• PER205 Jesus the Messiah Continues His Journey in Galilee

    Pericope 205 recounts the extended stay of Jesus the Messiah in Galilee, in the region of Capernaum, for about six months before his final departure for Jerusalem on October 3, AD 32. Only John mentions these journeys and reveals the intention of the religious authorities to put Jesus to death, while his disciples still struggle to understand what awaits him. This passage marks the transition to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

    John 7.1 (King James Version) :
    After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER206 The Feast of Tabernacles

    Pericope 206 deals with the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), reported only by John (7.2-10). Jesus decides to go up secretly to Jerusalem in October AD 32, six months before his arrest. John reveals the tension with the religious authorities and the unbelief of Jesus’ brothers, elements absent from the Synoptic Gospels.

    John 7.2-10 (King James Version) :
    Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.For neither did his brethren believe in him.Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER207 The disagreement between the Master and his brothers

    John 7.3-9 recounts the tension between Jesus and his brothers before the Feast of Sukkot (October AD 32). Not understanding the messianic mission, they urge him to show himself publicly in Jerusalem. Jesus chooses caution, aware of the risk of arrest. Mary keeps in the background. This episode, found only in John, illustrates the family's incomprehension of the divine nature of Jesus, as the conversion of his brothers takes place only after the resurrection.

    Acts 1.14 (King James Version) :
    These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER208 Departure for Jerusalem and final departure from Galilee

    PER208 describes the final departure of Jesus and his disciples from Galilee on October 3, AD 32, on their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot. Following Luke's account, they pass through Samaria rather than taking the usual route along the Jordan. They arrive on Friday evening, October 8, teach on the Temple Mount, and Jesus gives his discourse on water at Hoshana Rabbah on October 13. The group will remain in the Jerusalem region for six months, until the Passover of April 1, AD 33.

    John 7.9-10 (King James Version) :
    When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER213 Teaching of the Messiah Jesus in the temple

    At the Feast of Tabernacles in October AD 32, the Messiah Jesus teaches at the temple in Jerusalem with an authority that astonishes the crowd and angers the Pharisees. John 7.14-24 reports this unique episode in which Jesus affirms that his teaching comes from God and defends a Sabbath healing with a rigorous scriptural argument. The hostility of the religious authorities intensifies.

    Luke 14.1-6 (King James Version) :
    And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.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.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER214 The authorities are looking for the Messiah Jesus in order to arrest him

    During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, the crowd wonders about the messianic identity of Jesus. Despite the confusion over his origins and the attempts of the religious authorities to arrest him, Jesus teaches publicly in the Temple, reaffirms his divinity and announces his coming departure. Since his hour has not yet come, the guards cannot seize him. This episode, unique to the Gospel of John (7.25-36), illustrates the growing opposition between Jesus and the religious authorities.

    John 7.31 (King James Version) :
    And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER215 The discourse on living water

    On the last day of the feast of Sukkot (Hoshana Rabbah), the Messiah Jesus proclaims in the Temple of Jerusalem that he is the true source of living water. Taking up the symbolism of the water libation rite, he invites anyone who is thirsty to come to him. John explains that this living water refers to the Holy Spirit, who would be given after Jesus was glorified. Only John reports this episode, dated Wednesday, October 13, AD 32.

    John 12.44 (King James Version) :
    Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER219 Assassination attempt

    On the last day of a feast in Jerusalem (13 October 32), the Pharisees try to stone the Messiah Jesus after his proclamations about his divine origin. Jesus escapes death by hiding among his disciples and leaves the city. He probably withdraws to Bethany beyond the Jordan. Only John reports this episode, based on John 8,59.

    John 10.22 (King James Version) :
    And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate