45. Jesus does not deny the usefulness of occasions of Jesus’ raising the dead. The

45. Jesus does not deny the usefulness of occasions of Jesus’ raising the dead. The

MATTHEW 9:11 32

at the table in the house, that many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

run out and the wineskins will be ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

18 While he was speaking these things to them, suddenly a certain ruler came and worshipped him, saying, “Just now my daughter has died, but come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, and so did his disciples.

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, “The ones who need a physician are not those who are well, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

20 And, suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 For she said to herself, ”If I can just touch his cloak, I will get well.”

14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees often fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

22 But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, “Daughter, take courage. Your faith has made you well.” And the woman became well from that time.

15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast. 16 No man puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, and the tear will become worse. 17 And men do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wineskins will burst, the wine will

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the people making a commotion, 24 he said to them, “Go away, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the people had been put out, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got

this Gospel which bears his name. Such is the grace of God. 9:11 “Pharisees” – 3:7. Here once again they showed that they thought themselves better than other men. They could not begin to understand why a holy person would want to associate with “sinners”. Nor did they realize that in their unbelief and selfrighteousness they were far more objectionable to Jesus than those they called sinners. 9:12 What a beautiful answer! He means that all sinners are spiritually sick and that He has come to heal such. And as a doctor needs to be with his patients to help them, so He needed to be with sinners to heal them. It was not that He took pleasure in their company while they remained sinners or that He wanted to behave as they did. 9:13 Jesus refers to Hos 6:6. God wants people to be merciful to others, as He is merciful. This is far more important than any ritual of religion could ever be. See also Matt 5:7. The righteous here means those who think they are righteous and holier than other people. Actually all are sinners (Rom 3:23), but not everyone understands this as they should. And Jesus has come to call sinners to forgiveness and salvation (Luke 19:10; John 3:17; 1 Tim 1:15). 9:14 “Disciples of John” – 3:1; John 3:2325. 9:15 “Sons of the bridechamber” – the friends or attendants of the bridegroom. See what name the Lord Jesus gives Himself here – “bridegroom.” Compare John 3:28-30; Rom 7:4; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:2533. He is the spiritual bridegroom of the true Church and of the individual believer. See notes on Song of Songs. Compare psalm 45. Jesus does not deny the usefulness of

fasting (6:16). His disciples would fast after His departure (Luke 24:51). 9:16,17 The Lord Jesus had come to do a new thing on earth, to provide a new garment of righteousness, a new wine of joy. The old Jewish religious forms and ways were not suitable for His new work. They could not contain the new truth and life Jesus brought. Truth is of more importance than antiquity. 9:18 This ruler was a leader of a synagogue and his name was Jairus (Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56). 9:20,21 This disease made its sufferer “unclean.” See note at Lev 15:25-27. In Old Testament days it was one of the pictures or symbols of sin. 9:22 See the power of faith. Faith is the belief that God will act according to His Word and His nature as revealed in the Bible. It is confidence in Him as a person. See Heb 11:1,6. Faith saves by bringing us into the presence of the One who saves and opens the way for Him to work.

“Courage” – a more accurate translation of the Greek word than “comfort.” 9:23 These players were musicians hired to play at funerals. 9:24 “Sleeping” – if the ruler was right when he said the girl had just died, then Jesus meant that she was not permanently dead. Sleep is a word often used for the physical death of God’s people in both Old and New Testaments (notes at John 11:11-14). It suggests that they will awake and rise again from the temporary state of death – 1 Thess 4:13-18. 9:25 The laughing crowd will not see the glory of His working. Scoffers will not experience his power. This is one of the three recorded occasions of Jesus’ raising the dead. The

33 MATTHEW 10:1

up. 26 And the news of this spread throughout that whole region.

dumb man spoke. And the crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this was ever seen in Israel.”

27 And when Jesus left there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us.”

34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons through the prince of the demons.”

35 And Jesus went around 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. 36 But when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were feeble and dejected, like sheep which have no shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. 38 Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”

28 And when he went into the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”

29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus gave them a strict order, saying, ”See that no one finds out.” 31 But when they left they spread the news about him throughout that whole country.

32 As they went out, suddenly, they brought to him a man unable to speak and demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon had been driven out, the

And when he had called his twelve disciples to him, he gave them authority over

others are in Luke 7:15; John 11:43,44. But it is probable there were other cases (11:4,5). 9:27 “Son of David” – see 1:1. This was a name for the Messiah of Israel. These blind men were expressing their faith that Jesus was the Anointed One. 9:28 See again the importance of faith. Contrast Mark 6:5,6. 9:29 Here is a principle the Lord follows in His work among men (v 22; Mark 11:2224; Heb 11:6; 1 John 5:14,15). 9:30 Again we see that Jesus did not seek fame (8:4), or indeed any benefit of any kind from His miracles. See also what He taught others in 6:1-4. 9:31 It is true of so many that they will do what they want rather than what the Lord Jesus wants. 9:32 Demon possession affects different people in different ways. Compare 8:28-32; 12:22. This does not means that every mute or blind person, or epileptic is possessed by a demon. There are also other causes of such things. 9:33 “Nothing like this was ever seen” – this was true of Israel and of all countries and all times. The miraculous healing ministry of the Lord Jesus and His apostles was unique in the history of the world. 9:34 These Pharisees thus showed incredible hardness of heart and unbelief, and were taking themselves beyond forgiveness. See 12:24-32. The prince of demons is Satan. 9:35 Here in a nutshell is the whole of Jesus’ ministry (4:23,24). 9:36 The reason why Jesus did what He did is here – compassion, love, pity for helpless men in their need (14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41;6:34; Luke 7:13; Heb 4:15). There were religious leaders in Israel who should have been shepherds to God’s people, but they were like thieves and robbers (John 10:1,7,11-13). This is often true today also among people other than Jews. 9:37 Compare John 4:35-38. There are great

