The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 2 studies
From the second to the third Passover festival 5 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 3 studies
Contradictions 1 study
The beginning of the ministry in Galilee
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PER054
Confirmation of the disciples’ calling
On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, around March 31, Jesus confirms the call of four fishermen: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. Unlike the first call at Bethany, he now invites them to leave everything behind and devote themselves exclusively to evangelism. Their immediate and total response reflects a trust built up over the months spent at his side. Matthew (4:18-22) and Mark (1:16-20) report this foundational episode of the Galilean ministry.
Mark 1.16-20 (King James Version) :Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER055
The First Miraculous Catch of Fish
Pericope 55 recounts the first miraculous catch of fish, reported only by Luke (Luke 5:1-11), at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus tells Simon Peter to cast the nets, producing an extraordinary catch. This miraculous act, distinct from the one in John 21, seems to have enabled the disciples to provide for their families before leaving everything to follow Jesus, illustrating the divine providence that accompanies every calling.
Luke 5.1-11 (King James Version) :And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER079
Many healings in Galilee
Pericope 79 recounts the many healings Jesus performed in Galilee, around Capernaum, in AD 31. Faced with crowds from all over Israel, Jesus heals the sick and proclaims salvation, asking for discretion. Matthew connects these events with the prophecy of Isaiah 42:1–4 and sees a Trinitarian revelation in them. His growing fame contrasts with the increasing opposition of the Pharisees, jealous of his influence on the people.
Matthew 12.15-21 (King James Version) :But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;And charged them that they should not make him known:That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER080
The choosing of the 12 Apostles
Jesus chooses twelve disciples from among his followers and gives them the title of apostles, a Greek term meaning ‘sent on a mission’. This choice, made after a night of prayer, corresponds to the number of Israel's tribes. The Twelve receive authority to heal and proclaim salvation, forming the foundation of the future Church. The article explores the term's etymology, Jesus' prayer, the question of his omniscience and the case of Judas Iscariot.
Mark 3.13-19 (King James Version) :And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:And Simon he surnamed Peter;And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER151
Jesus the Messiah stills the storm
After an intense day of teaching, Jesus crosses Lake Tiberias with his disciples. A violent storm breaks out, threatening to sink the boat. Awakened by his panicking disciples, Jesus commands the elements to be silent, and a great calm immediately settles in. This episode, reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke, reveals Jesus’ divine authority over nature and teaches the importance of unshakable faith even in the midst of trials.
Matthew 8.23-27 (King James Version) :And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER152
The healing of the demoniac of Gadara
Pericope 152 recounts the healing of the demoniac of Gadara, reported by Matthew (8.28-34), Mark (5.1-20) and Luke (8.26-40). Jesus arrives in the territory of Gadara, meets possessed men living among the tombs, and delivers them from the demons by sending them into a herd of pigs that drown in the lake. This episode shows the sovereign power of the Messiah over demonic forces and his ministry extending beyond the borders of Israel.
Matthew 8.28-34 (King James Version) :And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER167
The Messiah Jesus withdraws with his disciples
PER167 describes the withdrawal of Jesus and his disciples to Bethsaida to rest after an intense evangelistic mission in Galilee, just before the Passover of April AD 32. The synoptic analysis of Matthew 14,13-14, Mark 6,31-32, Luke 9,10-11 and John 6,1-4 shows points of agreement and nuances: the desire for seclusion, being followed by the crowd, healings and teaching. This episode comes directly before the multiplication of the loaves.
Mark 6.31-32 (King James Version) :And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER169
The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
The multiplication of the loaves for 5,000 men is a miracle attested by all four evangelists, set near Bethsaida in April AD 32. With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds an immense crowd, illustrating his divine power and his shepherd's compassion, and foreshadowing the Eucharist. The twelve baskets left over symbolize the abundance of the Kingdom of God.
Luke 9.10-17 (King James Version) :And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.And they did so, and made them all sit down.Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER174
Teaching of the Messiah Jesus about the bread of life
John 6.22-59 records Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life, delivered in the synagogue of Capernaum on a Sabbath in May AD 32. After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus reveals himself as the 'bread of life', inviting the crowd to believe in him in order to obtain eternal life. This passage, found only in John, displays a major christological and eucharistic richness, in the face of the incomprehension and murmuring of his hearers.
John 6.41-50 (King James Version) :The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.I am that bread of life.Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER186
Teaching the disciples about the influence of the Pharisees
Jesus warns his apostles against the pernicious influence of the Pharisees, symbolized by the “leaven.” Matthew and Mark relate this teaching during a crossing toward Bethsaida, where the disciples have run short of bread. Jesus points out their lack of faith, inviting them to grasp the spiritual import of his words beyond material concerns.
Mark 8.14-21 (King James Version) :Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
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CTD013
Jesus’ meeting with Peter?
Article CTD013 addresses a classic objection: where did Jesus first meet Peter and Andrew? Matthew places the encounter in Galilee, John on the banks of the Jordan. The article demonstrates that these are two distinct stages: an initial encounter in Judea (John), followed by a definitive call in Galilee (Matthew). The two accounts are complementary, not contradictory, and illustrate the gradual development of the disciples' calling.
John 1.43 (King James Version) :The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN002
The Gospel of John
The Gospel according to John differs from the other three, known as the Synoptic Gospels, in its style and theological depth. Written by the apostle John, son of Zebedee,…