• PER367 The Women Warn the Disciples

    Pericope 367 examines the moment when the women warn the disciples of the resurrection, comparing Matthew 28.8, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.9-11 and John 20.2. A notable divergence appears: Mary Magdalene seems unaware of the angels’ message, unlike the other women. The hypothesis that Mary left early, before the angelic appearance, makes it possible to harmonize the accounts and to explain her persistent incomprehension before the empty tomb.

    Mark 16.2-4 (King James Version) :
    And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER370 First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene

    Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.

    Luke 24.13-16 (King James Version) :
    And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.And they talked together of all these things which had happened.And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER371 Second appearance of the Messiah Jesus to the other women

    Pericope PER371 analyzes the second appearance of the risen Jesus to the women (Mt 28.9-10), on Sunday morning near the tomb in Jerusalem. The article harmonizes the apparent tension between Mark (the women's silence and fear) and Matthew (the meeting with Jesus), showing that these accounts are complementary: Mark describes the immediate reaction of astonishment, and Matthew adds the joy. Only Matthew reports this particular appearance.

    Mark 16.8 (King James Version) :
    And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER373 The guards warn the Jewish authorities

    Matthew 28.11-15 reports that the tomb guards, unwitting witnesses of the resurrection, went to the Jewish authorities. The latter bribed them to spread the claim that the disciples had stolen the body. The article analyzes the apologetic value of this testimony from outside the Christian circle and the contradictions of the official version, noting that this episode, found only in Matthew, fits within the Easter chronology of Sunday, April 3, AD 33.

    Matthew 28.8-10 (King James Version) :
    And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate