poor conditions of heart described in this from all Satan’s children. Compare 25:31-

poor conditions of heart described in this from all Satan’s children. Compare 25:31-

MATTHEW 13:24 44

ground is he who hears the Word, and understands it. He indeed bears fruit. Some produce a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

and gather them up?’

29 ”But he said, ‘No. While you are gathering up the tares you may also root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather the tares together and tie them in bundles to burn them. But gather the wheat into my barn.’”

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up, and began to produce a crop, the tares also appeared.

31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is the largest of the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” kind of person has been taught by God and has his spiritual eyes opened – Luke 24:45; etc. This makes all the difference. We can produce spiritual fruit only as we understand the teachings of the Bible, God’s Word. What we do not understand we will not apply to our lives, and may quickly forget. God wants us to study and understand His truth. See Deut 6:6,7; Josh 1:8; Ps 1:1,2; 119:1; Prov 2:1-8; Acts 8:30-35; 1 Cor 2:12-16; Eph 1:17,18; 4:13,14; Col 1:9; 2:2.

27 ”So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then where have these tares come from?’

28 ”He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go

speaking there are only two kinds of people on earth – those who are God’s children and in His kingdom and those who are not. 13:29 There can be no way for God’s servants to rid the world of evil men, without at the same time destroying some good men. One reason is that it may not always be easy to distinguish between “weeds” and “wheat” in their early stages. In any case, who will do the separating and destroying? Apart from God Himself who has the wisdom or power? And we should always remember that “children” of Satan may in time become children of God (Rom 3:9; Eph 2:1-4; Titus 3:3-7). 13:30 At the great harvest at the end of this age God will separate all His children from all Satan’s children. Compare 25:3146. Observe that Satan’s children are gathered first. The final issue of the harvest will be the same as described in Matt 3:12. 13:31,32 The main point of this parable is plain – though the kingdom of God had a very small beginning, it was to grow very large. It began its work in this age with Christ and a few disciples. Now it has spread throughout the earth. Christ is the one who planted the seed, His “field” is the whole earth, as in the parable of the weeds and wheat. The mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds planted by farmers (this is Jesus’ meaning here – see Mark 4:31). The kind of mustard plant referred to here can grow as high as three meters.

“Fruit” – spiritual fruit is the only evidence of God’s working in men’s hearts. If there is no fruit there must be doubt whether anything real, valuable, and permanent is taking place. See John 15:1-6; Heb 6:712. But we should despair of no one. The poor conditions of heart described in this parable do not need to be permanent. Hard hearts can be broken, thorns can be uprooted. In this parable there is great encouragement for all who sow the Word of God in obedience to the Lord Jesus. There is good ground out there prepared by God, and eventually there will be a harvest. Compare 9:37; Ps 126:5,6; John 4:35.

The parable also contains a warning. We should be careful about the conditions of our hearts. We are responsible for their condition – whether they are unprepared or shallow and hard, or thorny. Compare Hos 10:12; Jer 4:3; Ezek 18:31; Joel 2:13; Prov 4:23. 13:24-30 The Lord Himself explained this parable in vs 37-43. The “field” represents conditions on earth. The world belongs to God, and His purpose is to have His kingdom rule over all and every part of it. The good “seed” is not the Word of God as in the parable of the sower, but God’s children, born of His Spirit into His kingdom (John 1:12,13; 3:3-8).

In the Old Testament a tree was sometimes used as a symbol of a great kingdom (Ezek 31:6; Dan 4:20-22). Eventually, in the age to come, Christ’s kingdom will fill the earth and replace all others (see notes on Dan 2:44,45).

In the OT birds sometimes symbolize nations and peoples (Isa 46:11; Jer 12:9; Ezek 17:22-24; see Ezek 31:3-6; etc). It seems likely that here they represent nations and peoples who become “Christianized” – greatly influenced by Christianity without becoming truly Christian – the birds are not branches of the tree. However it should be noted that in the parable of the sower birds stand for Satan and evil spirits (vs 4,19), and some think

At present in the world and in the church there is a mixture of good and bad. The Greek word here translated “tares” means a kind of weed almost identical to wheat in appearance in its early stages (compare 2 Cor 11:13-15). They represent the children of Satan (v 38; see John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). God’s enemy is Satan who “sows” evil men in the world. Generally

45 MATTHEW 13:46

33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until the whole was leavened.”

kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore just as the tares are gathered up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom everything that causes stumbling, and those who do evil, 42 and will throw them into a furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.

34 Jesus said all these things to the crowd in parables, and without a parable he did not say anything to them, 35 so that there might be a fulfilment of what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

I will open my mouth in parables. I will utter things which have been

kept secret from the foundation of

the world.

44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field that a man finds and hides again, and for joy over it goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

36 Then Jesus sent the crowd away and went in the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain the parable of the tares of the field to us.”

37 He answered and said to them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of man. 38 The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the

45 ”Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that that here also they mean Satan’s attempts to injure and destroy God’s kingdom. 13:33 There is large disagreement among scholars about the meaning of this brief parable. Some say it is a picture of the spread of God’s kingdom in the world. Some say it symbolizes the inner working of God’s Word in the individual and in the church as a whole. Others say it signifies the secret working of evil in the church, and link it with verses like 2 Thess 2:7. They point out that yeast (leaven) is often used in the Bible as a symbol of evil (see 16:12; Ex 12:8; 1 Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9), and that “woman” in theological matters may also symbolize evil teaching or apostasy (see Rev 2:20; 17:3; Jer 51:2,3,7). Of course the kingdom of heaven is not evil in itself, but this may describe a certain aspect of the kingdom in this present age, and the apostasy that will permeate the visible church on earth. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (see notes at 16:6,12). Perhaps this parable is a prophecy that the church would grow careless and that ritualism, traditionalism, hypocrisy, denial of Bible truth, carnal reasoning and unbelief (the Pharisees and Sadducees were guilty of all of these) would spread throughout all branches of Christianity. 13:34 But at this particular time and occasion He used only parables. At other times, of course, He used the ordinary forms of speech. 13:35 Ps 78:2. These hidden things were the secret truths of God’s kingdom. 13:37-43 Notice again that when the Lord Jesus explained a parable He gave significance to the details. 13:38 Here “children of the kingdom” signify believers in Christ, those born again by God’s Spirit (John 1:12,13; 3:3-8). 13:41 God means for His kingdom to completely fill the earth (Isa 11:1-9; Dan

2:35,44,45; 7:27; Rev 11:15; 19:15,16). 13:42 Notes at 3:10; 5:22. 13:43 Prov 4:18; Dan 12:3; 1 Cor 15:4044. We cannot yet imagine what glory this indicates – 1 John 3:1-3. 13:44-46 Some think that in these two parables the “treasure” and the “pearl” signify the Church and the one who “found” them signifies Christ. This interpretation is most unlikely. It is much more probable that these parables signify two different kinds of men who find the kingdom of God. It seems that one of the points of the first parable is that the treasure was found unexpectedly. The man “found” it, evidently not knowing previously that it was there. And notice the words “hides again.” Evidently the finder was afraid that someone else would get the treasure before he could secure it. How can all this refer to Christ?

The interpretation of this first parable also rests on the meaning of the word “field.” If the field is the world as in v 38, then obviously a person does not buy the world to get the kingdom of God. But look carefully at the wording of vs 24 and 44 – v 24 has “his” (Christ’s) field, but v 44 has “a” field. In v 38 “his field” is said to be the world. But is there any reason to think that “a” field is also the world? A field here seems to indicate any field, and possibly has no special meaning at all. At least we can say that it did not belong to the person who found the treasure, because he went and bought it. So the person can hardly refer to Christ who owns the world and does not need to buy it – in v 24 it is said to be His world already.

The seeker in the second parable was seeking after many pearls. He was in the business of buying and selling. Not so with Christ. He knew exactly what He wanted when He came to earth, and He was after one great thing all the time – the Church.

The wording of these parables suits

MATTHEW 13:47 46

he had and bought it.

finished these parables, he left there. 54 And when he came to his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where does this man get this wisdom, and these miracles? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? Then where does this man get all these things?”

47 ”Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the lake and caught every kind of fish. 48 When it was full, they pulled it to shore, sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but threw the bad away. 49 It will be just like this at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

57 And they were offended at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own house.”

51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”

52 Then he said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is the owner of a house who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his better the interpretation that we have here two brief pictures of individuals finding the kingdom of God. The first one finds it without deliberately seeking for it. Compare Rom 10:20 (Isa 65:1); 9:30,31. The kingdom of God is in this world but not obviously so. It is hidden from the great mass of men. But God directs the steps of individuals in ways they do not know, and suddenly they come upon this great treasure. The seeker after pearls represents a different kind of person. He is a thinker and has some knowledge of quality things. God has made him a searcher for truth, justice, beauty, wisdom, salvation. When he learns of the kingdom of God, when he sees it with enlightened spiritual eyes, he knows there is nothing to be compared with it.

53 And it happened that when Jesus had

and complete separation of the good from the bad (true from false Christians) will be at the end of this age. Compare vs 40-43. 13:47 The Greek word for “net” signifies not a small hand net, but a great dragnet which could draw in a very large number of fish. 13:51 They understood because He both opened the eyes of their understanding and explained His parables to them. So they could say “yes.” See Mark 4:34. If they had not understood, would they not have asked for further explanations, as they did concerning the parable of the weeds and the wheat (v 36)? 13:52 The Lord Jesus here indicates that His disciples must be teachers. Out of the vast storehouse of the Word of God they would present to people the old treasures of the Old Testament and the new treasures of the New Testament, as Jesus Himself was then doing. 13:54 “His own country” – Nazareth and its environs. The parables had been spoken at the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum. In Nazareth Jesus was greeted with skepticism and scorn. 13:55,56 These verses indicate that after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary had other children. 13:57 Compare Luke 4:24-30. They could not believe that a person of (seemingly) so ordinary a background, and low in the social order, could amount to much. People still frequently make such a mistake. 13:58 See Mark 6:4,5. Their lack of faith in Him made it impossible for Him to do them the good He otherwise would have done. This is always the case. See the note at Ps 78:41. 14:1 This Herod was a son of the Herod of 2:1. He ruled over Galilee and Perea and is called “king” in Mark 6:14. Here he is called “tetrarch” (which means a ruler of a fourth part). After the death of the first king Herod the area he had ruled was divided among his sons. 14:2 Herod was an evil man. Here is evidence that his conscience was bothering him for what he did to John. He was afraid but, like so many others, he did not let his

Observe that the men in both parables sold everything to buy what they had discovered. But can the kingdom of God be bought? No (Acts 8:20; Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8,9). But it is still described as something to buy (Isa 55:1,2; Rev 3:18). In other words, there is a cost to the one who wants it, and that cost is everything one has (compare 10:37-39; Luke 14:26,27,33; Mark 10:28). To anyone who has seen its value and its beauty, the cost does not seem too high (Phil 3:7,8). 13:47-50 This parable is similar to that of the tares and the wheat, but there are differences also. That one speaks of the gradual development of how things will be in this age. This one speaks of those caught in the gospel net, those who are somehow drawn into Christianity hardly knowing how.

Again we see that during this age, separation of the good and bad is not fully possible for men. Leaders in the church and believers may (and should) try to keep their local churches pure and unmixed with ungodly men (1 Cor 5:1,2,11-13; 2 Tim 3:1-5). But this will prove on the whole to be impossible to perfectly accomplish. There was a Judas among the twelve apostles, unsuspected by them, and the apostles later warned that evil men would get into the church (Acts 20:2330; 2 Tim 4:3,4; 2 Pet 2:1,2). The final

47 MATTHEW 14:23

servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead, and so miraculous powers are at work in him.”

people heard about it, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 And Jesus went out and saw a great crowd, and was moved with compassion for them, and he healed their sick.

3 For Herod had seized John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they counted him a prophet.

15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the time is late. Send the crowd away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves food.”

16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 And she, having been previously instructed by her mother, said, “Give me here John the Baptist’s head in a dish.” 9 And the king was sorry. Nevertheless because of his oath and those who were sitting at the table with him, he commanded that it be given to her. 10 And he sent men and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a dish and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, took away the body, buried it, and went and told Jesus.

17 And they said to him, “We have here only five loaves, and two fish.”

18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the grass, and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, he blessed them, broke them, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve basketfuls of the pieces that were left over. 21 And the number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 And immediately Jesus had his disciples get into a boat and go before him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 And after

13 When Jesus heard this, he left there by boat to a deserted place alone. And when the

fear turn him to God. Observe his belief in the resurrection of the dead. See notes on the resurrection at John 5:28,29. 14:3 Herod had persuaded Herodias to leave Philip and live with himself. This was contrary to God’s law (Lev 18:16). 14:4 John was a courageous man who did not withhold God’s message even from depraved rulers. See also 10:18; Acts 26:1,2. 14:5 He wanted to kill John only because Herodias wanted him dead, but for some time protected him from her vengeful demands. He knew John was a righteous man, and he was afraid of both John and the people (see Mark 6:19,20). 14:9 Note at v 5. One may be distressed at the actual act of killing a person, even though the wish had been in the heart. 14:10,11 Here is the end of the man whom Jesus called one of the greatest of all men. Yet neither God in heaven nor the Lord Jesus on earth lifted a finger to prevent it. God does all things well and rules over all, but often His ways are mysterious (Isa 55:8,9; Acts 12:1-4; Rom 11:33). As for John, he had done his part in preparing the way for Christ (3:1-3; John 3:27-30), and his ministry was completed. So God gave him the great privilege of suffering and dying for Christ. 14:13 Verse 23. 14:14 See 9:35,36. 14:15-21 This is the only miracle Jesus performed which is recorded in all four Gospels (except His resurrection from the dead). See Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-13. As with His other miracles this

one too was for the good of others, and showed not only His supernatural power but His compassion. This miracle was important also because of the truth it signified. Jesus based some teaching on it in John 6:26-59. 14:17 It is always true that what His disciples have will not be enough in itself for the multitude, but He will accept it and use it in marvelous ways. 14:18 This is what He says to us now about all we have. 14:19 He first acknowledged publicly where His power came from. See 3:16; John 5:1923. In expressing thanks to God the Father He is an example to us all – Eph 5:20; 1 Thess 5:18; Lev 12:13; Ps 7:17; 50:14,15; 56:12. See the work of the disciples here – they could not provide all that was needed, but they could give it out when the Lord provided it. This is true also in the work of His disciples in spiritual matters. There is enough food in Christ’s gospel to feed the whole world! God wants distributors. 14:20 It was the job of the disciples to serve the people. Then the Lord provided for the disciples. This will always be true. Compare 6:33; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor 9:8-10; Phil 4:19. Observe also that as they distributed to others the supply increased. 14:21 Matthew alone records that there were women and children present. There may not have been very many, since the place was “remote” (v 15), but we cannot be sure about this. 14:22 Mark 6:45. 14:23 “To pray” – 19:13; 26:36; Luke 5:16; Heb 5:7; 7:25.

MATTHEW 14:24 48

sending the crowds away, he went up into a mountain by himself to pray. And when evening came, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the lake, tossed by waves, for the wind was against it.

the Son of God.”

34 And when they crossed over, they arrived at the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent word out into all the surrounding countryside, and people brought to him all who were sick, 36 and begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak. And all who touched it became perfectly well.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the lake. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were alarmed, saying, “It is a spirit.” And they cried out in fear.

