Introduction

The Chronological Gospels

The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah

The Annotated Gospels Reconstructed in Chronological Order

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, and The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah

The modern Christian world has grown up with a Greek perception of the personality commonly known as “Jesus Christ.” In contrast to this inherited perspective, The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah introduces the life and ministry of Yeshua of Nazareth – an Israelite from the tribe of Judah and of the lineage of King David. In this annotated chronological adaptation of the Gospel records, we will attempt to remove the blinders of religious tradition so that the true Gospel of the Kingdom, which Yeshua proclaimed, can be understood with clarity and followed with integrity. The Chronological Gospels presents the events in the life of Yeshua through the eyes of those who were legitimate witnesses of his scathing judgments of the religious system of his day and his illuminating teachings that point the way to the narrow gate. For the first time in the long history of the transmission of the Holy Writ, you will witness the events of Yeshua’s life and ministry in chronological order, in cultural context, and with historical accuracy. When every word of the ancient Gospel records is constrained in the vise of linear chronology, one can see every detail of the Divine screenplay unfold.

Each of the Gospel authors records a different facet of the life and ministry of Yeshua. However, no single Gospel account paints the entirety of the picture, and many a shallow tale spun around the details of a single Gospel storyline has turned the ministry of the Messiah into a one-dimensional caricature. In order to present a “Jesus” more compatible with western gentile sensitivities, Yeshua has been wrongly stripped of his Jewishness and wrested out of the context of the Creator’s eternal covenant with Israel. The Gospels and Renewed Covenant writings are commonly interpreted as though they are only loosely associated with the messianic expectations detailed by Moses and the Prophets. The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah invites the reader to leave behind inherited perspectives of the Scriptures, two thousand years removed from the land and culture of Israel, and take a fresh look at the Gospels from a Jewish or, even more accurately, a Hebraic perspective. This unique presentation of the life and ministry of the Messiah takes the reader to the villages along the shores of the Kinneret in the Galilee, through the pagan Roman cities of the Decapolis, and into the streets of Jerusalem during the celebrations of the Feasts of the LORD. The Gospels are restored to their historical context and reconnected to the messianic promise that Moses declared at Mount Sinai – that the Almighty would send The Prophet whom we must hear and obey (Deuteronomy 18:15).

It is impossible to understand the Gospel of the Kingdom that Yeshua and his disciples taught throughout the Galilee or to comprehend the significance of the conflict between Yeshua and the religious leaders of Israel without a fundamental understanding of both the instructions in the Torah (the commandments given directly by the Almighty to Moses) and the man-made laws of first century Judaism as they were being developed by the Pharisee-ruled Sanhedrin. It is likewise impossible to establish the order of events in Yeshua’s ministry without an accurate understanding of both the Feasts of the LORD and the Creator’s celestial calendar. In our chronological journey through the Gospels, we will discover that each one of the Creator’s Feasts is embedded with detailed prophetic shadow pictures that the Messiah must fulfill. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John detail how the Messiah fulfilled the Spring Feasts of the LORD as the Suffering Servant – the picture of the substitutionary Lamb of God – the acceptable sin offering. Without a knowledge of the Spring Feasts of the LORD, the first four Gospels remain shallow and confusing; and without a knowledge of the Fall Feasts of the LORD, the fifth Gospel, the book of The Revelation, will remain to the Western mind an indecipherable time-warp continuum. What has eluded the gentile Christian world is the basic recognition that the book of The Revelation details how the Messiah will fulfill the Fall Feasts of the LORD as the Almighty Judge, who rules the earth with absolute justice.

The Gospels record that exactly seventy weeks – four hundred and ninety days – transpired from the day that Yeshua was baptized in water until the day he fulfilled his initial mission by baptizing his disciples with the Holy Spirit, a direct fulfillment of one of the three layers of the cryptic prophecy that the angel Gavriel declared to Daniel. Nearly three centuries after the death of the eyewitnesses, Eusebius, the bishop of Caesarea, fabricated a unique three-and-one-half-year ministry that utterly destroyed any possibility of understanding the chronology of Yeshua’s ministry. Unfortunately, Eusebian eschatology made it impossible to accurately determine the years of his birth and resurrection. We have therefore inherited unsolvable textual problems and faith-shaking contradictions that we are obligated to swallow in faith. This scripturally unsupportable position has been unwittingly passed down through Catholicism and Protestantism alike, with scarcely but a rare scholar seriously considering its devious derivation or weighing the critical consequences.

Yeshua had exactly seventy weeks to fulfill his mission, and it had to be accomplished in the rare year that would allow him to prophetically fulfill Pesach (Passover) and the Bikkurim (Firstfruits offering) within the restrictive time parameters of Jonah’s prophetic code. Yeshua proclaimed that there would be one sign, and only one sign, of his authenticity – the sign of the prophet Jonah: three days and three nights in the grave and raised on the third day (Matthew 12:38-40). Even though the sign of the prophet Jonah was the one and only sign that Yeshua said would verify his authority to blatantly disregard and overturn rabbinic law (John 2:18), it is a sign that has been ignored by the vast majority of Western Bible scholarship and invalidated by both rabbinic and Western theology. If we cannot calculate one sign correctly by accurately counting three days and three nights, then reason follows that we will not be able to understand even the simplest of the prophetic details elucidated in the Gospels.

The publishing of The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah is the result of a quest that has enlisted the hearts and minds of innumerable scriptural adventurers who have attempted to unravel the mysteries of the chronology buried in the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures. Sir Isaac Newton, recognized by many of his modern-day counterparts as the greatest scientist who ever lived, spent the last years of his life attempting to decipher the prophecies of Daniel, only to go to the grave with questions that science would not be able to answer for nearly three hundred years. Apparent contradictions in the English versions of the Scriptures also needed to be solved by finding more ancient texts in the languages in which they were recorded two millennia ago. Some of these lost texts were vaulted away in covert archives until long after my forty-year foray into this adventure was first undertaken. Traditions, which shape perceptions, must also be stripped from the canvas upon which the original Gospel authors painted the true picture of the Messiah. This is true not only for Jews, but also for gentile Christians. Theology, the science of understanding and explaining the nature of the Infinite God, is the hand-ground lens through which we view the Scriptures until we are freed from the bondage of man-made religion. We must be free to question everything we think we understand if we are to find the narrow path that Messiah maintained most of his purported followers would tragically miss (Matthew 7:14).

Yeshua shook his disciples with the terrifying pronouncement that most of those who will stand before him on Judgment Day – those who were confident that they had done the right things, thought the correct theology, and even insisted that they were filled with and manifested the power of the Holy Spirit – most of the very people who proclaimed the name of Jesus to the ends of the earth will be told: “Depart from me! I never knew you!” This scenario should cause all those who consider themselves to be “in the faith” to swallow hard and reconsider the Gospel of the Kingdom that Yeshua taught (Matthew 7:21-23).

The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah presents an opportunity to read the Gospels and the teachings of Yeshua in the order in which they transpired and in a fresh Hebraic context, returning life and passion to the words on the page. The Chronological Gospels solves many of the problems that stem from Western gentile misunderstandings of the language, land, and culture of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. This is the paradigm shift for which you have been waiting an entire lifetime.

Fatal Errors

Before turning to the first page of The Chronological Gospels, there is one problem that must be addressed: most of the Christian world has grown up with the concept that Yeshua’s ministry was three-and-one-half years in duration. However, no scholar has ever been able to prove this hypothesis, and, in fact, the plain text of the Gospel narrative proves that a three-and-one-half-year ministry is a mathematical impossibility. The three-and-one-half-year ministry construct is the theological invention of an age-old religious system that offers no proof for that which it demands its adherents blindly accept. Furthermore, this eschatological creation has tragically destroyed the Gospel chronology and heavily veiled the Gospel of the Kingdom that Yeshua taught.

It was Eusebius who first proposed a three-and-one-half-year ministry, three hundred years after the resurrection of Yeshua. Every church “father” and historian for the first three centuries either clearly stated, or never contradicted, that Yeshua’s ministry was “about one year.” Eusebius proposed his undocumented assertion as a fulfillment of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy, and now, after 1600 years, his eschatological adherents continue to voice his unprovable invention with unwavering conviction. His assumptions destroyed any chance of understanding the prophecy of Daniel that he was purportedly solving. Furthermore, Eusebius’ followers have been left with unsolvable contradictions if his inventions are maintained.

The aforementioned position formed a significant problem in the Gospel record. The account of the feeding of the five thousand on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee is recorded in the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, and the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. This is the only miracle that is recorded in every one of the four Gospels. This event provides a synchronizing marker – a quadruple account of a single moment in time – that allows us to chronologically harmonize the Gospel records with absolute precision.

• In all four Gospels, the feeding of the five thousand takes place at the end of the summer when the twelve apostles return from their paired assignments throughout the villages of the Galilee (Matthew 10:1-14:12, Mark 6:7-6:31, Luke 9:1-9:10a, John 6:1).

• The sixth chapter of John records that the feeding of the five thousand took place two days before Yeshua taught in the synagogue at Capernaum on the Sabbath day. On that Sabbath, Yeshua’s exposition was on the subject of the Last Day and the Resurrection, the perpetual theme of Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets), which begins when the first sliver of the seventh new moon of the year is sighted.

(The first sliver of the seventh new moon appeared 4.46% illuminated, 15.34 degrees above the horizon just after sunset on Saturday, September 20, 27 CE at the end of the Sabbath – the very day that Yeshua taught in the synagogue at Capernaum. At sunset, the new moon appeared, and the trumpets were blown throughout the land of Israel to herald the Day of Trumpets. See event <108> for astronomical details.)

• The seventh chapter of John opens with Yeshua making plans to go up to the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles), which begins on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, exactly two weeks after the Day of Trumpets.

• According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the feeding of the five thousand occurred thirteen days before the “Mount of Transfiguration” incident, which transpired on the tenth day of the seventh month, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the most holy day of the year (Matthew 14:22-17:9, Mark 6:45-9:10, Luke 9:17-36). John is the only author who does not record this event.

Hence, every Gospel record confirms that the feeding of the five thousand took place at the end of the summer, exactly eighteen days before the Feast of Sukkot.

However, a fatal error has been introduced into an otherwise flawless mathematical system. In the fourth verse of John chapter six, eight words were inserted into later copies of the Greek text in order to artificially lengthen the ministry of Yeshua. It is the pinnacle of intrigue that these eight words were appended to the very section of Scripture that guaranteed that the forgery would eventually be exposed. And it was revealed by the one miraculous event recorded by all four Gospel authors: the feeding of the five thousand. In modern versions of the Gospel of John we read these eight infamous words (ten words in English):

“And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.” (John 6:4 KJV)

Notice that the King James translators did not deem Passover, a proper noun, worthy of capitalization. While the Greek version of John’s Gospel refers to Passover as “a feast of the Jews,” the Hebrew Scriptures declare that Passover is one of the Feasts of the LORD, which all Israelites were commanded to keep forever (Leviticus 23:14). Paul further proclaimed the Feasts of the LORD to be prophetic shadows of good things to come (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 10:1). However, the inserted words have much bigger problems than grammar or name. Let us examine whether or not it is even possible to insert a Passover at this juncture.

Passover occurs in the spring, on the fourteenth day of the first month (the month of the aviv barley, Exodus 23:15). The eating of the Passover lamb also begins the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, before which all leavened bread must be destroyed. Leavened bread must not be found in any part of the land of Israel until after the Feast is concluded (Exodus 12:19). This is also one of the three yearly pilgrim Feasts for which all male Israelites are commanded to go up to Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). One must examine the Scriptures to find out whether or not leaven has been excluded, or travels to Jerusalem have been undertaken, during this time period.

The Gospel narratives clearly show us that Yeshua did not go up to Jerusalem for the “passover” referred to in the modern versions of John 6:4. Instead of keeping a Feast in Jerusalem, Yeshua assembled thousands of Israelites on a hillside in the Galilee and fed them with leavened barley loaves (John 6:9), which would have been a blatant violation of Torah if this were truly the time of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Two days later, Yeshua taught another large assembly in the Capernaum synagogue who also did not go up to “passover” in Jerusalem. Instead of delivering a message relevant to Passover on that Sabbath, he taught them about the prophetic significance of the Day of Trumpets (John 6:28-59). That year, Yom Teruah (the Day of Trumpets) coincided with the close of the Sabbath at the end of the sixth month (see Calendar appendix; 7th month 4027). Yeshua was expounding on the prophetic significance of the Feast of Trumpets that would commence at sunset on that very day. Three days after his Sabbath teaching in Capernaum, Yeshua assembled another group of nearly four thousand men and fed them with another Divinely multiplied store of leavened barley loaves (Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-9). On this occasion, a group of Pharisees from Jerusalem had arrived in the Galilee to confront Yeshua and his followers on the issue of breaking the rabbinic takanot (man-made laws) that concerned their ceremony of hand washing before eating bread. In this incident, even the ultra-orthodox Pharisees showed no concern about keeping a Feast in Jerusalem, but were themselves in the Galilee during this phantom “passover” to investigate the reports that Yeshua was teaching his disciples to disobey the invented rules and religious regulations of the rabbis.

During the following two weeks, Yeshua began his journey to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurs exactly six months before Passover (John 7:2-10). Every Gospel author clearly shows that he never did go up to Jerusalem for the phantom passover indicated in John 6:4. Furthermore, if Passover really did occur in the sixth chapter of John, and if Yeshua went up to the Feast of Tabernacles at the beginning of the seventh chapter of John, what did Yeshua do for the six months leading up to the “passover” of John 6:4 and for the other six months leading back to the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1? Does it make sense that all four Gospel records are suddenly dead silent for an entire year? NO! The sixth chapter phantom “passover” is a nonsensical theological forgery.

Those conversant in the Divine requirements concerning the Feasts know that either something is seriously wrong with the eight words of John 6:4 – “And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh” – or there is something gravely wrong with Yeshua.

• If the eight words of John 6:4 were not added by forgers, then Yeshua was in direct violation of the Torah – the very commandments he swore he did not come to destroy or change (Matthew 5:17-20).

• If the eight words of John 6:4 were not added by forgers, then John has recorded prima facie evidence that Yeshua cannot be the Messiah since he deliberately disobeyed the Torah and did not fulfill its mandatory commandments (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, 13:1-5, 18:15-22).

• If the eight words of John 6:4 were not added by forgers, then every Gospel account of the week-by-week ministry of Yeshua stops abruptly and is dead silent for an entire year – except for the phantom “passover” and the iniquitous “feast of leavened bread” supposedly celebrated in the Galilee.

The addition of those eight words to the later texts of John’s Gospel artificially extended the ministry of Yeshua to build a foundation for replacement theology and preterist eschatology. In brief, replacement theology is the concept that Jesus started a new religion that mysteriously replaced the eternal covenants with Israel. Preterist eschatology goes on from there to teach that all Scripture and prophecy (including The Revelation) were fulfilled by 70 CE, opening the door for “the vicar of Christ” to rule from his millennial throne in Rome. To support this position, it was necessary to artificially fulfill all seventy sevens of Daniel’s messianic prophecy, and it would take exactly seven more years after Yeshua’s ministry began to make this invented replacement Christology work. So a three-and-one-half-year ministry of Messiah was invented by Eusebius, and an additional three-and-one-half-year period was inserted-by-interpretation from the book of The Acts to give Eusebian dogmas theological credence. The support for this doctrine, however brilliant, was manufactured out of the thin air of fourth century Constantinian theology.

Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Lactantius, early “church fathers” of the second and third centuries, as well as Filastrius, Gaudentius, Evagrius, Orosius, Ephraem and a half dozen other theologians cited by the Catholic Encyclopedia under “Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ,”{1} all concurred that the Messiah’s ministry lasted about one year. It was Eusebius, in the fourth century, who first expressed the notion in Demonstratio Evangelistica VIII, 106.8, that Messiah’s ministry was “three years and a half, which is half of a week” – in obvious reference to the ninth chapter of Daniel. Eusebius claimed to have deduced this from John’s Gospel without ever providing proof for such a claim. In fact, he contradicted over three hundred years of undisputed testimony from the eyewitnesses, their disciples, and the two hundred years of historians that followed them. Eusebius’ assertion was based on nothing more than his own interpretation of Daniel’s seventy week prophecy, a prophecy that even Isaac Newton was unable to accurately decipher. Rome’s indisputable authority was the sole basis for demanded obedience to this heretical Eusebian eschatological dogma – and yet the Catholic Encyclopedia clearly acknowledges that Eusebius was the sole progenitor of this pedantic pontification. One can determine anything one wants when all percipient witnesses died hundreds of years earlier, and when all Scripture is sequestered from the general population. Unfortunately, time hardens groundless dogma into tradition, which trumps truth in all too many instances.

{1} Catholic Encyclopedia: Chronology of the Life of Jesus Christ, Relative Chronology, The public life of Jesus: its duration; newadvent.org/cathen/08377a.htm

The first Passover of Yeshua’s ministry is recorded in the second chapter of the Gospel of John, while his last Passover begins in John chapter twelve. From the testimony of these second and third century scholars, it is obvious that the early texts of John’s Gospel, the only texts to which these men had access, could not have included the additional third “passover” of John 6:4. It is inconceivable that these scholars could have missed the simple mathematical fact that it would have taken well over two years to span three Passovers. These early historians were reading the original texts – long before the post-Eusebian forgery was added. They all concurred that the ministry of Yeshua was about one year. There was not one dissenting opinion voiced in the ranks of Christendom during the first three centuries. This simply means that no one even considered then what modern Eusebian theologians insist today – that Yeshua’s ministry was longer than about one year. Furthermore, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record just one year in the ministry of Yeshua; it is absolutely impossible to squeeze out more if one understands the Feasts! The resolution of this problem is obvious, and the internal evidence conclusive: the first century texts to which the early church scholars had access could not possibly have contained the eight words of John 6:4.

A second fatal error was interpreted into John’s Gospel with the same maleficent motive – to artificially lengthen Messiah’s ministry by adding another year of dead silence into the Gospel testimony. Yet another fictitious Passover was interpreted into the text where it clearly does not exist. This was done in John chapter five.

John is the only Gospel author who records the first Passover of Yeshua’s adult ministry during which Yeshua met Nicodemus (John 2:13-3:21). Yeshua stayed in the Jerusalem area until the Pharisees got wind of his increasing popularity and then traveled north to spend two days with the Samaritans (John 3:22-4:42). Yeshua then continued on to Cana, where he performed his “second miracle after leaving Judaea” by healing the nobleman’s son from afar (John 4:43-54). Then he immediately returned to Jerusalem for another “feast of the Jews” (John 5:1-47) and then directly returned to the Galilee (John 6:1), at which time the day-to-day records of Matthew, Mark and Luke commence. The Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) occurs seven weeks after Passover and perfectly fits the unnamed Feast recorded in John 5:1-47. Yet Eusebian replacement theologians resolutely insist that the Feast of John chapter five must be another Passover – an entire year after the Passover of John chapters two and three! If the Feast referred to in John chapter five is truly Passover, then only a few quick baptisms, a two-day ministry among the Samaritans, and the healing of one young man take place during that entire year. That is ludicrous! The Feast spoken of in John chapter five is, without a doubt, not Passover. It is unmistakably the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). The healing of the man who was lame for thirty-eight years occurred on the seventh Sabbath of the counting of the omer in the presence of a multitude gathered to celebrate the Feast of Weeks (or Sevens) the following day on the Temple Mount. At this time Yeshua was informed that Yochanan had been put in prison by Herod, whereupon he immediately left Jerusalem to spend the entire summer in the Galilee. He was apprised of Yochanan’s execution at the end of the summer just before he fed the five thousand – three days before the Feast of Trumpets.

By illegitimately interpreting the John 5:1-47 “feast of the Jews” as another Passover, it will be another wasted year before the four fishermen finally leave their family business and join Yeshua. Matthew will also keep his job at the Roman toll booth for another year before he begins chronicling the ministry of Messiah. There is apparently nothing Yeshua is doing that is worth recording – and no one is following him! This was the tortuous method employed by replacement theologians to invent a three-and-one-half-year ministry – by interpreting the Feast of Shavuot in John 5:1-47 as a Feast of Passover an entire year later. However, since all the original witnesses had been dead for at least 250 years, and it was illegal for the laity to have the Scriptures in their own hands, no one could challenge the orthodox religion of the state. It would be another 1600 years before we would rediscover the manuscript that would expose the forgery forced upon us by the edge of the Roman sword.

The forged “passover” statement of John 6:4 introduces “another jesus,” as Paul coined the phrase: a religious renegade who starts a new cult in the Galilee by deliberately violating the Almighty’s Divine instructions to Moses and teaching others to do the same (Matthew 5:20). The “jesus” who was introduced with the eight words of John 6:4 is not the Messiah who came to fulfill the Torah, but rather an invented false messiah – a Hellenized christ who built the house of replacement theology and treated the commandments with disdain. This “another jesus” is definitely not the Messiah we were instructed to expect, but rather one of the false prophets we were warned to reject! Moses told us clearly and repeatedly that no one is ever allowed to add to, or to subtract one single commandment from, the Torah (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). Moses also cautioned us that if a prophet were to perform signs and wonders – yet teach us to disregard that which the Creator had already instructed us at Mount Sinai – we were not to heed him. We were forewarned that the Almighty would supernaturally empower false prophets in order to determine whether Israel would keep his commandments – as we promised we would – or follow the deceiving performers of miracles who preach a perverted redefinition of law and grace (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, 18:15-22). This “another jesus” is not Yeshua of Nazareth, but an invented entity that only exists in the fertile imaginations of modern day religionists and the adherents to Eusebian eschatology.

Fatal Systematic Theology

Every week of Yeshua’s seventy week ministry can be accounted for in the records of the four Gospel authors. Yet Eusebius invented a three-and-one-half year ministry because it was essential to his theology, and it all fit into the hand of Rome’s dominion theology as well. In order for Rome to control the world stage, it was advantageous to have the last seven years of Daniel’s seventy-sevens prophecy be completely fulfilled so that they could discard the entirety of the prophetic Scriptures as mere history. Once all Scripture was fulfilled, the Torah and Prophets could be ignored, and the “vicar of Christ” could reign from his millennial throne in Rome. But to do this, Eusebius and his successors had to find another seven years to fulfill the precise prophetic equation.

24Seventy sevens are determined upon thy people and upon the holy city: to restrain the transgression, and to complete the sin offering, and to atone for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to authenticate the vision and the Prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy. (Daniel 9:24 CKJV)

It was exactly sixty-nine sevens of years (483 years) from the time that Artaxerxes gave the command to “go forth and build Jerusalem” (Ezra 7, Aviv 1, 457 BCE) until the day that Yochanan ben Zecharyah announced, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (KJV John 1:29, Aviv 1, 27 CE). That left seven years, or the final week, yet outstanding. To find another seven years after this point, agents of Rome invented a three-and-one-half year ministry by forging one phantom “passover” into John chapter six, interpreting another fictitious Passover into John chapter five, and then wresting the remaining three-and-one-half years from the book of the Acts. This contrived fulfillment of Daniel’s seventy-sevens prophecy was extrapolated as being the final fulfillment of all the Torah and the Prophets. Thus, they decreed that the everlasting covenant with Israel was now nullified, and the Creator’s eternal Torah – that Yeshua swore that he had not come to destroy – was demolished and replaced by the ever changing edicts of a new religious system that was headed by he who proclaims himself “Almighty God upon earth.”

The theological “proofs” for this new doctrine were deduced from the incident of Peter being sent to the house of a Roman centurion, Cornelius, which they incorrectly assert to have occurred three-and-one-half years after the giving of the gift of the Holy Spirit on Shavuot (Pentecost). This incident (Acts chapter ten), in which Peter was instructed to “call no man unclean,” was twisted to teach that the Spirit nullified the Torah by commanding Peter to eat vermin off a filthy sheet. Alleging that the Creator had suddenly revoked His eternal Torah three-and-one-half years into the book of Acts, it could now be taught that the Almighty also rejected Israel at the same time and turned the “church” over to Roman gentiles at Caesarea (Acts 10:1-11:18). With the last seven years of Daniel’s seventy-sevens prophecy now allegedly fulfilled, the light of the eternal Torah extinguished, and the everlasting covenant with Israel nullified, the foundations of replacement theology were securely anchored in sinking sand.

Thirty-three years after the church was supposedly turned over to the Roman soldiers at Caesarea, the Roman General Titus, himself soon to be Caesar, conquered and destroyed Jerusalem. That destruction was eventually interpreted as the fulfillment of the book of The Revelation and was heralded as proof that the Almighty had forsaken his covenant with Israel. So now, with the Torah nullified and all New Testament prophecies fulfilled, Rome had its theological foundation for “another jesus” – “the vicar of Christ” – to rule with an iron rod from his millennial throne in Rome (Revelation 19:15, 20:4). Thus the kingdom of dispensational replacement theology was born – and the eight infamous words, insidiously inserted into the Gospel of John, provided the mathematical authority for their arrogant systematic theology.

Those eight infamous words not only destroyed the chronology of the Gospels, but also buried any possibility of understanding the full significance of Daniel’s cryptic prophecy. Older, authentic texts were expunged in order to hide this act of sedition, but they could not eradicate them all. The Almighty watches over his Word. Greek Manuscript #472, an 11th century manuscript that was originally housed in Constantinople, may be the last of a line of manuscripts that maintained the accurate rendering of John 6:3-5. In order to protect what remains of this ancient, mutilated, miniscule text, the manuscript is under lock and key in the Lambeth Palace Library in London. The text reads:

anhlqende eij to oroj Ihsouj kai ekei ekaqhto meta twnmaqhtwn autou eparaj oun ‘o Ihsouj touj ofqalmouj kaiqeasamenoj ‘oti poluj oxloj erxetai proj auton legei proj filppon poqen agorasomen artoj ‘ina qagwsin outoi

and went up into the mountain Iesous and there sat with the disciples his having lifted up then Iesous eyes and having seen a great crowd is coming to him he says to Philip whence shall we buy loaves that may eat these (word by word English translation).

3And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.(4) 5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (KJV)

The eight words: hn de egguj to pasxa n eortn twn ioudaiwn (and the passover, a feast of the Jews was nigh) are completely missing from this ancient manuscript.{2}

Verse and chapter markings are nonexistent in the ancient Greek texts, as is punctuation, but the following statement can only be made by using these modern conveniences: the entirety of verse four (“and the passover, a feast of the Jews was nigh”) is nonexistent in the Lambeth Palace manuscript. The last words of verse three “twnmaqhtwn autou” (the disciples his) is followed by the first word in verse five “eparaj” (having lifted up). The wording found in the modern Greek texts, “hn de egguj to pasxa n eortn twn ioudaiwn” (and the passover, a feast of the Jews was nigh) simply does not exist in the ancient Lambeth Palace manuscript. Those eight words were not expunged from the text, but rather, just as with all the first and second century texts, those eight words were never added.

You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH (the LORD) our Elohim (God) which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any man shall add unto these things, YHVH (the LORD) shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, YHVH (the LORD) shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

Now we may understand why Dr. Frederick H. A. Scrivener, one of the most respected New Testament Greek scholars in history, heralded manuscript #472 as the most important miniscule text guarded within the fortress walls of Lambeth Palace.{3} We at last can see the same text that the early Christian historians were reading when they stated, without dissent, that Yeshua’s ministry was “about one year” in duration. Now, after 1600 years of enforced acquiescence to deception, the Christian world continues to drone the indefensible “three-and-one-half-year” fabrication of Eusebius, while insisting that no one is capable of making even the simplest of calendrical calculations to find the year of Messiah’s birth or the day of his resurrection. The monumental testimony of this ancient manuscript #472 secured by Heaven for its revealing in the last days, is now presented in The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah.

{2} Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 26th edition, (1979). Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. p.263

{3} Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose; Edward Miller (1894). A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament, vol. 1 (4th ed.). London: George Bell & Sons. p. 249.

Illustrated Discontinuity

Artificially lengthening Yeshua’s ministry to three-and-one-half years

The Gospel records document Yeshua going up to Jerusalem for each one of the required Feasts of the LORD and fulfilling his mission in exactly 70 weeks (490 days). Eusebius invented a three-and-one-half year ministry in an attempt to support a past fulfillment of the seventy-sevens prophecy of Daniel to reinforce his preterist eschatology. This fabrication, which employed the forgery of texts and absurd interpretations, destroyed the chronological continuity of the Gospels and produced contradictions in secular historical records as well. The first chart illustrates the day-to-day continuity of the plain text of the Gospel records, as they are understood according to the ancient Hebrew calendar and the precise timing of the Feasts of the LORD. The second chart demonstrates the result of artificially lengthening Yeshua’s ministry to three-and-one-half years. This chart clearly illustrates how every Gospel author would have had to cease their day-by-day records at the same moment in time, and remain silent for two separate years. The proposed coincidence that none of the authors found one single thing to comment on for two entire years is biographical nonsense beyond belief. The third chart synchronizes the two illustrations in a month-to-month comparison. Nothing but absurd contradictions are left in the wake of Eusebius’ unprovable three-and-one-half year ministry conjecture. Supposed “proofs” for his unique theory were provided by these two Biblically and logically untenable inventions:

1. The Feast of Shavuot in John chapter five (which occurred seven weeks after the Passover of John chapter three) was illegitimately reinterpreted as another Passover occurring an entire year later. During this fictional year, not one single event was recorded by any of the four Gospel authors, and the four fishermen, after accompanying Yeshua to the Feast of Passover, returned to the Galilee and continued their nightly fishing routine for another uneventful year before being called into service.

2. A Passover that Yeshua never attends, despite the Torah requirement to do so, was forged into later texts of John chapter six. It was apparently during this unattended Feast of Unleavened Bread that Yeshua fed more than 9,000 people with leavened barley loaves. This forgery produced another year of dead silence from the four Gospel authors, yet still comes up woefully short of Eusebius’ proposed three-and-one-half year ministry. It is noteworthy that a generation earlier, Tertullian proposed an eleven-year ministry of Jesus, which was also based entirely on unsupported conjecture and a wild imagination.

The charts are available for viewing in high resolution on the Chronological Gospels website: www.TheChronologicalGospels.com

This illustration is a simplified version of the detailed timeline sampled at the back of this volume. The four Gospel authors present a unified and authentic record of the ministry of Yeshua. Seventy weeks transpire from his baptism in water until he baptizes with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the second, and until now hidden, layer of Daniel’s seventy shevuim (weeks) prophecy.

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View full image here.

This illustration demonstrates the precisely synchronized gaps and unexplainable cessations in the day-to-day records of the Gospel authors in order to accommodate the Eusebian three-and-one-half year ministry heresy.

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View full image here.

This illustration showcases the two charts in a month-to-month comparison. Absurd contradictions and biographical nonsense are left in the wake of Eusebius’ unprovable three-and-one-half year ministry conjecture.

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View full image here.

Daniel’s Seventy Sevens Messianic Prophecy

The timing and duration of Yeshua’s ministry is a direct fulfillment of the second of three layers of Daniel’s seventy shavuim (sevens) prophecy. Understanding that Yeshua fulfilled his role as the Passover lamb in exactly seventy weeks is prerequisite to understanding the other two layers of Daniel’s prophecy, which must and will be fulfilled before the Messiah returns.

21While I (Daniel) was speaking in prayer and growing weary with fatigue, about the time of the evening oblation I saw a vision that began with the man Gavriel, who touched me 22and spoke with me, saying, “O Daniel, I have been sent to give you wisdom and understanding. 23At the beginning of your supplications I received word that I was to come to you and proclaim that you are greatly beloved. Therefore, understand this communication and vision: 24Seventy sevens are determined upon thy people and upon the holy city: to bring an end to the rebellion, and to complete the sin offering, and to atone for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to authenticate the vision and the Prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince there shall be seven sevens, and sixty two sevens. (The Temple courtyard and the city wall shall be built again in troubled times.) 26And after sixty two sevens shall Messiah be cut off – but not for himself. Then the people (of the prince that shall come) shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will come like a flood, and at the end of the battle horrors are decreed. 27But he [Messiah the Prince] shall confirm the covenant with many for one seven. And in the midst of the seven he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and because of the overspreading abominations he [the prince that shall come] shall make it desolate until the end. Then that which is decreed shall be poured out upon the desolators.” (Daniel 9:21- 27 CKJV)

Seventy-sevens, seven-sevens, sixty-two-sevens, after sixty-two-sevens, one-seven, in-the-midst-of-seven – the angel Gavriel gave Daniel a prophetic code which was so mathematically complex, it could not be deciphered until the generation in which “knowledge is increased and men run to and fro,” as the angel phrased it (Daniel 12:4). By the first decade of the 21st century, the composite knowledge base of humankind had doubled in just one year, and men were actually running to and fro at speeds measured in nanoseconds. The scientific knowledge gleaned from NASA’s space program has allowed mankind to calculate the celestial and historic events of antiquity to within one-millionth of a day. We can now decipher the Creator’s celestial and terrestrial time clock with heretofore-incalculable accuracy. Astrophysics finally allows us to understand that which was penned thousands of years ago in Genesis 1:14, that the Creator put the heavenly bodies in their courses to determine the passage of days and years, for signs in the heavens, and to set the moedim, i.e. the appointed times of our Creator, also called the Feasts of the LORD.

The modern Jewish calendar, invented in 359 CE by Hillel II, was based on mathematical astronomy rather than on the original method of observed astronomy combined with agricultural considerations in the land of Israel. The last act of the Sanhedrin, which had been exiled to the city of Tiberius, was to change the Creator’s reckoning of time and the eternal laws that govern when we are to keep the Feasts of the LORD (Daniel 7:25). At that time, the hands were broken from the face of the Creator’s clock, and a calculated calendar of convenience was offered in its place. Initially the calculated calendar allowed the Jews in the Diaspora to celebrate the Feasts in unison around the globe, but subsequently, both the Creator’s original reckoning of time and the accuracy of the prophetic shadow pictures of good things to come that are embedded in the Feasts of the LORD, were lost to antiquity. The calendar that was in use during the time of Yeshua, as well as the Gospel chronology, became shrouded in the mists of forgotten time. The restoration of the Creator’s original calendar in the land of Israel during the past two decades has proven to be the lost master key that has unlocked the chronological mysteries in the Gospels. With unimagined clarity, we can now decipher significant events in the life and ministry of Yeshua, as well as contemplate the ramifications of each compelling layer of Daniel’s seventy sevens prophecy.

The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah will uncover the prophetic realities that were buried in antiquity, yet are being revealed in the last days as promised to Daniel while he languished in exile. The second layer of Daniel’s prophecy, the seventy week ministry of Messiah, has now been revealed in the chronology of the first four Gospel records, beckoning us to explore the third layer now knocking at our door. This final layer will be fulfilled in the fifth Gospel, the book of the Revelation of Yeshua Messiah.

The Gospel of the Kingdom Declared

Just two days before his execution, Yeshua instructed his disciples, “This Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness” (Matthew 24:14). He was referring to the same “gospel” or “good news” that he and his disciples were preaching throughout the Galilee long before the disciples understood anything about Yeshua’s death or resurrection. Yes, this was the “good news” that Heaven confirmed with signs, miracles, and wonders – nine months before his passion. Yeshua and his disciples taught the Gospel of the Kingdom in both word and deed, inflaming the wrath of two religious systems: that of the Prushim (Pharisees) and that of the priesthood of the Zadokim (Sadducees). Yet, this “good news” remains relatively unknown and unsung among those who profess to be his followers today.

To understand the Gospel records and the good news Yeshua taught his disciples, it is imperative that we understand the foundational principles of the Torah Moses delivered to us at Mount Sinai, as well as the developing first century religious systems of both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. With this basic understanding, the Gospel record will come alive as we see Yeshua deliberately violating the rules of man-made religion while clarifying, illustrating, and reinforcing the everlasting instructions in the Torah.

Before discussing the various sects of Judaism that dominated the religious landscape of Israel in the days of Yeshua, one must first dig back to the foundation of the Torah, which had been deliberately buried by the vanguards of Pharisaic Judaism. To this day, this foundational principle of the Scriptures remains completely obscured from the myopic vision of the gentile Christian world. But without this foundation, the Gospel of the Kingdom will never be understood, and Yeshua’s proclamation that he did not come to do away with the Torah will remain the most ignored prophetic utterance in the history of Christendom. The foundational commandment of the Torah we received at Mount Sinai is a stern warning from the Almighty against adding our own rules, negating the commandments he gave us through Moses, or tampering with his Word.

You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish from it, that you may keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

So serious is this instruction that the Almighty repeats himself in the next breath in Deuteronomy 12:32. Once one adds to the revelation or subtracts from the commandments of the Almighty, we no longer have the commandments of our Creator, but rather, we have a man-made religious system that promises what it cannot deliver. It is a broken cistern that can hold no water. That system is, in reality, a different kingdom altogether. It is often referred to in the prophetic Scriptures as “Babylon.” Its citizens are the populace of an alternate universe that will never see the true Kingdom of Heaven. Yeshua is the King of the true Kingdom, and he came to lay down the rules of his Kingdom and establish the criteria by which we will either enter or be denied access. His rules are uncomfortably absent from almost every denomination practicing religion in today’s burgeoning marketplace of spiritual options.

Moses instructed us to beware of those who do signs, miracles, and wonders and yet add to or subtract from the Torah. Moses warned that the Almighty would empower such false prophets as a test to see whether we would keep his commandments or follow men who deceive by the manifestation of supernatural power and lead the naive into their own kingdoms.

Prushim

The word Prushim (Pharisees) means separated ones. In their desire to live a holy life, the Prushim devised a system whereby they would keep themselves uncontaminated by the world and separated from the corruption that had developed among both the priesthood and the uneducated masses. While a desire to remain uncontaminated from the world is a noble goal, the vehicle they used was to invent their own rules. Doing such, as we have discussed, is not noble. Consider the following example: Phariseeism demands that one would only eat food in a state of ritual purity.

When a person brings a sacrifice to the Temple, whether it be meat on the hoof or meal in a container, he must enter the sacrificial courtyard in a state of purity that is prescribed in the Torah. One does not enter the presence of the Holy One presumptuously. That state of purity includes the confession of sins, a mikveh (complete immersion in running water), and a change of garments. Only then may a person enter the sanctuary and present a sacrifice without blemish – an acceptable sacrifice to the Almighty. When an animal is presented to the Most High, a portion of the meat and all of the fat belongs to him alone, a portion belongs to the priests, and another portion is eaten by the one who brought the sacrifice. That sacrificial offering is referred to as “sanctified meat.” Conversely, when a person simply wants to eat a meal of lamb from his flock or from the market, the animal can be blemished and can be eaten in the gates of one’s own city. It is not a sacrifice – it is just a meal. There are very few Torah regulations that pertain to daily food.

In their striving for righteousness, the Prushim developed a system by which they would not eat any food unless they were in a self-defined state of ritual purity. To effect this invented system of holiness, they made hundreds of rules concerning what prayers were to be said over particular kinds of foods or combinations of foods; what plates were to be used for particular kinds of foods; how one was to wash and sanctify certain kinds of vessels; and whether certain types of ovens and utensils could contract ritual impurity, and if they did, how to purify them. All this they did in order to eat unsanctified meat – or common food – in the state of ritual purity. This entire concept is an invention of the Pharisees; not one word of such sanctifying antics is even suggested in the written Torah.

In his first documented miracle, Yeshua defiled the invented sanctity of the stone purification pots at a Pharisee wedding in Cana. By Pharisee law, these ceremonial pots were reserved for water only – and water that had the slightest hint of the flavor of wine was ceremonially unclean. Yeshua turned that water into the most delightful wine in the Yezra’el (Jezreel) Valley and then told the servants to give it to the head rabbi! As in all of his repeated, deliberate violations of Pharisaic law throughout his ministry, the endorsement of his authority to castigate the religious leaders and nullify their takanot (man-made rules) came in the form of a miracle from Heaven.

The Prushim enacted over 500 laws governing the keeping of the Sabbath day, including what constituted forbidden work, how far one may walk on the Sabbath, and what one must do before the Sabbath in order to carry anything on the Sabbath. Yeshua not only broke many of those rules deliberately, such as violating the prohibition of putting saliva on one’s eyes on the Sabbath (Talmud, Shabbat 108b:19-25), but he commanded those that he healed on the Sabbath to break other Pharisaic laws. This included his command to the lame man he healed to break the law of the eruv by carrying his mat on the Sabbath – an act that any observant Pharisee could do that day with complete immunity because they could have taken the required steps the previous afternoon that would have allowed such action on the Sabbath (Talmud Mas. Shabbat 6a). By the first century, the Pharisaic religious system had been growing for over 300 years and was fast becoming the largest religious sect in the land of Israel. In Yeshua’s day the Pharisees controlled the Sanhedrin, but the Zadokim (Sadducees) still conducted the Temple service with what remained of the dwindling Levitical priesthood.

The Prushim claim to sit in the “Seat of Moses” and that every new commandment they sanctify has the same authority as the commandments Moses received from the hand of the Almighty. Every synagogue had a “Seat of Moses” upon which the elders sat to pronounce new commandments they invented at will. Their sanctified commandments are, in their parlance, takanot, which are legally defined as “laws enacted by the rabbis which change or negate Torah law” (Encyclopedia Judaica - takanot). In fact, the Prushim claim that when they make takanot, even the Almighty must obey their verdict. They claim that Moses actually gave them an oral torah, which gives them supremacy over the written Torah, and that without the esoteric revelation transmitted through the oral torah, no one can properly understand the written Torah given at Mount Sinai. And who were the keepers of the oral torah? The Pharisees, of course.

The word takanot usually appears in the English versions of the Gospels as the word “traditions,” but that translation misses the point by a mile. Takanot are not traditions like the American Thanksgiving Day menu of turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Rather, takanot are the illegal usurpations of the everlasting commandments of the Kingdom of Heaven given to us at Mount Sinai. Takanot replace the written Torah with the ever-changing rules and regulations of man-made religion. Yeshua emphatically warned his followers to be wary of “the leaven of the Pharisees,” which he defined as their <hghn> nahagah or illegitimately imposed rules.{4} Likewise, the religious imposition of man-made rules has now leavened virtually every sect of modern Christianity. The everlasting commandments that Yeshua preached, lived, and endorsed have systematically been replaced by the rules of denominational kingdoms that have no more authority than the takanot of the Prushim and the Zadokim.

Another principle of the Prushim is the claim that their rules form a secondary fence around the Torah designed to keep people from breaking the Torah. They purport that, if one does not break the takanot of the Prushim, one will not even come close to breaking the Torah. While that sounds very sincere, sincerity and truth are seldom bedfellows in the world of religion. The Torah is indeed described as a protective fence around the people. Everyone is supposed to be obediently inside the fence and kept in the presence of the Almighty. However, the fence itself tells us that no one is ever authorized to add to or subtract from the commandments! In other words, no one is allowed to break down any portion of the fence or build another fence. In reality, instead of protecting the sanctity of the Torah, the Prushim deliberately broke down a portion of the fence that forbade men from adding commandments. They then made a completely separate corral into which the sheeple could be systematically herded and fleeced at will.

{4} Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, George Howard, Mercer University Press, p. 78, Matthew 16:12

Zadokim

The Zadokim (Sadducees) were the priesthood who adopted their name from the sons of Zadok, a righteous lineage of priests who served in the Temple before the Babylonian captivity (I Chronicles 24). After the Maccabean revolt (detailed in Maccabees I and II, 1611 KJV), the priesthood was adulterated by political appointees, which, at the time of Rome’s occupation, resulted in high priests who were not even from the family of Aaron or the tribe of Levi. Some Zadokim did not even believe in the resurrection, which led to an eat, drink, and be merry philosophy, which led further to using religion to abuse people and to rob widows of their earthly possessions (Matthew 22:23-29; 23:14).

Just before the Temple was destroyed by Rome in 68 CE (accurate Jewish reckoning), the Prushim made a deal with General Titus, and they were allowed to leave Jerusalem and establish an academy at Yavneh. However, the majority of the remaining priests and Levites were slaughtered in the ensuing battle that left a million dead bodies to bloat in the streets of Jerusalem. With so few remaining alive, the influence of the Zadokim steadily declined. The Essenes, another influential sect hiding out in the Dead Sea Valley, were also exterminated by the Roman military beast. A generation later, when the blood-letting of the 135 CE Bar Kochva revolt against Rome had ended, the Prushim were the only ones left to define modern Judaism for everyone except for the few obedient followers of the Nazarene (ha Notzrim). The Notzrim continued to keep the Sabbath, the Feasts, and the faith until Rome herded her subjects into her new “universal” religion under the direction of the self-appointed Pontifex Maximus, Constantine “the great.” Since that time the true Gospel of the Kingdom has largely gone unsung. This generation has now inherited the Divine commission we first received at Sinai – to be his kingdom of priests and prophets to the entire world (Exodus 19:5-6; Revelation 1:5-6).

As you read Yeshua’s words and watch him live the Gospel of the Kingdom in these pages, you will understand the religious bondage from which he set us free. We are now at liberty to love our Heavenly Father, keep his commandments, and learn to walk by the Spirit so that we can fulfill his plan for the ages. You will watch the Divine drama unfold as Yeshua attacks the illegitimate religious system of the Prushim and Zadokim and incurs the wrath of the god of this age, who will eventually provoke the religious leaders to crucify the Lord of Glory. In so doing, hasatan will illegally shed the innocent blood of Yeshua, which will legally allow the innocent one to buy back all who call on his name.

The Seat of Moses

from which Pharisees declare takanot – laws which change or negate Biblical Law.

Corazin synagogue ruins, Lower Galilee, Israel

The Five Gospels and the Five-Fold Ministry of Messiah

as the Netzer and Tzemach – the BRANCH

Five times in the writings of the Hebrew prophets the Messiah is referred to as the Tzemach. The King James translators rendered the word tzemach into English as BRANCH – often in all capital letters. Both they and the Jewish sages recognized the Messianic reference in each case where the prophets of Israel used the word tzemach. Each of the five usages of tzemach describes a mission or prophetic role that the Messiah must fulfill. Each of the five occurrences of tzemach details a particular quality or perspective of the life and ministry of the Messiah. The fulfillment of each of these five characteristics is detailed in the five Gospel accounts, just as it was foretold by the prophets.

The first four Gospels detail the fulfillment of each facet of Messiah’s ministry as the Suffering Servant, a scarlet thread that runs through the Torah, the Prophets, and other Scriptures (Luke 24:46; Acts 26:23). This is the prophetic shadow picture of Messiah that is embedded in the Spring Feasts of the LORD: a male lamb provided as the substitute offering for Abraham’s son Isaac, just as the Passover lamb was provided as the substitute for the firstborn sons of Israel.

The fifth Gospel, The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah (The Revelation of Jesus Christ – KJV), details the future fulfillment of the Fall Feasts of the LORD and proclaims the Messiah’s role as the Righteous Judge and Conquering King. Yes, the book of The Revelation is the fifth Gospel: good news for those who love the appearing of our Messiah, bad news for the tyrannical kings and rulers of the world, as well as the pew-warmers who live as though the Scriptures are a fairytale (Psalm 2).

One of the most profound prophecies Yeshua fulfilled, indicating both his Davidic genealogy and kingly role, is found in the Gospel of Matthew, which proclaims the Branch as a Righteous King.

And he (Yeshua) came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets; He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23 KJV)

As hard as one may try, no one will ever find a reference in the Prophets where the Messiah is to be called a Nazarene. It is often assumed that this must refer to the Messiah entering into a “nazarite vow” (Numbers 6:1-21), the same vow into which Samson was born (Judges 13:5-7). Not so. Yeshua clearly and admittedly broke the scriptural strictures of the nazarite vow several times (Matthew 11:19). Furthermore, nowhere in the writings of the prophets is it indicated that the Messiah would be either a Nazarene or one obligated to a nazarite vow. However, scripture does not leave us in confusion, for several prophets declared that the Messiah would be a tzemach, and Isaiah prophesied that the Tzemach would be a particular type of branch.

1And there shall come forth a rod (khoter – living shoot) out of the stem (geza – cut down tree stump) of Jesse, and a Branch (netzer – a specific type of branch) shall grow out of his roots (shorashim)… 10And in that day there shall be a root (shoresh) of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign to the people; to the root shall the gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1, 10)

Isaiah added astonishing details to the picture of the Messiah as the Tzemach – the Branch. He prophesied that the Tzemach would be a very particular type of branch – a netzer. The science of horticulture distinguishes many types of branches or offshoots from a tree, which are designated by various Latin and English terms. The same is true in the Hebrew language. The word netzer indicates a shoot from an olive tree that grows out of its original root system but springs up at a later time and somewhat distant from the trunk. The tree may have already been cut down because of its inability to bear fruit. The branch that shoots forth out of the root of the stump of the family tree of Jesse (King David’s father) will spring forth as a netzer.

A netzer has absolutely nothing to do with a “nazarite vow.” The Hebrew words nazir and netzer are unrelated – they just appear similar in English. The prophets tell us that the Messiah, the son of David, will be a Tzemach (a Branch) out of the trunk of David, but Isaiah is the prophet who tells us something very specific about that tzemach – he will be a netzer.

The village of Natzeret in northern Israel, known in English as Nazareth, takes its name from the root word netzer. Descendants of King David originally established this village. Miriam (Mary), the daughter of Yoseph ben Yaakov of the bloodline of King David through his son Solomon, and Miriam’s husband Yoseph ben Eli of the bloodline of King David through another son, Nathan, both grew up in Natzeret among near and distant relatives and a few Levites (see event <11>). The inhabitants of Natzeret most likely settled in the area during the Greek occupation of Israel when many Judeans fled into the Galilee region to escape persecution during the cruel reign of Antiochus Epiphanies (detailed in Maccabees I and II, 1611 KJV). The residents of Natzeret knew their family history and named their village in recognition of the fact that they were a “shoot” out of the root of the tree of Jesse – springing up at a distant place and a later time – a village of netzerim. Now it makes perfect sense for these netzerim to travel back to their ancestral home of Beit Lechem to legally register their support for naming Octavius Augustus the “Father of the Roman Empire” in the twenty-fifth year of his reign as Caesar (see event <13>).

No one Gospel writer tells the complete story of the life and ministry of the Messiah. None of them was attempting to tell the entire story. John admits that if the whole of the story were written, the world could not contain the scroll – but these things are written that we might assuredly know that Yeshua of Natzeret is The Prophet of whom Moses spoke and The Messiah of whom the prophets prophesied. It is only by putting the Prophets and the Gospels together that we see Yeshua as the Tzemach, the Netzer, the Messiah, the King, the Servant, the Son of Man, the only begotten Son of God, and the Almighty Judge.

MATTHEW

The Tzemach – The King

The Gospel of Matthew introduces the Messiah as the King from Heaven as he lays down the rules of the Kingdom over which he will reign forever. Matthew’s record begins by establishing Yeshua’s lineage from King David through his only earthly parent, Miriam, the daughter of Yoseph ben Yaakov – all direct descendants of David through Solomon. The record of the Babylonian astronomers delivering a royal treasure to the young king sets the stage.

Jeremiah prophesied that the Messiah, the Tzemach, would be a King out of the lineage of David.

...I will raise unto David a righteous BRANCH [Tzemach], a King shall reign and prosper, and he shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5)

The Gospel of Matthew is written in narrative form rather than chronological sequence.

MARK

The Tzemach – The Servant

The Gospel of Mark introduces the Messiah as a servant. No lineage. No fanfare. He is just doing the mission that he was sent to accomplish. Immediately, straightway, and forthwith are the words Mark chooses to typify Yeshua’s actions. There is no grass growing under his feet. He has exactly seventy weeks – 490 days – to complete his mission, or all is lost.

Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah, the Tzemach, would be the servant of the Most High.

…Behold, I will bring forth my servant The BRANCH [Tzemach]. (Zechariah 3:8)

The Gospel of Mark is written in chronological sequence.

LUKE

The Tzemach – The Son of Man

The Gospel of Luke introduces the Messiah as our example – the Son of Man, who demonstrates how to live the rules of the Kingdom. Luke’s record begins by establishing that both Zecharyah and Elisheva were blameless before the Almighty in their compliance with all the commandments in the Torah – including the additional statutes applicable only to the priesthood. Yeshua’s supposed lineage (Luke 3:23) through his stepfather Yoseph ben Eli, a direct descendant of David through Nathan, denotes the shadow of illegitimacy under which the Messiah lived. It was supposed that he was the child of Yoseph, conceived out of wedlock. Though he appeared to be just a man among men – yet “he shall build the Temple of the LORD.”

Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah, the Tzemach, would be not only a man – he would be The Man.

…Behold The Man whose name is The BRANCH [Tzemach]. He shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the LORD. (Zechariah 6:12)

The Gospel of Luke is written in chronological sequence and punctuated (as is the book of Acts) by summary statements.

JOHN

The Tzemach – The Son of GOD

The Gospel of John introduces the Messiah as the incarnation of the eternal Word by whom, through whom, and for whom all things in the physical universe were created. That Word became flesh and “tabernacled” among us as The Prophet of whom Moses prophesied. John introduces Yeshua with the testimony of Yochanan ben Zecharyah, who declared to an entourage of Levites and priests that when he mikveh-ed (baptized) Yeshua he saw the messianic sign that had been revealed to him by the Spirit. The day following Yochanan’s testimony, he saw Yeshua when he returned from his forty-day wilderness experience. Yochanan did not herald him as the Son of God as he heard from heaven, but as the Lamb of God – the sacrifice without blemish who would atone for the sins of the world.

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah, the Tzemach, would be the one who would purge the blood and wash away the filth of his people by the blood of the innocent lamb – the sinless Son of the Most High.

In that day shall The BRANCH [Tzemach] of the LORD be beautiful and glorious… 4The Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall purge the blood from the midst of Jerusalem… (Isaiah 4:2, 4)

The Gospel of John is written in precise chronological sequence, detailing the Messiah going up to Jerusalem to each one of the required pilgrim Feasts. Each of these events can be precisely documented to the very day of their occurrence on both the Julian Astronomical Decimal Calendar (the time clock of astrophysics) and the Astronomically and Agriculturally Corrected Biblical Hebrew Calendar (in short, the Creator’s Calendar). The Julian calendar’s accuracy in determining the exact day of the week during the first century is better than one millionth of a day, while the Creator’s Calendar, based on the illumination of the new moon as seen from Jerusalem, can now be mathematically calculated back into the first century with far more precision than can actually be detected by the human eye. The synchronization of these two ancient calendar systems now uncovers breathtaking detail – hidden for millennia – from the Gospel records.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke primarily detail the events between the Feasts of the LORD, while the Gospel of John shows the Messiah “going up” to each of the Feasts in Jerusalem.

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The Seventy Week Mission Accomplished

The seventy week ministry of Messiah is not fulfilled until Yeshua “baptizes” his followers with the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Shavuot. In the book of The Acts of the Apostles, Luke shows us the life and death struggle that took place as the followers of Yeshua learned to walk by the Spirit – the hard way. After being clearly instructed to wait in Jerusalem for “the promise of the Father,” the disciples grew impatient in the ten days leading up to the Feast of Shavuot and decided to choose a successor to Judas. Praying, yet receiving no guidance from heaven, they decided to take a vote – and they chose a replacement of whom we never hear again. In the book of The Acts we see demonic possession, disobedience, deception, and death – but we also witness miracles, deliverance, and victory. This is what life looks like with the Spirit of the resurrected Messiah dwelling in believers. The book of the Acts is still being written today by heavenly scribes who are urging us to fully engage in the glorious battle for the Kingdom.

THE REVELATION OF YESHUA MESSIAH

The Tzemach – The Coming Judge

The Gospel of the Revelation is written in precise chronological sequence with several parenthetical sections illustrating cause and effect. The Revelation chronology begins with seven letters to the seven Messianic assemblies in Asia Minor. John then details the events that transpire as Yeshua rips seven seals from a scroll of eternal significance – and specific events play out across the stage of planet Earth at the stripping of each seal. When the seventh seal is loosed, seven angels blowing seven trumpets are introduced. Six angels blow their trumpets in succession and then seven thunders follow. When the seven thunders are accomplished, the seventh (and last) trumpet finally sounds (on Yom Teruah), and the saints are miraculously “saved from the wrath to come” and gathered to the sea of fire and glass. After that, seven angels pour out the contents of seven bowls full of the smoking wrath of the Almighty onto the inhabitants of the earth who have been left behind. When the wrath is concluded (on Yom Kippur), the bride dresses for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. After the seven-day wedding feast (Sukkot), Yeshua returns to earth (on Shemini Atzeret) to rule with the Torah and a rod of iron.

Jeremiah prophesied that the Messiah, the Tzemach, would be the Judge out of the lineage of David and would execute judgment and pure righteousness throughout the entire earth.

I will cause The BRANCH [Tzemach] of righteousness to shoot forth from David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in all the earth. (Jeremiah 33:15)

The Gospel record closes with The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, which reveals how the Messiah will fulfill the Fall Feasts of the LORD. At the end of this journey through The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah we will clearly understand why we were commanded to keep the Feasts of the LORD, the prophetic shadow pictures of good things to come, forever. Come, enjoy the Feast!

The Corrected King James Version (CKJV)

In 1604, King James of England authorized the translation of the Scriptures into English. Over eighty percent of the King James Version was taken directly from William Tyndale’s heretofore illegal translation. The King James translators acknowledged in their dedication, “We never thought from the beginning that we should need to make a new translation...but to make a good one better.” They compared Tyndale’s work with the Textus Receptus, a Greek hybrid text compiled by Robert Stephens (also known as Robert Estienne or Robertus Stephanus) from manuscripts and fragments available to his team of researchers in 1550 and published as Novum Testamentum - Textus Stephanici - 1550. The translators also consulted the Latin Vulgate but Hebrew texts of the Gospel of Matthew were all thought to have been expunged during the persecution of Diocletian, and were not a part of New Testament scholarship until recently. Twenty-eight copies of authentic primitive Hebrew texts of Matthew’s Gospel have now been discovered in the archives of Jewish scribes, as well as in the Vatican library, and are now a part of the Corrected King James Version. These ancient Hebrew manuscripts have become an invaluable asset in reconstructing the Gospel of the Kingdom from the original language and in the cultural context of Yeshua’s day. This family of manuscripts are herein referred to in the singular form Ancient Hebrew Matthew and designated in the text as [AHM].

In 1611 the scholars completed their translations and then published their first vernacular version. That Bible became known as the “Authorized Version,” acknowledging its commission by King James of England. Less than perfect, as any translation invariably is, the 1611 version has been repeatedly revised and corrected since its original publication. As the English language developed and spelling was standardized, archaic forms and words were changed to provide a more comprehensible text for the general public. Although British law prohibited the exclusion of any of the books from the original 1611 King James Version, the American and British Bible Societies removed several books from their 1880 edition and from all subsequent publications. Once these inter-testamental historic books were removed, modern readers were bereft of essential contextual information necessary for a fully informed interpretation of the Gospels. Today, the Feast of Hanukkah (John 8:12 - 10:39) that Yeshua kept in Jerusalem in spite of the Pharisee’s threats to kill him, is an enigma to the modern Christian church.

The Chronological Gospels: The Life and Seventy Week Ministry of the Messiah utilizes every verse in the Gospel record from the Corrected King James Version (CKJV) and is assembled in chronological order. The CKJV, appearing for the first time in this publication, is the author’s modernized version of the KJV. The CKJV follows in the tradition of several post-1611 KJV revisions by further updating archaic English forms, re-introducing valuable ancient Hebrew forms, and correcting and standardizing Hebrew name pronunciations. In later editions of the KJV, when words that did not appear in the original text were added for clarity, they were italicized by the translators. The CKJV maintains this same protocol but also brackets [ ] added explanatory phrases where footnotes would be cumbersome to the reader. The CKJV is a critical, dynamic translation that attempts to capture the meaning of the original phraseology and return life and emotion to constructions that were entombed within Elizabethan English. The CKJV updates the language of the KJV without dumbing-down the text. Proper names are added in italics when relative pronouns call for clarity, and, most importantly, the CKJV utilizes Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts that were unavailable at the time of the original King James translation. The holy four-letter name (Tetragrammaton) of the Almighty, YHVH, was removed from the English versions of the Hebrew Scriptures because of Pharisaic takanot which forbade its use except under very strictly defined circumstances.{5} Unfettered from the restrictive rules of Phariseeism, the Name is restored to the CKJV in its Hebrew form, YHVH. This allows the reader to pronounce the Name according to personal conscience and in accordance with the Divine commandment that his Name should be both called upon and made known throughout all the earth (Jeremiah 16:21; Joel 2:32).

{5} Talmud: Tamid 33b; Sabbath 115b; Sabbath 120b; Sabbath 61b; Yoma 69b

It is the position of the CKJV editors that the original autographs were without error or contradiction. When apparent inaccuracies occur in any translation, they are usually due to a misunderstanding of the language and culture of ancient Israel. They may also be due to translation inaccuracies, which are an inevitable part of any translation attempt. Occasionally, they are due to errors in the transmission of the original text – some by accidental omission and others by deliberate commission.

Every serious student of the Scriptures recognizes that problems exist in the various English translations. The Almighty did not shout the commandments from Mount Sinai in the Greek language, nor did Moses record them in Shakespearean English. Consulting earlier texts has proven critical in correcting conflicts found in many of the English translations. The CKJV is a critical translation that will answer many of the questions that have plagued the Western reader of the Scriptures for centuries. This work endeavors to illuminate the Living Word, Yeshua the Messiah, in the heart and mind.

Version Notes:

• Italics: The KJV protocol of italics to indicate “text added by the translators for clarification” is maintained. Explanatory phrases are enclosed in brackets [ ] where footnotes would be a distraction from the text.

• Inclusion of the Holy Name: The most obvious departure from King James’ authorized version is the restoration of the proper name of the Almighty to its first-century Hebrew form YHVH. The Name of the Elohim (God) of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov was revealed to mankind and recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures (Exodus 3:15). The Holy Name YHVH appears at least 6,828 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, but the Name is usually camouflaged behind the capitalized forms “LORD” and “GOD” in the English versions of the Bible. Both “lord” and “god” are nondescript titles commonly used to designate the pagan deities of many different cultures. The Pharisee rabbis restricted the use of the proper name YHVH early in the second century CE. As a result, the pronunciation of the Name of the Almighty was deliberately hidden by the rabbis, and was purportedly lost to antiquity. Yet, Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) prophesied that the Holy Name of the Almighty would be restored in the last days, and that even the gentiles would call upon that name – much to the chagrin of the religious leaders, who still to this day forbid its proper use (Jeremiah 16:1-21).

• Flavius Josephus, a priest, Pharisee, historian, and military commander of the Jews in their last stand against the Roman legions in the first century, reported in The Jewish Wars 5:5.7 that the High Priest had “four vowels” engraved on the gold plate worn on his turban. y (Yod), h (Hey), w (Vav), and oa (Aleph) are the four consonantal vowels in the Hebrew alphabet. Each can be pronounced as either a consonant or a vowel. If Josephus relayed the Name correctly (albeit cryptically), the four letters on the priest’s turban – h w h y – are all pronounced as vowels with an open mouth. These are the same vowel sounds that occur in the Greek language – I (Iota), a (Alpha), o (Omicron), u (Upsilon), e (Epsilon)iaoue – in English – “i-a-oo-e.” Hence, the English pronunciation i ah oo eh, commonly spelled Yahweh – recognizing that the “y” and “h” are not pronounced as hard consonants. A strict honoring of the input of Josephus might produce a vocalization of the Holy Name as a string of vowels, similar to ‘ee-ah-oo-eh,’ yet three of these vowels in the Holy Name have alternate pronunciations, so that vocalization is not certain.

An alternative pronunciation, with perhaps a more secure foundation, is the fact of the relatively recent discovery of the Name with what appears to be the original vowel pointings. The rabbis forbade the pronunciation of the Name at the time that the Romans punished its articulation with death. They did, however, transmit the pronunciation of the Name to their students – in secret – once every seven years (Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 71a). In the two oldest surviving vocalized texts of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Aleppo Codex and the Leningrad Codex, the Name is written as four consonants and two vowels. The third vowel, without which the Name is unpronounceable, is strangely absent. Yet, in these same ancient manuscripts, there are a few places where the scribes, who heard the Name pronounced every seven years, probably accidentally (or subconsciously) inserted the middle vowel. That missing middle vowel was a long “o” sound in English. According to scholars at Hebrew University, the four-consonant Name, with all three vowels supplied from the ancient vocalized Hebrew sources, should be pronounced Y(e)HoVah – with the accent on the last syllable.

To further substantiate this finding, many compound Hebrew names include the Name within them. When hy or why occurs at the beginning of a name, it is pronounced as Y(e)H(o). The vowels are indicated in the ancient vocalized manuscripts. On the other hand, when the Name appears at the end of a name, it is pronounced either Yah(u) (why) or the shorter, poetic form, Yah (hy) (Psalm 68:4).

Yeho-shua (Joshua [Jesus]) = why saves = Yesha-Yahu (Isaiah)

Yeho-tzadak (Josedech) = why is righteous = Tzedek-Yahu (Zedekiah)

Yeho-natan (Jonathan) = why gives = Natan-Yahu (Natanyahu)

Yeho-achaz (Jehoihaz) = why takes hold = Achaz-Yahu (Ahaziah)

Yeho- chanan (Johanan [John]) = why is gracious = Chanan-Yahu (Hananiah)

As the Hebrew language developed through the centuries, the vav (w), which formed the oo sound at the end of a name, was commonly dropped to form the shorter construct. This is illustrated in the above names. Yeshayahu was shortened to Yeshayah (Isa-iah). Netan-yahu was shortened to Natanyah, etc. The most important among these names is Yehoshua (Joshua 1:1), which was shortened to Yeshua (Zechariah 3:1). Yeshua was transposed into Greek characters as Ihsouj (Iesous) and into late English as Jesus (with the letter “J” properly pronounced as “Y” – as in the European spelling of “Jugoslavia”). The transposition of Yehoshua to Yeshua is easily traceable in the Hebrew Scriptures. Likewise, the name Joshua was transposed to Jesus in English. This fact is obvious in the King James Version of Hebrews 4:8 where the name of Joshua (the son of Nun) was translated as Jesus, which is understandable because they are the very same name in Hebrew.

The CKJV utilizes the first century Hebrew form of Yehoshua – Yeshua – when referring to the Messiah. This is the name that the angel Gavriel instructed both his mother and step-father to call him, and Yeshua < [wvy – YeHo(VaH) Saves > is the very name that the angel Gavriel instructed Miriam and Yoseph to name the child, as recorded in the ancient Hebrew text of Matthew’s Gospel [AHM].

The two most common positions on the pronunciation of the hallowed Name of our Heavenly Father are: the “four-vowel name,” derived from a cryptic clue left by Josephus, and “the vowel-vocalized consonants” inadvertently preserved by Jewish scribes. One day we will hear the name of YHVH pronounced on the lips of the Messiah himself. Until then, the pronunciation is left to the reader’s discretion. One thing is certain: no particular pronunciation can be proven in a court of law, and only the chronically overbearing have the luxury of being dogmatic. Regardless of one’s preferred pronunciation, the reason YHVH brought us out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand was so that the entire world would know his name is YHVH. Yeshua stated emphatically that we would not see him again until we say, “Baruch haba b’shem YHVH” – “Blessed is he who comes in the name of YHVH.”

• Divine Titles: The indistinct Greek title “Theos,” which is translated into English as “God,” is used without discrimination in the KJV New Testament for both the Hebrew title Elohim and the proper name YHVH. The CKJV restores the proper name YHVH where probable, employs the titles of respect the Almighty and the Holy One where appropriate, and supplies the Hebrew term Elohim when uncertain.

• Titles of Respect: Sir, master, and sometimes the Hebrew adoni (my master) replaces the British term lord, which traditionally refers to a feudal landowner.

• Spelling: The spelling of names is standardized to reflect their Hebrew roots and pronunciations, as well as to facilitate identification in the English texts of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings.

• Proper Nouns: Sabbath, Passover, and all proper Hebrew names that were marginalized in the KJV by the use of the lower case are all restored to the upper case deserving of proper nouns.

• Bold Text: The author utilizes bold text to bring emphasis to particular words or phrases. Bold ALL CAPS is used in place of the ancient method of repeating words twice or more to indicate intensity.

• The Feasts of the LORD: The proper names of the Feasts of YHVH are restored where they were replaced with the minimalizing expression “a feast of the Jews.”

• Pagan Names: Paganized names found in the KJV (i.e., Elizeus, meaning “my elohim [god] is Zeus”) are changed back to their original Hebrew names (i.e. Elisha, which means “Elohim is my Salvation”).

• Hebrew Names: Names are changed back to the Hebrew forms commonly used in the first century. For example, John the Baptist is changed back to Yochanan ben Zecharyah haCohen. “John” is an English name and “baptist” is an English transliteration of a Greek word and concept unfamiliar to first century Israel. Yochanan was the son (ben) of Zecharyah the priest (cohen), and he was performing the mikveh (baptism), a meaningful, familiar, and repeated scriptural practice of repentance and renewal.

• Replacement of Common Consonants: The letter “J” is expunged from names in the CKJV, as there is no modern “J” sound in the Hebrew tongue. The archaic and European pronunciation of “J” as “Y” (as in Jugoslavia) may be unfamiliar to Western readers of modern English but is still common throughout Europe today. The letter “J” was introduced into the English alphabet in the early 17th century and was placed directly after the letter “I” as it was a close consonantal variation on that vowel. It was then, and still is, properly pronounced as a consonantal “Y” as in the color “Yellow” (Jellow). Every name that begins with the letter “J” in any Biblical text should be pronounced as a consonantal “Y.”

• Forms of Holy Spirit: The Greek words <pnuema ‘agion – pneuma hagion> are from Hebrew <vdq hwr – ruach kodesh> which translate as holy spirit. In this work, the term ruach kodesh (roo-akh khodesh) is utilized by the author’s preference.

• Forms of Judah: Judaea is transliterated back into Hebrew as Yehudaea, Jew as Yehudi, Jews as Yehudim, and Judah as Yehudah. Judas (again, Yehudah) is transliterated stylistically as Yehudas to make the betrayer of Yeshua more easily identifiable for the English reader.

• Forms of the Adversary: The words “Satan” and “the devil” in the KJV are replaced in the CKJV by the Hebrew word hasatan when it refers to the character “the satan – the adversary,” and the term “demon” is used when referring to evil, afflicting spirits.

• Modernized English: The archaic English active case suffix “–eth” (receiveth, knocketh, seeketh, etc.) is replaced with the modern English equivalent (receives, knocks, seeks, etc.).

• Extraneous Conjunctions: Conjunctions and conjunctive phrases (and, then, and it came to pass, etc.) that are extraneous and confusing to the chronological flow have been expunged from the text to avoid an inaccurate perception of the passage of time within the event calendar itself. Every word of the original text has been arranged chronologically, and each author’s autography is contained within the specific event. All passage of time has been taken into account in the chronology, and the narrative flow has been preserved.

• Divine and Secular Dating: The terms BCE and CE are used in this work, not because they describe the Common Era but because of their accuracy in drawing attention to the Common Error in conventional chronology. Yeshua was not born in the year -1, +1, or the nonexistent year 0, therefore all dates reckoned by BCE and CE are for convenience rather than acknowledging any point of accuracy. All secular dates are expressed in the Julian calendar mode, which is the official time clock of astrophysics in antiquity and was in use more than forty years before the birth of Yeshua. Calendar dates calculated From Creation are expressed as FC. All Biblical calendar dates are determined by the Astronomically and Agriculturally Corrected Biblical Hebrew Calendar with lunar illumination percentages calculated by the computations of NASA as interpreted by Biblical Astronomer Robert Scott Wadsworth. The beginning of the yearly calendar is determined in the land of Israel according to the historic parameters documented by the International Aviv Search Team under the supervision of Hebrew University Karaite scholar Nehemia Gordon.

I. The Origin, Birth, and Childhood of Yeshua and Yochanan (John)

< 1 > Introduction and Background

Yeshua Messiah and Yochanan ben Zecharyah

The Gospel of John takes us back to the beginning of beginnings before the physical universe was spoken into existence – the ultimate genealogy of Yeshua Messiah.

The Gospel of Luke documents – in chronological order – the beginnings and the earthly ministries of both Yeshua as the Son of Man and Yochanan ben Zecharyah as the prophet who comes in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to prepare the way of YHVH. Luke continues his chronological record of Yeshua’s ministry in “The Acts of the Apostles,” which details the events leading up to the conclusion of Yeshua’s seventy-week ministry, which culminated on the final event of the Spring Feasts of YHVH – Shavuot (Pentecost).

[The Gospel of Mark commences with “the beginning of the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah” in his role as a servant – no genealogical background is needed to serve. Mark confirms Luke’s chronological order.]

The Gospel of Matthew begins by detailing the genealogical credentials of the Messiah as the King from Heaven through Miriam, his only earthly parent, and a direct descendant of the royal lineage of King David through Solomon. Matthew does not record events in chronological sequence, but paints the picture of the King who lays down the rules of his everlasting Kingdom with broad, sweeping strokes. Matthew’s detailed account begins soon after he joins the company of disciples in the late spring.

Matthew 1:1 — Mark — Luke 1:1-4 — John 1:1-18

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with YHVH, and the Word was YHVH. 2The same Word was in the beginning with YHVH. 3All things were made by him, and there was nothing made without him. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shone into the darkness, but the darkness could not overcome the Light.

6There was a man sent from YHVH whose name was Yochanan ben Zecharyah. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not the Light, but bore witness to the Light, 9 the true Light, which enlightens every man who comes into the world. 10He made the world and he came into the world, but the world did not know him. 11He came unto his own people, but they did not receive him. 12But as many as believed in him and received him, to them he granted the authority to become sons of YHVH, 13who were begotten, not according to bloodline, nor according to the desire of the flesh, nor according to the determination of man, but according to the will of YHVH alone. 14The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. We witnessed his judgment, as the judgment of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15Yochanan bore witness of him, and proclaimed: “This is he of whom I spoke, ‘He that comes after me is greater than I am, for he was before me.’” 16From his magnificent majesty we have all received grace upon grace. 17The Torah was given by grace through Moshe (Moses), the reality and grace came through Yeshua Messiah. 18No man has ever seen the Almighty, yet the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made him known.

Luke 1:1 Honored and beloved of YHVH [theophilus], seeing that many have endeavored to record a narrative of the things which are with certainty believed among his disciples, 2and even as they set their hand to the task (which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word) 3it also seemed good to me, having an accurate understanding, to document these things in chronological order from the very beginning. 4This I have done so that you might become thoroughly acquainted and absolutely certain about the things in which you have been instructed.

Matthew 1:1 This is the scroll of the genealogy of Yeshua Messiah, the son of David, the son of Avraham.

< Note 1 > Relevance of the Creator’s Calendar

The Gospel narrative and the timing of the Feasts of YHVH

The Chronological Gospels begin their narrative with the Gospel of Luke, which details the events surrounding the birth of Yochanan, the son of the elderly priest Zecharyah and his wife Elisheva, both from the lineage of Aaron. In order to understand the chronological information given in the book of Luke, we must understand the Creator’s reckoning of time that frames the Temple service, the order of the priestly courses in the Temple service, and how they both relate to the Feasts of the LORD.

The Creator’s reckoning of time, as indicated in the Scriptures, determines each day by our observance of the solar cycle. The reckoning of the new day begins at sunset (Gen 1:5 “The evening and the morning were the first day”). Israelite culture, since time immemorial, has likewise borne witness to the fact that the first day of the new week begins at sunset at the end of the Sabbath (the seventh day). Those cultures which have attempted to deliberately divorce themselves from the Creator’s reckoning of time by creating some other calendar (such as the 10 day “week” of the French humanist revolution) have all returned to that which was initiated in the beginning. Though it is impossible to prove that the seven day week has remained in unbroken sequence since creation, or even Mount Sinai, the Sabbath that Yeshua and the nation of Israel kept has remained in an unbroken sequence long before the first century CE. The accuracy of this fact is beyond dispute as the Julian calendar of the 1st century BCE is still the time clock of astrophysics and is accurate to better than one millionth of a day. Furthermore, if the king from heaven found no need to correct the weekly Sabbath while he was on earth, but kept it with inviolability, it would be the acme of arrogance to correct him.

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The reckoning of the month is governed by our observance of the lunar cycle. The new month begins when the first sliver of the new moon is sighted in the land of Israel. The biblical definition of “new moon” differs from the modern astronomical term which pinpoints the instant that the earth, moon, and sun are all in alignment, or conjunction – a mathematical moment in time that cannot be observed from earth, only calculated. The biblical definition of new moon comes from the Hebrew word khodesh, which literally means “renewed.” Khodesh refers to the light of the moon being renewed after a period of darkness. The moon is always 50% illuminated from space, unless it is eclipsed by the shadow of the earth passing between the sun and the moon, but from our vantage point on earth, the illumination of the moon is observed in a continuous cycle. That cycle is approximately 29.530587 days from one mathematical conjunction to the next. This basically means that each lunar month, from the sighting of the first sliver of one new moon to the next, will be either 29 or 30 days. If the moon is not sighted at the end of the 29th day it is, by default, a full 30-day month. The sighting of the renewed moon, however, is an atmospheric event rather than an astronomical event. Shepherds and priests alike had to be able to determine the day of the month without consulting NASA or a Babylonian astrolabe. The biblical new moon and the new month (both English terms are one word and one concept in the Hebrew language) are based on the observation of celestial bodies rather than mathematical calculations.

The great breakthrough in astrophysics in the past two decades is that we can choose a precise terrestrial coordinate and run the celestial time clock back to any moment in time and determine how much of the moon was illuminated from that location. NASA’s claimed accuracy for lunar illumination is better than one-ten-thousandth of a percent – far beyond the distinguishing capability of the human eye. This means that we can pinpoint the day upon which each one of the Feasts of the LORD occurred during the life and ministry of Yeshua. We can determine, with heretofore unimagined precision, the very day that Yeshua healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, the Sabbath day that he taught in the Capernaum synagogue on the Last Day and the Resurrection, the Sabbath day that he healed the man born blind at the feast of Hanukkah, the day of his death and the day of his resurrection three days and three nights later. What we had to acknowledge as guesswork nearly forty years ago when embarking on this adventure of deciphering the chronological events of the Gospels, we can now calculate with exactitude. The only element that we cannot determine with absolute certainty are the seasonal atmospheric conditions that could obscure an otherwise observable moon – but that can only rarely put us off by a single day, and that would be corrected at the beginning of the next month.

It is worthy of note that the science of astronomy still uses the Julian calendar in determining ancient celestial events – the same calendar that was used throughout the Roman Empire in the days of Yeshua. Most historic events in ancient times were marked by their relation to the position of heavenly bodies. We can now roll back the celestial clock and decode these dates with precision. The Julian calendar, initiated on January 1, 45 BCE, has now been accurately synchronized with the Creator’s astronomical calendar to within one-ten-thousandth of a second for times in antiquity – and both calendars were in use in Israel when Yeshua walked the Roman roads that still crisscross the Galilee today. NASA’s claimed accuracy is better than one-ten-millionth of a day for the 6,000-year duration that man has been on the planet, and these are the calculations used throughout this work. All secular dates in this work are expressed in the Julian calendar mode and are cross-referenced with the Creator’s calendar.

The reckoning of the new year is governed by our observance of the lunar and agricultural cycles in the land of Israel. The new year begins when the first sliver of the renewed moon coincides with the time that the barley crop reaches the stage of maturity referred to as aviv. This is why the Hebrew Scriptures refer to the first month of the year as “the month of the aviv” (the definite article the is in every extant Hebrew text). In the month in which the barley is aviv, we must keep the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at which time we are required to make an offering of the Firstfruits of the barley harvest (Exodus 12:2; 34:18). Until the barley reaches the stage of aviv, we cannot declare the first month of the year. An “additional month” is occasionally added to the end of the calendar year to allow more time for the barley to ripen so that it can be ready to offer in the Temple on Yom haBikkurim (Day of Firstfruits) during the Feast of Unleavened bread. This is the very reason that our Creator commanded us to “observe (shomer – guard and protect) the month of the aviv” (Deuteronomy 16:1) just as we were commanded to shomer the Sabbath (Deuteronomy 5:12).

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View full image here.

Though the pagan solar calendar and the biblical lunar calendar vary in the amount of days in the year, both have a reckoning of their new year each spring; hence, one thousand years on the solar calendar is equal to one thousand years on the Creator’s lunar calendar – those years simply begin at a different time each year. There have been many well meaning, yet erroneous calculations performed by using fractional adjustments between the 365 ¼ day solar year and a 360 day biblical year. However, a 360 day year never occurs on the Creator’s calendar. Furthermore, prophecy students will do well to recognize that there are never 42 months in a three-and-one-half-year period nor are there only 1,260 days in forty two months. In that period of time there will always be at least one Adar Bet – a “thirteenth month” to allow for the solar and lunar calendars to stay synchronized, and this additional month is determined each spring by the state of the barley crop in Israel. A 360 day year is a linguistic device that accurately states the passage of time to those who know how to determine each day, week, month, year, Sabbath year, and Jubilee year. The Creator instructed us to watch the heavens – and the earth – to determine his times and his seasons. It can not, was not, and never will be a simple mathematical calculation by which the Almighty runs the universe – we must rely on him to fulfill his prophetic calendar and adjust his Divine time clock.

Now that the understanding of the agricultural term aviv has been restored in the land of Israel during the past two decades, we can calculate the parameters for the aviv in antiquity according to its relationship to a mathematical moment in the solar cycle now referred to as the vernal equinox. Even though the Babylonian solar concepts of equinox and solstice are not in Scripture, we do understand that barley is a phototropic spring crop that ripens according to the amount of sunlight that it receives. From years of scientific analysis in the Land of Israel, we can now say that if the new moon at the end of the twelfth month occurs so many days before the equinox, the barley will never be aviv. We can also say that if the new moon at the end of the twelfth month occurs so many days after the equinox, the barley will always be aviv. We can also say with confidence that if the new moon at the end of the twelfth month appears between certain dates, we are absolutely certain that we will not be able to tell in advance whether the barley will be aviv or not. Reality has repeatedly proven us wrong in our speculative yearly forecasts concerning the aviv. That is why the Creator tells us to watch his signs in the heavens and on the earth before we make concrete plans for the future – and that is why our yearly Astronomically and Agriculturally Corrected Biblical Hebrew Calendar never goes to press before the new moon of the aviv barley in the Land of Israel. For a more thorough understanding of the restoration of the Creators Calendar in the land of Israel over the last 20 years, see the Resource list at the back of the volume.

< 2 > Zecharyah serves in the Temple according to the course of Aviyah

[Biblical Hebrew Calendar: 7th Day of the 3rd Month, 3997 FC (From Creation) – Saturday, June 2, 4 BCE]

The chronology in the Gospel of Luke begins with the Temple service of Zecharyah, a cohen of the course of Aviyah, which was the eighth of the twenty-four courses (I Chronicles 24:7-18).

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:5-7 — John

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Yehudaea, a particular cohen{1} named Zecharyah,{2} of the course of Aviyah{3}. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisheva{4}. 6They were both righteous and walked blamelessly{1} in all the commandments and ordinances of YHVH.{2} 7Yet, they had no children and Elisheva was barren and they both were well advanced in years.{1}

{Lk 1:5.1} All of the members of the tribe of Levi were dedicated for Temple service, but only the family of Aaron served as cohenim (priests) in the administration of Temple offerings, and they alone were allowed admittance into the Holy Place. The Cohen haGadol (the High Priest) was the sole member of the family of Aaron who was allowed access into the Holy of Holies.

{Lk 1:5.2} The name of the Creator (YHVH) or his title (Elohim) is commonly used in their abbreviated form to make up many Hebrew names. Anglicized names ending in “iah,” such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah end with “ why” (yahu) and are more properly rendered Yeshayahu, Yirmeyahu, and Zecharyahu. It was common in the Second Temple period and in modern Hebrew to drop the last consonantal vowel “ w” (“oo” as in mood) and pronounce the end of the name as “yah,” i.e. Zecharyah.

{Lk 1:5.3} At the time of King David, the Levitical priests of the family of Aaron were divided into twenty-four courses or service divisions (I Chronicles 24:1-18). Each course served for one week, twice each year. The service courses commenced at the beginning of the Sabbath and concluded at the end of the following Sabbath, so that at least two courses were serving every Sabbath. During the three annual Feasts, which required the attendance of all adult Israelite males, all cohenim served concurrently. After the Maccabean revolt, all cohenim served during Hanukkah – the eight-day Feast of Dedication. The first course (Yehoyariv) began their service on the first Sabbath of the year in the month of the aviv. The eighth course (Aviyah) began on the seventh Sabbath day from the Firstfruits offering, which was also the forty-ninth day of the counting of the omer. The following morning, the high day of the Feast of Shavuot, the course of Aviyah was responsible for the Temple service. This is the day Zecharyah was selected to offer incense on the golden altar in the Holy Place.

{Lk 1:5.4} KJV: Elizabeth

{Lk 1:6.1} By the traditional count of the rabbis, there are 613 commandments in the Torah. Of those commandments, only a few are applicable to children, some only to women and not to men, some only to men and not to women, some only to Levites among the men, and some only pertain to cohenim serving in the Temple during specific feasts. The commandments and ordinances that directly applied to Zecharyah and Elisheva were much more specific and numerous than the commandments that applied to the average Israelite, yet in all of these commandments they were absolutely blameless. The concept that the commandments of YHVH are grievous and impossible to be obeyed is a gentile invention. The belief that keeping all of the instructions in the Torah would make a person righteous is also a gentile invention. Shaul (Paul) instructed the believers in Galatia who became deluded by the idea that a person could earn righteousness by obedience to rules: “We who are raised Jewish (and not as pagan gentiles) know that a man is not justified by works of law, but only by faith in Yeshua Messiah” (Galatians 2:15-16). As it is written, “Avraham believed YHVH, and it was reckoned as righteousness unto him” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).

{Lk 1:6.2} The Name of the Elohim (God) of Avraham, Yitzhak, and Yaakov was revealed to mankind and recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures (Exodus 3:15). The Holy Name YHVH appears at least 6,823 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, but was commonly camouflaged behind the capitalized forms “LORD” and “GOD” in the English versions of the Bible. Both “lord” and “god” are nondescript titles that are also used to designate the pagan deities of many cultures. The Pharisee rabbis restricted the use of the proper name YHVH as early as the second century BCE and forbade its use after the second century CE. As a result, the name of the Almighty fell into disuse and finally obscurity to where the correct pronunciation was lost to antiquity. Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) prophesied that the Holy Name of the Almighty would be restored in the last days, and that even the gentiles would call upon that name – to the chagrin of the religious leaders who still forbid its proper use (Jeremiah 16: 1-21). See Version Notes, page 22 for details on pronunciation.

{Lk 1:7.1} The Torah promises a fruitful womb to those who are obedient to the commandments of the Almighty (Deuteronomy 7:14). Zecharyah and Elisheva appeared to be faithful, but to their friends and family her barrenness revealed displeasure on the part of the One who sees all. Though their hope for an heir was disappointed, neither held any enmity in their hearts against the Almighty, nor toward their lot in life as servants of the congregation of Israel. They remained faithful all the days of their lives.

< 3 > Gavriel’s announcement to Zecharyah

Elisheva, the “barren one” will have a son

[8th Day of the 3rd Month, 3997 FC; Sunday, June 3, 4 BCE]

The announcement is made while Zechariah is serving in the Temple at Shavuot (Pentecost).

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:8-22 — John

Luke 1:8 Now, it came to pass while Zecharyah executed the cohen’s duties before YHVH in the order of his course,{1} 9according to the instructions concerning the responsibilities of the cohenim, the ballot fell upon Zecharyah to burn incense in the Temple of YHVH.{1} 10At that time, the entire multitude [assembled on the Temple Mount for the Feast of Shavuot] was praying in the outer court at the time of the incense offering. 11While they prayed, Zecharyah saw the angel of YHVH standing on the right side of the golden altar of incense. 12When Zecharyah saw him, he was terrified, and overcome with dread. 13But the angel said, “Fear not Zecharyah! Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochanan.{1} 14You will have great joy, and many will be exceedingly glad on account of his birth, 15for he will be great in the eyes of YHVH. He shall not drink wine or any strong drink, and he will be filled with the Ruach Kodesh (Holy Spirit) from his mother’s womb. 16He shall turn many of the children of Israel to YHVH their Elohim. 17He shall go before YHVH in the spirit and power of Eliyahu{1} to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. He shall cause the disobedient to understand righteousness and make ready a people prepared for YHVH.”

18Zecharyah answered the angel, “How shall I father this son?{1} I am an old man, and my wife is far past her childbearing years!” 19The angel replied, “I am Gavriel. I stand in the presence of the Almighty, and I was sent to speak unto you and announce these glad tidings. 20But because you did not believe my words which shall certainly be fulfilled in their appointed time, behold, you will be deaf and unable to speak{1} until the day these things come to pass.”

21Now, the people were amazed that Zecharyah delayed so long in the Temple, 22and when he came out [to pronounce the Aaronic blessing], he could not speak. The multitude recognized that he might have seen a vision in the Temple because he motioned to them, yet he remained speechless.

{Lk 1:8.1} Each year, Zecharyah began his first tour of duty on the Sabbath preceding the High day of Shavuot. He then reported for duty six months later; just before the Feast of Hanukkah. Only on the High Sabbath of the Feast of Shavuot does the order of Aviyah have the responsibility to minister in the Temple when there is “a multitude present at the time of the incense offering.” This detail allows us to pinpoint the moment that Gavriel announced the upcoming birth of “the prophet who comes in the spirit and power of Eliyahu.” This theme repeats throughout the Gospels: The Almighty acts to fulfill His promises and His Feasts at His “appointed times.” [An alternate method for reckoning the priesthood courses was uncovered in the Dead Sea scrolls of the Essenes. This method, detailed by Eugene Faulstich in Bible Chronology and the Scientific Method, also calculates that the order of Aviyah was serving in the Temple during the Feast of Shavuot in this same year.]

{Lk 1:9.1} The honor of burning incense on the golden altar and pronouncing the Aaronic blessing over the congregation of Israel was bestowed just once in the lifetime of a cohen*. Once the lot was cast and the responsibility was fulfilled, that particular priest was no longer eligible for selection. Zecharyah was an elderly cohen who had not yet had the honor of fulfilling this priestly duty. When it appeared as though his ministry and life were almost over, Zecharyah and his wife finally received the highest calling of any cohen since the time of Moses – a messenger from the throne room of heaven announced that he and his wife would bring forth the prophet who would herald the coming of the Messiah. [*Incense of the Ketoreth: Temple Treasures Institute, Jerusalem]

{Lk 1:13.1} “Yochanan” means Yah is Merciful but is rendered in KJV as “John.” Anglicized names beginning with “J” are always to be pronounced as “Y” as there is no “J” sound in Hebrew. The original English pronunciation of the letter “J” is as a hard “Y.”

{Lk 1:17.1} “Eliyahu – YHVH is Elohim” – KJV: Elijah

{Lk 1:18.1} “How shall I know this?” (KJV) The term know <ginwskw> ginosko – Greek, <[dy> yada – Hebrew, is an idiom for sexual intimacy (Gen 4:1, 4:17, 19:8, 38:16, Matt 1:25) similar to the modern English idiom “sleep with.”

{Lk 1:20.1} The phrase dumb and not able to speak (KJV) is redundant and ignores the context. The Aramaic text reads khresh – meaning “blunted in the senses,” and can mean “deaf, dumb, blind, or lame.” From the remote context it is clear that Zecharyah was struck both deaf and dumb by the angel in response to his plea for help, “How shall I know this? I am old and my wife well stricken in years” (KJV). Zecharyah apparently had difficulty believing the words of the angel, so he asked for assistance. The last thing he heard was the promise of the angel, and the last thing he uttered was a cry for help in believing those words. For the next nine months, he could neither hear nor speak. At the circumcision of the child, “they made signs to Zecharyah,” asking him what he would name his son (v:62). They would not have needed to “make signs” if he could have heard them speak; they would have simply asked him to write the name of the child. Then Zecharyah “asked for a writing slate” (KJV). We know that he was unable to speak, so he obviously “asked” for the slate by motioning (v:63). As soon as he wrote the name “Yochanan” his mouth was opened and he prophesied.

< 4 > Zecharyah returns home

the morning after the final Shabbat service of his order is concluded

[15th Day of the 3rd month, 3997 FC; Sunday, June 10, 4 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:23 — John

Luke 1:23 And it came to pass, as soon as the days of Zecharyah’s Temple service were completed, he departed to his own house.

< 5 > Elisheva conceives a son

[4th Month, 3997 FC; July, 4 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:24-25 — John

Luke 1:24 After the days of Zecharyah’s Temple service, Elisheva conceived{1} and secluded herself for five months. 25Elisheva spoke, “This was YHVH’s plan for me! He prepared me for this very moment in which he at last looked down upon me and removed the shame and humiliation that I have suffered among my people.”

{Lk 1:24.1} Elisheva (and later Miriam) probably conceived about two weeks after the new moon. It has been observed in primitive cultures, where there is no artificial light or electromagnetic interference with the natural environment, women commonly ovulate at the time of the full moon.* Under these conditions, the timing of the conception of both Elisheva and Miriam would have facilitated the delivery of their sons on the High Sabbaths of the two primary Feasts of YHVH – Passover and Tabernacles – as prophetic shadow pictures of good things to come.

*Melatonin, menstruation, and the moon: Cohen, Sari ND, http://www.encognitive.com/node/12275

< 6 > Gavriel’s announcement to Miriam

Last day of Hanukkah – the Feast of Lights

[Shabbat, 2nd Day of the 10th Month, 3997 FC; Saturday December 22, 4 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:26-38 — John

Luke 1:26 And in the sixth month of Elisheva’s pregnancy,{1} the angel Gavriel was sent from YHVH to a village in the Galilee named Natzeret,{2} 27to a virgin named Miriam{1} (a descendant of King David), who was betrothed to a man named Yoseph ben Eli (also a descendant of David). 28The angel came to Miriam and said, “Rejoice, highly favored one! YHVH is with you! Blessed are you among women!” 29When Miriam saw him, she was greatly troubled by his greeting and searched her mind as to the meaning of this salutation.

30And the angel said to her, “Miriam, fear not! You have found grace with the Almighty.{1} 31Now, listen very carefully; you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him YESHUA AHM[[wvy]. 32He shall be highly esteemed, and his title shall be ‘Son of the Highest.’ YHVH Elohim shall give unto him the throne of his father David, 33and he shall reign over the house of Yaakov forever – and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

34Miriam asked the angel, “How can this be? I have never been intimate{1} with a man.” 35The angel replied, “The Ruach Kodesh{1} will descend upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you.{2} Therefore, the holy one who will be born of you shall be called ‘the Son of Elohim.’ 36Listen carefully. Your cousin Elisheva, who was called ‘the barren one,’{1} has conceived a son in her old age. She is now in the sixth month of her pregnancy. 37With the Almighty, nothing is impossible.” 38Miriam said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of YHVH; let it be done according to your word.” The angel then departed.

{Lk 1:26.1} This is the sixth month of Elisheva’s pregnancy (the tenth month, about December – January) not the sixth month of the year (approximately August – September). Verse 24 states that Elisheva “secluded herself for five months – and in the sixth month…” In verse 36 the angel told Miriam that this was “the sixth month with Elisheva,” not “the sixth month of the year.” Some have attempted to construe an alternate chronology by insisting that this is the sixth month of the year – a mathematical impossibility according to the order of the priesthood courses. Verse 56 reports that Miriam stayed with Elisheva “about three months,” leaving just before Elisheva delivered at the beginning of Passover.

{Lk 1:26.2} “Natzeret is rendered in the KJV as Nazareth. Miriam is from the village of “Natzeret,” which is derived from “netzer,” a word describing a shoot that grows out of the root system of an olive tree, but springs up at a later time and somewhat distant from the original trunk. The village of Natzeret was settled by descendants of King David who probably moved from the Beit Lechem area during the Greek occupation of Judaea. They named their village after the recognition that they were a “shoot” springing forth from the original root of the tree of Jesse, but at a distant place and time. Elisheva, Miriam’s cousin, still lived near the ancestral village of Beit Lechem (See Matthew 2:23).

{Lk 1:27.1} “Miriam” is rendered in the KJV as “Mary.” Miriam’s lineage through her father Yoseph ben Yaakov through the kingly line of David is detailed in Matthew 1:1-17. The lineage of Miriam’s husband Yoseph ben Eli through David’s son Nathan, is detailed in Luke 3:23-38.

{Lk 1:30.1} The title “God” in the KJV New Testament is a translation of the Greek word theos, which is a nondescript title commonly used of pagan deities. The honorably singular title “the Almighty” is the editor’s title of choice to render references to the Holy One when the name YHVH or the title “Elohim” is not clearly implied by the text.

{Lk 1:34.1} “I know not a man.” (KJV) The term “know” is a Hebrew idiom for sexual intimacy (Gen 4:1, 4:17, 19:8, 38:16, Luke 1:18).

{Lk 1:35.1} The Hebrew phrase “ruach hakodesh” literally translates into English as “holy the spirit.” In Greek this became “hay pneuma hagion.” Whereas KJV renders ruach and subsequently pneuma as Ghost (which historically is used of disembodied evil spirits), in this work “the Ruach Kodesh” and alternately “the Holy Spirit” is utilized by the author’s preference.

{Lk 1:35.2} The figure of speech employed euphemistically expresses that the male seed that begets her child will be created in her by the Almighty through a supernatural act using natural law. Woman was created in such a way as to never pass her blood to her offspring. The nutrients from the mother’s blood pass through the placenta and are picked up by the blood of the child, but the blood never crosses the placental barrier. Yeshua’s blood, from his father’s seed, was without contamination.

{Lk 1:36.1} Elisheva was called “barren” by the community. This was a harsh judgment on her life and on the ministry of her husband; however, just as with Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, the Almighty had a plan to vindicate his faithful handmaiden.

< 7 > Miriam hastily departs to see “The Sign”

Miriam stays for nearly three months and returns home in the month of the aviv

[~1st Week, 10th Month, 3997 FC; December, 4 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:39-56 — John

Luke 1:39 In those days, Miriam arose and departed with haste into a village in the hill country of Yehudaea. 40And it came to pass, that as Miriam entered the house of Zecharyah and saluted Elisheva, 41at the moment that Elisheva heard the greeting of Miriam, the babe leaped in her womb. Elisheva overflowed with the Ruach Kodesh 42and cried out, “You are blessed among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43But why am I so favored that the mother of Adonai comes to visit me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who believed the things which were told to her from YHVH, for they shall surely be fulfilled.”

46Miriam cried out, “My soul glorifies YHVH! 47My spirit rejoices in YHVH my Deliverer! 48He has considered his lowly handmaiden, and from this day forward, all generations shall call me blessed. 49The Mighty One has accomplished magnificent things in me. Holy is his name YHVH. 50His mercy is upon those who reverence and obey him from generation to generation. 51He has shown the strength of his arm and has scattered those who are proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. 53He has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty. 54In remembrance of his mercy, he has helped his servant Israel, 55just as he promised to our fathers, to Avraham and to his seed forever.”

56And Miriam abode with Elisheva nearly three months, and then returned to her father’s house in Natzeret.

< 8 > The birth of the son of Zecharyah and Elisheva

on the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

[15th Day of the 1st Month (month of the aviv barley), 3998 FC; March 31, 3 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:57-58 — John

Luke 1:57 Now Elisheva’s full time came that she should be delivered, and she brought forth a son.{1} 58Her neighbors and relatives heard how YHVH had shown great mercy to her, and they all rejoiced with her.

{Lk 1:57.1} From the time that the Prophet Malachi (4:5-6) declared that Eliyahu must come before the great and dreadful Day of YHVH, Jewish families have been setting a place of honor for him at the Passover table. Each year during the Passover Seder, a child opens the door to see if Eliyahu has come to join them. After a few moments he returns to the table with the news that their expectation has been temporarily disappointed. In some orthodox traditions, an elder takes wine from Eliyahu’s cup and sprinkles it onto Eliyahu’s plate while awaiting the child’s return. When the child comes to the table with the news, the elder announces, while pointing to the soiled plate, “Eliyahu came, but we were asleep!” Yochanan ben Zecharyah (John the Baptist) – the cohen of the lineage of Aaron – the prophet who was to come in the spirit and power of Eliyahu – was born on the very night that the Israelites had been setting a place for him at the Passover table. Most of Israel was truly sleeping at that time. In the future, however, another Eliyahu will come as one of the two witnesses during the Day of YHVH, spoken of by the prophet Yochanan in the book of the Revelation.

< 9 > The brit milah of Yochanan

The circumcision and naming of Yochanan ben Zecharyah haCohen (the priest)

[22nd Day of the 1st Month, 3998 FC; Monday, April 8, 3 BCE]

Order of verses are altered to insert Zecharyah’s prophecy chronologically

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:59-64, 67-79, 65-66 — John

Luke 1:59 And it came to pass on the eighth day after his birth that they came to circumcise the child. When they called him Zecharyah, after the name of his father, 60his mother said, “No! He shall be called Yochanan.” 61But they said to her, “None of your relatives are called by that name.” 62So they made signs to Zecharyah, asking him what he would name his son. 63He motioned for the writing slate, and wrote, “His name is Yochanan.” All the people marveled 64when Zecharyah’s mouth was immediately opened and he spoke [for the first time in over nine months] and praised YHVH, 67and overflowing with the Ruach Kodesh, Zecharyah prophesied:

68“Blessed be YHVH Elohim of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people 69and has raised up for us a horn of salvation from the house of his servant David. 70As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning of the age, 71that we shall be saved from our enemies and rescued from the hand of all those that hate us. 72He has performed the mercy he promised to our fathers and has remembered his holy covenant; 73the oath which he swore to our father Avraham 74that he would grant us deliverance out of the hand of our enemies. That we might serve him without fear, 75and stand before him in holiness and live in righteousness all the days of our lives.”

76“And you, little child, you will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of YHVH to prepare his way. 77You will give the knowledge of salvation to his people through the forgiveness of their sins, 78through the tender mercy of our Elohim whereby the rising sun{1} from heaven has visited us 79to give light to those who sit in the darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

65Now when these things were enthusiastically reported throughout all the hill country of Yehudaea, a great reverence and respect came upon all who dwelt there. 66Those who heard these words pondered them in their hearts and said, “What will become of this little child?” And the hand of YHVH was with him.

{Lk 1:78.1} The “dayspring” (KJV) is figurative of the “rising sun,” and is also referred to as the “Day Star,” or literally, “the Sun.” The prophet Malachi stated, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). The word “wings” is k’nafaim in Hebrew: the vertical appendages are the tzit-tzit on the four corners of the tallit, the woven, one-piece garment worn over the Haluq (Numbers 15:38-41). The rabbinic sages (learned elders of Israel) agreed that “the Sun of Righteousness” referred to the Messiah, and just as the sun was created on the fourth day, it was fervently expected that the Messiah would also appear on the fourth day – or in the fourth millennium. In retrospect, we see the realization of this Messianic prophecy and the accuracy of the sage’s expectation. Yeshua was born at the end of the fourth millennium – in the year 3998 from creation – two and a half years before the beginning of the fifth millennium. The rabbis, however, having rejected the true Messiah who actually did heal all those who took hold of the wings of his tallit, instead posthumously awarded the Messianic title to King Hezekiah, who was also born in the fourth millennium [Talmud Sanhedrin 94a].

< 10 > Summary: Yochanan ben Zecharyah’s first twenty-seven years

Hunted by Herod, orphaned in the wilderness, led by the Ruach Kodesh

Luke’s first summary statement

Matthew — Mark — Luke 1:80 — John

Luke 1:80 The little boy grew and was made strong in the Spirit, and he lived in the wilderness until the day he was presented to Israel.

< 11 > The Genealogy of Yeshua

From the royal line of King David through Miriam’s father Yoseph ben Yaakov

The genealogy of Yeshua through his only earthly parent Miriam is detailed in Matthew’s account of the origin of the “king from heaven.” The Messiah must be from the lineage of King David (Jeremiah 23:5). Though translations derived from the Greek text of Matthew confuse the genealogy, the Ancient Hebrew text of Matthew’s Gospel, from which the Aramaic and, later, the Greek were translated, clearly details Miriam’s lineage through her father Yoseph ben Yaakov through the kingly line of David through Solomon. Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, details the lineage of Miriam’s husband Yoseph ben Eli through David’s son Nathan. Luke’s lineage is inserted directly after Matthew’s genealogy for comparison. It is clear that the Yoseph ben Yaakov mentioned in Matthew 1:16 and the Yoseph ben Eli cited in Luke 3:23 (which is the Yoseph who is Miriam’s husband in Matthew 1:19) are two different men with two distinct genealogical lines back to David – yet they both bear a very common Israelite name. A woman marrying a man with the same first name as her father is very common in every culture – this led a careless translator into profound error.

Matthew 1:1-17 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 1:1 This is the scroll of the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Avraham. 2Avraham begat Yitzhak; and Yitzhak begat Yaakov; and Yaakov begat Yehudah and his brothers; 3and Yehudah begat Peretz (and Zerach of Tamar); and Peretz begat Chetzron; and Chetzron begat Ram; 4and Ram begat Aminadav; and Aminadav begat Nachshon; and Nachshon begat Salmon; 5and Salmon begat Boaz (of Rachav); and Boaz begat Oved (of Ruth); and Oved begat Yishai; 6and Yishai begat David the king.

David the king begat Shlomo (of Batsheva, the former wife of Uriyah); 7and Shlomo begat Rechavam; and Rechavam begat Aviyah; and Aviyah begat Asa; 8and Asa begat Yahushafat; and Yahushafat begat Yoram; and Yoram begat Uziyahu; 9and Uziyahu begat Yotam; and Yotam begat Ahchaz; and Ahchaz begat Hezkiyahu; 10and Hezkiyahu begat Manashe; and Manashe begat Amon; and Amon begat Yoshiyahu; 11and Yoshiyahu begat Yechan’yahu and his brothers about the time they were being exiled to Babylon.

12After they were exiled to Babylon, Yechan’yahu begat Sh’altiel; and Sh’altiel begat Zerubavel; 13and Zerubavel begat Avihud; and Avihud begat El’yakim; and El’yakim begat Azur; 14and Azur begat Tzadok; and Tzadok begat Yachin; and Yachin begat Elihud; 15and Elihud begat El’ezar; and El’ezar begat Matan; and Matan begat Yaakov; 16and Yaakov begat Yoseph, the {AHM}father{1} of Miriam, of whom was born Yeshua, who is called Messiah.

17So all the generations from Avraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the exile into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the exile into Babylon unto Messiah are fourteen generations.

{Mt 1:16.1} {AHM}father – The Peshitta Aramaic texts of Matthew 1:16 (which was translated from a latter Greek text) indicates that Miriam’s gevra (mighty man) was named Yoseph, and Matthew 1:19 specifies that Miriam’s ba’ala (husband) was also named Yoseph. Yoseph is a very common name in Israel. Miriam’s husband Yoseph had three grandfathers with the same name. This undoubtedly led the translators to make “a mistake of familiarity,” thinking that the two “Yosephs” of verses 16 and 19 were one and the same. The Greek translators chose to render both Aramaic words gevra and ba’ala as the Greek word aner, which simply means “a person of full age.” The English translators then chose to translate the singular Greek word aner as “husband.” This created a fatal mathematical error in the Greek and English texts, because it left only thirteen generations “from the carrying away into Babylon until Messiah,” while the text itself states that there are fourteen generations listed. In Aramaic, gevra technically means “mighty man” and is commonly used to refer to the elder patriarch of the family, but it can refer to the “husband” if he is the oldest male of the household. Both the immediate and greater context of Matthew 1:16 demand that gevra be translated as “Yoseph, the father of Miriam” for the following reasons:

• The genealogy of Miriam’s husband Yoseph ben Eli, Yeshua’s supposed father, is clearly stated and detailed by Luke.

• Yoseph ben Eli’s ancestors in Luke’s genealogy, though they are descendants of David, are not heir to David’s throne but are descendants of Nathan.

• Miriam’s husband, Yoseph ben Eli, is not related to Yeshua except as a distant Davidic relative of his mother; Yoseph is only Yeshua’s stepfather and legal guardian.

• Miriam is Yeshua’s only earthly parent and, as such, must be a direct descendant of the royal line of King David.

• The Gospel of Matthew, which depicts Messiah as the King, documents Yeshua’s genealogical claim to the throne of David, whereas the Gospel of Luke, which depicts Messiah as the “Son of Man,” records his supposed lineage as Yoseph ben Eli’s supposed illegitimate son.

• When Yoseph ben Yaakov is accurately identified as Miriam’s father in Matthew 1:16, it puts Miriam in the thirteenth generation from the Babylonian captivity. This puts her son Yeshua in the fourteenth generation. The Greek text reports that Yeshua is the fourteenth generation, but it did not correctly identify Yoseph ben Yaakov as the father (as opposed to the husband) of Miriam. Even a novice can readily see that the Greek genealogy of Yeshua (and all subsequent translations) are in obvious error because they do not add up to fourteen generations.

There is only one ancient Biblical source that maintains the correct lineage of Yeshua, through his mother, to King David – and that is the ancient Hebrew Matthew that has been preserved in Jewish archives. As of Yom Kippur, 2012, twenty-eight separate manuscripts of ancient original language Hebrew Matthew have been discovered, fourteen of them by Karaite scholar Nehemia Gordon who discovered the two texts cited below. In two of the oldest manuscripts of the Ancient Hebrew Matthew copied into the appendix of Shem Tov Ibn Shaprut’s “Even Bochan” we have the accurate lineage of Yeshua that shows his direct ancestral path to the throne of David – “Yoseph avi Miriam” – Yoseph the father of Miriam of whom was born Yeshua. The words, “yoseph avi miriam” are highlighted in these two manuscript photographs.

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Two of the most ancient Hebrew texts of Matthew’s Gospel accurately maintaining the royal lineage of Yeshua: “Yoseph avi Miriam”

Pantaenus, Clement of Alexandria, Cyril, Epiphanius, Eusebius, Irenaeus, Origen, and Jerome, early church historians of the second to fourth centuries, all concurred with the statement of Papias, Yochanan’s disciple, that “Matthew wrote his Gospel in the Hebrew language and several did their best to translate it” (Ecclesiastical History 3:39 – Eusebius). It is apparent that the Greek version of the book of Matthew was not translated from the Hebrew original but from secondary Aramaic manuscripts, because words and phrases in Aramaic, rather than Hebrew, remain intact within the body of the Greek text. Greek quotations from the Tanach that appear in Matthew are not derived from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, but are evident translations or paraphrases from the Aramaic version of Matthew’s Gospel. Conversely, the ancient Hebrew text of Matthew’s Gospel contains verbatim quotes from the Hebrew Tanach, and most of the indecipherable constructions in the Greek text are simple Hebrew figures of speech that could not be accurately reflected by the Greek language or culture.

It must be noted that not every generation is listed in Matthew’s genealogy – but all those that are listed are numbered. The genealogical line is intact, even though the names of three successive kings are missing from the listing. This can be easily verified by comparing Matthew’s list with the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah. The three kings were deliberately omitted from the record so that each of the three sections would add up to fourteen. Matthew’s numeration is designed to build a Masorah – a mathematical fence around the genealogy of the Messiah to protect it for future generations. This device is also used in the Tanakh. In Zechariah 1:1 Zecharyah is listed as the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, but in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14, Zecharyah is listed as the son of Iddo, completely omitting the generation of his father, Berechiah.

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View full image here.

< INSERT 1> The genealogy of Miriam’s husband

The genealogy of Yoseph ben Eli, Miriam’s husband and Yeshua’s stepfather, through David’s son Nathan, is inserted into the Chronological Gospels at this point for side-by-side comparison with the genealogy of Miriam’s father, Yoseph ben Yaakov. It is repeated in its original location after the mikveh of Yeshua when a Bat Kol (a voice from heaven) witnessed that he was the Son of Elohim, and not the illegitimate child of Yoseph ben Eli (Miriam’s husband) as was supposed by the general public.

Matthew — Mark — Luke 3:23-38 — John

Luke 3:23 Yeshua commenced his ministry, having not yet reached his thirtieth year of age, being, as was generally supposed, the son of Yoseph, who was the son of Eli, 24who was the son of Mattat, who was the son of Levi, who was the son of Malki, who was the son of Yanah, who was the son of Yoseph, 25who was the son of Mattityahu, who was the son of Amotz, who was the son of Nachum, who was the son of Chesli, who was the son of Nagai, 26who was the son of Machat, who was the son of Mattityahu, who was the son of Shimei, who was the son of Yoseph, who was the son of Yodah, 27who was the son of Yochanan, who was the son of Reisha, who was the son of Zerubavel, who was the son of Shaltiel, who was the son of Neri, 28who was the son of Malchi, who was the son of Ahdi, who was the son of Kosam, who was the son of Elimodan, who was the son of Ehr, 29who was the son of Yeshua, who was the son of Eliezer, who was the son of Yorim, who was the son of Mattat, who was the son of Levi, 30who was the son of Shimon, who was the son of Yehudah, who was the son of Yoseph, who was the son of Yonam, who was the son of Eliyakim, 31who was the son of Malah, who was the son of Manah, who was the son of Matata, who was the son of Natan, who was the son of David, 32who was the son of Yishai, who was the son of Oved, who was the son of Boaz, who was the son of Salmon, who was the son of Nachshon, 33who was the son of Aminadav, who was the son of Ram, who was the son of Chetzron, who was the son of Peretz, who was the son of Yehudah, 34who was the son of Yaakov, who was the son of Yitzhak, who was the son of Avraham, who was the son of Terach, who was the son of Nachor, 35who was the son of S’rug, who was the son of Ra’u, who was the son of Peleg, who was the son of Ehver, who was the son of Shelach, 36who was the son of Cainan, who was the son of Arpachshad, who was the son of Shem, who was the son of Noach, who was the son of Lemech, 37who was the son of Metushelach, who was the son of Chanoch, who was the son of Yered, who was the son of Mahalal’el, who was the son of Cainan, 38who was the son of Enosh, who was the son of Shet, who was the son of Adam, who was the son of Elohim.

< 12 > The marriage of Yoseph ben Eli & Miriam bat Yoseph

Legally finalized but not consummated until after Yeshua is born

[Spring - 3998 FC; 3 BCE]

Matthew 1:18-25a — Mark — Luken — John

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Yeshua transpired in the following manner: At the time that his mother Miriam was espoused to Yoseph ben Eli, but before they came together in marriage, it became obvious that she was with child (but by the Ruach Kodesh). 19Then Yoseph, her husband, being a righteous man yet not willing to make her a public example, was considering how to divorce her privately. 20But while he considered these things, the angel of YHVH appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Yoseph, son of David, do not fear to take Miriam as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Ruach Kodesh. 21She will bear a son, and you will name him Yeshua, because yoshia [he will save]{1} his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by YHVH through the prophet Yeshayahu,{1} 23“Behold, a virgin [almah – young maiden] will be with child and will bring forth a son, and they will call him by a name which declares that ‘Elohim is with us’ [Immanuel].”{1} 24Then Yoseph, being awakened from his sleep, did as he was commanded by the angel of YHVH, and he took Miriam as his wife, 25yet, he did not know her intimately until after she had brought forth her firstborn son…

{Mt 1:21.1} Hebrew: Yeshua (YHVH saves) yoshia (he will save). Yeshua yoshia is a typical Hebrew word pun found throughout the Ancient Hebrew Matthew, attesting to its Hebrew origin. Hebrew word puns only appear in Hebrew originals. Neither the Greek nor the Aramaic texts give us a reason why his name would be called Yeshua – clarifying the fact that neither Aramaic nor Greek was the language that was spoken by Gavriel nor written by Matthew.

{Mt 1:22.1} “Yeshayahu” is rendered in the KJV as “Isaiah.”

{Mt 1:23.1} Isaiah 7:14 This prophecy was originally fulfilled as the wife or “young maiden” of Yeshayahu conceived and delivered their child. In the subsequent fulfillment, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the almah was actually a virgin, or maiden who had never known a man intimately. A conception and birth of this miraculous magnitude was foreshadowed in Sarah’s conception of Yitzhak – and the angel’s statement to Miriam that “nothing is impossible with YHVH.” Three hundred years after the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled, and three hundred years before Matthew wrote his record, the Septuagint translated the almah of Isaiah 7:14 as parthenos (chaste – virgin). Parthenos is the same word used by later Greek translators to render the almah of the Hebrew Matthew.

< 13 > The decree of Caesar Augustus

[3 – 2 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:1-3 — John

Luke 2:1 It came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all subjects of the empire must be registered.{1} 2This enrollment was conducted when Cyrenius was serving as an administrative official in Syria.{1}

3To fulfill this obligation, everyone was required to register at their ancestral village.

{Lk 2:1.1} In the twenty-fifth year of the reign of Caesar Augustus (3 - 2 BCE), by the command of Rome, all subjects of the empire were required to register their support in naming the “Divine Emperor” Octavius Augustus the “Father of the Roman Empire” which was approved by the Roman Senate on February 5, 2 BCE.

Statue of Caesar Augustus in Rome that was sculpted in 2 B.C.E. upon the occasion of naming him “Patri Patriae”

Far more significantly, by the commandment of YHVH, all Israelite males are required to “go up” to the Feasts of YHVH three times a year. Yoseph registers with Rome in Bethlehem at his convenience when he takes his pregnant wife Miriam up to the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) as the two cities are only 5 miles apart.

{Lk 2:2.1} Cyrenius served two terms as an administrative official (governor) in Syria. The first time was to oversee this regional registration.

< Astronomical Observation >

First of seven conjunctions of “his star;” Chaldean astronomers observe “his star” in the east and prepare to travel west

I. Tzedek (Jupiter) comes into conjunction with Nogah (Venus) as it proceeds toward Melek (Regulus)

[19th Day of the 5th Month, 3998 FC; Thursday, August 1, 3 BCE]

< 14 > Astronomical observation: second conjunction

II. The “Great Sign” in heaven

Astronomers observe “his star” Tzedek (Jupiter) as it comes into conjunction with Melek (Regulus) between the feet of Ariyeh (the Lion)

[The Day of Trumpets; 1st Day of the 7th Month, 3998 FC; Thursday, September 12, 3 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John — Revelation 12:1-2

Revelation 12:1 There appeared a great sign in heaven: a woman{1} clothed with the sun, the new moon under her feet, and above her head a crown of twelve stars. 2Being great with child, she cried, agonizing in labor, about to give birth.

{Rev 12:1.1} Just after sunset on September 12, 3 BCE, while the sky was clothed with the last rays of the setting sun, the first sliver of the new moon (4% illuminated, 7 degrees above the horizon) appeared beneath the feet of the constellation of the woman Betulah (Hebrew), which means “virgin,” or Virgo (Latin). At that moment, in the constellation of Ariyeh (the Lion) above her head, the planet Tzedek (the Righteous) came into conjunction with the star Melek (the King) that is astronomically positioned between the front feet of the Lion. The sighting of the new moon that evening announced the Day of Trumpets, and the astronomical display in the constellation above the head of the woman heralded the upcoming birth of the Righteous King – the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Robert Scott Wadsworth, A Voice Crying in the Heavens). The “Great Sign” in heaven occurred as Miriam herself was about to give birth. Just fifteen days later, at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, she brought forth “the man child who was to rule all nations.” On the first day, the high Sabbath of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Word was made flesh and “tabernacled” (dwelt – KJV) among us (John 1:14).

< 15 > Yoseph and Miriam “go up” to Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot

They also register for the Roman census in the nearby village of Beit Lechem

Both being netzerim of the house of David, Yoseph and Miriam are undoubtedly familiar with Micah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be born in their ancestral village Beit Lechem (Bethlehem).

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:4-6 — John

Luke 2:4 Because Yoseph was of the house and lineage of David, he left the village of Natzeret in the Galilee and went up to Beit Lechem, the village of David in Yehudaea, to register for the census, 5and he took his espoused wife Miriam, who was great with child. 6It came to pass that, while they were there, the time was fulfilled for her child to be delivered.

< 16 > The Word was made flesh and “tabernacled” among us

Yeshua is born in a sukkah on the High Sabbath of the Feast of Sukkot

[Sukkot - 15th Day of the 7th Month, 3998 FC; Thursday, September 26, 3 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:7-20 — John 1:14

John 1:14 The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us.

Luke 2:7 Because there was no room for them in the village inn, Miriam gave birth to her firstborn son in a sukkah.{1} She wrapped him in swaddling cloths{2} and laid him there. 8In the area there were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9The angel of YHVH approached them, and the glory of YHVH shone round about them, and the shepherds became extremely fearful. 10The angel said, “Do not fear! Listen to me! I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be for all people. 11Today, in the village of David, our Deliverer, the Messiah, is born. 12This shall be a sign to you: you shall find the babe, lying wrapped in swaddling cloths in a sukkah.” 13And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising the Almighty, and saying, 14“Glory to YHVH in heaven, and on earth; shalom and Divine favor upon men.”

15After the angels departed into heaven, the shepherds said, “Let us now go to Beit Lechem and see this thing which the Almighty has made known to us.” 16So they immediately departed, and found Miriam and Yoseph with the babe, who lay wrapped in swaddling cloths in a sukkah.{1} 17After they had witnessed this sign, they heralded abroad all those things which were told to them concerning the child. 18All that heard their report marveled at the things which were told to them by the shepherds. 19But Miriam deeply pondered all these things in her heart. 20The shepherds returned from the sukkah glorifying and praising YHVH for all the things that they had heard and seen, and it was just as it had been told to them by the angels.

{Lk 2:7.1} Primarily because the specific details of the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) are foreign to Western culture, the word “manger” has been inventively interpreted as everything from an animal stall to a pig feeding trough. However, during Sukkot all males from their thirteenth year and upward are required to build and live in temporary shelters – tabernacles or mangers (sukkot – Hb., phatne or skene – Gk.) – for seven days. The birth of Yeshua took place on the first day of the Feast of Sukkot. Miriam, being a pregnant woman, was not required to live in a sukkah during the Feast, but since the Bethlehem inn was filled, she brought forth her firstborn son in a sukkah. “The Word was made flesh and tabernacled (sukkah-ed) among us” (John 1:14) as an intermediate fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. Genesis 33:17 (NIV) likewise records that “Yaakov made temporary shelters for his flocks; therefore, the name of the place was called Sukkot.”

{Lk 2:7.2} A child of the king and potential heir to the throne was salted and swaddled as part of the initial dedication of the child and in recognition of the parents’ responsibility to raise the child according to the straight path (Ezekiel 16:4). Soon after birth, the child was washed with salted water and bound in the swaddling cloths with all of his limbs made straight. The parents prayed over the child in a short ceremony of thanksgiving and dedication, vowing to raise the child in a straightforward and upright manner. Swaddling cloths were made from the priests’ garments that were no longer serviceable. This cloth was used for the wicks in the Temple menorah and for swaddling the sons of kings. There is little doubt that Elisheva, the wife of the cohen Zecharyah, would have coveted the opportunity to provide the swaddling cloths for this momentous event.

{Lk 2:16.1} The shepherds found the “newborn” <breqoj> brethos Messiah at the very time he was wrapped in these swaddling cloths and lying in a sukkah near Beit Lechem – literally “house of bread”. The astronomers from the East will arrive one year, two months, and six days after the birth of Yeshua, and they will find the “young child” <paidion - paidion> in the house (beit – Hb., oikia – Gk.) where the family is then residing.

< 17 > The brit milah of Yeshua

Yeshua is circumcised and named on the High Sabbath of the Last Great Day

[The Last Great Day – 22nd Day of the 7th Month, 3998 FC; Thursday, October 3, 3 BCE]

Matthew 1:25b — Mark — Luke 2:21 — John

Luke 2:21 When eight days were fulfilled, they circumcised the child and named him Yeshua, just as he was named by the angel before he was conceived.

Matthew 1:25b …and Yoseph named him Yeshua.

< 18 > Yeshua is “redeemed” in the Temple

Miriam is purified with the “poor man’s offering” on her fortieth day;

Shimon and Hannah prophesy at the time

Yeshua is presented for redemption

[24th Day of the 8th Month, 3998 FC; Monday, November 4, 3 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:22-38 — John

Luke 2:22 When the forty days of Miriam’s purification according to the Torah of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Yeshua to Yerushalayim to present him to YHVH. 24They offered a sacrifice for Miriam’s purification, according to the Torah of YHVH, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.{1}

25There was a man in Yerushalayim whose name was Shimon. He was righteous and devout, and he awaited the coming of the Comforter of Israel, and the Ruach Kodesh was upon him. 26It was revealed to him by the Ruach Kodesh that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah of YHVH. 27It came to pass that Shimon came by the Spirit into the Temple when Miriam and Yoseph brought in the child Yeshua to redeem him according to the instructions of the Torah. 23As it is written in the Torah of YHVH, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called kadosh [holy] to YHVH.”{1} 28Then Shimon took him up in his arms and blessed the Almighty, saying, 29“YHVH, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word, 30for my eyes have seen your salvation [yeshua], 31which you have prepared before the face of all mankind. 32A light to illuminate the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.”

33Yoseph and Miriam marveled at those things which were spoken by Shimon. 34And Shimon also blessed them, and said to Miriam, “Listen carefully. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for an ensign which shall be spoken against. 35Truth, a sword shall also pierce through your very soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36There also came in a prophetess, Hannah, the daughter of Peniel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her only husband for seven years, 37and now widowed nearly eighty-four years. She never left the Temple, but served night and day with prayer and fasting. 38She came in at that very moment and also gave thanks unto YHVH, and spoke about Yeshua to all of those in Yerushalayim who anticipated the coming redemption.

{Lk 2:24.1} Leviticus 12:1-8 Miriam’s post-partum purification offering was presented to the priest at the gate before she was allowed to go into the Temple.

{Lk 2:23.1} Exodus 18:15-16 The redemption price for the firstborn was presented to the priest in the Temple. Verse 23 is inserted after verse 27, as it refers to the redemption of the child in the Temple rather than Miriam’s purification offering cited in verse 24.

< 19 > Summary: Torah commandments are fulfilled

Luke’s second summary statement

This statement summarizes the events surrounding Yeshua’s birth. After all the requirements of the Torah were fulfilled, they eventually returned to Natzeret, but not before their escape into Egypt, which occurs over a year later. Matthew documents the visit of the Chaldean astronomers, which was prompted by the astronomical signs in the heavens that announced the birth of the King of the Yehudim. Upon their return from Egypt they planned to return to Beit Lechem, but were diverted into the Galilee because of trouble with Herod’s son Archelaus. They returned to their hometown in the Galilee where Yeshua grew to manhood.

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:39 — John

Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all the requirements according to the Torah of YHVH, they returned to the Galilee to their own village, Natzeret.

Third conjunction

III. “His star” Tzedek - the Righteous (Jupiter) comes into conjunction with Melek (the King)

[11th Day of the 12th Month, 3998 FC; Monday, February 17, 2 BCE]

Fourth conjunction

IV. “His star” Tzedek - the Righteous (Jupiter) comes into conjunction with Melek (the King)

[3rd Day of the 2nd Month, 3999 FC; Thursday, May 8, 2 BCE]

Fifth conjunction

V. “His star” Tzedek - the Righteous (Jupiter) comes into conjunction with Nogah (Venus)

[14th Day of the 3rd Month, 3999 FC; Tuesday, June 17, 2 BCE]

Sixth conjunction

VI. “His star” Tzedek - the Righteous (Jupiter) comes into a mass conjunction with Kobab (Mercury), Nogah (Venus), and Ma’adim (Mars)

[26th Day of the 5th Month, 3999 FC; Wednesday, August 27, 2 BCE]

Seventh conjunction

VII. “His star” Tzedek - the Righteous (Jupiter) comes into conjunction with Nogah (Venus)

Astronomers soon leave Babylon in the east for Yerushalayim in the west

[13th Day of the 7th Month, 3999 FC; Monday, October 13, 2 BCE]

< 20 > Chaldean Astronomers arrive in Jerusalem

Astronomers meet with Herod, then rest on the Sabbath

[21st Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Friday, December 19, 2 BCE]

Matthew 2:1-8 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:1 After Yeshua was born in Beit Lechem of Yehudah, in the days of Herod the king, Chaldean astronomers{1} from the east{2} came to Yerushalayim, 2saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Yehudim? We have seen his star in the east and have come to pay homage to him.”

3When Herod the king heard these things, he and all Yerushalayim were troubled. 4He gathered all the leading cohenim{1} and sages of Israel together and demanded them to reveal where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said unto him, “In Beit Lechem of Yehudah – as it is written by the prophet, 6“And you Beit Lechem, in the land of Yehudaea, are not the least among the princes of Yehudah; for out of you shall come a governor who shall rule my people Yisrael.”{1}

7Herod privately called the astronomers and diligently inquired of them, “When did his star first appear?” 8Then he sent them to Beit Lechem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also come and render honor to him.”

{Mt 2:1.1} The timing of the astronomers’ arrival in Yerushalayim is based on their pre-dawn observation of “his star” standing directly over Beit Lechem on the morning of their leaving Yerushalayim [Astronomical Observation <21 >]. The Greek word magi is a common term for astronomers from the land of Chaldea. Daniel, Chananyah, Azaryah, and Misha’el were among the members of the royal family who were trained in the Torah and Hebrew astrophysics in Yerushalayim. As captives of Babylon, they were also trained in Chaldean mathematics, science, and astronomy. Daniel was the overseer of all the astronomers in Babylon for more than sixty years. He was made an extremely wealthy man three different times during his tenure as the satrap, or under-ruler, for three different kings, yet having been made a eunuch, he had no direct descendant to whom he could bequeath his wealth. Daniel was given very specific Divine revelation concerning the timing of the coming of the Messiah, some of which he made public, and some of which he was instructed to hide. Apparently, some of the information was for him alone to understand and act upon. When the Judeans were allowed to return to rebuild Yerushalayim in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes (457 BCE), most of the Jews stayed behind in Babylon (Mordechai and Hadassah [Esther] among the most famous). There is little doubt that many of the Jewish astronomers, secure in their prestigious positions, continued to flourish in Babylon. So what happened to Daniel’s treasure? Who originally left detailed instructions and financial provision for the journey of the astronomers? How did they know what signs to look for in the heavens that would announce the birth of the Messiah? Who set aside the treasure that was laid at the feet of the Messiah? And who directed the movement of the stars and planets so that the treasure would arrive on the very day that it would be needed for their flight into Egypt and their continued sustenance? Obviously, someone of wealth and power who had received Divine revelation and supernatural motivation prepared the provisions for the future King of Israel and financed the journey of the astronomers – and the Almighty directed both the heavenly bodies and Daniel in their courses.

{Mt 2:1.2} The Chaldean astronomers came from the east when they saw “his star” in the east, yet they traveled west to Yerushalayim. They were obviously not following a low-flying “Bethlehem Star”; rather, they were following instructions passed down to them by someone who understood “the signs in the heavens” that would announce the birth of the King of the Judeans. Without a rudimentary understanding of astronomy, the details recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures might appear ludicrous to the untrained reader, and historical events benchmarked on notable celestial conjunctions would have been indecipherable.

{Mt 2:4.1} Note: Although there was but one legitimate Cohen Gadol (High Priest), there were about twenty “chief priests,” who had major responsibilities governing the Temple service during the second Temple period.

{Mt 2:6.1} Micah 5:2

<Note 2> Zecharyah serves with all the cohenim during Hanukkah week

[22nd Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Saturday, December 20, 2 BCE]

All priests are on duty on the Sabbath preceding the Feast through the end of the Feast

(see events <2-3> for details on the course of Aviyah and Zecharyah’s service interval).

< 21 > Astronomical observation: Eighth conjunction

VIII. Astronomers see “his star in the rising” in their pre-dawn observations

[23rd Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Sunday, December 21, 2 BCE]

“His star” is positioned directly over Beit Lechem as viewed from Herod’s palace (modern Jaffa Gate) in Jerusalem - the astronomers leave immediately for Beit Lechem with great joy over this propitious celestial event.

Matthew 2:9-10 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:9 After they heard the king, they departed.{1} In the east they beheld the star which led them, and it came to the point in the heavens and fixed itself directly over Beit Lechem, where the young child was. 10And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

{Mt 2:9.1} More than a year after their first sighting of “his star” and the great sign in the heavens which announced the birth of “The Righteous King, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” the astronomers arrived at the city gates of Jerusalem a few days before Hanukkah with their lavishly appointed caravan. After their interview with Herod, the temporal king in Judaea, they would have rested on the Sabbath and then made their pre-dawn astronomical observations just before leaving for Beit Lechem on the first day of the week. To their amazement, “his star” was in retrograde motion and appeared to be fixed in the heavens directly over their destination. This final sign in the heavens – on the very morning of their arrival – was the source of exceeding great joy (Wadsworth, A Voice Crying in the Heavens).

< 22 > Astronomers present their gifts to the King

Immediately after presenting their gifts, the astronomers defy Herod and return to Babylon

[23rd Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Sunday, December 21, 2 BCE]

Matthew 2:11-12 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:11 When they came into the house and saw the young child with Miriam his mother, they bowed down before him. And when they opened their coffers, they presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.{1} 12But having been warned by the Almighty in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another route.{1}

{Mt 2:11.1} These are the three traditional gifts presented to royalty. The pure oils of frankincense and myrrh were more valuable than their weight in gold. Note that there are three types of gifts offered, not three astronomers. These men would not have been “wise men” but “fools” to journey through the wilderness without being escorted by a large, heavily armed caravan. There may have been a dozen or more Jewish astronomers who took part in this historic journey from Babylon to Yerushalayim, as well as many times more armed guards guaranteeing their safety.

{Mt 2:12.1} Beit Lechem is less than five miles (8 kilometers) from Herod’s palace in Yerushalayim. The astronomers would have arrived at the house within an hour of their departure. The dream that warned them of Herod’s treachery most likely occurred on the Sabbath. They defied Herod’s instructions to notify him of the child’s whereabouts and departed immediately for Babylon by the southern route, avoiding the commonly traveled route past the city gates of Yerushalayim.

< 23 > Yoseph, Miriam, and Yeshua flee to Egypt just before Hanukkah

[24th Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Monday, December 22, 2 BCE]

Matthew 2:13-15 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:13 After the astronomers departed, the angel of YHVH appeared to Yoseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring word because Herod is scheming to destroy the young child.” 14Yoseph arose and departed that night, taking the child and Miriam into Egypt{1} 15where they remained until the death of Herod. Thus it was fulfilled which was spoken by YHVH through the prophet Hoshea saying, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.”{1}

{Mt 2:14.1} The gifts of the astronomers would finance their journey and allow them to get resettled in the land after their flight to Egypt. Luke records that Yoseph and Miriam presented the poor man’s sacrifice when Yeshua was taken to the Temple on his fortieth day. This indicates that they were quite poor at the time and, obviously, not yet in possession of the treasure of the astronomers. These gifts may have also partially financed Yeshua’s ministry.

{Mt 2:15.1} Hoshea (11:1) was literally referring to Israel’s exodus from Egypt by figuratively referring to the nation of Israel as His “son.” As a prophetic utterance, Hoshea’s words were fulfilled when Yeshua, who was literally the Son of Elohim, was called out of Egypt by the angel Gavriel.

< 24 > Herod orders the “slaughter of the innocents” in and around Beit Lechem

Male children in a stated age range are executed at the order of Herod

[Hanukkah – 25th Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; Tuesday, December 23, 2 BCE]

Matthew 2:16-18 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:16 When Herod realized that he was deceived by the astronomers, he was filled with rage, and he ordered the execution of all children in Beit Lechem and the surrounding area, from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.{1} 17This was the fulfillment of the word spoken by the prophet Yirmeyahu, 18“In Rama there was heard a voice of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more.”{1}

{Mt 2:16.1} The phrase “from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men” gives us the parameters for both the signs in the heavens that the astronomers were witnessing and the time frame for the birth of the Messiah. The astronomers arrived in Yerushalayim about one year and four months after the first astronomical sign (August 1, 3 BCE) and one year, two months and six days after the birth of Yeshua (Tishri 15, 3998 – September 26, 3 BCE). Newborns, as well as children in their third year and older, were most likely exempt from the execution order. Given the meager size of the population around Beit Lechem, the relatively small number of children that would have fit the execution profile and the large number of people whom Herod and the Romans were accustomed to killing on a whim, it is doubtful that this slaughter of children would have warranted much notice outside of the immediate area.

{Mt 2:18.1} Both Yeshua and Yochanan were living in the hill country of Judaea in the vicinity of Beit Lechem just before Herod’s execution order was issued. They were both in their second year. Yeshua was born in quiet obscurity with only a handful of shepherds hearing the announcement by the angel. Yochanan, on the other hand, was born as a result of a miraculous announcement to an old priest serving in the Temple on the High Day of Shavuot. Zecharyah, his father, was struck deaf and dumb, and the multitude of the congregation of Israel were present to witness his malady. At the time of Yochanan’s circumcision, when Zecharyah’s mouth was opened, he cried out a prophecy concerning his son that was then “noised about throughout all the hill country of Judaea.” (Luke 1:65-79) In the political world of Yerushalayim, there was only one obvious candidate for the Messiah, Yochanan ben Zecharyah, the cohen – the miracle child of the fourth millennium. Herod would not be able to rest until the son of Zecharyah was dead.

Yochanan was filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb. The “little child” lived in the wilderness, eating the diet of a homeless nomad (kosher grasshoppers and honey), and was in seclusion until the day his ministry began (the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar – 26 CE). The details raise the question, “Why did he need to be led by the Spirit as a child, and where are his aged mother and father?” In Luke 11:51 and Matthew 23:35, Yeshua refers to a man named Zecharyah who was murdered between the altar and the Temple. The Greek translations of Matthew 23:35 presumptuously added the phrase “the son of Barachias,” while the ancient Hebrew Matthew text is identical to Luke’s account and does not equate this Zecharyah with the prophet of old. This particular Zecharyah was murdered in the Temple court. While it is possible that Yeshua is referring to the execution of the prophet in II Chronicles 24:20-21, it probably refers to the relatively recent execution of Yochanan’s father, Zecharyah the cohen, for which the Temple guard was directly responsible, according to the Protoevangelion of James (see <Note 3>).

< Note 3 > Herod commands the Temple guard to execute Zecharyah

[Feast of Hanukkah – 25th Day of the 9th Month, 3999 FC; December 23, 2 BCE]

Zecharyah is murdered while serving in the Temple during Hanukkah and Elisheva flees with their child, who remains secluded in the wilderness for the next twenty-seven years.

[[The Protoevangelion of James 16:3-16]]

The ancient extra-biblical volume The Protoevangelion of James (preserved in Latin, maintained in Rome, and justifiably suspect in some areas) records the execution of Zecharyah by the Temple guards under the authority of Herod. This also fits with events <142> and <174>. The following record from The Protoevangelion of James is offered for your consideration.

Protoevangelion 16:3 [[…Elisheva, hearing that her son Yochanan was about to be sought, took him and went up into the mountains, looking for a place to hide him, 4but there was no secret place to be found. 5Then she groaned within herself, and said, “O mountain of YHVH, receive the mother of this child,” 6for Elisheva could not climb up. 7Immediately the mountain was divided and received them, 8and there appeared to them an angel of YHVH to preserve them. 9But Herod made search after Yochanan, and sent servants to Zecharyah when he was ministering at the altar, and said unto him, “Where have you hidden your son?” 10He replied to them, “I am a minister of YHVH and I am serving at the altar. How should I know where my son is?” 11So the servants went back and told Herod everything.

Herod was incensed, and said, “Is not this son of his likely to become king of Israel?” 12He sent his servants once again to speak to Zecharyah, “Tell the truth! Where is your son? Do you realize that your life is in my hands?” 13So the servants went and told him all these things. 14But Zecharyah replied to them, “I am a witness for the Almighty, and if Herod sheds my blood, God will receive my soul, 15and you also will have shed innocent blood.” 16Nevertheless, Zecharyah was murdered between the altar and the entrance of the Temple.]]

IX. Josephus’ testimony: Herod executed two beloved rabbis on the lunar eclipse that shortly preceded Herod’s death

[12th Day of the 10th Month; 3999 FC; Friday, January 10, 1 BCE]

The lunar eclipse of January 10, 1 BCE is the only astronomical event in a ten-year period that fits with every biblical and Roman record and produces no contradictions. Chronologists and stargazers, both past and present, select lunar eclipses that may well fit their fanciful interpretations of the Bethlehem “star,” but every other eclipse of this decade produces irreconcilable problems with the biblical text and Roman historical records, and produces fatal mathematical errors.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John — Josephus

Antiquities XVII.149 [Herod executed] two of the most eloquent men among the Jews, and most celebrated interpreters of the Jewish laws, and men well beloved by the people because of the education of their youth; for all those who were studious of virtue frequented their lectures every day.

Antiquities XVII.167 Herod deprived this Matthias of the high priesthood, and burnt alive the other Matthias, who had raised the sedition, with his other accomplices. And that very night there was an eclipse of the moon.

< 25 > Herod dies and Yoseph is commanded to return to Israel

[Spring 4000 FC; 1 BCE]

Matthew 2:19-20 — Mark — Luke — John

{Mt 2:19.1} Josephus records the following historical information that allows us to pinpoint the year of Herod’s death, the timing of the slaughter of the infants in Beit Lechem, and the year Yeshua was born. Some secular historians, ignorant of the timing of the Feasts of YHVH during the second Temple period, date Herod’s death according to lunar eclipses that are mathematically and astronomically unsupportable.

1. Herod had two rabbis burned alive on the night of a lunar eclipse. (This event occurred on the night of January 10, 1 BCE, and was less than a month after the children of Beit Lechem had been executed.)

2. Soon after the rabbis were executed, Herod became ill and traveled to the hot baths at the Dead Sea.

3. Growing increasingly ill, Herod retired to Jericho.

4. While at Jericho, Herod received a letter from Caesar Augustus giving him the choice to either exile or execute Herod’s problematic son Antipater.

5. Herod changed his will, bequeathing the rule of Judaea to his son Archelaus.

6. Herod had Antipater executed, and five days later Herod died.

7. Archelaus held a lavish funeral and mourned Herod’s death for seven days.

8. Fearing a revolt, Archelaus slaughtered three thousand Pharisees on the Temple Mount and cancelled Passover that spring.

9. Archelaus was called to Rome to answer for his brash and destabilizing actions.

10. A rebellion resulted in Judaea, and the Caesar called General Varus out of Syria to quash the uprising.

According to the chronology available in the Scriptures, the Roman records, and the astronomical observations, we can determine the following chronology:

1. Herod’s death occurred after he had executed the children in Beit Lechem (you can’t kill anyone when you are dead).

2. Herod ordered the death of all children “two years and under according to the time that he diligently inquired of the magi” (Matthew 2:16), so…

3. The “great sign in the heavens” – “his star” – had to have appeared one to two years before the execution of the children in Beit Lechem, hence…

4. Yeshua had to have been born in the year 3-2 BCE – one to two years before Herod’s death…

5. The lunar eclipse of January 10, 1 BCE was the only lunar eclipse within a ten-year parameter that fits every biblical, Roman, and astronomical record. The eclipses that occurred several years before, which are used by those who want to support their favorite “Bethlehem star,” have Yeshua being born 6 to 7 BCE and beginning his ministry in 27 CE at 35 years rather than “nearing (but not having yet reached) 30 years of age” as precisely stipulated in Luke 3:23.

< Note 4 > Archelaus rules in his father’s place

After Herod’s death Archelaus slaughters 3,000 Pharisees and disrupts Passover

[1st Month (Month of the Aviv), 4000 FC; April, 1 BCE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John — Josephus

Antiquities XVII.217-218 Archelaus thought the whole situation impossible to salvage, except by checking the crowd’s impulse to such a thing. So he sent out his whole army, including the [Roman] cavalry, to prevent those who were camped around Jerusalem from aiding those who were in the Temple. Now the cavalry killed about 3000 men but the rest went up into the hills that lay nearby. So Archelaus proclaimed that all should return to their homes. Even those who were venturesome from lack of education left the feast [of Passover], giving it up in fear of greater harm.

< 26 > Yoseph, Miriam, and Yeshua return from Egypt

Intending to settle in Beit Lechem but finding trouble in Yehudaea, Yoseph returns to the village of Natzeret in the District of the Gentiles

[Spring 4000 FC; 1 BCE]

Matthew 2:19-23 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 2:19 When Herod was dead,{1} the angel of YHVH appeared in a dream to Yoseph in Egypt, 20saying, “Rise up; take the young child and his mother and return to the land of Yisrael, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21So Yoseph arose and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Yisrael, 22but when he heard that Archelaus reigned in Yehudaea in place of his father Herod, Yoseph was afraid to go there. He was also warned by the Almighty in a dream to go around Yehudaea and into the region of the gentiles,{1} 23so he went to live in the village of Natzeret. This fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a netzer.”{1}

{Mt 2:22.1} Isaiah 9:1-2 refers to “galilee of the nations” or the region of the gentiles, which would be an eyewitness of the great light of the Messiah.

{Mt 2:23.1} The prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah 11:1) prophesied that there would be “a branch that shoots forth out of the stump of the family tree of Jesse and out of its roots, a netzer will spring forth.” A netzer is a branch that grows out of the original root system but springs up at a later time and somewhat distant from the original trunk. The prophets tell us that the Messiah, the son of David, will be a tzemach (a branch) out of the trunk of David. But Isaiah tells us something very specific about that tzemach, in that he will be a netzer. The netzer will grow up out of the original root but will be removed in time and place from the original family tree of King David. The village of Natzeret in the Galilee (Gentile) region of Northern Israel was inhabited primarily by the family of David. Both Miriam, who was of the bloodline of King David through his son Solomon, and her husband Yoseph, who was of the bloodline of King David through his son Nathan, grew up in Natzeret among their distant relatives. The people of Natzeret most likely settled in the area during the Greek occupation of Israel. They named their village in recognition of their identity as a “shoot” springing forth from the original root of the tree of Jesse at a distant place and time. Both Miriam and Yoseph had relatives in Beit Lechem, which made it easy to live there after the birth of Yeshua until they had to flee to Egypt. Upon their return from Egypt, their intention was to return to Beit Lechem, but they were given Divine instructions to return to Natzeret.

< Note 5 > General Varus suppresses the Jewish revolt

[Summer - 4000 FC; 1 BCE]

Rome sends General Varus from Syria to quell the riots resulting from Archelaus’ Passover massacre. This occurred while Archelaus was in Rome to secure his father’s throne.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John — Josephus

Antiquities XVII.222 When Archelaus sailed off to Rome and Varus went to take care of Antioch, Sabinus advanced on Jerusalem and took the king’s possessions.

Antiquities XVII.295 But Varus sent part of his army around the countryside, seeking those to blame for the revolt. And when they were pointed out, he punished those who were guilty. There were also those he pardoned, but 2000 happened to be crucified because of this accusation.

< 27 > Summary: Yeshua Grows up in Natzeret

Luke’s third summary statement

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:40 — John

Luke 2:40 The child grew and was strengthened in spirit. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of YHVH was upon him.

< 28 > Yeshua “goes up” to Jerusalem for the Passover

Yeshua astonishes the Torah scholars gathered at Jerusalem for the Feast

[Passover: 15th – 21st Day of the 1st Month, 4010 FC; 10 CE]

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:41-51 — John

Luke 2:41 Every year Yeshua’s parents went up to Yerushalayim for the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they all went up to Yerushalayim according to the commandment.{1} 43When they had fulfilled the days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they returned home, but Yeshua tarried in Yerushalayim, and Yoseph and his mother did not realize it. 44They went a day’s journey, supposing that he was among the caravan before they began searching for him among their relatives and neighbors. 45When they could not find him, they immediately returned to Yerushalayim and began seeking him there.

46Finally, after three days of searching, they found him sitting in the Temple amongst the Torah sages, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone that heard him was astonished at his understanding and his answers. 48But when at last his parents found him, they were amazed, and his mother said, “Son, why have you dealt with us in this way? Look at us! Your father and I have searched for you with great anguish!” 49Yeshua replied, “How is it that you sought me?{1} Did it not occur to you that it behooved me to be in my father’s house?”{2} 50But they did not fully understand what he was telling them. 51Yeshua went down from Yerushalayim with them and returned to Natzeret and was obedient to them. His mother quietly kept all of these things in her heart.

{Lk 2:42.1} Deuteronomy 16:16

{Lk 2:49.1, 2} Yoseph and Miriam had traveled an entire day without even checking to see if Yeshua was with them. At the end of the day they panicked when they realized he was not in the caravan. They immediately returned to Yerushalayim and searched for him for the next three days and, no doubt, sleepless nights. When they found him in the Temple, they understandably lashed out at him, but he responded with a very simple question: HOW did you search for me? Their method of searching for him was the only thing that he questioned – not their right or responsibility to do so. They were the ones who had left him behind. Yeshua went to the Temple where he would be safe and cared for by the priests on duty. He had been in the Temple the entire time “in my Father’s house”{2} and had to wait four days for them to finally look for him there. Where did they look for him during those days? If it had occurred to them to look in the Temple as soon as they got back to Yerushalayim, they would have saved themselves a lot of grief. They were understandably upset and were not thinking clearly. (They probably did not have the T-shirt to prompt them: WWJD?) Verse 51 instructs us that Yeshua was neither belligerent nor disobedient. He returned with them to Natzeret and continued to be subject to them. The KJV translates evn toi/j tou/ patro,j mou dei/ einai, me – “I must be about my father’s business,” but there is no word business in the text. The NAS, NIV, and MRD all render it “I had to be in my father’s house” and supply the word house, which is consistent with the context.

< 29 > Summary: Yeshua matures into a young man in Natzeret

Luke’s fourth summary statement

Matthew — Mark — Luke 2:52 — John

Luke 2:52 And Yeshua increased in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with YHVH and man.

The incident at the Temple in Yerushalayim gives us all the information we need concerning Yeshua’s formative years. At the age of his bar mitzvah, his understanding of the Torah and the Prophets and his answers to the most difficult questions of Torah law utterly confounded the sages of his day. The Greek version relates that Yeshua’s understanding was existemi – “completely beyond the comprehension” of the Torah sages. Yeshua expounded the Scriptures in a manner that left them awestruck. There is nothing more that needs to be said until the day of his mikveh seventeen years later.

II. From the Mikveh (Shevat 4026) to Passover Preparations

Introduction to the Gospel of the Kingdom and the ministry of Messiah

The Gospel of Luke documents – in chronological order – the ministry of Yeshua as the son of man. After introducing the ministry of Yochanan ben Zecharyah and detailing Yeshua’s mikveh (baptism), forty-day fast, and temptation in the wilderness, Luke is silent for the next three months until Yeshua leaves Jerusalem after the Feast of Shavuot when he learns of Yochanan’s imprisonment. He returns to the Galilee, where he begins teaching in the Pharisee synagogues. Luke closes his Gospel at the ascension but continues his chronological record of Yeshua’s ministry in “The Acts of the Apostles.” There, Luke details the events leading up to the conclusion of Yeshua’s seventy-week ministry, which culminated on the final day of the Spring Feasts of YHVH – Shavuot (Pentecost), when he mikveh-ed (baptized) his disciples with the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of Mark commences with “the beginning of the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah” in his role as the servant – no genealogical background is either provided by Mark or needed to serve. After a brief introduction of Yochanan, Mark summarizes the mikveh, fast, and temptation of Yeshua. He then picks up Yeshua’s ministry activities three months later when he begins teaching in the Galilee after Shavuot. Mark confirms Luke’s chronological order.

The Gospel of Matthew does not record events in exact chronological sequence, but it paints the overall picture of the King who lays down the rules of his everlasting Kingdom. He details the mikveh, forty-day fast, and the temptation in the wilderness, and then is silent until summarizing Yochanan’s imprisonment and Yeshua’s subsequent impact in the Galilee after the Feast of Shavuot. Matthew was present for the “sermon on the mount” and begins his detailed account soon after as he joins the company of disciples in the late spring.

The Gospel of John begins forty days after Yeshua’s mikveh, with Yochanan ben Zecharyah’s testimony to the Levites and cohenim. The following day, Yeshua came out of the wilderness and Yochanan announced Yeshua as “the Lamb of God” and the day-to-day record of his activities continues until the end of the Feast of Shavuot when Yeshua finds that Yochanan has been imprisoned. John’s record pauses as Matthew, Mark, and Luke pick up the narrative when Yeshua departs into the Galilee and begins teaching in the Pharisee synagogues. John will then join the other Gospel authors to record the one miracle that allows us to synchronize the entire Gospel chronology: the feeding of the five thousand at the end of the summer, two days before the Feast of Trumpets. John closes his record with the declaration, “Yeshua is the Messiah, the son of God.”

< 30 > Yochanan ben Zecharyah haCohen calls for the mikveh (baptism) of repentance on the banks of the Jordan river

[ Winter - 4026 FC; 15th year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar: 26 - 27 CE]

Matthew 3:1-12 — Mark 1:1-8 — Luke 3:1-18 — John

Matthew 3:1 In those days Yochanan ben Zecharyah came preaching in the wilderness of Yehudaea, 2saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” 3This is he that was spoken of by the prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah), saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of YHVH: make his paths straight.’” 4Yochanan had his garments of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins, and his meat was locusts and wild honey.{1} 5Then Yerushalayim, all Yehudaea, and all the kingdom around the Yarden went out to him 6and were mikveh-ed (immersed){1} by him in the Yarden, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many of the Prushim (Pharisees) and Zadokim (Sadducees){1} come to his mikveh, he said to them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come, you generation of vipers? 8Bring forth fruits indicative of repentance, 9and do not think to say within yourselves, ‘Avraham is our father!’ I say to you, that YHVH is able of these stones to raise up children to Avraham. 10The axe is now laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire. 11I indeed mikveh you in water AHM{in this day of} repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose. He will mikveh you with the fire of the Ruach Kodesh. 12His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will thoroughly purge his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his grain bin, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

{Mt 3:4.1} Yochanan did not live in civilized society. He ate the diet of a nomad in the wilderness of Judaea, where he lived, and was instructed by the Holy Spirit (with which he was filled “from his mother’s womb” Luke 1:15). Locusts (grasshoppers) are kosher and especially delicious when roasted over the fire and dipped in honey (Leviticus 11:20-23).

{Mt 3:6.1} The word “baptize” is a transliteration of the Greek word baptidzo, which is laden with pagan connotations. Yochanan was doing that with which every Israelite was familiar from birth, the “mikveh,” which literally means “running water” and was part of the ongoing practice of repentance, cleansing, and renewal. The mikveh is always complete immersion in running water and was most often done in private. The mikveh is unrelated to the pagan practice of baptism, which usually consists of sprinkling water upon the initiate by a priest. Even though the Temple and every synagogue in every community had a mikveh, Yochanan was calling for a public demonstration of repentance completely outside the religious systems of both the Zadokim priesthood, which conducted the Temple service, and the Prushim (Pharisee) synagogue system – both of which were operating outside of the commandments that Moses had delivered to Israel.

{Mt 3:7.1} Please read The Gospel of the Kingdom Declared in the Introduction, which details essential information concerning the Prushim and Zadokim.

Mark 1:1 This is the beginning of the Gospel of Yeshua Messiah, the Son of Elohim. 2As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which will prepare your way before you. 3The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of YHVH; make his paths straight.’” 4Yochanan mikveh-ed in the wilderness and preached the mikveh of repentance for the remission of sins. 5All the land of Yehudaea and they of Yerushalayim went out to him, confessing their sins, and were mikveh-ed by him in the river Yarden. 6Yochanan was clothed with camel’s hair and with a girdle of leather about his loins. He ate locusts and wild honey, 7and preached, saying, “There comes one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8I mikveh you with water, but he shall mikveh you with the Ruach Kodesh.

Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,{1} Pontius Pilate was governor of Yehudaea,{2} and Herod was governor of Galilee, and his brother Philip was governor of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis,{3} and Lysanias was the governor of Abilene. 2Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests.{1} At that time, the word of YHVH came unto Yochanan ben Zecharyah haCohen (the Cohen) in the wilderness, 3and he came into the country all around the Yarden, preaching the mikveh of repentance for the remission of sins. 4As it was written in the scroll of Yeshayahu the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of YHVH – make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of YHVH.’”

7Then Yochanan said to the multitude that came forth to be mikveh-ed of him, “You generation of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not even start in your imagination to say, ‘Avraham is our father!’ I tell you, that YHVH is able of these stones to raise up children to Avraham. 9Now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire.” 10The people cried, “What shall we do?” 11He answered them, “He that has two coats, let him give to him that has none. He that has food, let him do likewise.” 12Publicans{1} also came to be mikveh-ed, and said to him, “Moreh (teacher), what shall we do?” 13He said to them, “Exact no more than that which is appointed you.”

14Soldiers also pleaded, “What shall we do?” He said to them, “Do violence to no man, do not make false accusations, and be content with your wages.”

15The people were expecting the Messiah, and everyone questioned in their hearts whether Yochanan was the Messiah or not. 16Yochanan said to them all, “I indeed mikveh you with water, but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to unloose. He shall mikveh you with the Ruach Kodesh (Holy Spirit) and with fire. 17His winnowing fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his grain bin, but the chaff he will incinerate with an unquenchable fire.” 18And many other things he preached in his exhortation to the people.

{Lk 3:1.1} Tiberius reigned with the aging Augustus as co-regent beginning in the year 12 CE, and as sole regent beginning in 14 CE His “fifteenth year” is reckoned from 12 CE.

{Lk 3:1.2} The first physical evidence of Pilate’s existence was rediscovered in 1961, when a block of black limestone was found in the Roman theatre at Caesarea Maritima, the capital of the province of Judaea, bearing a damaged stone dedication of a Tiberieum by Pilate. This dedication states that Pilate was [...]ECTVS IUDA[...] (usually read as praefectus iudaeae), that is, prefect/governor of Iudaea. The early governors of Iudaea were of prefect rank; the later were of procurator rank, beginning with Cuspius Fadus in 44 CE. The inscription is currently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, inventory number AE 1963 no. 104, dated to 26–37 CE. It was discovered in Caesarea (Israel) by a group led by Antonia Frova.

{Lk 3:1.3} Philip and his brother Herod both began ruling in 1 BCE at the death of his father, Herod the Great, making 27 CE the 28th year of their reigns.

Birth%20and%20Beginning.jpg

The Birth and the Beginning of the Ministry of Yeshua the Messiah. View full image here.

• Yochanan ben Zecharyah began his ministry in late winter of 26-27 CE in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar who began reigning as co-regent with the ailing Augustus in 12 CE.

• 27 CE was the 28th year of the reigns of Herod in the Galilee and Philip in Ituraea after the passing of their father, Herod the Great, soon after the lunar eclipse of January 10, 1 BCE.

• 27 CE was the 46th year of the Temple’s reconstruction since Herod the Great began the project in 19 BCE.

• 27 CE was also the year that Yeshua, born in 3 BCE, was nearing – but had not reached his 30th year (see event <32>).

• February 16th 27 CE is the date that Yochanan mikveh-ed Yeshua in the Jordan River – beginning his 70 week ministry.

{Lk 3:2.1} Legally, there is only one Cohen Gadol (High Priest). Annas and Caiaphas were appointed by Rome, although neither of them met the qualifications for the position. Yochanan the son of Zecharyah, a cohen, was the divinely appointed High Priest who would announce the arrival of the Messiah.

{Lk 3:12.1} Publicans were tax collectors – public servants of the Roman government. Israelites who took jobs as public servants (bureaucrats under the Roman government) collected taxes and enforced the edicts of Rome on their fellow citizens. They often collected more than that which was required and kept the overage for their personal use. The Romans built toll roads throughout their empire and then charged their subjects to use them. The taxes collected were used to further enslave the people and break their national economies, and trade routes were altered to favor those who were serving the interests of the empire. Matthew, a Levite, was probably a toll collector on one of the many Roman roads connecting the villages and cities of the Galilee.

< 31 > Yeshua’s mikveh in the Yarden by Yochanan ben Zecharyah; Yeshua begins forty days and nights of fasting

[Shabbat, 20th Day of the 11th Month, 4026 FC; February 16, 27 CE]

Week 1 — Day 1

Matthew 3:13-17 — Mark 1:9-11 — Luke 3:21-22 — John

Matthew 3:13 Yeshua came from the Galilee to the Yarden to be mikveh-ed by Yochanan, 14but Yochanan forbid him, saying, “I need to be mikveh-ed by you, and you come to me?”{1} 15Yeshua answered him, “Let it to be so for now, for it is fitting that we fulfill this righteous act.” Then Yochanan submitted to him. 16When Yeshua was mikveh-ed, immediately upon coming up out of the water the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of YHVH descending like a dove and alighting upon him. 17A voice from heaven{1} spoke, “Behold, my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

{Mt 3:14.1} Even though it does not say this specifically, from Yochanan’s statement to Yeshua it can be reasonably surmised that it is at this time that Yeshua reveals himself to Yochanan as the one who Yochanan had been proclaiming as the One coming after him who will mikveh with the Holy Spirit. Yochanan, filled with the spirit from his mothers womb, understood the importance of being baptized with the Ruach Kodesh, and that Yeshua was the one who would do it – but the time was not yet. Seventy weeks, 490 days after this event, Yeshua baptizes his followers with the gift of the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecosta – Gk.).

{Mt 3:17.1} bat kol (Hb.) literally means “daughter of a voice.” It is a term the Pharisees gave to a voice from Heaven. There are three times in the seventy-week ministry of Messiah where a bat kol endorses his ministry. These three incidents later induce the Pharisee rabbis to make a ruling “we do not listen to a voice from Heaven.” This principle is still taught to rabbinic students today and is illustrated in the trial of Rabbi Eliezar. The Talmud records the final ruling of the Pharisee court: “We pay no attention to a heavenly voice” (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Metsia 59b).

Mark 1:9 It came to pass in those days that Yeshua came from Natzeret of the Galilee and was mikveh-ed by Yochanan in the Yarden. 10Immediately upon coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him, 11and there came a voice from heaven, “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:21 Now it came to pass that when all the people were being mikveh-ed, Yeshua was also mikveh-ed. And while he was praying, the heavens opened, 22and the Ruach Kodesh descended upon him in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying, “My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

< 32 > Genealogy of Yeshua’s stepfather Yoseph ben Eli

Yeshua had not yet reached his thirtieth year when he commenced his ministry in the spring of 27 CE (He was 28½ in Western reckoning)

Matthew — Mark — Luke 3:23-38 — John

Luke 3:23 And Yeshua, not yet thirty years of age, commenced his ministry.{1} He was considered to be the illegitimate{2} son of Yoseph, who was the son of Eli, 24who was the son of Mattat, who was the son of Levi, who was the son of Malki, who was the son of Yanah, who was the son of Yoseph, 25who was the son of Mattityahu, who was the son of Amotz, who was the son of Nachum, who was the son of Chesli, who was the son of Nagai, 26who was the son of Machat, who was the son of Mattityahu, who was the son of Shimei, who was the son of Yoseph, who was the son of Yodah, 27who was the son of Yochanan, who was the sonof Reisha, who was the son of Z’rubavel, who was the son of Sh’altiel, who was the son of Neri, 28who was the son of Malchi, who was the son of Ahdi, who was the son of Kosam, who was the son of El’m’dan, who was the son of Ehr, 29who was the son of Yeshua, who was the son of Eli’ezer, who was the son of Yorim, who was the son of Mattat, who was the son of Levi, 30who was the son of Shimon, who was the son of Yehudah, who was the son of Yoseph, who was the son of Yonam, who was the son of El’yakim, 31who was the son of Malah, who was the son of Manah, who was the son of Matata, who was the son of Natan, who was the son of David, 32who was the son of Yishai, who was the son of Oved, who was the son of Boaz, who was the son of Salmon, who was the son of Nachshon, 33who was the son of Aminadav, who was the son of Ram, who was the son of Chetzron, who was the son of Peretz, who was the son of Yehudah, 34who was the son of Yaakov, who was the son of Yitzhak, who was the son of Avraham, who was the son of Terach, who was the son of Nachor, 35who was the son of S’rug, who was the son of Ra’u, who was the son of Peleg, who was the son of Ehver, who was the son of Shelach, 36who was the son of Cainan, who was the son of Arpach’shad, who was the son of Shem, who was the son of No’ach, who was the son of Lemech, 37who was the son of Metushelach, who was the son of Chanoch, who was the son of Yered, who was the son of Mahalal’el, who was the son of Cainan, 38who was the son of Enosh, who was the son of Shet, who was the son of Adam, who was the son of Elohim.

{Lk 3:23.1} The KJV rendering: “Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,” resulted in critical chronological confusion. The English word “about” is generally considered to mean “in proximity” or “around,” which would be an accurate rendering of the Greek preposition peri, which is mathematically described as “a circle around a point” – the size of the circle being defined either by the author, or left to the discretion of the interpreter. Hence, English interpreters of the Bible have drawn a circle “about thirty years of age” as being anywhere from twenty-five to thirty-five years, depending upon their eschatological or chronological theology. However, the Greek word which was translated “about” is not peri but hosei, which means “nearing” or “not yet having reached the number or measure of time.” Hence, Yeshua had “not yet reached” thirty years of age. In the Eastern culture, when a child is born, it is his “first year,” whereas in the West, a child is not considered to have reached “one year” until his first annual birthday celebration. At the time of Yeshua’s mikveh (baptism), he was not yet (hosei) thirty; he was in the middle of the twenty-ninth year of his life – or, as he would be considered in Western gentile reckoning, twenty-eight and one half years old. It would be another eight months before he reached the age at which a Levitical priest began active service.

View Larger Image Here.

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On the Day of Atonement, five days before he reached thirty years of age, he was installed as the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) after the order of the Melek Tzadek (Melchizedek – KJV). [Both Matthew 17:1 and Mark 9:2 report that his ordination as the Cohen Gadol followed the previously reported event: “after (meta) six days Yeshua took three of his disciples to a high mountain” where he changed before their eyes and shone with the brightness of the sun. Luke 9:28 records that the same incident occurred “about (hosei) eight days after” the preceding event. “After (meta) six days” is the seventh day, while “about (hosei – having not yet reached the point or number) eight days after” is also the seventh day. Both Greek constructions record the same event occurring at the same time by using two parallel Greek mathematical equations.

{Lk 3:23.2} The Pharisee leaders, in an attempt to shut his mouth, chided Yeshua, “We be not born of fornication” – directly implying that it was known throughout the local and religious community that Yeshua was conceived before Yoseph and Miriam were joined together in marriage (John 8:41). Miriam was over three months pregnant before their wedding, and it would have been impossible to keep this situation a secret in the small community of Natzeret, which may have had around 300 closely related members in the village. This was an open invitation for vicious goading by his adversaries.

< 33 > Yeshua led into the wilderness and fasts for forty days and nights

[20th Day of the 11th Month, 4026 FC; February 16, 27 CE through 29th Day of the 12th Month; March 27, 27 CE]

Week 1-6 — Day 1-40

Matthew 4:1-2 — Mark 1:12-13a — Luke 4:1-2 — John

Mark 1:12 Immediately after coming out of the Yarden, the Spirit drove him into the wilderness, 13and he was there in the wilderness forty days.

Matthew 4:1 Then Yeshua was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by hasatan. 2After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Luke 4:1 Yeshua, being full of the Ruach Kodesh, came up from the Yarden and was immediately led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2to be tempted by hasatan. In those forty days he ate nothing, and when they had ended, he was hungry.

< 34 > After fasting for forty days, Yeshua is tempted by hasatan

[30th Day of the 12th Month, 4026 FC; Friday March 28, 27 CE]

Week 6 — Day 41

Matthew 4:3-11 — Mark 1:13b — Luke 4:3-13 — John

Matthew 4:3 Then the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of the Almighty, command that these stones be made bread.”{1} 4But Yeshua answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of YHVH.’” 5Then hasatan took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the Temple, 6and said to him, “If you are the Son of Elohim, cast yourself down, for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge concerning you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Yeshua said to him again, “It is written, ‘You shall not put YHVH your Elohim through your tests.’” 8Again, hasatan took him up to an exceeding high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9He said, “All these things will I give you, if you will bow down before me.” 10Then Yeshua said to him, “Get away satan, for it is written, ‘You shall bow down before YHVH your Elohim, and him only shall you serve.’” 11Then hasatan left him, and angels came and attended to him.

Mark 1:13b There he was tempted by hasatan, standing against that savage beast, and afterward angels attended him.

Luke 4:3 Hasatan said to Yeshua, “If you are the Son of the Almighty, command this stone to become bread.” 4Yeshua answered him, “It was said, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of YHVH.’” 5Hasatan took him up into a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6and said, “All this authority will I give you, and all the glory of these kingdoms, for all that has been delivered unto me – and to whomever I will, I give it.{1} 7Therefore, if you will bow down to me, all will be yours.” 8Yeshua answered and said to him, “Get behind me, satan, for it was said, ‘You shall bow down before YHVH your Elohim, and him only shall you serve.’” 9Hasatan then brought Yeshua to Yerushalayim and set him on a pinnacle of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of the Almighty, cast yourself down from here, 10for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you, 11and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12And Yeshua answered, “It was said,{1} ‘You shall not put YHVH your Elohim through your tests.{2} 13When hasatan concluded all his temptations, he left Yeshua for a season.

{Mt 4:3.1} Even though Yeshua could have turned the stones into bread, he had no revelation from Heaven to do so. He always did the Father’s will, and hasatan’s temptation did not constitute the Father’s will. Yeshua responded with: It is written!

{Lk 4:6.1} Adam was given authority over the earth and was commanded to subdue it and rule over it. In his disobedience, Adam transferred his dominion into the hand of hasatan, who now holds it until it is legally stripped from him. Shaul refers to hasatan as “the god of this age” (II Corinthians 4:4, …the god <qeoj> of this world <aion> (age) hath blinded the minds of those that do not believe…). Yeshua never challenged hasatan’s jurisdiction or authority – he simply refused the offer and followed YHVH’s plan to redeem the earth. This is depicted in Revelation 5:1-14, where the title deed to the earth is tragically sealed up. There appears to be no hope of redeeming it until the resurrected Lamb is introduced.

{Lk 4:12.1} This incident of the temptation of Messiah is recorded by Matthew with Yeshua responding to each challenge of hasatan with “It is written,” while the Greek version of Luke reports Yeshua’s words as “It was said.” Both Yeshua and Luke recognize that the commandments given to Moses at Mount Sinai and written in the scroll of the Torah came directly from the mouth of the Almighty.

{Lk 4:12.2} Deuteronomy 6:16

< 35 > Yochanan testifies to the cohenim and Levites sent by the Pharisees

[30th Day of the 12th Month, 4026 FC; Friday March 28, 27 CE]

Week 6 — Day 41

This event occurs on the same day that Yeshua was being tempted. The Gospel of John begins forty days after Yeshua’s mikveh with the testimony given by Yochanan ben Zecharyah to the Levites and cohenim who were sent by the Pharisees in Jerusalem. They questioned him to clarify whether he was claiming to be the Messiah, the Prophet of whom Moses spoke, or Elijah.

John was the only Gospel author who was also a disciple of Yochanan ben Zecharyah. John records the testimony given by Yochanan to the Levites and cohenim (priests) who were sent by the Pharisee-controlled Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. John then captures the very moment when Yeshua, on the following day, returns from his forty-day wilderness fast and Yochanan proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of YHVH, who takes away the sin of the world.” These two incidents are the first eyewitness accounts recorded by any of the Gospel authors.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 1:19-28

John 1:19 This is the record of Yochanan, when the Prushim{1} sent cohenim and Levites from Yerushalayim to ask him, “Who are you?” 20He confessed without hesitation, “I am not the Messiah.” 21Then they asked him, “Who are you then? Are you Eliyahu?”{1} And he said, “I am not.” Again they asked, “Are you The Prophet?”{2} He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you – that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say of yourself?” 23He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of YHVH, as said by the prophet Yeshayahu.”{1} 24(Now, the cohenim and Levites from Jerusalem were sent by the Prushim-controlled Sanhedrin.) 25Then they asked him, “If you are not the Messiah, nor Eliyahu, nor The Prophet, why do you mikveh?” 26Yochanan answered, “I mikveh with water, but there stands one among you whom you do not know. 27Though he comes after me, he is preferred before me. Even his sandal latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” 28(These things were done in Beit Abarah{1} beyond the Yarden, where Yochanan was immersing.)

{Jn 1:19.1} Jews (KJV) – In the Gospel of John, the term “the Jews” is specifically used in reference to the Pharisee religious leaders, as well as to the Sanhedrin, the Pharisee-ruled legal body. The term is always used in a negative context because of Yeshua’s constant conflict with the invented rules and regulations of the Pharisees. It must be remembered, however, that all who were following Yeshua were Jews, that those who were being healed were Jews, and that Yeshua himself was a Jew. To the outside reader, the term “the Jews” has a tendency to foster an anti-Jewish sentiment, whereas in context, it is understood to show the separation between those who followed Moses and kept the commandments of the Almighty and those who developed a religious system of their own invention by utilizing some of the teachings of Moses but adding to and taking away from the written Torah at their own discretion. “Priests” and “Levites” were terms John always used. The term “the Jews” is used a total of 64 times in the Gospel of John. Where the King James Version of the Gospel of John uses the term “the Jews” to refer to the Pharisee leaders, the CKJV clarifies the religious affiliations and restores the proper terminology. John 1:24 states plainly that “the Jews” of verse 1 are the Pharisees of verse 24.

{Jn 1:21.1} Malachi 4:5 states that Elijah must come before the Day of YHVH. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful Day of YHVH.” (KJV)

{Jn 1:21.2} When the cohenim and Levites asked Yochanan whether he was “The Prophet,” they were referring to the words of YHVH spoken through Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15-18. Israel did not know whether “The Prophet” and “the Messiah” were one and the same person or two individuals. They were covering all possibilities.

{Jn 1:23.1} Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of YHVH, make straight in the desert a highway for our Elohim.’”

{Jn 1:28.1} Meaning “house of the ford” – a place on the east bank of the Jordan where John was baptizing (John 1:28). Bethabarah (KJV) is the ancient ford of Jordan of which the men of Ephraim took possession (Judges 7:24). It was the great ford which still bears the name “Makhadhet Abarah” – “the ford of crossing over.” Beit Abarah is about 25 miles east of Nazareth, just south of where the Jordan exits the sea of Galilee (also known as the Kinneret and the sea of Tiverias). The name is brought from the Hebrew ‘abarah (cross over) from which comes the English word “Hebrew” in English.

< 36 > “The next day”

Yochanan sees Yeshua return from the wilderness and proclaims him as “the Lamb of YHVH”

[Shabbat, 1st Day of the month of the aviv barley, 4027 FC; Saturday March 29, 27 CE]

Week 6 — Day 42

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 1:29-34

John 1:29 The next day{1} Yochanan saw Yeshua coming out of the wilderness toward him, and cried out, “Behold the Lamb of YHVH, which takes away the sin of the world!{2} 30This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man which is preferred before me, for he was before me.’ 31I did not know his identity, but I came to mikveh with water so that he could be openly declared to Israel.” 32Yochanan bare record, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33And though I did not know him, the Almighty, who sent me to mikveh with water, said to me, ‘Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which will mikveh with the Ruach Kodesh.’ 34And I saw this happen, and I bare record that this is the very Son of Elohim.”

{Jn 1:29.1} This is the day after Yochanan ben Zecharyah gave his record to the cohenim and Levites who were sent by the Pharisees in Jerusalem to question his authority. This is also the day after Yeshua overcame his temptation in the wilderness after his forty-day fast. This is the first day of the year when Yochanan gave his testimony that Yeshua fulfilled the one sign that Yochanan had been given by the Almighty − that the Ruach Kodesh descended on him in the form of a dove and remained on him. Aviv 1, 27 CE is exactly 483 years (69 x 7 years) from the commandment of Artaxeres to “go forth and build Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:1-22) which occurred in the seventh year of his reign, on Aviv 1, 457 BCE. According to Daniel’s prophecy, there remains the seventieth “7” to fulfill – which will commence at the Confirmation of the Covenant.

{Jn 1:29.2} As the ram in the thicket was the substitute for Abraham’s son Isaac, so the male lamb of the first year was the substitute for the nation of Israel at the time of the Passover. Both substitutionary sacrifices foreshadow the Son of the Almighty as the provision for all mankind. This proclamation is made on the first day of the month of the aviv barley, the first day of the new year, which also commenced “the acceptable year of YHVH” (Luke 4:19). Though many Eusebian defenders have attempted to recharacterize Yeshua as a three year old “red heifer” so they can maintain their three and a half year ministry heresy, we have yet to discover a single Greek text of John that says, “Behold the cow of God who takes away the sin of the world” or a single Hebrew text of Isaiah that proclaims “the acceptable three-and-a-half years of the LORD.” In fact, there has never been a three year old red heifer in the history of Israel. The Talmud and Mishna gives the most exhaustive description of the qualifications of the red heifer whose entire carcass, including her dung, was incinerated to ash for the waters of purification. Any qualifying red heifer less than two years old to even more than five years of age was deemed by the sages as valid (Mishna - Mas. Parah (cow) chapter one). The Hebrew Scriptures are completely silent on the age of the red heifer. The “Jesus as a three-year-old red female cow” doctrine, though increasingly common, can only be promulgated among the unlearned.

< 37 > “The next day after”

Yeshua is joined by Andrew, John, and Kefa

[2nd Day of the 1st Month (month of the aviv barley), 4027 FC; Sunday March 30, 27 CE]

Week 7 — Day 43

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 1:35-42

John 1:35 Again, the next day after,{1} Yochanan was standing with two of his disciples 36when he saw Yeshua approaching. He again proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of YHVH!” 37The two disciples heard him and immediately followed after Yeshua. 38When Yeshua saw them following, he turned to them and asked, “What do you want?” They said to him, “Rabbi{1} where do you dwell?” 39He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying and remained with him that day (for it was about the tenth hour). 40One of the two disciples of Yochanan who followed Yeshua was Andrew, Shimon’s brother. 41The first thing he did was locate his brother Shimon, “We have found the Messiah.{1} 42Then Andrew brought him to Yeshua. When Yeshua saw him, he said, “You are Shimon the son of Yonah. You shall be called Kefa”.{1}

{Jn 1:35.1} The next day after Yochanan proclaimed Yeshua as “the Lamb of YHVH,” he gave a second witness directly to his disciples.

{Jn 1:38.1} The disciples, cognizant of Yochanan’s declaration, would have addressed him with a title of respect. The title “Rabbi”, meaning “Great One,” was bestowed by the Prushim upon their sages, and would have been a safe and comfortable title by which to refer to Yeshua upon first meeting him. The Greek version of this record added a parenthetical phrase after the word rabbi “(which is to say, being interpreted, master)”, as it is rendered in the KJV. “master” is didaskalos in Greek. It is obvious that these Hebrew-speaking disciples would not have said, “Rabbi, which is being interpreted (in a language we don’t even speak) didaskalos.” They would have just said, “Rabbi, where do you dwell?” The term “rabbi” is not native to the Greek language and culture, but didaskalos is readily understood within the Greek nicolaitan social structure of ruling class and laity.

These Greek parenthetical expressions, used several times in the Gospel of John, are used to translate unfamiliar Hebrew cultural terms into the Greek language. This translation endeavor is even more pronounced in John 5:1, where the Feast of the LORD that is celebrated seven weeks after the Passover of John 3 is simply referred to as “a feast of the Jews.” The Feast spoken of is Shavuot – but the word “Shavuot” (meaning sevens or weeks) has no significance in the Greek culture or language – and certainly no prophetic significance. The Greeks simply referred to this very significant event in the history of the nation of Israel as “a feast of the Jews” for lack of cultural understanding and context.

{Jn 1:41.1} Again, the Greek version of this record added a parenthetical phrase after the word Messiah “(which is, being interpreted, the Christ).” This is another example of the Greek version of John taking a well known Hebrew term and adapting it to the Greek culture. Moshiach, technically meaning “anointed by the High Priest with sacred oil for service,” was adapted into the Greek as Christos, which is derived from crestes, which means “to smear with grease” – a useful procedure for preserving Grecian leather battle shields. The CKJV accurately replaces the Grecian concept with the English version of the original Hebrew concept “Messiah.”

{Jn 1:42.1} The name Kefa, in Aramaic, means “stone,” and would not need to be interpreted for Shimon. Aramaic was a Semitic language, closely related to Hebrew, and in common use throughout Israel and the Middle East in the first century. Yeshua certainly would not have said, “You shall be called Kefa, which [in Greek] means, Rocky.” This parenthetical phrase in the Greek text is an explanation of the Aramaic word for the readers of the Greek version of the Gospel of John. The Hebrew word for “stone” is evan, which appears in the ancient Hebrew version of the Gospel of Matthew where Yeshua refers to Shimon, the brother of Andrew, as evan, a “stone.” We could use either Evan or Kefa to represent Shimon bar Yonah. We have chosen Kefa, as it is closer to Peter for the comfort of the Western reader. The Greek word for “stone” is “petros,” but it would be peculiar to call Shimon by a Greek name when Hebrew and Aramaic were the more common tongues of the day in the land of Israel.

< 38 > “The day following”

They travel up to the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Yeshua meets Philip and travels with him to Beit Saida

[3rd Day of the 1st Month, 4027 F.C; Monday March 31, 27 CE]

Week 7 — Day 44

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 1:43-51

John 1:43 The day following, Yeshua went into the Galilee and found Philip. He said to him, “Follow me.” 44Now Philip was from Beit Saida, the village of Andrew and Kefa. 45Philip then found Netanel (Nathaniel) and announced, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Torah and also the prophets did write – Yeshua of Natzeret, the son of Yoseph.”{1} 46Netanel quipped, “Can any good thing come out of Natzeret?” Philip said, “Come and see.”

47Yeshua saw Netanel approaching and said, “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is indeed no deceit!” 48Netanel said to him, “How do you know me?” Yeshua answered, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”{1} 49Netanel answered and said to him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of Elohim! You are the King of Israel!” 50Yeshua answered, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ you believe? You shall see even greater things than these. 51TRUTH,{1} I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of Elohim ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

{Jn 1:45.1} Though the friends of Netanel could have been speaking of the stepfather of Yeshua and could have been aware of the rumor of his “supposed” illegitimacy, Messiah ben Yoseph is recognized in rabbinic literature as the picture of the Messiah as “the suffering servant,” as opposed to Messiah ben David, the picture of the Messiah as “the reigning king.” Both pictures are a true representation of the prophesied Messiah, but at the time there was strong debate as to whether the Hebrew Scriptures were speaking of one person or two.

{Jn 1:48.1} This statement can refer to one of two things – either the revelation of a current event or the entire story of Netanel’s life. Yeshua is either declaring a Divine revelation by retelling a recent event that demonstrated Netanel’s absolute honesty in a particular situation, or Yeshua could have recounted Netanel’s entire life story from the time he was a young child playing under the fig tree. Either would verify Divine revelation to Netanel.

{Jn 1:51.1} The word TRUTH in bold caps is used instead of “verily, verily.” Repeating words in the written text of the Hebrew Scriptures denotes emphasis or volume. The individual word was not repeated twice; it was spoken once with great emphasis. In the age of modern typeface, we have opted for bold capitals to indicate intensity and volume. An example is when the living beings in the throne room of heaven shout “holy” so loudly that the framework of the universe shudders from the thunder of their voices. The volume and intensity of their shout is recorded in the scroll as the word “holy” written three times in succession (Isaiah 6:3). This linguistic device is also used in the ultimate cry of terror, Lord! that is recorded in Matthew 7:22-23.

< 39 > “The third day”

On Yom Shlishi, Yeshua defiles stone water pots at a Pharisee wedding in Cana by turning ceremonially impure water into wine

[3rd day of the week, 4th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Tuesday April 1, 27 CE]

Week 7 — Day 45

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 2:1-11

John 2:1 The third day{1} there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. The mother of Yeshua was there, 2and Yeshua and his disciples were also invited to the marriage. 3They ran out of wine, so the mother of Yeshua said to him, “They have no more wine!” 4Yeshua said to her, “My lady, why should this be a concern of mine? It is not yet my time [to provide wine for the wedding party].”{1} 5[After a brief discussion with her son], Miriam said to the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it!”

6Now, there were six water pots of stone set there which were to be used for a Pharisee purification ritual. Each pot held about two or three litres apiece.{1} 7Yeshua said to the servants, “Fill the water pots with water,” and they filled them up to the brim.{1} 8He then told them, “Now, draw out of the water pot and give it to the master of ceremonies.” This they also did.

9When the master of the feast tasted the water, which was turned into wine, he did not know where it came from (but the servants which drew the water knew). The master of the feast called the bridegroom 10and said, “At the beginning of the feast everyone sets forth the choicest wine, and after men have well drunk, then they bring out that which is inferior, but you have kept the most excellent wine until now.” 11This miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee is the first of many that Yeshua performed, which openly declared his righteous judgments. His disciples understood and believed in him.

{Jn 2:1.1} “The third day” is yom shlishi, the third day of the week. It takes nearly a day to get from Beit Saida to Cana, so they probably left early in the morning and arrived in time for the wedding festivities that evening. Yeshua was, no doubt, invited to the wedding months earlier – before he left his home in Natzeret for his mikveh in the Yarden.

{Jn 2:4.1} Yeshua’s mother is in a position of responsibility at this wedding, and the servants are at her command. When she informs Yeshua that they have run out of wine, he responds to her in respect of her official capacity (my lady – not “woman”) and then states, according to wedding custom, that he is ranked lower on the guest list and is, therefore, not among those who are expected to provide wine for the wedding party. The KJV sounds a bit disrespectful: “Woman, what have I to do with you? Mine hour is not yet come!”

{Jn 2:6.1} We are informed that this is an orthodox Pharisee wedding reception by the notation that the six stone waterpots are for “the purifying of the Jews” (KJV), which speaks of a water purification ritual invented by the Pharisees. These stone water-purification pots are never mentioned in the Torah, but they are meticulously detailed in the ancient Talmudic writings of the Pharisee sages. These hand-hewn stone waterpots held approximately 2 liters of liquid. Many of these ancient relics are preserved in the museums of Israel today, and their prescribed use by the Pharisees is well documented. (Modern interpretations of a “firkin” (KJV) incorrectly interpret the capacity of each stone vessel to be between 20 and 30 gallons. Even empty, the size and enormous weight of stone waterpots of this capacity would make them utterly impossible to utilize for their designed purpose.) John records that the wedding reception was filled with religious partygoers who apparently expected everyone else to provide the wine for their good time. After an undocumented discussion with her son, Miriam turns to the servants and tells them to do whatever he instructs them to do. Yeshua then directed them to violate the “holy” function of these stone waterpots – and it was kept a secret from the head rabbi, who was typically the master of ceremonies at Pharisee weddings. If the rabbi had known where the “best wine” had come from, he would have indignantly ended the party right then and there!

{Jn 2:7.1} The servants are literally following the instructions documented in the Talmud (Chillin 26b) as they fill the stone vessels to the brim.

< 40 > Yeshua, his family, and disciples travel to Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) and stay “not many days”

[5th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday April 2, 27 CE]

Week 7 — Day 46

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 2:12

John 2:12 After this, Yeshua went down to Kfar Nahum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. They remained there not many days.{1}

{Jn 2:12.1} Yeshua and his company “remained there not many days” because they needed to leave to go up to Jerusalem for the Passover. They would have left on the morning of the first day of the week (Sunday) in order to make it in time to prepare for the Feast, which was to start on the following Sabbath. They would have left for the lakeside village of Kfar Nahum early on the fourth day (Wednesday), stayed through the Sabbath, and left for Jerusalem early in the morning on the first day of the week (Sunday) to give them maximum traveling time.

< Note 6 > Shabbat at Kfar Nahum

[Shabbat, 8th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Saturday April 5, 27 CE]

Week 7 — Day 49

< 41 > Yeshua and company leave for Jerusalem and the Feast of Unleavened Bread

[9th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Sunday April 6, 27 CE]

Week 8 — Day 50

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 2:13

John 2:13 The Passover was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Yerushalayim.{1}

{Jn 2:13.1} The King James translators rendered this verse “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” First, they did not capitalize Passover, a proper noun and one of the Feasts of YHVH. Second, the Greek text refers to this Feast as, “the Jews’ passover,” indicating that the Greek translation of John’s Gospel views the record from an outsider’s perspective rather than that of a native Israelite. Further illustrating the outsider’s viewpoint, the King James translators chose to render the proper noun “Sabbath” in lower case throughout this record, yet they capitalized the title “satan” according to their theological predisposition. In the CKJV version we attempt to restore an insider’s perspective, as the reader is assumed to be either a natural born or grafted-in Israelite – not a pagan gentile estranged from the covenant, without God, without hope (Ephesians 2:12).

III. Passover through Shavuot 4027 (Spring 27 CE)

< 42 > Yeshua arrives in Jerusalem for Passover

He removes “the leaven” from the Temple Mount and makes the first reference to the Jonah Code

[13th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Thursday April 10, 27 CE]

Week 8 — Day 54

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 2:14-22

John 2:14 [When Yeshua went into the Temple] he found those that sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers were sitting on the Temple Mount.{1} 15He then made a whip of small cords and drove all the sheep and oxen out of the Temple, and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. 16He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make my Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17And his disciples remembered that it was written, “The zeal of your house has eaten me up.”{1}

18Then the Pharisee leaders answered and said to him, “What Divine sign do you show to us, since you do these things against our authority? 19Yeshua answered and said to them, “DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, AND IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP!”{1} 20Then said the Pharisee leaders, “This Temple has been under construction for forty-six years,{1} and you will raise it up in three days?” 21But Yeshua was speaking prophetically concerning the temple of his body. 22(After he had risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this to them, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Yeshua had spoken.)

{Jn 2:14.1} The authorized marketplace for selling the sacrificial animals was along the western side of the Temple retaining wall, down below the Temple Mount proper. The Pharisee-controlled Sanhedrin gave the merchants authorization to sell their wares up on the Temple Mount (although not actually within the Temple courts), thereby securing for themselves a captive audience, and, no doubt, the exorbitant prices one would expect from such a prime location. Those who authorized the ascent of the merchants undoubtedly received a substantial monetary kickback.

{Jn 2:17.1} Psalm 69:9

{Jn 2:19.1} This is Yeshua’s first reference to what will become the most repeated prophecy in the Gospels and the only sign of his authenticity as The Prophet and The Messiah – the Jonah Code. (Matthew 12:40 event <81>, Mt 16:4 event <114>, Mt 26:61 event <184>, Mt 27:40 event <212>, Mt 27:63 event <224>; Mark 8:31 event <118>, Mk 14:58 event <184>, Mk 15:29 event <212>; Luke 11:49 event <142>; I Corinthians 15:4)

{Jn 2:20.1} Temple reconstruction under Herod began in 19 BCE. It is now the week of Passover, 27 of the Common Era, which is the forty-sixth year of the rebuilding of the Temple. This is the first Passover of Yeshua’s ministry and the fifty-fourth day after his mikveh.

< Note 7 > The Passover is sacrificed

Late afternoon of the 14th day (April 11) the Passover is sacrificed and put into the oven

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins at sundown

(which begins the fifteenth day, but still April 11 until midnight)

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Friday April 11, 27 CE]

Week 8 — Day 55

< Note 8 > The Passover is eaten

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins at sundown

The High Sabbath falls on the weekly Sabbath

[Shabbat, 15th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Friday evening April 11, 27 CE]

Week 8 — Day 56

< 43 > Yeshua keeps the Feast in Yerushalayim

He speaks with Nicodemus after sunset, which is the Day of Firstfruits

Nicodemus becomes the Firstfruits among the Pharisee-ruled Sanhedrin

[16th Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Saturday evening April 12, 27 CE]

Week 9 — Day 57

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 2:23-3:21

John 2:23 While Yeshua was in Yerushalayim during the feast of Passover, many believed in him when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Yeshua did not commit himself to them, because he knew all 25and did not need anyone to explain the motives of men, for he already knew what was in the heart of man.

John 3:1 Nicodemus, a leader of the Prushim and member of the Sanhedrin, 2came to Yeshua at night and confessed to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from YHVH{1} for no man can do these miracles that you do except the Holy One is with him.” 3Yeshua answered and said to him, “TRUTH, I say to you, except a man be born again, he will never see the kingdom of Elohim.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Obviously he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born again!” 5Yeshua answered, “TRUTH, I say to you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he will never enter the Kingdom of YHVH. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel because I tell you that you must be born again. 8The wind blows where it wills. You hear the sound of it, but cannot tell from where it comes or to where it goes. So is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

9Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Yeshua answered, “You are a ‘sage’ of Yisrael, and yet you do not understand these simple things? 11TRUTH, I say to you, We{1} speak of that which we have witnessed and bare testimony of that which we have seen, and yet you do not accept our testimony.{2} 12If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe me, how can you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? 13No man has ascended up to Heaven; however, the Son of Man is from Heaven and came down from Heaven. 14But just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 16For YHVH so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For YHVH did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be rescued from everlasting destruction. 18He that believes in the Son will not be condemned, but he that does not believe in him is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name{1} of the only begotten Son of YHVH.

19“And this is the condemnation – the light of the world has come into the world, but men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. 20Everyone that does evil hates the light and refuses to come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21But he that walks in truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be revealed as works of YHVH’s righteousness.”

{Jn 3:2.1} After the Bar Kochva revolt of 135 CE, the Pharisees made stringent regulations forbidding anyone from pronouncing the name of the Almighty “as it is written,” YHVH. This takanot was initially enacted because Rome executed those who continued to speak and call on the name of the God of Israel. Eventually, the Pharisees declared that anyone who mentioned the name of the Almighty would have no part in the life to come – which is contrary to the Torah and nearly every page of Holy Writ. Nicodemus was not under any prohibition concerning the open pronunciation of the name during the first century. The holy name YHVH appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Swearing in the name of YHVH was a required part of every solemn vow that the Israelites made, and at one time it was used in casual greetings exchanged in the streets (Ruth 2:4). Modern Pharisee tradition even goes to the extent of replacing the vowel “o” with a line when it appears between the “G” and “d” when writing the nondescript title “God” (i.e., G–d). This exercise serves as a continual reminder of their invented rule of never speaking the name YHVH.

{Jn 3:11.1} The “we” Yeshua cites in his conversation with Nicodemus refers to the witness of Yochanan ben Zecharyah, who gave his eyewitness testimony to the Levites and cohenim who were sent from the Pharisee Sanhedrin, of which Nicodemus is a respected member (John 1:19).

{Jn 3:11.2} When Yochanan declared, “And a voice came from heaven, which said, ‘Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased,” the Pharisees rejected his testimony and justified their rejection, citing the trial of Rabbi Eliezar. The Talmud records the final ruling of the Pharisee court: “We pay no attention to a heavenly voice” (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Metsia 59b).

{Jn 3:18.1} The terminology “in the name of” is a Hebrew figure of speech that embodies everything the person represents. The Almighty told Isaiah that he would have a son, and “shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), which means “Elohim is among us.” Isaiah was told, however, to name his son She’ar Yashuv (a remnant shall return) or Maher shalal hash baz (swift to the booty), both prophetically significant names. Even though the child was not named Immanuel, his very existence, all that he was and would be, is proof that the Almighty is with us. The prophecy that related directly to Isaiah’s son was also a prophetic utterance concerning the Son of YHVH, who would be born of a virgin. The angel said, “Behold, a young maiden shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), which Matthew records as yet another fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. In this latter fulfillment of the “Immanuel” prophecy, the angel told both Miriam and Yoseph to name the son of YHVH “Yeshua” (salvation), for “he will save” (yoshia) his people from their sins. The very essence of Yeshua’s existence was proof that the Almighty is among His people to redeem and rescue them from the utter destruction that ensued from Adam’s rebellion. Hence, to “not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of YHVH” is to reject the provision of YHVH for His people – the provision which had been devised and ordained before the foundation of the universe.

< Note 9 > The Feast of Unleavened Bread concludes with a High Sabbath

[21st Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Friday April 18, 27 CE]

Week 9 — Day 62

< 44 > Yeshua leaves Jerusalem after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the weekly Sabbath

His disciples mikveh in rural Judaea while Yochanan mikvehs at Aenon of the Decapolis, bearing witness of Yeshua

[23rd Day of the 1st Month, 4027 FC; Sunday April 20, 27 CE]

Week 10-13

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 3:22-36

John 3:22 After these things Yeshua and his disciples left Yerushalayim, but stayed in the region of Yehudaea and mikveh-ed there.{1} 23Yochanan was also mikveh-ing in Aenon, near to Yerushalayim, because there was deep water there, and many were mikveh-ed. 24Before Yochanan was imprisoned, 25there arose a question between his disciples and the Pharisee leaders about the mikveh. 26The Prushim came to Yochanan and said, “Rabbi, he that was with you on the other side of the Yarden, to whom you bare witness, the majority of men are now going to him for the mikveh.”

27Yochanan answered, “A man receives only that which is given to him from Heaven. 28You yourselves heard my witness. I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I am sent before him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom rejoices greatly when he hears the voice of the bridegroom calling for his bride. This is how my greatest joy is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.

31He who came from Heaven is greater than all, but he who came from the earth is just earthly. I speak of the earth, but he who came from above is greater. 32He bears testimony of that which he has seen and heard, yet no man receives his testimony. 33Those who have received his testimony have fully endorsed him, declaring that his testimony of the Almighty is true. 34He whom YHVH has sent speaks the words of YHVH, and YHVH has given to him the Spirit without measure. 35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 36He who believes the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son{1} shall never see life, but the wrath of YHVH awaits him.”

{Jn 3:22.1} Yeshua did not mikveh in water, but his disciples performed this act of sanctification as is stated in John 4:1-2. As was prophesied, Yochanan ben Zecharyah would mikveh with water, but Yeshua would mikveh with the Ruach Kodesh and with fire. Yeshua’s disciples continued to mikveh with water throughout the book of the Acts and up to the present day. Yeshua is the only one who can mikveh with the Ruach Kodesh. He leaves the “earthly” work to his earthbound disciples.

{Jn 3:36.1} Yochanan refers to “The Prophet” we must “shema” (hear and obey) and judgment awaits those who do not believe and obey his words (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

< 45 > Yeshua travels north into the District of the Gentiles

Avoiding a premature confrontation with the Prushim, he leaves Judaea where his popularity is growing

Week 14

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 4:1-4

John 4:1 When Yeshua learned that the Prushim had heard he was making and mikveh-ing more disciples than Yochanan 2(though Yeshua himself did not mikveh, but his disciples did), 3he left Yehudaea and departed for the Galilee. 4His route required that he go through Samaria.

< 46 > Yeshua performs a miracle at the well near Sh’khem

Week 14

He reveals the entire life story of a gentile Samaritan woman and then reveals that he is the Messiah to a gentile. He stays with the believing gentiles for “two days.”

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 4:5-43

John 4:5 Yeshua came to the village of Sh’khem in Samaria near the parcel of ground that Yaakov gave to his son Yoseph, 6and Yaakov’s well was there. About the sixth hour, being weary from his journey, Yeshua sat by the well 8(while his disciples went into the village to buy food).

7A woman of Samaria came to draw water, and Yeshua said to her, “Give me a drink.” 9Then the Samaritan woman replied, “How is it that you, as a Yehudi, ask a woman of Samaria for a drink? The Yehudim have no dealings with the Samaritans.”{1} 10Yeshua answered her, “If you only understood what an incredible gift from Heaven this moment holds for you, and who it is that stands before you asking you for a drink, you would have, in return, asked a drink of me, and I would have given you the water of life.”

11The woman replied, “Sir, the well is deep, and you have nothing with which to draw, so where will you get this water? 12Are you greater than our father Yaakov, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, along with his children and flocks?” 13Yeshua answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14but everyone who drinks of the water that I shall give, shall never thirst. The water that I shall give shall be a well that springs up in him. That well of water is everlasting life.”

15The woman replied, “Sir, give me this water so that I will never thirst again or return to this well to draw.” 16Yeshua said to her, “Go, get your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered, “I have no husband.” Yeshua said to her, “You have correctly answered, ‘I have no husband’ 18because you have had five husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. In that you spoke the truth.”

19The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet! 20Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, but the Yehudim say that Yerushalayim is the place where men should worship.”{1} 21Yeshua replied, “Madam, believe me, the day is coming when they will not worship the Father in this mountain or in Yerushalayim. 22You gentile Samaritans worship, but you do not know him who is to be worshipped. We Yehudim know whom we worship, for salvation comes from the Yehudim. 23But the hour has now come when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such worship. 24YHVH is Spirit, and they who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, and when he comes, he will make all things plain.” 26Yeshua answered her, “I, the one who is speaking to you at this very moment, am he.”

27Just then his disciples returned, and they marveled that he talked with the woman, yet no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you speaking with her?” 28The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the village, and said to the men, 29“Come and see the man who told me everything that I ever did! Is this not the Messiah?” 30They immediately left the village and went to see Yeshua. 31During this time his disciples begged him, “Master, eat!” 32But he responded, “I have bread to eat of which you are completely unaware.” 33The disciples then said one to another, “Has any one brought him anything to eat?” 34Yeshua said to them, “My bread is to do the will of him that sent me and to accomplish his work. 35Would you not say that there are four months until the harvest? Look, I am telling you now, lift up your eyes and look upon the fields; they are already white and ready to harvest!{1} 36He that reaps will receive his wages, and will gather rewards for eternal life. There, both he that sows and he that reaps will rejoice together. 37This is the reality in which the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38I send you to reap that which you have not planted; others have planted, and now you are entering into their harvest.”

39Many of the Samaritans of that village believed in him because of the testimony of the woman who declared, “He told me everything that I ever did!” 40When the Samaritans arrived at the well, they begged him to stay with them, so he abode there two days. 41Many more believed because of Yeshua’s own words, 42and they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said but because we have heard him ourselves. We know truly that this is the Messiah, the redeemer of the world.” 43Now after two days, Yeshua departed from Sh’khem and went into the Galilee.{1}

{Jn 4:9.1} The Samaritans are gentiles who were transplanted into the land of Israel by the Emperor of Assyria to replace the Israelites who were carried away into captivity. These gentile transplants were afflicted by wild lions, so the Emperor thought that they were not in synchronization with the “gods of the land.” Shalmanezer brought back some of the “government-authorized” priests (not of the Levitical priesthood), who taught the Samaritans a politically correct version of the Torah, which documented as its tenth commandment, “Thou shalt worship on Mount Gerizim.” This “new age” government-authorized version of the Torah was used to manipulate and control the growing gentile population of northern Israel by their hybrid system of religion, but it deliberately separated them from the Jewish population and religious system in the south (II Kings 17:24-31).

{Jn 4:20.1} This gentile Samaritan woman accurately recognized that the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. This is true even to the present day. She also rightfully acknowledged that Yeshua was a prophet when she witnessed the miracle of him revealing her entire life story with Divine accuracy. She immediately asked him to solve a theological dilemma that had plagued her and the entire Samaritan community. She was fully cognizant of the teaching of the Jews that mount Moreh-Yah, the mountain where YHVH will be our moreh or “teacher,” is the place where the Almighty commanded that He should be worshipped and the place where the Feasts of YHVH were to be carried out. Being raised in Sh’khem, this woman knew that the Samaritan Torah commanded them to worship only on Mount Gerizim. When she heard Yeshua’s cryptic answer to her practical question, she responded with the traditional statement that closes all unresolved arguments on scriptural matters – “When the Messiah comes, he will clarify all these things.” Luke 17:11-18 also verifies that the Samaritans are gentiles <event 151>.

{Jn 4:35.1}The Hebrew agricultural term afil refers to immature grain, the stalks and leaves of which are “dark” (Exodus 9:32), while barley grain that has reached the stage of aviv is both “light in color” and “ready for the harvest.” Yeshua, looking back over the shoulders of his disciples coming from the city, saw thousands of Samaritans walking toward him with their white jalabeas blowing in the breeze. With excitement pounding in his heart and with a lump in his throat, he knew that the time of the harvest of the gentiles was now at hand and not in the distant future. His mission to serve the bread of life far outweighed his desire to eat the temporal bread that his disciples had procured from the Samaritan village.

{Jn 4:43.1}This incident is the first and only time Yeshua openly declared that he is the Messiah, and it was to the gentile Samaritans. These Samaritans were, as Paul put it, “estranged from the commonwealth of Israel, without YHVH and without hope in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Yeshua then spent two days with those gentile believers. It is repeated twice, in verses 40 and 43, that he remained with the Samaritan gentiles for “two days.” This prophetic picture of the time of the gentiles is also depicted in Leviticus 23:22, which stands between the fulfillment of the Spring Feasts of YHVH, which depict Messiah as the Suffering Servant, and the fulfillment of the Fall Feasts of YHVH, which depict the Messiah as the Conquering King. Just as David the prophet stated, and has been enjoined by every sage and prophet since his day, “A day with YHVH is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day.” The time of the gentiles, the 2,000 year duration between the fulfillment of the Spring Feasts and the fulfillment of the Fall Feasts, is when the blindness “in part” that happened to Israel is accompanied by the opening of the eyes of the gentiles so that they can be properly grafted into the root of Israel and, hopefully, by bearing good fruit, they too will not be “cut off” as some of Israel was because of unbelief and blatant disobedience of the Torah.

< 47 > Yeshua returns to Cana of Galilee

He heals a nobleman’s son from Kfar Nahum, which is Yeshua’s second miracle since leaving Judaea after Passover

Week 14

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 4:44-54

John 4:44 Yeshua testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country, 45yet when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Yerushalayim during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 46So when Yeshua returned to Cana of Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine, there came a certain nobleman of Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) whose son was gravely ill. 47When he heard that Yeshua had come out of Yehudaea and was in the Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48Yeshua said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” 49The nobleman cried, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50Yeshua said, “Go your way – your son lives.” The man believed the word that Yeshua spoke to him and he went his way. 51As the nobleman was going down to Kfar Nahum, his servants met him and reported, “Your son lives!” 52He inquired of them what hour he began to mend. They said, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53The father knew that it was at the same hour, in which Yeshua said to him, “Your son lives.” The nobleman believed, along with his entire household. 54This is the second miracle that Yeshua did when he came out of Yehudaea to go into Galilee.{1}

{Jn 4:54.1} The first miracle Yeshua did after he came out of Judaea is recorded in John 4:16-19 and is acknowledged in verse 29, when he told the gentile Samaritan woman everything that she ever did. This first miracle opened the door for the gentile Samaritans to believe in him as the Messiah. The second miracle that Yeshua did after he came out of Yehudaea where he was mikveh-ing after the Feast of Unleavened Bread is recorded in John 4:50, and is acknowledged in verse 53. Yeshua had done his very first miracle in Cana of Galilee, and did more miracles during the Feast of Unleavened Bread which Nicodemus alluded to in John 3:2. Yet, as verse 54 indicates, this is the second miracle that Yeshua did after he came out of Yehudaea, when he avoided a premature confrontation with the Pharisee leaders because they all recognized that he was now mikveh-ing more disciples than his predecessor Yochanan, who also gave much grief to the Pharisees.

< 48 > Yeshua leaves for Shavuot

Yeshua leaves the Galilee and arrives at Jerusalem for the Feast of “Pentecost” before the week-long festivities begin

Week 15 — Day 99

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 5:1

John 5:1 After Yeshua healed the nobleman’s son in the Galilee, the Feast of Shavuot was approaching, and Yeshua went up to Yerushalayim.{1}

{Jn 5:1.1}In the “king james” version, the Greek text of John was rendered, “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” It must first be noted that no one remotely familiar with the Hebrew culture in first century Israel would ever casually refer to one of the Feasts of YHVH as “a feast of the Jews.” Yochanan, the Jewish author, would have named the Feast, and every Israelite would have known that the only Feast that occurs at this time of year is the Feast of Shavuot. The Greek translators, however, being completely unfamiliar with the prophetic significance of this Feast, and having nothing remotely associated to it in their culture, simply classified the divinely appointed Feast of Shavuot as an insignificant “feast of the Jews.” It must further be noted that the British refused to follow their own rules of capitalization and further minimalized the Feasts of YHVH by refusing to capitalize the proper noun, “Passover,” or even “Sabbath.” However, they did painstakingly capitalize both “Satan” (Mark 1:13) and the name of the Babylonian fertility goddess Easter (Acts 12:4) which does not even appear in the Greek text, but replaced the word <pasca> pasca – Passover in the original text of the Acts.

< 49 > Yeshua heals a lame man on the 7th Sabbath

[Shabbat – 7th Sabbath of the counting of the omer,

6th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; May 31, 27 CE]

Week 15 — Day 105

Yeshua heals a lame man at the Pool of Bethesda the day before the Feast of Shavuot and then tells him to break the Prushim law of the eruv in the presence of thousands

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 5:2-15

John 5:2 By the sheep market at Yerushalayim there was a pool named Beit Chessed – the house of mercy [Bethesda], which had five porches 3in which there lay a great multitude of infirm folk, blind, lame, and withered, who all waited for the stirring of the water.{1} 5And there was a certain man, which had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6When Yeshua saw him lying there, and knew that he had been infirm a long time, he said to him, “Do you desire to be made whole?” 7The man answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, but while I am descending, another steps down in front of me.” 8Yeshua replied, “Rise! Roll up your bed and walk.” 9Immediately the man was made whole, and he rolled up his bed and walked, and it was on the Sabbath day. 10The Pharisee leaders chastised the man that was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”{1} 11He answered them, “He that made me whole said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12Then they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed, and walk?’” 13But the one who was healed did not know who it was, and Yeshua had disappeared into the multitude gathered there. 14Afterward Yeshua found him in the Temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are now whole. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.” 15The man departed, and told the religious leaders that it was Yeshua, which had made him whole.

{Jn 5:4.1} Omit verse 4: 4“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

The explanatory statement contained in verse 4 is not in any of the early texts of John. It was added in later centuries by copyists attempting to explain the moving of the water. However late the addition was, it was also inaccurate. The pool at Bethesda exists to this day and it still bubbles up on occasion. In the Second Temple period there was a tradition – Jewish folklore – that whoever entered the pool at the time that the water was stirred would be healed. The stirring of the water was a natural and recurring event, and had nothing to do with either healing or an angelic visitation. It is the same vein of Jewish folklore that surrounds the cave of Elijah to this day where young Jewish women crowd into the cave, light candles, and pray for Elijah to find them a husband and bring them healthy children. Just like the pool at Bethesda, there is no evidence that jumping into the water at a certain time, lighting candles to Elijah, or praying at the grave of the Rambam brings about a miracle. The entire verse from the King James is included here for your understanding.

{Jn 5:10.1} The “bed” in question was a lightweight bamboo or woven palm frond mat that weighed less than a grapefruit, and there is absolutely no Biblical prohibition concerning the carrying of such a mat on the Sabbath. When Yeshua commanded the lame man to pick up his bamboo mat and walk, he was commanding this man to violate rabbinic law, thereby demonstrating that no man is authorized to add to or subtract from the commandments in the Torah (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). For over 300 years the Pharisees had been developing their religious system that consisted of thousands of additional rules and regulations to which their followers must subscribe. The Pharisees claim that they were authorized by Moses to make takanot, which are, by their definition, “laws that change Biblical law.” Hundreds of these rules govern what one is permitted and not permitted to do on the Sabbath day.

One of these rules is the distance one is allowed to walk on the Sabbath day, which is legally defined by the Pharisees as “a Sabbath day’s journey.” According to Pharisee law, one was not permitted to carry anything outside of his home on the Sabbath day, and even then, he must not travel more than a Sabbath day’s journey. However, to circumvent their own man-made law, the Pharisees ruled that you could take some of your household possessions and place them one or more Sabbath day’s journey away from your dwelling the day before the Sabbath. Then, on the Sabbath day, you could carry anything that you desired to where you had placed the last article – that was your eruv. A Pharisee could extend his “house” almost indefinitely by simply making preparations a day earlier by placing the eruv (Talmud, Shabbat 6a, 8b). The Pharisees chastised the man who was lame the previous day for carrying the same burden that they could carry with impunity, but because of his infirmity he was unable to go through the “proper” rabbinic protocols that would have allowed him to do the same. The Sabbath day’s journey and the burden carrying protocol are translated into the modern-day rabbinic law concerning the eruv, which consists of a thin metal wire stretched on high poles around any parcel of land that defines the modern-day “house,” which the Pharisee is allowed to consider his perimeter for a Sabbath day’s journey. It can now encompass many miles.

< 50 > Yeshua Teaches in the Temple at the Feast of Shavuot

[Shavuot - 7th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; June 1, 27 CE]

Week 16 — Day 106

Matthew — Mark — Luke 3:19-20 — John 5:16-47

Luke 3:19 Herod the tetrarch, having been reproved by Yochanan for taking Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for other evils which Herod had done, 20then, added this infraction on top of everything else, he shut up Yochanan in prison.{1}

{Lk 3:20.1} Luke’s comment concerning the imprisonment of Yochanan is a parenthetical phrase that describes what eventually happened to Yochanan, but it is stated in Luke’s account before Yeshua was even mikveh-ed by Yochanan. Though his imprisonment may have occurred a few weeks earlier, this statement is inserted into the Gospel chronology before Yeshua’s address to the multitudes at the Feast of Shavuot because it is here, in verse 35, that Yeshua states, “Yochanan was a burning and shining light, and you were willing to rejoice in his light for a season.” Yeshua and Yochanan were both mikvehing in the same area of Judaea immediately after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Yeshua, then understanding that the Pharisees had taken notice of his ascendancy, left Judaea and went up into the Galilee. When Yeshua returned for the Feast of Shavuot a few weeks later, he learned that Yochanan had been arrested and was now imprisoned in Herod’s dungeon. This is the reason why Yeshua spoke of Yochanan in the past tense. Yochanan was still alive, and would not be executed until just before the Feast of Trumpets. Yeshua was brought word of the tragedy by Yochanan’s disciples on the day Yeshua fed the five thousand, which was three days before Yom Teruah at the end of the summer. See event <100>.

John 5:16 Because Yeshua healed the lame man on the Sabbath and ordered him to break their invented law of the eruv, the Prushim persecuted Yeshua, and sought to slay him. 17But Yeshua answered them, “My Father works on the Sabbath, and so do I.” 18Therefore the religious leaders sought even more earnestly to kill him, because he not only had broken their Sabbath rules, but he also said that YHVH was his Father, making himself equal with YHVH.

19Then Yeshua answered them, “TRUTH I say to you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does what he sees the Father do. Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20The Father loves the Son and shows him everything he wants done. He will show him even greater works than these, so that you may marvel. 21Just as the Father raised the dead and quickened them, even so the Son quickens all whom he will. 22The Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son. 23This is why all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that refuses to honor the Son, dishonors the Father who sent him. 24TRUTH, I say to you, he that hears my word and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life. He shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life. 25TRUTH, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of YHVH and they shall live. 26Just as the Father has life in himself, so he has given the Son the power of life, 27and has also given him sole authority to execute judgment because he is also the Son of Man.{1} 28I recognize that this reality is far beyond your capacity to grasp, but the hour is coming in which all those who are in the graves shall hear my voice 29and shall come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation.{1} 30Of myself I can do nothing. As I hear, I judge. My judgment is just because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me.”

31“If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not sufficient.{1} 32However, there is another that bore witness of me, and I know that his witness of me is true. 33You sent emissaries to Yochanan, and he bore a true witness of me. 34And even though I did not receive my witness from man, I am telling you these things so that you might be fully informed. 35Yochanan was a burning and shining light, and you were willing to rejoice in his light for a season.{1} 36But I have even a greater witness than that of Yochanan – the works which the Father has given me to accomplish. The works that I do bear witness that the Father has sent me. 37The Father who sent me has already borne witness of me, but you have never heard his voice, nor have you seen his image. 38The one he has sent, you refuse to believe. Why? Because his word does not live in you. 39Search the Scriptures. In them you think you have eternal life, but it is they which testify of me. 40But you will not come to me so that you might have life.”

41“You dishonor me. 42But I know you, and you do not have the love of the Father in you. 43I have come in my Father’s name, and you reject me, yet another will come in his own name, and you will receive him. 44How can you possibly believe? You honor each other, but you are oblivious to true honor that comes from YHVH alone! 45Do not think that I need to accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is the one in whom you trust – Moses! 46If you had believed Moses, you would now believe me, because he wrote of me. 47But because you do not believe his writings, you can not believe my words.”

{Jn 5:27.1} “The Most High is not a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should change his mind” (Numbers 23:19). “He cannot be tempted with sin, nor does he tempt any man” (James 1:13). “Yeshua was in all points tempted, just as we are, yet he remained without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). All mankind will be judged by a peer – the Son of Man – the Messiah. Because he was the son of man, he could experience all the temptations that are common to man, could overcome them, and can now judge man as a peer. The Son of YHVH could do only what he saw his father do, and was constrained by the nature of his heavenly Father to do the will of his Father in every given circumstance with which he was confronted, and therefore his judgment will be uncontaminated by either the will of men or their lame excuses.

{Jn 5:29.1} 1 Thessalonians 1:9

{Jn 5:31.1} “…at the mouth of two witnesses…shall the matter be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15).

{Jn 5:35.1} Yeshua is in Jerusalem on the High Day of the Feast of Shavuot, the day after he healed the lame man on the seventh Sabbath of the Counting of the Omer. Here he publicly recognizes Yochanan ben Zecharyah, the Immerser, in the past tense: “Yochanan was” and “you were.” Yochanan’s testimony concerning him was heard by the very Pharisees who are now plotting to kill Yeshua. Yochanan’s testimony is repeated and again dismissed by the ruling members of the Sanhedrin.

< 51 > Summary: Yeshua returns to the Galilee immediately after the Feast of Shavuot

when he learned that Yochanan has been imprisoned by Herod

This is Luke’s fifth summary statement

[8th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; June 2, 27 CE]

Week 16 — Day 107

Yeshua teaches in the synagogues for the first time during his ministry.

Matthew 4:12 — Mark 1:14a — Luke 4:14-15 — John

Matthew 4:12 Now when Yeshua heard that Yochanan was cast into prison, he departed into the Galilee.

Mark 1:14 Now after Yochanan was put in prison, Yeshua came into the Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of YHVH.

Luke 4:14 Yeshua returned in the power of the Spirit into the Galilee. His fame spread through all the region round about, 15and he was greatly praised as he taught in their synagogues.

IV. Shavuot to Yom Teruah 4027 (Summer 27 CE)

< 52 > Yeshua proclaims “The Acceptable Year of YHVH”

and violates Pharisee law in the Nazareth synagogue

[Shabbat - 13th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; June 7, 27 CE]

Week 16 — Day 112

Matthew — Mark — Luke 4:16-30 — John

Luke 4:16 Yeshua came to Natzeret where he had been brought up and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read, 17the scroll of the prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) was delivered to him. When he opened the scroll, he found the place where it was written, and he read: 18“The Spirit of Adonai YHVH is upon me, because YHVH has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives ‘and recovering of sight to the blind,’ to set at liberty those who are bound, 19to preach the acceptable year of YHVH.”{1} 20He closed the scroll, gave it back to the rabbi, and sat down.{1} Every eye in the synagogue was riveted on him. 21He began, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

22All who witnessed this incident marveled at the profound words which came out of his mouth, but they questioned, “Is not this Yoseph’s son?” 23Yeshua then said to them, “You will surely speak the saying to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ and ‘Do in your own community what we have heard you have done in Kfar Nahum.’”{1} 24He continued, “Truth I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own community. 25I will also tell you another truth – there were many widows in Israel during the days of Eliyahu, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months and there was a great famine throughout all the land. 26But to none of them was Eliyahu sent, except to Sarepta, a city of Zidon, unto a gentile widow woman. 27There were also many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha{1} the prophet, and yet none of them were cleansed except a gentile, Naaman, a Syrian.”

28When they heard these things, everyone in the synagogue was filled with wrath. 29They rose up, forced him out of the city, and took him to the cliff of the hill upon which their city was built so that they might cast him down head first. 30But he passed right through the midst of them and went his way.

{Lk 4:19.1} This event occurred on the first Sabbath after Shavuot. One year later, on the Feast of Shavuot, the Messiah will mikveh his followers with the Ruach Kodesh. This pronouncement of “the acceptable year of YHVH” and the Passover lamb being a one year old male are two of the most ignored prophetic statements in the history of Christendom because of the inherited heresy of Eusebius who fictionalized a three-and-one-half-year ministry. Eusebian replacement theologians attempted to turn Yeshua’s proclamation into a declaration of a Jubilee year, but even a novice can see that there are four months until the time a Jubilee year is announced at Yom Kippur – and they are years away from any possible reckoning of a Jubilee for the nation of Israel. Yeshua accurately proclaimed the final “one year” countdown in which the Spring Feasts of the YHVH would be fulfilled.

{Lk 4:20.1} Isaiah 61:1-2a; Yeshua also violated the synagogue “three verse rule” which caused a shocked silence. According to rabbinic law, one may read any portion of the Torah or the Prophets in the service, but they must read a full section – which is now interpreted as at least three verses (Talmud; Ta’anith 27:4). Yeshua stopped cold in the middle of the second sentence and sat down (there were no chapter markings until 1250 CE or verse markings until 1550 CE). If he had read the second part of the statement, he could not have proclaimed: “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears!” He did not come the first time as the reigning king who wields the sword in “the day of vengeance of our God.”

{Lk 4:23.1} John 4:46-54

{Lk 4:27.1} The King James translators rendered the name of the prophet Elisha, meaning “salvation is of Elohim,” as Eliseus, “Zeus is Elohim.”

< 53 > Yeshua moves from Natzeret

to his new home base in Kfar Nahum

[14th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; Sunday June 8, 27 CE]

Week 17 — Day 113

Matthew 4:13-16 — Mark — Luke 4:31a — John

Luke 4:31a And Yeshua moved down to Kfar Nahum, a village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew 4:13 Yeshua left Natzeret, and came and dwelt in Kfar Nahum, which borders the sea of Galilee in the land of Zevulun and Naphtali. 14Thus it was fulfilled which was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, 15“In the land of Zevulun and Naphtali, beyond the way of the sea and the Yarden, in the region (Galilee) of the Gentiles, 16the people which sat in darkness saw a great light, and to those in the region who sat under the shadow of death, a light is sprung up.”{1}

{Mt 4:16.1} Isaiah 9:1-2

< 54 > King Yeshua begins to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven

throughout the Galilee from his home base in Kfar Nahum

Week 17

Matthew 4:17 — Mark 1:14b-15 — Luke — John

Mark 1:14 Yeshua preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of YHVH, 15saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of YHVH is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.”

Matthew 4:17 From that time Yeshua began to preach, “Repent! The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”

< 55 > Yeshua invites four fishermen to join him for the Sabbath

[19th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; Friday June 13, 27 CE]

Week 17 — Day 118

Matthew 4:18-22 — Mark 1:16-20 — Luke — John

Matthew 4:18 As Yeshua was walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Shimon (whom he called Kefa) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea. They were fishermen. 19Yeshua called out to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21Continuing on down the shore, he saw two more brothers, Yaakov and Yochanan, sons of Zebedee. They were mending their nets in a boat with their father when Yeshua called them. 22They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Mark 1:16 As Yeshua walked along the sea of Galilee, he saw Shimon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17Yeshua said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” 18Straightway they forsook their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little further, he saw Yaakov ben Zebedee and Yochanan his brother who were in a boat mending their nets. 20Immediately Yeshua called them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and they followed him.

< 56 > Yeshua heals a demon possessed man

on Shabbat in the Kfar Nahum synagogue

[Shabbat - 20th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; Saturday June 14, 27 CE]

Week 17 — Day 119

Matthew — Mark 1:21-28 — Luke 4:31-37 — John

Mark 1:21 Yeshua and the four fishermen went into Kfar Nahum, and straightway on the Sabbath day they entered into the synagogue, and Yeshua taught. 22Everyone was astonished at his message because he taught them with authority, and not as the sages. 23There was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit who cried out, 24“Leave us alone! What have we to do with you, Yeshua of Natzeret? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are the Holy One of YHVH!” 25Yeshua rebuked him, “Silence! Come out of him!” 26When the unclean spirit had thrashed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and questioned among themselves, “What was that all about? What new revelation is this? He commands unclean spirits, and even they must obey his authority.” 28This incident caused his fame to immediately spread throughout all the region around the Galilee.

Luke 4:31 Yeshua came down to Kfar Nahum, a village of the lower Galilee, and he taught them on the Sabbath days. 32They were astonished at his doctrine, and his speech was with authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34“Leave us alone! What have we to do with you, Yeshua of Natzeret? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! The Holy One of YHVH!” 35Yeshua rebuked him, “Hold your peace! Come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and did not hurt him. 36They were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, “What a word! With authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37Because of this, his fame spread into every corner of the country round about the Galilee.

< 57 > Yeshua heals Shimon Kefa’s mother-in-law

after the Synagogue Shabbat Service

[Shabbat - 20th Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; June 14, 27 CE ]

Week 17 — Day 119

Matthew 8:14-15 — Mark 1:29-31 — Luke 4:38-39 — John

Matthew 8:14 When Yeshua entered into Kefa’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying down, being sick of a fever. 15Yeshua touched her hand and the fever left her. She arose and ministered to them.

Mark 1:29 When they came out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Shimon and Andrew, along with Yaakov and Yochanan. 30But Shimon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and immediately they told him of her situation. 31He took her by the hand and lifted her up. Immediately the fever left her and she ministered to them.

Luke 4:38 Yeshua left the synagogue and entered into Shimon’s house. Shimon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever, and they entreated him on her behalf. 39So, he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She immediately arose and ministered to them.

< 58 > Yeshua healed many after sunset

as they left their places after Shabbat

[21st Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; Saturday evening, June 14, 27 CE]

Week 18 — Day 120

Matthew 8:16-17 — Mark 1:32-34 — Luke 4:40-41 — John

Matthew 8:16 When the evening came, they brought to him many who were possessed with demons, and he cast out the spirits with his word and healed all that were sick. 17Thus it was fulfilled which was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, “He took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.”{1}

{Mt 8:17.1} Isaiah 53:4

Mark 1:32 That evening, when the sun set, they brought to him all that were diseased and possessed with demons. 33The entire village was gathered together at the door, 34and he healed many that were sick of various diseases, and cast out many demons (but he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him).

Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had acquaintances who were sick with various diseases brought them to Yeshua, who laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41Demons also came out of many, crying out, “You are Messiah! The Son of YHVH!” He rebuked them and did not allow them to speak further because they knew that he was Messiah.

< 59 > Yeshua departs from Kfar Nahum

The fishermen refuse to follow him on his first itinerary

[21st Day of the 3rd Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, June 15, 27 CE]

Week 18 — Day 120

Matthew — Mark 1:35-38 — Luke 4:42-43 — John

Mark 1:35 In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he left Kfar Nahum and departed into a solitary place; and there he prayed. 36Shimon, and those with him, followed after Yeshua. 37When they found him, they said, “Everyone wants you!” 38But Yeshua replied, “Come! Let us go into the other villages so that I can preach there also. This is the reason I was sent.”{1}

Luke 4:42 When it was day he departed and went into a deserted place, but the people searched until they found him. They held him fast and pleaded that he would not depart from them. 43But he said to them, “I must preach the Kingdom of YHVH in other villages also. This is the reason I was sent.”

{Mk 1:38.1} Though Yeshua invited the fishermen to accompany him on his teaching itinerary around the Galilee, they went back to their fishing business. Yeshua will return in 3 weeks to make another invitation (event <61>).

< 60 > Yeshua preaches in synagogues throughout the Galilee

Great multitudes respond to his ministry

Week 18-20

Matthew 4:23-35 — Mark 1:39 — Luke 4:44 — John

Matthew 4:23 Yeshua went around all the Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. He healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24His fame also spread throughout all Syria. They brought to him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those who were possessed with demons, and those who were lunatics, and those that had the palsy. He healed them all. 25Great multitudes from the Galilee, and from the Decapolis, and from Yerushalayim, and from Yehudaea, and from beyond the Yarden followed him.

Mark 1:39 Yeshua preached in their synagogues throughout all the Galilee, and cast out demons.

Luke 4:44 Yeshua preached in the synagogues of the Galilee.

< 61 > Yeshua returns to the Kinneret

After teaching from Kefa’s fishing boat and the “miracle catch” the four disciples forsake the fishing business and follow him

Week 21

Matthew — Mark — Luke 5:1-11 — John

Luke 5:1 It came to pass, as the people pressed on Yeshua to hear the word of YHVH, he stood by the lake of Ginasaur.{1} 2He saw two boats standing by the lake shore, but the fishermen had left them and were mending their nets.{1} 3He climbed into one of the boats, which was Shimon’s, and asked him to push out a little way from the land. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4When he finished speaking, he said to Shimon, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets{1} for a haul.” 5Shimon retorted, “Master, we have toiled all night and have taken nothing – nevertheless, since you insist, I will let down a net.” 6When they had done so, they enclosed a great multitude of fish and broke their nets. 7They motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. When they came, they filled both boats and they began to sink. 8When Shimon Kefa saw this, he fell at Yeshua’s feet and cried, “Depart from me! Master, I am a sinful man!” 9Kefa and all that were with him were astonished at the haul of fish which they had taken, 10and so were Yaakov and Yochanan, the sons of Zebedee, who were Shimon’s partners. Yeshua replied to Shimon, “Fear not! From now on you will catch men.” 11When they brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed him.{1}

{Lk 5:1.1} The lake of Ginasaur is also called the Sea of the Galilee, the Sea of Tiverias, the Sea of the coast, and the Kinneret or “Harp Lake.” The village of Ginasaur and the city of Tiverias is on the shore of the lowest freshwater lake on planet earth (220m below sea level) which is in the shape of a kinnor – a twenty-two stringed harp played in the Temple service.

{Lk 5:2.1} When Yeshua first called the fishermen, two of them were still fishing and the other two were in their boat mending their nets (event <55>). A few weeks later, when he returns to the shore of the Kinneret, they are all out of their beached boats mending their nets. These two incidents set up the scene where the fishermen finally forsake their family business and follow Yeshua full time from this point on.

{Lk 5:4.1} Yeshua tells Kefa to let down his nets (plural), and yet he lets down only a net (singular) in remonstration of Yeshua’s seemingly ignorant order to fish during the daytime. After the net-breaking load, Kefa confesses his sins: first, that he did not follow Yeshua when he was invited to do so a few weeks before (probably citing the need to provide for his family) and second, that he responded with minimal effort and no belief in the words of Yeshua when instructed to let down his nets.

{Lk 5:11.1} The fishermen were invited to go with Yeshua on this itinerary but stayed behind to work. After the harvest of fish, they had the means to take care of their families and followed Yeshua.

< 62 > The first “Sermon on the Mount” Yeshua proclaims “the rules of the Kingdom”

to the disciples who climb the mountain to hear in direct opposition to the rules of the Pharisees

Week 21

Matthew 5:1-7:29 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 5:1 Seeing the multitudes, Yeshua went up into a mountain. When he was set, his disciples came unto him, 2and he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3“Blessed are the humble, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the teachable, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for their hunger shall be satisfied. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see YHVH. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of YHVH. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall the earth be salted? The salt is then good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Men do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

17“Do not think that I have come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”{1} 18Truth I say to you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Torah till all be fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments in the Torah, and shall teach men to do so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven! But, whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the sages and Prushim, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”{1}

{Mt 5:17.1} In Shem Tov’s personal comments in the ancient Hebrew Matthew concerning the double negative, “Think not that I have come to destroy…I have not come to destroy,” he writes, “In all these words, not to add a word to the words of the Torah nor to subtract any.” His comment includes the double negative found in Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it…,” which are the same two prohibitions closing the Book of the Revelation. Even this Jewish physician in Spain understood that Yeshua did not violate, nor did he teach others to violate the Torah. In fact, this was Shem Tov’s defense to the Catholic Bishops who were persecuting the Jews in Spain.

{Mt 5:20.1} The Scribes and Pharisees taught that “You can be forgiven if you break the commandments of the Almighty, but anyone who deliberately violates the takanot of the Pharisees will not see the world to come.” Yeshua turns their own pronouncement upon them, declaring to all present that the true standard of righteousness in the kingdom will not permit the Scribes and Pharisees to “see the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said by the sages and Prushim of old time, ‘Thou shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.’ 22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment! Whoever shall say to his brother, ‘You empty-headed ignoramus!’{1} shall be bound for punishment by the judges. And whoever shall say to his brother, ‘You godless moron!’ shall be bound for punishment in the fires of the Hinnom.{1} 23Therefore, if you bring a gift to the altar, and then remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift before the altar and go your way. First, reconcile with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25Agree with your accuser quickly, while you are in the way with him, lest the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you are cast into prison. 26Truth I say to you, you shall by no means come out of there until you have paid the last penny.”

{Mt 5:22.1} rhaka – from Aramaic: empty headed simpleton

{Mt 5:22.2} moron <mwroj> a godless fool. The Scribes and Pharisees, whom Yeshua already said “will not see the kingdom of heaven” pronounced vindictive judgments and derided those who refused to submit to their rules and authority. They insulted them with derogatory slurs which insulted their spirituality and intelligence. They called everyone outside their cult “am ha aretz,” literally “people of the land,” a term of derision applied scornfully to the masses who were uneducated in the takanot (man-made laws) of the Pharisees, or refused to submit to their authority. In contrast to the slurs “rhaka,” “godless fool,” and “am ha aretz,” the Pharisees referred to their students as “talmidea chachamim” – or “wise students.”

Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said by the sages and Prushim of old time, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’{1} 28But I say to you, that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if your right hand offend you, cut it off, and cast it from you; for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.”

{Mt 5:27.1} The Pharisees taught, and it was common knowledge among Yeshua’s hearers, that in order to avoid adultery, you must divorce your wife before taking up with another woman. They then made landmark rulings concerning grounds for divorce: (1) If you find a woman more beautiful than your wife, you may divorce your wife and marry the more attractive woman, and (2) If your wife burns your dinner, you may divorce her (Talmud; Gittin 90a). Yeshua clarifies the real issue: “You have already committed adultery in your heart” – in other words, you cannot cover your adultery by initiating a divorce on illegitimate grounds. Yeshua also repeats this principle in the incident recorded in Mark 10:11-12 in which either party who initiates a divorce in order to marry another is in fact committing adultery – and the one whom they are marrying is committing adultery with them. The legal term for this should be “Premeditated Remarriage.”

Matthew 5:31 “It has been said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a get.’{1} 32But I say to you that whoever shall put away his wife, except for the case of adultery (an ervah matter){1} causes her to commit adultery;{2} and whoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.”{3}

{Mt 5:31.1} A “get” is a formal divorce decree that must be presented to a wife by her husband regardless of which party initiates the divorce. In short, a get states, “You are hereby permitted unto all men.” The woman is then single. Another Pharisee ruling concerning grounds for divorce: If your wife burns a meal, you may divorce your wife (Talmud; Gittin 90a).

{Mt 5:32.1} Yeshua clarifies the grounds for one person divorcing his or her mate: the case of an ervah matter. Leviticus 18:1-30 and 20:10-23 detail those things that are toavah (abominations KJV) which are the depths of sexual perversion, and ervah matters (translated as “nakedness” KJV) which are forbidden sexual activities. Yeshua is properly interpreting the Torah concerning the grounds upon which a man may legitimately give his wife a bill of divorcement without her consent: “Because he hath found some uncleanness (ervah matter) in her” and is authorized to put her away for such without her consent.

The Torah authorized a mutual divorce, which must be initiated by the husband on their behalf, which Yeshua recognizes “for hardness of heart” as recorded in Mark 10:2-9. The Torah is very clear in this matter, and Yeshua would in no way nullify the instructions of the Almighty given through Moses: When a man and woman divorce for hardness of heart, they are no longer married; they are single and as such are free to marry anyone – even each other. One stipulation remains: if the woman re-marries and she is later divorced from her subsequent husband, or he dies, her former husband may not marry her a second time (Deut. 24:1-4). A cohen, a priest of Israel who serves in the Temple, may never marry a divorced woman (Lev. 21:7).

{Mt 5:32.2} In context, the phrase “…causes her to commit adultery” means that if a man puts away his wife illegitimately – not giving her a get – if she later commits adultery (because she is still legally married), her husband who refused to give her a get is the cause of her adultery and he will bear the responsibility for her actions. This cannot be construed to say that a man who divorces his wife on illegitimate grounds (she burns his meal or he finds a more beautiful woman) causes her (even if she remains celibate) to be an adulteress. She is only an adulteress if she commits adultery after being illegitimately put away by her husband – yet her husband, who put her away without a get, is culpable if she commits adultery. He is, in the eyes of Heaven, the cause of her adultery.

{Mt 5:32.3} The instruction, “whoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery” is reiterated in Mark 10:11-12 which states that if the woman initiates the divorce in order to marry another, she is, in fact, committing adultery – again the prohibition is against Premeditated Remarriage by either party.

Matthew 5:33 “Again, you have heard that it has been said by the sages and Prushim of old time, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform the oaths you make to YHVH.’{1} 34But I say to you, do not swear falsely at all.{1} Not by heaven; for it is YHVH’s throne; 35 nor by the earth; for it is his footstool; neither by Yerushalayim, for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be ‘yes means yes, and no means no.’ Anything other than that is wickedness.”

{Mt 5:33.1} We are, by Divine commandment, to make our oaths by swearing in the name of YHVH (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20; Numbers 30:2). This is the only oath that is authorized by the Almighty, and the oath repeated throughout the history of Israel.

{Mt 5:34.1} The Pharisees circumvented the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:13, “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name” and negated their responsibility to speak the truth by swearing by any number of things that sounded holy while secretly claiming that they were under no obligation to honor (See Matthew 23:16-22). In Leviticus 19:12 the Torah specifically warns, “Ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy Elohim: I am YHVH.” Yeshua extrapolates on this commandment and states that we are not to swear falsely by anything! The ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew clearly has the word “falsely” accurately maintained, but the modern Greek texts have omitted it – probably because gentile copyists were not familiar with the text or commandments in the Torah that Yeshua exclaimed “will not pass away.” Yeshua is actually proclaiming the veracity of the eternal Torah with every denouncement of Pharisee takanot and their modern day equivalents found in every man-made religion on the planet.

Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that it has been said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, that you do not demand recompense for evil done against you. But whoever smites you on your right cheek, turn to him the left. 40If any man sues you in court and takes away your coat, give him the shirt off your back. 41Whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two. 42Give to him that asks you, and do not turn away from him that would borrow from you.”

43“You have heard the saying, ‘love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. 45Then you will truly be the children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the publicans do the same? 47If you joyfully receive only your brothers, what great deed is that? Do not even the publicans do so? 48Strive for perfection, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not give a donation to the poor in front of men in order to be seen of them, otherwise you have no reward of your Father who is in heaven. 2So, when you give a donation, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truth I say to you, they have their reward. 3But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4so that your giving may be done in secret. Then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 5When you pray, you will not be as the hypocrites who love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen of men. Truth I say to you, they have their reward! 6But when you pray, enter into your closet and shut the door. Pray to your Father in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly. 7And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen. They think that they will be heard because of their incessant chatter. 8Do not be like them. Your Father knows what things you need before you ask. 9Therefore, pray in this pattern:

Our Father in heaven.

We sanctify your Holy name.

10May your kingdom come.

May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us our daily bread.

12Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13Do not lead us into the hands of a test, but deliver us from peril.

Amen.”{1}

{Mt 6:13.1} The doxology, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever,” is not in any of the early Greek texts or in the ancient Hebrew Matthew, nor does it appear in the pattern of the prayer taught to another group of disciples seven months later in event <141>.

Matthew 6:14 “If you forgive men their trespasses against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, your Father will not forgive your trespasses. When you fast, do not be as the hypocrites who put on a sad face. They feign a tortured expression so that they may appear to men to be fasting. I say to you, truth, they have already received their reward. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18so that you do not appear to men to fast, but to your Father, who is in the secret place. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.”

19“Do not lay up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal. 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not break in or steal. 21Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22The light of your life is your perspective.{1} Therefore, if your perspective is positive, your whole life will be full of light! 23But if your perspective is negative, your whole life will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other – or hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve YHVH and serve your material possessions. 25That is why I say to you, do not be anxious over the things in your life – what you shall eat, or what you shall drink. Do not be overly concerned for your body – what you shall put on. Is not your life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Behold the fowls of the air – they do not sow nor reap, nor gather into barns – yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? 27Which of you by anxious thought can add a cubit{1} to his stature? 28And why have such grief over clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not work. They do not spin. 29And yet I say to you that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 30Now, if the Almighty so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore, do not be distracted by continually chasing after what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, or what you shall wear 32(for the gentiles endlessly pursue all these insignificant things.) Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things! 33Seek first the kingdom of YHVH, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34Do not be distracted about the concerns of tomorrow; tomorrow will have its own concerns. Sufficient to each day is its own problems.”

{Mt 6:22.1} Literally: eye – figuratively: world view

{Mt 6:27.1} one cubit: The sacred cubit is 20.62 inches and is the unit of measurement used throughout the Scriptures. It is the measurement for the Tabernacle and can still be found in the dimensions of the gates of the cities that Solomon built – Hazor, Gezer, Megiddo – that have been excavated in Israel. It is the cubit measurement of Noah’s Ark, found in the mountains of Uratu in northern Turkey as measured with modern surveying equipment. It is also the “cubit and a handbreadth” of Ezekiel 40:5 which refers to the common cubit measurement that every man carries with him on a daily basis: from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, and the width of the hand across the knuckles.

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged, 2for with the standard by which you judge others, you shall be judged. The very same measurement you use to measure others, will be used to measure you. 3Why do you stare at the twig that is in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the timber that is in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me pull the twig out of your eye,’ when a log is in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first pull the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to pull the twig out of your brother’s eye!”

6”Do not give that which is holy to the dogs, and do not cast your pearls before swine. They will only trample them under their feet and turn back to bite and gore you.”

7“Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8Everyone that asks, will receive. He that seeks, will find. To him who knocks, it shall be opened. 9What man is there among you, who, if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone [that looks like a loaf of bread]? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a venomous serpent? 11If you, being influenced by evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” 12”Therefore, anything whatsoever that you would want men to do unto you, do the same unto them. This is the Torah and the prophets.

13Enter in at the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is very wide and the path is broad. Most will follow that path. 14But the gate that leads to life is narrow, and the path is restrictive. Very few will find that path. 15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from a thorn bush or figs from thistles? 17Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21Not every one that said to me, ‘Lord!’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father in heaven. 22Many will say to me in the day of judgment, ‘Lord! Lord! Have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out demons, and in your name done many wonderful works?’ 23Then, I will pronounce the verdict, ‘I never knew you! Depart from me, you violator of the Torah!’”{1}

{Mt 7:23.1} KJV “Depart from me, ye that work <ergazomai = produce, end result> iniquity <a nomia = without Torah>.” Yeshua begins his declaration of the Gospel of the Kingdom with, “Think not that I have come to destroy the Torah, or the prophets” (5:17) and concludes with the horrifying scene from the throne room on Judgment Day for those who missed the extremely narrow gate that leads to eternal life. His entire discourse is an endorsement and clarification of the Torah, just as Moses instructed us to expect from The Prophet. He elucidated the teachings of the Torah that had become grossly twisted in practice, and contrasted the Torah to the rules of the prevailing religious systems of the day. He then took us to the throne room where he will, one day, pronounce judgment in compliance with the Torah. Those who thought that they were following him will truly have a terrifying awakening on that day.

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore, whoever hears these teachings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. 25The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house. But it did not fall because the foundation was built upon a rock. 26But everyone that hears these teachings of mine, and does not do them, will be likened to a fool who built his house upon sand. 27The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house. And it collapsed – and great was the fall of it.”

28When Yeshua ended his teaching, the disciples{1} were astonished at his doctrine. 29He taught them with authority, and not like the sages.

{Mt 7:28.1} Only his disciples who climbed the mountain were there to hear this message (Matthew 5:1) while the multitude stayed below and waited for him to meet them on their ground. Matthew the Levite was there, but was not yet following Yeshua full time until event <67> (Matthew 9:9).

< Note 10 > Mattiyahu the Levite reports several incidents

occurring in the fourth month

The chronological order of events is established by Mark and Luke

< 63 > Yeshua heals a leper

Week 22

Matthew 8:1-4 — Mark 1:40-45 — Luke 5:12-15 — John

Matthew 8:1 When Yeshua came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2And a leper came and bowed before him, saying, ”Master, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3Yeshua put forth his hand and touched him, saying, “I will. Be clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4Then Yeshua said to him, “See that you tell no man, but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them.”

Mark 1:40 A leper came to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41Yeshua, moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will. Be clean.” 42As soon as he had spoken, the leprosy immediately departed from him, and he was cleansed. 43Yeshua strictly charged him and immediately sent him away, 44saying, “See that you say nothing to anyone! Go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded as a testimony to them.” 45But he went out and began to herald it greatly, and to blaze abroad the whole matter, so that Yeshua could no more openly enter into the village, but stayed outside the city in a deserted place. Yet they came to him from every quarter.

Luke 5:12 It came to pass, when he was in a certain village, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Yeshua, he fell on his face and besought him, saying, “Master, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13Yeshua put forth his hand and touched him, saying, “I will. Be clean.” And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14He charged him to tell no man, but, “Go, and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 15But more and more his fame was spread abroad and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities by him.

< 64 > Yeshua withdraws into the wilderness for prayer

Week 22

Matthew — Mark — Luke 5:16 — John

Luke 5:16 Then Yeshua withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

< 65 > Yeshua continues to teach in the region around the Kinneret

He returns to Kfar Nahum where he heals a paralyzed man on a weekday in the presence of Pharisees and sages

Week 23

Matthew 9:2-8 — Mark 2:1-12 — Luke 5:17-26 — John

Mark 2:1 After some days Yeshua entered again into Kfar Nahum, and it was noised that he was in the house. 2Immediately many gathered together, so many that there was no room to receive them, no, they could not even get in the door. Yeshua preached the word unto them. 3And they came to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4When they could not come near to him for the press, they uncovered the roof over where Yeshua was, and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed on which the sick of the palsy lay. 5When Yeshua saw their faith, he said to the sick of the palsy, “Son, your sins be forgiven you.” 6There were certain of the sages sitting there, who reasoned in their hearts, 7“Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but YHVH only?” 8Immediately Yeshua perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said to them, “Why reason you these things in your hearts? 9Is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, ‘Your sins be forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise! Take up your bed, and walk?’ 10But just so that you know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” (He then spoke to the sick of the palsy.) 11“I say to you, arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your house.” 12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all. They were all completely amazed and glorified YHVH, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Matthew 9:2 They brought a man to Yeshua who was sick of the palsy and lying on a bed. Yeshua, seeing their faith, said to the sick of the palsy, “Son, be of good courage, your sins are forgiven.” 3And certain of the sages said within themselves, “This man blasphemes.” 4Yeshua, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise, and walk?’ 6But just so you know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” (he said to the sick of the palsy) “arise, take up your bed and go to your house.” 7So he arose, and departed to his house. 8When the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified YHVH, who had given such power to men.

Luke 5:17 It came to pass on a certain day that there were Prushim and Torah scholars sitting around Yeshua as he was teaching those who came out of every town of Galilee, and Yehudaea, and Yerushalayim – and the power of YHVH was present to heal them. 18Then men brought a man who was taken with a palsy in a bed. They were looking for a way to bring him in, and to lay him before Yeshua. 19But when they could not find a way that they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down, with his couch, through the ceiling into the midst before Yeshua. 20When he saw their faith, he said to him, “Sir, your sins are forgiven.” 21The sages and the Prushim began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins, but Elohim alone?” 22But when Yeshua perceived their thoughts, he said to them, “Why do you reason such evil in your hearts? 23Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk?’ 24But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority upon earth to forgive sins.” (He spoke to the sick of the palsy.) “I say to you, Arise! Take your bed and go to your house.” 25Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that upon which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying YHVH. 26And they were all amazed, and they glorified YHVH, and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.”

< 66 > Summary: Yeshua teaches multitudes along the Kinneret

Week 23

Matthew 9:9a — Mark 2:13 — Luke — John

Mark 2:13 Yeshua went out by the seaside again and all the multitude resorted to him, and he taught them.

Matthew 9:9a Yeshua left Kfar Nahum…

< 67 > Yeshua invites Mattiyahu haLevi to follow him

Matthew invites Yeshua, tax collectors, Pharisees, and assorted sinners to the Rosh Khodesh feast at his home

Week 23 — Day 158-159

Matthew 9:9b-14 — Mark 2:14-22 — Luke 5:27-39 — John

Matthew 9:9 As Yeshua passed out of Kfar Nahum, he saw a man named Mattiyahu sitting at a toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose, and followed him. 10As Yeshua reclined at dinner in Mattiyahu’s house, many publicans and sinners came and reclined with him and his disciples. 11When the Prushim saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your rabbi eat with publicans and sinners?” 12But when Yeshua heard, he said to them, “Those who are whole do not need a physician, only those who are sick. 13Go you and learn what this means: ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.’{1} I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

{Mt 9:13.1} Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Yeshua will again call them on this verse at event <68> a week later (Matthew 12:7).

Mark 2:14 As Yeshua passed by, he saw a Levite, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at a toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” He arose and followed him. 15As Yeshua reclined at the dinner table in his house, many publicans and sinners also reclined together with Yeshua and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the sages and Prushim saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said to his disciples, “How is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?” 17When Yeshua heard it, he said to them, “Those who are whole have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

18The disciples of Yochanan and the disciples of the Prushim were accustomed to fast, and they came to Yeshua and said, “Why do the disciples of Yochanan and of the Prushim fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19Yeshua replied, “Can the family of the bridal party fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20The day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then, in those days, they will fast. 21No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment, because the new piece will shrink and tear away from the old, and the rend will be made worse. 22Also, no man puts new wine into old wineskins, because the new wine will burst the wineskins. The new wine will be spilled, and the wineskins will be destroyed. New wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Luke 5:27 As Yeshua left Kfar Nahum, he saw a publican, a Levite, sitting at a toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28He rose up, left all, and followed Yeshua. 29The Levite made a great feast in his own house, and a great company of publicans and others came and reclined with them. 30But their sages and Prushim murmured against Yeshua’s disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” 31Yeshua answered them, “Those who are whole do not need a physician; but those that are sick. 32I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” 33They then asked him, “Why do the disciples of Yochanan fast and pray often, just as the disciples of the Prushim; but yours eat and drink?” 34Yeshua said to them, “Can you make the family of the bridal party fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35The day will come that the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

36He also spoke a parable to them: “No man takes a piece of cloth out of a new garment and sews it into an old garment. The new cloth will make another tear, because it is incompatible with the old garment. 37Likewise, no man puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine will burst the inflexible old wineskins. The wine will pour out, and the wineskins will be destroyed. 38New wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. 39Furthermore, no man, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new wine, because he claims, ‘The old is better.’”

< 68 > Yeshua and his disciples “harvest, winnow, and grind” grain

on the second Sabbath after the first of the month, incurring the wrath of the Pharisees

[Shabbat - 10th day, 5th month, 4027 FC; Saturday August 2, 27 CE]

Week 24 — Day 168

Events detailed in Matthew 12 and 13 occur during the same period as events recorded in Matthew 8:18 - 11:30.

Matthew 12:1-8 — Mark 2:23-28 — Luke 6:1-5 — John

Luke 6:1 On the second Sabbath after the first,{1} Yeshua went through the wheat fields, and his disciples plucked the ears of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate. 2Some of the Prushim said unto them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days?”{1} 3Yeshua answered them, “You have not read much, have you?” What did David do when he and those who were with him were hungry? 4He went into the house of YHVH and took the showbread and ate it, and he also gave to those who were with him. The showbread is not lawful to eat except by the priests alone!” 5Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is likewise the master of the Sabbath.”

{Lk 6:1.1} This is the “second Sabbath after the Rosh Khodesh” (the first day of the fifth month). It is now nine days after the “New Moon” Feast which Matthew hosted in his home. Matthew, the Levite, is now among the company of the full-time followers of Yeshua.

{Lk 6:2.1} By Pharisee law, it became impossible for the poor to feed themselves on the Sabbath by walking into a field and plucking the grains – as provided by the Torah. The Pharisees decreed that plucking the grain heads was harvesting, rubbing the chaff off the grain was threshing, and eating the grain was grinding. Yeshua taught his disciples by example to disregard the rules of man-made religion.

Matthew 12:1 At that time Yeshua went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath day. His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of grain, and to eat. 2When the Prushim saw it, they said to him, “Behold, your disciples do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day.” 3But he said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him? 4He entered into the house of YHVH and ate the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests! 5Have you not read in the Torah how, on the Sabbath days, the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath and are blameless? 6But I say to you that in this place is one greater than the Temple! 7If you had known what this means, ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,’{1} you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8The Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath day.”

{Mt 12:7.1} At the Rosh Khodesh Feast at Matthew’s house (event <67>), Yeshua told these same Pharisees, “Go and find out what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice.” Nine days later, he insults them in their synagogue by saying that they still do not have a clue as to the meaning of Hosea 6:6, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” If they truly understood the prophecy in its context, they would not condemn the innocent nor conspire to have him killed.

Mark 2:23 Yeshua walked through the wheat fields on the Sabbath day, and his disciples began to pluck the ears of grain as they went. 24The Prushim said to him, “Look, why do they do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?” 25Yeshua said to them, “Have you never read what David and those who were with him did when they had need and were hungry? 26He went into the house of YHVH in the days of Abiathar the Cohen Gadol and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him.” 27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28Therefore, the Son of Man is likewise the master of the Sabbath.”

< 69 > Yeshua heals a man with a withered hand

[Shabbat - 10th day, 5th month, 4027 FC; Saturday August 2, 27 CE]

Week 24 — Day 168

Though the extant Greek texts of Luke indicate that this incident was “on another Sabbath,” and would then have occurred the week following the harvesting incident, that would leave an otherwise very busy schedule without notable accomplishment in this week. If it did occur the following Sabbath, after a quiet week at home, incidents 70 – 95 would advance one week into the summer. Matthew’s record indicates that is was the Sabbath of week 24, day 168.

Matthew 12:9-14 — Mark 3:1-6 — Luke 6:6-11 — John

Matthew 12:9 When he departed from the field, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man was there which had a withered hand. The Prushim, who chided him concerning the grain harvesting incident, asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?” so that they might accuse him. 11He said to them, “What man is there among you, who, having just one sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12How much better is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” 13Then he said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand.” He stretched it forth, and it was restored whole, just like the other. 14Then the Prushim left and conspired together concerning how they might destroy him.

Mark 3:1 He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there who had a withered hand. 2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, so that they might accuse him. 3Then he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Stand forth.” 4He said to the Prushim, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?” But they held their peace. 5When he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand!” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole as the other. 6Then the Prushim went forth, and straightway conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Luke 6:6 It came to pass on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man present whose right hand was withered, 7and the sages and Prushim watched to see whether Yeshua would heal him on the Sabbath day so that they might find a charge against him. 8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.” He arose and stood forth. 9Then Yeshua said to them, “I will ask you all one thing – is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?” 10Then looking round about upon all of them, he said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand!” When he did so, his hand was restored whole as the other. 11And they were all filled with anger and conspired with one another what they might do to Yeshua.

< 70 > Yeshua heals many in the villages around the Kinneret

Crowds gather from around the Galilee

Week 25

Matthew 12:15-21 — Mark 3:7-12 — Luke — John

Matthew 12:15 When Yeshua realized they were planning to destroy him, he withdrew himself. Yet great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all 16and charged them that they should not make him known. 17This was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, 18“Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased! I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the gentiles. 19He shall not strive, nor shout, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench until he sends forth judgment to victory. 21In his name shall the gentiles trust.”{1}

{Mt 12:21.1} Isaiah 42:1-3

Mark 3:7 Yeshua withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea. A great multitude followed him from the Galilee, and from Yehudaea, 8and from Yerushalayim, and from Idumaea, and from beyond the Yarden; and those around Tyre and Sidon. When they heard what great things he did, a great multitude came to him. 9He told his disciples to secure a small ship and wait on him because the multitude threatened to throng him 10because he had healed so many that many who had plagues pressed in just to touch him. 11When those with unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of Elohim!” 12He sternly charged them that they should not make him known.

< 71 > Yeshua prays all night on a mountain

and then gathers his most faithful disciples and ordains twelve of them as his Shiloach - Apostles

Week 25

Matthew — Mark 3:13-19a — Luke 6:12-16 — John

Luke 6:12 At that time, Yeshua went up into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to YHVH. 13When it was day, he called his disciples and named twelve who would be sent forth as shiloach: 14Shimon (whom he also named Kefa), and Andrew (his brother), Yaakov and Yochanan, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Mattiyahu and Thomas, Yaakov (the son of Alphaeus), Shimon (the Zealot), 16Yehuda (the brother of Yaakov), and Yehudas (from Ascareyotah – who also was the traitor).

Mark 3:13 Yeshua went up into a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. 14He ordained twelve to be with him, so that he might send them forth as apostles, to preach, 15to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out demons. 16He called Shimon (he surnamed Kefa), 17and Yaakov (the son of Zebedee) and Yochanan (the brother of Yaakov), whom he surnamed Boanerges, which means “the sons of thunder.” 18Also Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Mattiyahu, Thomas, Yaakov (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (Yehudah),{1} Shimon (the Zealot), 19and Yehudas (from Ascareyotah – who also betrayed him)…

{Mk 3:18.1} Comparing the catalogue of apostles in Luke 6:16, Mark 3:18, and Acts 1:13, it is apparent that Judas (Yehudah), Lebbaeus, and Thaddaeus were variations on the name of the same person, and was also the writer of the book of Jude.

< 72 > The “Sermon on the Plain” Yeshua teaches a multitude outside Kafar Nahum

Week 25

This is Yeshua’s very short reiteration of a message that he delivered to relatively few disciples on a mountain near the beginning of his teaching ministry five weeks earlier (event <62>).

Matthew — Mark — Luke 6:17-49 — John

Luke 6:17 Yeshua came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of his disciples. A great multitude of people out of all Yehudaea and Yerushalayim, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. 18Those who were vexed with unclean spirits were delivered, 19and the whole multitude tried to touch him because power went out of him, and healed them all.

20He lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, “Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of Elohim. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and for the Son of Man’s sake call you out as evil. 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For your reward in heaven is great. Their fathers did the very same things to the prophets.”

24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your consolation! 25Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger! Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep! 26Woe to you when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets! 27But I say to you who have ears to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who despitefully use you. 29To him that smites you on the cheek, offer the other. He that takes away your coat, let him have your shirt as well. 30Give to every man who asks of you. He who takes away your goods, do not ask him to return them, 31and just as you would like men to do to you, do the same to them. 32I ask you, if you love those who love you, what thanks do you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you expect? Even sinners do the same. 34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive a return on your investment, what thanks do you expect? Sinners lend to sinners to receive an increase. 35Rather, love your enemies and do good, and lend with no hope for gain. Then shall your reward be great, and you shall truly be the children of the Most High. For he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. 36Therefore, be merciful, as your Father is merciful. 37Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. 38Give, and it shall be given to you – good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom. Because the same measure that you use to measure others, will be used to measure you.”

39Then he spoke a parable to them, “Can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into the ditch? 40The disciple is not above his master, but everyone who is completely perfected shall be like his master. 41So, why concentrate on the twig in your brother’s eye and miss the beam that is in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me pull the twig out of your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the limb that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first pull the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to pull the twig out of your brother’s eye.”

43“A good tree does not bring forth rotten fruit, neither does a rotting tree bring forth good fruit. 44Every tree is known by its own fruit. Men do not gather figs from a thorn tree, neither do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45Out of the treasure of his good heart a good man brings forth that which is good. Out of the treasure of his evil heart an evil man brings forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46Why do you call me, ‘Lord!’ yet you do not do the things I say? 47Whoever comes to me and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like – 48he is like a man who built a house. He dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it because it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that hears and does nothing is like a man who built a house upon the earth without a foundation. The stream beat against it vehemently, and it immediately collapsed. The ruin of that house was tragic.”

< 73 > Yeshua heals a centurion’s servant in Kfar Nahum:

This may be the same centurion that Kefa teaches in Caesarea as recorded in Acts 10

Week 25

Luke reports that a centurion first sends emissaries from the synagogue, and then his own personal servants to Yeshua to present the centurion’s requests. Yet, Matthew speaks as though it is the centurion himself who speaks to Yeshua. This incident, and the two perspectives of the Gospel authors, illustrate the fact that when one is sent to deliver a message, they are speaking for the one sending them with the same authority and in the same voice as the one sending them. That is why a ‘sent one’ is to deliver the message verbatim – and a faithful messenger has full authority to speak in the first person. The angel of YHVH frequently speaks in the first person, as if it is actually YHVH who is speaking. Both angels (aggelos - Gk.) and human messengers (aggelos – Gk.) are “sent ones” (apostello – Gk.).

Matthew 8:5-13 — Mark — Luke 7:1-10 — John

Luke 7:1 When Yeshua had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Kfar Nahum. 2A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die. 3When the centurion heard of Yeshua, he sent the elders of the synagogue to him, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Yeshua, they immediately besought him, saying that the one for whom he should do this was indeed worthy, 5because he loves our nation, and he has even built us a synagogue. 6Then Yeshua went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying, “Master, do not trouble yourself. I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. 7Neither thought I myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant shall be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers. When I say to one, ‘Go,’ he goes; when I say to another, ‘Come,’ he comes; when I tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ he does it.” 9When Yeshua heard these things, he marveled, and he turned around and said to the people who followed him, “I say to you, I have not found so great a faith, no, not in Yisrael!” 10When those who were sent returned to the house and found that the servant who had been sick was now whole.

Matthew 8:5 When Yeshua entered into Kfar Nahum, there came to him a centurion, who besought him, 6saying, “Master, my servant lies at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” 7Yeshua said, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion answered and said, “Master, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9I too am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under me. I say to this man, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and when I tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ he does it.” 10When Yeshua heard this, he marveled, and said to those who followed, “TRUTH I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Yisrael! 11I tell you, many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Avraham, and Yitzhak, and Yaakov in the kingdom of Heaven, 12but the children of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13Yeshua said to the centurion, “Go your way. As you have believed, so shall it be done unto you.” His servant was healed in that same hour.

< 74 > “The next day” Yeshua raises a widow’s dead son in the village of Nain

Week 25

Matthew — Mark — Luke 7:11-17 — John

Luke 7:11 The day after, Yeshua went into the village of Nain, and many of his disciples went with him, as well as many other people. 12When he approached the gate of the village, there was a dead man being carried out. He was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the village were with her. 13When the master saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14He came up to the body and touched it. Those who carried him stood still. Yeshua said, “Young man, I command you to arise!” 15He who was dead immediately sat up and began to speak. Yeshua delivered him to his mother. 16Awe came upon everyone, and they glorified YHVH, saying, “A great prophet is risen up among us, and YHVH has visited his people!” 17This incident was reported throughout all Yehudaea, and throughout the entire Galilee.

< 75 > Yochanan ben Zecharyah is “offended”

Languishing in prison, he sends envoys to Yeshua, “Are you The One - or not?”

Week 25

Matthew 11:2-30 — Mark — Luke 7:18-35 — John

Matthew 11:2 Now when Yochanan was in prison he heard about the works of Yeshua and sent two of his disciples 3who said to Yeshua, “Are you the one who should come, or do we look for another?” 4Yeshua answered and said to them, “Go and tell Yochanan again the things which you have heard and seen – 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor are acquitted.” 6Then tell him, “blessed is he, who is not offended in me!”

7As they departed, Yeshua began to speak to the multitudes concerning Yochanan. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8Tell me! What did you go out to see? A man clothed in regal garments? Those who wear delicate clothing are in kings’ palaces. 9So tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you – more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11TRUTH I say to you, among those who are born of women, there has not arisen one who is greater than Yochanan the immerser.{1} 12From the days of Yochanan ben Zecharyah until now the kingdom of heaven has been under attack, and the aggressive must take the kingdom by force. 13I tell you, all the prophets and the Torah prophesied concerning Yochanan – 14and if you can understand what I am saying, this is Eliyahu who is to come. 15He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

16So, to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the market and calling out to their friends, 17‘We have played the flute for you, and you have refused to dance; we have sung songs of lamentation for you, and you will not grieve.’ 18Yochanan came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a glutton, a winebibber, and a friend of publicans and sinners.’ I say to you, The immature justify anything that they want to believe.”

{Mt 11:11.1} AHM{omit – but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he}

Matthew 11:20 Then he began to rebuke the cities where he did most of his mighty works, yet they refused to repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Beit Saida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than it will be for you. 23And you, Kfar Nahum, which is exalted to heaven, you shall be brought down to the grave; for if the mighty works which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

25At that time Yeshua lifted up his voice and prayed, “I bless you, O Father, King of the universe, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26It is so, Father, because it seemed good in your sight.”

27“All authority to judge will be given into my hands by my Father. No man really knows the Son, except the Father. No man really knows the Father, except the Son – and the one to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me. I am gentle and undemanding. You will find rest for you soul 30because my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”{1}

{Mt 11:30.1} Yeshua’s audience is “heavily laden” with the yoke of first century Phariseeism, which has put a burden on them “that neither our fathers or we are able to bear” (event <286> Acts 15:1-11 ). By contrast, Yeshua’s yoke, the Torah, “is not grievous” (I John 5:3).

Luke 7:18 Yochanan’s disciples were telling him all the things Yeshua was doing. 19So, Yochanan called two of his disciples and sent them to Yeshua to ask him, “Are you The Prophet that should come, or should we be looking for another? 20So the men came to Yeshua and said, “Yochanan the immerser has sent us to ask, ‘Are you The One – The Prophet who should come, or are we to look for another?’” 21In that same hour Yeshua cured many infirmities and plagues, and delivered people of evil spirits. He also gave sight to many who were blind. 22Then Yeshua answerd them, “Go your way, and tell Yochanan the things that you have just seen and heard – how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. 23And then tell him, ‘Blessed is he who is not offended in me!’”{1}

{Lk 7:23.1} Yochanan was wasting away in prison – seemingly forgotten by his cousin, Yeshua, who was performing all kinds of miracles but was seemingly unable to extricate the immerser from the clutches of Herod. Yochanan ben Zecharyah was “offended.”

Luke 7:24 When the messengers of Yochanan departed, he began to speak to the people concerning Yochanan, “What did you go into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25Again I ask, what did you go out to see? A man clothed in delicate garments? Look, they which are gorgeously appareled and live delicately are in kings’ courts. 26So, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet! 27This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare the way before you.’ 28For I say to you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than Yochanan ben Zecharyah; but he that is least in the kingdom of YHVH is greater than he.”

29All the people that heard him, even the publicans, justified YHVH, having been immersed with the mikveh of Yochanan. 30But the Prushim and sages rejected the counsel of Elohim which was witnessed against them, and they refused to repent and be immersed by Yochanan. 31The master said, “To what shall I compare the men of this generation? What are they really like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, ‘We have piped to you, and you have not danced. We have mourned to you, and you have not wept.’ 33For Yochanan ben Zecharyah came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold a glutton and a winebibber! A friend of publicans and sinners!’ 35Children easily justify their lack of understanding.”

< 76 > Yeshua has supper with a Pharisee named Shimon

an unnamed woman washes Yeshua’s feet with tears and anoints them with oil (this may be Miriam from Migdal - Mary Magdalene)

Week 25

Matthew — Mark — Luke 7:36-50 — John

Luke 7:36 One of the Prushim asked Yeshua to dine with him, so he went into his house and reclined for dinner. 37While Yeshua dined in the Parush’s house, a woman from the city, a sinner, brought an alabaster box of ointment 38and stooped at his feet behind him, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears, and then wiped them with the hair of her head. She then kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39When the Parush who had invited him saw it, he thought to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who this woman is, and what kind of woman it is that touches him. She is obviously a sinner.” 40Yeshua said to him, “Shimon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Master, say on.”

41“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. The one owed five hundred shekels, and the other fifty. 42When they had nothing to pay, he completely forgave them both. Tell me, which of them will love him most?” 43Shimon answered, “I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.” Yeshua said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44Then he turned to the woman, and said to Shimon, “See this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45You gave me no kiss, but this woman, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, that is why she loves much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48Yeshua said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49Those who reclined at dinner with him began to grumble within themselves, “Who does he think he is! He also forgives sins?” 50Then he said to the woman, “Your faith has made you whole! Go in peace.”

< 77 > Yeshua travels and preaches with the twelve and others

Week 26

Matthew — Mark — Luke 8:1-3 — John

Luke 8:1 Afterward, he went throughout every city and village, preaching and announcing the kingdom of YHVH. The twelve went with him, 2as well as certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities – Miriam from Migdal, out of whom went seven demons, 3and Yohanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others – who ministered to him of their substance.

< 78 > Yeshua heals a blind and dumb man possessed by a demon

The people understand this as the messianic sign prophesied by Yeshayahu

Week 26

Matthew 12:22-23 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 12:22 Then one possessed with a demon, who was both blind and dumb was brought to Yeshua and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw.{1} 23All the people were amazed, and said, “Is not this the son of David?”

{Mt 12:22.1} Isaiah 35:3-5 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

< 79 > Multitudes gather as the reports of healings spread

Week 26

Matthew — Mark 3:19b-21 — Luke — John

Mark 3:19b Yeshua and those who he ordained as apostles, including Yehudas of Ascareyotah (which later betrayed him) went into a house. 20Again, the multitude pressed on him so that they could not even eat. 21When his friends heard what was going on, they went to lay hold on him. They said, “He is beside himself.”

< 80 > Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit defined

Reports spread concerning Yeshua’s healing of a blind and dumb man

Week 26

Pharisees attempt to explain away this Messianic sign as the manifestation of a demonic spirit

Matthew 12:24-37 — Mark 3:22-30 — Luke — John

Mark 3:22 The sages which came down from Yerushalayim said, “He has ba’al zevuv (the lord of the flies), and by the prince of the demons he casts out demons.” 23He called them to him, and said to them in parables, “How can hasatan cast out hasatan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if hasatan rises up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but will come to an end. 27No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28Truth I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies whatever they shall blaspheme; 29but he that blasphemes against the Ruach Kodesh will never be forgiven, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” 30This he said because they said that the spirit in him was unclean!

Matthew 12:24 When the Prushim heard about this incident, they said, “This fellow casts out demons by ba’al zevuv, the prince of demons.” 25Yeshua knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 26And if hasatan cast out hasatan, he is divided against himself. How shall then his kingdom stand? 27If I cast out demons by ba’al zevuv, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of YHVH, then the kingdom of YHVH has come to you. 29How else can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Only then can he spoil his house. 30He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me, scatters abroad. 31Therefore I say to you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men; but the blasphemy against the Ruach Kodesh shall not be forgiven to men. 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Ruach Kodesh, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33Either call the tree good, and its fruit good; or else call the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35A good man out of the treasure of a good heart brings forth good things; and an evil man out of an evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36Therefore I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment. 37By your own words you shall be justified, and by your own words you shall be condemned.”

< 81 > The sign of the prophet Yonah is given

The religious leaders demand another messianic sign, but Yeshua says there will be only one sign

Week 26

Matthew 12:38-45 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 12:38 Certain of the sages and Prushim answered Yeshua’s charges against them, saying, “Master, we want to see a real sign from you.” 39He answered them, “An evil adulterous brood seeks after a sign, and there shall no sign be given to you, but the sign of the prophet Yonah. 40Just as Yonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Yonah; and behold, one greater than Yonah is here. 42The queen of the South shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here.”

43“When the unclean spirit is cast out of a man, it walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44Then it says, ‘I will return to the house from whence I came’ and when it returned it found it empty, swept, and decorated. 45Then it went out and returned with seven other spirits, more wicked than himself, and they all entered in and dwelt there. So the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this brood of vipers.”

< 82 > Yeshua’s family comes to speak with him

Week 26

Matthew and Mark carry the details of Yeshua’s teachings during this period. Luke interjects this event into the narrative after the parables recorded in Luke 8:4-18 (events <83-84>) but the family intervention incident belongs here in the chronology. This is a rare case where Luke diverges from the chronological order of events so that he does not disrupt the continuity of Yeshua’s teachings.

Matthew 12:46-50 — Mark 3:31-35 — Luke 8:19-21 — John

Matthew 12:46 Yeshua’s mother and his brothers came to him and stood outside the house, asking to speak with him. 47One said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 48Yeshua answered, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49He motioned with his hand toward his disciples, “Behold my mother and my brothers! 50Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Mark 3:31 Then came his brothers and his mother, and, standing outside, sent to him, calling him. 32The multitude that sat about him said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking for you.” 33Yeshua answered them, “Who is my mother, or my brothers?” 34He looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, “Behold my mother and my brothers! 35For whoever shall do the will of YHVH, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”

Luke 8:19 Then came to him his mother and his brothers, and could not come to him because of the crowd. 20It was told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.” 21Yeshua answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of YHVH, and do it.”

< 83 > Yeshua teaches in parables to the multitudes

from a boat on the Kinneret near his home in Kfar Nahum.

Week 26

Matthew 13:1-9 — Mark 4:1-9 — Luke 8:4-8 — John

Matthew 13:1 The same day Yeshua went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. 2Then a great multitude gathered together to see him, so he went into a boat, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow. 4When he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and fowls came and devoured them up. 5Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth, and immediately they sprung up. But because they had no deepness of earth, 6when the sun came up, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. 7Some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them. 8But other seed fell into good ground and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Whosoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:1 Yeshua began to teach again by the seaside, and there was gathered to him a great multitude. So he entered into a boat, and pushed off from shore while the whole multitude stayed on the land by the sea. 2He taught them many things by parables, and said to them, 3“Listen! There went out a sower to sow. 4As he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5Some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang up. But because it had no depth of earth, 6when the sun came up it was scorched. Because it had no root, it withered away. 7Some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8Yet other seed fell on good ground, and yielded fruit that sprang up and continued to grow. It produced, some thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundred fold.” 9Then he said to them, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 8:4 When many people were gathered together, coming to him out of every city, he spoke a parable: 5“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6Some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7Some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8Other seed fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundredfold.” When he had said these things, he cried out, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear!”

< 84 > Yeshua explains the parable of the sower

to a dwindling number of his “inner circle” disciples

Week 26

Matthew 13:10-23 — Mark 4:10-25 — Luke 8:9-18 — John

Matthew 13:10 The disciples came near and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11He answered, “Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For whoever obeys, to him more shall be given, and he shall have even more abundance. But whoever does not obey, even that which he has will be taken away from him. 13That is why I speak to them in parables – because they have eyes but do not see. They have ears but do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yeshayahu, who said, ‘By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand. By seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive; 15The hearts of these people have grown as brittle as cold wax. Their ears are dull of hearing and they have closed their eyes. If at any time they open their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return to me, I will heal them.’ 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. 17Truth I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them. 18Therefore, consider the parable of the sower. 19When any one hears the word concerning the kingdom and does not understand, the wicked one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20He that received the seed into stony places, the same is he who hears the word, and with joy receives it. 21But because he has no depth of character he endures for a little while, but when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, he is immediately offended. 22He who received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceit of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23But he who received seed into good ground is he that hears the word, and understands, and does it. He is the one who will bear fruit and bring forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Mark 4:10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parable. 11He said to them, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of YHVH, but to those who are outside the kingdom, all these things are spoken in parables, 12so that even having eyes, they may see, and yet not perceive; and having ears to hear, they may not understand; lest at any time they should repent and their sins would be forgiven them.” 13Yeshua said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how can you understand any parable? 14The sower sows the word. 15These are those by the wayside – the word is sown but when they have heard, hasatan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16And likewise, these that are sown on stony ground are those who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness. 17Yet they have no root in themselves, and so they endure for a short time. Afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18That which is sown among thorns are those who hear the word, 19but the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20And that which is sown on good ground are those who hear the word, and receive it, and they bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred fold.” 21Then he said to them, “Is a lamp brought out to be put under a basket, or under a bed and not to be set on a lampstand? 22There is nothing hid that shall not be made manifest, neither is there anything kept in secret that it should come into the light. 23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” 24Then Yeshua said to them, “Take heed – listen very carefully to what I now say! The measure that you use to measure others will be used to measure you. To you that hear and obey even more shall be given to you. 25He that adheres [to the Gospel of the Kingdom] to him more will be given – but he that does not obey, even what he has been given will be taken away from him.”

Luke 8:9 Yeshua’s disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” 10He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of YHVH, but to others I speak in parables; so that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of YHVH. 12Those by the wayside are those who hear but then hasatan comes and steals the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be made whole. 13The seed on the rock speaks of those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy but they have no depth of character for the seed to root. They believe for a while, but in time of temptation they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns speaks of those who, when they have heard, they go back into the world and are choked with the cares and the riches and the pleasures of this life. They will never bring any fruit to maturity. 15But the seed that fell on the good ground are those who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, they keep it. With perseverance they will bring forth fruit. 16No man, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed. He sets it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 17There is nothing secret that shall not be made manifest – neither is there anything hid that shall not be known openly. 18Take heed and listen carefully. Whoever obeys, to him shall more be given. Whoever does not obey, even what he seems to have will be taken away from him.”

< 85 > Yeshua speaks more parables to the multitudes near his home

Week 26

Matthew 13:24-35 — Mark 4:26-33 — Luke — John

Matthew 13:24 Yeshua put forth another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man which sowed good seed in his field, 25but while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26When the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the tares appeared also. 27So the servants of the household came to him and said, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then how does it have tares?’ 28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go now and pull them up?’ 29He said, ‘No, lest while you pull up the tares, you also root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘Gather the tares together first and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

31Yeshua put forth another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. 32It is, indeed, the least of all seeds but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree that birds build nests in its branches.” 33Then he spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman kneaded into three measures of meal until the whole loaf was leavened.” 34Yeshua spoke all these things to the multitude in parables, and without a parable he did not speak to them, 35so that which was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled, “I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”{1}

{Mt 13:35.1} The prophet spoken of is David – Psalm 78:1-8 Give ear to my Torah O my people, incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old 3which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the YHVH, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5He established his testimony in Jacob, and appointed his Torah in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Mark 4:26 Yeshua said, “The kingdom of YHVH is as if a man cast seed into the ground 27and he slept and arose, night after night and day after day, and the seed sprang up and grew. He himself does not know how, 28but the earth brought forth fruit all by itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full kernel in the ear. 29When the fruit was mature he immediately put the sickle to it because the harvest time had come. 30Yeshua said again, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of YHVH or to what shall we compare it? 31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. 32But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches so that the birds of the air may lodge in its shade.” 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

< 86 > Yeshua returns to his house in Kfar Nahum with his disciples

he fully expounds the parables concerning the kingdom

Week 27

Matthew 13:36-53 — Mark 4:34 — Luke — John

Matthew 13:36 Then Yeshua sent the multitude away, and returned to the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field.” 37He answered them, “He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. 39The enemy that sowed them is hasatan. The harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are the angels. 40Just as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this age. 41The Son of Man shall send forth his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and do iniquity. 42He shall cast them into a furnace of fire where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43At that time, the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father!{1} He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 44Again he said, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field which a man found and then hid it again. Being overjoyed, he went and sold everything that he had and bought the field. 45The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant searching for precious pearls. 46When he found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47The kingdom of heaven is also like a net that was cast into the sea. It gathered everything. 48When it was full they drew the net to shore and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the age – the angels will come forth and sever the wicked from among the just 50and cast the wicked into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” 51Yeshua said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They replied, “Yes, master.” 52Then he said to them, “Every scribe who is instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who brings forth things out of his treasure chest, both new and old.” 53When Yeshua finished these parables, he departed.

Mark 4:34 Yeshua did not speak to them without speaking in a parable, and when they were alone he expounded all things to his disciples.

{Mt 13:43.1} Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars for ever and ever.

< 87 > That evening, Yeshua crosses the Kinneret and calms the storm

Week 27

Matthew 8:18-27 — Mark 4:35-41 — Luke 8:22-25 — John

Matthew 8:18 When Yeshua saw great multitudes about him, he gave the command to depart to the other side of the Kinneret. 19There a certain scribe came to him and said, “Master, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20Yeshua said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21Another disciple said to him, “Master, let me first to go and bury my father.”{1} 22But Yeshua said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” 23When he entered into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24A great tempest arose in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the waves, but Yeshua was asleep. 25His disciples came to awaken him, saying, “Master, save us, or we will die!” 26He said to them, “Why are you so fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he arose, and he rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27The men marveled, saying, “Who can this be? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”

{Mt 8:21.1} i.e. wait until my father dies (he was not digging a hole at that moment). It is the responsibility of the children to care for their aged parents until they die. From Yeshua’s answer it can be deduced that there were other family members who were ‘dead to the kingdom’ who could take care of the details at home. Not everyone received an invitation to follow Yeshua as he traveled – it is a rugged life, and he had no idea where he would be sleeping the next night. Yeshua had a house to stay in at Kfar Nahum, but traveling in Israel in that day was ‘living by faith’ and uncomfortable compared to the security of a fox den. Yeshua later speaks these things to Samaritans who want to follow him as he is going up to the Feast of Sukkot in the fall (event <127>).

Mark 4:35 The same day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36When they had sent away the multitude, they took him, exhausted, into the ship. There were also other little boats with them. 37Then there arose a great wind storm and the waves beat into the ship, which was filling with water. 38Yeshua was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow, so they awoke him and said, “Master, do you not care if we perish?” 39Yeshua arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40Then he said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41They feared greatly and said to one another, “What manner of man is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Luke 8:22 On a certain day, Yeshua said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake” and they got into a ship and launched forth. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. Then there arose a wind storm on the lake and the boat filled with water, and they were all in great danger. 24They came to awaken Yeshua saying, “Master! Master! We are all going to die!” Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging water. They ceased their raging and there was a calm. 25Yeshua said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they, being afraid, wondered and said one to another, “What manner of man is this!? He commands the winds and water, and even they obey him!”

< 88 > Yeshua heals two naked, demon possessed men living in the tombs in the area of Gadara

(near Hippos – Susita, the northern-most of the 10 Roman cities)

Mark and Luke focus on one of the two men who is possessed by “Legion”

Week 27

Matthew 8:28-34 — Mark 5:1-20 — Luke 8:26-39 — John

Matthew 8:28 When he came to the other side of the Kinneret into the area of Gadara, there he met two men possessed with demons coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce so that no man might pass by that way. 29They cried out, saying, “What concern are we to you, Yeshua, Son of YHVH! Have you come here to torment us before our time?” 30Now, there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding, 31so the demons besought him, saying, “If you cast us out, allow us to go away into the herd of swine.” 32Yeshua said to them, “Go!” When they came out, they went into the herd of swine, and then the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea and drowned in the water! 33The swine keepers fled into the city of Hippos, and reported everything that had befallen those who were possessed with the demons. 34Then the entire city came out to confront Yeshua. When they found him they demanded that he leave them alone and immediately depart their area.{1}

{Mt 8:28-34:1} The city of Hippos is the most northern city of the Decapolis, the ten Roman cities which populated the east bank of the Jordan river. Hippos was recently excavated and the temple of Dionysus was uncovered where the sacrifice of swine was part of the worship of Dionysus, along with drinking wine to intoxication and uninhibited sex. The swine, an abomination according to the Torah, was the planned vehicle for these demonic spirits to re-inhabit human hosts during the subsequent pagan temple services. The swine had better sense than to tolerate the inhabitation of these vicious spirits so they circumvented the plan of the spirits by throwing themselves into the sea. The inhabitants of the city were furious. This mass swine suicide represented tens of thousands of dollars in lost temple assets to these pagans. The KJV says, “They besought Jesus to depart out of their coast” which is understated in such bland religious terms – these people would have been screaming at the top of their lungs, “Get out of our area before we kill you – you JEW!”

Sacrificial swine altar to the god of wine and sexual perversion, now housed in the Vatican Museum.

Mark 5:1 They came over to the other side of the Kinneret, into the area of Gadara. 2When Yeshua came out of the ship, immediately, out of the tombs there came a man with an unclean spirit 3who lived among the tombs. No man could bind him, not even with chains! 4Yes, he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he pulled apart the chain links and shattered the shackles into pieces. No one could control him. 5Continually, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones. 6But when he saw Yeshua afar off, he ran and bowed at his feet, 7and cried with a loud voice saying, “What have I to do with you, Yeshua, Son of the most high God? I adjure you by your God, that you do not torment me!” 8This he said because Yeshua had said to him, “Come out of the man, foul spirit.” 9Yeshua asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10And Legion pled with Yeshua, that he would not send them away out of the country.

11Now a great herd of swine was feeding near the mountains 12and so all the demons begged him, “Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” 13At once Yeshua gave them leave. So the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine, but the herd of about two thousand ran violently down from a steep place into the sea and were drowned in the lake. 14And those who fed the swine fled and reported it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15And they came to Yeshua, and saw him who had been possessed with the demons and Legion sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16Those who saw it told them how it happened to him that was possessed with the demon, and also concerning the swine. 17They demanded that he depart out of their region. 18When he came to the ship, he who had been possessed with the demon begged him that he might go with him. 19However, Yeshua would not allow it, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them the great things YHVH has done for you, and that he has great compassion for you.” 20Then he departed, and began to publish in the Decapolis what great things Yeshua had done for him, and all men did marvel!

Luke 8:26 Then they arrived at the country of Gadara, which is on the other side of the Kinneret. 27When Yeshua landed a certain man met him outside of the city that had demons a long time. He wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Yeshua, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with you, Yeshua, Son of the most high God? I beg you, do not torment me!” 29(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It frequently possessed him and he had to be bound with chains and shackles. But he broke the restraints and was repeatedly driven by the demons into the wilderness.) 30Yeshua asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” because many demons were entered into him. 31The demons besought Yeshua that he would not command them to go out into the abyss, 32and there was a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain so they besought Yeshua that he would allow them to enter into the swine. He gave them permission to do as they requested. 33Then the demons went out of the man and entered into the swine. The entire herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake and drowned. 34When those who fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country side. 35When they went out to see what was done, they came to Yeshua and found the man out of whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Yeshua, clothed and in his right mind. They were afraid. 36Those who saw it also told them by what means he who was possessed of the demons was healed.

37Then the whole multitude of the country of Gadara round about besought him to depart from them, for they were taken with great fear. Yeshua went down to the ship, and returned back to Kfar Nahum again. 38Now the man, out of whom the demons were departed, besought Yeshua that he might continue with him, but Yeshua sent him away, saying, 39“Return to your own house, and show the great things YHVH has done for you.” So he went his way and published throughout the whole city the great things Yeshua had done to him.

< 89 > Yeshua and the disciples cross back over the Kinneret to Kfar Nahum

Week 27

Matthew 9:1 — Mark 5:21 — Luke 8:40 — John

Matthew 9:1 Yeshua entered into a ship, and passed over the Kinneret, and came into his own city.

Mark 5:21 When Yeshua passed over again by ship to the other side, many people gathered to him, and he was near the seashore.

Luke 8:40 When Yeshua returned, the people gladly received him, for they were all waiting for him.

< Note 11 > The healing of the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:2-8) and the calling of Mattiyahu haLevi (Matthew 9:9-13) occur about week 23 in the chronology. (Events <65 – 67>)

< 90 > Yochanan’s disciples ask Yeshua about fasting

Week 27

Matthew 9:14-17 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 9:14 Then the disciples of Yochanan came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Prushim fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” 15Yeshua said to them, “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast. 16No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment, because that which is put in to repair it pulls away from the garment and the tear is made worse. 17Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins because the wineskins will break, the wine will run out, and the wineskins will perish. They put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”

< 91 > Yairus, a leader of a synagogue in a nearby village

comes to Yeshua for help - possibly from Chorazin

Week 27

Matthew 9:18-19 — Mark 5:22-23 — Luke 8:41-42a — John

Matthew 9:18 While Yeshua spoke to Yochanan’s disciples, there came to him a certain ruler. He worshipped him and said, “My daughter is dying right now. Please, come and lay your hand on her and she shall live.” 19Yeshua arose and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Mark 5:22 One of the rulers of the synagogue, Yairus by name, came to find Yeshua. When he saw him, he fell at his feet 23and begged him, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray you, come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed, and she shall live.”

Luke 8:41 There came a man named Yairus, a ruler of the synagogue, and he fell down at Yeshua’s feet and pled that he would come to his house. 42Yairus had only one daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay dying. As Yeshua approached the city, the people thronged him.

< 92 > A woman with an issue of blood ‘takes hold’ of her healing

as Yeshua approaches the home of Yairus

Week 27

Matthew 9:20-22 — Mark 5:24-34 — Luke 8:42b-48 — John

Mark 5:24 As Yeshua went with Yairus, many people followed and thronged him. 25On the way there was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. 26She had suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was not better but rather grew worse. 27When she heard of Yeshua, she came in behind the crowd and took hold [of the tzit-tzit on the corner] of his garment. 28For she said, “If I may touch but his tzit-tzit I shall be whole.”{1} 29And immediately the flow of blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30Yeshua, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched me?” 31His disciples said to him incredulously, “You see the multitude thronging you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32Yeshua looked round about to see who had done this thing, 33but the woman, trembling in fear yet knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole! Go in peace and be healed of your disease!”

{Mk 5:28:1} The garment Yeshua is wearing is a tallit – a four-cornered, seamless garment worn by the Israelites over their white linen haluq. We were instructed at Sinai to put a braided ribbon (tzit-tzit) of blue on each corner of our outer garment as a constant reminder to keep the commandments (Numbers 15:38). Malachi prophesied that the Messiah would have healing in his wings – kanaph – the heaven-blue ribbons on the corners of the tallit (Malachi 4:2). This is one of the most profound Messianic prophecies that was fulfilled and reported time and again in the Gospel records.

Matthew 9:20 [As Yeshua approached Yairus’ house], a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him and took hold of the hem of his garment.{1} 21She spoke within herself, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” 22But Yeshua turned around, and when he saw her, he said, “Daughter, be of good comfort! Your faith has made you whole!” The woman was made whole from that hour.

{Mt 9:20:1} The woman was deliberately breaking the Torah’s quarantine restrictions, but she knew that if Yeshua was the true Messiah, she would be healed. Messianic prophecy fulfilled – Malachi 4:2.

Luke 8:43 A woman, having an issue of blood for twelve years, spent all her living on physicians but could not be healed by any. 44She came from behind and grabbed the tzit-tzit on his tallit,{1} and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45Yeshua demanded, “Who touched me?” When all around him denied, Kefa and those who were with him said, “Master, the multitude throngs you and presses you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 46Yeshua said, “Somebody has touched me! I perceive that power has gone out of me.” 47When the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling and fell down before him. She confessed to him and before all the people the reason she had touched him and that she was healed immediately. 48Yeshua said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort! Your faith has made you whole! Go in peace.”

{Lk 8:44.1} Numbers 15:38-41

< 93 > Yeshua raises Yairus’ daughter from the dead

Week 27

Matthew 9:23-26 — Mark 5:35-43 — Luke 8:49-56 — John

Matthew 9:23 When Yeshua came into the rabbi’s house and saw musicians and others making a commotion, 24he said to them, “Step aside. The maid is not dead. She is just sleeping.” They laughed him to scorn, 25but after they were thrown out, he went back in and took her by the hand and the maid arose. 26The notoriety of this incident was spread throughout the land.

Mark 5:35 While he spoke [with the woman who was healed], there came certain men from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the master any further?” 36As soon as Yeshua heard the word that was spoken, he said to the chief rabbi of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid – only believe!” 37Yeshua allowed no one else to follow him, except for Kefa, Yaakov, and his brother Yochanan. 38When he came to the house of the chief rabbi, he saw the tumult and those who wept and wailed greatly. 39Then he went in and said to them, “Why make this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but is only sleeping.” 40Then they laughed him to scorn. So he put them all out and took the father and the mother of the damsel and those who were with him, and entered into where the damsel was lying. 41Yeshua took the damsel by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, kumi” (young girl, arise!) 42Immediately the damsel arose and walked, for she was of the age of twelve years. They were astonished with a great bewilderment. 43Then he strictly charged them that no man should know it, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.

Luke 8:49 While Yeshua spoke, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead, do not trouble the master.” 50But when Yeshua heard it, he answered him, “Fear not! Only believe, and she shall be made whole.” 51When he came into the house, he allowed no man to go in, except Kefa, Yaakov, Yochanan, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52Everyone wept and bewailed her, but he said, “Weep not. She is not dead, but is sleeping.” 53They laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead, 54so Yeshua put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, “Maid, arise!” 55Her spirit came again, and she arose immediately, and he commanded to give her some food. 56Her parents were astonished, but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

< 94 > Yeshua heals two blind men

Week 27

Matthew 9:27-31 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 9:27 When Yeshua departed from the home of Yairus, two blind men followed him, crying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28When he came into his house, the blind men came to him, and Yeshua said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, master.” 29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith, be it unto you.” 30Their eyes were opened. Then Yeshua emphatically charged them, “See that no man knows about this.” 31But when they departed, they spread abroad his fame in all the land.

< 95 > Yeshua heals one dumb man

Week 27

Matthew 9:32-34 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 9:32 As they left Kfar Nahum they brought a dumb man to him who was possessed with a demon. 33When the demon was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never so seen in Yisrael!” 34But the Prushim said, “He casts out demons through the prince of demons.”

< 96 > Yeshua returns to Natzeret and teaches in the synagogue

[~ Shabbat – 2nd Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday August 23, 27 CE]

Week 27 — Day 189

Matthew 13:54-58 — Mark 6:1-6a — Luke — John

Matthew 13:54 When he came back into his own area, he taught in their synagogue and they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55Is not this the builder’s son?{1} Is not his mother called Miriam, and his brothers, Yaakov, and Yoseph, and Shimon, and Yehudah? 56And his sisters, are they not all with us? How then does this man do all these things?” 57They were offended at him, but Yeshua said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in his own house.” 58He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

{Mt 13:55.1} carpenter (KJV) < teknon > teknon – a builder, a mason, or construction worker. There was precious little wood in the land of Israel, and it was seldom used for building. However, there were several towns and cities under construction all around Natzeret – most notably Zippori, which was being built when Yeshua was a young man. Yeshua, his step father, and most likely all of Yoseph’s sons mentioned here, were builders and would have probably been involved in the building of that beautifully ornate city that was set on the next prominent hill to the west of them.

Mark 6:1 Yeshua left Kfar Nahum and came into his own home town, and his disciples followed him. 2When the Sabbath day came, he taught in the synagogue, and many that heard him were astonished, saying, “Where does this man get all these things? How did he acquire all this wisdom? How does he do such mighty works by his own hands? 3Is not this the builder, the son of Miriam, the brother of Yaakov, and Yoseph, and of Yehudah, and Shimon? Are not his sisters here with us?” Yet they were offended at him. 4Yeshua said to them, “A prophet is not without honor but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” 5He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few of the sick and healed them, 6and he marveled because of their unbelief.

< 97 > Summary: Yeshua traveled to many villages and taught in the synagogues

Week 28

Matthew 9:35-38 — Mark 6:6b — Luke — John

Matthew 9:35 Yeshua went around to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38Therefore, pray that the master of the harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest.”

Mark 6:6b Yeshua went round about the villages, teaching.

< 98 > Yeshua sends out the twelve, in pairs, after the Rosh Khodesh (New Moon)

[3rd Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, August 24, 27 CE]

Day 190 — Weeks ~28 – 30

Matthew 10:1-11:1 — Mark 6:7-13 — Luke 9:1-6 — John

Matthew 10:1 Yeshua called his twelve disciples and gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Shimon, who is called Kefa, and Andrew his brother; Yaakov the son of Zebedee, and Yochanan his brother; 3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Mattiyahu the publican; Yaakov the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus (Yehudah),{1} 4Shimon from Cananyos; and Yehudas from Ascareyotah, who also betrayed him. 5These twelve Yeshua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the gentiles, and do not enter any cities of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Yisrael. 7As you go, preach, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8Heal the sick! Cleanse the lepers! Raise the dead! Cast out demons! Freely you have received, so freely give. 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor wealth in your purses, 10nor a bag for provisions, nor changes of clothes or shoes or staves, for the workman is worthy to receive enough for his food. 11Whatever city or village you shall enter into, inquire who in it is worthy and abide there until you depart. 12When you come into a house, join yourself to it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14Whoever does not receive you or hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. 15Truth I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

{Mt 10:3.1} Comparing the catalogue of apostles in Luke 6:16, Mark 3:18, and Acts 1:13, it is apparent that Judas (Yehudah), Lebbaeus, and Thaddaeus were variations on the name of the same person, was a half-brother to Yeshua, a full brother to Yaakov, Yoseph, and Shimon, and was also the writer of the book of Jude.

Matthew 10:16 “Listen carefully, I am sending you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves! Therefore, be as wise as serpents,{1} and harmless as doves! 17Beware of religious men! They will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 18You shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the gentiles. 19When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak, for it shall be given to you in that same hour what you shall speak. 20It is not you that speaks, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks through you. 21Brother shall deliver up his brother to death, and the father the child! Children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22You shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved. 23When they persecute you in this city, flee into another, for truth I say to you, you shall not have gone over the cities of Yisrael before the Son of Man returns!

{Mt 10:16.1} Serpents never allow themselves to get cornered. Yeshua always answered a question with a question when would-be accusers attempted to corner him.

24“The disciple is not above his teacher, nor is the servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his master. If they have called the master of the house ba’al zevuv, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26Therefore, do not fear them! There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and nothing hid that shall not be known. 27What I tell you in darkness, speak in light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops! 28Do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul – but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell! 29Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father’s notice! 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered! 31Therefore, fear not! You are of more value than many sparrows!

32“Whoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, who is in heaven. 34Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I came not to bring peace, but a sword! 35For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36A man’s foes shall be of his own household! 37He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. He that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38He that takes not his cross and follows after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that finds his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it. 40He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him who sent me. 41He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42Whoever shall give just a cup of cold drink to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, TRUTH I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward!” 11:1When Yeshua had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

Mark 6:7 He called to the twelve and sent them forth by two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits! 8He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a single staff only – no bag for provisions, no bread, no money in their purse, 9but be shod with sandals, and do not to take a second cloak. 10He said to them, “Into whatever house you enter, abide there until you depart from that place. 11Whoever shall neither receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Truth I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” 12Then they went out and preached that men should repent, 13and they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases. 2He sent them to preach the kingdom of YHVH and to heal the sick. 3He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor a bag for provisions, neither bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece. 4Whatever house you enter into, there abide and from there depart. 5Whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” 6Then they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

< 99 > Herod hears of Yeshua’s miracles after having Yochanan executed

Sometime during weeks 28 – 30

The following account of Yochanan’s execution is the only event recorded in weeks 28-30

Herod desired to meet Yeshua but will not do so until week 63 – on the morning of the Passover sacrifice, the 14th Day of the month of the Aviv 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE (event <194>)

Matthew 14:1-2 — Mark 6:14-16 — Luke 9:7-9 — John

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Yeshua, 2and said to his servants, “This is Yochanan the immerser. He is risen from the dead; therefore, mighty works do show forth themselves in him!”

Mark 6:14 King Herod heard of Yeshua (for his name was greatly spread abroad), and he said that Yochanan the immerser has risen from the dead, and therefore, mighty works do show forth themselves in him. 15Others said he was Eliyahu, and others said that it was The Prophet, or one of the prophets. 16But when Herod heard, he said, “It is Yochanan, whom I beheaded! He has risen from the dead!”

Luke 9:7 When Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Yeshua, he was perplexed because it was said by some that Yochanan has risen from the dead. 8Others said that Eliyahu has come, and yet others, that one of the old prophets has risen again. 9Herod said, “Yochanan I have beheaded, but who is this, of whom I hear such things?” Herod truly desired to see Yeshua.

< 100 > Yochanan’s execution is detailed

Yochanan’s disciples apprise Yeshua of his death

Week 31

Matthew 14:3-12 — Mark 6:17-29 — Luke — John

Matthew 14:3 Herod had laid hold of Yochanan, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, (his brother Philip’s wife). 4For Yochanan had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”{1} 5He would have put Yochanan to death, but he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and she pleased Herod. 7Therefore, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. 8And she, being before instructed by her mother, said, “Give me, here and now, Yochanan the immerser’s head in a charger.” 9The king was full of sorrow, nevertheless, for the oath’s sake, and for the sake of those who sat with him at dinner, he commanded it to be given to her. 10So he sent and had Yochanan beheaded in the prison 11and his head was brought in a charger, and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother. 12Yochanan’s disciples then came and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Yeshua.

Mark 6:17 Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon Yochanan and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife (for Herod had married her). 18Herod did this because Yochanan had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”{1} 19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him, but she could not. 20Herod feared Yochanan, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he obeyed him. When Herod heard him, he did many things which he was instructed, and heard Yochanan gladly. 21Now, when a convenient day had come, Herod, on his birthday, made a supper to his nobles, high captains, and principle rulers of the Galilee. 22When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, it pleased Herod and those who sat with him and the king said to the damsel, “Ask of me whatever you will, and I will give it to you.” 23Then he swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom!” 24She went forth and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of Yochanan the immerser!” 25She returned with haste to the king and asked, “I will that you give me the head of Yochanan the immerser in a charger immediately!” 26The king was exceedingly sorry, yet for his oath’s sake and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27The king sent for an executioner and commanded his head to be brought forthwith. The executioner went and beheaded him in the prison 28and brought his head in a charger and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29When Yochanan’s disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

{Mt 14:4.1; Mk 6:18.1} Herod was in violation of the Torah commandment that prohibits intimacy with the wife of one’s brother. Leviticus 18:16 – Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. A similar commandment prohibits intimacy with the sister of one’s wife during her lifetime: Leviticus 18:18 – Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

< 101 > The twelve apostles return to meet Yeshua in the Galilee

before the Rosh Khodesh of the 7th month

(The Day of Trumpets)

Week 31 — Day 215

Matthew — Mark 6:30-31 — Luke 9:10a — John

Mark 6:30 The apostles gathered together to report to Yeshua [at the end of their ministry assignments], they told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31He said to them, “Come with me into a deserted place and rest a while,” for there were many who were coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Luke 9:10a When the apostles had returned, they told him all that they had done. Yeshua took them and went aside privately into a deserted place outside of the village of Beit Saida.

< 102 > Yeshua feeds about 5,000 with leavened barley loaves and fish

[28th Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Thursday, September 18, 27 CE]

Week 31 — Day 215

This is the only miracle that is recorded by all four Gospel authors and provides the synchronizing marker to harmonize all four Gospel records with absolute precision. This is the first event that John records since the Feast of Shavuot in Jerusalem (chapter 5) and the next event is the Feast of Tabernacles (chapter 7). The Gospel of John covers each one of the Feasts of the LORD and leaves the details between the Feasts for the other three Gospel authors.

Matthew 14:13-21 — Mark 6:32-44 — Luke 9:10b-17 — John 6:1-15

Matthew 14:13 When Yeshua heard [the report of his returning disciples], he departed from the crowd by ship into a deserted area [outside of Beit Saida], and when the people heard, they followed him on foot out of the villages. 14And seeing a great multitude, Yeshua was moved with compassion toward them and he went forth and healed their sick. 15When it was evening his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and dinner time is now past. Send the multitude away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Yeshua said to them, “They need not depart. You give them something to eat.” 17They said to him, “We have here but five loaves and two fish!” 18He said, “Bring them here to me!” 19Then he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves and the two fish. Then, looking up to heaven, he blessed the Most High, and broke the bread, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples distributed to the multitude. 20They did all eat and were filled, and when they took up of the fragments, there remained twelve baskets full! 21And those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children!

Mark 6:32 They departed into a deserted place by ship in secrecy, 33but the people saw them departing, and many recognized him. They ran on foot out from all the villages and outran them, and the crowd came together to greet him. 34When Yeshua came out of the boat and saw so many people, he was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and so he began to teach them many things. 35When the day was now far spent his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and now the time for dinner is far passed. 36Send them away so that they may go into the country round about and into the villages to buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” 37He answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred days-wages of bread to give them something to eat?” 38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they counted they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39Yeshua commanded them to make all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40So, they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41When Yeshua had taken the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the Almighty and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before them – and the two fish he also divided among them all. 42They all ate, and they all were filled! 43Then they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments of the bread and fish! 44And the number of those who ate the loaves were about five thousand men!

Luke 9:10 When the apostles returned they told Yeshua all that they had done. Then he took them aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the village called Beit Saida. 11When the people knew it, they followed him, and Yeshua received them and spoke to them of the kingdom of YHVH, and he healed those who had need of healing. 12When the day began to wear away, the twelve came to him and said, “Send the multitude away so that they may go into the villages and country round about and lodge and buy some food, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13But Yeshua said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish unless we go and buy food for all these people” 14(for they were about five thousand men). Yeshua said to his disciples, “Make them sit down by fifties in a company.” 15They made them to all sit down. 16Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he blessed YHVH, and broke the bread and gave it to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17They ate and were all filled, and they took up twelve baskets of the fragments that remained!

John 6:1 After [the disciples reported concerning their ministry assignments], Yeshua crossed over the sea of Galilee (which is the sea of Tiverias), 2and a great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles which he did on those who were diseased. 3Then Yeshua went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.{Note 12} 5When Yeshua lifted up his eyes and saw a great company come to him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6(And this he said to prove him, for he knew what he would do.) 7Philip answered him, “Two hundred day’s wages worth of bread is not sufficient for this crowd, that every one of them may take a just a little!” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Shimon Kefa’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” 10Yeshua said, “Make the men sit down.” There was a grassy area, so they sat the men down (they numbered about five thousand). 11Yeshua took the loaves, and when he had given thanks to the Almighty, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples distributed to those who were sitting down – and likewise they distributed the fish, as much as the people wanted. 12When they were filled he said to his disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain so that nothing will be lost.” 13They gathered twelve baskets filled with the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over and above all that was eaten! 14Those who had seen the miracle that Yeshua did, said, “This is of a truth The Prophet that should come into the world!” 15When Yeshua perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him king, he departed again into a mountain alone.

< Note 12 > Critical: All of the words found in John 6:4 were added after the third century and are absent from the ancient Greek MSS 472 & 850.

This is clearly not Passover. Yeshua never goes up to Jerusalem. He feeds a multitude with leavened barley loaves. The next chapter of John opens with preparations for the Feast of Tabernacles, which begins eighteen days after this incident. Here, Yeshua is declared by the multitude to be The Prophet of whom Moses prophesied. See the Introduction, Fatal Errors for details on how, when, and why these words were added to later Greek texts of John’s record in order to deceptively lengthen Yeshua’s ministry so as to justify Eusebius’ ludicrous interpretation of Daniel’s ‘seventy sevens’ prophecy.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John *[[6:4]]*

John 6:4 *[[And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.]]*

< 103 > The disciples leave at dark to row back to Kfar Nahum

Yeshua leaves later and walks on the Kinneret

[After sunset, 29th Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Thursday, September 18, 27 CE]

Week 31 — Day 216

Matthew 14:22-33 — Mark 6:45-52 — Luke — John 6:16-21

Matthew 14:22 Immediately [after the multitude was fed] Yeshua constrained his disciples to get into a ship and to go before him to the other side of the Kinneret while he sent the multitudes away. 23When he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray. When the evening had come, he was there alone, 24but the ship was now in the midst of the sea being tossed with the waves because the wind was against them. 25In the fourth watch of the night Yeshua went to them, walking on the sea! 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27Immediately Yeshua spoke to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I – do not be afraid!” 28Then Kefa answered him, “Master, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water!” 29Yeshua said, “Come!” When Kefa came down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Yeshua, 30but when he saw the boisterous wind, he was afraid and began to sink. He cried out, “Master, save me!” 31Immediately Yeshua stretched forth his hand and caught him and said to him, “O you of little faith! Why did you doubt?” 32When they came into the ship the wind ceased. 33Then those who were in the ship came and bowed at his feet saying, “Of a truth you are the Son of YHVH!”

Mark 6:45 Then Yeshua immediately constrained his disciples to get into the ship and to go before him to the other side of Beit Saida while he sent the people away. 46When he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47When even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea and he was alone on the land, 48and he saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49But when they saw him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and they cried out, 50for they all saw him and were troubled. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Be of good cheer! It is I! Be not afraid!” 51Then he went up to them and got into the ship, and the wind ceased. They were amazed beyond measure, and wondered in themselves 52because they fully understood the ramifications of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were still hardened.

John 6:16 When evening was now come, his disciples went down to the sea 17and entered into a ship and they went over the sea toward Kfar Nahum. It was now dark and Yeshua had not come to them. 18Then the sea arose by reason of a great wind.{1} 19So when they had rowed about twenty five or thirty stadion{1}, they saw Yeshua walking on the sea drawing near to the ship, and they were afraid. 20But he said to them, “It is I! Be not afraid!” 21Then they willingly received him into the ship, and immediately the ship was at the land where they went.

{Jn 6:18.1} The prevailing west winds that buffet the sea of Galilee indicate that the feeding of the 5,000 took place on the east side of the village of Beit Saida and Yeshua climbed the large hill on the way up to the Golan Heights to pray. From there he could look down upon the Kinneret and watch the lack of progress being made by the disciples as they rowed against the wind.

{Jn 6:19.1} <stadion> – a measurement used for races in Greece, is exactly 600 Greek feet. The total distance the disciples had traveled is about a third of one mile, whereas the Kinneret is about 8 miles across at its widest point, and the distance from the southeast corner of the sea to Nof Ginasaur, where they landed, is about four miles – not much headway.

< 104 > Yeshua heals many at the lakeside village of Ginasaur the next morning

they walk along the beach to Kfar Nahum

[29th Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Friday, September 19, 27 CE]

Week 31 — Day 216

Matthew 14:34-36 — Mark 6:53-55 — Luke — John 6:22-24

Matthew 14:34 When they had crossed the Kinneret they came into the area of Ginasaur. 35When the men of that place knew he was there, they sent out into all that country round about and brought to him all that were diseased. 36They begged him that they might just touch the tzit-tzit on the corner of his garment – and as many as touched them were made perfectly whole!{1}

{Mt 14:36:1} Malachi prophesied that the Messiah would have healing in his kanaph – the woven wing-like appendages worn on the four corners of the tallit, a particular Israelite garment worn over the common linen haluq (Malachi 4:2). This is an undisputable messianic prophecy that was fulfilled several times in the Gospel records. See also event <92>.

Mark 6:53 When they had passed over the sea of the Galilee, they came into the area of Ginasaur and drew to the shore. 54When they came out of the ship, the people immediately recognized him, 55and they ran through the whole region round about and began to carry those that were sick in beds to where they heard he was.

John 6:22The day following [the feeding of the five thousand], the people who stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except for the one into which his disciples had entered. They had taken notice that Yeshua did not go with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples went on alone without him. 23However, other boats from Tiverias came near to the place where they ate bread (after the master had given thanks and multiplied the loaves and fish). 24When the people saw that Yeshua was not there and neither were his disciples, they also boarded boats and came to Kfar Nahum, seeking for Yeshua.

< 105 > Summary: Yeshua continues ministering to the sick

Week 31

Mark reinforces the fact that the prophecy of Malachi (4:2) was being fulfilled in the sight of multitudes.

Matthew — Mark 6:56 — Luke — John

Mark 6:56 Wherever Yeshua entered, whether into villages, or cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the streets and besought him that they might touch the tzit-tzit on the corners of his garment. As many as touched him were made whole.

< 106 > Yeshua teaches in the synagogue at Kfar Nahum “The Last Day and the Resurrection”

[Shabbat before the Day of Trumpets - 30th Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday September 20, 27 CE]

Week 31 — Day 217

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 6:25-65

This teaching takes place in the Kfar Nahum Synagogue on the Sabbath, but is not mentioned until verse 59

John 6:25 When the people found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Yeshua answered them and said, “TRUTH I say to you, you seek me not because you saw the miracles, but because you ate our leavened bread, and were filled! 27Labor not for the food which perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for the Son of Man is the one whom YHVH the Father has authenticated!” 28Then they said to him, “What shall we do that we might work the works of YHVH?” 29Yeshua answered and said to them, “This is the work of YHVH, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”{1} 30They replied, “What sign will you show us then, so that we may see and believe in you? What miraculous work will you do? 31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

{Jn 6:29:1} Deuteronomy 18:15-19 is the reference to the context of Yeshua’s statement – one of the most important prophesies in the entirety of scripture. 15 “YHVH thy Elohim will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16According to all that thou desiredst of YHVH thy Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of YHVH my Elohim, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17And YHVH said unto me, ‘They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will make diligent inquiry of him and he will be judged according to his compliance with the words of that Prophet.’

John 6:32 Yeshua said to them, “TRUTH I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but my Father, and he now gives you the true bread from heaven.{1} 33For the bread of YHVH is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34Then they said to him, “Master, give us more and more of this bread.” 35Yeshua said, “I am the bread of life! He that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes in me shall never thirst. 36But I also say to you that you have seen me, and yet believe not. 37All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and he who comes to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me! 39And this is the Father’s will who has sent me: that of all whom he has given me I should lose none, but should raise them up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of YHVH who sent me – that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day!” 41Then the religious leaders murmured at him because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 42They said, “Is not this Yeshua, the son of Yoseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he said, ‘I came down from heaven?’” 43Yeshua answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves! 44No man can come to me except the Father, which has sent me, draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day! 45It is written in the prophets: ‘And they shall all be taught of YHVH.’{1} Every man, therefore, who has heard and has learned of the Father, comes to me. 46Not that any man has seen the Father, except he who is from YHVH. He alone has seen the Father. 47TRUTH I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life! 48I am that bread of life! 49Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and are dead. 50But this is the bread which comes down from heaven that a man may eat, and not die! 51I am the living bread which came down from heaven! If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever! The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world!”

52The religious leaders then strove among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53Then Yeshua said to them, “TRUTH I say to you, except you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day! 55For my flesh is truly food and my blood is truly drink. 56He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me, and I in him! 57As the living Father has sent me, and as I live by the Father – so he that eats me, even he shall live by me! 58This is that bread which came down from heaven! Not as your fathers ate manna and are dead! He who eats this bread shall live forever!” 59These things he said in the synagogue as he taught in Kfar Nahum. 60Many of his disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a hard saying! Who can hear it?” 61When Yeshua knew in himself that his disciples murmured about it, he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before? 63It is the spirit that quickens – the flesh profits nothing! The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life! 64But there are some of you who will not and can not believe!” (For Yeshua knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.) 65Then he said, “That is why I said to you that no man can come to me, except it is given to him by my Father!”

{Jn 6:32.1} Yeshua is alluding to his broken body and shed blood that is symbolized by the bread and wine brought forth by the Melek Tzadek to Avraham. This had been rehearsed for the past two thousand years, and was expounded upon by Yeshua on the night of his last supper with his disciples before the Passover. Though all he spoke was true, no one understood it at the time.

{Jn 6:45.1} Jeremiah 31:34 – It is the Holy Spirit of the living Elohim that leads an individual into the truth. Not all will be called – even fewer will respond appropriately.

< 107 > Many disciples are disillusioned and choose to no longer follow Yeshua

[Shabbat before the Day of Trumpets - 30th Day of the 6th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday September 20, 27 CE]

Week 31 — Day 217

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 6:66-71

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went away and walked with him no more. 67Then Yeshua asked the twelve, “Will you also go away?” 68Shimon Kefa answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69and we believe and are sure that you are that Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.” 70Yeshua answered them, “Have not I chosen twelve, and yet one of you is a demon?” 71(He spoke of Yehudas from Ascareyotah, the son of Shimon, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.)

V. Yom Teruah through the Last Great Day 4027

< 108 > Yom Teruah (the Day of Trumpets) begins at sundown at the end of the Sabbath

[High Sabbath - 1st Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, September (20) 21, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 218

< Note 13 > Astronomical event: new moon sighting – Yom Teruah

At the sunset that closed the Sabbath on the 30th day of the 6th month (Saturday, September 20th, 27 CE), the first sliver of the new moon of the 7th month was sighted 15.34 degrees above the horizon at 4.46% illumination, which initiated the High Sabbath of the Day of Trumpets. Earlier that day, in the Kfar Nahum synagogue, Yeshua interpreted the prophetic meaning of the Day of Trumpets by declaring his role as the one who will raise the dead in the Last Day (which he also did on the Day of Firstfruits – event <227>) . The Day of Trumpets is the Feast that occurs “on a day and hour that no man knows,” because that Feast day is reckoned by the sighting of the new moon which cannot be known in advance, even with the most precise astronomical calculations, because atmospheric conditions may obscure the otherwise observable celestial event. In retrospect, we can now calculate, to within 1/100th of one percent of illumination, what they could see over 1,982 years ago from the hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee. That particular year, the previous month was a full 30 day month with no chance of seeing the moon the night before. It would be, by default, a full 30 day month – but they could not have known that from their more primitive perspective.

< 109 > Yeshua confronts sages and Pharisees

[High Sabbath - 1st Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, September 21, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 218

This confrontation in Kfar Nahum occurs on the very day that we are to remember the blowing of trumpets – the day that the commandments were shouted down from Mount Sinai. We were to remember that no one adds to or subtracts from those commandments, and that the Almighty promised to send The Prophet in the future to show us the true path.

Matthew 15:1-20 — Mark 7:1-23 — Luke — John

Matthew 15:1 Then sages and Prushim, which were from Yerushalayim, came to Yeshua saying, 2“Why do your disciples transgress the takanot of antiquity, because they do not wash their hands when they eat bread?” 3Yeshua answered them, “Why do you transgress the commandment of YHVH by your takanot? 4For YHVH commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and mother, and he that curses father or mother shall be put to death.’ 5But you say, ‘Whoever shall say to his father or mother that whatever support they might have received from him is corban [a gift dedicated to the Temple], he is free [from his responsibility to caring for his elderly parents].’ 6In so doing, he does not care for his father or his mother! Thus, you have made the commandment of YHVH of no effect by your takanot.{1} 7You hypocrites! Well did Yeshayahu prophesy of you, saying, 8‘These people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’” 10And he called the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand: 11it is not that which goes into the mouth which defiles a man, but that which comes out of the mouth – this defiles a man.”

12Then his disciples came to him and said, “Do you know that the Prushim were offended when they heard what you said?” 13Yeshua answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up. 14Leave them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind – and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” 15Then Kefa asked, “Declare this parable to us.” 16Yeshua responded, “Are you also without understanding? 17Do you not understand that whatever enters in at the mouth goes into the belly and goes out in the natural way? 18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile a man. 19Out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, and blasphemies! 20These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

{Mt 15:6.1} The ancient Hebrew text of Matthew’s Gospel states plainly that the followers of Yeshua are commanded to not follow the takanot of the Pharisees’ oral torah. The Encyclopedia Judaica defines takanot as rules enacted by the Pharisees that change or negate Biblical law. Yet the Torah repeatedly instructs us that no one is ever allowed to either ‘add to the commandments or diminish from’ (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). The takanot of the Pharisees (or any religion) is a violation of the Torah – and sin is the violation of the Torah (I John 3:4). Yeshua clearly and pointedly commanded his disciples “Do not follow the takanot of the Pharisees” and gave added clarification in his last message to Israel (recorded in Matthew 23). The Pharisees were offended when Yeshua confronted them on this issue on the Day of Trumpets. They threatened to kill him if he showed up in Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot in two weeks (John 7:1). Yeshua vociferously violated the man-made rules of the Pharisees at every turn – that is why they started making plans to kill him at Shavuot (John 5:1-47) when he healed a man and then immediately commanded him to break the law of the eruv by picking up his mat on the Sabbath and carrying it away. If we miss this one principle – we have missed the entire teaching ministry of the Messiah who came to declare the truth that sets men free from the bondage of religion. See full explanation of takanot (event <174> Matthew 23:2).

Mark 7:1 Then Prushim and notable sages came from Yerushalayim to confront Yeshua. 2When they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled (ceremonially unwashed) hands, they found fault 3because the Prushim and all their adherents hold to the takanot of their sages and do not eat unless they wash their hands according to their tradition. 4When they come from the market, unless they wash according to their tradition, they do not eat – and they do so many other things which they themselves have decided to observe, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and pots, and brass vessels, and tables. 5Then the Prushim and sages asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the takanot of the sages but eat bread with unwashed hands?” 6He answered them, “Well has Yeshayahu prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8For laying aside the commandment of YHVH, you hold the takanot of men, such as the washing of pots and cups, and many other similar things you do. 9With full knowledge you reject the commandment of YHVH that you may keep your man-made takanot! 10Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11But you say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother, everything that he would have given to support them in their old age is corban, (a gift dedicated to the Temple) he shall be free of his obligation.’ 12Thus, you allow him to do no more for his father or his mother, 13making the word of YHVH of none effect through the takanot that you have enacted. And many such things you do.”{1}

{Mk 7:13.1} The foundation of Phariseeism is the practice of eating everyday meals in an invented state of ritual purity. This principle of Phariseeism is more fully described in the Introduction under the header “Prushim,” and must be understood. It clarifies both the gravity of this confrontation and the Gospel of the Kingdom that Yeshua taught by word and deed.

Mark 7:14 Then he called all the people to him and said, “Everyone listen up and understand! 15There is nothing from outside of a man that entering into him can truly defile him, but the things which come out of him is what defiles him. 16If any man has ears to hear, let him hear!”{1} 17And when he entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18And he said to them, “Are you so without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever thing from without enters into the man, it cannot defile him 19because it enters not into his heart but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats?” 20Then he said, “That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness! 23All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

{Mk 7:16.1} Yeshua is speaking of the man-made rituals that the Pharisees have concocted so that they stay uncontaminated from the world in their parush – separated world of self-sanctity. He is not saying that it is now permissible to violate the Torah and eat cats, rats, lizards, pigs, or tarantulae (which are all delicacies in various cultures). Yeshua is upholding the sanctity of the Torah and defending it against the man-made rules of a system that is manipulating and controlling the masses with a hybrid religion. Israel was adamantly instructed that “no one adds to or diminishes from” the commandments given to us at Sinai – anyone who does is a false prophet! (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) Here, Yeshua is exposing the Pharisee sages as false prophets because they have both added to and subtracted from the Torah with this single takana concerning taking care of one’s aged parents. He said that they do “many such things” (which are now recorded in the Talmud). They were offended at him and threatened to kill him over the issue regarding to whose authority we are required to submit. The Prophet set us free from the bondage of man-made religion – but religionists will kill to protect their illegitimate authority.

< 110 > Yeshua and disciples travel north

to the southern border of Tyre and Sidon

[2nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Monday, September 22, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 219

Matthew 15:21 — Mark 7:24a — Luke — John

Matthew 15:21 Then Yeshua departed, and traveled to the border of Tyre and Sidon.

Mark 7:24a From there he arose, and went to the border of Tyre and Sidon.

< 111 > Yeshua heals a gentile

a pagan (Canaanite) child is possessed by demons

[2nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Monday September 22, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 219

Matthew 15:22-28 — Mark 7:24b-30 — Luke — John

Matthew 15:22 A Canaanite woman out of the same area came to him and cried, “Have mercy on me master, son of David! My daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.” 23But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and besought him, “Send her away, she cries after us.” 24But he answered, “I am only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Yisrael.” 25Then came she and worshipped him, begging, “Master, help me!” 26He bluntly answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.” 27She replied, “True, master, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” 28Then Yeshua said to her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it unto you even as you will.” And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mark 7:24b There, Yeshua entered into a house, and would have no man know it, but he could not be hid. 25A pagan woman, whose young daughter had a foul spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet. 26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation, and she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. 27But Yeshua said to her, “Let the children first be filled. It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.” 28She answered him, “Yes, master, yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.” 29Then he said to her, “For this saying go your way – the demon has gone out of your daughter!” 30And when she returned to her house, she found the demon had left and her daughter laid quietly upon the bed.

< 112 > Returning to the northern region of the Decapolis

Yeshua heals a deaf man and many others

[3rd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Tuesday, September 23, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 220

Matthew 15:29-31 — Mark 7:31-37 — Luke — John

Mathew 15:29 Yeshua departed from there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30Great multitudes came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and laid them down at Yeshua’s feet and he healed them. 31The multitude wondered when they saw the dumb speak, the maimed made whole, the lame walk, and the blind to see, and they glorified the Elohim of Yisrael!

Mark 7:31 Departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came to the sea of the Galilee by going through the midst of the region of the Decapolis. 32There they brought to him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33Yeshua took him aside from the multitude and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue. 34Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “be opened.” 35Straightway his ears were opened, and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36Yeshua charged them that they should tell no man, but the more he charged them, so much the more they made it a great deal and published it abroad. 37They were astonished beyond measure and said, “He has done all things [prophesied of the Messiah] well! He makes both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak!”{1}

{Mk 7:37.1} Isaiah 35:1-6

< 113 > Second miracle of loaves and fish

about 4,000 men are fed after following Yeshua for three days

[4th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, September 24, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 221

Matthew 15:32-38 — Mark 8:1-9 — Luke — John

Matthew 15:32 Then Yeshua called his disciples to him, and said, “I have compassion on the multitude because they have continued with me now for three days, and they have nothing to eat. I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” 33His disciples said to him, “Where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a great multitude?” 34Yeshua replied incredulously, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few very small fish.” 35Yeshua commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples distributed to the multitude, 37and they all ate, and were filled. When they took up the remainder, there were seven baskets full, 38and those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Yeshua called his disciples to him and said, 2“I have compassion on the multitude because they have now been with me three days and they have nothing to eat. 3If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint in the way because many of them came from afar.” 4His disciples answered, “How can anyone satisfy all these people with bread out here in the wilderness?” 5Yeshua asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6Then he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and broke the bread and gave it to his disciples to set before them – and they set it before the people. 7They also had a few small fish, so again he blessed the Almighty, and commanded his disciples to set them also before the people. 8They all ate and were filled, and they took up seven baskets of the food that was left. 9And those who had eaten were about four thousand, and he sent them away.

< 114 > Crossing from the Golan Heights to Migdal,

the Prushim and Zadokim confront Yeshua

[5th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Thursday, September 25, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 222

Matthew 15:39-16:4 — Mark 8:10-13 — Luke — John

Matthew 15:39 After he sent away the multitude he boarded a ship and came to the area of Migdal. 16:1The Prushim came with the Zadokim and tempting him, desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2He answered them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3In the morning you say, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and lowering.’ You hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times? 4A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of the prophet Yonah.” And he left them, and departed.

Mark 8:10 Straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples and came into the parts of Dalmanutha [which is near Migdal]. 11The Prushim came to him and began to question him, seeking of him a sign from heaven and tempting him. 12He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek after a sign? Truth I say to you, there will be given no sign to this generation.” 13He left them and entered into the ship again and departed to the other side.

< 115 > Summary statement: the Prushim and Zadokim threaten to kill Yeshua

[5th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Thursday, September 25, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 222

The Pharisee leaders have made it very clear that they intend to kill Yeshua for his blatant violation of rabbinic takanot. The previous incident at Migdal is the only discourse between Yeshua and the Prushim after he deliberately violated the takanot of their sages a second time and fed four thousand more with “unsanctified” hands – ignoring their protocols and their threats.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:1

John 7:1 After these things Yeshua remained in the Galilee. He would not go up to Jerusalem yet, because the religious leaders sought to kill him.{1}

{Jn 7:1.1} KJV reads – walk in Jewry because the Jews sought to kill him. This translation ignores that fact that those who are following him are also Jews – Galilean Jews who are coming out of the Pharisee synagogues and following him.

< 116 > Sailing from Migdal

Yeshua warns his disciples of the “leaven” of the Pharisees

[6th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Friday September 26, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 223

Matthew 16:5-12 — Mark 8:14-21 — Luke — John

Matthew 16:5 Now when his disciples got to the other side of the Kinneret, they realized that they had forgotten to take bread. 6So Yeshua said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Prushim and of the Zadokim.” 7They reasoned within themselves, “It is because we have taken no bread?” 8When Yeshua perceived their thoughts, he said to them, “O you of little faith! Why reason in yourselves that I say this because you have brought no bread? 9Do you not yet understand? Do you not remember the five loaves that fed five thousand, and how many baskets did you take up? 10Do you not remember the seven loaves that fed four thousand, and how many baskets did you take up? 11How is it that you do not understand that I do not speak to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Prushim and of the Zadokim?” 12Then they understood how he commanded them to not be wary of the leaven of bread – but of the doctrine of the Prushim and the Zadokim.

Mark 8:14 The disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf in the ship. 15Yeshua charged them, “Take heed – beware of the leaven of the Prushim, and of the leaven of Herod.” 16They reasoned in themselves, “It is because we have no bread?” 17When Yeshua knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Why reason that I said this because you have no bread? Do you not perceive? Cannot you understand? Do you still have a hard heart? 18Do you have eyes and cannot see, and ears but cannot hear? Do you not remember 19when I broke the five loaves among five thousand? How many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20“And when I divided the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said, “Seven.” 21He then asked them again, “How is it that you do not understand?”

< 117 > Yeshua heals a blind man at Beit Saida

According to Pharisee law it is forbidden to put saliva on one’s eyes on the Sabbath.

Yeshua deliberately breaks rabbinic law after he is threatened with death

[Sabbath, 7th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday, September 27, 27 CE]

Week 32 — Day 224

Matthew — Mark 8:22-26 — Luke — John

Mark 8:22 When he came to Beit Saida, they brought a blind man to Yeshua and begged him to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. He put spit on his eyes,{1} and putting his hands on him, he asked the man if he saw anything. 24He looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25Again, he put his hands on his eyes and made him look up, and he was restored and saw every man clearly. 26Yeshua sent him away to his house saying, “Do not go into the town, nor tell it to any from the town.”

{Mk 8:23.1} Rabbinic takanot absolutely forbid putting saliva on the eyes on the Sabbath (Talmud, tractate Shabbat 108b).

< Note 14 > Yeshua travels north to Caesarea Philippi

[8th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, September 28, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 225

< 118 > On the road to Caesarea Philippi

Yeshua forbids his disciples from voicing that he is the Messiah because of his covert mission in Yerushalayim: to die as the “suffering servant”

[8th-9th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; September 28-29, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 225-226

Matthew 16:13-28 — Mark 8:27-9:1 — Luke 9:18-27 — John

Matthew 16:13 When Yeshua came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14They replied, “Some say that you are Yochanan the immerser, some say you are Eliyahu, and others say you are Yirmeyahu or one of the prophets.” 15He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Shimon Kefa answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim.” 17Yeshua said to him, “Blessed are you, Shimon ben Yonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father in heaven. 18I also say to you that you are Kefa [<petroj – petros> – a pebble] but on this rock{1} [<petra – petra> – the fact that I am the Messiah, the son of the living Elohim] I will build my kehilah{2} and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you all the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven – and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then he charged his disciples that they should not tell anyone that he was the Messiah.{1}

{Mt 16:18.1} I Corinthians 10:4 “and this rock is Messiah” (Exodus 17:6; John 7:38)

{Mt 16:18.2} Church (KJV) – is <ekklhsia – ekklesia> (Greek), which refers to the “assembly” of believers. Ekklesia was used for the first time in the Septuagint (Deuteronomy 18:16) to translate the Hebrew word < lhq – kahal> – the “called out” or the “assembly of Israel” who were gathered at Mount Sinai to enter into the covenant with YHVH. The word kehilah is more accurate than the English word “church,” which comes from the old English kirke, from which is derived the word “circus,” where an entertaining “dog and pony show” takes place.

There is another way of rendering this verse that comes from the Ancient Hebrew Matthew which employs a figure of speech that could only appear in a Hebrew original, and so it must also be seriously considered. It states, “You Kefa are even (a rock) and upon you will I evneh (build) my house of prayer (bet tefilati)…” This statement gives clarity to the remaining context. According to the Ancient Hebrew Matthew, Yeshua is going to build a house of prayer on Kefa, not the Kehilah (which he builds on himself as the foundation stone that was considered unacceptable by the builders of Pharisaic Judaism – Matthew 21:42). The gates of hell (which is an archaeological feature still extant at the pagan city of Caesarea Philippi, where they are now standing) will not be able to prevail against the house of prayer that Kefa will establish in Jerusalem. What they bind or loose in prayer will be honored in heaven as they pray according to the will of Yeshua and the Father. There is no evidence that Kefa or his purported spiritual descendants would be the foundation of the Kehilah of Messiah. That is contrary to all of the Scripture regardless of the translations one reads – and contrary to the physical reality of that which is seated in Rome. Yeshua Messiah is the foundation (I Corinthians 3:11-18) – there is no other foundation, period.

{Mt 16:20.1} His first coming, to pay the death penalty for the broken covenant at Sinai, was a covert mission. The one with no sin, no violation of the Torah, came to die in the place of the guilty party so that the original covenant could be renewed. We could, once again, qualify to be a righteous nation of priests and kings through the accomplishment of Yeshua Messiah (Rev 1:6).

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth Yeshua began to declare to his disciples that he must go to Yerushalayim, and suffer many things of the elders and ruling cohenim and sages, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22Then Kefa took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from you, master! This shall not be done to you!” 23Yeshua turned and said to Kefa, “Get behind me, hasatan! You offend me! You do not savor the things of YHVH, but the things of men.” 24Then Yeshua said to his disciples, “If any man desires to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25Whoever desires to save his life shall lose it – but whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26What would a man profit if he gained the whole world, and lost his own soul? Or what would a man give in exchange for his soul? 27One day the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels and reward every man according to his works. 28Truth I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste of death before they see the Son of Man in his kingdom.”

Mark 8:27 Yeshua and his disciples went around to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” 28They answered, “Yochanan the immerser, but some say Eliyahu, and others say one of the prophets.” 29Then he asked them, “But who say you that I am?” Kefa answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30Yeshua emphatically charged them that they should tell no man concerning him. 31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the ruling cohenim, and the sages, and be killed, and after three days rise again – 32and he spoke that saying openly. Kefa took him aside and began to rebuke him, 33but Yeshua turned about and looked at his disciples and rebuked Kefa, “Get behind me, hasatan, for you savor not the things of YHVH, but the things of men!” 34Yeshua then called the people and also his disciples to him and said, “Whoever wills to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow. 35Whoever wills to save his life shall lose it – but whoever shall lose his life for my sake, and the gospel’s sake, the same shall save it. 36What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38Therefore, whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Mark 9:1 Yeshua said to them, “Truth I say to you, that there be some of those who stand here, which shall not taste of death before they have seen the kingdom of YHVH come with power.”

Luke 9:18 When he was alone praying his disciples found him, and he asked them, “Whom do the people say that I am?” 19They answered, “Yochanan the immerser, but some say Eliyahu, and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20He then asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Kefa answered, “The Messiah of YHVH.” 21Then Yeshua emphatically charged them, yes, he commanded them to tell no man that thing. 22He said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected of the elders and ruling cohenim and sages, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” 23He then said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24Whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole world, and lose himself or be cast away? 26Whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father’s glory, and in the glory of the holy angels. 27But I will tell you a truth, there are some standing here who will not taste of death before they see with their eyes, the kingdom of YHVH.”{1}

{Lk 9:27.1} In the following incident, Yeshua invites three of these disciples to go with him up to the top of a mountain on Yom Kippur. There they will, in fact, see the kingdom of Elohim. They will see Moses and Eliyahu, and hear the voice of YHVH.

< 119 > Yeshua ordained as the Cohen Gadol “The Transfiguration”

[Yom Kippur - 10th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Tuesday, September 30, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 227

This incident occurs “about eight days after the teachings” (Luke) or “six days after” (the teachings when he fed the four thousand - Matthew, Mark). Yeshua takes Kefa, Yaakov, and Yochanan to a mountain where Moses and Eliyahu “ordain” Yeshua as Cohen Gadol after the Order of the Melek Tzadek. This is the incident when some of the disciples get to see Yeshua ‘in his kingom’ before their death – but they will be sworn to secrecy until after the resurrection.

Matthew 17:1-9 — Mark 9:2-10 — Luke 9:28-36 — John

Matthew 17:1 After six days{1} Yeshua took Kefa, Yaakov, and Yochanan his brother apart and brought them up into an high mountain, 2and he was transfigured before them, and his face shined as the sun, and his garments were as white as light. 3And there appeared to them Moses and Eliyahu talking with him! 4Kefa said to Yeshua, “Master, it is good for us to be here! If you will, let us make three sukkot (tabernacles) here – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Eliyahu.” 5While he spoke a bright cloud overshadowed them, and, behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased! Shema – Hear and obey him!{1}” 6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were extremely afraid. 7Then Yeshua came and touched them, and said, “Arise, be not afraid.” 8When they looked up, they saw no man, except Yeshua. 9As they came down from the mountain, Yeshua charged them, “Tell the vision to no man until after the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

{Mt 17:1.1} Both Matthew 17:1 and Mark 9:2 report that “after (meta) six days Yeshua took three of his disciples to a high mountain,” where he changed before their eyes and shone with the brightness of the sun. Luke 9:28 records that the same incident, his ordination as the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) after the order of the Melek Tzadek (Melchizedek – KJV), occurred “about (hosei) eight days after the teachings.” “After (meta) six days” is the seventh day, while “about (hosei –having not yet reached the point or number) eight days” is also the seventh day. Both Greek constructions record the same event occurring at the same time by using two parallel Greek mathematical constructions. The seventh day after (inclusive of the day – a third mathematical construction) the teachings that concluded with the feeding of the four thousand disciples on the seventh day of the month brings us to Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.

{Mt 17:5.1} The voice from heaven, the second bat kol, authenticated Yeshua as The Prophet that we must shema (hear and obey) and those who will not hear and obey will be diligently sought out and judged accordingly (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).

Mark 9:2 After six days Yeshua took Kefa with him, and Yaakov, and Yochanan, and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves, and he was transfigured before them. 3His garments became shining, whiter than snow, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4And there appeared to them Eliyahu with Moses, and they were talking with Yeshua. 5Kefa asked Yeshua, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles here – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Eliyahu,” 6Kefa really did not know what to say because they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son! Shema!” 8Suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more except Yeshua and themselves. 9As they came down from the mountain he charged them that they should not tell any man the things that they had seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. 10They kept that saying to themselves but questioned one another what the rising from the dead should mean.

Luke 9:28 About eight days after the teachings [when he fed the four thousand], Yeshua took Kefa and Yochanan and Yaakov, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29As he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered and his garments were white and glistering. 30And two men, Moses and Eliyahu, talked with him. 31They appeared in a cloud of glory, and spoke to him of his death that he would accomplish at Yerushalayim. 32But Kefa and those who were with him fell asleep under the weight of the glory. When they awoke they continued to behold his glory, and the glory of the two men that stood with him. 33And as Moses and Eliyahu departed, Kefa said to Yeshua, “Master, it is good for us to stay here and build three tabernacles – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Eliyahu!” 34While he spoke a cloud came over them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son! Hear and obey him!” 36When the voice was past, Yeshua was seen alone. And the disciples kept these things close to their hearts and in those days they did not tell anyone any of those things that they had seen.

< 120 > Yeshua endorses the deceased Yochanan ben Zecharyah

and answers the enigmatic ‘suffering servant’ and ‘Eliyahu first’ prophecies

[Yom Kippur - 10th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Tuesday, September 30, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 227

Matthew 17:10-13 — Mark 9:11-13 — Luke — John

Mark 9:11 Then they asked Yeshua, “Why do the sages say that Eliyahu must come first?” 12He answered them, “Eliyahu truly comes first and restores all things. And what is written concerning the Son of Man? That he must suffer many things, and be counted as nothing.{1} 13But I say to you that Eliyahu has indeed already come, and they have done to him whatever they determined – and he did just as it is written of him.”{1}

{Mk 9:12.1} Isaiah 53:1-10 fulfilled

{Mk 9:13.1} Malachi 4:5; Lk 1:17

Matthew 17:10 Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the sages say that Eliyahu must come first?” 11Yeshua answered them, “Eliyahu truly shall first come and restore all things. 12Now I tell you that Eliyahu has come already, and they knew him not; but have done to him whatever they decided to do. Likewise shall the Son of Man also suffer by them.” 13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of Yochanan the immerser.

< 121 > Yeshua heals a child possessed with a demonic spirit

[11th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, October 1, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 228

Matthew 17:14-18 — Mark 9:14-27 — Luke 9:37-43a — John

Matthew 17:14 When Yeshua approached the crowd, a certain man came to him, and kneeling down to him said, 15“Master, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and sore vexed, for oft times he falls into the fire, and oft into the water, 16and I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17Then Yeshua replied, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I have to endure you? Bring him here to me!” 18Yeshua rebuked the demon, and it departed out of him. And the child was healed immediately.{1}

{Mt 17:18.1} KJV – “from that very hour” is a common figure of speech meaning “immediately and from that point on.”

Mark 9:14 When he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the sages questioning them. 15Straightway, when all the people beheld him they were greatly amazed, and ran to him and saluted him. 16Yeshua asked the sages, “Why do you question them?” 17One of the multitude answered and said, “Master, I have brought to you my son, who has a dumb spirit. 18Wherever he takes him, he tears him. He foams at the mouth and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away. I asked your disciples if they would cast him out, but they could not.”

19He answered him, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.” 20They brought the boy to Yeshua, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit tore him and he wallowed on the ground and foamed at the mouth. 21Yeshua asked his father, “How long has he been in this condition?” He said, “Since he was a child. 22Often it casts him into the fire and into the waters in an attempt to destroy him. If you can do anything, please have compassion on us and help us.” 23Yeshua said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to those who believe.” 24Immediately the father of the child cried out, “Master, I believe! Please help my unbelief!” 25When Yeshua saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, “You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and return into him no more.” 26The spirit cried out and rent him sore, and came out of him, and he was left as dead. Many said, “He is dead!” 27But Yeshua took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose!

Luke 9:37 On the next day, when they came down from the hill, many people met him. 38And a man of the company cried out, “Master, I beseech you, look at my son – he is my only child. 39A spirit takes him suddenly and he cries out, and it tears him and he foams at the mouth and it bruises him severely and then it departs from him. 40I besought your disciples to cast him out, and they could not.” 41Yeshua answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and tolerate you? Bring your son here.” 42As he was coming the demon threw him down and tore him. Yeshua rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and returned him to his father. 43They were all amazed at the mighty power of YHVH.

< 122 > Yeshua’s disciples question him in a private residence

[11th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, October 1, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 228

Matthew 17:19-21 — Mark 9:28-29 — Luke — John

Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Yeshua apart from the crowd, and said, “Why could we not cast him out?” 20Yeshua said to them, “Because of your unbelief! Truth I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here and go there,’ and it shall move. Nothing shall be impossible to you. 21However this kind of demon does not go out without prayer and fasting.”

Mark 9:28 When Yeshua came into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could not we cast him out?” 29And he said to them, “This kind can come forth only by prayer and fasting.”

< 123 > Yeshua speaks of his death and resurrection

as they travel toward his home in Kfar Nahum

[11th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, October 1, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 228

Matthew 17:22-23 — Mark 9:30-32 — Luke 9:43b-45 — John

Matthew 17:22 While they abode in Galilee, Yeshua said to them, “The Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men, 23and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.” And they greatly sorrowed.

Mark 9:30 As they departed from there they passed through Galilee, and he did not want any man to know 31because he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after he is dead, he shall rise the third day.” 32But they did not understand that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Luke 9:43b While every one wondered at the things that Yeshua did, he said to his disciples, 44“Let these words sink deep into your ears – the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” 45But they did not understand the saying, and its meaning was hid from them. They could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask him the meaning of the saying.

< 124 > The disciples arrive in Kfar Nahum and Yeshua teaches

[11th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, October 1, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 228

Matthew 17:24-18:35 — Mark 9:33-50 — Luke 9:46-50 — John

Matthew 17:24 When they came to Kfar Nahum, those who received tribute money came to Kefa, and said, “Does not your master pay tribute?” 25He said, “Yes.” When Kefa came into the house, Yeshua prevented him, “What were you thinking, Shimon? Tell me, of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute – from their own children, or of strangers?” 26Kefa said to him, “from strangers.” Yeshua said to him, “Then the children are free from this. 27Notwithstanding, lest we should now offend them [over this trivial issue], go to the lake, cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open his mouth you shall find a piece of money. That take, and give to them for me and you.”

Matthew 18:1At that time the disciples came to Yeshua, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2Yeshua called a little child to him and set him in the midst of them, 3and said, “Truth I say to you, unless you are changed and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. 6Whoever offends one of these little ones who believes in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of offences! Yes, offences must come; but woe to the man by whom the offence comes! 8Therefore, if your hand or your foot offends you, cut them off and cast them from you! It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the fires of Gehinnom. 9If your eye offends you, pluck it out, and cast it from you! It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones. I say to you, that in heaven their guardian angels continually behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11The Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go into the mountains and seek that which has gone astray? 13If he finds it, truth I say to you, he rejoices more for that one sheep, than for the ninety-nine which did not stray. 14Even so, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. 15Moreover, if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he shall hear you, you have gained your brother; 16but if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17If he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the kehilah – but if he refuses to hear the kehilah, let him be the same to you as a heathen or a publican. 18Truth I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven – and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say to you, if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”

21Then Kefa came to him and said, “Master, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him – seven times?” 22Yeshua said to him, “I say not to you, ‘seven times,’ but, ‘until seventy times seven.’ 23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is likened to a certain king, which took an account of his servants. 24When he began to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had nothing with which to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant fell down and begged him, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27The master of the servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence. He laid hands on him, and took him by the throat saying, ‘Pay me all that you owe.’ 29Then his fellow servant fell down at his feet and besought him, ‘Have patience with me and I will pay you all.’ 30But he refused and he cast him into prison until he paid the full debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what was done they were very sorry, and came and told to their master all that was done. 32Then his master called him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?’ 34His master was wroth, and he delivered him to the slavemasters untill he paid all that was due to him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you, from your hearts, do not forgive every one of his brother’s trespasses.”

Mark 9:33 Yeshua came to Kfar Nahum, and when he was in the house he asked his disciples, “What was it that you disputed among yourselves along the way?” 34But they held their peace, for along the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35He sat down and called the twelve, and said to them, “If any man desire to be the greatest, he shall make himself last of all, and servant of all.” 36Then he took a child and set him in the midst of them and when he had taken him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever shall receive one such child in my name, receives me; and whoever shall receive me, receives not me, but him that sent me.”

38Yochanan answered, “Master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and he does not follow us, so we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39But Yeshua said, “Do not forbid him, for there is no man who can do a miracle in my name, that can readily revile me. 40He that is not against us, is on our side. 41Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink, in my name, because you belong to Messiah, truth I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. 42Whoever shall offend one of these little ones that believes in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck and he was cast into the sea. 43If your hand offends you, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, 44where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched! 45If your foot offends you, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life lame, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched, 46where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 47If your eye offends you, pluck it out! It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of YHVH with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire, 48where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 49Every one will be seasoned with fire, just as every sacrifice is salted with salt. 50Salt is good, but if the salt has lost his saltiness, how will you season your sacrifice? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”

Luke 9:46 Then there arose a question among them as to which of them should be the greatest. 47So Yeshua, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48and said to them, “Whoever shall receive this child in my name receives me; and whoever shall receive me receives him that sent me! He that is least among you all, he shall be great.” 49And Yochanan answered, “Master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow us.” 50Yeshua said to him, “Do not forbid him – for he that is not against us is for us.”

< 125 > Yeshua’s family leaves for the Feast of Tabernacles

Yeshua and his disciples spend the night in his home in Kfar Nahum

[ 11th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Wednesday, October 1, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 228

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:2-9

John 7:2 Now the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) was drawing near. 3Yeshua’s brothers said to him, “Depart from here, and go into Yehudaea, that your other disciples also may see the works that you do. 4For there is no man that does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly. If you are really going to do this, declare yourself to the world,” 5(For neither did his brothers believe in him.) 6Then Yeshua said to them, “It is not my time yet, but you can go up to Yerushalayim anytime you are ready. 7The world hates me because I testify against it – that its works are evil. But the world cannot hate you, so 8go ahead up to the Feast. I am not going up to the Feast just yet – it is not yet the time for me to go up.” 9(Then, after he informed them, he remained in the Galilee.)

< 126 > Yeshua and a few trusted disciples journey to Jerusalem via Samaria “when the days of his going up were being fulfilled”

[12th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Thursday, October 2, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 229

Matthew — Mark — Luke 9:51 — John 7:10

Luke 9:51 When the time came for him to go up to the Feast of Sukkot, he steadfastly set his face to go to Yerushalayim.

John 7:10 After his brothers went up to the Feast, then he also went up in secret.

< 127 > Yeshua sends envoys into the Samaritan village

[13th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Friday, October 3, 27 CE]

Week 33 — Day 230

Yeshua had spent two days with these Samaritans just before Shavuot, when they confessed him as the Messiah (John 4:39-42). Now they refuse to welcome him because they find out that he is adamant about going up to Jerusalem for Sukkot, and is not going to honor their altered Torah text which commands them to celebrate the Feasts on Mount Gerizim (the tenth commandment in the Samaritan’s Torah text). Yeshua and his disciples continue their journey, but several Samaritans pledge to follow him – with a few caveats.

Matthew — Mark — Luke 9:52-62 — John

Luke 9:52 Yeshua sent emissaries before him, and they entered into a Samaritan village to prepare the way for him. 53But they did not receive him, because he was adamant about going up to Yerushalayim for Sukkot. 54When his disciples Yaakov and Yochanan saw this, they said, “Master, shall we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Eliyahu did?” 55Yeshua turned and rebuked them, “You do not understand the spirit from which that thinking comes! 56The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

Then they moved on to another village of the Samaritans. 57As they entered, a certain man proclaimed “Master, I will follow you anywhere you go!” 58Yeshua replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no permanent place to lay his head.” 59Yeshua said to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Master, allow me catch up with you after I bury my father in a few years.”{1} 60Yeshua said to him, “Let the dead bury their dead, but come with me and preach the kingdom of YHVH.” 61Another also said, ”Master, I will follow you; but let me first have one last farewell Feast [on Mount Gerazim]{1} with my family.” 62And Yeshua said to him, “No man who has put his hand to the plough, and then looks back, is fit for the kingdom of YHVH.”

{Lk 9:59.1} KJV – let me bury my father first. It is the responsibility of the children to care for their aged parents until they die (he was not digging a hole at that moment). Other family members who were “dead to the kingdom” could take care of the details at home. Not everyone received an invitation to follow Yeshua as he traveled – it is a rugged life, and he had no idea where he would be sleeping the next night. Yeshua had a house to stay in at Kfar Nahum, but traveling and teaching in Israel at that time was “living by faith” and uncomfortable compared to the security of a fox den. Yeshua also spoke these things to Israelites who wanted to follow him earlier that summer in the Galilee (event <87>).

{Lk 9:61.1} The man-made religious system of the Samaritans commanded that they keep the Feasts on Mount Gerazim. This potential disciple desires to have one last celebration with his family according to the paganized religious traditions he inherited from his forefathers. The last request finds its modern day counterpart in those who cannot walk away from the warm, fuzzy pagan traditions that western gentile Christians have inherited from Roman and Babylonian sun worship. Yeshua replies, “It’s now – or never!”

< Note 15 > Yeshua’s thirtieth year begins

He builds his sukkah in the environs of Jerusalem

[High Sabbath - 15th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, October 5, 27 CE]

Week 34 — Day 232

< 128 > Yeshua teaches in the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles

[15th - 22nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; October 5-12, 27 CE]

Week 34-35 — Day 232-239

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:11-36

John 7:11 Then the religious leaders searched for him at the Feast, inquiring, “Where is he?” 12And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him. Some said, “He is a righteous man!” Others said, “Nay – he deceives the people.” 13However no man openly declared their loyalty to him for fear of the religious leaders.

14About the middle of the Feast, Yeshua went up to the Temple and taught. 15The religious leaders marveled, saying, “How does this man understand the writings, having never learned in our Yeshiva?” 16Yeshua answered them, “My message is not mine, but his that sent me.{1} 17If any man does his will, he shall know whether the message is of YHVH, or from myself. 18He that speaks about himself seeks his own glory, but he that seeks the glory of the one that sent him, that is the true one and there is no unrighteousness in him. 19Did not Moses give you the Torah? None of you keep the Torah! Why are you trying to kill me?” 20They answered “You are possessed by a demon! Who is trying to kill you?”

{Jn 7:16.1} This statement (v.16-18) is Yeshua’s declaration to the sages that he is The Prophet – as detailed in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.

John 7:21 Yeshua replied, “I have done one work{1} and you all marvel. 22Moses gave you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and on the Sabbath day you circumcise a man. 23If a man receive circumcision on the Sabbath day so that the instructions from Moses would not be broken, why are you angry at me because I have made a man every bit whole on the Sabbath day? 24Judge not according to the outward, obvious appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

{Jn 7:21.1} The one work to which Yeshua is referring is the healing of the lame man at the Feast of Shavuot that set the religious leaders in motion to kill Yeshua for breaking their takanot (John 5:18) and commanding the healed man to do the same by deliberately breaking their “law of the eruv” (see event <49>). Circumcision predates Moses and was passed down from Abraham through our spiritual fathers as a token of the land covenant. Gentiles are not a part of the land covenant, but they can become fellow heirs by an act of their free will and submitting to the bloodletting that it requires of the inheritor.

John 7:25 Then some of them from Yerushalayim said, “Is this not the one that they are trying to kill? 26Yet, he is in their face but they say nothing to him! Do the members of the Sanhedrin think that he truly is the Messiah?” 27Others said, “We know where this man comes from, but when the Messiah comes, no man will know from where he comes.”

28Then Yeshua cried out in the Temple as he taught, “You both know me, and you know from whence I came! I did not send myself, but the truth is, you do not know the one who sent me.{1} 29I know him, for I came from him, and he has sent me!”

30Then they sought to take him, but no man laid hands on him because his time had not come. 31But many of the people believed on him, and said, “When Messiah comes, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?” 32The Prushim heard that the people murmured such things concerning him and they and the ruling cohenim sent officers to arrest him.

33Then Yeshua said, “I will be with you a little while longer and then I will go to him that sent me. 34You will seek me, and shall not find me. Where I go you cannot come.” 35Then the religious leaders spoke among themselves, “Where will he go, that we will not find him? Will he go to the dispersed among the gentiles, and teach the gentiles? 36What kind of talk is this, ‘You shall seek me, and shall not find me,’ and ‘where I am, there you cannot come?’”

{Jn 7:28.1} Yeshua is making a direct reference to the “Water Libation” ceremony that took place during the Feast of Sukkot. The priests would parade down to the pool of Shiloam (or “sent one”) and bring up water onto the Temple Mount for the evening ceremony. At the end of the week, Yeshua will proclaim to be the fulfillment of this Holy rehearsal put in place by the prophet, King David. Yeshua will prophesy that he will be the source of the outpouring of the Spirit of which Joel prophesies. Yeshua also interprets the prophetic significance of the Fall Feasts of the LORD and cryptically states that the latter rain outpouring will transpire on the Last Great Day (event <130>). He, the sent one, will fill his obedient followers with that living water after he goes to where “they cannot follow.”

< 129 > The “trial” of the adulterous woman

[ 20th Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Friday, October 10, 27 CE]

Week 34 — Day 237

Several ancient texts insert the record of the “adulterous woman” immediately after John 7:36. The internal evidence also suggests that this incident occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles before both the weekly Sabbath (which was the 7th day of the Feast that year) and the Last Great Day. Because of the repeated attempts to arrest Yeshua, he would have left Jerusalem immediately after the Feast and would not have stayed around for further confrontations with the Pharisees.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 8:1-11

John 8:1 Yeshua went out to his sukkah on the Mount of Olives and 2early in the morning he returned to the Temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3The sages and Prushim brought to him a woman taken in adultery. When they had set her in their midst 4they said to him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act itself.{1} 5Now Moses in the Torah commanded us, that she should be stoned, but what do you say?” 6This they said to tempt him, that they might have grounds to accuse him.

But Yeshua stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. 7When they continued asking him, he stood up and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” 8He stooped down again and wrote on the ground. 9Those who heard his words, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the eldest, ending at the last. Yeshua was left alone with the woman standing in the midst. 10When Yeshua stood up and saw no one but the woman, he said to her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?” 11She said, “No man, master.” And Yeshua said to her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

{Jn 8:4.1} This is an illegal set-up – the Torah stipulates that both parties are culpable in an adulterous situation, not just the woman (Leviticus 20:10). Yeshua’s words could be read, “He who is without this sin, cast the first stone.” It is very likely that the woman was found with one of them in the usual place they reserved for such activities, and that is why the man was not brought into the picture. Yeshua could have been writing the names of the offending parties among them or other incriminating information in the dirt, causing her accusers to quickly vanish.

< 130 > Yeshua proclaims the prophetic fulfillment of the “Latter Rain” outpouring of the Spirit

[High Sabbath – Shemini Atzeret (The Last Great Day) -

22nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, October 12, 27 CE]

Week 35 — Day 239

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:37-43

John 7:37 In the Last Great Day of the Feast, Yeshua stood up and cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink. 38He that believes on me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”{1} 39(But this he spoke of the Spirit, which those who believe in him should receive, for the Ruach Kodesh was not yet given; because Yeshua was not yet glorified.) 40Many of the people who heard him speak said, “Truth, this is The Prophet.” 41Others said, “This is the Messiah!” But some said, “Shall Messiah come out of Galilee? 42Has not the Scripture said that the Messiah comes from the seed of David, out of David’s home town of Bethlehem?” 43So there was a division among the people.

{Jn 7:38.1} This incident is prophetically tied into the Water Libation ceremony on the Temple Mount that concluded on the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The prayer for rain was recited in the Temple on the eighth day (shemeni atzeret – assembly of the eighth) which is a High Sabbath and is refered to in the Gospel of John as the Last Great Day. Yeshua was prophetically proclaiming the future reality of the latter rain – or double portion outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will transpire during the future fulfillment of the Fall Feasts of YHVH. Verse 39 is a scribal note that explains the significance and timing of the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit, but the notation lacked the full detail that the early rain would transpire as a fulfillment of the Spring Feast of YHVH, on Shavuot, and that this prophetic statement by Yeshua is declaring the final fulfillment of the double portion – latter rain outpouring on the Last Great Day at the conclusion of the Feast of Sukkot. This later outpouring will transpire as an intermediate fulfillment of the Fall Feast of YHVH in which the 144,000 will participate. The Last Great Day is now known as “Simchat Torah” (rejoicing in the Torah) after the rabbis instituted the tri-enniel, and later the annual weekly “Torah portion” during the second Babylonian exile. The “eighth day” is now the day that the annual Torah reading is concluded and commenced.

< 131 > The Sanhedrin sends officers to arrest Yeshua

Nicodemus defends Yeshua against other members of the Sanhedrin

[High Sabbath - Shemini Atzeret (The Last Great Day) –

22nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, October 12, 27 CE]

Week 35 — Day 239

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:44-52

John 7:44 Some of the religious leaders wanted to arrest him, but no man laid hands on him. 45When the officers returned to the ruling cohenim and Prushim without arresting Yeshua, they asked the guards, “Why have you not brought him?” 46The officers answered, “No man has ever spoken like this man!” 47The Prushim answered, “Are you also deceived? 48Have any of the members of the Sanhedrin or Prushim believed on him? 49These people who do not follow our oral torah are all cursed.”{1} 50Nicodemus [a member of the Sanhedrin, but a secret follower of Yeshua] said to them, 51“Does the Torah allow any man to be judged before he is heard and before diligent inquiry is made into the accusations?”{1} 52They answered and said to him, “Are you also from the Galilee? Search as you may, you will see that no prophet arises out of the Galilee.”

{Jn 7:49.1} The Scribes and Pharisees derided those who refused to submit to their rules and authority with epithets such as raca and fool, used in Matthew 5:22, commonly phrased as the cryptic am ha aretz (people of the land) (see event <62> – Matthew 5:22). No doubt the words “these people” were expressed with condescension and contempt.

{Jn 7:51.1} Nicodemus is citing Deuteronomy 19:15-21. His fellow Pharisees deride him, “Are you an ignoramus from the region (galil) of the gentiles? No prophet comes out of the region (of the gentiles)!”

< 132 > Yeshua commissions seventy disciples

at the conclusion of the Feast

[Shemini Atzeret (The Last Great Day) –

22nd Day of the 7th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, October 12, 27 CE]

Week 35 — Day 239

Matthew — Mark — Luke 10:1-16 — John

Luke 10:1 After the failed arrest attempt, he appointed seventy others{1} and sent them two by two before him into every city and place where he himself would go. 2Then he said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few! Pray that the master of the harvest would send forth laborers into his fields. 3Go your ways! I send you forth as lambs among wolves! 4Carry neither purse, nor bag of provisions, nor sandals, and allow no one to join you along the way. 5Whatever house you enter into, first say, ‘Shalom to this household.’ 6If the Son of Peace is there, your peace shall rest upon it. If not, it shall turn to you again. 7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Do not go from house to house. 8Whatever city you enter into, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.{1} 9Heal the sick that are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of YHVH has come near to you.’ 10But whatever city you enter into and they do not receive you, go out into the streets of the same, and say, 11‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you, nevertheless, of this you can be sure – the kingdom of YHVH has come near to you!’ Then go your way. 12I say that it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Sodom than for that city. 13Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Beit Saida! If the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they would have repented a great while ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you! 15And you, Kfar Nahum, which is exalted to heaven, you shall be thrown down into the pit of hell!

16“He that hears you, hears me. He that despises you, despises me. He that despises me despises him that sent me.”

{Lk 10:1.1} During the Feast of Sukkot, seventy bullock were sacrificed as a provision for the seventy gentile nations. Yeshua commissioned seventy disciples as a prophetic foreshadow of the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel who will be sent forth to the seventy nations of the world after the “later rain” outpouring of the Spirit in the last days.

{Lk 10:8.1} Among the Israelites to whom Yeshua is sending the seventy disciples, you would never find abominable flesh set before anyone. Yeshua is speaking of eating whatever oklah – food – that is set before you, not pharmakia (inorganic substances created in a laboratory) nor animals that are classified as an abomination by the Creator. It is sin to eat anything that is expressly forbidden by our Creator, regardless of the intention of the provider (Revelation 2:20; Acts 10:14 – event <274>).

< 133 > After the Feast of Sukkot everyone leaves Jerusalem

[23rd Day of the 7th month, 4027 FC; Monday, October 13, 27 CE]

Week 35 — Day 240

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 7:53

John 7:53 And [after the feast of Sukkot concluded] every man went to his own house.

VI. From the Feast of Sukkot to the Month of the Aviv 4028 (Winter of 27-28 CE)

< Note 16 > Yeshua ministers in the villages and cities

where the thirty-five pairs of disciples were sent

Weeks 35-42

No individual events were reported during the time the seventy were sent out – everyone was busy on their own assignments.

< 134 > The disciples report back to Yeshua before the Feast of Dedication

[26th Day of the 9th Month - 2nd Day of the 10th Month; 4027 FC; December 14 - 20, 27 CE]

~ Week 38-42

Matthew — Mark — Luke 10:17-24 — John

Luke 10:17 The seventy returned again with joy, saying, “Master, even the demons are subject to us through your name.” 18Yeshua said to them, “I saw hasatan come down out of the heavens like lightning [when you interfered with his subjects]. 19I gave to you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding, do not rejoice in that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

21In that hour Yeshua rejoiced in his spirit, and prayed, “I thank you for hiding these things from the wise and prudent, but revealing them to babes – for so it seemed good in your sight, O Father. 22All things have been given to me by my Father, yet no man knows who the Son is, but the Father. And no one really knows the Father, but the Son, and those to whom the Son will reveal him.” 23Yeshua turned to his disciples and said quietly, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you have seen! 24I tell you, many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which you have seen, and have not seen them. They have desired to hear the things which you have heard, and have not heard them.”

< 135 > A Torah scholar questions Yeshua

The parable of the “Good Samaritan”

~ Week 38-42

Matthew — Mark — Luke 10:25-37 — John

Luke 10:25 A certain Torah scholar stood up and tested him, saying, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He replied, “What is written in the Torah? How do you read it?” 27He answered, “You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28Yeshua replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you shall live for eternity.” 29But he, trying to justify himself, said to Yeshua, “So, who is my neighbor?” 30Yeshua answered him, “A certain man went down from Yerushalayim to Yericho and fell among thieves who stripped him of his garments, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31By chance a certain priest came down that way, and when he saw him he crossed over to the other side. 32Likewise a Levite, when he came to the place, looked at him and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came upon where he was. When he saw him he had compassion on him, 34and went to him, and bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine. He set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35On the morrow when he departed, he took out two weeks’ wages, and gave them to the inn keeper and said, “Take care of him. Whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” 36Now I ask you, which of these three do you think was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?” 37He said, “He that showed mercy on him.” Then Yeshua said to him, “Go, and do likewise.”

< 136 > Knowing the danger, Yeshua “goes up” to Hanukkah

(aka: the Feast of Lights) where he confronts the religious leaders

[Shabbat - 25th Day of the 9th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday, December 13th, 27 CE]

Week 43 — Day 301

His location and the occasion are not revealed until after the primary incident (John 10:22).

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 8:12-59

John 8:12 Yeshua spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 13The Prushim said to him, “You bear witness of yourself, therefore your witness is not valid.” 14Yeshua answered them, “Though I bear witness of myself, yet my witness is true because I know from whence I came, and where I go; but you cannot tell from whence I came, or where I go. 15You judge after the flesh and I judge no man. 16Yet if I judge, my judgment is true because I am not alone – I am with the Father that sent me. 17It is also written in the Torah that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me also bears witness of me.” 19Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Yeshua answered, “You neither know me, nor my Father. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.” 20These words Yeshua spoke in the treasury as he taught in the Temple, yet no man laid hands on him for his time was not yet come.

21Then Yeshua said again to them, “I will go my way and you shall seek me, yet you shall die in your sins. Where I go, you cannot come.” 22Then the Prushim said, “Will he kill himself?” (Because he said, where I go, you cannot come.) 23Yeshua replied, “You are from below and I am from above. You are of this world and I am not of this world. 24That is why I said that you will die in your sins. If you do not believe that I am the One, you will die in your sins.” 25Then they said to him, “Who do you think you are?” And Yeshua said to them, “Even the same that I said to you from the beginning. 26I have many things to say and judge concerning you. He that sent me is Truth and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.” 27(They did not understand that he spoke to them of the Father).

28Then Yeshua said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you shall know that I am the One, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak those things. 29He that sent me is with me – the Father has not left me alone because I always do the things that please him.” 30As Yeshua spoke these words, many believed in him. 31Then he said to the religious leaders which believed in him, “If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed. 32You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” 33Then some of the Prushim retorted, “We are Avraham’s seed! We were never in bondage to any man, so how can you say, ‘You shall be set free?’” 34Yeshua answered them, “Truth, I say to you, whoever willfully commits sin is the slave of sin. 35The servant does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever. 36Therefore, if the Son sets you free from sin, you shall indeed be free to abide in the house. 37I know that you are Avraham’s seed, but you seek to kill me because my word has no place in you. 38I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.” 39They answered and said to him, “Avraham is our father.” Yeshua said to them, “If you were Avraham’s children, you would do the works of Avraham. 40But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I have heard from YHVH. Avraham did not do this! 41You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to him, “We were not begotten through fornication!{1} We have one Father; YHVH!” 42Yeshua said to them, “If YHVH were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from YHVH; neither did I come of my own accord, but he sent me. 43Why do you not understand my words? Because you cannot hear my words. 44You are of your father hasatan, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of lies. 45I tell you the truth; you do not believe me. 46Which one of you accuses me of sin? So if I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? 47He that is of YHVH, hears YHVH’s words. You cannot hear me because you are not of YHVH.” 48Then the religious leaders answered, “Did we not accurately say that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?” 49Yeshua answered, “I do not have a demon! I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. 50I do not seek my own glory – there is one that seeks and judges. 51Truth I say to you, if a man keeps my sayings, he shall never see death.” 52Then the religious leaders said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Avraham and the prophets are dead – and you say, ‘If a man keeps my sayings, he shall never taste death.’ 53Are you greater than our dead father Avraham and the dead prophets? Who do you think you are?” 54Yeshua answered, “If I honor myself, my honor is nothing – my Father honors me. You say that he is your Father? 55You have never known him! But I do know him – and if I said, ‘I do not know him,’ I would be a liar just like you! But I do know him, and I keep his Word. 56Your father Avraham rejoiced to see my day – and he saw it, and was glad.”{1} 57The religious leaders said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Avraham?” 58Yeshua said to them, “Truth, I say to you, before Avraham was, I am.” 59Then they took up stones to throw at him: but Yeshua hid himself, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them.

{Jn 8:41.1} They supposed Yoseph was the father of Yeshua who was conceived out of wedlock and that he was thus begotten through fornication (Luke 3:23).

{Jn 8:56.1} The Melek Tzadek brought forth bread and wine to Abraham and instituted what would, 2,000 years later, become known as “the Lord’s Supper.” Abraham gave a tenth of his vast wealth because he prophetically saw the broken body and shed blood of the Messiah, which would atone for the sins of the sons of Adam. This is how Abraham saw Yeshua’s day – and rejoiced.

< 137 > At Hanukkah the “Light of the World” heals a man born blind

[Shabbat - 25th Day of the 9th Month, 4027 FC; Saturday, December 13th, 27 CE]

Week 43 — Day 301

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 9:1-41

John 9:1 As Yeshua was leaving the Temple Mount, he saw a man which was blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Master, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Yeshua answered, “Neither this man sinned, nor his parents: but [he was born blind] so that the works of YHVH could be made manifest in him. 4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay 7and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Shiloam (the Sent one).” He went his way, and washed, and came back seeing. 8The neighbors and those who had seen him before when he was blind, said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” 9Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He looks like him.” But he said, “I am he.” 10Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “A man called Yeshua made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Shiloam and wash. I went and washed, and I received my sight.” 12Then they said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know [I was blind].”

13They brought the man that was previously blind to the Prushim 14because it was the Sabbath day when Yeshua made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15The Prushim also asked him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.” 16Some of the Prushim said, “This man is not of YHVH, because he does not keep the Sabbath day.”{1} Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?” And there was a division among them. 17They asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is The Prophet!”

{Jn 9:16.1} Rabbinic takanot absolutely forbade the mixing of water and dust on the Sabbath because that constituted creating something (mud). It was also expressly forbidden to put saliva on the eyes on the Sabbath (Talmud, tractate Shabbat 108b). It was further forbidden to travel more than their prescribed measurement for a Sabbath day’s journey (2,000 cubits, about 3,437 feet – Baba Metzia 32a). Yeshua broke two of these rules as he fulfilled the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah concerning the healing of a man born blind. He then commanded the blind man to walk more than a Sabbath day’s journey to wash his eyes when water was readily available on the Temple mount. In the healing of the lame man at Shavuot and the healing of the man born blind at Hanukkah, Yeshua commanded them to break the man-made laws of the Pharisees before he pronounced them “whole.”

John 9:18 But the Prushim did not believe his testimony that he had been born blind, nor how he had now received his sight; so they called his parents. 19They interrogated them, saying, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind, 21but by what means he now sees, we do not know; or who has opened his eyes, we do not know that either. He is of age, ask him; he shall speak for himself.” 22(These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Prushim, for they had already agreed that if any man confessed that Yeshua was Messiah, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23That is why his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.”)

24The Prushim again called the man that was blind and said to him, “Give YHVH the glory for we know that this man, Yeshua, is a sinner.” 25He answered, “Whether this man is a sinner or not, I do not know. But one thing I do know: I was blind – now I see!” 26Then they said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you did not hear. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to be his disciples?” 28Then they reviled him, “You are his disciple! We are Moshe’s disciples! 29We know that the Holy One spoke to Moshe, but as for this fellow, we do not know from whence he comes.” 30The man replied, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where he is coming from, and yet he has opened my eyes! 31Now we know that the Almighty does not hear sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of him, and does his will, he does hear him. 32Since the world began it has never been heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33If this man were not of YHVH, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born completely in sin, and now you teach us?” And they cast him off [the Temple Mount and excommunicated him from the synagogue].

35Yeshua heard that they had cast him out and so he went and found him. He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of YHVH?” 36He replied, “Who is he, sir, that I might believe in him?” 37Yeshua said to him, “You have already met him. It is he that now speaks with you.” 38He cried, “Master, I believe!” And he worshipped him. 39Yeshua said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see, might see; and that those who see might be made blind.” 40Some of the believing Prushim which stood with him heard these words, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41Yeshua said to them, “If you were blind, you would not be as chargeable, but because you say you see, you bear full responsibility for your sin.”

< 138 > Yeshua teaches during the Feast of Hanukkah

“the door of the sheepfold” and “the good shepherd”

[26th Day of the 9th Month - 2nd Day of the 10th Month; 4027 FC; December 14 - 20, 27 CE]

Week 44 — Day 302-308

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 10:1-39

John 10:1 “TRUTH I speak to you, he that does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.{1} 3To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4When he leads his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5A stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.”

{Jn 10:2.1} In the first part of the parable, the door of the sheepfold can be understood as the Torah, the instructions from our Creator at Mount Sinai – and Yeshua, the true shepherd comes in through the door. Yeshua then plainly tells his disciples that he is the door and all that came before him were misleading the sheep. Yeshua is the embodiment of the instructions from our Creator. He is The Prophet who was promised, the teacher, the living Torah (verse 7).

John 10:6 This parable Yeshua spoke to them, but they did not understand the things that he spoke to them. 7Then Yeshua said to them again, “TRUTH I speak to you, I am the door of the sheepfold! 8All those that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.{1} 9I am the door: if any man enter in through me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12He that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, flees and leaves the sheep. The wolf catches them and scatters the sheep. 13The hireling flees because he is a hireling. He does not really care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and I am known by mine. 15As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must also bring them, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17My Father loves me and I lay down my life because I will take it up again. 18No man takes it from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. This promise have I received from my Father.”

{Jn 10:8.1} These are the religious leaders who invent their own rules and regulations to enslave and manipulate the flock for easy fleecing.

John 10:19 These sayings caused another division among the people 20and many of them said, “He has a demon! He is mad! Why do you listen to him?” 21Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” 22All these things took place in Yerushalayim at the Feast of Hanukkah that winter.

23Yeshua walked into Solomon’s porch on the Temple Mount. 24The religious leaders encircled him and demanded, “How long will you make us wonder? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25Yeshua answered them, “I have already told you, and you do not believe: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep, as I said to you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28I will give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and my Father are one.”

31Then the religious leaders took up stones again to stone him. 32Yeshua answered them, “Many good works have I shown you from my Father; for which of those works do you stone me?” 33The religious leaders answered him, “We do not stone you for a good work – we stone you for blasphemy! Because you, being a man, make yourself YHVH.” 34Yeshua answered them, “It is written in the Torah ‘You are elohim.’ 35If he called them elohim, to whom the word of YHVH came, and the Scripture cannot be in error, 36how do you say of him, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of YHVH?’ 37If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me. 38But if I do the works of my Father, though you do not believe in me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” 39Then they tried to take him again, but he escaped out of their hand.

< 139 > Yeshua has supper in the home of Lazarus, Miriam, and Martha in Bethany during the week of Hanukkah

[26th Day of the 9th Month - 2nd Day of the 10th Month; 4027 FC; December 14 - 20, 27 CE]

Week 44 — Day 302-308

Matthew — Mark — Luke 10:38-42 — John

Luke 10:38 When Yeshua entered into Bethany, a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39She had a sister named Miriam who sat at Yeshua’s feet and listened to his message. 40But Martha was cumbered with much serving, and she came to Yeshua and said, “Master, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Please tell her to help me.” 41Yeshua answered and said to her, “Martha, you are so worried and troubled about so many relatively insignificant things! 42Only one thing is really important right now, and Miriam has chosen the better thing, and you cannot take that away from her.”

< 140 > Yeshua leaves to minister in the land beyond the Yarden (Perea) after the Feast of Hanukkah

[3rd Day of the 10th Month, 4027 FC; Sunday, December 21, 27 CE]

Week 45 — Day 309

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 10:40-42

John 10:40 Yeshua traveled beyond the Yarden into the place where Yochanan first immersed, and there he abode for the winter. 41Many came to him, and said, “Though Yochanan did no miracles, everything that Yochanan spoke about this man is true,” 42so, many believed in him there.

< 141 > Yeshua teaches in the Dead Sea valley during the winter

[Beginning the 3rd Day of the 10th Month, 4027 FC; December 21, 27 CE]

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 11:1-36 — John

Luke 11:1 One time, after Yeshua had finished praying, one of his disciples said to him, “Master, teach us to pray like Yochanan also taught his disciples to pray.” 2Yeshua said to them, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name YHVH. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”{1}

{Lk 11:4.1} Yeshua first taught this pattern or outline for prayer to the few disciples who climbed the mountain to hear him teach his first recorded message to Israel in event <62>. Few disciples follow the pattern today; they just mindlessly repeat the words like it is some kind of magical mantra. Some congregations completely ignore Yeshua’s teachings altogether, and follow the patterns instituted by the rabbis.

Luke 11:5 Yeshua said, “Which of you would go to your friend at midnight, and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves. 6A friend of mine has come to me in his journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7And from within he shall answer, ‘Trouble me not: the door is shut and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give you.’ 8I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his constant asking he will rise and give him as much as he needs. 9So I say to you, keep asking, and it shall be given you; keep seeking, and you shall find; keep knocking, and it shall be opened to you. 10For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone [that looks like a loaf of bread]? If he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will he give him a scorpion? 13If you then, being burdened with hardships, give splendid gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Ruach Kodesh to those who ask him?”

14Yeshua was casting out a dumb demon, and when the demon left him, the dumb spoke. The people wondered, 15but some of them said, “He casts out demons through ba’al zevuv the prince of the demons.” 16Others, tempting him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falls. 18If hasatan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that I cast out demons through ba’al zevuv, 19I say, if I, by ba’al zevuv cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 20But if I with the finger of YHVH cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of YHVH has come to you. 21When an armed strong man keeps his palace, his goods are secure. 22But when one stronger than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathers not with me, scatters. 24When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from whence I came.’ 25When it returns, it finds the house swept and garnished. 26Then it goes out, and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

27As he spoke these things, a certain woman among the company lifted up her voice, and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bare you, and the breasts from which you have suckled.” 28But he chuckled, “Even more blessed are those who hear the word of YHVH, and keep it.” 29When the people crowded together, he said, “This is an evil generation: they seek a sign and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Yonah the prophet. 30For as Yonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation. 31The Queen of the South shall rise up in judgment against the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, one greater than Solomon is here. 32The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment against this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Yonah; and, behold, one greater than Yonah is here.

33“No man, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a closet, neither under a basket, but on a lampstand, that they which come in may see the light. 34The light of the body is the eye: therefore if you have one single eye, your whole body is full of light; but if your eye is blind, your body is full of darkness. 35Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not blindness. 36If your whole body is full of light, and there is no darkness in you, your whole life shall be full of light, as when a bright shining lamp gives light.”

< 142 > Yeshua has supper with a group of Pharisees and insults them during the meal

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 11:37-54 — John

Luke 11:37 As Yeshua spoke, a certain Parush requested that he dine with him so he went in and reclined at dinner. 38And when the Parush saw that he had not first washed [according to rabbinic takanot] before dinner, he marveled. 39And Yeshua said to him, “You Prushim clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but inside, you are full of gluttony and excess. 40You fools, did not he that made that which is outside make that which is inside as well? 41You say, if you give alms of everything you have - everything you have is sanctified. 42Woe to you, Prushim! for you tithe mint and peganon and all manner of herbs, and completely pass over righteous judgment and the love of YHVH! These you ought to have done, and not to leave the others undone. 43Woe to you, Prushim for you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, Rabbi! Rabbi! 44Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You are like an unseen grave that men walk over – they are completely unaware that you have contaminated them.” 45Then one of the sages answered, “Master, are you going to insult us as well?” 46So he said, “Woe to you also, you sages for you load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and you will not lift a finger to help carry the burden! 47Woe to you, for you meticulously maintain the sepulchers of the prophets whom your fathers killed! 48Truly you bear witness that you endorse the deeds of your fathers because they killed them, and you meticulously maintain your fathers’ sepulchers. 49Therefore the wisdom of YHVH also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 50that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zecharyah, which perished between the altar and the Temple.’{1} Truth I say to you, vengeance shall be required on this generation. 52Woe to you sages for you have absconded with the key of knowledge! You have not entered in the door yourselves, and those that were entering, you have hindered.” 53As he spoke these things to them, the sages and the Prushim began to vehemently provoke him to speak on many matters. 54They were laying in wait for him, seeking to catch something out of his mouth that they might use to accuse him.

{Lk 11:51.1} See footnote on the slaying of Zecharyah (Matthew 23:35 – event <174 > and note < 3 >).

< 143 > Yeshua teaches a multitude of his friends after supper

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 12:1-13:9 — John

Luke 12:1 In the mean time, an innumerable multitude of people gathered together, so that they trampled each other. Then Yeshua said to his disciples, “First of all, beware of the leaven of the Prushim, which is hypocrisy. 2For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known. 3Therefore whatever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4I say to you, my friends, be not afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear him, which after he has killed the body, has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten by YHVH? 7So even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, fear not. You are of more value than many sparrows. 8Also I say to you, whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of YHVH. 9But he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of YHVH. 10Whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but to him that blasphemes against the Ruach Kodesh it shall not be forgiven. 11When they bring you to the synagogues, and before magistrates, and authorities, take no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say: 12for the Ruach Kodesh shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.”

13One of the company said to him, “Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.” 14Yeshua said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” 15He said to them, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.”

16Then he spoke a parable to them, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17and he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, because I have no room to store my harvests?’ 18He said, ‘This I will do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my harvests and my goods. 19Then I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.’” 20But YHVH said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward YHVH.” 22Yeshua said to his disciples, “Therefore I say to you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. 23The life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; neither do they have storehouse nor barn; and YHVH feeds them. How much more are you better than the birds? 25Which of you with anxious thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If you are not able to do that thing which is least, why be anxious for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they do not toil, they do not spin fabric; and yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28Then if YHVH clothes the grass, which is in the field today, and is cast into the oven tomorrow; how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? 29Seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of a doubtful mind. 30All these things the worldly gentiles pursue: but your Father knows that you need these things. 31But rather pursue the kingdom of YHVH and all these things shall be added to you.

32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell what you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36You are like men that wait for their master to return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. 37Blessed are those servants, whom the master, when he comes, shall find watching. Truth I say to you that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to dinner, and he will come forth and serve them. 38If he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so doing, blessed are those servants. 39Understand this, if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40Therefore, you also be ready: for the Son of Man comes at an hour when you think not.”

41Then Kefa said to him, “Master, will you declare this parable to us, or to all the people?” 42Yeshua said, “Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43Blessed is that servant, whom his master when he comes shall find so doing. 44Of a truth I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all that he has. 45But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master delays his coming’ and begins to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46The master of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware. He will cut him in pieces and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47That servant, which knew his master’s will, and did not prepared, neither did according to his master’s will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not his master’s will, and yet did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whom much is given, much shall be required. To whom men have committed much, of him they require more. 49I have come to send fire on the earth! And how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a mikveh in which I must be immersed, and I am being restrained until it is accomplished! 51Do you suppose that I have come to bring peace on earth? NO! I am telling you that I have come to bring division. 52From now on there shall be five in one house who will be divided three against two, and two against three. 53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

54Then he also said to the people, “When you see a cloud rise out of the west, immediately you say, ‘Here comes a shower;’ and so it is. 55When you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be heat;’ and it comes to pass. 56You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that you do not discern this time? 57Yes, and why even among yourselves can you not judge that which is right? 58When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are on the way, give diligence that you may be delivered from him lest he accuse you before the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer cast you into prison. 59I tell you, you shall not depart from there until you have paid the very last mite.”

Luke 13:1 There were present at that time some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2Yeshua responded, “Suppose that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, no: but, except you repent, you all shall likewise perish. 4Consider the eighteen upon whom the tower at Shiloam fell, and killed them. Do you think that they were sinners above all men that dwell in Yerushalayim? 5I tell you, no: but, except you repent, you all shall likewise perish.”

6He spoke also this parable; “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7Then he said to the dresser of his vineyard, ‘Behold, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and have found none. Cut it down! why waste good ground?’ 8He answered him, ‘Master, leave it alone again this year. I will dig around it, and dung it. 9If it bears fruit, good. If not, then after that you may cut it down.’”

< 144 > Yeshua heals a woman bowed over for eighteen years

and teaches two parables of the Kingdom [Shabbat]

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 – 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 13:10-21 — John

Luke 13:10 Yeshua was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, who was bent over, and could in no wise stand up. 12When Yeshua saw her, he called her to him, and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13He laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified YHVH. 14The ruler of the synagogue spoke out with indignation because Yeshua had healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, “There are six days in which men ought to work: in them you may come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15Yeshua answered him, “You hypocrite, do not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Avraham, whom hasatan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17When he spoke these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. 18Then he said, “To what is the kingdom of YHVH like and to what shall I resemble it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” 20And again he said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of YHVH? 21It is like leaven, which a woman took and kneaded into three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

< 145 > Yeshua travels through Perea in the direction of Jerusalem

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 13:22-35 — John

Luke 13:22 Yeshua went through the cities and villages, teaching and journeying toward Yerushalayim. 23Then one said to him, “Master, are there but few that will be saved?” Yeshua said to them, 24“Strive to enter in at the narrow gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, ‘MASTER! Open to us!’ He shall answer and say to you, ‘I don’t know you! Who are you?’ 26Then you shall begin to say, ‘We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.’ 27But he shall say, ‘I tell you, I do not know who you are; depart from me, all you who willfully disregard Torah.’{1} 28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Avraham, and Yitzhak, and Yaakov, and all the prophets in the kingdom of YHVH and you yourselves are thrust out. 29They shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of YHVH. 30Behold, there are those who are last which shall be first, and there are those who are first which shall be last.”

{Lk 13:27.1} <ergatej adikia – ergates adikia> – perpetrating the violation of the law (See Matthew 7:23 – event <62>).

Luke 13:31 The same day there came certain of the Prushim, saying to him, “Get out, and depart from here: Herod will kill you!” 32Yeshua said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and heal today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish outside of Yerushalayim.

34O YERUSHALAYIM, which kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to you; how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not! 35Behold, your house is left to you desolate. Truth I say to you, you shall not see me, until the time come when you shall say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of YHVH!’”

< 146 > Yeshua has supper with another group of Pharisees on a Sabbath day

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 14:1-24 — John

Luke 14:1 As he went into the house of one of the chief Prushim to eat bread on the Sabbath day, they watched him. 2There was a certain man before him which had edema 3and Yeshua asked the sages and Prushim, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” 4They held their peace. Then he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5Yeshua continued, “Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6They could not answer these things.

7Then he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats. He said to them, 8“When you are bidden by any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest position lest a more honorable man than you is invited by him. 9Then he that bade you and him come and say to you, ‘Give this man place;’ and you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10Rather, when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that bade you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher:’ then shall you have honor in the presence of those who sit at dinner with you. 11Whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”

12Then he also said to him that bade him, “When you make a sumptuous feast, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, neither your kinsmen, nor your rich neighbors lest they also bid you again, and they repay you in kind. 13But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. 14Then you shall be blessed, for they cannot recompense you. You shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15When one of those who sat at dinner with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of YHVH.”

16Yeshua replied, “A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. 17He sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were bidden, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ 18And they all, with one consent, began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of property, and I need to go and see it. I pray, have me excused.’ 19Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going prove them. I pray, have me excused.’ 20Another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21So that servant came, and showed his master these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.’ 22The servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room.’ 23The master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24I say to you that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

< 147 > Yeshua teaches a great multitude who is following him

~ Weeks 45-53 — Days 309 - 371

Matthew — Mark — Luke 14:25-17:10 — John

Luke 14:25 Great multitudes went with him, and he turned and said to them, 26“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28Which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ 31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? 32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassador, and desires conditions of peace. 33So likewise, weigh the cost, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. 34Salt is good: but if the salt has lost his savor, how can it be re-seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land, or for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 15:1 Then all the publicans and sinners drew near to hear him. 2The Prushim and sages murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners, and eats with them.” 3So Yeshua spoke this parable to them: 4“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, and searches until he finds it? 5When he hath found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ 7I say to you, that joy shall likewise be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

8“Likewise, what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9When she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.’ 10Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of YHVH over one sinner that repents.”

11Then he said, “A certain man had two sons 12and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ And he divided to them his living. 13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14When he had spent all, there arose a great famine in that land and he began to be in want. 15So he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16He would have desired to fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate because no one gave him anything to eat. 17When he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you, 19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.’ 20He arose, and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23And bring the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24for my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found.’ And they began to be merry.”

25“Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come home and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ 28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father came out and entreated him. 29He answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30But as soon as this your son was come, which had devoured your living with harlots, you have killed for him the fatted calf.’ 31And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that I have is yours. 32It was only right that we should make merry, and be glad for this: your brother was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and now is found.’”

Luke 16:1 Yeshua also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he had wasted his goods. 2He called him, and said to him, ‘How is it that I hear this of you? Give an account of your stewardship, for it may be that you will no longer be my steward.’ 3Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do when my master takes the stewardship away from me? I cannot dig. I would be too ashamed to beg. 4I am resolved what to do, so that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5He called on every one of his master’s debtors, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ 7Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8The master commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. 9Therefore, I say to you, make to yourselves friends by the wise stewardship of your worldly riches so that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.{1} 10He that is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and he that is unjust with little will also be unjust with abundance. 11Therefore if you have not been faithful with worldly riches, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12If you have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? 13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve YHVH and worldly riches.”

14The Prushim, who were covetous, heard all these things and they derided him. 15So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but YHVH knows your hearts. That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of YHVH. 16The law and the prophets prophesied about Yochanan and since that time the kingdom of YHVH has been preached, and every man presses into it. 17It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one vowel of the Torah to fail. 18Whoever puts away his wife to marry another, commits adultery – and whoever marries her that is put away from her husband [so that she may marry another] also commits adultery.”{1}

{Lk 16:9.1} Use the things that you gain in this temporal life to benefit the eternal kingdom so that when you die you will have an everlasting reward.

{Lk 16:18.1} This is an address specific to the Pharisees who coveted other men’s wives and possessions and invented ingenious ways to get around the commandments in the Torah concerning adultery. They could, in their system, find a more beautiful woman and have her divorce her husband, and he divorce his wife, and then they could marry. This is what Yeshua calls adultery. It can also be termed “premeditated remarriage,” or divorce for the purpose of marrying another, which would avoid a legal adultery charge on a technicality. (See Matthew 5:27-32 – event <62> and Mark 10:11-12 – event <152> for more complete details.)

Luke 16:19 “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. 20There was also a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores 21and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22It came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Avraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, 23and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Avraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24He cried out and said, ‘Father Avraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. 26Besides all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from here to you cannot. Neither can those who would come from there, pass to us.’ 27Then he said, ‘Father, I pray you, send him to my father’s house! 28I have five brothers to whom he may testify, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29Avraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Avraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31And he said to him, ‘If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead.’”{1}

{Lk 16:31.1} This is a parable that must be interpreted very conservatively. Parables can be easily twisted into doctrines that were never implied. From a liberal interpretation of this parable, one could say that those in hell have a direct line of communication with Abraham and that he cannot get a moment of peace because of all the people who are crying out to him – day and night – forever. One could also hypothesize that at the moment of death, one is sent directly to hell or the pearly gates without the formality of a resurrection or the day of Judgment. The fact is, this is a parable, and parables are figures of speech in narrative form – they are not true to life but are meant to illustrate a spiritual reality in terms that we mortals can grasp. This is the point: Judgment Day is certain. If we do not listen to and obey Moses and the Prophets – especially The Prophet – we will find ourselves in very hot water at the resurrection. No amount of physical comfort in this life is worth hearing the words, “Depart from me – you did not do the will of my Father!” This life is very short. Eternity is forever.

Luke 17:1 Then he said to the disciples, “It is impossible for offences not to come: but woe to him through whom they come! 2It would be better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he was cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3Take heed to yourselves. If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4If he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, ‘I repent;’ you shall forgive him.” 5Then the apostles said to Yeshua, “Increase our faith.” 6Yeshua replied, “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Be plucked up by the root, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7“Which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say to him immediately as he comes in from the field, ‘Go and sit down to eat’? 8Will you not rather say to him, ‘Make ready my supper and get dressed and serve me until I have eaten and drunk; and afterward you shall eat and drink’? 9Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10So likewise, when you have done all those things which were commanded of you, you could appropriately say, ‘We are unnoteworthy servants: we have simply done that which was our duty.’”

<148> Miriam and Martha send emissaries to Yeshua

Yeshua stalls for two days until Lazarus is buried

~ Week 54

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 11:1-16

John 11:1 In the town of Bethany, Lazarus, the brother of Miriam and Martha, lay sick. 2(This is the same Miriam who anoints Yeshua with ointment and wipes his feet with her hair just before his crucifixion.){1} 3His sisters sent for Yeshua, saying, “Master, behold, he whom you love is sick!” 4When Yeshua heard that, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of YHVH, that the Son of YHVH might be glorified through it.” 5Now Yeshua loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6Yet, when he heard that he was sick, he still abode two days in the same place where he was. 7Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back into Yehudaea.” 8His disciples said to him, “Master, the religious leaders sought to stone you the last time you were in Yerushalayim – are you going back there again?” 9Yeshua answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. 10But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.” 11Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I am going to awake him out of his sleep.” 12Then his disciples said, “Master, if he is sleeping, he is doing better.” 13(However, Yeshua was referring to his recent death: but they thought that he was speaking about resting in sleep.) 14Then Yeshua said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead! 15I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. So, let us go!” 16Then Thomas (Didymus) said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go and die with him!”{1}

{Jn 11:2.1} This is one of many examples where scribes added their explanatory notes into the biographical record of John. Before the protocol of footnotes, scribes inserted their explanations into the text the way one might make notes in the margin of their Bible.

{Jn 11:16.1} Thomas’ sarcasm could be translated: “You have to go sometime – might as well be now!”

<149> The raising of Lazarus in Bethany

~ Week 55 - Purim

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 11:17-53

John 11:17 When Yeshua came, he found that Lazarus had already lain in the grave for four days. 18Now Bethany was about fifteen stadion [one and three quarter miles] from nearby Yerushalayim,19and many of the Prushim and religious leaders came to Martha and Miriam to comfort them concerning their brother. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Yeshua was coming, went out to meet him, but Miriam sat in the house. 21Martha said to Yeshua, “Master, if you had been here my brother would not have died. 22But I know, that even now, whatever you will ask of YHVH, he will give it to you.” 23Yeshua said to her, “Your brother shall rise again.” 24Martha replied, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Yeshua said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in me, though he is dead, yet he shall live. 26Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, master. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of Elohim, The Prophet which should come into the world.” 28When she said this, she went her way and called Miriam her sister secretly, saying, “The master has returned and he is asking for you.” 29As soon as she heard, she arose quickly, and came to him.

30Now Yeshua had not yet come into town, but remained in the place where Martha had met him. 31The mourners that were with her in the house comforting her followed Miriam when they saw her rise up hastily and leave. “She goes to the grave to weep.” 32When Miriam came to where Yeshua was, she fell down at his feet and cried, “Master, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Yeshua saw her weeping, and the mourners which came with her also weeping, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34Yeshua said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Master, come and see.” 35Yeshua wept. 36Then the mourners said, “Behold how he loved him!” 37Some of them said, “Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?” 38Yeshua, again groaning in himself, approached the grave which was a cave with a stone laying over the entrance. 39Yeshua said, “Remove the stone!” Martha said, “Master, by this time he stinketh! He has been dead four days!” 40Yeshua said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you should see the glory of YHVH?” 41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. Yeshua lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me, 42and I know that you always hear me, but because of the people which stand by I speak so that they may believe that you have sent me.” 43When he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44The dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his head was still bound about with a face cloth. Yeshua said to them, “Loose the face cloth and unwrap him.” 45Then many of those which came with Miriam and had seen the things which Yeshua did, believed in him. 46But others went to the Prushim and told them everything that Yeshua had done.

47The ruling cohenim and the Prushim then gathered the Sanhedrin, and said, “What shall we do? This man does many miracles! 48If we leave him alone, everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and take away both our positions and our nation.” 49Caiaphas, the Cohen Gadol that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50nor have you considered that it is expedient that one man should die for the people, rather than the whole nation perish.” 51(But this he spoke not of himself, but being the Cohen Gadol that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the nation; 52but not for that nation only, but that he should also gather together in one the children of YHVH that were scattered abroad.){1} 53So, they conspired together and from that day forward they were determined to put him to death.

{Jn 11:52.1} This parenthetical note in the text references, among other prophetic passages, Micah 5:1-4.

< 150 > Yeshua travels to the city of Ephraim

near the border of Yehudaea and Samaria

~ Week 55

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 11:54

John 11:54 Because those in Yerushalayim were determined to put him to death, Yeshua no longer walked openly among the religious leaders but departed to an area near the wilderness, in a village called Ephraim, and he remained there with his disciples.

< 151 > Yeshua circumnavigates the Galilee and Samaria one last time before his final “going up” to the Feast of Passover

~ Weeks 58 - 61

According to the historic parameters of the ripening of the barley, there would have been an Adar Bet this year in order to allow the barley to mature. Though already in the vicinity, and ready to go up to Jerusalem, he now goes through the villages and cities of the Galilee and Samaria one last time.

Matthew — Mark — Luke 17:11-18:14 — John

Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, before he went up to Yerushalayim, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee one last time. 12As he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off. 13They lifted up their voices, and said, “Yeshua, master, have mercy on us.” 14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, a Samaritan, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified YHVH 16and fell down on his face at Yeshua’s feet, giving him thanks. 17Yeshua asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the other nine? 18There are no others that returned to give glory to YHVH, except this gentile.” 19Yeshua said to him, “Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.”

20When he was demanded of the Prushim, when the kingdom of YHVH whould come, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of YHVH comes not with observation: 21Neither shall they say, ‘Lo here or, lo there!’ for, behold, the kingdom of YHVH is within you.” 22He said to the disciples, “The day will come, when you will desire to see the Day of the Son of Man, and you shall not see it. 23They will say to you, ‘Look here! Look there!’ Do not listen to them or follow them. 24For just as lightning shines from one part of the heavens to the other, so shall the Son of Man come in his day. 25But now he must suffer many things and be rejected of this generation. 26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall also be in the Day of the Son of Man. 27They ate, they drank, they married wives, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, and they built. 29But the same day that Lot was taken out of Sodom by the angels, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30Even so shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his stuff is in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Whoever shall seek to save his possessions shall lose his life; and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35Two shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36Two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” 37The disciples asked him, “Where, master?” He replied, “Wherever the bodies are, there will the vultures be gathered together.”

Luke 18:1 Yeshua spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. 2He said, “There was a judge in a city who feared not YHVH, nor respected man. 3There was also a widow in that city and she came to him, saying, ‘Avenge me of my adversary.’ 4He would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I fear not YHVH, nor respect man, 5I will avenge this troublesome widow before she wearies me with her continual pleading.’” 6Then Yeshua continued, “Do you hear what the unjust judge said? 7Shall not YHVH avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he suffer long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them swiftly. And even though it could be soon, will the Son of Man find any real faith remaining on the earth when he comes?”

9Yeshua spoke another parable to those who trusted in their own self righteousness, while despising others: 10“Two men went up to the Temple to pray; the one a Parush, and the other a publican. 11The Parush stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘I thank you, YHVH that I am not like other men who are extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, and I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13But the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but struck his chest with his fist, crying, ‘YHVH be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the Parush: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”

< 152 > Yeshua teaches multitudes and gives his final verdict on the illegitimate grounds for divorce

Week 62

Matthew 19:1-12 — Mark 10:1-12 — Luke — John

Matthew 19:1 When Yeshua finished these teachings, he departed from Galilee and came into the area of Yehudaea beyond the Yarden. 2Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3Prushim also came to him, tempting him, and saying to him, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause in which she displeases him?” 4And he answered and said to them, “Have you not read in the Torah that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female? 5It says, ‘For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and the two shall be one flesh.’ 6So then, they are no more two, but one flesh. What YHVH has joined together, let no man put asunder.” 7They asked to him, “Then why did Moses command us to give a bill of divorcement and allow us to put her away?” 8He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9Therefore I say to you, except for a case of adultery, whoever shall put away his wife in order to marry another, commits adultery. And whoever marries a woman which is put away [in order that she might marry another], also commits adultery.”{1} 10His disciples said to him, “If this is the case with a man and his wife, it is not good to marry.” 11Then Yeshua said to them, “All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given. 12There are some who were born eunuchs from their mother’s womb and there are some who were made eunuchs by men, and there are also those who have made themselves eunuchs AHM{who subdue their desire} for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

{Mt 19:9.1} The Pharisees invented ways to get around the commandments in the Torah concerning adultery, and the legalities of their invented system were hotly debated among their various yeshivas. On this occasion, Pharisees challenge Yeshua’s position on adultery, whereas the other two times this subject comes up, he challenges the Pharisees. The issue is “premeditated remarriage,” or divorce on pseudo legitimate grounds for the ultimate purpose of marrying another, while refusing to take care of his first wife. (For details on ervah matters, see Matthew 5:27-32 – event <62> also Luke 16:18 – event <147>.)

Mark 10:1 Then Yeshua arose and came into the area of Yehudaea on the far side of the Yarden: and the people flocked to him again. As he was known to do, he taught them. 2The Prushim tempted him, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed us to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.” 5Yeshua said to them, “For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept, 6but from the beginning of the creation YHVH made them male and female. 7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, 8and the two shall be one flesh. So then, they are no more two, but one flesh. 9Therefore, what YHVH has joined together, let no man put asunder.” 10In the house his disciples again asked him about the same matter 11and he said to them, “Whoever puts away his wife to marry another, commits adultery against her. 12And if a woman shall put away her husband to be married to another, she also commits adultery.”{1}

{Mk 10:12.1} Here, in a private house, the disciples get the final clarification on the issue of illegitimate grounds for divorce, which could be legally termed premeditated remarriage. This is Yeshua’s final statement on this issue in the Gospel records.

< 153 > The rich young Pharisee ruler disqualifies himself (perhaps Shaul of Tarsus – a student of Gamliel)

Week 62

Matthew 19:13-20:16 — Mark 10:13-31 — Luke 18:15-30 — John

Matthew 19:13 Then there were brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray for them. The disciples rebuked them, 14but Yeshua said, “Allow little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15He laid his hands on them, and then departed. 16Then one came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed may I perform in order to gain eternal life?” 17Yeshua said to him, “Why do you ask me about good deeds? There is no one who is good except one, YHVH. But if you desire to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18He said to him, “Which commandments?” Yeshua said, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20The young man said to him, “All these things have I kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21Yeshua said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell all that you have and give to the poor and come follow me – then you shall have treasure in heaven.” 22When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. 23Then Yeshua said to his disciples, “Truth I say to you, it is very difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24In fact, it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle{1} than it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of YHVH.” 25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26Yeshua looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but with YHVH all things are possible.” 27Then Kefa answered him, “Behold, we have forsaken everything and followed you, therefore what shall we have?” 28Yeshua said to them, “Truth I say to you, in the restoration, when the Son of Man shall sit on his glorious throne, you which have followed me shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Yisrael.

{Mt 19:24.1} The “eye of the needle” – one of the small gates of a walled city where pedestrians may pass single file when the main gates are closed. A camel can be laboriously forced through one of these gates after its burden has been removed. The Peshitta text, an Aramaic translation of late Greek texts reads: “…a rope through the eye of a needle” – this may be interesting, but Matthew was not written in either Aramaic or Greek.

Matthew 19:29 “Every one that has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land for my sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. Matthew 20:1 “Because the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2When he had agreed with the laborers for a day’s wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. 4He said to them, ‘Go labor in the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.’ So, they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hours, and did likewise. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you stood here idle the entire day?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no man has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘Go also into the vineyard and whatever is right, that shall you receive.’ 8So when the evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’ 9When they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, every man received a full day’s wage. 10When the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; but every man likewise received a day’s wage. 11When they received it, they murmured against the master of the house, 12saying, ‘These last have worked just one hour, and you have made them equal to us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.’ 13But he answered one of them, and said, ‘Friend, I did you no wrong: did you not agree with me for a day’s wage? 14Take that which is yours, and go your way. I will give to the last, even as I give to you. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is your eye evil, because I am good?’ 16So the last shall be first, and the first last. Many are called, but few choose to respond appropriately.”

Mark 10:13 They brought young children to Yeshua, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14When Yeshua saw it, he was very displeased, and said to them, “Allow little children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of YHVH. 15Truth I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of YHVH as a little child, shall not enter it.” 16Yeshua took the children up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. 17When he had gone forth along the way, then one came running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18Yeshua said to him, “Why do you ask me about that which is good? None is good but one, YHVH. 19You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet, and honor your father and mother.” 20He answered Yeshua, “Teacher, all these have I observed from my youth.” 21Yeshua looked on him with love and said, “One thing you lack; go your way, sell everything you have, give to the poor, and come, take up the cross and follow me. Then you shall have treasure in heaven.” 22The man was sad at that saying, and went away grieved because he had great possessions. 23Yeshua looked round about on his disciples and said, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of YHVH!”

24The disciples were astonished at his words. But Yeshua answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of YHVH! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of YHVH.” 26They were astonished beyond astonishment, saying among themselves, “Who then can possibly be saved?” 27Yeshua looking upon them said, “With men it is impossible, but not with YHVH, for with YHVH all things are possible.” 28Kefa then said, “Look, we have left all, and we have followed you.” 29Yeshua answered, “Truth I say to you, there is no man who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or properties for my sake and the sake of the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold. Now, in this life, there are houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and properties, and persecutions – but in the world to come: eternal life. 31So, many that are first shall be last, and the last first.”

Luke 18:15 They also brought infants to Yeshua so that he would touch them, but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16Yeshua called them to him, and said, “Allow little children to come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of YHVH. 17Truth I say to you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of YHVH as a little child shall in no wise enter it.” 18A certain ruler asked him, “Teacher, what good shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19Yeshua said to him, “Why do you ask me about that which is good? No one is good, except YHVH. 20You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honor your father and your mother.” 21And he replied, “All these have I kept from my youth.” 22Now when Yeshua heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me!” 23When he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24When Yeshua saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, “How difficult it is for those that have riches to enter into the kingdom of YHVH! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of YHVH.”

26And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27And he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with YHVH.” 28Then Kefa said, “Look, we have left all, and followed you.” 29And he said to them, “Truth I say to you, there is no man that has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the kingdom’s sake, 30who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come, life everlasting.”

< 154 > On the road from Perea to Yerushalayim via Yericho

Week 62

Matthew 20:17-28 — Mark 10:32-46a — Luke 18:31-34 — John

Mark 10:32 As they were going up to Yerushalayim, Yeshua went before them and they followed. They were amazed and became afraid as he began to tell the twelve about the things that would happen to him. 33“Look, we are going up to Yerushalayim where the Son of Man shall be delivered to the ruling cohenim and sages. They shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the gentiles 34who shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him – but on the third day he shall rise again.” 35Yaakov and Yochanan, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Master, we would like you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36Yeshua questioned, “What would you like me to do for you?” 37They replied, “Grant to us that we may sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left hand, in your glory.” 38Yeshua answered them, “You do not know what you are asking! Can you drink of the cup that I will drink of? Can you be immersed in the mikveh in which I will be immersed?” 39They said, “We can.” Yeshua replied to them, “You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of, and you will be immersed in the mikveh in which I will be immersed, 40but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give. It shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.” 41When the other ten heard it, they became angry with Yaakov and Yochanan. 42So Yeshua called them and said, “You know that they which are appointed to rule over the gentiles exercise authority over them, and their ‘great ones’ exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you, must be your minister. 44Whoever desires to be the chief, must be servant of all. 45For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” 46Then they came to the city of Yericho.

Matthew 20:17 As Yeshua was going up to Yerushalayim he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18“Look, we are going up to Yerushalayim; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the ruling cohenim and to the sages, and they will condemn him to death, 19and deliver him to the gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” 20Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing from him. 21He asked, “What do you want?” She replied, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.” 22Yeshua answered and said, “You know not what you ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be immersed in the mikveh in which I will be immersed?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23Yeshua replied, “You shall indeed drink of my cup, and be immersed in my mikveh, but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.” 24Now when the other ten heard what was going on, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers. 25So Yeshua called them to him and said, “You know that the gentiles have princes that exercise dominion over them, and there are great ones who exercise authority over the princes. 26But it shall not be so among you! Whoever will be great among you, shall be your minister. 27Whoever will be a prince among you, must be a servant. 28The Son of Man came not to be ministered to but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 18:31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Yerushalayim, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished. 32For he shall be delivered to the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spit upon, 33and they shall scourge him, and put him to death and the third day he shall rise again.” 34And they understood none of these things and this saying was hid from them. They simply did not understand the things which were spoken.

< 155 > Yeshua spends a night in the home of Zacchaeus in Jericho

Week 62

Matthew — Mark — Luke 19:1-27 — John

Luke 19:1 Yeshua entered and passed through Yericho. 2And there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3He sought to see who Yeshua was, but because he was of small stature he could not see because of the pressing multitudes. 4So he ran ahead of the crowd, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5When Yeshua came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down. Today I must abide at your house.” 6He made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7When the people saw it, they all murmured that he had gone to be the guest of a man that was a sinner. 8Zacchaeus stood and said to Yeshua, “Behold, master, half of my goods I will give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation or misrepresentation, I will restore to him fourfold.” 9Yeshua then said to him, “This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a true son of Avraham. 10For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

11As the people heard these things, he spoke a parable because he was near Yerushalayim, and because they thought that the kingdom of YHVH would immediately appear. 12Yeshua said, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Occupy till I come.’ 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your pound has gained ten pounds.’ 17And he said to him, ‘Well, done, good servant: because you have been faithful in little, you now have authority over ten cities.’ 18The second came, saying, ‘Master, your pound has gained five pounds.’ 19And he said likewise to him, ‘You will be over five cities.’ 20Another came, saying, ‘Master, behold, here is your pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21for I feared you, because you are an austere man: you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22He said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I will judge you by the words out of your own mouth! You knew that I was an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow. 23Why did you not just put my money in the bank so that when I returned I could have gotten it back with interest?’ 24Then he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to him who has ten pounds.’ 25They remonstrated, ‘Master, he already has ten pounds.’ 26Yea, I say to you, everyone which has shown responsibility shall be given more, and he that has not been a responsible steward, even that which he has shall be taken from him. 27Those who deny that I should reign over them are my enemies. Bring them all before me – and slay them.’”

< 156 > Departing from Jericho

Week 62

Matthew 20:29 — Mark 10:46b — Luke 19:28 — John

Matthew 20:29 As they departed from Yericho, a great multitude followed him.

Mark 10:46b Yeshua went out of Yericho with his disciples and a great number of people.

Luke 19:28 After he had spoken this parable, he led them up to Yerushalayim.

< 157 > The healing of two blind men as they approach Jerusalem

Week 62

Three Gospel records report this same event – the healing of two blind men. In each record one of the blind men (the son of Timaeus) is quoted verbatim, and he is the focus of Mark and Luke’s account. Matthew and Mark state that the healing of the blind men occurred after Yeshua left Jericho for Jerusalem, whereas the KJV of Luke’s Gospel says that the healing of the blind men occurred as Yeshua was approaching Jericho. Were two sets of blind men, speaking the same words, healed on two separate days? Or is there a more reasonable answer to this apparent contradiction? Several ancient Greek manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel state that Yeshua was “approaching Jerusalem” (not Jericho) when this healing took place. Since he left Jericho after spending time with Zacchaeus and then healed the blind, it was on the road to Jerusalem that this healing took place.

Matthew 20:30-34 — Mark 10:46c-52 — Luke 18:35-43 — John

Matthew 20:30 Two blind men were sitting by the wayside. When they heard that Yeshua passed by, they cried out, “Have mercy on us master! Son of David!” 31The multitude rebuked them and said that they should hold their peace: but they cried louder, saying, “Have mercy on us master! Son of David!” 32Yeshua stood still and called them, and said, “What do you will that I shall do for you?” 33They said to him, “Master, that our eyes may be opened.” 34Yeshua had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Mark 10:46c After Yeshua left Yericho, the blind son of Timaeus sat by the highway begging. 47When he heard that it was Yeshua of Natzeret, he began to cry out, and say, “Yeshua! Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 48Many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried all the more emphatically, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 49Yeshua stood still, and commanded him to be called. So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good comfort, arise; he calls you.” 50He cast away his garment, arose, and came to Yeshua. 51Yeshua said to him, “What will you that I should do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Master, that I might receive my sight.” 52Yeshua said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you whole!” Immediately he received his sight, and followed Yeshua on the way to Yerushalayim.

Luke 18:35 As he came near to Yerushalayim, a certain blind man sat by the wayside begging. 36Hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37They told him that Yeshua of Natzeret passed by. 38He cried out, “Yeshua! Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 39They which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” 40Yeshua stood still and commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, 41“What will you that I shall do for you?” He said, “Master, that I may receive my sight.” 42Yeshua said to him, “Receive your sight, your faith has made you whole!” 43Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying YHVH. All the people, when they saw it, gave praise to YHVH.

VII. Yeshua: the Passover Lamb of the First Year

The Month of the Aviv, 4028 FC – April, 28 CE

< Note 17 > After a thirteenth month was added to the calendar year to allow the barley to reach the harvestable stage of aviv, the new moon of the aviv barley would have been sighted 1.45% illuminated, 10.03 degrees above the horizon at sunset on Wednesday,

April 14, 28 CE – Aviv 1, 4028

This year, the Passover lamb would be sacrificed on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 28 (14th day of the first month). The Feast of Unleavened Bread would begin that day at sunset (15th day of the first month). The Firstfruits of the barley (Bikkurim) would be cut after sundown on Saturday, May 1st, and presented in the Temple the following morning (Yom haBikkurim) on Sunday, May 2nd (18th day of the first month). Yom haBikkurim is also the first day of the seven week “Counting of the Omer,” which culminates in the celebration of the Feast of Sevens (Shavuot). Shavuot is the day following the seventh Sabbath, which is also the 50th day (pentacosta – Gk.). Since the new moon at the end of the twelfth month occurred very early that year, nearly a week before the vernal equinox (March 16, 28 CE), an Adar Bet (thirteenth month) would have allowed the barley to mature sufficiently to celebrate the mandatory “Day of the Firstfruits” during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:2; 13:3-4; 9:31 – the barley was not yet ‘in the ear’ as per KJV, but more accurately, the barley was not yet <byba – aviv> Hb.). Though it was theoretically possible for the barley to be aviv at this time of year, we see that Yeshua, already in the vicinity of Jerusalem at this time, makes another teaching circuit of the Galilee. That itinerary would give ample time for the barley to mature and for Yeshua to fulfill all of the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in the Spring Feast that year – including his death as the Passover lamb on the 14th day of the month, three days and nights in the grave, and then presenting the “firstfruits from among the dead” offering before the throne in heaven. This all set the stage for the fulfillment of the Feast of Shavuot seven Sabbaths later.

< 158 > Passover approaches

Pilgrims come from afar to prepare for Passover and the Feast of Matzah; Religious leaders diligently watch for Yeshua’s arrival to arrest him

Week 62

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 11:55-57

John 11:55 Passover{1} was nigh at hand and many went up to Yerushalayim before Passover to mikveh and offer sacrifices to purify themselves. 56They looked for Yeshua and spoke among themselves as they stood in the Temple, “Do you think that he will not come to the Feast?” 57Both the chief cohenim and the Prushim had given an order that if any man knew where he was, that he should declare it and that they might arrest him.

{Jn. 11:55.1} KJV reads: “the Jews’ passover” which minimalizes the Feast by not capitalizing the proper noun Passover and by ignoring the Scriptures which declare it to be, not a feast of the Jews, but the Feast of YHVH. Conversely, in the CKJV we have capitalized the word Feast when it refers to one of the Feasts of YHVH, but maintained feast in lower case when it refers to a sumptuous dinner.

< 159 > Approaching Bethany, Yeshua instructs his disciples to secure a young ass that would be needed the following morning

[9th Day of the 1st Month (Month of the Aviv), 4028 FC; Friday, April 23, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 433

Matthew 21:1-7a — Mark 11:1-6 — Luke 19:29-34 — John 12:1

John 12:1 Six days before Passover Yeshua approached Beit Te’enah where Lazarus lived. (This was the same man who had died and whom Yeshua had raised from the dead.)

Mark 11:1 When they came near to Yerushalayim, approaching Beit Pageh{1} and Beit Te’enah{2} on the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sent two of his disciples, 2saying, “Go your way into the village over against you and as soon as you enter into it you will find a colt tied on which no one has sat. Loose him, and bring him. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why do you do this?’ say, ‘The master needs him’ and he will immediately send him.” 4They went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside of a place at the main intersection in the village, and they loosed him. 5They replied to those who stood there just as Yeshua had instructed them – and they allowed them to go.

{Mk 11:1.1} Bethphage (KJV) = Beit Pageh – house of early figs. This is particularly relevant at the time the fig tree is cursed (event <166>).

{Mk 11:1.2} Bethany (KJV) = Beit Te’enah – house of figs

Luke 19:29 When he came near to Beit Pageh and Beit Te’enah on the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village over against us. When you enter, you will find a colt tied, upon which a man has never sat. Loose him and bring him. 31If any man asks, ‘Why do you loose him?’ say this to him, ‘Because our master has need of him.’ 32Those who were sent went their way and found it even as he had told them. 33As they were loosing the colt, the owners said to them, ‘Why do you loose the colt?’ 34They replied, “Our master has need of him.”

Matthew 21:1 When they drew near to Yerushalayim, and had come to Beit Pageh on the Mount of Olives, Yeshua sent two disciples, 2saying, “Go immediately into the village over against you where you shall find an ass tied, and a young colt with her. Loose the colt and bring it to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The master has need of him,’ and he will immediately release it.” 4This was to be done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Zecharyah, 5“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Yerushalayim! Behold, your King comes to you! He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a male ass – the young colt of a female ass.”{1} 6The disciples went, and did as Yeshua commanded them 7and they brought the colt.

{Mt 21:5.1} The Greek text of Matthew quotes the prophet Zecharyah as was translated from the Aramaic text, which is a paraphrase of the original Hebrew. The Ancient Hebrew text of Matthew quotes Hebrew Zecharyah 9:9, verbatim. The English translation of the Hebrew version of Zecharyah’s prophecy is supplied in the CKJV. Both the Greek version of Matthew and the KJV add words to the text in order to get both the female ass and the colt to Yeshua because the Greek translation of Matthew caused the misunderstanding that both animals were needed to fulfill the prophecy. The Hebrew text of Zecharyah simply declares the fact that it will not be just an ass, but a colt, an inexperienced young male ass “upon which no man had ever sat.” The Torah instructs that we are to give our animals rest on the Sabbath day (Deut. 5:14), yet in order to fulfill the prophecy of the king riding into Jerusalem on a male ass, Yeshua must do so on the 10th day of the month when the spotless lamb from Bethlehem is triumphantly paraded into the gates as The Passover lamb for the nation. That particular year, that prophetic event happened on the weekly Sabbath. The ass chosen by Yeshua and prophesied by Zecharyah has never worked a day in its life and therefore does not require rest on the Sabbath.

< 160 > Miriam anoints Yeshua’s head and feet at supper at Shimon’s house in Bethany

[10th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Friday evening, April 23, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 434

Though John records the timing of the event, Matthew and Mark introduce this event later into the narrative at the time that Judas makes the betrayal agreement with the chief cohenim <Note 18 after event 178>. This incident illustrates that Judas was not only a thief, but a growing enmity against Yeshua played out against the backdrop of Judas’ dishonesty and desire for recognition, which drove him to the betrayal.

Matthew 26:6-13 — Mark 14:3-9 — Luke — John 12:2-11

John 12:2 There, in Beit Te’enah they made supper for Yeshua. Martha served and Lazarus was one of those who reclined at the table with him. 3Miriam took a pound of very costly spikenard ointment and anointed the feet of Yeshua, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 4Then one of his disciples, Yehudas ben Shimon of Ascareyotah (which was soon to betray him) said, 5“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarius [three hundred days wages], and given to the poor?” 6This he said, not because he cared for the poor – but because he was a thief! He kept the disciples’ purse and stole that which was put into it. 7Then Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! She has reserved this precious gift in preparation for my burial. 8You will always have the poor with you – but you will not always have me.”

9Many of the Prushim{1} knew that Yeshua was there and they came not only to see Yeshua, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10But the ruling cohenim had also conspired to put Lazarus to death [as well as Yeshua] 11because Lazarus was the reason that many of the Prushim abandoned them and believed in Yeshua.

{Jn 12:9.1} KJV reads: “people of the Jews.” Throughout the Greek version of John’s Gospel, the term “the Jews” is used in a derogatory context to designate the Prushim – the sect that ruled the Sanhedrin (see John 1:19, 24). Since most of the principals in the Gospel are “Jews,” the proper term “Prushim” (Pharisees) has been supplied where needed for clarification. Here, the Prushim who were at the mourning for Lazarus a little over a month before (when Yeshua raised him from the dead) returned to see both Lazarus and Yeshua, while other cohenim made plans to kill them both.

Matthew 26:6 When Yeshua was in Bethany in the house of Shimon the healed leper, 7there came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very costly ointment, and poured it on his head as he reclined at dinner. 8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, “What is the purpose of such waste? 9This ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.” 10When Yeshua understood it, he said to them, “Why trouble you the woman for she hath done a good work upon me? 11For you always have the poor with you, but me you do not always have. 12For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13Truth I say to you, wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that which this woman has done shall also be told as a memorial of her.”

Mark 14:3 When they were in Bethany, Yeshua reclined at dinner in the house of Shimon the healed leper. In came a woman with an alabaster box of very precious spikenard ointment and she broke the box and poured it on Yeshua’s head. 4There were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, “Why was this ointment wasted? 5It could have been sold for more than three hundred denarius and given to the poor!” They murmured against her 6but Yeshua said, “Leave her alone! Why are you harassing her? She has done a good work for me. 7You will always have the poor with you, and whenever you want you may do good to them, but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she is able to do. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. 9Truth I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this which she has done shall also be told as a memorial of her [generous act of kindness to me.]”

< 161 > The “Triumphal Entry” of the Passover Lamb on the morning of “the next day”

[Shabbat - 10th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, April 24, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 434

Matthew 21:7b-11, 15-16 — Mark 11:7-11 — Luke 19:35-44 — John 12:12-16

John 12:12 On the next day, many of the people that came to the Feast heard that Yeshua was coming to Yerushalayim. 13They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hoshana! Blessed is the King of Yisrael that comes in the name of YHVH!” 14Yeshua had found a young ass [the day before] and was sitting on it. As it is written, 15“Fear not, daughter of Zion! Behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass’s young colt.” 16(His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Yeshua was glorified, then they remembered that those things were written of him, and that they had done these things for him.){1}

{Jn 12:16.1} The things that are being done in the triumphal entry of Yeshua are the very things that had been done as part of the Temple service in the selecting of the Passover lamb. David was the prophet who put all of these prophetic shadow pictures in place, and now the son of David is fulfilling these holy rehearsals just as Israel had rehearsed them from the time that Solomon dedicated the first Temple. Shaul declared a mystery that had been hidden from both the disciples and from the princes of this world, for if they had known that “the Feasts of YHVH are all prophetic shadow pictures of good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1; Colossians 2:16-17), they never would have crucified Yeshua (I Corinthians 2:7-8) and the plan of the Almighty would have been circumvented. Even though his disciples did not understand the prophetic ramifications of that which was transpiring before their eyes, a retrospective understanding of the Temple service clarifies what Yeshua was doing each day as he fulfilled the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in Passover. Yochanan did not proclaim Yeshua as the lamb of YHVH because of similar physical characteristics, but rather as his role foreshadowed in Passover, the picture of a substitutionary sacrifice. The depth of this rehearsal cannot be fully explored in a text footnote. For further study see the Resources at the back of the book. See also footnote, Matthew 21:5.1, event <159>.

Matthew 21:7b The disciples put their garments on an ass’s young colt and set Yeshua on it. 8A very great multitude spread their garments in the way, and others, having cut down branches from the trees, strewed them in the path. 9The multitudes went before and followed after, crying “Hoshana! The Son of David! Blessed is he that comes in the name of YHVH! Hoshana in the highest!” 10When he entered Yerushalayim, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” 11A multitude responded, “This is The Prophet –Yeshua from Natzeret in the Galilee.”{1}

Matthew 21:15 When the ruling cohenim and sages saw the unabashed spectacle of his entry into Jerusalem, and heard children crying out in the Temple, “Hoshana to the son of David,” they were sore displeased. 16They said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Yeshua answered, “Yes, and have you never read, ‘out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise?’”

{Mt 21:11.1} Verses 12-14 are Matthew’s summary of some of the things that occurred over the next couple of days. They are removed from here and inserted back into the record according to Luke’s chronological narrative at event <167>.

Mark 11:7 They brought the ass’s colt to Yeshua and placed their garments on the colt and Yeshua sat on him. 8Many spread their garments in the way and others had cut down branches off the trees, and strewed them in the way. 9Those who went before and those who followed after, cried out, “Hoshana! Blessed is he that comes in the name of YHVH! 10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, which comes in the name of YHVH! Hoshana in the highest!” 11Yeshua entered Yerushalayim, and went into the Temple. When he had inspected everything he went out to Beit Te’enah with the twelve, for the end of the day was now come.

Luke 19:35 They brought the young colt to Yeshua, and they placed their garments upon him, and they set Yeshua on him.{1} 41As Yeshua approached, he beheld the city and wept, 42saying, “If you had only known, in this day, your day, the least of the things which would bring you peace, but today they are hidden from your eyes. 43The day is coming upon you that your enemies will build a siege wall around you, and completely encircle you, and besiege you on every side. 44They will lay you level with the ground with your children within you and they shall not leave in you one stone upon another – all because you did not realize the time of your visitation.”

37As they approached Yerushalayim, already at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise YHVH with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38“Blessed be the King that comes in the name of YHVH! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” 36As he went into the city they spread their garments in the path. 39Some of the Prushim among the multitude said to him, “Rabbi, rebuke your disciples!” 40But he answered them, “I tell you this, if these people should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out!”

{Lk 19:35.1} Verses 36-40 detail the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and are repositioned after Yeshua’s prophecy over Yerushalayim, which transpired as he was descending the Mount of Olives on his way to the city (verses 41-44). Verse 36 was moved to follow verses 37-38 which records what the disciples did once Yeshua entered into the city.

< 162 > Luke and John insert a parenthetical summary of the events that transpired over the next several days

Week 62

Matthew — Mark — Luke 19:47-48 — John 12:17-19

John 12:17 The people that were present when Yeshua called Lazarus out of his grave and raised him from the dead, bore testimony of this event. 18This was another reason that the people came out to meet him because they also had heard that Yeshua had done this miracle. 19The Prushim then conferred among themselves, “Do you understand that we have just lost everything? Look, the entire world is following him!”

Luke 19:47 Yeshua taught daily in the Temple, and the ruling cohenim and the sages and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48but they could not find a way to do what they desired to do because all the people were very attentive to hear him.

< 163 > Yeshua’s message to the gentiles: The seed must die before it is “born again” and brings forth much fruit

[Shabbat - 10th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, April 24, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 434

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 12:20-26

John 12:20 There were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the Feast. 21These gentiles came to Philip, who was from Beit Saida in Galilee of the gentiles{1} and they implored him, “Sir, we would very much like to see Yeshua.” 22Philip went with this request to Andrew and then both he and Andrew informed Yeshua. 23Yeshua answered the gentiles, “The hour has now come that the Son of Man shall be glorified. 24I now say to you, TRUTH, unless a kernel of grain is buried in the ground and dies, it abides alone. But, if it dies and is buried, it brings forth much fruit. 25He that loves his life shall lose it. He that hates his life in this world shall keep his life eternally. 26If any man desires to be my servant, let him follow me so that where I am, there shall my servant also be. If any man serves me, my Father will honor him.”{1}

{Jn 12:21.1} Beit Saida was a Hellenized village where Greek was more commonly spoken than in other areas. Isaiah 9:1 refers to “Galilee (region) of the Gentiles” because the area was heavily populated with gentiles that were brought in by the Assyrian emperor at the time he carried away and dispersed the ten northern tribes of Israel. After the Greek occupation of Israel by Antiochus (174-163 BCE), a large population of Greek-speaking gentiles continued to inhabit the northern areas of Israel. Judeans who fled the Jerusalem area during the Grecian occupation settled in pockets all over ‘the region of the gentiles’ – Natzeret and Cana being two easily recognizable Jewish communities.

{Jn 12:26.1} Yeshua relays a message to the gentiles that after he is buried and resurrected there will be much fruit among the gentiles and that any man (Jew or gentile) who serves him will be honored by the Father. This prophecy was precisely fulfilled and is recorded in the 10th chapter of The Acts: it is the testimony of the Roman centurion Cornelius and his gentile household coming to faith. In fact, in a couple hundred years the gentile believers greatly outnumbered the Jewish believers.

< 164 > The Voice from Heaven signifies Yeshua as the “Passover Lamb” (Third ‘bat kol’ – Voice from Heaven)

[Shabbat - 10th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC ; Saturday, April 24, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 434

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 12:27-50

John 12:27 [After speaking to the gentiles, Yeshua said,] “Now my soul is deeply troubled, but what shall I say? ‘Father, deliver me from this hour?’ No! This is the very reason that I came to this hour! 28FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR NAME!” Then there came a voice from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”{1} 29The people that stood by heard it. Some said that it thundered. Others said that an angel spoke to him. 30Yeshua said, “This voice came not for my sake, but for yours. 31Now the world can be judged! Now the prince of this world can be cast out! 32And now I will be lifted up from the earth and will draw all men to me.” 33(This he said, signifying by what method of execution he would die.) 34The people responded, “We have heard from the Torah that Messiah will live forever{1} so why do you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35Yeshua answered them, “The light is with you for just a little while. Walk in the light while you have the light, or darkness will overcome you. He that walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36aBelieve in the light while you have light, that you may be the children of light.”

{Jn 12:28.1} This is the third “voice from heaven.” The first was at Yeshua’s mikveh, the second at Yeshua’s ordination as Cohen Gadol on Yom Kippur, and this third voice came on the day the Passover lamb was chosen and made its triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. This transpired immediately after he prophesied of his death and resurrection to the gentiles who came up to the Feast. Jeremiah 16:19-21 states that even the repentant gentiles will come to know and call upon the name of YHVH.

{Jn 12:34.1} In Psalm 110:1-7, the son, “Adoni at thy right hand,” will be the Cohen Gadol forever after the order of the Melek Tzadek. Though this statement is not from the torah (instructions) of Moses, it is from the prophetic instructions (torah) of the prophet David who gave us intricate detail about his messianic offspring.

John 12:36b After Yeshua spoke these things, he departed from the Temple Mount, and hid himself from the multitude. 37But though he had done so many miracles in their sight, yet they did not believe in him. 38This is so that the saying of Yeshayahu the prophet might be fulfilled, “YHVH, who has believed our report and to whom has the arm of YHVH been revealed?” 39That is why they could not believe, because Yeshayahu also said, 40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, that they would not see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor be converted, lest I should heal them.” 41These things said Yeshayahu when he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42Nevertheless there were also many among the rulers who did believe in him, but because of the Prushim they did not openly confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, 43for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of YHVH. 44Yeshua cried and said, “He that believes in me, does not really believe in me, but in him that sent me.{1} 45He that sees me, sees him that sent me. 46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not live in darkness. 47If any man hears my words, and believes not, I do not judge him, because I did not come to judge the world - but to save the world. 48He that rejects me, and receives not my words, already has one that judges him. The word that I have spoken will judge him in the Last Day. 49I have not spoken these words of myself; but the Father which sent me, commanded me concerning what I should say, and what I should speak. 50I know that his commandments bring life everlasting therefore I speak and have spoken everything the Father commanded me.”

{Jn 12:44.1} Deuteronomy 18:15-19 – The Prophet promised at Mount Sinai that speaks directly from the throne room

< 165 > Yeshua returns to Bethany for the night

[Shabbat - 10th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, April 24, 28 CE]

Week 62 — Day 434

Matthew 21:17 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 21:17 Yeshua left the Prushim and went out of the city and he lodged in Beit Te’enah.

< 166 > “The next day” Yeshua curses a fig tree before entering Jerusalem

[11th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, April 25, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 435

Matthew 21:18-19a — Mark 11:12-15a — Luke — John

Matthew 21:18 In the morning as he was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19When he saw a fig tree along the way, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. Yeshua said to it, “Henceforth, let no fruit ever grow on you.”

Mark 11:12 On the morrow, when they came from Beit Te’enah, he was hungry. 13Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find something on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet [for this particular tree].{1} 14Yeshua spoke to the fig tree, “No man eat fruit from you hereafter, for ever!” His disciples heard it. 15Then they came into Yerushalayim.

{Mk 11:13.1} The fig trees in Israel bear fruit at varying times of the year. Some fig trees will have ripe fruit before Passover while others will not produce fruit until the fall of the year after the Feast of Sukkot. Since leaves are not indicative of fruit, only upon inspection of the individual tree can it be determined whether ripe figs are present or not. Yeshua was staying in the village called Beit Te’enah – the House of figs, which was near Beit Pageh – the House of early figs. In Beit Pageh one would normally find ripe figs before Passover – but not all fig trees around Jerusalem will be bearing ripe figs at that time. This one tree will serve as a “living” parable by the following morning, event <168>.

< 167 > Yeshua cleanses the Temple

[11th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, April 25, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 435

Mark frames the event in the chronology, while Matthew and Luke are a parenthesis that belongs here in the time line.

Matthew 21:12-14 — Mark 11:15b-19 — Luke 19:45-46 — John

Matthew 21:12 Yeshua went into the Temple of YHVH and cast out all those who sold and bought in the Temple. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer’ but you have made it a den of thieves.” 14The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple and he healed them.

Luke 19:45 Yeshua went into the Temple, and began to cast out those who sold in it, and those who bought, 46saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is the house of prayer’ but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Mark 11:15b Yeshua went into the Temple, and began to cast out those who bought and sold in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves. 16He would not allow any man to carry any vessel through the Temple. 17Yeshua taught them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be the house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it a den of thieves!” 18The sages and ruling cohenim heard what was happening and sought how they might destroy him – but they also feared him because all the people were astonished at his teachings. 19When evening came he again left the city.

<168> “In the morning” the cursed fig tree withered overnight

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew 21:19b-22 — Mark 11:20-26 — Luke — John

Mark 11:20 In the morning, as they passed by the fig tree they saw that it was dried up from the roots. 21Kefa, recalling the incident, said, “Master, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away!” 22Yeshua replied, “Have faith in YHVH! 23Truth, I say to you, whoever shall say to this mountain, ‘Be plucked up and cast into the sea’ and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he says. 24Therefore I say to you, whatever you ask when you pray, believe and receive, they shall be yours. 25When you persist in prayer, if you have anything against anyone, forgive – so that your Father which is in heaven will also forgive you your trespasses. 26If you do not forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 21:19b The fig tree withered away overnight. 20When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How soon has the fig tree withered away!” 21Yeshua responded, “Truth, I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you shall not only do that which was done to the fig tree, but even more. If you shall say to this mountain, ‘Be plucked up and thrown into the sea!’ it shall be done. 22Everything that you ask in prayer, believe, and you shall receive.”

< 169 > Yeshua begins his last day of teaching in the Temple

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

I. By whose authority?

Matthew 21:23-27 — Mark 11:27-33 — Luke 20:1-8 — John

Matthew 21:23 When Yeshua came into the Temple, the ruling cohenim and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things and who gave you this authority?”{1} 24Yeshua answered them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The mikveh of Yochanan, was it from heaven, or of men?” They reasoned with themselves, “If we shall say, ‘from heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26But if we shall say, ‘of men,’ we fear the people, for all hold Yochanan as a prophet. 27So they answered Yeshua, “We cannot tell.” Then he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

{Mt 21:23.1} The Temple authorities are referring to Yeshua’s overthrowing of the moneychangers’ tables on the previous day. The Sanhedrin had made a takanah (a law which they insist changes Torah law) giving merchants the privilege of doing business on the Temple Mount. Yeshua dramatically asserted that they had no such authority. He had performed the same act of defiance the previous year (John 2:13-22). In both cases they demanded to know what authority he was operating under that could possibly trump their purported authority to make new laws, to which they insist even the Almighty must submit (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Metzia 59a-b – conclusion: “we [the rabbis] pay no attention to a Heavenly Voice”).

Mark 11:27 They returned to Yerushalayim, and as he was walking in the Temple, the ruling cohenim, and the sages, and the elders came to him 28and said, “By what authority do you do these things and who gave you this authority?” 29Yeshua answered and said to them, “I will ask you just one question, and if you answer me I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30The mikveh of Yochanan – was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me!” 31They reasoned among themselves, “If we say, ‘from heaven’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32But if we say, ‘of men…’ [they knew they would be in trouble] because they feared the people. Everyone counted Yochanan to be a true prophet. 33So they answered Yeshua, “We cannot answer you.” So Yeshua answered them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Luke 20:1 As he taught the people in the Temple and preached the gospel, the ruling cohenim and the sages came upon him with the elders 2and said, “Tell us, by what authority do you these things or who is he that gave you this authority?” 3He answered them, “I will also ask you one thing, and you answer me: 4The mikveh of Yochanan – was it from heaven, or of men?” 5They reasoned among themselves, “If we shall say, ‘from heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘of men,’ the people will stone us, for they are all persuaded that Yochanan was a prophet.” 7So they answered that they could not tell whence it was. 8Yeshua said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

II. The parable of two sons

Matthew 21:28-32 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 21:28 “What do you think about this? A certain man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work in my vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he repented and went. 30He came to the second and said likewise, and he answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ and he went not. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Yeshua answered them, “Truth I say to you, tax collectors and whores will enter the kingdom of YHVH before you do. 32Yochanan ben Zecharyah came to you preaching the way of righteousness, and you would not believe him – but violent men and whores believed him! Even after you saw their response, you still refused to repent and believe him. AHM{He who has ears to hear, let him hear in disgrace.}”

III. The parable of the vineyard

Matthew 21:33-46 — Mark 12:1-12 — Luke 20:9-19 — John

Matthew 21:33 “Listen to another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard. He hedged it round about, chiseled a winepress{1} in it, built a tower, and then leased it out to sharecroppers and went away into a far country. 34When the time of the harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants that they might receive his share of the harvest. 35The tenants took his servants and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36He again sent even more servants than he did at the first and they did to them likewise. 37Last of all he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir! Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39They caught him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40When the owner of the vineyard comes, what do you think that he will do to those tenant farmers?” 41They replied to him, “He will utterly destroy those miserably wicked men and will lease out his vineyard to other sharecroppers who will deliver the fruits in their seasons.” 42Yeshua said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner! This is YHVH’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!’ 43Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of YHVH shall be taken from you, and given to gentiles who bring forth the fruits of the kingdom. 44Whoever falls on this stone shall be broken, and on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45Now when the ruling cohenim and Prushim had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke against them. 46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they drew back because they feared the multitude who took him for a prophet.

{Mt 21:33.1} A winepress is dug (KJV) by chiseling out a stone to form an area for pressing the grapes by foot which then drains down into a lower collection vat.

Mark 12:1 Yeshua spoke this parable to the people. “A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and chiseled a place for the wine vat, and built a tower, and leased it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2At the harvest season, he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3But they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4Again he sent to them another servant, and they cast stones at him, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5Again he sent another; and they killed him, and he sent many others; they beat some and killed some. 6Yet having one son, his well beloved, at the last he sent him to them also thinking, ‘They will surely reverence my son.’ 7But those husbandmen said among themselves, ‘This is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.’ 8So they took him, and killed him, and dragged him out of the vineyard. 9Therefore, what shall the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. 10Have you not read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner! 11This was YHVH’s doing, and yet it is marvelous in our eyes!’” 12Then they sought to lay hold on him, but they feared the people, for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. Then they left him, and went their way.

Luke 20:9 Yeshua began to speak to the people this parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, and leased it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10At the harvest season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him some of the fruit of the vineyard, but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11Again he sent another servant and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12Again he sent a third and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 13Then said the master of the vineyard, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be they will reverence him when they see him.’ 14But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, ‘This is the heir! Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Therefore, what shall the master of the vineyard do to them? 16He will come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “YHVH forbid!” 17Yeshua stared them in the eye and said, “What is the meaning of this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?’ 18Whoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” 19The same hour the ruling cohenim and the sages sought to lay hands on him, for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them, but they feared the people.

IV. The parable of the marriage feast

Matthew 22:1-14 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 22:1 Yeshua spoke to them another parable and said, 2“The kingdom of heaven is like to a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. 3He sent forth his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, but they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying to tell those who were invited, ‘Look, I have prepared my dinner! My oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage!’ 5But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his place of business, 6and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7When the king heard, he was furious! He sent his armies and destroyed those murderers, and incinerated their city. 8Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite them to the marriage.’ 10So the servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12He said to him, ‘Friend, how is it that you came in without a wedding garment?’ He was speechless. 13Then said the king to his servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness!’ There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14Many are called, but few choose to respond appropriately to the invitation.”

< 170 > Inspection of the Passover Lamb in the Temple

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

I. By the Pharisees and Herodians

Matthew 22:15-22 — Mark 12:13-17 — Luke 20:20-26 — John

Matthew 22:15 The Prushim left and immediately conspired together on how they might entangle Yeshua in his words. 16They then sent their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, “Master, we know that you are upright, and teach the way of YHVH in truth. You neither concern yourself with material things, nor do you judge by the outward appearance of men. 17Therefore, tell us what you think: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 18Yeshua perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you hypocrites tempt me? 19Show me the tribute money.” They brought a denarius to him. 20Yeshua asked them, “Whose image and superscription is on this?” 21They responded, “Caesar’s.” Then he barked, “Then render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s – and render to YHVH the things that belong to him.” 22When they heard these words, they were stunned, and they left him and went their way.

Mark 12:13 They sent certain of the Prushim and the Herodians to catch him in his words. 14They came to him and said, “Master, we know that you are true, and favor no man because you do not regard the stature of men, but teach the way of YHVH in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15Shall we give, or shall we not give?” Knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why do you tempt me? Bring me a denarius. Let me see it.” 16When they brought it he said to them, “Whose is this image and superscription?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 17Yeshua answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to YHVH the things that belong to YHVH.” They just stood there staring at him - dumbfounded.

Luke 20:20 They sent spies to watch him, and then they sent those who pretended to be righteous men who might trap him in his word so that they might arrest him and turn him over to the jurisdiction of the Roman authorities. 21They cleverly asked him, “Master, we know that you say and teach righteously, neither do you esteem any person, but you teach the way of YHVH in truth. 22Please tell us, Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23He perceived their craftiness and said to them, “Why do you tempt me? 24Show me a denarius! Whose image and superscription is on it?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” 25He said to them, “Render to Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and to YHVH the things which belong to YHVH.” 26They could not ensnare him by his words before the people; and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace.

II. By the Sadducees

Matthew 22:23-33 — Mark 12:18-27 — Luke 20:27-39 — John

Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Zadokim, who say that there is no resurrection,{1} and they asked him, 24“Rabbi, Moses said that if a man die having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed to his brother. 25Now, there were among us, seven brothers. The first married a wife, and died having left no seed, and his wife was left to his brother. 26Likewise happened to the second and also the third all the way to the seventh. 27Finally, the woman also died. 28Therefore, in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven, for they all had her?” 29Yeshua answered them, “You do err, knowing neither the Scriptures, nor the power of YHVH. 30In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of YHVH in heaven. 31Now, concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by YHVH, saying, 32’I am YHVH the Elohim of Avraham, and the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Yaakov’? YHVH is not the Elohim of the dead, but of the living.” 33When the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 12:18 The Zadokim, which say there is no resurrection, came to Yeshua and asked him, 19“Master, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind with no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up an heir for his brother.’ 20Now there were seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and died leaving no heir. 21The second took her, and died, neither left he any progeny; and the third likewise. 22The seven had her, and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23In the resurrection, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of the seven that had her as his wife?” 24Yeshua answered them, “Do you not err because you are ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of YHVH? 25They shall all rise from the dead, but then they will neither marry, nor be given in marriage, but will be as the angels in heaven. 26Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read in the scroll of Moses that YHVH spoke to him out of the bush saying, ‘I am the Elohim of Avraham, and the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Yaakov’? 27YHVH is not the Elohim of the dead, but the Elohim of the living! You do greatly err!”

Luke 20:27 Then certain of the Zadokim, which deny that there is any resurrection came to Yeshua and asked him, 28“Master, Moses wrote to us, ‘If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.’ 29So, there were seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30The second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31The third took her; and in like manner the seven also, and they left no children, and died. 32Last of all the woman died also. 33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she for seven had her to wife?” 34Yeshua answered them, “The children of this world marry and are given in marriage, 35but they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain the world to come and the resurrection from the dead – they neither marry nor are given in marriage – 36neither can they die any more. Being the children of the resurrection, they are the children of Elohim just as are the angels. 37Now then, the dead will be raised. But even as Moses was instructed at the bush when he called YHVH the Elohim of Avraham, and the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Yaakov, 38YHVH is not the Elohim of the dead, but the Elohim of the living! And all shall live in him!” 39A certain sage replied to Yeshua, “Master, well said!”

{Mt 22:23.1} This was a sect of the Zadokim cohenim who did not believe in the resurrection. This belief, or lack thereof, was not held by all of the Zadokim priests.

III. By the Scribes

Matthew 22:34-40 — Mark 12:28-34 — Luke 20:40 — John

Matthew 22:34 When the Prushim heard that Yeshua had put the Zadokim to silence, they gathered around him and 35one of the sages{1} tried to tempt him, saying, 36“Master, which is the great commandment in the Torah?” 37Yeshua answered, “You shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your everything.{1} 38This is the first and the great commandment. 39The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40On these two commandments hang all the Torah and the prophets.”

Mark 12:28 One of the sages who had heard them reasoning together, perceived that Yeshua had answered them well, asked, “Which is the primary commandment?” 29Yeshua answered, “The primary of all the commandments is, ‘Hear O Yisrael – YHVH our Elohim is One – 30and you shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is none other commandment greater than these.” 32The sage said, “Well said master – you have spoken the truth! For there is one Elohim and there is none other but he! 33To love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is far greater than the sum of all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34When Yeshua saw that he answered with wisdom, he said, “You are not far from the kingdom of YHVH!” After that no man dared ask him any questions.

Luke 20:40 After that they dared not to ask him any questions at all.

{Mt 22:35.1} KJV reads: “lawyers” – Hebrew Matthew reads “sages.”

{Mt 22:37.1} KJV reads: “all your mind” – Hebrew Matthew reads: “all your meod – all your everything” which accounts for the disparities in the three Gospel accounts of this statement by Yeshua. The Hebrew word meod literally means all or very, but its true meaning in this context is everything that you are, were, and ever hope to be.

< 171 > Yeshua inspects the religious leaders

They are unable the most profound question concerning the Messiah

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew 22:41-46 — Mark 12:35-37a — Luke 20:41-44 — John

Mark 12:35 While he taught in the Temple, Yeshua asked, “How is it that the sages say that Messiah is the Son of David? 36David himself said by the Ruach Kodesh, ‘YHVH said to adoni [my Lord], sit thou on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.’ 37But David himself then called Messiah YHVH, so how is Messiah his son?”

Luke 20:41 Yeshua said to them, “How is it that they say Messiah is David’s son? 42Yet David himself said in the scroll of Psalms, ‘YHVH said to adoni, sit thou on my right hand 43until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 44Then David [in the same Psalm] called him YHVH! How then is Messiah David’s son?”

Matthew 22:41 While the Prushim were gathered together, Yeshua asked them, 42“What do you think concerning Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”{1} 43He then asked, “How then does David, by the Spirit, call him adoni [my Lord], saying, 44‘YHVH said to adoni, ‘Sit thou on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool?’ 45If David then calls him YHVH [at thy (YHVH‘s) right hand], how is Messiah David’s son?”{1} 46No man was able to answer him a word, neither dared any man to ask him any more questions from that day forth.

{Mt 22:42.1} The son, or offspring, of King David: Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 9:7, 16:5, 22:2; Jeremiah 33:21; Luke 1:32

{Mt 22:45.1} Yeshua, speaking to the Pharisee sages, is citing a complex messianic prophecy which was spoken by the prophet King David. In Psalm 110 David begins, “YHVH said unto adoni sit at my right hand.” In this profound Psalm, David prophesies that “adoni” (my Lord) who is at the right hand of YHVH, will be both the King (from the lineage of King David and the tribe of Judah) who judges the nations from his throne in Jerusalem and also the Cohen Gadol forever (after the order of the Melek Tzadek). Subsequently, in verse 5 of the modern Hebrew texts, David says, “Adonay at thy [YHVH’s] right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.” The sages understood that Adonay always refers to YHVH, and therefore found themselves at a loss to answer Yeshua’s question. Without a present day understanding of the actual name of our heavenly Father, the pinnacle of Yeshua’s confrontations with the sages of his day will remain a conundrum to Christian sages as well. Here is the answer to the unanswerable question:

Adoni, with the vowel point hireq (Psalm 110:1 – first person, singular, masculine, possessive – my Lord) is used both in reference to Divinity and in referring to man, so this is not a problem for the Pharisee sages. But Adonay, with the vowel point qametz (Psalm 110:5 – proper noun, no gender, no number, no state – BHS Westminster Hebrew morphology) is only used in reference to, or possibly in the place of the name YHVH (proper noun, no gender, no number, no state). According to some rabbinic scholars (Ginsburg edition of the Masorah, pp. 105-15), the word Adonay was substituted in the place of YHVH 134 times in the Masoretic text, which was completed centuries after the resurrection of Yeshua. In the Masoretic text of Psalm 110:5 we read that it is “Adonay at thy right hand” – that is, by the historic reasoning of the rabbis of Yeshua’s day and later, “YHVH at the right hand of YHVH [who] shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.” The Aramaic Targumim of the Pharisees actually reads YHVH (by their code yyy) in this very instance. Whether Adonay actually replaced the original reading of the sacred name YHVH or the sages of antiquity collectively understood it, David went from “YHVH saying to adoni (my Lord) sit at my right hand” – to – “YHVH sitting at the right hand of YHVH striking through kings in the day of his wrath.” This is the enigmatic corner into which the sages found themselves boxed and unable to respond without impugning themselves. In retrospect, we can now see that the “YHVH at the right hand of YHVH” can be none other than “YHVH’s anointed(Ps. 2:2) – my king(Ps. 2:6) – my Son(Ps. 2:7) – and the Son whose wrath will be kindled but a little”(Ps. 2:12). It is obvious that the Son is not the Father, but the Father gave the Son his title, his power, and the authority to judge the nations and rule over them with a rod of iron until all is subdued under his reign (I Corinthians 15:22-28; Zechariah 14:16-21; John 20:26-29; Acts 2:29-36; I Corinthians 12:3). This is not a positive prospect for those who were conspiring to belittle, arrest, and quietly dispose of Yeshua.

Psalm 110 1A Psalm of David. YHVH said unto adoni, “Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” 2YHVH shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4YHVH hath sworn, and will not repent, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” 5Adonay [YHVH] at thy [YHVH’s] right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. 6He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. 7He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Psalm 2 1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against YHVH, and against his Messiah. 3They say “Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us.” 4He that sits in the heavens shall laugh! Adonay shall have them in derision. 5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7I will declare the decree YHVH hath said unto me, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11Serve YHVH with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

< 172 > Instructing the disciples and the multitude in the Temple

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew — Mark 12:37b-40 — Luke 20:45-47 — John

Mark 12:37b The common people heard Yeshua gladly and 38he warned them in his teaching, “Beware of the sages who love to parade about in their distinguishing robes, and love salutations in the public marketplaces, 39and the most honored seats in the synagogue, and the most honored places at the Feasts. 40These are the same ones which devour widows’ houses, and make long pretentious prayers. These charlatans shall be the recipients of the most severe judgment!”

Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said to his disciples, 46“Beware of the sages, which relish walking about in their distinguishing robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at the Feasts. 47They devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long pretentious prayers! They shall truly receive a great abundance – of damnation!”

< 173 > Yeshua inspects the Temple Treasury; A widow gives two mites – the wealthy give less

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew — Mark 12:41-44 — Luke 21:1-4 — John

Mark 12:41 Yeshua sat opposite the treasury and watched how the people cast money into the treasury. Many that were rich cast in much. 42A certain poor widow came and cast in two mites (which make a farthing). 43Yeshua called his disciples to him and said, “Truth I say to you, this poor widow has cast in more than all the others which have cast into the treasury. 44For all of them cast in of their abundance – but she cast in all that she had, even of that which she needed! She gave all her living!”

Luke 21:1 Yeshua watched the rich men as they were casting their gifts into the treasury. 2He also saw a certain poor widow who cast in two mites. 3Yeshua said, “Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all. 4For all these have cast in to the offerings of YHVH from their abundance – but she, in her destitute state, has cast in all the living that she had.”

< 174 > The Sermon on the (Temple) Mount

Yeshua ‘spoils the principalities and powers’ of the Sanhedrin by exposing their illegitimate authority in front of the multitude [12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew 23:1-39 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 23:1 After inspecting the treasury, Yeshua addressed the multitude and all of his disciples [who were present in the Temple court] for the last time 2saying, “The sages and the Prushim sit in Moshe’s seat [they purport to have Moshe’s authority].{1} 3Therefore, whatever he (Moshe) commands you to observe, that observe and do - but do not follow the takanot and ma’asim of the Prushim{1} – for they say [they follow Moshe] but they do not do [what Moshe says to do!].

4They bind together heavy burdens, which are grievous to be borne, and they lay them on men’s shoulders – but they will not lift a finger to help. 5All of their works they do to be admired of men. They enlarge their phylacteries, and lengthen the tzit-tzit on their tallits. 6They love the places of honor at the Feasts, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, 7and greetings in the public markets, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi! Rabbi!’

8Don’t allow anyone to call you Rabbi – because you all have just one Great One{1} – MESSIAH – and you all are brothers. 9Do not call any man your ‘Father’ upon the earth.{1} Only one is your Father, and He is in heaven. 10Do not allow anyone to call you ‘the Teacher’{1} for there is only one who is the Teacher – MESSIAH! 11He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12He who exalts himself shall be abased but he who humbles himself in service to others shall be exalted.

{Mt 23:2.1} The “seat of Moses” was a literal seat in the synagogue in which the sages and Pharisees sat to proclaim their oral torah, which became binding law upon anyone who willingly submitted to their self-proclaimed authority.

{Mt 23:3.1} Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, George Howard, Mercer University Press, Pg. 112, Matthew 23:3

The ancient Hebrew text of Matthew’s Gospel states plainly that the followers of Yeshua are commanded to not follow the takanot and ma’asim of the Pharisees oral torah, but that they should “do what he (Moses) says to do” in clear opposition to what the Pharisees teach. The Greek texts, which were translated from the Aramaic text, which was translated from the Hebrew original, missed the entire point of Yeshua’s admonition; each of these translations read: “do what they (the Pharisees) command you to do.” In the Hebrew texts of Matthew’s Gospel, the difference between obeying what he < rmay – yomar> says to do, and what they < wrmay – yomru> say to do, is just a single small jot of the scribe’s quill. In the original Hebrew text there is no vav < w > at the end of the word yomar (he) and without the vav there is no word yomru (they). Hebrew scholars who work with ancient texts understand how Aramaic and Greek translators could have easily missed that pen stroke – and the profound significance of that pen stroke, especially when the translators theology may have already pre-determined how they were going to transmit the text. Translating the text as if there were a vav on the end of the word may seem like a very small difference on the surface. In reality, the absence of that small stroke of the quill is the difference between being obedient to the commandments of the Almighty, which no man has the authority to either add to or diminish (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32), and living under a man-made system of religion that by its very nature is in violation of the commandments given to us at Mount Sinai.

The Encyclopedia Judaica defines takanot as rules enacted by the Pharisees which change or negate biblical law, while ma’asim are acts of the rabbis which serve as a legal precedent for righteous behavior. Yeshua clearly and pointedly commanded his disciples, “Do not follow the takanot and ma’asim of the Pharisees!” This very issue was declared by Yeshua on the Day of Trumpets and it offended the Pharisees (event <108> Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23) to the point that they threatened to kill him if he showed up in Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot in two weeks (John 7:1). So in this age of proliferating religious systems we might ask the confessed followers of the Messiah: “Just what part of ‘Do not follow the takanot and ma’asim of the Pharisees’ don’t you understand?” Yeshua vociferously violated the man-made rules of the Pharisees at every turn – that is why they started making plans to kill him at Shavuot (John 5:1-47) when he healed a man and then immediately commanded him to break the law of the eruv by picking up his mat on the Sabbath and carrying it away. If we miss this one single stroke of the pen, which is the difference between following Moses or following the religious system of the Pharisees, we have missed the entire teaching ministry of the Messiah. He came to declare the truth that sets men free from the bondage of religion – every man-made religion that populates the planet. In George Howard’s translation of the Hebrew Matthew, he adds the word [they] in brackets when his Hebrew text clearly reads < rmay – yomar> he [Moses]. For many fascinating revelations from the ancient Hebrew Matthew, see the Resources at the back of this book.

{Mt 23:8.1} Rabbi (KJV) – meaning “my great one,” an exalted title or title of nobility bestowed upon those who sit in Moses’ seat and have the authority to make (according to themselves) innovative takanot that even the Creator of the universe must obey. Rabbi, Rebbe, Rav, and Ravi do not mean teacher; they all come from the root < br – rav >, which means great, higher, or exalted (Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great < br – rav > in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually). Teacher is moreh in Hebrew – as in Har Moreh-Yah (Mount Moriah – KJV) the mountain where YHVH will be our teacher. Moreh comes from the root < hry – yarah >, to teach (Exodus 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach < hry – yarah > thee what thou shalt say). Titles of nobility such as Father, Rabbi, and Reverend are forbidden by Yeshua, but his words are generally ignored by the religious systems bearing his name today.

{Mt 23:9.1} Father (KJV) in Latin papa – Pope. No one is to be called either Pope or Father upon the earth – this too is an exalted title of nobility and part of the nicolaitan hierarchy of gentile pagan temple service. This cannot be construed to say that the word father is evil. The one who begets or adopts you is your father – but we have one Head, one Master, one Father, one who is the Teacher, one Messiah and no one is to replace him as our spiritual covering. For more detail on the Doctrine of the Nicolaitans and its relationship to modern Christianity, see the Resources at the back of the book.

{Mt 23:10.1} The exalted title of Teacher is again forbidden. A servant who has a congregation in his home must be able to teach (I Ti 3:2). A teacher is one of the ministries given by Yeshua through the Ruach Kodesh for the edification of the body of believers (Ephesians 4:8-14). A teacher, like an apostle, an evangelist, a prophet, and a pastor are diversities of serving – they are not capitalized as titles of nobility such as: The Teacher, or the Most Holy Right Reverend Windbag T. Least.

Matthew 23:13 “Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You shut the gate to the kingdom of heaven right in men’s faces. You are not going in, neither will you allow those to enter who otherwise would enter in! 14Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers – that is why you shall receive the harshest judgment. 15Woe to you, sages and Prushim, hypocrites, for you traverse land and sea to make one convert, and then you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves! 16Woe to you, you blind chairs!{1} You say, ‘Whoever shall swear by the Temple, it is not an oath which must be kept – but whoever shall swear by the gold of the Temple is obligated to keep his word!’ 17You blind fools! What is greater: the gold, or the Temple that sanctifies the gold? 18You also say that whoever shall swear by the altar, it is not an oath [which must be kept] – but whoever swears by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty [if he does not keep his oath.] 19You blind fools! Tell me, what is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20Whoever shall swear by the altar, swears by it, and by everything on it. 21Whoever shall swear by the Temple, swears by it, and by Him that dwells there. 22He that shall swear by heaven, swears by the throne of YHVH, and by He who sits on it.{1}

23“Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin but you have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These tithes you ought to have done, but you should not have left the other undone. 24You blind chairs! You strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You [have a hundred regulations on how to] clean the surface of a cup and platter, but just under the surface you yourselves are full of extortion and excess. 26You blind Prushim, cleanse first the inside of the cup and platter, that the outside may also be clean. 27Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! You are like white-washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful on the outside, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and absolute filth. 28Even so, you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29Woe to you, sages and Prushim, you hypocrites! While you diligently maintain the tombs of the prophets and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous 30you adamantly declare, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 31You are witnesses against yourselves! You admit that you are the children of those who killed the prophets. 32Fill up the full measure of your father’s iniquity. 33You serpents! You offspring of vipers! How can you possibly escape the damnation of hell AHM{if you do not repent}? 34Look, I am going to send prophets to you, and wise men, and sages. Some of them you will crucify and kill. Some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city so 35that upon you may come the responsibility for all the righteous blood shed upon the earth – from the blood of righteous Abel – to the blood of Zecharyah{1} whom you slew between the Temple porch and the altar. 36Truth I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. 37O YERUSHALAYIM! You that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you refused me! 38Behold, your house is left to you desolate! 39You shall not see me again, until you say, ‘Baruch haba b’shem YHVH – Blessed is he that comes in the name of YHVH!’” Yeshua stormed out.

{Mt 23:16.1} “blind chairs” are a reference to the “seat of Moses” in which they claim to sit.

{Mt 23:22.1} See footnote on Matthew 5:33-37 – The Pharisees circumvented the commandment in Deuteronomy 6:13, “Thou shalt fear YHVH thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name” and negated their responsibility to speak the truth by swearing by any number of things that sounded holy, but they secretly claimed that they were under no obligation to honor. In Leviticus 19:12 the Torah specifically warns, “Ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy Elohim: I am YHVH.” Yeshua extrapolates on this commandment and states that we are not to swear falsely by anything! The ancient Hebrew text of the Gospel of Matthew maintains the word “falsely” in Matthew 5:33-37, but the modern Greek texts have omitted it – probably because gentile copyists were not familiar with the text or the commandments in the Torah that Yeshua vehemently proclaimed “will not pass away.” Yeshua is actually establishing the veracity of the eternal Torah with every denouncement of Pharisee takanot and their modern day equivalents found in every man-made religion on the planet. The Torah forbids us from swearing falsely in the name of YHVH, and commands us to make our solemn vows in the name of YHVH. Yeshua further clarifies the heart of the Torah, and that is to not swear falsely at all. Yeshua does not forbid the swearing of an oath when the Torah commands us to do just that. Yeshua adamantly affirms that swearing by some contrived oath does not relieve one from the obligation of telling the truth.

{Mt 23:35.1} The Greek and Aramaic versions add the words “the son of Barachiah” which are not in the ancient Hebrew Matthew or in a similar recitation in the Gospel of Luke. Only the extra-biblical record of the Protoevangelion of James seems to fit the details of all that Yeshua speaks in both of these accounts. (See Luke 11:51 event <142> and <Note 3> the execution of Zecharyah the father of Yochanan the immerser.)

< 175 > Yeshua prophesies the destruction of the Temple

as he leaves the Temple for the last time [12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew 24:1-2 — Mark 13:1-2 — Luke 21:5-6 — John

Matthew 24:1 As Yeshua was departing from the Temple, his disciples approached him to show him the construction work on the Temple. 2Yeshua said, “You see all these things? Truth I tell you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1 As he departed the Temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Master, see the various kinds of stones and the detailed workmanship!” 2And Yeshua answering said to him, “You see these great buildings? There shall not be one stone left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luke 21:5 As he stormed out, some of Yeshua’s disciples spoke about the Temple and how it was being adorned with gifts of beautiful stones. Yeshua said, 6“As for these things which you see, the days will come that there will not be left one stone on another that will not be thrown down.”

< 176 > Yeshua prophesies concerning the end of the age to four disciples on the Mount of Olives

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

I. “TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU”

Matthew 24:3-14a — Mark 13:3-13 — Luke 21:7-19 — John

Matthew 24:3 As Yeshua sat on the Mount of Olives, four of his disciples [Kefa, Yaakov, Yochanan, and Andrew] came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming, and the events at the end <suntelia>{1} of the age?” 4And Yeshua answered and said to them, “TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU! 5Many will come in my name, acknowledging that I am Messiah, yet they will deceive many.

6You will hear of wars and threats of wars – do not be terrorized. All these things must come to pass, but the very end <telos>{2} is not yet. 7Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom shall rise against kingdom. There will be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in many places. 8All these are just the beginning of the birth pangs.

9Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and they shall kill you. You will be hated of all nations because of me. 10At that time many will be caught in the snare{1} [that has been set by false teachers] and then they will hate one another, and betray one another. 11Many false teachers shall rise up [among the believers] and they will mislead many. 12Because those who are without Torah will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.{1} 13But those who endure to the very end <telos> shall indeed be saved. 14This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the entire world for a witness to all nations.”

{Mt 24:3.1 and 6.2} Both <suntelia– suntelia> and <teloj – telos> are translated as the end in the KJV. The suntelia are all the events that lead up to the end, while telos is the very end. Yeshua answers their question very accurately by detailing the events of the suntelia and punctuating these terrifying realities with the fact that things are going to get a lot worse – the telos is not yet. The telos, we will see, begins with the event spoken by the prophet Daniel – the abomination of desolation – which is three and a half years from Yom Teruah and the parousia (personal presence) of Messiah. This is not the earlier abomination of desolation set up by Antiochus Epiphanies as detailed in the books of Maccabees I and II, but rather the end time fulfillment which is detailed in the book of the Revelation. The events of the telos are so traumatic that Yeshua claims that the Almighty is going to have to shorten the days of hasatan’s wrath or there would be no flesh saved. It is better to know the hard truth than to live in the make-believe world of false prophets who lead the sheeple into a deadly snare on a path paved with comforting lies.

{Mt 24:10.1} offended (KJV) <skandalidzo – skandalidzo> – a snare that is set by observing the intended prey in their own natural habitat and then setting a snare that looks like part of their comfortable environment. Yeshua prophesied that false prophets, who assert that they are speaking for him, will set a trap that will cause believers to hate and betray each other to the death. What could cause such betrayal? What disappointed false expectation could trigger such a deadly trap that would capture believers in their own self-constructed comfort zone? Verses 25-27 tell us that the false preachers will be teaching a <tameon – tameon> – secret, unknown, unobserved, mysterious – rapture that will allegedly take them out of the world before the great tribulation that Yeshua clearly states that his disciples will all be a part. When no one is raptured as promised by the peace and prosperity prophets of churchianity, the deceived believers will be harvested in a snare that will be so deadly that they will hate and betray each other to death, without a second thought.

{Mt 24:12.1} Yeshua closes the bookends of his first teacning to Israel (event <62>) in which he declared that he, in no way, came to destroy the Torah (Matthew 5:17). He further stated that he would judge his purported followers according to their compliance with the Torah (Matthew 7:13-23) and that most of those who believed they were his miracle-working followers would be ejected from the eternal kingdom.

Mark 13:3 As Yeshua sat on the Mount of Olives across from the Temple, Kefa, Yaakov, Yochanan, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things occur? What is the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5Yeshua answered, “BEWARE THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU! 6Many will come in my name, saying that I am the Messiah, yet they will deceive many.

7“When you hear of wars and threats of wars, do not be troubled – they must happen but the very end <telos> is not yet. 8Nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many places. There will be famines and tribulation – yet these are just the beginnings of travail.

9“So, take heed for yourselves because they will deliver you up and you will be beaten in their congregations (synagogues). You will also be brought before rulers and kings to testify against them in my place. 10But first, this gospel must be published throughout the gentile nations. 11So, when they take you away and turn you over to the authorities, do not consider what you will speak beforehand and do not rehearse your testimony. You will be given what you are to speak in that very moment. It will not even be you speaking – it will be the Ruach Kodesh! 12Brothers will betray brothers to death, and fathers their sons, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be put to death. 13You will indeed be hated by everyone because of me – but he that endures to the very end <telos> will be saved.”

Luke 21:7 The disciples asked Yeshua, “Master, when will these things occur and what will be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?” 8Yeshua said, “Listen carefully so that you will not be deceived by anyone! Many will come in my name, saying that I am the Messiah, and that the time of my coming is imminent{1} – DO NOT FOLLOW THEM! 9Because first you will hear of wars and worldwide instability, but do not be terrified because these things must come to pass – but still the end <telos> is not immediately forthcoming.”

10“Then,” he said, “Nation shall rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, 11and great earthquakes shall occur in many places. There will be famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights, and great signs in the heavens. 12But even before all these things, they will lay their hands on you, and persecute you, and deliver you up to their tribunals and put you in their prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers because of me, 13and I will turn to you for a testimony. 14So, set this deep in your hearts. Do not meditate on how you will answer beforehand 15because I will fill your mouth and give you wisdom which your adversaries will not be able to speak against nor resist. 16You will be betrayed both by parents and brothers, and relatives, and friends, and some of them will even have you put to death. 17Because of me, you will be hated by everyone, 18but yet not one hair of your head will perish. 19In your perseverance you will save your soul.”

{Lk 21:8.1} Draweth near (KJV) <eggidzo – eggidzo> imminent, pressing, close at hand. Yeshua begins his warning concerning false prophets who declare that his coming is imminent, could happen at any time – do not listen to them (verse 8). He then details the reality of the latter day “abomination of desolation” that would begin the shaking of the entire world. It is after that event and the great tribulation that follows that Yeshua said to look up and see that our redemption is now <eggidzo – eggidzo> imminent (verse 28). This scenario is in perfect alignment with the same warning recorded by Matthew.

II. Prophecy of the “Abomination of Desolation”

Matthew 24:14b-31 — Mark 13:14-27 — Luke 21:20-28 — John

Matthew 24:14b “The end <telos> will come{1} 15when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place. (Whoever reads, let him understand!) 16Then let those who are in Yehudaea flee to the mountains. 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19Woe to those who are with child and to those who give suck in those days! 20Pray that your flight is not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath. 21For then, [when you see the abomination of desolation] there will be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22Unless those days are shortened, there would no flesh be saved – but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23Then if any man shall say to you, ‘Look, here is Messiah, or there,’ do not believe it. 24For there shall rise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders; so much that, if it were possible, they will deceive the very elect. 25Look, I am foretelling this! 26Therefore, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is outside the city and you must go to him!’ Go not forth!{1} If they shall say to you, ‘Watch, because he is coming in secret!’{2} Believe it not! 27For just as the lightning that comes out of the east and shines all the way to the west – even so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28The vultures will be gathered wherever the carcass lies. 29Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn as they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31He will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

{Mt 24:14b.1} Most English versions have been incorrectly punctuated by adding periods and commas where there are none in the Greek or Hebrew texts. “The end” is not dependent upon the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom, but rather dependent upon the fulfillment of that which was spoken by the prophet Daniel – the abomination of desolation – the defining moment in the last days scenario that begins the great tribulation and also requires the obedient to evacuate Jerusalem.

{Mt 24:26.1} in the deserts (KJV) <eremoj – eremos> outside of the city which is deserted of population. This is the word used where John was baptizing and people had to go out to him. Yeshua states that the saints will not need to come to him – he is sending his angels to gather his martyred saints like vultures swooping down upon a dead carcass – the dead in Messiah will rise first and then we who are alive and remain will be caught up <harpadzo – Greek; rapturo – Latin> together with them to meet Yeshua in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

{Mt 24:26.2} in secret chambers (KJV) <tameon – tameon> – secret, unknown, unobserved, no known precursors, no evidence of its occurrence, covert, mysterious. Yeshua warns that there will come false prophets who assert to come in his name and authority, yet they will mislead the saints into a <skandalidzo – skandalidzo> – a snare that will destroy those who are captured therein (Matthew 24:10). He foretells this deadly trap would be set by those proclaiming that he would come back in a secret rapture – unseen and unobservable. He stated very plainly not to be deceived by them and do not follow those who preach a secret rapture before the great tribulation that begins at the abomination of desolation prophesied by Daniel, Yeshua, Shaul, and Yochanan. Only by taking heed to the instructions of Yeshua will we not be deceived by those who prophesy falsely. Those who heed the false prophets proclaiming the false ‘peace and safety’ of the pretribulation rapture gospel will be unprepared for the ordeal ahead and will fall victim to the deadly snare of hasatan.

Mark 13:14 “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let he who reads understand) then let those who are in Yehudaea flee to the mountains. 15Let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house. 16Let him that is in the field not turn back again to take up his garment. 17Woe to those who are with child, and to those who give suck in those days! 18Pray that your flight is not in the winter, 19because in those days there shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which Elohim created to this time, neither shall ever be again. 20Except YHVH shortens those days, no flesh would be saved – but for the elect’s sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days. 21Then if any man shall say to you, ‘Look, here is Messiah,’ or, ‘Look, he is there,’ do not believe him. 22For false Messiahs and false prophets will rise, and will show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But you beware! Look, I have foretold all these things to you! 24After those days of tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, 25the stars of heaven will fall, the powers that are in heaven will be shaken, 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27He shall send his angels and will gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost parts of the earth to the uttermost parts of heaven.”

Luke 21:20 “When you see Yerushalayim compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is near. 21Let those who are in Yehudaea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of the land depart and do not let those who are in the countryside enter. 22For these are the days of vengeance when all the things which are written shall be fulfilled. 23But woe to those who are with child, and to those who give suck in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people! 24They shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations. Yerushalayim shall be trodden down of the gentiles until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled.{1} 25There will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars. Upon the earth there will be the distress of nations with great perplexity. The sea and the waves will roar. 26Men’s hearts will fail for fear of anticipating the things which are coming on the earth because the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27Then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption is now imminent!”{1}

{Lk 21:24.1} Revelation 11:1-13

{Lk 21:28.1} Draweth nigh (KJV) <eggidzo – eggidzo> imminent, pressing, close at hand. After Yeshua warns his disciples about the false prophets who declare that his coming is imminent – he instructed them pointedly, “Do not listen to them” (verse 8). He then went on to detail the reality of the latter day ‘abomination of desolation’ that would shake the entire world and initiate the great tribulation. After the succeeding events come to pass, he then said to look up and see that our redemption is now <eggidzo – eggidzo> imminent (verse 28 and again in verse 31). Yeshua repeatedly warns that false prophets would teach a secret <tameon – tameon> rapture before the great tribulation (Matthew 24:26). There is no pre-tribulation rapture. It is the recent invention of the prosperity gospel perversion that was exposed by Yeshua, Shaul, and Yochanan as well as several prophets of the first century. The legal prerequisites to the return of Messiah are detailed in the materials available on the Resources at the back of the book.

III. Prophetic parable of the fig tree

Matthew 24:32-44 — Mark 13:28-33 — Luke 21:29-33 — John

Matthew 24:32 “Now learn a parable concerning the fig tree. When its branch is tender and it brings forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So likewise you, when you see all these things, know that my coming is near, even at the doors.{1} 34Truth I say to you, this generation will not pass, until all these things be fulfilled. 35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36But of that day and hour no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. 39They knew not until the flood came, and took them all away. So shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. 40Two will be plowing in the field, AHM{one righteous and the other wicked} the one will be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one will be taken, and the other left. AHM{For at the end of the age, the angels will remove the stumbling blocks from the world and will separate the good from the evil.} 42Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your master will come. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for you do not know the hour the Son of Man will come.”

Mark 13:28 “Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When its branch is now tender, and brings forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that my coming is near, even at the doors. 30Truth I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things are accomplished. 31Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away. 32But of that day and that hour no man knows; no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33Beware, watch and pray for you know not when the time will come.”

Luke 21:29 Yeshua spoke to them a parable, “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees, 30when they shoot forth their leaves, you see them and know for yourselves that summer is now at hand. 31So likewise, when you see these things come to pass, then you will know that the kingdom of YHVH is imminent. 32Truth I say to you, this generation will not pass away, till all be fulfilled.{1} 33Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away.”

{Mt 24:33.1} This parable likens the leaves sprouting on a fig tree (or any tree – Luke 21:29) to the approach of spring and the approach of the coming of Messiah. Yeshua does not equate the fig tree with the nation of Israel. The point Yeshua makes is this: when one sees “all these things come to pass” – which refers to the events surrounding the “abomination of desolation” spoken by the prophet Daniel – know that that generation will not pass until all is fulfilled. The abomination of desolation is the key event that begins the telos (the end of the age), which will conclude with the appearing of the Messiah to gather the saints in a time of great tribulation. The wars, terrorism, earthquakes, and believers hating and killing each other are all signs that “the end is not yet” because all of these things “must come to pass” before the “abomination of desolation.”

{Lk 21:32.1} Again, we have the parabolic warning that we will not know the time of his coming until certain things come to pass – and then his coming is finally <eggidzo> eggidzo – imminent, pressing, close at hand. This is the very same warning and promise that was detailed in Luke 21:28, but in this parable it is emphasized that no one knows the day and hour, but we are to watch and pray so that the Day will not take us unprepared. We are to watch for these events to unfold, and then we are to recognize the Day of his coming is eggidzo – imminent. We are not to ignore the signs and close our eyes in slumber, nor are we to get out of focus and panic over the signs that Yeshua says must come to pass but the end is not yet. Yeshua warned us that there are things that must come to pass first. Regardless of the sincerity of those who preach either the pretribulation rapture or that Messiah has already returned and we need to go to him, Yeshua tells his faithful followers not to believe those who iterate such heresy. They are prophesying falsely and will blindly lead the willfully blind into the snare of the adversary.

IV. Prophecies concerning faithful servants

Matthew 24:45-51 — Mark 13:34-37 — Luke 21:34-36 — John

Matthew 24:45 “Who, at the time of great tribulation, will be considered to be a wise and faithful servant of the master who has been made a steward over his master’s household? The servant who continues to give the household adequate nourishment for the times! 46Blessed that servant will be when his master finds him feeding his household when he comes. 47Truth, he will make him ruler over all his possessions. 48But if a servant says in his evil heart, ‘My master delays his coming’ 49and he begins to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50that servant’s master will come in a day when he is not looking and in an hour that he is not expecting 51and he will cut him into pieces and sentence him with the other hypocrites. There shall be bitter weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Mark 13:34 “As a man undertaking a far journey, before leaving his house he gave authority to his servants. He assigned every man his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35Therefore, watch! You do not know when the master will return. It may be at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning. 36What I am saying to you, I am saying to all my servants: WATCH 37lest coming suddenly he finds you asleep.”

Luke 21:34 “YOU BEWARE lest at any time your hearts become overly charged with frivolity and intoxicated with the cares and pleasures of this temporal life! If you do, you will be completely oblivious when it overtakes you. 35The Day of YHVH will spring like a snare, taking everyone who dwells on the face of the entire planet. 36Therefore WATCH, and pray that you may be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man – having escaped all of that which shall surely come upon the world.”

V. Parable of the wise virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 25:1 “At the time [when the evil servants say that their master delays his coming] the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins [who are the attendants who prepare the bride]. They all took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no extra oil with them. 4The wise took their lamps and also oil in their vessels. 5The bridegroom tarried and they all became weary and slept. 6At midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him!’ 7The virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps went out.’ 9But the wise answered, ‘There will not be enough for both you and us. Instead, you go to those that sell and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10While they went to buy, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went with him to the marriage and the door was shut. 11Later, the other virgins also came and said, ‘MASTER! Open the door!’ 12But the bridegroom replied, ‘To tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ 13Therefore, watch! You do not know the day or the hour AHM{when the bridegroom will come}.”{1}

{Mt 25:13.1} The Word is the light. The oil is the storing up of the Word in the heart for the darkness ahead. It is the responsibility of those who minister to prepare the bride and to have adequate light to last through the upcoming night. Those who do not store the Word in their heart now, and obey the Messiah now, will be shut out – they did not do their job at the end. Again, this is a warning to those who would be deceived by false teachers and would depend on the early arrival of the Messiah in a false pretribulation rapture.

VI. Reward of the faithful servants

Matthew 25:14-30 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 25:14 “The kingdom of heaven is much like a man who traveled to a far country. He called his servants and delivered his possessions to them. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent. He gave to every man according to his individual ability and he immediately left on his journey. 16He that had received the five talents went and traded with them and he made another five talents. 17Likewise, he that had received two also gained another two. 18But he that had received one, he went and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time, the master of the servants came and reckoned with them. 20He that had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘master, you gave to me five talents and look, beside them I have gained an additional five talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things! Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22He also that had received two talents came and said, ‘Master, you delivered two talents to me. Look, I have gained another two talents beside them.’ 23His master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you had not planted, and gathering where you have not dispersed. 25I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’ 26His master said, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I had not sown and gather where I have not dispersed. 27Therefore, you should have at least put my money to the exchangers, and at my return I would have received mine own with interest! 28Take the talent from him, and give it to he who has ten talents 29because he that has been faithful will be given even more, and he will have abundance. But he who has not been faithful, even what little he has been given will be taken away from him. 30The unprofitable servant will be cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

VII. Judgment of the disobedient servants

Matthew 25:31-46 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his majesty, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit upon the throne of his judgment 32and all nations will be gathered before him. He will separate one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats 33and he will set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35When I was hungry, you gave me meat. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was a stranger, you took me in. 36When I was naked, you clothed me. When I was sick, you visited me. When I was in prison, you came to me.’ 37The righteous will answer him, ‘Master, when did we see you when you were hungry, and fed you or thirsty, and gave you drink? 38When did we see you when you were a stranger, and took you in, or naked, and clothed you? 39When did we see you when you were sick, or in prison, and came to you?’ 40Then the King shall say to them, ‘Truth I say to you, just as you have done so to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.’{1} 41Then he will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me! You are damned into the everlasting fire which was prepared for hasatan and his angels! 42I was hungry, and you gave me no meat. I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink. 43I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.’ 44Then will they also answer him, ‘Master, when did we see you when you were hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45Then he will answer them, ‘Truth I say to you, just as you did not do this to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ 46These shall be sent away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

{Mt 25:40.1} The Torah commands us to take care of the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the Levites who minister to Israel. That commandment has not been rescinded – nor has our responsibility. We will be judged according to how we, as individuals, fulfill the commandment. Obviously, Yeshua takes this very personally and very seriously. Since he is the one sitting on the judgment throne, so should we.

< 177 > Summary: Yeshua taught in the Temple by day and abode in the Mount of Olives at night

Recapping events transpiring over the past several days in Jerusalem

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew — Mark — Luke 21:37-38 — John

Luke 21:37 In the day time he was teaching in the Temple, and at night he went out and abode in the Mount of Olives. 38In the morning all the people came to the Temple early in order to hear him.

< 178 > Elders and ruling cohenim conspire to put Yeshua to death

[12th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, April 26, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 436

Matthew 26:1-5 — Mark 14:1-2 — Luke 22:1-2 — John

Matthew 26:1 When Yeshua had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2“You know that in two days{1} it is the Passover and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified.” 3Then, [after the incident on the Temple Mount] the ruling cohenim, and the sages, and the elders of the people assembled together at the palace of Caiaphas, the Cohen Gadol. 4They plotted on how they might craftily take Yeshua and kill him, 5but they said, “Not during the Feast, for fear that there will be an uproar among the people.”

Luke 22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is also called the Passover.{1}

2The ruling cohenim and sages sought how they might kill him, but they feared the people.

Mark 14:1 After two days was the Passover and the Feast of Matzah (Unleavened Bread). The ruling cohenim and the sages sought how they might craftily arrest him and put Yeshua to death, 2but they said, “Not during the Feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

{Mt 26:1.1} Yeshua pinpoints the day that the Temple Mount episode took place by declaring that “after two days is the Passover.” The plans for his execution begin as soon as Yeshua leaves the Temple Mount after castigating the Pharisees and sages (as recorded in Matthew 23, event <174>).

{Lk 22:1.1} Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are two separate but intertwined festivities that together are commonly referred to as Passover even to this day.

< Note 18 > Parenthetical statement recalling the anointing oil incident in Bethany

The spikenard anointing oil incident was reported by John as occurring on the tenth day of the month in the house of Shimon – the evening after Yeshua and his disciples arrived in Bethany to prepare for the triumphal entry of the Passover Lamb the following morning. The incident was recalled by both Matthew and Mark at this point in the gospel narrative to set the context for Judas’ betrayal. They stated that Judas feigned concern that the anointing oil was not sold and the money given to the poor – not that he cared for the poor, but he was a thief who stole that which was in the disciples common purse. See event <160> for details.

< 179 > Yehudas agrees to betray Yeshua for the slave price - thirty pieces of silver

[13th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 F.C; Tuesday, April 27, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 437

The betrayal plan is the only event recorded for this day until Yeshua’s evening meal with his disciples

Matthew 26:14-16 — Mark 14:10-11 — Luke 22:3-6 — John

Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Yehudas from [the village of] Ascareyotah, went to the ruling cohenim 15and asked them, “What will you give me to deliver him to you?” They covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver,{1} 16and from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

{Mt 26:15.1} Zechariah 11:12-13 – As Zechariah prophesied, this thirty pieces of silver would be returned in remorse, thrown down in the Temple, and then the priests would later use the money to buy the potter’s field that Judas had previously purchased with the money he stole from the disciples’ purse. Judas hanged himself on his sword and his bowels and blood gushed out so profusely that they named his ill-begotten property “the Field of Blood.” The priests could then purchase the defiled land for a cheap place to bury gentiles.

Mark 14:10 And Yehudas from Ascareyotah, one of the twelve, went to the ruling cohenim, to betray Yeshua to them. 11When they heard his plan, they were glad, and promised to give him money. Then Yehudas sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Luke 22:3 Then entered hasatan into Yehudas from Ascareyotah, being of the number of the twelve. 4Yehudas went his way, and communed with the ruling cohenim and officers of the Temple Guard, how he might betray him to them. 5They were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6He promised them and then sought opportunity to betray Yeshua to them in the absence of the multitude.

< 180 > Summary: preparations for Passover

Preparations began on the 9th day of the aviv and continued through the late afternoon of the 14th. A rented upstairs apartment in Jerusalem (upper room) was prepared for Passover and for their extended domicile through the feast of Shavuot. This parenthetical summary details where the last supper would take place – not when the preparation was made. The night in which the last supper occurred was the last evening in which leaven could be consumed. This is also the disciples’ first night in Jerusalem after spending the previous week nights in Bethany on the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:17-19 — Mark 14:12-16 — Luke 22:7-13 — John

Mark 14:12 At the beginning of the preparations for Unleavened Bread, when they prepared to sacrifice the Passover, Yeshua’s disciples said to him, “Where will you that we go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?” 13He sent out two of his disciples after instructing them, “Go into the city, and there you shall meet a man bearing a pitcher of water, follow him. 14Wherever he goes in, say to the steward of the house, ‘The master says, ‘Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15He will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared, there make it ready for us.” 16Then his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said to them, and they made ready the Passover.

Matthew 26:17 Now at the beginning of the preparations for Unleavened Bread{1} the disciples came to Yeshua, saying to him, “Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, ‘The Rabbi says, My time is at hand! I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19The disciples did as Yeshua had appointed them, and they made ready the Passover.

{Mt 26:17.1} The KJV inaccurately translated the Greek text concerning “the protos of the Feast of Unleavened Bread” as “the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread.” The “first day of the feast” is the 15th day of the month of the Aviv (Nisan) – which would mean that they had already missed the Passover Seder. The protos – beginning of the preparations for Unleavened Bread – is the situation of which Yeshua spoke. It takes several days to prepare for the Passover Seder. The disciples were preparing for Passover at a rented townhouse in Jerusalem, rather than where they had been staying in Bethany. Bethany provided a measure of safety seclusion for Yeshua and his disciples during the week.

Luke 22:7 As the time of Unleavened Bread approached and the Passover must be prepared, 8Yeshua sent Kefa and Yochanan saying, “Go and prepare the Passover, that we may eat.” 9They asked, “Where do you desire that we prepare?” 10Yeshua said, “Listen carefully, when you enter into the city, you will meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house that he enters 11and say to the steward of the house, ‘The master says, Where is the guest chamber where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12He will show you a large furnished upper room. That is where you are to prepare for Passover.” 13The two disciples went and found everything to be just as he had told them, and they made ready the Passover.

< 181 > The “Last Supper” before the Passover

[14th Day of the 1st month, 4028 FC; Tuesday, April 27 after sunset, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

The timing of this meal is stated in John 13:1-2, but Yochanan detailed the things that took place after the evening meal was finished. John’s statement is brought to the front of the record to show the timing of this meal in relation to the upcoming Passover.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 13:1-2a

John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Yeshua knew that the hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father. He, having loved his own which were in the world, loved them to the very end. 2And after [the last] supper had ended…{1}

{Jn.13:2.1} John’s narrative is cited here to show that the last supper, which is detailed in the following narrative, clearly occurs before the Passover.

I. Yeshua and his disciples recline for dinner the evening before the crucifixion, which is also the night before the Passover is sacrificed

Matthew 26:20 — Mark 14:17 — Luke 22:14-16 — John

Matthew 26:20 Now when the even was come, he reclined{1} with the twelve [in the upper room where they had been making Passover preparations].

Mark 14:17 That evening he came to the upper room with the twelve [instead of returning to Bethany at the end of the day as they had been doing all week long].

Luke 22:14 When the evening dinner hour was come, he reclined with his twelve apostles. 15He said to them, “With great desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16but I now tell you that I will not again eat of the Passover until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of YHVH.”{1}

{Mt. 26:20.1} KJV reads: “sat down.” They did not sit to eat, as they did in England in 1611; they reclined on couches – the same ones they slept on in the rented townhouse room.

{Lk 22:16.1} Yeshua will literally fulfill all of the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in the Passover in less than twenty-four hours. The rehearsal in the Temple was just a shadow of the fulfillment that was about to occur in the Kingdom of YHVH as the Lamb of YHVH was about to be the substitution for the sins of the nation of Israel and the transgressions of the entire world.

II. Yeshua interprets the rehearsal of Melchizedek’s bread and wine

Matthew 26:26-29 — Mark 14:22-25 — Luke 22:17-20 — John

Matthew 26:26 As they were eating, Yeshua took bread, blessed the Most High,{1} and broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27He took the cup and gave thanks again{1} and gave it to them, saying, “Drink all of it 28for this is the renewed covenant in my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29But I say to you, from this day forward, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the new day when I drink with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:22 As they ate, Yeshua took bread, and blessed YHVH, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 23Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24He said to them, “This represents my blood, shed for the renewing of the covenant, which is done for many.”

Luke 22:17 Yeshua took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this cup and divide it among yourselves, 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of YHVH shall come.”{1} 19He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup represents the renewed covenant{1} in my blood, which is shed for you.”

{Mt 26:26.1} Yeshua spoke the blessing with which the Melek Tzadek blessed the Most High when he brought forth bread and wine to Avraham when he returned from the slaughter of the kings. This is the same blessing that Avraham taught Yitzhak, who taught Yaakov, who taught his twelve sons, who still speak this blessing every Shabbat over the bread: Baruch ata YHVH, eloheinu melek ha olam, ha motzi lechem min ha aretz – Blessed are you YHVH, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. Yeshua then explained that this had always – even from the time of the Melek Tzadek – represented his body, which would be the provision for our ultimate healing. Avraham had indeed seen Yeshua’s day in the representation of the shed blood and the broken body that the Melek Tzadek shared with him. Avraham rejoiced and laid a tenth of his vast wealth at the feet of the Priest of the Most High Elohim.

{Mt 26:27.1} After the bread, Yeshua took the cup and blessed the Most High with the blessing that Melek Tzadek blessed the Elohim of Avraham: Baruch ata YHVH, eloheinu melek ha olam, boray prie ha gaffen – Blessed are you YHVH, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine. This represents the payment for the broken blood covenant that we entered into at Mount Sinai. We broke the covenant, ratified with the blood of bulls, and for that transgression, the guilty party must die. Yeshua, who never once violated that covenant, offered himself and died in our place. Through the substitutionary payment of the death penalty, which is the curse for breaking the blood covenant, he can renew that covenant with us, write the Torah on our hearts, and actually live in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

{Lk 22:18.1} An important detail was recorded by Luke. Yeshua did not drink the wine that evening and prophetically proclaimed his abstinence until the marriage supper of the Lamb – an important part of this remembrance.

{Lk 22:20.1} The KJV inaccurately rendered this the new testament when this is a direct reference to the prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-34, promising a renewed covenant. A testament and a covenant are two different, legally defined entities. A new testament is a concept completely foreign to the Hebrew Scriptures. A sworn oath and a last will and testament are related to each other, and both of these can be found in the Scriptures – but neither are related to the blood covenant that we entered into at Mount Sinai. The covenant, and the renewing of the covenant (of which Yeshua and Jeremiah refer) is of eternal significance. Israel entered into a blood covenant with the Almighty at Mount Sinai. Israel broke the blood covenant, thereby incurring the death penalty. The death penalty cannot be annulled – it must be paid. If one who never broke the covenant died in the place of the guilty party, the covenant can be renewed with the guilty, but now justified party. This is Yeshua’s point – and the meaning of this prophetic act of the bread and wine in the time of the Melek Tzadek, and the meaning of this memorial that Yeshua was instituting. The English term “new testament” does not appear in “the New Testament” except where it is an inaccurate translation.

III. During dinner Yeshua announces that one of them will betray him

Matthew 26:21-25 — Mark 14:18-21 — Luke 22:21-23 — John

Matthew 26:21 As they ate Yeshua said, “Truth I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22They were exceeding sorrowful, and every one of them began to say to him, “Master, is it I?” 23And he answered, “He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall sell me. AHM{All of them were eating from one dish and, therefore, did not recognize him. If they had known him, they would have destroyed him.} 24The Son of Man will do that which is written of him – but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born!” 25Then Yehudas,{1} which betrayed him, quietly asked, “Master, is it I?” He said to him, “You said it.”

Mark 14:18 As they reclined and ate, Yeshua said, “Truth I say to you, one of you which eats with me will betray me.” 19They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one by one, “Is it I?” and another said, “Is it I?” 20He answered them, “It is one of the twelve that dips with me in the dish. 21The Son of Man will indeed depart this life, just as it is written of him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man never to have been born!”

Luke 22:21 “Behold, the hand of him that betrays me is with me at the table. 22Truly the Son of Man will depart, as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23Then they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

{Mt 26:25.1} There were two men named Yehudah at the supper table that evening: Yehudas Ben Shimon from Ascareyotah who betrayed Yeshua (John 13:26) and Yehudah the brother of Yaakov, also called both Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus in the KJV (Luke 6:16; Mark 3:18; John 14:22; Acts 1:13) who was also the writer of the book of Jude.

IV. After dinner Yeshua washes his disciples’ feet to teach them the Kingdom servant’s attitude

Matthew — Mark — Luke 22:24-30 — John 13:1-22

Luke 22:24 There was an argument among them concerning which of them should be considered the greatest. 25Yeshua said to them, “The kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise that authority are bestowed with titles of nobility. 26But it shall not be so among you! But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that desires to be exalted, let him become as a servant. 27Tell me, who is considered greater, he who reclines at dinner, or he who serves? Is it not he who reclines at dinner? But I have been among you as one who serves. 28You are the few who have remained with me through all of my trials, 29and for that faithfulness I will award a kingdom to you, just as my Father has awarded the kingdom to me. 30One day you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Yisrael.”

John 13:1 Before the Feast of the Passover, Yeshua knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, yet he loved his own which were in the world to the very end. 2After [the last] supper had ended,{1} hasatan had already put enmity into the heart of Yehudas ben Shimon of Ascareyotah to betray him. 3But Yeshua knew that the Father had given all things into his hands, and did not doubt that he came from YHVH, and would go to YHVH. 4So, he arose from supper, laid aside his garments, and took a towel to clothe himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was clothed. 6When he came to Shimon, Kefa said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Yeshua answered, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” 8Kefa said to him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Yeshua answered him, “If I do not wash you, you will have no future with me.” 9Shimon Kefa said to him, “Master, wash not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” 10Yeshua said to him, “He that is washed needs only to wash his feet and he is completely clean. And you are clean, but not all of you,” 11(for he knew who should betray him – that is why he said, “You are not all clean.”) 12After he had washed their feet and had donned his garments, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Rabbi and master, and you say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Rabbi and master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15I have just given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16TRUTH, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his master; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. 18I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ 19Now I tell you before it comes to pass, so that when it does come to pass, you will believe that I am the One. 20TRUTH I say to you, he who receives whoever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives the One who sent me.” 21When Yeshua had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and he again testified, “TRUTH I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22Then the disciples looked one on another, again wondering of whom he spoke.

{Jn 13:2.1} John’s narrative shows repeatedly that the last supper occurs the evening before the Passover. The following events occur during the last supper which, according to the Gospel narrative, occurs after sunset on Tuesday, which is the beginning of the 14th day – exactly 24 hours BEFORE the Passover meal is eaten. We cannot throw out the Scriptures which contradict our preconceived notions of what we want to believe about the last supper. We can desire for Yeshua to be eating the Passover Seder with his disciples so that our comfortably held understandings can be maintained, but every one of the Gospel authors is giving an accurate account of the transpiring events, just as they were moved by the Ruach Kodesh. Only by treating each account as a sacred viewpoint and then synchronizing these records with the whole of Scripture can we get the entire picture of the events surrounding the fulfillment of Passover as it was prophetically rehearsed from the time we left Egypt through the second Temple period.

V. After Yochanan is covertly shown the betrayer, Yehudas is sent on an unannounced errand – presumably to make last moment purchases in preparation for Passover the following afternoon. The leavened bread and “leavened disciple” are removed from the upper room.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 13:23-35

John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Yeshua’s bosom one of his disciples, whom Yeshua loved. 24Shimon Kefa, therefore, beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spoke. 25He then, lying on Yeshua’s breast, said to him, “Master, who is it?” 26Yeshua answered, “He it is, to whom I will give a sop, when I have dipped it.” When Yeshua dipped the sop, he gave it to Yehudas from Ascareyotah, the son of Shimon, 27and after the sop, hasatan entered into Yehudas. Then Yeshua said to him, “That which you do, do quickly.”

28Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spoke this to him. 29For some of them thought, because Yehudas had the bag, that Yeshua had said to him, “Buy those things that we have need of before the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor [for their Passover provisions]. 30After having received the sop, he went out immediately. It was night. [The day of the preparation of the Passover sacrifice had now begun.]

31When Yehudas had left the house, Yeshua said, “Now the Son of Man will be glorified, and YHVH will be glorified in him. 32If YHVH is glorified in him, YHVH shall also glorify the Son of Man in himself, and will soon glorify him. 33My dear children, I will only be with you yet for a little while. You will seek me, but just as I said to the sages and Prushim, ‘Where I go, you cannot come.’ Now I say the same thing to you. 34I am also giving you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, love one another. 35By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you have love one for another.”

VI. Yeshua’s “first warning” to Kefa that he would betray him “Three times before the crowing of the cock”

Matthew — Mark — Luke 22:31-34 — John 13:36-38

John 13:36 Shimon Kefa said to him, “Master, where do you go?” Yeshua answered him, “Where I go, you can not follow me now, but you will follow me afterwards.” 37Kefa said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.” 38Yeshua answered him, “Will you lay down your life for my sake? TRUTH I say to you, the cock shall not crow before you have denied me three times.”

Luke 22:31 The master said, “Shimon! Look, hasatan has desired to have you, that he may sift you like wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail. When you return from your sifting, strengthen your brothers.” 33Kefa said to him, “Master, I am ready to go with you both into prison and to death.” 34Yeshua warned, “I tell you, Kefa, the cock will not crow this day, before you will deny three times that you know me.”

VII. Yeshua instructs his disciples to purchase a sword immediately

Matthew — Mark — Luke 22:35-38 — John

Luke 22:35 Yeshua asked them, “When I sent you without a money purse, a bag of provisions, or extra sandals, did you lack anything?” They replied, “Not a thing!” 36Then he said, “Now, whoever does not have a sword, let him take his purse or his bag of provisions, or even sell a garment and buy one,{1} 37because I am telling you that which is written, ‘He was reckoned among the transgressors,’{1} and this must still be accomplished by me. There is a reason for everything that is written concerning me. 38They said, “Master, look; we have two swords.” He said, “It is enough.”

{Lk 22:36.1} If this were actually the Passover meal that occurs on the High Sabbath that commences the Feast of Unleavened Bread, there is no way that Yeshua would have told his disciples to go out and sell an article of clothing and buy themselves a sword that they would need (and use) later that night. Every mercantile in the nation would have been shut down and no one would be traveling for another twenty-four hours if this were really the Passover Seder.

{Lk 22:37.1} Isaiah 53:12

VIII. Yeshua teaches his disciples around the dinner table after Yehudas leaves

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 14:1-31a

John 14:1 “Let your heart not be troubled; you believe in YHVH, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many apartments. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, there you may also be. 4You know where I am going, and you know the way.” 5Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me. 7If you know me, you also know my Father. From now on you must understand that you have already known him, and you have seen him.” 8Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father and it will satisfy us.” 9Yeshua said to him, “Have I been with you this long and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwells in me! He does the miraculous works. 11Either believe me – that I am in the Father, and the Father in me – or else believe because of the miraculous works that you have seen. 12TRUTH, I say to you, he who believes on me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father. 13Whatever you ask the Father in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it! 15If you love me, keep my commandments.

16“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another comforter, who will abide with you forever – 17the Spirit of Truth – whom the world cannot receive, because it can neither see him nor know him. But you will know him, because he will dwell with you and shall be in you. 18No, I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you! 19In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me! Because I will live, you shall also live! 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21He who has my commandments, and keeps them, is one who loves me. He who loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and I will manifest myself to him.”

22Yehudah (not the one from Ascareyotah){1} said to him, “Master, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Yeshua answered and said to him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my Torah and my Father will love him. We will come to him, and make our abode in him. 24He who does not love me, does not keep my Torah. The Word which you hear me speaking is not my word, but the Torah of the Father who sent me. 25These things have I spoken to you, being still present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the gift of the Ruach Kodesh, which the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will bring all the things that I have spoken to you back to your remembrance.

27“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you – not the peace that the world gives, but I give you real peace. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28You have heard how I said to you, ‘I am going away, but will come again to you.’ If you really love me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ because my Father is greater than I. 29And now I am telling you before it even comes to pass, so that when it does come to pass, you might believe. 30I will not speak with you after this because the prince of this world comes. He has no claim against me, 31but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I will do what the Father has commanded me to do.”

{Jn 14:22.1} This is the same Yehudah as in Acts 1:13: the brother of Yaakov, the writer of the book of Jude. He is also surnamed Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus in the KJV

IX. Yeshua and the disciples sing no song and then leave for the Mount of Olives

Matthew 26:30 — Mark 14:26 — Luke 22:39 — John 14:31b

Matthew 26:30 Then they returned{1} to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:26 They {returned}{1} [[had sung a Psalm]] and went out into the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:39 When he came out, he went (as he was accustomed) to the Mount of Olives. His disciples followed him.

John 14:31b Yeshua said, “Arise; let us go.”

{Mt 26:30.1, Mk 14:26.1} The KJV and Greek versions of both Matthew and Mark read: “and they sang a hymn,” whereas the Hebrew Matthew agrees with Luke and John in that there was no song service; rather, “and they returned” to the Mount of Olives, where they had been staying for the previous five days. The word in the Hebrew Matthew <wbfyw – v’yashuvu> “and they returned” is a very similar to <wrfyw – v’yashiru> “and they sang,” but a song service does not appear in the Hebrew Matthew. In several places in the Gospel of Matthew we see an incorrect Greek word used to translate a Hebrew word – often hinging upon the difference of one Hebrew letter. With the evidence that this same problem also occurred in the Greek version of Mark, we have substantial reason to believe that the Gospel of Mark may also have had an original Hebrew source.

< 182 > The walk to Gethsemane

I. Yeshua told the disciples that they would be offended and scattered, but he would meet them in the Galilee after his resurrection

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 26:31-32 — Mark 14:27-28 — Luke — John

Matthew 26:31 Then Yeshua said to them, “All of you shall be offended because of me this night for it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’{1} 32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.”

Mark 14:27 Yeshua said to them, “All of you shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.’ 28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”

{Mt 26:31.1} Zechariah 13:7

II. Kefa disagrees with Yeshua, who tells him a second time that he will betray him

“Truth I say to you today, even twice in this very night, before the cock crows you will deny me three times.”

Matthew 26:33-35 — Mark 14:29-31 — Luke — John

Matthew 26:33 Kefa answered and said to him, “Though all men will be offended because of you, yet I will never be offended.” 34Yeshua said to him, “Truth I say to you, that this night, before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” 35Kefa said to him, “Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you.” All the disciples said likewise.

Mark 14:29 Kefa said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.” 30And Yeshua said to him, “Truth I tell you today, even twice in this very night, before the cock crows you shall deny me three times.”{1} 31But Kefa spoke even more vehemently, “If I should die with you, I will not deny you in any situation.” The other disciples all replied in agreement.

{Mk14:30.1} KJV reads: “Verily I say unto thee, that this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” There is no reference to the cock crowing twice in any of the Gospels or any of the early manuscripts of Mark until a second “cock crowing” was added into much later texts of Mark 14:68 in an attempt to justify this interpretation <187>. Other punctuations in the English versions read: “…before the cock crows, twice thou shalt deny me thrice.” Realizing that there is no “second crowing of the cock” in any Gospel records, nor in any early manuscripts, this variation is strenuously interpreted to yield a total of six denials (twice x thrice = six) . Variations within the accounts have been strained to produce more than three denials – but this torturous maneuver is unnecessary. The truth is evident in the chronology of the text:

At the dinner table that evening, Yeshua told Kefa that he could not accompany him where he was going. Kefa insisted that he was up to the challenge and said he would die for him. Yeshua told Kefa that he was going to deny him three times before the crowing of the cock in the early morning hours (event <181.VI>). Later, upon leaving the upper room and just before crossing the Kidron valley, Yeshua told the disciples that they would all be offended and scattered as sheep (event <182.I>). This is when Kefa remonstrated with Yeshua and adamantly declared that he would never, ever forsake him. Yeshua then told Kefa a second time that he would deny him three times before the crowing of the cock. Thus, twice in that very night, Yeshua told Kefa clearly and emphatically that he would deny him three times before the crowing of the cock. Only by putting every word and detail into the vise of linear chronology can one see the depth of the Divine screenplay unfold and solve apparent contradictions that have plagued readers of the Bible for centuries.

III. Yeshua stopped to teach his disciples in the Kidron valley on their way to Gethsemane.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 15:1-16:33

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes it so that it may bear even more fruit. 3Now you have been pruned through the word which I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself and must stay attached to the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you stay attached to me. 5I am the vine. You are the branches. He that remains attached to me, and I remain in him, he will bear much fruit. Without me, you can do nothing. 6If a man does not continue in me, he will be cut off like a withered branch, and men will gather them up and cast them into the fire where they will be incinerated. 7If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done to you. 8Through bearing much fruit my Father will be glorified, and by bearing much fruit you will also truly be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and I abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken to you, that my joy might abide in you, and that joy might fill you to capacity.

12“This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. 15From henceforth I will not call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master does. I call you friends, because everything that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you so that you should go and bring forth fruit – and that your fruit should remain – and that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

17“These things I command you, that you love one another. 18If the world hates you, you know that it hated me long before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you, ‘The servant is not greater than his master.’ If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my Torah, they will keep your instructions also. 21But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they do not know him that sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not know of their sin, but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23He that hates me hates my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works which no other man did, they would not know of their sin, but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25But this comes to pass so that the word might be fulfilled that is written in the Torah, ‘They hated me without a cause.’{1} 26When the Comforter is come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify of me. 27You shall also bear witness of me, because you have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:1 “I speak these things to you so that you will not be caught in a snare when these things happen to you. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time will come that whoever kills you will think that he does service to Elohim! 3They will do these things to you, because they have not known the Father, or me. 4But these things have I told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I had already told you about them. I did not tell you these things at the beginning because I was with you, 5but now I am going my way to him who sent me. Yet none of you asks me directly, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7Nevertheless, I must tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away, because if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. When I depart, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. 9Of sin, because they do not believe me when I reprove them of their sin. 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you will see me [the standard for righteous behavior] no more. 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world will be judged by me, [and the Spirit will bear righteous judgment in the world]. 12I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them right now. 13However, when the Spirit of Truth has come, he will guide you into all truth, because he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears, that he will speak, and he will show you things to come. 14He will glorify me because he will receive from me and shall show it to you. 15Everything that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that he shall receive from me and shall show it to you. 16In just a little while you will not see me again. Yet in a little while and you will see me, because I am going to the Father.”

17Then some of his disciples said among themselves, “What is this that he said to us, ‘A little while, and you shall not see me, and again, a little while, and you shall see me because I go to the Father’?” 18Therefore, they said, “What is this that he said, ‘A little while’? We cannot tell what he said.” 19Now Yeshua knew that they desired to ask him, and said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves of that which I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again, a little while, and you shall see me’? 20TRUTH, I say to you that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice, and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow, because her time has come, but as soon as she delivers the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22You will have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and no man will be able to take your joy from you. 23In that day you shall ask me nothing. TRUTH I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full! 25These things have I spoken to you in proverbs, but the time comes when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly the things of the Father. 26In that day you shall ask in my name. I tell you that I will not need to ask the Father for you, 27because the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from YHVH. 28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world. Now again, I will leave the world, and go to the Father.” 29His disciples said to him, “Now you speak plainly, and not in a proverb. 30Now are we sure that you know all things, and need not that any man should ask you anything. By this we believe that you came forth from YHVH.”{1} 31Yeshua answered them, “Do you now believe? 32Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone, and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

{Jn 15:25.1} Psalm 35:19, 69:4

{Jn 16:30.1} Lest we lose track of the context, Yeshua just answered all of their unspoken questions with such clarity and precision that they know he has the inside track into their minds and souls. There is no longer any doubt – he is The One.

IV. Yeshua prays with and for his disciples in the Kidron valley on their way to Gethsemane

This prayer is in response to his disciples’ acknowledgement that he was sent by the Father.

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 17:1-26

John 17:1 These words Yeshua spoke as he lifted up his eyes to heaven: “Father, the hour is come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you. 2You have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. 3This is life eternal, that they might know you, the one true Elohim, and Yeshua the Messiah, whom you have sent. 4I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you gave me to do. 5Now, O Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 6I have declared your name to the men you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you. 8I have given to them the words which you gave to me; and they have received them, and they know for a surety that I came out from you, and they believe that you sent me. 9I pray for them now. I do not pray for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I come to you, Holy Father, keep those you have given me through your own name, that they may be one, as we are one. 12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those who you gave to me I have kept, and none of them are lost except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I come to you, and these things I speak in this world, so that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15I do not pray that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through your truth – your word is truth. 18As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19I have sanctified myself for their sakes, so that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20I do not pray only for these alone, but for those also who shall believe in me through their word, 21that they all may be one. As you, Father, are in me, and I in you, I pray that they also may be one in us and that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one. 23I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one – and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them as you have loved me. 24Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am so that they may behold my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these now know that you have sent me. 26I have declared your name to them, and will declare it so that the love wherewith you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

V. Yeshua prays in the garden of the “Olive Press” – Gethsemane

Yeshua and his disciples cross the wadi Kidron and ascend the Mount of Olives

Matthew 26:36-46 — Mark 14:32-42 — Luke 22:40-46 — John 18:1-2

Matthew 26:36 Then Yeshua came with them to a place called the Olive Press, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here, while I go and pray over there.” 37He took Kefa with him, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be full of sorrow and heavy of heart. 38He said to them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death. Tarry here, and stand watch for me.” 39He went a little further and fell on his face and prayed, “O Abba, my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me – nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Kefa, “What, could you not stand watch with me for one hour? 41Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done.” 43He came back and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44He left them and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. The hour has come in which the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.” 46[Later he said] “Rise up, let us be going. He who betrays me is approaching.”

Mark 14:32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane – the Olive Press, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” 33He took Kefa and Yaakov and Yochanan with him and began to be deeply distressed and in great heaviness of heart. 34He said to them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Tarry here, and watch.” 35He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the trials of the hour might pass from him. 36He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take away this cup from me!

Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” 37Yeshua returned and found them sleeping, and said to Kefa, “Shimon, are you asleep? Could you not watch just one hour? 38Watch you and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39Again he went away, and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40When he returned, he found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy), neither did they know what to answer him. 41He came the third time, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come in which the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.” 42[Later he said] “Rise up. Let us go. He who betrays me approaching.”

Luke 22:40 When he arrived at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you do not enter into temptation.” 41He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and kneeled down, and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me! Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” 43Then there an angel appeared to him from heaven and strengthened him. 44Yet, being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45When he arose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

John 18:1 When Yeshua had prayed, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where he entered into a garden with his disciples. 2Yehudas, who betrayed him, also knew the place because Yeshua frequented there with his disciples.

VI. Yeshua’s arrest in the garden

Matthew 26:47-56 — Mark 14:43-52 — Luke 22:47-53 — John 18:3-12

Matthew 26:47 While he yet spoke, Yehudas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude brandishing swords and staves, sent by the ruling cohenim and elders of Yisrael. 48Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, that same is he. Hold him fast.” 49He immediately came up to Yeshua, and said, “Hail, master,” and kissed him. 50Yeshua said to him, “Friend, what is the reason you have come?” Then they came, and laid hands on Yeshua, and took him. 51And one of those who were with Yeshua reached out, drew his sword and struck a servant of the Cohen Gadol, and smote off his ear. 52Yeshua said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who wield the sword shall perish with the sword. 53Do you not think that I could pray to my Father, and he would immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled? This is how it must be!” 55In that same hour Yeshua said to the multitudes, “Have you come with swords and staves as if you were taking out a thief? I sat daily with you teaching in the Temple, and you did not lay hold on me.” 56But all this was done so that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Mark 14:43 Immediately, while he yet spoke, Yehudas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude with swords and staves. They were sent by the ruling cohenim and the sages and the elders. 44He who betrayed Yeshua had given them a token, saying, “Whoever I kiss, that same is he – take him, and lead him away safely.” 45As soon as he came, he went straightway to him, and said, “Master!” and kissed him. 46They laid their hands on him, and took him. 47One of them who stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the Cohen Gadol, and cut off his ear. 48Yeshua said to them, “Have you come out to take me as against a thief, with swords and with staves? 49I was daily with you in the Temple teaching, and you did not take me, but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50The disciples all forsook him, and fled. 51A certain young man followed him there, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body. The young men laid hold on him, 52and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

Luke 22:47 While he yet spoke, a multitude, and he that was called Yehudas, one of the twelve, went before them, and he drew near to Yeshua to kiss him. 48Yeshua said to him, “Yehudas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49When they who were around Yeshua saw what would follow, they said, “Master, shall we strike with the sword?” 50One of them smote the servant of the Cohen Gadol, and cut off his right ear. 51And Yeshua said, “I am allowing you to only go so far.” And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52Then Yeshua said to the ruling cohenim, and captains of the Temple, and the elders, who had come to him, “You come out with swords and staves as against a thief? 53When I was daily with you in the Temple, you stretched forth no hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

John 18:3 Then Yehudas, having received a band of men and officers from the ruling cohenim and Prushim, came with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Yeshua therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5They answered him, “Yeshua of Natzeret.” Yeshua said to them, “I am he.” And Yehudas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7Then he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Yeshua of Natzeret.” 8Yeshua answered, “I have told you that I am he. If, therefore, you seek me, let these go their way,” 9so that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Of them which you gave me have I lost none.”{1} 10Then Shimon Kefa, having a sword, drew it, and smote the Cohen Gadol’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11Then Yeshua said to Kefa, “Put up your sword into the sheath. The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?” 12Then the band and the captain and officers of the Sanhedrin took Yeshua, and bound him.

{Jn 18:9.1} Psalm 34:22

< 183 > Yeshua taken first to Annas, father in law of Caiaphas, the High Priest

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 18:13-14

John 18:13 They led him away to Annas first, for he was father in law to Caiaphas, who was the Cohen Gadol that same year. 14(Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Sanhedrin, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.){1}

{Jn 18:14.1} Verse 14 is a parenthetical explanation of Caiaphas’ position and his predisposition to convict Yeshua.

< 184 > Annas immediately sends Yeshua to Caiaphas

for an illegal midnight inquisition[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 26:57-66 — Mark 14:53-64 — Luke 22:54 — John 18:24

John 18:24 Then Annas sent Yeshua bound to Caiaphas, the Cohen Gadol.{1}

{Jn 18:24.1} Verse 24 explains that the first denial of Kefa took place at the palace of Caiaphas, so it is brought to the beginning of the incident for clarification.

Matthew 26:57 Those who arrested Yeshua led him away to Caiaphas, the Cohen Gadol, where the sages and the elders were assembled. 58But Kefa followed him afar off to the Cohen Gadol’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants to see the end. 59Now the ruling cohenim and elders and all the council sought false witness against Yeshua, to put him to death, 60but they found none. Yes, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61who said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of YHVH, and to build it in three days.’” 62The Cohen Gadol arose and said to him, “You answer nothing? What is it that these witness against you?” 63Yeshua held his peace. The Cohen Gadol demanded, “I adjure you by the living Elohim that you tell us whether you be the Messiah, the Son of Elohim.” 64Yeshua said to him, “You have rightly spoken. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” 65Then the Cohen Gadol rent his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy! 66What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is guilty and deserving of death.”

Mark 14:53 They led Yeshua away to the Cohen Gadol, and with him were assembled all the ruling cohenim and the elders and the sages. 54Kefa followed him afar off, even into the palace of the Cohen Gadol, and he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. 55The ruling cohenim and all the council sought witnesses against Yeshua to put him to death, but they found none. 56Many bore false witness against him, but their witness did not agree with each other. 57There arose some that bore false witness against him, saying, 58“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59But their witness did not agree with each other. 60Finally, the Cohen Gadol stood up in the midst, and asked Yeshua, “Do you answer nothing? What is it that these witnesses testify against you?” 61But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the Cohen Gadol asked him, and said to him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed One?” 62Yeshua said, “I am, and you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” 63Then the Cohen Gadol rent his clothes, and said, “Do we need any further witnesses? 64You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all judged him to be guilty and deserving of death.

Luke 22:54 Then they led him away and brought him into the house of the Cohen Gadol, and Kefa followed afar off.

< 185 > During Yeshua’s inquisition, Kefa denies him twice before the maids

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 26:69-72 — Mark 14:66-70a — Luke 22:55-58 — John 18:15-18, 25

Matthew 26:69 Kefa sat at the entrance of the courtyard and a damsel came to him, saying, “You were also with Yeshua of Galilee.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I know not what you say.” 71When he passed through the gate, another maid saw him, and said to them who were there, “This fellow was also with Yeshua of Natzeret.” 72He again swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!”

Mark 14:66 Kefa was out in the courtyard. There came one of the maids of the Cohen Gadol, 67and when she saw Kefa warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, “You were also with Yeshua of Natzeret.” 68He denied it, saying, “I do not know him, nor do I understand what you are saying.” Then he went out of the courtyard.{1} 69A maid saw him again, and said to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70Kefa denied it again.

Luke 22:55 They kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and sat down together. Kefa sat down among them, 56and a certain maid saw him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked at him, and said, “This man was also with him.” 57And he denied Yeshua, saying, “Woman, I know him not.” 58And after a little while, another saw him, and said, “You are also of them.” And Kefa said, “Man, I am not.”{1}

John 18:15 Shimon Kefa followed Yeshua, and so did another disciple who was known to the Cohen Gadol. And he [the other disciple] went in with Yeshua into the courtyard of the Cohen Gadol, 16but Kefa stood outside the gate. The other disciple spoke to her who kept the gate, and he brought in Kefa. 17Then the damsel who kept the gate said to Kefa, “Are you not also one of this man’s disciples?” Kefa said, “I am not.” 18It was cold, and the servants and officers had made a fire of coals and they stood there warming themselves, and Kefa stood with them, and warmed himself.{1} 25While Shimon Kefa stood and warmed himself, they said to him, “Are you not also one of his disciples?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.”

{Mk 14:68.1} KJV and recent Greek texts add the words “and the cock crew” in an attempt to get two cock crows instead of two warnings to Kefa. Those words do not appear in the most ancient Greek texts.

{Lk 22:58.1} Kefa’s retorts, “Man, I am not” – man is anthrope, (Gk.) a non gendered exclamatory, which is used for either man or woman. Kefa is not only addressing the maid, but also the others who joined in with her.

{Jn 18:18.1} Verses 19-23 tell of the trial going on inside and the repartee between Caiaphas and Yeshua. That record was extracted from this discourse and placed as event <186> in the chronology.

< 186 > Caiaphas interrogates Yeshua while Kefa is confronted in the outer courtyard

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 18:19-23

John 18:19 The Cohen Gadol then asked Yeshua about his disciples and his teaching. 20Yeshua answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple where these Prushim always assemble. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask these who heard me what I said to them – look, they know what I said.” 22One of the officers who stood by struck Yeshua with the palm of his hand, saying, “You answer the Cohen Gadol like that?” 23Yeshua answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil! But if I have spoken truth, why do you strike me?”

< 187 > Kefa denies Yeshua one more time before the guards; immediately the cock crows

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 26:73-75 — Mark 14:70b-72 — Luke 22:59-62 — John 18:26-27

Matthew 26:73 After a while, those who stood by came to Kefa and said, “Surely you also are one of them – your speech betrays you.” 74Then he began to curse and to swear, saying, “I know not the man.” Immediately the cock crowed. 75Then Kefa remembered the word of Yeshua, who had said to him, “Before the cock crows, you shall deny me thrice.” And he went out, and he wept bitterly.

Luke 22:59 About one hour later, another confidently affirmed, “Of a truth, this fellow also was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60Kefa said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” Immediately, while he yet spoke, the cock crowed. 61Yeshua turned and looked at Kefa. Then Kefa remembered the word of Yeshua, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows, you shall deny me thrice.” 62Kefa went out, and he wept bitterly.

John 18:26 One of the servants (whose ear Kefa had cut off) who was also kinsman of the Cohen Gadol, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Kefa then denied again, and immediately the cock crowed.

Mark 14:70b After a little while, those who stood by again said to Kefa, “Surely you are one of them. Your speech indicates that you are a Galilean.” 71But Kefa began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man of whom you speak.” 72And immediately the cock crowed. Kefa called to mind the word Yeshua had said to him two times,{1} “Before the cock crows, you shall deny me thrice.” When he considered it, Kefa wept.

{Mk 14:72.1} Earlier texts of Mark read “immediately the cock crowed,” and later texts removed the word immediately and added <ek deuteron> – from second, which was interpreted to be speaking of ‘the cock crowing twice’ rather than Yeshua telling Kefa ‘two times’ that he would betray him. Those two separate declarations of Yeshua to Kefa occurred at the last supper (event <181.VI>) and then again as they made their way to the garden (event <182.II>). The other three Gospels also state that the cock crowed immediately after Kefa’s third denial, and there was no waiting around for the cock to crow “a second time”.

< 188 > Yeshua is mocked and beaten while having his eyes covered

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 26:67-68 — Mark 14:65 — Luke 22:63-65 — John

Luke 22:63 The men who held Yeshua mocked him and beat him. 64After they had blindfolded him, they beat his face and demanded, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65They spoke many blasphemous things against him.

Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in his face, and beat him with their fists; and others slapped him with their open hands, 68shouting, “Prophesy to us, you messiah! Who smote you?”

Mark 14:65 Some began to spit on him, and they covered his face and beat him, and said, “Prophesy!” The servants slapped him with the palms of their hands.

< 189 > Yeshua is brought before the Sanhedrin

in the early morning hours he is taken to the Hall of Hewn Stones on the Temple Mount

(a stone’s cast from Pilate’s Praetorium – the Antonia Fortress)

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:1 — Mark 15:1a — Luke 22:66-71 — John

Luke 22:66 As soon as it was dawn,{1} the elders of the people and the ruling cohenim and the sages came together [in the Hall of Hewn Stones], and Yeshua was led into their council chamber. 67They demanded, “Are you the Messiah? Tell us!” Yeshua said to them, “Even if I tell you, you still will not believe, 68and if I were to ask you, you would neither answer me nor let me go. 69But [this I will say, when this is over] the Son of Man shall sit on the right hand of the Almighty.” 70Then they all said, “Are you then the son of Elohim?” Yeshua replied, “You said it.” 71They then announced, “What need do we have of any further witnesses! We ourselves have heard it from his own mouth!”

Matthew 27:1 When the morning had come, all the ruling cohenim and elders of the people took counsel against Yeshua to put him to death.

Mark 15:1a In the morning the ruling cohenim immediately held court with the elders and sages and the entire council.

{Lk 22:66.1} It was now in the very early hours of the morning.

< 190 > Yeshua is bound and brought into Pilate’s Praetorium (Judgment Hall)

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Pilate met Yeshua’s accusers in the Stone Courtyard (haGabetha) of the Antonia Fortress, instead of inside the hall itself, because the accusers did not want to become defiled for the Passover that evening.

Matthew 27:2 — Mark 15:1b — Luke 23:1-2 — John 18:28-32

Matthew 27:2 They bound Yeshua and led him away, delivering him to the governor, Pontius Pilate.

Mark 15:1b They bound Yeshua and led him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

Luke 23:1 The entire assembly arose and led Yeshua to Pilate, 2where they accused him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and declaring that he himself is King Messiah.”

John 18:28 It was early when the council members led Yeshua from Caiaphas [in the council chamber] into the Judgment Hall [Praetorium]. But they themselves did not go into the Judgment Hall{1} because they did not want to be defiled and, thereby, unable to eat the Passover.{2} 29So, Pilate then went out to them, and said, “What accusation bring you against this man?” 30They answered, “If he were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him up to you.” 31Then Pilate, mocking them, said, “Then take him away and judge him according to your own law!”{1} The council therefore said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put a man to death.” 3(This is how the saying of Yeshua would be fulfilled when he declared both the method of his execution and who would be responsible for his death.)

{Jn 18:28.1} The Pharisees had detailed rules about surfaces which could and could not contract ritual impurity (nothing to do with Torah law) which could change at their whim. They deemed the stone courtyard of the Antonia fortress to be one of the places that they could go without compromising their stringent regulations. Their concern over being ceremonially clean for the Passover sacrifice at the Temple later that afternoon kept them out of both Pilate’s Praetorium and Herod’s Palace. This stated concern by the religious leaders of Israel also firmly establishes the fact that the meal that was eaten the previous evening by Yeshua and his disciples in the Jerusalem townhouse apartment was not the Passover meal. When the Passover sacrifice was performed, there were about 250,000 lambs sacrificed on the Temple Mount at this point in Israel’s history. There was not, as some have fabricated, a Passover for the Galileans a day earlier and a Passover for the rest of the Israelites on the divinely appointed day. There is no need to invent scenarios in which the last supper was the Passover. Yeshua would be the adequate and ultimate fulfillment of Passover. The “last supper” was simply one last time around the dinner table with his disciples.

{Jn 18:28.2} The Passover lambs were to be killed and roasted late that afternoon (14th day of 1st month) and eaten after sundown that evening which began the High Sabbath of the Feast of Matzah (15th day).

{Jn 18:31.1} Pilate was mocking them because “an evil-doer” is not a legitimate chargeable offense – there must be a specific crime committed.

< 191 > Pilate returns into the Judgment Hall to question Yeshua

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:11 — Mark 15:2 — Luke 23:3 — John 18:33-38a

Matthew 27:11 Yeshua stood before the governor, and Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Yehudim?” Yeshua replied, “You are the one who is saying it.”

Mark 15:2 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Yehudim?” Yeshua answered, “You are the one who is saying it.”

Luke 23:3 Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Yehudim?” Yeshua answered, “You are the one who is saying it.”

John 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Yeshua, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Yehudim?” 34Yeshua answered him, “Do you say this thing of yourself, or did others tell it to you concerning me?”{1} 35Pilate answered, “Am I a Yehudi?{1} Your own people and the ruling cohenim have delivered you to me! What have you done?”{2}

36Yeshua answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be delivered into the hands of these crooked religious leaders – so it should be obvious that this is not my kingdom.” 37Pilate asked him, “You are a king then?” Yeshua answered, “You are the one who is calling me a king – but this is the purpose for which I was born, and this is the reason I came into the world – so that I would bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” 38Pilate, shaking his head, replied, “What is truth?” He turned away and went back out to the religious leaders waiting in haGabetha.

{Jn 18:34.1} This is the issue of Torah law: Yeshua never stated that he was the King of the Jews. Pilate heard it from Yeshua’s false accusers, but they were not present as witnesses and could not be properly cross-examined (Deut. 19:15-21). Yeshua simply states that Pilate is not a true witness unless he heard it from Yeshua himself and so there is no legitimate charge according to Torah law or Roman law. The statement from Yeshua in Matthew, Mark, and Luke could be rendered: “You are the one who is saying it – you did not hear it from me!”

{Jn 18:35.1} Pilate’s unexpected statement, “Am I a Jew?” can only be understood in context of the ensuing trial: “Am I a Jew? Am I beholden to your Torah? Your own people and the ruling cohenim who are supposed to judge righteously according to your Torah are the ones who have delivered you to me.” In effect, Pilate was saying, “I am not bound by Jewish or Torah law concerning the diligent inquiry of witnesses or the right of the accused to bring both parties before the judge.”

{Jn 18:35.2} Pilate knows that there are no first hand witnesses and no real crime, so he asks Yeshua to incriminate himself.

< 192 > Pilate gives his first “not guilty” verdict

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:4 — John 18:38b

Luke 23:4 Then Pilate said to the ruling cohenim and to the people, “I find no fault in this man.”

John 18:38b Pilate went out to the Prushim again and said, “I find no fault in him.”

< 193 > Pilate sends Yeshua and his accusers to Herod for judgment

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:5-7 — John

Luke 23:5 Then they became even the more fierce, saying, “He incites the people with his teaching throughout the entire nation – from Galilee to Yerushalayim.” When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7As soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also in Yerushalayim at that time.

< 194 > Yeshua is presented before Herod in his palace but Yeshua refuses to acknowledge the King

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:8-9 — John

Luke 23:8 When Herod saw Yeshua, he was exceeding glad. He had greatly desired to see him for a long time because he had heard many things about him, and he hoped to see a miracle done by him. 9Herod questioned with him in many words, but Yeshua answered him not a word.

< 195 > Herod hears the accusations of the ruling cohenim and sages

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:10 — John

Luke 23:10 The ruling cohenim and sages stood outside Herod’s palace and vehemently accused him.

< 196 > Herod mocks Yeshua the King by clothing him in a royal robe

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:11a — John

Luke 23:11a Herod, with his men of war, belittled and mocked Yeshua, arraying him in a magnificent robe.

< 197 > Herod indignantly returns Yeshua to Pilate after he is unable to evoke a response

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:11b-12 — John

Luke 23:11b Then Herod returned Yeshua to Pilate. 12That same day Pilate and Herod became friends, whereas before, they were at enmity with each other.

< 198 > Pilate and Herod give a united verdict in haGabetha

Pilate’s second “not guilty” verdict

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:13-15 — John

Luke 23:13 When he had called together the ruling cohenim, and the Sanhedrin, and the people, 14Pilate said to them, “You have brought this man to me as one who perverts the people. Look, I have examined him before you, and I have found no fault in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him, 15neither I, nor Herod. I even sent you all to Herod, and yet nothing worthy of death has been committed by him.”

< 199 > More accusations are leveled in front of Pilate and Herod; Yeshua refuses to respond

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:12-14 — Mark 15:3-5 — Luke — John

Matthew 27:12 When Yeshua was further accused by the ruling cohenim and elders, he answered nothing. 13Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear the many things they witness against you?” 14Yeshua answered him not so much as a single word. The governor was astonished.

Mark 15:3 The ruling cohenim accused Yeshua of many things, yet he answered nothing. 4Pilate asked him again, “Why do you just stand there saying nothing? Do you not hear the many things they witness against you?” 5Yet Yeshua answered nothing. Pilate marveled.

< 200 > Pilate offers a grim choice for the annual Passover prisoner pardon program: Yeshua or the notorious murderer bar Abbas

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:15-26a — Mark 15:6-15a — Luke 23:16-25a — John 18:39-40

Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast, the governor was disposed to release a prisoner to the people, whomever they desired. 16They had a notorious prisoner at that time called bar Abbas. 17So when they were gathered together, Pilate gave them a choice, saying, “Who do you desire that I should release to you? bar Abbas, or Yeshua, who is called Messiah?” 18He did this because he knew that they had delivered him because of envy.

19Then, when he sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just man! Today, I was greatly afflicted in a dream because of him.”

20The ruling cohenim and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for bar Abbas and to destroy Yeshua. 21The governor again said to them, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “bar Abbas!” 22Pilate said, “What shall I do then with Yeshua, who is called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23The governor responded, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out even louder, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

24When Pilate saw that he could not prevail, but rather a tumult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just man – do what you will!” 25Then all the people answered, “His blood is on us, and on our children.” 26Then Pilate released bar Abbas to them.

Mark 15:6 Now at the Feast Pilate released one prisoner to them – whomever they desired. 7There was one named bar Abbas, who was imprisoned with those who had made insurrection with him, and he had committed murder in the insurrection. 8The multitude began crying aloud, desiring Pilate to do as he had always done for them [by releasing a prisoner at the Feast].

9Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Yehudim?” 10(He asked this, knowing that the ruling cohenim had delivered him up for envy.) 11But the ruling cohenim moved among the people instructing that Pilate should rather release bar Abbas to them. 12Pilate asked again, “What is your will concerning the one you call the King of the Yehudim?” 13Then they cried out, “Crucify him!” 14Then Pilate asked, “Why? What evil has he done?” Then they cried out even louder, “Crucify him!” 15So Pilate, hoping to satisfy the people, released bar Abbas to them.

Luke 23:16 Pilate announced, “I will chastise Yeshua, and then release him.” 17(Because it was necessary to fulfill his custom that he release a prisoner at the Feast.) 18But they cried out immediately, “Away with this man – release bar Abbas!” 19(Now, bar Abbas was being held for an insurrection that was made in the city, and he was imprisoned for murder in connection with the insurrection.) 20Pilate desired to release Yeshua, so he asked them again. 21But they cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22Then Pilate asked them the third time, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found no cause for death in him! I will beat him, and let him go.” 23They immediately shouted, and demanded that Yeshua be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the ruling cohenim prevailed. 24Finally, Pilate gave the sentence that it should be as they demanded. 25He released to them the one whom they desired – the one who was thrown into prison for sedition and murder.

John 18:39 Pilate offered, “You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Yehudim?” 40Then they all cried out, “Not this man, but bar Abbas.” Now bar Abbas was [among other attributes] a robber.

< 201 > Pilate has Yeshua scourged

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:26b — Mark 15:15b — Luke — John 19:1

Matthew 27:26b Then Pilate delivered Yeshua to be scourged before being crucified.

Mark 15:15b Then Pilate delivered Yeshua to be scourged before his crucifixion.

John 19:1 Then Pilate took Yeshua and scourged him.{1}

{Jn 19:1.1} A scourging was so brutal that many a man died from their wounds. Flesh and muscle were shedded by the metal, bone, glass, and sharpened stones that were tied to the ends of the leather thongs of the scourge.

< 202 > Yeshua is beaten and mocked by soldiers in the Praetorium

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:27-30 — Mark 15:16-19 — Luke — John 19:2-3

Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua into the Praetorium, where they had gathered the entire garrison of soldiers. 28They stripped Yeshua and put a regal robe on him. 29When they had braided a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and they put a rod in his right hand. They bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Yehudim!” 30They spit on him, and took the rod, and beat him on his head.

John 19:2 Then the soldiers braided a crown of thorns, and put it on his head. They put a purple robe on him, 3and said, “Hail, King of the Yehudim!” And they beat him with their fists.

Mark 15:16 The soldiers led Yeshua back into the Praetorium, where they called the entire garrison together. 17They clothed him with purple, and braided a crown of thorns, and put it upon his head. 18They began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Yehudim!” 19Then they smote him on the head with a rod, and spit upon him, and bowing their knees, mocked homage to him.

< 203 > Yeshua is presented to the ruling cohenim and Roman officers, Pilate’s third and fourth “not guilty” verdicts

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:4-8

John 19:4 Pilate, therefore, went out to haGabetha again, and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you now, but I want you to know that I find no fault in him!” 5Then Yeshua came out of the Praetorium, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate [hoping for a glimmer of human compassion] cried, “Just look at this man!” 6When the chief and officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate retorted, “Then you take him and you crucify him! I find no fault in him!” 7The religious leaders answered Pilate, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die – because he made himself the Son of Elohim!” 8When Pilate heard that, he was terrified!

< 204 > Pilate returns to privately confront Yeshua in the Judgment Hall

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:9-11

John 19:9 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, and said to Yeshua, “Where are you from?” Yeshua gave him no answer. 10Then Pilate said to him, “You refuse to speak to me? Do you not realize that I have power to crucify you – or I have power to release you?”

11Yeshua answered, “You would have absolutely no power against me unless it were given to you from above! But he that delivered me to you bears the greater sin.”

< 205 > Pilate comes out to haGabetha and pleads to release Yeshua

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:12

John 19:12 From that moment Pilate sought to release Yeshua, but the religious leaders cried out, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend! Whoever makes himself a king, speaks against Caesar.”

< 206 > Pilate brings Yeshua out to his judgment seat and proclaims Yeshua king

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:13-15

John 19:13 When Pilate heard their threats, he brought Yeshua forth, and he sat down in the judgment seat in haGabetha – the Stone Courtyard. 14It was now the sixth hour before the preparation of the Passover {1} when he proclaimed to the religious leaders, “Behold! Your King!” 15But they cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked, “Shall I crucify your King?” The ruling cohenim answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

{John 19:14.1} This incident with Pilate did not transpire at the sixth hour of the day (about noon) as is incorrectly read into the KJV, but six hours before the sacrifice of the lamb. Mark 15:25 pinpoints the time of the crucifixion as the third hour (09:00) <event 211> while Matthew, Mark, and Luke <event 214> reported that there was darkness over all the land from the sixth hour (12:00) to the ninth hour (15:00). This incident occurred about {hosei – nearing but having not reached} six hours before the sacrifice of the national Passover lamb – it was nearing, but had not yet reached the third hour (09:00). By the third hour, the Passover lamb must have received the final inspection of the four day ritual by the Cohen Gadol, who then pronounces, “I find no fault in him” <event 192, 198, 203>.

< 207 > Pilate relents under the political threats of the religious leaders and finally gives the crucifixion order

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:25b — John 19:16a

Luke 23:25b Then Pilate delivered Yeshua to the will of the ruling cohenim and Prushim.

John 19:16a Then Pilate delivered Yeshua to the soldiers to be crucified.

< 208 > Shimon from Cyrenia bears Yeshua’s cross

After the soldiers finish “sporting” with Yeshua, he is led away to be crucified at Golgotha

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:31-32 — Mark 15:20-21 — Luke 23:26-31 — John 19:16b-17a

Matthew 27:31 After mocking Yeshua, the soldiers took the robe off from him, put his own garments on him, and led him away to crucify him. 32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrenia, Shimon by name, whom they compelled to bear his cross.

Mark 15:20 When the soldiers had sported with Yeshua, they took off the purple robe from him, put his own garments on him, and led him out to crucify him. 21As he passed by, they compelled Shimon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who came from the country of Cyrenia, to bear Yeshua’s cross.

Luke 23:26 As the soldiers led Yeshua away to be crucified, they laid hold upon Shimon, a Cyrenian, coming from outside of the country, and they laid the cross on him so that he might bear it behind Yeshua. 27A great company of people followed him, and many women bewailed and lamented him. 28Yeshua turned and said to them, “Daughters of Yerushalayim, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29Open your eyes! The days are soon coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts which have never nursed.’ 30They shall say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Hide us!’ 31If they do these things under a well watered tree, what shall they do in a parched land?”

John 19:16b Then the soldiers took Yeshua, and led him away, 17 bearing his cross.{1}

{Jn 19:17.1} KJV translated the Greek to imply that Yeshua carried his own execution stake. Actually, it was those leading him away who were bearing the cross. The soldiers so badly mangled Yeshua that he was unable to carry his own cross. The soldiers carried his cross only until they grabbed an innocent bystander named Shimon, who came up to the Feast from the nation of Cyrene. This made Shimon tamei – ceremonially unfit to participate in the Passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount. Hollywood movies and Roman traditions (derived from the dream of a convent nun) are the only places where Yeshua carried his own cross. The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem is a Constantinian fantasy. The streets Yeshua walked are buried under thirty feet of debris, and he traveled in the opposite direction from the Antonia fortress to get to the crucifixion site north of the city wall.

< 209 > Yehudas regrets his betrayal and casts the thirty pieces of silver onto the floor of the Temple

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

This parenthetical statement belongs here in the chronological narrative, which details the actions of Yehudas and the ruling cohenim while Yeshua was being led away to Golgotha. Upon learning of Yeshua’s death sentence, Yehudas returns the betrayal money and immediately goes and hangs himself on his own sword in the very field that he had purchased by stealing from the disciples’ common purse. The priests refuse to deposit the blood money that Yehudas returned to the Temple treasury, and they later decide to buy the potter’s field for a gentile burial plot – the same field that was previously owned by the deceased Yehudas. The potter’s field, being stained with the suicide of Yehudas, earned the name “The Field of Blood.”

Matthew 27:3-10 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 27:3 Then Yehudas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that Yeshua was condemned, repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the ruling cohenim and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” 5He cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple, and departed, and went and hung himself [on his sword]. 8Therefore, the field is called “the field of blood” to this very day.{1}

6The ruling cohenim took the silver pieces, and said, “It is not lawful for us to put this into the Temple treasury, because it is the price of blood.” 7So they took counsel, and bought the potter’s field in which to bury strangers. 9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Zecharyah{1} the prophet, saying, “They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver – a goodly price that I was valued by them. And YHVH instructed me, ‘Cast it unto the potter.’ 10So I took the thirty pieces of silver and cast them to the potter in the house of YHVH.”

{Mt 27:8.1} Verse 8 was repositioned in the narrative to more easily identify that the “field of blood” received its name from the suicide of Judas when he hung himself on his sword (see I Samuel 31:4, 5 – King Saul and his armor bearer’s suicides). A hangman’s noose may be a common prop in Hollywood and in the Wild West of America, but it was not an accessible suicidal accoutrement of the East, nor would it result in disembowelment.

{Mt 27:9.1} The KJV and Greek versions inaccurately read: “Jeremy,” whereas the quote is directly from Zecharyah 11:12-13. It is attributed accurately and rendered verbatim in the ancient Hebrew Matthew text which is translated here.

< 210 > Yeshua is taken to the crucifixion site of Golgotha

Soured wine and myrrh (pain killer) is offered but refused

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:33-34 — Mark 15:22-23 — Luke — John 19:17b

John 19:17b He went out to Golgotha (which is in the Greek language “Kranion – the Skull”).

Matthew 27:33 When they came to Golgotha (the Skull), 34they offered him a drink of wine mixed with myrrh. When Yeshua tasted it, he refused to drink.

Mark 15:22 They brought him to Golgotha, which, being interpreted, is the Skull, 23and they gave him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he refused it.

< 211 > Yeshua and two criminals are crucified at Golgotha

About 9 a.m. (the third hour of the day) the verdict is posted above Yeshua’s head

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

His linen haluq is divided by four soldiers, but they gamble for his seamless tallit.

Matthew 27:35-38 — Mark 15:24-28 — Luke 23:32-34, 38 — John 19:18-24

Matthew 27:35 There at Golgotha, they crucified Yeshua, and they parted his garments by casting lots. Thus was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet David, “They parted my garments among them, and for my vestments did they cast lots.”{1} 36Then they sat down and watched him, 37and they posted the inscribed verdict over his head: YESHUA THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38There were two robbers crucified with him, one on the right hand and another on the left.

{Mt 27:35.1} The entirety of Psalm 22 will play out in front of the people that day, and Yeshua will quote the Psalm to punctuate the moment.

Mark 15:24 After they crucified him, they parted his garments by casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25It was the third hour that they crucified him. 26The inscribed verdict over him read: YESHUA THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27They crucified two robbers with him – one on his right hand and the other on his left – 28and thus was the Scripture fulfilled, “He was reckoned with lawless rebels.”{1}

{Mk 15.28.1} Cited from Isaiah 53:12. In the Greek versions of both Isaiah and Mark, the word for lawless is anomos – meaning literally “without Torah.”

Luke 23:32 There were two others, criminals, who were led away to be put to death with Yeshua. 33When they came to the place called Kranion [the Skull], they crucified him and the two criminals – one on the right hand and the other on the left hand.

34Then Yeshua cried, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing!” They parted his garments by casting lots 38and an inscription was posted over him in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: YESHUA THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 19:18 They crucified Yeshua and two others – one on each side and Yeshua in the middle. 19Pilate inscribed the verdict and had it posted on the cross: YESHUA OF NATZERET THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20The inscription [was read by many of the Yehudim] because the place where Yeshua was crucified was near to the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 21Then the ruling cohenim of the Sanhedrin said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Yehudim,’ but ‘He claimed to be King of the Yehudim.’” 22Pilate retorted, “I have written what I have written.”

23When the soldiers crucified Yeshua, they took his garments and divided his linen haluq{1} into four parts, and each soldier received a part. But his tallit was seamless – woven continuously from the top. 24They said among themselves, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for whose it shall be.” These things were done by the soldiers so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “They parted my garments among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.”{1}

{Jn 19:23.1} Exodus 28:32 – The haluq is a bell shaped linen garment worn over the undergarments. The tallit is the seamless, four-cornered garment worn over the haluq, which has blue tzit-tziot hanging from the corners as a remembrance to keep the commandments. As Malachi prophesied, the Messiah had healing in the kanaph (vertical wing-like appendages) of his garment.

{Jn 19:24.1} Psalm 22:18

< 212 > Spectators mock Yeshua and the robbers join in

Roman soldiers mockingly offer him more vinegar to drink

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:39-44 — Mark 15:29-32 — Luke 23:35-37 — John

Matthew 27:39 Those who passed by reviled him, wagging their heads 40and saying, “You, who destroys the Temple and rebuilds it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of Elohim, come down from the cross!” 41The ruling cohenim, also mocking him with the sages and elders, said, 42“He saved others? He cannot even save himself! If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross. Then we will believe him. 43He trusted in YHVH, so let YHVH deliver him now – if he will have him. He is the one who said, ‘I am the son of YHVH.’” 44The robbers who were crucified with him threw the same accusations in his face.

Mark 15:29 They who passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Hey, you that destroys the Temple and rebuilds it in three days, 30save yourself and come down from the cross.” 31The ruling cohenim, also mocking him among themselves along with the sages, said, “He saved others, but he cannot even save himself. 32Let ‘Messiah the King of Israel’ descend now from the cross so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

Luke 23:35 The people also stood watching as certain of the Sanhedrin derided Yeshua with them, “He saved others? Ha! Let him save himself if he is the chosen Messiah of YHVH.” 36The soldiers also mocked him when they came again to offer the wine and myrrh to him, 37and said, “If you are the King of the Yehudim, save yourself!”

< 213 > After seeing Pilate’s declaration and hearing the mockery of the crowd, one of the robbers changes his confession

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:39-43 — John

Luke 23:39 One of the robbers who was hanged railed on him, “If you are Messiah, save yourself and us.” 40But the other rebuked him, “Do you not fear the Holy One, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42He said to Yeshua, “Master, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Yeshua said to him, “Truth I say to you today, you shall be with me in paradise.”{1}

{Lk 23:43.1} Yeshua emphatically told the repentant robber, that very day, that he would be with him in paradise. Yeshua was in the grave at the end of that day, and remained there three days and nights until just before sunset on the weekly Sabbath: he was NOT in paradise. Depending on the translator’s theology, commas were inserted into different translations to yield completely different results. If I truly say to you today, you shall be with me in Jerusalem – you expect that some time in the future we will be together in Jerusalem. If I truly say to you, today you shall be with me in Jerusalem – you know that you had better get your bags packed immediately. Unlike Jerusalem, paradise is not available today. It was created in the beginning, as recorded in Genesis chapter one, and will be recreated in the end, as recorded in the Revelation chapter 21.

< 214 > Darkness covers the land while the Passover lambs are being sacrificed (from noon to 3 pm)

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:45 — Mark 15:33 — Luke 23:44-45a — John

Matthew 27:45 Now, from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

Mark 15:33 When the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Luke 23:44 It was about the sixth hour that there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour, 45and the sun was darkened.{1}

{Lk 23:45.1} This was not a solar eclipse, as we are approximately fifteen days away from astronomical conjunction at either end of this month, which is the only time a solar eclipse can occur. This was an atmospheric event, and of Divine origin – as were the miracle partings of the Red Sea and the Jordan River.

< 215 > Yochanan takes Yeshua’s mother under his care

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:25-27

John 19:25 Yeshua’s mother, his mother’s sister, Miriam the wife of Cleopas, and Miriam of Migdal all stood by the cross. 26When Yeshua saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by her, he said to his mother, “Madam, behold your son!” 27Then he said to his disciple, “Behold your mother!” From that time forward, that disciple took her into his own home.

< 216 > Yeshua quotes Psalm 22 at about 3 pm

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:46-47 — Mark 15:34-35 — Luke — John

Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Yeshua cried with a loud voice in the Holy tongue, “Eli, Eli, lemana azavtani!”{1} (That is to say, “My El, my El, why have you forsaken me!”) 47Some of those standing there said, “This man calls for Helios!”{1}

Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour Yeshua cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemana azavtani,” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35Some of the soldiers who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Listen, he calls for Helios!”

{Mt 27:46.1} Psalm 22:1 – The succeeding actions on the part of the people who hear and understand his recitation of Psalm 22 indicate that the entire Psalm was quoted by Yeshua. The ancient Hebrew Matthew is a verbatim quote of Psalm 22 and also states that Yeshua spoke in the Holy tongue – a fact which was left out of the other versions. The Peshitta Aramaic of Matthew’s account (which was translated from a later Greek manuscript) is a paraphrase of Psalm 22, and the Greek manuscripts retain Aramaic words that were translated from the Hebrew original.

{Mt 27:47.1} Considering that the Roman soldiers do not understand that Yeshua is quoting Psalm 22 in the Hebrew language, they would not understand that the Psalm of David prophetically describes the event playing out before their very eyes. Those schooled in the Hebrew Scriptures would immediately recognize the Psalm, but the pagan sun worshippers (Sol Invitus Mithra <Latin> and Helios <Greek>) would neither understand the local language nor the Scriptures. From the sounds of the words they would naturally interpret Yeshua’s words as a cry to the pagan sun god, Helios, as is actually written in the Greek text of Matthew (not Elias, as in the KJV). The divergent reactions of the Roman soldiers who were not conversant in Hebrew (“he calls for Helios”), and the Israelites who clearly understood Yeshua (and fetched water in response to “my tongue cleaveth to my jaws”), make perfect sense in this context. The Hebrew Matthew does say Eliyahu, and it may have been changed as a “correction” of the text, which is readily acknowledged by scholars. However, both possibilities exist in the English translation.

< 217 > Yeshua continues to quote Psalm 22

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

The third drink is offered in response to the quoted phrase: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd and my tongue cleaves to my jaws. You have brought me into the dust of death.”

Matthew 27:48-49 — Mark 15:36 — Luke — John

Matthew 27:48 Straightway one of them [who understood Hebrew] ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. 49The rest said, “Let him be! Let us see if Helios will come to save him.”

Mark 15:36 One [who understood the Scripture he was quoting] ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. Others said, “Leave him alone! Let us see if Helios will come to take him down.”

{Psalm 22:1 KJV My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on YHVH that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O YHVH: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the reem. 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear YHVH, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. 25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise YHVH that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto YHVH: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the YHVH’s: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. 30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.}

< 218 > “I Thirst!”

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:28-29

John 19:28 Knowing that all things were now fulfilled, Yeshua cried, “I THIRST,” so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.{1} 29There was a particular vessel full of vinegar for this purpose and they filled a sponge with the vinegar, and put it on a hyssop branch, and put it to his mouth.

{Jn 19:28.1} Psalm 69:21

< 219 > “IT IS FINISHED!”

The cry of triumph and the death of Yeshua

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:50 — Mark 15:37 — Luke 23:46 — John 19:30

John 19:30 When Yeshua had received the vinegar, he cried, “IT IS FINISHED!” and he bowed his head and gave up the spirit.

Mark 15:37 Yeshua cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.

Luke 23:46 When Yeshua had cried with a loud voice, he then said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, he gave up the spirit.

Matthew 27:50 Yeshua, when he had cried with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit.

< 220 > The earth quakes, the Temple veil is torn, the graves of the “Firstfruits” are marked

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:51-52a, 54-56 — Mark 15:38-41 — Luke 23:45b, 47-49 — John

Matthew 27:51 The veil of the Temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom! The earth quaked, the rocks fractured, 52aand the graves of the saints were opened.{1} 54When the centurion (and the others who were with him watching Yeshua) saw the earthquake and all those things that were done{1}, they feared greatly, saying, “Truth, this was the son of Elohim.” 55Watching afar off were many women who had followed Yeshua from Galilee and ministered unto him. 56Among them were Miriam of Migdal, Miriam (the mother of Yaakov and Yoseph){1}, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the Temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. 39When the centurion who stood over against him heard Yeshua’s cry of triumph and saw him give up the spirit, he said, “Truth, this man was the son of Elohim.” 40Afar off there were also many women looking on, among whom were Miriam of Migdal, Miriam (the mother of Yaakov and Yoseph), and Salome, 41and many other women who had came up with him to Yerushalayim. (These also followed him and ministered to him when he was in the Galilee.)

Luke 23:45b The veil of the Temple was rent down the middle.{1} 47And when the centurion saw that which was done, he glorified Elohim, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” 48All the people who came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts in anguish, and departed. 49All his acquaintances and the women who followed him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.

{Mt 27.52a.1} The graves opening signified that the Firstfruits from the dead were “marked” for the harvest that will occur at the end of the weekly Sabbath, in preparation for the barley Firstfruits offering on Yom haBikkurim. Verses 52b-53 heralding the resurrection of the “Firstfruits” are repositioned in the narrative to event <227> just before the resurrection appearances of Yeshua. However, the linking of the opening of the graves, and the resurrection of the Firstfruits, is essential in understanding the fulfillment of Yom haBikkurim – and that is why Matthew told of the resurrection of the firstfruit saints before Yeshua was even removed from the cross.

{Mt 27.54.1} The phrase “all the things that were done” includes neither “the saints appearing to many in the streets of Jerusalem” nor “the veil in the Temple being rent.” Mark’s Gospel clearly defines exactly what the centurian both heard and saw that caused him to exclaim, “Truth, this man was the son of God!” Gentile theologians, ignorant of the history and archaelogical finds in Israel, have concocted a story that the crucifixion took place “on a hill far away” (the Mount of Olives). All the evidence points to the crucifixions having taken place in the roadbed across from Damascus gate, where innumerable artifacts of the Roman crucifixions have been recovered and catalogued with the Israeli Department of Antiquities. Crucifixions have never taken place on the Mount of Olives. Furthermore, the veil in the Temple, deep inside the Holy Place, could not been seen from the Mount of Olives, more than thousand meters away – or even from the women’s court less than 100 meters away.

The notion of a Mount of Olives crucifixion was extrapolated from a ‘selective over-literalization’ of the words of a centurion in Matthew’s account, while ignoring Mark’s clearly defining record. This ignorance eventually led gentile preachers into typifying Yeshua as the “red heifer,” a one – to more than five-year-old female cow which was slaughtered and incinerated on the side of the Mount of Olives. The ashes of that female cow were used to make the waters of purification (lye soap). Instead of Yeshua being the fulfillment of the one-year-old “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” as the Passover sacrifice, Yeshua was turned into “behold, the cow of God” by gentile Eusebian theologians who fabricated a “three-and-one-half-year” ministry of Messiah and then moved the crucifixion site to where the red heifer was incinerated.

{Mt 27.56.1} “Miriam (the mother of Yaakov and Yoseph)” is another way of the author referring to Yeshua’s mother and half brothers who are then well-known followers of Yeshua by the time Matthew’s account is written. In event <96> both Matthew and Mark refer to all of Yeshua’s half-brothers as the sons of Yoseph. It could be that they were actually step-brothers if Miriam was Yoseph’s second wife after the decease of a first wife that left him with a family to raise on his own. This is the scenario championed by the Roman Church and defended by Epiphanius and others who guard the completely unnecessary (and much to Yoseph’s disappointment) “perpetual virginity of Mary.”

{Lk 23:45.1} Luke’s summary of the veil incident belongs here in the chronological sequence, but verse 46, concerning Yeshua’s cry of triumph, occurred before the curtain in the Temple was torn (event <219>).

< 221 > The “three that bear witness” in the earth

Yeshua’s side is pierced

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:31-37

John 19:31 Because it was the Preparation, and the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath was a High Day), the religious leaders besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.{1} 32Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other which was crucified with Yeshua. 33But when they came to Yeshua, and saw that he was dead already, they did not break his legs. 34One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately, blood and water came out! 35He who saw it with his own eyes is the one who bears witness, and his witness is true! He speaks the truth about what he saw, and that is why you can believe him.{1} 36These things were done so that this Scripture might be fulfilled: “A bone of him shall not be broken.”{1} 37And again, another Scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they pierced!”{1}

{Jn 19:31.1} Each of the Feasts begin and end with a High Sabbath, regardless the day of the week. John clearly specifies that this day of preparation precedes the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began at sundown on Wednesday that year. He had already stated that the Pharisees refused to go into Pilate’s judgment hall that morning because they did not want to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover (John 18:28). Only through gross ignorance of the Feasts of YHVH could this stated High Sabbath be mistaken for a regular weekly Sabbath. The casual reader, unlearned in the Torah (the schoolmaster that leads us to Messiah, Galatians 3:24) assumes that any mention of the Sabbath is always referring to the 7th day of the week. However, every Feast of YHVH begins with and concludes with a High Sabbath – regardless the day of the week upon which it falls. This High Sabbath will fall at sundown nearing the end of Wednesday. The Passover lambs were sacrificed on a Wednesday that year – and so was Yeshua.

{Jn 19:35.1} The Gospel author reiterates this reality in I John 5:8 – “There are three that bear witness in the earth, the Spirit, the water, and the blood – and these three are a unified witness. 9 Whether we accept the witness of men or not, the witness of YHVH is far greater, and THIS IS THE WITNESS (the three that bear witness) which YHVH has testified of his Son. 10He that believes on the Son has the witness within himself. But he who does not believe the witness of YHVH has considered him a liar, because he has not believed the witness that YHVH gave of his Son. 11This is also the witness that YHVH hath given to us eternal life, and that life is through his Son.” For a full exegesis on what John saw at the crucifixion and the irrefutable testimony that is in the earth that will be revealed in the last days, one must be aware of the excavations in Mount Moriah and the testimony of the Rabbi Goren, the Chief Rabbi of Israel (deceased) who testified that he had seen the Ark of the Covenant. The hiding place for the Ark was prepared by King Solomon, the Ark was hidden by Jeremiah during the siege of Nebuzaradan, and the stone sarcophagus that protected it was prophetically positioned where the shadow picture of the blood atonement could be fulfilled on the day of Yeshua’s crucifixion. This testimony buried in the earth, this greater witness that YHVH gave of his son, will be revealed as the auspicious “Confirmation of the Covenant” that the angel Gavriel foretold to Daniel. The revealing of the Ark of the Covenant, which will confirm the renewed covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, will commence the last shevua. For full detail on the Great Secret of Solomon’s Temple and the Hiding of the Ark of the Covenant, see the Resources at the back of the book.

{Jn 19:36.1} Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20

{Jn 19:37.1} Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7

< 222 > Women watch the “improper” burial of Yeshua by Yoseph of Aramathea

They leave before Nicodemus arrives with spices to perform a proper burial

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew 27:57-61 — Mark 15:42-47 — Luke 23:50-55 — John 19:38

Matthew 27:57 When the evening was approaching,{1} Yoseph of Aramathea, a rich man who was also Yeshua’s disciple, 58went to Pilate and requested the body of Yeshua, and Pilate commanded the body to be released to him. 59Yoseph took the body. He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth{1} and 60laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock. He rolled a great stone over the door of the sepulcher and departed. 61Miriam of Migdal and the other Miriam [the mother of Yaakov and Yoseph] were sitting over against the sepulcher watching him.

Mark 15:42 When the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, 43Yoseph of Aramathea, an honorable member of the Sanhedrin who also waited for the kingdom of YHVH, went in boldly to Pilate and requested the body of Yeshua. 44Pilate was amazed and questioned that he was dead so soon. Pilate called the centurion and asked him whether he had been dead for any length of time. 45When he heard the details from the centurion, he gave the body to Yoseph. 46Yoseph bought fine linen, and took him down, wrapped him in the linen, laid him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher. 47Miriam of Migdal and Miriam the mother of Yoseph beheld where he was laid.

Luke 23:50 A man named Yoseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, was a good and just man 51and had not consented to the counsel or their deeds. He was from Aramathea, a city of the Yehudim, and he also waited for the kingdom of YHVH. 52Yoseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Yeshua. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, where no man had been laid before. 54That day was the preparation, and the High Sabbath drew on. 55The women who came with him from Galilee also followed him, and saw the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.

John 19:38 After Yeshua’s death, Yoseph of Aramathea, being a disciple of Yeshua (but secretly for fear of the Prushim), besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Yeshua. Pilate gave permission, so he took the body of Yeshua.

{Mt 27:57.1} The Passover sacrifice was originally offered “between the evenings” (Ex 12:6), which most authorities maintain is before sunset in the late afternoon of the fourteenth of the month of the aviv. During the second temple period, Josephus states that more than 250,000 lambs were sacrificed on the Temple mount. This took some time to accomplish, and yet it had to be done in time for the priests to put their lambs in the ovens in the priests chambers, and then go over the Kidron valley bridge to bind ten shocks of aviv barley for the upcoming firstfruits harvest and offering. All this had to be finished before sunset on the fourteenth of the aviv. As sunset commenced the High Sabbath beginning the Feast of Unleavened bread, Yoseph had to get the body of Yeshua into the grave before the sun set that evening. This was the point of having the soldiers break the legs of the condemned: they would suffocate because they could not push up with their legs to get their next breath. Then they could be buried before sundown.

{Mt 27:59.1} Yoseph simply covered Yeshua’s naked body with the linen sheet and departed to help Nicodemus secure the burial spices, oils, and the embalming cloth. The women did not witness the embalming process so they made plans to purchase and prepare the spices on Friday after the High Sabbath, and then return after the weekly Sabbath to embalm the body on Sunday morning.

< 223 > Nicodemus and Yoseph properly prepare Yeshua’s body

after the women leave the scene seeing that he was not properly buried

[14th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Wednesday, April 28, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 438

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 19:39-42

John 19:39 Nicodemus (who at the first came to Yeshua by night) also came and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred litra.{1} 40Then Nicodemus and Yoseph took the body of Yeshua and wound it in linen cloth with the spices, as is the proper method for the Yehudim to bury. 41Near the place where Yeshua was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden was a new sepulcher where no man had been laid before. 42They laid Yeshua there because Passover preparations were pending, and the sepulcher was close at hand.

{Jn 19:39.1} litra: a weight of about 12 ounces, a total of about 75 pounds

< 224 > On the High Sabbath the ruling cohenim request the posting of a guard from the Roman authorities

[15th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Thursday, April 29, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 439

Matthew 27:62-66 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 27:62 On the day that followed the day of the preparation [for the High Sabbath] the ruling cohenim and Prushim came together and went to Pilate, 63saying, “Sir, we remember that while he was yet alive, that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64Therefore, command that the sepulcher be secured until the third day, lest his disciples should come and steal him away at night, and say to the people, ‘He is risen from the dead.’ The last error would be worse than the first.” 65Pilate said to them, “You have a watch. Go your way and make it as secure as you can.” 66So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch.{1}

{Mt 27:66.1} See note on the Roman seal (event <228> ) Matthew 28:2.

< 225 > Unaware that Yoseph and Nicodemus properly embalmed Yeshua’s body,

the women buy and prepare spices and oils after the High Sabbath that began the Feast of Unleavened Bread

[16th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Friday, April 30, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 440

Matthew — Mark 16:1 — Luke 23:56a — John

Mark 16:1 When the High Sabbath was past, Miriam of Migdal, Miriam the mother of Yaakov, and Salome bought sweet spices, so that they might come and anoint him.

Luke 23:56a The women returned from the sepulcher, and prepared the burial spices and ointments [on the day following the High Sabbath].

< 226 > After purchasing and preparing the spices and oils, the women rest on the weekly Sabbath before going to the grave on the first day of the week

[17th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, May 1, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 441

Matthew — Mark — Luke 23:56b — John

Luke 23:56b After the women had purchased and prepared spices and ointments [on the 6th day],{1} they rested on the weekly Sabbath day according to the commandment.

{Lk 23:56b.1} It would have been very difficult to find a mercantile open for business on the single day that separated the High Sabbath (commencing the Feast of Unleavened Bread) from the weekly Sabbath. The sixth day (Friday), to this day, is a half-day of work in the land of Israel – it is a day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath. After the grand festivities that brought more than two million people into the city of Jerusalem for the Passover sacrifice, it is understandable that very few commercial enterprises would have been in operation.

The Resurrection of Yeshua Before Sunset on the Weekly Sabbath

< Note 19 > After spending three days and three nights in the grave, Yeshua arose from the grave ‘on the third day’ after his burial. The resurrection transpired on the weekly Sabbath. When Miriam returned to the grave, “early the first day of the week,” “while it was still dark,” the grave was empty. Yeshua had already risen late the previous day.

[Shabbat, 17th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, May 1, 28 CE]

Week 63 — Day 441

VIII. The Day of the Firstfruits through Shavuot (May 2 - June 20, 28 CE)

< 227 > Firstfruits are harvested by Yeshua, who is now the everlasting Cohen Gadol

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Saturday, May 1, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew 27:52b-53 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 27:52b After his resurrection, the bodies of many saints who slept arose, 53and came out of the graves, and went into the Holy City, and appeared to many.{1}

{Mt 27:53.1} The resurrection of these saints is part of the fulfillment of the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in Yom haBikkurim – the Day of Firstfruits. After the Passover lambs were put in the oven, the Cohen Gadol and his entourage went over the Kidron Valley bridge to the barley field on the side of the Mount of Olives, opposite the Temple Mount. They bound together 10 standing shocks of aviv barley, one omer each, and returned to the Temple. There, the Cohen Gadol remained in seclusion until the Firstfruits were harvested, processed, and presented in the Temple the following morning. The harvest of the Firstfruits was done in the failing light after sunset at the end of the weekly Sabbath during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (and not after the High Sabbath of Passover as was instituted by the Pharisees after the destruction of the Temple). This is when the saints in the graves arose in the sight of the thousands who were participating in the harvest of the Bikkurim. The barley was parched, ground, and baked during the night to prepare it for the Firstfruits offering in the morning. The Cohen Gadol was in seclusion in the Temple Mount until after the Firstfruits were presented. Likewise, Yeshua allowed no one to touch him until after the Firstfruits of the saints were presented before the throne in Heaven by him personally as the eternal Cohen Gadol. It is not until after this fulfillment of the Bikkurim that the 24 elders are seen before the throne in Heaven.

< 228 > Roman guards are terrified as an angel rolls back the stone from the grave opening

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

This incident is reported at the time the women come to bring the burial spices. Upon arrival, they met the angel responsible for rolling back the stone, which had been rolled away before anyone arrived at the grave site. By the time the women arrive, the guards had already fled into the city.

Matthew 28:2-4 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 28:2 There was a great earthquake when the angel of YHVH descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.{1} 3His countenance was like lightning, and his garments white as snow. 4The guards quaked for fear of him and they became as dead men.{1}

{Mt 28:2.1} The Israeli Department of Antiquities authorized the sampling of an ancient iron rod embedded in the rock face of the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. It was found to be an iron rod that had been driven into molten lead to form a permanent seal. Securing iron rods in molten lead to anchor stones in place is the very method that was used to construct the Coliseum in Rome. This discovery provided concrete evidence that the iron rod still buried in the face of the Garden Tomb was a Roman seal that anchored the stone over the doorway of Yeshua’s tomb. This is further evidence that when the angel rolled the stone away, it sheared off the iron seal pin that is still embedded above the top left corner of the tomb to this very day. It was calculated by the researchers that it took approximately 90 tons of force to shear off the iron seal pin.

{Mt 28:4.1} The angel rolled the stone back so others could enter the tomb. Yeshua arose the day before and did not need the stone to be moved for him to walk out of the tomb.

An ancient iron pin, secured in once molten lead, remains in the wall of the Garden Tomb north of Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. The sheared pin remains as a remembrance of the resurrection of Yeshua.

< 229 > Miriam finds the sepulcher empty Sunday morning before sunrise.

She departs to find Kefa and Yochanan

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 20:1-2

John 20:1 The first day of the week Miriam of Migdal came to the sepulcher early, when it was yet dark, and saw that the stone was taken away from the sepulcher.

2Then she ran to Shimon Kefa and to the other disciple whom Yeshua loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the master out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him.”

< 230 > Kefa and Yochanan go to the sepulcher with Miriam

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 20:3-10

John 20:3 Therefore Kefa went forth with the other disciple [Yochanan], and came to the sepulcher. 4They both ran together, and Yochanan outran Kefa and came to the sepulcher first. 5He stooped down and saw the linen clothes lying, yet he did not go in. 6Shimon Kefa went into the sepulcher and saw the linen clothes lying there. 7The face cloth that was bound about Yeshua’s head was not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8Then Yochanan went in. He saw, and believed. 9But neither of them understood the Scripture, that Yeshua must rise again from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned to their home.

< 231 > Miriam sees the resurrected Messiah

Yeshua remains “untouched” until the Firstfruits offering

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Mark 16:9 is a parenthetical explanation.

Matthew — Mark 16:9 — Luke — John 20:11-17

Mark 16:9 Now after Yeshua had risen, early the first day of the week he first appeared to Miriam of Migdal. (This is the Miriam out of whom he had cast seven demons.){1}

John 20:11 Miriam stood outside the sepulcher weeping. As she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, 12and saw two angels in white sitting – one at the head and the other at the feet – where the body of Yeshua had lain. 13They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my master, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14When she had spoken, she turned around and saw Yeshua standing there, but did not know that it was him.

15Yeshua said to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have taken him from here, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Yeshua said to her, “Miriam!” She cried out, “Rabboni!” 17Yeshua said to her, “Do not touch me! I have not yet ascended to my Father.{1} Go to my brothers and tell them that I will now ascend to my Father and their Father, and to my Elohim and their Elohim!”{2}

{Mk 16:9.1} The only way to manufacture evidence for a Sunday morning resurrection is to deliberately mispunctuate this verse to read: Now after Yeshua had risen early the first day of the week, he appeared to Miriam of Migdal first. This can only be done through gross ignorance of the Torah and failure to recognize that the Spring Feasts of YHVH were being fulfilled in every detail by the Messiah – and then ignoring every other apostolic witness to the timing of the event. The only reason one would want to destroy the clear testimony of the Scripture is to illegitimately meld their religious practices in with the worship of pagan gods and goddesses. The religious system of the Roman Empire attempted to get the resurrection of Yeshua to coincide with the worship of the Babylonian sex goddess, Easter – and it was the emperor Constantine who commanded that everyone rest “on the venerable day of the sun” (Edict of Constantine 321 CE).

{Jn 20:17.1} The Cohen Gadol was to be in seclusion in the priests’ chambers on the Temple Mount from the time of the marking of the Firstfruits on the side of the Mount of Olives until he presented the Firstfruits offering in the Temple on the morning of Yom haBikkurim. Likewise, Yeshua was in seclusion in the same Mount MorehYah for his three days in the grave, and his seclusion was not yet finished when he forbade Miriam from touching him after his resurrection. Later that morning, after Yeshua presented the Firstfruits offering before the Father’s throne in Heaven, he then allowed others to touch him, for his time of seclusion was finished (see event <234>).

{Jn 20:17.2} Yeshua, as the Cohen Gadol after the “order of Melchizedek,” fulfilled the rehearsal that was prophetically put in place by the prophet, King David – who “foresaw the coming of the Messiah.” After Yeshua presented the Firstfruits offering before the Father’s throne in Heaven, he returned to earth to meet with two disciples who had left Jerusalem for the village of Emmaus (see event <237>).

< Note 20 > Yeshua presents the Firstfruits before the throne in Heaven

Fulfilling his role as “Cohen Gadol after the order of the Melech Tzadek”

Each element of the Spring Feasts of YHVH are being fulfilled by Yeshua. Only by careful study of the Temple service and the ordinances put in place by the prophet David are we able to see the Divine orchestration of events that were prophetically envisioned by King David – and only then can we see the depth of the Gospel records which depict their fulfillment.

< 232 > Miriam returns to tell the other disciples, but is not believed

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew — Mark 16:10-11 — Luke — John 20:18

John 20:18 Miriam of Migdal went and told the disciples that she had seen the master, and she related the things he had spoken to her.

Mark 16:10 Miriam went to tell the disciples that had been with him. They mourned and wept, 11yet when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by Miriam, they did not believe.

< 233 > The other women come to the sepulcher nearing sunrise

They bring the burial spices after resting on the weekly Sabbath

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew 28:1, 5-8 — Mark 16:2-8 — Luke 24:1-8 — John

Matthew 28:1 At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Miriam of Migdal and the other Miriam came to see the sepulcher.{1} 5The angel [responsible for rolling back the gravestone] said to the women, “Fear not, for I know that you seek Yeshua, who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said! Come, see the place where Yeshua laid. 7Now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and that he goes before you into Galilee where you will see him! Look, I have told you – now get going!” 8They departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

Mark 16:2 Very early in the morning of the first day of the week, the women came to the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. 3They said among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?” 4for it was very great.{1} When they looked, they saw that the stone was already rolled away. 5They entered into the sepulcher and saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were afraid. 6He said to them, “Do not be afraid. You seek Yeshua of Natzeret, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Behold the place where they laid him! 7Now go your way. Tell his disciples and Kefa that he goes before you into Galilee. There shall you see him, as he said to you.” 8They went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher, for they trembled and were amazed. Neither could they speak because they were so frightened.

Luke 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the sepulcher bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2They found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher 3and they entered in, but found not the body of Yeshua. 4It came to pass, as they were very perplexed about this situation, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5They were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth. The angels said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but is risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee, 7saying, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?” 8Then they remembered his words.

{Mt 28:1.1} This record begins with a summary statement which details the second of two separate visits from the women. Miriam of Migdal was the only one who came the first time when Yeshua spoke to her. The second visit that morning was to bring the burial spices, and those women present included Miriam the mother of Yaakov and Yoseph, Yohanna, and unnamed others (Lk 24:10).

{Mk 16:4.1} Little did they know, the stone had been sealed by the Romans on the High Sabbath, the day after the crucifixion. Without the might of an angel, no one could have rolled back the stone.

< 234 > Yeshua meets the women as they return to inform the disciples

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew 28:9-10 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 28:9 As the women went to tell his disciples, Yeshua met them and said, “YHVH saves you!”{1} They came and held him by the feet,{2} and worshipped him. 10Then said Yeshua to them, “Fear not. Go tell my brothers to go into the Galilee, and there they shall see me.”

{Mt 28:9.1} The ancient Hebrew texts of Matthew maintained the true greeting of Yeshua; he greeted his female disciples in the personal name of his Heavenly Father. The Greek texts, which never include the Holy Name (even when directly quoting from the Torah and the Prophets) simply say ‘Peace unto you.’

{Mt 28:9.2} Miriam of Migdal was not allowed to touch Yeshua earlier that morning, but after the eternal Cohen Gadol (after the order of the Melek Tzadek) presented the Firstfruits of those raised from the grave, all were free to touch him. This act of seclusion was an integral part of the Firstfruits Temple ceremony that was rehearsed each year (see event <231>).

< 235 > The sepulcher guards return into the city

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew 28:11-15 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 28:11 As the women were going to tell the disciples, some of the Roman guards came into the city and reported to the ruling cohenim all the things that had just transpired. 12When the elders were assembled [in the Hall of Judgment] and had conspired together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers. 13They instructed them to say, “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” 14They promised that if this situation becomes known to their commanding officer, “We will persuade him [as we did you] and you will be safe [from prosecution].” 15So they took the bribe and did as they were instructed, and this testimony is commonly reported among the Yehudim until this very day.{1}

{Mt 28:15.1} There are eight primary historical events that coincide to mark the very year in which the Sanhedrin engaged in the act of bribery which involved the two Roman guards who watched the tomb of Yeshua. First, in “a brief outlining the guidelines of the Adjudication of Noahide disputes by a Rabbinical Court” on 6 Tishrei 5758 – October 7, 1997 the Sanhedrin Qetanah in Israel stated, “In the year 3788 (28 CE) the power to render a death sentence administered by the hand of man was withdrawn due to the corruption of evidence by paid false witnesses. The ruling Council (the Sanhedrin) began its exile from the hewn chamber to the Mount, from the Mount to the market, from the market to Yavneh, etc. Under the persecutions of Constantine (4097 - 4121 (337 - 361 CE)) they went into hiding because ordination carried the death penalty and the Sages last performed it in the year 4118 (358 CE).” Second, the Talmud states, in Shabbat 15a, “Forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the Sanhedrin went into exile and took its seat in the Trade Hall.” Third, between the years 1135 and 1204 CE, the Jewish sage Maimonides (Responsa #389) accurately calculated and recorded the destruction of the Temple as the year preceding the 380th Selucid era – precisely calculated as the year 68 CE. Finally, in the Babylonian Talmud,Yoma 39b, we read: “During the last forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot [‘For the Lord’] did not come up in the right hand; nor did the crimson-colored strap become white; nor did the western most light shine; and the doors of the Hekel [Temple] would open by themselves”. Every one of these events pinpoint the year 28 CE as both the year of the crucifixion and the year that the Sanhedrin was convicted of conspiring to pay false witnesses in a capital case involving the Roman government. At the end of the first century, the payoff of the Roman guards was still commonly reported as it resulted in the eviction of the Sanhedrin from the Hall of Hewn Stones on the Temple Mount. This conspiracy involved the highest eschelons of power in Israel. Yet another related conspiracy was instigated during the time Eusebius was praising the Emperor Constantine for naming himself “Pontifex Maximus.” Eusebian eschatology needed the Temple’s destruction to occur in the year 70 CE, and the birth of Yeshua to occur in the year 1, so that it all fit with the expanded Eusebian interpretation of Daniel’s 70 week prophecies. Eusbian theologians and Papists in general must adhere to a 1 CE birth of Yeshua, a 70 CE destruction of the Temple, a three-and-one-half year ministry, a 33 CE crucifixion, a Thursday Passover sacrifice, and a denial of the cessation of the Yom Kippur miracle in the year of Yeshua’s crucifixion (28 CE).

< 236 > Women tell the disciples but they are not believed

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew — Mark — Luke 24:9-11 — John

Luke 24:9 The women returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10It was Miriam of Migdal, and Yohanna, and Miriam the mother of Yaakov,{1} and other women who were with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11But their words seemed to them as idle tales. They did not believe them.

{Lk 24:10.1} Miriam of Migdal was at the grave much earlier than the women who brought the burial spices, but all of them had their vivid accounts of speaking with the resurrected Messiah.

< Note 21 > Chronologically irreconcilable information

According to several respected Greek New Testament scholars including distinguished Greek text editors Lachmann, Tregelles, and Tischendorf, verse twelve should be omitted. This entire sentence is not found in the more ancient Greek texts and creates an irreconcilable contradiction with the chronological information recorded by the other Gospel authors. Kefa and Yochanan had already been to the grave before dawn at the request of Miriam of Migdal (see event <230>). They witnessed the empty tomb with the grave clothes lying in place and left. Miriam, staying behind, encountered and spoke with Yeshua. After this encounter the other women, bringing the burial accouterments, arrived at the empty tomb. Upon leaving they were met by Yeshua, and then they reported this incident to all of the disciples. Kefa would not have returned to the empty tomb to see the very things that he witnessed earlier in the morning and walk away in bewilderment a second time.

[[Luke 24:12 “Then arose Kefa, and ran to the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”]]

< 237 > Yeshua appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus

they return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples

[18th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, May 2, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 442

Matthew — Mark 16:12-13 — Luke 24:13-35 — John

Mark 16:12 After that Yeshua appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked from Yerushalayim and went into the country. 13When they returned and reported it to the others, they did not believe them.

Luke 24:13 Two of the disciples left Yerushalayim that same day for a village called Emmaus, which was a journey of about sixty stadion.{1} 14They talked together about all these things that had happened. 15While they communed together and reasoned, Yeshua himself drew near, and walked with them. 16But their eyes were blinded so that they would not recognize him. 17He said to them, “What manner of communication is this that you are having one with another as you walk? Why are you so sad?” 18One of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Yerushalayim who does not know about the things that have come to pass there in these past few days?” 19He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “Concerning Yeshua of Natzeret, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before YHVH and all the people. 20How the ruling cohenim and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and have crucified him. 21But we trusted that he would have been the one who would have redeemed Yisrael; and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.{1} 22Yes, and certain women who were also of our company, which were at the sepulcher early this morning made us astonished 23when they did not find his body. They returned from the sepulcher and said that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Certain of those who were staying with us also went to the sepulcher, and found it even as the women had said, but they did not see him.”

25Then he said to them, “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not Messiah to have suffered all these things [of which you have just spoken] and then to enter into his glory?” 27Then, beginning at Moshe and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28They drew near to the village to which they were going and Yeshua made as though he would have gone further 29but they constrained him: “Please abide with us, and it is almost evening, and the day is far spent,” then he went in to tarry with them.{1} 30As he sat at dinner with them, he took unleavened bread{1}, blessed YHVH, and broke the bread and gave it to them. 31Immediately their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.

32They said one to another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us in the way, and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33Then they arose immediately and returned to Yerushalayim. There they found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them 34who reported, “The master has risen indeed, and has appeared to Shimon.” 35Then the two disciples told the things that transpired while they walked along the way to Emmaus, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of bread.

{Lk 24:13.1} A stadion is equal to 600 feet. Emmaus is approximately 7 miles outside of the Old City of Jerusalem.

{Lk 24:21.1} “The third day since” – the Greek word apo is translated as “since” but it literally means “separated from the whole” – in other words, there are three days separating us from the event of the crucifixion, which transpired on a Wednesday. According to the Greek, this is the fourth day after the crucifixion – and it is, in fact, the first day of the week, Sunday.

{Lk 24:29.1} Constrain is a cultural term from the Middle East. When being offered an invitation, it is impolite to accept the first two offers of hospitality, which must be refused with graciousness. Only a third offer can be accepted. Luke gives each of the three invitational arguments that were offered by the disciples to their polite travel partner who finally agreed to stay with them. The three points are stated, but the actual dialogue would have taken several paragraphs to record the banter as each party marshals all of his powers of eloquent persuasion in both the asking and refusing of Eastern hospitality. Only after the third request would Yeshua graciously accept their sincere invitation.

