A harmony of the Gospels
The openings and the early years
Four Gospels start four different ways — a historian's preface, a hymn about the Word, and two family trees — and then the births of John and Jesus.
Robertson, part I
The sources behind the Gospels
1Luke explains how he researched his Gospelone Gospel only
Luke
1Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, read on →
Robertson, part II
The Word before the world
2John opens with the Wordone Gospel only
John
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. read on →
Robertson, part III
The two family lines
3Two family lines: Matthew's and Luke'sTwo lists, one man
Matthew
1This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. read on →
Luke
23Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, read on →
Two lists, one man
Why do Matthew and Luke give different ancestries for Jesus between David and Joseph?
- Matthew gives Joseph's line and Luke gives Mary's. Robertson's own heading says "apparently" — he offers it as a proposal, not a finding.
- Levirate marriage explains the difference: Joseph had a legal father and a natural father. This is the oldest surviving answer, from Julius Africanus (Epistle to Aristides, c. AD 225, preserved in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History I.7).
- Matthew traces the legal and royal succession, Luke the natural descent.
What this table does: The row names the question; the full study argues the options.
Robertson, part IV
The births of John and Jesus
4An angel promises John's birth to Zechariahone Gospel only
Luke
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. read on →
5The angel comes to Maryone Gospel only
Luke
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” read on →
6Elizabeth blesses Maryone Gospel only
Luke
39In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, 40where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. read on →
7Mary's song — the Magnificatone Gospel only
Luke
46Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. read on →
8John is born, and grows up in the desertone Gospel only
Luke
57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 59On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. read on →
9An angel reassures Josephone Gospel only
Matthew
18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. read on →
10Jesus is born in Bethlehemone Gospel only
Luke
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. 2This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone went to his own town to register. read on →
11Angels sing; shepherds comeone Gospel only
Luke
8And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: read on →
12Jesus is circumcisedone Gospel only
Luke
21When the eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived.
13Presented in the temple: Simeon and Annaone Gospel only
Luke
22And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), 24and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” read on →
14Wise men visit the newborn kingone Gospel only
Matthew
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. read on →
15Escape to Egypt; the children of Bethlehem killedone Gospel only
Matthew
13When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” 14So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” read on →
16Back from Egypt to Nazareth
Matthew
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.” 21So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. read on →
Luke
39When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
17Jesus grows up in Nazarethone Gospel only
Luke
40And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
18At twelve, Jesus stays behind in the templeone Gospel only
Luke
41Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. read on →
19Eighteen quiet years in Nazarethone Gospel only
Luke
51Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Robertson, part V
John the Baptist begins
20When John's ministry began
Mark
1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Luke
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
21John's message in the wilderness
Matthew
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” read on →
Mark
2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” 3A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ 4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. read on →
Luke
3He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. 5Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. read on →
22A sample of John's preaching
Matthew
7But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. read on →
Luke
7Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” read on →
23John describes the Messiah before meeting him
Matthew
11I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Mark
7And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke
15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ. 16John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” read on →