From the second to the third Passover festival 2 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 6 studies
- 3The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
- 4The Messiah Jesus and Peter walk on the water
- 5The reaction of the apostles
- 6Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah
- 7Many healings in the evening
The last week before the arrest 2 studies
Contradictions 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
-
PER152
The healing of the demoniac of Gadara
Pericope 152 recounts the healing of the demoniac of Gadara, reported by Matthew (8.28-34), Mark (5.1-20) and Luke (8.26-40). Jesus arrives in the territory of Gadara, meets possessed men living among the tombs, and delivers them from the demons by sending them into a herd of pigs that drown in the lake. This episode shows the sovereign power of the Messiah over demonic forces and his ministry extending beyond the borders of Israel.
Matthew 8.28-34 (King James Version) :And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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
-
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.
Mark 6.30-44 (King James Version) :And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.And they did all eat, and were filled.And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER171
The Messiah Jesus and Peter walk on the water
Pericope 171 analyzes the miracle of Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Gennesaret (April AD 32), including the episode of Peter. A rigorous comparison of the accounts in Matthew 14.22-32, Mark 6.45-52 and John 6.16-21 brings out points of agreement and difference, revealing the divine power of the Messiah and the tension between faith and doubt among the disciples.
Matthew 14.22-32 (King James Version) :And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER172
The reaction of the apostles
Pericope 172 recounts the reaction of the apostles after Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm. Set at Gennesaret in April AD 32, the episode is reported by Matthew and Mark. The disciples bow down and proclaim: 'You are truly the Son of God', marking a decisive step in their faith and in the progressive Christological revelation of the Gospels.
John 6.21 (King James Version) :Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER176
Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah
Pericope 176 recounts Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, reported only by John (6.62-71). After a mass departure of disciples, Jesus asks the Twelve about their commitment. Peter responds with a remarkable proclamation of faith. The article explores the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom, and concludes with the mention of Judas Iscariot, a reminder that nothing escapes God's gaze.
John 6.67 (King James Version) :Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER181
Many healings in the evening
The article explores Jesus' healings, particularly in Galilee after his return from Phoenicia. Matthew describes the many miracles performed, while Mark focuses on one singular case involving a deaf man, demonstrating Jesus' unique method already observed elsewhere in the Gospels.
John 9.6 (King James Version) :When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER198
The Messiah Jesus announces his death again
Jesus announces to his disciples his imminent death and resurrection. This moment marks the end of his ministry in Galilee, where he avoids the crowds to prepare his disciples. References to Matthew 17.22-23, Mark 9.30-32 and Luke 9.43-45.
Luke 9.43-45 (King James Version) :And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
-
PER282
Cursing of the Barren Fig Tree
On Monday, March 28, AD 33, on the road from Bethany to Jerusalem, the Messiah Jesus curses a fig tree covered with leaves but bearing no fruit, and it withers at once. This act, reported by Matthew and Mark, is a miracle-parable symbolizing Israel: a great show of religion, but no real fruitfulness. Framing the cleansing of the Temple in Mark, this episode announces divine judgment on a barren piety.
Mark 11.12-14 (King James Version) :And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER288
The fig tree is withered
The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples discover the tree completely withered. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the power of faith and the importance of forgiveness. Beyond this teaching, the fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Scriptures, and its withering foreshadows the judgment that would fall on the nation forty years later with the destruction of the Temple. Faith and forgiveness remain the unshakable values that Jesus puts forward.
Mark 11.20-26 (King James Version) :And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
-
CTD011
The colt and the donkey?
Article CTD011 responds to an alleged contradiction about the number of animals at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Mark and Luke mention a colt, while Matthew mentions a donkey and her colt. The author shows that this is not a contradiction but a difference of focus: Matthew, writing for a Jewish audience, emphasizes the literal fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9.9. Jesus rode only one animal, the colt, but the donkey's presence is mentioned for its prophetic and practical context.
John 12.16 (King James Version) :These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
-
ANN111
The destination of the disciples after the multiplication of the loaves
L'article explore les récits divergents des Évangiles concernant la destination des disciples après la multiplication des pains, en analysant les perspectives de Matthieu, Marc…