• PER084 The gathering of the disciples and the crowd

    The article addresses the gathering of the disciples and the crowd in Galilee, where Jesus delivers his Sermon on the Mount after choosing the twelve apostles. The crowd is drawn mainly by miraculous healings, but this moment is also essential for teaching Jesus' message. Luke and Matthew offer two complementary perspectives on this event.

    Luke 6.17-19 (King James Version) :
    And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER085 The Sermon on the Mount (1): the Beatitudes

    The article analyses the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting differences between Matthew's and Luke's versions. It explains how these teachings of Jesus, addressed mainly to the disciples, were often repeated and compiled. Particular emphasis is placed on the Beatitudes and their spiritual significance.

    Matthew 5.2-12 (King James Version) :
    And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER096 The Sermon on the Mount (12): instruction on prayer

    This article examines Jesus' teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, highlighting the call to authentic piety, far from formalism. Drawing on Matthew's and Luke's Gospels, it explains prayer's meaning and context.

    Matthew 6.5-15 (King James Version) :
    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER102 The Sermon on the Mount (18), encouragement to pray

    The article explores how Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, encourages persistent prayer, emphasizing that God answers those who ask insistently. It illustrates this concept with fatherly analogies and highlights God’s goodness.

    Matthew 7.7-11 (King James Version) :
    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER105 The Sermon on the Mount (21), false prophets

    This article discusses Jesus’ warning against false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount. The fruits of their teaching make it possible to distinguish truth from falsehood. Three main criteria are considered: motivations, alignment with Jesus, and behavior.

    Galatians 5.22-23 (King James Version) :
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER107 The Sermon on the Mount (23), the two houses

    This article analyzes the parable of the two houses, illustrating the importance of solid spiritual foundations in the face of deceptive appearances and emphasizing the distinction between true and false disciples.

    Luke 6.47-49 (King James Version) :
    Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate