(b) The long period theory. This holds that there were four Passovers in the ministry, and is hence called the quadripaschcd theorj'. It dates from Eusebius in the 4th cent., and is held by many modern scholars. This takes the unnamed feast of Jn 5' to be a Passover, holds to the com- monly received text of Jn 6"*, puts tlie Baptism early in 27 and the Crucifixion in 30, thus making the ministry extend over three years. But there is
difierence of arrangement of details even among those who hold this view, and it is not at all certain that the feast of Jn 5' can be fixed as a Passover.
(c) The medium period theorj-. This holds that the feast of Jn 5^ is not a Passover, and that there were onlj- three Passovers in the ministrj- — so the tripnschfd theory. As to what feast it was, and as to the arrangement of all the details, there is much difference among the advocates of tlie medium period. But from a year and a half to two and a half is the time allowed by those who reject both the other theories. If the Baptism occurred in the autumn of 2S or early spring of 29, then to get in three Passovers it will be necessary to put the Crucifixion in 31 — to which there are serious ob- jections. But if the Baptism was in 26-27, then the Crucifixion could be assigned to 29, which is not improbable. It must be said in view of all these (lifficiilties, that no positive convictions in regard to the duration of the ministry are, in the present state of knowledge, tenable, but the pro- babilities are iipon the whole in favour of a ministry of more than one and less than three j^ears' dura- tion.
2. Localities.— \n regard to the topographical extent of our Lord's ministry we have a much .simpler question to deal with. His labours ex- tended throughout Palestine, and on a few occa- sions to contiguous lands, (a) Judiea, in several different places, and more esjiecially Jerusalem, witnessed some of His most important deeds and teachings, [b] Galilee, however, was the principal scene of His teaching and healing work. The Lake and its cities, — Capernaum with othsrs, — Nazareth, Cana, and other towns and a number of villages, the plains and mountains of populous Galilee shared in the deeds of His busj' life. Two certainly, and probablj' three, separate tours of the whole of Galilee are mentioned: (1* Mt 4^, Mk 1^ Lk 4« ; (2) Lk 81 ; (3) Mt 9^5, Mk 6«,— though it is possible that (2) and (3) are tlie same. ('■) In passing through Samaria several times (Jn 4'*'^-, Lk 9^-'- 1711 ) He paused to perform some work of mercy, (of) Into Phcenicia, ' the region of Tyre and Sidon,' He went at least once (Mt 15-i, Mk 7-''). (c) Several visits to districts contiguous to Galilee, to the east and north, are mentioned, namelj', the Wsit to Gerasa or Gadara during His GaliUvan ministry (Mt 8-», Mk 5*, Lk 8-^), to Deca- polis (Mk 7^M, to the unknown Magadan (Mt lo**) or Dalmanutha (Mk 8^'^'), and Ciesarea-Philippi (Mt 16'*, Mk 8-"). (/) In regard to the region bej-ond the Jordan commonly kno^^^l as Pera?a, there are interesting notices, but some uncertainties. The first notice is in the account of John's baptism as taking place at Bethany beyond Jordan (Jn 1'-*). Much later there was a ministry of uncertain duration in Pertea (Jn 10« Lk V^---^-), and still later a journey through the same region on His last visit to Jerusalem (Mt 19', Mk 10').
3. Labours. — The extent of our Lord's ministry is also to be regarded from the point of view of the labours He performed during its course. («) The actual labours recorded by the Evangelists are considerable in sum. (6) That these were only samples and specimens of His work is distinctly and repeatedly implied, (c) Pointed allusions to the magnitude of His work are frequent (Mt 4'^'^, Mk P-- '^, Lk 41^- '*, and many similar passages). (d) There are many indications of the insistent demands upon His attention {e.g. Mk l*^-^ 2^' ^ 37-9. 20 a^jjd similar ones), of His weariness and need of rest (Jn 4«, Mk A^«- &^'-^-, and others), once of the anxiety of His relatives (Mk 3-i- *i). (r) The enormous amount of His unrecorded labours is distinctly asserted (Jn 21^).
The following conspectus may serve to present
186
MINISTRY
MIRACLES
in clearer view some of the points already dis- cussed :
II.
The Thirty i Birth to Bap- Years, tism.
Opening Scenes.
III.
IV.
Baptism to First Miracle.
Bethlehem.
Egypt.
Nazareth.
Earlier Ministry.
Central
Ministry.
First Miracle to Beginning of Work in Gali- lee.
V.
VI.
VII.
Later Ministry
Closing Scenes.
The Forty Days.
Preceding Events and First Tour in Galilee.
Events con- nected with Secoxd Tour in Galilee.
Beyond Jordan.
Wilderness.
Judsea.
Cana of Galilee.
Capernaum.
Jerusalem.
Samaria.
B.C. 5 or
4 to A.D.
26 or 28.
26 or 28.
Between 27 and 29,
Nazareth. Capernaum. Other Cities of Galilee.
Cities and Vil- lages of Gali- lee.
Gadara.
Nazareth.
Third Tour, and Depart- ure from Gali- lee.
Close of Gali- loean Ministry to Triumphal
Entry.
Triumphal Entry to Cruc i fi X i o n and Burial.