From the second to the third Passover festival 2 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 6 studies
- 3The multiplication of the loaves for the 5,000 people
- 4The Messiah Jesus and Peter walk on the water
- 5The reaction of the apostles
- 6Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah
- 7Many healings in the evening
The last week before the arrest 2 studies
Contradictions 1 study
From the second to the third Passover festival
-
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.
Mark 5.1-20 (King James Version) :And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.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
-
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.
John 6.5-13 (King James Version) :When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER171
The Messiah Jesus and Peter walk on the water
Pericope 171 analyzes the miracle of Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Gennesaret (April AD 32), including the episode of Peter. A rigorous comparison of the accounts in Matthew 14.22-32, Mark 6.45-52 and John 6.16-21 brings out points of agreement and difference, revealing the divine power of the Messiah and the tension between faith and doubt among the disciples.
John 6.16-21 (King James Version) :And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER172
The reaction of the apostles
Pericope 172 recounts the reaction of the apostles after Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm. Set at Gennesaret in April AD 32, the episode is reported by Matthew and Mark. The disciples bow down and proclaim: 'You are truly the Son of God', marking a decisive step in their faith and in the progressive Christological revelation of the Gospels.
Matthew 14.22-32 (King James Version) :And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER176
Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah
Pericope 176 recounts Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, reported only by John (6.62-71). After a mass departure of disciples, Jesus asks the Twelve about their commitment. Peter responds with a remarkable proclamation of faith. The article explores the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom, and concludes with the mention of Judas Iscariot, a reminder that nothing escapes God's gaze.
John 6.65 (King James Version) :And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER181
Many healings in the evening
The article explores Jesus' healings, particularly in Galilee after his return from Phoenicia. Matthew describes the many miracles performed, while Mark focuses on one singular case involving a deaf man, demonstrating Jesus' unique method already observed elsewhere in the Gospels.
Matthew 15.29-31 (King James Version) :And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER198
The Messiah Jesus announces his death again
Jesus announces to his disciples his imminent death and resurrection. This moment marks the end of his ministry in Galilee, where he avoids the crowds to prepare his disciples. References to Matthew 17.22-23, Mark 9.30-32 and Luke 9.43-45.
Luke 9.43-45 (King James Version) :And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
-
PER282
Cursing of the Barren Fig Tree
On Monday, March 28, AD 33, on the road from Bethany to Jerusalem, the Messiah Jesus curses a fig tree covered with leaves but bearing no fruit, and it withers at once. This act, reported by Matthew and Mark, is a miracle-parable symbolizing Israel: a great show of religion, but no real fruitfulness. Framing the cleansing of the Temple in Mark, this episode announces divine judgment on a barren piety.
Matthew 21.18-19 (King James Version) :Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER288
The fig tree is withered
The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples discover the tree completely withered. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the power of faith and the importance of forgiveness. Beyond this teaching, the fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Scriptures, and its withering foreshadows the judgment that would fall on the nation forty years later with the destruction of the Temple. Faith and forgiveness remain the unshakable values that Jesus puts forward.
Mark 11.1-3 (King James Version) :And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
-
CTD011
The colt and the donkey?
Article CTD011 responds to an alleged contradiction about the number of animals at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Mark and Luke mention a colt, while Matthew mentions a donkey and her colt. The author shows that this is not a contradiction but a difference of focus: Matthew, writing for a Jewish audience, emphasizes the literal fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9.9. Jesus rode only one animal, the colt, but the donkey's presence is mentioned for its prophetic and practical context.
John 12.16 (King James Version) :These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
-
ANN111
The destination of the disciples after the multiplication of the loaves
L'article explore les récits divergents des Évangiles concernant la destination des disciples après la multiplication des pains, en analysant les perspectives de Matthieu, Marc…