• PER205 Jesus the Messiah Continues His Journey in Galilee

    Pericope 205 recounts the extended stay of Jesus the Messiah in Galilee, in the region of Capernaum, for about six months before his final departure for Jerusalem on October 3, AD 32. Only John mentions these journeys and reveals the intention of the religious authorities to put Jesus to death, while his disciples still struggle to understand what awaits him. This passage marks the transition to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

    John 7.2 (King James Version) :
    Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER206 The Feast of Tabernacles

    Pericope 206 deals with the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), reported only by John (7.2-10). Jesus decides to go up secretly to Jerusalem in October AD 32, six months before his arrest. John reveals the tension with the religious authorities and the unbelief of Jesus’ brothers, elements absent from the Synoptic Gospels.

    John 7.1 (King James Version) :
    After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER207 The disagreement between the Master and his brothers

    John 7.3-9 recounts the tension between Jesus and his brothers before the Feast of Sukkot (October AD 32). Not understanding the messianic mission, they urge him to show himself publicly in Jerusalem. Jesus chooses caution, aware of the risk of arrest. Mary keeps in the background. This episode, found only in John, illustrates the family's incomprehension of the divine nature of Jesus, as the conversion of his brothers takes place only after the resurrection.

    John 7.3-9 (King James Version) :
    His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.For neither did his brethren believe in him.Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER212 The Jews are looking for the Messiah Jesus

    Pericope 212 relates, according to John 7.11-13 alone, the Jews' search for Jesus during the feast in Jerusalem in October AD 32. It illustrates the division of the people over the Messiah: some recognize him, others seek to eliminate him. The fear of the religious authorities hinders public conversions, revealing the political and spiritual tension of the time.

    John 7.13 (King James Version) :
    Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER213 Teaching of the Messiah Jesus in the temple

    At the Feast of Tabernacles in October AD 32, the Messiah Jesus teaches at the temple in Jerusalem with an authority that astonishes the crowd and angers the Pharisees. John 7.14-24 reports this unique episode in which Jesus affirms that his teaching comes from God and defends a Sabbath healing with a rigorous scriptural argument. The hostility of the religious authorities intensifies.

    Mark 3.1-6 (King James Version) :
    And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
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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 1.15 (King James Version) :
    John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
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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.
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate