A Synopsis of the Gospels in Ten Main Events
I. Introduction
1. Luke's Introduction
2. Pre-fleshly state of Christ
3. Genealogy of Jesus Christ
II. Birth and Early Life of Jesus and John the Baptist
1. Announcement of Birth of John
2. Announcement of Birth of Jesus to the Virgin
3. Song of Elizabeth to Mary
4. Mary’s Song of Praise
5. Birth, Infancy and Purpose for Future of John the Baptist
6. Announcement of Jesus Birth to Joseph
7. Birth of Jesus Christ
8. Proclamation by the Angels
9. The Visit of Homage by Shepherds
10. Jesus' Circumcision
11. First Temple Visit with Acknowledgments by Simeon and Anna
12. Visit of the Wise Men
13. Flight into Egypt and Massacre of Innocents
14. From Egypt to Nazareth with Jesus
15. Childhood of Jesus
16. Jesus, 12 Years Old, Visits the Temple
17. 18-Year Account of Jesus’ Adolescence and Adulthood
III. Ministry of John the Baptist - c. A.D. 25-27
1. Johns Ministry Begins
2. Man and Message
Main Event #1 John preaches repentance
Luk 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Luk 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Luk 3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Luk 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
3. His Picture of Jesus
4. His Courage
IV. Ministry of Jesus - Beginning - c. A. D. 27
1. Jesus Baptized
Main Event #2 Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit
Luk 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Joh 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. Joh 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.2. Jesus Tempted
3. Calls First Disciples
4. The First Miracle
Main Event #3 Jesus' first miracle
Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Joh 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Joh 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
5. First Stay in Capernaum
6. First Cleansing of the Temple
7. Received at Jerusalem
8. Teaches Nicodemus about Second Birth
Main Event #4 Jesus reveals the need for the baptism of the Holy Spirit
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
9. Co-Ministry with John
10. Leaves for Galilee
11. Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well
12. Returns to Galilee
V. Northern Ministry of Jesus - A. D. 27-29
1. Healing of the Nobleman's Son
2. Rejected at Nazareth
3. Moved to Capernaum
4. Four Become Fishers of Men
5. Demoniac Healed on the Sabbath Day
6. Peter’s Mother-in-Law Cured, Plus Others
7. First Preaching Tour of Galilee
8. Leper Healed and Response Recorded
9. Paralytic Healed
10. Matthew’s Call and Reception Held
11. Disciples Defended via a Parable
12. Goes to Jerusalem for Second Passover; Heals Lame Man
13. Plucked Grain Precipitates Sabbath Controversy
14. Withered Hand Healed Causes Another Sabbath Controversy
15. Multitudes Healed
16. Twelve Apostles Selected After a Night of Prayer
17. Sermon on the Mt.
Main Event #5 Jesus begins training His apostles
Now Jesus begins His training program for the twelve chosen ones.
First He tells them the blessings they will receive if they come to their mission of service with proper attitudes. (Mat 5:1-12 The Beatitudes)
Next He tells them to be like Him in sacrifice and light. (Mat 5:13-16 The Similitudes)
Then He cautions them that they will be required to live lives of exemplary testimony. They will have to go above and beyond the requirements given to them by Moses in the Ten Commandments, specially in the areas of murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love. (Mat 5:17- 48)
Next He outlines what will be required in their spiritual acts of obedience to God in almsgiving, prayer, fasting, wealth, and judging. (Mat 6:1-7:6)
Then, after laying down all these very strict rules of conduct for his close servants, He gives them some very encouraging news. Their Heavenly Father will be with them at all times to supply their needs and give success in their mission. (Mat 7:7-11)
Finely, He sums up this first training session by telling His chosen apostles that there will be opposition but the path He has set them on is the only one to true success. (Mat 7:12-29)
Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
The Parable "Candle Under a Bushel": If you disciples are wondering why you received such strict instructions in righteousness in “The Sermon on the Mount”, it’s because you will be Jesus’ surrogates here on earth. People will judge Jesus and his creditability by your actions.
The Parable "A Wise Man Builds on a Rock": Jesus told this parable to his disciples as part of his “Sermon on the Mount”. It is basically instructions in conduct for those who enlist in his elite band of apostles and disciples. The penalty for sloth in following these instructions is quite severe - eternity separated from God.
18. Centurion’s Servant Healed
19. Raises Widow’s Son from Dead
20. Jesus Allays John’s Doubts
21. Woes Upon the Privileged
22. A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
23. Another Tour of Galilee
24. Jesus Accused of Blasphemy
25. Jesus’ Answer to a Demand for a Sign
26. Mother, Brothers Seek Audience
27. Famous Parables of Sower, Seed, Tares, Mustard Seed, Leaven, Treasure, Pearl, Dragnet, Lamp Told
28. Sea Made Serene
29. Gadarene Demoniac Healed
30. Jairus’ Daughter Raised and Woman with Hemorrhage Healed
31. Two Blind Men’s Sight Restored
32. Mute Demoniac Healed
33. Nazareth’s Second Rejection of Christ
34. Twelve Sent Out
35. Fearful Herod Beheads John
36. Return of 12, Jesus Withdraws, 5000 Fed
37. Walks on the Water
38. Sick of Gennesaret Healed
39. Peak of Popularity Passes in Galilee
40. Traditions Attacked
41. Aborted Retirement in Phoenicia: SyroPhoenician Healed
42. Afflicted Healed
43. 4000 Fed
44. Pharisees Increase Attack
45. Disciples’ Carelessness Condemned; Blind Man Healed
46. Peter Confesses Jesus is the Christ
Main Event #6 Peter recognizes Jesus as God in the flesh
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
47. Jesus Foretells His Death
Main Event #7 Jesus clearly foretells His death, burial and resurrection
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
48. Kingdom Promised
49. The Transfiguration
50. Epileptic Healed
51. Again Tells of Death, Resurrection
52. Taxes Paid
53. Disciples Contend About Greatness; Jesus Defines; also Patience, Loyalty, Forgiveness
54. Jesus Rejects Brothers Advice
55. Galilee Departure and Samaritan Rejection
56. Demands of Discipleship
VI. Southern Ministry of Jesus - Oct. A. D 29 - A. D. 30
1. Feast of Tabernacles
2. Forgiveness of Adulteress
3. Christ—the Light of the World
4. Pharisees Can’t Meet the Prophecy Thus Try to Destroy the Prophet
5. Man Born Blind Healed; Following Consequences
6. Parable of the Good Shepherd
7. The Service of the Seventy
8. Lawyer Hears the Story of the Good Samaritan
9. The Hospitality of Martha and Mary
10. Another Lesson On Prayer
11. Accused of Connection with Beelzebub
12. Judgment Against Lawyers and Pharisees
13. Jesus Deals with Hypocrisy, Covetousness, Worry, and Alertness
14. Repent or Perish
15. Barren Fig Tree
16. Crippled Woman Healed on Sabbath
17. Parables of Mustard Seed and Leaven
18. Feast of Dedication
19. Withdrawal Beyond Jordan
20. Begins Teaching Return to Jerusalem with Special Words About Herod
21. Meal with a Pharisee Ruler Occasions Healing Man with Dropsy; Parables of Ox, Best Places, and Great Supper
22. Demands of Discipleship
23. Parables of Lost Sheep, Coin, Son
24. Parables of Unjust Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus
25. Lessons on Service, Faith, Influence
26. Resurrection of Lazarus
27. Reaction to It: Withdrawal of Jesus
28. Begins Last journey to Jerusalem via Samaria & Galilee
29. Heals Ten Lepers
30. Lessons on the Coming Kingdom
31. Parables: Persistent Widow, Pharisee and Tax Collector
32. Doctrine on Divorce
33. Jesus Blesses Children: Objections
34. Rich Young Ruler
35. Laborers of the 11th Hour
36. Foretells Death and Resurrection
37. Ambition of James and John
Main Event #8 Jesus tells His apostles to emulate Him in service, not in authority
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
38. Blind Bartimaeus Healed
39. Interview with Zacchaeus
40. Parable: the Minas
41. Returns to Home of Mary and Martha
42. Plot to Kill Lazarus
VII. Final Week at Jerusalem - Spring A. D. 30
1. Triumphal Entry
2. Fig Tree Cursed and Temple Cleansed
3. The Attraction of Sacrifice
4. Withered Fig Tree Testifies
5. Sanhedrin Challenges Jesus. Answered by Parables: Two Sons, Wicked Vinedressers and Marriage
6. Tribute to Caesar
7. Sadducees Question the Resurrection
8. Pharisees Question Commandments
9. Jesus and David
10. Jesus’ Last Sermon
11. Widow’s Mite
12. Jesus Tells of the Future
13. Parables: Ten Virgins, Talents, The Day of Judgment
14. Jesus Tells Date of Crucifixion
15. Anointing by Mary at Simon's Feast
16. Judas Contracts the Betrayal
17. Preparation for the Passover
18. Passover Eaten, Jealousy Rebuked
19. Feet Washed
20. Judas Revealed, Defects
21. Jesus Warns About Further Desertion; Cries of Loyalty
22. Institution of the Lord’s Supper
Main Event #9 Jesus tells His apostles to honor His shed blood for the remission of their sins
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
23. Last Speech to the Apostles and Intercessory Prayer
Main Event #10 Jesus tells the apostles He will leave them with a Comforter, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
24. The Grief of Gethsemane
25. Betrayal, Arrest, Desertion
26. First Examined by Annas
27. Trial by Caiaphas and Council; Following Indignities
28. Peter's Triple Denial
29. Condemnation by the Council
30. Suicide of Judas
31. First Appearance Before Pilate
32. Jesus Before Herod
33. Second Appearance Before Pilate
34. Mockery by Roman Soldiers
35. Led to Golgotha
36. 6 Events of First 3 Hours on Cross
37. Last 3 Hours on Cross
38. Events Attending Jesus' Death
39. Burial of Jesus
40. Tomb Sealed
41. Women Watch
VIII. The Resurrection through the Ascension
1. Women Visit the Tomb
2. Peter and John See the Empty Tomb
3. Jesus’ Appearance to Mary Magdalene
4. Jesus’ Appearance to the Other Women
5. Guards’ Report of the Resurrection
6. Jesus’ Appearance to Two Disciples on Way to Emmaus
7. Jesus’ Appearance to Ten Disciples Without Thomas
8. Appearance to Disciples with Thomas
9. Jesus’ Appearance to Seven Disciples by Sea of Galilee
10. Appearance to 500
11. Great Commission
12. The Ascension
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