John 7.51

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.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER227 The invitation to a Pharisee's home

Pericope 227 recounts the invitation extended to the Messiah Jesus by a Pharisee for a meal, reported only by Luke (Lk 11.37). Far from being well-meaning, this invitation seems to be a trap orchestrated to gather accusations against Jesus before witnesses. Aware of what was at stake, Jesus nevertheless accepts the invitation, strengthened by a spiritual assurance that his hour had not yet come. The event probably takes place in Jerusalem, during a journey that Jesus undertakes despite the threats of the religious authorities.

John 8.59 (King James Version) :

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER228 The judgment of religious leaders and the rebukes of Jesus the Messiah

During a meal at a Pharisee's house in Jerusalem (late 32), Jesus utters severe rebukes against the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. Luke 11.38-54, the only gospel to recount this episode, describes a hostile atmosphere in which the religious authorities look for evidence to condemn Jesus. His cutting words are in reality a call to repentance, ignored by men blinded by pride.

Luke 11.38-54 (King James Version) :

And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER235 Meal at a Pharisee's house

The pericope PER235 recounts Jesus’ meal at the house of a leader of the Pharisees on a Saturday (Luke 14.1), in a context of growing confrontation. The Pharisees are seeking to gather evidence against him for the Sanhedrin. Despite the tensions, Jesus accepts the invitation, holds his ground and corrects their teachings. Luke is the only evangelist to report this episode, which most likely took place at the Saturday midday meal.

Matthew 18.16 (King James Version) :

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

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