• PER350 The way to Mount Golgotha, help from Simon of Cyrene

    PER350 examines Jesus’ journey to Mount Golgotha, from Pilate’s praetorium. Weakened by the scourging, Jesus can no longer carry his cross alone. Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the soldiers. Luke mentions weeping women in the crowd, while Matthew reports Jesus’ refusal of a drink meant to dull the pain. Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, figures known to the early Christian communities. A synopsis of Matthew, Mark and Luke sheds light on this episode, which immediately precedes the crucifixion, dated to Friday morning around 9 o’clock.

    Luke 23.26 (King James Version) :
    And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER353 The division of the garments and the mockery

    The passage PER353 analyzes the division of Jesus’ garments and the mockery during his crucifixion at Golgotha. The four Gospels agree on this episode: the soldiers cast lots for the seamless tunic, fulfilling Psalm 22.19. Luke reports Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness for his executioners, Mark his cry of abandonment, and Matthew the taunts of the passersby and the religious leaders. This synoptic article brings out the theological richness of each Gospel account.

    Matthew 27.31-56 (King James Version) :
    And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.And sitting down they watched him there;And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER354 The dialogue with the two criminals beside him

    Pericope 354 analyzes the unique dialogue reported by Luke between Jesus and the two criminals crucified beside him (Lk 23,39-43). One mocks Jesus; the other acknowledges his guilt, affirms Jesus' innocence and asks to be welcomed into his kingdom. Jesus promises him paradise “today.” This passage reveals a central theological paradox: Jesus saves from the cross, displaying a spiritual authority precisely where everything seems to contradict it.

    Mark 15.32 (King James Version) :
    Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER355 Jesus' dialogue with John and the women

    At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts his mother Mary to John, the beloved disciple (John 19.25-27). As the only gospel to report this scene, John stresses the courageous presence of the women and of John at Golgotha. This dialogue reveals a twofold significance: human, as Jesus fulfills his filial responsibilities, and spiritual, as he establishes a new family founded on faith rather than blood. John obeys immediately, bearing witness to his faithfulness.

    Mark 15.40-41 (King James Version) :
    There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER356 The Night at Noon

    Pericope 356 analyzes the darkness that fell during the crucifixion of Jesus, from noon to 3 p.m., as reported by the three Synoptic Gospels. This cosmic event is studied in its chronological and theological dimensions: a sign of divine judgment, a prophetic fulfillment (Amos 8:9, Isaiah 53) and a modest veil over the ignominy of the cross. It precedes the last words of Jesus and his death.

    Isaiah 52.13-14 (King James Version) :
    Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.Notedeal…: or, prosperAs many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate