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The Life of Jesus
Our ongoing, verse-by-verse walk through the Gospels. Below is the full chronological roadmap of where the study is headed — every event in the life of Jesus, with the matching passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John side by side — plus the lessons we’ve taught so far.
Lessons in this series
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What is a “Gospel Harmony”?
A harmony (say it: HAR-muh-nee) simply lines up the four Gospel accounts next to each other in time order. Think of it like four reporters covering the same events: each saw things from a different angle, so reading their accounts together gives you the fullest picture. Each row below is one moment in Jesus’ life; the columns show which Gospel records it.
Tip: Every reference is a live link — tap any passage to read it on Bible Gateway (NASB 1995) in a new tab. Use the menu below to jump to any period. A dash (—) means that Gospel does not record that event.
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
184 events • 14 periods
The Big Picture
How many recorded events fall in each major period of Jesus’ life
I3 events
Prologue & Genealogy
Eternity past and the family records
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Word: the eternal pre-existence of Christ | — | — | — | John 1:1-18 |
| 2 | Luke's preface to Theophilus | — | — | Luke 1:1-4 | — |
| 3 | The genealogies of Jesus | Matt 1:1-17 | — | Luke 3:23-38 | — |
II12 events
Birth & Infancy
From the announcements to the return to Nazareth
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Gabriel foretells the birth of John the Baptist | — | — | Luke 1:5-25 | — |
| 5 | Gabriel foretells the birth of Jesus (the Annunciation) | — | — | Luke 1:26-38 | — |
| 6 | Mary visits Elizabeth; the Magnificat | — | — | Luke 1:39-56 | — |
| 7 | Birth of John the Baptist; Zechariah's song | — | — | Luke 1:57-80 | — |
| 8 | The angel reassures Joseph in a dream | Matt 1:18-25 | — | — | — |
| 9 | The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem | Matt 1:25 | — | Luke 2:1-7 | — |
| 10 | Angels announce the birth to the shepherds | — | — | Luke 2:8-20 | — |
| 11 | Circumcision and naming of Jesus | — | — | Luke 2:21 | — |
| 12 | Presentation in the temple; Simeon and Anna | — | — | Luke 2:22-38 | — |
| 13 | Visit of the Magi (wise men) | Matt 2:1-12 | — | — | — |
| 14 | The flight to Egypt; massacre of the infants | Matt 2:13-18 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Return from Egypt to Nazareth | Matt 2:19-23 | — | Luke 2:39 | — |
III3 events
Childhood & Youth
The hidden years in Nazareth
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Jesus grows as a child in Nazareth | — | — | Luke 2:40 | — |
| 17 | The boy Jesus at the temple at age twelve | — | — | Luke 2:41-50 | — |
| 18 | Jesus grows in wisdom and stature | — | — | Luke 2:51-52 | — |
IV3 events
Preparation for Ministry
The forerunner, the baptism, the testing
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | The ministry of John the Baptist begins | Matt 3:1-12 | Mark 1:1-8 | Luke 3:1-18 | John 1:19-28 |
| 20 | The baptism of Jesus | Matt 3:13-17 | Mark 1:9-11 | Luke 3:21-23 | John 1:32-34 |
| 21 | The temptation in the wilderness | Matt 4:1-11 | Mark 1:12-13 | Luke 4:1-13 | — |
V12 events
Early Judean Ministry
The year of inauguration
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | John's testimony: "Behold, the Lamb of God" | — | — | — | John 1:19-34 |
| 23 | The first disciples follow Jesus | — | — | — | John 1:35-51 |
| 24 | First miracle: water turned to wine at Cana | — | — | — | John 2:1-11 |
| 25 | Brief stay in Capernaum | — | — | — | John 2:12 |
| 26 | First cleansing of the temple at Passover | — | — | — | John 2:13-22 |
| 27 | Many believe at the Passover signs | — | — | — | John 2:23-25 |
| 28 | Nicodemus and the new birth | — | — | — | John 3:1-21 |
| 29 | John the Baptist exalts Christ | — | — | — | John 3:22-36 |
| 30 | Jesus leaves Judea for Galilee | Matt 4:12 | Mark 1:14 | Luke 3:19-20 | John 4:1-4 |
| 31 | The Samaritan woman at the well | — | — | — | John 4:5-42 |
| 32 | Arrival back in Galilee | — | — | — | John 4:43-45 |
| 33 | Heals the royal official's son from Cana | — | — | — | John 4:46-54 |
VI36 events
The Great Galilean Ministry
The height of public ministry around the Sea of Galilee
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Begins public preaching in Galilee | Matt 4:17 | Mark 1:14-15 | Luke 4:14-15 | — |
| 35 | First rejection at Nazareth | — | — | Luke 4:16-30 | — |
| 36 | Moves His base to Capernaum | Matt 4:13-16 | — | — | — |
| 37 | Calls four fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, John) | Matt 4:18-22 | Mark 1:16-20 | — | — |
| 38 | Heals a demon-possessed man in the synagogue | — | Mark 1:21-28 | Luke 4:31-37 | — |
| 39 | Heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others | Matt 8:14-17 | Mark 1:29-34 | Luke 4:38-41 | — |
| 40 | First preaching tour of Galilee | Matt 4:23-25 | Mark 1:35-39 | Luke 4:42-44 | — |
| 41 | The miraculous catch of fish | — | — | Luke 5:1-11 | — |
| 42 | Cleanses a man with leprosy | Matt 8:1-4 | Mark 1:40-45 | Luke 5:12-16 | — |
| 43 | Heals a paralytic lowered through the roof | Matt 9:1-8 | Mark 2:1-12 | Luke 5:17-26 | — |
| 44 | Calls Matthew (Levi); dines with sinners | Matt 9:9-13 | Mark 2:13-17 | Luke 5:27-32 | — |
| 45 | Question about fasting; new wine, old wineskins | Matt 9:14-17 | Mark 2:18-22 | Luke 5:33-39 | — |
| 46 | Heals the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda | — | — | — | John 5:1-15 |
| 47 | Discourse on the authority of the Son | — | — | — | John 5:16-47 |
| 48 | Plucking grain on the Sabbath | Matt 12:1-8 | Mark 2:23-28 | Luke 6:1-5 | — |
| 49 | Heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath | Matt 12:9-14 | Mark 3:1-6 | Luke 6:6-11 | — |
| 50 | Withdraws to the sea; heals the multitudes | Matt 12:15-21 | Mark 3:7-12 | — | — |
| 51 | Chooses the Twelve Apostles | — | Mark 3:13-19 | Luke 6:12-16 | — |
| 52 | The Sermon on the Mount / Plain | Matt 5:1-7:29 | — | Luke 6:17-49 | — |
| 53 | Heals the centurion's servant | Matt 8:5-13 | — | Luke 7:1-10 | — |
| 54 | Raises the widow's son at Nain | — | — | Luke 7:11-17 | — |
| 55 | John the Baptist's question from prison | Matt 11:2-19 | — | Luke 7:18-35 | — |
| 56 | Woes on the unrepentant cities; "Come to Me" | Matt 11:20-30 | — | — | — |
| 57 | Anointed by a sinful woman at Simon's house | — | — | Luke 7:36-50 | — |
| 58 | Women who supported Jesus' ministry | — | — | Luke 8:1-3 | — |
| 59 | Accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul | Matt 12:22-37 | Mark 3:20-30 | — | — |
| 60 | The sign of Jonah demanded | Matt 12:38-45 | — | — | — |
| 61 | Jesus' mother and brothers; His true family | Matt 12:46-50 | Mark 3:31-35 | Luke 8:19-21 | — |
| 62 | Parables by the sea (Sower, weeds, mustard seed) | Matt 13:1-53 | Mark 4:1-34 | Luke 8:4-18 | — |
| 63 | Calms the storm on the sea | Matt 8:18-27 | Mark 4:35-41 | Luke 8:22-25 | — |
| 64 | Heals the Gerasene (Gadarene) demoniac | Matt 8:28-34 | Mark 5:1-20 | Luke 8:26-39 | — |
| 65 | Jairus' daughter and the woman with bleeding | Matt 9:18-26 | Mark 5:21-43 | Luke 8:40-56 | — |
| 66 | Heals two blind men and a mute man | Matt 9:27-34 | — | — | — |
| 67 | Second rejection at Nazareth | Matt 13:54-58 | Mark 6:1-6 | — | — |
| 68 | Sends out the Twelve on mission | Matt 9:35-11:1 | Mark 6:6-13 | Luke 9:1-6 | — |
| 69 | Herod's alarm; the death of John the Baptist | Matt 14:1-12 | Mark 6:14-29 | Luke 9:7-9 | — |
VII22 events
Withdrawal & Training the Twelve
Retreats beyond Galilee and the turning point
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Return of the Twelve from mission | — | Mark 6:30-31 | Luke 9:10 | — |
| 71 | Feeding of the five thousand | Matt 14:13-21 | Mark 6:32-44 | Luke 9:10-17 | John 6:1-14 |
| 72 | Jesus walks on the water | Matt 14:22-33 | Mark 6:45-52 | — | John 6:15-21 |
| 73 | Heals the sick at Gennesaret | Matt 14:34-36 | Mark 6:53-56 | — | — |
| 74 | The Bread of Life discourse | — | — | — | John 6:22-71 |
| 75 | Conflict over tradition: clean and unclean | Matt 15:1-20 | Mark 7:1-23 | — | — |
| 76 | The Syrophoenician woman's faith | Matt 15:21-28 | Mark 7:24-30 | — | — |
| 77 | Heals a deaf man and many in the Decapolis | Matt 15:29-31 | Mark 7:31-37 | — | — |
| 78 | Feeding of the four thousand | Matt 15:32-39 | Mark 8:1-10 | — | — |
| 79 | Pharisees again demand a sign | Matt 16:1-4 | Mark 8:11-13 | — | — |
| 80 | The leaven of the Pharisees | Matt 16:5-12 | Mark 8:14-21 | — | — |
| 81 | Heals a blind man at Bethsaida | — | Mark 8:22-26 | — | — |
| 82 | Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi | Matt 16:13-20 | Mark 8:27-30 | Luke 9:18-21 | — |
| 83 | First prediction of His death and resurrection | Matt 16:21-28 | Mark 8:31-9:1 | Luke 9:22-27 | — |
| 84 | The Transfiguration | Matt 17:1-13 | Mark 9:2-13 | Luke 9:28-36 | — |
| 85 | Heals a demon-possessed boy | Matt 17:14-21 | Mark 9:14-29 | Luke 9:37-43 | — |
| 86 | Second prediction of His death | Matt 17:22-23 | Mark 9:30-32 | Luke 9:43-45 | — |
| 87 | The temple tax in the fish's mouth | Matt 17:24-27 | — | — | — |
| 88 | Who is the greatest? Childlike humility | Matt 18:1-5 | Mark 9:33-37 | Luke 9:46-48 | — |
| 89 | Warnings against causing others to stumble | Matt 18:6-14 | Mark 9:38-50 | Luke 9:49-50 | — |
| 90 | Church discipline and unlimited forgiveness | Matt 18:15-35 | — | — | — |
| 91 | Jesus' brothers do not believe | — | — | — | John 7:1-9 |
VIII18 events
Later Judean Ministry
Feasts in Jerusalem and teaching on the way
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | Departs for Jerusalem; sets His face to go | Matt 19:1-2 | Mark 10:1 | Luke 9:51 | John 7:10 |
| 93 | A Samaritan village rejects Jesus | — | — | Luke 9:51-56 | — |
| 94 | The cost of following Jesus | Matt 8:19-22 | — | Luke 9:57-62 | — |
| 95 | Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles | — | — | — | John 7:11-52 |
| 96 | The woman caught in adultery | — | — | — | John 7:53-8:11 |
| 97 | "I am the light of the world" | — | — | — | John 8:12-59 |
| 98 | Heals a man born blind | — | — | — | John 9:1-41 |
| 99 | The Good Shepherd discourse | — | — | — | John 10:1-21 |
| 100 | Sends out the seventy-two | — | — | Luke 10:1-24 | — |
| 101 | The parable of the Good Samaritan | — | — | Luke 10:25-37 | — |
| 102 | In the home of Mary and Martha | — | — | Luke 10:38-42 | — |
| 103 | Teaching on prayer; the Lord's Prayer | — | — | Luke 11:1-13 | — |
| 104 | Accused again of working by Beelzebul | — | — | Luke 11:14-28 | — |
| 105 | The sign of Jonah; the lamp of the body | — | — | Luke 11:29-36 | — |
| 106 | Woes against the Pharisees and lawyers | — | — | Luke 11:37-54 | — |
| 107 | Warnings to disciples and the crowd | — | — | Luke 12:1-59 | — |
| 108 | Repent or perish; the barren fig tree | — | — | Luke 13:1-9 | — |
| 109 | Heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath | — | — | Luke 13:10-17 | — |
IX26 events
Later Perean Ministry
East of the Jordan, moving toward Jerusalem
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | Feast of Dedication: "I and the Father are one" | — | — | — | John 10:22-39 |
| 111 | Withdraws beyond the Jordan into Perea | — | — | — | John 10:40-42 |
| 112 | The narrow door; lament over Jerusalem | — | — | Luke 13:22-35 | — |
| 113 | Heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath | — | — | Luke 14:1-6 | — |
| 114 | Parables at a Pharisee's banquet | — | — | Luke 14:7-24 | — |
| 115 | Counting the cost of discipleship | — | — | Luke 14:25-35 | — |
| 116 | Lost sheep, lost coin, the prodigal son | — | — | Luke 15:1-32 | — |
| 117 | The parable of the shrewd manager | — | — | Luke 16:1-13 | — |
| 118 | The rich man and Lazarus | — | — | Luke 16:14-31 | — |
| 119 | On forgiveness, faith, and duty | — | — | Luke 17:1-10 | — |
| 120 | The raising of Lazarus from the dead | — | — | — | John 11:1-44 |
| 121 | The Sanhedrin plots to kill Jesus | — | — | — | John 11:45-57 |
| 122 | Heals ten lepers; one returns to thank Him | — | — | Luke 17:11-19 | — |
| 123 | The coming of the kingdom of God | — | — | Luke 17:20-37 | — |
| 124 | The parable of the persistent widow | — | — | Luke 18:1-8 | — |
| 125 | The Pharisee and the tax collector | — | — | Luke 18:9-14 | — |
| 126 | Teaching on marriage and divorce | Matt 19:3-12 | Mark 10:2-12 | — | — |
| 127 | Jesus blesses the little children | Matt 19:13-15 | Mark 10:13-16 | Luke 18:15-17 | — |
| 128 | The rich young ruler | Matt 19:16-30 | Mark 10:17-31 | Luke 18:18-30 | — |
| 129 | The parable of the laborers in the vineyard | Matt 20:1-16 | — | — | — |
| 130 | Third prediction of His death | Matt 20:17-19 | Mark 10:32-34 | Luke 18:31-34 | — |
| 131 | The request of James and John | Matt 20:20-28 | Mark 10:35-45 | — | — |
| 132 | Heals blind Bartimaeus near Jericho | Matt 20:29-34 | Mark 10:46-52 | Luke 18:35-43 | — |
| 133 | Zacchaeus the tax collector | — | — | Luke 19:1-10 | — |
| 134 | The parable of the ten minas | — | — | Luke 19:11-27 | — |
| 135 | Mary anoints Jesus at Bethany | Matt 26:6-13 | Mark 14:3-9 | — | John 12:1-11 |
X15 events
Passion Week: Sunday to Thursday
The final public days in Jerusalem
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 136 | The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem | Matt 21:1-11 | Mark 11:1-11 | Luke 19:28-44 | John 12:12-19 |
| 137 | Cursing the barren fig tree | Matt 21:18-19 | Mark 11:12-14 | — | — |
| 138 | Second cleansing of the temple | Matt 21:12-17 | Mark 11:15-19 | Luke 19:45-48 | — |
| 139 | The withered fig tree; lesson on faith | Matt 21:20-22 | Mark 11:20-26 | — | — |
| 140 | Greeks seek Jesus; He foretells His death | — | — | — | John 12:20-50 |
| 141 | Jesus' authority challenged | Matt 21:23-27 | Mark 11:27-33 | Luke 20:1-8 | — |
| 142 | Parables of two sons, tenants, wedding feast | Matt 21:28-22:14 | Mark 12:1-12 | Luke 20:9-19 | — |
| 143 | Paying taxes to Caesar | Matt 22:15-22 | Mark 12:13-17 | Luke 20:20-26 | — |
| 144 | The question about the resurrection | Matt 22:23-33 | Mark 12:18-27 | Luke 20:27-40 | — |
| 145 | The greatest commandment | Matt 22:34-40 | Mark 12:28-34 | — | — |
| 146 | Whose son is the Christ? | Matt 22:41-46 | Mark 12:35-37 | Luke 20:41-44 | — |
| 147 | Woes on the scribes and Pharisees | Matt 23:1-39 | Mark 12:38-40 | Luke 20:45-47 | — |
| 148 | The widow's two small coins | — | Mark 12:41-44 | Luke 21:1-4 | — |
| 149 | The Olivet Discourse on the end of the age | Matt 24:1-25:46 | Mark 13:1-37 | Luke 21:5-38 | — |
| 150 | Plot to kill Jesus; Judas agrees to betray | Matt 26:1-16 | Mark 14:1-11 | Luke 22:1-6 | — |
XI8 events
Passion Week: The Last Supper
Thursday evening in the upper room
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151 | Preparation of the Passover meal | Matt 26:17-19 | Mark 14:12-16 | Luke 22:7-13 | — |
| 152 | The Last Supper begins | Matt 26:20 | Mark 14:17 | Luke 22:14-16 | — |
| 153 | Dispute over greatness; Jesus washes feet | — | — | Luke 22:24-30 | John 13:1-20 |
| 154 | Jesus foretells His betrayal | Matt 26:21-25 | Mark 14:18-21 | Luke 22:21-23 | John 13:21-30 |
| 155 | Institution of the Lord's Supper | Matt 26:26-29 | Mark 14:22-25 | Luke 22:17-20 | — |
| 156 | Foretells Peter's denial | Matt 26:31-35 | Mark 14:27-31 | Luke 22:31-38 | John 13:31-38 |
| 157 | The Upper Room Discourse | — | — | — | John 14:1-16:33 |
| 158 | The High Priestly Prayer | — | — | — | John 17:1-26 |
XII11 events
The Arrest & Trials
From Gethsemane to the sentence
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 159 | Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane | Matt 26:36-46 | Mark 14:32-42 | Luke 22:39-46 | John 18:1 |
| 160 | The betrayal and arrest | Matt 26:47-56 | Mark 14:43-52 | Luke 22:47-53 | John 18:2-12 |
| 161 | Trial before Annas | — | — | — | John 18:13-24 |
| 162 | Trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin | Matt 26:57-68 | Mark 14:53-65 | Luke 22:54,63-65 | — |
| 163 | Peter's three denials | Matt 26:69-75 | Mark 14:66-72 | Luke 22:54-62 | John 18:15-27 |
