14 Then G5119 came G4334 to him G846 the disciples G3101 of John, G2491 saying, G3004 Why G1302 do we G2249 and G2532 the Pharisees G5330 fast G3522 oft, G4183 but G1161 thy G4675 disciples G3101 fast G3522 not? G3756
And G2532 the disciples G3101 of John G2491 and G2532 of the Pharisees G5330 used G2258 to fast: G3522 and G2532 they come G2064 and G2532 say G3004 unto him, G846 Why G1302 do G3522 the disciples G3101 of John G2491 and G2532 of the Pharisees G5330 fast, G3522 but G1161 thy G4674 disciples G3101 fast G3522 not? G3756 And G2532 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 G3361 Can G1410 the children G5207 of the bridechamber G3567 fast, G3522 while G1722 G3739 the bridegroom G3566 is G2076 with G3326 them? G846 as long as G3745 G5550 they have G2192 the bridegroom G3566 with G3326 them, G1438 they cannot G3756 G1410 fast. G3522 But G1161 the days G2250 will come, G2064 when G3752 the bridegroom G3566 shall be taken away G522 from G575 them, G846 and G2532 then G5119 shall they fast G3522 in G1722 those G1565 days. G2250 No man G3762 also G2532 seweth G1976 a piece G1915 of new G46 cloth G4470 on G1909 an old G3820 garment: G2440 else G1490 the new piece G2537 that filled it up G4138 taketh away G142 from G846 the old, G3820 and G2532 the rent G4978 is made G1096 worse. G5501 And G2532 no man G3762 putteth G906 new G3501 wine G3631 into G1519 old G3820 bottles: G779 else G1490 the new G3501 wine G3631 doth burst G4486 the bottles, G779 and G2532 the wine G3631 is spilled, G1632 and G2532 the bottles G779 will be marred: G622 but G235 new G3501 wine G3631 must be put G992 into G1519 new G2537 bottles. G779
For G1063 John G2491 came G2064 neither G3383 eating G2068 nor G3383 drinking, G4095 and G2532 they say, G3004 He hath G2192 a devil. G1140 The Son G5207 of man G444 came G2064 eating G2068 and G2532 drinking, G4095 and G2532 they say, G3004 Behold G2400 a man G444 gluttonous, G5314 and G2532 a winebibber, G3630 a friend G5384 of publicans G5057 and G2532 sinners. G268 But G2532 wisdom G4678 is justified G1344 of G575 her G846 children. G5043
And G1161 they said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Why G1302 do G3522 the disciples G3101 of John G2491 fast G3522 often, G4437 and G2532 make G4160 prayers, G1162 and G2532 likewise G3668 the disciples G3588 of the Pharisees; G5330 but G1161 thine G4674 eat G2068 and G2532 drink? G4095 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 G3361 Can ye G1410 make G4160 the children G5207 of the bridechamber G3567 fast, G3522 while G3739 G1722 the bridegroom G3566 is G2076 with G3326 them? G846 But G1161 the days G2250 will come, G2064 when G3752 G2532 the bridegroom G3566 shall be taken away G522 from G575 them, G846 and then G5119 shall they fast G3522 in G1722 those G1565 days. G2250 And G1161 he spake G3004 also G2532 a parable G3850 unto G4314 them; G846 G3754 No man G3762 putteth G1911 a piece G1915 of a new G2537 garment G2440 upon G1909 an old; G2440 G3820 if otherwise, then G1490 both G2532 the new G2537 maketh a rent, G4977 and G2532 the piece G1915 that was taken out of G575 the new G2537 agreeth G4856 not G3756 with the old. G3820 And G2532 no man G3762 putteth G906 new G3501 wine G3631 into G1519 old G3820 bottles; G779 else G1490 the new G3501 wine G3631 will burst G4486 the bottles, G779 and G2532 G846 be spilled, G1632 and G2532 the bottles G779 shall perish. G622 But G235 new G3501 wine G3631 must be put G992 into G1519 new G2537 bottles; G779 and G2532 both G297 are preserved. G4933 No man G3762 also G2532 having drunk G4095 old G3820 wine straightway G2112 desireth G2309 new: G3501 for G1063 he saith, G3004 The old G3820 is G2076 better. G5543
And G1161 he spake G2036 G2532 this G5026 parable G3850 unto G4314 certain G5100 which G3588 trusted G3982 in G1909 themselves G1438 that G3754 they were G1526 righteous, G1342 and G2532 despised G1848 others: G3062 Two G1417 men G444 went up G305 into G1519 the temple G2411 to pray; G4336 the one G1520 a Pharisee, G5330 and G2532 the other G2087 a publican. G5057 The Pharisee G5330 stood G2476 and prayed G4336 thus G5023 with G4314 himself, G1438 God, G2316 I thank G2168 thee, G4671 that G3754 I am G1510 not G3756 as G5618 other G3062 men G444 are, extortioners, G727 unjust, G94 adulterers, G3432 or G2228 even G2532 as G5613 this G3778 publican. G5057 I fast G3522 twice G1364 in the week, G4521 I give tithes G586 of all G3956 that G3745 I possess. G2932
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Matthew 9
Commentary on Matthew 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Mt 9:1-8. Healing of a Paralytic. ( = Mr 2:1-12; Lu 5:17-26).
This incident appears to follow next in order of time to the cure of the leper (Mt 8:1-4). For the exposition, see on Mr 2:1-12.
Mt 9:9-13. Matthew's Call and Feast. ( = Mr 2:14-17; Lu 5:27-32).
The Call of Matthew (Mt 9:9).
9. And as Jesus passed forth from thence—that is, from the scene of the paralytic's cure in Capernaum, towards the shore of the Sea of Galilee, on which that town lay. Mark, as usual, pictures the scene more in detail, thus (Mr 2:13): "And He went forth again by the seaside; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them"—or, "kept teaching them." "And as He passed by"
he saw a man, named Matthew—the writer of this precious Gospel, who here, with singular modesty and brevity, relates the story of his own calling. In Mark and Luke he is called Levi, which seems to have been his family name. In their lists of the twelve apostles, however, Mark and Luke give him the name of Matthew, which seems to have been the name by which he was known as a disciple. While he himself sinks his family name, he is careful not to sink his occupation, the obnoxious associations with which he would place over against the grace that called him from it, and made him an apostle. (See on Mt 10:3). Mark alone tells us (Mr 2:14) that he was "the son of Alphæus"—the same, probably, with the father of James the Less. From this and other considerations it is pretty certain that he must at least have heard of our Lord before this meeting. Unnecessary doubts, even from an early period, have been raised about the identity of Levi and Matthew. No capable jury, with the evidence before them which we have in the Gospels, would hesitate in giving a unanimous verdict of identity.
sitting at the receipt of custom—as a publican, which Luke (Lu 5:27) calls him. It means the place of receipt, the toll house or booth in which the collector sat. Being in this case by the seaside, it might be the ferry tax for the transit of persons and goods across the lake, which he collected. (See on Mt 5:46).
and he saith unto him, Follow me—Witching words these, from the lips of Him who never employed them without giving them resistless efficacy in the hearts of those they were spoken to.
And he—"left all" (Lu 5:28), "arose and followed him."
The Feast (Mt 9:10-13).
10. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house—The modesty of our Evangelist signally appears here. Luke says (Lu 5:29) that "Levi made Him a great feast," or "reception," while Matthew merely says, "He sat at meat"; and Mark and Luke say that it was in Levi's "own house," while Matthew merely says, "He sat at meat in the house." Whether this feast was made now, or not till afterwards, is a point of some importance in the order of events, and not agreed among harmonists. The probability is that it did not take place till a considerable time afterwards. For Matthew, who ought surely to know what took place while his Lord was speaking at his own table, tells us that the visit of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, occurred at that moment (Mt 9:18). But we know from Mark and Luke that this visit of Jairus did not take place till after our Lord's return, at a later period from the country of the Gadarenes. (See Mr 5:21, &c., and Lu 8:40, &c.). We conclude, therefore, that the feast was not made in the novelty of his discipleship, but after Matthew had had time to be somewhat established in the faith; when returning to Capernaum, his compassion for old friends, of his own calling and character, led him to gather them together that they might have an opportunity of hearing the gracious words which proceeded out of His Master's mouth, if haply they might experience a like change.
behold, many publicans and sinners—Luke says, "a great company" (Lu 5:29)
came and sat down with him and his disciples—In all such cases the word rendered "sat" is "reclined," in allusion to the ancient mode of lying on couches at meals.
11. And when the Pharisees—"and scribes," add Mark and Luke (Mr 2:6; Lu 5:21).
saw it, they said—"murmured" or "muttered," says Luke (Lu 5:30).
unto his disciples—not venturing to put their question to Jesus Himself.
Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?—(See on Lu 15:2).
12. But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them—to the Pharisees and scribes; addressing Himself to them, though they had shrunk from addressing Him.
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick—that is, "Ye deem yourselves whole; My mission, therefore, is not to you: The physician's business is with the sick; therefore eat I with publicans and sinners." Oh, what myriads of broken hearts, of sin-sick souls, have been bound up by this matchless saying!
13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth—(Ho 6:6),
I will have mercy, and not sacrifice—that is, the one rather than the other. "Sacrifice," the chief part of the ceremonial law, is here put for a religion of literal adherence to mere rules; while "mercy" expresses such compassion for the fallen as seeks to lift them up. The duty of keeping aloof from the polluted, in the sense of "having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness," is obvious enough; but to understand this as prohibiting such intercourse with them as is necessary to their recovery, is to abuse it. This was what these pharisaical religionists did, and this is what our Lord here exposes.
for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance—The italicized words are of doubtful authority here, and more than doubtful authority in Mr 2:17; but in Lu 5:32 they are undisputed. We have here just the former statement stripped of its figure. "The righteous" are the whole; "sinners," the sick. When Christ "called" the latter, as He did Matthew, and probably some of those publicans and sinners whom he had invited to meet Him, it was to heal them of their spiritual maladies, or save their souls: "The righteous," like those miserable self-satisfied Pharisees, "He sent empty away."
Mt 9:14-17. Discourse on Fasting.
See on Lu 5:33-39.
Mt 9:18-26. The Woman with the Issue of Blood Healed.—The Daughter of Jairus Raised to Life. ( = Lu 8:40-56; Mr 5:21-43).
For the exposition, see on Mr 5:21-43.
Mt 9:27-34. Two Blind Men and a Dumb Demoniac Healed.
These two miracles are recorded by Matthew alone.
Two Blind Men Healed (Mt 9:27-31).
27. And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him—hearing, doubtless, as in a later case is expressed, "that Jesus passed by" (Mt 20:30).
crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us—It is remarkable that in the only other recorded case in which the blind applied to Jesus for their sight, and obtained it, they addressed Him, over and over again, by this one Messianic title, so well known—"Son of David" (Mt 20:30). Can there be a doubt that their faith fastened on such great Messianic promises as this, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened," &c. (Isa 35:5)? and if so, this appeal to Him, as the Consolation of Israel, to do His predicted office, would fall with great weight upon the ears of Jesus.
28. And when he was come into the house—To try their faith and patience, He seems to have made them no answer. But
the blind men came to Him—which, no doubt, was what He desired.
and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? they said unto him, Yea, Lord—Doubtless our Lord's design was not only to put their faith to the test by this question, but to deepen it, to raise their expectation of a cure, and so prepare them to receive it; and the cordial acknowledgment, so touchingly simple, which they immediately made to Him of His power to heal them, shows how entirely that object was gained.
29. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you—not, Receive a cure proportioned to your faith, but, Receive this cure as granted to your faith. Thus would they carry about with them, in their restored vision, a gracious seal of the faith which drew it from their compassionate Lord.
30. And their eyes were opened: and Jesus straitly charged them—The expression is very strong, denoting great earnestness.
31. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country—(See on Mt 8:4).
A Dumb Demoniac Healed (Mt 9:32-34).
32. As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil—"demonized." The dumbness was not natural, but was the effect of the possession.
33. And when the devil—demon.
was cast out, the dumb spake—The particulars in this case are not given; the object being simply to record the instantaneous restoration of the natural faculties on the removal of the malignant oppression of them, the form which the popular astonishment took, and the very different effect of it upon another class.
and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel—referring, probably, not to this case only, but to all those miraculous displays of healing power which seemed to promise a new era in the history of Israel. Probably they meant by this language to indicate, as far as they thought it safe to do so, their inclination to regard Him as the promised Messiah.
34. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils—"the demons through the prince of the demons." This seems to be the first muttering of a theory of such miracles which soon became a fixed mode of calumniating them—a theory which would be ridiculous if it were not melancholy as an outburst of the darkest malignity. (See on Mt 12:24, &c.).
Mt 9:35-10:5. Third Galilean Circuit—Mission of the Twelve Apostles.
As the Mission of the Twelve supposes the previous choice of them—of which our Evangelist gives no account, and which did not take place till a later stage of our Lord's public life—it is introduced here out of its proper place, which is after what is recorded in Lu 6:12-19.
Third Galilean Circuit (Mt 9:35)—and probably the last.
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—The italicized words are of more than doubtful authority here, and were probably introduced here from Mt 4:23. The language here is so identical with that used in describing the first circuit (Mt 4:23), that we may presume the work done on both occasions was much the same. It was just a further preparation of the soil, and a fresh sowing of the precious seed. (See on Mt 4:23). To these fruitful journeyings of the Redeemer, "with healing in His wings," Peter no doubt alludes, when, in his address to the household of Cornelius, he spoke of "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with Him" (Ac 10:38).
Jesus Compassionating the Multitudes, Asks Prayer for Help (Mt 9:36-38). He had now returned from His preaching and healing circuit, and the result, as at the close of the first one, was the gathering of a vast and motley multitude around Him. After a whole night spent in prayer, He had called His more immediate disciples, and from them had solemnly chosen the twelve; then, coming down from the mountain, on which this was transacted, to the multitudes that waited for Him below, He had addressed to them—as we take it—that discourse which bears so strong a resemblance to the Sermon on the Mount that many critics take it to be the same. (See on Lu 6:12-49; and Mt 5:1, Introductory Remarks). Soon after this, it should seem, the multitudes still hanging on Him, Jesus is touched with their wretched and helpless condition, and acts as is now to be described.
36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted—This reading, however, has hardly any authority at all. The true reading doubtless is, "were harassed."
and were scattered abroad—rather, "lying about," "abandoned," or "neglected."
as sheep, having no shepherd—their pitiable condition as wearied under bodily fatigue, a vast disorganized mass, being but a faint picture of their wretchedness as the victims of pharisaic guidance; their souls uncared for, yet drawn after and hanging upon Him. This moved the Redeemer's compassion.
37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous—His eye doubtless rested immediately on the Jewish field, but this he saw widening into the vast field of "the world" (Mt 13:38), teeming with souls having to be gathered to Him.
but the labourers—men divinely qualified and called to gather them in—"are few."
38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest—the great Lord and Proprietor of all. Compare Joh 15:1, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman."
that he will send forth labourers into his harvest—The word properly means "thrust forth"; but this emphatic sense disappears in some places, as in Mt 9:25, and Joh 10:4—"When He putteth forth His own sheep." (See on Mt 4:1).