The Gospels in Four Part Harmony.

by J. Clontz.

Foreword

This book is based on an ancient ma.n.u.script known as MS Pepys 2498 of which one copy is known to exist and is kept at Cambridge University Library in England. The original source of MS Pepys 2498 (referred to as the Pepys Gospel or the Pepys Gospel Harmony) is unknown but some scholars have theorized that it may be as old as Christianity itself.

One of the more interesting conclusions concerning Jesus based on the Pepys Gospel Harmony (PGH) sequence is that Jesus was a North Palestinian Essene a.s.sociated with the Damascus Covenant found at Qumran in Palestine and Genizah in Egypt. Furthermore, it has been proposed that Jesus held the office of Messiah defined in the Damascus Covenant and His goal as well as that of the other Damascus Covenant Essenes was to convert the Pharisaical Jews of Judea which they viewed as the lost sheep of Israel to the Essene sect of Judaism. The sequence of events in the gospels as depicted in the PGH shows John the Baptist and Jesus converting Judean Jews through baptism in the wilderness of Judea. Jesus has an altercation at the temple in Jerusalem and John is arrested. After John's arrest, Jesus heads north all the way to Capernaum where he gathers followers numbering in the thousands. After John's death, Jesus makes a final journey to Jerusalem and once more he and his followers from Northern Palestine convert Judean Jews. The Pharisaical leaders of the Judean Jews plot to kill Jesus and put an end to His teaching.

Thus, the PGH sequence of the canonical gospels depicts what some scholars believe to have been a sectarian struggle between the Essenes who adhered to the Damascus Covenant in Northern Palestine and the Pharisaical Jews in Judea for religious leadership of all Israelites. The Pharisaical Jews in Judea were looking for a Messiah to vanquish their enemies, Rome and the Herodians, and therefore rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Whereas, the Essenes were looking for a Messiah to vanquish their enemies, death, poverty, disease and infirmity, and therefore hailed Jesus as their Messiah.

Below are some important academic notes concerning the PGH sequence of the gospels:

The PGH mentions the city of Gerasa which was an ancient city in Palestine which was destroyed by the 10th Roman legion Firensis in AD 70.

Only the very oldest existing ma.n.u.scripts of the canonical gospels mention the city of Gerasa while later ma.n.u.scripts refer to the area as the land of the Gerasenes. Thus the author of the original source of the PGH may have lived prior to AD 70.

The sequence of the PGH also parallels many aspects of the theoretical "Q" text. The Greek texts of Matthew and Luke in some areas are letter for letter matches which have led some scholars to theorize that at one time a single text "Q" was formed from an early form of Matthew and of Luke and then later portions of our modern forms of Matthew and Luke were copied from this single gospel text. Additionally, in the modern text of Luke the "Parable of the Lamp" occurs in both Chapter 8 and Chapter 11. It has been theorized that an early text that contained Luke had only one "Parable of the Lamp" and that the parable was either cut in half or duplicated in our modern texts. The PGH sequence combines portions of Luke Ch. 8 and 11 and only has a single account of the "Parable of the Lamp" just as some scholars have theorized would've existed in the single gospel forerunner of the modern text of Luke.

Scholars have also theorized that the "Q" text would've been constructed into categories and composed of lists such as a list of parables.

This idea was formulated in part based on the gospel of Thomas found at Nag Hammadi. The PGH does form the gospel account into categories or groupings and there are two major groupings of parables in its sequence just as theorized for the "Q" text.

The event sequence of the PGH also enhances the account of the four gospels. The sequence produces cause and effect relationships between events and the interactions of various individuals with each other and with Jesus.

For instance, The PGH sequence contains both Mary Magdalene's conversion and subsequent discipleship (this is in the modern gospel texts but is somewhat obscured due to their non-chronological sequence). Thus Mary Magdalene plays a major role in the account of Jesus which is implied by many ancient sources such as the gospel of Thomas but not highlighted by the canonical gospels in their present sequence. The same is true for the significance of John the Baptist in Jesus' ministry. In the PGH sequence, John the Baptist is portrayed as an important ally of Jesus' ministry and his arrest and later death are both pivotal moments in Jesus ministry as portrayed by the PGH sequence. The importance of John the Baptist in the ministry of Jesus is implied by many ancient sources and that importance is vividly depicted in Jesus' ministry using the PGH sequence of the canonical gospels.

Moreover, the PGH is the only ma.n.u.script in existence which depicts an error free chronological sequence for the events in the life of Jesus as portrayed in the four canonical gospels. The four canonical gospels make no claim to being written in chronological sequence. There are historical/traditional accounts that indicate that the four canonical gospels were not written in chronological order. For instance, Papias (AD 135) indicated that Mark was not in any particular order. An engineered reconstruction of the chronological order of the gospels indicates that while several sequences are possible -- the sequence of the modern gospels is not in chronological order. For instance, the pa.s.sage in Mark 3:13-19 not only precedes the pa.s.sage in Mark 3:20-31 by over a dozen events but in fact several pa.s.sages in Mark actually occur between Mark 3:13-19 and Mark 3:20- 31.

Also, while there have been many modern attempts to reconstruct the sequence of the events of Jesus life as narrated in the four canonical gospels none of these reconstructions has as many parallels to the theoretical "Q" text as the PGH. Furthermore the theory for the "Q" text was first proposed in the 1800's and the PGH ma.n.u.script predates the "Q" text theory by 400 years. Thus the best candidate to date for the "Q" text sequence is the PGH ma.n.u.script.

More importantly, the best ma.n.u.script for a chronological depiction of the actual sequence of events in the life of Jesus is The Pepys Gospel Harmony MS 2498.

Part 1 - IN THE BEGINNING

1.10 The Gospel

LK 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, 3 it seemed good to me also, having carefully investigated all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things which you have been taught.

1.20 G.o.d Became Man in Jesus Christ

JN 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with G.o.d, and the Word was G.o.d. 2 He was with G.o.d in the beginning. 3 All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

6 There was a man sent from G.o.d, whose name was John. 7 He came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness of the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. 12 But to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of G.o.d-13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of G.o.d.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'" 16 And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen G.o.d; G.o.d the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.

2.10 Gabriel appears to Zechariah

LK 1:5-25

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before G.o.d, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 Now while he was serving as priest before G.o.d when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole mult.i.tude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their G.o.d. 17 And he will 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." 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of G.o.d; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things come to pa.s.s, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he made signs to them and remained speechless. 23 And when his time of service was completed, he went to his home. 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done to me, in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

2.20 Gabriel visits the Virgin Mary

LK 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from G.o.d to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Hail, O highly favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29 But she was greatly troubled at his saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with G.o.d. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord G.o.d will give him the throne of his father David. 33 And he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of G.o.d. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with G.o.d nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

2.30 Mary Visits Elizabeth

LK 1:39-56

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she exclaimed with a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, as soon as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

46 And Mary said: 47 "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in G.o.d my Savior, 48 for he has regarded the lowly state of his servant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.

54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."

56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home.

2.50 Joseph is Rea.s.sured in a Dream

MT1:18-25A

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to put her to public shame, was resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,"

which means, "G.o.d with us." 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, 25 but did not know her until she had borne a son.

2.60 The Birth of John the Baptist

LK 1:57-80

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day they came to circ.u.mcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, "No; he shall be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled.

64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising G.o.d. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 Now his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 "Blessed be the Lord G.o.d of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 through the tender mercy of our G.o.d, with which the sunrise from on high will visit us; 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

3.10 Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem, Jesus is born, Angels Appear to the Shepherds