Life of Jesus

  • PER004 Announcement of the birth of Jesus the Messiah

    The article discusses the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel to Mary in the Gospel of Luke, emphasising his conception through the Holy Spirit. It also explores the prophetic and family contexts surrounding this major event in Christianity.

    Matthew 1.18 (King James Version) :
    Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER120 The testimony of the family of Jesus the Messiah

    This article explores the strained relationships between Jesus, his family and the religious authorities, drawing mainly on the Gospel according to Mark. While describing his family's initially skeptical view, it highlights the dynamics with the Pharisees and the later conversion of some family members after the resurrection.

    Mark 3.20-21 (King James Version) :
    And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER123 The contradictions of the Pharisees exposed

    This article discusses the contradictions of the Pharisees that Jesus exposes through metaphors. Jesus compares people to trees, urging everyone to take a stand and emphasizing that words reveal the heart. He warns that everyone will be judged by their words, highlighting the importance of a regenerated life.

    Joshua 24.15 (King James Version) :
    And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Noteholy God: Heb. holy Gods
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER131 The parable of the rich fool

    The article explores the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12.13-21. Jesus teaches about the futility of material wealth, inviting people to prioritize spiritual riches. The parable warns against greed and encourages living with eternity in view. The audience includes Pharisees and people of modest means.

    Luke 12.13-21 (King James Version) :
    And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Chronology

Biblical chronology is concerned with reconstructing the temporal framework of the events reported in the Scriptures. It seeks to date precisely key moments such as the birth of Jesus, his baptism, the start of his ministry, the crucifixion, or the major stages of the history of Israel. This work draws on both the internal data of the Bible and external historical sources.

This undertaking is often at the heart of concrete questions: on what exact date did Jesus die? How long did his ministry last? How can the Jewish and Roman calendars and the sometimes divergent Gospel accounts be harmonized? These questions concern the chronology of the Passion as much as that of the plagues of Egypt or the prophecies of Daniel.

Far from being a purely technical exercise, chronology sheds light on the coherence and reliability of the sacred texts. It helps the reader place the accounts in their real historical context, strengthening the understanding of the Gospels, Acts, and the Old Testament.

  • CHR000 The chronology of the life of the Messiah

    This article explores the chronology of the life of Jesus through a series of studies centered on the prophecy of Daniel. Each study is built around biblical and historical data in order to propose precise reconstructions of major events. With an original methodology, the analysis questions the dates accepted by contemporary scholarship, relying on careful and rigorous exegesis.

    Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Advanced Level: Intermediate

  • CHR005 Calculating the Dates of the Life of the Messiah Jesus

    This article analyzes the chronology of Jesus’ life, using Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks. It places the crucifixion in AD 33, unlike other hypotheses that place it in AD 30. The study draws on historical, biblical and calendar data for a detailed understanding of the events.

    Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • CHR010 The chronology of the life of Jesus, conclusion

    The article closes a series on the chronology of Jesus, adopting a minority approach in order to harmonize it with History and the Bible. It proposes a new dating of Herod's death and questions the traditional chronological choices.

    Daniel 9.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Advanced Audience: Expert

Further reading
  • ANN005 Calculating the Dates of the Life of the Messiah Jesus

    The article explores the chronology of the life of Jesus, comparing various hypotheses on the crucifixion, placing it on April 1, AD 33 and the…

  • ANN006 The exact date of the decree

    The article analyzes the decree of Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem, organizing the biblical calendar around the seventy prophetic weeks of Daniel, crucial for dating the life of Jesus,…

Nativity and Childhood

The nativity and childhood of Jesus are a fascinating and often pondered stage of his life, illustrating the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. This account begins with miraculous events such as the Annunciation, the visit of the Magi, and the flight to Egypt, underscoring the divine character of his coming and establishing the basis of his future mission.

In the Gospels, the childhood of Jesus is particularly marked by incidents that foreshadow his future ministry, such as the episode where he teaches in the Temple at the age of twelve. These accounts remind us that even from his young age, Jesus was recognizable by his wisdom and his deep understanding of the Scriptures. They also offer a glimpse into his earthly family, including the crucial role of Mary and Joseph in the care and education of this unique child.

To read about the nativity and childhood of Jesus deepens the understanding of his human and divine nature. It illustrates how humble beginnings prepared the ground for a ministry that would change the world. These accounts are rich in symbolism and in teachings that still resonate today, shedding light on the foundations on which Christianity rests.

Further reading
  • ANN007 The family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth

    An analysis of the family relationship between Mary and Elizabeth based on the Gospel of Luke. The article examines the apparent contradiction between their kinship and…

  • ANN009 The censuses of Quirinius

    Article ANN009 examines the question of the censuses of Quirinius mentioned in the Gospel of Luke (Lk 2,1-2) and their apparent discrepancy with the census historically…