Matthew 9 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Matthew 9

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9:1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing¹ their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus² reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A Question About Fasting

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast,³ but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly⁴ the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Jesus Heals a Man Unable to Speak

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

The Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Footnotes

[1] 9:4 Some manuscripts perceiving
[2] 9:10 Greek he
[3] 9:14 Some manuscripts add much, or often
[4] 9:22 Greek from that hour

Commentary

v1-2: Jesus returns to Capernaum, His home town. Matthew quickly brings the incident to a climax, with Jesus declaring the man's sins to be forgiven. In contrast, Mark speaks of the crowd around the house (Mark 2.1-5).

How wonderful, that Jesus should forgive anyone, and that He should bring encouragement, "Take heart, son." Jesus greets the paralysed man, ‘take heart’ (be of good cheer); Christ saw an inner anxiety and spoke encouragement.

John Bunyan suggests that this was because he was aware of his deep, unseen, need of forgiveness; which Christ spoke to first. (Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ)

v3: The beginning of opposition to Christ; see v11, 34; 12.24, 38; 15.1-2; 16.1, etc. Only later is such opposition organised into a deliberate plan to destroy Him.

v4-6: Jesus' words expose the "evil thoughts" in their hearts, and demonstrate His own power to forgive sins, and to receive all who turn to Him.

v7: The man got up, healed without doubt.

v8: These chapters also mark a period of popularity for Jesus; there are "large crowds," and "many" people, although He did not seek attention for Himself, avoiding self-publicity (v30; 8.4), yet the Son of God cannot be easily hidden.

v9-11: The calling of Matthew is followed by a meal with Matthew's friends; this indicates Jesus' love for ordinary people.

Matthew, the tax-collector, one who oppressed the people. He was probably appointed directly by the provincial governor, but disliked by the common people.

v12-13: Jesus mixes with sinners, but does not share in their sins; He calls them to repentance. He also criticises the legalistic attitude of some; "go and learn what this means," He says to those who claimed to know the law.

v14-15: In contrast to the Pharisees, John's disciples bring a genuine question, as in 11.3. The Lord welcomes such honesty, and He honours the question in giving a clear response. Yet even here is a challenge to His followers, "then they will fast."

v16-17: It is in the matter of fasting that the Lord Jesus brings His teaching about new wine skins; this illustrates the new way of life He is introducing.

'They shall have time to fast when I am gone, and strength to fast when the Holy Spirit had come upon them.' (Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed)

v18-34: Jesus' power to heal, illustrating His work in many other lives; we are not to think that all His miracles are recorded. Each person needs Christ to act, being unable to help themselves; yet there is also the need to reach out to Him; such is the paradox of coming to Christ. We see that, although each incident is public, the Lord deals with each one individually.

Although the Lord is merciful, not demanding perfect motives, He does demand obedience as a response.

v18-19: See v23-26; this is one of those incidents into which a delay is built; see John 4.43-54, where Jesus heals the nobleman's son at Capernaum; John 11.17, where Lazarus had been dead for four days. We also see that Jairus has every confidence in Jesus' power to restore his daughter.

v20-22: The woman with the issue of blood; here is a serious, long term condition. She previously trusted in human solutions, see Mark 5.26. The picture is of a worldly person, seeking any religion, but finally driven to Christ.

v23-26: Although doubtless Jesus could heal anyone from any distance, as in 8.5-13, He chooses to attend the home. He treats each one as an individual. Here He finds mourners quickly driven to laughter, having no faith in Him, and even despising Him.

v27-31: Two blind men; they cry out to Jesus, again confident of His ability to help them. At the same time they are unwilling to obey His commands. The blessing of God is "according to your faith," such that they receive healing, but miss out on the greater blessing of knowing Christ. Faith to be healed is not the same as faith to be saved.

v32-34: The demon possessed man is delivered from Satan's power.

The Pharisees indicated their opposition by attributing to Christ the power of the devil. See 12.22-32, where Christ responds in more detail to this accusation.

v35-38: Jesus' ministry throughout Judea, moved by compassion, finding no problem too great, healing every disease and sickness. The religion of the day has little impact, leaving people as "sheep without a shepherd."

Chapter 10 describes this ministry continuing through the disciples. So, we may see that Jesus has been preparing the Twelve to follow in His steps. There is much to do, and they must look to God to provide sufficient workers. In the day of harvest there is a need for labourers.