HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
The Life and Work of Christ Set Side by Side in the Four Gospels
HOW TO USE THIS HANDOUT
Read across a single line and you see one event as all four Evangelists recorded it. A dash means that Gospel is silent at that point — not that the writers disagree, but that each wrote with a different purpose and a different reader in mind. Read down a single column and you follow one Gospel’s own order and emphasis.
The numbering is continuous through the narrative sections so that a class may be told simply to “turn to number 94.” Where the Evangelists arrange material differently, events are placed in the order most widely followed by the standard harmonies; a few sequences remain genuinely uncertain and are marked in the notes.
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
A. THE PREEXISTENT CHRIST
Before Bethlehem there was no beginning — He was already, eternally, the Son.
HIS ETERNAL BEING REFERENCE
The Word in the beginning, with God and as God Jn. 1:1–5
All things made through Him Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16–17
The Word made flesh, full of grace and truth Jn. 1:14–18
Before Abraham was, I AM Jn. 8:58
The same yesterday, today, and forever Heb. 13:8
The legal line of descent, through Joseph Mt. 1:1–17
The natural line of descent, through Mary Lk. 3:23–38
B. THE PROMISED CHRIST
Every age of Israel’s history carried forward a promise it could not itself fulfill.
THE PROMISE FORETOLD FULFILLED
The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent Ge. 3:15 Gal. 4:4; 1 Jn. 3:8
Through Abraham’s seed all nations blessed Ge. 22:18 Mt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16
The scepter shall not depart from Judah Ge. 49:10 Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5
A Prophet like Moses shall be raised up Dt. 18:15 Jn. 1:45; Ac. 3:22
The Son declared, the nations His inheritance Ps. 2:7–8 Ac. 13:33; Heb. 1:5
His hands and feet pierced; lots cast for His garments Ps. 22:16–18 Jn. 19:23–24, 37
Not one of His bones shall be broken Ps. 34:20 Jn. 19:33, 36
A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek Ps. 110:4 Heb. 5:6; 7:17
The stone the builders rejected made the cornerstone Ps. 118:22 Mt. 21:42; 1 Pe. 2:7
A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, Immanuel Isa. 7:14 Mt. 1:22–23
Unto us a child is born; the government upon His shoulder Isa. 9:6–7 Lk. 1:32–33
A rod out of the stem of Jesse; the Spirit resting upon Him Isa. 11:1–2 Mt. 3:16; Rom. 15:12
The voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way Isa. 40:3–5 Mt. 3:3; Lk. 3:4–6
Despised and rejected; wounded for our transgressions Isa. 53:1–12 Mt. 8:17; 1 Pe. 2:24
The Spirit of the Lord upon Him to preach good tidings Isa. 61:1–2 Lk. 4:17–21
A new covenant written upon the heart Jer. 31:31–34 Lk. 22:20; Heb. 8:8–12
Messiah cut off, but not for Himself Da. 9:26 Mk. 9:12; Rom. 5:6
Out of Bethlehem Ephratah shall He come forth Mic. 5:2 Mt. 2:5–6; Jn. 7:42
The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple Mal. 3:1 Mt. 11:10; Mk. 1:2
Behold, thy King cometh, lowly, riding upon a donkey Zec. 9:9 Mt. 21:4–5; Jn. 12:14–15
Thirty pieces of silver, cast to the potter Zec. 11:12–13 Mt. 26:15; 27:9–10
They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced Zec. 12:10 Jn. 19:37; Rev. 1:7
Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered Zec. 13:7 Mt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
C–F. THE HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
The narrative of His earthly life, from the manger to the ascension.
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
C. THE INCARNATE CHRIST
Birth and Infancy
1 Luke’s preface to Theophilus — — 1:1–4 —
Gabriel announces the birth of John to
2 — — 1:5–25 —
Zechariah
Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to
3 — — 1:26–38 —
Mary
4 Mary visits Elizabeth; the Magnificat — — 1:39–56 —
5 The birth of John the Baptist — — 1:57–80 —
6 The angel reassures Joseph in a dream 1:18–25 — — —
7 The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem — — 2:1–7 —
8 The angels and the shepherds — — 2:8–20 —
9 His circumcision and naming — — 2:21 —
Presented in the temple; Simeon and
10 — — 2:22–38 —
Anna
11 The visit of the Magi 2:1–12 — — —
12 The flight into Egypt; the infants slain 2:13–18 — — —
13 The return to Nazareth 2:19–23 — 2:39 —
Childhood and Youth
14 The child grows in Nazareth — — 2:40 —
15 In the temple at twelve years old — — 2:41–50 —
16 Subject to His parents; the silent years — — 2:51–52 —
D. THE MINISTERING CHRIST
1. The Year of Inauguration
17 The preaching of John the Baptist 3:1–12 1:1–8 3:1–18 1:19–28
18 The baptism of Jesus 3:13–17 1:9–11 3:21–23 —
19 The temptation in the wilderness 4:1–11 1:12–13 4:1–13 —
John’s testimony: Behold the Lamb of
20 — — — 1:29–34
God
21 The first disciples follow Him — — — 1:35–51
22 Water made wine at Cana — the first sign — — — 2:1–11
23 A brief stay at Capernaum — — — 2:12
24 The first cleansing of the temple — — — 2:13–22
25 Nicodemus and the new birth — — — 3:1–21
26 John’s final testimony: He must increase — — — 3:22–36
27 Departure into Galilee through Samaria 4:12 1:14 4:14 4:1–4
28 The woman at Jacob’s well — — — 4:5–42
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
Healing the nobleman’s son — the second
29 — — — 4:46–54
sign
30 Rejected in the synagogue at Nazareth — — 4:16–30 —
2. The Year of Popularity
31 The move to Capernaum 4:13–17 — — —
32 Four fishermen called to follow 4:18–22 1:16–20 — —
The unclean spirit cast out in the
33 — 1:21–28 4:31–37 —
synagogue
Peter’s mother-in-law and many others
34 8:14–17 1:29–34 4:38–41 —
healed
35 The first preaching tour of Galilee 4:23–25 1:35–39 4:42–44 —
36 The miraculous catch of fish — — 5:1–11 —
37 A leper cleansed 8:1–4 1:40–45 5:12–16 —
38 The paralytic let down through the roof 9:1–8 2:1–12 5:17–26 —
39 The call of Matthew; eating with sinners 9:9–13 2:13–17 5:27–32 —
The question about fasting; new wine, old
40 9:14–17 2:18–22 5:33–39 —
skins
41 Healing at the pool of Bethesda — — — 5:1–15
42 Discourse on His equality with the Father — — — 5:16–47
43 Plucking grain on the Sabbath 12:1–8 2:23–28 6:1–5 —
44 The man with the withered hand 12:9–14 3:1–6 6:6–11 —
Multitudes healed; the servant of the
45 12:15–21 3:7–12 — —
Lord
46 The twelve apostles chosen 10:1–4 3:13–19 6:12–16 —
47 The Sermon on the Mount 5:1–7:29 — 6:17–49 —
48 The centurion’s servant healed 8:5–13 — 7:1–10 —
49 The widow’s son raised at Nain — — 7:11–17 —
John’s question from prison; Christ’s
50 11:2–19 — 7:18–35 —
answer
Woe pronounced on the unrepentant
51 11:20–30 — — —
cities
52 The sinful woman anoints His feet — — 7:36–50 —
53 The women who ministered to Him — — 8:1–3 —
The unpardonable sin; blasphemy of the
54 12:22–37 3:20–30 — —
Spirit
55 The sign of Jonah demanded and refused 12:38–45 — 11:29–32 —
56 His mother and brethren seek Him 12:46–50 3:31–35 8:19–21 —
57 The parable of the sower explained 13:1–23 4:1–20 8:4–15 —
The lamp, the measure, and the growing
58 — 4:21–29 8:16–18 —
seed
59 The parable of the wheat and the tares 13:24–30, 36–43 — — —
60 The mustard seed and the leaven 13:31–35 4:30–34 13:18–21 —
61 The treasure, the pearl, and the net 13:44–53 — — —
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
62 The storm stilled on the lake 8:23–27 4:35–41 8:22–25 —
63 The Gadarene demoniac delivered 8:28–34 5:1–20 8:26–39 —
Jairus’ daughter raised; the woman
64 9:18–26 5:21–43 8:40–56 —
healed
65 Two blind men and a mute man healed 9:27–34 — — —
66 Rejected again at Nazareth 13:54–58 6:1–6 — —
67 The twelve sent out two by two 9:35–11:1 6:7–13 9:1–6 —
68 The beheading of John the Baptist 14:1–12 6:14–29 9:7–9 —
3. The Year of Opposition
69 Five thousand fed 14:13–21 6:30–44 9:10–17 6:1–14
70 Walking upon the sea 14:22–33 6:45–52 — 6:15–21
71 Many healed at Gennesaret 14:34–36 6:53–56 — —
72 The discourse on the Bread of Life — — — 6:22–71
73 Tradition and true defilement 15:1–20 7:1–23 — 7:1
74 The Syrophoenician woman’s faith 15:21–28 7:24–30 — —
The deaf and mute man healed in
75 — 7:31–37 — —
Decapolis
76 Four thousand fed 15:29–38 8:1–9 — —
77 A sign from heaven demanded 15:39–16:4 8:10–12 — —
78 Beware the leaven of the Pharisees 16:5–12 8:13–21 — —
79 The blind man healed at Bethsaida — 8:22–26 — —
80 Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi 16:13–20 8:27–30 9:18–21 —
81 The passion foretold the first time 16:21–28 8:31–9:1 9:22–27 —
82 The Transfiguration 17:1–13 9:2–13 9:28–36 —
83 The demon-possessed boy delivered 17:14–21 9:14–29 9:37–43 —
84 The passion foretold the second time 17:22–23 9:30–32 9:43–45 —
85 The temple tax found in the fish 17:24–27 — — —
Discourse on humility, offense, and
86 18:1–35 9:33–50 9:46–50 —
forgiveness
4. The Last Months
87 Rejected by a Samaritan village — — 9:51–56 —
88 The cost of following Him 8:18–22 — 9:57–62 —
89 Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles — — — 7:2–52
90 The woman taken in adultery — — — 7:53–8:11
91 I am the Light of the World — — — 8:12–59
92 The man born blind receives sight — — — 9:1–41
93 I am the Good Shepherd — — — 10:1–21
94 The seventy sent out and returning — — 10:1–24 —
95 The parable of the good Samaritan — — 10:25–37 —
96 In the home of Martha and Mary — — 10:38–42 —
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
Teaching on prayer; the friend at
97 — — 11:1–13 —
midnight
98 Woes upon the Pharisees and lawyers — — 11:37–54 —
Warnings against hypocrisy and
99 — — 12:1–59 —
covetousness
100 Repent or perish; the barren fig tree — — 13:1–9 —
The crippled woman loosed on the
101 — — 13:10–17 —
Sabbath
At the Feast of Dedication; I and My
102 — — — 10:22–39
Father are one
103 Withdrawal beyond Jordan — — — 10:40–42
104 The narrow door; lament over Jerusalem — — 13:22–35 —
105 The man with dropsy; the great banquet — — 14:1–24 —
106 Counting the cost of discipleship — — 14:25–35 —
107 The lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son — — 15:1–32 —
108 The unjust steward — — 16:1–18 —
109 The rich man and Lazarus — — 16:19–31 —
Forgiveness, faith, and unprofitable
110 — — 17:1–10 —
servants
111 Lazarus raised from the dead — — — 11:1–46
The Sanhedrin plots; He withdraws to
112 — — — 11:47–54
Ephraim
113 Ten lepers cleansed; one returns — — 17:11–19 —
114 The coming of the kingdom of God — — 17:20–37 —
The persistent widow; Pharisee and
115 — — 18:1–14 —
publican
116 Teaching on marriage and divorce 19:1–12 10:1–12 — —
117 The little children blessed 19:13–15 10:13–16 18:15–17 —
118 The rich young ruler 19:16–30 10:17–31 18:18–30 —
119 The laborers in the vineyard 20:1–16 — — —
120 The passion foretold the third time 20:17–19 10:32–34 18:31–34 —
121 The request of James and John 20:20–28 10:35–45 — —
122 Blind Bartimaeus receives sight 20:29–34 10:46–52 18:35–43 —
123 Zacchaeus receives Him joyfully — — 19:1–10 —
124 The parable of the ten pounds — — 19:11–28 —
125 Anointed at Bethany by Mary 26:6–13 14:3–9 — 12:1–11
E. THE SUFFERING CHRIST
Sunday — The Triumphal Entry
126 The King enters Jerusalem 21:1–11 11:1–11 19:29–44 12:12–19
Monday — Authority Displayed
127 The barren fig tree cursed 21:18–19 11:12–14 — —
128 The temple cleansed a second time 21:12–17 11:15–19 19:45–48 —
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
Tuesday and Wednesday — Conflict and Prophecy
The withered fig tree; faith that removes
129 21:20–22 11:20–26 — —
mountains
130 His authority challenged 21:23–27 11:27–33 20:1–8 —
The two sons, the wicked tenants, the
131 21:28–22:14 12:1–12 20:9–19 —
wedding feast
132 The question of tribute to Caesar 22:15–22 12:13–17 20:20–26 —
The Sadducees’ question on the
133 22:23–33 12:18–27 20:27–40 —
resurrection
134 The great commandment 22:34–40 12:28–34 — —
135 Whose son is the Christ? 22:41–46 12:35–37 20:41–44 —
Woes pronounced upon the scribes and
136 23:1–39 12:38–40 20:45–47 —
Pharisees
137 The widow’s two mites — 12:41–44 21:1–4 —
The Greeks seek Jesus; the grain of
138 — — — 12:20–36
wheat
139 The unbelief of the people — — — 12:37–50
140 The Olivet Discourse on the last days 24:1–51 13:1–37 21:5–38 —
The virgins, the talents, the sheep and
141 25:1–46 — — —
goats
142 The plot; Judas agrees to betray Him 26:1–5, 14–16 14:1–2, 10–11 22:1–6 —
Thursday — The Upper Room and Gethsemane
143 Preparation for the Passover 26:17–19 14:12–16 22:7–13 —
144 The Passover meal begins 26:20 14:17 22:14–16 —
145 Strife among them over who is greatest — — 22:24–30 —
146 He washes the disciples’ feet — — — 13:1–20
147 The betrayer identified; Judas goes out 26:21–25 14:18–21 22:21–23 13:21–30
148 The Lord’s Supper instituted 26:26–29 14:22–25 22:17–20 —
149 Peter’s denial foretold 26:31–35 14:27–31 22:31–38 13:31–38
150 Let not your heart be troubled — — — 14:1–31
151 I am the true vine — — — 15:1–27
152 The promise of the Comforter — — — 16:1–33
153 The high priestly prayer — — — 17:1–26
154 The agony in Gethsemane 26:36–46 14:32–42 22:39–46 18:1
155 The betrayal and arrest 26:47–56 14:43–52 22:47–53 18:2–12
156 The ear of Malchus healed — — 22:50–51 18:10–11
Friday — The Trial and the Cross
157 Examined before Annas — — — 18:13–14, 19–23
Condemned before Caiaphas and the
158 26:57–68 14:53–65 22:54, 63–65 18:24
council
159 Peter denies Him three times 26:69–75 14:66–72 22:55–62 18:15–18, 25–27
160 The formal sentence at daybreak 27:1–2 15:1 22:66–71 —
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
# EVENT MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
161 The remorse and death of Judas 27:3–10 — — —
162 The first hearing before Pilate 27:11–14 15:2–5 23:1–5 18:28–38
163 Sent to Herod Antipas — — 23:6–12 —
