Matthew 9:7 - Printer Friendly

The paralyzed man at the heart of this story is never quoted in any of the gospels as having said a single word. His friends decide to take him to Jesus, who has been healing other people with every kind of disease. Since he is paralyzed, they had to carry him on his bed. When they reached the place, the house was too crowded to enter, so they climbed up on the roof and lowered their friend, still on his bed, through a hole they made (Mark 2:4).

Jesus, impressed by their faith, has told the man his sins are forgiven. This may have meant that the man's condition was related to some sin he has committed. Perhaps that's the sin Jesus was forgiving (Matthew 9:1–2).

The moment, though, was interrupted by an exchange between Jesus and some of the religious leaders about whether He had authority to forgiven sins on earth. To prove that He did, Jesus turned to the man and told him to get up, take his bed, and go home. Now the man does exactly that without ever saying a word, his own healing a powerful statement on the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus' intent here is to prove that His miraculous healing powers are signs His teachings are true (John 12:37; 20:30–31). It's one thing to say He is "only" able to forgive sins—such a thing is hard to prove on earth. To claim divine healing power, and immediately prove it, is much more "difficult," and offers a clear indication that He's telling the truth.

Matthew 9:1–8 finds Jesus teaching in a crowded house. The friends of a paralyzed man bring him to see Jesus. The gospel of Mark indicates that the crowd is massive, so the men make a hole in the roof and lower him down on his bed (Mark 2:3–4). Jesus tells the man his sins are forgiven. Some scribes in the room call this blasphemy. Jesus, though, demonstrates that He has the authority on earth to forgive sins by showing that He has the authority to tell the paralyzed man to stand up and walk home. The man does exactly that.

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.