• PER084 The gathering of the disciples and the crowd

    The article addresses the gathering of the disciples and the crowd in Galilee, where Jesus delivers his Sermon on the Mount after choosing the twelve apostles. The crowd is drawn mainly by miraculous healings, but this moment is also essential for teaching Jesus' message. Luke and Matthew offer two complementary perspectives on this event.

    Matthew 5.1-2 (King James Version) :
    And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER085 The Sermon on the Mount (1): the Beatitudes

    The article analyses the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting differences between Matthew's and Luke's versions. It explains how these teachings of Jesus, addressed mainly to the disciples, were often repeated and compiled. Particular emphasis is placed on the Beatitudes and their spiritual significance.

    Luke 6.20-26 (King James Version) :
    And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER096 The Sermon on the Mount (12): instruction on prayer

    This article examines Jesus' teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the call to authentic piety, far from formalism. Drawing on Matthew's and Luke's Gospels, it explains prayer's meaning and context.

    Matthew 6.5-15 (King James Version) :
    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER102 The Sermon on the Mount (18), encouragement to pray

    The article explores how Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, encourages persistent prayer, emphasizing that God answers those who ask insistently. It illustrates this concept with fatherly analogies and highlights God’s goodness.

    Matthew 6.6-13 (King James Version) :
    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER105 The Sermon on the Mount (21), false prophets

    This article discusses Jesus’ warning against false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount. The fruits of their teaching make it possible to distinguish truth from falsehood. Three main criteria are considered: motivations, alignment with Jesus, and behavior.

    Matthew 7.15-20 (King James Version) :
    Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER107 The Sermon on the Mount (23), the two houses

    This article analyzes the parable of the two houses, illustrating the importance of solid spiritual foundations in the face of deceptive appearances and emphasizing the distinction between true and false disciples.

    Luke 6.47-49 (King James Version) :
    Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate