The ministry of John the Baptist 7 studies
- 1Jesus the Messiah’s encounter with Nathanael
- 2The wedding at Cana
- 3A visit to Capernaum
- 4The first Passover festival
- 5The return to Aenon south of Galilee
From the second to the third Passover festival 1 study
The ministry of John the Baptist
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PER035
Jesus the Messiah’s encounter with Nathanael
Pericope 35 studies the meeting between Jesus and Nathanael, unique to John’s Gospel (John 1:47–51), dated to 23 November 29 at Nazareth. Jesus demonstrates supernatural knowledge of Nathanael, who becomes the first to confess him publicly as the Son of God and King of Israel. Identified with Bartholomew and originally from Cana, Nathanael is connected with the wedding at Cana that follows in John’s narrative.
John 21.2 (King James Version) :There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER036
The wedding at Cana
The wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11) constitutes Jesus’ first sign: he turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana in Galilee, in November 29. Only John reports this episode. The article explores possible reasons for Jesus’ family’s presence, tentatively identifies Nathanael as the bridegroom, and emphasises that this miracle strengthens the disciples’ faith by revealing the Messiah’s glory.
John 2.11 (King James Version) :This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER037
A visit to Capernaum
After the wedding at Cana, Jesus the Messiah visits Capernaum with his family around 1 December 29. Only John reports this episode (John 2:12). He meets his disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John there and befriends Zebedee and Salome. This town later becomes the headquarters of his Galilean ministry. After this visit, he returns to Nazareth before joining John the Baptist at Aenon.
John 2.12 (King James Version) :After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER038
The first Passover festival
Pericope PER038 analyses the first Passover festival in John’s Gospel (John 2:13), dated precisely to 7 April 30. The article makes three observations: the festival’s chronological value for dating Jesus’ ministry over three and a half years, John’s distinction of the ‘Passover of the Jews’, and Jesus’ observance of Jewish rites. John alone records this period before John the Baptist’s arrest.
Numbers 9.1-14 (King James Version) :And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,Noteat even: Heb. between the two eveningsLet the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, that they should keep the passover.And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day:And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel?And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you.And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER042
The return to Aenon south of Galilee
This article explores Jesus’ return to Aenon after Passover, highlighting the complementary ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist. John, the only evangelist to document this phase, emphasises the relationship between their ministries. Through this episode, the article shows that their roles were harmonious rather than competitive, each playing an essential part in the divine plan.
Acts 1.21 (King James Version) :Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER043
Conflicts between the disciples
The article ‘PER043 - Conflicts between the disciples’ explores the rivalry between John the Baptist’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples. At this key period at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Judea, some of John’s disciples begin following Jesus, causing tensions. John the Baptist emphasises his transitional role and Jesus’ messianic nature, with the events probably taking place at Aenon in Judea.
John 3.25-36 (King James Version) :Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.He must increase, but I must decrease.He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER044
John the Baptist’s arrest
The article explores John the Baptist’s arrest by Herod Antipas, illustrating a major transition from John’s ministry to that of Jesus as the sole acknowledged Messiah. The event, probably in AD 30, is a crucial turning point in the religious context of the time, highlighted by references to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Luke 3.18-20 (King James Version) :And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER112
Jesus the Messiah’s departure for other towns
Pericope 112 analyses Jesus’ departure on a journey through the towns and villages of Galilee (Mt 11.1), dated to May–June AD31. Unlike John the Baptist, who remained in one place, Jesus actively travelled throughout the region to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven, guided by the Holy Spirit, so as to reach even the poorest, who could not travel to him.
Matthew 11.1 (King James Version) :And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN003
The birth and ministry of John the Baptist
This appendix studies the birth and ministry of John the Baptist through the Gospel of Luke. It introduces his parents, Zechariah and…
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ANN020
The regulation of fishing
This article examines fishing in Jesus' time, particularly on the Sea of Tiberias in Galilee, considering its economic and spiritual importance. It describes the…
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ANN029
The conflict between John’s and Jesus’ followers
This article addresses the tensions between the disciples of John the Baptist and those of Jesus, two central biblical figures, highlighting their ministries…
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ANN063
Aenon and Bethany beyond the Jordan
This article explores Bethany and Aenon, important baptismal sites in the Gospel accounts of John, while modern theories seek to locate these…