The Space of the Lord's Ministry on Earth

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
Question: Do the recorded Passovers help us to gather the space of the Lord’s ministry on earth?
DISCIPLE.
Answer: In John 2:1313And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (John 2:13) is the first, which preceded the public ministry of the Lord in Galilee. For even in John 3:2424For John was not yet cast into prison. (John 3:24) John is seen not as yet in prison. In John 424God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) the Lord is going through Samaria on His way to Galilee which He only reaches at the end of this chapter. Next in Matt. 1124But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Matthew 11:24), John, sends from prison to inquire, and in ch. 11 the Lord vindicates His disciples for eating of the corn on a sabbath, which was after a new Passover and even the wave-sheaf that followed it. From Luke 6:11And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. (Luke 6:1) (which coalesces) it was second-first sabbath, that is, next after the great one (cf. John 19:3131The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. (John 19:31)) of that week, the first sabbath when it became lawful after Jehovah had His first-fruits. Again we learn from John 6:44And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. (John 6:4), which corresponds in time with Matt. 144For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. (Matthew 14:4), or the first miracle of the loaves, that Passover was at hand, that is, the third. The last Passover, or fourth, He came up to keep, and be Himself our Passover in His sacrifice. It is thus rendered certain and evident from scripture, that the public ministry of our Lord lasted less than four years, or at least three years and a half, as it is generally understood, though some men of learning have contended for less or more.