The last day up to the crucifixion 1 study
The resurrection and the various appearances 10 studies
- 2The women go to the Tomb
- 3The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
- 4The Angels’ Message
- 5The Women Warn the Disciples
- 6The Reaction of Peter and John
The last day up to the crucifixion
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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.
John 19.31-42 (King James Version) :The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The resurrection and the various appearances
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PER364
The women go to the Tomb
Pericope 364 describes the women's departure for the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning, as attested by all four Gospels. Moved by their faithfulness and devotion to Jesus, they bring spices without expecting a resurrection. The study highlights their steadfastness in contrast to the failure of the apostles, their failure to understand the announcements of the resurrection, and their ignorance of the guards placed at the tomb. A rigorous synoptic analysis within the framework of the Passion and the Resurrection.
Luke 8.2 (King James Version) :And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER365
The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
On Easter morning, faithful women go to Jesus’ tomb to complete the burial care. They discover the stone rolled away and the empty tomb. The article analyzes their faithfulness in contrast with the flight of the apostles, their devotion to Jesus, and the general incomprehension in the face of the announcements of the resurrection. A synoptic approach compares Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on this foundational event.
Mark 16.3 (King James Version) :And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER366
The Angels’ Message
The pericope PER366 analyzes the message of the angels to the women at the tomb on the Sunday morning of the resurrection. Comparing Matthew, Mark and Luke, it examines the differences in the number of angels, the vocabulary used, and the place of the women as the first witnesses. These variations reflect the evangelists’ editorial freedom and are indicators of the historical authenticity of the resurrection account.
Luke 23.49 (King James Version) :And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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.
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 -
PER368
The Reaction of Peter and John
Pericope 368 examines the reaction of Peter and John after Mary Magdalene's testimony about the empty tomb. The two apostles run to the sepulchre, discover the burial linens and the folded face cloth, but do not yet grasp the reality of the resurrection. The article harmonizes the accounts of Luke 24.12 and John 20.3-12, distinguishes two successive announcements to the disciples, and highlights the initial lack of understanding in the face of Jesus' prophecies about his resurrection.
Luke 24.6 (King James Version) :He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER369
Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb
An episode unique to John (John 20.11), this passage describes Mary Magdalene remaining alone at the tomb after Peter and John have left. A faithful witness since the ministry of Jesus, she first interprets the disappearance of the body as a removal, before becoming the first person to whom the Risen One appears personally. The article offers a chronological analysis and a harmonization of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection.
Mark 16.1-2 (King James Version) :And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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.
Luke 24.6 (King James Version) :He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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.
Mark 16.14 (King James Version) :Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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.
Luke 24.34 (King James Version) :Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
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.
Luke 24.13-35 (King James Version) :And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.And they talked together of all these things which had happened.And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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ANN073
The resurrection of the Messiah Jesus
This article examines the resurrection of Jesus and its theological impact, discussing the predictions and reactions of the witnesses, as well as the measures taken by…