• PER188 Peter’s second declaration

    The article deals with Peter’s second declaration, in which he recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. It examines the biblical accounts that place this event at Caesarea Philippi, emphasizing the difficulty for a Jewish audience to accept divine sonship. Jesus asks his disciples not to declare his messiahship openly.

    Mark 8.27-30 (King James Version) :
    And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cæsarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER189 Praise of Peter by the Messiah Jesus

    The article emphasizes the importance of Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, which took place at Caesarea Philippi, and the expression of this divinely inspired truth, rather than a human revelation, based on the text of Matthew 16:17-20.

    John 15.5 (King James Version) :
    I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER190 The Messiah Jesus announces his coming sufferings, Peter’s reaction

    Jesus announces his imminent sufferings at Caesarea Philippi. Peter, rejecting this idea, illustrates the disciples’ lack of understanding of the Messiah’s spiritual mission. Jesus’ announcement refocuses the goal on the Kingdom of God, anticipating the crucifixion.

    Mark 8.31-33 (King James Version) :
    And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER191 The price of dedication

    The article “PER191 - The price of dedication” describes Jesus’ words about true discipleship at Caesarea Philippi. The biblical passages of Matthew, Mark and Luke stress the importance of personal self-denial for eternal salvation. They urge us to take up the cross daily and to remain faithful to the teaching of Christ, offering a radical view of discipleship in contrast with the religious practices of the time.

    Matthew 16.24-27 (King James Version) :
    Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER192 A Rather Strange Saying of the Messiah Jesus

    The article analyzes Jesus’ statement about the coming of the Kingdom of God, interpreted by some as the Transfiguration, the resurrection or the growth of the Church. It concludes that Jesus was referring to the Transfiguration, an event that reveals his divine glory.

    Matthew 16.28 (King James Version) :
    Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER193 The transfiguration

    The article explores the transfiguration of Jesus, in which he shines with divine light alongside Moses and Elijah on Mount Hermon. Peter, James and John are witnesses of it. This event reveals the divinity of Jesus.

    Mark 9.2-13 (King James Version) :
    And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER194 The Master’s instructions

    The article explores Jesus' command to his disciples to keep his transfiguration secret, highlighting the importance of faith and of preparing the apostles for their future responsibilities.

    Luke 9.36 (King James Version) :
    And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER195 The disciples’ question about the prophet Elijah

    After the transfiguration, the disciples ask Jesus about the prophecy concerning Elijah. Jesus reveals that John the Baptist fulfills this prophecy, a connection that the Gospels develop progressively.

    Mark 9.11-13 (King James Version) :
    And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER196 A demon difficult to drive out

    The article explores the disciples’ failed attempt to cast a demon out of a young boy, which required Jesus’ intervention after the Transfiguration. The accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke point to the weakness of their faith as the reason for their failure.

    Luke 9.37-45 (King James Version) :
    And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER197 The explanation of the disciples’ failure

    The article analyzes the disciples’ failure to exorcise a demon, as emphasized by Jesus. According to Matthew and Mark, spiritual practices such as faith, prayer, and fasting are essential to overcome spiritual obstacles.

    Matthew 17.19-21 (King James Version) :
    Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER205 Jesus the Messiah Continues His Journey in Galilee

    Pericope 205 recounts the extended stay of Jesus the Messiah in Galilee, in the region of Capernaum, for about six months before his final departure for Jerusalem on October 3, AD 32. Only John mentions these journeys and reveals the intention of the religious authorities to put Jesus to death, while his disciples still struggle to understand what awaits him. This passage marks the transition to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

    John 7.2 (King James Version) :
    Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate