; 11:4.) Redeem today (sanctify your time to God), for all the days on Earth are filled with evil. God holds the events of tomorrow.

[Sermon Continued.] He turns the focus of His teaching to man's attitude and practices toward others, continuing to contrast the wise man and the false prophet. Only the wise will see first to his own house before helping others, seeking both knowledge and wisdom to be applied where it is gratefully needed, knowing of the narrow entrance into the way of eternal life. The foolish and false prophet, teaching others but lacking knowledge and wisdom themselves, seeking gain, bearing evil fruit, stumble with many through a broad gate that easily leads to destruction. Two basic responses to His sermon: (1) Be wise, do His words and live ( Rev.22:14); or (2) be like the foolish: ignore them and perish. It is each's own choice! [End of Sermon on the Mount.]

[His Sermon completed, Jesus descends the mountain and demonstrates His willingness to touch the unclean made clean by the Father: the leper, a Gentile, and Peter's fevered mother-in-law.] Confronted by a leper, Jesus touches, heals, commands him to tell no one, and go for ceremonial cleansing according to Mosaic Law. (First charge to secrecy.) Next a Roman centurion's servant, a Gentile, is healed, with Jesus commending his great faith. (Greater than found in all Israel.) Foretells Gentiles coming in faith and Israel's judgment because of their unbelief. Faith is the key, in any age, to all who will hear and live, as demonstrated by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now this Gentile centurion. In Peter's home, Jesus touches and heals his mother-in-law of a deadly fever. Many are brought for healing. The Great Physician does a great work. (Exorcism, healings, etc.) Pressed by a great multitude, He wishes to cross Galilee. A scribe and another desire to follow. Jesus demands total self-denial for discipleship, then departs in a ship with His chosen disciples. A great tempest reveals the little faith of the disciples and the great power of Jesus that astonishes them both: Jesus, at their little faith, and they, at His great power. Healing of (2?) Gaderean demonics. Exorcised demons possess and drive swine to their death, upsetting the local citizens who request Him to leave their country. (First opposition.)

[Healings of Faith.] Back in Capernaum, heals a palsied man and forgives his sin. (First mentioned.) Immediately accused by scribes of blasphemy. (Second Opposition.) Jesus confounds them, stating the purpose of healing: a sign that his sins are forgiven also. Many marvel that God has given a man such power. Matthew (Levi) the publican is called. (5th disciple.) Jesus eats in his home with many publicans and sinners, about which his disciples are questioned by the Pharisees. Jesus challenges them to understand to whom He is sent to minister and why. (They, seeing themselves whole, do not need Him.) John's disciples question His disciples' lack of fasting compared to their own. Jesus answers: they are not ready to receive that which comes from fasting. (He is with them now, but will later be in them.) The vessel has to be made ready to receive the new wine. Interrupted, He is called away with His disciples (#?) to raise Jarius' daughter from death. (First of three resurrections recorded.) As He is en route, a woman with a twelve year blood ailment is healed at her touch of His garment. (All miracles of healing are attributed to each's own faith Christ so recognizes and honors.) His fame grows. Two blind men are healed by their faith; ordered to tell no one, can't keep it hidden, and His fame increases. (Second charge to secrecy.) A dumb man is healed of a demon, speaks, amazing all. Pharisees attribute His work to Satan. Jesus' teaching in the synagogues, preaching the kingdom, and healing, continues in the cities and villages. Moved by the press and needs of the multitude, He challenges the disciples to pray for shepherds and laborers for the great harvest of needy souls before them.

[12 disciples now chosen as apostles.] They are given power over demons, diseases, and sicknesses, and are to give it as freely as they received it. Named: Peter and Andrew (brothers), James and John (brothers), Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael?), Thomas and Matthew (Levi), James (son of Alphaeus) and Thaddaeus (Judas, brother or son of James), Simon (Canaanite, or Cananaean, meaning, "zealot"), and Judas Iscariot. Commissioned and sent forth with instructions: to the house of Israel (no Gentiles yet); preach the kingdom; heal the sick; trust God for daily needs; bless the home opened to them; leave a witness against those who turn them away; be wise and trust God for their counsel and safety; always remember that the disciple is never above his master; if He is despised, they will be also; let their light shine before men and preach openly; be not ashamed of their message of Him; it will divide loyalties; whoever loses his life in Him will find it eternally; and finally, remember, rewards will come to the one who is never weary in well-doing.

[Jesus teaches and preaches in their cities.] From prison, John sends two of his disciples to confirm Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus sends them back to testify that His works are sufficient proof. Jesus' testimonial to others of John's life, witness, and purpose. He rebukes His false accusers and upbraids the cities because of their failure to repent. (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum named.) Jesus' prayer of thankfulness for God revealing Himself through Him only, and only to those who will hear, not through worldly wisdom. Issues a call to the weary and heavy laden. In Him alone can be found the rest in which the soul is in search.

[Christ engages the Pharisees, key vs.12.] The disciples are accused to Jesus of breaking the Sabbath (corn incident). Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Compassion and mercy have priority. Heals a man with a withered hand in their synagogue. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, demonstrating again mercy and compassion have priority. (Pure religion knows no limits.) Pharisees now begin plotting to kill Jesus. (First mentioned.) Detecting this, He withdraws Himself, with a great multitude following. He heals many. (Third charge to secrecy so prophecy might be fulfilled that the Gentiles also might have the opportunity to obtain salvation.) Deaf and dumb man healed of an evil spirit, causing the Pharisees to accuse Jesus of operating in the power of Satan. (Second blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.) Jesus rebukes them. He is come to bind Satan and reclaim His Father's creation. Anyone who is not with Him is against Him. Defines the unpardonable sin. (Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, or attributing to Satan the works of God done in the power of the Holy Spirit.) A tree is known by its fruit. Man's own words will either justify or condemn him. The scribes (lawyers) and Pharisees ask a sign from Him. Rebuking them, He uses Jonah's experience as a sign of His death and resurrection. Those who heard and believed in the past ages to rise in judgment of these for failing to hear a greater messenger than any previous. The end result of the man cleansed and reentered by unclean spirits. Jesus' family arrive asking for Him (thinking He is mad?). Pharisees are told all who obey His Father, as He does, is His family, pointing to His own disciples as examples.

[Parabolic teachings (8).] Followed by a great multitude, He enters a ship by the shore to address them using parables (8). (Parables are for the disciples' understanding, not the multitude. He who has an ear to hear will be converted.) (1) Sower. (2) Tares. (3) Mustard seed. (4) Leaven. (Jesus gives the purpose of the parables again to reveal the hidden mysteries of God.) Dismissing the multitude, He enters a home and explains the tares upon the disciples' request. (5) Hidden treasure. (6) Pearl of great price. (7) Net. (8) Householder. Departs for Nazareth. Teaches in their synagogue. Astounded, they reject His authority, reminding Him of His lowly origin in their town. Mother and brothers named: Mary (mother), James, Joses, Simon (brothers); sisters not named. Jesus unable to do any significant work due to their unbelief.

[Feeding of 5,000.] Herod the Tetrarch (Herod the Great's son), ruler of Galilee and Perea, hears of Jesus. Ascribes to John the Baptist mighty works, who is seen as a prophet from old and spared until his evil wife's daughter requests John's head at his birthday. Upset, Herod complies. After burying John, his disciples report to Jesus. He draws aside by ship into a desert place. A crowd follows. Evening approaches, and the disciples are concerned for the crowd's hunger. Five loaves and two fishes are found and brought to Jesus upon His request. He blesses and distributes them. Five thousand men plus women and children fed. Twelve baskets are leftover. (First feeding.) Sends disciples away by ship, and crowd dispersed home. Goes aside alone into a mountain to pray. (First chance since learning of John's death.) Peter's experience of walking on water at the fourth watch (3-6 a.m.). Now all confess Jesus as the Son of God. They arrive in Gennesaret. A crowd comes, bringing many to be healed, exhibiting great faith.

Disciples are again accused by scribes and Pharisees (of Jerusalem) to Jesus of breaking ceremonial law (unclean hands). Jesus turns the accusation back to them, pointing to their own guilt (law of korban dishonoring parents), calling them hypocrites whose hearts are far from God. Turning to the multitude, He takes this occasion to illustrate that it is what proceeds outward from within man's heart that defiles him, not what goes into his body. His disciples inform Him of the Pharisees' offense taken at His words. He leaves them to His Father's judgment; He knows them and their hearts. ( Jn.2:24-25) Surprised at their request for explanation, Jesus gives further understanding of His words. Departs to coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Encountered by a woman acknowledging His authority who pleads for the healing of her demonic daughter. The disciples desire her to be sent away. (She is a Gentile.) Jesus responds to her faithful petition. Travels now to a mountain at the Sea of Galilee. Multitudes come, experience many miracles of healing, wonder, and glorify God. (Key vs.31) Now there three days, He feeds them (4,000 men plus women and children) using seven loaves and a few fishes. Seven baskets leftover. (Second feeding.) Jesus goes alone by ship to the coasts of Magdala.

Pharisees, as others before ( 12:38), with Sadducees, seek a sign. Again He rebukes their shallow insight, giving only the sign of Jonah as before and leaves them. Disciples come. Jesus warns them of the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees, which they fail to understand. Because they were worried over forgetting to bring bread, Jesus rebukes their little faith, reminding them of the two earlier displays of God's provisions. In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus inquires of them whom the multitudes think He is. (Opinions vary: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, other prophets?) Peter is questioned of his understanding. He confesses: the Son of God. Jesus acknowledges that he could only have known by the Father revealing it to him. Now knowing of the Father's revelation to them only, He further reveals His upcoming passion in Jerusalem and the triumphant work of His Church. Charges them to secrecy for now (His being the Christ). Disturbed at this revelation, Peter rebukes Him. Jesus rebukes Satan, lays down the cost of discipleship, and reveals His future day of glory. (First mention of the cross.)

With Peter, James, and John, Jesus goes up into a mountain. (Mt. Hermon?) Witnessed by the three disciples, He is transfigured. Seeing Moses and Elijah with Jesus, they desire to build a tabernacle for each. God speaks to them. They fall to the ground. Jesus touches them, and looking up, they see only Him. Charges them to secrecy. Explains prophecy of Elijah (John the Baptist), and speaks again of His passion. Back down from the mountain, Jesus is met by a man with a demonic son, accusing His disciples (other nine?) of being unable to help him. Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith and heals the son, explaining why they had failed. (Unbelief, lack of prayer, and fasting.) Speaks again to them of His death and resurrection, to their great sorrow. In Capernaum a question of tribute arises. Peter confesses it is the duty of strangers. (Citizens are free from this tribute. Jesus, a stranger in His own country and world!) Instructs Peter to catch the fish holding a coin to pay for them all, including Himself.

Disciples are rebuked by Jesus over their question concerning who is the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus sets a child in their midst for teaching on humility and a stumbling block to others. Teaches them the purpose of His Earthly life and importance of one lost person (sheep). Identifies the steps of reconciliation with a brother. (Second teaching on authority of the Church. Quorum for a Church given: two or more gathered in His name. Judaism assembly = 10 men.) Peter inquires of the number of times necessary to forgive a brother: seven times, thus fulfilling Mosaic law? Jesus replies: seven times seventy unlimited mercy using a parable of a king and an unmerciful servant. Our Father will forgive us as we forgive others. Forgiveness must come from the heart!

Departs Galilee for Judea beyond Jordan (Perea), healing many. Pharisees attempt to discredit Him with legal question on divorce. His answer does not give them occasion for criticism. (Man and wife are one flesh. Fornication the only exception given for divorce.) Disciples question the benefit of marriage in such cases. Jesus teaches that not all are born for a wife, and some are born who choose to live unto others or God. After disciples rebuke those who bring children to Jesus, He rebukes them and blesses the children, likening them to the kingdom. A rich young ruler seeks eternal life, to whom Jesus points out what he has yet to do. (Sell all, give to poor, and follow Him.) He goes away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus points out how this illustrates the difficulty it is for the rich to enter the kingdom. (Contrast this with the children earlier.) Peter inquires about their position in the kingdom. Jesus answers specifically and generally. (Twelve thrones to rule Israel; and each is required to forsake all to gain Heavenly reward and eternal life.)

Continues teaching them using the parable of the vineyard workers. Some are hired early and some late. All receive the same reward; the last are first and the first last, to which the first complain. The householder is fair and free to do as he will with his own. All had agreed to their reward, therefore, another's is of no concern to anyone else. ( Jn.21:22) Jesus takes the disciples aside en route to Jerusalem to warn them of His impending hour of trial. James and John's mother requests a special favor of Jesus for her sons in the kingdom, to which He replies: it is not His to give, reminding them again the order of greatness. The other ten disciples are offended. Leaving Jericho, a multitude follows, rebuking two blind men calling out to Jesus. Yet through their persistence, Jesus is moved to heal them, and they follow.

From Mt. Olivet, Jesus sends two disciples to a village for a donkey and colt waiting for them. (Fulfillment of Zech.9:9.) Riding upon it, with the crowd throwing garments and tree branches in front to walk on, and singing Hosannas, Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He proceeds to the Temple where He drives out the moneychangers. Many blind and lame are healed; and children again cry Hosannas. The chief priest and scribes, highly indignant, question Jesus of their enunciation. He refers them to scripture and departs to Bethany for the night. Returning the next morning, hungry, He curses a barren fig tree, instructing His disciples in the power of undoubting faith. At the Temple, He is questioned by the chief priests and elders of His authority. Turning the question back to them, He does not answer, but relates a parable of two sons and a vineyard, contrasting them to John the Baptist. Employs another parable: the wicked husbandman. Finally realizing He was talking about them, they desired to seize Him, but wouldn't, fearing the crowd who perceived Him a prophet.

Continues speaking to them in parables. Parable of a king's son. (Universal call only those with wedding garment permitted to enter.) Pharisees conspire to trick Christ, sending others to question Him. (Concerning tribute to Caesar.) His reply astounds them, giving them no room for false charges. Sadducees now attempt words with Him concerning marital relations in the resurrection, themselves not believing in it. He confounds them with scripture. The Pharisees try again, questioning which is the greatest commandment; and Jesus responds that the first two embody all others. He questions them now of their knowledge of the Christ, leaving them in stunned silence.

Jesus denounces the Pharisees' works, warning the crowd to do as they say but not as they do, for what they do is for personal glory and recognition. Call no one Master or Father, but the One who is in heaven. Eight woes pronounced upon the scribes and Pharisees for their false doctrine and hypocritical lives. They are as guilty as their fathers who killed the prophets, from Abel to Zecharias. A judgment to come to present generation. Laments over Jerusalem's past unwillingness to hear the prophets.

In awe of its splendor, the disciples draw Jesus' attention to the Temple buildings now nearing completion, and He informs them of its impending destruction (A.D.70). At Mt. Olivet, again the disciples desire and are instructed in end time events. (Antichrists, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, suffering in His name, apostasy, false prophets, greater sin, gospel preached to all the world, Abomination of Desolation, tribulation, escape of the righteous, false christs, and His own sudden appearance.) Parable of the fig tree. God's word is sure! No one knows when except God. Conditions will be as in Noah's day. A warning to live watchful, remaining faithful, ready at all times. A caution not to presume upon His time.

He illustrates this truth with three parables: (1) Ten virgins (five wise and five foolish), (2) five, two, and one talents, (3) Sheep and goats (separated to eternal life or everlasting punishment).

His teachings now completed two days before Passover, He predicts His betrayal. Jewish rulers plot to kill Him, but must wait until after Passover (fearing crowd's response). At Bethany, in Simon's (leper) home, an unnamed woman anoints Jesus' head while He dines. Jesus rebukes His disciples' objection to her actions and decrees a memorial to her throughout the ages. Judas now goes to the chief priests and contracts for 30 pieces of silver to betray Christ. Christ gives instructions for the meal on the first day of Passover. (Last Supper) In the evening, at the meal, Judas is again present, this time confronted by Christ. The Lord's Supper instituted. They sing a hymn (Ps.118?) and go out to Mt. Olivet. Impending events are foretold (his death, resurrection, and their denial). At Gethsemane, he sets Peter, James, and John aside to watch and pray while He goes up farther; and with great sorrow, He prays. Three times this is done, while rebuking His disciples for falling asleep. Judas, with the chief priests and elders, arrive armed. Peter impulsively severs a servant's ear. After rebuking him, Jesus turns to upbraid the priests for their secrecy in coming for Him. The disciples flee. Peter follows at a distance as Jesus is led to Caiaphas (high priest and the Council). False witnesses are sought and two found who accuse Him of speaking against the Temple. Jesus remains silent. Caiaphas asks if He is the Christ. Jesus' answer leads them to finally condemn Him to death, now beginning to mock and torment Him. Peter's denial and repentance follows.

Now morning, Jesus is taken to Pilate by the Council. (Sanhedrin, probably consisting of their required quorum of 23, not the full 71, since Joseph and Nicodemus, both members, were not present and did not consent to this action. See: 27:1; Mk.15:1; Lk.23:50-51; Jn.3:1; 19:38-39.) Remorseful, Judas returns his blood money, goes out and hangs himself. A potter's field for the burial of strangers is purchased by the Priests with the blood money. (Their law prevented putting blood money in Temple treasury.) Accused before Pilate, Jesus remains silent. Pilate wishes to release Him; Barabbas is released instead. Instructed by his wife to absolve himself of Jesus, and at the crowd's persistence, Pilate gives Him over to them, washing his hands of the matter. Taken to the common hall (barracks?), Jesus is abused, mocked, and tormented by soldiers. Led away to the crucifixion, with Simon (of Cyrene) compelled to carry His cross. Crucified at Golgotha between two thieves. Three general classes of mockers: (1) the curious crowd, (2) the religious representatives, and (3) the most sinful sinners (thieves). At the ninth hour, Jesus cries to God and gives up His spirit; at that time great wonders occur: Temple veil torn, earthquakes, graves open, and general resurrection. Witnesses are amazed and confess. Many followers present, including Mary, His mother. Buried by Joseph (rich man of Arimathaea) in his personal new tomb. Remembering Jesus' prediction, Jewish rulers appeal to Pilate for a seal and watch of the tomb until the third day.

Sabbath now past, early on the first day of the week, the two Marys go to the tomb. An earthquake occurs; an angel appears, rolling away the rock seal of the tomb. The guards are frightened almost to death. An angel declares Jesus is risen and gone to appear in Galilee. Hurriedly, the women depart to tell the disciples, encountering Jesus en route. The Sadducees bribe guards to falsely accuse the disciples of stealing His body. (This done in an attempt to discredit the resurrection.) Per His instructions, the eleven disciples go to Galilee. Jesus appears to them in a mountain, and speaking the Great Commission, He promises them His ever-abiding presence.