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A Harmony of the Gospels: New American Standard Edition – The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Chronological Order
This resource encourages a deeper understanding of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by harmonizing the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John so as to assemble as many details as possible into a chronologically meaningful sequence.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 27, 2020
One may think this is something simple, and not an investment worth making. That is certainly not the case with this harmony. Having the Gospels side by side and flowing in a narrative form is not only an excellent resources for all students of God’s Word no matter their level of study, but it also provides a healthy spiritual experience whereby which one may look at the life of Christ in a fresh way.
An example of this would be when the Lord heals/cleanses the man of the many demons casting them into the pigs. The Gospel writers each use different diction and draw out different aspects from this historical scene.
Some may see this as a contradiction, but in reality this provides the reader/student to see more of what happens based on what the authors choose to include/leave out.
This harmony uses the NASB translation which is very good for seeing word for word differences or similarities between each Gospel.
There are also helpful footnotes at the bottom that provide insightful information.
This is a must have for ever Christian; especially those who study or read through the narrative of the Messiah’s life often.
An example of this would be when the Lord heals/cleanses the man of the many demons casting them into the pigs. The Gospel writers each use different diction and draw out different aspects from this historical scene.
Some may see this as a contradiction, but in reality this provides the reader/student to see more of what happens based on what the authors choose to include/leave out.
This harmony uses the NASB translation which is very good for seeing word for word differences or similarities between each Gospel.
There are also helpful footnotes at the bottom that provide insightful information.
This is a must have for ever Christian; especially those who study or read through the narrative of the Messiah’s life often.
January 15, 2013
I've come back to this again and again. It's one of the most important tools in my library. I'm not a New Testament scholar, so I don't have an opinion regarding this particular harmony versus others. But this one was recommended by some capable interpreters, so it's the one I use constantly.
July 28, 2011
I really liked this book. Dr. Cook used this book very well in class to demonstrate the relationship of the four gospels to the story of Jesus. I would recommend this to anybody who is preaching through a gospel. It helps you see where you are in the grand scheme.
June 2, 2023
If you've ever found the events of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth confusing, had problems resolving some proposed contradictions, or if you want to take your Bible study to the next level, this book is for you.
This book contains two sections. First, the eyewitness testimony of Jesus' life (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) where the sections appear next to each other in chronological order (called "a harmony"). And, second, a number of essays dealing with various theories of interpretation, organization, and when the original accounts were written.
A note for the beginner. The eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life are not in chronological order for the most part. Each of the four authors was writing to a different audience and organized things in different fashions. This was extremely common in ancient biographies as they were organized by theme or topic of the subjects life as opposed to chronologically like is common practice now.
In a harmony, the editors assemble the various parallel passages in each of the four gospels in chronolgical order. This can be extremely helpful in study. You will quickly notice that not every author recorded every event exactly the same way. But, rather than causing problems, this actually HELPS by filling in gaps of your study.
For example, In Matthew 26:67-68, Jesus is in front of the Sanhedrin on trial. "67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Well, that seems kind of weird. Why would they hit him and then ask him to prophecy? Can't he see who's hitting him? The key comes when you line up Mark 14:65 next to the passage in Matthew. "65 And some began to spit on him and BLINDFOLD him and to beat him with their fists, and say to him "Prophecy!"" Mark adds a detail in his account that helps us get a better picture of what's going on here. This is the kind of stuff a harmony will help you understand. A lot of gaps and proposed contradictions immedialty get resolved when you read in this manner.
Highly recommend anyone looking to study the life of Jesus get their hands on a harmony like this one.
This book contains two sections. First, the eyewitness testimony of Jesus' life (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) where the sections appear next to each other in chronological order (called "a harmony"). And, second, a number of essays dealing with various theories of interpretation, organization, and when the original accounts were written.
A note for the beginner. The eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life are not in chronological order for the most part. Each of the four authors was writing to a different audience and organized things in different fashions. This was extremely common in ancient biographies as they were organized by theme or topic of the subjects life as opposed to chronologically like is common practice now.
In a harmony, the editors assemble the various parallel passages in each of the four gospels in chronolgical order. This can be extremely helpful in study. You will quickly notice that not every author recorded every event exactly the same way. But, rather than causing problems, this actually HELPS by filling in gaps of your study.
For example, In Matthew 26:67-68, Jesus is in front of the Sanhedrin on trial. "67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Well, that seems kind of weird. Why would they hit him and then ask him to prophecy? Can't he see who's hitting him? The key comes when you line up Mark 14:65 next to the passage in Matthew. "65 And some began to spit on him and BLINDFOLD him and to beat him with their fists, and say to him "Prophecy!"" Mark adds a detail in his account that helps us get a better picture of what's going on here. This is the kind of stuff a harmony will help you understand. A lot of gaps and proposed contradictions immedialty get resolved when you read in this manner.
Highly recommend anyone looking to study the life of Jesus get their hands on a harmony like this one.
September 4, 2020
As good as it gets for a parallel-column harmony of the Gospels (including John). This is an indispensable resource for studies on the Life of Christ. The essays in the back of the book, though now somewhat dated, still stand as good introductions to the main issues at hand in critical studies of the Gospels.
April 16, 2025
While this was a book for one of my divinity classes, I would recommend to have on any believers bookshelf. I think it would be very beneficial to have when reading through and studying the Gospels! Such a cool side by side view of how they compare and contrast. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
November 3, 2017
It is helpful to have the gospels lined up the way they are in this book. Very helpful in getting a full picture of the events and dialogue during the life, time, and teachings of Jesus Christ.
January 10, 2023
Harmony of the Gospels: extremely helpful study tool.
January 20, 2023
Very helpful to see parallel passages across the gospel accounts.
Read
April 26, 2025Such a great chronological read of the Gospels and good commentary that gave me good thought.
September 7, 2016
I used this book in seminary when I took "The Life of Christ" taught by Dr. Thomas. The essays in the back are excellent, however, the NIV version has more up to date research for those essays, so they were revised in that edition. This is a very helpful volume in helping the reader get the big picture and understand the flow of ministry in the narrative of Jesus' life. The companion volume, "Charts of the Life of Christ" by Robert Thomas, is also very helpful for dating events in Jesus' life.
February 11, 2014
If you want a comprehensive understanding of the life of Jesus as viewed from all four Gospels at once, then A Harmony of the Gospels is one of the best. The book not only places parallel passages next to each other, it also gives expert commentary on each passage. Dr.s Thomas and Gundry are two distinguished New Testament scholars and this work attests to that fact.
May 17, 2007
Talbot Course: Life of Christ
It's an inter-linear look at all the gospels. All the similar stories found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are organized so that you can see them all together. It's a good reference tool.
It's an inter-linear look at all the gospels. All the similar stories found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are organized so that you can see them all together. It's a good reference tool.
October 17, 2008
invaluable resource
February 1, 2012
More reference than study, good essays on the back though.
December 17, 2012
This is an excellent, fluff-free chronological walk through the Gospels. Thomas and Gundry lay out scripture only, with very little footnotes of commentary.
December 27, 2025
I just discovered this existed, and I couldn't be more excited. This is the way everyone should be introduced to the Gospels in my opinion. What a great layout for the greatest story ever told.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews