From the second to the third Passover festival 3 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 5 studies
Healings 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
-
PER115
Jesus the Messiah rebukes several towns
Jesus rebukes the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their failure to repent despite the many miracles performed in them. He compares them unfavourably with the pagan cities of Tyre, Sidon and even Sodom, declaring that those cities would have repented. This passage emphasises responsibility in proportion to the revelation received and the eternal stakes of rejecting the Gospel.
Matthew 8.14-15 (King James Version) :And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER166
The return of the apostles
After their evangelistic mission in Galilee, the apostles return to Jesus and report to him on their activity. Mark stresses their exhaustion and their need for rest in a desolate place, while Luke specifies that the retreat takes place toward Bethsaida. This pericope highlights Jesus' compassion for his disciples, the importance of rest in ministry, and the practice of apostolic accountability. The event takes place in Galilee in March AD 32.
Mark 6.30-31 (King James Version) :And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.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.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.
John 6.1-4 (King James Version) :After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
-
PER168
The third Passover feast
Pericope PER168 marks the third Passover feast of the ministry of the Messiah Jesus, dated Monday, April 12, AD 32, and mentioned only by John (Jn 6,4). Located in Galilee near Bethsaida, Jesus and his disciples do not seem to go up to Jerusalem, given the intensity of their activity. This mention serves as a chronological landmark in the synopsis, announcing the events to come up to the Feast of Tabernacles in October AD 32.
John 6.4 (King James Version) :And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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 -
PER170
The reaction of the crowd
After the multiplication of the loaves, the crowd recognizes Jesus as the prophet announced by Moses and wants to crown him king. Only John reports this episode. Jesus withdraws to the mountain, refusing a political kingship. This passage reveals the tension between popular messianic expectations and the spiritual mission of the Messiah, who refuses to conform to the nationalist hopes of his time.
John 6.14-15 (King James Version) :Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER185
Return to Bethsaida
This article examines Jesus' return to Bethsaida after his confrontations with the Pharisees, highlighting his intention to give priority to faith over fruitless discussions.
Matthew 10.14 (King James Version) :And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER220
The Messiah Jesus sends out 70 disciples
Jesus sends seventy disciples on an evangelistic mission (Luke 10.1-16), a unique event in the gospels. From Bethany beyond the Jordan, around November 32, he extends his mission beyond the Twelve. The instructions recall those given to the apostles, with a more universal scope. Jesus warns of the risk of rejection and condemns the blindness of the Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum.
Luke 10.1-16 (King James Version) :After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Healings
-
MIR028
Healing of the blind man of Bethsaida
Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida in a two-stage process, symbolizing the progression of faith. The use of saliva and physical touch emphasizes Jesus' direct involvement. The account highlights Jesus' compassion and offers a profound symbol of spiritual growth.
Mark 8.22-26 (King James Version) :And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org