The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on ActsMatthew 9

Mt 9:1 His own city. Capernaum. (TFG 348)

Mt 9:2 XXXV. JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC AT CAPERNAUM. Mt 9:2-8 Mr 2:1-12 Lu 5:17-26 A man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed. See TFG "Mr 2:3". Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven. See TFG "Mr 2:5".

Mt 9:3 This man blasphemeth. See TFG "Mr 2:7".

Mt 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:8".

Mt 9:5 For which is easier, to say, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:9".

Mt 9:6 But that ye may know, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:9". Arise, and take up thy bed, and go up unto thy house. See TFG "Mr 2:11".

Mt 9:7 And he arose, and departed to his house. See TFG "Mr 2:12".

Mt 9:8 When the multitudes saw it, they were afraid. See TFG "Mr 2:12". And glorified God, who had given such authority unto men. Some take the word "men" as the plural of category, and apply it to Christ. Others think that they regarded Jesus as a mere man among other men, and that they therefore looked upon his power as a gift given to men generally, and not as something peculiar to himself. If this latter view is correct, it is likely that they took the words "Son of man" (Mt 9:6) as referring to men generally, and not as a reference to the Messiah, such as Jesus meant it to be. (TFG 189)

Mt 9:9 XXXVI. THE CALL OF MATTHEW. (At or near Capernaum.) Mt 9:9 Mr 2:13,14 Lu 5:27,28 He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll. See TFG "Mr 2:14".

Mt 9:10 LVII. MATTHEW'S FEAST. DISCOURSE ON FASTING. (Capernaum.) Mt 9:10-17 Mr 2:15-22 Lu 5:29-39 Many publicans. Matthew had invited his old friends. On publicans, see TFG "Mt 5:46". (TFG 349)

Mt 9:11 Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners? See TFG "Mr 2:16".

Mt 9:12 They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. See TFG "Mr 2:17".

Mt 9:13 But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For an explanation of this passage, see TFG "Mt 12:7". To mercifully help sinners to repent was more precious to God than sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. See TFG "Mr 2:17". (TFG 349)

Mt 9:14 Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? See TFG "Mr 2:18".

Mt 9:15 Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:19". But the days will come, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:20".

Mt 9:16 And no man putteth a piece of undressed cloth upon an old garment, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:21".

Mt 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old wine-skins, etc. See TFG "Mr 2:22".

Mt 9:18 LVIII. JAIRUS' DAUGHTER AND THE INVALID WOMAN. (Capernaum, same day as last.) Mt 9:18-26 Mr 5:22-43 Lu 8:41-56 While he spake these things unto them. While he talked about fasting at Matthew's table. There came a ruler, and worshipped him. See TFG "Mr 5:22". Saying, My daughter is even now dead. See TFG "Mr 5:23". (TFG 352)

Mt 9:19 And Jesus arose. From Matthew's table. Jesus did not fast for form's sake, but he was ever ready to leave a feast that he might confer a favor. (TFG 353)

Mt 9:22 Daughter, be of good cheer. Faith gets a sweet welcome. Thy faith hath made thee whole. See TFG "Mr 5:34".

Mt 9:23 And saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult. See TFG "Mr 5:38".

Mt 9:24 The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. See TFG "Mr 5:39". And they laughed him to scorn. See TFG "Mr 5:40".

Mt 9:25 When the crowd was put forth. See TFG "Mr 5:40". And took her by the hand. See TFG "Mr 1:31". And the damsel arose. See TFG "Mr 5:42".

Mt 9:27 LIX. HEALING BLIND MEN AND A DUMB DEMONIAC. (Probably Capernaum.) Mt 9:27-34 And as Jesus passed by from thence. If construed strictly, this phrase means, as he departed from Jairus' house. But the phrase is indefinite. Son of David. This, among the Jews, was a common and thoroughly recognized name for the expected Messiah. (TFG 357)

Mt 9:28 When he was come into the house. Possibly Peter's. But the place is not important. The house is mentioned to show that the blind men persistently followed Jesus until he stopped. Believe ye that I am able to do this? In the earlier stages of his ministry Jesus had worked his miracles with little or no solicitation; but now, as the evidences of his power were multiplied, Jesus demanded a fuller expression of faith; for faith was the fruitage for which the miracles were wrought. (TFG 357)

Mt 9:30 Jesus strictly charged them. Sternly. (TFG 357)

Mt 9:31 But they went forth, and spread abroad his fame in all that land. Jesus might well speak severely when charging his beneficiaries to be silent (Mt 9:30), for apparently no one of them ever obeyed him. (TFG 357)

Mt 9:33 When the demon was cast out, the dumb man spake. Some regard this demoniac as being the victim of combined physical and spiritual maladies, but it is more likely that the dumbness was caused by the demon, since in some instances they deprived men of reason (Mr 5:15), and in others they threw men into convulsions or distortions (Mr 9:18 Lu 13:11,16). (TFG 357-358)

Mt 9:34 But the Pharisees said, By the prince of the demons casteth he out demons. If we are correct in our chronology, Jesus had already fully answered this charge. See TFG "Mt 12:27". If he repeated any part of this answer at this time, Matthew is silent as to it. (TFG 358)

Mt 9:35 LXI. THIRD CIRCUIT OF GALILEE. THE TWELVE INSTRUCTED AND SENT FORTH. Mt 9:35-38 10:1,5-42 Mr 6:6-13 Lu 9:1-6 Jesus went about all the cities and villages. See TFG "Mr 6:6". Teaching in their synagogues. See TFG "Mr 1:39".

Mt 9:36-38 Because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd, etc. These verses contain the reasons why Jesus separated his apostles from himself, and scattered them among the people. The masses of the people of Galilee had been deeply stirred by the teaching and miracles of Jesus, but they knew not as yet what direction was to be given to this popular movement. They were in a bewildered state, like shepherdless sheep, scattered over the hills and faint from running. The twelve were to assist him as undershepherds in gathering these sheep. (TFG 363)

Mt 9:37 The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. In the second figure Jesus likens the people to a ripened harvest, and he sends the apostles among them as reapers who shall garner them. (TFG 363)