The Bible has four books dedicated to describing Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. As anyone familiar with the Bible would know, these books are the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
What’s amazing is how much the Gospels focus on the last week of Jesus’ final week. A third of the Gospels is devoted to it. Here’s the breakdown and statistics from chapter one of Andy Naselli’s new book How to Understand and Apply the New Testament:
The break down according to each of the Gospels:
- A third of Matthew, from Matthew 21-28
- A third of Mark, from Mark 11-16
- A quarter of Luke, from Luke 19-24
- Nearly half of John, from John 12-20
As one can see above the Gospel of John is the most concentrated upon the last week of Jesus. Furthermore nearly a third of the Gospel of John is dedicated to one day, from John 13-19.
What about a breakdown according to the total chapters of the Gospel? There are a total of 89 chapters from all four Gospels. Of those chapters 29 is on the final week. Again we see that it is a third of the Gospels.
These statistics led Andy Naselli to say “The Gospels are essentially passion narratives with extended introductions.” He’s right.
But what makes the passion narrative so important for Christians? It shows that at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry is the sacrificial work of Christ as both the priest and the sacrifice for our sins.
Think about it.
Christ came and He died.
He died for your sins.
How much of your Christian life is concentrated on beholding the suffering and work of Christ on the Cross for our sins? When was the last time you were moved by the thought Jesus died on the cross for sinners and also the accompanying suffering even before He went on the Cross?
It is imperative that we align ourselves with what God emphasize. We should definitely study and meditate much on the final week of Christ for the sake of loving Him. For the sake of our own spiritual growth. For the sake of glorifying Jesus.
The Domain for Truth 
Thanks for pointing out that the Gospels focus a great deal on Jesus’ final week. Unbelievers who say Jesus was a great teacher, a great philosopher, a great humanitarian, or a great prophet must overlook that He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
You’re welcome Tom! We must not overlook that the overwhelming written data on Jesus centers on His role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. What an awesome thought to be enraptured around: That the Great Shepherd has become the lamb of God!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog Vincent! You have a blessed Lord’s Day!
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim and likewise my friend 😍 🙏
Great post. This is also a good send-up of the “Red letter Christians” and “Christian” Left who say that all Jesus said was to be nice, while ignoring and even mocking atonement, propitiation, etc. How can they pretend to care what the Gospels say if they ignore or completely get wrong 1/3 of it?
Very very good point in your application of this truth in refuting the so called “Christian” Left…I never understood how so called Christians can attack the atonement, propitiation and substitutionary work of Christ on the Cross…that’s the CRUX of Christianity and they attack it! What tragedy is it not???
It’s a simple case of believing what one wants to believe. It’s human nature, and I’m sure we all do that at some point or another, but we should be focused enough on Jesus that He is able to correct us when necessary.
I’m surprised to see this trending Slim but good post
I was fascinated to read about the Temple prayer – praying as though going into the Temple of the Old Testament in steps leading to the very “most holy place.” The very first place the prayer “goes” is the Brazen Altar at the entrance. Just to enter the Temple required a sacrifice, but Jesus became that sacrifice. So when we enter into God’s presence, the very first thing to do is acknowledge His sacrifice, and then, in view of His mercy, offer Him ourselves as “living sacrifices.” (Romans 12:1)
Wow this is beautifully stated: ” Just to enter the Temple required a sacrifice, but Jesus became that sacrifice. So when we enter into God’s presence, the very first thing to do is acknowledge His sacrifice, and then, in view of His mercy, offer Him ourselves as “living sacrifices.” ” May you have a blessed Friday reflecting on what Christ has done for us on the Cross, which I see you are already doing.
Blessings to you, too, SLIMJIM.
Fascinating breakdown. We too must focus on Jesus’ suffering.
It’s amazing how so much of Western popular Christianity doesn’t emphasize on Christ’s last week as much as the Bible does.
Wow never saw this much focus on the last week of Jesus before.
[…] Are You Aware of the 4 Gospels’ Focus on the Last Week of Jesus’ Life? This is the most important week in world history. Yes even more important than Creation Week in Genesis 1 and in fact that week is a Type anticipating the final week of Jesus’ last. Jesus last week was God bringing about a New Creation in believers’ hearts, mind and Soul for salvation! […]
What amazing facts
Perfect! Timely as we head towards Good Friday
The most important week in history
Wow I suppose we too need to be focus on Jesus’s death and resurrection
Congrats on 2 million views; the blog is full of biblical content!
This year’s Easter I hope many come to trust in Christ