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Jesus' life before His public ministry began |
about 30 years |
Birth and Silent Years
Jesus' nativity, infancy, boyhood, young adult & early adult life |
Public Presention
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seeking crowds
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working countless miracles
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traveling throughout the lands of the Jews, saturating the area with His claims, and with the proof of those claims by means of miracles
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3–5 months |
The Opening of the Public Ministry of Jesus Christ
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The ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist
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The baptism and temptation of Jesus the Christ
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The miracle of water to wine performed at Cana
Jesus demonstrates His glory for the first time.
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about 8 months |
The Early Judean Ministry of Jesus Christ
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Jesus cleanses the temple at Jerusalem during Passover season
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Nicodemus, a seeking Sanhedrinist, comes by night to Jesus
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Jesus gathers to Himself those who had already believed John's message
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John the Baptist is arrested; Jesus departs for Galilee, passes through Samaria on the way, deals with the woman at the well
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18 months |
The Great Galilean Ministry of Jesus Christ
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Many, many miracles during this time
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Jesus is seeking crowds, traveling throughout Galilee, saturating the land with His two-fold claim (to be Messiah, and to be God come in the flesh), proving the legitimacy of those claims by means of miracles
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In spite of the undeniable proof Jesus offers in defense of the truth of His claims, Israel finally rejects Him and His offer; Jesus discerns that spirit of disbelief, His disciples/apostles do not. There are two great moments of rejection which bring this phase of Jesus' ministry to a close:
a) The first moment of rejection—the unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:14)
b) The final moment of rejection—the feeding of the 5000 (John 6:41)
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Private Preparation
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seeking privacy
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avoiding miracles
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fleeing areas populated by Jews
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6 months |
Training of the Twelve
Notice that Jesus' emphasis and tactics change dramatically at this point:
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He had been seeking crowds; now He seeks privacy
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He had been working miracles freely; now He seeks to avoid miracle-working in the attempt to avoid the consequent multitudes of people
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He had been speaking openly and plainly; now He speaks in parables
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He had been traveling throughout the land of the Jews; now He begins to move in non-Jewish territories (Syro-Phoenicia, Decapolis, Caesarea-Philippi)
Culmination of this period:
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Jesus finally finds solitude with His apostles, openly foretells His death for the first time; the apostles are horrified and unbelieving
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To reinforce the stumbling faith of the apostles, Jesus is transfigured before three of them
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A time of mixed focus: Jesus presents Himself to the people of Judea and Perea; but all the while continues to prepare His witless disciples for His death. |
6 months |
In and Around Jerusalem: The Six Months Before His Passion
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To Jerusalem, for the Feast of Tabernacles (November; cf. Luke 9:51, John 7:1). Then, ministers in Judea for final time, avoiding Jerusalem
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To Jerusalem, for the Feast of Dedication (December; cf. Luke 13:22, John 10:22). Then, to Perea (John 10:42), ministers until the sister of Lazarus send for Him
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To Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead (ca. February; cf. John 11:1). To village of Ephraim, remains secreted until He sets out for final Passover
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Final Events
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final week; and then 40 days |
Jesus Christ's Passion in Jerusalem, the Resurrection and Ascension
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The final journey to Jerusalem; Jesus and His disciples travel to the city with a band of Passover pilgrims coming down from Galilee
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The Passion Week: Jesus dramatically enters Jerusalem (Sunday), cleanses and possesses the temple (Monday/Tuesday), keeps Passover (Thursday afternoon), then is arrested, tried, crucified and buried (Friday)
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The Ressurection (early Sunday), followed by a 40-day ministry on the earth
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The Ascension to the Father from the Mount of Olives
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Information courtesy of Dr. Doug Bookman of bookman ministries |
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