The life of Jesus up to the age of 12 1 study
The ministry of John the Baptist 5 studies
The beginning of the ministry in Galilee 2 studies
From the second to the third Passover festival 2 studies
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week 3 studies
The last week before the arrest 1 study
The last day up to the crucifixion 1 study
Contradictions 1 study
The life of Jesus up to the age of 12
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PER002
Jesus the Messiah, the Word made flesh, and John the Baptist, the Forerunner
The article explores how the Gospel of John affirms that Jesus is the Word made flesh and is God, with John the Baptist as his Forerunner. John the apostle aims to demonstrate that Jesus, both the Messiah as king and a divine figure, fulfils Jewish messianic expectations.
John 3.25-29 (King James Version) :Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The ministry of John the Baptist
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PER032
The delegation from Jerusalem
The article explores John the Baptist's meeting with the Sanhedrin's representatives at Bethany, highlighting his renown and the authorities' messianic expectations. John is questioned about his messianic role despite performing no miracles, revealing the Pharisees' expectations of a royal and priestly messiah. The analysis reconciles differing Gospel accounts.
John 10.41 (King James Version) :And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER034
The encounter with Philip
PER034 recounts Jesus’ meeting with Philip, reported only by John (Jn 1:43–46), at Bethany beyond the Jordan on 6 October 29. Philip, formerly a disciple of John the Baptist like Andrew, John and Simon Peter, becomes Jesus’ fourth disciple. The article explores these disciples’ natural transition to the Messiah, with John the Baptist understanding himself as a forerunner rather than a rival teacher.
John 1.43-46 (King James Version) :The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER035
Jesus the Messiah’s encounter with Nathanael
Pericope 35 studies the meeting between Jesus and Nathanael, unique to John’s Gospel (John 1:47–51), dated to 23 November 29 at Nazareth. Jesus demonstrates supernatural knowledge of Nathanael, who becomes the first to confess him publicly as the Son of God and King of Israel. Identified with Bartholomew and originally from Cana, Nathanael is connected with the wedding at Cana that follows in John’s narrative.
John 1.49 (King James Version) :Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER038
The first Passover festival
Pericope PER038 analyses the first Passover festival in John’s Gospel (John 2:13), dated precisely to 7 April 30. The article makes three observations: the festival’s chronological value for dating Jesus’ ministry over three and a half years, John’s distinction of the ‘Passover of the Jews’, and Jesus’ observance of Jewish rites. John alone records this period before John the Baptist’s arrest.
John 6.4 (King James Version) :And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER041
Jesus the Messiah’s conversation with Nicodemus
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in Jerusalem, described in John 3, represents a crucial turning point towards a personal Christian spirituality, removed from Jewish rituals, with an emphasis on the inward relationship with God.
Acts 12.12 (King James Version) :And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The beginning of the ministry in Galilee
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PER046
The Samaritan woman and the water of life
The article examines Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar, described in John 4:4–26, emphasising the spiritual meaning of the living water Jesus offers.
Genesis 33.18-20 (King James Version) :And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.NoteShechem: Gr. SychemNoteHamor: Gr. EmmorNotepieces…: or, lambsNoteEl-elohe-Israel: that is God the God of IsraelAnd he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER047
The village of Sychar in Samaria
The article discusses Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Sychar, emphasising its importance in his Galilean ministry. The village’s conversion illustrates Jesus’ universal message.
John 4.27-42 (King James Version) :And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.And many more believed because of his own word;And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the second to the third Passover festival
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PER071
Jesus the Messiah affirms his equality with the Father
The article analyses Jesus' proclamation of his equality with God, drawing on the healing of a disabled man and highlighting the impact of his theological assertions in Jerusalem during Passover.
John 5.14 (King James Version) :Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER072
Testimonies confirming that of Jesus the Messiah
The article discusses the testimonies confirming that Jesus is the Messiah, notably those of John the Baptist and the divine miracles, in John's tradition. The setting is Jerusalem after Passover in March AD 31. Jesus criticises the religious authorities who do not recognise him and invokes Moses as a precursor. Some, such as Nicodemus, will convert.
Genesis 49.10 (King James Version) :The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
From the 3rd Passover to the start of the final week
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PER257
The Messiah Jesus is the good shepherd
The article examines how Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd in John 10. He is the authentic spiritual guide, in contrast to false guides. Jesus announces universal salvation and invites everyone to listen to his voice in order to find spiritual life.
John 10.1-21 (King James Version) :Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER273
The resurrection of Lazarus
Jesus raises Lazarus at Bethany, revealing his divine power over death, as a prelude to Passover. Between Hanukkah and Passover, after two days of reflection, Jesus makes the significant journey that includes memorable encounters in Jericho, foreshadowing the imminent Passion. The reaction of the religious authorities to this miracle hastens the crucifixion of Jesus.
John 10.22-23 (King James Version) :And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER174
Teaching of the Messiah Jesus about the bread of life
John 6.22-59 records Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life, delivered in the synagogue of Capernaum on a Sabbath in May AD 32. After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus reveals himself as the 'bread of life', inviting the crowd to believe in him in order to obtain eternal life. This passage, found only in John, displays a major christological and eucharistic richness, in the face of the incomprehension and murmuring of his hearers.
John 6.34 (King James Version) :Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last week before the arrest
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PER275
Arrival at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary
This article explores Jesus’ arrival in Bethany, highlighting the importance of this moment before the Passion. Bethany, a place of calm and friendship, stands in contrast to the tumultuous events in Jerusalem. The article looks at the symbolism of this last stage in Jesus’ mission, as reported by the Gospel of John.
John 12.1 (King James Version) :Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
The last day up to the crucifixion
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PER320
The vine and the branches
The article “PER320 - The Vine and the Branches” explores Jesus’ teaching in John 15:1-17, using the image of the vine and the branches to illustrate the relationship with his disciples. Jesus presents himself as the source of true spiritual fruitfulness, calling for a reciprocal union centered on love and obedience.
John 13.30 (King James Version) :He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Contradictions
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CTD053
The first meeting of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus
The article examines whether the Gospels of Matthew and John contradict each other about the encounter of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus. In reality, they report two distinct episodes that complement each other, thus enriching the understanding of the resurrection.
Matthew 28.9 (King James Version) :And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org