The last day up to the crucifixion 8 studies
- 1The presentation to Pontius Pilate
- 2The division of the garments and the mockery
- 3The dialogue with the two criminals beside him
- 4Jesus' dialogue with John and the women
- 5The Night at Noon
Peter's ministry 1 study
The last day up to the crucifixion
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PER341
The presentation to Pontius Pilate
Pericope PER341 reconstructs the presentation of Jesus before Pontius Pilate on Friday morning, around 6:45 a.m., after his nighttime condemnation by the Sanhedrin. Cross-referencing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the article analyzes the precise chronology, the role of Caiaphas, the refusal of the religious leaders to enter the Praetorium, and the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, the only one empowered to pronounce a capital sentence.
John 18.19-24 (King James Version) :The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER353
The division of the garments and the mockery
The passage PER353 analyzes the division of Jesus’ garments and the mockery during his crucifixion at Golgotha. The four Gospels agree on this episode: the soldiers cast lots for the seamless tunic, fulfilling Psalm 22.19. Luke reports Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness for his executioners, Mark his cry of abandonment, and Matthew the taunts of the passersby and the religious leaders. This synoptic article brings out the theological richness of each Gospel account.
Mark 15.34 (King James Version) :And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER354
The dialogue with the two criminals beside him
Pericope 354 analyzes the unique dialogue reported by Luke between Jesus and the two criminals crucified beside him (Lk 23,39-43). One mocks Jesus; the other acknowledges his guilt, affirms Jesus' innocence and asks to be welcomed into his kingdom. Jesus promises him paradise “today.” This passage reveals a central theological paradox: Jesus saves from the cross, displaying a spiritual authority precisely where everything seems to contradict it.
John 19.23-24 (King James Version) :Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER355
Jesus' dialogue with John and the women
At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts his mother Mary to John, the beloved disciple (John 19.25-27). As the only gospel to report this scene, John stresses the courageous presence of the women and of John at Golgotha. This dialogue reveals a twofold significance: human, as Jesus fulfills his filial responsibilities, and spiritual, as he establishes a new family founded on faith rather than blood. John obeys immediately, bearing witness to his faithfulness.
John 7.5 (King James Version) :For neither did his brethren believe in him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER356
The Night at Noon
Pericope 356 analyzes the darkness that fell during the crucifixion of Jesus, from noon to 3 p.m., as reported by the three Synoptic Gospels. This cosmic event is studied in its chronological and theological dimensions: a sign of divine judgment, a prophetic fulfillment (Amos 8:9, Isaiah 53) and a modest veil over the ignominy of the cross. It precedes the last words of Jesus and his death.
Mark 15.20-41 (King James Version) :And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,Save thyself, and come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER357
The Death of the Messiah Jesus
Pericope PER357 analyzes the death of Jesus on the cross at Golgotha, on Friday, April 1, AD 33, around 3 p.m., drawing on the four Gospel accounts. Matthew and Mark are very close; Luke reports the last words of Jesus and the reaction of the centurion; John, a direct witness, gives details of the events after his death and their prophetic fulfillment. The article includes a precise chronology of the three days and three nights according to the Jewish calendar.
Mark 15.23 (King James Version) :And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER359
The extraordinary signs accompanying the death of Jesus
At the death of Jesus on Golgotha, several extraordinary signs occur: the veil of the Temple is torn from top to bottom, symbolizing direct access to God; an earthquake shakes the region; rocks are split and tombs are opened. These phenomena, reported mainly by Matthew, signify the end of the old covenant, the coming of a new one, and Christ's victory over death, confirmed by the confession of the Roman centurion.
Matthew 27.51-54 (King James Version) :And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER363
The visit of the Sanhedrin's representatives to Pilate
An episode found only in Matthew, this passage recounts the visit of the Sanhedrin's representatives to Pilate on Saturday morning to obtain a guard for the tomb of Jesus. Fearing a rumor of resurrection, they have the sepulcher sealed. Pilate, a pragmatist, yields to their request. This episode reveals the tensions between the Jewish religious leadership and Roman authority, and directly prepares the account of the resurrection.
Colossians 2.3 (King James Version) :In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Peter's ministry
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ADA029
The murder of Stephen
Analysis of the account of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7.54-60), the first Christian martyr. The article examines the anger of the Sanhedrin, the legally irregular character of the execution, the vision of the glorified Christ granted to Stephen, and the theological parallel Luke draws between the passion of the disciple and that of Jesus. The presence of Saul foreshadows the rest of the apostolic narrative.
Matthew 27.20-24 (King James Version) :But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org