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
The question of fasting 9:14-17 (cf. Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39)The Pharisees criticized Jesus’ conduct in the previous pericope. Now John’s disciples criticized the conduct of Jesus’ disciples and, by implication, Jesus. read more
Jesus responded with three illustrations. John the Baptist had described himself as the "best man" and Jesus as the "bridegroom" (John 3:29). Jesus extended John’s figure and described His disciples as the friends of the groom. They were so joyful that they could not fast because they were with Him. [Note: See Richard D. Patterson, "Metaphors of Marriage as Expressions of Divine-Human Relations," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 51:4 (December 2008):689-702.] The Old Testament... 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
(15) Can the children of the bridechamber mourn?—The words were full of meaning in themselves, but they only gain their full significance when we connect them with the teaching of the Baptist recorded in John 3:29. He had pointed to Jesus as “the Bridegroom.” He had taught them that the coming of that Bridegroom was the fulfilling of his joy. Would he have withdrawn from the outward expression of that joy?The children of the bridechamber—i.e., the guests invited to the wedding. The words... 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
9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the {f} children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.(f) A Hebrew idiom, for they that are admitted into the marriage chamber are as the bridegroom’s closest friends. 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