Matthew 9:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

NIV: Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.

NASB: Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the Sea of Galilee and came to His own city.

CSB: So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town.

NLT: Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.

KJV: And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

NKJV: So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.

Jesus had left Capernaum with His disciples, in part, to escape the crowds. He needed rest. They had taken the boat across the Sea of Galilee to a southeastern shore, where Jesus had cast demons from two men into a large herd of pigs. Although the men were freed from the demons, the people of that place begged Him to leave (Matthew 8:28–34).

So, Jesus and His disciples crossed back over the lake to arrive back at Jesus' adopted hometown of Capernaum (Matthew 4:13) once more.

Comparing Matthew's gospel to Mark and John reveals that Matthew tends to group stories by topic rather than always putting them in chronological order. Some of the events described in this chapter likely took place earlier in Jesus' life and ministry than the previous ones.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 12:04:34 PM