Matthew9
English Standard Version
1 a his .
2 , some people to a , a . when , he to the , Take , my ; are .
3 , of the , man is .
4 , , , do you ?
5 , to , Your are , to , ?
6 you may the of to —he to the — , pick .
7 he and .
8 the it, they were , they , had to .
9 from , he a the , he to , . he and .
10 as the , , and were with .
11 when the this, they to , does ?
12 when he it, he , Those who are of a , those who .
13 this , I , . I the , .
14 the of to , , do the , do ?
15 to , the as long the ? will the is , they will .
16No a of an , the the , a is .
17 is . If , the the is the are . is , so are .
18While was these to , , in and before , , has , and , she will .
19 and , .
20 , a who had from a discharge of for him and the of ,
21 she , I , I will be made .
22 , he , Take , ; has . the was .
23 when the the the making a ,
24he , Go , the is . they at .
25 the had been , he went and by the , the .
26 the of .
27 as from , men , , Have on , of .
28 he , the men to , to , Do you I am to ? They to , , .
29 he , , to be it to .
30 were . , that no about it.
31 they and .
32 were going , , a who was was to .
33 when the had been , the . the , , was anything this .
34 the , He casts the of .
35 the , the of the .
36 he the , he had , they , a .
37 he to , is , the are ;
38 earnestly to the of the send .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jesus returns to Capernaum, and heals a paralytic. (1–8). Matthew called. (9). Matthew, or Levi's feast. (10–13). Objections of John's disciples. (14–17). Christ raises the daughter of Jairus, He heals the issue of blood. (18–26). He heals two blind men. (27–31). Christ casts out a dumb spirit. (32–34). He sends forth the apostles. (35–38).
vv1-8
The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned: but if we have the comfort of peace with God, with the comfort of recovery from sickness, this makes the healing a mercy indeed. This is no encouragement to sin. If thou bring thy sins to Jesus Christ, as thy malady and misery to be cured of, and delivered from, it is well; but to come with them, as thy darlings and delight, thinking still to retain them and receive him, is a gross mistake, a miserable delusion. The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought, is to separate our hearts from sin. Our Lord Jesus has perfect knowledge of all that we say within ourselves. There is a great deal of evil in sinful thoughts, which is very offensive to the Lord Jesus. Christ designed to show that his great errand to the world was, to save his people from their sins. He turned from disputing with the scribes, and spake healing to the sick man. Not only he had no more need to be carried upon his bed, but he had strength to carry it. God must be glorified in all the power that is given to do good.
v9
Matthew was in his calling, as the rest of those whom Christ called. As Satan comes with his temptations to the idle, so Christ comes with his calls to those who are employed. We are all naturally averse from thee, O God; do thou bid us to follow thee; draw us by thy powerful word, and we shall run after thee. Speak by the word of the Spirit to our hearts, the world cannot hold us down, Satan cannot stop our way, we shall arise and follow thee. A saving change is wrought in the soul, by Christ as the author, and his word as the means. Neither Matthew's place, nor his gains by it, could detain him, when Christ called him. He left it, and though we find the disciples, who were fishers, occasionally fishing again afterwards, we never more find Matthew at his sinful gain.
vv10-13
Some time after his call, Matthew sought to bring his old associates to hear Christ. He knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do, and would not despair concerning them. Those who are effectually brought to Christ, cannot but desire that others also may be brought to him. Those who suppose their souls to be without disease will not welcome the spiritual Physician. This was the case with the Pharisees; they despised Christ, because they thought themselves whole; but the poor publicans and sinners felt that they wanted instruction and amendment. It is easy, and too common, to put the worst constructions upon the best words and actions. It may justly be suspected that those have not the grace of God themselves, who are not pleased with others' obtaining it. Christ's conversing with sinners is here called mercy; for to promote the conversion of souls is the greatest act of mercy. The gospel call is a call to repentance; a call to us to change our minds, and to change our ways. If the children of men had not been sinners, there had been no need for Christ to come among them. Let us examine whether we have found out our sickness, and have learned to follow the directions of our great Physician.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμβαίνω (embaínō): to walk on, i.e. embark (aboard a vessel), reach (a pool)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πλοῖον (ploîon): a sailer, i.e. vessel
διαπεράω (diaperáō): to cross entirely
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἴδιος (ídios): pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate
πόλις (pólis): a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
ἰδού (idoú): used as imperative lo!;
προσφέρω (prosphérō): to bear towards, i.e. lead to, tender (especially to God), treat
Cross References
Matthew 9Directly quoted by Jesus to rebuke the Pharisees' formalistic objections to His table fellowship.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel account of Matthew's (Levi's) call and subsequent dinner with tax collectors.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects Jesus' bridegroom metaphor with John the Baptist's witness of himself as the bridegroom's friend.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies Capernaum as Jesus' 'own city' where He took up residence after leaving Nazareth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel discussion of fasting and the metaphors of new/old garments and wineskins.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Messianic prophecy fulfilled by Jesus opening the eyes of the blind in this passage.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel blasphemous accusation by the Pharisees attributing Christ's exorcisms to Beelzebub.
Supported by John Calvin
Old Testament source for Moses' prayer that the congregation be not as sheep without a shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Demonstrates Jesus' divine attribute of knowing the inward thoughts of men's hearts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes Christ's mission statement that He came specifically to seek and save lost sinners.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the literal 'old bottles' (cracked wineskins) mentioned in Jesus' parable.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the belief and healing associated with touching the hem of Jesus' garment.
Supported by JFB
Jesus uses the same euphemism of sleep for death prior to raising Lazarus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identical saying of Jesus concerning the plentiful harvest and scarcity of laborers.
Supported by JFB
Elijah's raising of the widow's son, prefiguring Christ's authority over death.
Supported by John Calvin