I believe John’s gospel was written last. Having access to the other writings/traditions, he decides what events he will include that the other accounts don’t cover. The Transfiguration and other events near Caesarea Philippi have been covered and so they are omitted by him. He chooses instead to concentrate more on the events in and around Jersualem, prior to the fateful visit at the final Passover.
So John’s account, after the feeding of the “5000", veers off in a separate direction. I think his account is also used to give the reader a better understanding of the chronology of the events in the life of Jesus…He is constantly making reference to the holy days.
In the account of the feeding of the “5000", he makes us aware that Passover “was at hand”. Then he says that Jesus attends the Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, some six months later.
John tells of Jesus’ stay in Jerusalem through the Feast of Dedication, teaching in the Temple area; of the attempt to arrest him; and his escape. (John 10:22-39).
…JOHN 10:2225, 3033, 39…At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews therefore gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me”…”I and the Father are one.” The Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God”…Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him; and He eluded their grasp.
(Note: The Feast of Dedication celebrates the rededication of the Temple during the Maccabean era.)
So Jesus remains in Jerusalem and vicinity for about two months, teaching, and avoiding capture. After which time, he escapes to the site where John baptized him, Bethabara (house of the ford…The exact location of the site is much disputed), on the east side of the Jordan river in Peraea (land beyond) . There he returns to his “spiritual” rebirth (baptism). He is beyond the immediate threat of those in Jerusalem, but now he is back under the jurisdiction of King Herod of Antipas, his old foe (John 10:40).
…JOHN 10:40…And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing; and He was staying there (Bethabara).
John’s account resumes with the raising of Lazarus at Bethany, near Jerusalem. He makes reference, again, to a holy day when he says”…the Passover of the Jews was at hand”…the final Passover. Some four months remain from the time that he arives in Bethabara and the time of his raising of Lazarus, near the Passover (John 11:55).
…JOHN 11:55…Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover, to purify themselves.
Due to the proximity of Judea and the fact that he is in Peraea, he will not remain in Bethabara for long. He returns north, first to Gaulinitis and then, later, to Galilee.
In order to understand what Jesus does, between the Feast of the Passover (feeding the “5000") and the Feast of Tabernacles (attended in Jerusalem), a period of some six months; and what he does during the four months between his arrival at Bethabara (shortly after Dedication), and his arrival at Bethany (six days before Passover…his last), it is necessary to return to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Reading the gospels is almost like reading the stories of two different men. The specifics of the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke may vary, but the accounts themselves remain essentially the same…synoptic, with Matthew and Mark being the most closely related. Whereas John seems to be marching to the beat of a different drummer, most of the time.
But at certain times, considered critical to John as “time markers”, his account coincides with the others, i.e., at or near the Feast of the Passover for the feeding of the “5000"; and a year later, for the entrance into Jerusalem, when the Feast of the Passover is again at hand.
Between these two events, one year, Jesus: makes a circuit through Galilee; visits Tyre/Sidon (Sarepta); travels through Decapolis, via Damascus; visits Caesarea Philippi/ Mt. Hermon; spends two months in Jerusalem; performs countless miracles; teaches the Kingdom of God throughout the Holy Land and beyond; and the Transfiguration takes place.
After the Transfiguration, the “synoptic” gospels relate the story of the healing of the boy afflicted by demons and the need for faith and fasting to perform such miracles. They tell of his being in Galilee and his talk of the coming trials in tell of his being in Galilee and his talk of the coming trials in 44).
…MARK 9:14,17-20,25-29,31…And when they (Jesus, Peter, James and John) came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them…And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and stiffens out (symptoms of epilepsy). And I told Your disciples to cast it out and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”…And when Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” And after crying out and throwing himself into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead! “But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. And when He had come into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why is it that we could not cast it out?” And He said to them, “This kind can not come out by anything but prayer”…For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered up into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise again three days later.”
Now, whether this event occurs before he goes to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (six months) or following his return from Bethabara (four months), it cannot be determined. They do not appear to be as concerned about when events take place, as much as they are about recording what takes place.
