The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 2 studies
From the second to the third Passover festival 5 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 3 studies
Contradictions 1 study
The beginning of the ministry in Galilee
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PER054
Confirmation of the disciples’ calling
On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, around March 31, Jesus confirms the call of four fishermen: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. Unlike the first call at Bethany, he now invites them to leave everything behind and devote themselves exclusively to evangelism. Their immediate and total response reflects a trust built up over the months spent at his side. Matthew (4:18-22) and Mark (1:16-20) report this foundational episode of the Galilean ministry.
Mark 1.16-20 (King James Version) :Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER055
The First Miraculous Catch of Fish
Pericope 55 recounts the first miraculous catch of fish, reported only by Luke (Luke 5:1-11), at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus tells Simon Peter to cast the nets, producing an extraordinary catch. This miraculous act, distinct from the one in John 21, seems to have enabled the disciples to provide for their families before leaving everything to follow Jesus, illustrating the divine providence that accompanies every calling.
Matthew 4.18-22 (King James Version) :And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER079
Many healings in Galilee
Pericope 79 recounts the many healings Jesus performed in Galilee, around Capernaum, in AD 31. Faced with crowds from all over Israel, Jesus heals the sick and proclaims salvation, asking for discretion. Matthew connects these events with the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1–4 and sees a Trinitarian revelation in them. His growing fame contrasts with the increasing opposition of the Pharisees, jealous of his influence on the people.
Mark 3.7-12 (King James Version) :But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judæa,And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER080
The choosing of the 12 Apostles
Jesus chooses twelve disciples from among his followers and gives them the title of apostles, a Greek term meaning ‘sent on a mission’. This choice, made after a night of prayer, corresponds to the number of Israel's tribes. The Twelve receive authority to heal and proclaim salvation, forming the foundation of the future Church. The article explores the term's etymology, Jesus' prayer, the question of his omniscience and the case of Judas Iscariot.
Matthew 10.1-4 (King James Version) :And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER151
Jesus the Messiah stills the storm
After an intense day of teaching, Jesus crosses Lake Tiberias with his disciples. A violent storm breaks out, threatening to sink the boat. Awakened by his panicking disciples, Jesus commands the elements to be silent, and a great calm immediately settles in. This episode, reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke, reveals Jesus’ divine authority over nature and teaches the importance of unshakable faith even in the midst of trials.
Luke 8.22-25 (King James Version) :Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER152
The healing of the demoniac of Gadara
Pericope 152 recounts the healing of the demoniac of Gadara, reported by Matthew (8.28-34), Mark (5.1-20) and Luke (8.26-40). Jesus arrives in the territory of Gadara, meets possessed men living among the tombs, and delivers them from the demons by sending them into a herd of pigs that drown in the lake. This episode shows the sovereign power of the Messiah over demonic forces and his ministry extending beyond the borders of Israel.
Matthew 8.28-34 (King James Version) :And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER167
The Messiah Jesus withdraws with his disciples
PER167 describes the withdrawal of Jesus and his disciples to Bethsaida to rest after an intense evangelistic mission in Galilee, just before the Passover of April AD 32. The synoptic analysis of Matthew 14,13-14, Mark 6,31-32, Luke 9,10-11 and John 6,1-4 shows points of agreement and nuances: the desire for seclusion, being followed by the crowd, healings and teaching. This episode comes directly before the multiplication of the loaves.
Luke 9.10-11 (King James Version) :And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER169
The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
The multiplication of the loaves for 5,000 men is a miracle attested by all four evangelists, set near Bethsaida in April AD 32. With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds an immense crowd, illustrating his divine power and his shepherd's compassion, and foreshadowing the Eucharist. The twelve baskets left over symbolize the abundance of the Kingdom of God.
Luke 9.10-17 (King James Version) :And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.And they did so, and made them all sit down.Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER174
Teaching of the Messiah Jesus about the bread of life
John 6.22-59 records Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life, delivered in the synagogue of Capernaum on a Sabbath in May AD 32. After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus reveals himself as the 'bread of life', inviting the crowd to believe in him in order to obtain eternal life. This passage, found only in John, displays a major christological and eucharistic richness, in the face of the incomprehension and murmuring of his hearers.
John 6.41-50 (King James Version) :The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.I am that bread of life.Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER186
Teaching the disciples about the influence of the Pharisees
Jesus warns his apostles against the pernicious influence of the Pharisees, symbolized by the “leaven.” Matthew and Mark relate this teaching during a crossing toward Bethsaida, where the disciples have run short of bread. Jesus points out their lack of faith, inviting them to grasp the spiritual import of his words beyond material concerns.
Mark 8.14-21 (King James Version) :Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
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CTD013
Jesus’ meeting with Peter?
Article CTD013 addresses a classic objection: where did Jesus first meet Peter and Andrew? Matthew places the encounter in Galilee, John on the banks of the Jordan. The article demonstrates that these are two distinct stages: an initial encounter in Judea (John), followed by a definitive call in Galilee (Matthew). The two accounts are complementary, not contradictory, and illustrate the gradual development of the disciples' calling.
Matthew 4.19 (King James Version) :And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN002
The Gospel of John
The Gospel according to John differs from the other three, known as the Synoptic Gospels, in its style and theological depth. Written by the apostle John, son of Zebedee,…