The question of how Jesus’ private words and deeds were recorded in the Gospels is an interesting one. Since Jesus often spent time alone in prayer or retreated to desolate places, how could the gospel writers have known what happened in those moments? There are a few possibilities:
1. Jesus told his disciples about his private experiences
As close followers of Jesus, the disciples would have been interested to know about his personal spiritual life. Jesus likely shared stories with them about his times of prayer, temptation, and communing with the Father. For example, after spending 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, Mark 1:12-13 tells us Jesus returned and began preaching in Galilee. Clearly, Jesus told his disciples what had happened during that intensely private experience in order for it to be recorded in the Gospels. There are numerous other instances where Jesus retreats alone to pray or meditate, and then returns to the disciples who would have inquired about his time away.
2. Jesus was sometimes accompanied by three disciples
While Jesus did often withdraw to desolate places alone, he also brought his closest disciples Peter, James and John along with him at times. For example, these three disciples witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) as well as his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Peter, James and John could therefore report these private scenes back to the other disciples and later to the gospel writers.
3. The Holy Spirit revealed Christ’s private moments to the gospel writers
As Jesus promised his disciples, the Holy Spirit would come to reveal all truth to them and remind them of everything he had said (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit could supernaturally impart revealed details about Jesus’ private words and moments to those who wrote the gospel accounts of his life. This seems particularly plausible for detailed conversations Jesus had with the devil during his temptation in the wilderness, considering he was alone in a desolate place for 40 days.
4. Jesus’ words and deeds align with his public teachings
While the gospel writers may not have known the specifics about all of Jesus’ private moments, the things he said and did align perfectly with his public ministry teachings that were widely known. For instance, when Jesus retreats alone to pray, his words and heart’s attitude would have reflected his teachings on prayer that he shared openly with the disciples (Matthew 6:5-13). The gospel writers simply captured in brief narrative form the spiritual life that Jesus modeled before his disciples and crowds.
In summary, Jesus very likely shared details of his private spiritual experiences with his closest disciples. At times, a smaller group of disciples accompanied him to witness certain events. The Holy Spirit also could have supernaturally revealed additional unwitnessed details. And even when the exact words and deeds were unknown, the gospel writers accurately characterized Jesus’ private spiritual life as aligning with his public ministry teachings.
5. Jesus’ identity provides insight into his private life
The Gospels present Jesus as both fully God and fully human. So while on earth, Jesus experienced life just as every other person does. His divinity allowed him supernatural knowledge and experiences, yet his humanity brought natural physical limitations and emotions. This understanding of Jesus’ identity gives insight into his private words and deeds based on other biblical accounts of God’s and man’s nature.
For example, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness, so he undoubtedly experienced extreme hunger and exhaustion. His humanity brought genuine temptation to sin, while his divinity empowered him to resist each temptation and remain sinless. As the Son of God, his times alone would have included intimate conversation with his Heavenly Father. His humanity required sleep and rest, while his deity allowed times of divine empowerment through the Spirit.
So the gospel writers did not need to witness Jesus’ private experiences firsthand to accurately convey them in view of his unique dual nature as both God and man. His private life was characterized by his divine personhood and yet also his human experience.
6. Old Testament precedent provides insight into Jesus’ private spiritual life
The Gospels present Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah. Jesus also saw himself in continuity with God’s people from the Old Testament. Therefore, as the gospel writers sought to convey Jesus’ private spiritual life, they had precedent from the Old Testament to draw from.
For example, Old Testament prophets like Moses, David, Elijah and Daniel had extensive accounts written about their private prayers, conversations with God, and times of fasting. The gospel writers could convey Jesus’ private spiritual experiences in similar fashion based on this Old Testament foundation. Just as David poured out his heart privately through the Psalms, Jesus too would have communed intimately with his Father. As Moses fasted 40 days on Mount Sinai, so too Jesus fasted 40 days before launching his ministry.
So the Old Testament provides a template for describing the inward spiritual life of a major figure like the Messiah. Jesus’ deeds and words in private would have aligned with his holy calling, just as the Old Testament prophets.
7. Basic Historical Assumptions
Since the Gospels were written just decades after Jesus’ death, the authors likely had access to eye witnesses of the events described. They also applied basic historical reporting standards of their time. For instance:
- Identifying named sources for accounts when possible
- Explaining the origin of the information they provided
- Including divergent accounts to represent multiple perspectives
- Excluding clearly mythical/unhistorical information that had developed
The Gospel authors clearly stated when they were relying on secondary sources (Luke 1:1-3). This indicates they strived to represent Jesus’ private deeds accurately, not just propagate myths. Their access to firsthand witnesses and interest in historical accuracy account for much of their knowledge of Jesus’ private spiritual life.
8. Memorable Impact of Jesus’ Private Experiences
Many of Jesus’ private spiritual experiences were memorable landmark events that had a profound impact on his ministry. For instance:
- 40 days fasting in the wilderness before entering ministry
- Praying all night before choosing the 12 apostles
- Transfiguration witnessed by Peter, James and John
- Agony in Gethsemane before his crucifixion
These pivotal private experiences were unforgettable moments that defined Jesus’ ministry. The eyewitnesses who observed some of these events would have retold them orally many times. And the gospel writers recognized their significance in recounting Jesus’ story. The profound memorable impact of these experiences helped preserve and convey them.
9. The Holy Spirit brings Jesus’ life into remembrance
A key role of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus and remind God’s people of his teachings (John 14:26, 16:14). As the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry grew old and died, the Holy Spirit supernaturally brought Christ’s life into remembrance for the next generation of Christians. This would have included his noteworthy private spiritual experiences.
In addition, the disciples reflected extensively on the meaning of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. As they grew in spiritual maturity, the Holy Spirit gave them new insight into the significance of what they had witnessed years earlier. Details once forgotten were suddenly remembered through the Spirit’s work.
So ultimately, the Holy Spirit ensured that the key moments of Jesus’ private life – in perfect alignment with his public ministry and identity – were captured accurately in the written Gospels for generations to come.