and eternal rewards for those who serve God, but comparatively few people volunteer for the work. 9:38 Here we can see something of the mysterious power of prayer. Why did Jesus tell them (and us) to pray like this? Will not God (the Lord of the harvest) send laborers into His harvest field whether His people pray or not? This is a question that may naturally come to mind, but it is not one we should ask. It is our business to do what the Lord says and leave the mystery of it to Him. God has appointed prayer as one of the ways His people can share with Him in His work. Let us make use of this means. It is enough to know that in answer to our prayers the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into His harvest fields. 10:1 “Disciples” – this is a translation of the Greek word meaning learners, those under training. Learners were expected to put into practice the instructions of their teachers. Compare John 8:31. The original twelve disciples of Christ were those whom Christ chose to receive instruction and training as He went about in His ministry.

“Disciples” is the usual word in the Book of Acts for believers in Christ (Acts 6:11; 9:1; 11:26; etc). There it is used 26 times (the word “Christians” appears in Acts just twice, and “believers” 11 times). There is no way anyone can be a believer in Christ, a real Christian, without learning from Christ and being taught by God (see Isa 54:13; John 6:45; Eph 4:20-24; 1 Thess 4:9; Titus 2:11,12; 1 John 2:27. Compare the invitation of Jesus in Matt 11:28-30).

So in some measure all believers are disciples. They have turned to Christ to learn from Him and to obey His teachings, and the seed, at least, of discipleship is in their hearts. Of course, none of us is a perfect disciple, and the seed of discipleship planted in us when we first trust in the Lord Jesus needs to grow and develop. But this does not change the fact that all believers are disciples, and are called disciples in the Bible.

MATTHEW 10:2 34

unclean spirits to drive them out, and to heal every kind of sickness and disease.

city. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, his brother Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, his brother John, 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, Lebbaeus, who was named Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

9 Provide no gold or silver or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or two coats or sandals or staffs. For the workman is worthy of his food.

11 ”And whatever city or town you enter, enquire who is worthy in it, and stay there with them until you go away. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 And if the household is It is important to keep this in mind when we study the teachings of Lord Jesus about discipleship.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, and commanded them, saying, “Do not go on any road of the Gentiles, and do not enter any Samaritan

zealous in religion or in something else.

“Judas Iscariot” – elsewhere is called a thief and a “demon” (John 6:70,71; 12:6. His heart was never with Christ. He was concerned with himself and what material advantages he could obtain. Still the Lord Jesus called him to be with the other apostles and gave him authority to cast out devils and heal the sick. Compare 7:22,23. 10:5 The Gentiles were non-Jewish peoples. The Samaritans were people of mixed blood whose origins are seen in 2 Kings chapter 17. They lived in Samaria, an area between Galilee on the north and Judea on the south. The Jews for the most part hated the Samaritans and avoided them (John 4:9). But this is not the reason why Jesus forbade His disciples to preach to them. The time for preaching the gospel to them had not yet come (it did come later – John 4:1-42; Acts 8:5-25). The Jews were the people of God from the days of Abraham (Genesis chapter 12), and God made special covenants with them (compare Rom 9:4,5). So it was fitting at that time that the good news of God’s kingdom should first be preached to them. 10:6 See 9:36; 15:24. 10:7 See 3:2; 4:17. 10:8 These miracles were to be evidence that the kingdom of God was near. They were not to try to make money from the authority and power freely given them, but to freely use them for the good of others. Compare Acts 20:33-35; 1 Cor 10:33; 2 Cor 12:14,15. A simple life-style and selfdenial were to be the marks of Christ’s disciples. Notes at 3:4; Luke 9:23; etc. 10:9,10 They were to give freely and accept what was freely given to them. Kindness would receive the reward of kindness. God’s workers are worthy of the support of people who receive God’s blessings through them (1 Cor 9:7-14; 1 Tim 5:17,18). If their shirt or sandals wore out they were to trust God to provide them with others. 10:11 They were to be careful where they lodged and not accept every offer of hospitality which came to them. They were to seek out the worthy, not the wealthy. They were to have no money for inns and hotels. See also Luke 22:36. 10:12,13 The customary greeting among Jews was “peace be to you.” Peace would

What the Lord Jesus wants above all is to have followers who have chosen Him above everyone else, love Him above all, are constantly learning from Him and putting into practice what He teaches them. Nothing less than this can satisfy Him. See Luke 14:25-35. 10:2-4 “Apostles” – the Greek word translated “apostle” means “a delegate,” “messenger,” “one sent forth with orders.” Here for the first time the twelve original apostles of Jesus are listed. Observe that they were first disciples (learners) before they were apostles. What is the use of going to teach others if one has not been taught by Christ? Observe too that they received their authority directly from Christ and in His presence. He gave them authority to do just what He had been doing. He was preparing them to be the future leaders of the Church of the New Testament.

Christ chose His apostles to be His special representatives on earth, and to be able (along with all the writers of the New Testament) to give infallible teaching. In that sense of the word, there have not been any other true apostles after they passed away, and there are none now. They had a unique work to do and they completely finished it. See notes also at 16:19; Acts 8:15-17; 2 Cor 12:12. 10:3 “Bartholomew” – probably the same as Nathaniel (John 1:45-51).

“Matthew” – he does not present himself as someone special but modestly refers to his old despised job of tax collector. The apostles were not concerned with man’s honors. They were not like some Christian leaders today who love to be called “doctor” (even if the degree is unearned and undeserved), and parade their degrees and attainments. See the Pharisees in 23:6,7.

“Thaddaeus” – also called Judas (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13) 10:4 “Simon the Canaanite” – the same as Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:16). The name “Zealot” probably means that Simon had formerly been a member of a party in Israel called the Zealots. They fought against Roman rule over the Jews. But it is possible, though not likely, that it means he was

35 MATTHEW 10:27

worthy, let your peace come on it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever does not receive you or listen to your words, when you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I say to you, in the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city.

21 “And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rebel against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For truly I say to you, you will not have gone over the cities of Israel before the Son of man comes.

16 ”Look, I send you forth like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men! For they will hand you over to the Councils, and they will beat you with whips in their synagogues, 18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, to give testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how you will speak, or what. For at that very hour what you should say will be given to you. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

24 “The disciple is not above his teacher, or the servant above his master.

25 “It is enough for the disciple that he is like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the owner of the house Beelzebub, how much more those in his household.

26 “Therefore, do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness speak in the light, and what you hear in

occasions and does not mean that in the ordinary course of their ministry they were not to think and prepare what they should say. In these days preachers who have time to properly prepare their sermons and do not do so, are usually not much worth listening to. 10:20 See Acts 4:8,13. If God’s Spirit speaks through them, the poor and uneducated can confound the great and the wise. 10:21,22 Such is the nature of man. The preaching of the truth will arouse bitter hatred and persecution, even of blood relatives. The most natural ties of love will be snapped by religious intolerance and bigotry – v 36; John 15:18-21. God’s servants must endure much opposition. They will not be saved because they endure, but enduring to the end will be a proof that their faith is real, and so they are saved (Matt 24:13; Heb 10:39; 1 Pet 1:5). 10:23 Disciples must not try to force their message on others. If they are rejected let them go to other places where they might be received. 10:24,25 “Beelzebub” – 2 Kings 1:2 – this name comes from the name Baal-Zebul, a god of the Philistines, which means “Baal the prince” or “Baal, the exalted one.” Apparently the Jews mockingly changed the name to Baal-Zebub (which has come into English as Beelzebub), which means “Lord of the flies.” The Pharisees gave this name to Satan. They said that Jesus got His power from him – 12:24; Luke 11:15; John 8:48. What can the followers of Jesus expect from the world that called Him demon possessed and killed Him? Let us be prepared (and be content) to endure dishonor, slander, and persecution for His sake. Notice that Jesus calls Himself here the head of a house and His disciples members of it. Compare Eph 2:19; Heb 3:1-6. 10:26 The reason disciples should not fear is that their guru is the Lord of heaven and earth who will eventually bring the truth of

be the result in any home that received them and their message. Peace could not be with those who rejected their message, and the apostles were not to create the impression that it could. 10:14 This was to indicate that there was no fellowship, no common ground between them and those who rejected Christ’s message. It was a warning that the rejecters would be utterly left to themselves. Compare 23:38. 10:15 “Day of judgment” – 11:22,24; 12:36; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2,16; 14:10; 2 Pet 2:9; Rev 14:7; 20:11-15. “Sodom and Gomorrah” – Gen 19:23-29; 2 Pet 2:6; Jude 7. The punishment of those places which reject Christ will be greater than Sodom’s because their opportunities are greater, the truth preached to them greater, and the evidence for the truth greater. Greater privileges and opportunities mean greater punishment if rejected. Compare 11:20-24; Heb 2:1-4. 10:16 “Wolves” – 7:15; Luke 10:3; John 10:12; Acts 20:29. The disciples needed to exercise discernment. Compare 7:6,20. And they must never behave in a way that their enemies might justly accuse or attack them. Compare 1 Pet 3:13-17; 4:12-16. From v 17 to the end of the chapter it seems Jesus looks beyond the comparatively brief Galilean ministry to their continuing ministry in later days. At that time there is no record of their arrest or of being brought before kings (vs 18,19). And the language of vs 21-23 hardly fits the brief ministry in Galilee. But these things all happened in the later ministry of Christ’s apostles, as the book of Acts makes clear. Verse 23 may point to the very end of this age. The language suggests Christ’s second coming. 10:17 Christ’s disciples must realize that there will always be opposition to His message, and that haters of the true God will hate them too – vs 21,23. 10:19 This refers only to these special

MATTHEW 10:28 36

the ear preach on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Instead be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

36 And a man’s foes will be those of his own household.

37 “Anyone who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and anyone who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.

32 “Therefore whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

40 ”Anyone who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

everything to light. Compare Psalm 37:6. See Luke 12:2,3. 10:28 Heb 13:6. For believers in Christ the only proper object of fear is God Himself. They have eternal life with God, and nothing that men can do to them can have an eternal result. See notes on the fear of God at Gen 20:11; Ps 34:11-14; 111:10; Prov 1:7. 10:29,30 Since God observes the smallest details of His Creation, disciples should trust Him to look after everything that concerns them. Believers in Christ are to live a life free of worry, anxiety and fear – 6:25-34; 8:26; John 14:1; Phil 4:6,7; 1 Pet 5:7. 10:32,33 Believers in Christ must openly stand for Him and confess Him as their Lord and Saviour (compare Rom 10:9,10). Not doing so is like disowning and denying Him. Silence indicates that faith is not real. Those who wish to be secret believers, and never speak of their faith in Jesus, are running a terrible risk. How can they be sure their faith is genuine? Far better to confess Him openly, even if it means suffering and death, than to go on in silence and at last stand before God disowned by Jesus. 10:34 Jesus came to bring peace to those who receive and believe Him, and to make peace between them and God. But He did not come to bring peace to all on earth. For there can be no peace to those who reject Him (Isa 48:22), and there will be conflict between them and those who receive Him. 10:35,36 See v 21. Truth divides those who believe it from those who do not. The fact they may be members of the same family has nothing to do with it. 10:37 Compare Luke l4:26 where this is put even more strongly. If Jesus were not God He would have no right to speak so. Christ demands first place in our hearts, and we must be willing to choose Him instead of relatives (8:21,22). Truth is more important than family ties. Those who put family first, or self, or sin, or money, or anything else,

cannot be His true follower (Luke l4:33). On Christ’s deity see Phil 2:6. 10:38 See notes at 16:24; Luke 9:23. The cross is a symbol of death. It was the Roman means of execution. Figuratively, to take up one‘s cross means to willingly go forward to the place of death to self and its desires, aims, and plans (compare 2 Cor 4:10-12; Gal 5:24). It means a mind to undergo whatever is painful or humiliating or mortifying to follow Christ. It is an attitude toward Christ and one’s self which is at the basis of the true Christian life.

The believer is told to maintain this attitude daily (Luke 9:23). To try to carry one’s cross without following Jesus is a hard and bitter thing. And renunciation of desire and the world, austerities, penance, etc, come to nothing good if we do not follow Him. But to carry our cross and follow Jesus because we trust and love Him is freedom and joy, for those who do so will find that Jesus is with them all the way. 10:39 This means that those who live for self and their place in this world will lose eternal life, and those who choose Christ instead and die to self will find eternal life with God. We see what a powerful thing faith is – it can enable us to choose Christ over ourselves and others and everything in the world. See also Mark 11:24; Heb 10:39; 11:1,4,6; etc. 10:40-42 They who receive Christ receive God the Father who sent Him, because He was one with the Father (John 10:30). They who receive Christ’s disciples receive Christ because they are representatives of Christ, and He is one with them (Acts 9:1-5). His disciples are “little ones” – v 42; 18:2,3; John 13:33; 1 John 2:1. The world looks down on them. They are often lacking in wealth or learning or position or worldly qualification (1 Cor 1:26-29). To show kindness to them is to show kindness to Christ, and there will be a reward for even the smallest act of kindness. See also 5:12.

37 MATTHEW 11:16

And it came about when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, that he left there to teach and to preach in their cities.

fine clothes are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is the one about whom it is written,

2 Now when John in prison heard about the deeds of Christ, he sent two of his disciples. 3 And they said to him, “Are you the one who was to come, or do we look for another?”

Look, I send my messenger before your face. He will prepare your way before you. 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist. But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent are taking it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, who was to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and

4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who does not stumble because of me.”

7 And as they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, ”What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear

If we really believe this we will not be reluctant to help others who are Christ’s disciples. 11:2 John the Baptist had been put in prison by Herod, the ruler of Galilee and Perea (4:12; 14:3-5). 11:3 “The one who was to come” was the Messiah (1:1) expected by the Jews. John`s faith was sure and strong (John 1:26-34; 3:27-36). But he had been in prison for months, and Jesus had not behaved as most of the people thought the Messiah would behave. Jesus had not taken the throne of Israel, put the Romans to flight, and brought freedom, peace and prosperity to the nation. It was the common expectation among the Jews that the Messiah would accomplish such things. Compare Isa 9:6,7; 11:1-16, etc. And see John’s own words in 3:11-15. It seems that John needed reassurance and encouragement, and the Lord Jesus gave them in the words which follow. 11:4-6 Jesus is saying that He was performing the works of the promised Messiah (compare Isa 29:18; 35:5,6; 61:1), and that John should not doubt Him because things were not going forward as John had expected. John would have known and understood these words. 11:6 Here is another “blessed” to add to the ones in 5:3-11. See also 13:16; 16:17; 24:46; 25:34; Luke 1:45; 11:28; John 20:29; Rev 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14. For Old Testament notes on “blessed” and “blessing” see Gen 12:13; Num 6:22-27; Ps 1:1; 119:1. 11:9 Note on “prophet” at Gen 20:11; etc. 11:10 Mal 3:1. See also Isa 40:3. 11:11 John, great as He was, belonged to the old order of things under the law. The Lord Jesus brought in a new order of things, the spiritual kingdom of God. The least person who is in this kingdom is greater in position and privileges than John, but not greater in character or deeds. Compare John 3:28-30. There John speaks of the Bridegroom (Christ), the bride (those in the

kingdom of God), and the friend of the bridegroom (himself). In the life of the bridegroom the bride obviously has a higher position and greater privileges than the friend. 11:12 John the Baptist, by his life and preaching, was a great force in God’s hands to stir up the people to repentance and earnest striving to enter God’s kingdom. Only those who were determined to enter it at any cost were able to do so. Is it any different now? The careless, those content with mere forms of religion, those lacking in the kind of forceful determination that God gives, will not enter God’s kingdom. When God brings people into His kingdom He makes them want it very much. 11:13 The “Prophets and the Law” mean the whole Old Testament. John was the last in a long line of such prophets, and God’s messenger of a new age. 11:14 John was not Elijah (John 1:19-21), but he came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Notice carefully the wording of this verse. Only if they would “receive it” could it be said that John was the Elijah who was to come (Mal 4:5). But the people as a whole were not willing to accept it, as Jesus clearly states in vs 16-19. So John was not the Elijah who was to come. If he had actually been Elijah, he would have been Elijah whether the people received it or not. In 16:11 Jesus indicates that Elijah is still to come and “restore all things.” John was unable to “restore all things” because of the unwillingness of the people and their leaders. 11:15 See 13:9. 11:16-19 People of that day (Jesus probably was referring to the Pharisees and Sadducees) were like willful children playing the games of “wedding” and “funeral.” They complained that John wouldn’t dance to their tune, and that Jesus wouldn’t weep on demand. They would not receive God’s messengers and God’s message through

MATTHEW 11:17 38

calling to their companions, 17 And saying, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We wailed for you, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to hell. For if the miracles which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that in the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”

25 At that time Jesus responded and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for it was good in your sight. 27 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his miracles had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, In the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon

them. They rejected everything. There was no pleasing them. Such people “play” at religion. They are fundamentally insincere. If God’s man eats, that doesn’t please them. If he does not eat, that doesn’t please them either. And see the things they said about the one Jesus called the greatest of men and about the Lord Himself. 11:18 Later they said the same thing about the Lord Jesus (John 8:48). 11:19 See 9:11-13; Rom 5:8. If the Lord Jesus had not loved men who were lost in sin, there would be no hope for anyone. Their accusation rightly understood is actually a high recommendation of Jesus as the Saviour of sinners. The wisdom of God in sending John and the Lord Jesus, and their wisdom in their ministry, was demonstrated by the results they achieved. No complaints from a foolish people could change that. 11:20 Repentance was a main emphasis of Jesus’ preaching, the result He wanted to see – 4:17. See notes at 3:2; Luke 13:1-5. Without it His miracles and teaching would have no lasting effect on the people. It is good to be healed of some dread disease, but it is far better to repent at Christ’s feet. It is good to see displays of God’s glorious power, but it is far better to turn from sin and obtain His salvation. 11:21 Korazin and Bethsaida were two towns in Galilee near Capernaum. Tyre and Sidon were two ancient and famous cities on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of Israel. They were cities of the Gentiles, given to idolatry and greed, and God sent judgment on them. See Isa 23:1-5; Ezek 26:1-21; Amos 1:9,10. “Sackcloth and ashes” indicate that they would have repented with deep sorrow. The cities of idolatrous Gentiles would have received Him better than cities of His own people Israel. Compare John 1:11. 11:22 Note at 10:15. 11:23 “Capernaum” – 4:13. They had great privileges – the Son of God Himself lived there.

“Sodom” – 10:15. For the most part the people of the cities where Jesus ministered were harder of heart than those of the worst cities of ancient times, cities notorious for wickedness. 11:25 Though rejected by men, the Lord Jesus found much to praise God for. Here He praises Him for His wise dealing with men. God passes over those who are regarded (and who regard themselves) as people of wisdom and learning (such as the Pharisees and the teachers of the law), and chooses the humble, childlike nobodies of earth and reveals His truth to them. Compare 18:3; 1 Cor 1:19-29; Jam 2:5. A humble, teachable child can understand more of this truth than any intellectual proud of his intellect and unwilling to submit to God. If we are to know the truth, God must enlighten us and shine into our hearts, and give us a mind to learn from Him. Compare Luke 24:45; John 16:13; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 1:17,18. 11:26 Here is the best possible reason for anything. Compare Rom 11:36; 12:2; Eph 1:9,11. 11:27 No mere man, no mere prophet could ever truthfully say these things. Here is the clearest evidence that Jesus thought Himself to be God in human form. See other references concerning this at Phil 2:6; Luke 2:11. “All things have been handed over to me” – 28:18; John 3:35; 5:19-27. “The Son” – 3:16,17; John 3:16; 5:18-23.

“Knows”– observe carefully what Jesus says about the knowledge of God here. Only God the Father completely knows the Lord Jesus, is fully acquainted with all His ways, His nature and attributes. No man can fully understand Him. Only the Lord Jesus knows the Father, knows the infinite and eternal God absolutely and fully. This is because they have shared from eternity the same nature (1 John 1:1,14; 10:30; 14:9; 17:5; Phil 2:6; Heb 1:3). And the Lord Jesus is the only one who can reveal God to men, and men can come to a measure of that knowledge only through Him (John 14:6; 17:2,3; 1 John 5:20). Jesus is speaking of true enlightenment of

“Hell” – in Greek “Hades” – the unseen realm of the dead, similar to the Hebrew “Sheol” (note at Gen 37:35).

39 MATTHEW 12:11

28 “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you, and learn from me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

or for those with him, to eat, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law, how that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”

9 And when he left there, he went into their synagogue. 10 And now a man was there who had a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbaths?” so that they might accuse him.

3 But he said to them, “Have you not read what David did, when he and those with him were hungry? 4 How he went into the house of God, and ate the Showbread, which was not lawful for him,

11 And he said to them, “Among you what if a man has one sheep, and it falls into a pit on the

gave them (see Deut 23:24,25).

the mind and heart (v 25), the direct knowledge of God. This knowledge of God is dependent on the Lord Jesus. All the above statements are either true, or else arrogant absurdity or terrible self-delusion. All the evidence says that Jesus spoke the truth. There is hardly a verse in the Bible that indicates the full deity of the Lord Jesus more plainly than this one.

“Grain fields” – “corn” (KJV) was not grown in that part of the world at that time. 12:2 Note on Sabbath at Ex 20:8-11. The Pharisees interpreted the law very strictly, and had a great many rules as to what could and could not be done on the Sabbath. To them gathering of food was work, and work was forbidden on the Sabbath. Healing also was work and forbidden (v 10). 12:3,4 See 1 Sam 21:1-6. The meaning is that people and their needs are more important than rules, and that the hungry have a right to eat, even if the exact letter of the rules is ignored.

Is it necessary to say that the knowledge of God He speaks of has nothing to do with Advaita Vedanta? In fact, it is fully opposed to it (see notes at John 10:30; 14:16,17; 15:21; Rom 8:16; 1 Cor 1:20,21). 11:28,29 Now Jesus speaks of how He reveals the Father and to whom. He reveals the Father to those who feel their burden (especially the weight of their sins) and come to Him, to those who are willing to be united to Him, to those who will humbly, meekly learn what He has to teach. Such people, and only such, will come to the knowledge of the one true God. And see what He promises – rest, a rest from selfeffort, vain seeking, and the burdens of an empty sinful life without hope. This is not rest from troubles, but rest in troubles. Compare John 16:33.

“Showbread” – the bread kept in the tabernacle or temple in the holy place – Ex 25:30. 12:5 The priests worked when preparing and offering the Sabbath sacrifices. See Num 28:9,10. The Pharisees were readers of the Old Testament, but had little spiritual understanding of it. We see this again and again in their encounters with the Lord Jesus. 12:6 Christ here calls Himself greater than God’s temple. And His meaning here is that if the priests could break the rules of the Sabbath for the sake of the work of the temple, the disciples could ignore the rules for the sake of Christ’s work, and at His direction. The disciples were on a mission with Christ when this event occurred. 12:7 Note at 9:13. 12:8 Jesus means Himself. See note on the Son of Man at 8:20. Again we see that Jesus was conscious of His divinity. Could a mere man or prophet, no matter how great, truthfully say that He was Lord of the Sabbath? The Sabbath and the laws relating to it were appointed by God Himself (Ex 20:1,8), and only God had the right to change the laws, or permit men to ignore them, or regulate the observance of the Sabbath in any way. Notes on Lord at Luke 2:11; Rom 10:9,10; Phil 2:10,11. 12:10 The Pharisees thought it was not lawful to heal anyone on the Sabbath, unless his life was in danger. 12:11,12 These words were an unanswerable

“Labour and are heavy laden” – or “weary and burdened” – a translation perhaps closer to the Greek. 11:30 Compare 1 John 5:3. Trust, obedience and love, and His presence with us are what make His yoke easy and His burden light. Compare Acts 15:10 which speaks of the rules and regulations of the law. Yoked to Christ we find freedom and liberation and peace. His yoke is grace, not law. It is His strength and power, not self-effort on our part. Meekly learning from Him we come to more and more knowledge of God. Christ is both teacher and lesson. To be yoked to Christ is to be joined to one of perfect understanding and kindness and grace and love. How can it be burdensome? 12:1 This was not stealing grain. The people of Israel, when passing through the fields of others, were permitted to eat what they needed. This was according to the law God

MATTHEW 12:12 40

21 And in his name the Gentiles will trust.

Sabbath. Will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more important is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbaths.”

22 Then one who was demon-possessed, blind, and unable to speak, was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the blind and mute both spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Is not this the son of David?”

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, as sound as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a meeting against him, discussing how they could destroy him.

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This fellow does not drive out demons except by Beelzebub the prince of demons.”

15 But Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all, 16 and told them that they should not make him known, 17 so that there might be a fulfilment of what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying,

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons drive them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

18 See my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim judgment to the

29 “Or else how can someone enter a strong man’s house, and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; neither will any man hear his voice in

the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not quench smoking flax, until he sends out judgment to victory.

30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I say to you, Every kind of sin and blasphemy

argument which the Pharisees made no attempt to answer. 12:13 Jesus’ authority and power were also unanswerable. 12:14 See 26:4; 27:1; Mark 3:6; Luke 6:1; John 5:18; 7:10; 11:53. They preferred to try to destroy the truth rather than accept it. Their only answer to perfect reason and perfect goodness was murder. Such is the heart of man, even religious man. See Jer 15:19; 17:9. 12:16 See 8:4; 9:30. 12:17-21 See Isa 42:1-4. The Lord Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets (5:17). The ministry of Jesus was not loud and noisy. He preferred to work quietly, peaceably and without public clamor, contention, and show. Instead of calling for battle, He withdrew from His enemies. He knew that the important battles were spiritual ones, and that He would win the greatest battle of all on the cross, seemingly weak and defeated. And all this was in accordance with the words of God’s prophet spoken several hundreds of years before. 12:18 The Lord Jesus was the servant of God as well as the incarnation of God. See 20:28; Rom 15:8; Acts 3:25,26; Phil 2:6,7. 12:20 He would continue in His meek and gentle ways until righteousness triumphed. Jesus did not behave as the Jews expected their Messiah to behave (as a mighty conqueror of their enemies). Yet the final victory would be His. 12:21 This looks far beyond His ministry to the Jews. Other peoples would believe and

receive Him. 12:22 Note at 9:32. 12:23 Note on Son of David at 1:1. 12:24 Note on Beelzebub at 10:25. 12:25 See 9:4. 12:27 Some followers of the Pharisees also drove out demons, or at least professed to do so. See Acts 19:13-16. They well knew that the prince of demons did not give power to drive out demons, and they could well judge the slander of the Pharisees. 12:28 Note on kingdom of God at 4:17. The kingdom of God had come because the King had come, and one proof of this was His authority over demons. 12:29 In this brief parable the strong man represents Satan; the one who carries off his possessions is the Lord Jesus; the possessions are people under Satan’s control. The fact that Jesus was rescuing men from Satan’s dominion was evidence, not that He was in league with Satan as the Pharisees said, but that He had bound Satan. Is Jesus then a robber? No, He takes back only what Satan first stole from God. He carries away lost and fallen men from Satan’s kingdom and places them in His own glorious kingdom (Acts 26:18). 12:30 Mark 9:40; Luke 11:23. This applies equally well to Satan and his demons or to men. In regard to Christ there is no neutral ground. He says the very attitude of not being for Him is proof of opposition. 12:31 The first part of this verse is one of the great promises of the Bible, the second part is one of the most terrible warnings.

41 MATTHEW 12:43

will be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven to men. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this world or in the world to come.

answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”

39 But he answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a miraculous sign. And no such sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And, look, a greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it. For she came from the farthest parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And, look, a greater than Solomon is here.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad. For a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart. 35 A good man brings out good things from the good treasure of the heart, and an evil man brings out evil things from the evil treasure. 36 But I tell you that in the day of judgment men will give an account for every idle word that they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

43 ”When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it walks through dry places, looking for rest

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees

words. The tongue is a very powerful instrument and words have eternal results. Compare Prov 18:21; Jam 3:5,6. 12:37 Our words are being recorded, and on the day of judgment they will be “played back.” Our words (and notice v 36 – “every careless word”) will be the basis of our judgment because they will reveal exactly what we are. 12:38 Compare Mark 8:11; Luke 11:29-32. To humble and believing hearts Christ’s miracles were evidence that He was the Messiah (8:1). Willful and determined unbelievers could not be convinced by the most spectacular of signs. Compare Luke 16:31. 12:39 An adulterous generation is one spiritually unfaithful to God. See notes at Jer 2:2; Ezek 23:2,3; Hos 1:2. Such a generation was not prepared to trust God, His Word, and His Son. 12:40 The Jews counted parts of days as full days. The Bible says that Jesus rose on the third day after His crucifixion (16:21; 27:64; Luke 24:7,21; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor 15:4). His resurrection is the greatest possible sign that He is the Messiah and Son of God. See notes at 28:6. The history of a brief part of Jonah’s life is found in the Old Testament book of Jonah.

“Will be forgiven to men” means, of course, forgiveness will come to those who repent and trust in Christ. Then God will forgive the worst crimes, the most vile acts of which men are capable (Luke 24:47; Acts 13:38,39; Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:9). Notes on forgiveness at 6:12,14,15; 9:5-7.

“Blasphemy” – note at 9:3. From the context it appears that this one unforgivable sin, the blaspheming against God’s Holy Spirit, is this: saying that the works of the Holy Spirit done by Christ are works of Satan. This involves a conscious, determined, willful rejection of Christ. It reveals a heart so hardened as to have no desire for repentance and to be incapable of it. And without repentance there can be no forgiveness – 3:2. Compare Heb 6:4-6; 1 Tim 4:2; 1 John 5:16. See the warning against hardness of heart in Heb 3:7-13. 12:32 It is God who enables men to repent (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25). It is the Holy Spirit of God working in men’s hearts who leads them to repentance. When men harden themselves against Him and refuse to repent even when faced with the truth, and blaspheme Him, He will not do this work in them. And so such men will never repent, and so can never be forgiven. 12:33 See 7:16. If the works of Christ were good, the Pharisees should understand that His character and nature are good. They should believe Him for His work’s sake (John 5:36; 10:37,38). 12:34,35 See 3:7; 23:33. They were the kind of people who commit the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Their hatred of truth and of light and of Christ hardened them against the work of God’s Spirit and made them what they were. What is in a man’s heart will eventually come out and show what sort of man he is. Compare Prov 4:23. Even the most silent of men will sometimes betray by words what he thinks and what he is. 12:36 Careless words can reveal what is in a person better than careful, deliberate

“Great fish” – there is no need to translate the Greek word as “whale.” It means any kind of sea monster or huge fish. 12:41 Here the Lord Jesus calls Himself greater than Jonah. Jonah showed no miraculous signs, yet Nineveh repented. That Gentile city responded to God, but God’s own people Israel hardened themselves against Him in spite of many mighty works. On Nineveh see Jonah 1:2. 12:42 1 Kings 10:1. Sheba is a long way south of Israel. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 3:10-12; 4:2934), but his wisdom is as nothing compared to the wisdom of the Lord Jesus, God’s Son. 12:43 “Unclean spirit” – note at 4:24. Demons want to “rest” in some body or

MATTHEW 12:44 42

and finding none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house that I came out of.’ And when it has come, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. This is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

gathered together to him, so he went into a boat, and sat down, and the whole crowd stood on the shore. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying, ”Now a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they had not much soil. And immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched, and withered away, because they had no root. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up, and choked them. 8 But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.” 10 And the disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

46 While he was still talking to the people, suddenly his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak with him. 47 Then someone said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”

48 But he answered and said to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” 49 And he stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, “See my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that one is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

11 He answered and said to them, “Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have an abundance. But whoever does not have, from him will be taken away even what he has.

The same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the lake. 2 And great crowds

other. See 8:31. 12:44 “My house” refers to the man he left. “Swept and put in order” speaks of reformation of life without God. The house is “empty.” The Lord Jesus is not within, God’s Spirit does not live there. 12:45 Reformation, and religion, and a clean moral life do not make men safe. If God’s Spirit does not dwell within them, Satan can make them worse than they were before they reformed themselves. Christ in us is the only hope of salvation and safety (Col 1:27; Rom 8:9; Rev 3:20). Jesus applies this truth to that generation of Israel (23:35,36). As a whole it was the worst of all their generations. The people were very religious, and they no longer practiced idolatry as their fathers had done. But they had a devilish hatred of the Son of God and rejected and crucified Him. This was because God was not in them, and Satan had opportunity to occupy their “house”, which he did and brought many demons with him. 12:46 It seems that their object was to turn Him from His work and take Him to their home. See Mark 3:21,31,32 and 6:3. At that time His brothers had not yet come to believe He was the Messiah (John 7:5). Here it appears that even His mother Mary may have doubted Him temporarily. 12:49,50 His meaning is that spiritual relationships are more dear, more important than family relationships. He said this had to be true of His followers (see 10:37), and it was fully true in His own life. If we are those who do His will, Christ counts us also as His mother, or sister, or brother. His disciples are His family. See Heb 2:11,12. 13:3 The Greek word translated “parable” means a comparison of one thing with another. Jesus used parables to compare

the spiritual things of God’s kingdom with natural, physical things. Parables are “earthly illustrations of heavenly truth.” The Lord here compares Himself to someone who sows seed (see v 37). The seed He sows is the truth God has revealed (Luke 8:11. Compare 1 Cor 3:6; 9:11; 1 Pet 1:23). See His own explanation of this parable in vs 18-23. 13:5 Here “stony places” is not good soil with some rocks scattered on top. It is rock beneath with a little soil on top. The seed did not get down into the good earth. The warmth of the sun germinated this seed quickly. 13:7 Farmers generally will not sow seed among thorns or on a footpath or on rocky places. But those who sow the seed of God’s Word will sow it in all the earth (Mark 16:15), and some will surely fall in minds and hearts not well prepared to receive it. 13:8 Some soil is better and more productive than others. 13:9 See 11:15; 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; 14:35; Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 13:9. This emphasizes the importance of what has been spoken. 13:11,12 Jesus gives two reasons for His use of parables – one reason was to reveal the truth, the other was to conceal the truth. There are secret truths, mysteries about the kingdom of God which could be received only by those who had repented and believed in the Lord Jesus and entered the kingdom. Those, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who had hardened their hearts against the truth and willfully rejected Christ, could not understand what He meant. Christ’s way of speaking was in judgment on a rebellious and unbelieving nation (vs 12-15).

“Mysteries” – in the New Testament a

43 MATTHEW 13:23

13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

14 “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says,

18 “Therefore listen to the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one who received seed by the path. 20 But the one who received seed in stony places, is he who hears the Word, and immediately receives it with joy, 21 but he has no root in him, so lasts only for a while. For when pressure or persecution comes because of the Word, he immediately stumbles. 22 And the one who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 But the one who received seed in the good

Hearing you will hear and will not

understand, and seeing you will see and will not

perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has become fat, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, so that they would not at any time see

with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and be healed by me.

16 “But blessed are your eyes, for they see;

“mystery” is a truth which God reveals and which we could not know if He did not reveal it.

cannot be contrary to sound doctrine. We should look for Christ in the parables (as in all the Bible. Compare Luke 24:27,44). We should pay attention to the way Jesus introduced each parable, and the application at the end (if there is an application given).

“Kingdom of heaven” – 4:17. Verse 12 does not speak of material things but the ability to understand spiritual truth. They who refuse the light that Christ brings will lose whatever light they may have had before. They who receive the light will become more and more enlightened. Jews who “did not have” did not have because they did not want to have, and refused to have (compare John 3:19,20; 9:39). 13:13 Jer 5:20,21; Ezek 12:2. 13:14,15 Isa 6:9,10. The people deliberately and willfully prevented themselves from turning to God. Refusing spiritual light inevitably leads to judgment. 13:16 Compare 16:17; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 1:17,18. The ability to hear and understand spiritual truth is one of God’s great gifts. Let us ask Him for it. 13:17 Those men of God who lived before Christ came longed to see the Messiah and hear His words (compare 1 Pet 1:10-12). 13:18-23 This is the first of His parables that Jesus Himself explained. It gives us hints as to how to understand all His parables. Parables have one or more principal points or purposes, often only one. In every parable we should try to lay hold of the principal point or points. The details of Christ’s parables also may have meanings. We see that here in His explanation of the parable of the sower. It is even more plain in vs 37-43 where Jesus explains the parable of the wheat and weeds.

We should apply the parables, as far as possible, to ourselves and our situation now. In them are spiritual lessons and moral principles for us all. We will not profit from the parables if we do not follow the truth we find in them.

In the parable of the sower the principal lesson concerns the different condition of men’s hearts. In no case is there a change in the sower or the seed. 13:19 Notice the words “does not understand.” Compare v 23. Because of spiritual blindness and ignorance this kind of person is careless and unconcerned about God’s truth. The evil one is Satan. He is eager to destroy God’s Word from men’s hearts. Satan’s purpose appears in Luke 8:12. 13:20,21 The picture here is shallowness and superficiality in regard to God’s Word. This kind of man is religious only as long as it makes him happy. Trouble destroys his happiness and therefore his religion. There is no deep determination to go on to the end regardless of what might happen. There is no depth of discipleship, no persistent effort to learn the things of Christ and apply them. 13:22 Worldly worries and concerns for wealth are like choking, destroying thorns (Mark 4:19 adds the words “desires for other things” and Luke 8:14 adds the word “pleasures”). This is one reason why Christ and His apostles taught that disciples should trust God for their needs and not worry, that they should set their hearts on spiritual, heavenly things, not on things of this world. See 6:19-34; Col 3:1-3; 1 Tim 6:9,10. 13:23 The key word here is “understands.” Compare v 19. It is not said that any of the others understood what they heard. But this

But we should not put such emphasis on the details that we lose sight of the main point or points. And we should never try to show our cleverness in trying to interpret the details. Compare note at Ex 25:9. Our interpretation should be simple and natural.

We should not try to get our doctrines from the parables. The plain teachings of Christ and the apostles give us doctrine. But we should understand that the parables

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