When the two plans of narration are compared, it is found possible to lit them together, without forcing, to an extent which is remarkable, con- sidering the difference between their plans, and the ab.sence of any indication on the part of the fourth evangelist as to how the contents of his Gospel are to be combined with the Synoptic record. Ho represents Jesus as in the neighbourhood of John the Baptist subsequently to His baptism, and as then returning to Galilee. The first visit to Jerusalem which he describes is for a Passover that happened .soon after this, and before (as it would .seem) the commencement of His regular ministiy in Galilee (Jn l^-'2'-). In the holy city itself and in Judaea, at the time of this feast, Christ's public work began, according to Jn (2"-4^). He returns to Galilee by the most direct route, through Samaria, and preaches there during His brief stay (4^-^). So we are brought to a point (4"-*') corresponding with the beginning and early days of the ministry in Clalilee described in the Synoptic Gospels. The fourth evangelist then ]iroceeds to give an account of a visit to Jerusalem for a Jewish feast. It is the only one occurring during the period of the GaliKxan ministry, and curiously in this single instance he does not specify what feast it was (ch. 5). In 6- -7" we have narratives connected with Galilee, some of the main incidents of which are given also in the Synoptics, and which belong, according to all the evangelists, to the latter part of His ministrj' there. Jn gives notes of time ; this .section in his tlospel relates to the interval between the ap- proach of a I'assover (March), for which .Jesus did not go up to Jerusalem, and the following Feast of Tabernacles (September), when He linally left Galilee. In contrast with the impression given us by the Synoptic Gospel.s, Jesus, according to Jn, went straight to Jerusalem for tliis feast, and His iourney thither must have been swift (Jn '•'"). riiero followed at the beginning of winter the Feast of Dedication, for which Jesus was also there. It is not easy to decide how much of Jn 7N_n)S0 jg connected with the former, how mud: with the latter, of these feasts; how much, again, belongs to the intervening weeks, or whether Jesus spent the whole of this time in Jerusalem and ils iuniiediate neighbourhood, or retired for any purl of it to a greater distance. The interval between the Fea.st of Dedication and His la-st I'a-s.sovcr He spent in I'era-a, where He still taught and won disciides (Id'"-'"), and in the north-en.st corner of Judu'a(ll"), saving His visit to the neighlH>\irliood of Jerusalem for the great miracle at Bethany (II'""). The Synoptic (Sospels are so far in agree- ment with Jn tliat thej' induate a ministry in this same region before the linal going up to Jerusalem (Mt l!l'-^-- -Mk 10', Lk lessdelinitely). TheSynoptio and .lohannine narratives begin to correspond more closely at the approach to the city on this last visit, though there are still many divergences in detail.
As regards the main and most clmracteristio dill'ercnoo thus far noticed between the first
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GOSPELS
GOSPELS
three Gospels and .In, it is fair to sny that all considerations of historical [irobahility are in favour of Christ's having made frequent visits to Jerusalem, such as are related hy the latter. As a religious Jew, and especiallj' one wlio would not be detained by anv of the occupations of a scoilar 'ailing, He would naturally attend many of the feasts. It is, moreover, inconceivable tliaf, having His great prophetic niissioa to discharge, He woidd conline His teaching till the last few days of His life to the north and east of Palestine, and never seek to declare His message in the great centre of the religious life of llie cliosen people, where the cllccts of doing so would he so much farther- reaching, and all the local associations would add to the .significance of His words and deeds. Again, the cata.strophe described Ii_v the Synoptic Gospels themselves, and the manner in which it was brought about, — the enmit}- of the ruling priests, lawyers, and Phari.sees in Jeru.salem,— must have been prepared for. The work of Jesus in tlie country districts could hardly of itself have threatened their authority in such a way as to inspire their determination to destroy Him. The two or three days of teaching in Jerusalem wliich preceded their formal consjiiracy against Him would have been altogether insufficient to bring their hostility to a head, if tliere had not been already deep-seated hatred. Various slight indi- cations in the Synoptic Gospels, such as instances of His having disciples and friends in Judaea, may be also more easily explained if He had actually taught there during the earlier part of His ministry.
We pass on to consider the representation of the history, viewed not so nnvch as a series of events as in its moral and spiritual aspects. From the Synoptic Gospels it appears that Jesus made the roimalion of a little band of devoted disciples and their instruction and training a primary aim of His earthly ministry. (See esp. Mk 3"- '■', Mt 1310.17. 51. i>2_ Mk 4", Jit 10). In Jn this work is more minutely and fully related. We see the first gathering of a few around Him (l**""), which would naturally precede any formal call to definite service, such as that which is referred to Mt 4""'-^ — Mk I's-so. From the beginning almost of His public ministry He moves about surrounded hy a few who have attached themselves to Him (Jn 2'-- " 322 42.8. 27)_ The impression made on them by His deeds and Avords is specially recorded (Jn 2"- " 4"). The conditions necessary for the slow growth and due probation of their faith were not interfered with by the singularly full and exalted declarations concerning His person and work made even by the Baptist (l-*- **), and throughout by Himself to disciples (1" 3'''"), and also in the hearing of a wider circle as early as the second recorded visit to Jerusalem (5"""). For, distinct though these claims might be, their nature and the language in ■which they were expressed were so new, and His course of conduct as a whole corresponded so little with common expectation, that to apprehend His meaning rightly was a matter of great difUculty, and the faith even of those most favourably disposed to receive Him, or who had already given Him tlieir allegiance, was put to a severe test thereby. The reality of the trial appears alike in Jn and the other three (comp. Jn 6*"" with Mt 16'»-'»=Mk 8-'^-*' = Lk g's-ai). In each account the faith of the Twelve is recognized as a great victory, and they are con- trasted Avith others. A class of persons who had for a time taken up the position of disciples, but who afterwards fell away through the perplexity which He caused them, — through becoming dis- apjiointed in Him, — is clearly portrayed in Jn (6*-"; and cf. 7' S^'^- ll«--« 12"), ' though in the Synoptic Gospels they hardly come before u.s.