The question of company 9:9-13 (cf. Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)The main point of this pericope is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ criticism that Jesus and His disciples kept company with tax collectors and sinners. read more
4. Jesus’ authority over His critics 9:9-17Matthew returned to the subject of Jesus’ authority over people (cf. Matthew 8:18-22). In Matthew 8:18-22 Jesus directed those who came to Him voluntarily as disciples. Here He explained the basis for His conduct to those who criticized Him. This is another section that contains discipleship lessons. read more
Jesus Himself responded to the Pharisees’ question. He said that He went to the tax collectors and sinners because they were sinners. They had a spiritual illness and needed spiritual healing. Note that Jesus did not go to these people because they received Him warmly but because they needed Him greatly. In the Old Testament, God taught His people that He was their Physician who could heal their diseases (e.g., Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Kings 20:5; Psalms 103:3). The prophets also... read more
The Sick of the Palsy. Call of Matthew. Raising of Jairus’ Daughter1-8. The paralytic healed and his sins forgiven (Mark 2:1; Luke 5:17). The peculiarity of this miracle is that it was worked to prove a doctrine, and that in the face of opposition. There were present certain scribes and Pharisees, some of whom had doubtless come from Jerusalem expressly to oppose Jesus. Jesus at once threw them a challenge by saying to the man, ’Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.’ The scribes understood this to... read more
(12) They that be whole.—Literally, They that are strong. St. Luke gives, with a more professional precision, “They that are in health.” That, speaking from the thoughts and standpoint of those addressed (which in another than our Lord we might term grave irony), which enters so largely into our Lord’s teaching, appears here in its most transparent form. Those of whom He speaks were, we know, suffering from the worst form of spiritual disease, but in their own estimation they were without spot... read more
Arise! Matthew 9:2 The miracle is a parable for the Church in every age. Its teaching is inexhaustible. 1. It should make the heart of the hypocrite, the double-minded man, shrivel. 'Our God is a consuming fire.' Jesus knew their thoughts. 2. It unfolds the Divine power, the personal knowledge of every secret burden of our hearts, the tender individualizing love, of the compassionate Jesus of Nazareth. Eternity would scarcely be long enough to reveal the fullness of that one word, 'Son, be of... read more
Chapter 8The Signs of the Kingdom - Matthew 8:1-34 - Matthew 9:1-35REFERRING to Matthew 4:23, we find the work of Christ at the beginning of His ministry summarised as teaching and preaching and healing all manner of diseases. Of the teaching and preaching we have had a signal illustration in what is called the Sermon on the Mount; now the other great branch of the work is set before us in a group of miracles, filling up almost the whole of the eighth and ninth chapters.The naturalness of the... read more
CHAPTER 9 1. A Man Sick of the Palsy Healed. (Matthew 9:1-8 .) 2. The Call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9 .) 3. With the Publicans and the Sinners. (Matthew 9:10-13 .) 4. The Question of John's Disciples. (Matthew 9:14-17 .) 5. The Ruler's Request.(Matthew 9:18-19 .) 6. The Woman Healed of an Issue of Blood. (Matthew 9:20-22 .) 7. The Maid Raised from the Dead. (Matthew 9:23-26 .) 8. The Two Blind Men Healed. (Matthew 9:27-31 .) 9. The Dumb Man with a Demon Healed.(Matthew 9:32-33 .) 10.... read more
Returning to His own city, Capernaum, He has brought to Him a man totally helpless, lying on a bed. This case of palsy is indicative of the complete debilitating effects of sin: man is left without strength through its ravages. Nothing is said of his being let down by others from the roof of the house, or other details (as in Mark and Luke), for again the purpose of Matthew is simply to emphasize the King's authority over the disease. That authority has been seen over the flesh, the world and... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 9:1-34
A. Demonstrations of the King’s power 8:1-9:34Matthew described Jesus’ ministry as consisting of teaching, preaching, and healing in Matthew 4:23. Chapters 5-7 record what He taught His disciples: principles of the kingdom. We have the essence of His preaching ministry in Matthew 4:17. Now in Matthew 8:1 to Matthew 9:34 we see His healing ministry. He demonstrated authority over human beings, unseen spiritual powers, and the world of nature. Matthew showed that Jesus’ ability proves that He is... read more