Jesus, The Son of God A Chronological and Geographical Study of the Life of Christ Part X

Growing popularity and tension Tension Mounts as Jesus goes about Teaching Jesus performs miraclesJohn 20:30 Jesus gains great fameMatthew 4:24-25 Jesus exposes sinMatthew 12:30-34; Jn. 7:7 Jesus proclaims His deityJohn 4;25-26 Jesus experiences hostilityMark 3:5-6; Lk. 11:53-54; Jn. 7:1 Tension mounts as the cross grows closer!

Geographic coverage

Jesus makes preparations to leave Galilee and travel to Judea: Feast of tabernacles at hand (Jn. 7:2ff). Luke records more details of Jesus’ trip to Judea (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus sends out the 70 to preach (Lk. 10:1-20). Jesus tells the parable of the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37).

Events transpiring between the time Jesus left Galilee to the time he arrives in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles: Parables and sermons preached as Jesus traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem: – Jesus answers a request on the part of one of the disciples regarding prayer (Lk. 11:1-13). – Jesus agresively rebukes the scribes, Pharisees and Lawyers (Luke 11:37-54). – Jesus teaches His disciples not to fear man (Lk. 12:1-12). – Jesus preaches the parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21). – Jesus preaches on earthly anxiety (Lk. 12:22-34). – Jesus preaches the parable of the barren fig tree (Lk. 13:1-9). – Jesus heals a woman on the Sabath day (Lk. 13:10-21). – Parable of the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-35).

– Parable of the lost sheep, coin and son (Luke 15:1-32). – Parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13). – Parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). – Jesus teaches on exposing sin and forgiving a brother (Luke 17:3) – Sermon on the time of the coming of the kingdom (Luke 17:20-37) – Parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). – Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18:9-14) – Jesus’ sermon on marriage, divorce and remarriage (Matt. 19:1-12; Mk. 10:1-12). – Jesus teaches the rich young ruler what to do to inherit eternal life (Matt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17-22; Lk. 18:18-23). – Discussion of the peril of riches and the reward of the disciples (Matt. 19:23-30; Mk. 10:23-31; Lk. 18:24-30). – Parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16).

Geography covered by Jesus up to this point:

Jesus in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles: Upon arival in Jerusalem Jesus began to teach (Jn. 7:14- 52). Jesus speaks openly of his deity and mission on this earth (7:26). Jesus travels to the Mount of Olives (Jn. 8:1). Jesus teaches in the temple the next day (Jn. 8:1-11). Jesus preaches sermon on being the “Light of the World” (Jn. 8:12-59). Jesus preaches the sermon on the good shepherd (Jn. 10:1-21). Three months had now passed between John 7:1 and 10:22 (time between the feast of Tabernacles and feast of Dedication).

Three months until Jesus’ death FeastDateReference PassoverFirst month (Abib) 14 th dayLeviticus 23:5 Feast of Unleavened BreadFirst month (Abib) 15 th through 21 st Leviticus 23:6 Pentecost50 days after the Passover SabbathLeviticus 23:15ff Feast of TrumpetsSeventh month (Tishri) 1 st day Leviticus 23:23ff Day of AtonementSeventh month (Tishri) 10 th day Leviticus 23:27 Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) Seventh month (Tishri) 15 th day Leviticus 23:33ff Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) Ninth month (chislev) 25 th day John 10:22; II Macc. 10:6ff

Jesus travels to Perea: After the Feast of Dedication, Jesus travels “beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing; and there he abode” (Jn. 10:40). Many believe this to be Jesus’ later Perean ministry. John states of John the baptizer’s location, “these things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing” (Jn. 1:28). It is likely that Jesus went into Perea at this time and evangelized that area. I believe due to the statements found in Luke 13:22 and 17:11 that the events of Luke 13: :30 took place before the Feast of Tabernacles mentioned in John 7:1-3 as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast as covered above.

For about three and one half months, Jesus stayed in and around Perea. During this time he raises Lazarus from the dead at Bethany (Jn. 11:1ff; 11:18). After the chief priests and Pharisees meet and plot to kill Jesus, He leaves Bethany and travels to Ephraim awaiting the coming Passover (Jn. 11:54-55).

The difficulty in placing the Perean ministry is in the fact that the synoptic accounts do not mention Jesus leaving Jerusalem for Perea. John records the trip just before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the raising of Lazarus from the dead (cf. Jn. 10:40; 11:1ff). After raising Lazarus, Jesus travels to Ephraim to await His entry into Jerusalem (Jn. 11:54-55). The only explanation I offer is that at the point of Jesus predicting his death in Matt. 20:17-19; Mk. 10:32-34; Lk. 18:31-34 He must have been in Ephraim as John records at Jn. 11:54. At this point, Jesus has already spent time in Perea and prepares to make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem as recorded by all at Matt. 21:1-11; Mk. 11:1-11; Lk. 19:29-44; Jn. 12:12-19). Six days before the Passover Jesus comes to Bethany and Lazarus has already been raised (Jn. 12:1-8).

Conclusion: Jesus continues to perform signs (Luke 11:14, 43, 47; Jn. 12:37). Jesus continues to gain a following (Luke 12:1; Jn. 12:12). Proclaims His deity (John 8:58). Rebuke sin calling upon the people to repent (Lk. 13:3; John 7:7) Experience hostility (John 7:1, 59; 11:47-53) Jesus predicts his death (Matt. 20:17-19; Mk. 10:32-34; Lk. 18:31-34).