The one Gospel; or, The combination of the narratives of the four evangelists, in one complete record

Front matter

LIBRARY^F CONGRESS.

TLhc ®ne (3o6pel;

OR,

Introduction

Tj^OEASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set -■- forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the Word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. This treatise have I made, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which he was taken up, after that he, through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen : to whom he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

A WORD PREFATORY.

TTE who prayed, "Order my steps in Thy ■*-*- Word," first said, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law." The true child of God loves His Word and craves every help to its devout study.

The four Gospels have been aptly styled " Four Witnesses." In a court of law, after witnesses have taken the stand, it is of great importance so to sum up their testimony with care and skill, as to present at one view every particular detail of the evidence ; avoiding both omission and repetition, and at the same time bringing unity and harmony out of seeming diversity and divergence.

Somewhat such is the aim of this work. Each Evangelist furnishes some matter, found, if at all, not so fully, in the other records. We have sought to blend all the various features of the four narratives into one, without losing whatever is distinctive in each. Where words or phrases are retained which seem almost equivalent, we have chosen the risk of repeating, rather than of losing even a slight shade of meaning needed to complete the inspired picture of the life, words and works of the Son of God; and have sought to secure a full rather than a smooth rendering.

The text of the authorized version has been closely followed, without the italics which there mark words supplied by the translators; and, to avoid confusion, using the word, "demon" for "devil," where evil spirits, not Satan, are meant. Paragrax)h divisions, as determined by the plain sense of each passage, have also been adopted to avoid the loss of connection and continuity.

Without taking the place of the four gospels, this book may be an aid in their study, a commentary wholly biblical, whereby the reader may, at one view, see the complete and harmonious testim my of four independent witnesses. In this

VI A WORD PREFATORY.

attempt others have led the way, and therefore we lay no claim to originality; yet some new and peculiar features may here be found, which may commend this work to the favor of those who search the scriptures daily to know more of Him of whom they testify.

ARTHUR T. PIERSON.

PmLADELPHIA, Pa.,

October, 1889.

®ft^ ®tt^ Gospel.

^HE beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the -■- Son of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name : which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, ''This was he of whom I spake. He that cometh after me is preferred before me ; for he was before me." There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was

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of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before G-od in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, '• Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou Jshalt call his name 'John.' And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just ; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

And Zacharias said unto the angel, ' ' Whereby shall I know this ? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." And the angel answering said unto him, "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them : and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple : for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

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And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me, in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men."

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee : blessed art thou among women." And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name ' Jesus.' He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest : and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David : and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Then said Mary unto the angel, " How shall this be, seeing I know not a man ? " And the angel answered and said unto her, ' ' The Holy G4iost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee : therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age : and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible." And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And the angel departed from her.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah ; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb ; and Elisabeth was

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filled with the Holy Ghost : and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, ' ' Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me ? for, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed : for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm ; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things ; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy ; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.-' And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered : and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her ; and they rejoiced with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child ; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, " Not SO; but he shall be called John." And they said unto her, "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, "His name is John.' And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round trbe ®ne Gospel. s

about them : and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, " What manner ot child shall this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.

II

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, which was the son of Terah. which was the son of Nahor, \vhich was the son of Serug, which was the son of Eeu, which was the son of Peleg, which was the son of Eber, which was the son of Shelah, which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Shem, which was the son of Noah, which was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Methusaleh, which was the son of

Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Mahalaleel, which was the son of Cainan, which was tiie son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; and Judah begat Pharez and Zarah of Tamar; and Pharez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram; and Bam begat Amminadab; and Amminadab begat Nahshon; and Nahshon begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah; and Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa; and Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Jehoram; and Jehoram begat Uzziah; and Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah; and Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah; and Josiah begat Jeconiah and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon : and after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zerubbabel and Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

III

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her hustCbe ©ne 6ospeU it

band, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, " Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name ' Jesus,' for he shall save his people from their sins." Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ''Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel." (which being interpreted is "God with us"). Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son. And he called his name Jesus.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed, (i^nd this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) ; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, " Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye

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shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ''Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, '' Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called " Jesus," which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, '' Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"); and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, ''A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel : and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple : and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word : for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast

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prepared before the face of all people ; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, " Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher : she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity ; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and praj^ers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And they performed all things according to the law of the Lord.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, " Where is he that is born King of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem, of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

" 'And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Art not the least among the princes of Judah:

For out of thee shall come a Governor,

That shall rule my people Israel.' "

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently Avhat time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, " Go and search diligently for the yovmg child; and w^hen ye have found him, bring me Avord again, that I may come and worship him also."

When they had heard the king, they departed;

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and, lo, the star, which they saw m the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the youngchild with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts ; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of Grod in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, " Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, " Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two yea-s old and under, according to the time w^hich he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, " In Rama was there a voice heard, Lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Eachel weeping for her children, and would not

be comforted.

Because they are not."

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life." And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But Avhen he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither : notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, they turned aside, and returned into the parts of Galilee ; and they canie and dwelt in their own city, called Nazareth : that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, *'He shall be called a Nazarene." And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom : and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And w^hen he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And w^hen they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him w^ere astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed : and his mother said unto him, " Son, why hast thou thus dej^lt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto them, '' How is it that ye sought me ? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them ; and he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them ; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

IV

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Itursea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came untjo John the Baptist, the

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son of Zacharias in ^^^^ wilderness. J^^^

into all the co"^*^. f Xl pr^aching the baptism in the wilderness of Judeapr| ^^b^.^^^

of repentance for tiie remiss ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^

"Repent ye: .for ^^f^^^'Seprophets, hand." As It i^^^"**!^'enSr bet-ore thy face,

^^l}^^' •r.c nf one crying in the wilderness, " The voice or one "-^ j/"& ^ ■, Prepare ye the way of the Loid, Make his paths sraight

Every valley shall be hu^a^^ shall be brought low ; And every mountain ana mu . j^^

And the crookea ^Jf Jjf^^n^fmade smooth; And the rough ways shall t>^ ^f (jod."

And all flesh shall see {f «^«f^£^raiment of cameVs And the saine Jol^^ tiad ms ^ ^^^^^^

hair, and a leathern S^^^-f-P ^oney. Then there ^eat was locusts ^?;^,^, J!Y^,,a of Judea, and they ^ent out unto l^^]? ^^f JJe ^Sn round about Jorof Jerusalem, and all ^he^'^g .^ ^^^^ ^lyer of

dan, and were all baptee<J^°' said he to the