Herod the Villain

By Mary Vee
Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 2

From Matthew, Mark, and Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
This is one of Herod's Palaces. This one is located in Samaria
and was considered the place to go for a great party.
This is probably the palace Herod was at for this story.

My name is Matthew, I am a disciple of Jesus. Mark and Luke are sitting here with me, ready to tell what we know about the evil Herod and his horrible deed.

John the Baptizer saw no problem with telling people what God put in His heart. He lived alone in the desert and ate locust and honey. His clothes were made from camel's hair.

He preached to crowds of people who walked all the way to the desert just to hear him. John the Baptizer talked about the law of Moses and how much we'd all walked away from obeying God's commands. 

Well, one day, John the Baptizer went to Herod to give him a message from God. Herod was intrigued by this man. He'd heard about the desert preacher, how John captivated those who came to hear him speak and that many asked to be baptized in the Jordan River to show their change of heart. 

Herod invited John into his courts. That's when the problem began. 

See, Herod didn't really know what John was going to tell him. John stood before Herod, who was sitting on his throne, and said, "You have broken the law by marrying Herodias. She was your brother's wife. You killed your brother, Philip, then married his wife."

John mentioned a long list of sins committed by Herod.

This didn't go over well at all.

Herodias heard what John the Baptizer said. She became very angry.

To calm her down, Herod had John bound and thrown in prison. Actually, Herod was so mad he wanted to order John's death.

The problem with that idea was John the Baptizer pleased the crowds. They'd considered John a prophet. If Herod put John to death, the people would rise up and complain. The Roman officials would accuse him of not keeping control of the Jews. He'd have a horrible mess on his hands. One that could put him in jail. No. This would not do.

Herod decided to lock John up in prison, the worst one he had...for now. 

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

John-Jealous Pharisees Wanting Attention

By Mary Vee
John 4

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee - The Jordan River, farther south
than is talked about in today's story.

My name is John. I am a follower of Jesus the Nazarene. Many people followed Jesus because John the Baptizer said to. John had spoken of a man who would come who sandals he was not worthy to loosen. A man who was sent from God to save us. 

Crowds of people heard John the Baptizer say this. Many left him because he asked, and followed Jesus.

Other followers came because they first heard Jesus. A few Jesus spoke to and asked them to follow Him.  

So, I am John the disciple and follower of Jesus the Nazarene, not John the Baptizer. It will take a while to explain why I follow Jesus, but for now I'll just say there are many people who have heard Jesus' message and have come back to hear more or have stayed with him to not miss any of his words. 

Jesus has spoken about many topics so far. The Pharisee have sat in on some of the talks. I don't think they are interested because they like what Jesus says. The look on their face is  more like they're trying to collect evidence. 

Jesus speaks of God's law. He teaches using stories about things we know. It is at this time that I, along with many in the crowd realize the Pharisee and priests demand more than what is in the law. See, most of us can't read. We depend on the priests to tell us what God wants.

We should have done a better job of passing the Sacred words from father to son, but many have become lazy, depending on the priests and the learned Pharisees. 

It is these Pharisees that said to each other, loud enough for others to hear, "Jesus gathered and baptized more disciples than John." They didn't even say that right. I saw. While it is true more people had chosen to follow Jesus than John the Baptizer, Jesus did not baptize those who repented. His followers, His closest disciples did the baptizing.

The Pharisees acted like this was a popularity contest. They didn't want the people following Jesus any more than they wanted them following John. They wanted the people to stay loyal to them. 

Most, not all the Pharisees clung to a long list of rules that had been added to the laws of Moses. They demanded the people follow these rules as well and resorted to punishing those who did not. 

When Jesus heard them grumbling, He decided to leave Judea, knowing the Pharisees would not want to go away from their jobs or homes. He lead those who wanted to follow Him north toward Galilee. We didn't have cars or any other motor vehicles like you do now and the distance was about 70 miles, so we didn't walk it in one day.

To get there, we walked through Samaria and that is where the next story takes place

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

John the Baptist- That Man-On the Other Side of the Jordan

By Mary Vee
John 3

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee - The Jordan River, farther south
than is talked about in today's story.

My name is John. I am often called John the Baptizer. My job has been to prepare the way for the One who is coming to save the world.

The number of people who had come to hear me speak about matters of God and the One who'd come to save grew to large crowds. They journeyed from cities near and far using camels and donkeys to travel. 

Because there were so many people, I moved up the river to Aenon near Salim where there was plenty of water for their animals to drink and for me to baptize those who repented of their ways.

The sad part about the large crowds was they should have been able to hear these words from the priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees. These men were not doing their job. 

