3. THE LIBERTY OF THE GOSPEL AS SHOWN BY CHRIST 'S TREATMENT OF THE OUTCAST , AND HIS ANSWER TO THOSE WHO INSISTED ON FASTING . (cf. Matthew 8:1-34 . l, note.) Observe in this section the signs of opposition read more
St. Matthew. I. HIS CALL . 1 . His occupation. He was a publican, a tax-gatherer. The whole class was hated by the Jews as symbols and instruments of a foreign rule; they returned the hatred and contempt with which they were regarded; they exacted more than was appointed them; they were guilty, most of them perhaps, of oppression, of fraud, of unjust accusation. But if all were hated, Hebrew publicans must have been looked upon with an especial hatred. They had sold themselves for... read more
And it came to pass, as Jesus ( he , Revised Version) sat at meat; "Gr. reclined : and so always"; of. Matthew 26:20 . In the house; Luke, "And Levi made him a great feast in his house." Whether or not this was the same as the τελώνιον , we have no means of knowing, but presumably it was not. Behold, many publicans ( Matthew 5:46 , note) and sinners . The second term seems to include all who openly impugned or neglected the Law. It is, therefore, sometimes... read more
The feast with publicans and sinners , and Christ ' s apology. Parallel passages: Mark 2:15-17 ; Luke 5:29-32 . All three evangelists give the essential features of the section, but Mark and Luke show more clearly that the feast was in the house of the new disciple, and Matthew alone gives the reference to Hosea. read more
Jesus the Friend of sinners. The incident here recorded follows on the call of Matthew the publican. Our Lord had just appointed a member of an order usually regarded as hopelessly reprobate to be one of his apostles. It was natural that the publican's old associates should recognize this breaking down of old barriers, and flock to the feast which Matthew provided to welcome and honour his new Friend. I. THE FACT . Jesus did eat and drink with men of questionable occupation, and even... read more
The model readiness of mercy. Learn that— I. THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACES AND THE MOST UNUSUAL TIMES ARE , ACCORDING TO THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST , TO BE UTILIZED FOR THE SEEKING AND CONVERTING OF THE MOST UNUSUAL CHARACTERS , AND THOSE WHO MAY BE APPARENTLY OF THE MOST HOPELESS KIND . II. THAT BY THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST NO LIMIT MUST BE SET TO THE CONDESCENSION — WHENEVER EVEN IT ... read more
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
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
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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 9:9-13
The sinner's Friend. In the paragraph preceding we have notable examples of the heart-searching powers of Jesus. These powers he manifested again, when, in going forth, he saw Matthew at the receipt of custom, and called him. The sequel proved the wisdom of his election. I. JESUS , IN HIS CONDUCT , SHOWED HIMSELF THE SINNER 'S FRIEND . 1 . He called a publican into his discipleship. 2 . He ate with publicans and sinners. 3 . He encourages his disciples... read more