• PER350 The way to Mount Golgotha, help from Simon of Cyrene

    PER350 examines Jesus’ journey to Mount Golgotha, from Pilate’s praetorium. Weakened by the scourging, Jesus can no longer carry his cross alone. Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the soldiers. Luke mentions weeping women in the crowd, while Matthew reports Jesus’ refusal of a drink meant to dull the pain. Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, figures known to the early Christian communities. A synopsis of Matthew, Mark and Luke sheds light on this episode, which immediately precedes the crucifixion, dated to Friday morning around 9 o’clock.

    Luke 23.26-49 (King James Version) :
    And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.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
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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.

    Psalms 22.2 (King James Version) :
    O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.Noteam…: Heb. there is no silence to me
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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.

    Mark 15.32 (King James Version) :
    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.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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.

    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
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • 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.

    1 Peter 2.24 (King James Version) :
    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate