The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival 1 study
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 1 study
The last week before the arrest 1 study
Word of a Friend 1 study
The beginning of the ministry in Galilee
-
PER050
Difficulties in Nazareth
The article explores Jesus’ return to Nazareth, where he faces the unbelief of his fellow townspeople. Although seen as the Messiah after his miracles in Capernaum, he is rejected, illustrating the proverb ‘No prophet is honoured in his own country.’
Luke 4.16-30 (King James Version) :And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.But he passing through the midst of them went his way,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
-
PER115
Jesus the Messiah rebukes several towns
Jesus rebukes the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their failure to repent despite the many miracles performed in them. He compares them unfavourably with the pagan cities of Tyre, Sidon and even Sodom, declaring that those cities would have repented. This passage emphasises responsibility in proportion to the revelation received and the eternal stakes of rejecting the Gospel.
Luke 12.48 (King James Version) :But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
-
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.
Isaiah 9.2 (King James Version) :The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
-
PER300
The unbelief of the Jews
Pericope 300 deals with the unbelief of the Jews in the face of the signs performed by Jesus, an episode reported only by John (Jn 12,37-50), set in the Temple of Jerusalem on Wednesday, 30 March AD 33. In contrast, the poor widow's gift illustrates genuine faith. Jesus overturns human criteria: true generosity is measured not by the quantity given but by the disposition of the heart, offering to God all that one is.
Mark 12.41-44 (King James Version) :And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Word of a Friend
-
PDA007
The Resurrection
The article examines the resurrection of Jesus, a key event of Christianity. The women's visit to the tomb and the apostles' initial unbelief in the face of this extraordinary event are highlighted. The author explains that God continues to speak to people in various ways, but that humanity often chooses to ignore these spiritual messages.
1 Corinthians 1.18 (King James Version) :For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org