Matthew 9
9
Forgiveness and Healing
1Jesus got into the boat and returned to what was considered his hometown, Capernaum. # 9:1 Jesus had moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, a village of about 1200–1500 people. See Matt. 4:13; Mark 2:1. 2Just then some people brought a paraplegic man to him, lying on a sleeping mat. When Jesus perceived the strong faith within their hearts, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven.” # 9:2 The Hebrew Matthew reads, “By the faith of the Mighty One your sins are forgiven.” See also Ps. 103:3.
3These words prompted some of the religious scholars to think, “Why, that’s nothing but blasphemy!”
4Jesus supernaturally perceived their thoughts, and said to them, “Why do you carry such evil in your hearts? 5Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Stand up and walk!’? # 9:5 It is easy for anyone to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” for that cannot be proven. But if someone were to tell a paralyzed man to stand up, and he didn’t stand up, that would prove the person is a fraud. Jesus didn’t do the “easy thing” without accomplishing the hard thing, the miracle of healing. Forgiveness and healing both flow from Jesus Christ. 6But now, to convince you that the Son of Man has been given authority to forgive sins, I say to this man, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk home.’ ” 7Immediately the man sprang to his feet and left for home.
8When the crowds witnessed this miracle, they were awestruck. # 9:8 The Aramaic word used here can mean either “awestruck/marveled,” or “seized with fear.” This may explain the variation within Greek manuscripts. They shouted praises to God because he had given such authority to human beings. # 9:8 See Mark 2:3–12; Luke 5:18–26.
Jesus Calls Matthew to Follow Him
9As Jesus left Capernaum he came upon a tax-collecting station, where a Jewish man named Matthew was collecting taxes for the Romans. # 9:9 Or “sitting at his tax-collecting booth.” Matthew means “gift of God.” He was also known as Levi, which means “joined.” It is possible that he took the name Matthew after becoming a believer.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said to him. Immediately Matthew jumped up and began to follow Jesus.
10Jesus went to Matthew’s house and made himself at home. Many other tax collectors and outcasts of society were invited to eat with Jesus and his disciples.
11When those known as the Pharisees saw what was happening, they were indignant, and they kept asking Jesus’ disciples, “Why would your Master dine with such lowlifes?” # 9:11 Or “tax collectors and sinners.”
12When Jesus overheard this, he spoke up and said, “Healthy people don’t need to see a doctor, but the sick # 9:12 The Hebrew word for “sick” can also mean “evil.” will go for treatment.” 13Then he added, “Now you should go and study the meaning of the verse:
I want you to show mercy, not just offer me a sacrifice. # 9:13 See Hos. 6:6; Matt. 23:23; Mark 12:33. To “offer a sacrifice” would be a metaphor for placing strict obedience to the law over the triumph of mercy’s kiss in our dealings with others. Sadly, many religious people today read this as “I desire religious exactness, not mercy.” Transforming ministry shows unmerited mercy to the “sick.”
For I have come to invite the outcasts of society and sinners, not those who think they are already on the right path.” # 9:13 The obvious implication Jesus is making is that all are sinners who need to come to him for salvation. See 1 Tim. 1:15.
Jesus Brings a New Reality
14The disciples of John the Baptizer approached Jesus with this question: “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast regularly, but not your disciples?”
15Jesus replied, “How can the sons of the bridal chamber # 9:15 See Song. 1:4. These sons of the bridal chamber are “Shulamites,” lovers of God. grieve when the Bridegroom is next to them? But the days of fasting will come when the Bridegroom is taken away from them. 16And who would mend worn-out clothing with new fabric? When the new cloth shrinks it will rip, making the hole worse than before. 17And who would pour fresh, new wine into an old wineskin? Eventually the wine will ferment # 9:17 The teaching of Jesus was the new wine. It was something fresh—a sign that the old was passing away. It could not be mixed with the old religion but involved the inauguration and birth of the kingdom of God. and make the wineskin burst, losing everything—the wine is spilled and the wineskin ruined. Instead, new wine is always poured into a new wineskin so that both are preserved.” # 9:17 The teaching of Jesus is the new wine and the new cloth. What Jesus taught cannot patch up the old religious system, nor can it be contained in a wineskin of worn-out traditions. It is new, exhilarating, and powerful. It must be poured into a heart made new. The new and the old are not meant to be together. Jesus makes all things new. He didn’t come to reform Judaism, but to form a twice-born company of people.
Jesus Heals and Raises the Dead
18While Jesus was still speaking, an influential Jewish leader # 9:18 This was Jairus, who was the leader of the Jewish synagogue and possibly even a member of the Sanhedrin. See Mark 5:21–23; Luke 8:40–42. The interwoven miracles of the daughter being raised from the dead and the woman being healed symbolize Israel and the church. Israel is the “dead daughter” that Jesus will soon raise to new life. On his way to raise her from the dead, he encountered a woman and healed her. The church is the healed woman. The girl, according to Jesus, was only “sleeping.” He will come back to Israel, but on his way, he will heal the woman who touched him by faith. Jesus touched the girl, and the woman touched Jesus. The girl lived twelve years, then died. The woman had been dying twelve years, and then she lived. approached and knelt before him, saying, “Help me! My daughter has just died. Please come and place your hand upon her so that she will live again.” 19So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him.
20Suddenly, a woman came from behind Jesus and touched the tassel of his prayer shawl for healing. # 9:20 Or “for salvation.” The blue tassel on the corner of the prayer shawl was said to symbolize all commandments and promises of God. See Num. 15:38–40. The Hebrew word for “fringe” or “border” (of a garment) can also mean “wing.” Some have interpreted Mal. 4:2 (“healing in his wings”) as a reference to the tassels of the prayer shawl. She had been suffering from continual bleeding for twelve years, but had faith that Jesus could heal her. 21For she kept saying to herself, “If I could only touch his prayer shawl # 9:21 Or “the fringe of his garment.” See Num. 15:38, 39; Deut. 22:12; Matt. 14:36; 23:5. I would be healed.”
22Just then Jesus turned around and looked at her and said, “My daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has healed you.” # 9:22 Or “saved you.” And instantly she was healed!
23When Jesus finally entered the home of the Jewish leader, he saw a noisy crowd of mourners, wailing and playing a funeral dirge on their flutes. 24He told them, “You must leave, for the little girl is not dead; she’s only asleep.” Then everyone began to ridicule him.
25After he made the crowd go outside, he went into the girl’s room and gently took hold of her hand. She immediately stood to her feet! 26And the news of this incredible miracle spread everywhere.
Jesus Opens Blind Eyes
27As Jesus left the house, two blind men began following him, shouting out over and over, “Son of David, # 9:27 This phrase is an obvious messianic term. The blind men are hoping that Jesus is the Messiah who will come and restore sight to the blind. See Isa. 29:18; 35:5–6; 42:7. Other than the wise men at Jesus’ birth, these two blind men were the first to recognize Jesus as King. show us mercy and heal us!” 28And they followed him right into the house where Jesus was staying. # 9:28 This was most likely in Capernaum. So Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I have the power to restore sight to your eyes?”
They replied, “Yes Lord, we believe!”
29Then Jesus put his hands over their eyes and said, “You will have what your faith expects!” 30And instantly their eyes opened—they could see! Then Jesus warned them sternly, “Make sure that you tell no one what just happened!” 31But unable to contain themselves, they went out and spread the news everywhere!
Jesus Heals the Mute
32While they were leaving, some people brought before Jesus a demonized man who couldn’t speak. 33Jesus cast the demon out of him, and immediately the man began to speak plainly. The crowds marveled in astonishment, saying, “We’ve never seen miracles like this in Israel!” # 9:33 Matt. 8 and 9 give us ten miracles that Jesus performed as signs to prove that he is the Messiah. Five are found in each chapter. In ch. 8 we find the leper healed, the military captain’s son healed, Simon’s mother-in-law healed, the raging storm stilled, and two demon-possessed men set free. In ch. 9 we find the paraplegic man healed, the woman with constant bleeding healed, Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead, two blind men given sight, and the demonized mute man set free and healed. These signs demonstrated Jesus’ authority and power over sickness, storms, Satan, and death. 34But the Pharisees kept saying, “The chief of demons is helping him drive out demons.”
Workers for the Harvest
35Jesus walked throughout the region # 9:35 Or “in all the towns and villages.” with the joyful message of God’s kingdom realm. He taught in their meeting houses, and wherever he went he demonstrated God’s power by healing every kind of disease and illness.
36When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. 37He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. 38As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust out # 9:38 The Greek word ekballo is used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord of the Harvest must cast the laborers out into the harvest fields. many more reapers to harvest his grain!”
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Matthew 9: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationMatthew 9
9
Jesus heals a crippled man
(Mark 2.1-12; Luke 5.17-26)
1Jesus got into a boat and crossed back over to the town where he lived.#9.1 where he lived: Capernaum. See 4.13. 2Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, “My friend, don't worry! Your sins are forgiven.”
3Some teachers of the Law of Moses said to themselves, “Jesus must think he is God!”
4But Jesus knew what was in their minds, and he said, “Why are you thinking such evil things? 5Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? 6But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” 7The man got up and went home. 8When the crowds saw this, they were afraid#9.8 afraid: Some manuscripts have “amazed”. and praised God for giving such authority to people.
Jesus chooses Matthew
(Mark 2.13-17; Luke 5.27-32)
9As Jesus was leaving, he saw a tax collector#9.9 tax collector: See the note at 5.46. named Matthew sitting at the place for paying taxes. Jesus said to him, “Come with me.” Matthew got up and went with him.
10Later, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Matthew's house.#9.10 Matthew's house: Or “Jesus' house”. Many tax collectors and other sinners were also there.#Lk 15.1,2. 11Some Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?”
12Jesus heard them and answered, “Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people do. 13Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.”#Mt 12.7; Ho 6.6.
People ask about going without eating
(Mark 2.18-22; Luke 5.33-39)
14One day some followers of John the Baptist came and asked Jesus, “Why do we and the Pharisees often go without eating,#9.14 without eating: See the note at 4.2. while your disciples never do?”
15Jesus answered:
The friends of a bridegroom don't go without eating while he is still with them. But the time will come when he will be taken from them. Then they will go without eating.
16No one uses a new piece of cloth to patch old clothes. The patch would shrink and tear a bigger hole.
17No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The wine would swell and burst the old skins.#9.17 swell and burst the old skins: While the juice from grapes was becoming wine, it would swell and stretch the skins in which it had been stored. If the skins were old and stiff, they would burst. Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put into new wineskins. Both the skins and the wine will then be safe.
A dying girl and a sick woman
(Mark 5.21-43; Luke 8.40-56)
18While Jesus was still speaking, an official came and knelt in front of him. The man said, “My daughter has just died! Please come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again.”
19Jesus and his disciples got up and went with the man.
20A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. 21She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.”
22Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don't worry! You are now well because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.
23When Jesus went into the home of the official and saw the musicians and the crowd of mourners,#9.23 the crowd of mourners: The Jewish people often hired mourners for funerals. 24he said, “Get out of here! The little girl isn't dead. She is just asleep.” Everyone started laughing at Jesus. 25But after the crowd had been sent out of the house, Jesus went to the girl's bedside. He took her by the hand and helped her up.
26News about this spread all over that part of the country.
Jesus heals two blind men
27As Jesus was walking along, two blind men began following him and shouting, “Son of David,#9.27 Son of David: The Jewish people expected the Messiah to be from the family of King David, and for this reason the Messiah was often called the “Son of David”. have pity on us!”
28After Jesus had gone indoors, the two blind men came up to him. He asked them, “Do you believe I can make you well?”
“Yes, Lord,” they answered.
29Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, you will be healed.” 30They were able to see, and Jesus strictly warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31But they left and talked about him to everyone in that part of the country.
Jesus heals a man who could not talk
32As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, some people brought to him a man who could not talk because a demon was in him. 33After Jesus had forced the demon out, the man started talking. The crowds were so amazed that they began saying, “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!”
34But the Pharisees said, “The leader of the demons gives him the power to force out demons.”#Mt 10.25; 12.24; Mk 3.22; Lk 11.15.
Jesus has pity on people
35Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their meeting places and preached the good news about God's kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness.#Mt 4.23; Mk 1.39; Lk 4.44. 36When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.#Nu 27.17; 1 K 22.17; 2 Ch 18.16; Ez 34.5; Mk 6.34. 37He said to his disciples, “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers.#Lk 10.2. 38Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012