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Bible Studies / New Testament / Matthew
Verse-by-Verse Bible Study

Matthew 9:1–17

The Scribes… vs. 1-8

MatthewNew TestamentEnglish
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Review…
    • FIRST – The Presentation of the King – Matthew 1-7
    • SECOND – The Ministry of the King – Matthew 8-18
      • AFTER healing the LEPER and the CENTURIONS servant…
      • Jesus became VERY popular – VERY quickly – and LARGE crowds began to follow Him…
      • But Jesus was NOT after the NUMBERS – He was looking for DISCIPLES…
      • Men who were willing to leave EVERYTHING behind to FOLLOW Him!
    • Into the Boat…
      • Jesus DISCIPLES got into the boat with Him – and immediately they were hit by a STORM…
      • The DISCIPLES thought they were going to DIE – but Jesus was asleep…
      • They woke Him up – He asked them why they had LITTLE faith – and then rebuked the STORM!
    • No Compromise…
      • When they arrived at the others side – TWO demon possessed men met Jesus…
      • They begged for Him to send them into a herd of PIGS – who then ran off a cliff into the sea…
      • The Jews of the area came and pleaded with Jesus to LEAVE…
      • But Jesus left the TWO men – now in the right mind – to tell others how he has saved them!
  • 1st – the Scribes… vs. 1-8
    • 1st Back to Capernaum… vs. 1
      • No more storms…
        • So [Jesus] got into a boat – crossed over – and came to His own city!
        • After being asked to LEAVE by the Jews in the Gergesenes [Gadarenes]
        • Jesus got back into the boat with His DISCIPLES – and returned to Capernaum [His city]
        • It is worth noting – the return journey was uneventful – no STORMS…
        • That did NOT mean there would NEVER be a STORM again – Matthew 14:24
        • But at least for the moment – there was a temporary CALM!
        • TRIALS will come and go as we FOLLOW Jesus – they do not happen EVERY day…
        • God will give us times of relative PEACE – but they usually do NOT last…
        • Because if life was too EASY – we would quickly forget to DEPEND on Jesus!
      • Religious leaders…
        • We are told in the book of Luke – many religious leaders came to Capernaum to see Jesus…
        • He had made quite the impression – and they wanted to test Him…
        • But little did they know – it was Jesus who wanted to HEAL them!
        • Luke 5:17 – “The power of the Lord was present to heal them.”
    • 2nd – Paralytic man… vs. 2
      • Four friends… vs. 2
        • Then behold – they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed!
        • The moment Jesus got back – a HUGE crowd gathered – Mark 2:2
        • There were so many people in the house listening to Him teach – no one could get in…
        • FOUR men wanted Jesus to HEAL their friend – who was a PARALYTIC [perhaps a stroke]
        • Therefore – they carried [imperfect] him onto the ROOF of the house – Luke 5:19
        • And they chiseled through the TILE to make a hole to lower their friend to Jesus!
        • We all have FAMILY and FRIENDS who do NOT have saving faith in Jesus…
        • They may know His name – but they have NEVER met Jesus personally…
        • They may NOT be able to get to Jesus themselves – SIN may have paralyzed them…
        • Like these four men – we need to be willing do ANYTHING to bring them to Jesus…
        • Even if it means pick them up – carrying them – to a Bible Study…
        • No matter how many times it takes [imperfect] we do not give up…
        • We keep bringing them to the place where they can MEET with Jesus – and be healed!
      • Greatest need… vs. 2
        • When Jesus saw their faith – He said to the paralytic:
        • Son – be of good cheer – your sins are forgiven you!
        • When Jesus saw THEIR faith – the FAITH of the FOUR friends [not the sick man]
        • He turned to the PARALYTIC and said – be HAPPY because your SINS are FORGIVEN…
        • FORGIVEN – [perfect] every sin you have ever done [past] – or will ever do [future]
        • Has been taken away from you [passive] – by Jesus [indicative]!
        • I do wonder if the FOUR men were a bit DISAPPOINTED at first…
        • I doubt they brought their PARALYTIC friend to Jesus so he could be FORGIVEN…
        • Knowing the reputation of Jesus – I am sure they wanted him to be HEALED…
        • But Jesus was taking care of the GREATEST need FIRST!
        • People have a LOT of reasons why they come to Church…
        • Some come because they are SICK – or POOR – or because they had a FIGHT…
        • The one thing we rarely see – is people coming because they are SINNERS…
        • But whatever the REASON for coming – the GREATEST need people have is to be FORGIVEN…
        • And if we are willing to BRING them to Jesus – by FAITH believing He can save them…
        • Jesus will meet them – and give them what they need most – SALVATION!
    • 3rd – Blasphemy… vs. 3-7
      • The Scribes… vs. 3
        • And behold – some of the scribes said within themselves – This Man blasphemes!
        • Behold [imperative] – some of the SCRIBES [religious leaders] who were there…
        • They had come along with PHARISEES from Jerusalem to check up on Jesus – Luke 5:17
        • They THOUGHT [said in themselves] – Jesus is BLASPHEMING [present]!
    • Hebrews 10:4 – “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
    • The SCRIBES knew that according to the LAW – there was no way to REMOVE sin…
    • The SACRIFICES of the LAW could only COVER [כָּפַר] sin – not take it away…
    • Therefore – they saw Jesus words as blasphemy because only God can forgive – Mark 2:7
    • The irony in their accusation is that they were RIGHT – Jesus is God!
      • Seeing the heart… vs. 4
        • Jesus – knowing their thoughts said – Why do you think evil in your hearts?
        • Jesus SAW [ὁράω] their THOUGHTS – and asked why they had EVIL in their hearts!
        • I cannot imagine how overwhelming it will be to have Jesus look through us…
        • As His gaze falls – we KNOW – there is NOTHING hidden from Him…
        • He does NOT look at the facade we create – He knows EVERYTHING about us!
        • Hebrews 4:13 – “There is no creature hidden from His sight – but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
      • The Question… vs. 5
        • For which is easier to say – Your sins are forgiven you – or to say – Arise and walk?
        • This was a SETUP – and the Religious leaders walked right into it…
        • Though they had not said a SINGLE word [just given very disapproving looks]
        • Jesus turned to them and asked a SIMPLE question – what is EASIER to SAY…
        • ALL of your sins [perfect] – have been FORGIVEN [passive]
        • Or to command [imperative] – that a PARALYTIC – get up and start WALKING [present]!
        • Obviously it is much HARDER to say STAND up and walk…
        • Anyone can say your sins are FORGIVEN – but how can you PROVE it…
        • But if Jesus said STAND up and walk – either the PARALYTIC got up – or Jesus was a FAKE!
      • The Proof… vs. 6-7
        • But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.
        • Then He said to the paralytic – Arise – take up your bed and go to your house.
        • And he arose and departed to his house!
        • So they MIGHT [subjunctive] see Jesus [Son of Man] had the power to FORGIVE sins…
        • He said to the PARALYTIC – get up – take your bed [imperative] – and go home [imperative]
        • The MAN obeyed – he got up and went to his house!
        • The common view is Jesus day – was that SICKNESS equaled SIN – John 9:1-2
        • By healing the MAN – Jesus showed that He had taken away his SIN!
        • This does NOT make the SCRIBES suddenly believed in Jesus…
        • But Jesus healed the PARALYTIC – so they MIGHT [subjunctive] see He was the answer…
        • Because we cannot make anyone put their FAITH in Jesus…
        • But we can SHOW them what God has done for us – hoping they will SEE!
    • 4th – The Paradox… vs. 8
      • Now when the multitudes saw it – they marveled and glorified God.
      • Who had given such power to men!
      • The CROWD who were in the house when it happen were AMAZED – and AFRAID [NU]
      • They gave GLORY [imperfect] to God – who have given such power to MEN…
      • But the account in the book of Luke adds – we have seen STRANGE things – Luke 5:26
      • STRANGE [παράδοξος] – a paradox – that GOD is a MAN!
      • Jesus proved He could FORGIVE sin – by healing the paralytic…
      • And since only God can FORIVE sins – because all SIN is against God – Psalm 51:4
      • Jesus had just proved to them that He is God!
  • 2nd – Calling Sinners… vs. 9-13
    • 1st – Tax Collector… vs. 9
      • As Jesus passed on from there – He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office.
      • And He said to him – Follow Me. So he arose and followed Him!
      • When Jesus left the house – he saw a MATTHEW [מַתַּתְיָה] – gift of God…
      • He was sitting [present] at the Tax office – he was a TAX collector…
      • But Jesus commanded [imperative] him to FOLLOW – and he got up and followed Him!
      • Rome conquered Jerusalem in the year 63 BC [General Pompey]
      • They demanded heavy TAXES from all the nations they conquered…
      • The common practice of the day was to hire LOCALS [Jews] to collect the TAXES…
      • Rome did not care if the TAX collector got EXTRA – making the job a lucrative position…
      • But it made the TAX collector a HATED man – he worked for ROME and stole from his PEOPLE!
      • We do NOT know how many people Jesus CALLED – we only know who ANSWERED…
      • The reason why Jesus chose a TAX collector [hated man] – is because he got up and followed…
      • God does NOT care about our PAST- God is looking for AVAILABILITY!
    • 2nd – Healing the Sick… vs. 10-12
      • Inviting Friends… vs. 10
        • Now it happened – as Jesus sat at the table in the house that behold.
        • Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples!
        • Matthew INVITED all of his friends to his house to meet Jesus – Luke 5:29
        • Since Matthew was a TAX collector – so were many of his friends…
        • And since TAX collectors were THIEVES – it was fair to call them all SINNERS!
        • When you toss a stone into a pond – the ripple quickly spreads outwards!
        • In the same way when we share the Gospel with others – it spreads…
        • The person we shared Jesus with – goes and tells their family and friends…
        • It is not just one person who comes to Jesus – it can be a whole community!
      • Eating with sinners … vs. 11
        • When the Pharisees saw it – they said to His disciples.
        • Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?
        • PHARISEES – very moral – the conservative sect of Judaism dedicated to keeping the LAW…
        • They had come along with SCRIBES from Jerusalem to check up on Jesus – Luke 5:17
        • They did NOT like that Jesus was EATING with TAX collector and sinners…
        • They demanded to know from His DISCIPLES – why their Teacher was sitting with them!
        • In the days of Jesus everyone would eat from a COMMON bowl…
        • There were no rules about DOUBLE dipping – so you really SHARED the meal…
        • For that reason the Pharisees were VERY careful whom they ate with…
        • The Law called them to be HOLY – separate from sinners – Leviticus 19:2
      • The great Physician… vs. 12
        • When Jesus heard that He said to them:
        • Those who are well have no need of a physician – but those who are sick!
        • Jesus heard them question His DISCIPLES – and He answered…
        • Those are HEALTHY do not need a doctor – but those who are SICK [κακός] do!
        • Too often the church gets treated like a country club [members only]
        • Rather than a HOSPITAL – anyone who is HURTING is welcome!
        • We should NOT care about the SIN [homosexual – homeless – thief]
        • We should care about the SINNER – who needs to be HEALED…
        • We are here to HELP – and introduce people to the Great PHYSICIAN!
    • 3rd – Mercy not Sacrifice… vs. 13
      • But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.
      • For I did not come to call the righteous – but sinners – to repentance!
      • Jesus commanded the PHARISEES – go and learn [imperative] what this means…
      • God wants MERCY [present] – not SACRIFICE – Hosea 6:6
      • Jesus did not come for the RIGHTEOUS [good] – He came to call SINNERS to REPENT!
      • The PHARISEES thought they were GOOD [healthy] because of their SACRIFICES…
      • But they needed MERCY just as much as the TAX collectors and SINNERS!
      • Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
      • The moment we forget who we are – SINNERS saved by GRACE…
      • If we [the church] starts to believe we are BETTER than the WORLD around us…
      • Then we are going to miss the WILL of God – He wants MERCY…
      • Jesus came to SAVE the LOST – and He sends us to do the same!
      • Luke 19:10 – “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
  • 3rd – New Wine… vs. 14-17
    • 1st – Good Works… vs. 14-15
      • Fasting… vs. 14
        • Then the disciples of John came to Him – saying:
        • Why do we and the Pharisees fast often – but Your disciples do not fast?
        • A THIRD group came to question Jesus – the DISCIPLES of John [the Baptist]
        • Why did the PHARISEES and them – FAST [present] – but Jesus and His DISCIPLES did NOT…
        • One does have to wonder – if the question might not have come from the PHARISEES…
        • Who believed they were RIGHTEOUS [good] – because of what they DID…
        • And the suggestion is they were BETTER than the DISCIPLES of Jesus – because they FASTED!
        • Too often people use what they DO – as proof they are a BETTER Christian…
        • FASTING – how many hour they PRAY – how many verses they QUOTE…
        • But we are NOT good because of what we DO – we are GOOD by GRACE – Ephesians 2:8
        • And the problem with using our WORKS as a standard – is we end up being LEGALISTIC!
      • The Wedding… vs. 15
        • Jesus said to them – Can friends of the bridegroom mourn [if] the bridegroom is with them?
        • But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away – then they will fast!
        • To answer their question – Jesus gave them an ILLUSTRATION…
        • If there is a WEDDING – do the guests who come FAST [obvious answer is no]
        • As long as the bridegroom [Jesus] is there – it is a time to FEAST…
        • But when the day comes that the bridegroom is taken [passive] – Jesus returns to HEAVEN…
        • Then His DISCIPLES would [future] indeed FAST [indicative]!
        • In other words – there is a TIME to celebrate – and a TIME to fast…
        • But NOT so that they would be GOOD – they would FAST to spend time with God!
    • 2nd – New Promise… vs. 16-17
      • Three Groups…
        • There were THREE groups who had challenged the Lord…
        • SCRIBES – accused Jesus of blasphemy because He FORGAVE the paralytic…
        • PHARISEES – accused Jesus of compromise because He ATE with sinners…
        • DISCIPLES of John – accused Jesus of not being as GOOD because He did not fast…
        • But all THREE groups were looking to the OLD Covenant as their STANDARD…
        • Therefore Jesus gave them TWO parables to show them something NEW!
      • Old Clothing… vs. 16
        • No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment.
        • Or the patch pulls away from the garment – and the tear is made worse!
        • New cloth tends to SHRINK when it gets wet…
        • Therefore if you sew a NEW patch onto the hole in an OLD shirt…
        • When the NEW shrinks – it will tear the OLD shirt – making the hole worse!
      • Old Wineskin… vs. 17
        • Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins.
        • Or else the wineskins break the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined.
        • But they put new wine into new wineskins – and both are preserved!
        • When GRAPE juice ferments into WINE – it gives of carbon dioxide [gas]
        • As a result it needs to be put in a NEW [flexible] wine skin – so that it can EXPAND…
        • Therefore if NEW wine [gas] is put into an OLD wineskin [inflexible]
        • The OLD wineskin will BURST – and both the bottle and wine are LOST!
      • New Covenant…
        • We are no longer under the OLD Covenant –we are under the NEW Covenant…
        • Under the NEW Covenant there is forgiveness of sin [the paralytic]
        • God heals sinners – and calls them to follow Him and be His disciples [Matthew]
        • And we are not GOOD because of what we have done [fasting]
        • We are GOOD because of what God has done for us!