Swartzentrover.com | Fahling - A Harmony of the Gospels - Chapter 10

A Harmony of the Gospels

By Adam Fahling

Chapter 10

Part X. From the First Galilean Circuit to the Choice of the Twelve

Probably spring, 28 A.D.

Table Of Contents Matthew Mark Luke John Other
58. Christ Retires to a Solitary Place and is Found by His Disciples and the People
 
Mk 1:35-38
 Lk 4:42-43
 
 
59. "And Jesus Went About All Galilee."
 Mt 4:23-25
 Mk 1:39
Lk 4:44
 
 
60. A Leper Healed and Much Popular Excitement
 [Mt 8:2-4]
 Mk 1:40-45a
Lk 5:12-15
 
 
61. Christ Withdraws Himself into a Wilderness
 
 Mk 1:45b
 Lk 5:16
 
 
62. The Paralytic Healed who was Lowered Through the Roof
[Mt 9:2-8]
Mk 2:1-12
Lk 5:17-26
 
 
63. The Call of Matthew
[Mt 9:9]
Mk 2:13-14
Lk 5:27-28
 
 
64. Matthew's Feast
 [Mt 9:10-13]
Mk 2:15-17
 Lk 5:29-32
 
 
65. The Disciples of John Ask a Question about Fasting. The Sons of the Bridechamber
[Mt 9:14-15]
Mk 2:18-20
Lk 5:33-35
 
 
66. Two Parables: New Cloth and New Wine
[Mt 9:16-17]
Mk 2:21-22
Lk 5:36-39
 
 
67. The Disciples Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
[Mt 12:1-8]
Mk 2:23-28
Lk 6:1-5
 
 
68. The Man with a Withered Hand
[Mt 12:9-14]
Mk 3:1-6
Lk 6:6-11
 
 
69. Jesus Teaches and Heals by the Sea of Galee
[Mt 12:15-21]
Mk 3:7-12
 
 
 

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58. Christ Retires to a Solitary Place and is Found by His Disciples and the People
(Mk 1:35-38, Lk 4:42-43)
Mk 1:35-38

35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there. 36Simon and those who were with him followed after him; 37and they found him, and told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.”

Lk 4:42-43

42When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them. 43But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”

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59. "And Jesus Went About All Galilee."
(Mt 4:23-25, Mk 1:39, Lk 4:44)
The first Galilean circuit. Spreading fame.
Mt 4:23-25

23Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Mk 1:39

39He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Lk 4:44

44He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. a

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60. A Leper Healed and Much Popular Excitement
(Mt 8:2-4, Mk 1:40-45a, Lk 5:12-15)
[Mt 8:2-4] b

2Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

3Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Mk 1:40-45a

40A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”

41Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” 42When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean. 43He strictly warned him, and immediately sent him out, 44and said to him, “See you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

45But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places: and they came to him from everywhere.

Lk 5:12-15

12It happened, while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

13He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.”

Immediately the leprosy left him. 14He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 15But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

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61. Christ Withdraws Himself into a Wilderness
(Mk 1:45b, Lk 5:16)
Mk 1:45b

 45But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places: and they came to him from everywhere.

Lk 5:16

16But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

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62. The Paralytic Healed who was Lowered Through the Roof
(Mt 9:2-8, Mk 2:1-12, Lk 5:17-26)
In Peter's house at Capernaum
[Mt 9:2-8] c

2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

3Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

4Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ 6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go up to your house.”

7He arose and departed to his house. 8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Mk 2:1-12

1When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. 2Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 4When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 5Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—11“I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”

12He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Lk 5:17-26

17It happened on one of those days, that he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. d The power of the Lord was with him to heal them. 18Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. 19Not finding a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus. 20Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

21The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

22But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts? 23Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’ 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), “I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house.”

25Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on, and departed to his house, glorifying God. 26Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

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63. The Call of Matthew
(Mt 9:9, Mk 2:13-14, Lk 5:27-28)
At the custom house near Capernaum. Probably spring, 28 A.D.
[Mt 9:9] e

9As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him.

Mk 2:13-14

13He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them. 14As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.

Lk 5:27-28

27After these things he went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me!”

28He left everything, and rose up and followed him.

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64. Matthew's Feast f
(Mt 9:10-13, Mk 2:15-17, Lk 5:29-32)
Near Capernaum
[Mt 9:10-13]

10It happened as he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’[1] for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.[2]


[1]9:13 Hosea 6:6

[2]9:13 NU omits “to repentance”.

Mk 2:15-17

15It happened, that he was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. 16The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Lk 5:29-32

29Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them. 30Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31Jesus answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

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65. The Disciples of John ask a Question about Fasting. The Sons of the Bridechamber
(Mt 9:14-15, Mk 2:18-20, Lk 5:33-35)
[Mt 9:14-15] g

14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Mk 2:18-20

18John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

19Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast. 20But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.

Lk 5:33-35

33They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”

34He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast in those days.”

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66. Two Parables: New Cloth and New Wine
(Mt 9:16-17, Mk 2:21-22, Lk 5:36-39)
[Mt 9:16-17] h

16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. 17Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Mk 2:21-22

21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made. 22No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”

Lk 5:36-39

36He also told a parable to them. “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old garment, or else he will tear the new, and also the piece from the new will not match the old. 37No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. 39No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’” i

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67. The Disciples Plucking Grain on the Sabbath j
(Mt 12:1-8, Mk 2:23-28, Lk 6:1-5)
Probably late spring or early summer, 328 A.D. Near Capernaum k
[Mt 12-1-8] l

1At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

3But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 4how he entered into the house of God, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?[1] 5Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? 6But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’[2] you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”


[1]12:4 1 Samuel 21:3-6

[2]12:7 Hosea 6:6

Mk 2:23-28

23It happened that he was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain. 24The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”

25He said to them, “Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? 26How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?” 27He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Lk 6:1-5

1Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first, m that he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands. 2But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”

3Jesus, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him; 4how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?” 5He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

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68. The Man with a Withered Hand
(Mt 12:9-14, Mk 3:1-6, Lk 6:6-11)
Another Sabbath day controversy. n Probably a week later in Capernaum.
[Mt 12:9-14] o

9He departed there, and went into their synagogue. 10And behold there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” that they might accuse him.

11He said to them, “What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it, and lift it out? 12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” 13Then he told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out, and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. p

Mk 3:1-6

1He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. 2They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3He said to the man who had his hand withered, “Stand up.” 4He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent. 5When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. 6The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians q against him, how they might destroy him.

Lk 6:6-11

6It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered. 7The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him. 8But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood. 9Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” 10He looked around at them all, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other. 11But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.

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69. Jesus Teaches and Heals by the Sea of Galee
(Mt 12:15-21, Mk 3:7-12)
"In His name shall the Gentiles trust."
[Mt 12:15-21] r

15Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, 16and commanded them that they should not make him known: 17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations. 19He will not strive, nor shout; neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. 21In his name, the nations will hope.”[1]

[1]12:21 Isaiah 42:1-4

Mk 3:7-12

7Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, 8from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. s A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. 9He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him. 10For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him. 11The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!” 12He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.

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Footnotes

a) Here follows the miraculous draught of fishes in order of Luke. Luke 5:1-11. See No. 54

b) See previous notes on transpositions. Nos. 54, 56. It seems that Matthew himself does not strictly insist upon placing the healing of the leper immediately after the Sermon on the Mount on account of the notice of the "great multitudes" following Jesus in 8:1 as compared with the command of silence in v. 4. The whole arrangement of this section, from here to parables, successive miracles recorded without regard to the exact order of time, seems to be topical.

c) Transposed. Chronologically this section, Matt. 9:2-17, which includes the call of Matthew, belongs before the Sermon on the Mount of which a full report is given by Matthew.

d) The presence of Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, the charge of blasphemy, the word to the paralytic 'Arise, take up thy bed, and walk' (cf. John 5:8 No. 49), and the reference to the authority given Him by the Father (cf. John 5:27 No. 49), convince us that this miracle took place after the encounter at the unknown feast rather than as shown in the usual chronological arrangement by which John 5 is placed immediately before the plucking of grain on a Sabbath-day, Matt. 12:1-8 Mark 2:28-28; Luke 6:1-5. (No. 67.)

e) Transposed. If Levi Is the same as Matthew and to be identified with the evangelist St. Matthew, of which there is hardly any doubt, then it seems that the writer of the first Gospel does not insist upon placing his call after the Sermon on the Mount, which he himself has reported at length.

f) Transposed. The feast spoken of in this section may have been given later, after the Gadarene journey and before the healing of Jairus' daughter, No. 87, on account of the words "while He spake these things," Matt. 9:18, but is here related in order to gather into a group

g) Transposed, but in order.

h) Transposed, but in order.

i) At this point many harmonists insert the unnamed feast of John 5:1-47. But it seems to us that this visit to Jerusalem has already taken place. See No. 48. The presence of the Pharisees from Jerusalem, "sitting by" at the healing of the man sick of the palsy, and the ready charge of blasphemy seem to indicate a closer acquaintance with Jesus on the part of the Jerusalem authorities as the result of a well remembered encounter with Jesus. See No. 62.

j) Another Sabbath controversy. See Nos. 48, 67, 68, 140, 164, 174

k) On account of the words "He entered again into the synagogue," Mark 3:1, that is, the synagogue already mentioned in Mark 1:21. Called "their" Synagogue in Matt. 12:9. See No. 68.

l) A new transposition. Chronologically this section, Matt. 12:1-21, Nos. 67-69, must be placed before the Sermon on the Mount the order of which is determined by Luke as compared with Mark.

m) The mysterious "second Sabbath after the first" or "second-first Sabbath" has caused considerable discussion. Evidently the expression was chosen designedly by the Evangelist to indicate something sufficiently understood by his readers. But we do not know what it is. Not much importance is attached to it for chronological purposes because the time of the year is marked by the fact that the grain was ripe. There are a number of proposed explanations. The following two appeal to us most: 1. A Sabbath following a "Sabbath," a New Moon, or some other festival, a sort of second holiday something like the Sunday following the 4th of July in the U. S. 2. A technical expression for the first Sabbath after the second of the chief annual festivals, that to Pentecost. A "first-first Sabbath" would be the first Sabbath after Passover. And a "second-first Sabbath" would be the first Sabbath after Pentecost. In like manner we count Sundays as the First Sunday after Epiphany. and the like. If we regard this "second Sabbath after the first" as the first Sabbath after Pentecost, which in this year, 28 A.D., has been placed on the 19th of May, we can satisfactorily place the event about the end of the month.

n) See Nos. 48, 67, 68, 140, 164, 174

o) Transposed, but in order.

p) The second direct plot against the life of Jesus, the first in Jerusalem, at the unnamed feast, the second in the Prophet's own town. No. 49.

q) This Is the first time that the Herodians are mentioned. While the Pharisees were angry with Jesus on religious grounds, the Herodians who sought to strengthen the dynasty of Herod were afraid of Him for political reasons. Hence the union of opposing parties for the destruction of Jesus.

r) Transposed, but in order.

s) Note the wide territory from which the multitudes came, practically from the whole of the ancient Land of Israel, from Idumea in the south to Phoenicia in the north, from Perea beyond the Jordan to the regions of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

 
[ ] Verses marked with brackets indicate that the passage has been taken out of its order.

 

Bible References taken from:
The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible, based on the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible first published in 1901, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament.