Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah whose authority to forgive sins, welcome sinners, heal disease, and raise the dead reveals the arrival of God’s kingdom and prepares for mission.
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Matthew 9
Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest
Jesus, the merciful Son of Man and Son of David, has authority to forgive sins, call sinners, restore the broken, and send workers into the harvest of shepherdless people.
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Chapter Summary
Jesus, the merciful Son of Man and Son of David, has authority to forgive sins, call sinners, restore the broken, and send workers into the harvest of shepherdless people.
Overview
Matthew 9 argues that Jesus’ kingdom authority reaches the deepest human need: forgiveness of sins. His healings are not spectacle but signs of His identity and mission. He forgives the paralytic, calls Matthew, welcomes sinners, defines His mission by mercy, teaches that His presence brings newness, restores the unclean, raises the dead, opens blind eyes, drives out demons, and looks on the crowds with shepherd-like compassion.
The chapter also shows rising opposition: teachers accuse Him of blasphemy, Pharisees question His fellowship, and later accuse Him of demonic power. Jesus’ authority therefore saves sinners and exposes resistant religion.
Context
A Scripture-aware Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with sin and forgiveness, purity concerns, tax collectors, table fellowship, fasting practices, synagogue rulers, ritual uncleanness, messianic healing hopes, and shepherd imagery.
The chapter begins after Jesus crosses back to His own town, likely Capernaum. Events occur in houses, on the road, at a ruler’s home, and throughout towns, villages, and synagogues.
Jesus, the merciful Son of Man and Son of David, has authority to forgive sins, call sinners, restore the broken, and send workers into the harvest of shepherdless people.
Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah whose authority to forgive sins, welcome sinners, heal disease, and raise the dead reveals the arrival of God’s kingdom and prepares for mission.
A Scripture-aware Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with sin and forgiveness, purity concerns, tax collectors, table fellowship, fasting practices, synagogue rulers, ritual uncleanness, messianic healing hopes, and shepherd imagery.
The chapter begins after Jesus crosses back to His own town, likely Capernaum. Events occur in houses, on the road, at a ruler’s home, and throughout towns, villages, and synagogues.
Social Pressure
- The chapter moves through several contested social and religious boundaries: sin and forgiveness, table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners, fasting expectations, impurity from bleeding, death in the home, blindness, demonic oppression, and the leadership failure that leaves crowds harassed and helpless.
Tax collectors were viewed as compromised collaborators and sinners. Table fellowship implied relational acceptance. Fasting was associated with piety and mourning. Chronic bleeding carried ritual impurity implications. Funeral customs included mourning crowds and flute players. Blindness and muteness could create social marginalization. Shepherd imagery was often used for Israel’s leaders and for God’s care for His people.
Matthew 9 stands in the miracle-and-authority section following the Sermon on the Mount. It deepens the revelation of Jesus’ authority from healing to forgiveness and from individual miracles to the broader mission need among Israel’s lost sheep.
Chapter Movement
Matthew moves from Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, to His mercy toward sinners, to His teaching on newness, to His authority over death, uncleanness, blindness, muteness, and demons, concluding with compassion for the shepherdless crowds and prayer for harvest workers.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Matthew 9 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus came for sinners. He has authority to forgive sins, calls the compromised, eats with sinners, defines His mission as a physician for the sick, brings newness as the bridegroom, heals the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, frees the oppressed, and looks with compassion on shepherdless crowds. The gospel is not religious respectability. It is divine mercy in Christ for sinners who need forgiveness, healing, restoration, and shepherding.
Structural Flow
Jesus reveals that His healing authority points to the deeper authority of the Son of Man to forgive sins.
Jesus calls Matthew and welcomes sinners, defining His mission through mercy and spiritual healing.
Jesus teaches that His presence brings a new reality that cannot simply be patched onto old expectations.
Jesus heals the bleeding woman and raises the ruler’s daughter.
Jesus opens blind eyes and restores speech after demonic oppression.
Jesus summarizes His ministry and reveals the need for harvest workers because the crowds are shepherdless.
Chapter Outline
- 9:1-8: Jesus forgives and heals the paralytic, proving His authority to forgive sins on earth.
- 9:9: Jesus calls Matthew from the tax booth into discipleship.
- 9:10-13: Jesus eats with sinners and declares that He came to call sinners, not the righteous.
- 9:14-17: Jesus answers questions about fasting by revealing the joy and newness of His messianic presence.
- 9:18-26: A ruler seeks life for His daughter, and a bleeding woman receives healing through faith.
- 9:27-31: Two blind men appeal to Jesus as Son of David and receive sight.
- 9:32-34: Jesus drives out a demon and restores speech, while the Pharisees intensify their accusation.
- 9:35-38: Jesus ministers throughout the towns and villages and commands prayer for workers in the harvest.
Theological Argument
Matthew 9 argues that Jesus’ kingdom authority reaches the deepest human need: forgiveness of sins. His healings are not spectacle but signs of His identity and mission. He forgives the paralytic, calls Matthew, welcomes sinners, defines His mission by mercy, teaches that His presence brings newness, restores the unclean, raises the dead, opens blind eyes, drives out demons, and looks on the crowds with shepherd-like compassion.
The chapter also shows rising opposition: teachers accuse Him of blasphemy, Pharisees question His fellowship, and later accuse Him of demonic power. Jesus’ authority therefore saves sinners and exposes resistant religion.
From forgiveness to mercy, from mercy to newness, from newness to restoration, from restoration to opposition, from opposition to compassion and mission.
- 1.Jesus has authority to forgive sins on earth.
- 2.The Son of Man’s authority provokes both worship and accusation.
- 3.Jesus calls those considered socially and religiously compromised.
- 4.Jesus’ mission is physician-like mercy for sinners.
- 5.Jesus’ presence brings messianic newness.
- 6.Faith reaches toward Jesus amid uncleanness and death.
- 7.Jesus fulfills messianic hope as Son of David.
- 8.Jesus’ deliverance exposes escalating opposition.
- 9.Jesus’ compassion leads to mission prayer.
Theological Focus
- Authority to forgive sins
- Son of Man
- Mercy
- Calling sinners
- Table fellowship
- Spiritual sickness and the physician
- Bridegroom imagery
- New wine and new wineskins
- Faith
- Healing
- Resurrection power
- Purity restored
- Son of David
- Deliverance from demons
- Pharisaic opposition
- Compassion
- Sheep without a shepherd
- Harvest mission
- Prayer for workers
- Forgiveness of Sins
- Mercy over Empty Religion
- Jesus the Physician
- Kingdom Inclusion of Sinners
- Messianic Newness
- Faith amid Desperation
- Authority over Death
- Son of David Mercy
- Spiritual Opposition
- Compassion and Mission
- Christology
- Repentance and Calling
- Kingdom Newness
- Healing and Restoration
- Resurrection
- Spiritual Warfare
- Mission
- Shepherding
Theological Themes
Jesus reveals His authority to forgive sins, showing that the deepest human problem is spiritual before it is physical.
Jesus quotes Hosea to expose religion that values sacrifice while neglecting mercy.
Jesus comes for the spiritually sick and calls sinners into fellowship and discipleship.
Tax collectors and sinners become recipients of Jesus’ table fellowship and call.
Jesus’ presence as bridegroom brings a new reality that cannot be contained in old structures.
The ruler, the bleeding woman, and the blind men all approach Jesus with desperate confidence.
Jesus raises the dead girl, demonstrating power over death.
The blind men’s cry identifies Jesus as the Davidic Messiah who brings mercy and sight.
Jesus’ deliverance ministry provokes the Pharisees’ accusation that He works by demonic power.
Jesus’ compassion for shepherdless crowds leads to prayer for harvest workers.
Covenant Significance
Matthew 9 reveals Jesus as the covenant-fulfilling Messiah who forgives sins, embodies mercy, calls sinners, brings newness, restores the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, and shepherds Israel’s scattered people. His quotation of Hosea 6:6 places mercy at the heart of covenant faithfulness, while His compassion for sheep without a shepherd exposes failed leadership and prepares for the sending of the Twelve.
Old Testament Connections
- Matthew 9:1-8 - Jesus exercises divine authority to forgive sins, fulfilling the promise that God Himself addresses His people’s guilt.
- Matthew 9:13 - Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 to expose sacrifice without mercy and to define the heart of His mission to sinners.
- Matthew 9:14-17 - Jesus’ presence as bridegroom signals a new era of kingdom joy and transformation.
- Matthew 9:27-31 - The blind men appeal to Jesus as Son of David, connecting His healing mercy to messianic hope.
- Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd, evoking Old Testament critiques of failed shepherds and promises of divine shepherding.
- Matthew 9:37-38 - The harvest prayer prepares for Matthew 10, where workers are sent to Israel, anticipating the later mission to all nations.
- Hosea 6:6 - Jesus quotes 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' to define true covenant faithfulness.
- Psalm 103:3 - The Lord forgives sins and heals diseases, illuminating Jesus’ combined forgiveness and healing.
- Isaiah 35:5-6 - Blind eyes opened and mute tongues shouting for joy form messianic restoration background.
- Isaiah 53:4-6 - The servant bears griefs, sickness, and iniquity, deepening Matthew’s servant trajectory.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The new covenant promise includes forgiveness of sins.
- Ezekiel 34:1-16 - Israel’s failed shepherds and God’s promise to shepherd His flock stand behind the sheep-without-shepherd image.
- Numbers 27:15-17 - Moses asks for a leader so the people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic covenant stands behind the title Son of David.
- Isaiah 61:1-3 - Good news, healing, and restoration themes align with Jesus’ ministry summary.
Canonical Connections
Jesus joins forgiveness and healing in a way associated with the Lord’s own saving work.
Jesus quotes Hosea to expose religion that maintains sacrifice while lacking covenant mercy.
Jesus’ mission to call sinners fulfills the gospel pattern of mercy for the undeserving.
Jesus’ bridegroom saying draws on biblical marriage imagery for God and His people and points to messianic joy.
Jesus opening blind eyes aligns with prophetic restoration hope.
The blind men’s appeal links Jesus to Davidic messianic hope.
Jesus’ compassion for shepherdless crowds draws from Israel’s need for faithful shepherd leadership.
Harvest imagery connects gospel mission to urgent gathering and judgment themes.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
Matthew 9 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus came for sinners. He has authority to forgive sins, calls the compromised, eats with sinners, defines His mission as a physician for the sick, brings newness as the bridegroom, heals the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, frees the oppressed, and looks with compassion on shepherdless crowds. The gospel is not religious respectability. It is divine mercy in Christ for sinners who need forgiveness, healing, restoration, and shepherding.
Gospel Guardrails
- Forgiveness - Jesus has authority on earth to forgive sins.
- Calling Sinners - Jesus calls Matthew and declares that He came to call sinners.
- Mercy - God desires mercy, not sacrifice · Jesus embodies covenant mercy toward the spiritually sick.
- Newness - Jesus’ presence as bridegroom inaugurates a new kingdom reality.
- Faith - Desperate sufferers receive Jesus’ mercy through faith.
- Resurrection Hope - Jesus raises the dead girl, previewing His authority over death.
- Messianic Mercy - The Son of David opens blind eyes in fulfillment of restoration hope.
- Deliverance - Jesus drives out demons and restores speech.
- Mission - The compassionate Shepherd commands prayer for harvest workers.
- Do not preach forgiveness as secondary to felt needs · Jesus puts forgiveness at the center.
- Do not turn Jesus’ welcome of sinners into approval of sin · He calls sinners as a physician heals the sick.
- Do not preach mercy in a way that removes repentance and following.
- Do not preach sacrifice, discipline, or fasting detached from Jesus the bridegroom.
- Do not use faith-healing accounts to shame sufferers whose healing is delayed.
- Do not miss the resurrection hope in the raising of the girl.
- Do not reduce Son of David language to a title without messianic mercy and fulfillment.
- Do not ignore the warning of religious opposition that can call the work of God demonic.
- Do not let compassion remain sentimental · Jesus turns compassion into prayer for laborers.
Primary Emphasis
Matthew 9 reveals Jesus as the Son of Man with authority to forgive sins, the merciful physician who calls sinners, the bridegroom whose presence brings newness, the Son of David who gives sight, the one who raises the dead, the deliverer from demons, and the compassionate shepherd who sees the harvest. The chapter strongly presents Jesus’ authority as divine, merciful, restorative, and missional.
Chapter Contribution
Matthew 9 argues that Jesus’ kingdom authority reaches the deepest human need: forgiveness of sins. His healings are not spectacle but signs of His identity and mission. He forgives the paralytic, calls Matthew, welcomes sinners, defines His mission by mercy, teaches that His presence brings newness, restores the unclean, raises the dead, opens blind eyes, drives out demons, and looks on the crowds with shepherd-like compassion.
The chapter also shows rising opposition: teachers accuse Him of blasphemy, Pharisees question His fellowship, and later accuse Him of demonic power. Jesus’ authority therefore saves sinners and exposes resistant religion.
Doctrines in This Chapter
The charge of blasphemy reveals that Jesus' claim to forgive sins forces the question of His identity and authority.
Jesus’ mission is directed toward sinners, not toward those who presume themselves righteous.
Jesus identifies His presence with bridegroom joy, placing Himself at the center of messianic celebration and covenant fulfillment.
Jesus sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd, revealing His shepherd-king concern.
Jesus' healing command demonstrates His authority not only over bodies but over sin and divine prerogatives.
Jesus’ person determines the meaning of piety, joy, mourning, fasting, and covenantal practice.
The woman’s bleeding and the dead child would ordinarily communicate uncleanness, but Jesus’ holiness restores rather than being defiled.
Jesus’ ministry is moved by deep compassion for harassed and helpless people.
Jesus restores not only bodily condition but dignity, relationship, courage, and public wholeness.
Matthew’s immediate rising and following shows that Jesus’ call creates decisive allegiance.
The faith of those who bring the paralyzed man is seen by Jesus and becomes the context for His merciful action.
Fasting is not abolished, but its meaning and timing are reshaped around Jesus’ presence, absence, and kingdom mission.
Jesus has authority to forgive sins, addressing the deepest human need before God.
The opening of blind eyes displays messianic restoration and anticipates the fuller healing of creation.
The same work of Christ produces marveling among the crowds and slanderous rejection among the Pharisees.
Jesus’ ministry confronts the kingdom of darkness, liberating the oppressed and exposing opposition.
Jesus’ coming introduces fulfillment and new covenant reality that cannot simply be contained within old religious forms.
Jesus proclaims the gospel of the kingdom, announcing God’s reign and saving work in connection with His messianic mission.
The harvest belongs to God; laborers are requested from and sent by the Lord of the harvest.
The blind men’s cry shows that the proper approach to Jesus is dependence on His compassion, not claim of entitlement.
The title Son of David identifies Jesus as the promised Davidic Messiah who brings kingdom restoration.
Jesus’ warning shows that His identity and mission must be understood on His terms, not driven by uncontrolled publicity.
The abundant harvest and few laborers call disciples into prayerful participation in God’s mission.
The new wine imagery points toward the transforming reality of the kingdom that fulfills and surpasses old covenant structures.
Jesus calls sinners not to affirm sin but to bring the spiritually sick under His healing mercy.
The mute man’s restored speech displays kingdom restoration of human faculties damaged under oppression.
The raising of the girl anticipates Jesus’ authority over death and points forward to final resurrection.
Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man who exercises heavenly authority on earth.
The Pharisees’ accusation shows that religious leadership can become blind to the Spirit-attested work of Christ.
Jesus’ meals reveal kingdom welcome and become contested signs of His saving mission.
Doctrinal Weight
Jesus is Son of Man, forgiver of sins, physician for sinners, bridegroom, Son of David, Lord over death, healer, deliverer, and compassionate shepherd.
Jesus claims and demonstrates authority on earth to forgive sins.
Jesus defines His mission through Hosea 6:6: mercy, not sacrifice.
Jesus calls sinners into discipleship rather than affirming them in sin.
The bridegroom, new cloth, and new wine images reveal the new reality brought by Jesus.
Faith appears in those who bring the paralytic, the bleeding woman, the ruler, and the blind men.
Jesus heals paralysis, bleeding, blindness, muteness, and disease throughout the towns.
Jesus raises the ruler’s daughter, showing authority over death.
Jesus drives out demons, while opposition accuses Him of demonic alliance.
Jesus’ compassion for the crowds leads to prayer for workers in the harvest.
The crowds are harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, revealing the need for true shepherd care.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Matthew 9 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus came for sinners. He has authority to forgive sins, calls the compromised, eats with sinners, defines His mission as a physician for the sick, brings newness as the bridegroom, heals the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, frees the oppressed, and looks with compassion on shepherdless crowds. The gospel is not religious respectability. It is divine mercy in Christ for sinners who need forgiveness, healing, restoration, and shepherding.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense paralyzed, disabled
Definition One who is paralyzed or unable to move properly.
References Matthew 9:2
Lexicon paralyzed, disabled
Why it matters The man’s visible paralysis becomes the occasion for Jesus to reveal invisible authority to forgive sins.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense faith, trust, confidence
Definition Trust, confidence, or reliance.
References Matthew 9:2, 9:22, 9:29
Lexicon faith, trust, confidence
Why it matters Jesus responds to faith in the paralytic’s companions, the bleeding woman, and the blind men.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense sins
Definition Acts, thoughts, or condition of rebellion and failure before God.
References Matthew 9:2, 9:5-6
Lexicon sins
Why it matters Jesus addresses the paralytic’s sins as His deepest need.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense forgiven, released
Definition To forgive, release, remit, or send away.
References Matthew 9:2, 9:5-6
Lexicon forgiven, released
Why it matters Jesus claims authority to forgive sins on earth.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense scribes, teachers of the law
Definition Experts in Scripture and legal interpretation.
References Matthew 9:3
Lexicon scribes, teachers of the law
Why it matters They accuse Jesus inwardly of blasphemy, revealing early authoritative conflict.
Sense to blaspheme, slander, speak irreverently
Definition To speak against God or sacred reality; to slander.
Lexicon to blaspheme, slander, speak irreverently
Why it matters The charge exposes the magnitude of Jesus’ forgiveness claim.
Sense knowing, perceiving
Definition To know, perceive, or understand.
References Matthew 9:4
Lexicon knowing, perceiving
Why it matters Jesus knows the hidden thoughts of His critics, displaying divine insight.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense evil, wicked
Definition Evil, wicked, morally corrupt.
References Matthew 9:4
Lexicon evil, wicked
Why it matters Jesus identifies the critics’ inward thoughts as evil.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Son of Man
Definition Jesus’ self-designation, carrying themes of humanity, authority, suffering, and eschatological dominion.
References Matthew 9:6
Lexicon Son of Man
Why it matters Jesus claims that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense authority, right, power
Definition Authority, right, power, or jurisdiction.
References Matthew 9:6, 9:8
Lexicon authority, right, power
Why it matters The chapter begins by revealing Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense tax booth, tax collector
Definition A tax booth or tax collector associated with revenue collection.
References Matthew 9:9
Lexicon tax booth, tax collector
Why it matters Matthew’s call highlights Jesus’ mercy toward socially despised sinners.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense follow, become a disciple
Definition To follow, accompany, or become a disciple.
References Matthew 9:9
Lexicon follow, become a disciple
Why it matters Jesus’ command calls Matthew from tax collection into discipleship.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense sinners
Definition Those regarded as sinful, morally compromised, or outside accepted religious respectability.
References Matthew 9:10-13
Lexicon sinners
Why it matters Jesus came to call sinners and shares table fellowship with them.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense Pharisees
Definition A Jewish religious group concerned with law, purity, tradition, and righteousness.
References Matthew 9:11, 9:34
Lexicon Pharisees
Why it matters They criticize Jesus’ fellowship with sinners and later accuse His deliverance ministry.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense physician, doctor
Definition A physician or healer.
References Matthew 9:12
Lexicon physician, doctor
Why it matters Jesus identifies His mission to sinners through the image of a doctor for the sick.
Sense those who are sick, those badly afflicted
Definition Those who are ill, badly off, or afflicted.
References Matthew 9:12
Lexicon those who are sick, those badly afflicted
Why it matters Spiritual sickness is the condition Jesus came to heal.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense mercy, compassion, covenant kindness
Definition Mercy, compassion, or kindness toward the needy.
References Matthew 9:13
Lexicon mercy, compassion, covenant kindness
Why it matters Jesus quotes Hosea to show that God desires mercy over empty sacrifice.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense sacrifice, offering
Definition A sacrifice or offering.
References Matthew 9:13
Lexicon sacrifice, offering
Why it matters Sacrifice without mercy is exposed as deficient covenant religion.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense to call, summon, invite
Definition To call, summon, or invite.
References Matthew 9:13
Lexicon to call, summon, invite
Why it matters Jesus defines His mission as calling sinners.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense righteous, just
Definition Righteous or just; in context, those who view themselves as spiritually healthy.
References Matthew 9:13
Lexicon righteous, just
Why it matters Jesus contrasts self-perceived righteousness with sinners who know their need.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to fast
Definition To abstain from food for religious purpose.
References Matthew 9:14-15
Lexicon to fast
Why it matters The question about fasting becomes an occasion for Jesus to reveal His bridegroom identity and the newness of His coming.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense bridegroom
Definition A bridegroom or husband in a wedding setting.
References Matthew 9:15
Lexicon bridegroom
Why it matters Jesus identifies His presence as messianic wedding joy and anticipates His removal.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense taken away, removed
Definition To be taken away or removed.
References Matthew 9:15
Lexicon taken away, removed
Why it matters Jesus hints that the bridegroom will be taken away, anticipating rejection and death.
Sense new, fresh
Definition New in kind or fresh in time.
References Matthew 9:16-17
Lexicon new, fresh
Why it matters The new patch and new wine imagery reveals the newness of Jesus’ kingdom reality.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense wine
Definition Wine, fermented grape drink.
References Matthew 9:17
Lexicon wine
Why it matters New wine represents the fresh reality Jesus brings that requires fitting containers.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense wineskins
Definition Skin containers used for holding wine.
Lexicon wineskins
Why it matters Old wineskins cannot contain new wine, illustrating the incompatibility of Jesus’ new reality with old forms.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense ruler, official, leader
Definition A ruler, official, or leader.
References Matthew 9:18
Lexicon ruler, official, leader
Why it matters A prominent figure humbly seeks Jesus’ power over death.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense daughter
Definition A daughter or female child.
References Matthew 9:18, 9:22
Lexicon daughter
Why it matters The term appears both for the ruler’s child and tenderly for the bleeding woman.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense has died, came to an end
Definition To die or come to an end.
References Matthew 9:18
Lexicon has died, came to an end
Why it matters The ruler believes Jesus can bring life even where death has occurred.
Sense suffering from bleeding
Definition To suffer from a flow of blood or hemorrhage.
References Matthew 9:20
Lexicon suffering from bleeding
Why it matters The woman’s condition involves chronic suffering, impurity concerns, and social isolation.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense garment, cloak
Definition A garment or cloak.
References Matthew 9:20-21
Lexicon garment, cloak
Why it matters The woman reaches for even the edge of Jesus’ garment in faith.
Sense save, heal, make well
Definition To save, rescue, heal, or make whole.
References Matthew 9:21-22
Lexicon save, heal, make well
Why it matters The woman’s healing is described with salvation-rescue language, showing whole-person restoration.
Cross-language bridge 3 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense blind
Definition Unable to see; blind.
References Matthew 9:27
Lexicon blind
Why it matters The blind men perceive Jesus’ messianic identity and receive sight.
Sense have mercy, show compassion
Definition To show mercy, pity, or compassion.
References Matthew 9:27
Lexicon have mercy, show compassion
Why it matters The blind men’s cry shows faith in Jesus’ merciful messianic identity.
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Son of David
Definition Messianic title identifying Jesus with Davidic promise.
References Matthew 9:27
Lexicon Son of David
Why it matters The blind men identify Jesus as the Davidic Messiah who brings mercy and restoration.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense opened
Definition To open.
References Matthew 9:30
Lexicon opened
Why it matters Jesus opens blind eyes, fulfilling messianic restoration hopes.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense mute, deaf, speechless
Definition Mute, speechless, or deaf depending on context.
References Matthew 9:32-33
Lexicon mute, deaf, speechless
Why it matters Jesus restores speech after demonic oppression.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense demon-possessed, demon-oppressed
Definition Afflicted or oppressed by a demon.
References Matthew 9:32
Lexicon demon-possessed, demon-oppressed
Why it matters The man’s muteness is connected to demonic oppression, and Jesus’ deliverance restores Him.
Individual words τινος τῶν ἀρχόντων τῶν Φαρισαίων tinos tōn archontōn tōn Pharisaiōn · ἄρχοντι τῶν δαιμονίων archonti tōn daimoniōn
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense ruler of demons
Definition A phrase referring to the chief demonic power.
References Matthew 9:34
Lexicon ruler of demons
Why it matters The Pharisees’ accusation represents severe opposition to Jesus’ deliverance ministry.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense gospel, good news
Definition Good news or glad announcement.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon gospel, good news
Why it matters Jesus proclaims the good news of the kingdom throughout the towns and villages.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense kingdom, reign
Definition Royal reign, rule, or kingdom.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon kingdom, reign
Why it matters Jesus’ proclamation and miracles are centered on the kingdom.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense had compassion, was moved inwardly
Definition To be moved with deep compassion from the inward being.
References Matthew 9:36
Lexicon had compassion, was moved inwardly
Why it matters Jesus’ mission flows from deep shepherd-like compassion.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense harassed, troubled, worn down
Definition To trouble, harass, weary, or distress.
References Matthew 9:36
Lexicon harassed, troubled, worn down
Why it matters Jesus sees the crowds as distressed and burdened rather than as interruptions.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense cast down, helpless, thrown down
Definition To throw down, cast aside, or leave helpless.
References Matthew 9:36
Lexicon cast down, helpless, thrown down
Why it matters Jesus sees the people as vulnerable and neglected sheep.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense sheep
Definition Sheep, often used metaphorically for God’s people.
References Matthew 9:36
Lexicon sheep
Why it matters The crowds are like sheep without a shepherd, evoking leadership failure and divine compassion.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense shepherd
Definition One who tends, guides, protects, and feeds sheep.
References Matthew 9:36
Lexicon shepherd
Why it matters The lack of shepherds explains the crowds’ distress and the need for mission laborers.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense harvest
Definition Harvest, gathering of crops; metaphorically, mission gathering or judgment-gathering.
References Matthew 9:37-38
Lexicon harvest
Why it matters Jesus frames the mission field as plentiful harvest needing workers.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense workers, laborers
Definition Workers or laborers.
References Matthew 9:37-38
Lexicon workers, laborers
Why it matters Jesus commands prayer for workers to be sent into the harvest.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Subjunctive · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense send out, drive out, thrust out
Definition To send out, cast out, or thrust out.
References Matthew 9:38
Lexicon send out, drive out, thrust out
Why it matters The Lord of the harvest must thrust workers into the harvest field.
Sense take courage, be encouraged
Definition To be courageous or take heart.
References Matthew 9:2
Lexicon take courage, be encouraged
Why it matters Jesus speaks comfort before declaring forgiveness to the paralytic.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense rise, be raised
Definition To rise, wake, or be raised up.
References Matthew 9:6-7, 9:25
Lexicon rise, be raised
Why it matters Jesus commands the paralytic to rise and later raises the dead girl.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense glorified, praised, honored
Definition To glorify, praise, or honor.
References Matthew 9:8
Lexicon glorified, praised, honored
Why it matters The crowd responds to Jesus’ authority by glorifying God.
Sense recline at table
Definition To recline while eating at a meal.
References Matthew 9:10
Lexicon recline at table
Why it matters Table fellowship reveals Jesus’ merciful nearness to sinners.
Form in passage Dative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense disciples, learners, followers
Definition Students, followers, or apprentices.
References Matthew 9:10-11, 9:14, 9:19, 9:37
Lexicon disciples, learners, followers
Why it matters Jesus’ disciples are questioned about fellowship and fasting, showing that His identity shapes their practices.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense learn, understand
Definition To learn, understand, or be instructed.
References Matthew 9:13
Lexicon learn, understand
Why it matters Jesus commands the Pharisees to learn the meaning of Hosea 6:6.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense sons of the wedding hall, wedding guests
Definition Wedding attendants or guests associated with the bridegroom.
References Matthew 9:15
Lexicon sons of the wedding hall, wedding guests
Why it matters Jesus’ disciples are compared to wedding guests while the bridegroom is present.
Sense mourn, grieve
Definition To mourn or grieve.
Lexicon mourn, grieve
Why it matters Fasting is associated with mourning, but Jesus’ presence as bridegroom brings joy.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense unshrunk cloth, new patch
Definition A new or unshrunk piece of cloth.
References Matthew 9:16
Lexicon unshrunk cloth, new patch
Why it matters The image shows that Jesus’ new reality cannot simply patch old forms.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense burst, tear apart
Definition To burst, tear, or break apart.
References Matthew 9:17
Lexicon burst, tear apart
Why it matters Old wineskins burst under new wine, illustrating incompatibility with Jesus’ newness.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense preserved, kept safe
Definition To preserve, keep, or protect.
References Matthew 9:17
Lexicon preserved, kept safe
Why it matters New wine in new wineskins preserves both wine and skins.
Sense flute players
Definition Musicians associated with mourning or funeral customs.
Lexicon flute players
Why it matters The funeral scene underscores that the girl is regarded as dead.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense sleeping
Definition To sleep.
References Matthew 9:24
Lexicon sleeping
Why it matters Jesus describes death as sleep in light of His authority to raise.
Form in passage Imperfect · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense ridiculed, laughed at
Definition To laugh at or ridicule.
References Matthew 9:24
Lexicon ridiculed, laughed at
Why it matters The mourners ridicule Jesus before His authority over death is displayed.
Individual words ἀφίημι / κρατέω aphiēmi / krateō · βάλω τὸν δάκτυλόν μου...τὴν χεῖρά μου balō ton daktylon mou...tēn cheira mou
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense took hold of the hand
Definition To grasp, take hold of, or seize.
References Matthew 9:25
Lexicon took hold of the hand
Why it matters Jesus touches death and overcomes it with life.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense went out, spread
Definition To go out or spread outward.
References Matthew 9:26, 9:31
Lexicon went out, spread
Why it matters News of Jesus’ works spreads despite secrecy commands.
Form in passage Aorist · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense sternly warned, strongly charged
Definition To warn sternly or charge strongly.
References Matthew 9:30
Lexicon sternly warned, strongly charged
Why it matters Jesus controls the timing and nature of testimony about His works.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense marveled, wondered
Definition To marvel, wonder, or be amazed.
References Matthew 9:33
Lexicon marveled, wondered
Why it matters The crowds marvel at Jesus’ restoration of the mute man.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense teaching
Definition To teach or instruct.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon teaching
Why it matters Jesus’ ministry includes teaching in synagogues alongside preaching and healing.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense proclaiming, preaching, heralding
Definition To publicly announce as a herald.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon proclaiming, preaching, heralding
Why it matters Jesus heralds the good news of the kingdom.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense healing, curing, serving
Definition To heal, cure, or restore.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon healing, curing, serving
Why it matters Jesus’ healing ministry displays the compassionate authority of the kingdom.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense disease, sickness
Definition Disease or illness.
References Matthew 9:35
Lexicon disease, sickness
Why it matters Jesus heals every disease as part of kingdom restoration.
Individual words βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων καὶ κύριος τῶν κυριευόντων basileus tōn basileuontōn kai kyrios tōn kyrieuontōn · κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ kyriou tou therismou
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Lord of the harvest
Definition The sovereign owner and sender over the harvest field.
References Matthew 9:38
Lexicon Lord of the harvest
Why it matters Mission workers are not self-appointed; they are sent by the Lord of the harvest.
Key Hebrew Terms
Form in passage Qal · Participle passive What is this?
Sense to lift, bear, carry away, forgive
Definition To lift, carry, bear, or forgive.
References Psalm 32:1; Matthew 9:2-6
Lexicon to lift, bear, carry away, forgive
Why it matters Old Testament forgiveness imagery illuminates Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense sin, sin offering
Definition Sin, guilt, or sin offering depending on context.
References Psalm 103:3; Matthew 9:2
Lexicon sin, sin offering
Why it matters Jesus’ forgiveness addresses the fundamental problem of guilt before God.
Sense steadfast love, mercy, covenant loyalty
Definition Covenant love, mercy, kindness, or loyal love.
References Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13
Lexicon steadfast love, mercy, covenant loyalty
Why it matters Hosea 6:6 uses covenant mercy language that Jesus applies to His mission toward sinners.
Cross-language bridge 2 links · View in lexicon
Form in passage Masculine · Singular · Absolute What is this?
Sense sacrifice
Definition A sacrifice or offering.
References Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13
Lexicon sacrifice
Why it matters God desires mercy rather than sacrifice emptied of covenant faithfulness.
Sense to heal, restore
Definition To heal, cure, or restore.
References Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:22, 9:35
Lexicon to heal, restore
Why it matters Jesus’ healings display God’s promised restorative mercy.
Form in passage Masculine · Singular · Absolute What is this?
Sense bridegroom
Definition A bridegroom or newly married man.
References Isaiah 62:5; Matthew 9:15
Lexicon bridegroom
Why it matters Bridegroom imagery connects Jesus’ presence with covenant joy and divine marriage imagery.
Sense David, beloved
Definition Israel’s king and covenant figure whose line receives messianic promise.
References 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 9:27
Lexicon David, beloved
Why it matters Son of David identifies Jesus with the promised Davidic Messiah.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense to shepherd, pasture, tend
Definition To shepherd, feed, guide, or care for a flock.
References Ezekiel 34:1-16; Matthew 9:36
Lexicon to shepherd, pasture, tend
Why it matters Jesus’ compassion for sheep without a shepherd draws from Israel’s shepherd-leadership theology.
Sense sheep, flock
Definition Sheep or flock.
References Numbers 27:17; Matthew 9:36
Lexicon sheep, flock
Why it matters The crowds are described as sheep without a shepherd, emphasizing vulnerability and need for care.
Sense harvest
Definition Harvest, reaping, or gathered crop.
References Joel 3:13; Matthew 9:37-38
Lexicon harvest
Why it matters Harvest imagery frames the urgency of kingdom mission and gathering.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (55)
grounds / explanation 5inference / conclusion 1strong contrast / correction 5purpose clause 2conditional clause 2content marker or causal 5continuation or mild contrast 16contrast setup (μέν...δέ) 1negative additive 1additive / emphatic 17
| v.1 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.2 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.3 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.4 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ἱνατίso whypurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.5 | γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.6 | ἵναSo thatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.7 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.8 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.9 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.10 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.11 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.12 | δὲAndcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.13 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.14 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.15 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.16 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.17 | οὐδὲNornegative additiveοὐδέ in a list builds rhetorical force — each addition strengthens the overall negation.εἰlestconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ἀλλὰButstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.18 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.19 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.20 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.21 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἐὰνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.22 | δὲAndcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.23 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.24 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.25 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.26 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.27 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.28 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.30 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.31 | δὲButcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.32 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.33 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ὅτι·that:content marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.34 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.35 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.36 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ὅτιbecausecontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.37 | μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.38 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (152 main verbs)
completed 34ongoing 30prospective 4resultant 1imperative 15subjunctive 4background 10infinitive 6participle 48
| v.1 | ἐμβὰςembaínōgettingaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδιεπέρασενdiaperáōcrossed overaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἦλθενérchomaicameaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.2 | προσέφερονprosphérōbroughtimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionβεβλημένονlyingperfect passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἰδὼνhoráōsawaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionΘάρσειtharséōtake heartpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀφίενταίforgivenpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.3 | εἶπανépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionβλασφημεῖblasphemingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.4 | εἰδὼςeídōhaving seenperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐνθυμεῖσθεenthyméomaithinkpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.5 | εἰπεῖνépōsayaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἈφίενταίforgivenpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthεἰπεῖνépōsayaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἜγειρεegeírōget uppresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπεριπάτειperipatéōwalkpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.6 | εἰδῆτεeídōknowperfect active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἔχειéchōhaspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀφιέναιforgivepresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbλέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἘγερθεὶςegeírōget upaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἆρόνpick upaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationὕπαγεhypágōgopresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.7 | ἐγερθεὶςegeírōgot upaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀπῆλθενwentaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.8 | ἰδόντεςhoráōsawaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐφοβήθησανphobéōafraidaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐδόξασανdoxázōglorifiedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδόνταdídōmigivenaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.9 | παράγωνparágōwent onpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶδενhoráōsawaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionκαθήμενονkáthēmaisittingpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἈκολούθειfollowpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀναστὰςgot upaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἠκολούθησενfollowedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.10 | ἐγένετοgínomaihappenedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀνακειμένουsat at dinnerpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐλθόντεςérchomaicameaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionσυνανέκειντοsynanákeimaisitting withimperfect middle indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.11 | ἰδόντεςhoráōsawaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔλεγονlégōsaidimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἐσθίειesthíōeatpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.12 | ἀκούσαςheardaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔχουσινéchōhavepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἰσχύοντεςischýōwellpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔχοντεςéchōarepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.13 | πορευθέντεςporeúomaigoaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionμάθετεmanthánōlearnaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationθέλωthélōdesirepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἦλθονérchomaicomeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionκαλέσαιkaléōcallaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.14 | προσέρχονταιprosérchomaicamepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλέγοντεςlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionνηστεύομενnēsteúōfastpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthνηστεύουσινnēsteúōfastpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.15 | εἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδύνανταιdýnamaicanpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπενθεῖνpenthéōmournpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐλεύσονταιérchomaicomefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἀπαρθῇtaken awayaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentνηστεύσουσινnēsteúōfastfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.16 | ἐπιβάλλειepibállōputspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthαἴρειpulls awaypresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthγίνεταιgínomaimadepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.17 | βάλλουσινputpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthῥήγνυνταιrhḗgnymiburstpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐκχεῖταιekchéōspilledpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀπόλλυνταιruinedpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthβάλλουσινputpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthσυντηροῦνταιsyntēréōpreservedpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.18 | λαλοῦντοςlaléōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐλθὼνérchomaicameaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπροσεκύνειproskynéōkneltimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionλέγωνlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐτελεύτησενteleutáōdiedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐλθὼνérchomaicomeaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐπίθεςepitíthēmilayaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationζήσεταιzáōlivefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.19 | ἐγερθεὶςegeírōgot upaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἠκολούθειfollowedimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.20 | αἱμορροοῦσαsuffering from hemorrhagespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπροσελθοῦσαprosérchomaicame upaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἥψατοtouchedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.21 | ἔλεγενlégōsaidimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἅψωμαιtouchaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentσωθήσομαιsṓzōmade wellfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.22 | στραφεὶςstréphōturnedaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἰδὼνhoráōseeingaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionΘάρσειtharséōtake heartpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationσέσωκένsṓzōmade ~ wellperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultἐσώθηsṓzōmade wellaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.23 | ἐλθὼνérchomaicameaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἰδὼνhoráōsawaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionθορυβούμενονthorybéōmaking a commotionpresent passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.24 | ἔλεγενlégōsaidimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἈναχωρεῖτεgo awaypresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀπέθανενdeadaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionκαθεύδειkatheúdōsleepingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκατεγέλωνkatageláōlaughed atimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.25 | ἐξεβλήθηekbállōput outsideaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionεἰσελθὼνeisérchomaiwent inaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐκράτησενkratéōtookaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἠγέρθηegeírōgot upaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.26 | ἐξῆλθενexérchomaispreadaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.27 | παράγοντιparágōwent onpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἠκολούθησανfollowedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionκράζοντεςkrázōcrying outpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλέγοντεςlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἘλέησονeleéōhave mercy onaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.28 | ἐλθόντιérchomaienteredaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπροσῆλθονprosérchomaicameaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionλέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthΠιστεύετεpisteúōbelievepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδύναμαιdýnamaiablepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthποιῆσαιpoiéōdoaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbλέγουσινlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.29 | ἥψατοtouchedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionλέγωνlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionγενηθήτωgínomaidoneaorist passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.30 | ἠνεῴχθησανopenedaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐνεβριμήθηembrimáomaisternly warnedaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionλέγωνlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionὉρᾶτεhoráōseepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationγινωσκέτωginṓskōknowspresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.31 | ἐξελθόντεςexérchomaiwent outaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδιεφήμισανdiaphēmízōspread the news aboutaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.32 | ἐξερχομένωνexérchomaigoing outpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπροσήνεγκανprosphérōbroughtaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδαιμονιζόμενονdaimonízomaidemon-possessedpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.33 | ἐκβληθέντοςekbállōcast outaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐλάλησενlaléōspokeaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐθαύμασανthaumázōamazedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionλέγοντεςlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐφάνηphaínōseenaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.34 | ἔλεγονlégōsaidimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἐκβάλλειekbállōcasts outpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.35 | περιῆγενperiágōwent aboutimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionδιδάσκωνdidáskōteachingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκηρύσσωνkērýssōproclaimingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionθεραπεύωνtherapeúōhealingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.36 | Ἰδὼνhoráōsawaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσπλαγχνίσθηsplanchnízomaihad compassionaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔχονταéchōhavepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.37 | λέγειlégōsaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.38 | δεήθητεdéōaskaorist passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐκβάλῃekbállōsend outaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
Matthew 9 forms readers to behold Jesus as the forgiving, merciful, restoring, messianic, and compassionate Lord whose authority calls sinners and sends workers.
The chapter presses the church to recover mercy, welcome sinners to the physician, trust Jesus amid desperate need, reject hardened opposition, and pray for laborers among shepherdless people.
Humble faith, repentance, mercy, willingness to follow, compassion for sinners, hope amid suffering and death, mission prayer, and shepherd-hearted concern.
Practice Response
- Confess sin before seeking surface repair.
- Identify Your tax booth.
- Learn mercy.
- Eat near sinners without affirming sin.
- Bring hidden suffering to Christ.
- Cry for mercy.
- Interpret people through compassion.
- Pray harvest prayers.
Warnings and Misreadings
- Matthew 9 warns against religious hardness that resents mercy, accuses Jesus of blasphemy, despises fellowship with sinners, misunderstands the newness of His coming, and eventually attributes His deliverance work to demonic power. It also warns that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few, exposing the danger of shepherdless people and prayerless disciples.
- Treating the paralytic’s healing as only physical restoration. - Jesus places forgiveness of sins at the center and uses the healing to demonstrate His authority to forgive.
- Assuming the teachers of the law were wrong that forgiveness is divine territory. - Their premise that forgiveness belongs to God is weighty · their failure is not recognizing who Jesus is.
- Reducing Matthew’s call to generic vocational change. - Matthew is called from a despised tax booth into discipleship by Jesus’ sovereign command.
- Using Jesus’ table fellowship to deny repentance. - Jesus welcomes sinners as the physician who calls them · mercy is not affirmation of sin but rescue from it.
- Reading 'not the righteous' as if some people truly need no repentance. - Jesus exposes the self-perception of the religiously confident · all sinners need mercy, but only the sick who know they are sick seek the physician.
- Treating fasting as obsolete because the bridegroom has come. - Jesus says days will come when the bridegroom is taken away and then His disciples will fast.
- Reducing new cloth and new wine to novelty for novelty’s sake. - The images show that Jesus’ messianic arrival brings a new reality that cannot be contained by old forms.
- Treating the bleeding woman’s faith as superstition. - Jesus corrects and personalizes the encounter, identifying faith as the means by which she receives healing.
- Assuming secrecy commands mean Jesus never wants testimony. - Jesus sometimes commands silence for timing and mission reasons, but Matthew also shows His fame spreading and later commands witness.
- Assuming demonic accusation is a harmless theological disagreement. - The Pharisees’ accusation represents escalating spiritual opposition to Jesus’ kingdom work.
- Treating the harvest prayer as a sentimental missions slogan. - Jesus grounds the prayer in compassion for shepherdless people and the urgent need for sent workers.
Discipleship Questions
- Do I come to Jesus primarily for surface relief while ignoring my deeper need for forgiveness?
- Where might I be offended by Jesus’ mercy toward people I consider compromised?
- Do I see myself as spiritually sick and in need of the physician, or as healthy and superior?
- What would it mean for me to rise from my 'tax booth' and follow Jesus today?
- Do I practice sacrifice without mercy?
- Am I trying to fit Jesus into old categories rather than receiving the newness of His kingdom?
- Where do I need desperate, humble faith like the ruler, the bleeding woman, or the blind men?
- Do I cry for mercy or maintain religious composure?
- How do I interpret the work of Jesus when it disrupts my assumptions?
- Do I see the crowds around me as problems, interruptions, or sheep without a shepherd?
- Am I praying earnestly for harvest workers?
- Could Jesus be calling me to become part of the answer to that prayer?
Pastoral Applications
- Forgiveness - Pastoral ministry must address sin and forgiveness, not merely visible problems and felt needs.
- Mercy - Churches must learn Jesus’ meaning of mercy, not sacrifice, especially toward those labeled as sinners.
- Evangelism - Jesus’ table fellowship shows that sinners must be approached with merciful nearness and a real call to follow.
- Discipleship - The call of Matthew reminds believers that Jesus can summon people from compromised places into kingdom service.
- Spiritual_disciplines - Fasting must be understood in relation to Jesus, His presence, His absence, longing, and kingdom reality.
- Suffering - The bleeding woman teaches sufferers that hidden pain can be brought to Jesus in faith.
- Death - The ruler’s daughter shows that Jesus’ authority reaches even into death.
- Mission - Compassion must lead to prayer for workers and participation in harvest labor.
- Leadership - Jesus’ sheep-without-shepherd language challenges leaders to shepherd rather than burden, scatter, or neglect people.
- Opposition - Faithful ministry should not be surprised when mercy and deliverance are criticized by hardened religious opposition.
- Preaching - Matthew 9 should be preached as a chapter of authority and mercy: Jesus forgives sinners, restores sufferers, confronts false religion, and sends laborers.
- Counseling - This chapter speaks to guilt, shame, social exclusion, chronic suffering, grief, blindness, spiritual oppression, and compassion fatigue.
Pastoral Trajectories
Jesus addresses the paralytic’s deepest need and then restores His body.
Matthew’s compromised seat becomes the place from which Jesus calls Him to follow.
Jesus rebukes religion that does not understand mercy.
Jesus reveals that His presence changes the meaning and timing of fasting.
The bleeding woman is not merely healed; Jesus addresses her tenderly as daughter.
Jesus takes the dead girl by the hand and raises her.
The Son of David responds to cries for mercy and opens eyes.
Jesus drives out the demon and restores the mute man’s voice.
Jesus sees not a mass of interruptions but harassed and helpless sheep.
The proper response to shepherdless crowds is prayer for laborers and readiness for mission.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Matthew moves from Jesus’ authority to forgive sins, to His mercy toward sinners, to His teaching on newness, to His authority over death, uncleanness, blindness, muteness, and demons, concluding with compassion for the shepherdless crowds and prayer for harvest workers.
Matthew 9 reveals Jesus as the covenant-fulfilling Messiah who forgives sins, embodies mercy, calls sinners, brings newness, restores the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, and shepherds Israel’s scattered people. His quotation of Hosea 6:6 places mercy at the heart of covenant faithfulness, while His compassion for sheep without a shepherd exposes failed leadership and prepares for the sending of the Twelve.
Matthew 9 clarifies the gospel by showing that Jesus came for sinners. He has authority to forgive sins, calls the compromised, eats with sinners, defines His mission as a physician for the sick, brings newness as the bridegroom, heals the unclean, raises the dead, gives sight to the blind, frees the oppressed, and looks with compassion on shepherdless crowds. The gospel is not religious respectability. It is divine mercy in Christ for sinners who need forgiveness, healing, restoration, and shepherding.
Humble faith, repentance, mercy, willingness to follow, compassion for sinners, hope amid suffering and death, mission prayer, and shepherd-hearted concern.
Focus Points
- Authority to forgive sins
- Son of Man
- Mercy
- Calling sinners
- Table fellowship
- Spiritual sickness and the physician
- Bridegroom imagery
- New wine and new wineskins
- Faith
- Healing
- Resurrection power
- Purity restored
- Son of David
- Deliverance from demons
- Pharisaic opposition
- Compassion
- Sheep without a shepherd
- Harvest mission
- Prayer for workers
- Forgiveness of Sins
- Mercy over Empty Religion
- Jesus the Physician
- Kingdom Inclusion of Sinners
- Messianic Newness
- Faith amid Desperation
- Authority over Death
- Son of David Mercy
- Spiritual Opposition
- Compassion and Mission
- Christology
- Repentance and Calling
- Kingdom Newness
- Healing and Restoration
- Resurrection
- Spiritual Warfare
- Mission
- Shepherding
Explore Further
Cross References
Who forgives all Your sins, who heals all Your diseases,
OldTestamentFoundation
For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
QuotedText
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
OldTestamentFoundation
Surely He has borne our sickness and carried our suffering; yet we considered Him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on Him; and by His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to His own way; and...
ThemeParallel
“Behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant of mine they broke, although I was a husband to them,” says Yahweh. “But this...
OldTestamentFoundation
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and tell them, even the shepherds, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat. You clothe Yourself with the wool. You kill the fatlings, but You don’t feed the sheep.
OldTestamentFoundation
Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying, “Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”
OldTestamentFoundation
When Your days are fulfilled, and You sleep with Your fathers, I will set up Your offspring after You, who will proceed out of Your body, and I will establish His kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His father, and He will be my son. If He commits iniquity, I will chasten Him with the...
OldTestamentFoundation
When evening came, they brought to Him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.”
ImmediateContext
He called to Himself His twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, His brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, His brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax...
ImmediateContext
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which You hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is He who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
SameBook
But if You had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ You wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
SameBook
Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to Him and He healed Him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.”
SameBook
As they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, You son of David!” The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, You son of David!”
SameBook
When He entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and He spoke the word to them. Four people came, carrying a paralytic to Him.
CounterpartPassage
After these things He went out, and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office, and said to Him, “Follow me!” He left everything, and rose up and followed Him. Levi made a great feast for Him in His house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them.
CounterpartPassage
When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing Him, He fell at His feet, and begged Him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be...
CounterpartPassage
When Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. Behold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged Him to come into His house, for He had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes pressed against Him.
CounterpartPassage
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
CanonicalPartner
The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
CanonicalPartner
Passages
Chapter opening: Matthew 9:1-8
His own city (την ιδιαν πολιν). Capernaum ( Mr 2:1 ; Mt 4:13 ).
They brought (προσεφερον). Imperfect, "were bringing," graphic picture made very vivid by the details in Mr 2:1-4 and Lu 5:17 . " Lying on a bed " (stretched on a couch), perfect passive participle, a little bed or couch (κλινιδιον) in Lu 5:19 , "a pallet" (κραβατος) in Mr 2:4 , 9 , 11 . Thy sins are forgiven (αφιεντα). Present passive indicative (aoristic present). Luke ( Lu 5:21 ) has αφεωντα, Doric and Ionic perfect passive indicative for the Attic αφειντα, one of the dialectical forms appearing in the Koine .
This man blasphemeth (ουτος βλασφημε). See the sneer in "this fellow." "The prophet always is a scandalous, irreverent blasphemer from the conventional point of view" (Bruce).
That ye may know (ινα ειδητε). Jesus accepts the challenge in the thoughts of the scribes and performs the miracle of healing the paralytic, who so far only had his sins forgiven, to prove his Messianic power on earth to forgive sins even as God does. The word εξουσια may mean either power or authority. He had both as a matter of fact. Note same word in 9:8 .
Then saith he to the sick of the palsy (τοτε λεγε τω παραλυτικω). These words of course, were not spoken by Jesus. Curiously enough Matthew interjects them right in the midst of the sayings of Jesus in reply to the scorn of the scribes. Still more remarkable is the fact that Mark ( Mr 2:10 ) has precisely the same words in the same place save that Matthew has added τοτε, of which he is fond, to what Mark already had.
Mark, as we know, largely reports Peter's words and sees with Peter's eyes. Luke has the same idea in the same place without the vivid historical present λεγε (ειπεν τω παραλελυμενωι) with the participle in place of the adjective. This is one of the many proofs that both Matthew and Luke made use of Mark's Gospel each in his own way. Take up thy bed (αρον σου την κλινην).
Pack up at once (aorist active imperative) the rolled-up pallet.
At the place of toll (επ το τελωνιον). The tax-office or custom-house of Capernaum placed here to collect taxes from the boats going across the lake outside of Herod's territory or from people going from Damascus to the coast, a regular caravan route. " Called Matthew " (Μαθθαιον λεγομενον) and in 10:3 Matthew the publican is named as one of the Twelve Apostles.
Mark ( Mr 2:14 ) and Luke ( Lu 5:27 ) call this man Levi. He had two names as was common, Matthew Levi. The publicans (τελωνα) get their name in English from the Latin publicanus (a man who did public duty), not a very accurate designation. They were detested because they practised graft. Even Gabinius the proconsul of Syria was accused by Cicero of relieving Syrians and Jews of legitimate taxes for graft.
He ordered some of the tax-officers removed. Already Jesus had spoken of the publican ( 5:46 ) in a way that shows the public disfavour in which they were held.
Publicans and sinners (τελωνα κα αμαρτωλο). Often coupled together in common scorn and in contrast with the righteous (δικαιο in 9:13 ). It was a strange medley at Levi's feast (Jesus and the four fisher disciples, Nathanael and Philip; Matthew Levi and his former companions, publicans and sinners; Pharisees with their scribes or students as on-lookers; disciples of John the Baptist who were fasting at the very time that Jesus was feasting and with such a group).
The Pharisees criticize sharply "your teacher" for such a social breach of "reclining" together with publicans at Levi's feast.
But they that are sick (αλλα ο κακως εχοντες). Probably a current proverb about the physician. As a physician of body and soul Jesus was bound to come in close touch with the social outcasts.
But go ye and learn (πορευθεντες δε μαθετε). With biting sarcasm Jesus bids these preachers to learn the meaning of Ho 6:6 . It is repeated in Mt 12:7 . Ingressive aorist imperative (μαθετε).
The disciples of John (ο μαθητα Ιωανου). One is surprised to find disciples of the Baptist in the role of critics of Christ along with the Pharisees. But John was languishing in prison and they perhaps were blaming Jesus for doing nothing about it. At any rate John would not have gone to Levi's feast on one of the Jewish fast-days. "The strict asceticism of the Baptist ( 11:18 ) and of the Pharisaic rabbis ( Lu 18:12 ) was imitated by their disciples" (McNeile).
The sons of the bride-chamber (ο υιο του νυμφωνος). It is a late Hebrew idiom for the wedding guests, "the friends of the bridegroom and all the sons of the bride-chamber" ( Tos. Berak. ii. 10). Cf. Joh 2:29 .
Undressed cloth (ρακους αγναφου). An unfulled, raw piece of woollen cloth that will shrink when wet and tear a bigger hole than ever. A worse rent (χειρον σχισμα). Our word "schism." The " patch " (πληρωμα, filling up) thus does more harm than good.
Old wineskins (ασκους παλαιους). Not glass " bottles " but wineskins used as bottles as is true in Palestine yet, goatskins with the rough part inside. "Our word bottle originally carried the true meaning, being a bottle of leather. In Spanish bota means a leather bottle , a boot , and a butt . In Spain wine is still brought to market in pig-skins " (Vincent). The new wine will ferment and crack the dried-up old skins. The wine is spilled (εκχειτα), poured out.
Is even now dead (αρτ ετελευτησεν). Aorist tense with αρτ and so better, "just now died," "just dead" (Moffatt). Mark ( Mr 5:23 ) has it "at the point of death," Luke ( Lu 8:42 ) "lay a dying." It is not always easy even for physicians to tell when actual death has come. Jesus in 9:24 pointedly said, "The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth," meaning that she did not die to stay dead.
The border of his garment (του κρασπεδου του ιματιου). The hem or fringe of a garment, a tassel or tuft hanging from the edge of the outer garment according to Nu 15:38 . It was made of twisted wool. Jesus wore the dress of other people with these fringes at the four corners of the outer garment. The Jews actually counted the words Jehovah One from the numbers of the twisted white threads, a refinement that Jesus had no concern for.
This poor woman had an element of superstition in her faith as many people have, but Jesus honours her faith and cures her.
The flute-players (τους αυλητας). The girl was just dead, but already a crowd "making a tumult" (θορυβουμενον) with wild wailing and screaming had gathered in the outer court, "brought together by various motives, sympathy, money, desire to share in the meat and drink going at such a time" (Bruce). Besides the several flute-players (voluntary or hired) there were probably "some hired mourning women ( Jer 9:17 ) praeficae , whose duty it was to sing naenia in praise of the dead" (Bruce).
These when put out by Jesus, "laughed him to scorn" (κατεγελων), in a sort of loud and repeated (imperfect) guffaw of scorn. Jesus overcame all this repellent environment.
As Jesus passed by (παραγοντ Ιησου). Associative instrumental case with ηκολουθησαν. It was the supreme opportunity of these two blind men. Note two demoniacs in Mt 8:28 and two blind men in Mt 20:30 . See the same word παραγων used of Jesus in 9:9 .
Touched their eyes (ηψατο των οφθαλμων). The men had faith ( 9:28 ) and Jesus rewards their faith and yet he touched their eyes as he sometimes did with kindly sympathy.
Were opened (ηνεωιχθησαν). Triple augment (on οι=ωι, ε and then on preposition αν = ην). Strictly charged them (ενεβριμηθη αυτοις). A difficult word, compound of εν and βριμαομα (to be moved with anger). It is used of horses snorting (Aeschylus, Theb . 461), of men fretting or being angry ( Da 11:30 ). Allen notes that it occurs twice in Mark ( Mr 1:43 ; 14:5 ) when Matthew omits it.
It is found only here in Matthew. John has it twice in a different sense ( Joh 11:33 with εν εαυτω). Here and in Mr 1:32 it has the notion of commanding sternly, a sense unknown to ancient writers. Most manuscripts have the middle ενεβριμησατο, but Aleph and B have the passive ενεβριμηθη which Westcott and Hort accept, but without the passive sense (cf. απεκριθη).
"The word describes rather a rush of deep feeling which in the synoptic passages showed itself in a vehement injunctive and in Joh 11:33 in look and manner" (McNeile). Bruce translates Euthymius Zigabenus on Mr 1:32 : "Looked severely, contracting His eyebrows, and shaking His head at them as they are wont to do who wish to make sure that secrets will be kept."
"See to it, let no one know it" (ορατε, μηδεις γινωσκετω). Note elliptical change of persons and number in the two imperatives.
A dumb man (κωφον). Literally blunted in tongue as here and so dumb, in ear as in Mt 11:5 and so deaf. Homer used it of a blunted dart ( Iliad xi. 390). Others applied it to mental dulness.
By the prince of the devils (εν τω αρχοντ των δαιμονιων). Demons, not devils. The codex Bezae omits this verse, but it is probably genuine. The Pharisees are becoming desperate and, unable to deny the reality of the miracles, they seek to discredit them by trying to connect Jesus with the devil himself, the prince of the demons. They will renew this charge later ( Mt 12:24 ) when Jesus will refute it with biting sarcasm.
And Jesus went about (κα περιηγεν ο Ιησους). Imperfect tense descriptive of this third tour of all Galilee.
Were distressed and scattered (ησαν εσκυλμενο κα εριμμενο). Periphrastic past perfect indicative passive. A sad and pitiful state the crowds were in. Rent or mangled as if by wild beasts. Σκυλλω occurs in the papyri in sense of plunder, concern, vexation. "Used here of the common people, it describes their religious condition. They were harassed, importuned, bewildered by those who should have taught them; hindered from entering into the kingdom of heaven ( 23:13 ), laden with the burdens which the Pharisees laid upon them ( 23:3 ).
Εριμμενο denotes men cast down and prostrate on the ground, whether from drunkenness, Polyb. v. 48. 2, or from mortal wounds" (Allen): This perfect passive participle from ριπτω, to throw down. The masses were in a state of mental dejection. No wonder that Jesus was moved with compassion (εσπλαγχνισθη).
That he send forth labourers (οπως εκβαλη εργατας). Jesus turns from the figure of the shepherdless sheep to the harvest field ripe and ready for the reapers. The verb εκβαλλω really means to drive out, to push out, to draw out with violence or without. Prayer is the remedy offered by Jesus in this crisis for a larger ministerial supply. How seldom do we hear prayers for more preachers. Sometimes God literally has to push or force a man into the ministry who resists his known duty.