From the second to the third Passover festival 1 study
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 5 studies
The resurrection and the various appearances 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER095
The Sermon on the Mount (11): Giving
This article explores Jesus' teaching on giving in the Sermon on the Mount. By insisting on a personal relationship with God, it criticises the Pharisees' ostentatious practices. The setting is Galilee shortly after Passover in AD 31, highlighting a crucial moment in Jesus' ministry.
Matthew 6.2 (King James Version) :Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER217
The woman caught in adultery
Pericope 217 recounts the episode of the woman caught in adultery (John 8.1-11), in which Pharisees set a trap for Jesus by bringing him a woman caught in the very act. Jesus foils the trap with his famous saying inviting the one who is without sin to cast the first stone, then forgives the woman. This account, whose textual authenticity is debated, illustrates the union of divine justice and mercy, and reveals Jesus' unique authority to justify.
Deuteronomy 22.22-24 (King James Version) :If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER218
The Messiah Jesus is the light of the world
At the Feast of Sukkot in Jerusalem, Jesus proclaims himself the ‘light of the world’ (John 8.12-58), drawing on the symbolism of the great illuminations of the Temple. He gradually reveals his divine identity through debates with the Pharisees, culminating in the statement ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’, an explicit affirmation of his pre-existence and his divinity. To believe in him is to enter into the light, the truth and eternal life.
Numbers 9.15-23 (King James Version) :And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.Notetarried…: Heb. prolongedNoteabode: Heb. wasSo it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER221
The return of the 70 disciples
The return of the seventy disciples (Luke 10.17-24) illustrates their amazement after their mission. Jesus refocuses them on what is essential: rejoicing that their names are written in heaven. He proclaims divine sovereignty in revelation, granted to the humble rather than to the wise. The declaration of verse 22 affirms the unique intimacy of the Father and the Son, making Jesus the only mediator of divine knowledge. Luke thus underlines the continuity of the gospel work.
Luke 10.20 (King James Version) :Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER231
Healing of a woman on the Sabbath
Pericope 231 recounts Jesus’ healing of a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years, on a Sabbath in a synagogue in Jerusalem (Luke 13.10-17). This act provokes the indignation of the religious authorities, whom Jesus confounds by pointing out their contradictions. The crowd, for its part, marvels and glorifies God. The episode illustrates the tension between Pharisaic tradition and the authentic application of God’s law, while highlighting this woman’s persevering faith.
John 5.1-18 (King James Version) :After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER258
The Feast of Dedication
The article explores Pericope 258, describing the Feast of Dedication, where Jesus, although threatened by the Pharisees, moves freely in the Temple. The analysis highlights the Pharisees’ change of strategy, aimed at legal action against Jesus. This passage is central to understanding the religious and social dynamics of this critical period.
John 10.22-23 (King James Version) :And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The resurrection and the various appearances
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PER364
The women go to the Tomb
Pericope 364 describes the women's departure for the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning, as attested by all four Gospels. Moved by their faithfulness and devotion to Jesus, they bring spices without expecting a resurrection. The study highlights their steadfastness in contrast to the failure of the apostles, their failure to understand the announcements of the resurrection, and their ignorance of the guards placed at the tomb. A rigorous synoptic analysis within the framework of the Passion and the Resurrection.
Luke 18.31-34 (King James Version) :Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org