The life of Jesus: a harmony of the Gospels
161 events in order, from the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth to the ascension, with the passages that tell each one in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every verse of the four Gospels is placed.
Open the interactive harmony See the journeys on the map
- Birth and childhood (c. 6–4 BC and after)
- Preparation (c. AD 26–28)
- Early ministry (c. AD 27–28)
- Galilean ministry (c. AD 28–29)
- Withdrawals from Galilee (c. AD 29)
- Later Judean ministry (autumn and winter, c. AD 29)
- Perea and the road to Jerusalem (winter and spring, c. AD 30)
- The last week (Passover, AD 30 or 33)
- Resurrection and ascension (forty days (Acts 1:3))
Birth and childhood (c. 6–4 BC and after)
From the announcements to Zechariah and Mary to the boy Jesus in the temple. Herod the Great died in 4 BC, so Jesus was born a little before.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John's prologue: the Word became flesh | — | — | — | John 1:1–18 |
| Luke's preface | — | — | Luke 1:1–4 | — |
| The genealogies of Jesus | Matthew 1:1–17 | — | Luke 3:23–38 | — |
| The birth of John the Baptist foretold Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 1:5–25 | — |
| The annunciation to Mary Nazareth | — | — | Luke 1:26–38 | — |
| Mary visits Elizabeth; the Magnificat The hill country of Judea | — | — | Luke 1:39–56 | — |
| The birth of John the Baptist; the Benedictus The hill country of Judea | — | — | Luke 1:57–80 | — |
| Joseph's dream and the birth of Jesus Bethlehem | Matthew 1:18–25 | — | Luke 2:1–7 | — |
| The shepherds and the angels Bethlehem | — | — | Luke 2:8–20 | — |
| Circumcision and presentation in the temple Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 2:21–38 | — |
| The visit of the magi Bethlehem | Matthew 2:1–12 | — | — | — |
| The flight into Egypt and the killing of the children Egypt | Matthew 2:13–18 | — | — | — |
| The return to Nazareth Nazareth | Matthew 2:19–23 | — | Luke 2:39–40 | — |
| The boy Jesus in the temple Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 2:41–52 | — |
Preparation (c. AD 26–28)
John the Baptist’s ministry, Jesus’ baptism and temptation, and the first disciples. Luke dates John’s ministry to the fifteenth year of Tiberius (Luke 3:1).
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The ministry of John the Baptist Bethany beyond Jordan | Matthew 3:1–12 | Mark 1:1–8 | Luke 3:1–18 | — |
| The baptism of Jesus Bethany beyond Jordan | Matthew 3:13–17 | Mark 1:9–11 | Luke 3:21–22 | — |
| The temptation in the wilderness The wilderness of Judea | Matthew 4:1–11 | Mark 1:12–13 | Luke 4:1–13 | — |
| John's testimony about himself Bethany beyond Jordan | — | — | — | John 1:19–28 |
| "Behold the Lamb of God" Bethany beyond Jordan | — | — | — | John 1:29–34 |
| The first disciples follow Jesus Bethany beyond Jordan | — | — | — | John 1:35–51 |
Early ministry (c. AD 27–28)
Events told only by John, from Cana to Samaria, before the Galilean ministry recorded by the other Gospels.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water into wine at Cana Cana | — | — | — | John 2:1–11 |
| A stay at Capernaum Capernaum | — | — | — | John 2:12 |
| The first cleansing of the temple Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 2:13–22 |
| Nicodemus: "Ye must be born again" Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 2:23–3:21 |
| John the Baptist's last testimony Aenon near Salim | — | — | — | John 3:22–36 |
| John the Baptist imprisoned Machaerus | Matthew 14:3–5 | Mark 6:17–20 | Luke 3:19–20 | — |
| Jesus leaves Judea for Galilee | — | — | — | John 4:1–4 |
| The woman of Samaria Sychar (Jacob’s well) | — | — | — | John 4:5–42 |
| An official's son healed Cana | — | — | — | John 4:43–54 |
Galilean ministry (c. AD 28–29)
Teaching, healing and the calling of the Twelve, centred on Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus begins preaching in Galilee Capernaum | Matthew 4:12–17 | Mark 1:14–15 | Luke 4:14–15 | — |
| Rejected at Nazareth Nazareth | — | — | Luke 4:16–30 | — |
| Four fishermen called The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 4:18–22 | Mark 1:16–20 | Luke 5:1–11 | — |
| An unclean spirit cast out in the synagogue Capernaum | — | Mark 1:21–28 | Luke 4:31–37 | — |
| Peter's mother-in-law and many others healed Capernaum | Matthew 8:14–17 | Mark 1:29–34 | Luke 4:38–41 | — |
| A preaching tour of Galilee Galilee | Matthew 4:23–25 | Mark 1:35–39 | Luke 4:42–44 | — |
| A leper cleansed Galilee | Matthew 8:1–4 | Mark 1:40–45 | Luke 5:12–16 | — |
| A paralysed man healed and forgiven Capernaum | Matthew 9:1–8 | Mark 2:1–12 | Luke 5:17–26 | — |
| The call of Levi (Matthew) Capernaum | Matthew 9:9–13 | Mark 2:13–17 | Luke 5:27–32 | — |
| The question about fasting Capernaum | Matthew 9:14–17 | Mark 2:18–22 | Luke 5:33–39 | — |
| A man healed at the pool of Bethesda The pool of Bethesda | — | — | — | John 5:1–47 |
| Plucking grain on the Sabbath Galilee | Matthew 12:1–8 | Mark 2:23–28 | Luke 6:1–5 | — |
| A withered hand healed on the Sabbath Galilee | Matthew 12:9–14 | Mark 3:1–6 | Luke 6:6–11 | — |
| Crowds healed by the sea The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 12:15–21 | Mark 3:7–12 | — | — |
| The twelve apostles chosen Galilee | Matthew 10:2–4 | Mark 3:13–19 | Luke 6:12–16 | — |
| The Sermon on the Mount (on the plain) The mountain by the Sea of Galilee | Matthew 5:1–7:29 | — | Luke 6:17–49 | — |
| The centurion's servant Capernaum | Matthew 8:5–13 | — | Luke 7:1–10 | — |
| A widow's son raised at Nain Nain | — | — | Luke 7:11–17 | — |
| John the Baptist's question Galilee | Matthew 11:2–19 | — | Luke 7:18–35 | — |
| Woes on the towns; "Come unto me" Galilee | Matthew 11:20–30 | — | — | — |
| Anointed by a sinful woman Galilee | — | — | Luke 7:36–50 | — |
| The women who provided for Jesus Galilee | — | — | Luke 8:1–3 | — |
| Jesus and Beelzebul; blasphemy against the Spirit Capernaum | Matthew 12:22–37 | Mark 3:20–30 | — | — |
| The sign of Jonah Capernaum | Matthew 12:38–45 | — | — | — |
| Jesus' true family Capernaum | Matthew 12:46–50 | Mark 3:31–35 | Luke 8:19–21 | — |
| Parables by the sea: the sower, the seed, the mustard seed The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 13:1–53 | Mark 4:1–34 | Luke 8:4–18 | — |
| Calming the storm The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 8:18, 8:23–27 | Mark 4:35–41 | Luke 8:22–25 | — |
| The demoniacs of the Gadarenes The country of the Gadarenes | Matthew 8:28–34 | Mark 5:1–20 | Luke 8:26–39 | — |
| Jairus' daughter and the woman who touched his garment Capernaum | Matthew 9:18–26 | Mark 5:21–43 | Luke 8:40–56 | — |
| Two blind men and a mute man healed Capernaum | Matthew 9:27–34 | — | — | — |
| Rejected at Nazareth again Nazareth | Matthew 13:54–58 | Mark 6:1–6 | — | — |
| The mission of the Twelve Galilee | Matthew 9:35–10:1, 10:5–11:1 | Mark 6:7–13 | Luke 9:1–6 | — |
| Herod's fear; the death of John the Baptist Machaerus | Matthew 14:1–2, 14:6–12 | Mark 6:14–16, 6:21–29 | Luke 9:7–9 | — |
| Feeding the five thousand Bethsaida | Matthew 14:13–21 | Mark 6:30–44 | Luke 9:10–17 | John 6:1–14 |
| Walking on the water The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 14:22–33 | Mark 6:45–52 | — | John 6:15–21 |
| Healings at Gennesaret Gennesaret | Matthew 14:34–36 | Mark 6:53–56 | — | — |
| The bread of life; many disciples turn back Capernaum | — | — | — | John 6:22–7:1 |
| Clean and unclean Capernaum | Matthew 15:1–20 | Mark 7:1–23 | — | — |
Withdrawals from Galilee (c. AD 29)
Journeys to Tyre and Sidon, the Decapolis and Caesarea Philippi; Peter’s confession and the transfiguration.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Syrophoenician (Canaanite) woman The region of Tyre and Sidon | Matthew 15:21–28 | Mark 7:24–30 | — | — |
| A deaf man and many others healed The Decapolis | Matthew 15:29–31 | Mark 7:31–37 | — | — |
| Feeding the four thousand The Decapolis | Matthew 15:32–39 | Mark 8:1–10 | — | — |
| The Pharisees demand a sign Magdala | Matthew 16:1–4 | Mark 8:11–12 | — | — |
| The leaven of the Pharisees The Sea of Galilee | Matthew 16:5–12 | Mark 8:13–21 | — | — |
| A blind man healed at Bethsaida Bethsaida | — | Mark 8:22–26 | — | — |
| Peter's confession Caesarea Philippi | Matthew 16:13–20 | Mark 8:27–30 | Luke 9:18–21 | — |
| The first prediction of the passion; taking up the cross Caesarea Philippi | Matthew 16:21–28 | Mark 8:31–9:1 | Luke 9:22–27 | — |
| The transfiguration The mount of transfiguration (traditionally Tabor; some suggest Hermon) | Matthew 17:1–13 | Mark 9:2–13 | Luke 9:28–36 | — |
| A boy with an unclean spirit Galilee | Matthew 17:14–21 | Mark 9:14–29 | Luke 9:37–43 | — |
| The second prediction of the passion Galilee | Matthew 17:22–23 | Mark 9:30–32 | Luke 9:44–45 | — |
| The temple tax paid with a coin from a fish Capernaum | Matthew 17:24–27 | — | — | — |
| Who is the greatest; stumbling and forgiveness Capernaum | Matthew 18:1–35 | Mark 9:33–50 | Luke 9:46–50 | — |
| His brothers' unbelief; going up to the feast Galilee | — | — | — | John 7:2–10 |
| Rejected in Samaria; the cost of following Samaria | Matthew 8:19–22 | — | Luke 9:51–62 | — |
Later Judean ministry (autumn and winter, c. AD 29)
From the Feast of Tabernacles to the Feast of Dedication, told mainly by Luke and John.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At the Feast of Tabernacles Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 7:11–52 |
| The woman taken in adultery Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 7:53–8:11 |
| "I am the light of the world"; "Before Abraham was, I am" Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 8:12–59 |
| The seventy sent out Judea | — | — | Luke 10:1–24 | — |
| The good Samaritan Judea | — | — | Luke 10:25–37 | — |
| Mary and Martha Bethany | — | — | Luke 10:38–42 | — |
| Teaching on prayer Judea | — | — | Luke 11:1–13 | — |
| Beelzebul, the sign of Jonah and the lamp Judea | — | — | Luke 11:14–36 | — |
| Woes at a Pharisee's table Judea | — | — | Luke 11:37–54 | — |
| The rich fool; anxiety; watchfulness Judea | — | — | Luke 12:1–59 | — |
| Repent or perish; a crippled woman healed Judea | — | — | Luke 13:1–21 | — |
| A man born blind healed The pool of Siloam | — | — | — | John 9:1–41 |
| The good shepherd Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 10:1–21 |
| At the Feast of Dedication Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 10:22–39 |
Perea and the road to Jerusalem (winter and spring, c. AD 30)
Teaching beyond the Jordan, the raising of Lazarus and the last journey up through Jericho.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Across the Jordan Bethany beyond Jordan | — | — | — | John 10:40–42 |
| The narrow door; lament over Jerusalem Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 13:22–35 | — |
| At a Pharisee's house; the great banquet Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 14:1–24 | — |
| The cost of discipleship Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 14:25–35 | — |
| The lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 15:1–32 | — |
| The unjust steward; the rich man and Lazarus Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 16:1–31 | — |
| Offences, forgiveness and faith Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 17:1–10 | — |
| Lazarus raised from the dead Bethany | — | — | — | John 11:1–44 |
| The council's plot; withdrawal to Ephraim Ephraim | — | — | — | John 11:45–54 |
| Ten lepers cleansed Samaria | — | — | Luke 17:11–19 | — |
| The coming of the kingdom Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 17:20–37 | — |
| The persistent widow; the Pharisee and the publican Perea, beyond the Jordan | — | — | Luke 18:1–14 | — |
| Marriage and divorce Perea, beyond the Jordan | Matthew 19:1–12 | Mark 10:1–12 | — | — |
| Jesus blesses the children Perea, beyond the Jordan | Matthew 19:13–15 | Mark 10:13–16 | Luke 18:15–17 | — |
| The rich young ruler; the labourers in the vineyard Perea, beyond the Jordan | Matthew 19:16–20:16 | Mark 10:17–31 | Luke 18:18–30 | — |
| The third prediction of the passion Perea, beyond the Jordan | Matthew 20:17–19 | Mark 10:32–34 | Luke 18:31–34 | — |
| The request of James and John Perea, beyond the Jordan | Matthew 20:20–28 | Mark 10:35–45 | — | — |
| Blind Bartimaeus healed Jericho | Matthew 20:29–34 | Mark 10:46–52 | Luke 18:35–43 | — |
| Zacchaeus Jericho | — | — | Luke 19:1–10 | — |
| The parable of the pounds Jericho | — | — | Luke 19:11–27 | — |
| Anointed at Bethany Bethany | Matthew 26:6–13 | Mark 14:3–9 | — | John 11:55–12:11 |
The last week (Passover, AD 30 or 33)
From the triumphal entry to the burial. The year depends on the chronology followed; both AD 30 and AD 33 are widely held.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The triumphal entry Jerusalem | Matthew 21:1–11 | Mark 11:1–11 | Luke 19:28–44 | John 12:12–19 |
| The fig tree cursed; the temple cleansed Jerusalem | Matthew 21:12–19 | Mark 11:12–19 | Luke 19:45–48 | — |
| Greeks seek Jesus; "the hour is come" Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 12:20–50 |
| The withered fig tree The Mount of Olives | Matthew 21:20–22 | Mark 11:20–26 | — | — |
| His authority questioned; the two sons, the tenants, the wedding feast The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 21:23–22:14 | Mark 11:27–12:12 | Luke 20:1–19 | — |
| Tribute to Caesar The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 22:15–22 | Mark 12:13–17 | Luke 20:20–26 | — |
| The Sadducees and the resurrection The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 22:23–33 | Mark 12:18–27 | Luke 20:27–40 | — |
| The great commandment The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 22:34–40 | Mark 12:28–34 | — | — |
| Whose son is the Christ? The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 22:41–46 | Mark 12:35–37 | Luke 20:41–44 | — |
| Woes on the scribes and Pharisees The temple, Jerusalem | Matthew 23:1–39 | Mark 12:38–40 | Luke 20:45–47 | — |
| The widow's mites The temple, Jerusalem | — | Mark 12:41–44 | Luke 21:1–4 | — |
| The Olivet discourse The Mount of Olives | Matthew 24:1–25:46 | Mark 13:1–37 | Luke 21:5–38 | — |
| The plot to kill Jesus Jerusalem | Matthew 26:1–5 | Mark 14:1–2 | Luke 22:1–2 | — |
| Judas agrees to betray him Jerusalem | Matthew 26:14–16 | Mark 14:10–11 | Luke 22:3–6 | — |
| Preparing the Passover Jerusalem | Matthew 26:17–19 | Mark 14:12–16 | Luke 22:7–13 | — |
| The Last Supper begins; strife over greatness The upper room, Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 22:14–18, 22:24–30 | — |
| Jesus washes the disciples' feet The upper room, Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 13:1–20 |
| The betrayer foretold The upper room, Jerusalem | Matthew 26:20–25 | Mark 14:17–21 | Luke 22:21–23 | John 13:21–30 |
| The Lord's Supper The upper room, Jerusalem | Matthew 26:26–29 | Mark 14:22–25 | Luke 22:19–20 | — |
| Peter's denial foretold The upper room, Jerusalem | Matthew 26:31–35 | Mark 14:27–31 | Luke 22:31–38 | John 13:31–38 |
| The farewell discourse and the high priestly prayer The upper room, Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 14:1–17:26 |
| Gethsemane Gethsemane | Matthew 26:30, 26:36–46 | Mark 14:26, 14:32–42 | Luke 22:39–46 | John 18:1 |
| The arrest Gethsemane | Matthew 26:47–56 | Mark 14:43–52 | Luke 22:47–53 | John 18:2–12 |
| Before Annas The high priest’s house | — | — | — | John 18:13–24 |
| Before Caiaphas and the council The high priest’s house | Matthew 26:57–68 | Mark 14:53–65 | Luke 22:63–71 | — |
| Peter's denials The high priest’s house | Matthew 26:69–75 | Mark 14:66–72 | Luke 22:54–62 | John 18:25–27 |
| Handed over to Pilate; the death of Judas Pilate’s judgment hall | Matthew 27:1–10 | Mark 15:1 | Luke 23:1 | John 18:28 |
| Before Pilate Pilate’s judgment hall | Matthew 27:11–14 | Mark 15:2–5 | Luke 23:2–5 | John 18:29–38 |
| Before Herod Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 23:6–12 | — |
| Barabbas; Jesus sentenced Pilate’s judgment hall | Matthew 27:15–26 | Mark 15:6–15 | Luke 23:13–25 | John 18:39–19:16 |
| The soldiers mock him Pilate’s judgment hall | Matthew 27:27–31 | Mark 15:16–20 | — | — |
| The crucifixion Golgotha | Matthew 27:32–44 | Mark 15:21–32 | Luke 23:26–43 | John 19:17–27 |
| The death of Jesus Golgotha | Matthew 27:45–56 | Mark 15:33–41 | Luke 23:44–49 | John 19:28–37 |
| The burial The tomb | Matthew 27:57–61 | Mark 15:42–47 | Luke 23:50–56 | John 19:38–42 |
| The guard at the tomb The tomb | Matthew 27:62–66 | — | — | — |
Resurrection and ascension (forty days (Acts 1:3))
The empty tomb, the appearances in Jerusalem and Galilee, the commission and the ascension.
| Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The empty tomb The tomb | Matthew 28:1–8 | Mark 16:1–8 | Luke 24:1–12 | John 20:1–10 |
| Appearing to Mary Magdalene and the women The tomb | Matthew 28:9–10 | Mark 16:9–11 | — | John 20:11–18 |
| The guards' report Jerusalem | Matthew 28:11–15 | — | — | — |
| On the road to Emmaus Emmaus | — | Mark 16:12–13 | Luke 24:13–35 | — |
| Appearing to the disciples, Thomas absent The upper room, Jerusalem | — | Mark 16:14 | Luke 24:36–43 | John 20:19–25 |
| Appearing to Thomas The upper room, Jerusalem | — | — | — | John 20:26–31 |
| By the Sea of Tiberias; "Feed my sheep" The Sea of Galilee | — | — | — | John 21:1–25 |
| The Great Commission Galilee | Matthew 28:16–20 | Mark 16:15–18 | — | — |
| Last words and the ascension Bethany | — | Mark 16:19–20 | Luke 24:44–53 | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What is a harmony of the Gospels?
- A harmony arranges the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in a single order so that each event can be read in every Gospel that tells it. The Gospels do not always narrate events in the same sequence, so harmonies differ, especially in the Galilean ministry.
- How long was Jesus' public ministry?
- John mentions at least three Passovers (John 2:13, 6:4, 11:55), which is why most harmonies allow a ministry of about three years. Some scholars argue for a shorter ministry of one or two years.
- Which events are in all four Gospels?
- Among them: John the Baptist's ministry, the feeding of the five thousand, Peter's confession (in different forms), the anointing of Jesus, the triumphal entry, the Last Supper and the betrayal, the arrest, trials, crucifixion, burial and the empty tomb.
- When was Jesus crucified?
- At Passover, most often dated to AD 30 or AD 33. Both fit a Friday Passover within Pontius Pilate's governorship (AD 26–36).
Compiled for Tiqvah from the biblical text. The order follows a conventional harmony that assumes a ministry of about three years; other harmonies place some events differently. Verse numbering follows the King James Version.