• 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,
    Read more
  • 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.
    Read more
  • 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.

    Luke 11.1-4 (King James Version) :
    And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.Give us day by day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
    Read more
  • 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 7.7-11 (King James Version) :
    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
    Read more
  • 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.

    2 Corinthians 11.13-15 (King James Version) :
    For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
    Read more
  • 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.
    Read more