{Lk 24:30.1} This is now the fourth day of the Feast of Unleavend Bread and the bread that they are breaking is azumon (Greek for unleavened bread or matzah). There is to be no leavened bread <artos> in all the land of Israel for the entire seven day period of the Feast of Unleavened Bread <azumon – Gk.; matzah – Hb.>. In this instance, the extant Greek texts read artos which is the common word for normal leavened bread. This appears to be a simple oversight by those who copied or translated the original text. Among the 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament writings, there are more than 250,000 variations. Many of these variations are the replacement of one Greek word with a very similar Greek word that was more in accord with the local language, where and when the manuscript was copied. The New Testament was not transmitted in classical Greek, but in koine – common, defiled, or “street Greek,” which was regularly amended to convey the truth of the Gospel in the local language spoken by the common people throughout the empire. These variations in the Greek texts do not degrade the text, but rather display the living nature of language – the subtle nuances of the living Word. Even though we have received the gospel records primarily in the Greek language, every word describes a Hebrew/Jewish culture that cannot be divorced from mathematically precise Greek constructions. In the case of azumon and artos in the Greek texts of this portion of Luke, we must translate the word artos according to the Hebrew culture, regardless of the ommission of the term azumon in the koine Greek text. Azumon – “unleavened bread” – was a term that would have been unfamiliar to most Greek speaking individuals in the Roman Empire. If Yeshua did break leavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it would mean that Yeshua and these two disciples would have been in blatant violation of the eternal commandments that Yeshua proclaimed “will not pass away until heaven and earth pass away.” Furthermore, it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain leavened bread in the land of Israel at this time of year.

< 238 > Yeshua appears in the midst of the disciples at Yerushalayim

[19th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, May 3, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 443

Matthew — Mark 16:14 — Luke 24:36-44 — John 20:19-24

Luke 24:36 As [Cleopas and the other disciple] spoke, Yeshua himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Shalom alekhem.” 37They were terrified and afraid, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do these thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet. It is I, myself! Handle me, and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see me have.” 40When he had spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41They were beside themselves with joy and they wondered beyond belief. Then he said to them, “Do you have any food?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb 43and he took it, and ate it before them. 44Then he said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Torah of Moshe, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the religious leaders, Yeshua came and stood in their midst and said, “Shalom alekhem.” 20When he had spoken, he showed his hands and his side to them. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the master. 21Yeshua said to them again, “Peace be to you. As my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed in deeply, and said to them, “This is how you will receive the Ruach Kodesh.” 23Whoever’s sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and whoever’s sins you retain, they are retained.” 24Now Thomas, one of the twelve (also called Didymus) was not with them when Yeshua came.

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they sat at dinner and scolded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen.

< 239 > Thomas is told of Yeshua’s appearance

~Week 65

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 20:25

John 20:25 The other disciples said to Thomas, “We have seen the master.” But he said to them, “Except I shall see in his wrists{1} the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

{Jn 20:25.1} KJV “hands” <cei,r – cheir >. This is not the same word as for the palm of the hand (Revelation 1:17 <dexio,j – dexios> ) but a more general term. Crucifixions were done by nailing through the radial nerve of the wrist where it provided more excruciating pain and would not tear out as it would if nailed through the palm.

< 240 > The eleven disciples go into the Galilee

[19th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, May 3, 28 CE]

Week 64 — Day 443

Matthew 28:16 — Mark — Luke — John

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into the mountain where Yeshua had ordained them.

< 241 > “After eight days” Yeshua appears to Thomas and the disciples

[26th Day of the 1st Month, 4028 FC; Monday, May 10, 28 CE]

Week 65 — Day 450

Matthew 28:17 — Mark — Luke — John 20:26-29

John 20:26 After eight days his disciples were indoors and Thomas was with them. Then Yeshua came, the doors being shut, and stood in their midst, and said, “Shalom alechem.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Press your finger in here – look, here are my wrists. Reach your hand in here and thrust it into my side. Be not faithless, but believe!” 28Thomas answered and said to him, “Adoni! My YHVH!”{1} 29Yeshua said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Matthew 28:17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted.

{Jn 20:28.1} On Shavuot Kefa exclaimed, quoting Psalm 110, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that YHVH hath made this same Yeshua, whom ye have crucified, both YHVH and Messiah” (Acts 2:29-36). This is the title of authority and honor given to Yeshua by his father YHVH, which was prophesied by Zechariah (14:16-21) when the Messiah as YHVH Tze-vaot (the LORD of Hosts) rules from his millennial throne in Jerusalem. When Yeshua asked the Pharisees why David (in Psalm 110:1) called the Messiah adoni, and then called him YHVH in verse 5, the religious leaders were flummoxed and dared not ask him another question. Shaul confessed by the Spirit, “No one can say that Yeshua is YHVH – except by the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12: 3). However, even his enemies called him adoni (my lord) as a title of respect. See the Matthew 22:41-46 footnotes (event <171>) for full details on the confrontation with the Pharisee leaders; Also John 20:26-29.

< 242 > Summary: events during the forty days

Weeks 63-69 — Days 441-481

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 20:30-31

John 20:30 Truly, many other signs did Yeshua in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this scroll. 31But these are written that you might believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of YHVH, and that by trusting him fully and obeying him completely,{1} you might have life through his name.

{Jn 20:31.1} Thus the prophecy will be fulfilled as declared by the Almighty, “I will raise up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto Moses, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19Whoever will not shema (hear and obey) my words which he shall speak in my name, it shall come to pass that I will make diligent inquiry and pronounce judgment upon him” (Deuteronomy 18:18). It is not those who call him Lord, but those who hear and obey that will enter into the gate that leads to life.

< 243 > Yeshua appears to his disciples at the Sea of Galilee

Matthew — Mark — Luke — John 21:1-23

John 21:1 After these things Yeshua showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiverias, and this is how he did it. 2Shimon Kefa, and Thomas called Didymus, and Netanel of Cana of the Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples were all together when 3Shimon Kefa said to them, “I am going back to fishing.” They said to him, “We will also go with you.” They departed, and immediately entered into a ship. That night they caught nothing. 4When the morning came, Yeshua stood on the shore, but the disciples knew not that it was Yeshua. 5He called out to them, “Young men, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6Then he said to them, “Cast the net on the starboard side of the ship, and there you will find fish.” That is where they cast, and now they were unable to draw in the net because of the multitude of fish. 7Then the disciple who Yeshua loved said to Kefa, “It is the master!” Now when Shimon Kefa heard that it was the master, he girt his fisher’s coat about him (for he was attired in only his undergarment), and he jumped into the water. 8The other disciples came in a small boat (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits), dragging the net with the fish.

9As soon as they came to land, they saw a fire with fish laying on the coals, and bread. 10Yeshua said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11Shimon Kefa went over and drew the net to land, full of one hundred and fifty three large fish. Yet for as many as there were, the net was not broken. 12Yeshua said to them, “Come and dine!” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the master. 13Yeshua then took bread and gave it to them, and fish likewise. 14This is now the third time that Yeshua showed himself to his disciples after he was risen from the dead.

15So when they had dined, Yeshua said to Shimon Kefa, “Shimon, son of Yonah, do you love <agape> me more than these fish?” He said to him, “Yes, master, you know that I love <phileo> you.” He said to him, “Feed my little lambs.” 16He said to him again the second time, “Shimon, son of Yonah, do you love <agape> me?” He said to him, “Yes, master, you know that I love <phileo> you.” He said to him, “Feed my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Shimon, son of Yonah, do you love <phileo> me?” Kefa was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you love <phileo> me” and he said to him, “Master, you know all things. You know that I love <phileo> you.” Yeshua said to him, “Feed the flock.{1} 18TRUTH, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself, and walked wherever you desired. But when you are old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you cannot go.” 19This he spoke, signifying how Kefa will glorify YHVH before his death.{1}

When Yeshua had spoken this, he said to Kefa, “Follow me.” 20Then Kefa turned around and saw the disciple whom Yeshua loved following (who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, “Master, which is he that betrayed you?”) 21and Kefa said to Yeshua, “Master, and what shall this man do?” 22Yeshua said to him, “If I will that he lives until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23Then this saying was spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple shall not die. Yet, Yeshua never said to him, “He shall not die,” but “If I will that he lives until I come, what is that to you?”{1}

{Jn 21:17.1} Yeshua asked Kefa (after denying him three times and then going back into the fishing industry), “Do you agape me – do you love me with a Divine love?” Kefa could not bring himself to confess such undying selfless love after such a disappointing end to his “I will never, ever forsake you – I will die for you” rhetoric. Kefa replied, “I phileo you – I love you like a friend – that is all that I can really be to you now.” Yeshua invites him to come back and feed the young lambs (the immature believers), but does not let him off the hook. Again he asks, “Do you agape me?” and Kefa still insists that he can only be a friend. Yeshua invites him to feed the mature sheep, and then Yeshua backs down the intensity and asks, “Kefa, do you phileo me?” Kefa responds, “You know my heart – you see right through me – you know my faults and how weak I really am – and you also know that I really do phileo you.” Yeshua then invites him to come back and feed the flock – both the mature sheep and the little lambs.

{Jn 21:19.1} Kefa is promised that he will live to an old age.

{Jn 21:23.1} In plain language: “Mind your own business – you have your own job to do!” The disciples started a rumor that came from not listening carefully to what Yeshua said in context. This is the problem of modern churchianity – it is based on rumors spread by those who did not carefully study what Yeshua said in its proper context. That is one of the main reasons why Yeshua said that most of those who purport to be his disciples will be told to depart from him on Judgment Day. They followed the rumors about Jesus, and never really knew the real Yeshua.

< 244 > “The Great Commission”

closing statements by the authors

Matthew 28:18-20 — Mark — Luke — John 21:24-25

Matthew 28:18 Then Yeshua came and spoke to his disciples, “All power and authority has been given to me in Heaven and in Earth. 19Go!{1} 20Teach all nations to carry out all the things that I have commanded you – forever.” According to Mattityahu [[Amen]]

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25There are also many other things which Yeshua did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the scrolls that should be written. According to Yochanan.{1} [[Amen]]

{Mt. 28:19.1} The KJV and late Greek manuscripts add the phrase “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Eusebius, in his Oration in praise of the Emperor Constantine chapter XVI, quoted this passage from Matthew (and did so another 18 times in his fourth century writings), “Go and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you.” The Ancient Hebrew Matthew provides a reading very close to the early manuscript Eusebius quoted, which reads, “Go and teach them to carry out all the things that I have commanded you – forever.” Those who had actually heard the instructions from Yeshua never baptized in the phrase (in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) nor is there any record of any historical group actually following this supposed instruction by speaking the actual name of the Father, and the name of the Son, and the name of the Holy Spirit as a part of any baptism ceremony. Both this phrase and the addition of the word “Amen” at the end of each Gospel appear to be post-Constantinian inventions.

{Jn 24:25.1} Later Greek texts and the KJV add the word “Amen” and omit “According to Yochanan,” a phrase which culminates verses 20 through 25 and finally identifies “the disciple whom Yeshua loved.” Even though the Gospel of John records that Yeshua loved Lazarus, “the disciple Yeshua loved” was also named as being at the last supper – and Lazarus was not there. Yochanan is the disciple who Yeshua loved and put in charge of the care of his mother, and who wrote this Gospel record. Just as it is throughout the Scriptures, one cannot fully understand the beginning until the end is understood – which requires one to read the record more than once.

< 245 > Yeshua foretells the coming of “the promise of the Father”

Matthew — Mark — Luke 24:45-49 — John

Luke 24:45 Then Yeshua opened their understanding so that they might understand the Scriptures. 46Then he said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Messiah to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day; 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Yerushalayim. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49Now, behold, I will send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Yerushalayim until you are endued with power from on high.”

< 246 > Yeshua ascends on the 40th day of the counting the Omer

[27th Day of the 2nd Month, 4028 FC; Thursday, June 10, 28 CE]

Week 69 — Day 481

Acts 1:3 “Being seen of them forty days…”

Matthew — Mark 16:15-19 — Luke 24:50-51 — John

Mark 16:15 Yeshua said to them, “Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believes and is mikveh-ed shall be saved; but he that does not believe will be judged. 17And these signs shall follow those who believe – in my name will they cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18and if serpents attach themselves or if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19After Yeshua had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of YHVH!

Luke 24:50 Yeshua led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

51And while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.{1}

{Lk 24:50.1} In Acts 1:3, Luke indicates that the ascension occurred when Yeshua had been “seen of them forty days.” His first appearance was on Yom haBikkurim (Day of Firstfruits) and this makes the day of the ascension the fortieth day of the counting of the Omer on the way to the fiftieth day (pentacosta). The fortieth day is not a significant marker in this prophetic countdown, and leaves the actual counting of the “seven Sabbaths” without prophetic fulfillment. May 15, 1948 was the day that Israel became “a nation in one day” by order of the United Nations (in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy). That year, May 15th fell on the “seventh Sabbath” of the counting (according to the Creator’s calendar rather than the rabbinic mathematical calendar system invented in 359 C.E.). The “seven Sabbaths” Israel has been counting since entering the land in the days of Joshua were finally fulfilled in this generation, while the world was blinded by their own invented calendar systems.

< 247 > Summary: The disciples return to Jerusalem and wait for the Feast of Shavuot

After Shavuot they go forth heralding the good news of the Kingdom

Matthew — Mark — Luke 24:52-53 — John

Luke 24:52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Yerushalayim with great joy, 53and were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing YHVH.

The good news according to Luke.{1} [[Amen]]

{Lk 24:53.1} Later Greek texts and the KJV add the word “Amen” and omit the phrase “The good news according to Luke.”

< 248 > Mark summarizes that which Luke details in the Acts of the Apostles; Yeshua, through the Ruach Kodesh, working with his disciples

Afterward they go forth heralding the good news of the Kingdom

Matthew — Mark 16:20 — Luke — John

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere; the master working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

The good news according to Mark.{1} [[Amen]]

{Mk 16:20.1} Later Greek texts and the KJV add the word “Amen” and omit the phrase “The good news according to Mark.”

The Acts of the Apostles

The seventy week ministry of the Messiah continues through the first chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles. His mission is fulfilled on Shavuot, which is the concluding celebration of the counting of seven Sabbaths after the Bikkurim (Firstfruits offering) is presented during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Shavuot, contrary to the modern Pharisee calendar, always falls on the first day of the week, the day after the seventh Sabbath, which is also the fiftieth day (~yfmx chamishiym – Hb.; penthkosth, pentacosta – Gk.) after Yom haBikkurim. Shavuot is the new beginning. It falls on the first day of the week. It begins the seventy-first week, and the four hundred ninety-first day after Yeshua commenced his ministry by his mikveh in the Jordan. Once the apostles are filled with the gift of the Ruach Kodesh at the Feast of Shavuot (when the Torah was shouted down from Mount Sinai), the Torah will be written on their hearts and they will receive their orders directly from the resurrected Messiah – just as is stated in verse 2 of Luke’s opening statement. On that momentous day we will learn from Shimon Kefa that this gift is available to everyone who calls on his name.

The book of The Acts is divinely divided into the three sections that Yeshua outlines in verse eight as he commands his apostles to be witnesses for him in Jerusalem (chapters 1-7), Judaea and Samaria (chapters 8-12), and the uttermost parts of the earth (chapters 13-28). Furthermore, there are eight landmark divisions, each of which are closed with summary statements just as is found in Luke’s former treatise. These summary statements are found in Acts 2:47, 6:7, 9:31, 11:21, 12:24, 16:5, 19:20, and 28:30.

< 249 > Luke summarizes his previous gospel account

Acts 1:1 A true word have I previously detailed,{1} O beloved of YHVH,{2} concerning all that Yeshua began both to do and to teach 2auntil the day in which he was taken up to heaven.{1}

{1:1.1} The previous account is the Gospel of Luke.

{1:1.2} Luke begins his previous account (Luke 1:1) with the same salutation “O theophilus – O beloved of YHVH.” Luke’s two records could have been put in the hands of a disciple named Theophilus who was living at that time, or perhaps more appropriately, addressed to all the “beloved of the Heavenly Father.”

{1:2.1} Luke’s previous record (Lk 24:51) concludes with the ascension: “It came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”

< 250 > Luke introduces the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ as they are directed by the Holy Spirit

1:2b After he was taken up Yeshua gave commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen, by way of the Ruach Kodesh, 3to whom also he showed himself alive after the things he suffered by many infallible proofs. Yeshua was seen of them forty days and spoke to them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of YHVH.

< 251 > Yeshua’s last instructions before his ascension

[27th Day of the 2nd Month, 4028 FC; Thursday, June 10, 28 CE]

Week 69 — Day 481

1:4 Finally, Yeshua gathered the apostles together and instructed them not to depart from Yerushalayim, but said, “Wait for the promise of the Father, concerning which you have already heard from me. 5For Yochanan truly mikveh-ed with water, but you shall be mikveh-ed with the Ruach Kodesh not many days from now.” 6Now, being together for the last time, they asked him, “Adonai, is it at this time that you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7Yeshua answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father reserves under his sole authority. 8But, I am telling you that you shall receive power after the Ruach Kodesh comes upon you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Yerushalayim,{1} in all Yehudah and Shomron,{2} and to the uttermost parts of the Earth.”{3}

9After he said these things, he was taken up and disappeared into the clouds as they watched. 10While they gazed intently into the sky as he went up, two men in white apparel stood by them 11and said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand here gazing up into heaven? This same Yeshua, who was just taken up from you into heaven, shall return in the same way that you saw him go.”

{1:8.1} Jerusalem – Acts 1-7

{1:8.2} Judaea and Samaria (KJV) – Acts 8-12

{1:8.3} Acts 13-28 – the uttermost parts of the Earth

< 252 > The apostles wait in Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot

[June 10 - 20, 28 CE]

Weeks 69 – 70 — Day 481 - 491

1:12 Then the apostles returned from the Mount of Olives, which is a Sabbath day’s journey from Yerushalayim. 13When they entered the city, they went to an upper room where Kefa, Yaakov, Yochanan, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Mattityahu, Yaakov the son of Alphaeus, Shimon the zealot, and Yehudah the brother of Yaakov all lived during this time.{1} 14They all continued together daily{1} in the place of prayer and supplication{2} with the women and Miriam the mother of Yeshua and Yeshua’s brothers.

{1:13.1} The men lived together in the upper room of a Jerusalem townhouse but gathered in Solomon’s Porch on the Temple Mount with the other disciples on a daily basis.

{1:14.1} In the Temple (Luke 24:53; Acts 2:46)

{1:14.2} <proseuch – proseuche> the place of prayer and supplication, i.e., Solomon’s Porch on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (Luke 24:52-53; Acts 3:11, 5:12).

< 253 > A successor to Yehudas is chosen without authorization or confirmation

1:15 In those intervening days, Kefa stood up in the midst of the disciples (the number of whom was about a hundred and twenty) and said, 16“Men and brothers, the scripture that the Ruach Kodesh spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Yehudas, who was the guide to those who arrested Yeshua, needs to be fulfilled 17because he was numbered among us and was chosen to be part of this ministry. 18However, this man purchased a field with the reward of his sin,{1} and now he has fallen upon his sword in the midst of this field, where all his bowels gushed out.{2} 19Now, this incident has become known to all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim so that the field is called [in Aramaic] Akeldama [the Field of Blood]. 20As it is written in the Psalms: ‘Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein,’{1} and, ‘Let another take on his ministry responsibility.’”{2}

{1:18.1} The reward of his sin was that which he had stolen from the disciples’ common purse (John 12:6, 13:29). The thirty pieces of silver which he received for betraying Yeshua were returned to the priests, thrown down at their feet, and then used to buy the potter’s field in which to bury strangers (Matthew 27:3-10). The potter’s field, which was the same parcel of land that Judas purchased, was where he hanged himself on his sword. His bowels gushed out, and the bloody mess he left behind earned that field the morbid nickname agros hematos (Greek) or Akeldama (Aramaic) – the Field of Blood.

{1:18.2} 1 Chronicles 10:5 details how one hangs himself on his sword in order to commit suicide. The concept of hanging by the neck is of much later origin and cannot account for the bowels gushing out and defiling the earth with blood.

{1:20.1} Psalm 69:25

{1:20.2} Psalm 109:8

1:21 “Therefore, of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the master Yeshua went in and out among us, 22beginning from the mikveh of Yochanan to the day he was taken up from us, one should be ordained to be a witness of Yeshua’s resurrection.” 23Then they selected two: Yoseph bar Saba (who was surnamed Yustus) and Mattityahu. 24Then they prayed, “YHVH, who knows the hearts of all men, show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Yehudas fell by his transgression, so that he might go to his own place.” 26Then they cast ballots, and the vote fell to Mattityahu. That is how he was numbered with the eleven apostles.{1}

{1:26.1} The apostles were never told to go to Jerusalem and choose a successor to Judas. They were told to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Ruach Kodesh. Kefa took it upon himself to choose a successor, and so they established the parameters of qualification that narrowed it down to two men. They prayed that heaven would reveal which of these two was to be chosen – and they received no answer. Finally, they took a vote and elected an apostle who we never hear of again. Several years later, on the road to Damascus, Yeshua meets face to face with Shaul, the man he chose to replace Judas and to become the apostle to the gentiles.

The Second Layer of Daniel’s Prophecy Fulfilled

Seventy Weeks – 490 Days

< 254> The gift of the Ruach Kodesh is poured out during the Feast of Shavuot

[8th Day of the 3rd Month, 4028 FC; Sunday, June 20, 28 CE]

Week 71 — Day 491

2:1 When the high day of Shavuot (Pentecost) had finally come, they were all together in one area of the Temple Mount.{1} 2Suddenly there came a sound like a rushing mighty wind from heaven, and it completely filled the Beit haMikdash,{1} where they were sitting. 3There appeared to them a pillar of fire, splitting apart and resting upon each of them, 4and they were all filled with the Ruach Kodesh and began to speak in other languages as the Ruach gave them the articulation.

{2:1.1} The apostles were staying on the top floor of a rented townhouse in Jerusalem – perhaps the same place where they had made preparations for Passover more than forty days earlier. Every day the apostles left their apartment and gathered with other disciples of Yeshua in Solomon’s Porch on the Temple Mount. There were about a hundred and twenty disciples staying in Jerusalem at this time, including women, waiting for the upcoming Feast of Shavuot. On Shavuot they were all in “the house” <oikos – oikos Gk.; tyb – beit Hb.; Acts 7:47 “Solomon built YHVH a house” = oikos>, which is the House of Prayer (Beit haMikdash). This is where the Divine rehearsal of Shavuot, a Feast of YHVH, was rehearsed for a thousand years, and where the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in the Feasts were fulfilled. The Holy Spirit was poured out in the presence of hundreds of thousands of devout Israelites who were obedient to come up to the Feast – just as we were instructed to do at Mount Sinai. That day about three thousand souls were added to the followers of the Messiah. They were mikveh-ed in the one hundred mikvaot at the north end of the Temple. Those new disciples then continued daily in the Temple with the apostles in prayer and in breaking bread from house to house. This is not some new thing that was started at the Feast of Shavuot; it was the fulfillment of that which was prophesied of old – the renewal of the blood covenant we broke at Sinai. The death penalty was satisfied by the shedding of innocent blood on our behalf. The day we broke the covenant at Sinai, about three thousand died. When the covenant was renewed on Mount Moreh-yah, about three thousand were saved. Without a clear understanding of the covenant made between the Creator and the nation of Israel at the initial giving of the Torah, it is impossible to understand that which Jeremiah prophesied about “a renewed covenant – the Torah written on our hearts” (Jeremiah 31:31).

{2:2.1} The KJV reads “the house,” not differentiating when it is, in context, speaking of “the house <oikos – oikos Gk.; tyb – beit Hb.> of prayer” (John 2:16-17); “the house <oikos> that Solomon built for YHVH” (Acts 7:47); or a simple residence where Miriam and Martha lived (John 11:20). To translate or teach that this “house” is the upper room of a Jerusalem townhouse is absurd. The heretical “upper room outpouring” doctrine is the foundation to replacement theology and demonstrative of the general biblical and historical illiteracy of Western Christianity. The apostles and the thousands of disciples from the Galilee were all gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot, just as they had faithfully done their entire lives. They were all on the Temple Mount as they were expected to be. When the gift of the Ruach Kodesh was given, the sound filled the entire House of Prayer, the Beit haMikdash, and they began to breathe in deeply, just as they were instructed by Yeshua a few days earlier (John 20:22 – event <238>). They saw a pillar of fire that divided and came upon each one of them and they were filled to overflowing with the Spirit.

2:5 At that time, there were devout Yehudim from every nation under heaven dwelling in Yerushalayim for the Feast of Shavuot. 6When this incident was heralded abroad, the multitude came together, but they were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own language. 7They were all amazed and marveled, saying to each other, “Look! Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how do we hear each of them speak in the dialects of the nations in which we were born? 9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who dwell in Mesopotamia, and Yehudah, and Cappadocia, and Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, and Egypt, in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, gentiles from Rome, both Yehudim and proselytes, even 11Cretes and Arabians – we hear them speak the wonderful works of YHVH in our own languages!”{1}

12They were all amazed, and wondered, saying one to another, “What does this mean?” 13Yet others mocked them, saying, “These men are full of brandy (sweet wine).”{1}

{2:11.1} There could have been 120 dialects represented by the countries listed here. They heard the Galileans speak the <dialektoj – dialektos > dialects of these countries as those who were native born.

{2:13.1} KJV new wine – This is not “new” or unfermented wine to which these mockers were inaccurately referring; it was fortified <gleukoj – glucose> sweet wine or <rkf – shechar> strong drink that Israel was invited to enjoy while celebrating the Feasts of YHVH in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 14:22-26). Kefa corrected them in verse 15, saying, “They are not drunk – it is only nine o’clock in the morning.” If it were nine o’clock at night, they may have had a valid point.

< 255 > Shimon Kefa explains the gift of the Ruach Kodesh

2:14 Then Kefa stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and said to the multitude, “You men of Yehudah, and all you who dwell at Yerushalayim, let this be this known to you, and listen carefully to my words: 15these men are not drunk as you suppose; it is only the third hour of the day (09:00 am)! 16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Yoel:{1} 17‘It shall come to pass in the last days, says YHVH, I will pour out my Ruach upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18In those days I will pour out my Ruach on my servants and on my handmaidens, and they shall prophesy. 19I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable Day of YHVH comes. 21It shall come to pass that whoever shall call on the name of YHVH shall be saved.’”{1}

{2:16.1} Literally, this is like that which was spoken by the prophet Yoel, in that this is a manifestation of the spirit being poured out on all flesh. This is not to mean that this is the time that the sun and moon will be darkened. Yoel’s prophecy is concerning the events immediately preceeding the Day of YHVH.

{2:21.1} Joel 2:28-32

2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Yeshua of Natzeret was a man approved of YHVH by miracles and wonders and signs, which YHVH did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also acknowledge. 23But when he was delivered by the predetermined counsel and foreknowledge of YHVH, you took him, and by wicked hands crucified and killed him! 24Yet, YHVH has raised him up, having loosed the pains of death, since it was not possible that he should be held by death, 25because David spoke concerning him: ‘I set YHVH always before my face, for he is on my right hand. I shall not be moved. 26Therefore, my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. My flesh shall rest in hope 27because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. 28You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy, and at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’{1}

29“Men and brothers, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us to this day. 30Being a prophet, and knowing that YHVH had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Messiah to sit on his throne, 31David foresaw this event and prophesied of the resurrection of Messiah, ‘His soul was not left in hell, neither did his flesh see corruption.’{1} 32This Yeshua has YHVH raised up, to which we are all witnesses. 33Therefore, being exalted at the right hand of YHVH, and having received of the Father the promise of the Ruach Kodesh, he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear. 34David has not ascended into the heavens, but he himself said, ‘YHVH said to adoni, Sit at my right hand 35until I make your foes your footstool.’{1} 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that YHVH has made this same Yeshua, whom you have crucified, both YHVH{1} and Messiah.”

{2:28.1} Psalm 16:8-11; {2:31.1} Psalm 16:8-11; {2:35.1} Psalm 110:1-7

{2:36.1} This is the title and the authority given to Yeshua by the Father: <twabc YHVH – YHVH Tze’vaot> YHVH of Hosts – YHVH of his armies (Zechariah 14:16-21; Matthew 28:18; I Corinthians 12:3). All authority has been given to him by the Father. His position and authority is also borne out in Psalm 110:5 where the Massoretic text and the Aramaic Targum of this Psalm indicates that the original manuscript reading of “…adonay at thy right hand” was “YHVH at thy right hand” (the right hand of YHVH referred to in verse 1). See event <171> for a detailed explanation of Psalm 110 – and to understand why the Pharisees could not answer Yeshua’s question concerning the title and authority of the son of David.

< 256 > Those who believed were mikveh-ed and became disciples of the apostles

2:37 When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said to Kefa and to the rest of the apostles, “Men and brothers, what shall we do?” 38Then Kefa said to them, “Repent, and be mikveh-ed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Ruach Kodesh. 39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as YHVH our Elohim shall call.” 40With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41Then they that gladly received his word were mikveh-ed, and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.

2:42 They all continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things common, 45and they sold their possessions and goods and shared them with all, as every man had need. 46They continued daily with one accord in the Temple and in breaking bread from house to house, and did eat their meals together with gladness and singleness of heart, 47praising YHVH and having favor with all the people…

< 257 > First summary statement:

2:47b …and YHVH added to the kehilah daily, those who were being saved.

IX. After Shavuot through Shaul’s Incarceration in Rome (June 20, 28 CE – to ~65 CE)

< 258 > Kefa and Yochanan are arrested by the Sanhedrin for healing a lame man

3:1 Kefa and Yochanan went up together into the Temple at the morning hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2A certain man, lame from his mother’s womb, was carried and laid daily at the beautiful [Nicanor] gate of the Temple to ask alms of those who entered. 3Seeing Kefa and Yochanan about to go into the Temple, he asked for alms. 4Kefa, fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan, said, “Look at us.” 5He obliged them, expecting to receive something from them. 6Then Kefa said, “I have no silver or gold, but that which I do have, I give you. In the name of Yeshua Messiah of Natzeret, rise up and walk.” 7He took him by the right hand, lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8He leaped up and stood, and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, leaping, and praising YHVH. 9All the people saw him walking and praising YHVH, 10and they knew that it was he who asked for alms at the Nicanor gate of the Temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him. 11As the lame man who was healed embraced Kefa and Yochanan, all the people ran together into Solomon’s porch, greatly marveling.

12When Kefa saw the people, he responded, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look so earnestly at us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man walk? 13The Elohim of Avraham, and of Yitzhak, and of Yaakov, the Elohim of our fathers, has glorified his Son Yeshua, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. 14You denied the Holy and Just One, and desired a murderer to be released to you. 15You killed the Prince of life, whom YHVH has raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16By his name, and through faith in his name has this man been made strong. You see him and you know him, and yes, faith in Yeshua has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17Now brothers, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers. 18But those things that Messiah suffered, which YHVH had declared beforehand by the mouth of all his prophets, he has thus fulfilled. 19Therefore, repent and be converted so that your sins may be blotted out, so that when the times of revival come from the presence of YHVH, 20he shall send forth Yeshua Messiah, who was already proclaimed to you, 21and whom heaven must receive until the time of the restoration of all things, of which YHVH has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22For truly Moshe said to our fathers, ‘YHVH your Elohim shall raise up unto you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You shall hear and obey everything he tells you. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear and obey The Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.’”{1}

{3:23.1} Deuteronomy 18:15-20

3:24 “Yes, and all the prophets from Shmu’el and those that followed after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which YHVH made with our fathers, saying to Avraham, ‘In your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26To you first, YHVH raised up his Son Yeshua, and sent him to bless you by turning every one of you away from your iniquities.”

4:1 As they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and the Zadokim came down on them, 2being grieved that they taught the people and preached through Yeshua the resurrection from the dead. 3They arrested Kefa and Yochanan and confined them until the next day, for it was now nearing sunset. 4However, many of them who heard the word believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5The next day, their rulers, elders, sages, 6Annas the Cohen Gadol, Caiaphas, Yochanan, Alexander, and as many as were of the lineage of the cohenim were gathered together at Yerushalayim. 7When they had set Kefa and Yochanan before them, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach Kodesh, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 9if we are being examined today concerning the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, 10let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yeshua Messiah of Natzeret, whom you crucified, whom YHVH raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was counted as nothing by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. 12There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”

13Now, when they saw the boldness of Kefa and Yochanan and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled and recognized that they had been with Yeshua. 14But seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15They commanded them to go out of the Hall of Hewn Stones while they conferred among themselves, 16“What shall we do to these men? Indeed a notable miracle has been done by them and is manifest to all who dwell in Yerushalayim, and we cannot deny it. 17But so that it spread no further among the people, let us sternly threaten them that from this time forward they do not speak to any man in this name.” 18They called them back in and commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Yeshua. 19But Kefa and Yochanan answered and said to them, “You judge whether it is right in the sight of YHVH to hear and obey you more than YHVH. 20For we can only speak the things we have seen and heard.” 21So they further threatened them and let them go, not finding any way that they might punish them because of the pressure from the people. Everyone was glorifying YHVH for that which was done 22because the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23When they were released, they went to their own company and reported all that the ruling cohenim and elders had said to them. 24When they heard their report they lifted up their voices to YHVH with one accord and said, “Adonai, you are YHVH, who has made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them, 25who by the mouth of your servant David has said, ‘Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth take their rebellious stand, and the rulers conspire together against YHVH and against his Messiah.’”{1}

{4:26.1} Psalm 2

4:27 ”For indeed against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28to do whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done. 29Now, YHVH, behold their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word. 30Stretch forth your hand to heal and do signs and wonders by the name of your holy servant Yeshua.” 31When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled to overflowing with the Ruach Kodesh and spoke the word of YHVH with boldness.

32The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33The apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the master Yeshua with great power, and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them who lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses{1} sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold 35and laid them down at the apostles’ feet. Distribution was made according to the need of every man.

{4:34.1} These possessors of lands and houses sold their pluralities to minister to the needs of the body. Individuals did not sell their only house and become homeless so that the apostles could all live lavishly.

< 259 > Yoseph, a Levite, (surnamed bar Nava) joins the apostles

4:36 At that time Yoseph (Yose), who by the apostles was surnamed bar Nava (son of a prophet), a Levite from the island of Cyprus, 37sold land that he owned, and he brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.{1}

5:1 Then a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession 2and secretly kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it. He brought a portion of the proceeds and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Kefa said, “Ananias, why has hasatan filled your heart to lie to the Ruach Kodesh and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Before you sold it, was it not your own land? After it was sold, was not the money yours to do with as you pleased? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to YHVH.” 5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down dead. Great awe and respect came on all those who heard these things. 6The younger men arose, wound him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7About three hours later his wife came in but did not know what had happened. 8Kefa asked her pointedly, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9Then Kefa said to her, “How is it that you and your dead husband have agreed together to tempt the Ruach of YHVH? Look, the feet of those who have just finished burying your husband are at the door. Now they will carry you out.” 10She immediately fell down dead at his feet. The young men came in, and confirming that she was dead, carried her out and buried her near her husband. 11So, great respect came upon all the kehilah{1} and upon all who heard these things.

{4:37.1} Levites are forbidden from owning personal property (Deuteronomy 18:1-8). This Levite repents, and he is then welcomed into the inner circle of the apostles, who call him “son of a prophet” (Barnabas - KJV). Another couple in the assembly, Ananias and Sapphira, see the honor with which the repentant Levite is received, and they attempt to manipulate their way into the ministry.

{5:11.1} Church (KJV) – is <ekklhsia – ekklesia> (Greek), which refers to the “assembly” of believers. Ekklesia was used for the first time in the Septuagint (Deuteronomy 18:16) to translate the Hebrew word <lhq – kahal> – the “called out” or the “assembly of Israel” who were gathered at Mount Sinai to enter into the covenant with YHVH. The word kehilah is more accurate than the English word “church,” which comes from the old English kirke, from which is derived from the word “circus,” where an entertaining “dog and pony show” takes place. Unfortunately, the word circus does more accurately define the assembly of believers in modern-day churchianity. William Tyndale translated ekklhsia as church twice in his Bible – both times in reference to pagan temples. This provoked the Roman “church” to burn him at the stake.

5:12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, and they all gathered with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13After this incident no one else dared to join himself to the apostles, and they had great respect among the people. 14More and more believers were added to the Messiah, multitudes of both men and women. 15They even brought the sick out into the streets on their beds and couches so that, at the least, the shadow of Kefa passing by might fall upon some of them. 16There also came a multitude out of the cities round about to Yerushalayim who brought sick folks and those who were tormented with demonic spirits. Every one of them was healed.

< 260 > The Zadokim priests have the apostles arrested

5:17 Then the Cohen Gadol rose up, and all the sect of the Zadokim that were with him, and they were filled with indignation. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison, 19but the angel of YHVH opened the prison doors that night and brought them out. The angel instructed them, saying, 20“Go; stand and speak to the people in the Temple all the words of this life.” 21They heard and obeyed the instructions from the angel and they entered into the Temple early in the morning and taught. The Cohen Gadol and those who were with him called the Sanhedrin together with all the senate of the children of Israel, and they sent the guard to the prison to have them brought before the Great Assembly. 22But when the officers arrived and did not find them in the prison, they returned to the Hall of Hewn Stones and reported, 23“We truly found the prison shut with all safety and the keepers standing outside in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no man within.”

24When the Cohen Gadol and the captain of the Temple guard and the ruling cohenim heard these things, they considered how this could spread. 25Then someone came in to the assembly and told them, “The men you put in prison are standing in the Temple and teaching the people!” 26Then the captain went with the officers and took them without using violence because they feared being stoned by the people. 27When they brought them, they set them before the council, and the Cohen Gadol asked them, 28“Did we not straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? Now look what you have done! You have filled Yerushalayim with your doctrine and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us!” 29Then Kefa and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey YHVH rather than men! 30The Elohim of our fathers raised up Yeshua, whom you slew and hung on a tree. 31Now, YHVH has exalted him at his right hand to be a King and Savior{1} and to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32We are his witnesses of all these things, and so also is the Ruach Kodesh, whom YHVH has given to them who obey him.”

{5:31.1} In verse 32 the Ruach Kodesh bears witness that Kefa accurately interpreted Psalm 110 as referring to Yeshua fulfilling both ministries prophesied by David – at the right hand of YHVH, the Lord, who will be both King (from the lineage of King David and the tribe of Judah) and Cohen Gadol (High Priest) forever (after the order of the Melek Tzadek). This ends the endless debates of those who would twist this messianic prophecy to fit their own agendas. Furthermore, according to pp. 105-115 of the Ginsburg edition of the Masorah, Psalm 110:5 originally read “YHVH at thy right hand (the right hand of YHVH – verse 1) shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath…” YHVH at the right hand of YHVH can be none other than “his anointed – my King – my Son – the Son whose wrath will be kindled but a little” of Psalm 2. See also Matthew 22:41-46; I Corinthians 12:3.

< 261 > Gamliel the wise instructs the Sanhedrin

5:33 When they heard their words, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. 34Then a Pharisee named Gamliel, a doctor of Torah law, of great reputation among all the people, stood up in the Great Assembly and commanded that the apostles be removed from the hall for a period of time. 35Then he addressed the Great Assembly, saying, “You men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined themselves to him. When he was slain, those who followed him were scattered, and his entire movement came to nothing. 37After this, Yehudah the Galilean arose in the days of the census, and many people followed after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38Now, I am telling you to refrain from touching these men. Leave them alone! If this counsel or this work is of man, it will come to nothing, 39but if it is of YHVH, you cannot overthrow it! You may even find yourselves fighting against YHVH.”

40So they agreed. They called the apostles back into the Assembly, beat them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Yeshua. Then they let them go. 41When they departed from the presence of the Assembly, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, 42and they did not stop teaching and preaching Yeshua Messiah daily in the Temple and from house to house.

< 262 > The “Greek Seven” are ordained to serve

6:1 In those days the number of the disciples multiplied, and there arose a grievance among the Greeks against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, “It is not appropriate that we should leave the word of YHVH to serve tables. 3Therefore, brothers, choose from among yourselves seven men of good reputation and full of the Ruach Kodesh and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this business, 4but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5This decision pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Ruach Kodesh, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch. 6They set them before the apostles, who prayed and laid hands on them.

< 263 > Second summary statement:

6:7 The word of YHVH increased, causing the number of the disciples in Yerushalayim to multiply greatly, and even a great company of the cohenim were obedient to the faith.

< 264 > Stephen is arraigned before the Sanhedrin

6:7 Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9Then there arose certain of the synagogue of the Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those of Cilicia and of Asia who disputed with Stephen. 10They were not able to resist either the wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke. 11Then they induced certain men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moshe and against YHVH.” 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came upon Stephen suddenly and seized him, and they brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They called false witnesses, who testified, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah! 14We heard him say that this Yeshua of Natzeret will destroy the Temple and change the instructions Moshe delivered to us.” 15All that sat in the Assembly, looking at him intently, saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

7:1 Then said the high priest, “Are these things so?” 2Stephen said, “Men, brothers, fathers – listen to me! The Elohim of glory appeared to our father Avraham when he was in Mesopotamia, even before he dwelt in Haran, 3and he said to him, ‘Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you.’{1} 4So Avraham came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. After his father died, YHVH removed him from there and brought him into this land where you now dwell. 5But YHVH gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on, yet even when Avraham had no child, YHVH promised that he would give it to him and to his seed after him for a possession.{1} 6YHVH told Avraham, ‘Your seed will temporarily reside in a strange land, the people of which will enslave and abuse them for four hundred years.{1} 7But I will judge the nation which brings them into bondage,’ said YHVH, ‘and after that I will bring them out, and they will serve me in this place.’{1} 8YHVH gave Avraham the covenant of circumcision. So Avraham fathered Yitzhak, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Yitzhak fathered Yaakov; and Yaakov fathered the twelve patriarchs.”

{7:3.1} Genesis 12:1

{7:5.1} Genesis 12:7, 13:15, 15:18, 17:8

{7:6.1} Genesis 15:13

{7:7.1} Exodus 3:12

7:9 “Then the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Yoseph into Egypt, but YHVH was with him 10and delivered him out of all his afflictions. YHVH gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and Pharaoh made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11Now there came a famine over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, causing great affliction, and our fathers were not able to find food. 12When Yaakov heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there for the first time. 13The second time they went down into Egypt, Yoseph was made known to his brothers, and Yoseph’s family was made known to Pharaoh. 14Then Yoseph sent for his father Yaakov and all his family, seventy-five people in all. 15So Yaakov went down into Egypt, and he and our fathers died there. 16Their bones were carried back to Sh’khem and laid in the sepulcher that Avraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Sh’khem. 17But when the time drew near for YHVH to fulfill the promise which he had sworn to Avraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18until there arose another king, who knew nothing about Yoseph.{1} 19He dealt deceitfully with our people and afflicted our fathers cruelly, forcing them to cast out their newborn babies so that they would die. 20At that time Moshe was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of YHVH. He was nursed in his father’s house for three months, 21and when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him in and raised him as her own son.”

{7:18.1} Exodus 1:8

7:22 “Moshe was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. 23When he was fully forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24Seeing one of them being treated unjustly, he defended and avenged the oppressed man by killing the Egyptian, 25for he supposed his brothers would understand how YHVH was delivering them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26The next day he came upon two who were fighting, and he tried to make peace between them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you wrong one another?’ 27But the man who was hurting his neighbor thrust Moshe away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?{1} 28Will you kill me like you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’{1} 29Upon hearing this, Moshe fled, and he was a stranger in the land of Midian,{1} where he fathered two sons.”{2}

{7:27.1} Exodus 2:14; Acts 7:35

{7:28.1} Exodus 2:14

{7:29.1} Exodus 2:15

{7:29.2} Exodus 2:22; 18:3-4

7:30 “When forty years had passed, the angel of YHVH appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai in the flames a burning bush. 31When Moshe saw it, he wondered at the sight, and as he drew near to see it, the voice of YHVH came to him, 32saying, ‘I am the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Avraham, and the Elohim of Yitzhak, and the Elohim of Yaakov.’ Then Moshe trembled, and he dared not approach further. 33Then YHVH said to him, ‘Take your shoes off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34Truly I have seen{1} the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and have come down to deliver them. Come now; I will send you into Egypt.’ 35This same Moshe, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ YHVH sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36Moshe brought them out after performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.

37“This is the same Moshe who said to the children of Israel, ‘YHVH your Elohim shall raise up to you a prophet like unto me, from among your brothers, and you shall hear and obey him.’{1} 38This is that Moshe who was in the kehilah in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received the living oracles to give to us. 39Our fathers would not obey him, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts they turned back again into Egypt, 40saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us, for as for this Moshe, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’{1} 41In those days they made a calf and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42Then YHVH turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the scroll of the prophets, ‘O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness?’{1}

{7:34.1} KJV “I have seen, I have seen” – emphasis is expressed in bold type rather than repetition.

{7:37:1} Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Acts 3:22

{7:40.1} Exodus 32:1, 23

{7:42.1} Amos 5:25

7:43 “Yes, you adopted the house of obelisks of Moloch, and the star of your god Rimmon,{1} images which you made by which to worship them, and for this YHVH said, ‘I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’{2} 44Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as YHVH had appointed, speaking to Moshe, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. 45Our fathers that came after brought it in with Yehoshua into the land they possessed from the gentiles, whom YHVH drove out before the face of our fathers until the time of David, 46who found favor before YHVH and desired to find a tabernacle for the Elohim of Yaakov. 47But it was Solomon who built him a house; 48however, the most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet said, 49‘Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool; what house will you build me? said YHVH, or What is the place of my rest?{1} 50Has not my hand made all these things?’{1}

{7:43.1} The star of Remphan <remfan – rhemphan> (KJV), meaning shorter or shrunken, is the star of Rimmon <!wmr – rimmon> pomegranate, which also means shrunken. Rimmon was worshipped by the Assyrians (II Kings 5:18; Amos 5:26). The shrunken remnant of the flower on the bottom of the pomegranate is the star shape of the seal of Solomon, which was later named the “Star of David.”

{7:43.2} Amos 5:26-27

{7:49.1} Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:35

{7:50.1} Isaiah 66:2

7:51 “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Ruach Kodesh. As your fathers did, so do you. 52Which of the prophets have your fathers not persecuted? They have slain those who announced long ago the coming of the Righteous One; of whom you have now become the betrayers and murderers. 53You received the Torah by the disposition of angels, yet you have not kept it.”

< 265 > Stephen is stoned by the Sanhedrin, and Shaul is responsible for his death

7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him. 55But he, being full of the Ruach Kodesh, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of YHVH and Yeshua standing on the right hand of YHVH. 56He cried, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of YHVH.” 57At this they stopped their ears, cried out with a loud voice, and rushed at him all at once. 58They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Shaul. 59They stoned Stephen, who called upon YHVH and cried, “Adonai Yeshua, receive my spirit!” 60Then he fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “ YHVH! Do not lay this sin to their charge!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

8:1 Shaul sanctioned Stephen’s execution, and at that time there was a great persecution against the kehilah at Yerushalayim. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Yehudah and Shomron, except the apostles. 2Devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Shaul, he wreaked havoc on the kehilah. Entering into every house, he arraigned men and women and incarcerated them in prison. 4Those that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

< 266 > Philip ministers among the Samaritans

8:5 Philip went down to the city of Shomron and preached Messiah to them. 6With one accord the people gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles he did. 7Demonic spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8There was great joy in that city. 9But there was a certain man called Shimon, a practitioner of sorcery in the same city, who astonished the people of Shomron, claiming to be someone great. 10They all gave him great attention, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of Elohim.” 11They regarded him highly because for a long time he had bewitched them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip’s preaching concerning the kingdom of YHVH and the name of Yeshua Messiah, they were mikveh-ed, both men and women. 13Then Shimon himself also believed, and when he was mikveh-ed, he continued with Philip, and he wondered as he beheld the miracles and signs that were done.

14When the apostles who were at Yerushalayim heard that the people of Shomron had received the word of YHVH, they sent Kefa and Yochanan to them. 15When they came down, they prayed for them that they might receive the Ruach Kodesh 16(for as yet it had fallen upon none of them; they were only mikveh-ed in the name of the Messiah Yeshua). 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Ruach Kodesh. 18When Shimon saw that the Ruach Kodesh was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, so that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Ruach Kodesh.” 20But Kefa said to him, “May your money rot with you, because you thought that the gift of YHVH could be purchased. 21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of YHVH. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray that YHVH would forgive the intent of your heart, 23for I perceive that you are in bitter bondage to sin.” 24Then Shimon answered and said, “Pray to YHVH for me that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me.” 25After they had testified and preached the word of YHVH, they returned to Yerushalayim, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans along the way.

< 267 > Philip departs for the desert of Gaza

8:26 Then the angel of YHVH spoke to Philip, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Yerushalayim to Gaza, which is desert.” 27He arose and went, and behold, he saw a man from Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority who had the charge of all the treasure of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He had come to Yerushalayim to worship 28and was returning home, sitting in his chariot and reading Yeshayahu the prophet. 29Then the Ruach said to Philip, “Go over and join that chariot.” 30Philip ran to him, and he heard him reading the prophet Yeshayahu. Philip said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31He said, “How can I, except someone should guide me?” He asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32The place in the scripture where he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth. 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away, and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”{1} 34The eunuch asked Philip, “Please tell me, of whom is the prophet speaking, of himself, or of some other man?” 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and he began at the same scripture and preached Yeshua to him.

{8:33.1} Isaiah 53:1-12

8:36 As they went on their way, they came to some water: and the eunuch said, “See, here is some water! What prevents me from being mikveh-ed?” 37And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Yeshua Messiah is the Son of YHVH.” 38He commanded the chariot to stand still, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip mikveh-ed him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Ruach of YHVH caught Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip immediately found himself at Azotus, and passing through, he preached in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

< 268 > Yeshua calls Shaul on his way to Damascus

9:1 Shaul, who was still threatening to slaughter the disciples of Messiah, went to the Cohen Gadol 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus stating that if he found anyone belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he had the authority to bring them bound to Yerushalayim. 3As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly, there shone round about him a light from heaven. 4He fell to the earth, and he heard a voice saying to him in the Hebrew language,{1} “Shaul, Shaul, why do you persecute me?” 5He said, “Who are you, Adonai?” The Messiah said, “I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting! It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6Shaul, trembling and astonished, said, “Adonai, what do you want me to do?” Yeshua said to him,{1} “Arise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do.” 7The men who journeyed with him remained speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Shaul arose from the earth, but when his eyes were opened he saw no one. They led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus 9where he was without sight for three days, during which he neither ate nor drank.

{9:4.1} Acts 26:14

{9:6.1} Verses 5b through 6a (all italicized words in the KJV) are not in any early Greek manuscripts, but were borrowed from a portion of the recorded dialogue of Acts 26:14.

9:10 There was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and in a vision, the Messiah called to him, “Ananias!” He responded, “Behold, I am here Adonai.” 11The Messiah said to him, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire at the house of Yehudah for one called Shaul of Tarsus, who is there, praying. 12He has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias came in and put his hand on him so that he might receive his sight.” 13Then Ananias answered, “Adonai, I have heard from many concerning this man and how much evil he has done to your saints at Yerushalayim, 14and here he has authority from the Cohen Gadol to bind all that call on your name.” 15But the Messiah said to him, “Go your way, for I have chosen him as a vessel to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, 16and I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17So Ananias went his way and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, “Brother Shaul, the Messiah Yeshua, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Ruach Kodesh.” 18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight at once, and he arose and was mikveh-ed. 19aWhen he had eaten some food, he was strengthened.

< 269 > Shaul narrowly escapes death after teaching in the Damascus synagogue

9:19b Shaul stayed with the disciples who were at Damascus for several days and 20he immediately began preaching Messiah in the synagogues, declaring boldly that he is the Son of YHVH. 21All that heard him were amazed, and said, “Is this not the man who destroyed those in Yerushalayim who called on Yeshua’s name? Did he not come here for the purpose of arresting them and taking them back to the Cohen Gadol?” 22Shaul increased all the more in strength and confounded the Yehudim who dwelt at Damascus, proving that Yeshua is the very Messiah. 23After many days had passed, the Yehudim plotted to kill him, 24but their plot became known to Shaul. They also watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket.

< 270 > Bar Nava introduces Shaul to the disciples in Jerusalem

9:26 When Shaul returned to Yerushalayim, he attempted to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But bar Nava took him, brought him to the apostles, and told them how Shaul had seen the Messiah on the way and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly in Damascus in the name of Yeshua. 28So he joined with them, coming in and going out at Yerushalayim. 29He spoke boldly in the name of the Messiah Yeshua, and he disputed with the Greek-speaking Yehudim, but they also plotted to kill him. 30When the brothers learned about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and then sent him to Tarsus.

< 271 > Third summary statement:

9:31 Then the kehilot had rest throughout all Yehudaea and Galilee and Shomron. They were edified and were multiplied, and walked in the fear of YHVH and in the comfort of the Ruach Kodesh.

< 272 > Kefa goes to Joppa and raises Tabitha from the dead

9:32 It came to pass that as Kefa traveled about, he also came down to visit the saints who dwelt at Lydda. 33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was sick with the palsy. 34Kefa said to him, “Aeneas, Yeshua Messiah makes you whole, arise and make your bed” and he arose immediately. 35All that dwelt at Lydda and Saron who saw this miracle turned to Messiah.

36Now there was at Yaffo a certain disciple named Tabitha (which by interpretation is female Gazelle). This woman was always doing good works and helping the poor. 37It came to pass in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they laid her in an upper room, 38and because Lydda was near Yaffo, when the disciples heard that Kefa was there, they sent two men to him to ask him to come to them without delay. 39So Kefa arose and went with them. When he came, they brought him into the upper room, and all the widows stood around him, weeping and showing the coats and garments Tabitha had made while she was with them. 40Then Kefa sent them all out, and he knelt down and prayed. Turning to her body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Kefa, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42This became known throughout all Yaffo, and many believed in the Messiah. 43Then Kefa stayed in Yaffo for many days with Shimon, a tanner.

< 273 > The servants of a gentile centurion call on Kefa

10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the famed Italian detachment. 2He was a devout man who feared YHVH with all his house, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to YHVH continually. 3At about the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of YHVH coming to him, saying, “Cornelius.” 4And when he looked at him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Adonai?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before YHVH. 5Now send men to Yaffo and call for Shimon, whose surname is Kefa. 6He is staying with a man called Shimon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He shall tell you what you need to do.” 7When the angel departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and one of the devoted soldiers who waited on him continually. 8When he had told them all these things, he sent them to Yaffo.

< 274 > Kefa adamantly instructed “call no man defiled or unclean!”

10:9 The next day, as the emissaries of Cornelius went on their journey and drew near to the city, Kefa went up upon the housetop to pray at about the sixth hour. 10He became very hungry and would have eaten, but while they were preparing the meal, he received an open vision. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a great sheet gathered at the four corners descended to the earth. 12In the sheet were all kinds of rodents, and carnivorous animals, and crawling insects, and carrion eaters, and birds of prey. 13He heard a voice say to him, “Rise, Kefa. Kill and eat!” 14But Kefa refused, “Not so, Adonai, for I have never eaten anything that is defiled or unclean.” 15Then the voice spoke to him again the second time, “What YHVH has cleansed, do not call defiled.” 16This was done three times, and the sheet returned again into heaven.

17Now while Kefa pondered what this vision meant, the men who were sent from Cornelius had asked where Shimon’s house was and were standing outside the gate. 18They called out, asking whether Shimon, who was surnamed Kefa, was lodging there. 19While Kefa pondered the meaning of the vision, the Ruach said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20Arise, and go down. Go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.” 21Then Kefa went down to the men Cornelius had sent to him and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?” 22They said, “The centurion Cornelius, a just man who fears YHVH and is well spoken of among the whole Jewish nation, was instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.” 23So Kefa invited them in, and they stayed the night with him. The next day Kefa went with them, and some of the brothers from Yaffo accompanied him.

24The next day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius had called together his family and close friends and they were waiting for them. 25As Kefa was coming in, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Kefa made him get up, saying, “Stand up. I myself am just a man.” 27As he talked with Cornelius, Kefa went into the house and found many people gathered together. 28Kefa said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Yehudi to keep company with or visit someone of another nation, but YHVH has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.{1} 29So I came to you without argument as soon as I was sent for. Therefore, I ask you, why have you sent for me?”

{10:28.1} Kefa was a follower of the Messiah and kept the commandments concerning not eating abominable flesh. Nothing that Yeshua did or said could add to or diminish from the commandments that the Almighty gave us at Sinai (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). Kefa pondered the meaning of this strange vision, yet he did not go down to the street, kill a cat, and roast it on the rooftop. The Holy Spirit gave him direction concerning the vision (that occurred three times) and told him to go with three men, doubting nothing that they were about to tell him. Kefa fully understood the vision and plainly said, “YHVH has shown me that I should not call any man defiled or unclean.” Only those who refuse to hear what Kefa confessed to his unexpected gentile guests can construe that this vision is about eating pigs, spiders, monkey brains or sewer rats – if that is “what is set before you.” (See event <132>).

10:30 Cornelius related to Kefa, “Four days ago I was fasting until this time, and at the ninth hour, as I prayed in my house, I beheld a man standing before me in bright clothing. 31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of YHVH. 32Therefore, send to Yaffo and call for Shimon, whose surname is Kefa. He lodges in the house of Shimon, a tanner, who lives by the seaside. When he comes, he shall speak to you.’ 33So I Immediately sent for you, and it is good that you have come. This is why we are all present here before YHVH to hear all the things he has commanded you.”

34Then Kefa opened his mouth and said, “Truth, I perceive that YHVH is no respecter of persons, 35but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him. 36The word which YHVH sent to the children of Israel – preaching peace by Yeshua Messiah (who is master of all) – 37that word, as you already know, began in the Galilee with the mikveh which Yochanan preached, and was later published throughout all Yehudah. 38YHVH anointed Yeshua of Natzeret with the Ruach Kodesh and with power, and he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of hasatan, for YHVH was with him. 39We are witnesses of all the things which he did both in the land of the Yehudim and in Yerushalayim. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40but YHVH raised him on the third day and revealed him openly – 41not to all the people but to witnesses chosen before by YHVH, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42Then he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was ordained of YHVH to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43Concerning him all the prophets testify that through his name, whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.”

< 275 > Gentiles are filled with the gift of the Ruach Kodesh and speak in tongues

10:44 While Kefa spoke these words, the Ruach Kodesh fell on all them who heard the word. 45They of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Kefa, because the Gift of the Ruach Kodesh was also poured out on the gentiles, 46for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify YHVH. Then Kefa answered, 47“Can anyone forbid water that these should not be mikveh-ed who have received the Ruach Kodesh just as we have?”{1} 48So Kefa commanded them to be mikveh-ed in the name of Yeshua Messiah.{1} Then they asked him to remain for some days.

{10:47.1} In this incident, the mikveh in the Spirit by Yeshua preceded the mikveh in water by Kefa.

{10:48.1} The modern baptism service recites the phrase: “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (KJV – Matthew 28:19), which does not appear in any of the ancient Hebrew texts of Matthew’s Gospel, nor was it an instruction that was ever carried out by the apostles. Early in the fourth century CE, Eusebius quoted Matthew 28:19 nineteen times, “baptizing them in my name” – rather than “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” as recorded in later Greek manuscripts. Kefa and the other apostles, who had heard the Messiah’s original command, were faithful to carry out his instructions explicitly. They always baptized in Yeshua’s name (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, 22:16). Those who follow the modern texts of Matthew rarely, if ever, baptize in the actual names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – but rather repeat just the slogan and omit the names altogether.

< 276 > Kefa sets the kehilah straight on the gentiles coming to faith issue

11:1 The apostles and brothers that were in Yehudah heard that the gentiles had also received the word of YHVH. 2So, when Kefa came up to Yerushalayim, they that were of the circumcision{1} contended with him, 3charging, “You went into the home of uncircumcised gentiles and ate with them?” 4So, Kefa rehearsed the matter from the beginning and expounded it to them in order, saying, 5“I was in the city of Yaffo praying and I saw an open vision. Something like a great sheet was let down from heaven by its four corners directly in front of me. 6When I had fastened my eyes on it, I saw rodents, and carnivorous animals, and crawling insects, and carrion eaters, and birds of prey. 7And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Arise, Kefa. Kill and eat!’ 8But I said, ‘Not so, Adonai, for no defiled, unclean abomination has at any time entered into my mouth.’ 9But the voice spoke to me again from heaven, ‘What YHVH has cleansed, do not call defiled.’ 10This was done three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven. 11Immediately there were three men, sent to me from Caesarea, who had already arrived at the house. 12The Ruach again spoke to me and told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Even these six brothers also accompanied me to Caesarea, and we all entered into the man’s house. 13He told us how he had seen an angel, who stood in his house and said to him, ‘Send men to Yaffo, and call for Shimon, whose surname is Kefa. 14He will give you a message, by which you and all your household shall be saved.’” 15“As I began to speak to them, the Ruach Kodesh fell on them, as it did on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the master, who said, ‘Yochanan indeed mikveh-ed with water, but you shall be mikveh-ed with the Ruach Kodesh.’ 17Therefore, if YHVH gave them the same gift he gave to us, who also believed on the master Yeshua Messiah, who was I that I could hinder YHVH? [And that is when I commanded that these should be mikveh-ed in water in obedience to the master’s command.]” 18When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified YHVH, saying, “Then YHVH has also granted to the gentiles repentance unto life.”

{11:2.1} These “of the circumcision” were those who were raised as Pharisees and became believers (Acts 15:5; Galatians 2:4, 11-13). They had been taught the false authority of the fictitious oral torah – all the innovations and man-made laws (takanot) enacted by the Pharisee rabbis that defined first-century Judaism. This incident is the first of many in which first-century believers had to deal with the religious predisposition of those who were raised as Pharisees – just as Yeshua did.

< 277 > Persecution inadvertently spreads the gospel to the gentiles

11:19 Now those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, but preached the word only to the Yehudim. 20Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they came to Antioch, preached Messiah Yeshua to the gentiles.

< 278 > Fourth summary statement:

11:21 And the hand of YHVH was with them, and a great number of gentiles believed and turned to the Messiah.

< 279 > Bar Nava ‘sent forth’ from Jerusalem to Antioch – he takes Shaul

11:22 News of this event came to the ears of the kehilah in Yerushalayim, and they sent forth{1} bar Nava to go as far as Antioch. 23When he arrived and had witnessed the grace of YHVH, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to cleave to the Messiah with steadfast hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Ruach Kodesh and faith, and many people were added to the Messiah. 25Then bar Nava departed to Tarsus to look for Shaul. 26When bar Nava found him, he brought Shaul with him to Antioch. For an entire year they assembled with the kehilah in Antioch and taught many people.

And the gentile disciples were first called “Christianos” in Antioch.

27In those days prophets came to Antioch from Yerushalayim. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and prophesied by the Ruach that there would be a great famine throughout all the land – which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.{1} 29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers who dwelt in Yehudah. 30They did so and sent it to the elders by the hands of bar Nava and Shaul.

{11:22.1} Bar Nava was ‘sent forth’ or ‘apostled’ <evxaposte,llw – exapostello> by the apostles to go to Antioch.

{11:28.1} This famine, along with the persecution arising from Stephen’s execution, forced many of the disciples to leave Jerusalem and all Judaea and “go ye into all the world.”

< 280 > Herod kills Yaakov and puts Kefa in a maximum security prison

12:1 Now about that time King Herod began to persecute particular members of the kehilah. 2He killed Yaakov, the brother of Yochanan, with the sword, 3and because he saw it pleased the Pharisees, he also proceeded to arrest Kefa during the Feast of Matzah. 4When Herod apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions – one hundred armed soldiers – to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after Passover.{1} 5So Kefa was kept in prison, and the kehilah prayed to YHVH for him without ceasing. 6The night before Herod was planning to bring him out, Kefa was sleeping between two soldiers, who had him bound with two chains, and the guards standing at the door were in charge of the entire prison. 7But the angel of YHVH came to him, and the light illuminated the entire inside of the prison. He struck Kefa on the side to awaken him, and said, “Quick! Get up!” and the chains fell off his hands. 8The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals,” and he did. Then he said to him, “Wrap your sash around your tallit and follow me.” 9Kefa followed him out, but did not know that what the angel was doing was real. He thought that he was seeing a vision. 10But when they passed the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that led to the city, and it opened for them of its own accord. They went out and passed through one street before the angel departed from him. 11When Kefa finally realized he was awake, he said, “Now I truly know that YHVH has sent his angel and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Pharisees.”

12He was still pondering these things when he arrived at the house of Miriam, the mother of Yochanan (whose surname was Marcus), where many were gathered together praying. 13Kefa called out at the door of the gate, and a young girl named Rhoda responded. 14When she recognized Kefa’s voice, she did not open the gate but ran in with joy and told everyone that Kefa was standing outside the gate. 15They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she continued to insist that it was so. Then they said, “It is his angel.” 16Kefa continued calling and when they finally opened the door and looked, they were astonished. 17He signaled to them with his hand to hold their peace and then he declared to them how YHVH had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Go and tell these things to Yaakov and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18As soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers concerning what had become of Kefa. 19When Herod sent for him and he could not be found, he interrogated the guards and ordered their execution – all one hundred. Then Kefa left Yehudah and went to stay in Caesarea.

20Herod was highly displeased with those who were ruling in Tyre and Zidon, but they came to him with one accord at his command. Having made friends with Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they desired to negotiate a peace treaty because their country was subsidized by the king. 21Upon a set day, Herod, who was arrayed in his royal apparel, sat upon his throne and made a speech to them. 22The people gave a shout, saying, “It is the voice of a mighty god, not of a man.” 23Immediately the angel of YHVH smote him because he did not give the glory to YHVH, and he was devoured by worms and died.{1}

{12:4.1} The KJV reads after Easter. Not a single Greek text mentions anything about Easter – nor does it condone the celebrating of this pagan spring festival, which is defined in the Torah as an abomination to YHVH (Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 12:29-32). Every extant Greek text reads <pasca > pasca – Passover, which initiates the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The term Passover is also commonly used to refer to the entire week of Unleavened Bread (Matzah).

{12:23.1} Josephus records this event and Herod’s rapid demise in graphic detail (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 19.8.2).

< 281 > Fifth summary statement:

12:24 The word of YHVH grew and multiplied.

< 282 > Bar Nava and Shaul take Marcus into the heat of battle

12:25 When bar Nava and Shaul had fulfilled their ministry to the needy in Yerushalayim, they returned to Antioch and took Yochanan the son of Miriam, whose surname was Marcus, with them.

13:1 Now, in the kehilah at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers such as bar Nava, Shimon, who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Shaul. 2As they ministered to YHVH and fasted, the Ruach Kodesh said, “Set apart for me bar Nava and Shaul for the work to which I have called them.”{1} 3When they had fasted and prayed, and they laid their hands on them and sent them away. 4Being sent forth by the Ruach Kodesh, they departed to Seleucia, and from there, they sailed to Cyprus. 5When they were at Salamis, they preached the word of YHVH in the synagogues, and Yochanan also ministered with them. 6While traveling through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was bar Yeshua. 7He was with the governor of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for bar Nava and Shaul and desired to hear the word of YHVH. 8But Elumas the wise (for so was his title of nobility) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9Then Shaul, (who was later named Paulos by the gentiles),{1} overflowing with the Ruach Kodesh, looked at him 10and said, “O you who are full of all deceit and all mischief, you child of hasatan, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of YHVH? 11Behold the hand of YHVH is upon you! You shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.” And immediately there fell a mist and a darkness over him; and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the governor saw what was done, he believed, being astonished at the doctrine of YHVH.

{13:2.1} There is no indication that the Spirit instructed them to take Yochanan Marcus (John Mark) – and he left them abruptly.

{13:9.1} Shaul, which means “desired,” was his given name, and the name he was called by the Messiah (Acts 9:4, 26:14). The gentiles gave him a more familiar Greek name, Paulos, which means “small.” It is first mentioned in this incident when Shaul leads the governor of the Isle of Paphos, Sergius Paulos, to the Messiah. Perhaps the name was given to him by Governor Sergius in recognition of this historic event.

< 283 > Teaching in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch on the Sabbath

13:13 Now after Shaul and his company set sail from Paphos, they came to Pergamos in Pamphylia, but Yochanan left them and returned to Yerushalayim.{1} 14When they departed from Pergamos, they came to Antioch (in Pisidia) and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15After the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, the head rabbi of the synagogue extended an invitation to them, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 16Shaul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said, “Men of Israel and you gentiles who fear YHVH, listen carefully! 17The Elohim of the people of Israel chose our fathers and raised up the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and he brought them out with his mighty arm. 18For a period of about forty years he suffered their unbelief in the wilderness, 19and when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided their land to them by lot. 20After about four hundred and fifty years he gave them judges, until Samuel the prophet. 21Afterward they desired a king, and YHVH gave them Shaul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin for forty years. 22When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he gave testimony, saying, ‘I have found David, the son of Yishai, to be a man after my own heart who shall fulfill all my will.’ 23Of this man’s seed YHVH has, according to his promise, raised up for Israel a Savior, Yeshua.”

24“Before Yeshua’s coming, Yochanan ben Zecharyah haCohen first preached the mikveh of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as Yochanan fulfilled his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the One, but behold, he is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.’ 26Brothers, descendants of Avraham, and whoever among you fear YHVH – the word of this Yeshua is now sent to you. 27Those that dwell in Yerushalayim and their rulers, because they knew neither him nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, fulfilled the prophecies by condemning him. 28Though they found no cause to put him to death, they asked Pilate for the death sentence. 29When they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulcher. 30But YHVH raised him from the dead, 31and he was seen many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Yerushalayim. We are the witnesses to his people.”

32“We declare to you the good news of the promise made to our forefathers, 33which YHVH has fulfilled to us, their children, in that he raised up Yeshua again, as it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son, this day have I begotten you.’{1} 34And concerning the fact that he raised Yeshua from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said thus, ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’{1} 35Wherefore he said also in another psalm, ‘You shall not suffer your Holy One to see corruption.’{1} 36David, after he had served his own generation by the will of YHVH, died. He was laid to rest with his fathers, and his body decayed; 37but the body of Yeshua, whom YHVH raised again, did not undergo decay.” 38“Therefore, be it known to you, brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins, 39and by him all that believe are justified from all things from which you could not be justified through the provisions in the Torah of Moshe. 40Therefore, beware that the things spoken of in the prophets do not happen to you. 41‘Behold, you scoffers! Wonder and perish! For I will do a work in your days, a work which you scoffers will not believe even though someone declares it to you.’”{1} 42When some of the Yehudim stormed out of the synagogue, the gentiles asked that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Yehudim and gentile proselytes followed Shaul and bar Nava, who continued speaking to them and persuaded them to continue in the grace of YHVH.

44The next Sabbath day almost the whole city came together to hear the word of YHVH. 45When the Pharisees saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy and spoke against the things Shaul was teaching, contradicting and insulting him. 46Then Shaul and bar Nava spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of YHVH should first have been spoken to you, but seeing you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, look, we will turn to the gentiles. 47For this is what YHVH commanded us: ‘I have appointed you to be a light to the gentiles that you should bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”{1} 48And when the gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of YHVH, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49And the word of YHVH spread throughout the country, 50but the Pharisees incited the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city, stirring up persecution against Shaul and bar Nava, and they drove them out of the region. 51But they shook the dust off their feet against them and came to Iconium, 52but the disciples were filled with joy and with the Ruach Kodesh.

{13:13.1} Yochanan Marcus could not handle the heat of the spiritual battle, and he left the work at Pergamos, leaving bar Nava and Shaul to carry the extra weight while he returned to Jerusalem where his mother lived. Pergamos is the city where the Seat of Satan stood in the temple of Zeus (Revelation 2:12-13). Thousands of believers were subsequently executed on the steps of that edifice. The Seat of Satan was taken to Berlin, Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Adolph Hitler had the Nuremberg tribunal patterned after it. It is understandable that a novice would succumb to the spiritual pressure of ministering in Pergamos, but from this point on, Shaul could no longer trust Marcus to watch his back and disqualified him from future ministry adventures (Acts 15:36-39).

{13:33.1} Psalm 2:7

{13:34.1} Isaiah 55:3

{13:35.1} Psalm 16:10

{13:41.1} Habakkuk 1:5

{13:47.1} Isaiah 42:6, 49:6

< 284 > Teaching in the synagogue in Iconium on the Sabbath

14:1 Shaul and bar Nava went together into the synagogue in Iconium, and they spoke so effectively that a great multitude of both Yehudim and gentiles believed. 2But the unbelieving Yehudim stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3Therefore, they remained in Iconium a long time, speaking boldly for YHVH, who gave testimony to the word of his grace and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4But the multitude of the city was divided, some siding with the unbelieving Yehudim and some with the apostles.

< 285 > Shaul is stoned in Lystra

14:5 When both the gentiles and the Yehudim, together with their rulers plotted to beat and stone them, 6they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyconia, and to the surrounding region 7where they preached the gospel. 8At Lystra there sat a certain lame man who had never walked, his feet being crippled in his mother’s womb. 9He was listening to Shaul speak, and Shaul, steadfastly watching him and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” He immediately leaped up and walked.

11When the people saw what Shaul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the Lyconian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.” 12They called bar Nava “Jupiter” and Shaul “Mercury,” because he was the chief speaker. 13Then the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. 14When the apostles, bar Nava and Shaul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and ran in among the people crying out, 15“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, mortal like you, proclaiming to you that you should turn from these vanities to YHVH who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them. 16In times past he suffered all nations to walk in their own ways; 17nevertheless, he did not leave himself without a witness in that he did good and gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18Even after saying these things, he could scarcely restrain the people from offering sacrifice to them.

19Then certain Yehudim who came from Antioch and Iconium won the people over. After stoning Shaul, they dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20However, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and came back into the city. The next day he departed with bar Nava to Derbe. 21When they had preached the gospel in that city and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, 22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and telling them that they also must suffer much tribulation if they desire to enter into the kingdom of YHVH. 23When they had ordained elders for them in every kehilah and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to YHVH, in whom they believed. 24After they had passed throughout Pisidia, they returned to Pamphylia.

25When they had again preached the word in Pergamos, they went down into Attalia. 26From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of YHVH for the work which they had now completed. 27When they had come and had gathered the kehilah together, they rehearsed all that YHVH had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the gentiles. 28There they remained a long time with the disciples.

< 286 > Pharisee “believers” forcing circumcision and their takanot on the gentiles

15:1 Certain men who came down from Yehudah taught the brothers, saying, “Unless you are circumcised after the manner of Moshe, you cannot be saved.” 2After Shaul and bar Nava had great dissension and debate with them, they decided that Shaul, bar Nava, and certain others from amongst them should go up to Yerushalayim to the apostles and elders concerning this question. 3Being sent off by the kehilah, they passed through Phenice and Shomron, declaring the conversion of the gentiles and causing great joy among all the brothers. 4And when they came to Yerushalayim, they were received by the kehilah and the apostles and elders, and they reported all the things YHVH had done with them. 5But certain spokesmen of the sect of the Pharisees who believed stood up and said that it was necessary to circumcise the gentiles and command them to keep the law of Moshe.{1} 6So the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7When there had been much discussion, Kefa rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know how a good while ago YHVH chose me from among us to preach to the gentiles so that they would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8YHVH, who knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Gift of the Ruach Kodesh, even as he did to us; 9and he made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Therefore, why do you tempt YHVH by putting upon the necks of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11We believe that we also are saved through the grace of the master Yeshua Messiah, even as the gentiles evidently are.”

12Then all the multitude kept silent and gave audience to bar Nava and Shaul, who declared what miracles and wonders YHVH had done among the gentiles through them. 13After they had finished, Yaakov spoke up, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Shimon Kefa was the first to declare how YHVH visited the gentiles to separate from among them a people for himself. 15The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, 16‘After this I will return and rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down. I will rebuild the ruins, and I will set it up 17so that the remnant of men might seek after the Almighty – and all the gentiles upon whom my name is called.’ Thus says YHVH, who does all these things, 18‘Known to YHVH are all his works from the beginning of the world.’”{1}

{15:5.1} The foundation of Phariseeism is “two Torahs” – the written Torah of Moses, and their invented “oral torah,” purportedly passed down to them from Moses. The Pharisees claim that without the oral torah, the Scriptures cannot be properly interpreted. The Pharisees’ oral torah includes thousands of takanot – rules and regulations that are not found in the original Torah that was received from the hand of Moses. Moses adamantly warned that no one is authorized to add to or subtract from the commandments of YHVH (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). Yeshua deliberately broke the takanot of the Pharisees and held them with disdain. By word and deed, he taught his disciples to do the same (DO NOT follow the takanot and ma’asim of the Pharisees – Matthew 23:3). This “sect of the Pharisees which believed” may have confessed that Yeshua is the Messiah, but they wanted everyone to continue to submit to their rules “which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear” (v:10). It is not the eternal commandments in the Torah that are “grievous to be borne” but rather the manipulative man-made rules of religious sects which are impossible to fulfill (Luke 1:6; I John 5:3). Gentiles are not required to be circumcised; it is the physical token of the Abrahamic land covenant. Gentiles may decide to become circumcised, but it is not required for them to become a believer in the Messiah.

{15:18.1} This is not being cited as a fulfillment of Amos 9:11-12 but as a proof text that the heathen, i.e. the gentiles, have a certain and prophetic place in the household of Israel if they take hold of the covenant, love his name, and learn his ways.

< 287 > Yaakov cites the Torah to define acceptable behavior for gentiles turning to YHVH

15:19 “Therefore my verdict is that we do not trouble those from among the gentiles who are turning to YHVH; 20rather, let us write unto them that they should abstain from the abominations of idolatry,{1} from ervah sexual behavior,{2} from strangled flesh,{3} and from blood,{4} 21because in every city Moshe has been preached for generations, and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.{1}

{15:20.1} Deuteronomy 12:29-32

{15:20.2} Leviticus 18:1-30

{15:20.3} Leviticus 11:1-47

{15:20.4} Genesis 9:3-4; Leviticus 17:10-14

{15:21.1} The Pharisee synagogue was the one place in the ancient world where one could go to hear the Torah read and taught. The apostles in Jerusalem were reiterating minimal requirements for the gentiles to be allowed into the synagogue and to join in the study of the Torah of Moses. As the gentiles gained a more complete understanding of the Torah of Moses, those whose heart upon which the Torah was written would then come naturally into full obedience to YHVH’s commandments. Keeping the Torah commandments is an appropriate heartfelt response from one who has been redeemed by Yeshua’s blood. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) – but the gift of life eternal is given to all who call upon his name in faith. If one is not taught to have enmity against the Torah, the response of the new creation is to live in complete obedience to the instructions of our Creator – and then learn to listen to his voice so that we can walk by the Spirit, as we see exemplified in the book of the Acts. Those who have enmity against, and deliberately break the commandments of YHVH, do not have the Holy Spirit living in them – no matter how religious they may appear to be in their flesh (I John 2:4).

There was no requirement for a gentile to be circumcised to enter the synagogue on the Sabbath to learn the Torah of Moses. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant between YHVH and Abraham: that all of the land from the Euphrates to the Nile belongs to his offspring, the sons of Israel. Gentiles are not a part of the Abrahamic covenant, but they can elect to become so.

Those who desired to enter into the kehilah of Israel to learn the Torah had to at least be in compliance with the four basic things that James quoted from the Torah and were again reiterated at Shaul’s last Feast in Jerusalem. They did not, however, have to follow the man-made rules (takanot) of the Pharisees. Yeshua broke them, he taught his disciples to break them, he demanded those he healed to break them – yet the Pharisees who became followers of Messiah wanted to bring their eruv (Sabbath boundary), their kippot (submissive headcover), and their negel vasser (handwashing vessel) with them; they wanted to require the gentiles to follow the takanot that Yeshua absolutely forbade. On the other hand, gentiles in pagan cultures tended to bring their idolatry and abominations into the fellowship of the saints. Some refused to observe even the minimum requirements repeatedly detailed by the apostles, and Shaul had to deal with such perversion among the Corinthian believers (I Corinthians 5:1). Both groups – the legalists and the licentious – will be thinned from the fold on the day that Yeshua sentences, “Depart from me, you anomians – you violators of the Torah!”

15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, as well as the whole kehilah, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Shaul and bar Nava; namely, Yehudah, surnamed bar Saba, and Silas, who were honored men among the brothers. 23They wrote a letter and sent it with them.

To: the gentile brothers in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia

From: the apostles and elders and brothers in Yerushalayim

Greetings,

24We heard that certain brothers, to whom we had given no authority, went out from among us and troubled you with their teaching, unsettling your souls and saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law.’ 25It seemed good to us, being of one mind, to send chosen men to you with our beloved bar Nava and Shaul, 26men who have risked their lives for the name of the master Yeshua Messiah. 27Therefore, we have sent Yehudah and Silas, who shall tell you the same things in person.

28It seems good to the Ruach Kodesh and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these fundamental Torah instructions: 29that you abstain from food offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you restrain yourselves from these things, you shall do well. Farewell.

30When they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, and after they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31After they had read it, they rejoiced for its encouragement. 32Yehuda and Silas, themselves being prophets, exhorted the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33And after they had stayed there a while, they set off in peace from the brothers to return to the apostles. 34However, it pleased Silas to remain there. 35Shaul and bar Nava also, as well as many others, stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of YHVH.

< 288 > Shaul and bar Nava split over their disagreement concerning Yochanan Marcus

15:36 After some days Shaul said to bar Nava, “Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the word of YHVH and see how they are doing.” 37And bar Nava decided to take Yochanan, whose surname was Marcus, with them. 38But Shaul thought it was not good to take him with them because he had left them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their labors. 39The contention was so sharp between them that they departed from each other, so bar Nava took Marcus and sailed to Cyprus. 40Shaul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brothers to the grace of YHVH. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the kehilot.

16:1 Then Shaul came to Derbe and Lystra, and, behold, a disciple named Timotheus was there, the son of a Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a gentile. 2The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of Timotheus, 3and Shaul wanted him to accompany them. He took Timotheus and circumcised him because of the Yehudim who were in those regions, for they all knew that his father was a gentile. 4As they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that the apostles and elders at Yerushalayim had written.

< 289 > Sixth summary statement:

16:5 And so the kehilot were established in the faith and increased in number daily.

< 290 > Shaul receives a vision to go to Philippi in Macedonia; Lucas joins them

16:6 Now after they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Ruach Kodesh to preach the word in Asia. 7After they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Ruach again prevented them, 8and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9In the night Shaul received vision, in which there stood a man of Macedonia, urging him, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” 10After seeing the vision, we{1} immediately departed for Macedonia, concluding that YHVH had called us{2} to preach the gospel to them. 11Therefore, leaving Troas, we sailed a straight course to Samothracia and the next course to Neopolis. 12From there we sailed for Philippi, which is the principal city of that part of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We stayed in Philippi for some days.

{16:10.1,2} The words “we” and “us” indicate that Luke joined the company of disciples traveling with Shaul at this time. The “we” ceases when Shaul and Silas are arrested after casting the spirit of divination out of the young girl (verse 16), probably because Luke stayed in Philippi with Lydia and the jailor to establish the work there. Luke reintroduces the “we” several years later (19:10) when he leaves Philippi with Shaul on their return trip to Jerusalem through Macedonia (20:6), and ultimately on to Rome (28:16), where Shaul will await his hearing before Caesar.

< 291 > Shabbat down by the river with Lydia

16:13 On the Sabbath we went out of the city and down to the riverside, where it was customary for people to meet and pray. We sat down and spoke to the women who were assembled there, 14and a certain woman of the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a seller of techelet{1} who worshipped YHVH, heard us. Her heart was opened by YHVH, and she believed the things that Shaul spoke. 15She and her household were mikveh-ed, and she pled with us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to YHVH, come to my house and stay there.” And she constrained us.{1}

{16:14.1} KJV “purple.” A very expensive dye was extracted from the hypobranchial gland of the hilazon snail, which was used to color the garments of Roman royalty. If the gland was crushed under the ultraviolet light of the sun, the dye turned a beautiful sky blue, and was used to color the blue ribbon on the four wings of the Israelite tallit (Numbers 15:38; Malachi 4:2; Zechariah 8:23; Matthew 9:20, 14:36). This ribbon of techelet blue thread served as a continual reminder to keep the commandments of YHVH. In Lydia’s day, the techelet dye was a black market commodity, and Roman law forbade its use by commoners.

{16:15.1} Constraining is an Eastern custom of offering hospitality two times with the expected refusal from the invited guest; if the invitation was sincere, the third offer of hospitality was immediately offered, and the invited guest, who was thus constrained, was obliged to accept. They were thus constrained to stay with Lydia.

< 292 > A psychic witch is delivered and Shaul and Silas are jailed

16:16 It came to pass, as we went to prayer, that we met a servant girl possessed with a spirit of divination, which brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17She followed Shaul and us and cried, “These men are servants of the most high God who are proclaiming the way of salvation.” 18She did this for many days. Finally, Shaul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Yeshua Messiah, come out of her!” The demonic spirit came out immediately.{1} 19When her masters saw that their hope of profiting from her was gone, they took hold of Shaul and Silas and brought them to the captains of the marketplace. 20Then they took them to the magistrates of the city, charging, “These men, who greatly trouble our city, are Yehudim. 21They teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22Then the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded that they be beaten. 23After they had inflicted many blows upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely. 24Having received this order, the jailor thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in stocks. 25At midnight Shaul and Silas were praying and singing praises to YHVH, and all the prisoners heard them. 26Suddenly there was a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. All the doors were immediately opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed. 27The keeper of the prison, awaking out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword and would have fallen on his sword, killing himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. 28But Shaul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, we are all here!” 29Then he called for a light and rushed in trembling, falling down before Shaul and Silas. 30He brought them out, and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31They said, “Believe on the master Yeshua Messiah, and you and your house shall be saved.” 32Then they spoke the word of YHVH to him and to his household. 33The jailor took them at that hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were mikveh-ed at once. 34When he had brought them into his home, he set food before them and rejoiced, believing in YHVH with all his house.{1}

{16:18.1} “The same hour” (KJV) is a figure of speech meaning “the same moment” or “immediately” – not up to fifty-nine minutes later.

{16:34.1} The jailor was probably the very man of Macedonia that Shaul had seen in the vision (verse 9), which would account for the joy that enabled Shaul and Silas to sing praises to YHVH after having been beaten. Shaul was to be escorted from the city of Philippi the next morning, but the jailor and Lydia’s household of Jewish believers carried on the work with the apparent assistance of Luke. The work in Philipi continued to thrive even after Shaul was incarcerated in Rome (Philippians 4:22).

16:35 When it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants to the jail, saying, “Let those men go.” 36The keeper of the prison said to Shaul, “The magistrates have given orders to let you go. Therefore, depart, and go in peace.” 37Shaul retorted, “They have beaten us openly without a trial and have cast us into prison – even though we are Romans! Now they want to send us away secretly? Oh no! Let them come themselves and let us out.” 38The sergeants told these words to the magistrates who greatly feared when they heard that they were Romans. 39They came to the jail and earnestly appealed to them. They brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40So they left the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they had seen the brothers, they comforted them and departed.

< 293 > Shaul teaches in the synagogue in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths

17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was another synagogue. 2Shaul, as he customarily did, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, 3explaining and affirming that Messiah had to suffer and rise again from the dead, saying, “This Yeshua, whom I preach to you, is the Messiah.” 4Some of them believed and joined Shaul and Silas, as did a great multitude of devout gentiles and many of the influential women. 5But the Yehudim who did not believe were moved with envy. They gathered certain base, lewd fellows and formed a mob, setting the city in an uproar. They stormed the house of Jason and sought to bring Shaul and Silas out to the people. 6When they could not find them, they took Jason and some of the brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, “These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come here also, 7and Jason has received them. They all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king called Yeshua.” 8When the people and the rulers of the city heard these things, they were troubled, 9but after they had received bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

< 294 > Shaul teaches in the synagogue in Berea on the Sabbath

17:10 Then the brothers immediately sent Shaul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived there, they went into the synagogue. 11These Yehudim were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things that Shaul and Silas were teaching were true. 12Therefore many of them believed, as well as quite a few influential Greek women and men. 13But when the Yehudim of Thessalonica heard that the word of YHVH was being preached by Shaul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the people. 14The brothers immediately sent Shaul away to the seacoast, but Silas and Timotheus remained there. 15Those who accompanied Shaul brought him to Athens, and after receiving instructions from Shaul for Silas and Timotheus to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

16Now, while Shaul waited for Silas and Timotheus at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17Therefore he discussed these things in the synagogue with the Yehudim and with other devout people, and daily in the marketplace with those who met with him. 18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics conversed with him. Some asked, “What is this babbler saying?” Others responded, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons” (because he preached Yeshua and the resurrection to them). 19They brought him to Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20For you bring certain strange things to our ears, and we would like to know what these things mean” 21(for all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else but either telling or hearing some new thing).

22Then Shaul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive in all these things that you worship, you are very religious. 23For as I passed by and beheld your objects of devotion, I found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, I will declare to you the one who you worship without knowing. 24YHVH, who made the world and all things in it, is master over heaven and earth. He neither dwells in temples made with hands 25nor is served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he gives life and breath and all things to everyone. 26From one man he made all nations of men to inhabit the earth, and he determined the times set for them and the boundaries of their habitation so 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us. 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being, even as certain of your own poets have also said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29Therefore, because we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Almighty is anything like an image of gold or silver or stone, formed by the skill and hands of man. 30YHVH overlooked this ignorance in the past, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, 31because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed, of whom he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead.”

32When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” 33So Shaul departed from among them. 34However, certain men joined him and believed. Among them were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them.

< 295 > Shaul teaches in the synagogue in Corinth on the Sabbath

18:1 After these things Shaul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he found a certain Yehudi named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Yehudim to leave Rome). Shaul introduced himself to them, 3and because they were of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them, for by their occupation they were tallit makers.{1} 4Every Sabbath Shaul debated in the synagogue and debated with both the Yehudim and the gentiles. 5When Silas and Timotheus arrived from Macedonia, Shaul was then pressed in the spirit to testify to the Yehudim that Yeshua was Messiah. 6When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook off his clothes and said to them, “Your blood is upon your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles!”

7Shaul departed from the synagogue and entered into the house of Yustus, a man who worshipped YHVH and whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8Crispus, the head rabbi of the synagogue, as well as all his household, believed on the master Yeshua, and many of the Corinthians who heard also believed and were mikveh-ed. 9Then the Messiah spoke to Shaul in a night vision, “Be not afraid, but speak boldly and do not hold your peace. 10I am with you, and no man shall lay a hand on you to hurt you because I have many people in this city.” 11So, Shaul remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of YHVH among them.

12When Gallio was the governor of Achaia, the Yehudim rose up against Shaul with one accord and brought him to the judgment hall, 13saying, “This heretic is attempting to convince men to worship God contrary to the oral law.” 14When Shaul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Yehudim, “If this were a matter of wrongdoing or of wicked lewdness, you Yehudim understand that I would bear with you, 15but concerning questions of words, and of names, and of your Torah, you see to that. I will not judge such matters!” 16Then he drove them away from his judgment seat. 17Then the gentiles took Sosthenes, the new head rabbi of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the judgment hall, but Gallio took no notice of their actions.

{18:3.1} tentmakers (KJV) <skene – skene> covering. Tents were made of goat hair by Bedouin tribeswomen on huge looms that had to be transported by camels. Tent making would have been an impossible trade and completely impractical for travelers or Jewish city dwellers. Shaul, Aquila, and Priscilla were Jews who wore traditional tallits over their white linen haluqim. The tallit was later transformed into the prayer shawl and used as a prayer covering. The tallit has a ribbon of techelet blue on the four corners. Lydia was a seller of this rare and expensive blue/purple dye (Acts 16:14). Tallit making would have been a natural, acceptable, and profitable occupation for an itinerant Jewish teacher visiting synagogues throughout Asia Minor.

< 296 > Shaul Goes up to the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Jerusalem

18:18After this, Shaul remained in Corinth a good while and then, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, he left the brothers and sailed to Syria. He shaved his head in Cenchrea because he had taken a Nazarite vow. 19When he came to Ephesus (where he was to leave Priscilla and Aquila), he entered into the synagogue by himself and reasoned with the Yehudim. 20When they desired him to stay longer with them, he politely refused 21and bade them farewell, saying, “I must by all means keep this upcoming Feast in Yerushalayim – but I will return again to you if YHVH wills!” Then Shaul sailed from Ephesus, 22landed at Caesarea, and continued on up to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He saluted the kehilah in Yerushalayim and then returned to Antioch. 23After he had spent some time there, he departed and went throughout the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

< 297 > Apollos Teaches in the Synagogue in Ephesus on the Sabbath

18:24 It came to pass that a certain Yehudi named Apollos, born at Alexandria Egypt, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the Way of YHVH, and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of Yeshua, knowing only the mikveh of Yochanan. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and expounded to him the Way of YHVH more perfectly. 27When Apollos desired to go into Achaia, the brothers wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who had believed through grace, 28because he mightily convinced the Yehudim, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Yeshua was Messiah.

19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Shaul, having passed through the upper coasts, came back to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, 2he said to them, “Have you received the Ruach Kodesh since you believed?” And they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is such a thing as the Ruach Kodesh.” 3He asked them, “Then to what were you mikveh-ed?” And they said, “To Yochanan’s mikveh.” 4Then Shaul said, “Yochanan truly mikveh-ed with the mikveh of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in him which would come after him, that is, in Messiah Yeshua.” 5When they heard this,{1} they were mikveh-ed in the name of the Messiah Yeshua. 6Shaul then laid hands upon them and the Ruach Kodesh came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7And there were about twelve men in all.

{19:5.1} When they heard this – Shaul’s full explanation of the mikveh of identification with Yeshua’s death, burial, and resurrection (rather than John’s mikveh of repentance which prepared them to identify with Yeshua), and the even greater mikveh of the Ruach Kodesh that Yeshua promised his followers.

< 298 > Shaul teaches in the synagogue in Ephesus for three months – and then in the school of Tyrannus for two years

19:8 Shaul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, disputing and persuading the people of the things concerning the kingdom of YHVH. 9But when some were hardened and refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from the synagogue and separated the disciples, teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10This continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia, both Yehudim and gentiles, heard the word of Messiah Yeshua.

< 299 > Shaul burns witchcraft artifacts in Ephesus

19:11 By the hands of Shaul YHVH worked special miracles, 12so that when handkerchiefs or clothes that had touched his body were brought to the sick, diseases left them and evil spirits departed from them. 13Then certain itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to speak the name of Messiah Yeshua over those who had demonic spirits, saying, “We command you by Yeshua whom Shaul preaches.” 14(It was the seven sons of Sceva, a notable Jewish cohen, who did this.) 15The evil spirit answered them, “Yeshua I know, and Shaul I know, but who are you?” 16The man who was possessed by the demon leaped on them, overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 17All the Yehudim and gentiles dwelling at Ephesus became aware of this incident and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Messiah Yeshua was magnified. 18Many who believed came and confessed their wicked ways. 19Many of them who practiced magic and entertained themselves with trivialities brought their scrolls together and burned them before everyone. They counted the price of them, and it was found to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

< 300 > Seventh summary statement:

19:20 So the word of YHVH grew mightily and prevailed.

< 301 > Diana, the Ephesian goddess of fertility, is challenged

19:21 After these things in Ephesus were concluded, and after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, Shaul determined in his spirit to go up to Yerushalayim, saying, “After I have been there, I must also visit Rome.” 22So he sent two of those who ministered to him, Timotheus and Erastus, into Macedonia, but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23At that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24A certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Diana and brought much work to the craftsmen, 25gathered them together, along with workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover, you see and hear that not only at Ephesus but also almost throughout all Asia this Shaul has persuaded and turned many people away by saying that gods made with the hands of men are not gods. 27Therefore, there is a danger not only that our craft will be discredited but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana, whom all Asia and the world worships, will be despised and her magnificence destroyed.”

28When they heard these things, they were full of wrath and cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29The whole city was filled with confusion, and then, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia and Shaul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the coliseum. 30When Shaul attempted to enter, the disciples would not allow him. 31Also, certain Asian officials who were his friends sent a message, exhorting him not to enter into the coliseum. 32Some of the people cried one thing, and some another, because the assembly was confused, and the majority did not even know why they had come together. 33The Yehudim pushed Alexander forward and lifted him out of the multitude onto the stage, where he beckoned with his hand and attempted to make a defense to the people. 34But when the mob recognized that he was a Yehudi, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

35When the city mayor had quieted the people, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana and of the image of the giant egg that came down from Jupiter? 36Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly, 37for you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of your temples nor even blasphemers of your goddess. 38Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against any man, the court is open to anyone and there are officers; let them accuse anyone they will. 39If you have demands concerning any other matter, it shall be done in a lawful assembly. 40You are in danger of being called in for questioning concerning this day’s uproar, and you will be required to give an account of this disorderly gathering.” 41When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

< 302 > Shaul celebrates the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Philippi

20:1 And after the uproar ceased, Shaul called the disciples to him and embraced them, and departed for Macedonia. 2When he had passed through those regions and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece 3and remained there three months. But when the Yehudim laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4Shaul was accompanied into Asia by Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, and Timotheus, Tychicus, and Trophimus from Asia. Having gone on before us, they waited for us at Troas. 6We sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and then, within five days, we joined them at Troas, where we remained seven days.

< 303 > Shaul teaches late on motzei Shabbat and Eutychus dies of boredom

20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,{1} Shaul, ready to depart the next day,{2} preached to them, and he continued his speech until midnight. 8There were many lights in the upper chamber where they were gathered together, 9and there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, who had fallen into a deep sleep. As Shaul was long in preaching, Eutychus, overcome with sleep, fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10Shaul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him, said, “Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.” 11When Shaul went back up into the upper chamber and had broken bread and eaten, they talked on until daybreak, and then he departed. 12They brought the young man alive to see them off and all were greatly comforted.

{20:7.1} The third meal of Shabbat was eaten in community just after sunset, which began the first day of the week. This tradition continues to be celebrated throughout the land of Israel to this very day.

{20:7.2} It was customary to leave on a journey at the break of dawn on the first day of the week (Sunday) to allow maximum travel time until the next Sabbath.

< 304 > Shaul begins his journey to Jerusalem for Shavuot while the Ruach Kodesh warns repeatedly: Do not go up to Jerusalem!

20:13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, intending to take Shaul aboard there because he had so arranged. But Shaul changed his mind and proceeded to Assos by foot. 14He met us at Assos, where we took him aboard the ship and sailed to Mitylene. 15Then we sailed from there, and the next course brought us opposite of Chios. The next course brought us to Samos, and we tarried at Trogyllium. The next course brought us to Miletus. 16Shaul decided to sail past Ephesus because he was in a hurry and could not spend the time in Asia, as he earnestly desired, if it were at all possible, to be in Yerushalayim for the Feast of Shavuot. 17So, from Miletus he sent a messenger to Ephesus to call for the elders of the kehilah. 18When they came to see him, he said to them, “You know from the first day I came into Asia how I have conducted myself among you at all times, 19serving the Messiah with all humility of mind and with many tears and trials which befell me because of the Yehudim lying in wait for me. 20You know how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but I have shown you and have taught you publicly from house to house, 21preaching repentance toward YHVH and faith in the master Yeshua Messiah – both to the Yehudim and also to the gentiles. 22Now I am going up to Yerushalayim, bound in the Spirit, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. 23Except I know that in every city the Ruach Kodesh testifies that bonds and afflictions await me. 24But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, as well as complete the ministry, which I received from Messiah Yeshua, to testify of the gospel of the grace of YHVH. 25Now, look at me. I know that you all, among whom I have preached the kingdom, shall see my face no more. 26Therefore, I testify this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men, 27for I have not held back from declaring to you all the counsel of YHVH.

28Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Ruach Kodesh has made you overseers. Feed the kehilah of YHVH, which Messiah purchased with his own blood. 29I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn every one night and day with tears. 32Now, brothers, I commend you to YHVH and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35I have demonstrated all these things to you – how that laboring in this manner you ought to support the disabled. Remember the words of the master Yeshua, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”{1}

{20:35.1} This is the last paragraph marking in the King James Version of the Bible. The CKJV completes the task.

20:36 When Shaul had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 37They all wept a great deal and fell on Shaul’s neck and kissed him, 38sorrowing most of all for the words he had spoken that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

21:1 When we had torn ourselves away from them and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the following course took us to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2There we found another ship sailing to Phenicia, so we went aboard and set sail. 3When we sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left and sailed to Syria, landing at Tyre, for the ship was to unload her burden there. 4We remained there seven days after finding disciples, who said to Shaul through the Ruach that he should not go up to Yerushalayim. 5When our time with them was over, we departed and went our way. They accompanied us on our way with their wives and children until we were out of the city, and we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. 6When we had said farewell to one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home again.

7When we had completed our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8The next day we who were of Shaul’s company departed Ptolemais and came to Caesarea, where we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven,{1} and stayed with him. 9He had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10As we stayed there many days, there came down from Yehudah a prophet named Agabus. 11When he arrived, he took Shaul’s sash and bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus said the Ruach Kodesh, ‘So shall the Yehudim at Yerushalayim bind the man that owns this sash and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.’” 12When we heard these things, both we and the believers in Caesarea begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim. 13Then Shaul answered, “What do you hope to accomplish by weeping and attempting to break my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Yerushalayim for the name of the master Yeshua.” 14When he would not be persuaded, we ceased from exhorting him to do the will of YHVH. 15After those days, we packed our things and went up to Yerushalayim. 16Some of the disciples of Caesarea also went with us, and they brought with them Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple with whom we lodged.

{21:8.1} Philip was one of the seven previously chosen to serve the gentile believers in Jerusalem (Acts 6:3-5), was the one who ministered to the Samaritans (8:5-13), and was sent to teach the Ethiopian eunuch (8:26-39). He well earned the accolade “the evangelist”.

< 305 > Shaul painfully proves his obedience to the Torah and that the rumors being spread by the Pharisees are vicious lies

21:17 When we arrived in Yerushalayim, the brothers received us gladly. 18The following day Shaul went in with us to visit Yaakov, and all the elders were present. 19When he had greeted them, he declared in particular the things YHVH had wrought among the gentiles by his ministry. 20When they heard their report they glorified YHVH. Then they confided to Shaul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Yehudim there are which believe in Yeshua, and they are all very zealous for the Torah, 21but they have been maliciously informed about you that you teach the Yehudim which are among the gentiles to rebel against Moshe, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children or walk after the judgments, testimonies, and statutes we were given in the Torah. 22So, what shall we do when the great multitude assembles for the Feast? They will surely hear that you have come up! 23Therefore, to illustrate your personal commitment to follow the teachings of Moshe and the Torah, do what we are now asking you to do: We have four men who have taken a Nazarite vow. 24Take them with you and mikveh yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, and that you yourself also walk obediently according to the commandments and keep the Torah. 25And concerning the gentiles who believe, we have already concluded and written to them that they are not required to observe such things [as these purification rites for the Temple service].{1} But we have written to them that they must abstain from things offered to idols, from contaminating themselves with blood, from that which is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

{21:25.1} Gentiles were not required to practice “such things” as Shaul and the other Israelites were required to do in preparation for the Temple service. Gentiles were not even allowed to offer sacrifices in the Temple and were clearly forbidden from trespassing into the Holy Place (v:28-29). See footnote {15:21.1} event <287>.

< 306 > Shaul is arrested in Jerusalem

just as he was repeatedly warned by the Ruach Kodesh

21:26 So, the next day Shaul took the men and mikveh-ed himself with them and entered into the Temple to signify the fulfillment of their days of purification, intending to make an offering for each one of them. 27When the seven days had almost ended,{1} the Yehudim who were from Asia, when they saw him in the Temple, stirred up all the people and laid hands on him, 28crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who goes everywhere, teaching everyone to stand against the people of Israel, against the Torah, and against this Holy Place. Furthermore, he has brought gentiles into the Temple, polluting the Holy Place 29(for they had previously seen him in the city with Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed Shaul had brought into the Temple).” 30And all the city was thrown into commotion, and the people ran together. They took hold of Shaul and drew him out of the Temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31As they prepared to kill him, word came to the commanding officer of the guard that all Yerushalayim was in an uproar. 32He immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the mob.

When they saw the commanding officer and soldiers approaching, they stopped beating Shaul. 33Then the commander came and arrested Shaul and commanded him to be bound with two chains. He demanded to know who he was and what he had done. 34Some cried one thing and some another among the multitude, and when he could not clearly determine the reason for the uproar, he commanded Shaul to be carried into the Antonia Fortress. 35He was carried to the stairs by the soldiers because of the violence of the people 36who followed after him, crying, “Away with him! Away with him!” 37As Shaul was to be led into the fortress, he said to the commanding officer, “May I speak with you?” The commander said, “You can speak Greek? 38Are you not the Egyptian who previously caused an uproar and led four thousand murderers out into the wilderness?” 39Shaul said, “I am Yehudi, a man of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I implore you to permit me to speak to the people.”

{21:27.1} The conclusion of the Nazarite vow included a seven-day purification process (Numbers 6:1-21).

< 307 > Shaul speaks in Hebrew to the angry mob at the Temple

21:22 When the commander had given him permission, Shaul stood on the stairs and beckoned with his hand to the people. When they were quieted, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:

22:1 “Men, brothers, and fathers, hear my defense which I make to you now.” 2When they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they grew even more silent. He said, 3“I am truly a man who is a Yehudi, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamliel and taught according to the strictest manner of the Torah of our fathers, being zealous toward YHVH, as you all are this day. 4I persecuted the Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5The Cohen Gadol will bear me witness, as well as all the elders of the Sanhedrin, from whom I received arrest warrants for the brothers in Damascus. I traveled to Damascus to bind those of the Way and bring them back to Yerushalayim to be punished. 6It came to pass that as I made my journey and came near to Damascus, about noon there suddenly shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7I fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me, ‘Shaul, Shaul, why do you persecute me?’ 8I answered, ‘Who are you, Adonai?’ He said to me, ‘I am Yeshua of Natzeret, whom you persecute.’ 9They that were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. 10I said, ‘What shall I do, Adonai?’ The Messiah said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you shall be told of all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

12There, one Ananias, a devout man according to the Torah, having a good report of all the Yehudim who dwelt there, 13came to me and said, ‘Brother Shaul, receive your sight!’ At that same moment I looked up and saw him. 14He said, ‘The Elohim of our fathers has chosen you so that you should know his will, and see the Just One, and should hear the voice out of his very mouth, 15because you shall be his witness to all men of what you have both seen and heard. 16Now, why do you tarry? Arise, and be mikveh-ed, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of YHVH.’ 17It came to pass that when I returned to Yerushalayim, even while I prayed in the Temple, in an open vision 18I saw him say to me, ‘Hurry! Get out of Yerushalayim quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning me!’ 19I said, ‘YHVH, in every synagogue they know that I imprisoned and beat all those who believed on you, 20and also, when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I presided over and gave my approval for his execution, and I watched over the garments of those who slew him!’ 21Yeshua said to me, ‘Go! I am sending you far away from here – to the gentiles.’” 22When the people heard his words, they lifted up their voices and said, “Carry him out of here! Remove him from the earth! He is not fit to live!” 23As they cried out, they cast off their clothes and threw dust into the air.

< 308 > Shaul averts a scourging by demanding his rights as a Roman citizen

22:24 Then the commanding officer ordered him to be brought into the fortress and commanded that he should be interrogated by scourging so that he could ascertain the real reason why the people cried out against him so vehemently. 25As they were binding him with the thongs, Shaul said to the centurion in charge, “Is it lawful for you to scourge an uncondemned Roman?” 26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commanding officer, “Be careful what you do. This man is a Roman.” 27The commanding officer immediately came to Shaul and demanded, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He replied, “Yes.” 28The commanding officer stated, “With a great sum of money I obtained my freedom.” Shaul said, “I was born free.” 29The commanding officer became afraid after he found out that Shaul was a Roman because he had illegally incarcerated him. Immediately those who were ordered to interrogate him departed.

< 309 > Shaul defends himself before the Sanhedrin

22:30 The next day, because the commanding officer wanted to know for certain why Shaul was accused by the Yehudim, he loosed him from his bonds and commanded the Cohen Gadol and all the Sanhedrin to assemble. He brought Shaul down and set him before them.

23:1 Shaul, compassionately beholding the members of the Sanhedrin, said, “Men, brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before YHVH until this day.” 2Immediately, Ananias, the Cohen Gadol, commanded those who stood by to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Shaul shouted at him, “YHVH smite you, you whitewashed sepulcher! You sit to judge me according to the Torah and command me to be struck contrary to the Torah?” 4Those who stood by said, “How dare you revile the Cohen Gadol of YHVH!” 5Shaul replied, “Brothers, I did not know that he was the Cohen Gadol, for it is written, ‘You shall not curse the ruler of your people.’”{1} 6When Shaul perceived that some of them were Zadokim and the others Prushim, he cried out in the Judgment Hall, “Men and brothers, I am a Parush, the son of a Parush, and concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” 7When he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Prushim and the Zadokim, and the multitude was divided 8(for the Zadokim say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit, but the Prushim confess both). 9Then there arose a great cry, and the scribes who were part of the Prushim arose and fought for Shaul, saying, “We find no evil in this man! If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against YHVH.” 10Then there arose an even greater dissension, and the commanding officer, fearing that Shaul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him back into the Antonia fortress. 11The following night the Messiah stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Shaul, as you have testified of me in Yerushalayim, so must you bear witness of me also in Rome.”

{23:5.1} Exodus 22:28; Ecclesiastes 10:20

< 310 > The death pact conspiracy to kill Shaul

23:12 When it was day, certain of the Yehudim banded together and bound themselves with an oath declaring that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Shaul. 13There were more than forty who conspired to make this death pact. 14They came to the Cohen Gadol and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a curse, and we will eat nothing until we have slain Shaul. 15Therefore, you, together with the Sanhedrin, appear before the commanding officer and request that he bring Shaul before you tomorrow, as though you need to question him to obtain more accurate information. We will kill him before he arrives.

16Shaul’s sister’s son heard of their plans to ambush him, and he went into the fortress and told Shaul. 17Then Shaul called one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, he has something important to tell him.” 18So the centurion took the young man to the commanding officer, and said, “The prisoner Shaul asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something important to say to you.” 19The commanding officer took him by the hand and took him aside privately and asked, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20He said, “The Yehudim have agreed to ask you to bring Shaul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they would ask him to clarify some matters. 21Do not yield to them, for more than forty men have planned to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. They are now ready, waiting for a promise from you.” 22The commanding officer let the young man depart, and charged him, “Do not tell anyone that you have disclosed these things to me.”

< 311 > Shaul is rescued by four hundred and seventy Roman soldiers

23:23 The commanding officer called two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, as well as seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24Provide beasts of burden to transport Shaul, and take him safely to Felix the governor.” 25The commanding officer wrote a letter after this manner:

26From: Claudius Lysias

To: His Excellency, Governor Felix

Subj: Prisoner Transfer

Greetings.

27This man was taken by the Yehudim and he would have been killed by them, but I came with troops and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28When I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him to their council. 29I perceived that he was being accused concerning questions about their Torah, but he was charged of nothing worthy of death or incarceration. 30When I was informed that the Yehudim had set an ambush for the man, I immediately sent him to you and commanded his accusers to appear before you and state their charges against him. Farewell.

31As they were commanded, the soldiers took Shaul and brought him to Antipatris that night. 32On the morrow the soldiers returned to the Antonia fortress while the horsemen continued on with Shaul. 33When they arrived at Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Shaul before him.

< 312 > Shaul is tried before Governor Felix

23:34 The governor read the letter and asked from what province Shaul heralded. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, 35he said, “I will hear your defense after your accusers have arrived.” Then he commanded Shaul to be held in Herod’s judgment hall.

24:1 After five days Ananias (the Cohen Gadol) arrived with members of the Sanhedrin and an eloquent orator named Tertullus to accuse Shaul before the governor. 2When he was called forward, Tertullus began his case for the prosecution, saying, “Seeing that by you we have attained an abiding state of national tranquility, and that by your beneficent providence abundant success has come unto this nation, 3we are always thankful for everything we receive from your grace, most noble Felix. 4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious to you, I pray of your clemency that you would hear but a few words from us.

5“We have found this man a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition among all the Yehudim throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Notzrim! 6He has attempted to profane the Temple, and that is why we arrested him and would have judged him according to our law. 7But Lysias, the commanding officer of the garrison, took him out of our hands with great violence. 8Then he ordered the accusers of this traitor to appear before you. But we realize that by examining him yourself, you will understand all the things of which we accuse him. 9The members of the council also agreed and said that those things were so.”

10Then Shaul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, “Forasmuch as I know that you have been of many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. 11Not more than twelve days ago I went up to Yerushalayim to worship. 12My accusers did not find me in the Temple disputing with anyone or inciting the people either in the synagogues or in the city. 13Neither can they prove any of the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I do confess – that after the Way, which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all the things which are written in the Torah and in the prophets. 15Yes, I have hope toward YHVH, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, 16and in this respect, I always strive to have a conscience void of offense toward YHVH and men. 17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, as well as offerings to the Temple, 18whereupon certain Yehudim from Asia found me purified in the Temple, neither with a multitude nor with an uproar. 19They too ought to be here before you testifying if they have anything against me. 20Otherwise, let these men say if they found any evildoing in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin. 21There is just one reason that I am called in question before you this day, and it is the very thing I stated before them. It is concerning the resurrection of the dead.”

22When Felix, having an accurate understanding of the Way, heard these things, he deferred, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide this matter.” 23Felix commanded a centurion to guard Shaul but allow him liberty. None of Shaul’s friends were forbidden to either minister to him or visit. 24After certain days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and he sent for Shaul to hear him concerning faith in Messiah. 25As Shaul spoke about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, “Go your way for now. I will call for you when it is more convenient.” 26Felix sent for him often to commune with him hoping that Shaul would give him money so that he might loose him. 27But after two years Porcius Festus took over Felix’s position, and Felix, willing to do the Yehudim a favor before leaving office, left Shaul bound.

< 313 > Shaul is tried again before Festus

25:1 Now when Festus came into the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Yerushalayim. 2Then the Cohen Gadol and the leaders of the Pharisees informed him against Shaul and entreated him. 3They desired this one favor – that Festus would send him to Yerushalayim because they conspired to ambush Shaul along the way and kill him. 4But Festus decided that Shaul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself would go there shortly. 5He said, “Let those among you who are able go to Caesarea with me and accuse this man, if there is any real wickedness in him.”

6Festus tarried among them more than ten days, and then he went down to Caesarea. The next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Shaul to be brought in. 7When he came in, the Yehudim who came down from Yerushalayim stood round about and laid many grievous complaints against Shaul, which they could not prove. 8Shaul answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Yehudim, neither against the Temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.”

9But Festus, willing to do the Yehudim a pleasure, answered Shaul, and said, “Will you go up to Yerushalayim and be judged there concerning these things before me?” 10Then Shaul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Yehudim, as you know very well. 11If I am an offender or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if there is nothing else that I am accused with, no one has the authority to deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12Then Festus, after he had conferred with counsel, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar – unto Caesar you shall go!”

13After certain days, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to welcome Festus to his new post. 14When they had been there many days, Festus declared Shaul’s cause to the king, saying, “There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix, 15about whom, when I was at Yerushalayim, the Cohen Gadol and the leaders of the Pharisees informed me, desiring to have judgment made against him. 16I answered, ‘It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die before he who is accused meet his accusers face to face and have liberty to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.’ 17When his accusers arrived the next day, I sat on the judgment seat without any further delay and commanded the man to be brought forth, 18against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of such things as I supposed. 19They made certain accusations against him concerning their own religion and concerning one Yeshua, who was dead but whom Shaul affirmed to be alive. 20Because I was in doubt concerning such matters and questions, I asked him whether he would be willing to go to Yerushalayim and be judged there concerning these matters. 21But when Shaul appealed to be reserved to the court of Caesar Augustus, I commanded him to be kept under guard until I could send him to Caesar.” 22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would also like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” Festus said, “you shall hear him.”

< 314 > Shaul is tried yet again before King Agrippa

25:23 On the morrow, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered into the council chambers, along with the commanding officers and honorable men of the city. At Festus’ command, Shaul was brought forth. 24Festus said, “King Agrippa and all men which are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Yehudim has dealt with me, both at Yerushalayim and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I determined to send him to Caesar. 26I have nothing in particular to write about him to my lord; therefore, I have brought him forth before all of you, and especially before you, O King Agrippa, so that after your examination of him, I might have something to write. 27It seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner to Caesar without specifying the crimes laid against him.”

26:1 Then Agrippa said to Shaul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Shaul stretched forth his hand and answered for himself, 2“King Agrippa, I am happy to answer for myself today concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Yehudim, 3especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and debates among the Yehudim; therefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently.

4“My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Yerushalayim, all the Yehudim know. 5Those who knew me from the beginning, if they testify, would affirm that after the most observant and strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6Now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by YHVH unto our fathers, 7a promise which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving day and night, hoped to attain. Because of this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Yehudim. 8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that YHVH should raise the dead? 9I myself truly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Yeshua of Natzeret, 10and I did so in Yerushalayim. I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the Cohen Gadol; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly angry against them, I persecuted them even in gentile cities. 12As I traveled to Damascus with authority and commission from the Cohen Gadol, 13at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, beyond the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them who journeyed with me. 14When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew tongue, ‘Shaul, Shaul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15I asked, ‘Who are you, Adonai?’ He said, ‘I am Yeshua, whom you persecute. 16Rise, and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose – to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have just seen and of the things which I will reveal to you. 17I have called you out from among the people of Israel and I will send you to the gentiles 18to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of hasatan to YHVH, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”

19 “O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but I declared, first to them of Damascus, and at Yerushalayim, and throughout all the coasts of Yehudah, and then to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to YHVH and do works indicative of true repentance. 21For these causes the Yehudim arrested me in the Temple and then attempted to kill me. 22But having obtained help from YHVH, I continue to live to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those things that the prophets and Moshe said should come – 23that Messiah would suffer, and that he would be the first to rise from the dead, and that he would be a light to the people of Israel and to the gentiles.”

24As Shaul spoke, Festus cried with a loud voice, “Shaul, you are beside yourself! Much learning has driven you insane!” 25Shaul replied, “I am not crazy, most noble Festus, but I speak forth the words of truth in all soberness. 26The king, before whom I speak freely, knows about all these things, for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. This thing was not done in a corner! 27King Agrippa, you do believe the prophets! I know that you believe!” 28Then Agrippa said to Shaul, “You almost persuade me to be a follower of the Netzerim.” 29Shaul replied, “I would to YHVH that not only you but also all that hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am – except for these chains.” 30When he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them. 31When they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” 32Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set at liberty if he had not formally appealed to Caesar.”

< 315 > Shaul is transported to Rome and shipwrecked on the way

27:1 When it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Shaul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion from Caesar Augustus’ personal guard. 2Entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3The next day we reached Zidon, and Julius courteously treated Shaul and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself. 4When we launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5When we had sailed by Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia, 6and there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and he put us therein – [two hundred and seventy passengers in all].{1} 7We had sailed slowly many days, the wind not permitting us to approach Cnidus so we sailed leeward of Crete toward Salmone. 8Hardly passing Crete, we came to a place which is called The Fair Havens, near the city of Lesea. 9Much time had been wasted and sailing was now dangerous because the fast of Yom Kippur was already past and Shaul admonished them, 10“Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injuries and great damage, not only of the cargo and ship but also of our lives.” 11Nevertheless, the centurion believed the Captain and also the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by Shaul. 12Because the haven was not fit to winter in, the majority of the passengers also advised to depart from there if there was any way that they could get to Phenice, which is another harbor of Crete lying toward the south west, or yet another harbor to the north west where they might spend the winter.

13When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained favorable conditions, they raised anchor and again attempted to sail completely past Crete. 14But not long after there arose a violent wind against us called Heuroclydon. 15When the ship was stalled and could not bear up to the wind, we let her drive. 16Running under the lee of a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to control the ship’s dingy. 17They had lowered it over the side to help under gird the ship with ropes. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars, they struck sail, and were driven by the winds. 18Because we were exceedingly tossed by the tempest, the next day they lightened the ship, 19and the third day we cast out the tackling of the ship with our own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was lost.

21After a long period of silence, Shaul stood up in the midst of them, and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22Now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but only the loss of the ship. 23There stood by me this night the angel of YHVH, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24saying, ‘Fear not, Shaul; you must be brought before Caesar. And, lo, YHVH has given you all those who sail with you.’ 25Therefore, sirs, be of good cheer, for I believe YHVH that it shall be even as it was told me. 26However, we will be marooned on an island.”

27When the fourteenth night came, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic sea, at about midnight the shipmen believed that they were drawing near to land. 28They took soundings and found the water to be twenty fathoms deep, and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29Then, fearing that we would be driven into the rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern and hoped for daylight. 30As the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship when they let down the dingy under the pretext of casting the anchors out of the foreship. 31Shaul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Except these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the dingy and let it fall off.

33When dawn was beginning to break, Shaul besought them all to eat some food, saying, “This day is the fourteenth day that you have abstained and continued to fast, having eaten nothing. 34Therefore I beg you to eat some food. This is for your health. There shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.” 35When he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to YHVH in presence of them all, and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36Then they were all of good cheer, and they also partook of some food. 37All that were in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship by casting the remaining wheat into the sea.

39When it was day, they did not recognize the land to which they had come, but they discovered a creek on the shoreline, into which they were determined, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. 40So they took up the anchors and committed themselves to the sea. They loosed the rudder ropes, hoisted the mainsail to the wind, and made toward the shore. 41Driving into the place where the two waters met, they ran the ship aground and the bow stuck fast and remained unmovable, and the stern began to be broken apart by the violence of the waves.

42The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape. 43But the centurion, willing to save Shaul, kept them from their purpose and commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves into the sea and swim to shore, 44and the rest who could not swim would float on boards or on broken pieces of the ship. So it came to pass that they all escaped safely to land.

{27:6.1} The number of crew and passengers is cited in verse 37, and added here to provide context for the following incident.

< 316 > Shaul is stranded on Melita and bitten by a viper

28:1 When they had escaped, they learned that the island was called Melita. 2The natives showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and received every one of us because of the constant rain and the cold. 3Shaul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire and a viper came out of the heat and fastened onto his hand. 4When the natives saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, “No doubt this man is a murderer! Even though he has escaped the sea, righteous vengeance will not allow him to live.” 5But Shaul shook off the viper into the fire, and felt no harm. 6They watched him, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead, but after they had observed him a great while and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7In the same area were lands belonging to the governor of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and lodged us three days courteously. 8It came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of bloody dysentery. Shaul went in to him and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him. 9When this was done, others on the island who also had diseases came and were healed. 10They honored us with many gifts and when we departed, they laded us with all our necessities.

11After three months we departed Melita in another ship from Alexandria which had wintered in the isle. It sailed under the ensign of Castor and Pollux – [the twin sons of the pagan god Jupiter]. 12We landed at Syracuse and remained there three days. 13From there we circled around and came to Rhegium, and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli. 14There we found brothers, and were asked to stay with them seven days, and then we went on toward Rome. 15When the brothers heard we were coming, they came to meet us from as far away as Appii Forum and Three Taverns. When Shaul saw them, he blessed YHVH and took courage.

< 317 > Shaul is confined in Rome, but is free to teach and write

28:16 When we arrived in Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Shaul was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that watched him. 17After three days Shaul called the leaders of the Yehudim, and when they came together, he said to them, “Men and brothers, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet from Yerushalayim I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans. 18When they had examined me, they would have let me go because there was no cause of death in me. 19When the Yehudim spoke against my release, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar – not because I had any accusation against my nation. 20This is why I have called for you. I wanted to see you and speak with you because I am bound with this chain for the hope of Israel.”

21They said to him, “We neither received letters out of Yehudah concerning you, nor have any of the brothers who have come here shown any ill will toward you or desire to harm you. 22But we desire to hear what you think concerning this sect because we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23Then they appointed a day in which they all came to his lodging, and from morning till evening Shaul expounded and testified concerning the kingdom of YHVH, and was persuading them concerning Yeshua both out of the Torah of Moshe and out of the Prophets. 24Some believed the things that were spoken, and some believed not. 25When they disagreed among themselves, they departed after Shaul had spoken this one word, “Well spoke the Ruach Kodesh by Yeshayahu the prophet to our fathers, 26‘Go to this people, and say, ‘Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand. Seeing you shall see, and not perceive. 27For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed. If they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and repent, I would heal them.’’{1} 28Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of YHVH is sent to the gentiles, and they will hear it.”{1} 29And when he had said these words, the Yehudim departed, and had great debate among themselves.

{28:27.1} Isaiah 6:9-10

{28:28.1} The salvation of YHVH is sent to the gentiles until the fullness of time of the gentiles is complete; then the blindness in part which has happened to Israel will be removed, and it will be life from the grave (Romans 11:11-27).

< 318 > Eighth summary statement:

28:30 And Shaul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house and received all that came in to him, 31preaching the kingdom of YHVH and teaching those things which concern the master Yeshua Messiah with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

29:1 (The succeeding chapters are being recorded by the heavenly scribes at this very moment…)

X. The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah to Eternity

A Chronological Outline

The Gospel of The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah was written by Yochanan in perfect chronological sequence, interrupted by several parenthetical sections that give essential background showing cause and effect. The first four Gospel records detail how the Messiah fulfilled the Spring Feasts of YHVH in precise accord with the Divine rehearsals embedded in the Temple service. Yochanan also chronicled the Messiah interpreting the Fall Feasts as he taught the multitudes on those eternally important occasions. In this fifth Gospel, The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, Yochanan details how the Messiah will fulfill the prophetic shadow pictures embedded in the Fall Feasts of YHVH with the same exacting precision that he fulfilled the Spring Feasts. If we do not understand the Feasts of YHVH, our understanding of the first four Gospels will remain shallow, and the fifth Gospel interminably confusing.

Yochanan opens his record with the background of who he is, where he was at the time, and exactly how he received the revelation. Messiah instructed Yochanan to write the details of this revelation so that Yeshua’s servants would understand the critical things which would come to pass in rapid succession in “the great and notable Day of YHVH” (Joel 2:31; Malachi 4:5; Acts 2:20). According to Messiah’s instructions, Yochanan was to record the revelation in the order in which was given:

(1) The things that you have seen (Messiah walking in the midst of seven lampstands; ch. 1:10-18)

(2) The things that are now (as they were in the seven kehilot (assemblies) in Asia Minor; ch. 1:20-3:22)

(3) The things that will be hereafter (which he witnessed in the throne room; ch. 4:1-22:6)

In the same spirit in which Yochanan received the revelation – “that the servants of the Messiah will know the things which must come to pass” (ch. 1:1) – this rendition of the good news of the Messiah as the Reigning King is presented in outline form in order to more clearly define the overall picture for the reader.

The Revelation begins with seven letters to the seven Messianic kehilot (assemblies) in Asia Minor. Yochanan then details the events that transpire as Yeshua strips seven seals from a scroll of eternal significance while, at the stripping of each seal, specific events play out across the stage of planet Earth. When the seventh seal is loosed, seven angels blowing seven trumpets are introduced. Six angels blow their trumpets in succession, and then seven thunders follow. When the seven thunders are accomplished, the seventh (and last) trumpet finally sounds (Yom Teruah), and the saints are miraculously “delivered from the wrath to come” (I Thessalonians 1:10) as they are gathered together on the sea of fire and glass. At that time, seven angels pour out the contents of seven bowls full of the smoking wrath of the Almighty onto the inhabitants of the Earth who have been left behind. When the wrath is concluded ten days later (Yom Kippur), the bride dresses for the seven-day Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Sukkot) in the heavenly Tabernacle. At the end of the wedding Feast (Hoshana Rabbah), Yeshua returns (on the Last Great Day – Shemini Atzeret) to rule the Earth with the Torah and a rod of iron.

The Revelation of Yeshua Messiah

Introduction

Yochanan’s authority

1:1 This is the revelation of Yeshua Messiah which YHVH gave to Yeshua to show to his servants the things which must rapidly come to pass in the Day of YHVH.{1} He authenticated and sent this revelation by way of his messenger,{2} his bondservant Yochanan, 2who bears firsthand witness of the word of YHVH, and the testimony of Yeshua Messiah, and of all things that he saw.

{1:1.1} The most prophesied time period spoken of by the Hebrew prophets – The Day of YHVH – Revelation 1:10 Joel 2:31; Malachi 4:5; Acts 2:20

{1:1.2} KJV: angel <aggeloj – aggelos> – an envoy, one who is sent. Either a Divine messenger (Matthew 1:20) or a human messenger (Matthew 11:10). The messenger spoken of here is Yochanan, and the messengers to the seven assemblies are also human. However, the messenger who takes him to the throne room and the messengers who blow the trumpets are heavenly messengers. Context is the only way to determine whether the messenger is of Divine or human agency.

Yochanan’s promise

1:3 Blessed is he who accurately knows, and those who hear and obey the words of this prophecy, and those who guard the things that are written herein – at the time that their fulfillment is close at hand.

Greeting

1:4 Greetings

From: Yochanan

To: The seven kehilot{1} in Asia Minor:

Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne,

5and from Yeshua Messiah, who is the faithful witness, and the firstborn from among the dead,{1} and the ruler over all the kings of the earth.{2} All honor to him who loved us, and washed us from our sins with his own blood,{3} 6and has made us priests and kings to YHVH his Father.{1} To Yeshua be glory and dominion forever and ever – the Truth.{2}

{1:4.1} Derived from the Hebrew root <lhq>, kehilah (singular) or kehilot (plural) was translated as <ekklesia – ekklesia> in the Septuagint. Ekklesia was used for the first time in Deuteronomy 18:16 (assembly KJV) when Israel was assembled at the mountain to hear the terms of the Covenant pronounced by the Almighty. The word church, from the Old English kirke, was derived from the Greek <kikloj> kiklos, literally meaning circle, which was adapted as circus, which was performed in a circle. The word assembly could appropriately be used in this text, but church should be strenuously avoided. William Tyndale translated the Greek ekklesia as church two times in his Bible – both times in reference to pagan temples, otherwise it was translated congregation. This was the primary reason he was burned at the stake by the “church.” We believe that kehilah is the most authentic word to use because it disconnects us mentally and emotionally from the modern nicolaitan or Laodicean church, which has truly become a circus.

{1:5.1} Psalm 16:9-10

{1:5.2} Psalm 2:1-12

{1:5.3} Exodus 24:8; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14

{1:6.1} Exodus 19:6; Revelation 5:10

{1:6.2} In Hebrew the word emet, meaning truth, is used interchangeably with the word amen in the synagogues of the Karaite Jews to this day – and used even more frequently. Here Yeshua is referred to as Truth (John 14:6; Revelation 3:14).

The Revealing of Yeshua Messiah

1:7 Behold, he is coming in the clouds!{1} Every eye shall see him, even those who pierced him, and all the families of the earth shall wail because of him.{2} Truth.

{1:7.1} Daniel 7:13

{1:7.2} Zechariah 12:10

The Authority

1:8 “I am Aleph and Tav, the beginning and the ending,” says YHVH,{1} who is, and who was, and who is to come – El Shaddai – the Almighty.{2}

{1:8.1} Zechariah 14:16: Revelation 1:10-11

{1:8.2} Matthew 28:18

Background

1:9 I, Yochanan, your brother and your companion in tribulation, and also in enduring faithfulness in the kingdom of Yeshua Messiah, was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos because of the word of YHVH and for bearing testimony of Yeshua Messiah.

The Appearance of Messiah

(The things you have just seen)

1:10 I was taken in the Spirit to the Day of YHVH, and I heard a loud voice behind me like the blast of a trumpet, 11which said, “I am Aleph and Tav, the first and the last.

What you see, write in a scroll and send it to the seven kehilot in Asia Minor – to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

12I turned to see the voice that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13In the midst of the seven lampstands I saw one who appeared to be the Son of man, clothed with a haluq{1} down to his feet, and girded{2} about with a golden sash. 14His hair and beard were like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like a flaming fire.

15His feet looked like polished brass that had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the sound of roaring oceans. 16In his right hand he had seven stars, and the words out of his mouth cut like a sharp, two-edged sword.{1} His face burned brighter than the strength of the sun, 17and when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand upon me and said, “Fear not! I am the first and the last! 18I am he who was dead and now lives! Behold, I am alive forevermore, and I now have the keys to death and the grave.”{1}

{1:13.1} A bell-shaped, white linen garment worn by itself or under the tallit.

{1:13.2} The KJV says “girt about the paps (breasts) with a golden girdle.” However, the sash is not worn at chest level – the Greek mastos could have been a poor choice for the original Hebrew, which is no longer in extant. The number of Hebrew words remaining within the Greek text of the Revelation indicate that it was probably originally written in Hebrew, as was the Gospel of Matthew.

{1:16.1} Revelation 2:12, 16; 19:15, 21

{1:18.1} Hell (KJV) <‘adhj> hades is the grave. Hell is not the lake of fire. In the end, hasatan, death, hell, and “whosoever was not found written in the book of life” will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10, 14-15).

The Instructions from Yeshua to Yochanan

1:19 “Write the things which you have just seen,{1} and the things which are now,{2} and the things which shall be in the future.”{3}

{1:19.1} Revelation 1: 10-18

{1:19.2} Revelation 1:20-3:22;

{1:19.3} Revelation 4:1-22:6

The Letters to the Seven Kehilot

(The things which are now)

1:20 “As for the significance of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands; the seven stars are the messengers to the seven kehilot, and the seven lampstands are the seven kehilot.”

To Ephesus

The Authority

2:1 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Ephesus write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands!”{1}

{2:1.1} Revelation 1:12-16

The Praise

2:2 “I know your works, and your labors, and your endurance, and how you cannot bear those who are evil. You have tried those who claim that they are apostles, but are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3You have endured patiently, and you have labored in my name and have not fainted.”

The Grievance

2:4 “Nevertheless, I have this one thing against you – you have abandoned the love you had for me at first.”

The Warning

2:5 “So consider from where you have fallen. Turn back and do the works you did at the first. If you do not return, I will come in among you and forcefully shake your lampstand. 6But you have this to your credit – you hate the deeds of the nicolaitans,{1} which I also hate!”

{2:6.1} Greek: <niko> niko = conqueror, laitoj – laitos = people> The systematic subjugation of the people under a hierarchical authoritarian religious system. This dictatorial ploy was circumvented by Yeshua when James and John used their mother’s emotional plea in an attempt to secure themselves a nicolaitan position among their fellow disciples (Matthew 20:20-28). This “leadership” technique which results in manipulation, intimidation, and control (witchcraft) is common among gentile dictators and false religious systems which must keep their sheeple from thinking for themselves.

The Promise

2:7 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot: To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of YHVH!”{1}

{2:7.1} Revelation 22:2

To Smyrna

The Authority

2:8 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Smyrna write: These things says the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive!”{1}

{2:8.1} Revelation 1:17-18

The Praise

2:9a “I know your works, and your tribulation, and your poverty. But you are indeed rich!”

The Grievance

9b “I also know the blasphemy of those who falsely claim to be Israel,{1} but are of the assembly of hasatan.”

{2:9b.1} Jews (KJV) – In the days of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms, which became known as Yisrael (Israel in the north) and Yehudah (Judah in the south). Hundreds of years later, the Israelites of the northern kingdom were conquered by the Assyrians and dispersed. A generation after their dispersal, the Israelites in Judaea were exiled into Babylon, where the term Yehudi (shortened in Middle English to Jew circa 1000 CE) became a common term for the Israelites who once lived in the kingdom of Judah. The term Yehudim first appears in II Kings 16:6 before the Babylonian captivity, but it does not become common until the Babylonian captivity. The northern tribes of Israel, as a whole, remained dispersed among the nations.

When the Judean Israelites returned from Babylon, the title Jew (Yehudi in Hebrew) stayed with them as part of their national identity. The small number of Israelites from the northern tribes who returned to the land also took on this common descriptor. By the first century, the terms Jew and Israelite were used interchangeably – even though their distinctions are still historically and prophetically valid. Today, the term Jew no longer maintains its geographic distinction to the area of Judaea – and though the term is commonly used to denote the religious sect of the Pharisees, it was not used this way exclusively. Shaul repeatedly used the terms Jew and Israelite interchangeably in his letters. He called himself an Israelite in one context (Romans 11:1), and in another context he described himself as a Jew from the tribe of Benyamin who was raised in the Jew’s religion – a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).

Here, in the book of the Revelation, Yochanan is addressing those who claimed to be Israelites – but were not. These people in the assembly in Smyrna were neither pretending to be Pharisees – religious Jews – nor asserting to be physical inhabitants of Judaea. Shaul clarified in Romans 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly…But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly…” Shaul is obviously comfortable interchanging the terms Jew and Israel. Gentiles were always welcome to be grafted into Israel, which is an issue of turning to the God of Israel with the whole heart and keeping his commandments. Shaul goes on to state in Rom. 2:29 that a true Jew is one whose heart is circumcised by the Ruach. Jeremiah prophesied this inward change in Jer. 31:33, “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel [and with the house of Judah] after those days, says YHVH: I will put My Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hence, the issue in dividing the true believers from the pretenders remains: is the Ruach Kodesh writing the Torah on the hearts and in the minds of those who claim to be his?

There were those in the kehilah of Smyrna who claimed to be grafted into Israel and of the same body – but they were liars (Romans 11:1-36; Ephesians 3:6). They ascribed to a newly invented, man-made covenant which bore no resemblance to the Covenant that the Messiah renewed with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31). As Yeshua walked among the lampstands undetected, he exposed those who pretended to be grafted into Israel, yet did not have the Torah written on their hearts. He called them out as deceivers – members of the assembly of hasatan – not grafted-in members of the kehilah of Israel. Though they feign themselves to be in the faith and pretend to manifest the power of the Holy Spirit, one day Yeshua will tell them straight to their face, “I never knew you – you violators of the Torah” (Matthew 7:22-23).

The Warning

2:10 “Do not fear the things you will endure. Behold, hasatan will throw some of you into the darkness of the night watch to test you, and you will be afflicted for ten days. But be faithful to the death, and I will give you a crown of life.”

The Promise

2:11 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot: He who overcomes{1} shall not be harmed by the second death!”{2}

{2:11.1} Revelation 2:7, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7

{2:11.2} Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8

To Pergamos

The Authority

2:12 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Pergamos write: These things says he who has the sharp sword with two edges!”{1}

{2:12.1} Revelation 1:16; 2:16; 19:15, 21

The Praise

2:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell – where the seat of hasatan is. You have held fast to my name and have not denied my faith – even in the days in which Antipas, my faithful martyr, was slain in your midst at the seat of hasatan.”{1}

{2:13.1} The edifice known as the Seat of Satan was the place where numbers of Messianic believers were publicly executed in the Temple of Zeus. In 1902 the edifice was removed from Pergamos and taken to Berlin, Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Adolf Hitler used the Seat of Satan as the structural template for the Third Reich’s outdoor military theater, which he built in Nuremburg. The original Seat of Satan was later taken to Russia by Stalin, who subsequently murdered millions of his fellow countrymen. The Seat was returned to Berlin in 1958.

The Grievance

2:14 “But I have a few things against you, because you have among you those who hold the doctrine of Balaam,{1} who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel by eating things sacrificed to idols and committing fornication with pagan temple prostitutes. 15You also have those who hold the doctrine of the nicolaitans,{1} which I hate!”

{2:14.1} Numbers 31:16; II Peter 2:15

{2:15.1} See note {2:6.1} on nicolaitanism – the “leadership” perversion Yeshua hates with a Divine passion.

The Warning

2:16 “Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword{1} that comes out of my mouth.”

{2:16.1} Revelation 1:16; 2:12; 19:15, 21

The Promise

2:17 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot: To him who overcomes{1} will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written{2} which no man can know except the one who receives it!”

{2:17.1} Revelation 15:2-4

{2:17.2} Isaiah 56:5, 62:2, 65:15; Revelation 3:12

To Thyatira

The Authority

2:18 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Thyatira write: These things says the Son of YHVH, who has eyes like a flaming fire, and feet like burnished brass!”{1}

{2:18.1} Revelation 1:14-15

The Praise

2:19 “I know your works of righteousness, and your charity, and your service, and your faith, and your patient endurance, and your labors – and your labors are now more abundant than at the first.”

The Grievance

20“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you because you allow that “Jezebel” woman, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach.

She seduces my servants to prostitute themselves and indulge in idolatry. 21I gave her some space to repent of her seductive behavior, but she refused.”

The Warning

22“Watch me – I will throw her and those who commit adultery with her into a bed of great tribulation – unless they repent of their deeds. 23I will exterminate her children, and then all the kehilot will know that I am he who searches the innermost thoughts and hearts. I will reward every one of you according to your works.”

The Promise

24“But I say to you, and to the rest in Thyatira who have not embraced this perverted doctrine and have not known the depths of hasatan’s depravity of which they speak from experience; I will put no other burden upon you. 25Just hold fast to that which you still have until I come. 26He who overcomes and keeps my commandments to the end, to him will I give authority over the nations. 27He shall rule them with a rod of iron! As the vessels of a potter, they shall be broken to shards – just as I have received this authority from my Father.{1} 28Yes, I will give him the morning star!{1}

29He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot.”

{2:27.1} Psalm 2:8-9

{2:28.1} Revelation 20:4-6, 22:16

To Sardis

The Authority

3:1a “To the messenger of the kehilah at Sardis write: These things says he who has the seven Spirits of YHVH, and the seven stars!”{1}

{3:1.1} Revelation 1:4, 16, 20; 2:1; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6

The Grievance

3:1b “I know your works. You have a reputation that you are alive – but you are dead!”

The Warning

2“Be watchful. Strengthen the things which still remain – but are ready to die. I have not found your works perfect before YHVH.

3Remember what you once received and heard. Return to it. Hold fast to it! If you refuse to watch, I will come upon you like a thief – in an hour you do not expect. You will not know what hit you!”

The Praise

4“You have just a few in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. Only those in white garments will walk with me, because they alone are worthy.”

The Promise

5“He who overcomes these things shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of the scroll of life,{1} but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels!{2}

6He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot.”

{3:5.1} Psalm 69:28; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:27

{3:5.2} Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8

To Philadelphia

The Authority

3:7 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Philadelphia write: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David{1} – he who opens and no man shuts – and shuts and no man opens!”{2}

{3:7.1} Revelation 1:18 – David is dead and buried and his grave is with us today (Acts 2:29). Yeshua holds the keys to unlock the grave that now holds David until the Resurrection of the Just.

{3:7.2} Job 12:14; Isaiah 22:22; Matthew16:19

The Praise

3:8 “I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door that no man can shut. You have a little strength, and have kept my Torah, and have not denied my name.”

The Counsel

9“Behold the assembly of hasatan! Those who lie and say they are Israel,{1} but they are not! I will force these posers to bow down before you and kiss your feet{2} – then they will know that I have loved you. 10Because you have endured and have kept my Torah, I will also keep you{1} in the time of temptation that shall come upon the entire world, to test everyone who dwells upon the face of the Earth!”

{3:9.1} Jews (KJV) see note {2:9b.1}. “Israel” and “Jew” are used interchangeably according to context.

{3:9.2} Isaiah 45:14; 49:23; 60:14

{3:10.1} <tereo ek – tereo ek> to take into the hands and hold out from – akin to a peculiar treasure (Exodus 19:5). < hlgs – segulah> = a treasure so precious that a king will hold it in his hands and will allow none other than himself to touch it.

The Promise

3:11 “Behold, I am coming soon. Hold fast to that which you have so that no man can steal your crown. 12He who overcomes will I make a pillar in the Temple of YHVH, and he shall go out no more. I will write upon him the Name of my Elohim, and the name of the city of my Elohim, which is the new Yerushalayim, which will come down out of heaven from YHVH. I will also write upon him my new name!{1}

13He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot.”

{3:12.1} Revelation 21:1-7, Isaiah 56:5, 62:2, 65:15; Revelation 2:17

To Laodicea

The Authority

3:14 “To the messenger of the kehilah at Laodicea write: These things says the Truth, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the creation of YHVH!”{1}

{3:14.1} Revelation 1:5-6

The Grievance

3:15 “I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot: I would that you were either cold or hot.”

The Warning

16“But because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth! 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,’ you have no idea that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

The Counsel

18“I counsel you to buy gold from me so that you may be rich – gold purified in the fire. Buy white garments from me, so that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness will not be exposed. Anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.”{1}

{3:18.1} Laodicea was widely known for its apothecary, especially its eye salve. “Take your own medicine.”

The Promise

3:19 “Those whom I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous for me and return to me!

20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.

21To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father on his throne!{1}

22He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the kehilot.”

{3:21.1} Matthew 19:28; II Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26; 20:4-7

The Revelation from the Throne Room

(The things which shall be in the future)

4:1 After this, I looked and saw a door open in heaven. The first voice I heard sounded like a trumpet speaking to me. It said, “Come up here, and I will show you things which shall be in the future!”

The Throne Room

4:2 Immediately I was taken up in the spirit, and I beheld a throne set in the heavens, and him who sat on the throne. 3He who sat on the throne looked like multicolored jasper and a sardius stone. A rainbow, which glowed like an emerald, surrounded the throne. 4Around the throne were twenty-four seats, and upon the seats I saw twenty-four elders. They were clothed in white garments, and on their heads they had crowns of gold. 5Out of the throne exploded lightning, and thunder, and deafening voices. Before the throne there were seven lamps of burning fire – which are the seven Spirits of YHVH.{1} 6In front of the throne there was a sea of glass like polished crystal. In the midst of the throne room and surrounding the throne were four awesome beasts covered with eyes in front and behind. 7The first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like an ox, and the third beast had the face of a man, and the fourth beast was like an eagle. 8Each of the four beasts had six wings that were covered with eyes. They did not rest day or night, and they cried, “HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! YHVH! Elohim! El Shaddai! who was, and is, and is to come!” 9And when those awesome beasts gave glory and honor and praise to him who sat on the throne and lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fell down before him who sat on the throne and worshipped him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11“You are worthy, O YHVH our Elohim, to receive glory and honor and praise because you have created all things, and for your pleasure they exist and were created.”

{4:5.1} The seven Spirits of YHVH are represented in the pattern of the Tabernacle as the Menorah, the seven-branched lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40).

The Title Deed Impossibly Sealed

5:1 I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll that was written inside, but on the outside it was sealed with seven seals. 2Then a mighty angel proclaimed with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll, and to loose the seals thereof?” 3But no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the scroll and look therein. 4I wept desperately! No man was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, nor even to look therein!{1}

{5:4.1} The title deed to the Earth was originally given to Adam but was delivered to hasatan, who offered it to Yeshua for the price of submission to him (Luke 4:5-8). Hasatan is legally the god of this age (II Corinthians 4:3-4) and must be legally stripped of his authority (Revelation 12:7-10). There was no one in the universe who had the authority to strip the seals of hasatan’s authority from the deed to this world – not even the mightiest of angelic beings whose voices shook the universe. Yochanan knew all was eternally lost. He wept uncontrollably.

The Lamb of YHVH has Prevailed

5Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not! Look! The Lion of the tribe of Yehudah! The offspring of David has prevailed to strip the seven seals and to open the scroll!” 6I looked, and in the midst of the throne and the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, there stood a Lamb that looked as if it had been slain. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of YHVH which are sent forth into all the earth. 7He came forward and took the scroll out of the right hand of him who sat upon the throne. 8When he had taken the scroll, the four beasts and twenty-four elders fell on their faces before the Lamb. Every one of the elders had harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints, 9and they sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to strip away the seals because you were innocently slain, and by the shedding of your blood [you have paid the death penalty for the breaking of the Covenant, and you have] redeemed to YHVH those out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. 10You have made them to be kings and priests to YHVH – and they shall reign on the earth.”{1} 11Then I heard the voices of many angels gathered round about the throne with the beasts and the elders – and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. 12They cried out in unison with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!” 13And every creature in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and with everything that was in them, I heard them shouting, “Blessing and honor and glory and power to him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever!” 14And the four beasts roared, “Amen.” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshipped him who lives forever and ever.

{5:10.1} Exodus 19:5-6; Revelation 1:5-6; 20:4-6

The Seven Seals

Yeshua strips the seals from the Title Deed

First Seal

6:1 I watched the Lamb strip the first seal, and I heard the deafening sound of thunder as one of the four beasts shouted, “GO!” 2I saw a white horse. He who sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given to him. He went forth conquering and to completely vanquish.

Second Seal

3When he stripped the second seal, I heard the second beast shout, “GO!” 4There went out another horse that was red, and power was given to him who sat on him to take peace from the earth. And there was given to him a great sword{1} so that they might kill one another.

{6:4.1} A great sword refers to military armament – the greatest of which is the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile with multiple independently targeted warheads. Lesser devices, such as helicopters and tanks, are described by John in the best words he could find. (Rev 9:3-10; 9:17-19).

Third Seal

5When he stripped the third seal, I heard the third beast shout, “GO!” And I saw a black horse. He who sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6Then I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts cry out, “A measure of wheat for a day’s wages, and three measures of barley for a day’s wages, but see that you do not harm the oil and the wine.”{1}

{6:6.1} Controlled economic collapse that preserves the oil and wine for those who direct the earth’s human and natural resources (Psalm 2; James 5:1-8).

Fourth Seal

7When he stripped the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast shout, “GO!” 8I looked, and I saw a pale horse. The name of him who sat on him was Death, and the grave followed him. Power was given to the four of them over a fourth of the earth, to exterminate with the sword,{1} and with hunger,{2} and with death,{3} and with living things from the earth.{4}

{6:8.1} Sword (KJV) <romfaia> rhomphaia – literally, the long javelin. Figuratively, the largest personal weapon on the battlefield.

{6:8.2} Hunger (KJV) <limoj> limos – killing by gaining full control of food resources

{6:8.3} Death (KJV) <thanatoj> thanatos – mass extermination

{6:8.4} Beasts of the earth (KJV) <qerion> therion – killing with that which has life (biological weapons)

Fifth Seal

9When he stripped the fifth seal, I looked under the altar and saw the souls of those who were slain for the Torah of YHVH and for the testimony which they held.{1} 10They cried with a loud voice, “O YHVH, holy and true, how long will you not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”{1} 11And white robes were given to every one of them, and they were told that they should rest for yet a short season until their fellow servants and their brothers who would be killed as they were would be fulfilled.{1}

{6:9.1} Revelation 12:17 “…who keep the commandments of YHVH and have the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.”

{6:10.1} Genesis 4:10 “…the voice of thy brother’s blood cries unto me from the ground.”

{6:11.1} Revelation 14:12-13 “…they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.”

Sixth Seal

12When he had stripped the sixth seal, there was a violent shaking of the earth. The sun became as black as sackcloth of goat hair, and the moon became blood red. 13What appeared to be flaming stars plummeted from heaven to the earth like a fig tree casting its overripe figs when shaken by a mighty wind. 14I saw the heavens depart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. 16They said to the mountains and rocks, “Cover us! Hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17For the great day of his wrath is coming – and who shall be able to stand?”

The Latter Rain Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Tishri 22, the Last Great Day

(seven years to the millennial reign of the Messiah from Jerusalem)

Parenthetic pause between the sixth and seventh Seals which shows us the destiny of the servants who are sealed for Divine protection

(Parenthesis 7:1-17)

(The 144,000 Sealed)

(7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living Elohim. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, 3saying, “Do no harm to the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of YHVH in their foreheads.” 4And I heard the number of them who were sealed – one hundred and forty-four thousand from all of the tribes of the children of Israel. 5From the tribe of Yehudah were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Reuven were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6From the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Menasheh were sealed twelve thousand. 7From the tribe of Shimon were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Yissakhar were sealed twelve thousand. 8From the tribe of Zevulun were sealed twelve thousand. From the tribe of Yoseph were sealed twelve thousand. And from the tribe of Benyamin were sealed twelve thousand.)

(The Innumerable Multitude)

This parenthetic clause (chapter 7:9-17) takes us ahead in time to show the final reward of those who are enduring great tribulation at the time. The verbatim statements from Revelation chapters 21 and 22 illustrate that the promises are not fulfilled until paradise is established upon the new earth. This is a promise of a future reality for the faithful – not a pre-tribulation rapture.

(7:9 After this I beheld a great multitude which no man could number – from every nation, and family, and people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands, 10and cried with a loud voice, “Salvation to YHVH, who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11All the angels stood round about the throne, and the elders and the four beasts fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped YHVH, 12saying, “Amen! Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be to our Elohim forever and ever. Amen!”

13And one of the elders asked me, “Who are these who are arrayed in white robes? Where did they come from?” 14And I said to him, “Sir, only you know.” He answered me, “These are they who come out of great tribulation.{1} They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15That is why they are before the throne of YHVH{1} and serve him day and night in his Temple.{2} He who sits on the throne shall dwell among them.{3} 16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more,{1} neither shall the sun shine on them, nor burn them.{2} 17The Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters,{1} and YHVH shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes.”{2})

{7:14.1} Revelation 21:7

{7:15.1} Revelation 22:3

{7:15.2} Revelation 21:22

{7:15.3} Revelation 21:3

{7:16.1} Revelation 21:6

{7:16.2} Revelation 22:5

{7:17.1} Revelation 21:6

{7:17.2} Revelation 21:4

Seventh Seal – Seven Trumpets Introduced

8:1 When he stripped the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2Then I saw the seven angels who stood before YHVH,{1} and they were given seven trumpets. 3And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer. He was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne.{1}

4The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints,{1} ascended up before YHVH out of the angel’s hand. 5Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar, and cast it into the earth. There were loud voices, and thunder, and lightning, and a great shaking of the earth.

{8:2.1} The seven Spirits of YHVH sent forth into all the earth (Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6).

{8:3.1} Represented in the pattern of the Tabernacle as the Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10).

{8:4.1} Psalm 141:2

The Seven Trumpets

8:6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

First Trumpet

7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

Second Trumpet

8The second angel sounded, and it was like a great mountain on fire being cast into the sea. The third part of the sea became blood, 9and the third part of the living sea creatures died, and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Third Trumpet

10The third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from the heavens, burning like a torch. It polluted the third part of the rivers, and the springs, 11and the name of the star was called Wormwood. The third part of the water became wormwood [bitter], and many men died from the water because it was poisoned.

Fourth Trumpet

12The fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars. So, the third part was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part, nor the night.

The Three “Woes” Announced

13Then I saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven and heard him crying with a loud voice, “WOE! WOE! WOE! to the inhabitants of the earth because of the sounding of the trumpets of the other three angels who are yet to sound!”

Apollyon – the Destroyer Revealed on Adar 15, Purim (Haman as the destroyer)

(1290 days to the marriage supper of the Lamb)

Fifth Trumpet

9:1 Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. The messenger from the abyss was given a key, 2and he opened the abyss. There arose a smoke out of the pit like the smoke of an enormous furnace, and the sun and the sky were darkened because of the smoke. 3Out of the smoke of the pit flying locusts came down upon the earth, and they had the power to inflict pain, much like a scorpion. 4They were commanded not to harm the grass, nor anything green, nor any tree; but only those men who do not have the seal of YHVH on their foreheads. 5They were ordered not to kill, but only to inflict pain for five months. Their torment was like the pain inflicted when a scorpion strikes a man. 6In those days men will seek death but shall not find it. They will desire to die, but death will flee from them.

7Now, the appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. It looked as if they had crowns on their heads – similar to crowns of gold. Their faces looked like the faces of men. 8They had hair, similar to the hair of women, and their teeth were like a lion’s. 9They had breastplates that looked like iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of many horse-drawn chariots running into battle. 10They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. They were given the authority to harm men for five months.

The Destroyer Revealed

11And they had a king over them, the messenger from the abyss, whose name in the Greek tongue is Apollyon, but in the Hebrew tongue his name is Abaddon – the Destroyer!

The First Woe Is Past

12One woe is past, and after this there come two more woes!

Sixth Trumpet

13The sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before YHVH. 14The voice spoke to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet, “Loose the four angels who are restrained at the great river Euphrates.” 15And the four angels were loosed, who were prepared for that very hour, and day, and month, and year, to slay the third part of mankind – 16and the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand; I heard the number!{1} 17I saw horses in the vision, and those who sat on them had breastplates of three colors – fire, and jacinth, and brimstone.{1} The heads of the horses looked like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18By these three elements were the third part of men killed – by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone{1} – which belched out of their mouths. 19Their power is in their mouths and also in their tails, for their tails that do the damage looked like serpents with smoking heads. 20Yet the rest of the men, who were not killed by these wounds, did not repent of the devious works of their hands. They continued to worship demons and their man-made idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood – those things which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk. 21Neither did they repent of their murders, nor their pharmakia,{1} nor their fornication, nor their thievery.

{9:16.1} The army numbers 200 million, and there were not even 200 million men on planet Earth at the time Yochanan received this revelation.

{9:17.1} A description of the colors on the breastplates – or perhaps the flags of the nations sending troops into battle – red, black, and white.

{9:18.1} Fire, smoke, and sulfur are three components of modern artillery fire.

{9:21.1} Rather than use the KJV translation sorceries, the transliteration of the Greek <farmakia> pharmakia is maintained and explained in its prophetic context in Revelation 18:23.

The Abomination of Desolation

Great Tribulation on Aviv 15, Unleavened Bread

(1260 days – 42 months – 3 ½ years to the marriage supper of the Lamb)

The Seven Thunders

The Undisclosed Events that Precede the Last Trumpet

10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven. He was clothed with a cloud and had a rainbow about his head. His face shone like the sun, and his legs and feet looked like pillars of blazing fire. 2In his hand a small scroll was open, and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3and cried with a loud voice like the roar of a lion, and seven thunders uttered their voices. 4After the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write, when I heard a voice from heaven shout, “Stop! Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them!”{1}

{10:4.1} Yochanan is continuing to follow the orders he received from Yeshua. “Write the things which shall be hereafter … to show unto his servants things which must swiftly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1, 19).

The Last Trumpet Declared

10:5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the earth lifted up his hand to heaven 6and swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, and the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, “There shall be no more delay! 7But in the day of the sounding of the trumpet of the seventh angel, the moment he begins to sound – the Mystery of YHVH shall be executed! – just as he declared to his servants the prophets.”

The Seven Thunders Explained

10:8 The voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again, and said, “Go; take the little open scroll from the hand of the angel who stands upon the sea and upon the earth.” 9So I went to the angel and said, “Give me the little scroll.” He responded, “Take it and eat it up! It will be as sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will make you sick to your stomach.” 10So I took the little scroll out of the angel’s hand and ate it up. In my mouth it was as sweet as honey – but as soon as I had eaten it, I became sick to my stomach.{1} 11He then told me, “You must repeat this prophecy again and again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

{10:10.1} Yeshua does not want his servants to know the details of those things that the angel uttered, but what can be known is demonstrated by the angel instructing Yochanan to eat the scroll from which the angel read. Eating the scroll made him sick to his stomach. To paraphrase the example: If we were to hear what we are about to go through just before the seventh and last trumpet sounds (when the Mystery of YHVH will be executed), it would make us sick to our stomachs. But, the knowledge that we are almost home, that when the seven thunders are finished “there shall be no more delay,” is so very sweet in our mouths that we are encouraged. There are some things that are better left unspoken, or “sealed up” and left unwritten. When the last trumpet sounds, we will know that our eternal reward was worth all the pain and suffering.

Events Transpiring in Jerusalem during the last three-and-one-half years

Parenthetic pause between the sixth and seventh Trumpets

(Parenthesis 11:1-13)

(Jerusalem Under Gentile Control – Two Witnesses Prophesy for Three and a Half Years)

(11:1 A reed like a measuring rod was given to me, and the angel said, “Rise up and measure the Temple of YHVH, and the altar, and those who worship at it – 2but leave out the court which is outside the Temple; do not measure it because it is given to the gentiles. They shall tread the Holy City underfoot for forty-two months. 3I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the master over all the earth.{1} 5If any man attempts to harm them, fire will come out of their mouths and devour their enemies. If any man attempts to harm them, he will be killed in this manner. 6They have the power to shut the heavens so that it will not rain in the days of their prophesying. They have power over the waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with any kind of plague as often as they desire.

7When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the abyss, Abaddon, shall make war against them. He will overcome them and kill them. 8Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city (which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our master was crucified). 9The people, and families, and tongues, and nations, will see their dead bodies for three and a half days and will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10Those who dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another, because these two prophets tormented all those who live on the earth.

11But after three and a half days, the Spirit of life from YHVH entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. Great fear fell upon all those who saw them, 12and they heard a great voice from heaven calling to the two witnesses, “Come up here!”{1} They ascended up into heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them. 13Immediately there was a great earthquake. The tenth part of the city collapsed, and seven thousand men were slain in the earthquake. Those who remained alive after the earthquake were frightened and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven.)

{11:4.1} Zechariah 4:1-14

{11:12.1} This scenario is rehearsed at the beginning of every month when two witnesses are called up to the Temple Mount to report their sighting of the new moon. This is especially important for the sighting that begins the seventh month, as that sighting begins the High Sabbath of Yom Teruah. This is the Feast that is known as occurring “on a day and hour that no man knows” because it is determined by the sighting of the new moon by two witnesses – and the verification by the Cohen Gadol who announces, “Blow the Trumpet!” Every month this rehearsal was anticipating the Last Trumpet that will sound in the very next event.

The Second Woe Past

11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly.

The Last Trumpet

The Resurrection of the Saints on Tishri 1, Yom Teruah

(fifteen days to the marriage supper of the Lamb)

The Seventh Trumpet Sounds – The Cry of Triumph!

Seventh – and Last Trumpet

11:15 The seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of the Almighty, and of his Messiah; and he shall reign forever and ever!” 16And the twenty-four elders, who sat before YHVH, fell upon their faces and worshipped YHVH, 17saying, “We give you thanks, O YHVH, Elohim, El Shaddai, who is, and was, and is to come, because you have taken your great power and have reigned.”

The First Resurrection – The Saints Rewarded

11:18a “The heathen raged, but your wrath has now come!{1} This is now the time that the righteous dead shall be judged, and you will reward your servants the prophets, and the saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great!”

{11:18.1} Psalm 2:1-7

The Third Woe – The Time for Wrath Is Now Come

11:18b “And it is also the time that you will destroy those who destroyed the earth.”

The Temple in Heaven Is Opened

19The Temple of YHVH was opened in heaven, and the Ark of the Covenant was once again seen in his Temple! There was lightning, and voices, and thunder, and an earthquake, and great hail.

>> The Temple in Heaven Is Opened >>

(to be continued in Revelation 15:5)

Parenthetic flashback recalling what the saints have just overcome

(Parenthesis 12:1 - 15:4)

(The Promised Seed)

((12:1 There appeared a great sign in heaven – a woman clothed with the sun, the new moon under her feet, and above her head a crown of twelve stars. 2Being great with child, she cried, agonizing in labor and about to give birth.{1} 3There appeared another sign in heaven; I saw a great, red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon its heads. 4Its tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to be delivered in order to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5She brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron,{1} and her child was caught up to YHVH and to his throne.)

{12:2.1} See event <14> in the Gospel Chronology – The Great Sign in heaven.

Just after sunset on September 12, 3 BCE, while the sky was clothed with the last rays of the setting sun, the first sliver of the new moon (4% illuminated, 7 degrees above the horizon) appeared beneath the feet of the constellation of the woman Betulah (Hebrew), or, Virgo (Latin), meaning “virgin.” At that moment, in the constellation of Ariyeh (the Lion) above her head, the planet Tzedek (the Righteous) came into conjunction with the star Melek (the King), which is astronomically positioned between the front feet of the Lion. The sighting of the new moon that evening announced the Day of Trumpets, and the astronomical display in the constellation above the head of the woman heralded the upcoming birth of the Righteous King – the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The “Great Sign” in heaven occurred as Miriam herself was about to give birth. Just fifteen days later, at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles, she brought forth “the man child who was to rule all nations.” On the first High Sabbath of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Word was made flesh and “tabernacled” (dwelt, KJV) among us (John 1:14).

{12:5.1} Psalm 2:1-9

(War in the Heavens)

(12:6 The woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by YHVH so that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. 7And there was war in heaven. Mikhael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. 8They did not prevail, neither was their previous place recognized in heaven any more. 9The great dragon was cast down, that old serpent, called the devil and hasatan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven proclaiming, “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of YHVH, and the power of his Messiah, for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our Elohim day and night. 11The saints overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the death. 12Therefore rejoice, you who dwell in the Heavens. But woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea! The devil has come down to you with great wrath because he knows that he has but a short time.”

13When the dragon realized that he was cast down and confined to the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child. 14The woman was given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness, into her prepared place, where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, away from the face of the serpent. 15The serpent spewed a flood of water out of his mouth after the woman so that he might cause her to be swept away by the flood, 16but the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17So the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed that keeps the commandments of YHVH and has the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.)

(The Beast Government)

(13:1 Then I stood upon the sand of the sea and watched a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns – and upon its horns ten crowns, and upon its heads was the name of blasphemy.{1} 2The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth was like the mouth of a lion.{1} The dragon gave it his power, and his throne, and great authority. 3And I saw one of its heads as it was wounded unto death. But its deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered after the beast. 4The world worshipped the dragon which gave power to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with it?” 5And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to the beast to continue forty-two months. 6He opened his mouth in blasphemy against YHVH, to blaspheme his holy name, and his tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7He was given the power to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Power was given him over all families, and tongues, and nations. 8All those who dwell upon the earth shall worship him – that is, all those whose names are not written in the scroll of life by the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

{13:1.1} The most probable candidate for the name of blasphemy is “allah hu akbar,” or, “allah is greater.” Greater than whom? Think about this for a moment… “Greater than YHVH, the Elohim of Israel”! This penchant for blasphemy is cited again in Revelation 17:3.

{13:2.1} The beasts mentioned here (lion, bear, leopard, and man) were the focal point of Daniel’s prophetic vision concerning the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires (Daniel 7:1-12). The land masses of each of these ancient civilizations now comprise the nations of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Arabia, and several other Middle Eastern countries which are now under Islamic control.

((The Mark of the Beast))

13:9 If any man has an ear, let him hear. 10He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity, and he who kills with the sword shall be killed with the sword. Here is the enduring patience and faith of the saints.

11Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like the dragon. 12He exercised all the authority of the first beast who came before him, and caused the earth and all those who dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13He did great wonders and made fire come down from heaven onto the earth in the sight of men. 14He deceived all who dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had the power to do under the authority of the beast. He instructed all who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast, which had a wound by a sword and yet lived. 15The dragon-lamb had the power to give life to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16And the dragon-lamb caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17so that no man might buy or sell except those who have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding decipher the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is:

c x s{1}

{13:18.1} “…for it is the number of a man.” The number, or mark, or name of the Beast is written in the ancient Greek text of the book of the Revelation as three characters: c x s – chi, xi, sigma, not as a number < e`xako,sioi, e`xh,konta, e[x – hexakosioi, hexekonta, hex > six-hundred-sixty-six. The linguistic evidence is strong that Yochanan wrote his revelation in the Hebrew language. Yet, the Greek language had been embedded in the Galilee region for hundreds of years and these characters would not have been unfamiliar to him. Presuming that Yochanan saw these three Greek characters in the vision, we can simply rotate them 90 degrees to see their preeminence in the modern Islamic basmallah – by far the most prolific artistic expression observed throughout the Muslim world. The basmallah is the artistic symbol which bears the acronym: “in the name of allah, most gracious, most merciful.” Today, this name of insult against the One True God is worn on the headbands and on the right arms of Islamic jihad (holy war) terrorists, as well as on the uniformed soldiers of Muslim armies who are sworn to the destruction of the nation of Israel and the extermination of the Jewish people. See the Resources for other theories as to what this number or these symbols may refer.

Untitled2%20copy.jpg

The center graphic is an artistic representation of the basmallah, which is the most common artistic expression in Muslim calligraphy. The Greek characters are a standard font which appears throughout this publication.

(The 144,000 – The Firstfruits Before the Throne)

(14:1 I looked, and saw a Lamb standing on mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, having his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of roaring oceans, and like the sound of deafening thunder. And I heard the sound of harpers harping with their harps, 3and they sang a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts and the elders. But no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand, who were redeemed from the earth [at the sounding of the seventh trumpet]. 4These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they kept themselves as virgins.{1} They are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were redeemed out from among men, being the Firstfruits to YHVH and to the Lamb. 5In their mouths was found no guile, and they are without fault.)

{14:4.1} These are those who kept themselves pure from forbidden sexual activity or ervah matters (see footnote on Matthew 5:32, event <62>). When a man and woman are married in a state of virginity, there is no defilement – the marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). This passage in no way implies that marriage is forbidden for those who are among the chosen and sealed 144,000 – it simply means that they were not defiled by inappropriate sexual activity while they were unmarried and remained faithful to their spouses afterward. In a spiritual sense, they are not contaminated by the Babylonian religious, economic, and political system, which Yochanan described as a whore.

(Babylon’s Judgment Declared)

(14:6 I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and family, and tongue, and people. 7He cried with a loud voice, “Fear YHVH, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment has come! Worship him who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the springs of waters.” 8Another angel followed crying, “Babylon has fallen! That great city has fallen because she made all nations drink the wine of her passion for sexual immorality.” 9A third angel followed them, crying with a loud voice, “If any man worships the beast or his image, or receives the mark in his forehead or in his hand, 10the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of YHVH, which will be poured full strength into the cup of his anger. They will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb! 11The smoke of their torment will ascend from age to age. Those who worship the beast or his image, or whoever receives the mark of his name, will have no rest day or night. 12Here is where we see the real endurance and patience of the saints! Here stand those who keep the commandments of YHVH and keep the faith in Yeshua.” 13Then I heard a voice from heaven, telling me to write exactly what the Spirit says: “Blessed are the dead who die in Messiah from this point on! Truth, they die in order to allow them to rest from their labors – yet their works of righteousness will follow them!”)

(The Day of YHVH)

(14:14 Then I looked and saw a white cloud, and upon the cloud sat one who was like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15Then another angel came out of the Temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in your sickle and reap, for the time has come for you to reap – the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16He who sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17Again, another angel came out of the Temple in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. 18Then came out from the altar another angel, who had the responsibility for the altar fire, and he cried with a loud cry to the angel who had the sharp sickle, “Thrust in your sharpened sickle and harvest the clusters of the vine of the earth – her grapes are fully ripe!” 19So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of YHVH. 20The winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that came out of the winepress came all the way up to the horses’ bridles, at a distance of one thousand and six hundred stadia – one hundred and eighty-five miles.)

(The Sea of Fire and Glass)

(15:1 I saw another great and awesome sign in heaven – seven angels who had the seven last plagues, which fulfilled the wrath of YHVH. 2Then I saw what appeared to be a sea of fire and glass. I saw those who had attained victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of YHVH. 3They sang the song of Moshe, the servant of YHVH, and the song of the Lamb, singing, “Great and marvelous are your works, YHVH – Elohim – El Shaddai! Just and true are your ways, O King of saints! 4Who shall not fear you, O YHVH, and glorify your holy name? You alone are holy, and all nations shall come and bow down before you because your judgments are now being openly declared!”))

Saved from the Wrath to come

Tishri 1 - 10 – The Ten Days of Awe

The Ark of the Covenant is revealed

<<The Temple in Heaven Is Opened<<

The Temple in Heaven Is Opened – the parenthesis is closed and the story line continued from Revelation 11:19

15:5 After this I looked, and again I saw that the Temple in heaven was open, and I saw the Ark of the Covenant!{1}

{15:5.1} The Ark of the Covenant represents the throne of the Almighty. The restrictions concerning approaching the Ark were such that any who trifled were struck dead. According to the book of Maccabees (which was removed from the original 1611 KJV in 1880 by the American Bible Society) during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah received Divine revelation to hide the Ark in “a secret place until the end of the age.” One of the priests began to mark the passageway but was abruptly halted by Jeremiah (II Maccabees 2:2ff). A partially chiseled “guarding cherub” was found in a passageway under the Temple mount in the late 1800 by archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau. Extensive excavations in the cave system and the Garden Tomb area were conducted in the 1980’s. The chief rabbi of Israel at that time, rabbi Shlomo Goren, confessed that he had seen the Ark of the Covenant in a chamber in Mount Moriah. (The location and significance of the Ark is explored fully in The Great Secret of Solomon’s Temple cited in the resources page.)

Jeremiah stated that at the time that the Messiah rules from his throne in Jerusalem (appropriately seated upon the Ark) that the Ark will no longer come to mind (Jeremiah 3:14-18). With the presence of the King, it is understandable that the throne upon which he sits will not be the focal point of our reverence. But, here in the throne room of Heaven, after the last trumpet and the gathering of the righteous to the sea of fire and glass, we see that the unapproachable Ark is present – and still commands the awe, respect, and reverence of Yochanan.

The Seven Bowls of Wrath

Seven Bowls of Wrath are Carried from the Throne Room

15:6 Then seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the Temple. They were clothed in pure and white linen, and they were girded about the waist with golden sashes. 7One of the four beasts gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of YHVH, the one who lives forever and ever.

The Declaration: No One Enters Until the Wrath Is Poured Out

8The Temple was filled with the smoke from the power and the glory of YHVH, and no man was able to enter into the Temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

16:1 I heard a great voice out of the Temple crying to the seven angels, “Go your ways! Pour out the bowls of the wrath of YHVH upon the earth!”

First Bowl

2The first angel went out and poured his bowl out upon the earth.

There fell a devastating and grievous infection upon the men who had the mark of the beast and upon those who worshipped his image.

Second Bowl

3The second angel poured out his bowl upon the sea, and it became like the blood of the dead. Every living creature in the sea died.

Third Bowl

4The third angel poured out his bowl upon the rivers and springs of water, and they also became blood. 5Then I heard the angel of the waters say, “You are righteous, O YHVH, who is, and was, and shall be, because you have righteously judged in this manner.

6They have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. Of this judgment they are truly deserving!”

7Then I heard the other angel, who attended the fire on the Altar, say, “It is so, O YHVH – El Shaddai! Righteous and true are your judgments!”

Fourth Bowl

8The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and the authority to scorch men with fire was given to him.

9So men were scorched with intense heat, and they blasphemed the name of YHVH, who had authority over these plagues, and they refused to repent and give him glory.

Fifth Bowl

10The fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was overcome with darkness, and they gnawed their tongues in agony.

11They blasphemed the Elohim of heaven because of their pain and their lesions, and they refused to repent of their deeds.

Sixth Bowl

12The sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates, and the water dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.

The Wrath Concludes

Earth Prepares for Armageddon –Tishri 10 – 23

(hasatan’s last effort to destroy the Earth)

Parenthetic pause between the sixth and seventh bowls of wrath to show what is transpiring on Earth while we prepare for the marriage supper

(Hasatan and His Minions Prepare for Armageddon)

(16:13 I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14They are the spirits of miracle-working demons{1} which go forth to the kings of the earth and out to the whole world to gather them to the battle on the Great Day of YHVH – El Shaddai.{2} 16Then the three unclean spirits gathered them all together to the place called in Hebrew Har Meggido.)

15(“Watch! I will come like a thief! Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”){1}

{16:14.1} Deuteronomy 13:1-18;

{16:14.2} Zechariah 14:1-9

{16:15.1} Again, we are warned of the dire circumstances of those who are left behind to endure the wrath of the Almighty and the outcome of those who are deceived by the dragon, beast, and false prophet into fighting against the Messiah at his return.

The Wrath and the Sea of Fire and Glass

“It Is Finished!” on Tishri 10, Yom Kippur

(five day preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb commences)

Seventh Bowl

17Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and there came a great shout from the throne room in the Temple in heaven: “IT IS FINISHED!” 18And there were shouts, and thunder, and lightning, and a great earthquake. The earthquake was so great and so mighty that there has never been such since men were on the face of the earth. 19The great city was divided into three parts, and all the cities of the nations completely collapsed. Babylon the great came up in remembrance before YHVH, and he gave her the wine from the cup of the fierceness of his wrath. 20Every island disappeared. Mountains crumbled into the sea. 21A great hail out of heaven fell upon men; every stone was about the weight of a talent, one hundred pounds. The men blasphemed YHVH because the plague of the hail exceeded the greatest catastrophe of all time.

Parenthetic Explanation of the Destruction of Babylon the Great

(17:1 – 18:24)

(Mystery Babylon Described)

((17:1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came out and spoke to me, saying, “Come with me, and I will show you the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters. 2The kings of the earth have committed adultery with her, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.” 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast with seven heads and ten horns, which were covered with the name of blasphemy.{1} 4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and was bedecked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls, and she had a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the filthiness of her sexual immorality. 5Upon her forehead was written the name, “MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” 6I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Yeshua. When I saw her, I was struck with awe.

{17:3.1} The name of blasphemy literally means the name of insult. The most probable candidate for the name of blasphemy is “allah hu akbar” – by direct inference “allah is greater” than YHVH, the Elohim of Israel. Islam is the new religion which now dominates most of the land mass once occupied by the Roman Empire. The name of insult is first cited in Revelation 13:1.

17:7 The angel questioned me, “Why do you marvel so? I will now tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her – the one that has seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast that you saw was before, and is not now, but will ascend out of the abyss and go into perdition. When they see the beast that was, and is not now, and yet is to come, those who dwell upon the earth shall be in awe – those whose names were not written in the scroll of life from the foundation of the world. 9Now here is the mind which has wisdom – the seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman sits. 10There are seven kings – five are fallen, and one is now, and the other is yet to come – and when he does come, he will only reign for a short time. 11The beast that was, and is not now – he is the eighth, and is from the seven, and is the one who goes into perdition. 12The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet – but will receive authority as kings for just one hour with the beast. 13These kings will have one intention, and they will give their authority and strength to the beast. 14They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome them because he is the indisputable master over all, and he is the King of kings. Those who stand with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” 15Then the angel said to me, “The waters which you saw where the whore sits are people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16The ten horns which you saw upon the beast hate the whore, and will expose her nakedness and make her desolate. In the end they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire 17because YHVH has put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree to give their kingdom to the beast so that the Torah of YHVH will be fulfilled. 18The woman that you saw is the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth.”)

(Mystery Babylon Destroyed)

(18:1 After these things I saw another angel come down from heaven. He had great power, and the earth was lit with his glory. 2He cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Babylon the great has fallen. She has fallen and has become the habitation of demons, and the cell for every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and detestable bird. 3All nations have drunk the wine of her passion for sexual immorality. The kings of the earth have committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy through the abundance of her excesses and luxuries.” 4Then I heard another voice from heaven, crying, “Come out of her my people, so that you not be partakers of her sins, and that you do not participate in her plagues! 5Her sins have reached to heaven, and YHVH has remembered her iniquities. 6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double her punishment twice according to her works – and in the same cup which she has filled, fill it back to her twice over. 7In the same measure that she has praised herself and lived wantonly, reward her with as much torment and sorrow. For she has said in her heart, ‘I sit a queen! I am no widow, and will see no sorrow!’{1} 8Her plagues will come in one day – death, and mourning, and famine – and she will be utterly burned with fire. Mighty is YHVH your Elohim, who judges her. 9The kings of the earth who have committed adultery with her and lived extravagantly shall bewail her and lament for her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, they will cry, ‘Alas! Alas, that great and mighty city Babylon! In one hour has her judgment come!’ 11The merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, because no man will buy their merchandise any more. 12The cargoes of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and incense, and various implements of ivory, and various furnishings of precious wood, and brass, and iron, and marble, 13and cinnamon, and fragrance, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and the souls of men. 14The things that your soul lusted after have departed from you. All the things that were intricate and beautiful have departed from you, and you will never see them again.”

{18:7.1} Isaiah prophesied of the final judgment of Babylon in the last days with these same words: “I shall be a queen for ever… 8I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children” (Isaiah 47:7-8). The Greek version of the book of Isaiah (LXX or Septuagint) was completed more than 200 years before this revelation was given to Yochanan, yet it details Babylon’s utter destruction for the same reason as is revealed in the revelation to Yochanan – “the proliferation of your Pharmakia” (see footnote following Revelation 18:23).

15“The merchants who were made wealthy by her shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16and saying, ‘ALAS! That great city that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17In one hour all her great riches have come to nothing!’ Every shipmaster, and all who travel by ship, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, shall stand afar off 18and cry when they see the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like unto this great city!’ 19They will cast dust on their heads, and weep, and wail, and cry, ‘ALAS! That great city, whereby all that had ships in the sea were made rich because of her vast wealth! In one hour she has been made desolate.’ 20Rejoice over her, heaven, and holy apostles, and prophets – YHVH has avenged you on her!”

21Then a mighty angel took up a stone, like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, “With great violence that great city Babylon will be thrown down, and will never be seen again! 22The sound of harpers, and musicians, and pipers, and trumpeters shall never be heard again in you. No craftsman of any craft shall ever be found in you again – nor will the sound of a millstone be heard ever again in you. 23aThe light of a candle will never again shine in you – neither will the voice of the bridegroom or the voice of the bride ever be heard in you again!” Why?

(The Reason for Mystery Babylon’s Destruction)

23b“…because the merchants of Babylon are the great men of the earth, and by their pharmakia{1} all the nations of the earth were deceived. 24And because in her was found the blood of prophets, and of the saints, and of all who were slain upon the earth!”)

(end of parenthesis beginning 17:1))

{18:23.1} Rather than use the KJV translation sorceries, the transliteration of the Greek <farmakia> pharmakia is maintained and explained in its prophetic context.

Seven hundred years before Yochanan penned these prophetic pictures, the prophet Yeshayahu declared the very same outcome for those who labor in the pharmakia of the “daughters” of Babylon (Isaiah 47:9, 12). Although Yeshayahu originally penned his prophetic words in Hebrew, the Jewish sages who translated his words into Greek understood the context of his prophecy and accurately translated the Hebrew word <pvk> keshef (sometimes translated sorcery) as the Greek word <farmakia> pharmakia – which literally means poison. Pharmakia is in direct opposition to meat <hlka> okhlah, which was created for the physical nurturing and sustenance of mankind.

Laboratory-created substances, such as are found in most drugs and “food items” on modern grocery shelves, were never historically called food (okhlah) nor were they designed by the Creator for human consumption. These substances are what the prophets futuristically termed pharmakia. They would include any laboratory constructed drug or food additive, genetically modified plant or animal, and the manipulation of any living food source to the point of it being unable to naturally reproduce itself, including the removal of the ability to make seeds and the creation of terminator plants and seeds. The merchants of Babylon, the great men of the earth, are manipulating, controlling, enslaving, and destroying the human race through their pharmakia, while they deceive the public through their agencies and agents who manipulate governments with vast sums of money. If the manipulation of the food supply is not stopped by the hand of the Almighty, “there shall no flesh be saved!” At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the angel announces, “He will now destroy those who destroyed the earth.” The destruction of Babylon and its pharmakia industry is just the start of Messiah ruling the nations with a rod of iron.

The following verses (Isaiah 47:1-15) are from Yeshayahu’s prophecy concerning the final judgment of Babylon. The Greek word pharmakia is supplied from the Septuagint.

Isaiah 47:1 Come over and sit in the dust, so-called “virgin” daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground because you have no throne, O daughter of Chaldea. You will no more be called either delicate or dainty. 2Take millstones and grind your meal. Let your hair down, hike up your skirt, and [invite the nations in]. 3Your gross immorality will be exposed. Your prostitution will be known to all. I will take vengeance upon you. I will not come to you as one of your lovers 4but as the one who exacts judgment – as YHVH-Tze’vaot – that is my name! The Holy One of Israel! 5Shut your mouth and sit in the dark, you daughter [prostitute] of the Chaldeans. You will no longer be called “the Queen of kingdoms.” 6When I was angry with my people, I allowed my inheritance to become polluted, and they were given over into your hand. You showed them no mercy, and from the beginning you have laid a heavy yoke upon them. 7And when you said, “I shall be a queen forever,” you did not take these things to heart, nor did you stop to consider the end result of your deeds! 8So now hear this, you who are given to pleasures, you who lived with no consideration for anyone but yourself, you who said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one else. I will never be a widow, nor will I ever lose my children.” 9Ha! These two things shall come upon you in a moment – in just one day! The loss of your children and widowhood. They will come upon you as the final result of the profuse proliferation of your pharmakia – and the great abundance of your pharmakia associations. 10Because you have trusted in your crafty, twisted perversions and convinced yourself that no one could see you, your stupidity (which you call wisdom) and your ignorance (which you call knowledge) have perverted you. Because you have said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one other than me,” 11therefore evil will come upon you, and you will have no idea from whence it came. Destruction will fall upon you, and you will not be able to shake it off. Desolation will come upon you suddenly, and you will never know what hit you! 12Go ahead! Stand with your pharmakia associations and with the great abundance of the pharmakia in which you have labored since your youth! If you think you can really profit from it – go ahead – reap your profits! 13You only weary yourself with the multitude of your co-conspirators – but have it your way – let the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from the things that shall come upon you. 14They will be like stubble in the furnace. The fire will incinerate them, and they will not even be able to deliver themselves from the power of the flame. They will not be around long enough for you to warm yourself by sitting in front of their embers. 15This is what will happen to everyone who has labored with you – even the merchants who have done business with you from their youth. Every one of them is going to run for cover when the brimstone hits the fan. No one will be around to save you! (Isaiah 47:1-15, MIV (Marine Infantry Version)).

Judgment Is Completed

19:1 After these things I heard the great shout of multitudes in heaven, “HalleluYah! Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power to YHVH, our Elohim! 2Righteous and true are his judgments – for he has judged the great whore that corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand!” 3Again they cried, “HalleluYah! The smoke of her judgment shall ascend forever and ever!” 4Then the twenty-four elders and the four beasts, crying, “Amen! HalleluYah!” fell down and worshipped YHVH, who sat on the throne.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Tishri 15-21, the Feast of Tabernacles

(1260 Days after the Abomination of Desolation)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

19:5 Another voice came out of the throne room, crying, “HalleluYah! All his servants, and all who fear him, both small and great, praise YHVH!” 6Then I heard the voices of a great multitude like the sound of roaring oceans and like the sound of mighty thunder, crying, “HalleluYah! YHVH Elohim – El Shaddai reigns! 7Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honor to him because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready!”

The Bride Dresses for the Marriage Supper – Yochanan is humbled at the spectacle

8The bride was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine white linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”{1} Then he emphasized, “This is the true Torah of YHVH!” 10I fell at the angel’s feet to worship him, and he said to me, “Do not do this! I am your fellow servant – the same as your brothers who have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship YHVH! The spirit of this prophecy is the testimony of Yeshua!”

{19:9.1} Matthew 22:2-14

The Last Great Day

Tishri 22, the Feast of Leviathan

(Birds eat the flesh of the Beast)

Yeshua Returns to Rule the Earth with his Saints

Yeshua Dresses for Battle

19:11 I saw heaven opened, and I beheld a white horse. He who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes were a flaming fire, and on his head were many crowns. There was a name written on him that no man knew but he himself. 13He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called “The Torah of YHVH!” 14The armies in heaven followed him upon white horses, and they were clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth went a sharp sword, with which he shall smite the nations. He will rule them with a rod of iron and will tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of El Shaddai. 16And on his vesture and on his thigh he has a name written: “KING OF KINGS AND MASTER OF ALL!”

The Feast of “Leviathan” Proclaimed

17I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come, gather yourselves together to the supper of the great Elohim!

18Gather so that you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and the flesh of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, free and bond, both small and great!”

The Battle for the Earth

19:19 Then I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against the One who sat on the white horse and against his heavenly army. 20The beast was immediately taken, and with him the false prophet who wrought miracles before him (which is how he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image). These two were cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone. 21The remnant of their armies were slain with the sword{1} of him who sat upon the horse – the sword which proceeded out of his mouth – and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

{19:21.1} Revelation 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15

Hasatan Bound One Thousand Years

20:1 I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2He took hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and hasatan, and he bound him 3and cast him into the abyss and incarcerated him for a thousand years. He set a seal upon the abyss so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were fulfilled. After that he must be loosed for a short season.

The Millennial Temple Dedicated

Kislev 25, the Feast of Hanukkah

(1335 days after Purim and the revealing of the Destroyer)

The Millennial Reign of Messiah

The Faithful Reign with Messiah for a Thousand Years

4Then I saw thrones and those who sat upon them. Authority to judge was given to them. I also saw the souls of those who were beheaded for the witness of Yeshua, and for the word of YHVH – those who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image; neither had they received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands – and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection! 6Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them. They shall be priests of YHVH and of Messiah – and they shall reign with him a thousand years!

Hasatan Released to Take His Final Rebellious Stand

7When the thousand years are expired, hasatan will be loosed out of his prison 8to go out to the four quarters of the earth to deceive the nations again. Gog and Magog will be gathered with them to battle – the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Hasatan Finally Defeated and Judged by Messiah

9They went up from the far reaches of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints, the beloved city, and fire came down from YHVH out of heaven and consumed them all. 10Then hasatan who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were cast, and hasatan shall be tormented day and night, from age to age.

The Final Day of Judgment

Tishri 10, The Last Yom Kippur

The Great White Throne Judgment

The Earth and Heaven Consumed

11I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away – and they were never seen again.

The Judgment Set

12I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and the scrolls were opened. Another scroll was also opened, which is the scroll of life. The dead were judged according to their works out of the things that were written in the scrolls. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them, and every man was judged according to his works.

The Final Verdict

14Death and hell were then cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15Whoever was not found written in the scroll of life was also cast into the lake of fire.

The Eternal Feast of Tabernacles

Tishri 15 to Eternity

The New Heaven and New Earth

The Eternal Feast of Tabernacles

21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.{1} The former heaven and earth had passed away,{2} and there was no more sea. 2And I, Yochanan, saw the holy city,{1} the new Yerushalayim,{2} coming down from YHVH out of heaven,{3} prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.{4}

3Then I heard a great shout out of heaven, “Behold, the tabernacle of YHVH{1} is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and YHVH himself shall be with them, and be their Elohim!”{2}

{21:1.1} Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; II Peter 3:13

{21:1.2} II Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11

{21:2.1} Isaiah 52:1; Revelation 11:2, 21:10, 22:19

{21:2.2} Revelation 3:12, 21:10

{21:2.3} Hebrews 11:10, 16; Revelation 21:10

{21:2.4} Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:7

{21:3.1} Ezekiel 37:27; Hebrews 8:2; Revelation 7:15

{21:3.2} Exodus 29:45; Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 31:1; Ezekiel 37:27; II Corinthians 6:16

The Final Restoration

21:4 YHVH shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death,{1} nor sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain{2} – for those former things have all passed away. 5He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new!” He instructed me to write, “These words are faithful and true!” 6Then he cried, “IT IS FINISHED! I am Aleph and Tav, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He who overcomes shall inherit all things – and I will be his Elohim, and he shall be my son!”

{21:4.1} Isaiah 25:8; I Corinthians 15:26

{21:4.2} Revelation 7:17, 20:14

The Eternally Excluded

21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone – which is the second death!”

The Eternal Home of the Bride Described

9Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came to me and said, “Come here, and I will show you the bride – the Lamb’s wife.”{1} 10He carried me away in the spirit to a great and lofty mountain and showed me the great city, the holy Yerushalayim, descending out of heaven from YHVH. 11It radiated with the glory of YHVH, and its light was like the most precious jasper stone, as clear as crystal. 12It had a great, high wall about it, and it had twelve gates, and at the gates were twelve angels. On the gates were written names, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13On the east, three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and on the west, three gates. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15The angel who talked with me had a golden rod to measure the city, and the gates, and the wall. 16The city was perfectly square – the length was as large as the breadth. He measured the city with the rod, and it was twelve thousand furlongs [about one thousand three hundred and sixty-four miles in each direction]. The length and the breadth and the height of it were equal. 17Then he measured the wall, and it was a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man; that is how the angel measured it.{1} 18The wall was constructed of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 19The foundations of the city wall were garnished with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; and the twelfth, an amethyst. 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Every single gate was identical. The city street was pure gold, as transparent as glass.

{21:9.1} This is the description of the palace residence of the Lamb and his wife. The inhabitants are the Lamb and his wife; the wife being the description of the body of believers, which is loved in the deepest way a human can understand – the love a man has for his wife. The “Lamb’s wife” is not female, but only this metaphor can approach the love Yeshua has for those for whom he willingly gave his life.

{21:17.1} The angel measured it as a man would measure it, but the Divine cubit (20.62 inches) is about 4 inches longer than an average man’s cubit, which is the distance from his elbow to the tip of his middle finger. If the angel’s cubit were the Divine cubit used in the Torah, the wall would have been about 250 feet tall.

21:22 I saw no Temple, because Adonay YHVH – El Shaddai – the Lamb is the Temple. 23The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine in it because the glory of YHVH lights it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24The nations of those who are saved shall walk in the light of it. The kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it. 25The gates will not be shut at all – not by day – and there will not be any night there. 26The nations shall bring their glory and honor into the city, 27but there will never enter anything that defiles, or celebrates an abomination, or promulgates a lie. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s scroll of life shall enter.

22:1 Then the angel showed me a pure, living river of water, as clear as crystal, which proceeded out from the throne room of YHVH and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street and on each side of the river was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits and yielded her fruit every month. The leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations. 3There will be no more curse. The throne of YHVH and the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5There will be no night there, so they have no need of a lamp or the sun because YHVH their Elohim gives them light – and they shall reign forever and ever!

Last Words of Encouragement

The Last Words of the Angel

22:6 The angel said to me, “These sayings are faithful and true! YHVH, the Elohim of the holy prophets, sent his messenger to show his servants the things which will swiftly be accomplished.”

7“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this scroll!”

8I, Yochanan, saw and heard these things – and when I had heard and seen all, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9Then he said to me, “Do not do this – I am your fellow servant, and the fellow servant of your brothers the prophets, and the fellow servant of those who keep the words of this scroll! Worship YHVH!” 10Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll – the time is at hand. 11He who is unjust, let him be unjust still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him be righteous still. And he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

The Last Words of Yeshua

12“Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according to his works. 13I am Aleph and Tav! The beginning and the end! The first and the last! 14Blessed are they who keep his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15Excluded are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the whoremongers, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and whoever lies and loves a lie. 16I, Yeshua, have sent my messenger to you in the kehilot to testify concerning these things. I am both the root and the offspring of David! I am the bright and morning star!”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let him who hears say, “Come!” Let those who thirst come! Let everyone who desires take of the water of life freely. 18Now I solemnly testify to every man who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll, “If any man shall add to these things, YHVH shall add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll. 19If any man shall take away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, YHVH shall take away his part out of the scroll of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this scroll.”{1} 20He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!”

So be it.

{22:19.1} This eternal principle is forever established as the foundational principle in the Torah and reiterated in the parting words of Yeshua to embed them in the minds and hearts of his followers for all eternity:

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of YHVH your Elohim which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

The Last Words of Yochanan

22:20 Yes, come Adonay, YHVH Yeshua!

21The grace of Adonenu, Yeshua Messiah, be with you all.

Amen – Emet – Truth