focusing on the words of Jesus.

‘THE COMPLETE SAYINGS OF JESUS - THE KING JAMES VERSION’ 
focusing on the words of Jesus Christ:

(NOTE: There is plenty of connecting 
narrative around the instances where Jesus 
speaks, so this is better than simply 
presenting each quote out of context. The 
focus on what Jesus is attributed as saying 
makes it easier to browse the core texts of 
the New Testament. All in all, a very useful 
reference, and a great read.

PRODUCTION NOTES: In this e-text, Jesus' 
words are highlighted in blue, slightly larger 
text. The date and age information was 
extracted from the copy-text page headers 
and moved into the file title area in the 
online edition.

focusing on the words of Jesus Christ

THE number of words in the New Testament 
is 181,253. Only 36,450 of these  181,253 
words are the words of Christ—barely over 
20 per cent.

Considered as verses, the New Testament 
has 7,959 verses, of which but 1,599 are 
sayings of Christ. --20 per cent.  

These relatively few sayings of Jesus have 
not a place apart, but run in an uneven 
distribution through the four Gospels (a few 
in other Books);and in each of the four 
Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John—the
"sayings" are unevenly distributed through 
the narrative. Often a "saying" recorded, it 
may be, by Matthew, is paraphrased, or even
duplicated, by one or more of the other three
biographers,none of whom seems to have
intended either a chronological harmony with
the others, or even a sustained sequence of 
his own.

Accordingly, only the devoted reader of the 
New Testament, the habitual reader, is 
sufficiently the delver to have become 
familiar with Christ's sayings—really 
familiar—familiar with the sayings not only
as severally set down by the four evangels,
but also as one message, one gospel 
proclaiming the Saviour's great objective.

If relatively few persons in any where are 
habitual readers of the sayings of Christ, 
that may be because relatively few persons
are delvers.I am convinced that this book 
provides the means for the non-readers of 
the New Testament to become familiar with
Jesus the Christ, his sayings, and his great 
purpose, without delving—indeed without
effort, so engaging is the story here recorded
—a glowing short story.


focusing on the words of Jesus Christ

THE shelves of the libraries and of the 
bookstores bend beneath the tomes of 

the sayings, the bare sayings, of all the other
great men; but one will not find in library or
bookstore, in any published book, the 
complete sayings of Jesus, the bare sayings
in simple sequence, Christ's own words, 
separate.

My purpose has been to enable any reader, 

whether confirmed Christian or inquiring 
sinner, or a frankly detached, to get oneself
a book of CHRIST'S OWN WORDS, 
"divested," so runs the title page, "of the 
context, excepting those brief portions of the
gospel narratives retained to establish the
place, the time, or occasion, or a question 
the reply to which is the Master's own answer."

Many a reader, arrived at FINIS in the New 

Testament itself, has but a hazy picture of 
Christ on his daily walks as a circuit preacher
everywhere within walking distance; has but
a sketchy outline of the times and occasions
—so many biographers!—Matthew, Mark,
Luke, John, Paul—each essaying not a 
biography as such, not the record of the 
Teacher's sayings as such, but intent upon
launching each his own conception of 
Christ's mission.

Christ's sayings complete, brought into a 

sequence of times and occasions, but lifted
out of contexts alien to the present purpose,
may prove to be a glowing story new not 
only to the non-reader, but new even to the
whilom New-Testament readers who have 
not as yet discerned the "continuities."

Devoted readers will not be diverted from 
the Great Text. Perhaps other readers—the
casual New-Testament reader and the 
non-reader—after enjoying these pages may
venture the greater enjoyment: the attentive
perusal of all the gospels and all the epistles,
perhaps of all the New Testament.

focusing on the words of Jesus Christ

ONE of the high spiritual moments which
have enriched my life came the day I read 
this book at one sitting. It was a moving 
and unforgettable experience in which I had
the feeling of actually being in the presence
of Jesus. It produced a strange compelling
identification with the sights, sounds and 
atmosphere of those times and the Lord's 
presence was profoundly realistic. When I 
finished the book I came back to present 
reality with a start. This effect was created 
by the fact that here we have every 
recorded word spoken by Jesus 
and in the sequence in which he
uttered them.

This little volume offers an amazing reading 

experience, one in which the reader follows
the Master through the villages and about
the lake and into the cities, hearing his
priceless comments to individuals and his
sermons to vast multitudes. The reading of
all of his words at one time and in 
chronological order produces an effect quite 

different from that which is attained by
reading isolated Scripture passages in which
his spoken words appear, as profoundly
helpful as these are. The impact upon mind
and heart, of his whole message, affects
one profoundly.

¶This book gives a panoramic concept of the 

thoughts and teachings of Jesus. And so
grand and noble is the impression made
upon the mind that the reader has an
enhanced understanding of the purpose of
this the greatest life ever lived. For mental
stimulation, heartfelt comfort, and soul 

satisfaction, THE COMPLETE SAYINGS OF 

JESUS is unique.

I shall always be grateful that Lunsford P. 

Yandell made this little volume known to me 

years ago. He explained that a friend of his,
a businessman, Arthur Hinds, sensed the 

importance of bringing the words of Jesus 

together in chronological form so that the
full sweep and completeness of the immortal 

message might more effectively be felt and 

comprehended. These laymen had a keen 

consciousness of the ineffable power of the 

words of Jesus and, in a desire to relate
them more widely to busy modern people,
arranged them in this convenient and
readable form. For many years this book
has been made available through the
literature sales organization of the Marble
Collegiate Church. The thousands who have
read the book, through our recommendation,
have reported that it has brought great
spiritual blessing to them. I commend this
new edition to all who desire the creative
touch of Christ upon their lives.
(INTRODUCTION BY
NORMAN VINCENT PEALE, D.D.)

1.

LINEAGE OF JESUS

LINEAGE OF JESUS—BORN IN BETHLEHEM

FROM NARRATIVES OF MATTHEW AND LUKE

Matthew 1, 1-2; 6-7; 11-12; 16-17.

THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat . . . .

. . . And Jesse begat David the king; and
David the king begat Solomon; and Solomon
begat . . . 

. . . And Josias begat Jechonias and his
brethren, about the time they were carried
away to Babylon; and Jechonias begat . . . 

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of
Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called
Christ. 

So all the generations from Abraham to
David are * fourteen generations; and from
David until the carrying away into Babylon
are fourteen generations; and from the
carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are
fourteen generations.

Luke 2, 1-12; 16-21.

It came to pass in those days, that there
went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that
all the world should be taxed. And all went
to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the 

city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of 

David which is called Bethlehem (because
he was of the house and lineage of David),
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child. So it was, that, while
they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. She brought
forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the
inn.

Dec. B.C. 5. †

There were in the same country shepherds 

abiding in the field, keeping watch over their

flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord 

came upon them, and said, Behold,I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be
to all people. For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, which is Christ
the Lord. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

And they came with haste, and found Mary, 

and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 

When eight days were accomplished for the

circumcising of the child, his name was 
called JESUS, which was so named of the
angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Footnotes

5:* Like this "are," all the words which are 

italicized in the King James text are set in 

italics throughout this book also.

The punctuations also are, throughout, the 

punctuations of the King James text.

5:† It happens that dates "from the birth of 

Christ" did not begin to be cast until
centuries after Christ's day. The monk said
to be then responsible for the calculations
made a mistake.The consensus of informed
opinion now is that the "birth" of Jesus is to
be set back four years. Accordingly the boy
Jesus was "five years old" in December of
what would have been the first year of the
anno Domini calendar if that calendar had
been started on the day of his birth: that is,
five years and one week old on New Year's
Day, A.D. 2.

2.

THE ESCAPE FROM HEROD—AGAIN IN

GALILEE AT NAZARETH

FROM MATTHEW'S NARRATIVE

B.C. 4

Matthew 2, 1-5; 7-15; 19-23.

NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of 

Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 

there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born
King of the Jews? for we have seen his star
in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled. And when he had
gathered the chief priests and scribes of the
people together, he demanded of them
where Christ should be born. They said,
In Bethlehem of Judea.

Then Herod privily called the wise men, and 

inquired of them what time the star
appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and
said, Search diligently for the child; and 
when ye have found him, bring me word, 
that I may come and worship him also.

The wise men departed; and, lo, the star,
which they saw in the east, went before
them, till it stood over where the child was.
They rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

And when they saw the child with Mary his 

mother, they worshiped him: and they
opened their treasures, and presented unto
him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Warned of God in a dream that they should
not return to Herod, the wise men departed
into their own country another way. 

When the wise men were departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in
a dream, saying, Arise, take the child and his 

mother, and flee into Egypt and be thou there

until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek 
the child to destroy him. 

Joseph arose, took the child and his mother
by night, and departed into Egypt: and was
there until the death of Herod.

When Herod was dead,behold, an angel of
the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the child and 
his mother, and go into the land of Israel. 

But Joseph heard that Archelaus did reign in 

Judea in the room of his father Herod: he
was afraid to go thither: he turned aside into
the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt
in Nazareth.

3.

THE BOY JESUS: AT TWELVE, VISITS

JERUSALEM—TARRIES BEHIND—

TALKS IN TEMPLE WITH THE 
DOCTORS—SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER

HIS FIRST RECORDED WORDS

A.D. 8. Age 12. Nazareth. Jerusalem.

Luke 2, 40-52.

THE child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, 

filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was

upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every
year at the feast of the passover. When Jesus
was twelve years old, they went up to
Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. They
fulfilled the days, and as they returned, the
child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and
Joseph and his mother knew not of it. They,
supposing him to have been in the company,
went a day's journey and [then] they sought
him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
When they found him not, they turned back
to Jerusalem,seeking him.

After three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,
both hearing them, and asking questions.
All that heard him were astonished at his
understanding and answers.

His mother said unto him, Son, why hast 
thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father 
and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Jesus said unto them,

How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not 
that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not.

He went down with them to Nazareth, and
was subject into them: but his mother kept
all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, 

and in favor with God and man. *

Footnotes

7:* Note that the curtain drops here, as it
were, on the drama of Jesus at the age of
twelve, not to rise again till the age of thirty.

4.

JESUS AT THIRTY—BAPTIZED 

BY JOHN

A.D. 27. Age 30 Judea: Jordan.

Matthew 3, 1-6; 13-17: Mark 1, 10-11; 

Luke 3, 22-23.

IN those days came John the Baptist, 

preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This is he that was spoken of by the prophet 

Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying

in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the 

Lord, make his paths straight.

John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a 

leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat 

was locusts and wild honey.

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all
Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,
and were baptized of him in Jordan,
confessing their sins.

¶Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan
unto John, to be baptized of him. But John
forbade him, saying, I have need to be 
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Jesus answering said unto him,

Suffer it to be so now: for thus it 
becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.

Then John suffered him. And Jesus, when he 

was baptized, went up straightway out of
the water: and praying, lo, the heavens
were opened unto him, and he saw the
Spirit of God descending in a bodily shape
like a dove, and lighting upon him; and to
a voice from heaven, saying, This is my 
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty 

years of age.

5.

CHRIST'S LONG FAST IN THE 

WILDERNESS— SATAN'S FUTILE WILES

A.D. 27. Age 30. Judea.

Matthew 4, 1-11: Mark 1, 13: Luke 4, 1-13.

THEN was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the 

wilderness to be tempted of the devil. He
was there in the wilderness forty days, and
was with the wild beasts.

In those days he did eat nothing. And when
he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he
was a hungered.

The tempter came: he said, If thou be the 
Son of God, command that these stones 
be made bread. But Jesus answered,

It is written, Man shall not live by bread 

alone, but by every word that 
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then, in Jerusalem, the holy city, on a
pinnacle of the temple, the devil saith unto
Jesus, If thou be the Son of God, cast 
thyself down from hence:for it is written, 
He shall give his angels charge concerning
thee, to keep thee: and in their hands they
shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou 

dash they foot against a stone. 

Jesus answering said,

It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt 
the Lord thy God.

Again, up an exceeding high mountain, the 

devil sheweth him, in a moment of time, all
the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of
them, and saith unto Jesus, All these things
will I give thee; all this power, and the glory
of them: if thou wilt fall down and worship
me, all shall be thine.

And Jesus answered,

Get thee behind me, Satan; get thee hence: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Then the devil leaveth him.