Matthew 9:12-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 9:9-13

In these verses we have an account of the grace and favour of Christ to poor publicans, particularly to Matthew. What he did to the bodies of people was to make way for a kind design upon their souls. Now observe here, I. The call of Matthew, the penman of this gospel. Mark and Luke call him Levi; it was ordinary for the same person to have two names: perhaps Matthew was the name he was most known by as a publican, and, therefore, in his humility, he called himself by that name, rather than by... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 9:1-34

We have repeatedly seen that in Matthew's gospel there is nothing haphazard. It is carefully planned and carefully designed. In Matthew 9:1-38 we see another example of this careful planning, for here we see the first shadows of the gathering storm. We see the opposition beginning to grow; we hear the first hint of the charges which are going to be levelled against Jesus, and which are finally going to bring about his death. In this chapter four charges are made against Jesus. (i) He is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 9:12

But when Jesus heard that ,.... The charge the Pharisees brought against him, and the insinuations they had made of him to his disciples; which he either overheard himself, or his disciples related to him, he said unto them ; the Pharisees, with an audible voice, not only to confute and convince them, but chiefly to establish his disciples, they were endeavouring to draw away from him: they that be whole need not a physician ; by which he would signify that he was a "physician": and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 9:13

But go ye and learn what that meaneth ,.... צא ולמד , "go and learn", is a phrase used by the Jews F1 T. Bab. Succa, fol. 5. 1. & Sanhedrim, fol. 86. 1. Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. neg. 116. Vid. Maimon. Hilchot Melachim, c. 5. sect. 11. , when they are about to explain a passage of Scripture, and fetch an argument from the connection of the text. So the phrase τι εστιν , "what that is", or "what that meaneth", is Talmudic, as, מהי , "what is it?" מאי דכתיב , "what... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:12

They that be whole need not a physician - A common proverb, which none could either misunderstand or misapply. Of it the reader may make the following use: - Jesus Christ represents himself here as the sovereign Physician of souls. That all stand in need of his healing power. That men must acknowledge their spiritual maladies, and the need they have of his mercy, in order to be healed by him. 4. That it is the most inveterate and dangerous disease the soul can be afflicted with to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:13

I will have mercy, and not sacrifice - Quoted from 1 Samuel 15:22 . These are remarkable words. We may understand them as implying, 1st. That God prefers an act of mercy, shown to the necessitous, to any act of religious worship to which the person might be called at that time. Both are good; but the former is the greater good, and should be done in preference to the other. 2dly. That the whole sacrificial system was intended only to point out the infinite mercy of God to fallen man,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:12

Verse 12 12.Not they who are in health need a physician It is evident from Christ’s reply that the scribes erred in two ways: they did not take into account the office of Christ; and, while they spared their own vices, they proudly despised all others. This deserves our particular attention, for it is a disease which has been always very general. Hypocrites, being satisfied and intoxicated with a foolish confidence in their own righteousness, do not consider the purpose for which Christ was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:13

Verse 13 13.But rather go and learn He dismisses and orders them to depart, because he saw that they were obstinate and unwilling to learn. Or rather he explains to them, that they are contending with God and the Prophet, when, in pride and cruelty, they are offended at relief which is given to the wretched, and at medicine which is administered to the sick. This quotation is made from Hosea 6:6 : For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:1-17

At Capernaum. The choice of Capernaum as suitable centre justified by results. Rapid spread of our Lord's fame. Eager crowds gathering from far and near. Picture scene: Here, father carrying drooping child; there, little girl with blind father; camel bearing woman bowed with infirmity; sick of all kinds brought by friends; crowd ever increasing; silence broken only by occasional yell of a possessed one or moans of sufferers. Crowds waiting before daylight, but Jesus not there—gone to a... read more