STRASBURG CHURCH OF CHRIST

A HARMONY OF THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION

April 20,2025

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L. John Bost

Jesus Bore It All – Acapella

Mark 14:18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said,

21 When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified,

Luke 22:23 They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. Mark 14:19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?” 20 He answered them:

John 13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast. 13:24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”  25 He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus therefore answered:

Matthew 26:25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him:

John 13:27 Then Jesus said to him:

John 13:28 Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore, having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night.

Introduction

Jesus came to save sinners, including those alive today, and you and me. All four of the gospel accounts record the events leading up to, during, and after the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection.

However, the gospel accounts vary, though not in disagreement, in their accounts. Some do not include words and events that other gospel writers record. Some, perhaps all, do not write chronologically. The exact wording may differ among the gospel accounts, though the meanings are the same. So, I thought it would be good to develop a harmony of the gospels so that we might see the events as they were recorded by each of the gospel writers to see how things happened chronologically.

This is a rough harmony. A more exact harmony would take a better biblical scholar than I and would take much more time than I took to develop it. But I think this harmony of the gospels is fairly accurate and does no injustice to what the Gospels teach on these vital events for our soul’s salvation.

Let us delve into the four gospel accounts of the events leading up to, during, and immediately after the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection.

We take up our reading just after John’s record of Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

John 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.

Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples:

26:37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, Mark 14:33 James and John, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. Matthew 26:38 Then he said to them:

41 He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed. Matthew 26:39 He went forward a little, fell on his face Mark 14:35-36 on the ground, and prayed, that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.  He said:

Luke 22:43-44 22:43 An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

Luke 22:45 When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, 22:46 and said to them:

Matthew 26:40  And said to Peter:

26:42-43 Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying:

He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. Luke 14:40 and they didn’t know what to answer him.

26:44 He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. 26:45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them:

Judas Betrays Jesus

John 18:2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people. 26:48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” Matthew 26:26-50 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him:

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him:

John 18:4-10 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them:

They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them:

Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said to them:

they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them:

They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  Jesus answered:

that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke:

Matthew 26:50 Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

John 18:10-11 Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Matthew 26:52- Jesus therefore said to Peter:

—and he touched his ear, and healed him. Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him:

The Apostles Flee

 Mark 14:50-52 They all left him, and fled. A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. 

Jesus Is Taken to Annas

John 18:12-16 So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, 13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people. Matthew 26:57 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

Peter’s First Denial

John 18:15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; 18:16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter. Luke 22:55-57: And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Mark 14:66 Now as Peter was Matthew 26:69  sitting outside  in the courtyard below, Mark 14: 66 one of the maids of the high priest came, John 18:17-18: The servant girl at the door  Mark 14:67 and seeing Peter warming himself, Luke 22:16 and looking intently at him, said,, “You were also with the Nazarene, Matthew 26:69 Jesus the Galilean!” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, Luke 22:57 saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.” Mark 14: “I neither know, nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.

Jesus Before Annas

John 18:19-23 The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. Jesus answered him:

When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?” Jesus answered him:

John 18:24 Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Jesus Before Caiphas

Luke 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other. Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,  “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” Even so, their testimony did not agree.

Matthew 26:62 The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?” The High priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching. 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him:

Matthew 24:65 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!” Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him, Matthew 26:67 with their fists. Mark 14:65 Some began to spit at Him, Luke 22:64 and they blindfolded Him and were asking Him, saying, “Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” Mark 14:65 And the officers received Him with slaps in the face. And they were saying many other things against Him, blaspheming.

Peter’s Second Denial

Matthew 26:71-72 When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Mtthew 26:72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” Mark 14:69-70 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.” But he again denied it. Luke 22:58 After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

Peter’s Third Denial

Matthew 26:73 After a little while Luke 22:59, After about one hour passed, John 18:25  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Matthew 26:73 those who stood by came  and said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” John 18:26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Mark 14:71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”  Mark 14:72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Mark 14:72 And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him:

Luke 22:62 and Matthew 26:75 He went out and wept bitterly.

The Sanhedrin Delivers Jesus to Pilate, the Governor

Matthew 27:1 Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 27:2 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Judas’s Remorse and Suicide

Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 27:4 saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”

Matthew 27:5 He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself. 27:6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field was called “The Field of Blood” to this day.

Matthew 27:9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Jesus Before Pilate

Luke 23:1 The whole company of them rose up, Matthew 27:2 and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to John 18:28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, Matthew 27:2 to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

John 18:28 It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”

John 18:31 Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.

 John 18:33 Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

John 18:34 Jesus answered him:

35 Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered:

John 18:38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against him. 39 “But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover.

Luke 23:5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place

Matthew 27:2 When Mark 15:3 The chief priests accused him of many things, he answered nothing. 27:13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?” Matthew 27:14 He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Luke 23:6 But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.

Jesus Before Herod, the King

Luke 23:8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. 9 He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. 11 Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

Jesus Before Pilate Again

Luke 23:13 Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 23:14 and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. 15 Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. Mark 15:7 There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.

 Matthew 27:17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” Mark 15:8 The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.

Mark 15:9 Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.

Matthew 27:19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”

Matthew 27:20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” 

Luke 23:20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus, 21 but they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” He said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” 23:23 But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.

Jesus Is Released to Be Crucified

Matthew 27:24 So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

Matthew 27:25 All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!” 

 Mark 5:15 Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, Luke 23:24 decreed that what they asked for should be done. 23:25 He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will Mark 15:15 when he had flogged him, to be crucified.

Matthew 27:27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 28 They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head John 19:3 and they kept slapping him.

John 19:4 Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

19:5 Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

19:6 When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”

John 19:7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” 8 When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. 9 He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?”But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”

John 19:12 At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!” 13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement,” but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

John 19:15 They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

John 19:16 So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus. 

Mark 15:20 When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him. 21 They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross Luke 23:26 and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus

Jesus is Crucified

Jesus on the cross.
Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.

Luke 23:27 A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said:

Luke 23:32 There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. Mark 15:22 They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.” 23 They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.

Mark 15:25 It was the third hour, and they crucified him.

Mark 15:27 With him they crucified two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left. 28 The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was numbered with transgressors.”

(1st statement – “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?”) Jesus Prays for Forgiveness His Crucifiers

 Luke 23:34 Jesus said:

Soldiers Divide Jesus’ Clothes Among Themselves

John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.”   Therefore the soldiers did these things.

 John 19:19 Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. Mark 15:26 The superscription of his accusation was written over him, John 19:19 “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Matthew 27:39 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

Matthew 41 Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said, 42 “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

John 23:35 The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”

Matthew 27:44 The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.

Luke 23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

(2nd statement – Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”)

Jesus Pardons the Penitent Thief

Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 2 He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

Luke 23:43 Jesus said to him:

(3rd statement – “Woman, behold your son!” “Behold, your mother!)

Jesus Puts His Mother Into John’s Care

John 19:25 But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother:

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