The resurrection and the various appearances 7 studies
- 1The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
- 2The Angels’ Message
- 3The Women Warn the Disciples
- 4The Reaction of Peter and John
- 5Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb
Historical notes 2 studies
The resurrection and the various appearances
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PER365
The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
On Easter morning, faithful women go to Jesus’ tomb to complete the burial care. They discover the stone rolled away and the empty tomb. The article analyzes their faithfulness in contrast with the flight of the apostles, their devotion to Jesus, and the general incomprehension in the face of the announcements of the resurrection. A synoptic approach compares Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on this foundational event.
Matthew 26.56 (King James Version) :But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER366
The Angels’ Message
The pericope PER366 analyzes the message of the angels to the women at the tomb on the Sunday morning of the resurrection. Comparing Matthew, Mark and Luke, it examines the differences in the number of angels, the vocabulary used, and the place of the women as the first witnesses. These variations reflect the evangelists’ editorial freedom and are indicators of the historical authenticity of the resurrection account.
Luke 24.4-8 (King James Version) :And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.And they remembered his words,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER367
The Women Warn the Disciples
Pericope 367 examines the moment when the women warn the disciples of the resurrection, comparing Matthew 28.8, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.9-11 and John 20.2. A notable divergence appears: Mary Magdalene seems unaware of the angels’ message, unlike the other women. The hypothesis that Mary left early, before the angelic appearance, makes it possible to harmonize the accounts and to explain her persistent incomprehension before the empty tomb.
Mark 16.5-7 (King James Version) :And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER368
The Reaction of Peter and John
Pericope 368 examines the reaction of Peter and John after Mary Magdalene's testimony about the empty tomb. The two apostles run to the sepulchre, discover the burial linens and the folded face cloth, but do not yet grasp the reality of the resurrection. The article harmonizes the accounts of Luke 24.12 and John 20.3-12, distinguishes two successive announcements to the disciples, and highlights the initial lack of understanding in the face of Jesus' prophecies about his resurrection.
Luke 9.22 (King James Version) :Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER369
Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb
An episode unique to John (John 20.11), this passage describes Mary Magdalene remaining alone at the tomb after Peter and John have left. A faithful witness since the ministry of Jesus, she first interprets the disappearance of the body as a removal, before becoming the first person to whom the Risen One appears personally. The article offers a chronological analysis and a harmonization of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection.
Matthew 27.62-66 (King James Version) :Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER370
First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene
Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.
Luke 24.13-35 (King James Version) :And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.And they talked together of all these things which had happened.And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER371
Second appearance of the Messiah Jesus to the other women
Pericope PER371 analyzes the second appearance of the risen Jesus to the women (Mt 28.9-10), on Sunday morning near the tomb in Jerusalem. The article harmonizes the apparent tension between Mark (the women's silence and fear) and Matthew (the meeting with Jesus), showing that these accounts are complementary: Mark describes the immediate reaction of astonishment, and Matthew adds the joy. Only Matthew reports this particular appearance.
Luke 24.36-49 (King James Version) :And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.And he took it, and did eat before them.And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.And ye are witnesses of these things.And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Historical notes
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INF007
The Council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea (AD 325), convened by Emperor Constantine, brought together the bishops of the Roman Empire to resolve the Arian controversy. It affirmed the consubstantiality of Christ with the Father, adopted the Nicene Creed still used today, set the date of Easter and strengthened the alliance between the Church and the Roman Empire, thus laying the doctrinal and liturgical foundations of Christianity.
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INF014
The monk Dionysius Exiguus
Dionysius Exiguus, a learned fifth-century monk, created the Anno Domini (AD) dating system, which is still used worldwide. He translated Greek canonical texts into Latin and helped unify the Christian calendar, notably the date of Easter. His calculations nevertheless contain inaccuracies, particularly concerning the year of Jesus' birth and the date of 25 December, the latter inherited from the Council of Nicaea (325). His legacy remains fundamental to the history of Christian chronology.
Luke 2.8-12 (King James Version) :And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org