From the second to the third Passover festival 9 studies
- 1The Sermon on the Mount (5), the Messiah Jesus' relationship with the law
- 2Jesus the Messiah’s departure for other towns
- 3The praise of John the Baptist
- 4The parable of the hidden treasure
- 5The parable of the pearl of great price
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 3 studies
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings 2 studies
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER089
The Sermon on the Mount (5), the Messiah Jesus' relationship with the law
The fifth part of the Sermon on the Mount, this article analyses Jesus' relationship with Mosaic law on the basis of Matthew 5:17–20. Jesus states that he came to fulfil the law fully according to God's original purpose rather than abolish it. He distinguishes Moses' authentic law from the religious traditions added by scribes and Pharisees and warns that their institutionalised righteousness does not lead to the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5.17-20 (King James Version) :Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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 -
PER114
The praise of John the Baptist
Jesus pays tribute to John the Baptist in Capernaum (May–June AD31), according to Matthew 11.7-19 and Luke 7.24-35. Without seeking to recruit his disciples, he affirms John’s prophetic greatness, identifies him as the Elijah foretold by Malachi and signals the end of the old covenant. He contrasts the Kingdom of God with the kingdom built by the Pharisees according to their own rules.
Isaiah 35.4-5 (King James Version) :Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.Notegrass…: or, a court for reeds, etcNotebut…: or, for he shall be with themKing James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER147
The parable of the hidden treasure
The parable of the hidden treasure (Mt 13,44), reported only by Matthew, teaches that the kingdom of heaven is of incomparable value. A man discovers a buried treasure, covers it up again, then sells everything to buy the field. This parable illustrates the joy and determination of the one who recognizes the supreme value of the Kingdom, ready to sacrifice everything to obtain it. It resonates especially with Matthew's own journey, for he himself had left everything to follow Jesus.
Matthew 13.44 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER148
The parable of the pearl of great price
The parable of the pearl of great price (Matt 13,45-46), recorded only by Matthew, presents a merchant who sells everything to acquire a rare pearl. It teaches that the kingdom of heaven surpasses every earthly possession in value and calls for a freely given sacrifice, lived out in the joy of spiritual discovery.
Matthew 13.45-46 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER149
The parable of the net cast into the sea
The parable of the net (Mt 13,47-50), unique to Matthew, compares the Kingdom of heaven to a net gathering fish of every kind. At the final sorting, the good are kept and the bad thrown away, illustrating eschatological judgment. It teaches the universality of the Gospel, the reality of the final judgment carried out by the angels, and the urgency for believers to live in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew 13.47-50 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER150
Conclusion of Jesus the Messiah
Pericope 150 closes the parable discourse of Matthew 13. Jesus asks his disciples whether they have understood, then describes the ideal disciple as a scribe instructed in the kingdom, able to bring out of his treasure things new and old. This passage underscores the complementarity of the Old and New Testaments and the responsibility of teachers to pass on the Messiah's teaching faithfully.
Matthew 13.51-53 (King James Version) :Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER159
Jesus the Messiah continues his work
Pericope 159 presents Jesus continuing his ministry in Galilee, from Capernaum, in February–March AD 32, before the third Passover. Relying solely on Matthew 9.35, the article emphasizes the priority given to proclaiming the Kingdom over miracles, the autonomy of the local synagogues in relation to the Pharisees, and Matthew's thematic method, corrected here by Mark's chronology.
John 5.1 (King James Version) :After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER162
Sending out the twelve apostles
Pericope 162 recounts Jesus sending out the twelve apostles in Galilee, a few weeks before Passover (March AD 32). Reported by Matthew (10.1-15), Mark (6.6-13) and Luke (9.1-6), this episode shows the disciples sent out two by two to preach the kingdom, heal and cast out demons. Each evangelist brings his own perspective to the travel instructions and the nature of the mission.
Mark 6.6-13 (King James Version) :And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.And they went out, and preached that men should repent.And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER204
Parable of the king and the servant
The parable of the king and the servant (Mt 18.23-35), told in Capernaum in September 32, is unique to Matthew. It illustrates the vital importance of forgiveness by contrasting an immense debt of 10,000 talents cancelled by a merciful king with a small debt of 100 coins refused by the forgiven servant. The central teaching: those whom God forgives must in turn forgive, or they will lose the grace they received.
Exodus 21.24 (King James Version) :Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER245
The parable of the prodigal son
The article explores the parable of the prodigal son in the Gospel of Luke, stressing divine forgiveness and love. The father welcomes his repentant son, in contrast to the elder son, who criticizes such leniency. This parable, the hinge of chapter 15, illustrates God’s search for those who have gone astray. Luke rearranges this account to support his theological message on the Kingdom of Heaven.
Luke 15.11-32 (King James Version) :And he said, A certain man had two sons:And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER247
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus
The article analyzes the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke. Distinctive for mentioning a name, Lazarus, it explores the question of divine justice and the repercussions of earthly choices on the afterlife. Luke organizes the account around theological teachings on the kingdom of heaven, prompting deep reflection on salvation and compassion.
Luke 16.19-31 (King James Version) :There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings
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PAR007
The hidden treasure
The article explores the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44, emphasizing the priceless value of the Kingdom and the transformative impact of discovering it. Jesus uses this parable to show how the kingdom of heaven can redirect our lives and choices.
Matthew 13.44 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PAR008
The pearl of great price
The parable of the pearl of great price teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is of immeasurable value. It tells the story of a merchant who sells everything to buy a precious pearl, illustrating the radical commitment required by the Kingdom and the joy it brings.
Matthew 13.45-46 (King James Version) :Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org