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
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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.
Luke 8.26-40 (King James Version) :And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.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.
Mark 6.31-32 (King James Version) :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.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.
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.
Psalms 77.19 (King James Version) :Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.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.
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 -
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 6.66 (King James Version) :From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.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.
Mark 7.31-37 (King James Version) :And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.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.
Mark 9.30-32 (King James Version) :And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
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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.
Matthew 21.18-22 (King James Version) :Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
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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.
Matthew 21.7 (King James Version) :And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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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…