9:1-8. THE PALSY.
1,2-. Palsied man brought.
-2. Forgiveness declared.
3. Scribes. Evil thought entertained.
4. Scribes. Evil thoughts challenged.
5,6. Forgiveness. Power claimed.
7,8. Palsied man healed.
Matthew 9:1 And He entered into a ship,
(The one already mentioned in ch.8)
and passed over, and came into His own city.
(Remember, Jesus and His disciples had just arrived from the other side, He healed two men of evil spirits and the spirits went into the swine, and killed themselves. The people came out from the town near by and demanded that He leave. So they entered back into the ship, and went back to another side of the sea. He went to the city of Capernaum, and in the Hebrew, it means the city of Consolation.)
2 And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."
(The miracle that was done here was that the sins of the man with palsy were forgiven by the Son of God. However for those non-believer it was just so many words. These scribes were the elite of the church, and they were upset by this.)
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes
(I.e. Kenites)
said within themselves, "This man blasphemeth."
(These scribes said that Jesus blasphemes because He forgave sins; and this would show that they looked on Jesus as just another man.
So as they are thinking their thought, we are seeing another miracle, that of Jesus reading their minds. Now as Jesus sees what they are thinking He says to them:)
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, 'Thy sins be forgiven thee;' or to say, 'Arise, and walk?'
(He is about to present His credentials to these scribes, and Jesus does it with a question. For in both cases it would take the act of God, to forgive sins, or to heal the man of palsy. It is as easy to say one as to say the other, and Jesus has called their attention to this fact.
There is a deeper level to this spiritually. Thy sins forgiven the means your soul shall live forever in a perfect body. The healing will affect only the physical, for there will be no one handicapped in the spiritual body. Jesus words had to have impressed them.)
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."
(This documents form Jesus mouth just who "the Son of Man" is. He is the Living God walking on earth. Jesus then turns from the scribes to the sick man on the cot, and said; "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house". This is the real test. Christ told him first thy sins are forgiven thee, and now, He healed the man with palsy.
The man will either get up and walk, of Christ is going to be embarrassed, and called a fake.)
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
(The sick mans muscles had deteriorated to the point where there was no strength left in them; yet instantly his body was restored, and he got up and walked with full strength.
This was a powerful thing that Jesus did before the scribes as a witness to His deity.)
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
(The only credential of a true man of God, is in his ability to carry out what he says He will do. If you state your a healing pastor, are the sick healed; if you are a teaching pastor is what you are saying backed up from the word of God, or just so many words. The traditions of men label a man's ministry, while the man filled with the Holy Spirit of God has the insight to read and tell others what God's word says with clarity and understanding. He rightly divides the Word of God, which means he applies the message to the right time period, and knows where and how the verse fits into the entire plan of God.
Whatever gifts that you use, you must first obtain them from the Holy Spirit of God, and when He gives you the gift, He will also provide the direction and the opportunity for your use of that gift. However, education is very useful for it provides for your provision and getting along in the world, and understanding just how the wicked ones work.)
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, "Follow me." And he arose, and followed Him.
(Matthew was considered an enemy of the people by occupation, collecting taxes for Rome. When the Holy Spirit of God speaks to you through His Word, and commands that you change what you are doing, and set a new course for life, are you willing? You say, I am a Christian. I believe and am committed, but are you willing to make a definite change when you are convicted to do so.
Christ is the living Word, and when He speaks to you through the Scriptures it is still the same, follow Me. Some of you have a destiny from God, and you have felt it since you were a child. When the traditions of men are taught, you know that it isn't right, you know that there is a purpose that God has put you on this earth for, yet you can't quite put your hand on in. That insight will come to you by the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. One works with and supports the other. The word of God is powerful, and will convict if you just allow it to.)
9:10-17. TESTIMONY. TWO QUESTIONS.
10,11. Question of Pharisees to His disciples.
12. Proverb. Answer. 13. Application. " 14. Question of John's disciples to Him. 15. Proverb. Answer. 16,17. Application. "
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house,
(I.e. Matthew's house)
behold, many publicans and sinners
(Especially in a religious sense. Common people)
came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
Doctrinally, they held that the oral law was necessary to complete and explain the written law; hence, the strong denunciations of the Lord. Moreover, they held the natural immortality of man; and, JOSEPHUS says the transmigration of souls.
