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The REAL JESUS of the FOUR GOSPELS
The REAL JESUS of the FOUR GOSPELS
By J. B. ATWATER MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 1922 Copyrighted, 1921 J. B. ATWATER THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE WHO, IN AGES PAST, HAVE SUFFERED OR SHED THEIR BLOOD ON ACCOUNT OF CREEDS, DOGMAS, THEOLOGIES, INQUISITIONS OR OTHER PERVERSIONS OF THE SIMPLE, ALL-SUFFICIENT RELIGION TAUGHT BY JESUS: LOVE THE LORD, THY GOD, WITH ALL THY HEART, AND THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF. [Pg 4] [Pg 5]...
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PREFACE
PREFACE
The first part of this work is a collation of all that is said, and just what is said, in each of the four Gospels, regarding the more important incidents of Jesus' life. Every statement in the text, it is thought, is accurate, free from personal coloring or sectarian bias, and may be verified from the passages cited. After examining various lives of Jesus, harmonies of the Gospels, etc., there seemed to be need of such a work, which would furnish simply the facts, and leave the reader to form h
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GENEALOGY
GENEALOGY
Mark and John give no genealogy of Jesus, except that He was the son of Joseph and Mary (Mark III:31; VI:3; John I:45; II:1; XIX:25), and is spoken of as the son of David (Mark X:47, 48; XI:10; John VII:42). Matthew gives a genealogy from Abraham down to Joseph (Chap. I), and Luke gives one from Joseph up to Adam (III:2, 23-28). [1] These two lines of ancestry are the same from Abraham down to David. There they diverge into two separate lines. Matthew has the next in descent Solomon, son of Davi
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CONCEPTION
CONCEPTION
Matthew and Luke state that Jesus was conceived of Mary, when a virgin, by the Holy Ghost (Matt. Chap. I, Luke Chap. I). Mark and John are silent on the subject, except as they speak of Jesus as being the son of Joseph and Mary (Mark III:31; VI:3; John I:45; II:1; XIX:25). Matthew says that Joseph, after he was "espoused" to Mary and was her "husband", but before they "came together", discovered that she was with child and was "minded to put her away privily." But an angel of the Lord appeared t
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PRE-NATAL INCIDENTS
PRE-NATAL INCIDENTS
Luke gives (Chap. I) a quite lengthy account of the conception of John the Baptist, which is very similar to the story of the conception of Samson in the Old Testament (Judges Chap. XIII). He also tells of a three months' visit of Mary to Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist and Mary's cousin (Luke I:36), and of Elisabeth's recognition of Mary as the mother of "My Lord" (Luke I:43). [10] While Mary treated the announcement of the angel rather indifferently (Luke I:38), she now, on this salutati
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BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Mark and John furnish no information as to the life of Jesus prior to His baptism by John. Both Matthew and Luke agree in giving Bethlehem of Judæa as the place of Jesus' birth. Apparently Matthew considered Bethlehem the then residence of Joseph and Mary, for he says nothing of their presence there being temporary, and Joseph, when he returned from Egypt, was going back to Judæa (Bethlehem), but, on being warned of God in a dream, "he turned aside into the parts of Galilee; and he came and dwel
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BAPTISM OF JESUS
BAPTISM OF JESUS
John's baptism of Jesus is the first event in the latter's life which all four evangelists unite in recording. The earlier events related by Matthew and Luke—Mark and John either do not know, or do not believe, or do not deem worth recording. John begins his preaching about the year A. D. 26 (Luke III:1). Apparently Jesus was "about thirty years of age" when He was baptized (Luke III:23). The four Gospels describe at some length, and with substantial agreement, the preaching of John and the inci
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JESUS' MISSION AS HE CONCEIVED IT DURING HIS LIFE-TIME
JESUS' MISSION AS HE CONCEIVED IT DURING HIS LIFE-TIME
From this point on, the accounts of Jesus' movements in the four Gospels are so confusing and contradictory that the only feasible plan seems to be to follow one Gospel to its end, noting similarities or differences in the other Gospels as they occur in the course of the narrative. But, before starting on this, it seems necessary to grasp clearly just what was Jesus' basic purpose in this, His life-work. Probably nine out of ten of His followers of today would say that it was to redeem mankind a
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JESUS' FAST IN THE WILDERNESS
JESUS' FAST IN THE WILDERNESS
Matthew, Mark and Luke say that Jesus, after His baptism by John, was "led up," or driven "of the Spirit" into the wilderness, staying there forty days fasting and being "tempted of the devil" (Matt. IV:1-11; Mark I:12, 13; Luke IV:1-13). Mark says that this was "immediately" after the baptism, and condenses the event into two verses. Matthew and Luke give in detail the temptations of the devil. Matthew and Mark mention that Jesus was ministered to by angels. Luke adds at the end that the devil
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THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES
THE CALLING OF THE APOSTLES
Matthew says that, after the fasting in the wilderness and after a visit to Nazareth, Jesus "came and dwelt in Capernaum" on the coast of the Sea of Galilee (Matt. IV:12,13). As He was walking by the sea, he found Peter and Andrew fishing, and summoned them to follow Him (Matt. IV:18,19,20). Going on from thence He found James and John fishing and summoned them also (Matt. IV:21-22). Matthew does not tell us of the circumstances of the calling of the other apostles except Matthew. After the deli
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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
The Sermon on the Mount is the first discourse by Jesus narrated by Matthew, and is the longest connected discourse to be found in the four Gospels. The place of its delivery is not fixed other than that "He went up into a mountain," but it was probably some elevation of land in Galilee, near Capernaum (Matt. IV:13). The time of its delivery is also not fixed, although it must have been shortly after the baptism by John. Jesus had already done some preaching in Galilee and performed some miracle
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THE LORD'S PRAYER
THE LORD'S PRAYER
In Matthew the Lord's Prayer forms a part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. VI:9-13). [21] According to Luke (Luke XI:2-4) it was given to the disciples alone, and not to a multitude, as in Matthew. In Luke it also comes at a much later date than the delivery of the Sermon on the Mount. One verse is slightly different, Luke having, "and forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one who is indebted to us," in place of Matthew's "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Luke also
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THE FIRST MIRACLES
THE FIRST MIRACLES
Matthew says, in a general way, that Jesus healed "all manner of sickness" before the delivery of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. IV:23, 24). But the first specific miracles which he describes occurred after that event (Matt. VIII:1-15). The first was the leper, the second the centurion's servant, afflicted with palsy, and the third was the mother of Simon Peter's wife, who was "sick of a fever." Jesus saw and touched the leper and Peter's wife's mother, but the centurion's servant was one of the
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THE RAISING OF THE DEAD
THE RAISING OF THE DEAD
There are three miracles of this class in the Gospels. The first (apparently) in point of time is related by Luke (Luke VII:11-17). [24] The day after the curing of the centurion's servant at Capernaum (Luke VII:1), Jesus went into a city called Nain, with "many of His disciples" and "much people" (Luke VII:11). Nain was an inland city in the southern part of Galilee, some distance from Capernaum and the sea of Galilee. This is the only time that this city is mentioned in the four Gospels. As Je
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THE LOAVES AND FISHES
THE LOAVES AND FISHES
Matthew relates that Jesus departed hence (from Capernaum, Matt. XIII:54) "by ship into a desert place apart" (Matt. XIV:13). This was just after the beheading of John the Baptist by Herod (Matt. XIV:10, 11, 12). A "great multitude" followed Jesus, "and He healed their sick" (Matt. XIV:14). At evening the disciples wished Jesus "to send the multitude away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves victuals" (Matt. XIV:15). But Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat." They had but five loave
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OTHER MIRACLES
OTHER MIRACLES
Besides those already mentioned, the following specific miracles are found in Matthew, the details of which it is not necessary to give. These are outside of general and indefinite statements of persons cured of various afflictions. (a) The curing at Capernaum of the man sick of the palsy (Matt. IX:1-7). See Mark II:1-12, Luke V:17-26, where the sick man is let down on his bed through the roof. (b) The giving sight to two blind men, apparently at Capernaum (Matt. IX:27-31). (c) Restoring his spe
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THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APOSTLES
THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APOSTLES
Matthew devotes an entire chapter to this subject (Matt. X). This is the first time in Matthew's narrative that the term "Apostles" is applied to the followers or disciples of Jesus (Matt. X:2). Up to this point he has mentioned specifically the calling of only five of the apostles (Matt. IV:18, 21; IX:9), although there are possible references to others (Matt. VIII:19, 21). The first injunction is that they shall not preach to the Gentiles or Samaritans, but "to the lost sheep of the house of I
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THE TEMPERATE LIFE
THE TEMPERATE LIFE
In rebuking the obduracy of the then generation of the Jews, Jesus illustrates His view of right living, viz: temperance in all things. "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners" (Matt. XI:18, 19). In the face of the example of asceticism set by John the Baptist, Jesus neither fasted Himself, nor did He enjoin fasting on His disciple
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THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH
THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH
On a certain Sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were passing through the corn fields (Matt. XII:1; Mark II:23; Luke VI:1). Luke says that it was "the second Sabbath after the first," probably calling "the first" the one on which Jesus preached in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke IV:16). The disciples, being hungry, began to pluck and eat the ears of corn. The Pharisees object that they "do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day." Jesus cites the example of David eating the shew-bread
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THE TRANSFIGURATION
THE TRANSFIGURATION
Six (or eight) days after certain preaching, Jesus "taketh Peter, James and John" and "bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light" (Matt. XVII:1, 2). Moses and Elias then appear and talk with Jesus (Matt. XVII:3). Peter proposes that they make three tabernacles (Matt. XVII:4). A cloud then overshadows them and a voice comes out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
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THE EVENTS PRECEDING JESUS' ARREST
THE EVENTS PRECEDING JESUS' ARREST
About the middle of his Gospel, Matthew says, "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples" His future trial, death and resurrection at Jerusalem (Matt. XVI:21). Peter, with his faith in Jesus' earthly power, "began to rebuke" Him, saying that this should not be done unto Him (Matt. XVI:22). But Jesus turned on him and said, "Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offense unto me; for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt. XVI:23. See also M
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THE LAST SUPPER
THE LAST SUPPER
As the feast of unleavened bread of the Passover approaches, Jesus sends Peter and John (Luke XXII:8) into Jerusalem to secure a room, in which He and His disciples may eat, or "kill", the Passover (Matt. XXVI:17-19). The room is secured, the Passover made ready, and "when the evening was come, He sat down with the twelve" (Matt. XXVI:20). [36] While they were eating, Jesus tells the twelve that one of them shall betray Him, and indicates, in a rather veiled way, that Judas is the one. They all
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THE BETRAYAL
THE BETRAYAL
On Tuesday or Wednesday of this Passover week the "chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people" came together unto the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest, and determined on Jesus' death (Matt. XXVI:3). Judas Iscariot then comes to them and promises to deliver Jesus to them in consideration of thirty pieces of silver (Matt. XXVI:14-16). Previous to this last visit to Jerusalem, Jesus had predicted His death and be trayal, but without indicating that His betrayer would be one of th
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THE TRIAL
THE TRIAL
Immediately after His arrest, Jesus is taken away to "Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled" (Matt. XXVI:57). [40] The council seek "false witnesses" against Jesus and at first have some difficulty in finding any. "At the last came two false witnesses, and said: This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days" (Matt. XXVI:59, 60, 61). Interrogated as to this charge, "Jesus held His peace" (Matt. XXVI:62, 63). The high pr
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THE CRUCIFIXION
THE CRUCIFIXION
The soldiers, taking Jesus, at first mocked Him, putting on Him a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns, spitting on Him and smiting Him (Matt. XXVII:27-30). They then put His own raiment on Him, and took Him to the place of Crucifixion, on the way impressing a "man of Cyrene, Simon by name," to carry His cross (Matt. XXVII:31, 32). When they reached Golgotha, they gave Him vinegar to drink, mixed with gall, but, on tasting it, Jesus refused to drink (Matt. XXVII:33, 34). They then crucified Him wi
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THE RESURRECTION
THE RESURRECTION
About dawn on Sunday morning, the two Marys came to the sepulchre (Matt. XXVIII:1). The soldiers set to watch the tomb are there also (Matt. XXVIII:4). There is a "great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it" (Matt. XXVIII:2). "His countenance was like lightning, and his rai ment white as snow" (Matt. XXVIII:3). The angel tells the women that Jesus is risen, and bids them go quickly and tell His disciples t
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MODERN CHRISTIANITY
MODERN CHRISTIANITY
With the death of Jesus, died also His dream of converting the Jews to His religious ideas. A few scattered bands of followers—Nazarites or Ebionites—survived Him. But they existed only in a moribund condition, exerted no influence over the nation, and, in the course of a few centuries, disappeared from history. The Jews as a people rejected, and have always rejected, both Jesus as a Messiah and His teachings as their religion. If the Jews had then been an independent nation, living in their hau
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THE ETERNAL CONFLICT
THE ETERNAL CONFLICT
The Gospel of Jesus proclaimed the highest ethical ideal that had yet appeared on earth. But, as a working rule-of-conduct for practical, everyday life, it contained an essential weakness. With its acceptance by one nation after another, it became an efficient force, working with other forces in the evolution of mankind. But here it came in direct conflict with the forces of nature, which, working through countless ages, had made man what he then was. The ultimate goal of man's struggles and asp
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THE NECESSITY OF COMPROMISE
THE NECESSITY OF COMPROMISE
In Physics a body acted on by two divergent forces takes a course which is the resultant of (a compromise between) the two different forces. So, if Christianity is to survive as an efficient force in man's evolution, compromises must be made between the ideals of Jesus and the natural forces expressed in the terms of the struggle for existence and the survival of the fittest. It is possible that the day may come, when all nations of our planet may be converted, to put into practical operation in
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COMPROMISE IS JUSTIFIABLE
COMPROMISE IS JUSTIFIABLE
The Crucifixion was but a few years old when those two old enemies whom Jesus had fought so persistently—creeds and ceremonies—began to be active among the early Christians. Right theological thinking began to assert its supremacy over the right practical living , taught by Jesus as the first essential of His professed followers. The outside of the cup was being carefully polished up, although the inside might be unclean. Paul, who had never had any personal intercourse with Jesus, was the prota
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HYPOCRISY OR TRUTH
HYPOCRISY OR TRUTH
Hypocrisy did not die with the Pharisees. To an observer of modern life, it might seem as if it has as rank and luxuriant growth today as in the time of Jesus. The modern Christian must apparently keep up the hypocrisy that he is always following Jesus, when, as a matter of fact, he is every day making compromises with Jesus' ideals, in some instances deviating widely from His teachings, and, in others, going diametrically against them. The question is, if, in these points of divergence, it is n
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CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
The Great War has brought about a wondrous upheaval in the society of the world. Nearly every phase of mental and physical activity in man is in a process of transformation. Government, religion, labor, pleasure, business, finance, international relations—all are on a shifting basis, seeking readjustment to new ideas and new conditions. To cling to worn-out conceptions of life—to worn-out ideas and phrases is mere folly. These new problems can only be met and settled with a " tabula rasa ." We m
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MEMORANDUM
MEMORANDUM
I wish my remains to be cremated as quietly as possible, and do not care to have a minister hold any services. While I believe in God the Infinite not ourselves which is eternal I do not believe in any of the man-made Gods and Creeds which now exist and which in my opinion have entirely perverted the simple gospel taught by Christ. As I have no near relatives to be pained by the absence of conventional ceremonies, I might as well be consistent to the end. I have no particular use for flowers at
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