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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

CHAPTER NINE:
KINGDOM PREACHING
AND CURES IN A GREAT HARVEST

Matthew 9:1-8 – Messiah Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic

|| Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26

MT9:1 Now boarding the boat Jesus crossed [Galilee] to his own town. 435

435	His own town: Capernaum (Matthew 4:13).

MT9:2 And, look! [people of his town] were approaching Jesus with a bed-ridden paralytic. When Jesus saw their faith 436 he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, you are released 437 from your sins.”

436	Their faith: That is, the faith of the parents.

437	Released: Or, forgiven. The Greek is APHIENTAI. WEY: pardoned.

MT9:3 Now, note, certain Scribes 438 said among themselves, “This fellow blasphemes!” 439

438	Scribes: TCNT: Teachers of the Law; BECK: Bible scholars.

439	Blasphemes: The Greek is BLASPHEMEI. RHM: speaketh profanely; WEY: impious; BAS: the man has no respect for God.

MT9:4 But, realizing what they were thinking 440 Jesus told them, “What evil you think in your hearts!

440	What they were thinking: Some believe Jesus could read minds. This need not be the case as a very sensitive and observant person may surmise their thinking.

MT9:5 For which is easier to say, 441 ‘You are released from your sins,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’?

441	Which is easier to say: Observe Jesus’ own faith.

MT9:6 But, so that you will realize the Son of Humankind has authority 442 on earth to release from sins” – then Jesus told the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed, and return to your home.”

442	Authority: If Jesus were God he would not need authority from another.

MT9:7 And the paralytic rose and returned to his home. MT9:8 When the crowds saw this they were awe-struck and began to glorify The God – the One who gave such authority 443 to humans.

443

One who gave such authority: Note the crowd realizes it is God who gave this authority to Jesus. Not only this but they say ANTHROPOIS, meaning “men” or “humans” – plural. In the parallels the Scribes add that “only God can forgive sins.” This is their own judgment, not the facts in the case. Even Jesus authorized his own apostles to “forgive sins.” (John 20:23) Jesus forgives sin because The God (HO THEOS) authorized him to do so.

Matthew 9:9-13 – Pharisees Accuse When Matthew Is Called

|| Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

MT9:9 Now leaving there Jesus saw a man called Matthew 444 sitting at the tax office, and Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew rose and followed 445 Jesus.

444	Matthew: The name means “Gift of Yah” and occurs 5 times in the Christian Bible (Matthew 9:9; 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of Matthew. He is also known as “Levi.” This occurs near the end of 30 or early 31 AD.

445	Matthew rose and followed: Consider the parallel accounts. Matthew leaves everything – stops right in the middle of his work and abandons his work. The later meal is evidently at Matthew’s house.

MT9:10 And when Jesus was staying in the house, look! many tax-collectors 446 and ‘sinners’ 447 came 448 and reclined [at table] with him and his disciples.

446	Tax-collectors: Called “publicans” by the KJV. NEB: tax-gatherers.

447	‘Sinners’: Perhaps in truth, but certainly from the view of the ‘religious.’ NEB: bad characters; TCNT: outcasts; PME: disreputable people; NOR: bad repute; GDSP: irreligious.

448	Many tax-collectors and ‘sinners’ came: Possibly guests invited by Matthew indicating his former associates.

MT9:11 When the Pharisees observed 449 this they said to Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher 450 eat with tax-collectors and ‘sinners’?”

449

Pharisees observed: Like spies they begin to probe for a fault in the Nazarene. A large feast, possibly in an open patio visible to others, which attracted the attention of others. Likely the news of Jesus visiting Matthew spread rapidly. The man had left his work and the tax office immediately and that must have created talk.

450	Teacher: Or, Master; Rabbi.

MT9:12 Hearing this Jesus told them, “The healthy 451 do not need a healer but those who are sick.

451	Healthy: Or, “strong.” KJV: whole; WEY: in good health.

MT9:13 Go and learn what this is, ‘I wish mercy and not a sacrifice.’ 452 [Hosea 6:6] For I came to invite, 453 not the righteous, but sinners.” 454

452	I wish mercy and not a sacrifice: A quote of Hosea 6:6 also occurring at Mark 12:7.

453	Invite: The Greek is KALESAI. KJV: call.

454	Sinners: The KJV adds “to repentance.” TCNT: outcasts; GDSP: irreligious. We can imagine for a moment the hearts of these well up at the thought – one face turning to another, eyes meeting eyes – with delight. Surely the level of murmuring rose.

Matthew 9:14-17 – The Bridegroom and Fasting

|| Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39

MT9:14 Then the disciples of John 455 [the Baptist] approached Jesus, asking, “Why, though we and the Pharisees fast, your disciples do not fast?” 456

455

Disciples of John: There is a clear difference between the disciples of the two Masters. John’s disciples view themselves as different from those of the Nazarene. Jesus had selected his disciples from among those baptized disciples of John the Baptist. This difference lasts for some years even into the Book of Acts (Acts chapters 18, 19).

456

Fast: Going without food for religious reasons. The first occurrence of the word “fasting” in the Bible is 1 Samuel 31:13 for a total of 30 times. Jesus does not condemn fasting, indeed, he gives counsel regarding proper fasting in Matthew 6:16. The prophets and teachers in Antioch fasted before making appointments (Acts 13:1, 2). The same fasting occurs before appointments in Acts 14:23.

MT9:15 Jesus told them, “The sons of the bride-chamber 457 cannot possible feel sad 458 while the bridegroom 459 is among them. But the days are coming when the ‘Bridegroom’ will depart 460 from them and then they will fast. 461

457	Sons of the bride-chamber: The literal phrase in Greek. It is variously rendered: KJV: children of the bride-chamber; TCNT: bridegroom’s friends; GDSP: wedding guests; BAS: friends of the newly married; NASB: attendants of the bride-groom.

458	Feel sad: Or, mourn. The bridegroom’s buddies mourn or feel sad their friend’s affections will now be divided and likely he will not be free to do some of the things he did before.

459	Bridegroom: The Greek is, interestingly, NYMPHIOS from which the English “nymph” is rooted. Yahweh was viewed as the Husband of Israel. Jesus becomes such to his Church who is likened to a bride (NYMPH) (Revelation 21:2).

460	Will depart: The Greek is APARTHE and related to EPERTHE of Acts 1:9, HARPAGESOUMETHA at 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and HERPASTHE at Revelation 12:5.

461	Then they will fast: Compare John 16:20.

MT9:16 “Nobody sews an unshrunk cloth patch on an old outer garment for the stretching garment will tear it and it becomes worse. MT9:17 Nor do they put new wine 462 into old wine-botas for the wine-botas will tear and burst 463 [Joshua 9:13; Job 32:19] and the wine is spilled and the wine-botas ruined. Rather, they put new wine into new and fresh wine-botas 464 and so both are preserved.”

462	New wine: Possibly the teachings of the Nazarene or a new relationship with God. Rather than use the old bota of Israel under the Law the Messiah uses a new bota, his Church to contain new doctrine and relationships. Remember the original context was fasting.

463	Wine-botas will tear and burst: The language may be an allusion to Joshua 9:13 and Job 32:19.

464	Wine-botas: Or, wine-skins. Compare Genesis 21:14, 15, 19; Joshua 9:13; Job 32:19.

Matthew 9:18-26 – On the Way to Raise a Ruler’s Daughter a Woman is Cured

|| Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

MT9:18 While Jesus was speaking these things, look! one of the rulers 465 approached him and prostrated himself by bowing to the ground, 466 telling Jesus, “My daughter has just died but come and touch her and she will live 467 [again].”

465	Rulers: The Greek is ARCHON and is variously rendered: NASB: synagogue official; TCNT: President of a Synagogue; RIEU: one of the elders; NJB: one of the officials.

466

Prostrated himself by bowing to the ground: The Greek is PROSEKUNEI which means to bow before and kiss the sandals or fringe of the garment. Though the KJV versions uses “worshipped” (which is much misunderstood) others render: MOF: knelt before; DIA: prostrated; NAS: bowed down; WMS: fell on his knees.

467	Will live: The Greek is ZESETAI (Compare Revelation 20:4).

MT9:19 And so Jesus rose and with his disciples he followed the ruler. MT9:20 And, look! a woman suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage 468 approached Jesus from behind touching the fringe of his outer-garment. 469

468

Hemorrhage: The Greek is HAIMORROUSA and is variously rendered: KIT: flux of blood; KJV: issue of blood; BECK: flow of blood. Such a thing made anyone who touched her ceremonially unclean. The other accounts relate how she had spent all her money on a cure and was only made worse by the doctors. This poor soul has suffered much for a long time.

469	Outer-garment: The Greek is HIMATIOU from which English gets “hem.” Her language indicates she must have bowed low to touch the fringe of his garment.

MT9:21 She had told herself, “If only I might just touch his outer-garment I shall be saved.” 470

470	Saved: The Greek is SOTHESOMAI and is also rendered: KJV: whole; RHM: made well; PME: I shall be all right.

MT9:22 But, turning Jesus saw her and said, “Courage, daughter, your faith has saved you.” And in that hour 471 the woman was saved.

471	That hour: Possibly it would have taken her awhile to note she was no longer bleeding. By then the Nazarene would have been gone into the house of the ruler.

MT9:23 Finally, Jesus came into the house of the ruler and when he saw the flutists and the crowd making an uproar, 472

472	Flutists and the crowd making an uproar: Possibly paid mourners to demonstrate the household’s grief.

MT9:24 he told them, “Everyone, go outside, for the little girl is not dead 473 but sleeping.” These people were disgusted 474 and laughed at Jesus.

473	Not dead: Perhaps not “clinically” or somatically dead.

474	People were disgusted: Or, laughing scornfully; BER: laughed derisively; LB: scoffed and sneered.

MT9:25 But, when the crowd was pushed outside Jesus took the hand of the little girl and she rose. MT9:26 Thus, Jesus’ fame 475 spread throughout the whole land. 476

475	Fame: The Greek is PHEME from which “fame” is rooted in English. It has been quite a day with more to come.

476	Land: The Greek is GEN meaning “earth” with a range of understandings revealed by the context.

Matthew 9:27-31 – Blind Men Healed

MT9:27 Traveling from there two blind men followed Jesus, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 477

477	Son of David: A recognition that Jesus is the Messiah. The designation occurs at Matthew 12:23; 15:22; 20:30, 31; 21:9, 15; Mark 10:47, 48; Luke 18:38, 39.

MT9:28 After entering the house the blind men approached Jesus who said to them, “Do you believe I am able to do this?” They said, “Yes, Master!” MT9:29 Then Jesus touched their eyes, saying, “Let it happen according to your own faith.” MT9:30 And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly charged them, “See to it that nobody learns of this.” 478

478	See to it that nobody learns of this: This must be subtle reverse psychology, for no matter the warnings of the Nazarene it has the opposite affect.

MT9:31 But when these left they made it public throughout that whole area.

Matthew 9:32-34 – Speechless Demoniac Healed

MT9:32 Now as some of the people were leaving, look! others approached Jesus with a demon-possessed 479 man who was mute.

479	Demon-possessed: Or, WEY: dumb demoniac; LAM: demented; KJV: possessed with a devil.

MT9:33 After the demon was exorcised the mute man spoke. 480 And the crowds were awe-struck, saying, “Never in Israel has such ever been seen.” 481

480	The mute man spoke: One can only wonder at his first words.

481	Seen: The Greek is EPHANE which is rooted in a lighted candle. It may be rendered: manifest, appeared, make visible.

MT9:34 However, the Pharisees said, “He exorcises demons by demonic power!” 482

482	By demonic power: The literal Greek is “in the ruler of the demons.” TCNT: by the help of the chief of the demons; PME: because he is in league with the devil himself; WEY: It is by the power of the Prince of the demons. The Pharisees begin to judge and slander Jesus.

Matthew 9:35-38 – A Preaching Tour in a Great Harvest

MT9:35 Then Jesus went around all the towns and villages, preaching in their synagogues 483 the good news 484 of the Kingdom, 485 curing every disease and malady.

483	Synagogues: Like Paul after him, Jesus uses the Jewish synagogue to spread his Gospel.

484	Good news: The Greek is EUANGELION which means “good angel” or “good message” and thus “Gospel” or Evangel. RHM: glad-message.

485

Of the Kingdom: The entire phrase, “the good news of the Kingdom,” occurs 6 times in the Christian Bible (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Luke 4:43; 8:1; Acts 8:12). This Gospel of the Kingdom may include the Father’s Kingdom but it may possibly be limited to that opportunity to enter the Realm of Profession, the Son’s kingdom (Matthew 13:41-43; Colossians 1:13).

MT9:36 But, observing the crowds Jesus felt sympathy 486 for them because they were torn and downtrodden 487 as if they were sheep without a shepherd.

486	Sympathy: The Greek is ESPLAGKHNISTHE and is rendered: KJV: compassion; WEY: pity; PME: deeply moved.

487

Torn and downtrodden: The Greek text of the KJV is slightly different than W&H and N&A. The whole phrase is also rendered: KJV: fainted, and were scattered; ASV: distressed and scattered; BER: mangled and thrown to the ground; WEY: distracted and dejected. The image of confused and frightened sheep, mistreated and abused, and abandoned by the shepherds is starkly clear.

MT9:37 Then Jesus told his disciples, “Surely, the harvest is huge, but the workers few. MT9:38 So, you disciples beg 488 the Master of the harvest 489 so that He might push 490 workers into His harvest.”

488	Beg: The word is rendered: KJV: pray; LAM: urge.

489	The Master of the harvest: The Greek is KURIOU and may be rendered “master.” LAM: owner. Jesus means his Father.

490	Push: The Greek is EKBALA and is related to the same word for casting out or exorcising demons. The word “send” seems to gentle for the meaning here. KIT: thrust out; RHM: thrust forth.