I didn't teach about rituals, I told those who came to hear my words about the just and loving God, the only living and true God, His expectations, and the One he was sending to save us. 

One time there was an argument among those who followed me and other Jews about the idea of ceremonial washing. They came to me to have the issues resolved. During the discussion, one said, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the one you spoke highly about, well, he is baptizing, and everyone is leaving you to follow him."

They were talking about Jesus of Nazareth. The One who the dove landed on after I baptized him. The One who a voice said from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love, and am pleased." 

I answered the men, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You heard me say, 'I am not the Messiah but have been sent to prepare the way for him."

"Yes, but we don't understand. What about that man? The one people are leaving you to follow?"

"He is the one I have been preparing the way for. Think of it this way, the bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who takes care of the details and prepares for the bridegroom waits and listens for him to come. The friend is really happy when he hears the bridegroom's voice because his work is finished. The joy I speak of is mine, and it is now complete. The man you speak of must become greater like the bridegroom. I must become less.

Then words of explanation came to me from God, so I spoke them. "The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He tell of what he has seen and heard. Sadly, few believe him. But those who accept his words show God is truthful. The one whom God has sent speaks the words of God.

"Remember I said the Voice from heaven called him Son? Well, the Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands. If you believe in the Son, you will have eternal life, but if you reject that man, the Son of God, you will not see life." I rubbed my beard and finished saying God's message, "and God's wrath will stay on you."

I listened to myself speak these words, words God told me to say, and knew my work was nearly finished. My job was not only to tell people that the Messiah was here, but to encourage them to leave me and follow Him.

I hope you will follow Him, too.

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Andrew: The Man Who Caused John the Baptizer to Stop Mid Sentence

By Mary Vee
John 1

From Andrew's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is Andrew. I have been following John the Baptizer for some time. His words draw me closer to The Living God. It's hard to explain, but I feel the validity of John the Baptizer's words in my soul.

I have been a fisherman working in the north, on the Sea of Galilee. One day I took a break and walked down the Jordan to the wilderness. I saw a crowd gathered around a man and was curious what he was saying. I walked closer and listened. He spoke truths about the living God that hooked me immediately.

I suppose I'd heard these words about the God who chose our people at different times in my past, but they'd never impacted me like they did that day. His message helped me understand God's truth and expectations. That the Almighty God demanded we follow Him, obey His words, keep His words ever present in our heads and tell our children.

John quoted words from the Scriptures that I hadn't heard in a long time. I wanted to hear more, so I came back to listen again and again.

One day, a man came to the shores of the Jordan River where we sat listening to John. He stood among the crowd, listening. Watching. John looked at Him several times. It seemed John was distracted by Him. At first, John stammered then he stopped speaking. He looked at the man.

There was a connection I didn't understand. 

The Man did not say anything, but I sensed something different was going on. What it was? Who was this Man who captured John's attention. John held his gaze on the man as if He knew him, but didn't know who he was. He seemed confused but in awe of this man. I watched the two of them interact without words, intrigued by what was happening. 

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee"

The Man stepped close to the water. John took a deep breath as though the very presence of this Man was so powerful, so great, like a child standing before a great king. 

The Man asked John to baptize Him. John shook his head and said, "I cannot. I am the one who should be baptized by you."

The words surprised me. John hadn't said anything like that in all the days I'd listened to him. Who was this Man who had such an impact on John?

The Man said, "This is the right thing to do. Trust Me. I must be baptized at this time to fulfill all the righteousness."

John nodded as if he understood something much bigger than I could understand. I was so intrigued. I had to learn more. I came back every day, wanting to learn more about what John had to say and about the man who was baptized that day.

Over a month went by since that day. The Man hadn't stopped by. I had no idea what he was doing and had hoped John would tell us more. There was a rumor that the Man went to the wilderness on His own.

THEN, and this is the incredibly exciting part I wanted to tell you, the Man walked near where John spoke. How did I know he did? Because John stopped mid sentence and pointed at him. "Look," he shouted, "The Lamb of God!"

As soon as I heard those words I ran to the Man. I wasn't alone. Another man ran too. We caught up to the stranger. He had to be a rabbi. Why else would John have directed us to him? 

The Man turned around and looked at us. He said, "What do you want?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't have an answer to the question so I said, "Um, where are you staying?" At least I could find out where to find him again tomorrow.

He said, "Come, and you will see." Such a tender voice. One of a man who wanted to not only teach, but show us what He had to say. In that one day, I understood this Man had something to show me. Something I desperately had to learn more about. Something so big, I couldn't live without knowing it.

I have more to tell you next time.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer-The Messiah IS Here

By Mary Vee
John 1

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

I woke this morning ready to go about my usual day telling anyone who would listen about the Messiah. I know He is here. God told me. 

The other day, Jesus came to the shores where I preached and baptized people. Remember I told you about it? His presence alone caused me to tremble on the inside. Not from fear, but because I realized who He had to be. I didn't feel worthy to baptize Jesus, but He insisted. He said something about the baptism was the start of the work He came to do. When Jesus came out of the water, a dove landed on Him and a voice spoke from the heavens saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."

That moment has played over and over in my mind. I had not seen Jesus for a little over a month since baptizing Him and didn't know where He went. I was still confused but continued preaching the words God told me to say.

Back to my day starting. I went about my usual preparations, ate breakfast, and walked until a group of people found me. I don't usually notice the individual faces, but I did this time and was surprised to see Jesus among them. Can you imagine! The Messiah stood in our presence. My heart fluttered. I couldn't find words to say. I didn't know how to respond.

Jesus separated from the others and walked toward me.

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee"

Suddenly, words came to me. Words God put in my heart. I pointed at Jesus and said to the crowd, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

"He is the One I told you about when I said, 'A man would come, but He is the One who is worthy for you to follow and listen to instead of me.'"

I swallowed, and was so overwhelmed. I wanted the men and women in the crowd to understand Who Jesus really was. I said, "I myself did not know who He is. 

"EXCEPT the one who sent me to baptize with water and preach told me to watch for this sign. "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

I pointed to Jesus and faced the crowd. "I have seen and I testify before you that THIS man IS the Son of God."

We had been told long ago that God would send a Messiah. We had waited so long and wondered when He would come and who He was. We didn't know what He would do. We only understood He would save us.

And now. 

He IS here.

Jesus is the Son of God.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer- Who Are You?

By Mary Vee
John 1

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

Apparently, I have become the talk of the city. Crowds travel to the desert where I live and listen to me speak. Some believe the message I tell about the coming Messiah. Some repent of their sinful ways and ask for water baptism..so I baptize them and teach them what God wants them to do. 

Some of the men who have heard my messages went to the priests. They told them what "the man in the desert" says. 

They tell them I wear camel skin clothes and eat locust and wild honey. I think they wanted the priests to come hear what I said then decide if my message was true.

Of course my messages are true. I'm only saying what God tells me to say. It's their choice to believe or not.

One day a group of priests showed up on the shore of the Jordan River. They stood in the back of the crowd and listened to me speak. When I finished they asked, "Who are you? Are you the Christ? The One you are speaking about?"

No way. Just hearing their question made me feel sad. I am only the one bringing the messages. "I am not the Christ." I spoke in a firm and clear voice so no one would mistake what I said.

The priests and rabbis then said, "Well, then, are you Elijah?"

Elijah? Really? The prophet of long ago who used to perform mighty miracles? "No, I am not Elijah."

The priests and rabbis looked confused. They talked among themselves then said, "Are you the Prophet?"

No. Not the One they meant. "No, I am not."

They stroke their beards and said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. Tell us about yourself."

They wanted to know, so I told them using words from Isaiah the prophet. "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee

Among the people were some priestly men called Pharisees. These men spent many, many years studying the Scriptures. They were the learned ones, but didn't have a love for God in their hearts. The Pharisees asked me, "Why are you baptizing people if you are not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?"

I answered them, "I only baptize with water. Here among you stands one you don't recognize. He is the One who has come that I have told you about. I am not even worthy to untie His sandals."

The priests left still uncertain about the whole conversation. Hopefully they will understand when they see Jesus.

Just so you know, this event happened on the other side of the Jordan River in an area called Bethany. 


Note from Mary Vee: in the photo above, the picture is taken from Israel's shore. Across the river, or the Jordanian side, is a building where armed military men stood with guns. That was the side that John the Baptist stood on when talking with these Pharisees, priests, and rabbis. 


Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer- I Can't - I Am Not Worthy

By Mary Vee
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

I knew Jesus. He was my cousin. But when He came to the river that day something stirred inside me. 

I looked at His eyes and knew. God stirred my heart...and I knew Jesus was the One who would save all of us. Jesus was and is God's Son.

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee

 

He was here. 

Standing on the shore of the Jordan River,  watching me baptize others. 

A crowd stood there. Some sat on the ground.  

Jesus said to me, "I came to be baptized."

I couldn't believe He asked this of me. "I know you traveled all the way from Galilee. But I can't baptize you." 

He was the Son of God. I was not worthy to baptize Him. Not. Him. "I can't. I...I'm the one who needs to be baptized by you."

Jesus didn't move. He said, "Do it. After all these centuries, God's work is coming together at this time, with this baptism."

With those words I understood. This was God's plan and I needed to obey. I agreed to baptize Jesus.

He walked into the water with me. I did as He asked and baptized Him. At the moment he walked out of the water the heavens opened. I saw the Spirit of God descend, like a dove and lighting on Jesus. 

A voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love and whom I am well pleased. 

At this time, Jesus was thirty years old and He began His ministry.

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer-When Jesus Came to the Jordan River that day...

By Mary Vee
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

I'm not completely alone. God has given me a message to tell every person I meet. The weird thing is, men and women bring their children and walk all the way from the city where they have water and food and everything they need. They come to the desert where I live, where there is no water to drink or food to eat, looking for me. When they find me, they sit on the ground and listen to the message God gave me to share.

Some people come because they are curious. Others come because God has stirred their heart's desires to hear His message.

God does that. He gives us all opportunities to hear from Him. 

His message is not just about His love for people. God wants them to know his laws. He also wants men and women to know what they must do to have eternal life. God's message is serious. He will judge our sins. He will punish those who have not obeyed Him.

There are times when the men and women talk among themselves, trying to understand the message. This time several asked out loud, "John, are you the Christ?" It was an honest question. They weren't interested in making me a god. They truly wanted to know. 

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee

So I answered, "I baptize you here in this river with physical water. The One you seek is more powerful. He will come and ignite the Holy Spirit inside you, changing you from the inside out. He has the power to gather those who are wheat and get rid of those that are chaff with a terrible fire.

The crowds listened for hours. They came back day after day to hear more. 

No, this did not impress me, because many, not all, but many came back because it was the popular thing to do. They had bragging rights to say they had journeyed to the desert and heard me speak. Whatever.

The reason they came didn't matter. I continued telling God's messages because God loves everyone and wants everyone to hear His message of love and His plan to save those who believe. And maybe, just maybe a man or woman who listens for the wrong reason, might hear the truth.

One day while I stood down at the Jordan River baptizing those who said they believed and would follow God's ways, Jesus came from Galilee. 

I knew Jesus. He was my cousin. But when He came to the river that day something stirred inside me. I looked at His eyes and I knew. God stirred my heart...and I knew, Jesus was the One who would save all of us. Jesus was and is God's Son. 

He was here. 

Right here at the Jordan River with us. 

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer: They People Were Tired of the Lies

By Mary Vee
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert and have for some time. I don't need much to survive. My clothes are made from camel's hair, and I have a leather belt. I eat locust and honey. I sleep under the stars.

To live in the desert, one needs a strong personality. I don't take time to say something with flowery words to make people feel good. If God gives me a message to tell, I tell it.

Recently God asked me to tell those who travel through the desert the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah seven hundred years ago.

These are Isaiah's words that I am saying:

A voice of one calling in the desert, 
Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. 
The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 
And all mankind will see God's salvation.

The more I spoke, the more men and women searched for me in the desert to hear the words. They came from the city of Jerusalem and all parts of Judea. They walked here from all areas of the Jordan. 

They didn't come to hear God's message. They came because it was the popular thing to do. Like I said, I didn't say things in a feel good way. God asked me to tell the people what they did wrong, so I did.

This was the message God gave me to say to the crowds:
"What do you think you're doing slithering down to the river to be baptized by me. Do you really think the water poured on your snake skin will save you from God's wrath? This is not a parade or contest. God wants men and women who have changed lives.

"Don't give excuses why you should be here. You say you are a son or daughter of Abraham so you have the right. This means nothing more than the clothes you wear. Wood that is dead deserves to be thrown on the fire. 

Your life is what needs to change and when you life is changed so that you obey God, then you can come to be baptized and show the people who stand on the shores your devotion to God.

The people who listened said to me, "What should we do?"

The look on their faces showed they really didn't understand. I took a breath and said, "If you have two coats and you see someone who doesn't have a coat, give them one of yours. Do the same with your food." 

Some tax men came to the waters where I stood to baptize those who had changed their lives. They said, "What should we do to show we want to change our lives?"

I answered them in all truth, "Quit stealing from the people. Collect only the taxes that are due."

Next some soldiers came and asked me, "What should we do to show we want to change our lives?"

Again I answered them in all truth, "Don't bully the people. Don't take their things that you want. Don't steal their money or accuse someone of a wrong they didn't do."

You know how sometimes you have a taste for healthy food instead of the bad food? I think that is what was happening here. The people were tired of the lies and ridiculous rules given by the priests and government. 

They came back to hear the words because they just wanted to hear the truth. 


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.