[The ESSENES cultivated an intensified form of Pharisaism.]
2. The word SADDUCEE is the Greek form of the Heb. zaddukim, which is derived form one Zadok, said to be the founder of the sect, who was a disciple of ANTIGONUS of SOCOH (200-170 B.C.). They were the aristocratic and conservative party politically; and, doctrinally (generally speaking) they negatived the teaching of the Pharisees, even denying the doctrine of the resurrection.
Neither of these sects had any existence, as such, till the return from Babylon.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"
(Remember that these disciples are all new followers of Jesus, and these Pharisees know that you can destroy the ministry by attacking the followers. It sort of sounds like the super church-houses of today, and how they attack anyone that doesn't follow their traditions.)
12 But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
(Jesus is telling these Pharisees that He is Messiah, and the reason that He came to the earth is to heal the sick, both physically and spiritually)
13 But
(This is the application. Hos.6:6 is quoted with evident reference to Hos. 6:1; 5:13 and 7:1)
go ye
(To your teachers)
and learn what that meaneth,
(Teach sinners what they should repent for)
I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
(The righteous here are the self-righteous, and they are Hypocrites.
Jesus told them to "go find it", go to the book of Hosea, and try to understand what it is saying. They won't, for they are "the troop of robbers" that are stripping the house of God clean of the truth of God's plan.)
14 Then came to Him the disciples of John, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft,
(Cp. Luke 18:12)
but thy disciples fast not?"
(These disciples are the followers of John the Baptist)
15 And Jesus said unto them, "Can the 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.
(Jesus is referring to His death soon. The fast will come shortly, but not while the wedding is going on. The time for Christ's disciples fast will be at His crucifixion, when the Groom is taken from them. Christ is still with them and teaching them at this time.)
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth
(I.e. undressed. In this condition it is less supple and will tear away)
unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up
(I.e. the patch put on)
taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
(When you have a old pair of pants on, that you really like to wear; it is real comfortable. Then when you wear a hole in it in the knees, you repair it with new material, and new thread. When it come time to wash it again, and the soap and hot water works on the old fabric, the new fabric shrinks right up, and yet the old is so well worn, that it stays the same. When you put the pants on to wear it again, you have puckered knees that stick out like a sore thumb.
Jesus is comparing the repair job on the garment to the self-righteous man that is so deep in traditions of men, that when they hear the real truth of God Word, the "new fresh garment material", and apply that word to their old traditions, it causes them to squirm and pucker up. If it sounds to vulgar for God's Word, maybe your to self-righteous for God. Are you to steeped in your traditions, to hear and understand God's plan?)
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved."
(When the juices are green and fermenting, it builds up quite a pressure. Understand here that in the original text, "Bottle" is "wine skin"; it is not glass, but an animal skin. A new animal skin stretches, when it is green and pliable. The old wine skin is stretched to the limit, and is fixed to the point that it is solid. Jesus is telling these people that if you put new wine in an old wine skin there is no give to it, and it will burst.
When you put the real truth into an old fixed in traditions church, that is just what will happen to them. They are so fixed in their minds that they just can't handle the truth of God's Word. Jesus is talking about the righteous scribes, and ministers, and lay persons that are set in their traditions and doctrines, and they just can't give when the truth enters their midst. However the sinner, and publicans can give, they are hearing the new wine that is the Word, and when they hear they can and will give, and become pliable to what God wants them to do.
The "new Wine" is the teachings of God's Word that Jesus is giving, and those teachings will split that old church house wide open. In most church houses in the world today, should Jesus walk into their midst and go to the pulpit, they would be harder to convince then these old self-righteous scribes and Pharisees were to convince. If He was to teach the real truth, today's churchmen would throw Christ out, or it would split that church wide open. They are not pliable to the word of God. Christ's teachings are powerful, when activated by the Spirit of the Living God.
Try to understand the teachings of Christ in the simplicity that He taught them. For it is only through those teachings of Christ that you can apply them to your life, to have it a value to you. And through them, you can find peace of mind.)
9:18-26. TWO WOMEN.
18,19. The Ruler's daughter.
20,21. The Woman's faith. Exercised.
22. The Woman's faith. Rewarded.
23-26. The Ruler's daughter. Raised.
18 While He spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler,
(Not the same miracle as that in Mark 5:22, and Luke 8:41)
and worshipped him, saying, "My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
(Especially to live again in resurrection.)
Discrepancies, so called, are manufactured when similar miracles are regarded as identical. One such example is seen in the case of the two demoniacs of Matt. 8:28 and the one demoniac of Mark 5:1-20. (See note on Matt. 8:28).
Another is that of the two storms on the lake of Matt. 8:24 (Mark 4:37-41) and Luke 8:22-25.
Another is that of the lepers of Matt. 8:2 (Mark 1:40) and Luke 5:12. See the notes
Why should not words be repeated at different times and under other circumstances? And as there were many people suffering in various places from similar diseases, why should we not expect to find similar miracles?
Why assume that two miracles, which are apparently alike in general character, are identical, and then talk about the two accounts being contradictory?
Two examples are furnished, not only in the case of two separate miracles, but in the case of pairs of double miracles.
1. There were two females raised from the dead. The first (Matt. 9:18) was to korasion (a little girl), whose father was probably a civil magistrate (archon). She died before her father started to see the Lord, and so no messengers were dispatched with the news.
The second (Mark 5:22. Luke 8:41) was to paidion, a girl of about twelve years (see Ap. 108. v), whose father was one of the rulers of the Synagogue (archisunagogos), by name Jairus. She was not dead. No mourning had commenced, but as the Lord approaches news of her death was brought.
Other antecedents and consequents of time and place and circumstances are all different.
2. There were two women suffering from the same disease. And why not? It is not surprising that there were two, but surprising there were not more -- as probably there were among the many unrecorded. (Matt. 14:36. Mark 3:10; 6:56. Luke 6:19).
The first (Matt. 9:20) was evidently watching her opportunity, and had probably heard the report of the Lord's "touch". She came behind Him; and there is no mention of a crowd as in the case of the other woman. The first spoke "within herself" of what she would do; the second had spoken to her friends.
The Lord saw the first woman, and spoke before the healing was effected. He did not see the second, and inquired after the healing was accomplished.
In the first the disciples said nothing, but in the second, they reasoned with the Lord as to the crowds.
In the first there is no mention of physicians or of spiritual blessing received. In the second case, both are mentioned.
It appears, therefore, that in these cases we have two pairs of double miracles, with differences so great that they cannot be combined and treated as being identical.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 And, behold, a woman,
(Not the same miracle as in Mark 5:25. and Luke 8:43.)
which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment:
(The tassel at 1 of the 4 corners, to touch was a mark of profound respect. Cp. Num. 15:37-41.
There is a more in-depth lesson to this, the number 12 is symbolic of the "House of Israel". The House of Judah knows who they are, but Israel in large part is asleep. God is speaking to Israel that is dead spiritually.)
21 For she said within herself, "If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole."
(This again is faith. If you want your prayers answered, you have to have that same faith, and know beyond any doubt that your request will come to pass. There can be no doubt in you. If it is His will you will be healed, or you prayer answered, and it will be according to God's will.
When the man with palsy sought healing, God forgave his sins first, and that was truly the greatest miracle. For only Christ can forgive sins. When you are dealing with faith, the forgiving of your sins are greater then the healing of the physical body. This woman knew absolutely that she would be healed, even before she touched Jesus garment, she had the faith.
Don't waste your time in prayer if you have doubts before you pray.)
22 But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole." And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
(Now we are back at the house of the ruler, with the dead twelve year old daughter, and the house was filled with the people preparing the body, and the mourners for family and friends. These were the professionals mourners, that hired out to do their act, in most cases.)
24 He said unto them, "Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." And they laughed him to scorn.
(This is just as we see that Israel [Christians] are doing today. They are going through with their ceremonial act, and when a teacher of God's word speaks to them, they give out the same laugh and scorning, if it differs from their dead traditions.
Remember in Ezekiel 37, where Ezekiel is told to go and prophecy against that whole valley of dry, dead and disconnected bones of the whole House of Israel. The meaning was that they were spiritually dead. Even today, Israel is dead and she just doesn't know it, they are just like this twelve year old girl. They sit Sunday after Sunday, and suck up the small dribble of milk from their pastor, and expect that to satisfy their spiritual needs all week. Physically it just wouldn't keep them alive, and that is why they also are spiritually dead.
Friend if you expect God to bless your life, it is time that you get into all of God's Word, and except the whole Word as the complete plan of God, and start paying attention to what is going on around us, before it is to late for you. Make your spiritual life as important as your physical life, and feed both alike.)
25 But when the people were put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
(When Jesus made the point, in a stern voice, they all went. Jesus then went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up. In Luke 8:55 it states; "And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and He commanded to give her meat." When the girl came to life, Jesus told them to give the girl food that she can live by, meat and not milk.
When we have Christ come into ones heart, that mind becomes hungry, and they need to be feed from the Word of God. They need meat to sustain themselves, and not the dribble of milk spattered out from most pulpits of today. To understand the full Word of God brings comfort and peace of mind.)
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
9:27-31. TWO BLIND MEN.
27. Blind men. Their prayer.
28-30-. The Lord. Compliance.
-30. The Lord. Command.
31. Blind men. Their disobedience.
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, "Thou son of David, have mercy on us."
(Mercy is the unmerited favor by God, to undeserving man. These two men knew of the Messiah that was prophesied to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, and they knew that this Jesus was He. They had no doubt.
Spiritually what is this telling us? Two stands for witness in the Scriptures, and it is required that two witnesses voice out, for words to be accepted. Here the two blind men both are assured of who Jesus Christ is, and they sound off, "Thou Son of David have mercy on us."
This miracle follows the raising of the girl, and here you also have the "key to David", so you can see that what Christ was really talking about, is that Israel is not not only dead, but is blind. They don't have eyes to see.)
28 And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" They said unto Him, "Yea, Lord."
(At the end of your prayer, if Christ appeared to you and asked you, do you really think I will do that for you? What would your response be? A firm, Yea Lord!, or mush flowing in garble out of your mouth. A weak, If you think you can Lord?"
When you pray be absolute and positive, that is the faith that is required of the Lord.) 29 Then touched He their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it unto you."
(The eye is the mirror of the soul, and most souls are dead.
This is a proposition, friend, and the proposition is that if you believe when you are asking, it shall be done. But if your playing around, your wasting your time. Christianity is not a religion, but it is a reality. It is real, and when you accept it as real, it becomes your way of life. If it is a game to you, then it become just another chance in your life; and the odds are stacked against you.
If you are pretending playing church, it is blasphemy to God, especially if it carries Christ's name.)
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, "See that no man know it."
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country.
(You can just see these two joyful souls running around the town sounding out the good news. Jesus Christ can still heal the blind today, and heal the sick, and when He does it, it allows you to give those around you an example that God still honor's faith.)
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, "It was never so seen in Israel."
(Take the in depth meaning here, get the devil out of your system. Get the devil out of your churches, and including those Scripture lawyers that twist the Scriptures on every corner, to fit their own purposes. You know; the pass the plate religion.
Friend, it is time to get down to the depth of the true meaning of God's Word, and learn to live in peace. When you open your mouth, let it be the truth, speaking for the true Christ, instead of tradition.)
34 But the Pharisees said, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
(Satan had his influence on earth all the time, even in the heritage of the Pharisees doing the talking. Yet this had never been done before by anyone. Satan is the weaker one when he comes agains anyone of God's elect, for they know the power of God that we have in His Holy Spirit, when we claim the name of Jesus.)
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted,
(All the texts read "were harassed")
and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
(He saw that they were like a bunch of lost sheep heading in all directions, with no one to lead them. The Pharisees had taken the priesthood and this mob of people was getting fed by these Kenites very little of God's Word, and a whole lot of tradition. They were fed just enough to keep the fund rolling into the offering plate. And if you notice that when Jesus is challenged, it is almost always from this same band of leaders.
Not much has changed from the time of Christ, for we have the same small band of Pharisees today, those Kenites with their liberal minds, that stand for everything but what the Word of God teaches.)
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
(There is no difference today then it was in Jesus day. The masses of the people of Israel are still spiritually dead, and the harvest is truly plenteous. There is a time coming very shortly when you will either know the truth, or God will cause you to be blind for the truth. The signs of the end times are becoming history on a daily basis, and Christians go right on like they have all the time in the world.
God is looking for the laborers today, just as He was in Christ's day, and there is just as much a shortage.)
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."
(We are to pray that people will wake up and become the laborers to go forth and give out the true Word of God to the spiritually blind masses.)