Gospel of Matthew

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTER 9 - Healings

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 1-8

Parallel Passages: Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26

And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Crossed back over (carryover from verse 28 of previous chapter). It appears as confirmation that Jesus had gone across the body of water with the sole intention of casting out the Legion. Went back to Capernaum, since that was currently “home base”.  As expected, when news arrives of the return of Jesus, the sick begin arriving.

The story of the man sick with Palsy. Is it easier to say “your sins are forgiven” or “arise and walk”. Seems to indicate with the forgiveness of sin comes the healthy body. Matthew is just NOW going to record his being called as a disciple.

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 9

Parallel Passages: Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew specifically states as Jesus passed from there (where he had healed the palsy man in the previous verse) he saw Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom.

It would thus appear that EVERYTHING prior to Chapter 9:9 happened BEFORE Matthew (the author of this book) was with Jesus. All that information came from Divine inspiration and also from being with the other 10 disciples.

All Matthew states about Jesus calling him is that Jesus says: “Follow Me” and he arose and followed Him.  Matthew does not say that he had to get his “affairs” in order or get someone else to take over his job.  We saw that with those in previous chapter 8:19-22.

Did those men in previous chapter miss the opportunity to become one of the twelve disciples?

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 10-13

Parallel Passages: Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 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.

Matthew throws a feast for his associates and friends to meet this Jesus that Matthew has chosen to follow. The Pharisees questioned the Disciples not Jesus directly. Jesus over heard them and responds with a statement and then followed it with a bit of a sarcastic response.

Jesus tells the Pharisees to “…go ye and learn what that meaneth…”.  As if to say, “you can’t understand what I just said, it is too obvious for you guys, go somewhere and figure it out”

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 14-17

Parallel Passages: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

They have NOT SEEN Jesus and the 12 fast, as is required. Fasting is mourning. Jesus the Bridegroom is still with them. Save the time needed to fast for after he is gone. Use the time while HE is here to be in His presence.  Fast AFTER he is gone.

Jesus had just taught previously (6:18) to NOT make fasting something that is done “publicly” for display, so that everyone can see that you are so piously spiritual that you fast. Instead, do it privately so no one can even see you doing it. Then here they are questioning why they do not see Jesus doing it publicly! 

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 18-19

Parallel Passages: Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

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. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Begins the story of a ruler whose daughter has died.  Other events coming in this chapter will occur during the time Jesus travels to her location. The ruler had unquestioned belief that Jesus could lay his hand on the ruler’s dead daughter and she would live.

The Greek word for “ruler” in this verse = a first (in rank or power); chief, magistrate, prince.

Touching The Hem of the Garment

Artwork copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 20-22

Parallel Passages: Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Now as Jesus was following this ruler.  A woman with issue of blood for 12 years touched the hem of His garment. She had been dealing with a “blood” problem for 12 years! Her faith did the healing not the touch, BUT the “want” to touch generated the faith.  Jesus knew someone had “touched” him.  Touched in the sense that an act of faith had just healed someone and he knew who.

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 23-26

Parallel Passages: Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Arrival at the home of the ruler.  Jesus said she was not dead BUT asleep. She was medically dead in the sense of human understanding. Jesus’ statement gives the sense of something more than death. She is not dead but sleepeth.

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 27-31

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Healing two blind men who were following Him.  Told them not to tell anyone.  This would end up causing those healed to tell more people about it.

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 32-34

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

This was a man that was dumb and possessed of a devil.  He was visually recognized as being possessed by a devil. What were those visual indicators especially since he was dumb (could not speak)?

Jesus did not heal his being dumb. Instead he cast out the demon, knowing it was the demon that kept the man from talking!  Pharisees automatically assumed Jesus was using devils to cast out devils!  The demon had been keeping the man from speaking.  Demons can obviously control aspects of the body.

Matthew Chapter 9 verses 35-38

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. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jesus went about all the cities preaching in synagogues.  Moved by compassion for the sick everywhere and how few workers there were. Disciples admonished to pray that laborers are sent to harvest

Verses 9:35-38 are again some that properly belong with the start of the next chapter.  Remember that the chapter separations are not part of the original manuscripts.