Wednesday Bible Study

Proposed Outline for a Harmonistic Study of the Gospel Accounts of Jesus’ Life

1. Introduction: The Background to Jesus’ Life
   1. Luke’s prologue (Luke 1:1-4)
   2. John’s prologue (John 1:1-18)
   3. The genealogies of Jesus (Matt. 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38)
2. The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
   1. Pronouncement to Zacharias of John’s birth (Luke 1:5-25)
   2. Pronouncement to Mary of Jesus’ birth and Magnificat (Luke 1:26-56)
   3. Birth, naming, and childhood of John (Luke 1:57-80)
   4. Pronouncement to Joseph of Jesus’ birth (Matt. 1:18-25)
   5. Jesus’ birth attended by the shepherds (Luke 2:1-20)
   6. Circumcision, naming, and presentation of Jesus in the temple with Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:21-40)
   7. Worship of wise men and experiences of Jesus’ infancy (Matt. 2:1-23)
   8. Visit to the temple (Luke 2:41-52)
3. Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry Throughout Palestine
   1. Ministry of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-18)
   2. Baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22)
   3. Temptation of Jesus (Matt 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
   4. John’s witness to Jesus (John 1:19-34)
   5. The first disciples (John 1:35-51)
   6. Changing water into wine at Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11)
   7. Cleansing the temple (John 2:12-22)
   8. Challenge to Nicodemus to be born again (John 3:1-21)
   9. The overlapping ministries of John and Jesus (John 3:22-36)
   10. John’s imprisonment and Jesus’ departure to Galilee (Matt 4:12; Mark 1:14; Luke 3:19-20; 4:14; John 4:1-14)
   11. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:5-42)
4. The Ministry in Galilee
   1. Beginning the ministry in Galilee with the healing of a nobleman’s son and making a home in Capernaum (Matt. 4:13-17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:15; John 4:43-54)
   2. Additional contact with the first disciples (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11)
   3. Beginning ministries in Capernaum, including teaching, healing, and exorcising (Matt. 4:23-25; 8:14-17; Mark 1:21-39; Luke 4:31-44)
   4. Cleansing a leper (Matt. 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16)
   5. Forgiving and healing a paralytic (Matt. 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26)
   6. The call of Matthew/Levi (Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)
   7. Debate over fasting (Matt. 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39)
   8. Healing the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-47)
   9. Reaping and eating grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5)
   10. Healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11)
   11. Withdrawing from the multitude (Matt. 12:15-21; Mark 3:7-12)
   12. Selecting the twelve apostles (Mark 3:!3-19; Luke 6:12-16)
   13. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-8:1; Luke 6:17-49)
   14. Healing of a centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10)
   15. Bringing the widow’s son in Nain back to life (Luke 7:11-17)
   16. The doubts of John the Baptist (Matt. 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35)
   17. Rebuke to the Galilean cities (Matt. 11:20-30)
   18. Jesus anointed by an immoral woman (Luke 7:36-50)
   19. The women who followed Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
   20. Jesus accused of the unpardonable sin (Matt. 12:22-37; Mark 3:19-30)
   21. The sign of Jonah (Matt. 12:38-45)
   22. The spiritual family of Jesus (Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)
   23. Parables of the kingdom (Matt. 13:1-53; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18)
   24. Quieting of the storm (Matt. 8:18-23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)
   25. The Gadarene demoniac(s) (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)
   26. Twin miracles: healing the woman with the flow of blood and raising the daughter of Jairus (Matt. 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)
   27. Healing the blind men and the man who could not speak (Matt. 9:27-34)
   28. The rejection at Nazareth (Matt. 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30)
   29. Sending out the disciples (Matt. 9:35-11:1; Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6)
   30. The fear of Herod after beheading John the Baptist (Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9)
   31. Feeding the five thousand (Matt. 14:13-23; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15)
   32. A nature miracle: walking on the water (Matt. 14:24-36; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15)
   33. The message of the bread of life (John 6:22-71)
   34. The source of true defilement (Matt. 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; John 7:1)
   35. Healing the daughter of a Syro-Phoenician woman who had faith (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)
   36. Feeding the four thousand (Matt. 15:29-38; Mark 7:31-8:9)
   37. The sign of the Messiah (Matt. 15:39-16:4; Mark 8:10-12)
   38. The leaven of the Sadducees and Pharisees (Matt. 16:5-12; Mark 8:13-26)
   39. The confession of Peter, the keys of the kingdom, binding and loosing (Matt. 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-22)
   40. First prediction of the passion (Matt. 16:21-26; Mark 8:31-37; Luke 9:23-25)
   41. The transfiguration (Matt. 16:27-17:8; Mark 8:28-9:8; Luke 9:26-36)
   42. The relationship between John the Baptist and Elijah (Matt. 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13)
   43. The exorcism of the boy possessed with a demon (Matt. 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42)
   44. Second prediction of the passion (Matt. 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43-45)
   45. Payment of the temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27)
   46. A childlike attitude and discipleship (Matt 18:1-14; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:43-45)
   47. The practice of forgiveness, the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:15-35)
   48. A challenge to discipleship (Matt. 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-62)
   49. Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:11-52; 8:12-59)
5. The Later Ministry in Judea and the Ministry in Perea
   1. Jesus’ discussion at the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:11-52; 8:12-59)
   2. Healing the man born blind (John 9:1-41)
   3. Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-21)
   4. Sending out the seventy (Luke 10:1-24)
   5. The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
   6. Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
   7. Parables on prayer (Luke 11:1-13)
   8. Jesus’ defense against an accusation of being linked with Satan, the parable of the empty house, the sign of Jonah, and developing a healthy spiritual vision (Luke 11:14-36)
   9. Woes on the Pharisees (Luke 11:37-54)
   10. Instruction on hypocrisy, greed (parable of the rich fool), watchfulness and the appearance of the messianic kingdom (Luke 12:1-59)
   11. The parable of the fruitless fig tree (Luke 13:1-9)
   12. Healing on the Sabbath of a woman bent over and the parables of the mustard seed and leaven (Luke 13:10-21)
   13. Jesus’ claim to be one with God (John 10:22-42)
   14. The narrow door and Jesus’ sorrow for Jerusalem (Luke 13:22-35)
   15. Sabbath healing of a man with dropsy, teaching on humility, and the parable of the messianic banquet (Luke 14:1-24)
   16. The cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-35)
   17. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son, and the elder brother (Luke 15:1-32)
   18. The parables of the unjust steward and the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:1-31)
   19. Caring for young believers, faith, and service (Luke 17:1-10)
   20. The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
   21. The Sanhedrin’s plot against Jesus (John 11:45-54)
   22. Healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19)
   23. The advent of the kingdom (Luke 17:20-37)
   24. Parables on persistence and humility in prayer (Luke 18:1-14)
   25. Divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12)
   26. Jesus and the little children (Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)
   27. The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)
   28. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16)
   29. Third passion prediction with the selfish request of James and John (Matt. 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34)
   30. Healing of the blind man Bartimaeus (Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)
   31. Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
   32. The parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11-28)
6. The Passion Week in Jerusalem
   1. The arrival of Passover pilgrims in Jerusalem and Sanhedrin’s plot against Jesus and Lazarus (John 11:55-12:1, 9-11)
   2. Anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-8)
   3. The triumphal entry (Matt. 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
   4. Cursing the fig tree and cleansing the temple (Matt. 21:12, 13, 18, 19; Mark 11:12-18; Luke 19:45-48)
   5. The Greeks seeking to see Jesus and a warning against unbelief (John 12:20-50)
   6. The withering of the fig tree (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)
   7. Question about Jesus’ authority (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)
   8. Parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32)
   9. Parable of the vineyard (Matt. 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19)
   10. The parable of the marriage feast (Matt. 22:1-14)
   11. Paying taxes to Caesar (Matt. 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26)
   12. Sadducees’ question about the resurrection (Matt. 22:23-33; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40)
   13. The greatest commandments (Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34)
   14. The deity of the Davidic Messiah (Matt. 22:41-46; Mark 12:28-34)
   15. Denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-39; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 20:45-47)
   16. The widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)
   17. The Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-38)
   18. The plan for betrayal (Matt. 26:1-5; Mark 14:1, 2, 10-11; Luke 22:1-6)
   19. Preparing for the last supper (Matt. 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13)
   20. Observing the last supper
       1. Washing the disciple’s feet (John 13:1-20)
       2. Departure of Judas Iscariot (Matt. 26:21-25)
       3. Prediction of Peter’s denials (Matt. 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:31-38)
       4. Instituting the Lord’s Supper (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)
       5. The farewell discourses in the upper room (John 14-16)
       6. Jesus’ prayer for his disciples (John 17)
   21. Jesus in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:30, 36-46; Mark 14:26,32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1)
   22. The arrest of Jesus (Matt. 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)

7. Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion
   1. The trial before the Jews
      1. Hearing before Annas (John 18:12-14, 19-23)
      2. Hearing before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53,55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24)
      3. Peter’s denials (Matt. 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:15-18)
      4. Official condemnation of Jesus by the Sanhedrin (Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)
   2. The suicide of Judas Iscariot (Matt. 27:3-1-; Acts 1:18-19)
   3. The trial before the Romans
      1. First hearing before Pilate (Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)
      2. Hearing before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
      3. Second hearing before Pilate (Matt. 27:15-30; Mark 15:6-19; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)
   4. Jesus’ crucifixion (Matt. 27:31-36; Mark 15:20-25; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-18)
   5. The events at the crucifixion site (Matt. 27:37-50; Mark 15:26-37; Luke 23:34-43, 46; John 19:19-30)
   6. Tearing of the veil of the temple (Matt. 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:44, 45, 47-49)
   7. Burial of Jesus (Matt. 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-43)
8. Jesus’ Resurrection, Post-Resurrection Appearances, and Ascension
   1. The empty tomb (Matt. 28:1-4; Mark 16:1)
   2. The women at the tomb (Matt. 28:5-8; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1)
   3. The coming of Peter and John to the tomb (Luke 24:9-12; John 20:2-10)
   4. Appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
   5. Appearance of Jesus to the other women (Matt. 28:9-10)
   6. Sanhedrin’s bribe of Roman guards for the tomb (Matt. 28:11-15)
   7. Appearance of Jesus to the disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35; 1 Cor. 15:5a)
   8. Appearance of Jesus to the disciples without Thomas (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25;1 Cor 15:5b)
   9. Appearance of Jesus to Thomas (John 20:26-31)
   10. Appearance to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee and the restoration of Peter (John 21)
   11. Appearances of Jesus to the Eleven, the five hundred, James and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20; 1 Cor. 15:6-7)
   12. The ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:3-12)