Matthew 9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:1

He came into his own city - Viz. Capernaum, where he seems to have had his common residence at the house of Peter. See Matthew 4:13 , and Matthew 8:14 . This verse properly belongs to the preceding chapter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:2

Sick of the palsy - See Matthew 4:24 . Lying on a bed - Κλινης , a couch or sofa, such as they reclined on at meals. Seeing their faith - The faith of the paralytic person, and the faith of those who brought him; see on Mark 2:4 ; (note). Be of good cheer - Θαρσει τεκνον , Son, take courage! Probably he began to despond, and Christ spoke thus to support his faith. Thy sins be forgiven thee - Moral evil has been the cause of all the natural evil in the world. Christ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:3

This man blasphemeth - Βλασφημεω comes either from βλαπτειν την φημην , to hurt or blast the reputation or credit of another, or from βαλλειν ταις φημαις , to smite with reports. Whenever it is used in reference to God, it simply signifies, to speak impiously of his nature, or attributes, or works. Injurious speaking is its proper translation when referred to man. The scribes were the literati of that time; and their learning, because not used in dependence on God, rendered them... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:4

Jesus knowing ( ιδων seeing) their thoughts - In telling them what the thoughts of their hearts were, (for they had expressed nothing publicly), he gave them the fullest proof of his power to forgive sins; because God only can forgive sins, and God only can search and know the heart. Jesus pronounced the man's sins forgiven; and gave the scribes the fullest proof of his power to do so, by telling them what, in the secret of their souls, they thought on the subject. God sounds the secrets... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:5

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? - Both are equally easy, and equally difficult; for both require unlimited power to produce them. And every thing is equally easy to that power which is unlimited. A universe can be as easily produced by a single act of the Divine will as the smallest elementary part of matter. The common punctuation of the above passage almost destroys the sense: the comma should be placed after easier, and to say, made... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:6

But that ye may know, etc. - External miracles are the proofs of internal ones. Three miracles are wrought in this case. (I mean, by miracle, something produced or known that no power is capable of but that which is omnipotent, and no knowledge adequate to but that which is omniscient). The miracles are these: 1st. The remission of the poor man's sins. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:8

When the multitudes saw it, they marveled - Instead of εθαυμασαν , wondered, the Codex Vatic. and Cod. Bezae, with several other MSS. and versions, have εφοβηθησαν , feared. In the Gothic, and one copy of the Itala, both readings are conjoined, thus: And the multitudes seeing it, wondered and feared, and glorified God. Wondered at the miracle; feared to offend against such power and goodness; and glorified God for the works of mercy which he had wrought. That which to the doctors of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:9

Named Matthew - Generally supposed to be the same who wrote this history of our blessed Lord. Mathai signifies a gift in Syriac; probably so named by his parents as implying a gift from God. The receipt of custom - The custom-house, τελωνιον - the place where the taxes levied by the Romans of the Jews, were collected. Follow me - That is, become my disciple. And he arose, and followed him - How blessed it is to be obedient to the first call of Christ - how much happiness and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:10

Sat at meat in the house - Viz. of Matthew, who it appears, from Luke 5:29 , made a great feast on the occasion, thus testifying his gratitude for the honor done him; and that his friends and acquaintances might profit by the teaching of his new master, he invites them to the entertainment that was honored by the presence of Christ. His companions, it appears, were not of the most creditable kind. They were tax-gatherers (see Matthew 5:46 ;) and sinners, αμαρτωλοι , a word which I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:11

When the Pharisees saw it - He who, like a Pharisee, never felt himself indebted to infinite mercy for his own salvation, is rarely solicitous about the salvation of others. The grace of Christ alone inspires the soul with true benevolence. The self-righteous Pharisees considered it equal to legal defilement to sit in company with tax-gatherers and heathens. It is certain that those who fear God should not associate, through choice, with the workers of iniquity, and should only be found with... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:11

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands