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Matthew 9

1And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city.

2And 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 are forgiven.

1And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

2And, 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.

Commentary · verses 1-2

A man with palsy was brought to Jesus and Jesus told him his sins were forgiven.

3And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

Commentary · verse 3

Certain scribes thought within themselves that Jesus was blaspheming.

4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Commentary · verse 4

Jesus knew their thoughts and asked why they thought evil in their hearts.

5For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

5For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6But 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.

Commentary · verses 5-6

The reason Jesus gave for doing this miracle was so that the scribes would know Jesus had power on earth to forgive sins. Jesus again made a statement of the will with the subject being the object of the healing.

7And he arose, and departed to his house.

8But when the multitudes saw it, they were afraid, and glorified God, who had given such authority unto men.

7And he arose, and departed to his house.

8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Commentary · verses 7-8

The man with palsy was healed and the multitudes glorified God.

9And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

9And 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.

Commentary · verse 9

Jesus found Matthew, the tax collector. Notice, this Gospel Account was Matthew's. That would make the chronology of the previous events in this Gospel Account secondhand.

10And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

10And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Commentary · verse 10

Jesus ate with Matthew and many publicans and sinners. The tax collector handled Roman money, which had an image of Caesar on it. This caused the Pharisees to declare tax collectors unclean because they participated in "idolatry."

11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners?

11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Commentary · verse 11

The Pharisees questioned Jesus' disciples as to why Jesus was eating with sinners.

12But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.

13But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice: for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

12But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Jesus responded by saying He came to heal the sick and to call sinners to repentance. Jesus also gave them a verse to study: Hosea 6:6. Jesus was showing the Pharisees that He was following the scriptures.

Doctrines on this passage

14Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

15And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast.

14Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

15And 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.

Commentary · verses 14-15

Jesus called Himself the "bridegroom." Jesus was pointing towards eternity and the Doctrine of Marriage. The phrase: "sons of the bridechamber" represented the people who would be present in the bridechamber where the Marriage Covenant was completed. Jesus is the Groom. Believers, together as the Church, are the Bride. The huppah is the bridechamber, the place where Covenantal sexual intercourse occurs to complete the Marriage Covenant.

Doctrines on this passage

16And no man putteth a piece of undressed cloth upon an old garment; for that which should fill it up taketh from the garment, and a worse rent is made.

17Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins: else the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins perish: but they put new wine into fresh wine-skins, and both are preserved.

16No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

17Neither 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.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Jesus could have been quoting Job 32:19. The point was that Jesus was widening Doctrine. The old wineskins were the people who contained the Doctrine of the Dispensation of the Law. The new wineskins were the people who contained the widened Doctrine of the Dispensation of Grace via the Holy Spirit.

18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

18While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

19And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Commentary · verses 18-19

Jesus went with a "ruler" to raise his daughter from the dead.

20And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment:

20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

Commentary · verse 20

On the way to the ruler's house, a diseased woman touched the border of Jesus' garment. The border of this garment was the "wings" of the garment. In the wings of the Messiah's garment there would be healing. This was stated in Malachi 4:2.

21for she said within herself, If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole.

21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Commentary · verse 21

She had faith that touching His garment would heal her because she believed Jesus was the Messiah.

22But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

22But 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.

Commentary · verse 22

Jesus told her that her faith made her whole. Jesus was always open to healing people, even when He was not conscious someone wanted healing.

23And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24he said, Give place: for the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

23And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

24He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Commentary · verses 23-24

They arrived at the place of the dead girl and Jesus said she was only asleep. The crowd laughed Jesus to scorn, they did not have faith. Jesus may have made this statement to protect the ruler of the synagogue, that is, the crowd could say that she hadn't been dead but was actually sleeping.

25But when the crowd was put forth, he entered in, and took her by the hand; and the damsel arose.

25But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Commentary · verse 25

Jesus put the people who lacked faith away from the girl. Then Jesus caused the girl to arise.

26And the fame hereof went forth into all that land.

26And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Commentary · verse 26

Jesus' fame spread again.

27And as Jesus passed by from thence, two blind men followed him, crying out, and saying, Have mercy on us, thou son of David.

27And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Commentary · verse 27

These two men were confessing Jesus as the Messiah.

28And 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 say unto him, Yea, Lord.

28And 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.

Commentary · verse 28

Jesus confirmed they had faith.

29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you.

30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus strictly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

29Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

Commentary · verses 29-30

Jesus healed two blind men with a statement that made the object of the healing the subject of the statement.

31But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land.

32And as they went forth, behold, there was brought to him a dumb man possessed with a demon.

33And when the demon was cast out, the dumb man spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

34But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.

31But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

32As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

33And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

34But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

Commentary · verses 31-34

Jesus cast out demons and was accused of casting out demons by the "prince of demons." This was a contradiction.

35And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

35And 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.

Commentary · verse 35

Take a moment and realize everything this verse stated: Jesus healed all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. The KJV used the word "every" in place of "all." Summary: Jesus had done every possible miraculous healing He could have done for these people.

36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Commentary · verse 36

Jesus was moved with compassion because the people were faint and scattered "as sheep not having a shepherd." Compassion is an action, compassion is shown.

Key words in this passage:

  • "distressed" ("fainted" in the KJV) was Strong's #1590 eklyo – "to loose, unloose, to set free." The etymology of this word pointed towards: "to stop covenant, to stop agreement, to disassemble." We can see these people were loose from each other. The people were essentially individuals without any connection to each other which prevented agreement and prevented being in one accord.
  • "scattered" ("scattered abroad" in the KJV) was Strong's #4496 rhipto – "to cast down, throw." Again, the etymology of this word pointed towards: "harassed in thought, mental dejection, thrown in different directions affecting the ability to focus and concentrate." The people had a bad thought process.

The people were physically healed, however, they weren't connected to each other (they were individuals) and they had a bad thought process. This brings up an uncomfortable conclusion:

God and Jesus are unable to miraculously heal a person's thought process or cause people to be in unity.

For the moment, realize Jesus had miraculously healed these people of every physical ailment, yet the people still had a bad thought process and were not in agreement.

Now we can see what Jesus meant when He said they were like sheep without a shepherd. What ought a shepherd/pastor do? Two requirements:

  1. Help people have a good thought process.

  2. Help people come into agreement through Fellowship.

37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Commentary · verse 37

Jesus said to His Disciples that the harvest was plenteous. Again, a harvest only occurs once there is something to reap. This again pointed to these people being Believers. If these people weren't Believers, they would be "seeds." Many people interpret the word "laborers" as being evangelists. Evangelists are needed to reach Unbelievers. This passage was not speaking about evangelists. Besides, there are plenty of evangelists today and still we don't see the church coming into more agreement through Fellowship. Jesus said the harvest was plenteous, but the laborers were few.

Jesus needed laborers, and this verse came immediately after He stated these people were sheep without a shepherd because they had a bad thought process and were not in agreement. This meant the job of the laborers was:

  1. Help people have a good thought process.

  2. Help people come into agreement through Fellowship.

Jesus needed laborers for two reasons:

  1. This was not something He could miraculously accomplish.

  2. This was something that was going to take daily work. Repairing thought processes and building agreement are both attributes that take work every day.

Another key word in this passage:

  • "laborer" was Strong's #2040 ergates – "a workman, a laborer." Again, the etymology pointed to this being the same word as was translated as "workman" in 2 Timothy 2:15 – "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth."

"laborer/workman" meant "to toil with works of words as a teacher." Jesus needs people who daily toil with works of words as a teacher in order to improve the thought processes of Believers and help the church come into agreement through Fellowship.

38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Commentary · verse 38

Jesus told His Disciples to pray that God would send forth these laborers/workmen into His harvest. Again, not only did this speak about Believers, but Jesus Himself stated that prayer was needed to fulfill this need! If this was something that Jesus could miraculously do, then He would not have us do it, let alone tell us to pray for these people to be sent forth.

Notice, Jesus told the Disciples to pray that God sends forth laborers/workmen. Jesus Himself was not only for these laborers/workmen, He told his followers to pray for more of these people. If a person were against people who fix thought processes and help believers have fellowship, that person would be opposing God and His harvest!

Matthew 7-9 covered Jesus completing His direct teaching through principles in Matthew 7. In the subsequent chapters, Jesus performed spiritual warfare on demons, the weather, and through healing people. His fame grew.

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