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Main Events of Jesus’ Earthly Life—Leading Up to Jesus’ Ministry
The Four Gospels Set in Chronological Order
The following charts have corresponding maps that show the travels and preaching tours of Jesus. The arrows on the maps do not represent the exact routes used but mainly show direction. The symbol “c.” means “circa,” or “about.”
Leading Up to Jesus’ Ministry
TIME |
PLACE |
EVENT |
MATTHEW |
MARK |
LUKE |
JOHN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 B.C.E. |
Jerusalem, temple |
Angel Gabriel foretells the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah |
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c. 2 B.C.E. |
Nazareth; Judea |
Angel Gabriel foretells the birth of Jesus to Mary; she visits her relative Elizabeth |
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2 B.C.E. |
Judean hill country |
John the Baptist born and named; Zechariah prophesies; John to be in desert |
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2 B.C.E., c. Oct. 1 |
Bethlehem |
Jesus born; “the Word became flesh” |
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Near Bethlehem; Bethlehem |
Angel announces good news to shepherds; angels praise God; shepherds visit infant |
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Bethlehem; Jerusalem |
Jesus circumcised (8th day); presented in temple by parents (after 40th day) |
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1 B.C.E. or 1 C.E. |
Jerusalem; Bethlehem; Egypt; Nazareth |
Astrologers visit; family flees to Egypt; Herod kills young boys; family returns from Egypt and settles in Nazareth |
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12 C.E., Passover |
Jerusalem |
Twelve-year-old Jesus at the temple questions teachers |
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Nazareth |
Returns to Nazareth; continues subject to parents; learns carpentry; Mary raises four more sons, as well as daughters (Mt 13:55, 56; Mr 6:3) |
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29, spring |
Wilderness, Jordan River |
John the Baptist begins his ministry |