Then scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

3 But he answered and said to them, “And why do you break the commandment of God by following your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honour your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who curses father or mother must be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or his mother, “Whatever of mine might have been useful to you is an offering to God,” 6 and does not honour his father or his mother, it is all right.’ In this way, by your tradition, you have made the commandment of God to be no longer in effect. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about

29 And he said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me.”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, “You truly are

14:24 Sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee could be very dangerous to those out in boats. In this case, it was just another opportunity for Jesus to show His loving care for them, and His divine power. 14:25 Here is another marvelous example of the miracles of Jesus – one that cannot be imitated by magicians and so-called godmen. One can either walk on water or one cannot. And doing so reveals supernatural power. See notes at 8:1; John 2:11. The fourth “watch” was 3 to 6 AM. 14:26 They could not believe that flesh and blood could walk on water, and so thought Jesus must be some spirit or ghost. Compare Luke 24:36-39. 14:28 Here we see something of Peter’s character – impulsive and daring. Evidently he thought that if Jesus could walk on water He could make him also walk on it. 14:29 This walking on water was not by Peter’s power. Jesus can enable men to do many things they cannot do themselves. Compare 2 Cor 3:5. 14:30 There is a lesson here in spiritual matters – as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus and trust Him only, we will be able to do the things He says, even things impossible to us otherwise. If doubts overwhelm us – if we take our eyes away from Him and become occupied with difficulties and dangers – we will fail and sink. 14:31 Peter’s faith was small and yet he walked on water! Learn that even a person of small faith can do impossible things as long as he trusts in the Lord Jesus to enable him. See 17:20. But doubt is ruinous. When his faith failed his feet failed.

14:33 See 2:11; 3:17; 11:27; Luke 1:32,35; John 1:18; 3:16; 5:17,18; 10:36; 20:28. Observe that the Lord Jesus accepted their worship – a thing He would do only if He knew Himself to be the one proper object of worship (God). See 4:10. See also Luke 2:11; Phil 2:6. 14:34 This was on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. 14:36 It was not a cloak which healed them, but Christ’s power released in response to their faith – 9:20-22. 15:2 The traditions of the elders were interpretations of the law of Moses and rules governing daily life drawn up by Jewish teachers. They had been passed on generation after generation. These religious leaders considered that people became ceremonially defiled by the common activities of daily life and needed to wash to remove this defilement. They were not concerned with any physical dirtiness of the disciples. They made washing a religious ceremony (Mark 7:2-4). 15:3 Jesus was not concerned with the traditions of the elders. The commands of God were the important thing to Him. These religious leaders devised ways to get around God’s plain commands, while insisting on their own traditions. Observe that Jesus is teaching the divine inspiration of the law. The commands which came through Moses were God’s commands. 15:4 Ex 20:16; 21:17. 15:5,6 In other words, in the name of God, and pretending it was for God’s sake, they broke God’s commands. This is another example of man’s fallen deceitful nature perverting God’s ways. 15:7 “Hypocrites” – 6:2; 7:5; 23:13.

49 MATTHEW 15:27

you, saying,

and is eliminated? 18 But the things which come out of the mouth come from the heart. And they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man. But eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

8 This people draw near me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 9 But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the

commandments of men.”

21 Then Jesus left there and went into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, suddenly, out came a Canaanite woman from that region and cried out to him, saying, “ O Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me. My daughter is terribly demon-possessed.”

10 And he called the crowd and said to them, “Listen and understand. 11 What defiles a man is not what goes into the mouth. But what comes out of the mouth, this is what defiles a man.”

12 Then his disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?”

23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.”

13 But he answered and said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted, will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.”

24 But he answered and said, “I was not sent to anyone except the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25 Then she came and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

15 Then answered Peter and said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”

26 But he answered and said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread, and throw it to the dogs.”

16 And Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you still not understand that whatever goes in the mouth goes into the stomach

27 And she said, “True, Lord! Yet the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

15:8,9 Isa 29:13. Most men prefer to follow men’s rules rather than obey God’s Word, but many of them would like to be considered on God’s side. There is a great deal of such “vain” worship on earth. 15:11 His meaning is that real “uncleanness” is not physical but moral. It is not related to foods and washings, but to the heart and mind and spirit (vs 17-20). What use is it if we try to be “ceremonially” clean by washing the outside, and leave the inner person, the heart, full of wickedness? See 23:25-28. We need to be clean on the inside. See 5:8; Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:22; 1 John 1:9. 15:13 God both plants and uproots plants. See 13:24-30; Isa 60:21; 61:3; Jer 1:9,10. Who besides God does any planting? – see 13:39. 15:14 “Blind leaders” – 23:16,24; Rom 2:19. Many there are who are totally lacking in spiritual understanding who still think they are enlightened, and who try to guide others. And many people all over the world have fallen into religious “ditches” by following them. 15:16 See 16:9; Luke 24:25. 15:19 Jesus here reveals what man’s heart is by nature. Every human being is born with a sinful nature which eventually reveals itself in one or more of the sins listed here. Since the streams are so bad what must the fountain be like! See Gen 8:21; Ps 51:5; Isa 64:6; Jer 17:9. 15:21 See 11:21. 15:22 She was descended from the original inhabitants of Canaan. See Gen 10:18; 15:20. Note on Son of David at 1:1. Note

on demon possession at 4:24. 15:23 Jesus was not lacking in love and compassion for people other than Jews. That is not why He remained silent here. Compare His own words at 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46,47; John 3:16. But before He was ready to send His gospel throughout the world He had a work to do in Israel, and God sent Him specifically to do that work (v 24). Compare 10:5,6. As for this woman, it appears that He was testing her faith to bring out its strength and beauty, and from the beginning He planned to help her (it is likely that He went there with that very purpose in mind). The disciples were more concerned with themselves than with the need of this woman. 15:26 “Children” here means the children of Israel, God’s chosen people. The Greek word for dogs used here does not mean the scavengers of the streets, belonging to no one and sometimes used in the Bible as a symbol of wicked men (Ps 22:16; Phil 3:2; 2 Pet 2:22; Rev 22:15). The word here means little dogs – pet dogs kept at the house. Jesus was not showing scorn or insulting this woman. He was testing her and showing, perhaps, that the basis of prayer is not our merit. The tone of voice and the look on the face can be as important as words spoken, and there was something in Jesus’ manner which encouraged her rather than discouraged her. 15:27 The woman understood in some measure that the Jews were God’s chosen nation, and that she was an outsider without any covenant relationship with God or claim on His mercy (compare Eph 2:12).

MATTHEW 15:28 50

28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “Woman, your faith is great! It will be to you just as you wish.” And from that hour her daughter was healed.

his disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 And those eating were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And he sent the crowd away, and got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

29 And Jesus left there, came near the lake of Galilee, and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great crowds came to him. With them were the lame, blind, mute, crippled, and many others. And they put them down at Jesus’ feet, and he healed them, 31 so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees came, and testing him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said to them, “When evening comes, you say, ‘We’ll have fine weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘Today we’ll have a storm, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You hypocrites! You can discern the appearance of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times! 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And he left them and went away.

32 Then Jesus called his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me now for three days, and have nothing to eat. I am not willing to send them away without eating, for they may faint on the way.”

33 And his disciples said to him, “Where would we get enough bread in this wilderness to satisfy such a large crowd?”

5 And when his disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out and be on your guard about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”

35 And he commanded the crowd to sit on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”

8 Knowing this, Jesus said to them, “O you of And wisely and humbly she used this for her advantage. And she knew that a crumb from the Lord Jesus would be greater than a whole loaf from anyone else. 15:28 She showed the greatness of her faith by her persistence. She would not be stopped by silence (v 23), rejection by the disciples (v 23), teaching that seemed to exclude her (v 24), or any temptation to pride (v 26). She fully believed that Jesus could and would help her, and she determined to go on asking until He did. Compare Luke 11:5-10; 18:1-8. Let us observe how important faith is to Jesus, how He commends it and rewards it (8:10; 9:22,29; 17:20; 21:21,22. See Heb 11:6). 15:30 See 4:23,24; 9:35,36. 15:31 See 9:8. The God of Israel is the only God there is (Deut 6:4; Isa 43:10,11; 44:6,8; 45:5,18). And one great purpose for Christ’s activity was to bring praise to Him (compare Rom 15:8,9). 15:32 See 9:36; 14:14. Observe that Jesus thought of their needs before they said anything about them. Compare 6:8. 15:33 They speak as though the event of 14:15-21 had never happened. Did they think that was an event never to be repeated? Sometimes the dullness and smallness of faith in the disciples seems amazing – until we become aware of our own. 15:36 See 14:19. 15:37 When we give what we have to the Lord Jesus, our seven “loaves” may feed a

multitude and mean seven times more coming back to us than we gave. See Luke 6:38. 15:38 Magadan was a town on the west shore of the lake of Galilee. 16:1 Pharisees and Sadducees were divided in many things, but they joined together in one thing – opposition to Jesus. An evil cause can unite people as much as a good cause. See Luke 23:12. Note on Sadducees at 3:7. 16:2,3 There were already many signs, but they had no heart to accept them. The prophecies of the Old Testament, the ministries of John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus revealed that the days of the Messiah were with them. And the many miracles Jesus had performed revealed His supernatural power – 8:1. Those unbelievers deserved no special signs, and He would not give them any. They had not responded to the truth God had already given them. 16:4 See 12:39. 16:6-12 Here we have yeast (leaven) used as a symbol of something evil. See 13:33; Ex 12:8; 1 Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9. This occasion once again revealed dullness in the disciples. The Lord Jesus used a figure of speech which they should have understood. It seems that their minds were too much on literal bread. Occupation with physical needs and desires may make all of us dull hearers of God’s Word. 16:8 See 6:30; 8:26; 14:31. In the next two verses Jesus points out that they had no cause to be anxious or unbelieving about

51 MATTHEW 16:18

little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you did not bring any bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many basketfuls you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you picked up? 11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread, but that you should be on your guard about the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees?”

13 When Jesus arrived in the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?”

14 And they said, “Some say that you are John the Baptist. Some say, ‘Elijah.’ And others say, ‘Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

12 Then they understood that he told them to be on their guard, not about the yeast in bread, but about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

17 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And also I tell you that you are Peter,

food, even though they had forgotten to bring any. He had twice miraculously provided food for great multitudes. Do we fall into the same anxiety and unbelief as theirs? Even after years of Christian experience, do we not sometimes need to be rebuked for lack of faith and understanding? 16:12 By “yeast” Jesus meant false religious teaching. Just as yeast permeates all the dough where it has been put, false teaching can spread through a whole group of people, can corrupt an entire religious organization, can influence even a nation. Both Pharisees and Sadducees claimed to be followers of the true religion revealed by God, but they did not partake of its reality and spiritual life. Every church still needs to beware of such “yeast” wherever it may be found (see Rom 16:17,18; 1 Tim 4:1,2; 2 Tim 4:3,4; 2 Pet 2:1-3). Compare 13:33. We see something of the false teaching of the Pharisees and the results of it at 3:7-9; 5:20; 9:11; 12:2,24,28; 15:1,2; 23:2-36. They said they believed the Bible was the Word of God and that there was one true God, but they emphasized ceremonies, traditions, mere outward observance of God’s law and man-made rules. It all tended to self-righteousness and hypocrisy – Luke 12:1; 18:10-12. The Sadducees denied truth plainly revealed in the Word of God (Acts 23:8). Their ways resulted in worldly, carnal reasoning. Both of these groups were sunk in unbelief and hypocrisy. The same kinds of people, under different names, are still with us today. 16:13 Caesarea Philippi was a town about 40 kilometers north of the lake of Galilee, near the highest mountain in the region – Mt Hermon. Note on Son of man at 8:20. 16:14 When the Jews of Christ’s day suggested He might be John or one of the prophets who had died, they were not expressing a belief in reincarnation but in resurrection – 14:1,2. On reincarnation see notes at Job 11:12; John 9:2,3. 16:15 This is a question that still comes to us all. The answer we give to it is of the utmost importance. 16:16 Note on Christ at 1:1; on Son of God at 3:16,17; John 3:16; 5:18-23. God is called “the living God” in contrast to dead idols, and

to the “gods” who exist only in peoples’ imaginations. Notes at Ps 115:3-8; etc. 16:17 “Blessed” – references are at 11:6. Here Jesus pronounces Peter blessed because God had enlightened him to understand the great truth concerning Jesus – that He was the Messiah and the (not “a”) Son of God. He did not arrive at the truth by logical reasoning or by human teachers. It was no head theory. He had a direct revelation of truth from God. Compare 11:27; etc. Blessedness comes to all who are similarly enlightened to know the truth about the Lord Jesus. Compare 1 John 2:23; 5:1,5. 16:18 The name Peter in Greek (Petros) means a small rock, a stone. The word for the “rock” on which Christ builds His Church (petra) means a large rock. So Christ is not saying He would build the Church on Peter. Such a magnificent structure requires more than such a weak and puny foundation. A comparison with other references to this subject makes this even more clear. See 1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:19-21. Peter, together with all the apostles and prophets, was a part of the Church’s foundation, but Christ Himself is by far the most important “rock.”

“Rock” as used here in Matthew may mean the confession of Peter that Jesus was the Christ, the only Son of God. That is a foundation truth for anyone entering the fellowship of God’s people.

In this verse the word “church” appears for the first time in the New Testament. The Greek word is “ecclesia” and comes from a verb which means “called out from.” In the NT it is the word commonly used for an assembly of God’s people. They are called out from the world to be a separate holy people – 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 6:17,18; Rom 8:30; John 17:6. “Hell” – in Greek “Hades.” See note at Luke 16:23. In the Old Testament “gate” often signified the place where the leaders and rulers and judges met to decide matters relating to their town (Gen 34:20). Gates of Hades probably means here the counsels and plots and plans of all the leading powers and beings related to the realm of death, especially Satan who has the power of death (Heb 2:14). They will not be able to win their fight against Christ

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and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. 19 And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from you, Lord! This shall not happen to you.”

23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! To me you are a stumbling block, because you are not thinking of the things of God, but of the things of men.”

20 Then he ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for and His Church. 16:19 Jesus gave the keys to Peter as the leader of the twelve apostles. He was chosen for the special task of opening the kingdom of God to others. We see his use of these keys in his ministry to Jews (Acts 2:14-41), Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17), and Gentiles (Acts 10:1-48) – these were the only three groups of people that existed.

22 Then Peter took him aside and began to

conqueror of their enemies, not a suffering saviour. Poor Peter! He thought he would be Christ’s advisor! He rebuked Jesus, the one he had called the Messiah, the Son of God! Such was Peter, ascending one moment to the heights, falling to the depths the next moment. Did he imagine he knew better than Christ Himself what Christ should do? He was not the last person to fall into this error. There are still many who complain against God’s ways as if they knew better than God how things should be done (see note at Ps 47:2). 16:23 See 4:10. “Satan” – note at 1 Chron 21:1. The name means “opponent” or “adversary.” Here Peter was opposing Christ in trying to keep Him from the cross. So Jesus justly rebuked him. He never used harsher language in speaking to any disciple. Peter was thinking in merely human ways. Men want ease, comfort, safety, prosperity for themselves and for those they love. They do not understand God’s ways and plans. To mind the things of men may put us in opposition to the things of God. See Isa 55:8,9; Rom 8:5-8; 11:33,34; Phil 3:19; Col 3:1-3; Jam 4:4; 1 John 2:16,17. Let us learn from God rather than try to teach Him what He should do. If Christ had listened to Peter there would have been no sacrifice for sin, no resurrection, no gospel, no hope for anyone. 16:24 Note at 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23. The denial of self is an essential part of true Christianity. This is contrary to all philosophies which teach the exaltation of self or assertion of self. According to the Bible self is fallen and sinful and worthy only of death (15:19; Ps 51:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 8:7,8,12,13; Gal 5:17,24; Eph 4:22; Col 3:5).

Let us learn the following: the doors to God’s kingdom are now wide open, and anyone who will may enter. Once a door is opened keys are no longer needed to open it. The keys were given to Peter, not to his successors. Peter alone could do what he did. God used Peter as His instrument to open the door of His kingdom to all. And he did it once for all time. Now if there is any closing or opening of doors to do, the Lord Jesus Himself will do it. See Rev 1:8; 3:7.

Peter had more to do than opening the gate of God’s kingdom. There were things to “bind” and “loose.” That is, the affairs of the kingdom had to be administered and decisions must be made concerning things to be allowed or forbidden. It is important to see that in this work the other disciples had the same authority as Peter. See 18:18; John 20:23. Verse 19 could (and perhaps should) be translated “whatever you bind on earth will [already] have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” This would mean that Peter and the other disciples would be agents to carry out decisions already made in heaven. 16:20 The time had not yet come to announce what Peter had learned. It would have caused more obstacles to Christ’s ministry, more opposition from His enemies, and bring about a crisis before the proper time (see John 7:30). 16:21 For the first time Jesus taught His disciples what His principal work was to be. His chief reason for coming into the world was not to gather huge crowds, declare His divinity, become popular, and ascend a human throne. He came to die for sinners and rise again (20:28; Luke 24:46,47; John 1:29; 3:14; 10:11; 1 Cor 15:1-4). Note on resurrection of the dead at John 5:28,29. 16:22 This shows how little the disciples at that time understood Christ’s mission to the world. They thought He would be a mighty

“Himself” does not mean just the body, but the whole person as he is by nature – all that he thinks, desires, and does. The person who lives for self cannot live for God, and living for God is the chief duty and privilege of men (1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 5:15). 16:25 Note at 10:39. We must give up self for Christ. People may lose themselves in other things and for other reasons. Only when we give our life to Christ will we find true and abundant life. 16:26 The world is a passing show (1 John 2:16,17), and we are here only for a little while (Ps 90:10; Heb 9:27). Even if we could gain

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his soul? 27 For the Son of man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds. 28 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste of death until they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them in shadow, and then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were very frightened. 7 And Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up and do not be frightened.”

And after six days Jesus took Peter James, and John his brother, and led them up into a high mountain by themselves, 2 and was transfigured in their presence. And his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.

8 And when they had raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus alone. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus gave them an order, saying, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of man has risen from the dead.”

4 Then Peter, responding, said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you are willing, let us make here three tabernacles, one for you, one for

10 And his disciples asked him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must first come?”

11 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Elijah it all, it would be the height of foolishness to chose that when we can have something far better and enjoy it forever – inheritance with Christ (Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 3:21-23; 1 Pet 1:4; Rev 21:7). Yet many there are who throw away eternal life for a plot of land or a few pleasures. Even one of the original apostles chose a bag of money rather than eternal life (26:14-16; John 12:6. See also Gen 25:2934; Heb 12:16,17). 16:27 Here are two events in the future which are absolutely certain to occur – the return of Christ (19:28; 24:27,30; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16; Heb 9:28), and His judgment of men (25:31,32; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 22:12). All of our choices and activities should be in the light of these two facts. 16:28 Note on Son of man at 8:20. “Coming in his kingdom” here does not mean His second coming to rule over the earth. The best explanation seems to be that Christ is speaking of the establishment of His kingdom through His death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven, His sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the spread of His kingdom as recorded in Acts. This verse also seems to be related to His transfiguration which is recorded in the next chapter. Compare 2 Pet 1:16-18. 17:1 This high mountain was probably Mt Hermon. 17:2 The disciples were given a brief sight of Christ’s glory (Mark 9:23; Luke 9:28,29; John 1:14; 1 Pet 1:16-18. Compare Rev 1:14-16). This was evidence that Christ would fulfill the promise of 16:27. The word “transfigured” means a change in the outer form or appearance that comes from within. Compare Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18 where the same word is used. 17:3 Moses represented the law, the old covenant with its types and pictures of salvation. Elijah represented the prophets with their visions and promises of the kingdom of God. Moses died about 1400 years before this event. Elijah ascended to heaven nearly 900 years before it. Their appearance here demonstrates the Bible’s teaching that people survive after

death. We know from Luke 9:31 what Moses and Elijah talked about with Jesus – His death. 17:4 Probably Peter’s idea was to prolong the blessed experience on the mountain, to spend as much time as possible there in glory, away from the work, the strains, the problems of life on the plain. But see Mark 9:6. Once again he was minding the things of men (16:23). If Jesus had stayed on the mountain there would have been no salvation for men. 17:5 See references to “cloud” at Acts 1:9. Here God the Father magnifies the Lord Jesus above Moses and Elijah, and so above all the great men of the Old Testament or any who ever lived. Jesus was the unique Son of God. See 3:17; etc. The eternal living God, the Creator of the universe, tells us to pay the utmost attention to the words spoken by Jesus and recorded in the Bible. Of all who ever spoke Jesus is most worthy of these words – “Listen to Him.” Compare John 7:16,17; 12:49,50; Heb 1:1,2. The quality of our life on earth and our whole eternity is dependent on whether we listen to Him – John 10:3,16,27; Acts 3:23. Sad it is that many men listen to other men but refuse to hear the voice of God’s only Son. 17:6 Compare Ex 3:6; Isa 6:5; Ezek 1:28; Dan 10:7-9; Rev 1:17. 17:7 See 8:3,15; 9:29; 20:34; Dan 10:10; Rev 1:17. One touch by the Lord Jesus brings more blessedness than the whole world can give. 17:8 What here happened to them literally should happen to us spiritually. When the sun rises the stars fade from view. One glimpse of Him and anyone else who ever lived must take a lesser place. 17:9 The time to declare all the truth about the Lord Jesus had not yet come, but it would come later. 17:10 “Elijah must first come” – this means appear before the Messiah, the Saviour. This teaching was based on Mal 4:5,6. The disciples believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but they did not understand why Elijah had not come to prepare His way. 17:11 This seems to be an assertion that Mal 4:5,6 will be fulfilled in the future, that

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indeed comes first and restores all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. In the same way the Son of man also will suffer at their hands.”

unbelief. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as much as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

22 And while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man will be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised.” And they were plunged into deep sadness.

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him, knelt down to him and said, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son. For he is a lunatic, and suffers miserably. For he often falls in the fire, and often in the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

24 And when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to me.”

25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus was the first to speak, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes? From their own children, or from foreigners?”

18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him. And the child was cured from that very time.

26 Peter said to him, “From foreigners.” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are exempt. 27 But so we will not be a stumbling block to them, go to the lake, put in a hook, and take the first fish that

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why could we not drive it out?”

20 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your

Elijah will come before the day of the Lord – a day which has not come even yet. Note at 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10. 17:12 Note at 11:14. 17:13 “John” – at 3:1-12; 11:2-15; 14:1-12. 17:15 “Lunatic” – or “moon-struck.” It was a common idea in those days that the moon could cause some people to act in a crazy manner. Actually this boy’s seizures were caused by a demon (v 18), but similar things, such as epileptic seizures, may occur also apart from demonic activity. 17:17 That “faithless and perverse” generation was one of the worst in Israel’s long history – 12:39; 23:33-36; Acts 2:40. This verse gives an indication that all the time Jesus spent on earth He suffered from the unbelief and disobedience of people. It was pain that brought to His lips the words “how long.” Do we continue to give Him pain for the same reason? 17:18 See 4:24; 8:29-34; 9:32,33. 17:19-21 Verse 17; 6:30; 8:26; 14:31. Jesus had given them authority to drive out demons (10:1). Now, perhaps, for the first time they had tried and failed. It seems the reason was this: they did not have the same faith in Christ and His words as they had on former occasions. Perhaps this time they depended on a mere formula, or even on themselves (after God has enabled us to do something it is possible for us to begin thinking that we can do it without Him). Not all demons are alike. It seems some are stronger and more determined than others, and casting such out requires a stronger faith than is usually the case. Prayer and fasting can be aids to faith.

but obstacles and difficulties which are like mountains. And these will all yield when faith is strong enough. See also Mark 11:24; Rom 4:19-21; Hebrews chapter 11.

“Unbelief” (v 20) – some ancient manuscripts have here “little faith”. Their unbelief on this occassion did not indicate a complete lack of faith in the Lord Jesus in everything, but a small faith mixed with unbelief, with the unbelief predominating at this time and in this matter. 17:22,23 See 16:21. They did not understand His words, but realized that something terrible was going to happen. They did not know what His resurrection from the dead would mean (Mark 9:10,32; Luke 18:34). God’s people sometimes grieve about something they could rejoice in if their understanding was better. See at Gen 50:20 an illustration of rejoicing instead of grieving. 17:24 Ex 30:13; 2 Chron 24:9. This tax was for the upkeep and ministry of the temple. 17:25 Collecting taxes from conquered peoples was the practice in the Roman Empire. Roman citizens did not have to pay. 17:26 Christ was the Son of God and greater than the temple (12:6). There was no obligation for Him (or for His followers) to pay the temple tax. The children of God are free, and their giving to religious institutions should be voluntary. See 2 Cor 9:7. They are not to be in bondage to the law of Moses or to man-made rules (Gal 5:1,13). Of course these verses have nothing to do with the obligation of Christians to pay taxes to their government. See Rom 13:5-7. 17:27 Here is another important principle for the children of God. They must not use their freedom in such a careless way that others are unnecessarily offended

This illustration of the mountain shows the great power of faith. Actually it is not literal mountains that need to be moved,

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