Étude 1 sur 5 · Les pharisiens envisagent d’assassiner le Messie Jésus

  1. Étude 1 : Les pharisiens envisagent d’assassiner le Messie Jésus
  2. Étude 2 : Le jugement des pharisiens
  3. Étude 3 : L’arrestation d’Etienne
  4. Étude 4 : Saul et le martyre d'Étienne
  5. Étude 5 : La persécution

From the second to the third Passover festival

  • PER078 The Pharisees plan to murder Jesus the Messiah

    Pericope 78 recounts the Pharisees' decision to murder Jesus the Messiah following the healing of the man with the paralysed hand on a Sabbath. In AD 31, in Capernaum, a clear divide separates the hostile religious authorities from the admiring people. Dissenting voices such as Nicodemus and Gamaliel testify to internal opposition within the Sanhedrin. Despite this plot, Jesus resolutely continues his ministry.

    Mark 3.6 (King James Version) :
    And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER158 The judgment of the Pharisees

    Pericope PER158 analyzes the Pharisees' reaction to Jesus' miracles at Capernaum (Matt 9.33-34). While the crowd recognizes a divine work, the Pharisees attribute Jesus' actions to the devil. Their rejection is deliberate: accepting Jesus would mean losing their privileges. Yet some, such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and Saul of Tarsus, would choose to follow him. The healed mute man, for his part, goes away in joy and gratitude.

    John 7.50-52 (King James Version) :
    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.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Peter's ministry

  • ADA026 The arrest of Stephen

    The article analyzes the arrest of Stephen (Acts 6.8-12) in Jerusalem around AD 34-35. Although appointed among the Seven, Stephen carries out a remarkable apostolic ministry. His witness provokes the opposition of Hellenistic Jews who, unable to refute him, resort to false witnesses to bring him before the Sanhedrin. Luke highlights the parallels with the trial of Jesus and the gradual extension of the persecution to the whole Church.

    Acts 6.10 (King James Version) :
    And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA030 Saul and the martyrdom of Stephen

    Article ADA030 examines Acts 8.1-3: the first appearance of Saul of Tarsus, who approves of Stephen’s martyrdom, and the beginning of a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem. The scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria, far from being a defeat, providentially becomes the driving force behind the spread of the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ promise in Acts 1.8.

    Acts 5.40 (King James Version) :
    And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA031 The persecution

    Article ADA031 examines the great persecution of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 8.1-3), around AD 34-35. After Stephen’s martyrdom, the repression extends to all believers, women included. Saul of Tarsus is its chief architect, driven by a sincere but misdirected zeal for the Jewish traditions. This text illustrates the fulfillment of Jesus’ warnings about persecution and foreshadows Paul’s future conversion.

    Luke 14.28-33 (King James Version) :
    For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate