A Matthew Study

A Matthew Study

Preface

In writing this study I have prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to lead my thoughts and writing. I have tried very hard to follow God’s Word and not man’s opinions (including mine). I have worked to have the Bible be my only rule book and guide and, if I see my thoughts and writings do not match up to the rest of the Bible, I have removed them.

As we study the Bible, we must always look at how we apply what we study applies to our lives, culture, and world. If we are honest, we must say little has changed from the earliest times until now. Humankind has much more technology but our thinking, lust, desires, temptations, greed, etc., are the same. What can we learn from God’s Word and how can we effectively apply it in today’s world?

This study is not intended for sale. The bibliography may be incomplete, and some quotes lack proper citations. I did try to reference sources, but at times got involved in the study and forgot to do so. Hopefully, these are few. My apologies to any people or organizations I missed.

Each of us are responsible for our interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light the Holy Spirit has given us. The Holy Spirit must lead in how you interpret what you read and what you do with what you learn. We must not relinquish this responsibility to any commentator.

“Thoughts, comments, disagreements, and clarifications to this study are more than welcome.”

This study is not intended for sale. No academic format (i.e. APA or Chicago) is followed, although I have tried to list all end notes and references.

 

Tony Smith

ts50@outlook.com

 

STUDY OF MATTHEW

 

INTRODUCTION

The Gospel of Matthew written in the A.D. 60’s. Some scholars suggest Matthew used Mark as his source since parts of Matthew and Mark are similar. The similarities do not imply one copied from another. I say this based on Matthew’s close and continued relationship with Jesus, Matthew wrote about what he saw and experienced. The disciples were with Jesus much of the time, saw His actions, and heard His teachings. It is expected there would be many similarities and, because of individual perspectives, differences in their writings.

Matthew was one of the original Apostles chosen by Jesus. Before his call by Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector. The Jews hated tax collectors because they acted for the Roman overlords of Israel, and they took money from the people to support Rome. Tax collectors were unpaid and earned their livelihood by overcharging the populous’ taxes. Another reason they were hated. Matthew was one of Jesus’ most powerful examples of the forgiveness God offers everyone. Matthew was reviled because of his job, but Jesus loved him for who he was and could be. Jesus saw Matthew’s heart, not his job.

Matthew left tax collecting, to follow Jesus, and was one of those that accompanied Jesus beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up in the cloud. (Acts 1:21,22.) Matthew is a competent and trustworthy witness to what he recorded.

Jews were Matthew’s primary audience. Matthew's interest is in the Jesus’ fulfillment of O.T. prophecies of the Messiah. There are about 60 references to Jewish prophesies and 40 quotations from the O.T. Matthew proves Jesus was descended from the line of Abraham, through David, and to His Birth. Descending from both Abraham and David were extremely important to the Jews. The reason for this interest in pedigrees was that the Jews set the greatest possible importance on the purity of lineage.¹ Since God promised the Messiah would come from the line of David, the Jews needed proof Jesus did descend from him. To the Jew, it would be a most impressive matter that the ancestry of Jesus traced back to Abraham.

Matthew has three miracle stories in it, the healing of the ruler's daughter (Matthew 9:18-19; Matthew 9:23-26); the healing of the woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-22); and the healing of the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31) (Barclay) It also has four charges made against Jesus: blasphemy, immorality, slackness in piety, being in league with the devil. (Barclay)

To better understand Matthew’s Gospel, we should have at least a basic knowledge of Second Temple Judaism’s beliefs and customs. I am not recommending exhaustive knowledge but some knowledge. Knowledge helps us to understand why events and emotions happen. The Old Testament (Hebraic Scriptures) provides a lot of background (prophesies, etc.) re. Many occurrences described in the New Testament, particularly those related to Jesus’s life, were predicted in the Hebrew Scriptures through prophecies, religious festivals, and specific acts of God.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 01

 

When looking at the lineage of Christ we see three groups of fourteen generations. The first starts with Abraham to David, David to the deportation to Babylon, and from deportation to Babylon to Christ. Each of these is fourteen generations long. (The numbers are interesting. The Trinity is three, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Fourteen is composed of two sevens. Seven is the number standing for perfection and two is the two peoples God recognizes, Hebrew and Gentile. This subject is for another study.)

In Matthew, we see the lineage starts with Jesus and goes back to Abraham, not Adam. Matthew proves that Jesus is the Son of David and of Abraham; Luke, true to the scope of his Gospel, traces the pedigree from the common father of Jew and Gentile. “Matthew traces the royal succession, St. Luke the family lineage.”² This accounts for many variations in names between the two ancestry lists. In this study, we will look only at Matthew’s lineage of Jesus.

The lineage starts with Jesus to David to Abraham. This shortened lineage was an overview that would allow the reader to know Jesus was Jewish and his lineage could be traced back to when God chose Abraham and his family to be His messengers to the world and the people from which the Messiah would be born. Matthew also provides a detailed lineage back to Abraham. Lineage was important to the Jews. God told them not to intermarry with non-believing people and the way to avoid intermarriage was to know your lineage. If in any man there had the slightest admixture of foreign blood, he could no longer be called a Jew, and a member of the people of God. Jesus was purely Hebrew and His ancestry proved it.

In this lineage are the names of four women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. Some immorality is connected to all the women mentioned here, except Ruth. It is unusual for a Hebrew genealogy to include women, at least until the Roman conquests. These women were included for a reason. All four women were involved in continuing the Hebrews as a people. Tamar by pretending to be a prostitute and bearing sons to Judah. Rahab was a prostitute in Jerico who hid the Hebrew spies and saved them from the king. For her action, she and her family were saved from the destruction of Jerico. Rahab married a Hebrew and had a son Boaz, the great-grandfather of King David. Ruth was a Moabite who married Boaz, the grandfather of King David. Finally, Bathsheba had an affair with King David, married him, and bore Solomon who built the temple in Jerusalem. The inclusion of these women in the lineage of the Messiah shows the all-embracing width of the love of God. He came for all people, God’s chosen people, heathens, men, women, all who would come to Him.

We now come to the birth of Jesus. This section can seem a bit confusing but accurately depicts the three parts of a Hebrew wedding: the engagement, betrothal and marriage. The parents often made the engagement. The betrothal was a kind of ratification of the engagement. A betrothal could be ended if the girl declined; once agreed upon, it was binding for one year. Throughout that year, the couple were regarded as husband and wife, despite not possessing the conjugal rights typically associated with marriage. The betrothal could only be dissolved through formal divorce proceeding. Finally, there is the marriage proper.

Joseph and Mary were at the betrothal stage when Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Due to Mary’s pregnancy Joseph was considering divorcing her until the angel told him the child was by the Holy Spirit and Mary was faithful to him. This story tells that in the birth of Jesus the Spirit of God was operative as never before in this world. It is the Spirit who brings God's truth to men^.5

God was quite specific in the message He sent to Mary and Joseph. Mary was to bear a son, and He was to be named Yeshua (Joshua or Savior in Hebrew) because He will save people from their sins. Joseph and Mary followed God’s instructions. Joseph married Mary but did not consummate the marriage until Jesus was born.

One thing we must remember, God told Mary and Joseph what was going on, He did not tell the neighbors. In their eyes Mary may have been seen as a woman of questionable virtue. It is doubtful everyone would believe the child was through the Holy Spirit, if she or Joseph even told anyone.

 

¹ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

² Matthew 1:1-17 - The Preacher's Homiletical Commentary - Bíblia Plus”

³ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁴ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁵ Matthew 1 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries ...”

⁶ Isaiah 7:14 NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 02

Chapter 2 contains all that Matthew talks about the infancy of Jesus. Luke gives us very little information with Mark and John not providing any information at all. We can find a bit more in Luke, but not a lot more. God gives us the knowledge we need but does not give us exhaustive knowledge. Although we may want to know, we do not need to know, the early life of Jesus. What is important for us and what we need to know starts with Jesus’ ministry. The little we learn in Matthew chapter two tells us more about Herod, his thinking and actions than it does about Jesus.

Herod was very interested in the child, who He is, when He was born, and where He was born. Although, to the wise men, Herod pretended a desire to worship Jesus, his true interest was eliminating any competition to his authority and power. Herod was an appointed ruler and would not have the authority and power of a born ruler. Herod’s plan to use the information from the wise men to kill Jesus did not work out. God sent a messenger to Joseph telling him to take Jesus and Mary and escape to Egypt.

Before God told Joseph to escape to Egypt the wise men (perhaps astrologers) visited Jesus, worshipped Him and left very valuable gifts.¹ These gifts financed the escape to Egypt and living there. God planned everything including the required financing. A lesson here is God does the same for us. While we worry, God has already taken care of our needs, just as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:24-30).

The wise men, warned by God about Herod, traveled home by a different direction and escaped Herod’s clutches and plans. God had already told Joseph to flee to Egypt which he did, keeping Jesus safe. Herod, not willing to give up, used the information he had from the wise men and Jewish scholars, determined when and where Jesus was born and then killed all the male children around Bethlehem born at the date determined.²

Herod’s motive would seem to be simple, kill anyone with even the remotest possibility of replacing him as ruler. When we look more closely, we can see warfare in the spiritual realm taking place. We can see this in Matthew chapter four with the testing of Jesus as well as Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 8:28; and many other Scriptures. Satan knows the Scriptures and was expecting the birth of the Messiah, the Son of God. Satan did his best to kill Jesus before the appointed time. Only God could and would decide when Jesus would be killed (John 10:18). Satan led the actions of Herod to have Jesus killed. (Perhaps he thought killing God’s Son would solve His problems, or it was just a way to try to get even with and hurt God.) Obviously, Satan could not and did not succeed. He could not stop God’s plan for the salvation of man. In obedience to God’s messenger Joseph took Mary and Jesus, left Egypt and traveled back to Israel. Once again God warned Joseph not to settle in Judah. Joseph went to Galilee and settled in Nazareth. Prophesy said the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. (This appears to be a play on words which the Jews were fond of doing. In Numbers Six we read about men or women who took a vow as a Nazarite. Those who took this vow would neither drink strong drink (Numbers 6:2b-4) nor cut their hair (Numbers 6:2b-4) “The Hebrew term for Nazarite is ‘nazir,’ meaning “to consecrate” and is derived from the root ‘nazar’ which means “to separate.”³ Jesus, being called a Nazarene could bring to mind the Nazarite vow (although there is no proof He took the vow) and the thought of being separate and totally consecrated to God, which He was.

An interesting aside is Bethlehem, Beth-lechem in Hebrew, signifies the house of bread. Jesus, the bread of life, was born in Beth-lechem, the house of bread. Lehem signifies flesh, as in the flesh on the alter.⁴ (Blue Letter Bible, Adam Clarke) Jesus is the perfect Passover lamb sacrificed for our sins. God has everything planned out far ahead of when it happens.

 

¹ Tradition tell us there were three wise men. This is based on three types of gifts. The number of wise men who came to Jesus is indeterminate. Given the distance traveled, the value of the gifts they carried, and the inherent dangers of the trip, there seems to be a small number.

² Again tradition shows the wise men kneeling around the manger where the baby Jesus was laying. A lovely picture but not accurate. Based on what Herod learned he killed ALL male children two years old and younger. This means Jesus could have been about two years old when the wise men visited and then Joseph took the family to Egypt.

³ https://twentyeighteighteen.com/2014/12/07/the-vow-of-a-nazarite/

⁴ Blue Letter Bible, Adam Clarke Commentary

 

 

Matthew Chapter 03

When we look at Chapter Three, we see some things done differently now than in the time of Jesus. The first thing is baptism. The word baptism comes from the Hebrew word tevilah and the Greek word baptismo which means “to be immersed in water.” This was done at a mikveh, a gathering of water containing 120 gallons and with the water moving. Currently, baptism is performed using pouring, sprinkling, or immersion methods. Often, in our time, a minister is the person pouring or sprinkling and, if immersion, is the person who puts the person under the water and brings them back out of the water. In Second Temple Judaism, the time of Jesus, the person officiating at the baptism did not touch the person being baptized nor did they pour, sprinkle, or dunk the baptized. The person officiating supervised the baptism. They made sure the person being baptized went completely into the water and were completely immersed. The baptized would go into the water, totally immerse themselves, and come out of the water. There was no pouring, or sprinkling, nor did anyone put them into the water and take them back out.

The second thing we need to look at is John the Baptist (or as he was known at that time John the Immerser). John came dressed in a hairy garment with a leather belt. This was for a very specific reason. As Jesus noted John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. And Elijah was a hairy man (2 Kings 1:7-8), John was not. The Hebraic prophets often used visuals to get across their message. John dressed as he did to emulate Elijah and get his message across. John also quoted Isaiah 40:3 to make his mission clear. YHWH sent John to prepare the way for the Messiah.

This chapter starts off with John the Immerser preaching in the desert areas of Judea for the people to repent and that the Kingdom of Heaven has come, not far off in time, but here now. His message came from the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3. (Matthew often pulls from and refers to the Hebraic Scriptures [Old Testament].) Matthew makes a point of telling his audience John wears a camel’s hair coat and leather belt. To the Jews at that time, it would make an immediate connection with Elijah the prophet. (See comments above re: Elijah.)

Verse 5 and 6 let us know people from all over Judah were coming to John for baptism. Verse 6 in the NASB states “⁶and they were being baptized by him.” A more accurate translation is “They ritually immersed themselves in water under his supervision.”¹ (See comments above re: baptism.) John saw the Jewish leaders coming to be baptized and, subtle person that he was, called them poisonous snakes (vipers), wanted to know who warned them about what was coming and, perhaps most importantly, told them to bring fruits, works, that were fitting for returning to God. What were they doing to show they earnestly desired to return to YHWH. WE see this same theme in James of works showing faith. Faith alone is meaningless without actions.

John now addresses one of the well-used defenses of the Jews, especially the leaders: “we are children of Abraham.” John dismissed that defense by stating God could raise up children from the stones.³ Later Jesus said the Centurian and Phoenician woman had more faith that the Jewish leaders. John warns them that the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous had already begun.

John now makes his job clear, he was sent to baptize in water for people to return to God but there is one coming from YHWH who is much greater than John⁴ who will immerse them (totally cover them like the water covered them) with the Holy Spirit⁵ and with fire. This person is here and is prepared to separate the wheat from the chaff and the chaff will burn with a fire that never goes out.

Jesus traveled from Galilee to the Jordan River, where John baptize Him. John hesitated to baptize Jesus, feeling Jesus should baptize him instead. After Jesus said it needed to be done John acquiesced and supervised Jesus immersing himself in the water and then coming out from the water.⁶ When Jesus came out of the water the heavens opened, and a dove flew down and landed on Jesus. At the same time YHWH spoke from heaven verifying Jesus was His Son and YHWH was very pleased with Him.

 

¹ HEBREW HERITAGE BIBLE, The Newer Testament, Brad Boyd Ph.D. Translator

² James 2:17-19 NASB

³ Some scholars think “stones” refers to Gentiles who were there.

⁴ People considered John a great prophet, the last of the great prophets. By John saying he was not even worthy of carrying this person’s sandals was to put himself lower than the lowest slave in comparison to this person.

⁵ John said they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The people knew exactly what he was saying. The Holy Spirit was not unknown to the people. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit did not start with Jesus. Numbers 11:25; Psalm 51:11; Eze. 36:27

⁶ Baptism was very important to the Jews and was performed whenever there was an important change in a person’s life. Here Jesus was about to start His ministry signaling a great change in His life and a great change in the world, the defeat of Satan and salvation available for man.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 04

Following His baptism, during which God affirmed His approval of His Son, Jesus was subsequently guided by the Spirit into the wilderness to undergo temptation. The testing The Hebrew word for tempted translated into Greek (peirasmos) is also translated as tested. Peirasmos is defined as “the trial of man' s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy.” Although believers learn that Jesus was tempted, "tested" may better describe His experience. The testing lasted forty days. Forty signifies change, for the individual and often for the world. Rain fell for forty days and nights (Genesis 7:4). Moses was in the mountain forty days (Exodus 24:18). Israel ate manna and wandered in the wilderness for forty years (Exodus 16:35). Jesus remained on earth forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3) In each case, and others not listed here, a major change happened to the persons involved and the world.

Every test teaches us how to resist Satan. Three tests were identified, but more likely occurred that fit these categories. The first test involved physical hunger, the need and desire for food. Satan tried to have Jesus’ focus on His physical needs instead of God’s Word and Work. Satan tried to get Jesus to use His power and authority as God’s Son to fulfill His immediate needs. Jesus responded by quoting God’s Word. He refrained from engaging in argument or confrontation with Satan, instead relying on the authority of God's Word (Deuteronomy. 8:3).

The second test involves personal safety, proof of His power and testing the Father. Satan challenged Christ to jump off the Temple in Jerusalem. Satan’s reasoning was, it written, God would protect Him (Psalm 91:11-12). This was again a test to get Jesus to “prove” God’s Word and ‘force’ the Father to protect Him. To do so, Jesus would need to unnecessarily put Himself in harm’s way. Jesus did not argue with Satan’s quote of God’s Word, He simply quoted Deut 6:16 which showed Satan was misusing Scripture. An example is Jesus telling the Sadducees “But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.”² Jesus did not argue, dispute or use the power he had for His self-aggrandizement, He simply used God’s Word to correct and rebuke Satan.

The third test involved power. Satan showed Jesus all the world  empires and power and told Jesus he would give Jesus all of these if Jesus would worship him. Jesus replied by quoting Deut. 6:13. We are to worship only God. Satan is not God and not to be worshipped regardless of potential or apparent rewards.

There are some commonalities in this test. In all cases Satan tries to have Christ put Himself first and God’s Will and Work second. He also tried to have Jesus use His power as the Son of God for Himself, for His ease, comfort and pride. Pride is what caused Satan to fall. Jesus faces the challenge of being offered substantial power. Satan told Jesus He could have all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship Satan. Satan says they were his to give. Christ did not correct Satan telling him that they were not His to give, He simply told Satan we were to worship YHWH only, no one else.

When looking at this testing (and other times of testing) we must remember Jesus is both God and man. He suffered the testing as a man, just as we would. He did not have any special ability to resist. As a man He suffered as we do, had the same passions, testing, temptations, etc. common to man. In dealing with the testing Jesus suffered through it just as we would. Jesus used the same defense that is available to us, God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures. James 5:17 makes this same point “¹⁷Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. ¹⁸Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” Jesus was and is fully the Son of God as well as fully man. As a man He suffered as we do, had the same passions, testing, temptations, etc. that are common to man, but He always put God first and dedicated His life to doing God’s will. We tend to look at Jesus’ human side and many of the prophets as being different than us, somehow born better. They were not.

After Jesus was tested, He began His ministry. Having gone through the testing Jesus proved to Satan and the world YHWH was first in His life. Satan had no hold on Him. Jesus is the Son of God, Savior of the world. Jesus now learned that John the Immerser was imprisoned.

Once Jesus made Capernaum His home, He started His ministry with the proclamation “Return to God, for the kingdom of heaven has come.”³Jesus now began to call those He would train to continue His work once He was crucified and resurrected, His disciples. The first disciples called were fishermen, brothers Andrew and Simon, as they were going about their jobs. They immediately left their jobs and started following Him. Jesus then saw two other fishermen brothers, James and John, and they also left their fishing to follow Jesus. Notice the call of Jesus, He called them to be fishers of men. They were to use the talent and skills they already had for God’s work.

The start of Jesus’ ministry was not necessarily one to encourage those in power. He was a poor carpenter who started out by calling poor, uneducated, fishermen who worked very hard at their labor-intensive jobs. These men are those the Son of God chose to train for His work. He selected those who were willing to listen and learn, not the rich, educated, or powerful.

Jesus started His ministry by traveling throughout Galilee teaching in the Jewish learning centers. Jesus did not avoid the Jewish places of worship and learning but went to them to teach the scriptures and lead people to return to God. As a part of His ministry, He showed God’s love through healing many kinds of disease and sickness among those who came to Him. His healing in God’s name became so well-known people from a large area came to see him.

 

¹ https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Lexicon.show/ID/G3986/peirasmos.htm

² Matthew 22:29 NASB

³ The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

 

 

Matthew Chapter 05

Chapter five starts with the Sermon on the Mount. This chapter is an extension of chapter four. After Jesus was tested and overcame Satan, He shows us how we can do the same through Him. Matthew chapter five is a very clear map for living our lives.

Jesus had begun His ministry in Galilee with large crowds coming to Him to hear His message and be healed. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went to a place everyone could hear. His sermon laid out God’s philosophy, expectations, requirements, rewards, and rules for living a successful life. After Jesus finished the beatitudes, He explains what that means to us. He does not do this blessing by blessing but rather looks at them and explains them as a unit.

Each of the beatitudes is formally a declarative sentence, but each requires a response “O the blessedness of the poor in spirit” is an example. Beatitudes deal with what is, and what will be. They are in the present and the future. Christ's blessings are immediate, not delayed. They are blessings that exist here and now. The blessings are something into which the Christian has already entered, and which they will enter into the fulness sometime in the future. The beatitudes are statements of the unspeakable joy and radiant gladness of living the Christian life.

The Beatitudes all work together. We often look at them separately when we should look at them as one unit with each building with the other to make a complete blueprint for being a happy person and Christian. Christ gives us eight steps to being a happy person and especially a happy Christian. It is important to realize wealth and/or power are not part of any of the blessings. Jesus is saying something we see throughout the Gospels: God’s kingdom is already here, and it also hasn’t yet arrived. (See Matt. 12:28; Luke 11:2.) This is why Christ can proclaim the blessing here and now while also speaking about the blessings of a future kingdom. As Christians, we live in two realities at the same time. We belong to God’s Kingdom and live in that reality. We also live in the physical world and its reality. Our first allegiance and responsibility are to God’s Kingdom, His Word. (For a more detailed study on the Sermon on the Mount see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look in the list for Beatitudes.)

Salt makes food desirable, and makes others want to taste it for themselves. Believers should be the salt of God’s Word. People should be able to look at a Christian’s life, see the peace and joy believers have in Christ and want that for themselves. If a Christian hides or let’s go of the hope and joy Christ brings, how can others be drawn to Christ? Jesus also tells us we are the light of the world. We bring the good news of God’s salvation for man, Jesus the Messiah, to everyone with whom we come in contact. We are to shine the light of God’s love, protection, provision, caring, and joy. God uses His light in us to reveal sin, prompt repentance, and offer salvation. A person does not hide a lamp under a bushel. To do so makes the lamp useless or almost useless for giving light. If we as Christians hide what God has given us, we have become a very dim or perhaps useless light for showing the good news.

Jesus now moves on to a defense of His teachings, present and future. The teachings of Jesus never change. (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), Therefore when He says in Matthew 5:17 "Do not even begin to think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come with the purpose to cancel them but rather to interpret them properly.” (1) Jesus was making the foundation of His teaching crystal clear, His foundation is the Torah, God’s instructions to His creation, humankind. For Jesus these instructions were not out of date and never would be out of date, passe’, outmoded. (2) By saying this Jesus makes clear the Torah takes precedence over any man-made traditions, “oral torah,” or man’s teachings. He emphasizes that God's instructions (Torah) remain relevant. People may think it is obsolete, but YHWH never made it such.

Jesu made it very clear, anyone who annuls any of the Torah will be least in the kingdom of heaven and anyone who keeps the Torah will be great in the kingdom of heaven. Notice Jesus did not say they would not be in heaven, but they would be the lowest or greatest in heaven. Finally, Jesus tells us unless our righteous way of living exceeds that of the scribes and spiritual leaders (3) we will not get into heaven. (4) It is a matter of the heart. Does a person truly worship God by what they do or are they just going through the motions. (5)

After validating that the Torah comes from YHWH and is not or going away, Jesus now moves to an integral part of the Torah, interpersonal relations. How does God want us to deal with others? How do we show love?

The first thing Jesus deals with is murder. Jesus very quickly makes the point murder begins in the heart. This is not a matter of just killing a person but having hate in your heart, hate to belittle them, harm them or kill them because of that hate. Every person is a creation of God, therefore murdering a person is attacking God. Becoming angry with our brother without repentance opens one up to being guilty of murder. Being angry without repentance allows the possibility of that anger growing into full blown hatred and that hatred into actual murder. Murder begins in the heart before it occurs physically, and a person will be judged by it.

This is very important. Jesus tells us that before we come to worship God, we must leave our gift at the altar and make things right with our brother. If we do not, there may well be repercussions. A person may be sued, lose assets, and/or face jail until debts are settled.

Now Christ moves to adultery. Again, He makes the point that physical actions begin in the heart. When one person lusts after another person who is not their spouse, they have already committed adultery. Focusing on a person and fantasizing about having emotional and/or sexual relations with them is what leads to sin.

Much like murder, thinking about actions can lead to those actions happening physically. Most crimes begin in the mind and, as a person dwells on them, find their way to actions. Individuals often attribute the responsibility for a crime to the tool employed in its execution. Most instruments used to commit crimes are inanimate objects, neither good nor bad, until put into use by a person. A gun cannot commit a murder but the person using the gun can. The same is the case with knives, rolling pins, pens, etc. People must change but only through Christ they can and will.

Christ helps us see it is the mind, our thinking, which is the fundamental issue. He says if one part of our body causes us to stumble, we should cut it off and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven without a part of our body than hell with all of our body. How do we cut off our mind, our thinking, our paradigms? We cannot! Only through Christ can our minds change, renewed from worldly thinking to Godly thinking, and that on a daily basis. “Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”⁶

Jesus talks about divorce, swearing an oath, an eye for an eye, being forced to do something and true love. In all of these examples Jesus shows us a different way of looking at and approaching them. One example that is very relevant to today is verse 5:40 “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” We hear of people murdered because they “disrespected” someone or made them do something they did not want to do. Jesus tells us if this happens do not retaliate or get angry but give more than the person required. This approach makes good, solid, sense. If a person gives more than required, it takes the force away and the task becomes a gift instead.

Romans 12:19 makes it very clear revenge belongs to the Lord, He will take vengeance when appropriate, it is not our job or responsibility. Paul restates this teaching in Romans 12. It is not our job to repay evil in kind. It is not our job to put ourselves first, to have pride in ourselves. Our job is to put God first and love His creation, all of it.

At the end of chapter 5 Jesus lists a number of Torah instructions we have not truly understood. He mentions that we have heard we should hate our enemies. This was a teaching of the Essenes, to love our neighbors, friends and hate our enemies. (The Essenes considered those who agreed with them as friends and those who did not as enemies.) Jesus turns this on its head and tells us we must love our enemies. We must love those who persecute us, take advantage of us. If we love only those who love us, we are just doing what everyone does,. To be children of God and be a light to draw others to Him our love must go far beyond the world’s love. We must love and act with love to all people regardless of wealth, position, relation to us, etc.

Jesus tells us not to compete with an evil person. If someone slaps you, don't retaliate; offer the other cheek. Doing this and not competing or retaliating shows love and also takes control of the situation away from the person doing the wrong and allows God to work. It is also a witness to bystanders of God’s love and control of the situation.

In conclusion, we are expected to attain completeness and wholeness, reflecting the attributes of the Father. Some translations say ‘perfect’, but the better translation of the Hebrew word is complete. What does Jesus mean by “complete?” When looking at the context, living and acting in and with love is the primary focus. This is God’s love. It is not a transitory, here now but gone the next moment love. Instead, it is a love that is permanent, acknowledging who we are in the deepest parts of our being. It is love that does not depend on the actions of others, good or bad. It is love that is consistent and unwavering, across time and space, having the love for others that God has for us. That is what “being complete” is all about.

 

¹ Matthew 5:17, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

² https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/passe; https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passé

³ Matthew 5:20, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁴ “The translation “spiritual leaders" is for the word farisaioi in Greek and perushim in Hebrew, which is usually transliterated in English translations with the term "Pharisees." Sadly, this designation has come to mean "hypocrite" in English usage. Though Jesus criticized the hypocritical practices of some Pharisees, He instructed his disciples to follow their teachings (Matt 23:3). At the time, the Pharisees were regarded as "spiritual leaders.” They were respected for their Bible teachings and dedicated faith. As a result, “spiritual leaders" is a much more accurate translation than “Pharisees” for English usage today.” (The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator, p7, footnote 5:20)

⁵ Mark 7:6 NASB

⁶ 2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 06

What are the motives behind our actions? A Prayer outline and how to pray. Why do we have anxiety? Matthew 6 covers these topics. The primary teaching is our motives. Why are we doing what we do? Are we doing acts of righteousness so the world will see and honor/praise us or are we doing them unto the Lord and not so people will see. Jesus gives a number of examples, giving, praying, fasting, worrying about the needs in life.

When we give, we should not let one hand know what the other is doing. Do not give in a pretentious way but rather give discreetly where others do not see your giving rewarding you with praise. Give in a way only God sees, and God will reward you. In Israel when a rich person gave, they may well sound a trumpet before they gave. Although this was meant to gather the poor for assistance, it often served to draw attention to the giver and earn their praise. Jesus tells us when this was the motive, they already had their reward. When people gave secretly God will give them their reward.

Fasting was important to the Hebrews and is also important to Christians. Fasting is denying ourselves so we can focus on God’s will and people needs. The fast is usually food and sometimes food and water. It can be anything as long as we use the fast to focus on God and learn His will. In Israel many times people (often scribes, Pharisee, priests and other leaders) would fast but would let their appearance go unkept, perhaps wear shabby clothes, perhaps not was, so the populus would know they were fasting and honor them for it. This is NOT the reason for a fast. Again, Jesus tells us when this was the motive, they already had their reward. When we fast, we should keep up our appearance and not look like we are fasting. When we fast in secret God rewards us in secret. The ongoing theme is what are our motives, are they God focused or self-focused?

Jesus now talks about praying. Again, our motives for praying examined. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men…”¹ Are we praying so God hears us or so men see us, praise, and exalt us for praying? If we are praying so people see us, we already have our reward. When we pray, we should pray so God hears, no one else needs to hear. We are praying to God, communicating with God, not other people.

Praying in a secret or private place also minimizes distractions so we can communicate more clearly with God. Notice I said communicate. Communication is a two-way process; we talk and LISTEN. We do not need to say a lot of words, God knows our hearts, but we do want to communicate what is important.

Jesus now gives us an outline for praying. This outline tells us the important parts of prayer. (For a more detailed study on the Lord’s Prayer see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look in the list for the Lord’s Prayer). The outline starts out recognizing God’s sovereignty over everything. Forgiveness is critical. How can we expect to forgive us when we will not forgive others? If we cannot forgive, then we are not ready to receive forgiveness.

Now we come to anxiety, worry. What good is it? What does worrying gain for us? Nothing! In fact, worrying can detract from our life. It can harm our physical, emotional, and mental health as well as shorten our life span. It also indicates a lack of faith. We worry about food, clothes, jobs, family, etc. God knows we need food, clothes, etc. and will provide them as needed. Worry and anxiety show we do not fully trust God will provide.

This chapter asks us to examine the state of our hearts, our motives, the fundamental basis for our actions. Are they God centered or “me” centered? Do we want man’s reward here and now or God’s reward in the future. The ‘why’ of our actions tell us who we truly serve. If the ‘why’ is to further God’s Kingdom, we are serving God. If the ‘why’ is present reward, praise from people, etc. then a person is serving Satan, not God. A person cannot truly serve both. It is impossible.

 

¹ Matthew 6:5 NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 07

Chapter 7 continues Matthew’s theme of faith in God and God providing for our needs. Verses 1-2 are quoted. Many people who quote this verse do not understand what Jesus said. They seem to think (or hope) that Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching.¹ Matthew gives us great advice, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you….”²  Jesus gives an example that may seem a bit ludicrous but makes the point very well. We should not highlight a small shortcoming in another person when we have a huge shortcoming of our own. A person must recognize and take care of their own shortcomings before criticizing others and their shortcomings. There is a difference between criticizing and critiquing, judging and reproving. We may think we are reproving when we are actually judging. A person may think we are judging when we are reproving. The difference is the guiding of the Holy Spirit and the state of our hearts. “It is not everyone who is fit to reprove. Those who are themselves guilty of the same faults of which they accuse others, or worse, bring shame upon themselves, and are not likely to do good to those whom they reprove”³

Matthew provides two excellent examples. Matthew 26:6-13 tells us about the woman who poured very expensive fragrant oil on Jesus while He was at dinner. Some of the disciples condemned the woman for this act thinking this money could have been spent on helping the poor. Jesus corrected them saying that she had done a good thing for Him. They could always help the poor, they would be there into the future, but He would not.

John 8:3 tells us of a woman taken in the act of adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees condemned her, reminding Jesus that, according to the law, she should be stoned and wanting Him to agree. (Notice they did not also bring the man involved.) Jesus wrote on the ground. We have no idea what He wrote but, told those who condemned her that whoever was without sin they should throw the first stone to kill. Eventually, everyone who had condemned her departed, and Jesus remained alone with her. He then gently reproved her for her sin and told her to go and sin no more.

Humans tend to judge, not just other humans but just about everything. Often the judgement is based on rumor, innuendo or incomplete information and may not be correct. Many times, people quote Matthew 7:1, but forget about Matthew 7:2. We are judged by the Word of God and God’s love, mercy and justice. If we judge by our prejudices and paradigms instead of God’s Word, then we will be judged by those same prejudices and paradigms as well as God’s Word. Romans 14:10 and James 4:11 provide a bit more clarification. We are not to speak evil of anyone or act/speak as if they are nothing. 1 John 4:1 tells us to test the spirits and Galatians 5:22-23 tell us the fruits of the Spirit and how we can tell the spirit of God from other, ungodly, spirits.

“You must never give what is consecrated as holy to dogs.” These are those people we find obstinate after the gospel was preached to them, such as blasphemed it, and persecuted the preachers of it. We should not spend much time among such for it would be lost labor, but we must continue to pray for them that they would come to believe in Christ.²

"Ask and [God] will give to you. Seek and [God] will cause you to find.”³ Matthew here reinforces his theme that God knows our needs and supplies them. Jesus said the same in John 14:13 and 16:26. If we ask the Father in Jesus’ name the Father hears and answers us. Matthew gives an example using what a loving human father does for his child. If a child asks for bread the father will not give the child a rock. If a child asks for candy the father will not give the child a grenade. If people who are not righteous can give good gifts how much will our holy, righteous Father in Heaven give good gifts?

“In every situation then, treat others the way that you want them to treat you, for this is the summary of the Torah and the Prophets.”⁴ Many times Christians look at the Torah only as law. The Torah is much more than that. Matthew shows us what is known as the Golden Rule is a fundamental part of the Torah. We also see this in Matthew 22:40; 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 4. We are instructed to take the road through the narrow gate. We're told it's not easy. The wide gate and easy road leads to destruction.

“Guard against the false prophets, who come to you disguised in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”⁵ We will recognize those who are false believers, pretenders, by their fruits. Look at their works. Do their works show Christ’s love? Do their doctrine, actions and works (fruits) show compliance with God’s Word? If they do not-----run away. Do not throw your pearls before swine. We have need to be very cautious, because their pretenses are very fair and plausible, and such as will deceive us, if we are not on our guard.²

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the individual who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”⁶ A person just saying they are a Christian without the fruits showing their faith is not enough. (James 2:14-18) As going to a college campus everyday does not make me a student at the college, so going to church even every day does not make me a believer. To be a believer one must accept Christ as their savior and then live in faith for Christ. Doing so will produce fruit showing our faith and commitment.

Those who attend but do not believe are like those who build their dwelling on poor soil. When external forces work on the house it will fall. We see this in the landslides, earthquakes, tornados, etc. that are happening. Houses constructed with solid materials on stable land are less likely to be damaged. The same is true of people. Those who have accepted Christ and live according to God’s Word are not easily deceived. Their solid grounding on God’s Word and faith in God keep them safe.

Jesus taught them as someone possessing authority and not like the scribes. Jesus being the Word of God did not need to refer to other “experts” on the Torah but knew the reason and purpose of what the Father said. His authority came through and comes through His teaching.

This chapter reminds us that Jesus did not forbid judging others but cautioned against using a standard we wouldn't want applied to ourselves. Do not apply a standard hypocritically, with one application used for us and one used for other people: The only valid standard is God’s Word: any judging MUST be led by the Holy Spirit. One of the gifts of the Spirit is discernment of spirits. There is a difference between judging and discernment, although they are related.

 

¹ Matthew 7:1-2, NASB

² Matthew Henry, Commentary on Matthew.

³ Matthew 7:7, NASB

⁴ Matthew 7:12, NASB

⁵ Matthew 7:15, NASB

⁶ Matthew 7:21, NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 08

In Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29 Matthew has given us the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew has given us his account of the words of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 8 Matthew gives us an account of the deeds of Jesus and shows us Divine Love in action. (Barclay) As we look at chapter 8, we can break it down into sections. Jesus showed His mastery and authority over 1) disease, 2) indecisive or perhaps false commitment, 3) nature and 4) demons.

In verses 1 through 17, three specific miracles, two involved Jews and one for a Gentile (a Roman officer). In the first healing a leper came to Jesus and said “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”¹ A leper approaching a Jew was highly unusual at that time. Lepers were to maintain a six-foot minimum distance from other people. This was to prevent the possibility of infecting another person as well as, depending on the type of leprosy and stage of the disease, the person could be horribly disfigured. Jesus did not let these to determine His course of action. He touched the man, and the man was immediately completely healed. Jesus then instructed the man to go and do what Moses said and go to the priests and make the offerings required. Jesus told the man to do these as a witness to what had done, healing him.

Next, a centurion came to Jesus asking Jesus to heal his servant (slave). This was unusual for at least two reasons; the centurion showed love and care for his slave, very unusual in the cultures at that time. The centurion was Gentile, a Roman, Jews were not to enter a Gentile’s house, or the Jew would be unclean. Again, Jesus did not that to determine His actions, He told the centurion He would come and heal the slave. Jesus was willing to go to a Gentiles house, the house of an occupying military to heal a slave. This is amazing, especially considering the time and culture. Nothing would keep Jesus from taking care of His creation.

The response of the centurion was amazing and showed and understanding of Jesus very few had. The centurion recognized Jesus’ authority and power. He knew it was not necessary for Jesus to come to his house. Jesus had to but make the command and would. The centurion may also have wasted to spare Jesus the necessity of entering his Gentile residence and possible problem with the Jewish leadership. Jesus told the centurion to go; his slave was healed.

After this Jesus and His disciples went to Peters house. When they arrived, they found Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever and in bed. Given the area and the high incidence of malaria and other diseases it is hard to say what the problem may have been. It is not important we know the cause of the fever; it is important we know Jesus healed her. No sickness or disability is beyond the power of our Lord to heal. An important part of this healing is that Peter’s mother-in-law got up and served them. She did not just sit around rejoicing that she was healed, SHE TOOK ACTION, she served Jesus and the disciples.

While Jesus was at Peter’s house, in the evening many who were sick, disabled or demon possessed were brought to Jesus for healing. The reason for bringing people in the evening was it was cooler then and those needing healing or deliverance would not need to face the heat of the day. Jesus healed those who came to Him. Just as prophesied in Isaiah 53:4.

Now Matthew changes the pace a bit, he talks about those coming to Jesus stating they wanted to follow Him, and those Jesus invited to follow Him.

In the first instance “a scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”² The fact that a scribe (usually a Pharisee) would come to Jesus and want to follow Him is surprising. A scribe was often a Pharisee, and they were not always fans of Jesus. Jesus told him what he could expect, poverty, no permanent home and possibly living on the fringes of society. Another potential follower asked that Jesus would first let him bury his father. That did not mean his father was dead or even close to death but rather he wanted to wait until his worldly/cultural requirements were completed (perhaps years) to follow Christ. Jesus’ response was following Him was more important that the responsibilities to the world or culture.

Perhaps we should ask which is more important, satisfying worldly/cultural norms or keeping one person from living without God, going to hell, for eternity? Perhaps that is a root question here.

Matthew now moves to Jesus’ authority over nature. ^“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.”³ The disciples were very afraid, woke Jesus up asking Him to save them. Jesus first asked them why they were afraid; told them they had little faith and with His word calmed the storm. The Disciples were amazed and wondered what kind of man was Jesus that even nature obeyed Him.

A few things are seen here. When Jesus said to them “you men of little faith” He was letting them know there was nothing to fear Despite how circumstances looked God was there and their faith in God would keep them safe. Through faith they had the power to calm the storm, just as Jesus did. We also see they still did not realize who Jesus truly is, the Word of God, God with us. We have the same issue today. Even believers do not realize who Jesus really is. His power, authority, magnificence, love, caring, and protection are not always truly realized or abided in. We also do not recognize or realize the true power of faith in Him. We are often told God’s miracles and gifts were for the early church, not us. Science and technology have “proved” these miracles no longer exist, if they ever did. When did we outgrow the need for God in our world and lives? Age and knowledge do not imply wisdom.⁴ The need for faith is still in the world but now er put our faith in science, technology, and gadgets instead of God. We can predict when a disaster (earthquake, storm, blizzard, hurricane, mudslide, etc.) may happen but we, with all of our technology, cannot stop it. Only God can stop it.

After the storm they immediately came to the country of the Gadarenes.⁵ Two very violent demon possessed men met Jesus and the disciples. The demons in these men immediately questioned Jesus as to His intentions. Was He going to torment them before the appointed time? The demons knew exactly who Jesus is and knew He had authority over them. They knew they would be cast out of the man and asked Jesus to let them inhabit the herd of pigs. Jesus did and as soon as the demons inhabited the pigs the pigs killed themselves. “This is the mark of evil. It is always destructive; whereas the Spirit of God is constructive and builds up from the ruins of Satan’s work”⁶

After the demons into the pigs the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw Him, they asked Him to move away from their region. Why would they ask Jesus to leave the region, after all He had just delivered two men from demons, He was known as helping and healing people. Perhaps it was financial. The owner(s) of the pigs just lost a large amount of money. Since they had not seen anything like this before perhaps it was fear. Perhaps Satan blinded them to Jesus and His saving power. Why do people do the same today?

 

¹Matthew 8:2 NASB

²Matthew 8:19 NASB

³Matthew 8:24 NASB

⁴Job 32:6-9

⁵Girgashim" is Hebrew for the textual reading in Greek, Gergcsénon or “Girgash" perhaps from Girgashites (Gen 15:21; Josh 3:10; Neh 9:8). The designations Girgash or Girgashim fit the geographical location. The place is considered to be identified today as Kursi on the northeast side of the lake. Here in Matt 8:28 the NASB prefers the Greek reading Gaderénén, “Gadarenes," which would refer to the more well-known town of Gadara (Umm Qais), but it is located too far away from the lake (6 miles or 9.6 km). The Newer Testament, Young, p13

⁶F.B. Meyer Commentary on Matthew

 

 

Matthew Chapter 09

After casting the demons into the pigs Jesus got into a boat and went to Capernaum. Once there, a man was brought to Him. The man, a paralytic on his bed, was brought to Jesus. At that time and place a man frequently spread a mat upon the ground and sleep in the open air; in the morning he rolls up his mat and carries it away. This mat is probably what the friends of the paralytic used to bring him to Jesus. Jesus’ first words are a bit surprising “Take courage, child. Your sins are forgiven."

This caused consternation among the some of the scribes, they felt He was committing blasphemy. Only God can forgive sin, not man. Jesus knew what they were thinking and addressed their thoughts by saying “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, Get up, and walk?” He then told the man to pick up his bed and go home. The Jewish rightly believed only God can forgive sins. By Jesus telling the man his sins were forgiven the Jewish leaders thought Jesus committed blasphemy, He was a man, not YHWH. Jesus showed He was God and could forgive sins and heal, which He did.

Jesus now called Matthew to follow Him, which Matthew did. This further shocked the scribes, religious leaders, and probably the local populus. Matthew was a tax collector, a publican, an outcast in the employ of the Romans and made his wages by overcharging the people for their taxes. He was a pariah. Matthew left tax collecting to follow Jesus and was one of those that accompanied Jesus beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up in the cloud. “Here is a shining example of how Jesus can use whatever gift a man may bring to him. It is not likely that the others of the Twelve were handy with a pen. Galilean fishermen would not have much skill in writing or in putting words together. But Matthew did; and this man, whose trade had taught him to use a pen, used that skill to compose the first handbook of the teaching of Jesus, which must rank as one of the most important books written or that the world has ever read.”¹

Matthew is a competent and trustworthy witness to what he saw, experienced, and recorded. To celebrate being called by Jesus Matthew throws a dinner party. Many of Matthew’s friends, other publicans and what the scribes referred to as sinners, attended the dinner and this horrified the Jewish leaders and scribes. Jesus reminded those criticizing His actions of Hosea 6:6 and Hosea’s comments that YHWH wants compassion, not sacrifice. The Jewish leaders, Pharisees and scribes were very good at sacrifice, not so much with compassion. Matthew had the opportunity of bringing his old associates to be acquainted with Christ. He knew by experience what the grace of Christ could do.² Jesus is very clear that these are the people who need Him. The righteous (or those who think they are righteous), do not think they need Him. Everyone needs Christ, especially those who think they do not. Many religious leaders considered everyone, except themselves, as born completely in sin and not knowing the Law of Moses. They did not understand they needed the salvation Christ brought just as much as did the publicans, thieves and prostitutes.

Now the disciples of John came and asked why Jesus’ disciples did not fast like they and other teachers’ disciples did. Jesus uses the very familiar wedding feast in His reply. The friends of the bridegroom do not fast while the bridegroom is with them but will fast when the bridegroom is gone. On the day of marriage the bridegroom went, adorned and anointed, to the house of the bride, attended by his companions (Jdg. 14:11), and led the bride, attended by her maidens, in festive procession, with music and dancing, at even, by torchlight, into the house of his father. The marriage feast lasted seven days. Christ is the bridegroom, and the bride is the church. The friends of the bridegroom, His disciples, would not nor could not fast while He was with them.

Jesus also uses the example of new wine in old wineskins, and new fabric used to fix a tear on old fabric. Neither works well. There is the thought that Jesus was making the point that He had already made it plain that the old was not to be destroyed, nor even superseded, but fulfilled, to its last jot and tittle. The new life, while losing nothing which was in the old, was to be larger and freer, and therefore must have new garments to match. To try to piece out and patch the old would be no improvement, but much the reverse, for a worse tear would be the only result. The second illustration, like the first, has the same point. The new wine of the kingdom of heaven, though it retains all the excellence of the old vintage, yet having fresh properties of its own, must have fresh skins to hold it, so its natural expansion would not be hindered. To attempt to confine it in the old vessels would be to expose them to destruction and to lose the wine.

A synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” It was unusual for a synagogue to come and ask Jesus for help. His desperation for his daughter drove him to come to the only person who could help, Jesus. Jesus went with the man to help the man’s daughter.

While on the way a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, (His prayer shawl. She touched the tzitzit, this referred to the tassels, fringe, or stringed knots of the prayer shawl worn as clothing.). Jesus felt healing power had gone out of Him and wanted to know who touched Him. The disciples were a bit incredulous and asked Him how, given the crowd was so great, He knew someone touched Him. Jesus knew someone had touched him. Finally, the woman came up told Jesus what happened, and Jesus said because of her faith she was healed. The woman did not feel she needed to bother Jesus, or take up His time, but KNEW Jesus would heal her if she just touched the fringe of His prayer shawl. She put action with her faith.

This happened while he was on the way to the young girl who had just died. Jesus always has time for each of us, to take care of us and the problems we have, and what we're going through.

When Jesus came into the synagogue leader’s house, professional mourners were already there mourning the death of the girl. Jesus told them “Leave; for the girl has not died but is asleep.” And they laughed at Him because they knew she was dead. Jesus had everyone leave the house except the parents. Jesus went into the child, and she rose up. This is another example of Jesus having power over life and death.

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” These men had obviously heard of Jesus and His power to heal. They wanted healed, they wanted their sight back. Jesus restored their sight and told them not to let people know what happened, but they spread the news throughout the area. Why would Jesus not want the healing known? Perhaps He was finding it difficult to carry out His ministry due to all the people pressing Him for miracles.

As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. Jesus restores life to a dead girl, restores eyesight to two blind men and now restores speech to a demon possessed man. After these miraculous acts the people praise Him, but the Pharisees claim He does these through Satan, not through the Father. The difference of how the people and the Pharisees reacted to Jesus and His works is amazing and tells us a lot about thinking of the different groups and individuals. It is the same today.

Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. He went through all the cities and villages of Israel, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, healing every kind of disease, and every kind of sickness.

 

¹ Barclay

² Matthew Henry

 

 

Matthew Chapter 10

Jesus now chooses twelve of His disciples and designates them as apostles. An apostle is one sent. Many theologians define the criteria as “(1) a disciple of Jesus during His earthly ministry, (2) an eyewitness of the Resurrection, and (3) called and commissioned directly by Christ. The Scripture says these criteria applied only to the original twelve Apostles. (Acts 1:21-22) Paul was not a former disciple, and his vision of the resurrected Christ occurred after Jesus’ ascension. Paul was not an eyewitness of the Resurrection in the same way as the other Apostles.¹ Paul is considered an exception with ‘explanations’ provided. The problem here is these criteria are not found in Scripture. In fact, Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us apostle is one of the gifts of ministry Jesus gave to the church. Romans 11:29 tells God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.² Many may say the gifts of ministry and gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) were only for the early church but, thankfully, the Scriptures do not agree.

The demographic makeup of the original twelve apostles is interesting. They are a very diverse group ranging from fishermen to tax collectors, zealots to non-zealots. None of the twelve were educated men, but, because of their training at home, they all knew the Hebrew Scriptures and Torah quite well. Simon the Zealot normally would have been a sworn enemy of Matthew the tax collector and possibly tried to kill him, but with Jesus they worked together in peace. Judas Iscariot is thought to have been a Sicarii, an assassin. The makeup of the twelve is an object lesson that Jesus came for everyone, all walks of life. In addition, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both member of the ruling class, believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Again, Jesus came for everyone, not just some. This takes back to Genesis 12:3 where God tells Abraham through him all the families of the earth will be blessed. Christ is a descendant of Abraham and a blessing to all the earth; therefore, He is the fulfillment of Genesis 12:3.

Christ now sends out the twelve to carry His message, but before they leave, He gives them instructions and a warning. First Jesus tells them where to go and where not to go. He establishes their focus and priority. They are instructed to go only to Israel, not to the Samaritans or Gentiles. The Samaritans were a mixed group of people, partly Jewish and partly Gentile. The Gentiles were pagan. In Genesis 12:3 it is clear the children of Abraham, are the believers in one God, YHWH. In John 4:22 Jesus is very clear salvation is from the Jews. Christ is Jewish and He is salvation. This is why Jesus instructed the twelve to go only to the lost sheep of Israel. Israel must hear the message first and then take it to the Samaritans and Gentiles. Although many Israelites did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and Savior enough did that the non-Jewish world heard the message and thus God’s plan was fulfilled.

Jesus also instructed the twelve what they were to do as they traveled: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”³ They were not to ask for any renumeration for preaching. They received the good news free of charge, and they were to pass it on free of charge. Jesus also tells them what to take for their travels, in effect very little. They were not to acquire money, a bag for their personal effects, no sandals or a staff, just what they wore when they started their travels. There were no prearranged places to stay in the villages, their instructions were, they visited a place to stay at any house that they find is worthy. If the apostles are welcome let their shalom⁴ be in that house. If they are not welcome or there is dissension in the house take back their shalom and leave that house. The apostle didn’t so much take back their Shalom, as it returned back to them if the people did not accept the Good News. When the apostles go to a village or town, and the people do not receive⁵ or listen to them, they are to shake even the dust from that place from their shoes.

Jesus now gives a warning; the warning applies to all past, present, and future believers. This was not easy, nor will it be easy. Jesus is sending His messengers to wolves, people who will not believe and will do all they can to stop us from spreading God’s word, the good news of Christ. History has shown the terribly brutal actions taken by the world and its leaders to stop the spread of the Gospel. We may be taken before kings and governors to answer for our beliefs. Normally that does not happen. What does happen every day is we get the opportunity to speak with people around us. Some will listen but many will not. We must remember the Holy Spirit is with us and will give us what we should do and say.⁶

Because of our commitment to believe in Jesus, speak about Him, and live according to His teachings, both the apostles and believers today will face hatred from many people. This opposition and animosity arise not only from our faith but also from openly sharing and practicing the message of Christ. Throughout history and into the present, this reality remains unchanged: those who dedicate themselves to following Jesus and proclaiming His message often encounter rejection and hostility from others. Nonetheless, just as Jesus faced persecution, His followers should also expect similar treatment for their allegiance to Him.

As we look at history, we see this hate played out in many ways. Often people who call themselves Christians carry out these acts of hate claiming they are trying to keep Christianity ‘pure’ and free from heretics. Unfortunately, many true believers have been persecuted, tortured, and killed because they do not agree with a particular interpretation of scripture or doctrine which have little to no foundation in Scripture.

Jesus now tells the apostles not to take persecutions, insults, demeaning, etc. personal. These were things done to Him; the world would certainly do the same to His followers. Believers are to be prudent, like snakes are prudent, aware of their surroundings and dangers. Believers are also to be innocent as doves. We are to do no harm, engage in, or approve, ungodly behavior. Believers will suffer persecution but are not to inflict it. Believers are to operate under the law of love, Christ’s love, not hate. (See 1 Corinthians 13.)

Going back to being aware of one’s environment and hidden dangers, Christ assures us everything, even things well-hidden, will be revealed. We are not to be reluctant to repeat, perhaps even broadcast, what Christ has revealed to us. The Scripture remains consistent throughout. If what we say or think disagrees with Scripture we must pray, a lot, and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

People are very self-oriented. Contemplating pain and dying are not fun but are something that happens to everyone at some point. For born again Christians, death is not the end, but the beginning of eternity with God. Jesus puts this in very clear perspective. Fear the One who can destroy the body and soul in hell. Life is temporary, heaven and hell are eternal. Christ also makes clear each person is extremely valuable to God. We are more valuable than any other creation of God’s. We are so important and valuable to God He even knows every hair on the head of each person. Being this loved by, and valuable to God means He does not want anyone to be condemned to hell. That is why Jesus came, to provide a way of escape from Satan’s realm, Hell.

To have Christ in one’s life is to confess Him as the Son of God and Savior before other people. That is, to confess Him verbally, practically, actively, and passively. Talk about Jesus, actively living as a believer in Christ and thinking as a follower of Christ. There is a book, In His Steps, that contains the phrase “What Would Jesus Do.”⁷ This was a question we were to ask ourselves in every circumstance and decision. This was a fad among Christians for a number of years with people wearing jewelry with the phrase WWJD, (What Would Jesus Do?). As all fads do, the fad passed. That is unfortunate. If we honestly ask ourselves What Would Jesus Do it can lead us to think and act as Christians as well as to witness to our belief actively and verbally.⁸

 

¹ https://www.ligonier.org/ learn/articles/what-is-an-apostle.

² NIV

³ Matthew 10:8 NIV

⁴ Shalom: Shalom peaks of personal peace, not merely referring to the absence of trouble or conflict, but positively of completeness, wholeness, contentment, welfare, health, prosperity, harmony, and fulfillment. Peace is one of the blessings that flow from a right relationship to God. Shalom is a term that includes all that makes life worthwhile. (https://www.preceptaustin.org//shalom_-_definition)

^{5 ‘}Receive you’ means to provide a place to stay and sustenance. Proving for and taking in strangers was very important in the near east. This was especially true in ancient times due to the desert, difficult travel and possible robbers. A person never knew when they would need a place to stay of help, so it was important to provide it for others. Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan, and Abraham’s welcoming and feeding of the two visitors are excellent examples of this.

⁶ Pain and dying and pain are not fun but are something that happens to everyone at some point. For born again Christian’s death is not the end but the beginning of eternity with God. Pain in this life is not infinite, it has an end and as we go through pain God is with us, bearing us up. Even if that end is death, death is a release to be with God.

⁷ In His Steps, Rev. Charles Sheldon

⁸ 1 Peter 3:15 NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 11

Jesus finishes His instructions to the apostles, then He went to preach in the cities, the populous places. He preached the gospel where there were the most people to hear and follow Him. As Jesus was teaching, people sent from John, came to Him asking if He was the One, the Messiah, or should they wait for another person. Some scholars have said John was unsure if Jesus was the Messiah. Others have said John asked the question for the sake of his disciples. Perhaps it was a bit of both as well as a verification of Jesus as Messiah for everyone. Jesus’ response is very important, He reminds John, and us, how He is fulfilling Scripture. The prophecies, His works and preaching prove He is the Messiah. Jesus always goes back to the Torah to validate who He is and His teachings.

The last verse in this paragraph has caused consternation for quite a few people. “And blessed is he¹, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” ²Not being offended in Him means we are willing to tell others we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, and the world’s savior. Jesus gave His answer to John’s disciples and ended it with the “blessed is he…” comment. ³The comment may have been for John, his disciples, us, the Jews or all of these.⁴

John now talks about John and his place in God’s plan. Jesus starts by reminding the people what they went out in the desert to see. They did not travel to the wilderness to see a person who frequently changed his opinion nor a person who wore expensive suits or drove a fast tricked-out chariot. The people went to the desert wilderness to see and listen to a dedicated man of God. John’s job as a prophet was very important, he prepared the way for the Messiah. Jesus tells everyone John is the greatest person ever born of women. History admits of many great people, but John is seldom mentioned. Jesus tells us John is greater than any ‘great’ man or woman born. Christ then says the very least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. The kingdom of heaven is always greater than the temporal human kingdom.

Now we are taken in a different direction. Jesus tells us “From the days of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of heaven is powerfully breaking its way forward, and people breaking out with its power are seizing hold of it.”⁵ Due to translation errors this has been a much-misunderstood verse. A more detailed treatment is given in the footnote.⁶ Jesus now gives more information about John. “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”⁷

John came with the same spirit and work God gave Elijah. Malachi is used to prove Elijah must come before the first coming of Christ. The verse is misinterpreted. Malachi 4:5 states “⁵See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.” The first coming of Christ was “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Isaiah 61:2a, Luke 4:18-19, NIV). Malachi is primarily speaking of Christ’s second coming to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:2a, NIV).

To show John and Elijah carried the same message from God, John wore a hairy (fur covered) garment and a belt. He did this as a visual lesson of his spirit and work. Elijah was a hairy man, John was not, so he wore a hairy garment as a visual sign. This sort of visual example was often used by the prophets.⁸

This passage has confused many, especially about John being Elijah. How can John be Elijah? John and Elijah were two different people, weren’t they? Elijah died about 800 to 900 years before John was born. Yes, they were two different people but with the same spirit from God to do the same work. Jesus now makes a powerful statement “¹⁵Everyone who has ears to hear must listen!”⁹ Note the word MUST. Jesus was not making a suggestion; He was giving a command! Ears to hear are those who have spiritual ears, those who hear the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

“John was in the “spirit and power of Elijah.” This meant that the same spirit that was on Elijah¹⁰ was also on John to lay a foundation for the ministry of Jesus.¹¹ John identified his ministry with that of Elijah. That is why he clothed himself in a fur garment and ate locust tree fruit and wild honey. In addition, there was great similarity between the persecution of Elijah and John. Ahab and Jezebel persecuted Elijah. Herod Antipas and his wife persecuted John.¹² This principle of one prophet’s ministering in the spirit and power of a previous one was also manifest in Zechariah, who was thought by many to minister in the spirit of the prophet Jeremiah.^{13, *} The Scriptures also make clear that a person with the Spirit and power of Elijah will be present before the second coming of Christ.¹⁴ This person will restore all things to what God intended. John the immerser did not restore things, he prepared the way.

Our expectations of and for YHWH are based on the human experiences, which are far too narrow. The Israelite’s expectations of the Messiah at the time of Jesus were also far too narrow. For both groups this thinking continues through history into the present. God can do as God pleases. Man’s definition of impossible does not enter into the equation.

Jesus now shows the dichotomy in their thinking. John lived an austere life, not really socializing, and the people wondered why he did not join in their way of life. Some disparaged John, even if silently, for this. Jesus came socializing with anyone and everyone. He was accused by the leaders of being a glutton and eating/associating with sinners. These were actions many, especially the leaders, did not approve of Jesus doing, if He was the Messiah. As with many people, their opinion about acceptable behavior changed with their paradigms, expectations and personal prejudices. Their opinions were not necessarily based on God’s Word, the Torah. God’s wisdom provides multiple ways to have people hear His Word and accept His salvation, Jesus. Some come because of a life and witness like John’s, street preachers, evangelists, friends, worship services, etc. In the end all come because of the life and witness of Jesus’. Good works do not guarantee salvation. Being extremely moral cannot save us. Jesus alone is the way to salvation.

After Jesus tells people they missed the point about John’s mission and His mission, He addresses the towns He visited. Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida were three of the towns that did not accept the teaching of Jesus, the miracles He carried out, nor did they accept Him as the Son of God despite the many proofs He provided. Jesus lets them know they are in great danger in the judgement because they disregarded the Messiah.

Christ now thanks the Father acknowledging everything He has, and does, comes from the Father. Jesus thanks the Father for concealing things from the wise but revealing them to the simple. This comment can cause us to ask if God conceals them from the wise why are the wise punished for not knowing them. Perhaps we are not looking at this correctly. Things are concealed by God. People who consider themselves wise and learned are closed minded and have little faith. They may well think they are beyond believing, dismissing what they cannot understand.

Finally, Jesus invites anyone who has a burden or problem to come to Him. We must come in faith believing He can and will help. Anyone can come but they must come in faith and believe.

 

¹ “In Hebrew, however, there is no neuter gender, and references to any group of people in which both genders are represented are always masculine in gender…. even the use of the generic personal pronoun he to refer to God in Scripture serves the function of connoting personhood, not gender.” Dr. John D. Garr, Theomorphic Humanity

² John 11:6, King James Version. I am quoting the KJV because I think it comes closer to the original intention of what Jesus said. There is not a great difference between the meaning of the KJV to other translations but “offended because of Me” is clearer than “stumble on account of me.” In many other translations.

^3.Ps. 72:12-13; Isa. 35:5-6; 29:18; 61.1; Jer. 5:4

^4.The word ‘he’ is not intended to be gender specific but is generic for men and women combined.

⁵ Matthew 11:12, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁶ “NRSV, "...the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence...," which is using the passive meaning, The kingdom is powerful and breaking its way forward. It is not suffering. The Greek word biazo (active voice) or biazomai (passive, middle, or deponent voice) often is translated “suffered violence" with the passive voice meaning. The HHB translation demonstrates the active meaning. The same active meaning was expressed in the NIV (1984), “...the kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing..." and the NIT, “...the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing..." The active meaning is required by context and by sound linguistic analysis. ….it seems likely that Matt 11:12 makes s direct reference to messianic interpretations of Mic 2:13 in early Jewish thought, where Elijah prepares the way for the coming of the scion of David. In the saying of Jesus, the one who breaks open the way is John the Baptist. Jesus Himself is the Branch of David leading the way forward. It seems highly unlikely that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence..." is the correct translation. For a full discussion, see B. Young, Jesus the Jewish Theologian, 49-74.” (The Newer Testament, B. Young, footnote p19) The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

The idea of breaking through comes from Micah 2:13 where Micah says the breaker is coming before them and is breaking through and leading them. There is no indication of violence but rather the Savior leading his sheep out of the sheepfold where they were enclosed.

^7.Matthew 11:14-15 NASB

^{8 “1} They Both Preached Repentance When Israel Had Turned from God

     ^2. Their Appearance Was the Same

     ^3. They Were Both Fed from the Wildlife of the Desert

     ^4. They Both Were Separated from the False Religions of Their Day

     ⁵ They Both Preached Against the Behavior of Evil Kings

     ^6. They Both Had Their Lives Sought by Wicked Queens^.

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/interesting-similarities-between-john-the-baptist-and-the-prophet-elijah.html

⁹ Matthew 11:8, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

¹⁰ 1 Thessalonians 5:23 clearly shows body, soil, and spirit are separate and together make one person. Hebrews 4:12 tells us God’s Word

    can cleave between soul and spirit, again indicating two separate part and that God can separate them.

¹¹ Luke 1:17; Mark 9:11-13

^12.  https://www.fcc-jc.org/page/1372  Accessed March 3, 2025

^13.Email communication with John D. Garr Ph.D. Th.D., November 23, 2024

* The Bible tells us humans are composed of body (Ge. 3:19), Spirit (Numbers 11:17, 25), and soul (Psalm 16:10 (soul); Eze.18:4 (soul).

   Matt. 10:28 (soul). The Body returns to dust (Gen. 3:19). The Spirit returns to God (Ecc. 12:7; Num. 11:25). The soul goes to eternal life

   with God or eternal death without God (Eze. 18:4; Matt. 10:28; Acts 10:28; James 5:20)

 

 

Matthew Chapter 12

Matthew Chapter Twelve provides a clarification of the thinking of Jesus and many of the Pharisees. We must not make the mistake of thinking when Jesus corrected or even condemned Pharisees that He was addressing o all the pharisees. There were Pharisees who honestly worked to follow the Torah and some who believed in Jesus (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea). Unfortunately, there were also those who saw their traditions as much more important and binding than the Torah (God’s Word). Jesus disagreed with the Pharisees because would knowingly violate the Torah by their traditions and require others to do the same.

God created the Sabbath as a time for people to rest from their labors, worship and learn God’s Word for us. In order to ensure the Sabbath was kept according to the law by the Jews, the pharisees set many, many rules and regulations defining what people could and could not do on the Sabbath. The amount and detail of the Pharisaic rules and regulations made the Sabbath an onerous burden. It not only made keeping all the Sabbath difficult, but it took the joy and intent of the Sabbath away. Jesus had a hard time with the Pharisees because they violated the intent and purpose of the Sabbath.

Matthew chapter eight, verses one through eight, provide an example of the difference in thinking, In this section the disciples are walking through a grain field on the Sabbath and, being hungry, the disciples began picking grain, shelling it in their hands and eating it. Some Pharisees saw them and accused them of breaking the law, stating they are violating the Torah. Jesus immediately responds and shows them where their thinking is not in line with God’s Torah. The law the Pharisees referred to were their traditions, the rules they made, not the Torah. Jesus gave the example of David and his soldiers eating the read of the Presence, which was for the priests only and forbidden for anyone else to eat. Jesus also reminds them that the priests serve (work) on the Sabbath and are not guilty of breaking the Torah. Both examples show their traditions are wrong and noy in compliance with God’s Word.

Finally, Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 where God states God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He tells the Pharisees they do not understand what God was saying which is proven by their judging the innocent. This is similar to Jesus telling the Sadducees they were in err because they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God.¹ Both the Pharisees and Sadducees put their traditions and doctrine ahead of God’s Word. Jesus end by making the reason for the Sabbath very clear: “because the human being is master of the Shabbat day”² The New American Standard Bible translate this verse: “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”³ The King James Version says: “For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”⁴ Although the word are different the message in the translations are the same: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath and Jesus is lord of everything, including the Sabbath. It would seem the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to take control of the Sabbath away from God and to themselves by their traditions, rules and regulations.

Jesus leaves the Pharisees and goes to a Jewish Learning Center (Beit Midrash, House of Study).⁵ It is still the Sabbath when Jesus goes to the Beit Midrash. When He enters Jesus is met by a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees questioned Jesus about healing on the Sabbath; is it permitted by the Torah, lawful, or not? The question did not come from an honest heart, rather they were testing Jesus, trying to trap Him so they could accuse Him of violating the Torah. This is a different circumstance than the previous question about shelling grain on the Sabbath but the same intent, to accuse Jesus of violating the Torah.

Jesus responds by asking “What person is there among you who has one sheep, which if it falls into a ditch on the Shabbat day, will not catch hold of it and pull it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So then, it is permitted to do good on the Shabbat day.”⁶ Jesus has pointed out, again, that they do not understand the Scriptures. The Pharisees made their tradition and oral Torah just as important, maybe more important, than God’s Word, the Torah. Although the Pharisees do not exist today there is still confusion concerning prioritizing the Torah, oral Torah and traditions. Christ strongly disagreed with putting traditions above God’s Word and teachings. Because the Pharisees placed their traditions as more important than the Torah they could save their possessions, but let the person suffer or die.

The Jewish leaders were not able to prove Jesus wrong, so they started discussing how to kill Him. Jesus was aware of their desire to kill Him and left the area. Many people followed Him. Jesus healed many and instructed them not to make Him conspicuous. Christ was not yet ready to reveal who He was; it was not the time yet. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4.

Now a man troubled by demons who could neither speak nor see came to Jesus. Jesus healed the man, and he could now see and talk. The people seeing this were amazed, except for the Jewish leaders. While the people were giving glory to God and asking if Jesus could be the Son of David, the Messiah, the leaders were giving credit for the healing to Satan. This is important the leaders did not glorify God; they attributed the miracles of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This a direct insult to God’s holy and loving character and nature.

Christ shows their hypocrisy and the dichotomy in their thinking. They claimed Christ healed through Satan, but their disciples healed through the Holy Spirit. This shows their prejudice against Christ. Jesus makes their duplicity evident by saying for anyone to take from a strong man (Satan) they must first tie up the strong man. If Jesus forces out demons by Satan by whose help do their disciples force them out?

“A general theme through this section of Matthew is the rising opposition against Jesus.”⁷ What is interesting in an unfortunate way is the leaders castigating and the disciples for eating shelling and eating grain on the Sabbath, violating not the Torah but their rules and tradition and then planning to murder Jesus, an innocent man. It was a spiritual power struggle the leaders thought they would win by killing Jesus but actually lost by doing so.

We now come to a section of Scripture that can be difficult to understand. “Hence, I tell you, offense and blasphemy will all be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 12:32) Everyone who speaks a word against a person will be forgiven. However, everyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come.”⁸

The question of what constitutes blasphemy against the Spirit arises. That question is answered by the circumstances from which it arose. Jesus healed people and, in this specific instance, cast a demon out of a man. This was done in the sight of quite a few people, including the Jewish spiritual leaders (pharisees and Sadducees). The spiritual leaders heard the people asking if Jesus could be the Son of David. They immediately responded, “This man forces out demons only by Baal Zevul, the leader of the demons." They claimed the works of the Holy Spirit were done by Satan. Christ is very clear that showing contempt for the Holy Spirit and crediting the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan is blasphemy. Again, the leaders did not glorify God, they attributed the miracles of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This a direct insult to God’s holy, loving, character spirit, and nature. Yet true blasphemy against the Spirit is more than a formula of words; it is a settled disposition of life that rejects the testimony of the Holy Spirit, especially the testimony of Jesus.⁹

Jesus made it very clear there is no gray area when it comes to Him, people will either be for or against Him. Those who are against Him will scatter the people making it easier for Satan to attack, deceive, entrap and lead them to Hell. This same is true today, there is no middle ground. People are either for or against Jesus. There are no gray areas and no fence to sit on. People either work for or against Jesus. Jesus gathers, Satan scatters.

Jesus continues on in this vein by telling the leaders they are snakes, ambushing people, biting them, and making them spiritually sick or dead. He tells the leaders to be one thing or the other. A person’s fruit works and words will tell what they truly are inside. The spiritual leaders tell Jesus they want to see a sign from Him.to prove He was the Messiah, the Son of David. Jesus told them there would be no sign except Jonah. As Jonah was in the stomach of the great fish prepared for him so He (Christ) would be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. There is some disagreement about what Jesus means by three days and nights. First, according to Genesis darkness (night) and light (day) make one day. Some say the Hebrews call any part of a day, day, therefore He did not need to be in the earth three full days and nights for it to be called three days and nights. I think Jesus meant what He said, three full nights and three full days, just as Jonah was in the fish three full days and nights.

Jesus then made their blindness very clear. Jonah went to Nineveh after being vomited by the fish to warn them of their sin and urge repentance. The Gentiles in Nineveh repented, and God spared them from punishment. Jesus saying the Ninevites would judge them was a strong insult and lesson to the Jews.

Jesus now explains how a demon expelled from a person could, and may well, go out, get other demons even more evil, to join the first and reinfect the person from whom they had been expelled. Jesus tells them the same will happen to their evil generation (and ours?). This is another warning about what will happen to those who do not believe.

Finally, a circumstance came about that Jesus used to clarify His thinking. His mother and brothers came and wanted to see Him. When told His mother and brothers wanted to see Him Jesus said His mother and brothers were those around Him, His disciples and believers. Jesus was here for everyone who believed in Him.

 

Matthew 22:29, NASB

² Matthew 12:8, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

³ Matthew 12:8, NASB

^4.Matthew 12:8, King James Version

⁵ Christian Fruit Jewish Root, John D. Garr Ph.D. Th.D., Golden Key Press, Atlanta GA., p238

^6.Matthew 12:11-12, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁷.https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024

^8.Matthew 12:31-32, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁹ https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 13

After Jesus corrected the spiritual leaders and pointed out His mother and brothers were everyone who believed. Jesus went to the shore, entered a boat and started to teach using parables. Parables are stories that make a spiritual point. “the parables of Jesus always reveal the reality and character of God in word pictures.”¹ The parable was a well-used teaching method. It was used by many Hebrew teachers to make their teachings clear. It is like a parent or teacher telling stories in order to make difficult teaching clear. It is also like people looking at clouds. One person spots a shape in the clouds, another sees nothing, and a third thinks cloud-watching is a waste of time. As with the parables of Jesus, some will get the point, others will not, and others will not care and will thus ignore the teaching.

The Sower and the Seed is a very important parable for a few reasons. First, it provides a pattern for us to understand subsequent parables. Second, Jesus reveals God and the spiritual realm through this parable. Third, the parable brings us face-to-face with our hearts.²

The soil on the path is packed hard from people walking on it over time. Soil that is walked on multiple times daily can become like concrete where nothing will grow. The seed that fell on the path had very little chance to take root and grow. This is the same with people. Some people have so hardened their hearts over time that they refuse to hear or do anything about the Word of God.³ The rocky soil is the person who receives the Word of God but have little root and when they are persecuted for their belief, they leave the Word.⁴ The thorny soil is different from the rocky soil. The thorny soil is when the wealth, cares and philosophy of the world displace our concern for God. In fact, following the Word hardly gets a start, if at all.⁵ The good soil is the person who accepts the Word, grows in the Word, acts on what the Word says, and is fruitful in serving God.⁶

The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke and taught, in parables. Jesus said that the disciples were allowed to see the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it was not everyone who was allowed to see. Now the question arises; If it is not given to everyone, why punish those to whom it was not given? The answer is in Isaiah 6:9-10.⁷ There are people who did not care enough to really hear to understand the Word of God. There are those who would see God’s works, but not see it was God working. They did not have faith nor the attitude to understand God’s Word, workings, and love.

Jesus gives the example of the mustard seed. It is the smallest seed but grows into a very large bush. As with the mustard seed a person with seemingly small faith can grow into a huge person of God. Then Jesus talks about a woman putting a small bit of leaven in three pecks (a peck is about ¼ of a bushel) of flour until all of it was leavened. Just as a person’s faith can grow, like the mustard seed, sin can grow until it affects everything around it.

Jesus now explains the parable about the wheat and tares. A tare was a weed that looked very similar to wheat while growing but once the wheat and tares were fully grown the difference could be clearly seen and the two could be separated. In the parable of the soils only the seed planted in good soil grew into fulness. The workers in the field wondered where the tears came from. The landowner knew an enemy had sown them. Trying to separate the tares from the wheat would be problematic and could well destroy a portion of the wheat. The landowner said to leave them alone and when they were ready to harvest, then separate them.

In the parable of the tares, the soil appeared to be good, and the crop was growing nicely. But tares appeared in the growing crops. In the parable tares are those people who look like committed believers but are actually pretenders. It is the job of God’s angels to separate the tares from the wheat at the harvest. The harvest can refer to either Christ's return or an individual's death. It is God’s job to separate them, not ours. We may err and cause true believers to fall or false believers to thrive.

The parables reinforce the point if we are true believers in Christ we are to treat others with God’s love. We are not to undervalue anyone but are to nourish their growth.

Jesus gives three examples concerning the value of God’s kingdom to mankind. Finding hidden treasure compels one to sell everything they own to buy the field and claim the prize. It is also like a merchant finding a pearl of great value. The merchant sells all he has to obtain the pearl. It's similar to fishermen casting their net and catching many fish. They dragged the net onto the shore, separated the good fish from the bed and threw out the bad. Like the tares, at the end the bad will be cast into the furnace.

After this Jesus went to Nazareth. He taught in the synagogue and the people wondered how He acquired this knowledge. They saw Him only as the local boy, the son of Joseph and Mary, not at all special. Because of their attitude and lack of faith He could not do any great works there. This is a very important lesson about faith and belief. Without an open mind, truly believing Jesus is the Savior and Son of God, and without having faith in God and Jesus, miracles will not happen. Today we can see a lack of belief in Jesus as Savior, as well as a lack of belief and faith in YHWH, which results in a lack of miracles. People say the miracles and gifts were for the early church and are not needed in the present, the world has progressed beyond those things. These are invalid excuses. We have allowed Satan to deceive us. There is no difference between the needs of people in ancient Israel and us (Ecc. 3:14-15). We still desperately need God working in our lives.

 

^1. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2262021252091743114/ 6668215560751942065, Accessed 12/05/2024

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

^4.Ibid.

⁵ Ibid.

^6.Ibid

⁷ ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” Isaiah 6:9-10 NASB

^8. Ecc3:14-15. NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 14

We now come to the actions of Herodias, Herod, and Salome. Herodias was the wife of Herod’s half-brother Philip. Salome was the daughter of Philip and Herodias. Herod illegally divorced his wife and married Herodias, his brother’s wife. John the Baptizer frequently declared this to be a sin. Neither Herod nor Herodias liked John doing so. Herodias was especially displeased since John was pointing out, they were both adulterers. Despite her efforts to have John killed to shut him up, Herod refused at least partly because he was afraid of the populus.

Herodias finally saw her opportunity. During a banquet Herod held for his birthday Salome danced for him and the guests. At this time Salome would have been a teenager¹, blossoming into a woman and the dance would have been loaded with sexual innuendo. Herod and his guests, who probably had too much to drink, were so pleased with the dance of Salome that Herod promised to give her anything she wanted up to half of his kingdom. Salome, not knowing what to ask for, went to her mother, Herodias. Herodias knew immediately what to ask for, the head of John. “She was shrewd enough to demand that it be done immediately, while the guests were still at the party. ‘That was an essential part of the request. No time must be left for repentance.’”² Herod sent an executioner, immediately had John beheaded and with the head brought to Salome and Herodias.

Herod murdered John because he did not want to be embarrassed in front of his guests. A man’s life is taken because of the pride of another. Another factor is involved; John’s job was done. He prepared the way of the Lord as he was supposed to do. While John was on the scene there was possible competition between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples. (John 3:26-30) The possible competition was not between Jesus and John but between their disciples. John had to be removed so any possible competition would disappear.

Jesus now left to be alone. He needed to spend time with the Father. When He reached the shore, He saw people waiting for Him. Filled with compassion³ He put His alone time on hold and taught and healed the people. As evening came the disciples said the area was pasture with nothing to eat and the people should be sent away so they could get food. Jesus now says something surprising; they have no need to leave; the disciples were to give them food. Imagine the disciples’ reaction. They had already told Jesus the area was pasture with nowhere to get food.

The disciples said they only had two loaves and five fish, probably not enough to feed themselves let alone the crowd. Jesus took the loaves and fishes, had the 5000 sit, blessed the food and passed it to the people. Everyone ate their fill. After they finished eating Jesus had the remains gathered up. There were twelve baskets full of remains. There are a few things to notice. There were two loaves. God recognizes two peoples, Jew and Gentile. There were five fish. When we look into the Scripture, we see David choose five stones to fight Goliath. (1 Sam. 17:11) Only one of the stones was used, we are not told which one. In Ephesians we see there are five gifts of the ministry, any one of which can slay sin. (Eph. 4:10-12) Finally, there are twelve tribes of Israel and twelve apostles. (Matt. 19:28; Rev. 21:12, 14)

Jesus had the disciples sail without Him as He dismissed the people and went to the mountain to pray. As the disciples strained against the storm, Jesus started to pass by them walking on the water. This was about 3:00-6:00 AM. The disciples saw Him and were very frightened thinking it was a ghost. Jesus assured them He was not a ghost. Peter, being Peter, said to Jesus, if you really are Jesus have me come to you. Jesus called Peter and Peter almost got to Jesus when faith faltered, and he began to sink. Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up. They entered the boat and continued across the lake to the other side.

Peter is a great object lesson for us. How often do we start with great faith, almost make it to the goal, then notice the storms, the difficulties, and lose faith? It is important we realize Jesus is there to lift us up in our weak moments. Jesus helps us finish the race. Without Him we cannot reach the goal.

Jesus and the disciple now land at Gennesaret. The people in the district learned He was in their area and brought their sick and possessed for His healing touch.

 

¹ “Girl is a term which can be used of those of marriageable age; she was at least a teenager.” https://enduringword.com/ bible-commentary/matthew-14/

² https://enduringword.com/ bible-commentary/matthew-14/

³ Blue Letter Bible

 

 

Matthew Chapter 15

This chapter brings into perspective and clarifies the disagreement between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. The Sadducees operated the Temple. The Sadducees did not believe that there was a resurrection of the dead, afterlife, spirit realm, or angels.¹ Since the Sadducees did not believe in these they would be diametrically opposed to Jesus’ teaching and preaching. The Pharisees believed in all of these but felt there was a lot of ambiguities in God’s Word (the Torah) they thought was their job to resolve. They attempted resolving g these by developing rules and regulations to cover every bit of a person’s life to ensure God’s Word was not violated. Their rules and regulations became tradition and more important to them than God’s Torah. This brought them into conflict with Jesus who followed God’s Word (Jesus was/is God’s Word so He KNEW what was intended).

As mentioned, Jesus came into conflict with both groups, but primarily the Pharisees. We must take care not to combine all Pharisees into the same group. Jesus did not have a problem with all Pharisees, but He did have issues with those putting their tradition (rules and regulations) as more important than God’s Torah.