| 164 | The Sanhedrin condemns Him at dawn | Matt 27:1 | Mark 15:1 | Luke 22:66-71 | — |
| 165 | The death of Judas | Matt 27:3-10 | — | — | — |
| 166 | First trial before Pilate | Matt 27:2,11-14 | Mark 15:1-5 | Luke 23:1-5 | John 18:28-38 |
| 167 | Jesus before Herod Antipas | — | — | Luke 23:6-12 | — |
| 168 | Second trial before Pilate; Barabbas released | Matt 27:15-26 | Mark 15:6-15 | Luke 23:13-25 | John 18:39-19:16 |
| 169 | The soldiers mock Jesus | Matt 27:27-31 | Mark 15:16-20 | — | John 19:2-3 |
XIII5 events
Crucifixion & Burial
Friday at Golgotha
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | The road to Golgotha; Simon of Cyrene | Matt 27:32 | Mark 15:21 | Luke 23:26-32 | John 19:17 |
| 171 | The Crucifixion | Matt 27:33-44 | Mark 15:22-32 | Luke 23:33-43 | John 19:18-27 |
| 172 | The death of Jesus | Matt 27:45-56 | Mark 15:33-41 | Luke 23:44-49 | John 19:28-37 |
| 173 | The burial of Jesus | Matt 27:57-61 | Mark 15:42-47 | Luke 23:50-56 | John 19:38-42 |
| 174 | The guard set at the tomb | Matt 27:62-66 | — | — | — |
XIV10 events
Resurrection & Ascension
From the empty tomb to the return to glory
| # | Event | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175 | The empty tomb; women and the angels | Matt 28:1-8 | Mark 16:1-8 | Luke 24:1-12 | John 20:1-10 |
| 176 | Appears to Mary Magdalene | — | Mark 16:9-11 | — | John 20:11-18 |
| 177 | Appears to the other women | Matt 28:9-10 | — | — | — |
| 178 | The report of the guard | Matt 28:11-15 | — | — | — |
| 179 | On the road to Emmaus | — | Mark 16:12-13 | Luke 24:13-35 | — |
| 180 | Appears to the disciples (Thomas absent) | — | Mark 16:14 | Luke 24:36-43 | John 20:19-25 |
| 181 | Appears to the disciples (Thomas present) | — | — | — | John 20:26-31 |
| 182 | Appears at the Sea of Galilee | — | — | — | John 21:1-25 |
| 183 | The Great Commission in Galilee | Matt 28:16-20 | Mark 16:15-18 | — | — |
| 184 | Final appearance and the Ascension | — | Mark 16:19-20 | Luke 24:44-53 | — |
📖 How this harmony is organized & how to use it
- Time order, not book order. Events follow the flow of Jesus’ life rather than the order of any single Gospel, so you may see Matthew jump from chapter 4 to chapter 8 and back — that is normal.
- Parallel columns. When two, three, or four Gospels record the same event, their references sit in the same row. This makes it easy to compare details and assign reading across a group.
- Where the order is debated. The Gospel writers did not always arrange material by the clock, so a few events (especially some Galilean miracles and the order of the resurrection appearances) are placed where most harmonies put them. Faithful scholars sometimes differ on the exact sequence.
- John runs on his own track. About 90% of John’s Gospel is unique, which is why his column often stands alone — he fills in the Judean feasts and private discourses the others pass over.
📚 Sources & further study
- Reference links open Bible Gateway (NASB 1995).
- This ordering follows the standard structure of classic Gospel harmonies (e.g., A.T. Robertson’s A Harmony of the Gospels) and chronological treatments such as The Chronological Life of Christ.
- Want to read straight through? Start at Matthew 1 or John 1.