ISBN 978-0-615-80036-3
© Copyright 2013
By Bruce A Wilkinson
All Rights Reserved
Published 2013
Beacon Hill
Published In The
United States Of America
For My Beloved Shelley
PREFACE
Thank you for your interest in reading this book. It is my sincere hope, that alongside your Bible, it will help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospels of the New Testament tell us the greatest story ever told! Christ is our great example, and it is our duty to become more like Him every day. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
The idea of placing the four Gospels in harmony is not a new concept. It dates as far back as the second century A.D. Harmonies have two popular formats: the Sequential and the Synopsis. The Sequential Harmony seeks to interweave the four Gospels together into a single flowing narrative, whereas the Synopsis presents the Gospels side by side, in parallel with each other.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because they contain such similar content, whereas the Gospel of John tends to stand by itself. 30% of the book of Matthew contains original material not found in the other three. The book of Mark contains 8%, the book of Luke contains 50%, and 92% of the book of John is found to be original. The benefits of viewing the four Gospels in layers to expose the distinctive elements of each book are apparent. When one considers the fact that no one book relates the full story on its own.
As previously stated, the first known Gospel Harmony originated in the middle of the second century when Tatian presented his work known as “the Gospel of the mixed” in 169 A.D. He was an early Assyrian writer and theologian whose writings remained influential until the fifth century A.D. However, the forerunner of the modern Harmony is found to have originated in the early part of the third century, where Ammonius of Alexandria produced the first known Harmony Synopsis, which presented the four Gospels in parallel.
The sixteenth century produced more harmonies than the fourteen centuries that preceded it. The middle ages were a time of great persecution for the churches. Anabaptists (meaning “re-baptizers”) were distinct because of their assertion of the necessity of adult baptism, rejecting the infant baptism practiced by the Roman Catholic Church. They believed that true baptism required a public confession of faith, which could only be accomplished as an exercise of one’s free will following salvation.
They believed in the separation of church and state, and were dedicated to the preservation of God’s Word hundreds of years before the reformation ever took place. Roman Catholic and other Protestant groups alike persecuted many Anabaptists in Europe, and most Anabaptist leaders had been executed by the end of the 16th century.
Perhaps the greatest contribution the Anabaptists made was their preservation of the Scriptures. For over a thousand years hundreds of these churches hand copied and preserved the Scriptures independently of each other. When collected together by Erasmus in 1522, they were found to be in almost complete agreement with each other. These collected scriptures eventually gave us the Textus Receptus, (Received Text) which formed the underlying text for the King James Bible: the only reliable translation of the Bible in the English language today.
William Tyndale, a student of Erasmus, was one of the first scholars to make the Bible available in the English language. Whereas the Roman Catholic Church kept the Bible out of the hands of the people, Tyndale, believing the Bible was meant for the common person, gave rise to the concept of the “Peoples Bible” in 1525. Although this concept met with great opposition, the translation of the King James Bible in 1611, along with the invention of the printing press in 1439, gave rise to the writing of more Harmonies than ever before.
In modern times, the work on Gospel Harmonies, was championed by John Albert Broadus who produced his finished work in 1893. His protégé, A.T. Robertson, followed his work by publishing a revision in 1922. However, the vast majority of harmonies produced during the past 100 years were based on perverted versions of the English Bible. It is rare indeed to find a Harmony published using the King James Bible. It is for this reason that I felt so strongly about publishing this work.
This Harmony was not written to facilitate the needs of professors nor cater to the proponents of higher criticism. Like Tyndale’s idea of the “Peoples Bible”, it was written for the common person for use as a devotional. It has not been written with a collection of notes or commentary embedded within the text, but contains pure scripture presented in sequential order, that allows the reader to read the Gospels as one continuing story.
Verses were selected for their original content. When two parallel passages contain original content then both verses are usually shown. Now, in keeping with the concept of the “Peoples Bible”, it is my earnest prayer that this work will give the reader a better understanding of the life of Christ, and it is to this end this work is dedicated.
Bruce A. Wilkinson
beaconhill@columbus.rr.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Principles Of Biblical Interpretation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
I. EVENTS SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
1. Luke’s Salutation
2. In The Beginning
3. The Angel Gabriel Appears To Zacharias
4. The Angel Gabriel Appears To Mary
5. Mary’s Journey To Visit Elisabeth
6. The Birth Of John The Baptist
7. The Genealogy of Joseph
8. An Angel Appears To Joseph In A Dream
9. The Birth Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ
10. Angels Appear To Shepherds In The Fields
11. Jesus Is Presented In The Temple
12. Wise Men Come From The East Seeking The Child
13. Joseph And Mary’s Flight Into Egypt
14. Herod Slays The Children Of Bethlehem
15. Joseph And Mary’s Return Into Israel
16. Jesus Accompanies His Parents To Jerusalem
17. The Genealogy of Mary
II. THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE INTRODUCTION OF OUR LORD’S PUBLIC MINISTRY
1. The Ministry Of John The Baptist
2. The Baptism Of Jesus
3. Jesus’ Temptation In The Wilderness
4. John Witnesses To Representatives Of The Sanhedrin
5. John Identifies Jesus As The Messiah
6. John’s Disciples Follow After Jesus
7. The Marriage Feast In Cana Of Galilee
III. EVENTS SURROUNDING OUR LORD’S FIRST PASSOVER
1. The First Cleansing Of The Temple
2. The Jews Require A Sign
3. Nicodemus Comes To Jesus By Night
4. The Parallel Ministries Of Jesus And John
5. Jesus Encounters A Woman Of Samaria
6. Jesus Arrives In Galilee
7. The Healing Of The Nobleman’s Son
8. Jesus Is Rejected At Nazareth
9. The Call Of Andrew, Peter, James and John
10. A Demon Is Cast Out At Capernaum
11. The Healing Of Peter’s Mother-In-Law
12. The Healing Of Many Throughout Galilee
13. The Healing Of A Man Who Was A Leper
14. A Man Is Healed Of The Palsy
15. The Call Of Matthew The Publican
16. Questions Concerning Fasting
IV. EVENTS SURROUNDING OUR LORD’S SECOND PASSOVER
1. Jesus Heals A Man At The Pool Of Bethesda
2. Jesus’ Discourse In Reply To The Jews
3. The Disciples Pluck Ears Of Corn on the Sabbath day
4. The Healing Of A Man With A Withered Hand
5. The Healing Of Many By The Sea Of Tiberius
6. The Ordaining Of The Twelve Apostles
7. The Sermon On The Mount
8. The Healing Of The Centurion’s Servant
9. The Raising Of A Widows Son In Nain
10. John Sends His Disciples To Jesus
11. Various Cities Are Upbraided For Their Unbelief
12. The Salvation Of A Woman Who Was A Sinner
13. Jesus Preaches Throughout Galilee
14. The Healing Of A Man Possessed Of A Devil
15. The Pharisees Commit Blasphemy
16. The Scribes And Pharisees Seek After A Sign
17. Jesus Pronounces Woes Upon The Pharisees
18. Teaching Concerning Discipleship
19. The Parable Of The Rich Fool
20. The Parable Of The Watchful Servants
21. Teaching Concerning Repentance
22. The Parable Of The Barren Fig Tree
23. The Parable Of The Sower And The Seed
24. Jesus Explains His Speaking In Parables
25. Jesus Explains The Parable Of The Sower
26. The Parable Of The Tares
27. The Parable Of The Seed Cast Into The Ground
28. The Parable Of The Grain Of Mustard Seed
29. The Parable Of The Hidden Leaven
30. The Parable Of The Tares Explained
31. The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure
32. The Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Price
33. The Parable Of The Net Cast Into The Sea
34. Jesus Stills The Tempest In The Sea
35. A Man Is Possessed With A Legion Of Devils
36. Levi’s Great Feast
37. A Woman Is Healed Of An Issue Of Blood
38. Jarius’ Daughter Is Raised From The Dead
39. The Healing Of Two Blind Men
40. The Healing Of A Man Possessed Of A Devil
41. Jesus Is Again Rejected At Nazareth
42. Jesus Teaches Throughout Galilee
43. The Twelve Are Sent Forth To Preach
44. The Death Of John The Baptist
45. The Return Of The Twelve
46. The Feeding Of The Five Thousand
47. Jesus Comes Walking On The Sea
48. The Healing Of Many In The Land Of Gennesaret
49. Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
50. Many Of Jesus’ Disciples Turn Back
V. EVENTS SURROUNDING OUR LORD’S THIRD PASSOVER
1. The Tradition Of The Elders
2. The Healing The Daughter Of A Syrophenician Woman
3. The Healing Of Deaf Man Who Had An Impediment
4. The Feeding Of The Four Thousand
5. The Pharisees And Sadducees Require A Sign
6. Warning Against The Pharisees And Sadducees
7. The Healing Of A Blind Man At Bethsaida
8. Peter’s Confession Of Faith
9. Jesus Foretells Of His Death And Resurrection
10. Teaching Concerning Discipleship
11. The Transfiguration On The Mount
12. The Healing Of A Man With A Dumb Spirit
13. Peter Pays Tribute At Capernaum
14. Dispute Over Who Shall Be Greatest
15. Teaching Concerning Offences
16. Teaching Concerning Disputes Between Brethren
17. Teaching Concerning Forgiveness
VI. EVENTS SURROUNDING THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
1. Jesus Begins His Journey Toward Jerusalem
2. Seventy Disciples Are Sent Forth To Preach
3. The Cleansing Of Ten Lepers
4. The Unbelief Of Jesus’ Brethren
5. Jesus Goes Up To The Feast In Secret
6. The Pharisees Send Officers To Take Jesus
7. A Woman Is Taken In The Act Of Adultery
8. The Rulers Challenge Jesus Of His Authority
9. The Parable Of The Good Samaritan
10. Jesus Dines With Mary And Martha
11. Jesus Teaches His Disciples How To Pray
12. The Return Of The Seventy
13. The Healing Of A Man Who Was Born Blind
14. The Parable Of The Door Of The Sheep
15. Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
16. The Jews Demand If Jesus Be The Christ
17. Lazarus Is Raised From The Dead
18. Caiaphas’ Prophecy Before The Council
19. The Healing Of A Woman With A Spirit Of Infirmity
20. The Parable Of The Grain Of Mustard Seed
21. The Parable Of The Hidden Leaven
22. Teaching Concerning The Kingdom Of God
23. Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem
24. The Healing Of A Man Who Had The Dropsy
25. The Parable Of The Great Supper
26. Teaching Concerning Discipleship
27. The Parable Of The Lost Sheep
28. The Parable Of The Lost Silver
29. The Parable Of The Prodigal Son
30. The Parable Of The Unjust Steward
31. The Rich Man And Lazarus
32. Teaching Concerning Faith And Duty
33. Teaching Concerning The Kingdom Of God
34. The Parable Of The Importunate Widow
35. The Parable Of Two Men Praying In The Temple
36. The Pharisees Tempt Jesus Concerning Divorce
37. Jesus Blesses The Little Children
38. The Rich Man Who Turned Away
39. The Parable Of The Householder
40. Jesus Foretells Of His Death And Resurrection
41. Zebedee’s Wife Makes Request For Her Sons
42. The Healing Of Blind Bartimaeus
43. The Salvation Of Zacchaeus
44. The Parable Of The Pounds
VII. EVENTS SURROUNDING OUR LORD’S FOURTH PASSOVER
1. Jesus Arrives In Bethany Six Days Before The Passover
2. Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
3. The Cursing Of The Barren Fig Tree
4. The Second Cleansing Of The Temple
5. Jesus Returns To The Temple The Next Day
6. The Rulers Challenge Jesus Of His Authority
7. The Parable Of Two Sons Sent Forth To Work
8. The Parable Of The Wicked Husbandmen
9. The Kingdom Of God Is Taken Away
10. The Parable Of The Marriage Feast
11. The Rulers Attempt To find fault With Jesus’ Words
12. Warnings Concerning The Scribes And Pharisees
13. The Commendation Of The Widow’s Mite
14. A Voice Thunders From Heaven
15. Jesus Foretells Of The Destruction Of The Temple
16. Teaching Concerning The End Times
17. The Parable Of The Watchful Porter
18. The Parable Of The Faithful And Wise Servant
19. The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
20. The Parable Of The Talents
21. The Separation Of The Sheep From The Goats
22. The Rulers Take Council To Kill Jesus
23. Jesus Is Anointed By Mary
24. Judas Covenants To Betray The Lord
25. Preparation For The Passover
26. Dispute Over Who Shall Be Greatest
27. Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet
28. Jesus Points Out The Traitor
29. Jesus Foretells Of The Dispersion Of The Twelve
30. The Lord’s Supper
31. The Promise Of Another Comforter
32. Jesus Explains His Leaving
33. Jesus Begins His Final Discourse To His Disciples
34. Jesus’ Great Prayer For His Disciples
VIII. EVENTS SURROUNDING THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST
1. Jesus Agonizes In The Garden Of Gethsemane
2. Jesus’ Betrayal And Arrest
3. Jesus Is Brought Before Annas
4. Peter Denies the Lord
5. Jesus Is Examined Before Caiaphas
6. Jesus Is Examined Before Pilate
7. Jesus Is Examined Before Herod
8. Pilate Condemns Jesus To Death
9. Judas Repents And Hangs Himself
10. Jesus Is Led Away To Be Crucified
11. The Crucifixion Of The Son Of God
12. The Salvation Of The Thief Upon The Cross
13. The Substitutionary Death Of Our Lord
14. The Sepulchre Is Sealed By The Jews
IX. EVENTS SURROUNDING THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST
1. The Women Come To The Sepulchre Early In The Morning
2. Jesus Appears To Mary At The Tomb
3. Jesus Appears To The Other Women Returning
4. The Soldiers Are Bribed By The Chief Priests
5. Peter And John Run To The Sepulchre
6. Jesus Appears On The Emmaus Road
7. Jesus Appears In The Midst Of His Disciples
8. Jesus Appears And Shows Himself To Thomas
9. Jesus Appears At The Sea Of Tiberias
10. Jesus Appears To Five Hundred Brethren
11. The Great Commission
12. The Ascension Of Christ
Bibliography
Principles Of Biblical Interpretation
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
In studying the Bible, it soon becomes apparent that we are not dealing with any ordinary piece of literature, but the Words of Almighty God. It is a supernatural book that finds its origin in heaven itself. The Bible tells us: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16) Inspiration literally means God-Breathed.
Augustus Strong defines inspiration as: “…that influence of the Spirit of God upon the minds of the Scripture writers which made their writings the record of a progressive divine revelation, sufficient, when taken together and interpreted by the same Spirit who inspired them, to lead every honest inquirer to Christ and to Salvation.” 1
Perhaps King David said it best when he wrote: “All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” (1 Chronicles 28:9) God’s meticulous care of the Scriptures is very evident when we consider the ways in which it has been preserved.
Of Old Testament scribes David Otis Fuller writes:“The Jews cherished the highest awe and veneration for their sacred writings which they regarded as the “Oracles of God.” They maintained that God had more care of the letters and syllables of the law than the stars of heaven, and upon each tittle of it, mountains of doctrine hung. For this reason every individual letter was numbered by them and account kept of how often it occurred. In the transcription of an authorized synagogue manuscript, rules were enforced of the minutest character. The copyist must write with a particular ink, on a particular parchment. He must write in so many columns, of such a size, and containing just so many lines and words. No word to be written without previously looking at the original. The copy, when completed, must be examined and compared within thirty days; if four errors were found on one parchment, the examination went no farther - the whole was rejected. When worn out, the rolls were officially and solemnly burned lest the Scripture might fall into profane hands or in fragments 2
We rely upon this same Old Testament Scripture today. During His ministry, Jesus often quoted the Old Testament. He charged the Jews with Hypocrisy, blasphemy and many other things, but never once did He charge them with corrupting the Scriptures.
Jesus Himself said: “verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.“ (Matthew 5:18) A Jot was the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet whereas a title was the small stroke of the pen that distinguished one letter from another. In addition, Jesus gave his complete approval to the sacred cannon when He said, “…and the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35)
John, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Moses were all commanded to record the words of God in the form of a book. Daniel understood the length of the Babylonian captivity from the writings of the prophet Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2). Inspiration is that quality that makes this book unique, and every saved believer in Christ has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God to interpret it to him. Jesus said to his disciples, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) He further promised: “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13) However, it is not so with the world.
Jesus taught His disciples: “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” (Luke 8:10) Only the Spirit of God can illuminate Spiritual truth: “…the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Only the child of God has the ability to read the Bible with spiritual understanding. However, in the busy world in which we live this privilege is all too often taken for granted and neglected. As in the parable of the sower and the seed: “…the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)
It should be the earnest desire of every believer to seek out, and understand biblical truth. It is our duty to read the Bible and become more like Christ every day. In addition, when we have difficulties understanding, we have this promise from our Lord: “…Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? …If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:9-11, 13)
As God, in His wisdom, has given and preserved His Word through human agency, He has also left it up to every man, to study the Word for himself, and rightly divide the Word of truth. To best achieve this we must first understand something of how the Scriptures were written.
It is our responsibility to ensure, that the doctrines upon which we base our faith and practice, proceeds from a right interpretation of Biblical truth. We must never allow our own beliefs and preconceptions to dictate our interpretations for us. To do so would open the door and allow the Bible to say and mean anything we wanted it to. It is upon this misconception that false doctrines, and apostate religion flourishes. Jesus accused the Pharisees of this when he charged them: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)
Whether we realize it or not, “rightly dividing the Word of truth” involves some understanding of hermeneutics: or, the study of Biblical interpretation. Do not make the mistake of believing that the Bible was written on such a high plateau that the common person could not understand it. they can! Although it may seem like a big word, hermeneutics simply recognizes the way in which the Bible was written and formulates certain principles that guide us into a right interpretation of the truth. This by no means minimizes the work of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, it recognizes the Spirit as the only key to understanding, and provides us with the principles needed to guide ourselves into a correct understanding of divine revelation.
Although Hermeneutics can be perceived as a very complex subject, there are certain fundamental principles that can be understood by every student of the Bible.
Charles C. Ryrie writes of its importance: “Hermeneutics is that science which furnishes the principles of interpretation. These principles guide and govern anybody’s system of theology. They ought to be determined before one’s theology is systematized, but in practice, the reverse is usually true. At least in the awareness of most people, hermeneutics is one of the last things to be considered consciously. Most people know something of the doctrines they believe, but little of the hermeneutics on which they have been built. Principles of interpretation are basic and ought to be established before attempting to interpret the Word so that the result is not only right interpretation but a right system of theology” 3
In an attempt to enrich your understanding of the gospels these basic principles are briefly outlined as follows:
1. We must First understand that God’s revelation is progressive in nature.
Although the Bible was given by inspiration through some 40 individual writers, in the form of 66 books, over a period of 1600 years, the Bible is nevertheless, one book. The truth given by God is progressive in nature. It is not complete at the beginning, but gradually unfolds, building verse upon verse. It was not given in one single act, but through a series of successive acts that makes Scripture clear by gradually revealing its truth in consecutive stages.
For example, the latter half of the book of Daniel would make little sense apart from the book of Revelation. The Gospels would not be complete without all four books acting in Harmony with each other. The books of Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus would not be complete without the book of Hebrews. The Scripture never contradicts, but reveals and supports itself, as the unfolding plan of God. The Scriptures tell us: “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28:9-10)
2. Always adopt a normal, literal meaning for the text you are reading.
God is the originator of language. He created it so He could communicate His truth to man, and man could communicate his thoughts to God. If God is the originator of language, it logically follows that He gave us language that was meant to be understood. The words that make up the Bible hold the same normal, literal, meanings they would if they were used in any other book.
The Bible says what it means, and means what it says. When reading biblical words we do not have to search for some hidden mystical meaning for it to be understood. It can be taken and understood at face value.
Charles C. Ryrie writes: “If God be the originator of language and if the chief purpose of originating it was to convey His message to man, then it must follow that He, being all-wise and all-loving, originated sufficient language to convey all that was in His heart to tell man. Furthermore, it must also follow that He would use language and expect man to use it in its literal, normal and plain sense. The Scriptures then, cannot be regarded as an illustration of some special use of language so that in the interpretation of these Scriptures some deeper meaning of the words must be sought. If language is the creation of God for the purpose of conveying His message, then a theist must view that language as sufficient in scope and normative in use in accomplishing that purpose for which God originated it.” 4
The Bible must be interpreted literally, if any sense is to be made of it. The testimony of prophecy demands it! About half of the prophecy contained in the Bible has been literally fulfilled: The interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s image, the birth and ministry of Christ, The ministry of John The Baptist, the slaying of the children of Bethlehem, the crucifixion and suffering of Christ, and hundreds of other prophecies have all been literally fulfilled. As such, there is no reason to believe that the remaining prophecies will not be literally fulfilled as well. The Bible is not a book of contradictions, but of simplicity and harmony. What confusion would ensue if we could assign meanings to words that are not conducive with common usage, and common sense?
J. Dwight Pentecost correctly states: “The reason a non-literal method of interpretation is adopted is, almost without exception, because of a desire to avoid the obvious interpretation of the passage. The desire to bring the teaching of Scripture into harmony with some predetermined system of doctrine instead of bringing the doctrine into harmony with the Scriptures.” 5
God gave his Word so that it could be understood. By way of example, the book of Nehemiah tells us: “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground …So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading …And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. (Nehemiah 8:5-12)
God does not require blind obedience to the words of men. The Bible was not written only to priests and clergy, but to the common person. It is the revelation of God’s mind to the world, and, in matters of salvation, can be plainly understood by anyone who seeks to understand its contents in sincerity and truth. The introduction of the “people’s Bible” by Tyndale was perhaps the greatest single development that led the world out of the dark ages. God’s Word belongs in the hands of the people to whom it was written.
3. Always compare Scripture with Scripture.
Because the Scriptures were written progressively, the meaning of any given passage can only be found by comparing Scripture with Scripture. There is no better tool for interpretation than the Bible itself. The Bible is completely free of error and will never contradict itself. “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33) Each passage contributes to the understanding of another. Scripture must be interpreted in reference both to those passages that precede it, and to those that follow. No Scripture should be interpreted by itself, but rather in reference with everything The Bible has to say on the subject.
Examples of this principle can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Christ frequently quoted the Old Testament in his teachings. Jesus said: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:27-28) In this instance Christ quotes the Old Testament and then enlarges upon its meaning using a New Testament passage to make it complete.
This is especially true with prophecy. A passage in the New Testament often confirms the literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy or reveals some future fulfillment to come. following Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, God instituted the Levitical priesthood and its accompanying system of animal sacrifice. If read by itself one could easily conclude that this system was sufficient to take away sins, but when we compare scripture with scripture, we read: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4) Further comparison would reveal: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) In this instance all three passages work together to bring the full meaning to light.
The comparison of Scripture with Scripture is vital to biblical understanding. As the Bible was written as the progressive unfolding of truth, the comparison of Scripture is the only way in which to assemble all of the passages necessary to arrive at a correct interpretation. Without the comparison of Scripture, much of its meaning would be lost.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
4. Always interpret Scripture within its historical and grammatical context.
This is known as the Historico-Grammatical rule of interpretation. However, for our purposes we can break this down into four separate parts: 1. the grammatical context, 2. the situational context, 3. the cultural context and 4. the historical context. By context, we mean the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs, and the discourse that can throw light upon its meaning.
Of this, John F. Walvoord writes: “Scripture should never be interpreted in isolation of its context. Careful thought should be given to the immediate context, the general context and the context of the whole Scripture. This will serve to relate the revelation contained to other divine revelations.” 6
1. The grammatical context refers to that system of rules that define the grammatical syntax of a language. In other words, the punctuation and linguistic elements that govern the construction of sentences, phrases, and clauses.
When studying the Bible the same rules apply as they would for any other document. Since grammar affects the relationship of words, the sentence structure affects the meaning of those words, and therefore warrants our attention.
2. The situational context involves the immediate circumstance from within which the passage originates. One must answer the questions: Where is this taking place? Who is present? What is the subject of discourse? When is this taking place? Does this relate to any preceding passages that might provide more information in placing this event into context?
3. The cultural context refers to that pattern of beliefs and behavior that form the characteristics and features of everyday life. This would include the set of attitudes, values and social practices that characterize a certain time or place.
4. The historical context refers to the knowledge of significant events and circumstances that pertain to the political and social circumstances in relation to their surroundings over time.
W. R. Downing concludes: “It is such an interpretation that is necessitated by and in accordance with the rules of grammar and the facts of history. It is a common-sense interpretation (i.e., adhering to the principle of the usus loguendi, or common, usual meaning and use of words in a given era, society or culture) It seeks no spiritual or hidden meaning unless necessary in the normal, figurative, symbolic, idiomatic or typical expression of the given language, culture or historical context of a given passage. It presupposes that God has given his revelation in an intelligent and understandable form.” 7
5. Always Separate Israel and the church
In order to maintain a right interpretation of the Scriptures, it is necessary to note those distinctions that separate Israel from the Church.
Israel finds its origins in the Old Testament whereas the Church finds its origins in the New. Israel finds it’s lineage in the loins of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whereas the Church finds its origin in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Israel began when God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, whereas the Church finds its beginnings when Christ gave the Apostles the great commission and endued them with power from on high on the day of Pentecost.
Israel received the law on mount Sinai, whereas the Church received the New Testament through the Apostles and other inspired writers. Israel’s worship was centered on the Tabernacle of the congregation, and the Levitical priesthood, whereas born-again believers in Christ are Indwelt by the Holy Spirit and worship God in spirit and in truth. Rejecting Christ, Israel awaits their coming Messiah. Accepting Christ, the church awaits His imminent return at the rapture.
I could go on, but suffice it to say, that Israel and the Church are two different entities. Modern day critics would have us believe that Israel and the Church are one and the same, but that is an incorrect doctrinal position that is completely unsupported by Scripture. Israel is not, nor ever will be part of the church. Why is this so important? It is important because the interpretation of Israel’s future as a nation, the meaning of New Testament teaching, and the interpretation of Biblical Prophecy depends upon it.
Jesus Christ was the Messiah foretold in Daniel 9:25-26. God has made unconditional promises to the Jewish people as a nation. Although many centuries have passed, they are promises that He fully intends to keep.
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.” (Jeremiah 31:31-36)
Concerning Christ we read: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Jesus Christ was the Messiah promised to the nation of Israel, and it was to Him that pertained the throne of David. It was His kingdom that was to have no end (Matthew 1:21-23, Luke 1:31-33). These promises are unconditional. Some of them have been literally fulfilled, and some of them await future fulfillment, but they will all be fulfilled literally.
Jesus announced himself as the Messiah in the synagogue where he was brought up in Nazareth: “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:17-21)
This was a well-known messianic prophecy that incensed the Jews to the point that they attempted to throw him headlong off the brow of the hill upon which their city was built. The Jews on several occasions took up stones to stone him. They accused him of being indwelt by the devil himself! Because of Israel’s rejection, Jesus told them: “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21:43)
The Church was a mystery in that it was never mentioned in the Old Testament. God’s program had always been with the Jews. However, because the Jews rejected and ultimately crucified Christ, the Kingdom offered by their Messiah was postponed. However, the promise of the kingdom, also known as the Millennial kingdom, would still be literally fulfilled sometime in the future. God has not forsaken His people.
The apostle Paul wrote Romans chapter 11 on this very point: “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace …What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day…I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy …For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? …I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Romans 11:1-27)
Even after all of these centuries, God’s promise will still be honored. Israel still has a future as a nation; therefore, the church and Israel are two very separate entities. The kingdom promised to the Jewish nation will one day be fulfilled. Because of their rejection of Christ God placed an interval between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy. In addition, it is into this period that God inserted the Church, and temporarily turned his program toward the Gentiles.
Knowing that Israel and the church are two separate entities changes the way in which we interpret prophecy. Many of the parables take on new meaning as they are found to pertain to the tribulation period, or millennial kingdom rather than the church. The Old Testament prophecies take on new meaning also. It makes all the difference in the world as far as the interpretation Scripture is concerned.
8