Although we no longer have Pharisees, the thinking is still prevalent. Often Christian denominations issue Statements of Faith, doctrine, etc., that ‘clarifies’ or ‘explains’ the Scripture and how it applies to their group. There is nothing wrong with these as long as they adhere strictly to the Word of God. Any doctrine, statement, etc., that does not comply with God’s Word is invalid and sin.

The Pharisees confronted Jesus because His disciples did not follow the tradition of washing their hands before eating bread. They questioned Jesus why His disciples ignored the tradition and, by implication, why Jesus allowed it. Note they asked why the disciples did not follow the traditions of them and the elders.² It was not a command in the Torah but a tradition that was quite detailed in its application. Jesus answered their question by asking them a question, a very pointed question.³ “Why do you yourselves pass over the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?”⁴  Jesus now gives an example of why He asked the question, an example for which there is no valid answer. He goes to Exodus 20:12 and 21:17 where God commands (in the Torah) to honor father and mother and anyone who speaks evil against father or mother is to be put to death. The leader’s traditions say if a person declares whatever they have is dedicated to God, they have effectively canceled God’s Word and command. They have placed their traditions as a higher priority than the Torah, God’s Word. Jesus now shows very clearly, they have, unfortunately, fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy⁵

After correcting the Jewish leaders Jesus calls the people over and clarifies what He has said to the leaders. Jesus explained that what goes into a person does not defile them (make ritually unclean or impure) since it passes through the body and is eliminated. What comes out of a person, what comes from a person’s mind and heart makes a person defiled. What is the state of a person’s mind and heart? (Look at Acts where Peter is hungry, and the sheet of animals is let down to him. An example of what goes into a man does not defile him.) A great example of this verse in action.

Please note! Jesus did not say to not wash our hands before eating. He was saying to not put washing, or the details of washing, as more important than God. We MUST keep our priorities in order, God first, everything else second. As we look at the world, we can see even Christian groups and committed believers fall into the same trap. Many traditions and doctrines have been built up over the years that either have no place in God’s Word or actively supplant God’s Word. Each of us must look at our beliefs and life and eliminate those things.

Jesus leaves where he was and travels to Tyre and Sidon. On the way He meets a Gentile (Canaanite) woman who asks Him to cast the demons out of her daughter. Christ does not respond to her pleas. She keeps asking to the point it is irritating the disciples. They go to Jesus and ask Him to send her away. Jesus’ answer leads me to think this circumstance was intended to make a point and teach a lesson. Jesus responds to the disciples, in the hearing of the woman, He came for the children of Israel. The woman came back begging again He would heal her daughter. Jesus is even more blunt and clearly says it is not right to give the children’s food to the dogs. Instead of stopping the woman she tells Him that even the crumbs that fall can be eaten by the dogs. Jesus recognizes and honors her faith and heals her daughter.

As we look at what happened we can see a number of lessons to be learned. Jesus came primarily to the Jews, but also to all peoples. The reason He was born a Jew and came primarily to the Jews is Salvation had to come from the Jews.⁶ Another important thing to note is, faith is more important than ancestry. Although the woman was not Jewish or have Jewish ancestry, because of her faith her daughter was delivered from the demons. This was a lesson to the disciples and is to us. We are spiritual children of Abraham but not through natural birth. James tells us “But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?”⁷ The Canaanite woman put action to her faith. Despite what seemed to be a forlorn hope she continued in faith, believing her request would be answered, and it was.

Jesus now heals many who come to Him. There were about 4,000 men in attendance. Jesus told His disciples that He felt compassion for the crowd, and they should provide food for them. There was not enough food available to feed everyone. Jesus inquired what food they had and was told seven loaves and a few small fish. Jesus took the loaves and fishes, blesses them and gave them out to be the crowd. The crowd ate their fill and there were seven baskets left over.

Once again there are many lessons here. Jesus blessed the food. He did not ask that it be increased or made holy, sanctified. Like all food, God provides so it was already holy. There were 4,000 men (not counting women and children) and seven loaves of bread. Bread represents the Word of God which feeds us spiritually. After everyone had eaten to their satisfaction, seven baskets of food were left over. Remarkably, the amount of remaining food surpassed the initial quantity. God’s Word, promises and love never run out.

 

¹ https://study.com/academy/lesson/early-critics-of-christ-pharisees-and-sadducees.html

² The elders were scholars who, over the centuries, had developed the rules and regulations the Pharisees adhered to daily.

³.Answering a question by asking a question is a common Jewish practice. Although the practice is not common in the western world it is logical and makes sense. The idea is to make people think beyond their initial question and consider how its depth, how it fits into reality, its consequences, encourage discussion, relevance to real life and especially God’s word.

It is also the Socratic method. ”The Socratic method involves a shared dialog between teachers and students. The teacher leads by posing thought-provoking questions. Students actively engage by asking questions of their own. The discussion goes back and forth.” Text with John D. Garr Ph.D., Th.D. Dec. 20, 2024

⁴ Matthew 15:3 The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator

⁵ “This people honors me with their lips, all the while their hearts are far away from me. 15:9) So they worship me in vain, teaching human precepts as if they were doctrines [of God]" Matthew 15:8-9 The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator

⁶ Gen. 18:18; Gen. 22:18; John 4:22.

⁷ James 1:20-21 NASB

 

 

Matthew Chapter 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees, normally enemies, banded together to question Jesus and ask Him to provide a sign from heaven proving He was the Son of God. Jesus did not answer them directly but uses a commonsense example and, as He often does, refers them to the scriptures, in this case Jonah. The common example may not be as familiar to many of us, but it was crystal clear to His audience, farmers and fishermen. Jesus refers to the sky and how the coming weather can be predicted by looking at the sky. Why can they read the sky and discern what the weather will be but not recognize the times they are in? We have the same problem. Many can recognize what is going to happen by what is happening but cannot discern what will happen spiritually by looking at what has already happened. (Isaiah 46:10) The cause is the same, not knowing the scriptures therefore not recognizing where we are in God’s plan. God always lets His prophets know what He is doing, and they let us know.¹ If we take the time to study the Scriptures we can know where we are in God’s plan.

When Jesus said the only sign they would get would be Jonah, He was referring to His death and resurrection. As Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and nights so Jesus the Christ would be in the heart of the earth three nights and days. After his time in the prepared fish, Jonah was deposited back on land. I think we can safely assume if we saw a person swallowed by a fish and three days and nights went by; we would think they were dead. Jonah was miraculously delivered by God in a type of coming back from the dead. Jesus spent three nights and days in the heart of the earth and then resurrected and went back to the Father. As Jonah brought the message of repentance and salvation to the Ninevites, so Christ brought the message of repentance and salvation through Him to the entire world. All of this was foretold by the prophets.

The disciples arrived at the other side of the lake and Jesus told them to beware of the leaven of the spiritual leaders and Sadducees. The disciples were confused and thought He was referring to the fact they forgot to bring bread. The response Jesus gave was important to them, and us. Jesus addresses the disciples as having little faith and asks why they were discussing the fact they forgot to bring bread. He then reminds them of the feeding of the five thousand and the four thousand and how many baskets of food were left over. The disciples then understood He was speaking of the doctrine and teachings of the spiritual leaders.

Often Jesus’ reference to the feeding of the crowds and the leftover food is glossed over. The numbers fed and amount of food left are important. They have a meaning, a meaning the disciples should have understood from the Hebraic Scriptures (Torah). Some scholars think that the 5,000 fed is analogous to the five smooth stones David gathered, one of which he used to slay Goliath,² and the five gifts of the ministry any one of which can be used to slay sin.³ The twelve baskets of leftovers are the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. In the scriptures 4,000 represents change in the Scriptures and the seven baskets of leftovers are perfection. In both cases the bread is the Word of God. The Word is more than sufficient to feed everyone to their fill. Jesus is the Word. Jesus was telling the disciples to have faith that God would reveal the meaning of the Scriptures for their enlightenment and for their enlightenment of others.

Jesus now asks them two very important questions. When we read this question, we need to think about the context, He asked His question immediately after warning the disciples to be very careful of the teaching of the spiritual leaders, especially the Sadducees. Jesus asked them who do the people say He is. After they answered Jesus asked who they, the disciples, say He is. Peter answered stating Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior. Jesus said Peter was blessed since God revealed this to Him. Jesus asks us the same question. We can answer the Son of God, the Savior, but do we really mean it in our hearts or are we just giving the answer we were taught, the “right” answer?

Jesus now gives Peter his marching orders. He will be the first to bring the Gospel to non-Jews. God will give him the ability to make it available to all peoples. Paul was to main apostle to the Gentiles but only after Peter opened the door. Jesus also told Simon bar Jonah from now on his name was Peter. Peter means rock. Jesus now said upon this rock He would build His church and Hades would not prevail against it.

There is confusion about what Jesus meant by His comment. Perhaps it helps if we look at what just happened. Jesus warned them to be very careful of the teachings of the spiritual leaders. He then asked who do people say He is, and then who do the disciples say He is. The confession is made by Peter that Jesus is the Son of God. (While the focus is on Peter it is safe to assume the apostles agreed with him.) Jesus then tells Peter he will open up the Gospel, the Kingdom of Heaven to all peoples. Peter opens it up by bring the good news about Jesus to the Gentiles. It is important to see that Peter did not bring good news about himself, or anyone else, but only about Christ and salvation through Him. Christ is the rock and nothing Satan does can overpower the church (the witnessing community).

Finally, Jesus tells them the cost of believing in Him. It is expensive for the person. To follow Jesus means a person must deny themselves. That is EVERYTING must come second to Jesus and doing His will. We are told that to gain their life they must lose it. Huh? That sounds counter-intuitive. How do we gain life by losing it? Jesus is saying that to gain eternal life we must be willing to lose our temporal lives and the things that make temporal life comfortable. We must be willing to place everything second to Jesus. People emphasize and focus on this material life. Jesus shows we must emphasize and focus on our spiritual life; it is much more important.

 

¹ Amos 3:7 NASB

² 1 Sam. 17:40-50

³ Ephesians 4:11-12

 

 

 

 

Matthew Chapter 17

Christ goes to a mountain with Peter, James and John. These three have specific roles, and Jesus is deliberately mentoring them. This event happened approximately a week after the events at Caesarea Phillipi. Mark says it was six days after, and Luke says about eight days after. There is really no disagreement. They are both giving about a week after the previous events.

The transfiguration shows a connection to earlier Hebrew culture and history. To the Hebrews the presence of God is connected to a cloud, 1Ki_19:11, 1Ki_19:12 We can see this in the Exodus and in the writings of the prophets. The cloud coming down would be a very clear sign to any Israelite that God was present. We see how appropriate it was that just Moses and Elijah should be the ones to meet with Jesus on this occasion. Moses represented the law, Elijah the prophets. "The law and the prophets were until John"; but both are merged in the gospel of Jesus,”¹

The events on the mountain were a confirmation to both Jesus and the disciples. Jesus had a lot of work to complete and much of it would be emotionally, spiritually and physically painful. Jesus received direct confirmation from God that He was doing God's will. Jesus was supported by Moses, the foremost lawgiver, and Elijah, the leading prophet. Much of the dispute Jesus had with the Israeli leadership concerned His approach to the law and the prophets. His discussion with Moses and Elijah confirmed Jesus was fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.

The transfiguration sent the same messages to those disciples with Jesus. They were witnesses to the transfiguration and heard the Voice of God affirming His love for Jesus, relationship to Jesus and confirmation of Jesus' work. A witness is to testify to what they have seen and heard. James, John, and Peter can provide direct testimony. They did not need to carry a second-hand message.

This message was critical for the disciples. We must remember that Jesus had just told them He must die. This went contrary to all that they had been taught about the Messiah. They were making a huge emotional and spiritual adjustment. The transfiguration affirmed to them that their decision to follow Jesus was the correct one. John, Peter, and James could serve as witnesses of the event to the other disciples and the public.

The reaction of Peter (always the outspoken one) was to offer to build three shelters for Jesus, Elijah and Moses. He and the other disciples were extremely apprehensive. Peter's immediate reaction to stress was to talk. I think many of us can relate.

By coming in a cloud God does a few things. God protects the Disciples since no one can see God’s face and live. “We find often in the Old Testament, that a cloud was the visible token of God's presence; he came down upon mount Sinai in a cloud (Exo 19:9), and so to Moses, Exo 4:5; Num 11:25.”²⁰“Here was no thunder, or lightning, or voice of a trumpet, as there was when the law was given by Moses, but only a voice, a still small voice, and that was not ushered in with a strong wind, or an earthquake, or fire, as when God spake to Elias, God does not rebuke Peter or the others. God simply comes in a cloud and affirms that Jesus is His Son, God loves Him, and the disciples must listen to Jesus, it is a tremendous thing.

By His words God is not only affirming and confirming Jesus, but He is also telling the Disciples He cares and loves them. “Everything that the Father said came from the Scriptures. In Psalm 2:7, the Father says to the Son: You are my Son. In Isaiah 42:1, the Father says to the Son that He is One in whom My soul delights. Matthew 12:18 quotes the passage: in whom My soul is well pleased! In Deuteronomy 18:15, God the Father says through Moses the prophet about the coming Jesus, Him you shall hear.”³

God has taken the time to instruct the disciples. The one true God of all creation has taken the time to insert Himself into the everyday lives of these people. It is a tremendous thing that God has done, and a tremendous message God has sent to all of us. God cares about us in detail. God is not just far off somewhere looking down on us but not communicating. God cares about us and loves us enough to communicate with us. God does not leave us to wander helplessly wondering if we are going in the right direction. If we listen, God will guide us, instruct and let us know how much He loves us.

As Jesus comes down the mountain He tells James, John, and Peter not to tell what they saw until after He had risen from the dead. Jesus did not provide a reason for giving this instruction so we can only surmise. Jesus knew most people would neither believe nor understand what took place and some would see it as just another reason to kill Him, the Christ.

The disciples asked why Elijah must come first. Jesus replied, Elijah must come first, and Elijah has already come. The disciples then realized He was talking about John the Baptist when He said Elijah must first come. “This is evident from a comparison of the life and work of both Elijah and John the Baptist. Elijah was noted as being full of zeal for God; so was John the Baptist. Elijah boldly rebuked sin in high places; so, did John the Baptist. Elijah called sinners and compromisers to a decision of repentance; so, did John the Baptist. Elijah attracted multitudes in his ministry; so did John the Baptist. Elijah attracted the attention and fury of a king and his wife; so did John the Baptist. Elijah was an austere man; so was John the Baptist. Elijah fled to the wilderness; John the Baptist also lived there. Elijah lived in a corrupt time and was used to restore failing spiritual life; this was also true of John the Baptist.”⁴ Hebrews were fond of using visual clues to make a point. Elijah was a hairy man, John was not. To make a visual connection John wore a camel hair garment to appear hairy.

Notice Christ said Elijah will come and has come. The disciples understood that saying Elijah has come referred to John the Baptizer. That leaves Elijah coming again and restoring everything. John the Baptizer did not come to restore. Restoring was not his job. Acts 3:20-21 bears on this subject. We are told “that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.”⁵The first coming of Christ was not a time of restoration, His second coming will be a time of the restoration of everything and Elijah will come again. To truly understand what Elijah coming again means, his life and work must be studied. When we think about ‘coming again’ we often think of the same person coming who had previously come. We look for the same image, build, etc. The physical is only a minor part of the                    person. A major part is their personality, spirit, authority, power, calling, and work. The Elijah coming to prepare the restoration by Christ may not look like Elijah but will have the same spirit, authority, power, calling and work as did the first Elijah.

When they came down from the mountain a man who had a demon possessed son was waiting for Jesus. He asked Jesus to deliver the boy. He brought his son to the disciples, but they were unable to help him. Jesus said “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?”⁶ Was Jesus talking to the boy’s father, the crowd around them or to the disciples who did not have enough faith for the boy to be delivered, or perhaps all. We cannot be sure, but we do know when the disciples asked why they could not drive the demon out Jesus said it was because of their small faith. This kind of demon can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.

Note that immediately after the transfiguration and God verifying Jesus is His Son, Jesus is faced with a child who is demon possessed. The disciples were not able to deliver or heal the boy. The father of the boy asked Jesus to heal his child. Jesus rebuked the demonic spirit, and it left the boy permanently.

Most believers pray, but do we pray effectively? Do we pray, truly believing? Jesus prayed with fervor, until His sweat became as drops of blood. He took the time to be alone and communicate with the Father, just the two of them. He did not allow the cares, temporal responsibilities, or anything infringe on His time praying. Jesus also fasted. Fasting is something that has fallen out of favor in modern times. Much of the reason it has is the influence of Satan and is a loss to believers. Fasting is taking the time and disciple to spend time with God. Not eating removes one infringement on our time with God and allows us to concentrate and focus all of our energy and thinking on God.

Finally, when Jesus and the disciples came to Capernaum the tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter answered He did and then went to Jesus. Jesus asked who should pay taxes. Should the son of the ruler pay? The answer is no, meaning that Jesus should not need to pay the tax but, in order not to offend, Jesus paid the tax.⁷

“The New Testament always uses the verb to offend (scandalizing, G4624)⁸ and the noun offence (skandalon,) in a special way. The verb never means to insult or to annoy or to injure the pride of. It always means to put a stumbling-block in someone's way, to cause someone to trip up and to fall.”⁹

 

¹ e-Sword, Expositor’s Bible, accessed 12/31/2024.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Acts 3:20-21, NASB

⁶ Matthew 17:17, NASB

⁷ The tax was 2 denarius, 2 day’s wages.

⁸ The numbers in blue are from Strongs Concordance which gives the Hebrew and Greek word meaning.

⁹ e-Sword, Expositor’s Bible, accessed 12/31/2024.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 18

All of the parts of chapter 18 fit together in a logical pattern. The chapter includes: “Heaven, instructions concerning humility, ver. 1-6. . Concerning offences in general (ver. 7), particularly offences given, 1. By us to ourselves, verses 8, 9. 2. By us to others, ver. 10-14. 3. By others to us, which are of two sorts, (1.) Scandalous sins, which are to be reproved, ver. 15-20. (2.) Personal wrongs, which are to be forgiven, ver. 21-35. We can see how practical Christ's preaching was; he could have revealed mysteries, but he expressed plain duties, especially those that are most displeasing to the flesh and ego.”¹

The disciples asked Jesus a very world-oriented question: Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?² or, Who will be the leader in the kingdom of Heaven?³ Satan asked himself the same or similar question and reached the conclusion that he was the greatest resulting in rebellion against God and being expelled from Heaven as a result. Before we think poorly of the disciples for their question, we need to remember the culture in which they lived their entire lives. Their culture was one of authoritarian rule with a few people at the top, many at the bottom and a few in the middle. This is all they knew. At the time of Jesus, the romans were at the top of the national food chain. Earlier it was Persians, Babylonians, etc.

Christ’s answer was “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”⁴ Christ is making the point that God does not have the same perspective man has. Greatness is not a matter of power, prestige, position, control, wealth, etc., it is a matter of faith, belief, love, caring. Children have these until the culture ‘educates’ it out of them. Not by schooling as much as by what they learn from the culture, adults, peer group, etc. We must believe God completely and act in accordance with what we claim to believe.

Jesus also said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble by doing wrong, it would be better for that person to have a heavy millstone tied around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.⁴ He was referring to children but it could also apply to those who have newly come to believe in Jesus as Savior. We must also take care not to put a stumbling block in front of God’s children.

The topic of stumbling blocks is now discussed in a thought-provoking manner. We are told if any part of our body causes us to sin, we are to cut it off and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven crippled or disabled than to have your complete body consigned to eternal fire. Often the mind and heart are the cause of sin. How do we handle these? We cannot just cut them off and throw them away. The mind and heart must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. We must pray continually for God’s Holy Spirit to guide us.

Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep⁵ to show God cares about each person and does not want any to go astray and be lost. Jesus follows this parable by talking about forgiving one another. This is an example of not allowing a sheep to go astray. If we feel we have been wronged by another person we are not to allow the incident to fester in our mind and heart and become sin, but we are to go to the other person and address the problem with them. If they will not listen (understand) then take two or three others with you, go to the person and try again, by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.⁶ If they still will not listen, take it before the church, if they will not listen even to the church consider the person as one outside the fellowship of believers. There is an advantage of doing this that is not mentioned here. By taking it to the person who wronged us we may discover it was a misunderstanding, or we may have caused a problem. The result is the ‘problem’ will be resolved one way or another and the person wronged will not harbor hate in their heart or mind.

We are told where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name He is there in their midst. He also tells us where two or three agree on a matter it will be done for them by the Father. This verse is often used, appropriately, for people gathering in church for worship, study, prayer, etc. We must also remember the context, it is referring to having an issue or disagreement with another person, especially if they are in the body of Christ. Peter asks how many times he is to forgive a person, up to 7 times 7? Christ replies: No, up to 70 times 7. Peter was using 7, the number representing perfect, as a way to set an upper amount of forgiveness. Jesus’ reply is not setting a particular upper limit but telling Peter he misunderstands. Forgiveness knows no limit.

Finally, Jesus tells the story of the king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.⁷ He forgave one servant of a debt he could never pay back. That servant refused to forgive another person who owed him a tiny amount. Because the one servant refused to forgive the person who owed the small debt, the King did not forgive him who owed the huge debt. Again, we go back to the start of the chapter where we are told we must be like little children. Little children forgive much more easily and much more often than adults.

 

¹ https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/matthew/18.html

²Matthew 18:1, NASB   

³ Matthew 18:1, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator   

⁴ Matthew 18:3-4, NASB

⁵ For more on the Parables see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look for Parables in the list.

⁶ Deut. 19:15;  2 Cor. 13:1

⁷ For more on the Parables see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look for Parables in the list.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 19

Jesus now left Galilee and went to Judea. Large crowds followed Him, and the Pharisees saw this as a great opportunity to destroy His influence with the people. They asked Him if a man could divorce their wife for almost any reason. The question was based on two schools of thought, that of Rabbis Shammai and Hillel. Shammai took a very conservative approach while Hillel took a much more liberal approach. The Pharisees hoped to trap Jesus by getting Him to support one approach, thus leaving Him open to criticism by the other. If He supported Rabbi Shammai’s approach much of the populus would disagree since most people liked the liberal approach that allowed them to do what they wanted.

By answering the question, not from Shammai or Hillel, but from Moses, Jesus defeated their trap by going to Scripture and what God said when He created mankind, (male and female).¹ Referring to Scripture removes man’s interpretation rendering both Shammai’s and Hillel’s applications irrelevant. It also made the Pharisees’ question irrelevant and but somewhat foolish in light of the Scripture.

By referring to what God said when He created mankind Jesus calls on the highest authority possible. Jesus quotes Genesis 1:27 indicating that God joins a man and woman together in marriage and since it is a union God created it is God’s rules we must follow. In Genesis 2:23 a very important point is made, when two people are married they become one flesh. This includes sexual union but goes far beyond it in thinking and actions.

“Marriage is given, not that two people should do one thing together, but that they should do all things together.” (Barclay) In the wedding vows we use (although not as often now) we say for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, I will love and cherish you until death does us part. This starts to give an understanding of the seriousness and critical importance of marriage. It starts from the time the couple commit to each other and God that they will be one flesh until they die. It is not like a pie crust, easily made, easily broken. It is like a diamond, in the eyes of God, unbreakable.

Jesus also reminded everyone that marriage is spiritually binding before God. God expects man to honor what He has joined and to keep the marriage together. The Pharisees wrongly thought that God commanded divorce where there was uncleanness. But Jesus noted the difference between “command” and “permitted.” God never commands divorce, but He does permit it.” “Jesus interpreted the meaning of the word uncleanness in the Mosaic Law, showing that it refers to sexual immorality, not just anything that might displease the husband. Therefore, divorce – and the freedom to remarry without sin – is only permitted in the case of sexual immorality.”²

The reason why a person who does not have a legitimate divorce commits adultery upon remarrying is because they are not divorced in the eyes of God. Since their old marriage was never dissolved on Biblical grounds, that marriage is still valid as is the commitment to each other and God, and they are actually guilty of bigamy and adultery.”³

After Jesus educated the Pharisees and others about God’s rules about divorce. Parents brought their children to be blessed. The disciples rebuked the parents for bringing the children, but Jesus welcomed the children to Him and blessed them.

After Jesus blessed the children, a man came to Him asking what good thing he must do to inherit eternal life. The man was really asking what he needed to DO to earn eternal life. What act (good work, or noble deed) he must perform to earn eternal life. Jesus answered the man’s question in a direct and very clear manner. To inherit eternal life a person must keep all the commandments in their fullest sense.”⁴

The man asked which commandments he must keep. Jesus answered with the commandments which primarily deal with man’s relation to man. In response, the young man claimed he had kept these from his youth. Jesus told him to sell all he had, give it away and follow Him. Jesus’ call to forsake everything and follow Him is a call to put God first in all things.⁵

The man left sad because he had great wealth. We are not told what he did after leaving Jesus. Although we would like to know it is not important to the Jesus’ point. Verse 23 tells us the point of the story. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”⁶ Why is it hard? A rich person thinks about their wealth, how to protect it, how to make it increase, how to use it. These things and many others concerning wealth take up their mind, their thinking, it influences their decisions and their relationships with others. Wealth can drive out love, God, and caring. Wealth can cause the heart to become hard and the mind narrow,

Jesus gives what seems to be an absurd example, it is “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”⁷ The disciples are amazed and asks how then can a rich person be saved? Jesus explains showing this is a metaphor, not to be taken literally but still showing God’s love and power. With man it is not possible, with God, all things are possible.

Peter now asks what will happen to them. They have left everything to follow Him. Jesus said that in the “renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”⁸ Jesus goes on to say those who have left things to follow Him will be greatly rewarded. He also says those who are first may be last and those who are last may be first,

When looking at this chapter there appears to be three disparate sections: divorce, children, and wealth. If we look closer, we can see a common thread throughout, making God our first priority. Regardless of what we are looking at, in this case marriage, the place of children, or wealth, God must be our first priority.

 

¹ (https://enduringword.com//bible-commentary/matthew-19/)

² Ibid.

³  Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵  Ibid.

⁶  New International Version

⁷ Ibid

 

 

Matthew Chapter 20

The chapter starts out with a landowner hiring people to work in his vineyards. The disciples questioned Jesus concerning how a rich person could get into heaven and also what would be the disciples reward. Jesus told them their reward and the told this parable as an explanation.

From a human point of view the landowner’s payment action may not seem equitable but it is. The laborers hired at the start of the day agreed to work for a denarius. Those who are saved through Christ work for God and have agreed to a certain reward. The laborers hired later in the day agreed to work for what is fair. They were not sure what to expect but received the same reward as those hired at the beginning. This shows God’s love and concern for everyone. The reward is the same regardless of when a person becomes a believer. No one earns salvation, it is not a wage, it is a gift freely given by God. Like the landowner chose to give the same wage to all the workers so God chooses to freely give to everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation through Christ¹

The parable portrays God’s character of grace and love. This was integral to Jewish thought during the time of Jesus. Quite often present-day believers see Judaism in the time of Jesus (and now) to be very legalistic with little to no understand of grace. Many times, people think Jesus is fighting against Judaism. This is far from accurate. Grace is seen throughout the Torah, prophesies, and writings.

After telling the parable Jesus and His disciples started walking to Jerusalem. As they traveled Jesus told them what would happen in Jerusalem. He tells them He will be crucified by the Gentiles and on the third day He will be raised from the dead.

After this the mother of James and John came asking that, after His resurrection, her two sons might sit beside Him, one on the left and one on the right. Jesus answered James, John and their mother by saying they did not know, understand, what they were asking for. Did they think they were able to go through what He was going to go through. They said they could. Jesus said they would, but He was not the one who would make the decision who sat where. If Jesus did not make the decision, who would? By inference God the Father, could and would.²

The chapter starts with a parable making clear that by God’s grace all believers get the same reward, eternal life with God. This is much different than the world’s thinking which is hierarchical with rewards based on time in service and rewards. James, John, and their mother understood the parable but slipped right back into worldly thinking by looking for a specific reward. The reward they requested would put them in a ‘higher’ position than the other disciples.

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had requested, they were not at all happy. They were offended and probably outraged. How dare they seek a position of authority over the other disciples. They were making the same mistake James and John made, they were using the world’s system of hierarchy to judge the actions of James and John.

Jesus addressed this immediately. He called the twelve together and made sure they knew that as His followers they were to serve. They were not to be like the Gentiles and follow the world’s system of having people serve them, they were to be loving, humble and serve.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on to Jerusalem two men who were blind were sitting by the side of the road, heard Jesus was coming and started shouting, asking Jesus to heal them. The crowd told them to stop shouting, they were making a scene, they lacked decorum. Despite the negative reaction of the crowd, they shouted all the more. Having Jesus heal them was much important than the crowd’s words, actions and, perhaps condemnation. Jesus stopped and asked what they wanted, they said they wanted to be healed, to see. Jesus healed them, immediately they could see and followed Him.

The parts of this chapter all work together to teach a lesson. At the beginning is the parable of the landlord and vineyard workers. This parable makes it clear salvation is a gift of grace from God. No one is superior, and we do not earn it. Then we come to the two brothers asking for a special place in Jesus’ kingdom and the other disciples getting irate because they asked. Finally, we have the two blind men having their sight restored and following Jesus. First, showing everyone is equal, second James and John looking for special positions, third the other disciple being upset with James and John, fourth is Christ restoring. It appears James, John, and the disciples did not understand the lesson from the parable when Jesus restores the sight of the blind men. Through Jesus we can see spiritually and follow Him. Without Jesus we are blind and follow where the world leads us.

 

¹ https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com Accessed March 3, 2025

² NASB, 20:20-23

 

 

Matthew Chapter 21

Jesus is now entering the final week of His life. Jesus and the disciples now come to Beit Pagei, the House of Figs. Jesus is planning to enter Jerusalem as the Savior, the Son if God continuing to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.”¹ This week also solidifies His rejection by the Jews, especially the Jewish leaders.

Jesus instructed his disciples to go into the city. There they will find a donkey and a foal. The disciples are to untie them and bring them to Jesus. If anyone questions them, they are to respond the Lord has need of them. When the donkey and foal were brought to Jesus, the disciples placed their cloaks on the animals, and Jesus rode them into Jerusalem. This event directly fulfills the prophecy of Zachariah. 9:9.²

Putting your cloak and palm leaves in front of a person shows submission, obedience, and loyalty to that person.³ Jesus, riding on a donkey fulfilled prophesy and had great cultural significance. As noted, at His first coming Jesus came to proclaim the “acceptable year of the Lord.” His second coming is to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God”⁴ At the time of Jesus in that section of the world horses were not common animals, accept possibly for the ruling class. Those coming to conquer rode horses, those not conquering rode donkeys. If a ruler came, not as a conqueror or not wanting to show their power they rode donkeys. When Christ returns, He will ride a horse, making clear He comes as conqueror over Satan, sin and death.⁵

This happened at Passover and is in all four Gospels – God wants us to learn from, understand and remember what happened here. As the people laid their cloaks and palm leaves in front of Jesus. As He went into Jerusalem they shouted Hosanna, Save Us.⁶

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He went to the Temple. Once there He started to overturn the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves for sacrifice. (This is the second time in the Bible Jesus does this, John 2:15-16). He told them it stands written, ‘My house shall be called a home for prayer’ (Isa 56:7), but you have turned it into a ‘den of robbers”⁷ A bit of explanation is in order here. Those who came to the Temple could not use the local currency but had to use the Temple currency. This meant they had to convert the local currency to the Temple currency, therefore the use of money changers. What makes this scenario worse is that the worshippers could bring their own doves for sacrifice, but they would seldom be approved by the priests forcing people to buy overpriced doves from the sellers in the Temple, doves which would always be approved by the priests.

The rates the moneychangers charged were not regulated and they could charge as much as the market would bear. This allowed the possibility for the money changers to charge exorbitant rates (i.e. a person changing a dollar of local currency into the temple money may only get $0.70 in temple currency.) The same would happen when a person changed the temple currency into local currency. (It is also thought the temple priests would get a cut of the profits.) The worshippers at the temple were effectively being robbed. The same was true of those selling doves. Doves were allowed by the Torah to be used for sacrifice, especially when the person was poor. While doves were cheaper than sheep, ox, etc., it became an onerous cost to the poor, especially when they were overpriced. The chief priests and leaders received a percentage of the overcharges making them reluctant to control the sellers and money changer since they were part of the robbery.

The money changers and other vendors were robbing the worshippers. Jesus took great offense because they were defiling God’s Name and preventing people from worshipping YHWH. Some say that Jesus driving out the money changers ‘proves’ He could not be the Messiah since His driving out the money changers violated Isaiah 53:7 where Isaiah said “⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, He did not open His mouth.” (NASB) What those saying this fail to see is Jesus did not do this for Himself but because the vendors and leadership were violating Scripture (the Torah) dishonoring God the Father (Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11)⁸.

As Jesus was in the temple the blind and the lame came to Jesus and healed them. As He was healing people the Jewish leaders came to Jesus complaining to Him about the children shouting Hosannah “Son of David, ‘Please! Save us!" (Ps 118:25). Jesus did not criticize the leaders, He simply reminded them of what David said in Psalms⁹, showing this scripture was fulfilled in Him. The leaders should have remembered this psalm and acknowledged its fulfillment in Jesus. However, he did not fulfil their expectations, which led them to ignore the reality of His presence.

After this Jesus went to Bethany to spend the night. The next morning, on His way back to the city, Jesus saw a fig tree that appeared to be in fruit. Being hungry Jesus went to the tree to get some figs. When Jesus came to the tree there were no figs on it. Jesus cursed the tree, and it immediately withered. The disciples saw this and commented on how quickly the tree withered. Jesus told them that it is a matter of faith.

There are two important lessons here. The first is the tree looked good. It looked like it should have fruit on it that should feed people. The reality was regardless of how good the tree looked, it was empty of fruit and could feed no one. This can also be true of people. There are those who present themselves as servants of God who bring His message to others but have no fruit of the spirit or message from God. They are not God’s messengers, nor have any fruit, and cannot feed anyone spiritually. They are like a false plant good to look at but not a real, alive, useful, plant.

The second concerns faith. How do we recognize and deal with false believers? This is where faith and prayer come in. When we have faith, the Holy Spirit will show us the false followers.¹⁰ The Holy Spirit will also show us how to deal with these false followers, and how to keep them from negatively affecting the body of believers in Christ. A mountain is huge and seems impossible to move. Some of these pretenders may look like a mountain, unmovable, but through prayer and faith they can be removed permanently and cast away, not to be an influence ever again.

It is very important to remember it is better to turn a person from their sin than to permanently remove them from the body of believers. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 Paul addresses a case of incest at Corinth. A man had sexual relations with his father’s wife. The church at Corinth did nothing to resolve the problem but were proud of their “love” and “understanding” of the situation. Paul corrected their thinking and told the church to turn the man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so he could be saved at the end. Note, turning the man over to Satan was so he could learn, repent, and correct his behavior. In 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 deals with the same man. By this time, he had repented and corrected his behavior. Paul tells the church to welcome him back into fellowship, love and forgive him. He repented, God forgave him, we cannot do less.

Jesus now went to the temple and started to teach. As He was teaching the Jewish leaders and elders asked Jesus by what authority He taught and who gave Him the power to perform miracles? Jesus responded by employing the Jewish strategy of answering a question by asking a question. Jesus asked them "I also will ask you one question. If you tell Me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these miracles. ²⁵ The ritual immersion in water by Yochanan, was it from heaven or by human design?”¹¹

This put the Jewish leaders and elders in a quandary. If they said it was by heaven, then it could lead to questions regarding why the leaders and elders did not believe him. (Remember, with the Jews belief always carries actions based on that belief. Even if the leaders and elders said they believed their lack of actions based on that supposed belief would prove they were not being truthful.) They expressed concerns that people might cause them harm or death because they believed John the Immerser was a prophet. Because of their reluctance to say from heaven and their fear of the people to say from human design, they claimed they did not know. Because of their answer Jesus said He would not answer their question.

This scenario points out a few things for our learning. The Jewish leaders and elders did not fear God, but they did fear looking foolish and as not knowing the Torah. We see this by their not saying from the heavens because they were afraid Jesus could make them look foolish. They did not seem concerned that God would not be pleased only that they would look foolish, pride and ego apparent. Also, they were more afraid of the people than they were of God. They were afraid the people would harm them if they said by human design. The possibility of God not being pleased did not seem to enter into it at all, self-centered.

Two parables are presented, one about a man with two sons and the second about sharecroppers. The first parable describes both sons being asked by their father to work in the fields. The first son agreed to go but did not follow through and work. The second son initially refused but later went to work in the fields. Which son did the father’s will? The answer is obvious, the second son. This parable is similar to the fig tree. The first son looked good but did nothing. The second son did not look good but took action and did something, he worked in the fields. Do we work in our Father’s field? (John 4:35) Do we put action to our beliefs?

The second parable is about a man who planted a vineyard, built a wine press then rented it out to sharecroppers. The concept was that sharecroppers would work the vineyard in exchange for a portion of the product produced. The sharecroppers were greedy and wanted everything for themselves. The vineyard owner sent servants (the prophets) to collect his share of the product, but the sharecroppers beat them and treated them terribly. Finally, the owner (YHWH) sent his son (Jesus) thinking they would listen and honor him. Instead, the sharecroppers murdered him thinking they would get the vineyard. Jesus asked His listeners what should the owner do? They responded, kill the sharecroppers and rent the vineyard out to other sharecroppers who would do what they agreed.

The listeners missed the point of the parable. The owner is YHWH. God created the world including humans, it all belongs to God. The sharecroppers are the Hebrews. After God created the world, He gave it to humankind to take care of. All God asked for was love for Him and each other, and worship of Him. This the Hebrews failed to do.

Jesus asks the leaders and elders if they had read the scriptures (the Torah). This would be a great insult to them since they were the people who were supposed to know the scriptures. Not just the words but understand them. Jesus quotes Psalm 118 and applies it to Himself. He is the stone that was rejected but became the chief cornerstone. Jesus continues by saying those who fall on the stone will be broken and those who the stone falls on will be crushed, scattered like dust. This passage has caused some confusion. Those who fall on the stone may be those who accept Jesus as savior, the Son of God, will have their lives changed. Old (worldly) habits will be broken, irrelevant, and no longer part of their lives. The chains Satan had them bound with will be broken and they shall be free in Christ.¹³

Those who the stone falls on are those who do not accept Christ as Savior, they may agree He is the Son of God but do not believe He is the savior. Believing Jesus is the Son of God but not believing He is Savior makes no sense and does not save a person. (James 2:9) John 3:18 tells us that those who do not believe Jesus is Savior are condemned. Being condemned is being cast out of the kingdom of God, to go through eternity without the presence of God.^{14 Not} believing in Jesus as the Savior also lead to be permanently consigned to a hell of flames for eternity.¹⁵

The leaders and elders were not happy with Jesus or His comments. They knew He was talking about them and wanted to kill Him but were afraid to do so because the people considered Jesus a prophet. The reaction of the leaders and elders tells a lot about their true priorities and personalities. These men were to be the guardians of the scriptures and faith. Instead of doing their job they were quite prepared to ignore those when personal harm was a possibility. If they truly believed what they said they should have arrested Jesus, instead they went off to plan how to kill Him without endangering themselves. Their safety and position in the world were their first and most important priority, not God.

 

¹ Isaiah 61:1-2a   The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD anointed me To bring good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD  https://www.blueletterbible.org//nasb20/isa/61/1/s_740001   accessed April 4, 2025

² Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; e is ^[cg]just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9, NASB

³ Through the Bible, Pastor Paul Leboutillier, YouTube, accessed April 4, 2025

⁴ Isaiah 61:1-2b   The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD anointed me to bring good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim ….. and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;  https://www.blueletterbible.org//nasb20/isa/61/1/s_740001 accessed April 4, 2025

⁵ Rev. 6:2; 9:11, 19:21.

⁶ Psalm 118:1-29, especially v.25 “The first word of Psalm 118:25 is howosiah-na, translated “Save us!”  https://www.gotquestions.org/hosanna-in-the-highest.html

⁷ Jeremiah 7:11

⁸ This is the second time Jesus whipped the moneychangers and sellers out of the temple.

⁹ Psalm 8:2, KJV

¹⁰ 1 Corinthians 12:10, KJV, tells us the discerning of Spirits is one of the gifts God gives to His people.

¹¹ Matthew 21:24-25, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (Ph.D. Hebrew University), Translator

¹² For more on the Parables see https://reflectingchristians.blogspot.com/ and look for Parables in the list.

¹³ John 8:32, 36

¹⁴ Luke 13:28

¹⁵ Mark 9:44-48

 

 

Matthew Chapter 22

Chapter 22 is a continuation of chapter 21, especially verses 43 – 46. Jesus has just told a number of parables, and the leaders knew the parables were directed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus not because what He said was untrue, but because it was true, offended them, and threatened, their positions. These parables are all interconnected and show us the contrast in thinking between the spiritual leaders and Christ. They teach us what is truly important when serving God.¹

Jesus shares a parable comparing a king's wedding feast for his son to God inviting Israel, through various prophets and leaders, to the Church. They refused God’s invitation many times. Not only did they refuse the invitation they mistreated and killed messengers. After many attempts the king (God) destroyed those who were invited and had His servants go out to the highways and hedges and invite others, non-Israelites. Since there are two peoples God recognizes, Jew and Gentile, this must mean the Gentiles were invited in place of those Jews who refused to come to the wedding feast.

When the wedding guests were all gathered and the dining hall was filled the king came in to look. When he looked, he saw one person who did not have a wedding robe on. The king demanded to know how the man got in without a wedding robe. The man had no answer. The king had the man bound and thrown out of the wedding feast.

Jesus has painted a very clear picture of what was happening and what would happen with Israel and the Gentiles in the future. Some, not all, Israelites refused God’s invitation. Gentiles would then be invited to the wedding feast. One (symbolizing more than one) came but did not put on a wedding robe provided by the king. This person was there under false pretenses, wanting to partake of the feast but not willing to put on a robe as required. He was thrown out of the feast. This gives us a picture of those, Jew or Gentile, who say they are believers in Christ but do not have the fruits of belief. Their actions show they do not truly believe and are pretenders, false followers of Christ.

The Jewish leaders disliked these parables and tried to trap Jesus with His words. The Pharisees and Sadducees, along with the Herodians—who were typically their adversaries—joined forces to devise a trap. The trap seemed simple enough: Ask Jesus if, according to the Torah, it was permissible to pay tribute money to Caesar or not. This appears to be a fairly straight forward question with either a yes or no answer. The problem comes  by referencing the Torah this would be  to make the answer yes or no. Should we submit to God or should we submit to Rome?  Either answer would put Jesus at odds with either the Torah or Rome. Jesus chose a a third option the leaders had not considered. He said to render to God what is God’s and to Rome what is Rome’s. It is not an either/or question but a recognition of appropriate responsibility and actions to both. The leaders were caught off guard and left baffled.

After this some Sadducees who teach that there is no resurrection came to Jesus with a question. There were seven brothers. The first brother married, had no children then died. Moses taught, ‘If a man dies having no Children, his brother must marry his widow’ (Deut 25:5) and ‘raise up Children for his brother’ (Gen. 38:8) The same happened with each brother. Each married the widow, had no children and died. Last the woman died without having children by any of the brothers. They inquired, upon the resurrection, to which of the brothers the woman would be considered a wife. Looking at the question itself, it does not seem to be an honest question but one to make light of the resurrection and again to trap Jesus.

Jesus’ response is especially stinging because the Sadducees considered themselves to be experts in the Torah. Jesus told them they did not understand the Scriptures or the power of God. The point here is someone may memorize Scripture yet completely miss its meaning. He explains that in the resurrection people are like angels, neither married nor given in marriage.² Jesus now addresses their belief there is no resurrection. He reminds them God is God of the living, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God is not the God of the dead but those living.³ The Sadducees were in serious error.

Jesus has now responded to a number of questions that were really attacks and has silenced the Sadducees. The spiritual leaders gathered together and one of them came to Jesus with a question. This time the question seemed honest and not an attack or trap. The Torah Theologian asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment in the Torah? Jesus answered with what is called the SHEMA: “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”⁴ Jesus continued with a second commandment that is companion to the first. “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”⁵

All the Torah and all of Jesus’ teaching are founded on these two commandments. God is One and must be our highest priority, our neighbors are right next to that. “…for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”⁶

Jesus now asks a question of the spiritual leaders: “What do you think about the Anointed One? Whose son is He?"⁷ Their response was David’s son. Jesus now has a second question for them: “Then why does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’ saying, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My righthand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? (Ps 110:1). If David calls Him, ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”⁸

“The Pharisees were partially right in saying that the Messiah is the Son of David. But they didn’t have a complete understanding of who the Messiah is. He is not only David’s Son (a reference to His humanity), but He is also David’s Lord (a reference to the deity of Jesus, the Messiah).”⁹ The spiritual leaders hoped to trap and embarrass Jesus. They failed. He stumped them by the Scriptures they thought they knew.

 

¹ https://www.blueletterbible.org /Expositor’s Bible

² Note Jesus said “like angels” not that they were exactly the same as Angles.

³ Matthew 22:32, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁴ Deut. 6:5

⁵ Lev. 19:18

⁶ John 4:20 KJV

⁷ Matthew 22:42, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁸ Matthew 22:43-45, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁹ e-Sword, David Guzik, accessed 05/12/2025.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 23

Christ was especially critical of the scribes and Pharisees in his teachings. Nothing is more directly opposite to the spirit of the Gospel than the temper and practice of these people who, under a cloak and pretense of religion, were made up of pride, worldliness, and tyranny. Christ addresses the hypocrisy of Pharisees and Scribes. Christ only condemned Scribes and Pharisees who disregarded God's Word or valued their traditions above it; he did not judge all of them. Jesus demonstrated a strong regard for the Hebraic Scriptures, treating God's Word as a the vital communication to humanity.

Christ instructs people to follow their leaders' teachings, but not their actions. The leaders imposed significant spiritual and physical demands on others, yet they were unwilling to bear those responsibilities themselves.

Jesus's protective attitude toward God's Word stemmed from His recognition that the scribes and Pharisees' hypocrisy—practicing religion outwardly while neglecting the true spirit of the Gospel—was directly opposed to the heart of God's message. Christ only condemned those religious leaders who disregarded or devalued God's Word in favor of their own traditions, warning against such attitudes and actions. By safeguarding the Scriptures, Christ emphasized their importance as God's vital message to humanity and underscored the need for genuine faith and obedience over outward displays of religiosity.

Was it obedience, loyalty, display for the public, or love? Jesus knew the absolute importance of, and love that was the foundation of God’s Word. Though the Scriptures include commandments and history, they are much more than just a set of rules. The Scriptures tell us how to live successfully in this world. God knows what we need and in His love for us gives us clear instructions, tells us what will happen, tries to guide us back to Him, and tells us He provides His Son to pay the blood price for our sins.

The Scribes, Pharisees, and other spiritual leaders prioritized their traditions over, or equal to, God's Word. They were not just dishonoring and insulting God and His Son, they were arrogant by trying to put themselves in God’s place. This what Satan tried to do. John 1:1-4²  makes it clear the Christ was God from the very beginning and everything was created by Him, (Genesis 1).

In this chapter Jesus is much more direct in calling some of the spiritual leaders what they are: hypocrites, liars, false leaders/shepherds, pretending to follow God’s Word but actually treating with contemptuous disregard it by their traditions and oral law. Jesus refers to their habits that highlight self-importance and self-glorification. Seeking titles such as rabbi, teacher, father, or leader reveals how a person views themselves. Jesus’ caution not to take these or similar titles for ourselves takes us to God being our only father, teacher, and leader.

Matthew 23 outlines four major criticisms directed towards them: (1) Their actions did not align with their statements. 2) They strictly enforced obligations on others that they themselves were unwilling to undertake. 3) They were all for show, and nothing for substance (spiritually). 4) They assumed pre-eminence and superiority and took great pride for it.³

Jesus announces eight woes on these men.

1) But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from  people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

2) [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore, you will receive greater condemnation.]

3) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

4) “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ You fools and blind men! You blind leaders, what is more important, the offering or the altar that gives sacredness to the offering? Clearly, whoever swears by the altar swears both by the altar and by everything upon it,

5) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

6) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.

7) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. You clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. ²⁶You blind spiritual leader! First clean the inside of the cup and of the dish so that the outside of it may become clean as well. So it is the same with you, outwardly appearing righteous before people, but inwardly you are full of pretense and rebellion against Torah.⁴

8) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous.

After Jesus warns of the woes, He says God will send prophets, scribes, and wise men, whom the leaders would persecute, kill, or mistreat. Jesus said, "I am sending"—highlighting the future tense in "I am.The passage refers to future events rather than those that have already occurred. Jesus is not addressing prophets from the past, but is instead speaking about prophets who will be sent following His crucifixion and resurrection.

He concludes the chapter by mourning Jerusalem. "O Yerushalayim, Yerushalayim, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your Children together, just as a hen gathers her young chicks under her wings, but you would not have it! ³⁸Take notice of this! God‘s presence has left your house desolate. ³⁹ I say to you, also, that you will see Me nevermore until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD"’ (Ps 118:26).”⁶

 

¹ https://www.blueletterbible.org /Expositor’s Bible

² Note Jesus said “like angels” not that they were exactly the same as Angles.

³ Matthew 22:32, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁴ Deut. 6:5

⁵ Lev. 19:18

⁶ John 4:20 KJV

⁷ Matthew 22:42, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁸ Matthew 22:43-45, The Newer Testament, Brad H. Young, (PhD Hebrew University), Translator

⁹ e-Sword, David Guzik, accessed 05/12/2025.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 24

The leaders criticized Jesus, claiming that His disciples were not respecting the elders' traditions by eating without first washing their hands according to ceremonial customs. Jesus answered by asking why they transgress God’s commandments for the sake of their traditions. The two questions point out the important differences in the thinking behind each question. The leaders’ question is based on their belief that the their traditions are equal to God’s Word. The question posed by Jesus highlights the preeminence of God's Word above all matters and perspectives.

This chapter contains numerous prophecies, in which Jesus informs his disciples about events that are expected to occur in both the near and distant future. Jesus' initial prophecy would have shocked any Jew. His disciples pointed out the Temple. They valued the temple’s impressive appearance and tradition, rather than its true purpose. He said the Temple would be destroyed with one stone not left on another. The Temple was central to Jewish culture and life; its destruction eliminated their place of sacrifice, requiring significant changes to rituals and daily life. There was nothing more resented by the average Jew than any intimation of the destruction of the temple. One of the accusations brought against Stephen was his statement that Jesus would destroy the temple (Act_6:14).

After Jesus described the Temple's future, the disciples asked about when it would occur. His response not only indicates the timing of the Temple's destruction but also addresses future events related to His return. Jesus initially addresses the topic in general terms. “The end of the world” refers to the fulfillment or completion of an era.

He warned them not to be misled or deceived. Many will claim to be the anointed One and mislead others. Do not listen to or follow them. At the time of Christ there were approximately sixty men who claimed to be the Messiah. Obviously, those who knew the prophesies in the Torah knew these men were false Messiah’s. Those who did not know God’s Word (the Torah) may well have been taken in by the false messiah’s lies. Currently, individuals of all genders may claim to be the Messiah or have other identities, positions and honors they are not.

The only way we can know the true Messiah from the counterfeit is to know God’s Word. Know the prophecies, Jesus' teachings, and the contents of both Testaments. This is similar to examining counterfeit money. A counterfeit is designed to closely resemble the authentic item in order to deceive individuals into believing it is genuine. To spot a fake $20 bill, one must know what a genuine one looks like. Upon gaining the necessary knowledge, an individual is able to distinguish between authentic and counterfeit $20 bills.

This is similar to recognizing the counterfeit messiahs from the real Messiah. In the same way that one examines counterfeit money by first thoroughly understanding what genuine currency looks like, distinguishing the true Messiah from impostors requires a deep familiarity with God’s Word. Counterfeits are created to closely imitate the authentic, intending to deceive those who are not well-versed in the truth. Just as someone who knows the unique features of a real $20 bill can spot a fake, those who comprehend the prophecies, Jesus’ teachings, and the entirety of Scripture are equipped to discern the true Messiah from false claims. Without this knowledge, many are at risk of being misled by individuals who claim titles, honors, or identities that are not rightfully theirs. Therefore, knowing and studying the Scriptures is essential for spiritual discernment and protection from deception.

Only by knowing the Word of God can we know the real Messiah, Jesus, when He comes.  Satan will look very much like the real Messiah that he will deceive many into thinking he is the Messiah. Satan will lead many away from Jesus in this way. “¹²Because rebellion against Torah is increased, most people's love will grow cold. ¹³But the person who perseveres to the end, that one will be saved” (Matthew 24:12 The Newer Testament) Christ cautions that abandoning the Torah leads to fewer followers and diminished faith in Him. Christ also gives us a word of comfort. Only those who remain faithful to Jesus, regardless of external circumstances, will be saved.

Finally, Jesus said the good news (the Gospel) would be preached to all the nations and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) I was taught that the end will come only after every person has heard the Gospel. I've come across this passage in several translations, and each time the term "nations" appears instead of "people" or "individuals." Nations are groups of people defined by geography; they differ from people in general. "Everyone" denotes all individuals globally. Is Jesus suggesting the Gospel will reach every nation, but not necessarily every individual?

Jesus provides further details about the signs that indicate the arrival of the last days. “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—” (1 Ch. 22:12; Proverbs 2:6; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15 NIV) Jesus warns of the severity of that day. In Jewish thought, the gravest effect of the abomination is driving away the Divine Presence from the holy place (see also Amos 5:18, 20).

This is so important and terrible that when it happens people must immediately leave where they are and go to a place of safety. The main sign is “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation⁴ which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15, NASB) This warning was for the end time but also made a difference during the first Jewish Revolt. This revolt also furthered the separation between Jews and adherents of The Way, later known as Christians. Christians, heeding Jesus's words, left Jerusalem before the Romans came. The Jews blamed the Christians for not standing with them in the revolt.

The destruction of the temple in the first Roman war was devastating, but the Bar Kochba rebellion was even more catastrophic for the Jews. After the successful revolt, there was two and a half years of Jewish rule, and then Rome returned with a vengeance, destroyed Jerusalem, covered it in salt, killed ruthlessly, and exiled most of the surviving Jews. Following the destruction of the temple during the first Jewish Revolt, the Jewish people opted to engage in the Bar Kochba rebellion rather than remain under Roman authority, a decision that resulted in two millennia without Jewish sovereignty. The outcomes of these revolts suggest possible events for the end times.

It will not be the Romans against Jews; rather, the world will be against those who believe in Jesus the Christ as Savior. Unlike the conflict in 70 A.D., where Roman forces targeted Jerusalem and the Jewish people, the coming trials will see a broader opposition. Jesus warned that, in the last days, it will not be a single nation or group, but the entire world that will stand against His followers. This signals a shift from a historical, localized persecution to a global challenge faced by all who remain faithful to Jesus. Believers are called to recognize this and prepare themselves, not by relying on traditions or assumptions, but by holding firmly to God's Word and remaining steadfast in their faith, even in the face of worldwide adversity.

The truly concerning thing is this is just the beginning of sorrows and torments. Most people won't anticipate what's ahead. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) Not knowing or heeding the Scriptures, God’s Word, is The reason for their surprise. It is similar to 70A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and killed many people. Those believers who paid attention to the Words of Jesus and His warning escaped Jerusalem before it was too late. Those who did not truly believe in Jesus or heed His words stayed and suffered and died.⁵

 Some of the reasons for Christians not heeding the warnings are:

  Lack of real familiarity with Scriptures, especially what Jesus said.

  Traditional doctrine that Christians will experience minimal or no sorrows

  Gloom and doom.  (Zephaniah 1:14-18).

  Disbelief God would let this happen.

  Some interpret these events as having occurred, viewing the prophecies as fulfilled.⁶

  Pride, not realizing we have no control over events and must rely totally on God.

  Lack of faith in God’s Word.

  Fear

  Happy in our comfort zone and reluctance to admit our comfortable culture will end.

Jesus states we cannot know the exact time of His return (Matthew 24:36-44), but through prophecy, we can discern when it is near (Matthew 16:2-3). Mark 13:13 notes that believers will face widespread hatred, but those who remain faithful in Christ will be saved.

We should be cautious about what and whom we trust. If anyone comes saying they are the Messiah, but comes somewhat under the radar, be wary. Jesus said “²⁷For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” For a long time, I was puzzled by verse 28, especially the mention of the carcass and vultures. Experts in Jewish language and culture explained that this phrase is akin to "where there's smoke, there's fire." The second coming of Christ will not be a secret, ‘²⁷For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” The entire world will know it.

Christ clarifies that after the tribulation, His return will be visible to all and not hidden. Verse 31 states God will send angels to gather His elect from across the earth, which, according to verse 29, occurs after—not before—the tribulation. The assertion that believers are gathered before tribulation is not supported by scriptural evidence.

 

¹ Construction of the (second) Temple started in 19 B.C. and was finished in 63 A.D. It was completed just seven years before it.

  was destroyed.          

²  e-Sword, pulpit Commentary, accessed June 15, 2025      

³  Consummated means to be fulfilled, completed  

⁴  See Appendix on Antiochus Epiphanes

⁵This is similar to Exodus 9:18-21. In this passage Moses told Pharaoh God will bring a plague of very large hail in the land.

Those who believed Moses hid their cattle and themselves and were saved from the hail. Those who did not believe suffered or

died.     

⁶ Matthew 24:27-28 NIV

 

 

Matthew Chapter 25

Jesus came for three main reasons. First, Jesus came to atone for the sins of man. Second, Jesus came to restore Judaism back to what YHWH put in place originally. (Acts 3:21) Third, Jesus came to reveal the nature, character, and plans of YHWH. Jesus used parables to inspire His followers to take bold risks and freely share His teachings with others. Parables were not originally devised by Jesus; rather, they were an established aspect of Hebrew tradition within the context of Second Temple Judaism. This is the culture in which Jesus was raised. Jesus would have heard many parables in the Jewish learning centers (Beit Midrash). Jesus regularly attended synagogue learning centers and also taught there during his ministry (John 6:56). Jesus employed parables, following an established tradition among Jewish educators. These parables illustrate aspects of God's nature and reality through figurative language. God gives us knowledge of Him, but not exhaustive knowledge of Him. Jesus used parables to help people understand God better—His loving nature, compassion for creation, patience with humanity, and His plans. It is essential to understand that God is unchanging. The parables enhance understanding of the Torah, prophecies, and other writings. “My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old.”¹

In the first parable Jesus talks about five virgins with oil lamps waiting for the bridegroom. The bridegroom took longer to arrive than expected. While waiting the virgins fell asleep. The bridegroom came at midnight. The virgins awoke to join the bridegroom and found that their lamps were depleted of oil and had extinguished. Five virgins brought extra oil in case the bridegroom was delayed. Five virgins lacked extra oil and left to buy more. During their absence, the bridegroom arrived and attended the wedding with the five virgins whose lamps worked. The bridegroom and five prepared virgins entered the wedding, but the remaining five arrived late and were denied entry. The lesson is, as believers, we must be ready for Christ’s return at any time. We achieve this by understanding Scripture, maintaining faith, being attentive to the Holy Spirit, and living according to God’s Word.

The second parable is about the men given the Talents. This parable illustrates how to use resources efficiently including money, talents, skills, etc. Do we know what gifts we have, and do we use them? Do we seek God for guidance on how to use our resources—money, talents, skills, personality, and character? Do we seek God’s guidance in how to improve what we have and how we use it? Limiting worship to church buildings on specific days has prevented believers from engaging in other forms of worship valued by God. They mark a shift away from Christianity's Hebrew roots toward Greco-Roman dualism, separating spiritual and secular life.

Jesus then describes the separation of sheep and goats. This parable illustrates that judgment belongs only to God, not to humans. All of His creation, ha adam, is brought before God. There are two groups represented, sheep and goats. There are differences between the two. “Sheep have a strong flocking instinct. They feel safer when gathered together…Sheep will stay in maternal groups for life…Sheep will follow a leader…Sheep run when frightened…As a prey animal, sheep rely heavily on their vision. They are constantly scanning the field as they graze.”² Goat behavior is quite different than sheep. Goats have hierarchical behavior, antagonistic (combative) behavior, threatening behavior attacking behavior as well as bonding/herding behavior.³

Why, in the story, are goats placed on the left and sent to eternal fire, while sheep are blessed and inherit the kingdom? Matthew 25 gives the answer, and we can see it in the behaviors of the two different animals. Jesus said the sheep cared for one another. Regarding the goats, Jesus indicated that their actions were contrary; they failed to provide care for one another. We must remember that the eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for people.⁴

As is often the case chapter 25 is a continuation of chapter 24. The books of the Bible were not originally written with chapters and verses but as a unit, similar to letters. Chapter 24 emphasizes being ready for the return of Christ to the world. We are to be ready in thought, word and deed. Our actions should align with our thoughts, actions, and words. Our actions consistently reflect our true beliefs.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 26

We now reach Jesus' last days on Earth as the end approaches. With Passover approaching, the Jewish leaders sought a way to arrest and kill Jesus. The juxtaposition of events reveal much about those involved and their relationship with prophecy. As He was preparing to be sacrificed for humanities sin, the Jewish leaders were planning to kill Jesus. Jesus is the true Passover lamb, killed for the people.¹ The leaders planned to seize Jesus by deception and kill Him without most of the Jews knowing. The leaders feared how the people would react if they discovered the leaders intended to kill Him.

While the leaders were looking for ways to capture Jesus, He went to a dinner at Simon the Leper’s house. While there, a woman came with a jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on His head. All the disciples were shocked, believing the perfume should have been sold to benefit the poor. Jesus defends the woman telling the disciples there will always be the poor and they can always help them. This woman had done a beautiful thing for Him; using the most precious thing she had, she had anointed Him for His burial. Jesus is again referring to His upcoming crucifixion. Jesus said she will always be remembered, indicating how important her action was.

Simon and the other guests, knowing about the woman's past, doubted Jesus's role as a prophet and passed judgment on both her and him. Understanding their thoughts, Jesus responded in a way that challenged their assumptions and pride. He reminded Simon that he did not provide even the basic cultural courtesies of providing water to wash His feet or a kiss of greeting while the woman wet His feet with her tears, dried His feet with her hair and constantly kissed His feet. Jesus told Simon and the others their actions were improper, while the woman's behavior aligned with the Torah.

Judas Iscariot now appears in the narrative. For reasons known only to himself, Judas went to the chief priests and offered to sell Jesus into their hands. The priests gladly paid Judas 30 silver pieces to betray Jesus. The price to betray Jesus was the same as the cost of a slave.³ The priests thought this was a bargain, and it provided a reasonably safe way to arrest Jesus and without great expense. This did not turn out well for either Judas or the priests.

It is now time for the Passover and His disciples came to Him asking where He wanted to eat the Passover lamb. Jesus directed them to a particular man and sent them with specific message; “The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”⁴ We are not told anything about the man who had the house but I think we can safely assume he was prepared, expecting

As they are partaking of the traditional Pesach meal at the man’s house Jesus tells them that one of them would betray Him. All the disciples, even Judas, are surprised and ask if they are the betrayer. Jesus informed His disciples that He was required to fulfill the prophecy concerning Him. However, He stated that the individual who betrayed Him would ultimately regret being born.

The Last Supper was the traditional Passover meal, this included passing the bread. He blessed the bread, broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body.7 Afterward, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." ⁸  (“This is My blood of the covenant" is supported by better manuscript evidence. The KJV reads, "For this is my blood of the New Testament," where the word "new," Greek kainés, has been added. In the context of the Passover celebration—which commemorates the deliverance from slavery in Egypt and highlights the significance of the Pesach lamb's blood [see 1 Cor 11:25]—"renewed" would be a more suitable translation. ⁹

After the meal, Jesus and the disciples go to the Mount of Olives. He tells them they will all abandon Him, but Peter insists he will not. The other disciples said the same. Jesus told Peter before the rooster crowed Peter would deny Him three times. Peter said he would die with Jesus rather than deny Him. (Before judging Peter, remember all the disciples responded similarly. We should also reflect on how we might act in their situation. We are with the Lord, very tired, not really expecting anything unusual, all of a sudden a large group of armed men arrives threatening everyone. The fear and confusion are immediate and overwhelming.)

At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples to sit as He went to pray. He brought Peter, James, and John with Him and requested that they keep watch with Him. Jesus prayed alone, aware of his impending suffering as both a human and as a sacrifice for all sins. When He bore our sins, He would be apart from the Father temporarily, as God is completely holy and cannot tolerate sin. Jesus came from His praying and found the three disciples asleep. He asked if they could not keep watch with Him for one hour. Jesus then tells them “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”¹³ This and Peter’s denials are a warning to all of us. We often have strong intentions, but our actions do not always align with them. We must crucify our flesh daily, bring our flesh (thinking and actions) closer to God’s Word. This involves study, prayer, faith, and prioritizing YAWH.

For the third time Jesus came from prayer to the disciples, they were asleep again. He woke them and said His betrayer was here. Judas came with a group of Roman soldiers and others sent by the chief priests and elders. When Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, the soldiers proceeded to arrest Him. When they arrested Jesus, one of the disciples took out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant.

Christ instructed the disciple to sheathe his sword, teaching that those who resort to violence will ultimately fall by it. He asked if the disciple did not think Jesus could call for multiple legions of angels and they would rescue Him. If Jesus did ask for rescue how would the scripture be fulfilled. The implication being, if He called for rescue, humanity could not be saved.

Jesus then addressed the crowd, inquiring as to the reason for their approach to apprehend Him as though He were a criminal. They saw Him in the Temple many times and could have arrested Him any time, but they didn’t. Jesus reminded them that their actions and intentions violated the Torah and Jewish law. Many disciples left Jesus at that time.

After Jesus’s arrest, He was brought to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders assembled. Peter kept his distance, entered the high priest's courtyard, and waited to see what would happen. As Peter waited, the high priest and council sought false testimony against Christ to have Him executed. Though witnesses were initially unavailable, two men later claimed Jesus said He could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. The high priest questioned Jesus about the men's statements, but He remained silent. The chief then commanded Jesus to tell him if He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God.¹⁴ Jesus confirmed He was and the chief tore his robes, said Jesus blasphemed, and deserved death.

Afterward, they struck, spat on, and beat Jesus. He understood his earthly mission was nearly complete. Jesus was aware of the situation because He understood the message in the Hebraic Scriptures about Himself. Although Christ was crucified, it was voluntary, He submitted to death. His life was not taken from Him, He gave it up for us. Jesus was in control.

While this was going on, Peter was in the courtyard of the high priest’s house. While there, he denied knowing Jesus three different times. The first time was when a servant girl accused him of being with Jesus, but he denied it. Later a second servant girl came and accused him of being with Jesus. Again, he denied it. Finally, a bystander came up to him and said he had been with Jesus., even Peter’s accent gave him away. Peter refuted the accusation, uttered a curse, and asserted that he had not been in the company of Jesus. Upon his third denial, a rooster crowed, prompting Peter to recall Jesus's prediction that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly because of his failure to do what he said, stay by Jesus.¹⁴ Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a fall.

 

¹Exo: 12:1-14

²Zech. 11:12

³Lev. 19:18;

⁴Matthew 29:18 (NIV)

⁵Psalm 41:9 (NIV)

⁶Ex. 16:15; John 6:32-35

⁷Matthew 26:26, Ex. 16:15; John 6:32-35

⁸John 6:51-56

⁹The Newer Testament, p. 48

¹⁰Zechariah 13:7

¹¹Matthew 26:35

¹² Job 23:10; Jonah 2:2

¹³Matthew 26:41 (NASB)

¹⁴Part of the problem the Jews had was their failure to understand the Trinity. They thought, and still think, Jesus was saying he was a second God. This would lead to polytheism, and would be in direct violation of the Shema, Deut. 6:4-6 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” This command was given directly to Israel by God The Israelites were not able to understand., and we still have difficulty understanding., that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all of the same substance. There are not multiple gods, there is one God. The chief priests and council had the added problem of possibly losing their positions. While they claimed they were protecting the people, and their religion, they were also definitely protecting themselves.

¹⁵The process of the trial of Jesus is not altogether easy to follow. It seems to have fallen into three parts. 1) The first part took place after the arrest in the Garden, during the night and in the High Priest's house. 2) The second part took place first thing in the morning, and is briefly described in Matthew 27:1-2. 3) The third part took place before Pilate and is described in Matthew 27:11-26. For a trial such as this a quorum was twenty-three. It had certain regulations. All criminal cases must be tried during the daytime and must be completed during the daytime. Criminal cases could not be transacted during the Passover season at all.

 

 

Matthew Chapter 27

Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin for an unofficial proceeding, which under Jewish law was considered unlawful. Judas became aware that Jesus would be executed by both Jewish and Roman authorities. Judas felt remorse after betraying Jesus, understanding he had wronged an innocent person. The scriptures state he regretted his actions but do not mention repentance. He attempted to return the betrayal money to the chief priests.

The chief priests told Judas his issues were his own, distancing themselves from involvement and responsibility. These were the same individuals responsible for orchestrating the death of Jesus. They abandoned Judas, their chosen instrument for this task, leaving him to face his guilt and suffering alone. Judas hanged himself, likely because he regretted betraying the Messiah. He appears to regret the consequences more than the sin itself.

The chief priests and elders are now faced with a dilemma regarding the appropriate course of action for the thirty pieces of silver that Judas returned to the temple. “⁶The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷They decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.” Because they did not want to be associated with "blood money," the chief priests purchased the potter's field. The hypocrisy and self-delusion in their thinking is amazing. They would not place or handle the money in the temple because it was considered blood money and they wished to avoid defilement. They ignored their involvement and had already been tainted by participating in a murder. They refused to admit their hands were stained by murder.

Jewish leaders brought Jesus before Pilate, the Roman governor, seeking his condemnation and execution. The Jewish leaders believed this would fix their problem. It did not.

“Pilate is characterized by the Roman writers of that time, as a man of a rough and haughty spirit, willful and implacable, and extremely covetous and oppressive; the Jews had a great enmity to his person, and were weary of his government, and yet they made use of him as the tool of their malice against Christ.”² Pilate was not an easy person to deal with and did not treat the Jewish leadership with the respect they thought they deserved.

Jesus, His hands bound, was brought before Pilate as a criminal. When Jesus appeared before Pilate, the governor questioned Him about being the king of the Jews. Jesus replied, "That is what you say.” He confirmed Pilate’s statement, but His kingdom was not what Pilate meant. The Romans were highly protective of their authority, and they eliminated anyone who appeared to challenge their rule. When Jesus stood before Pilate, the chief priests and elders accused him of many things, but he remained silent. Pilate was astonished. Typically, the accused would respond to the charges or request leniency. However, Jesus remained silent.

During the festival, the governor (Pilate) would release a prisoner chosen by the people. Pilate knew the accusations against Jesus were unfounded and tried to release him. Guided by Jewish leaders, the crowd asked for Jesus Barabbas's release instead.

Barabbas, unlike Jesus the Messiah, was a thief, murderer, and rebel against Roman rule. Bar Abbs means "son of the father," and his first name, Jesus, is the same as the Messiah, meaning "Savior." Although their names are alike, the characteristics, actions, and motivations of each are different. While Jesus is Son of the Father Barabbas was a pretender. The people chose the pretender. Today, many people still make the wrong choice.

Now an interesting and unfortunate incident occurred. While Pilate was judging Jesus he received a message from his wife. She said she suffered from a dream about Jesus. She advised Pilate to refrain from involvement with Jesus, asserting His innocence. It was rare for a Roman official’s wife to interrupt judicial proceedings, as they typically did not interfere. Pilate disregarded her warning, appeased the Jewish leaders, condemned Jesus, and freed Barabbas.

“Pilate could not afford to refuse point-blank the demand of the Jewish leaders. He was by no means secure in his seat….if he should again get into trouble with these turbulent Jews; so he did not dare to run the risk of simply doing what he knew was right.”⁴ Pilate confronted a significant dilemma: whether to act in accordance with his moral convictions or to comply with external pressures from the Romans, each decision carrying its own potential consequences.

He choose badly. He tried to absolve himself of blame by washing his hand showing the Jews were responsible, not him. The crowd, including Jewish leaders, elders, the people, and possibly non-Jews, accepted responsibility for Jesus's death. It is noteworthy that Pilate stated he himself, rather than all Gentiles, was innocent of Jesus's blood. He was wrong, He and the Gentiles were accountable for the blood of Christ. The leaders, elders, Jews and others present calling for the death of Jesus and for Bar Abba to be freed, were also accountable for the blood of Christ. Both Gentiles and Jews are responsible for the blood of Jesus being shed.⁵

Pilate released Bar Abba and handed Jesus over for crucifixion. The Roman soldiers accorded Him the same treatment as they did other prisoners. They subjected Him to mockery, abuse, and mistreatment opening His wounds. They flogged Him, put a scarlet robe on Him, beat Him with rods, and then ripped the robe off Him. They pressed a crown of thorns on His head, put His own clothes on Him and led Him out to be crucified. On His way to the place of execution Jesus was not able to carry His cross. Simon, a Passover visitor, was made by the Romans to carry Jesus's cross. (Many people who were flogged died from the flogging before they were crucified).

I will not go into detail about crucifixion. If you are interested, I recommend doing an Internet search. The crucifixion scenes in The Passion of the Christ are very accurate, realistic, and hard to watch. Crucifixion, invented by the Persians, is a terrible, brutal and slow death. Watching what man does to man can be very, very hard to contemplate or watch.

Crucifixion is also embarrassing. The person being crucified was stripped naked, people passing by would abuse them, spit on them, curse them, etc. There were two criminals crucified with Jesus. One reviled Jesus and the other pointed out they were crucified for their actions, but Jesus was innocent of any wrongdoing. The criminal who defended Jesus requested to join Him in paradise, and Jesus agreed. That criminal was forgiven because of his faith in Jesus. This is an example of the choice we have. The choice is simple, choose Christ or Satan. Life, for those who choose Christ, is not always simple. By their choice to follow Christ they condemn the world. The Roman soldiers took Jesus to Golgotha and crucified Him. They offered Him wine, which He refused. Wine was often given to the condemned before crucifixion to help ease their pain a bit. Often substances were added to the wine that caused it to taste bitter.

Those crucified could take days to slowly die. The Jewish leaders could not allow the bodies to be on crosses during the feast. They went to the authorities and asked them to break the legs of those crucified. The Romans broke the legs of the two criminals but not Jesus, He had already given up His spirit. Jesus chose to give His life; it was not taken from Him. His legs stayed intact, fulfilling the Passover Lamb criteria.

When a person was crucified, their crime was written on a placard and affixed on the cross above their head. Pilate was specific when he wrote “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” and put it on the cross above Jesus. Pilate ensured that the sign was displayed in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew so that it would be understandable to everyone who walked by. The Jewish chief priests and elders expressed dissatisfaction regarding the sign. They asked to change it to HE SAID HE IS KING OF THE JEWS, but Pilate refused and kept his original wording. This was a declaration that Jessus truly is the king of the Jews and a way for Pilate to irritate the Jewish leaders for forcing him into crucifying an innocent man for their pride. Again, we can see a choice, the leaders could learn and repent or continue to follow their father, Satan. Once more they chose poorly and followed Satan and the world, denying the true Son of the Father, Jesus.

About the sixth hour (12 noon our time) to the ninth hour (about 3:00 pm our time) the environment at the crucifixion reacted to what was happening. The sky darkened, earthquakes happened, about 3:00 pm Jesus said “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”⁷ “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Ps 22:1). The Jewish leaders at the crucifixion thought Jesus was calling for Elijah. Jesus shouted again then gave up His spirit. At Jesus' death, the temple veil split, symbolizing open access to the Holy of Holies. The sky darkened, rocks broke apart, graves opened and the dead walked, while soldiers declared Jesus was truly the Son of God. These men knew brutality, death, and false claims well. The happenings at the death of Jesus made a huge impression on them. They knew He was something special. He was not the usual criminal or rebellion leader they crucified. Although their beliefs were pagan, they understood His death as a work of God, not man.

As the sky was darkening a rich disciple of Christ, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised Jesus was already dead. He had Jesus’ death verified and gave Jesus’ body to Joseph. Joseph placed Jesus’ body in his new tomb and sealed the entrance with a large stone. Jewish leaders informed Pilate that Jesus claimed he would rise after three nights and days. The leaders told their concerns to Pilate, and he told them to make the tomb as secure as they could. The leaders put a seal on the tomb and posted guards.

 

¹ Matthew 27:6-7 NIV

² Blue Letter Bible, Matthew Henry Commentary

³The Newer Testament, p. 51

⁴Blue Letter Bible, Expositor Bible Commentary

⁵“We hold ourselves accountable for His death, we and our Children" would be literally translated by the idiom, "His blood is on us and on our Children." They were saying, “This is our own bloody business, and we take responsibility for it." In the context, the idiomatic expression is used by a small group of priestly aristocrats who are Sadducees. Clearly this is not a divine pronouncement against the whole of the Jewish people, as some interpreters claim who take this expression completely out of context. Their approach is racism and religious bigotry run wild. The Sadducees as the priestly aristocracy were largely despised by the common people and the Pharisees. By no means does this group of priests represent the Jewish people collectively or historically. It is a self-pronouncement made by that group of people at that moment in history. It was by no means a divine decree. Tragically, some Christians have wrongly interpreted these words spoken by a small group of priestly aristocrats as a divine pronouncement against the entire Jewish people throughout history. The Newer Testament, p52

⁵Blue Letter Bible, Expositor Bible Commentary

⁶Exous 12:46

⁷The Greek transliteration, “Eli, Eli, [emu l[zafihanei]]?” replicates the Hebrew words of Ps 22:1, “Eli, Eli, lamah azavtani" which is translated, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" The verb “zafthanei" represents the Hebrew verb (azavtani) from Ps 22:1. This textual reading from the Psalm is supported by Codex Bezae. The NRSV prefers the Greek transliteration of the verb used in the Aramaic translation of Ps 22:1, “sabachthani'." This verb appears in both Hebrew and Aramaic. Both verbs are translated, “you have forsaken." Likely, Aramaic speaking Christians changed the Hebrew verb to the wording of the Aramaic translation of Ps 22:1. The Newer Testament, p53.

⁸Hebrews 9:7 NIV

 

 

Matthew Chapter 28

Jesus has been crucified, died, laid in the tomb, and has been in the tomb three nights and three days.¹ When the Sabbath was over, early the next day (our early Sunday morning)², two women came to the tomb to anoint His body³. They were concerned about how they would roll away the very large stone blocking the tomb’s opening. When they got to the tomb, they found the stone had been rolled away and a messenger of God waiting for them.⁴

The angel was beyond anything the soldiers or others had seen. The angel absolutely terrified the Roman soldiers; they passed out and appeared dead. The angel showed the women where Jesus had laid and instructed them to tell the disciples Jesus was risen, just as He said He would. On their way to tell the disciples Jesus appeared to them. He greeted them and they hugged His feet and worshipped Him.

The tomb guards reported the events in Jerusalem. After receiving the report, the Jewish priests met with the elders and planned their next move. They continued their deception by bribing the soldiers to lie. The priests and elders promised to protect the soldiers if questioned by their leaders.⁵ The soldiers claimed that Jesus’ disciples took his body while they were asleep. The lie was (and still is) believed by many of the Jews and others.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee as instructed and met Jesus. Despite seeing Jesus in the flesh some still had doubts. Jesus told them ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He then gave the disciples their marching orders. Their work was to make disciples of everyone, this included all nations, racial groups, healthy and sick, absolutely everyone was to be invited. (John 3:16-17)

 

¹In Genesis we read what God created each day. At the end of each section, He said there was an evening and morning, one day. (Genesis 1:8, i.e.). Matthew 12:40

²Jesus was crucified during the Feast of Passover. During that week there were two Sabbaths, a High Sabbath for the Feast and the normal 6:00 PM Friday to 6:00 PM Saturday. The Sabbath referenced here was the normal Hebrew Shabbot (Sabbath).

³Luke 23:56 & 24:1

⁴Angel

⁵If a Roman soldier allowed a prisoner to escape while guarding them the soldier would face the same punishment the prisoner was facing. In the case of the soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb the soldiers could be crucified or entombed alive themselves.

 

 

References

Who Was Matthew the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide - OverviewBible

The Apostle Matthew - Bible Odyssey

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (anglican.org)

Barclay Commentary on Matthew

Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew

New Bible Commentary Revised

Full Life Study Bible

Thompson Chain Reference Bible

F.B. Meyer Commentary on Matthew

Adan Clarke Commentary on Matthew

Expositors Bible

Preacher’s Homiletical

https://thebiblesays.com/en/commentary/mat+10:1

https://www.ligonier.org/ learn/articles/what-is-an-apostle

https://www.preceptaustin.org//shalom_-_definition

JESUS THE JEWISH THEOLOGIAN, Brad H. Young Ph.D.

https://enduringword.com/ /bible-commentary/matthew-12/ Accessed 12/4/2024.

e-Sword, Version 14.1.0, Copyright © 2000-2024, Rick Meyers, www.e-sword.net/support.html

https://study.com/academy/lesson/early-critics-of-christ-pharisees-and-sadducees.html

https://www.studylight.org/ commentaries/eng/dsb/matthew-17.html

https://www.fcc-jc.org/page/1372

Through the Bible, Pastor Paul Leboutillier, YouTube, accessed April 4, 2025

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/26.html

The Newer Testament, Dr. Brad Young

https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-last-hours-in-the-life-of-the-traitor-matthew-2614-16-

https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/26.html

https://www.bible-commentaries.com/source/johnschultz/BC_Matthew.pdf

https://bibleportal.com/commentary/section/william-barclay/the-last-hours-in-the-life-of-the-traitor-matthew-2614-16-

https://www.bible-commentaries.com/source/johnschultz/BC_Matthew.pdf

Dr. William Edwards