• PER228 The judgment of religious leaders and the rebukes of Jesus the Messiah

    During a meal at a Pharisee's house in Jerusalem (late 32), Jesus utters severe rebukes against the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Luke 11.38-54, the only gospel to recount this episode, describes a hostile atmosphere in which the religious authorities look for evidence to condemn Jesus. His cutting words are in reality a call to repentance, ignored by men blinded by pride.

    Luke 11.53 (King James Version) :
    And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER229 Reminder of the massacre of the Galileans by Pilate

    Pericope PER229 (Luke 13,1-5) recounts how witnesses of a Pharisee's meal confronted Jesus about the massacre of Galileans by Pilate. Jesus refuses to see in it a divine punishment and calls for personal repentance, also citing the fall of the tower of Siloam. He teaches that death is the common lot of all, and that only repentance opens the way to the Kingdom of God.

    Luke 13.2-3 (King James Version) :
    And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER230 The parable of the barren fig tree

    The parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13.6-9), reported only by Luke, illustrates God’s patience and the urgency of conversion. Jesus warns that every disciple who bears no spiritual fruit risks judgment, while emphasizing that God grants an additional time of grace. This text follows on from Luke 13.1-5 and carries a twofold message: a solemn warning and divine mercy.

    Luke 13.1-5 (King James Version) :
    There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER235 Meal at a Pharisee's house

    The pericope PER235 recounts Jesus’ meal at the house of a leader of the Pharisees on a Saturday (Luke 14.1), in a context of growing confrontation. The Pharisees are seeking to gather evidence against him for the Sanhedrin. Despite the tensions, Jesus accepts the invitation, holds his ground and corrects their teachings. Luke is the only evangelist to report this episode, which most likely took place at the Saturday midday meal.

    John 7.51 (King James Version) :
    Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER236 Healing of a man with dropsy

    A man with dropsy is healed by the Messiah Jesus during a Sabbath meal at the house of a Pharisee in Jerusalem. Facing the experts of the law, Jesus asks a question about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath, then acts without waiting for their answer. His listeners, unable to reply, remain silent. Luke is the only evangelist to report this episode (Luke 14.2-6), dated 4 December AD 32.

    Luke 14.2-6 (King James Version) :
    And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?And they could not answer him again to these things.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER237 Parable of the Presumptuous Guest

    The Parable of the Presumptuous Guest (Luke 14.7-14), related only by Luke, takes place in the house of a leader of the Pharisees in Jerusalem. There Jesus teaches humility by urging us to choose the last place rather than the first, and selfless generosity by encouraging us to invite the poor and the outcasts rather than those who can repay. These two teachings illustrate the fundamental values of the Kingdom of God: honor comes from God, not from oneself, and true giving will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous.

    Luke 14.12-14 (King James Version) :
    Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate