From the second to the third Passover festival 1 study
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 3 studies
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings 1 study
The last week before the arrest 2 studies
The last day up to the crucifixion 1 study
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics 1 study
The Revelation of Daniel 1 study
Contradictions 2 studies
Peter's ministry 3 studies
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER167
The Messiah Jesus withdraws with his disciples
PER167 describes the withdrawal of Jesus and his disciples to Bethsaida to rest after an intense evangelistic mission in Galilee, just before the Passover of April AD 32. The synoptic analysis of Matthew 14,13-14, Mark 6,31-32, Luke 9,10-11 and John 6,1-4 shows points of agreement and nuances: the desire for seclusion, being followed by the crowd, healings and teaching. This episode comes directly before the multiplication of the loaves.
John 6.1-4 (King James Version) :After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER169
The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
The multiplication of the loaves for 5,000 men is a miracle attested by all four evangelists, set near Bethsaida in April AD 32. With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds an immense crowd, illustrating his divine power and his shepherd's compassion, and foreshadowing the Eucharist. The twelve baskets left over symbolize the abundance of the Kingdom of God.
John 6.1-14 (King James Version) :After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER195
The disciples’ question about the prophet Elijah
After the transfiguration, the disciples ask Jesus about the prophecy concerning Elijah. Jesus reveals that John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy, a connection that the Gospels develop progressively.
Luke 1.17 (King James Version) :And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER260
Attempted arrest
The article examines the attempt by the Jewish religious authorities to arrest Jesus, according to John 10.31-39. Accused of blasphemy for his divine claims, Jesus defends his works as proof of his divine mission. He cites Scripture to demonstrate the legitimacy of his role, finally escaping arrest because his hour had not yet come.
John 10.30 (King James Version) :I and my Father are one.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Jesus’ ministry: callings, miracles and teachings
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PAR003
The new cloth and the new wineskins
The article describes the parable of the new cloth and the new wineskins in the Gospels, illustrating the incompatibility of Jesus' teaching with old religious practices. It highlights the symbolism of new wine and old wineskins to explain the newness of the Kingdom of God that Christ brings.
Matthew 9.16-17 (King James Version) :No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
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PER289
The authority of the Messiah Jesus challenged
In the Temple of Jerusalem, the religious leaders publicly challenge Jesus’ authority. With a clever counter-question about the baptism of John, he reduces them to silence and exposes their bad faith. This synoptic episode (Matt 21.23-27; Mark 11.27-33; Luke 20.1-8) illustrates the growing opposition of the authorities to the Messiah during his last week before the arrest.
John 7.46 (King James Version) :The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER290
The parable of the two sons
The parable of the two sons (Matt 21,28-32), recorded only by Matthew, takes place in the Temple of Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week. It contrasts two attitudes: promising without acting versus refusing and then obeying. Jesus unmasks the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and announces that repentant sinners enter the Kingdom ahead of them. A universal call to humility and sincere repentance.
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
The last day up to the crucifixion
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PER314
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
This article presents the Lord’s Supper as a key moment, when Jesus transforms the Passover meal into a symbol of his ultimate sacrifice, announcing a new spiritual covenant for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26.26-29 (King James Version) :And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Reliability of the Scriptures and other doctrinal topics
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CHR009
The debate over the date of Jesus’ death
The article analyzes the proposed dates of Jesus’ death, 7 April AD 30 and 1 April AD 33, based on the Gospels, history, and astronomical calculations.
John 19.31 (King James Version) :The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The Revelation of Daniel
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DAN011
Daniel 9 – The seventy weeks: from Daniel's prayer to messianic hope
Daniel 9 begins with a prayer and ends with the prophecy of the seventy weeks. Daniel discovers that the exile of Jerusalem is drawing to an end, then receives from the angel Gabriel the vision of a larger period, symbolized by 490 years leading to the messianic era. His prayer emphasizes the confession of Israel's sin and the pursuit of divine mercy. The first 69 weeks lead to the ministry of John the Baptist, with the last weeks anticipating an eschatological horizon.
Ezra 7 (King James Version) :Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,Notebegan…: Heb. was the foundation of the going upThe son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.Noteunto…: or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etcNoteof the king: Chaldee, from before the kingNotemeasures: Chaldee, corsNoteWhatsoever…: Chaldee, Whatsoever is of the decreeNoteto banishment: Chaldee, to rooting outArtaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
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CTD009
Was John the Baptist the Elijah who was to come?
Jesus regards John the Baptist as the prophesied Elijah, indicating a symbolic mission, but John denies this identity literally, according to John 1:19-21. This distinction between mission and personal identity clarifies an apparent biblical contradiction.
Luke 1.17 (King James Version) :And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
CTD035
Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?
The article examines the Gospels of Matthew and Mark on the question of whether Herod Antipas really wanted to kill John the Baptist. Each Gospel presents a different but complementary perspective: Matthew describes Herod's desire to kill him as tempered by fear of the crowd, while Mark emphasizes Herodias's influence and Herod's fascination with John. This analysis portrays a Herod torn between his emotions and external pressures.
Mark 6.19 (King James Version) :Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Peter's ministry
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ADA002
The apostles' conversation with Jesus
Luke reports Jesus' last conversation with his eleven apostles before the Ascension (Acts 1.4-8). Jesus commands them to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, refuses to reveal the eschatological times reserved to the Father, and entrusts them with a universal mission: to be his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. This passage forms the structural outline of the book of Acts.
Isaiah 9.7-8 (King James Version) :Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.Notejoin: Heb. mingleNoteopen: Heb. wholeKing James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
ADA005
The choice of Matthias
Analysis of Acts 1.15-26, which recounts the election of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. Peter, the natural spokesman of the disciples, bases the need for this replacement on the Psalms. The apostolic criteria are specified: to have followed Jesus since his baptism and to be a witness of his resurrection. Matthias is finally designated by lot after prayer, restoring the college of the Twelve, a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 10.2-4 (King James Version) :Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
ADA007
Peter's speech
The article deals with Peter's speech at Pentecost, detailing how he refutes misinterpretations and presents Jesus as the Messiah of the Scriptures. He calls for repentance and baptism, and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2.13-15 (King James Version) :Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN007
The family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth
An analysis of the family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth based on the Gospel of Luke. The article examines the apparent contradiction between their kinship and…
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ANN045
The debate over the date of Jesus’ death
The article ANN045 examines the debate on the date of the death of Jesus, comparing the two main hypotheses: April 7, AD 30…
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ANN113
The multiplication of the loaves
Cet article analyse les récits évangéliques de la multiplication des pains, où Jésus nourrit des milliers de personnes avec peu de nourriture. Les différences…