Mount Hermon

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

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.

Matthew 17.1-13 (King James Version) :

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

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.

Matthew 17.9 (King James Version) :

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

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.

Malachi 4.5-6 (King James Version) :

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

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.

Mark 9.14-27 (King James Version) :

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

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