*(( MAT.3:1-4:25... Prophecy of Isa.40:3; Mal.3:1. John the Baptist: baptizing for the remission of sins, his ascetic life style, and testimony to the coming Christ who will baptize with the Holy Ghost. Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River, then driven by the Spirit into the wilderness with wild beasts. Tempted by Satan forty days. Angels minister to Him. With John imprisoned, Jesus departs for ministry in Galilee, preaching and teaching. Message threefold: (1) Kingdom at hand, (2) Repent, and (3) Believe the gospel. Disciples: Simon and Andrew (brothers), James and John (brothers) called from the fishing trade to become fishers of men. Jesus teaches with authority in the synagogue of Capernaum, healing a demonic. The crowd is amazed. His fame spreads. ))**       ((MAT.8:14-23... Enters Peter's home and heals his mother-in-law of a deadly fever. City gathers and many are healed. Demons forbidden to testify of Him. Prays alone, disciples follow, and all go to Galilee. Preaches, casting out demons. )) ((MAT.8:1-4... Leper touched, healed, charged to secrecy, and sent for ceremonial cleansing, but revealed it anyway.)) Unable to enter cities, Jesus pressed by crowds into wilderness.

((MAT.9:1-17... In Capernaum, Jesus heals a palsied man who is let down through a roof by four friends; His sins are forgiven also. Jesus rebukes the scribes who reason in their heart that He spoke blasphemy. All are amazed at His power, and God is glorified. Matthew (Levi) the publican is called (fifth disciple). Jesus eats in his home with many publicans and sinners, about which his disciples are questioned by the Pharisees and scribes. Jesus challenges them to understand to whom He is sent to minister and why. (They, perceiving themselves whole, do not need Him.) John's disciples and Pharisees question His disciples' lack of fasting compared to theirs. Jesus answers: they are not ready to receive that which comes from fasting. (He is with them now but will be in them later.) The vessel has to be made ready to receive the new wine.))    ((MAT.12:1-21... Disciples are accused to Jesus of breaking the Sabbath (corn incident). Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Compassion and mercy have priority!

Angered at the Pharisees' hardness of heart, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand in their synagogue. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, demonstrating again compassion and mercy have priority. (Pure religion has no limits.) Pharisees, with the Herodians, now begin plotting to kill Him. Detecting this, He withdraws Himself, with a great multitude following. Does a great work in Tyre and Sidon, charging the demons to secrecy of His identity. ))    ((MAT.10:1-11:1... Goes into a mountain, calls and names twelve disciples, giving them power over diseases and demons. Commissions them to preach.
NAMED:

(1)	Peter,	(7)	Matthew,
(2)	James & (sons -	(8)	Thomas,
(3)	John - of thunder),	(9)	James (son of Alphaeus),
(4)	Andrew,	(10)	Thaddaeus (Judas, brother of another James?),
(5)	Philip,	(11)	Simon (Canaanite -- the Zealot), and
(6)	Bartholomew (Nathanael),	(12)	Judas Iscariot. ))

Enters a home; crowd gathers, preventing them from eating. Thinking He has lost His mind, His friends come to collect Him.     ((MAT.12:22-25... Scribes accuse Jesus of operating in the power of Satan (Beelzebub). (Second blasphemy of Holy Spirit.) Jesus rebukes them. He is come to bind Satan and reclaim God's creation. He defines the unpardonable sin: calling the Holy Spirit an unclean spirit -- attributing the works of the Spirit of God to Satan. ))    ((MAT.12:46-50... Jesus' family arrive asking for Him. The multitude is told all who obey His Father, as He does, is His Heavenly family, looking to His disciples as examples. ))

((MAT.13:1-52... Followed by a great multitude, Jesus goes into a ship by the shore to teach them using parables. (Parables for the disciples' understanding, not the masses. He who has an ear to hear will and be converted. Purpose of parables is to reveal the hidden mysteries of the kingdom of God. Parables explained to the disciples and others.)   (1) Sower of seed. (2) Mustard seed. Taught many other parables, not mentioned here, and explained further to His disciples only. ))    ((MAT.8:23-34... At evening, sending away the multitude, departs in a ship across Galilee, with other ships following. A great tempest reveals the disciples' little faith and the great power of Jesus. Each are amazed respectively.

Arriving in Gadarene, a demonic dwelling among the tombs on the coast meets them. Healed, and the demons possess and drive nearby swine to their death, upsetting the local citizens who then request Him to leave their country. Healed man wishes to follow Jesus, but Jesus sends him as a witness to his own people (Decapolis). ))    ((MAT.9:18-26... Arriving back in Galilee, a ruler of the synagogue (Jairus) entreats Jesus to heal his near death daughter. En route, a woman with an issue of blood (ceremonially unclean) for twelve years is healed when she touches Him. He acknowledges her and her faith. Before arriving at the ruler's house, He is met with the news of the daughter's death. Jesus gives encouragement, and putting everyone out of house except for the parents, Peter, James, and John, proceeds to raise the twelve year old daughter from her death. He charges them all to secrecy, allowing the multitude to think she had recovered from sleep. ))

((MAT.13:53-58... Goes to Nazareth, teaching in their synagogue. Astounded, they reject His authority, referring to His lowly origin. His family members are mentioned by name: mother: Mary; brothers: James, Joses, Juda, and Simon; sisters not named. Unable to do a great work in His own hometown due to citizens? unbelief, Jesus went about teaching in the villages. ))    ((MAT.10:1-11:1... See Mk.3:13-19 continuation?... Twelve disciples called and sent out two by two, giving them power over demons, instructions to trust God for daily needs, to bless the home opened to them, and leave a witness for a future judgment against those who turn them away. Going out, they preach repentance, casting out demons and healing the sick. ))    ((MAT.14:1-17:23... Hearing the fame of Jesus, Herod (Antipas) thinks Jesus is John the Baptist whom he had beheaded, now risen from the dead. Herod had been partial to John, but John had offended his evil wife, Herodias. Through her plot, her daughter, at Herod's birthday, requests John's head in a charger. Upset, he complies because of his unrescindable oath. John's disciples bury him. Jesus' disciples return with a report on their work. Jesus approves, desiring to take them aside to a place of rest. Pressed by the crowd, they draw aside in a ship into a desert place. The crowd follows. Evening approaches and the disciples are concerned for the crowd's physical needs. Jesus calls for all available food (five loaves and two fishes), blesses and distributes them, feeding 5,000 men plus women and children. Twelve baskets are leftover. (First feeding.) Sends the disciples away by ship and the crowd home. Goes alone into a mountain to pray. (First chance since learning of John's death.) In the fourth watch, Jesus sees them toiling with the waves. Walks to them on the water. Amazed, they confess Him as the Son of God. Arriving at Gennesaret, a crowd comes, bringing many to be healed, demonstrating great faith.

Disciples are again accused to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees (of Jerusalem) of breaking ceremonial law (unclean hands). Jesus turns the accusation back to them, pointing to their own guilt (law of corban ? dishonoring parents), calling them hypocrites whose hearts are far from God. Turning to the multitude, He takes occasion to illustrate that it is what proceeds outward from within man's heart that defiles him, not what goes into his body. Entering into a home, His disciples surprise Jesus with their request for further illumination on this parable. He complies. Departs for the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, encountering a Syrio-Phoenician woman (Gentile) acknowledging His authority, pleading for the healing of her demonic daughter. Jesus reluctantly responds to her faithful plea. Departs for a mountain at the Sea of Galilee (Decapolis). Multitude comes, bringing a deaf and dumb man who receives an unusual healing from Jesus. Charges them to secrecy, but it is widely revealed with much approval.

Due to the multitudes' presence for three days, Jesus has compassion on them, instructing the disciples to feed them. Questioning His instructions, Jesus takes what they bring to Him (seven loaves and a few little fishes), blesses, breaks, and distributes it. Seven baskets are leftover. (Second feeding -- 4,000.) Goes by ship to the region of Dalmanutha. As others before ( 12:38), Pharisees seek a sign. Again He rebukes their shallow insight, giving no sign, and leaves them. Departing by ship, Jesus warns His disciples of the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees, which they fail to understand because of their worry over forgetting to bring enough bread. He rebukes their little understanding, reminding them of the two earlier displays of God's feeding. Now in Bethsaida, a blind man also receives an unusual healing from Jesus, charging him to secrecy. Arriving at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus inquires of them who the multitudes think He is. Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, and other prophets. Now asks them of their understanding, and Peter confesses: the Christ. Charging them to tell no one, He reveals to them His upcoming passion in Jerusalem. Peter rebukes Him. Jesus rebukes Satan, lays down the cost of discipleship for everyone, revealing His day of glory.

(9.1 is a continuation of 8:38.) With Peter, James, and John, Jesus goes aside into a mountain (Mt. Hermon). Witnessed by the disciples, He is transfigured. Seeing Elijah and Moses with Jesus, they desire to build three tabernacles. In their fear, God speaks to them from a cloud; and looking around they see only Jesus. Coming down from the mountain, He charges them to secrecy until after He is risen, which they fail to understand. Now explains the prophecy of Elijah (John the Baptist) and speaks again of His passion. Jesus is met by His disciples (other nine?) and scribes accusing them of being unable to heal a demonic son. Jesus rebukes the faithless, confronts and heals the son, explaining to the disciples in private why they had failed (lack of prayer and fasting). Departing from Galilee, He speaks again to them of His death and resurrection, to their great sorrow. ))   (Ends at: Mat.17:23.)    ((MAT.18:1-9... At Capernaum, Jesus rebukes the disciples over their strife of who would be the greatest in the kingdom. He sets a child in their midst for illustration, teaching on humility and the order of greatness. ))    John's question concerning others unassociated with them casting out demons in His name. Jesus answers: he that is not against them is for them. Their narrowness is rebuked. Continues previous discussion of offense to little ones, and it would be better for one to lose their source of offense (eye, hand, and foot) in this life than lose their entire life in the eternal to come. Salt is the necessary element in life for peaceful living.

((MAT.19:1-30...Departs Galilee for Judea beyond Jordan (Perea), teaching many en route. Pharisees attempt to discredit Him with a legal question about divorce. His answer does not give them occasion for criticism: man and wife are one flesh made by God. Questioned further in private by His disciples. (Adultery teaching.) After the disciples rebuke those who bring children to Jesus, He rebukes them, blesses and likens the children to the kingdom of God. A rich young ruler seeks eternal life, to whom Jesus points out what he has yet to do. (Sell all, give to poor, take up his cross, and follow Him.) He goes away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus points out how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom. (Contrast this with the children earlier.) People wonder who then can be saved? Jesus answers: with God any can! Witnessing all this, Peter inquires about their position in the kingdom. Jesus answers: a blessing now (new family), and eternal life here after. ))     ((MAT.20:17-21:9. . . En route to Jerusalem, Jesus warns His disciples of His impending hour of trial. James and John request special favor in the kingdom. Jesus replies that it is not His to give, reminding them again of the order of greatness. The other ten are now upset with these two. Passing out of Jericho, a multitude follows, rebuking blind Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus. Yet through his persistence, Jesus calls for and heals him. He follows them.

From Mt. Olivet, Jesus sends two disciples with instructions to a village for a colt waiting for Him. After being questioned, they return with it, placing on it their garments for Jesus to sit upon. Riding on the colt, with the crowd singing Hosannas and throwing their garments and tree branches in front to walk upon, Jesus makes His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. (Much in the custom of a newly crowned or conquering king. ))    ((MAT.21:17-19a... He enters the Temple, and after its inspection, departs into Bethany for the evening. Returning the next morning hungry, He curses a barren fig tree. ))    ((MAT.21:10-13... Proceeding to the Temple, He violently drives out the moneychangers, teaching all that it is a house of prayer. ))   ((MAT.21:15-17... The chief priests and scribes look for a way to kill him, but couldn't due to the amazement and following of the people. Jesus departs the city at evening. ))    ((MAT.21:19b-27... Returning the next morning, Peter points out the cursed fig tree now dried up. Jesus instructs them on the power of undoubting prayer, faith, and forgiveness. At the Temple He is questioned of His authority by the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Turning the question back, He asks them of the authority of John's baptism (which they had not publicly condemned), and perceiving their trap, they could not answer either way. Neither does Jesus answer them. ))

((MAT.21:33-46... Speaks now in parables... Parable of the wicked husbandman. Finally realizing He was talking about them, they desired to seize Him, but fearing the crowd, they left Him. ))    ((MAT.22:15-23:14... Pharisees and Herodians conspire to trick Christ concerning tribute to Caesar. His reply astounds them, giving them no room for accusations. The Sadducees now attempt words with Him concerning marital relations in the resurrection, not believing in the resurrection themselves. He confounds them with scripture: God is the God of the living, not the dead! Seeing His wisdom, a scribe asks which is the greatest commandment. After telling him the first was to "Hear," He relates that the next two embody all others. The scribe so agrees that Jesus informs him that he is very close to entering the kingdom. No more questions. He questions them of their knowledge of the Christ. He denounces the Pharisees' work; what they do is for personal gain, recognition, and personal glory. ))   While by the Treasury (Court of The Women) and seeing a poor widow cast in her last two mites, Jesus contrasts her giving all to theirs being given from their abundance.

((MAT.23:1-51... In awe of its splendor, the disciples draw Jesus' attention to the Temple buildings now nearing completion. He informs them of a greater astonishment: its impending destruction. (A.D.70) At Mt. Olivet again, the disciples request and are instructed in end-time events. (Antichrists, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, sufferings in His name, apostasy, false prophets, increasing sin, gospel preached to all the world, Abomination of Desolation, tribulation, hasty escape of the righteous, false christs, and His own sudden appearance.) Parable of the fig tree. God's Word is sure! No one knows the time except God. A warning to watchful living, remaining faithful and ready at all times. A caution not to presume upon His time. ))

((MAT.26:1-56... His public discourses complete, now two days before Passover, He predicts His betrayal. Jewish rulers plot to kill Him, but unable to discern a way until the crowd diminishes after the Passover. At Bethany, in Simon's home while dining, an unnamed woman anoints His head. He rebukes his disciples' objection to her and her deed, decreeing a memorial for her throughout the ages. The disciple who betrays Jesus now goes to the chief priests and contracts to betray Him during the Passover. Jesus gives instructions for the Passover meal. (And Last Supper.) That evening at the meal, the one who betrays Jesus is identified by Him. Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper; they sing a hymn (Ps.118?) and go out to Mt. Olivet. Impending events foretold: His death, resurrection, and their denial. At Gethsemane, He sets Peter, James, and John aside to watch and pray. Going up farther, and with great sorrow, He prays for God's will. Three times this is done, while rebuking His disciples for failing to remain watchful and prayerful. 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 surreptitious behavior in His arrest. The disciples flee. ))   Escaping his captor's hold, a certain young man (Mark?) flees naked into the night. ((MAT.26:57-27:2... Peter follows at a distance as Jesus is led to Caiaphas (high priest of the Council). False witnesses are sought and two are found who accuse Him of speaking against the Temple, but their testimony is not in sufficient agreement. Jesus remains silent. Caiaphas asks if He is the Christ. Jesus' answer leads them to finally condemn Him to death. He is mocked and tormented. Peter's denial and repentance.

Now morning, the Council takes Jesus before Pilate. ))    ((MAT.27:11-61... Accused before Pilate, Jesus remains silent. Pilate amazed, finding no fault, desires to release Him. Orders Him to be scourged and turned over to them. (Barabbas is released instead.) Taken to the common hall (Praetorium), He is abused, mocked, and tormented by the soldiers. Led away in the morning to the crucifixion, Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry His cross. Crucified at Golgotha between two thieves. Mocked by three general classes of people: (1) curious crowd, (2) religious representatives, (3) most sinful sinners (thieves). At the ninth hour Jesus cries to God and gives up His spirit, at which time great wonders occur. (Temple veil torn, earthquakes, graves opened, general resurrection.) Witnesses are amazed and confess. Many followers present at His crucifixion, including the two Marys. Buried by Joseph, a rich man, in his own personal tomb. ))

((MAT.28 and MARK 16 give complementary details.... The Sabbath now past, first day of the week, at sunrise, the two Marys bring spices to the tomb to anoint His body. Wondering who will move the stone, they arrive, finding it already aside. Going inside, a young man in white confronts them with the good news: He is risen and departed for Galilee. They rush to tell others. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, then to the two on the road to Emmaus, then to the eleven disciples, upbraiding them for their unbelief of the others' witness to them. Commissions them to preach the gospel unto all the world, giving many signs. Jesus is received into Heaven, taking His rightful place at the right hand of God. The disciples go and do as instructed, the Lord working with them, confirming with many signs. ))



* ((  --  Begins duplicate from Matthew Summary.
** ))  --  Ends duplicate from Matthew Summary.