Matthew 9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:11

And when the Pharisees. Mentioned thus far only in Matthew 3:7 and Matthew 5:20 . This is, therefore, the first time that Matthew speaks of them as coming into direct contact with Jesus. Although Mark (cf. Luke) says that the objection was raised by those among the Pharisees who were also scribes ( οἱγραμματεῖς τῶν φαρισαίων ), yet the difference of expression from that in verse 3 must not be overlooked. There the fact that they were scribes, accustomed to weigh the statements... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:11

Our Lord's chosen associates. "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" The speakers were Pharisees; they were not guests, they were only watchers. Such feasts are very open and free, and persons are allowed to come in, and even to take part in the conversation, who do not share in the food. An Eastern traveller says, "In the room where we were received, besides the divan on which we sat, there were seats all round the walls. Many came in and took their place on those side-seats,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:12

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole. οἱἰσχύοντες may include an arriere-pensee of moral self-assertion which St. Luke entirely loses by his alteration to οἱὑγιαίνοντες : cf. 1 Corinthians 4:10 . Need not; have no need of (Revised Version). These are the emphatic words in the sentence. Christ takes the Pharisees at their own estimate of themselves, and, without entering into the question of whether this was right or wrong, shows them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:13

The first half of the verse comes in Matthew only . But go ye and learn . A common rabbinic phrase based on the fact that the disputants would not always have the cumbrous rolls of Scripture actually with them. These Pharisees pro-reseed to be students of Scripture, but had not yet learned the principle taught in this passage . What that meaneth, I will have (I desire , Revised Version) mercy, and not sacrifice . Mercy ( ἔλεος ). In the original connexion of this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14

Then ( τότε ). In this case the close chronological connexion with the preceding incident is confirmed by the parallel passages (especially Luke). Came ( come , Revised Version) to him. They move forward among the crowd, and draw near to him ( προσέρχονται αὐτῷ ) . The disciples of John ( vide supra ), saying, Why (of. verse 11) do we and the Pharisees fast? . Oft ( πολλά ); Textus Receptus, and Westcott and Hort margin, with all the versions and the great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

Christ ' s care for the free-dora of his disciples from ceremonial bondage. He teaches that the standpoint of the Baptist was preparatory ( Matthew 3:1-17 .), and was not intended to be a permanent resting-place. Observe that of the three accounts St. Matthew's points out the most clearly that the objection originated with the disciples of John the Baptist. Perhaps St. Matthew found these possessing special influence in the part for which his Gospel was primarily intended. So also St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

Human disfigurings of the Church's order and discipline. Observe— I. THE FORESHADOWING FOUND HERE OF THAT LONG HISTORY OF HUMAN INTERFERENCES WITH THE UNWRITTEN BUT SIMPLE MANIFEST ORDER OF THE CHURCH 'S LIFE AND PRACTICE AS GUIDED EVEN BY REASON . II. THE FORESHADOWING HEREIN OF HUMAN RENDINGS OF THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IN MATTERS NOT OF DOCTRINE NOR , JUSTLY SPEAKING :, OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

Consistency in diversity. Three classes of persons made up what might be called the religious community of Palestine, viz. the Pharisees, the disciples of John, and the disciples of our Lord. The ground of the question here was why one of these should neglect what the others preached as a religious duty. The answer here teaches— I. THAT THERE IS A MORAL FITNESS IN RELATION TO CIRCUMSTANCES . 1 . Fasting might be proper to the disciple of John. 2 . Fasting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:15

And Jesus said unto them, Can. It is a moral impossibility ( Matthew 6:24 ). The children (sons, Revised Version) of the bride-chamber ( οἱυἱοὶ τοῦ νυμφῶνος ) . Edersheim ('Life,' etc., 1:663) points out that these are not the shoshbenim , the friends of the bridegroom, who conducted the bride with music, etc., to the house of her parents-in-law, and to the bride-chamber, and who naturally remained to take part in the wedding feast; for read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:15

Moods of religious life. The immediate connection of our Lord's words should be noticed. His answer is sufficient for the occasion, but it carries deeper and wider applications. Whenever the soul is full of the felt presence of God, it can go by itself, in gladness and freedom, without any fastings or forcings of will. But when the sense of God's presence is lost, the soul should gird itself up, in sacrifice and self-discipline, to win back the lost blessedness. I. THE BRIDEGROOM 'S ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:15

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands