• PER228 The judgment of religious leaders and the rebukes of Jesus the Messiah

    During a meal at a Pharisee's house in Jerusalem (late 32), Jesus utters severe rebukes against the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Luke 11.38-54, the only gospel to recount this episode, describes a hostile atmosphere in which the religious authorities look for evidence to condemn Jesus. His cutting words are in reality a call to repentance, ignored by men blinded by pride.

    Luke 11.38-54 (King James Version) :
    And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER229 Reminder of the massacre of the Galileans by Pilate

    Pericope PER229 (Luke 13,1-5) recounts how witnesses of a Pharisee's meal confronted Jesus about the massacre of Galileans by Pilate. Jesus refuses to see in it a divine punishment and calls for personal repentance, also citing the fall of the tower of Siloam. He teaches that death is the common lot of all, and that only repentance opens the way to the Kingdom of God.

    Luke 13.5 (King James Version) :
    I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER230 The parable of the barren fig tree

    The parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13.6-9), reported only by Luke, illustrates God’s patience and the urgency of conversion. Jesus warns that every disciple who bears no spiritual fruit risks judgment, while emphasizing that God grants an additional time of grace. This text follows on from Luke 13.1-5 and carries a twofold message: a solemn warning and divine mercy.

    John 19.38 (King James Version) :
    And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER235 Meal at a Pharisee's house

    The pericope PER235 recounts Jesus’ meal at the house of a leader of the Pharisees on a Saturday (Luke 14.1), in a context of growing confrontation. The Pharisees are seeking to gather evidence against him for the Sanhedrin. Despite the tensions, Jesus accepts the invitation, holds his ground and corrects their teachings. Luke is the only evangelist to report this episode, which most likely took place at the Saturday midday meal.

    Matthew 18.16 (King James Version) :
    But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER236 Healing of a man with dropsy

    A man with dropsy is healed by the Messiah Jesus during a Sabbath meal at the house of a Pharisee in Jerusalem. Facing the experts of the law, Jesus asks a question about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath, then acts without waiting for their answer. His listeners, unable to reply, remain silent. Luke is the only evangelist to report this episode (Luke 14.2-6), dated 4 December AD 32.

    Luke 14.2-6 (King James Version) :
    And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?And they could not answer him again to these things.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER237 Parable of the Presumptuous Guest

    The Parable of the Presumptuous Guest (Luke 14.7-14), related only by Luke, takes place in the house of a leader of the Pharisees in Jerusalem. There Jesus teaches humility by urging us to choose the last place rather than the first, and selfless generosity by encouraging us to invite the poor and the outcasts rather than those who can repay. These two teachings illustrate the fundamental values of the Kingdom of God: honor comes from God, not from oneself, and true giving will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous.

    Luke 14.7-11 (King James Version) :
    And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate