The Inter-Testament Period and the Ministry of

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The Inter-Testament Period
and the
Ministry of Christ
T
he experience of the restored nation of Judah during the Inter-Testament period was stormy.
Surrounding tribes and nations constantly threatened Judah’s peace and security.
The greatest threat came from a Syrian ruler, “Antiochus Epiphanes.” Epiphanes, a name Antiochus
gave himself, means roughly, “God revealed.” Many consider him to be a “type” (picture) of the future
Antichrist. Daniel 11 appears to be a direct prophecy of the destruction Antiochus brought to the nation of
Judah. In verses 36-45 of that chapter Daniel seems to move mysteriously into a prophecy of the coming
Antichrist as though Antiochus in some way impersonates him.
Antiochus set up a statue of Zeus in the temple and forced the Jews to worship this false god on
penalty of death. He also prescribed death for anyone taking part in any Jewish religious ceremonies,
including observing the Sabbath, practicing circumcision, or making traditional sacrifices.
Relief from the Syrian invaders came through the
revolt of the Maccabeans, led by a Jew named Judas
Maccabeus. Incredibly, this “rag-tag” militia of Judah
under Judas’s leadership drove the Syrians out of the
country. On December 25, 165 B.C., they cleansed
the temple and restored true worship. It is claimed
that, lacking enough consecrated oil for the menorah
in the temple, the menorah nevertheless burned miraculously for eight days until enough holy oil could be
consecrated. The Jews celebrate this historic “cleansTraditional Menorah
Hanukkah Menorah
ing of the temple” to this day as “Hanukah,” which
means “Dedication.” The celebration lasts eight days,
commemorating the eight days of miraculous light. It is also called the “Festival of Lights.” The Hanukah
menorah, unlike the traditional menorah, has eight branches (see the illustration on this page).
The following pages provide a list of Old and New Testament books in chart form, an outline of
Jesus’ ministry, and a Jerusalem Timeline chart. The summary of the ministry of Jesus is a reference you
may wish to turn to frequently when reading or studying in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
These four books serve as biographies of Jesus. In preparation for the next class session, try to relate the
sequence of Jesus’ ministry to the map, starting in Judea, then to Galilee, back to Judea, then to Perea, and
finally to Jerusalem.
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Summary of the Ministry of Jesus
Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Early Judean Ministry
Passion Week in Jerusalem
Baptism, temptation, trip to Cana, where He
performed His first miracle, calling of first disciples, first cleansing of the temple, interview with
Nicodemus, visit with Samaritan woman at Jacob's
well enroute to Galilee.
"Palm Sunday" entrance into Jerusalem, prediction of the destruction of the temple and of
Jerusalem, teaching about end-time events, cursing
of the fig tree, continued teachings about Jesus’
death, various parables, washing disciples’ feet,
final instructions, the Last supper, the betrayal,
arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial.
Matthew 3:13—4:11
Mark 1:9-13
Luke 3:21—4:13
John 1:19—4:44
Great Galilean Ministry
Rejection at Nazareth and move to Capernaum,
appointment of the twelve apostles, Sermon on the
Mount, the "great group of parables," the sending
out of the Seventy and the sending out of the
Twelve, various miracles, the transfiguration.
Matthew 4:12—18:35
Mark 1:14—9:50
Luke 4:14—9:50
John 4:45—7:9
Later Judean Ministry
Healing of the blind man on the Sabbath and
various other healings, the parable of the Good
Samaritan, the Pharisees' attempt to stone Jesus,
teachings about His death.
John 7:10—10:39
Luke 9:51—19:27 is apparently arranged
topically more than chronologically, with a
vast amount of information about Jesus’
journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, and this
section may include events from both the
Judean and Perean ministries.
Perean Ministry
Raising of Lazarus, teaching about Jesus’ death,
encounter with the rich young ruler, healing of two
blind men and Bartimaeus, teaching about divorce.
Matthew 19:1—20:34
Mark 10:1-52
John 10:40—11:54
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Matthew 21:1—27:66
Mark 11:1—15:47
Luke 19:28—23:56
John 12:1—19:42
Resurrection and Ascension
Matthew 28:1-20
Mark 16:1-20
Luke 24:1-53
John 20:1—21:25
Acts 1:1-11
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