164 Barabbas released; Jesus condemned 27:15–26 15:6–15 23:13–25 18:39–19:16
Mocked, scourged, and crowned with
165 27:27–31 15:16–20 — 19:1–3
thorns
The road to Golgotha; the women of
166 27:32–34 15:21–23 23:26–33 19:17
Jerusalem
The Crucifixion; lots cast for His
167 27:35–38 15:24–28 23:33–34 19:18–24
garments
168 Mocked on the cross; the penitent thief 27:39–44 15:29–32 23:35–43 —
169 His mother committed to John — — — 19:25–27
170 Darkness; the death of Jesus 27:45–50 15:33–37 23:44–46 19:28–30
171 The veil rent; the centurion’s confession 27:51–56 15:38–41 23:45, 47–49 —
172 The burial in Joseph’s new tomb 27:57–61 15:42–47 23:50–56 19:31–42
173 The tomb sealed and guarded 27:62–66 — — —
F. THE RISEN CHRIST
The Empty Tomb
174 The earthquake; the stone rolled away 28:1–4 — — —
175 The women come to the tomb 28:1 16:1–4 24:1–3 20:1
176 The angels announce: He is risen 28:5–8 16:5–8 24:4–8 —
177 Peter and John run to the sepulchre — — 24:9–12 20:2–10
The Appearances
178 To Mary Magdalene in the garden — 16:9–11 — 20:11–18
179 To the other women returning 28:9–10 — — —
180 The report of the guards suppressed 28:11–15 — — —
181 To the two on the road to Emmaus — 16:12–13 24:13–35 —
182 To Simon Peter alone — — 24:34 —
183 To the ten, Thomas being absent — 16:14 24:36–43 20:19–25
184 To the eleven, Thomas present — — — 20:26–31
185 By the Sea of Tiberias; Peter restored — — — 21:1–25
To the eleven in Galilee — the Great
186 28:16–20 16:15–18 — —
Commission
The Ascension
Led out to Bethany; carried up into
187 — 16:19–20 24:50–53 —
heaven
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
G. THE GLORIFIED CHRIST
The Gospels close, but His work does not — it continues, and it is coming to a consummation.
HIS PRESENT AND COMING WORK REFERENCE
Seen by Stephen, standing at the right hand of God Ac. 7:55–56
Seen by Saul on the road to Damascus Ac. 9:3–6; 26:12–15
Seen by John in the midst of the lampstands Rev. 1:12–18
Preparing a place for His own Jn. 14:2–3
Ever living to make intercession as High Priest Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34
Sending the Holy Spirit to His church Jn. 15:26; 16:7
Present with His messengers to the end of the age Mt. 28:20
Head over all things to the church Eph. 1:20–23
Crowning the faithful with a crown of glory 1 Pe. 5:4; Rev. 2:10
Coming again in like manner as He went Ac. 1:11; 1 Th. 4:16–17
The hour of His return unknown to all but the Father Mt. 24:36; Mk. 13:32
Coming as Judge of the living and the dead Mt. 25:31–46; 2 Ti. 4:1
Worthy to receive worship as the Lamb slain Rev. 5:11–14
King of kings and Lord of lords forever Rev. 19:16; Php. 2:10–11
A NOTE ON THE ORDER OF EVENTS
The four Gospels were not written as diaries. Matthew often groups material by subject rather than by date; Luke arranges much of his central portion around a journey toward Jerusalem; John selects seven signs and builds his book around them. Where the sequence of an event is disputed among careful scholars, this harmony follows the arrangement most commonly adopted, and no doctrine rests upon the choice.
Students are encouraged to verify each reference in their own Bibles. Reading a passage in its own context is always worth more than reading it in a table.
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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS
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