1. PER328 Stop at Gethsemane

    The article ‘PER328 - Stop at Gethsemane’ explores the meaning of the Gethsemane episode in the Gospels. It highlights Jesus’ suffering and prayer before his arrest and interprets this moment as a lesson on prayer and submission to the divine will.

    John 18.1 (King James Version) :
    When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  2. PER330 The band led by Judas Iscariot arrives

    This article deals with the arrest of Jesus by Judas Iscariot in the garden of Gethsemane, as described in the Gospels. It analyzes the context and implications of this key event in the passion of Jesus, exploring the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

    Matthew 26.47-56 (King James Version) :
    And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  3. PER341 The presentation to Pontius Pilate

    Pericope PER341 reconstructs the presentation of Jesus before Pontius Pilate on Friday morning, around 6:45 a.m., after his nighttime condemnation by the Sanhedrin. Cross-referencing Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the article analyzes the precise chronology, the role of Caiaphas, the refusal of the religious leaders to enter the Praetorium, and the dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, the only one empowered to pronounce a capital sentence.

    Luke 22.61-62 (King James Version) :
    And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  4. PER343 Presentation to “king” Antipas

    Jesus is sent by Pilate before Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, who is in Jerusalem. Fascinated by the spectacular, Herod hopes for a miracle but meets with Jesus’ total silence. Offended, he mocks him, puts a splendid robe on him and sends him back to Pilate. Ironically, this episode reconciles Pilate and Herod. Only Luke reports this appearance (Luke 23.6-12), which took place around 7:30 a.m. on the Friday morning of the Passion.

    Matthew 27.1-2 (King James Version) :
    When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  5. PER345 The release of a prisoner

    During the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor tries to use the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner in order to avoid condemning Jesus. He offers the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, a notorious criminal, convinced that the people will make the right choice. His wife's intervention strengthens his hesitation. This scene, attested by all four gospels, illustrates the manipulation by the religious authorities and theologically prefigures redemptive substitution.

    Matthew 27.19 (King James Version) :
    When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  6. PER347 The various abuses and the flogging

    PER347 analyzes the scourging and the abuse inflicted on Jesus in the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, on the Friday morning of the Passion. A standardized Roman practice preceding crucifixion, this punishment is accompanied by the soldiers’ mockery (crown of thorns, purple robe). The article compares the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in a synoptic approach, highlighting Roman institutional violence and the dignity Jesus retained despite the outrages.

    Mark 14.11-15 (King James Version) :
    And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  7. 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.

    Matthew 27.34 (King James Version) :
    They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  8. PER351 Words to the women

    On the road to Golgotha, Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem who are weeping for him. Far from focusing on his own suffering, he prophetically warns them of a terrible judgment about to fall on the city. An episode unique to Luke, it reveals Jesus as a great prophet, concerned to the very end with the salvation of others, and announces the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

    Hosea 10.8 (King James Version) :
    The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  9. 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 22.1 (King James Version) :
    My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?NoteAijeleth…: or, the hind of the morningNotehelping…: Heb. my salvation
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  10. 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 15.40-41 (King James Version) :
    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
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  11. PER360 The disciples present at the crucifixion

    PER360 analyzes the disciples present at the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha, comparing the four Gospels. They were mostly women — Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Salome, Mary the wife of Clopas — and the apostle John, the only man mentioned. Their courage contrasts with the flight of the male disciples. Jesus entrusts his mother to John, a gesture of profound humanity. A supernatural darkness covers the scene from noon until 3 p.m., on Friday, April 1, AD 33.

    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
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  12. PER361 Joseph of Arimathea asks for the body of Jesus

    Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin and a secret disciple of Jesus, courageously asks Pilate to release the body of the Crucified One. Accompanied by Nicodemus, he arranges a dignified burial in his own new tomb, before the Sabbath begins. This episode, attested by all four Gospels, illustrates the passage from discretion to a public act of faith at the very moment when the closest disciples remain in hiding.

    Matthew 27.45 (King James Version) :
    Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  13. PER362 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus place the body of Jesus in the tomb

    Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two members of the Sanhedrin favorable to Jesus, bury his body on Friday, April 1, AD 33, before the Sabbath. Nicodemus brings a large quantity of spices, and Joseph provides his new tomb. Their courageous and public act, carried out according to Jewish rites, gives the Messiah's burial a royal and honorable dimension, marking their emergence from discretion after the crucifixion.

    2 Chronicles 16.14 (King James Version) :
    And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  14. 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 2.19-21 (King James Version) :
    Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?But he spake of the temple of his body.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
    Read more

    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate