Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t.
Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels, thanks to secondary school, and I did read the Book of Revelations at some point (fever dream, innit?)
The plan is to read at most ten pages a day, with rest days more frequent than old “1-in-7” for the Gospels through Romans, but then, because it all gets somewhat shorter, one a day for most of February.
Crucially, am blogging as I go.
Oh, and I am going to read Gore Vidal’s 1992 “Live from Golgotha” as soon as I am done with John…
Summary:
It all goes as Jesus has foreseen. Interestingly, this account has no “why has thou forsaken me” line.
Historical – when written, by whom
According to Wikipedia
The Gospel of Luke[a] is the third of the New Testament‘s canonical Gospels. It tells of the origins, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.[5] Together with the Acts of the Apostles, it makes up a two-volume work called Luke–Acts,[6] accounting for 27.5% of the New Testament.[7]
The text is anonymous, not naming its author.[8][9] Perhaps most scholars think that he was a companion of Paul, but others cite differences with the Pauline epistles.[10][11][12] In the popular Two-source hypothesis, Luke used the Gospel of Mark and a hypothetical Q source, though alternative hypotheses positing a direct relation between Matthew and Luke without Q are increasing in prominence.[13][14][15] Luke follows Mark closely compared to other ancient historians’ usage of sources, though the parallels and variations of the Synoptic gospels are typical of ancient historical biographies.[16][17] Luke tends to follow his sources closely when checked.[18] The most common dating for its composition is around AD 80–90. The earliest witnesses for Luke are the Alexandrian and the revised western text-type.[19][20][21]
Most poetic bits
21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth
Most quotable bits
22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Most “wtaf” bit(s)
Proper blood-thirsty Jesus – wtaf
19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Further reading
The Gospel According to Luke (song) – Wikipedia
Luke 21 – parable of the mite…
Chapter 18
Parable of widow and judge –
18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
18:20-4 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Jesus predicts
18: 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Chapter 19
Stays with Zacharias the tree hugger
19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
Proper blood-thirsty Jesus – wtaf
19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Mount of Olives, colt stealing (as per Mark and Mathew)
19:47-8 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Chapter 20
Jesus springs the logic trap of the Pharisees
20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Academics again!!
20: 46-7 46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Chapter 21
Jesus lays out the signs of the times
21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Again with the “some of you shall not have tasted death” thing…
21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Ain’t got nowhere to run to, ain’t got nowhere to hide…
21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth
Chapter 22
Eh, Satan to blame for Judas’ betrayal? What happened to his agency?
22:3-4
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Chapter 23
JC gets bounced between Pilate and Herod.
Gives a no comment interview. Sensible man!
23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
“Welease Woger!”
Welease Woger – Monty Python’s Life Of Brian. Remastered [HD]
Simon to carry the cross
Better not to have kids
23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
Crucifixion – no “why hast thou forsaken me?”
Chapter 24
Jesus appears to women. Who don’t get believed, obvs, because well…
24:10-17 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
On the Way to Emmaus
13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Spooky ghost story ending
24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
The only way is up! As per Yazz…
Yazz – The Only Way Is Up (Official Music Video)
24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
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