• PER367 The Women Warn the Disciples

    Pericope 367 examines the moment when the women warn the disciples of the resurrection, comparing Matthew 28.8, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.9-11 and John 20.2. A notable divergence appears: Mary Magdalene seems unaware of the angels’ message, unlike the other women. The hypothesis that Mary left early, before the angelic appearance, makes it possible to harmonize the accounts and to explain her persistent incomprehension before the empty tomb.

    Matthew 28.2-4 (King James Version) :
    And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER370 First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene

    Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.

    John 20.14-15 (King James Version) :
    And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER371 Second appearance of the Messiah Jesus to the other women

    Pericope PER371 analyzes the second appearance of the risen Jesus to the women (Mt 28.9-10), on Sunday morning near the tomb in Jerusalem. The article harmonizes the apparent tension between Mark (the women's silence and fear) and Matthew (the meeting with Jesus), showing that these accounts are complementary: Mark describes the immediate reaction of astonishment, and Matthew adds the joy. Only Matthew reports this particular appearance.

    Luke 24.36-49 (King James Version) :
    And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.And he took it, and did eat before them.And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.And ye are witnesses of these things.And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER372 The Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Peter

    The appearance of the risen Jesus to Simon Peter is attested by Luke 24.34 and 1 Corinthians 15.3-5, but no evangelist describes its content. Set on Sunday, April 3, AD 33, after the appearances to the women and before that to the Emmaus disciples, this private encounter appears to be a personal reconciliation between Jesus and Peter after his denial. Peter would thus have been the first apostle to see the risen Lord.

    Mark 16.2-4 (King James Version) :
    And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER373 The guards warn the Jewish authorities

    Matthew 28.11-15 reports that the tomb guards, unwitting witnesses of the resurrection, went to the Jewish authorities. The latter bribed them to spread the claim that the disciples had stolen the body. The article analyzes the apologetic value of this testimony from outside the Christian circle and the contradictions of the official version, noting that this episode, found only in Matthew, fits within the Easter chronology of Sunday, April 3, AD 33.

    Mark 16.8 (King James Version) :
    And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate