Mateus 9
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 9
Wiersbe writes "In the same way, when we pray as He commanded, we will see what He saw, feel what He felt, and do what He did. God will multiply our lives as we share in the great harvest that is already ripe (John 4:34–38)." (Bible Exposition Commentary) Send out (throw) (1544)(ekbállō from ek = out + bállō = to cast, throw, drive) means to cast, throw out often with the idea of force (Mt. 8:12; 15:17; 25:30; Acts 16:37, 27:38+; Lxx - Lev. 14:40). To throw out of an area or object, throw out, jettison (Mt 21:39 Acts 27:18). Used of casting or throwing unbelievers into outer darkness (hell). Mark 1:12+ "Immediately the Spirit impelled Him (Jesus) to go out into the wilderness." May our Father by His Spirit impell you dear reader into the fields that are white unto harvest, in Jesus' Name. Amen 🙏 THOUGHT - Are you a pleader, pleading for workers? Are you a worker? Are you heeding the call of the Master to go into the mission fields, whether in your neighborhood, your school, your town, your place of employment, the world? Do you want to store up for yourself treasure (of souls) in heaven? Well, here is one way. Begin daily to intercede for unreached people groups https://unreachedoftheday.org/, for you can be assured that Jesus' blood has "purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Rev 5:9) So pray, pray, pray! Guzik (Matthew 9 Commentary) - In this chapter Jesus faced many accusations: He was accused of blasphemy. He was accused of low morals. He was accused of ungodliness. He was accused of being in league with the devil. Though Matthew has fully established Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah, Jesus is beginning to be rejected and criticized by the religious authorities. These conflicts with the religious leaders will become more frequent and intense. Adrian Rogers - Intercessory Prayer Activates Soul Winner - If you have loved ones in your family that are lost, you need to begin to pray that God will send a soul winner, that God will send a witness, that God will move somebody next door, or that God will put somebody in the classroom beside them, or God will bring someone in that place of business. But you dare not do that unless you yourself are willing to be that person. I mean, listen. You cannot be such a hypocrite as to say, “God, I’ll not go. I’ll not speak. I don’t want to do it. Don’t use me, but use somebody else.” Now He may not be able to use you. It may be that the door is shut. But what you need to do is to begin to pray that God will send somebody to that loved one. You ask, “Pastor Rogers, is this the prayer that we ought to pray?” Absolutely! Put in your margin Matthew chapter 9, verses 37 and 38. Jesus is speaking now: “Then saith he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;”—do you know the problem with Memphis, Tennessee? It’s not out there; it’s in here. The harvest is plenteous; the labourers are few. Here’s a prayer that Jesus told us to pray—“pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38) Now prayer will activate soul winners. Jesus prayed, and there were four men who brought a man on a stretcher and laid that man right at the feet of Jesus. When this church gets serious about praying, our people are going to get serious about bringing people to Jesus Christ. And there are people, friend, they cannot come; they’ve got to be brought. They don’t want to come; they’ve got to be sought. They don’t know; they’ve got to be taught. And God is the One who has called us to do it. QUESTION - What does it mean that God is the Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38)? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - In Matthew 9:35–38, Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching the good news of the kingdom of God and preparing His disciples to carry on His ministry. He looks at the crowds in their confused and vulnerable state and is filled with compassion. Because the spiritual needs were so great, Jesus asks His disciples to pray for more workers to evangelize the world: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37–38). The harvest is a familiar biblical metaphor related to the kingdom of God (Isaiah 27:12; Joel 3:13; Amos 9:13; Matthew 7:16–19; 9:37; 13:24–30; Luke 10:2; Revelation 14:14–16). The lost and hurting people that Jesus sees and we see all around us are like ripe pieces of fruit ready to be plucked and gathered into God’s kingdom. God is the Lord of the harvest means God is the One who controls the times and seasons of the harvest (Jeremiah 5:24; Amos 4:7). The harvesting of souls is God’s work, not man’s (Colossians 2:13). Salvation—acceptance into God’s kingdom—is a gift of God, through the grace He pours out on us (Ephesians 2:8–9). God chooses us (John 6:44; Romans 8:28–30; 9:15; Ephesians 1:4–5), regenerates us (Titus 3:3–6), gives us the faith to believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 12:3; Philippians 3:9), and seals us with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22). God is the Lord of the harvest means the harvest’s success depends on Him (Psalm 107:37–38). It is not by human might or wisdom that lost souls are gathered into God’s kingdom but by His Spirit working in people’s hearts to complete the harvest. Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–9; Mark 4:2–9; Luke 8:4–8) shows that God prepares human hearts to receive Him. Many individuals’ hearts are like trampled, rocky, or thorny soil in which the Word of God cannot take root (see Matthew 13:18–22; Mark 4:13–19; and Luke 8:11–14). But some people have hearts tilled by the Lord of the harvest into good, fertile soil ready to receive God’s Word. When they hear it, they accept it and then continue maturing and bearing abundant fruit (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15). The workers can’t change the nature of the soil in the field. That job belongs to God—the Lord of the harvest. He is the One who puts “a new heart, and a new spirit” within His people and removes “the heart of stone” (Ezekiel 11:19–20; 36:26). As laborers in God’s field, we are called to participate with Him, faithfully sowing, reaping, and praying, but the results of our labor are in God’s hands. He is the Lord of the harvest. Sometimes a crop takes years to yield its fruit, with different workers sowing, tending, and gathering in God’s field (John 4:35–38;1 Corinthians 3:6–9). God oversees the whole process. The phrase translated as “Lord of the harvest” means “Master of the yield” or “Chief of the harvest” in the original language. God Himself is the Commander-in-chief of the harvest. He is infinitely concerned about the mission, with every aspect of its implementation under His sovereign control. The laborers can trust Him with the outcome, even if they never see the fruit of the work. Immediately after Jesus tells His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers, He summons the twelve and commissions them to go “to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 10:6–7, NLT). This mission would eventually expand to encompass all God’s servants, sending them to every nation and all the world’s people to make disciples until He returns (Matthew 28:19–20). Today, the harvest is still in great supply, and there are still too few workers. May we all do as Jesus asks and pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His field.
Mateus 9
Wiersbe - The new life of the Spirit could not be forced into the old wineskins of Judaism. Jesus was revealing that the ancient Jewish religion was getting old and would soon be replaced (see Heb. 8:13). Most of the Jews preferred the old and refused the new. It was not until A.D. 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and scattered the people, that the Jewish religion as described in the Law came to an end. Today, the Jews do not have a priesthood, a temple, or an altar; so they cannot practice their religion as their ancestors did (see Hosea 3:4). The things in the ceremonial Law were fulfilled by Jesus Christ, so there is no need today for sacrifices, priests, temples, and ceremonies. All of God’s people are priests who bring spiritual sacrifices to the Lord (1 Peter 2:5, 9+). The tables of Law have been replaced by the tables of the human heart, where God’s Spirit is writing the Word and making us like Jesus Christ (2 Cor 3:1–3, 18). Jesus Christ still offers “all things new” (Rev. 21:5). As the Physician, He offers sinners new life and spiritual health. As the Bridegroom, He brings new love and joy. He gives us the robe of righteousness and the wine of the Spirit (Eph. 5:18; also see Acts 2:13). Life is a feast, not a famine or a funeral; and Jesus Christ is the only one who can make that kind of a difference in our lives. (Bible Exposition Commentary) New (3501)(neos) signifies new in respect to time (contrast kainos = new i n respect to quality) and describes that which has recently come into existence but for a relatively short time. For discussion of the distinction of kainos and (neos) see New - Trench's Synonyms of the New Testament. Neos means recent in time, and kainos means a new kind. The Messianic kingdom would be new both in time and in kind. Fresh (2537)(kainos) refers to that which is new kind (unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of). It relates to being not previously present. Vine adds that kainos "denotes “new,” of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not “new” in time, recent (Greek = "neos"), but “new” as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old. Are preserved (4933)(suntereo from sun/syn = with + tereo = guard, keep) means literally to keep closely together and in this context to preserve. Luke uses this same verb in another interesting context describing Mary reflecting deeply and carefully on the words of the shepherds, keeping them in her mind, safely storing them up (so to speak), where suntereo in the Imperfect tense pictures her bringing these thoughts to mind again and again (Lk 2:19+). QUESTION: Why does no one put new wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:17)? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER: One day, the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?” (Matthew 9:14, NLT). The Lord’s response included this parable: “No one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved” (Matthew 9:17, NLT). Jesus often taught with parables, using illustrations from everyday life to reveal spiritual truths. He did this so people could hear the truth without rejecting it, even if they couldn’t yet grasp the parables’ deeper meaning (see Mark 4:11–12; Luke 8:9–10). Before He introduced the concept of putting new wine in old wineskins, Jesus made a similar point using another familiar analogy: “Who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before” (Matthew 9:16, NLT). The problem with patching an old, pre-shrunk garment with a new, unshrunk cloth is something most of us can relate to even today. New fabrics that have never been washed or run through a dryer tend to shrink. Mending old clothing with an unshrunk piece of material would cause the new patch to pull away from the old in the wash, ruining the garment. The problem with putting new wine in old wineskins is similar. As wine ages, it ferments, releasing gases that pressurize an airtight container. In Jesus’ day, wineskins were leather pouches used for storing and fermenting wine. A new wineskin’s fresh, supple leather could expand and stretch as the wine fermented. But old leather from a previously used wineskin would have already been stretched to its capacity. Putting new wine into old wineskins would cause the leather to crack, burst, and be ruined. The parables reveal this truth: if we fail to understand that something new is needed, two valuable items—clothing and wineskins—risk ruin. But what does this have to do with the original question about fasting? What deeper message was Jesus conveying through these illustrations? Through the parables, Jesus emphasized that He was doing something new—inaugurating a new covenant relationship between God and His people. John’s disciples were Jews. They were still following the rules of Judaism and living under the obligations of the Old Covenant, with its ceremonial rituals and religious regulations, including fasting on certain days (see Leviticus 16:29–31; 23:32; Luke 18:12). Jesus asked John’s disciples, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast” (Matthew 9:15, NLT). Jesus had come to establish a new era. Now was a time for joy in the presence of the bridegroom. The disciples of Jesus would mourn and fast later. But while He was here among them, they would celebrate the forgiveness, fellowship, freedom, and new direction that His coming had ushered in. In other words, Jesus’ parables said, “Out with the old way of thinking and doing things, and in with the new.” If the Jews did not adjust their rigid religious mindset, they would experience a loss much like that of the ruined garments and wineskins. The problem with putting new wine in old wineskins is that the old skins of the law cannot contain the new wine of the gospel. The Jewish followers of John would have to expand their view of God’s provision of mercy and grace to include Christ’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, not just for Israel but for the whole world (Matthew 26:28; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:23–26; 10:14; 1 Corinthians 11:25). They would need to understand that salvation comes by grace through faith and not works (John 3:16–18; Ephesians 2:5, 8–9); that the need for temple sacrifices had ended (Hebrews 7:26–27; 10:1–18); and that, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, all believers of all races on earth are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19) and His own beloved children (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). This new reality was tough for the Jews to accept—including those who became Christians after the death and resurrection of Jesus (see Acts 10:1—11:18). Though strict and inflexible as an old wineskin, the Old Covenant of the law was solid, familiar and comforting to the Jews who resisted embracing the New Covenant. But Jesus had no intention of putting a patch on the old garment of Judaism. By ushering in a totally new covenant, Jesus didn’t try to fix up or even throw out the law, but rather to fulfill all of it (Matthew 5:17–18). No mere human can keep the law perfectly as God requires (Matthew 5:20, 48; Exodus 32:33; James 2:10). Only Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God could (and did) perfectly fulfill the law’s requirements (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15; 10:12). So as comforting as having the law was for Jews, it was a heavy burden that no one could bear (Acts 15:10). The gospel of Jesus—the good news—represents the New Covenant of salvation by grace through faith, not works, obtained for us by the blood of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20; Hebrews 10:29). John’s disciples were fasting as an act of religious piety. Such actions may have been appropriate under a legalistic, works-based system, but they are no longer needed under the covenant of grace (Romans 3:20–24; 5:20; John 1:16–17; Galatians 2:16; 5:4). Just as we can’t put new wine in old wineskins or patch up old garments with new, unshrunk cloth, we can’t mix the law with grace. The old, lifeless religious rituals are done, and we have a new life of freedom in Jesus. Our faith is ruined if it’s based on dead works instead of on the saving grace of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:11–28). Matthew 9:18 While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live. NET Matthew 9:18 As he was saying these things, a ruler came, bowed low before him, and said, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live." GNT Matthew 9:18 Ταῦτα αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος αὐτοῖς ἰδοὺ ἄρχων εἷς ἐλθὼν προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων ὅτι Ἡ θυγάτηρ μου ἄρτι ἐτελεύτησεν· ἀλλὰ ἐλθὼν ἐπίθες τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπ᾽ αὐτήν, καὶ ζήσεται. NLT Matthew 9:18 As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. "My daughter has just died," he said, "but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her." KJV While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. ESV Matthew 9:18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." NIV Matthew 9:18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." ASV Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. CSB Matthew 9:18 As He was telling them these things, suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before Him, saying, "My daughter is near death, but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live." NKJ Matthew 9:18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." NRS Matthew 9:18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." YLT Matthew 9:18 While he is speaking these things to them, lo, a ruler having come, was bowing to him, saying that 'My daughter just now died, but, having come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.' behold (Not in NAS but in the Greek) - Mk 5:22-43 Lu 8:41-56 synagogue official- Lu 8:49 13:14 18:18 Ac 13:15 bowed down (worshipped) - Mt 8:2 14:33 15:25 17:14 20:20 28:17 Mk 5:22 Lu 17:15,16 Ac 10:25,26 My daughter - Mt 9:24 Mk 5:23 Lu 7:2 8:42,49 Joh 4:47-49 come - Mt 8:8,9 2Ki 5:11 Joh 11:21,22,25,32 Parallel Passages: Mk 5:21+ When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet 23 and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” 24 And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. 25 A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse– 27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” 31 And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 32 And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” 26 and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse– 27 after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” 31 And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 32 And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” 35 While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” 36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” 37 And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. 39And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” 40 They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. 41 Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. 43 And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat. Luke 8:40+ And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. 43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, 44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.” 47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 49 While He was still speaking, someone *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother. 52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.” 53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died. 54He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened. PLEASE GO AWAY! BECOMES PLEASE COME! The townspeople in the previous story ask Jesus to "Go" but here a synagogue leader asks Jesus to "Come." (contrast Mk 5:17+ and Mk 5:23+) They both had needs, but only the latter recognized and admitted his need, willingly humbling himself before the only One Who could meet that need. James says “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (James 4:6+) Jairus had placed himself in the perfect position to receive plentiful grace! How about you dear reader? Have you come and bowed down before Jesus? Hiebert points out that "Mark and Luke placed these miracles immediately after the cure of the Gerasene demoniac, but Matthew placed several occurrences between them and expressly connected these two miracles with Jesus’ teaching concerning fasting (Mt 9:18). Mark placed all of Matthew’s intervening events earlier. It is another clear instance of the fact that the Gospel writers did not record all of their material in strict chronological sequence." William Hendriksen gives a good summary of the synoptic accounts - The reports of the present double miracle vary: Matthew's is very brief, nine verses; Luke's covers seventeen verses; Mark's twenty-three. Matthew omits the ruler's request (see Mark and Luke) that Jesus heal the very sick child. In fact, Matthew in his very brief summary leaves out several items mentioned by one or both of the other synoptists. However, it is he alone who relates that the ruler asks Jesus to lay his hand upon the dead girl, adding "and she will live" (Mt 9:18). Also, he alone mentions the flute-players in the house of mourning (Mt 9:23). Several items are common to Mark and Luke, though not found in Matthew. Thus we are told that the name of the ruler was Jairus (Mark 5:22+; Luke 8:41), that Jairus made his first request before the child had died (Mark 5:23+; Luke 8:42+), that she was about twelve years of age (Mark 5:42+; Luke 8:42+), that Peter, James, and John, and also the child's parents were with Jesus when he performed the miracle (Mark 5:37, 40+; Luke 8:51+), and that Jesus did not want the news of this miracle to spread (Mark 5:43; Luke 8:56+). It is Luke alone who reports that the daughter was an only child (Lk 8:42+), and that Jesus did indeed hear the remark to which he paid no attention (Lk 8:50). In all the three accounts the story of the bringing back to life of the daughter of Jairus is interrupted by that of the healing of the woman who touched Christ's garment. (BNTC-Lk) While He was saying these things to them - What things? (Mt 9:11-17) In context the 3 preceding illustrations about the truth that he had come not to reform Judaism, which had become bad news of works righteousness, but to replace it with the good news of righteousness by grace through faith. As
Mateus 9
Wiersbe observes that "Sin is like a disease: it starts in a small and hidden way; it grows secretly; it saps our strength; and if it is not cured, it kills. It is tragic when sickness kills the body, but it is even more tragic when sin condemns the soul to hell. The scribes and Pharisees were quick to diagnose the needs of others, but they were blind to their own needs, for they were sinners like everyone else. They appeared righteous on the outside but were corrupt within (Matt. 23:25–28)." (Bible Exposition Commentary) Spurgeon "His reasoning was overwhelming, and his justification ample. Where should a physician be but among the sick? Who should come to a doctor’s house but those who are diseased? Thus our Lord was more than justified in being the centre to which the morally sick should gather for their spiritual healing. Lord, grant that if ever I am found in the company of sinners, it may be with the design of healing them, and may I never become myself infected with their disease!” (see Matthew 9 Commentary) Stuart Weber explains it this way - Jesus portrayed Himself here, in the context of so many healing miracles, as a Doctor for the human spirit. He defended His lack of association with the Pharisees (the healthy) by alluding to the fact that they saw no need for spiritual healing in themselves. He was not implying that the Pharisees were righteous, but only that they saw themselves that way, and so were not open to receiving His healing (forgiveness). (HNTC-Mt) 🙏 THOUGHT - Have you come to that place in your life where you knew you were desperately sin sick and in need of soul cleansing that can only be found in Jesus the Great Physician? Jesus is ever calling as in Mt 11:28-30+ Come to Me, all who are weary (OF YOUR SIN) and heavy-laden (WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR SIN), and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For (TERM OF EXPLANATION) My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Healthy (present tense)(2480)(ischuo) speaks as being in possession of one's physical powers and thus to be in good health or be healthy. Need (5532)(chreia from chraomai = to use, make use of or chreos = a debt) means a necessity, what is needed or the occasion of need. Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners by J. Wilbur Chapman (1910) Play beautiful version from Matthew Smith Jesus! What a Friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul! Friends may fail me, foes assail me, He, my Savior, makes me whole. Jesus! What a Strength in weakness! Let me hide myself in Him; Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing, He, my Strength, my vict’ry wins. Jesus! What a Help in sorrow! While the billows o’er me roll, Even when my heart is breaking, He, my Comfort, helps my soul. Jesus! What a Guide and Keeper! While the tempest still is high, Storms about me, night o’ertakes me, He, my Pilot, hears my cry. Jesus! I do now receive Him, More than all in Him I find, He hath granted me forgiveness, I am His, and He is mine. Refrain Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end. As David Guzik (Matthew 9 Commentary) said - Jesus is the perfect doctor to heal us of our sin. • He is always available. • He always makes a perfect diagnosis. • He provides a complete cure. • He even pays the bill. A Fresh Start Read: Luke 5:17-26 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. —Luke 5:31+ In many countries, health laws prohibit reselling or reusing old mattresses. Only landfills will take them. Tim Keenan tackled the problem and today his business employs a dozen people to extract the individual components of metal, fabric, and foam in old mattresses for recycling. But that’s only part of the story. Journalist Bill Vogrin wrote, “Of all the items Keenan recycles . . . it’s the people that may be his biggest success” (The Gazette, Colorado Springs). Keenan hires men from halfway houses and homeless shelters, giving them a job and a second chance. He says, “We take guys nobody else wants.” Luke 5:17-26 tells how Jesus healed the body and the soul of a paralyzed man. Following that miraculous event, Levi answered Jesus’ call to follow Him and then invited his fellow tax collectors and friends to a banquet in honor of the Lord (Lk 5:27-29+). When some people accused Jesus of associating with undesirables (Lk 5:30), He reminded them that healthy people don’t need a doctor—adding, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Lk 5:32). The power of God can turn a heart From evil and the power of sin; The love of God can change a life And make it new and cleansed within. —Fasick Salvation is receiving a new life. (Christ our life! Col 3:4+) INSIGHT: The religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming divine attributes for Himself (Luke 5:21+). Blasphemy is showing contempt or a lack of reverence for God or something sacred (v.20). A violation of the third commandment, it was punishable by death (Lev. 24:15-16+). ILLUSTRATION - A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top." "I have a better idea," replied Twain. "You could stay in Boston and keep them." Twain was rebuking this man's hypocrisy and self-righteousness and stressed his need to start "walking" the truth instead of just "talking" about it. The attitude of self-righteousness was not the case with some of the tax collectors who realized they were sinners and needed to be saved from their sins. Christ was calling sinners to repentance and continues to do so today. If you want to march to the drum beat of the Lord, you will need to change your attitude about the Lord, about yourself, and the needs of others. God wants us to implement into our lives His way of living. (Mattoon ) Yes Jesus is the Great Physician, but He is so much more! To the artist, He’s altogether lovely. (Song of Solomon 5:16) To the architect, He’s the Chief Cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20) To the baker, He’s the Living Bread. (John 6:51) To the banker, He’s the Hidden Treasure. (Matthew 13:44) To the biologist, He is the Life. (John 11:25; 14:6) To the builder, He’s the Sure Foundation. (Isaiah 28:16) To the doctor, He is the Great Physician. (Matthew 9:12–13) To the educator, He is the Great Teacher. (John 3:2) To the farmer, Jesus is the Lord of the harvest. (Luke 10:2) To the florist, He’s the Rose of Sharon. (Song of Solomon 2:1) To the geologist, He’s the Rock of ages. (1 Corinthians 10:4) To the jurist, He is the Righteous Judge. (2 Timothy 4:8) To the jeweler, He is the Pearl of great price. (Matthew 13:46) To the lawyer, He is my Advocate. (1 John 2:1) To the publisher, He is good tidings of great joy. (Luke 2:10) To the philosopher, He is the wisdom of God. (Luke 11:49) To the preacher, He is the Word of God. (John 1:1, 14) To the sculptor, He is the Living Stone. (1 Peter 2:4) To the statesman, He is the desire of all nations. (Haggai 2:7) To the theologian, He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) To the traveler, He is a new and living way. (Hebrews 10:20) To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) And to all believers, He is the Everlasting Father, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace. “His name shall be called Wonderful.” (Isaiah 9:6) Diagnosis And Cure Read: Matthew 9:1-13 Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. —Matthew 9:12 One of my favorite stories concerns the old country doctor who gave his patient a thorough examination, scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked, “Have you had this before?” When the patient answered, “Yes,” the doctor wrinkled his brow and said, “Well, you’ve got it again.” There’s nothing quite so frustrating as a problem that defies diagnosis. What a relief it is to find a skilled practitioner who can say with confidence, “This is your problem and this treatment will help.” Jesus Christ always correctly identified the condition of anyone who came to Him for help. From physically blind Bartimaeus (Mk. 10:46-52) to spiritually blind Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1-21+), Jesus put His finger on the person’s true need and offered an opportunity to trust Him for the solution. Nineteenth-century hymn writer Oscar Clute celebrated this truth in a very personal way as he wrote: Come and rejoice with me, I, once so sick at heart, Have met with One who knows my case, And knows the healing art. Come and rejoice with me,, I, once so sick at heart, Have met with One who knows my case, And knows the healing art. Jesus is the master of diagnosis and cure. Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. NET Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this saying means: 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." GNT Matthew 9:13 πορευθέντες δὲ μάθετε τί ἐστιν, Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ οὐ θυσίαν· οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον καλέσαι δικαίους ἀλλὰ ἁμαρτωλούς. NLT Matthew 9:13 Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." KJV Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ESV Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." NIV Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." ASV Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. CSB Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners." NKJ Matthew 9:13 "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." NRS Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." YLT Matthew 9:13 but having gone, learn ye what is, Kindness I will, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call righteous men, but sinners, to reformation.' NAB Matthew 9:13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." NJB Matthew 9:13 Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice. And indeed I came to call not the upright, but sinners.' GWN Matthew 9:13 Learn what this means: 'I want mercy, not sacrifices.' I've come to call sinners, not people who think they have God's approval." go - Mt 12:3,5,7 19:4 21:42 22:31,32 Mk 12:26 Lu 10:26 Joh 10:34 I desire - Pr 21:3 Ho 6:6 Mic 6:6-8 to call - Mt 18:11-13 Mk 2:17 Lu 5:32 15:3-10 19:10 Ro 3:10-24 1Co 6:9-11 1Ti 1:13-16 but - Mt 3:2,8 4:17 11:20,21 21:28-32 Isa 55:6,7 Lu 15:7 24:47 Ac 2:38 3:19 5:31 11:18 17:30,31 20:21 26:18-20 Ro 2:4-6 1Ti 1:15 2Ti 2:25,26 2Pe 3:9 Parallel Passages Mark 2:17+ And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Luke 5:32+ “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” GOD DESIRES RIGHT HEARTS NOT RITUALISTIC SACRIFICES Samuel addressing rebellious King Saul (whose rebellion cost him his kingdom) said “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." (1 Sa 15:22) God is more concerned with a heart of compassion than a calloused, hard, hypocritical heart that seeks only to observe of external rituals and regulations (Pr. 21:3; Isa 1:11–17; Amos 5:21–24; Mic. 6:8). Legalism may look holy to other, but not to God Who says "I the LORD (Jehovah) search the heart. I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." (Jer 17:10) That's a passage we all need to keep at the front of our minds! But go and learn what this means - Go and learn was an idiom that the rabbis used to tell their students to study a particular issue and served as a rebuke to those who did not know what they should have known! Jesus' words would have been a frontal assault directly from the Word of God to these prideful men who thought they knew everything already! They must have thought something like "Us learn? Does this Man not know know how much we know?" In fact He did know and He knew they did not know the spirit of God's law. And so "He pinned the Pharisees to the wall with their own Scripture." (MacArthur) It would have come as a shock to the religious leaders who supposedly were the keepers of the Law and were supposed to know the Old Testament! Now Jesus issues a command to learn what the Old Testament passages meant and He selects a specific passage from Hosea. Learn (aorist imperative = do this now! don't delay!)(3129)(manthano related to the noun mathetes = disciple, literally a learner! The shut mind is the end of discipleship!) has the basic meaning of directing one’s mind to something and producing an external effect. Manthano means to genuinely understand and accept a teaching, to accept it as true and to apply it in one’s life. This is something the Pharisees were unable to do for their pride had blinded them to their desperate need for the forgiveness only found in Messiah. Craig Evans - Go and learn is a rabbinic idiom (e.g., Num. Rab. 8.4 [on Num. 5:6] “Go and learn from Joshua, your master” [and then Josh. 10:6 is quoted]; b. Hullin 50a; b. Ketubot 64b; b. Menahot 44a; b. Qiddushin 37a; b. Sanhedrin 86a; b. Shabbat 31a “Hillel said to him, ‘What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.’ ”). (See The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Matthew - allows access to all notes on Sermon on the Mount) I DESIRE (thelo) COMPASSION (eleos) , AND NOT SACRIFICE (thusia) - This is what Jesus wanted them to learn - that to have mercy upon sinners is a work far more pleasing to God than offering pretentious sacrifices (cf Lk 21:1-4+). This passage is a direct rebuke of the empty ritual of the Pharisees which neglected the true intent of God's law. In a word, they practiced ceremony without compassion! They utterly neglected the spirit of God's holy law. Jesus is quoting Hosea 6:6 "For I (JEHOVAH IS SPEAKING) delight in loyalty (Hebrew = hesed/chesed/heced; Lxx = eleos) rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (This is Matthew's second quote from Hosea - see Mt 2:15+) In Hosea's day the Jews brought their sacrifices, but they were predominantly empty ritual devoid of compassion and mercy. Earlier Hosea alluded to why this had come to past writing " Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land." (Hos 4:1) And then in Hos 4:6 he wrote "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." Surely this must have pricked the Pharisees who knew that Hosea was about Gomer's unfaithfulness to her husband Hosea, which served as a living metaphor of Israel's rebellion, harlotry and unfaithfulness to God, her "Husband." (Isa 54:5, Jer 31:32, Hos 2:19). “Religion” without compassion is a worthless sham! (cf Mt 23:23-26+). H A Ironside said "Mere outward correctness and attention to forms and ceremonies will not do. God must have reality." God's call to men to be compassionate and merciful, a call which resounds throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and ultimately Mercy is a most God-like attribute Micah 6:8+ He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Luke 6:36+ “Be (present imperative) merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Comment: See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands Matthew 5:7+ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. James 2:13+ For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.