Matthew, Mark and Luke pick up the story of his journey to Jerusalem from Galilee (during the final four months). Luke speaks of his impending crucifixion, and of going by way of Samaria and not being welcomed in one village, and of sending seventy new followers ahead of him. Matthew and Mark tell of his leaving Galilee and crossing into Judea on the eastern side of the Jordan River…omitting any mention of Samaria. They both say that Jesus crosses the Jordan River, but remains in Judea (Luke 9:51-53; 10:1; Matthew 19:1,2; Mark 10:1).
…LUKE 9:51-53; 10:1…And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face for Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him. And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem…Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.
…MARK 10:1…And rising up, He went from there (Galilee) to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan; and crowds gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them.
(Note: Maps show the Jordan River as the border between Judea and Peraea. But I believe the river is included as part of Judea. A river is never divided in half and the Romans who govern Judea, aware of the tactical value of the river, would want to control the major portion of that important body of water on both sides of the river.)
While in Galilee during his final visit, I believe Jesus intentionally steers clear of the Sea of Galilee and its vicinity (bypassing Tiberias, Herod’s capital ), staying in the hills in the western region, avoiding confrontation. The western sector of Galilee has rolling hills and any off-road movement would not be difficult.
It is very probable that he visits his family in Nazareth, at this time. Perhaps he prepares them for what is to come in Jerusalem. And then again, he may want to save them the agony of thinking about the future and just suggest that they all go together to attend the Passover in Jerusalem. But family members, along with Mary Magdalene, another Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, may well have accompanied him on his final journey to Jerusalem. In any event, the gospels assure us that they are present at the crucifixion and later.
(Note: No mention of his father, so it is probable that he is dead.)I visited Nazareth, while in Galilee. It’s a small, bustling town with what appeared to be a good mix of Arabs and Jews, with its huge Church of the Anunciation, purportedly where the Virgin Mary received her Ghostly visit. I was looking for the “cliff” where the citizens of Nazareth were going to throw Jesus off, the recounting of which I include in my play. I selected the high ground overlooking the town as the place (Luke 4: 29,30).
…LUKE 4: 29, 30…and they rose up and cast Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him off the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.
From Nazareth, Jesus proceeds southwest on the Roman road out of Galilee, following the road to Samaria by way of Meggido (crowded). From there, he proceeds southeast along the Esdraelon Valley (Plain of Esdras) road, picking up the road heading due south into Samaria (watchtower). He leaves Samaria, because the people are not hospitable to him (Luke 9:52,53).
…LUKE 9:52,53…And He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him. And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem.
(Note: The Samaritans are not hospitable because “He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem”, which means that he is going to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple of Herod; and is, therefore, their enemy in faith, because they worship at their holy mountain, Mt. Gerizim (hachets).
This isn’t the only reason that he leaves. I believe he enters Samaria, not with the intent of passing through the province all the way to Jerusalem, but rather to avoid the Province of Decapolis, before returning to the Jordan River…and his river of “life”.
I believe that Jesus avoids the road leading to Decapolis because the cities along the main route, like Scythopolis and Salim, would be garrisoned with Roman troops.
In Galilee and Samaria he performs miracles and preaches of the Kingdom of God in the villages and the cities (Luke 13:22).
…LUKE 13:22…And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.
(Note: Luke is more interested in relating Jesus’ teachings and parables at this time, than in covering his travels.)
After passing through part of Samaria, following the road south and east through Sebaste, I believe he veers north to take the road following the Wadi Farah to the Jordan River. There, according to the gospels, he crosses the river and continues on his “journey of life”, following the river south.
Now why he crosses the river, instead of following the road on the western bank headed south, I can only suppose that he does this because he wants to avoid a main route used by countless pilgrims headed south to worship at the Temple for the Passover in Jerusalem. He also wants to avoid running into Roman soldiers or Jewish guards that might take him into custody and escort him to Jerusalem, or prevent his continuing on. The word might have gone out to look for him. I believe at this time, because of how he has “ruffled the feathers” of the leaders of the Jews…Herod, the Pharisees, and the Saducees, that he is essentially a “wanted man”.
It is necessary that he be in Jerusalem for the Passover to fulfill his promise to God, so he has to avoid drawing attention to himself in the meantime. As an individual he could remain incognito, and join the thousands streaming south, for his appearance is like any other. But he has a “mob” of people with him that keep increasing at every stop, and every miracle he makes, and it’s certain that he never stops preaching of the coming Kingdom at every opportunity.
There is no Roman road to follow, on the eastern bank, but there is a local road (probably nothing more than a foot path). This “road” is called Way of the Plain (B-12-10). I suspect, where there is no road, that the terrain along the river would not present too many obstacles to movement, in any event.
No mention is made of it, but I believe he continues his journey to the river’s end…the Dead Sea - “Death” and, thus, completes his “journey of life”. While there, he may well have visited the occupants of Qmram in the Wilderness of Judea, near the Dead Sea.
I went to the Dead Sea early one morning on my visit to Israel. The mist clung to the water. There was no living thing other than me. I skipped a rock across its surface, and then went to see the ruins of Qmram.
Although there appear to be many differences in Jesus’ teachings and theirs, they do agree on the fact that the “law keepers” do not represent true believers. There are also similarities in beliefs, most notably the idea of sharing communally, and of the forswearing of riches (Matthew 19:21-23).
…MATTHEW 19:21, 23…Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possssions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me”…And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
He travels to Jericho, still in the Province of Judea, and the stepping-off place for Bethany and Jerusalem. In Jericho, according to the three gospels, he lodges with a tax collector and heals the blind (Matthew has him healing two, collector and heals the blind (Matthew has him healing two, 52; Luke18:35-43;19:1-10).
…MATTHEW 20:29,30,32-34…And as they were going out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold two blind men sitting by the side of the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying “Lord, have mercy upon us Son of David!”…And Jesus stopped and called them and said, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” And moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they received their sight, and followed Him.
…MARK 10:46,47, 51, 52…And they came to Jericho. And as He was going out from Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”…And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you? And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (A term of great reverence…”my master”), I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and began following Him on the road.
…LUKE 18:35,38, 4143; 19:1,2,57…And it came about as He was approaching Jericho (both Matthew and Mark have him leaving Jericho), a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging…And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David (all gospels agreed on this title), have mercy on me!”…”What do you want Me to do for you? (Jesus replied) And he said, “Lord I want to receive my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God…And He entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; and he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich…And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down (from the tree), for today I must stay at your house.” And he hurried down and received Him gladly. And when they (the townspeople) saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be a guest of a man who is a sinner.”
This is not the first time he is accused of “hobnobbing” with “sinners”. Very early in his ministry, he accepted the invitation of another tax collector in Galilee…Matthew (Matthew 9:9-11).
…MATTHEW 9:9-11…And as Jesus passed on from there (his home in Capernaum), He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he rose and followed Him. And it happened that as He was reclining at table in the house, behold many tax-gatherers and sinners came and joined Jesus and His disciples at the table. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax-gatherers and sinners?”
So Jesus is not above shocking the hypocritical “law keepers”. I suspect that he even takes joy in their reaction to his associating with “sinners”, and we must remember two things, he has not come to save the “righteous”…and God chooses those of whom you would least expect (Matthew 9:13; 1Corintians 1:27).
…MATTHEW 9:13…But go and learn what this means, “I desire compassion and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners”.
…1 CORINTHIANS 1:27)…but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to shame the things that are strong.
But, then again, Paul says that “all have sinned”. So there’s hope for us all (Romans 3:23).It is outside Jericho (place of fragrance) that my play, ROAD TO BETHANY, takes place, on what I imagine to be the road to Bethany. On my visit to Jericho, I selected the place to use in my mind’s eye as I perform. The wilderness and the mountains in the distance, with the The Last Temptation Monestary, barely visible, clinging to its side. Nearby, there are trees with bright red flowers, the same as those here in California. It’s the last place with lush vegetation, before the wilderness. Across from this dusty road stands the Last Temptation Restaurant (I’m not making this up), with its familiar red and white Coca Cola signs…the last chance for refreshment before hitting the wilderness. This is the same “wilderneess” in which the devil tempted Jesus, following his baptism (Matthew 3: 16;4:1).
…MATTHEW 3:16, 4:1…And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water”…”; Then Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.