• PER208 Departure for Jerusalem and final departure from Galilee

    PER208 describes the final departure of Jesus and his disciples from Galilee on October 3, AD 32, on their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot. Following Luke's account, they pass through Samaria rather than taking the usual route along the Jordan. They arrive on Friday evening, October 8, teach on the Temple Mount, and Jesus gives his discourse on water at Hoshana Rabbah on October 13. The group will remain in the Jerusalem region for six months, until the Passover of April 1, AD 33.

    John 7.16-24 (King James Version) :
    Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER214 The authorities are looking for the Messiah Jesus in order to arrest him

    During the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, the crowd wonders about the messianic identity of Jesus. Despite the confusion over his origins and the attempts of the religious authorities to arrest him, Jesus teaches publicly in the Temple, reaffirms his divinity and announces his coming departure. Since his hour has not yet come, the guards cannot seize him. This episode, unique to the Gospel of John (7.25-36), illustrates the growing opposition between Jesus and the religious authorities.

    John 7.33-34 (King James Version) :
    Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER215 The discourse on living water

    On the last day of the feast of Sukkot (Hoshana Rabbah), the Messiah Jesus proclaims in the Temple of Jerusalem that he is the true source of living water. Taking up the symbolism of the water libation rite, he invites anyone who is thirsty to come to him. John explains that this living water refers to the Holy Spirit, who would be given after Jesus was glorified. Only John reports this episode, dated Wednesday, October 13, AD 32.

    John 7.28 (King James Version) :
    Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER216 The conflicting assessment of the people

    On the last day of the Feast of Sukkot in Jerusalem (October AD 32), Jesus proclaims himself to be a source of living water. The crowd is divided: some recognize him as the Messiah, others refuse to accept what is plain. The guards sent to arrest him disobey, impressed by his words. Nicodemus argues for a fair judgment, while the Pharisees put forward flimsy arguments. The opposition of the religious authorities turns fanatical, making Jesus' death their sole objective.

    John 7.40-53 (King James Version) :
    Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?So there was a division among the people because of him.And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.And every man went unto his own house.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER217 The woman caught in adultery

    Pericope 217 recounts the episode of the woman caught in adultery (John 8.1-11), in which Pharisees set a trap for Jesus by bringing him a woman caught in the very act. Jesus foils the trap with his famous saying inviting the one who is without sin to cast the first stone, then forgives the woman. This account, whose textual authenticity is debated, illustrates the union of divine justice and mercy, and reveals Jesus' unique authority to justify.

    Leviticus 20.10 (King James Version) :
    And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.Notediscovered: Heb. made nakedNoteuncovereth: Heb. hath made nakedNotean…: Heb. a separation
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER218 The Messiah Jesus is the light of the world

    At the Feast of Sukkot in Jerusalem, Jesus proclaims himself the ‘light of the world’ (John 8.12-58), drawing on the symbolism of the great illuminations of the Temple. He gradually reveals his divine identity through debates with the Pharisees, culminating in the statement ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’, an explicit affirmation of his pre-existence and his divinity. To believe in him is to enter into the light, the truth and eternal life.

    John 8.48-58 (King James Version) :
    Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER219 Assassination attempt

    On the last day of a feast in Jerusalem (13 October 32), the Pharisees try to stone the Messiah Jesus after his proclamations about his divine origin. Jesus escapes death by hiding among his disciples and leaves the city. He probably withdraws to Bethany beyond the Jordan. Only John reports this episode, based on John 8,59.

    John 10.22 (King James Version) :
    And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER226 Jesus the Messiah challenged after a miracle

    In Jerusalem, after healing a mute demoniac, Jesus the Messiah is challenged by opponents who attribute his power to Beelzebul and demand another sign. He answers with logical and spiritual arguments, cites the sign of Jonah, redirects a word of praise toward obedience to the Word, and concludes with a metaphor about the inner light. This discourse, reported only by Luke (11.14-36), illustrates two opposite attitudes toward the Messiah: authentic faith and unbelieving rejection.

    Matthew 5.14-16 (King James Version) :
    Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate