“The Journeys and Ministry of Jesus the Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 1972, insert

The Journeys and Ministry of Jesus the Christ

By Doyle L. Green, Editor

This graphic presentation has been developed to aid those who love Jesus to gain a better understanding of his earthly life and ministry.

From the map-o-graph one can determine at a glance at what stage in the Savior’s life important events occurred and where he was at the time. The map-o-graph and the reference table form an excellent ready reference combination. After locating an incident in the Savior’s life on the map-o-graph, one can turn to the table and find in which gospel or gospels it is recorded and where. Or, conversely, by matching numbers, one can quickly locate on the map-o-graph any occurrence listed in the table.

Events in the Savior’s life are infinitely more important than the time or place they occurred; still, relating happenings to places and times may make the events themselves more interesting and significant. Furthermore, the more elements one can associate with an incident, the more readily it may be learned, the longer it may be retained, and the quicker it can be recalled.

The task of relating the events of the Savior’s life to places and time sequences is a challenging one for three primary reasons:

(1) None of the four gospels contains the complete account of the Savior’s ministry. While some events are recorded by all four writers, others are told by three, two, or, in a great many cases, by only one.

(2) It would seem that the gospel writers did not record all of the events in precisely the same order.

(3) The locations where many incidents occurred are described in one or more of the gospels, but the exact spot where some events took place is not revealed. Other places are described only generally or in such a manner that they cannot be located with accuracy today; for example, which was the Mount of Transfiguration? Mt. Hermon? Mt. Tabor? Mt. Cana? We do not know. Again, at what point along the one hundred and twenty sultry miles of the Jordan River was the Savior baptized? John says at Bethabara. But where was that city? Its location is in doubt.

On the map-o-graph, places that can be more or less definitely located are identified by black dots. When the exact spot is in question, the event is related to the general area where it is known or thought to have occurred.

Devoted scholars, comparing the gospels and utilizing archaeological finds and topographical information, have been attempting for many years to fit missing pieces together, or in other words to “harmonize” the gospels as to chronology, doctrine, and place locations. The chronological information used in the construction of this map-o-graph and reference table, with a few exceptions, follows the harmony of President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., printed in Our Lord of the Gospels. According to President Clark’s preface he “arranged the incidents in a chronological order that seemed generally to represent the majority view of the harmonists consulted.”

Even though the sequence of some of the events as well as some of the place locations might be in question, these are relatively minor, and it is believed that in spite of this possible weakness this visual presentation of the journeys and ministry of Jesus will fill a great need.

Table of References

Event Number	Event	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1	Christ is born	Matt. 1:25; Matt. 2:1		Luke 2:1–20
2	Taken to temple as a baby			Luke 2:22–38
3	Taken to Egypt	Matt. 2:13–15
4	Spends childhood	Matt. 2:19–23		Luke 2:39–40
5	Visits temple at age 12			Luke 2:41–50
6	Grows to manhood			Luke 2:51–52
7	Baptized of John	Matt. 3:13–17	Mark 1:9–11	Luke 3:21–22	John 1:29–34
8	Spends 40 days in wilderness	Matt. 4:1–11	Mark 1:12–13	Luke 4:1–13
9	Meets Andrew and Simon				John 1:35–42
10	Finds Philip and Nathanael				John 1:43–51
11	Turns water into wine				John 2:1–11
12	Visits “his own city”				John 2:12
13	Attends Passover				John 2:13–25; John 3
14	Cleanses temple				John 2:14–17
15	Visited by Nicodemus				John 3:1–21
16	Tarries and baptizes in Judea				John 3:22
17	John is imprisoned	Matt. 14:3–5	Mark 6:17–20	Luke 3:19–20
18	Teaches Samaritan woman at well				John 4:3–42
19	Teaches gospel in synagogues	Matt. 4:17	Mark 1:14–15	Luke 4:14–15	John 4:45
20	Heals nobleman’s son				John 4:46–54
21	Is rejected			Luke 4:16–30
22	Calls Peter, Andrew, James, John	Matt. 4:18–22	Mark 1:16–20	Luke 5:1–11
23	Teaches as one having authority		Mark 1:21–22	Luke 4:31–32
24	Casts out unclean spirit		Mark 1:23–28	Luke 4:33–37
25	Heals Peter’s mother-in-law	Matt. 8:14–17	Mark 1:29–34	Luke 4:38–41
26	Tours Galilee healing sick	Matt. 4:23–25	Mark 1:35–39	Luke 4:40–44
27	Delivers Sermon on Mount	Matt. 5–7
28	Heals leper	Matt. 8:1–4	Mark 1:40–45	Luke 5:12–14
29	Heals man sick of the palsy	Matt. 9:2–8	Mark 2:1–12	Luke 5:17–26
30	Calls Matthew	Matt. 9:9–13	Mark 2:13–17	Luke 5:27–32
31	Talks to John’s disciples	Matt. 9:14–17	Mark 2:18–22	Luke 5:33–39
32	Attends second Passover				John 5:1–47
33	Heals man at Bethesda				John 5:2–15
34	Jews seek to kill him				John 5:16–47
35	Disciples pluck corn on Sabbath	Matt. 12:1–8	Mark 2:23–28	Luke 6:1–5
36	Heals man with withered hand	Matt. 12:9–13	Mark 3:1–6	Luke 6:6–11
37	Teaches from ship; heals many	Matt. 12:15	Mark 3:7–12
38	Spends night praying			Luke 6:12
39	Chooses the twelve apostles	Matt. 10:2–4	Mark 3:13–19	Luke 6:13–16
40	Heals many			Luke 6:17–19
41	Preaches Sermon on the Plain			Luke 6:20–49
42	Heals centurian’s servant	Matt. 8:5–13		Luke 7:1–10
43	Raises widow’s son from dead			Luke 7:11–17
44	Praises John the Baptist	Matt. 11:2–19		Luke 7:18–35
45	Upbraids cities, prays to Father	Matt. 11:20–30
46	Anointed by sinful woman			Luke 7:36–50
47	Teaches in every city and village			Luke 8:1–3
48	Heals blind and dumb man	Matt. 12:22
49	Accused by Pharisees	Matt. 12:24–37	Mark 3:22–30
50	Discourses on signs	Matt. 12:38–45
51	His mother & brethren seek him	Matt. 12:46–50	Mark 3:31–35	Luke 8:19–21
52	Teaches from ship by parables	Matt. 13:1–52	Mark 4:1–29	Luke 8:4–18
53	Stills the storm	Matt. 8:23–27	Mark 4:35–41	Luke 8:22–25
54	Casts out devils	Matt. 8:28–34	Mark 5:1–20	Luke 8:26–39
55	Raises daughter of Jairus	Matt. 9:18–26	Mark 5:22–43	Luke 8:41–56
56	Heals woman with issue of blood	Matt. 9:20–22	Mark 5:25–34	Luke 8:43–48
57	Heals blind men, dumb demoniac	Matt. 9:27–34
58	Teaches in synagogue; is rejected	Matt. 13:54–58	Mark 6:1–5
59	Teaches and heals the sick	Matt. 9:35–38	Mark 6:6
60	Sends forth the twelve	Matt. 10:1–42	Mark 6:7–13	Luke 9:1–6
61	John is beheaded	Matt. 14:6–12
62	The twelve return		Mark 6:30	Luke 9:10
63	Rests in desert near Bethsaida	Matt. 14:13	Mark 6:31	Luke 9:10
64	Teaches multitudes; feeds 5,000	Matt. 14:14–21	Mark 6:33–44	Luke 9:11–17	John 6:1–14
65	Walks on the sea	Matt. 14:24–33	Mark 6:47–52		John 6:16–21
66	Discourses on bread of life				John 6:22–71
67	Heals people in Gennesaret	Matt. 14:34–36	Mark 6:53–56
68	Discourses on cleanliness	Matt. 15:1–20	Mark 7:1–23
69	Goes to coasts of Tyre and Sidon	Matt. 15:21	Mark 7:24
70	Heals daughter of Greek woman	Matt. 15:22–28	Mark 7:25–30
71	Returns to Sea of Galilee	Matt. 15:29	Mark 7:31
72	Heals deaf man		Mark 7:32–37
73	Teaches; heals sick	Matt. 15:30–31
74	Feeds the 4,000	Matt. 15:32–38	Mark 8:1–9
75	Visits Magdala	Matt. 15:39	Mark 8:10
76	Gives discourse on signs	Matt. 16:1–12	Mark 8:11–21
77	Heals blind man		Mark 8:22–26
78	Peter testifies of him	Matt. 16:13–20	Mark 8:27–30	Luke 9:18–22
79	Tells of his death & resurrection	Matt. 16:21–28	Mark 8:31–38	Luke 9:23–27
80	Is transfigured	Matt. 17:1–13	Mark 9:2–13	Luke 9:28–36
81	Heals boy with dumb spirit	Matt. 17:14–21	Mark 9:14–29	Luke 9:37–43
82	Gets tribute money from fish	Matt. 17:24–27
83	Discourses on meekness, etc.	Matt. 18:1–35	Mark 9:33–50	Luke 9:43–50
84	Samaritan village refuses him			Luke 9:51–56
85	Sends forth the seventy			Luke 10:1–16
86	Attends feast of tabernacles				John 7:10–11
87	Teaches in temple				John 7:14–53
88	Forgives adultress				John 8:1–11
89	Bears record of himself				John 8:12–32
90	The seventy return			Luke 10:17–24
91	Tells parable of good Samaritan			Luke 10:25–37
92	Visits Mary and Martha			Luke 10:38–42
93	Teaches disciples to pray			Luke 11:1–13
94	Casts out dumb devil			Luke 11:14–26
95	Discourses on cleanliness			Luke 11:37–54
96	Teaches by parable			Luke 12:1–59
97	Heals man born blind				John 9:1–41
98	Gives parable of good Shepherd				John 10:118
99	Attends feast of dedication				John 10:22–38
100	Escapes from enemies				John 10:39
101	Goes beyond the Jordan				John 10:40–42
102	Teaches; heals woman on Sabbath			Luke 13:10–30
103	Warned Herod seeks to kill him			Luke 13:31–35
104	Receives word that Lazarus is ill				John 11:1–16
105	Heals man with dropsy			Luke 14:1–24
106	Gives discourse on sacrifice			Luke 14:25–35
107	Teaches by parable			Luke 15, 16
108	Talks on offences			Luke 17:1–10
109	Raises Lazarus from the dead				John 11:17–46
110	Chief priests plot his death				John 11:47–53
111	Goes to city of Ephraim				John 11:54
112	Begins journey to Jerusalem			Luke 17:11
113	Heals ten lepers			Luke 17:12–19
114	Discourses on kingdom of God			Luke 17:20–37
115	Speaks in parables			Luke 18:1–14
116	Goes beyond the Jordan	Matt. 19:1	Mark 10:1
117	Discourses on marriage & divorce	Matt. 19:3–12	Mark 10:2–12
118	Blesses little children	Matt. 19:13–15	Mark 10:13–16	Luke 18:15–17
119	Talks with rich young ruler	Matt. 19:16–30	Mark 10:17–31	Luke 18:18–30
120	Gives parable of laborers	Matt. 20:1–16
121	Heals Bartimaeus	Matt. 20:29–34	Mark 10:46–52	Luke 18:35–43
122	Sees Zacchaeus in tree			Luke 19:1–10
123	Gives parable of ten pounds			Luke 19:11–27
124	Goes before the 12 to Jerusalem	Matt. 21:1		Luke 19:28
125	Many seek him				John 11:55–57
126	Reaches Bethany for Passover				John 12:1

Week of Atoning Sacrifice

Sunday

Goes to Bethphage, mounts donkey, descends Mount of Olives, makes “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem, returns to Bethany. (Matt. 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 19:29–44; John 12:12–19.)

Monday

Leaves Bethany for Jerusalem, curses fig tree, heals blind and lame, cleanses the temple, returns to Bethany. (Matt. 21:12–19; Mark 11:12–19; Luke 19:45–48; Luke 21:37.)

Tuesday

Sees withered fig tree on way to Jerusalem from Bethany, enters temple, answers question on authority, tribute money, marriage after resurrection, the great commandment, whose Son he is. Condemns Pharisees, laments over Jerusalem, talks of widow’s mite, sought by Greeks. Voice from heaven is heard. Gives discourse on Mount of Olives, tells of final judgment, chief priests plot to take him; anointed by Mary in house of Simon the leper. Judas arranges betrayal. (Matt. 21:19–46; Matt. 22; Matt. 23; Matt. 24; Matt. 25; Matt. 26:1–16; Mark 11:20–33; Mark 12; Mark 13; Mark 14:1–11; Luke 20; Luke 21; Luke 22:3–6; John 12.)

Wednesday

This day may have been spent in Bethany with his disciples.

Thursday

In the evening he goes to “upper room” in Jerusalem for last supper. Washes disciples’ feet, eats Passover meal, reveals his betrayer, foretells his death, institutes the sacrament, tells Peter he will deny him, gives dissertation about the Comforter, goes to Mount of Olives where he continues teaching his disciples, prays to his Father, goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray; he is betrayed, arrested, and bound. (Matt. 26:17–56; Mark 14:12–52; Luke 22:7–53; John 13; John 14; John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18:3–12.)

Friday

About midnight he is taken into Jerusalem, first to Annas, then to Caiaphas, then to the Sanhedrin. He is mocked and maltreated, denied by Peter, tried and condemned by Jews, taken before Pilate, then Herod, returned to Pilate who condemns and delivers him up to be crucified. Goes to Calvary and is crucified. Buried in tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. (Matt 26:57–75; Matt. 27:1–61; Mark 14:53–72; Mark 15; Luke 22:54–62; Luke 23; John 18:13–40; John 19:1–42.)

Saturday

Body lies in tomb.

Sunday

The Lord is resurrected. (Matt. 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20; John 21.)

Those to Whom the Savior Appeared after His Resurrection

Mary Magdalene in the Garden. (Mark 16:9; John 20:11–17.)

The women who came to seek him as they go to tell his disciples. (Matt. 28:9–10.)

Two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13–32.)

Simon Peter. (Luke 24:33–35; 1 Cor. 15:5.)

All the apostles except Thomas in upper room where “he breathed on them and sayeth unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” (Mark 16:14–18; Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23.)

After eight days to the eleven disciples. (John 20:26–29.)

Seven disciples at the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1–14.)

“After that, he was seen of about five hundred brethren at once.” (1 Cor. 15:6.)

“After that, he was seen by James.” (1 Cor. 15:7.)

Eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. (Matt. 28:16–20.)

His disciples at Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, from which place he ascended into heaven. (Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–51; Acts 1:6–11.)

The Journeys and Ministry of Jesus the Christ