Matthew 9

Matthew 9:1

INto a ship] Or, into the ship. Which had newly brought him thither, Chap. 8. 23.

into his own citie] Capernaum. For as Theophilus saith, Bethlehem brought him forth, Nazareth brought him up, and Capernaum was his dwelling place, Matthew 4:13. Mark 2:1. Thither he went to abide for a time, after he had been endangered by them at Nazareth, Luke 4:29.

Matthew 9:2

And behold] Mark 2:3. Luke 5. 18.

Jesus seeing their faith] Theirs that brought him, and his that was willing to be so brought. He saw their faith, as man, by the fruits of it. In that they brought a man incurable, let him down thorow the roof of the house, and laid him before Christ, saying nothing, as not doubting but he would cure him, if he saw him in that misery, Mark 2:4. Luke 5:19. As God, he knew it, without these effects, of himself, as he knew the thoughts of the Scribes, Mark 2:8. Luke 5:22.

be of good cheer, &c.] Doubt not of recovering thy health, now thy sins are forgiven thee, which were the cause of thy sicknesse.

Matthew 9:3

within themselves] They thought so in their hearts, Verse 4. Mark 2:6. Psalms 14:1.

This man blasphemeth] To blaspheme, signifieth, to hurt ones fame, or, to slander. They supposed, he did wrong to God in taking upon him to forgive sins, because they knew not that he was God.

Matthew 9:4

knowing their thoughts] See on verse 2.

Wherefore think ye evil] Of me, as of a blasphemer.

Matthew 9:5

whether is easier to say] Ye think it harder to heal the palsie, then to forgive sins: Ye shall know then, that I have power to forgive sins, by my healing this man with my word. It is indeed more to remit sin, then to heal a sick man, but not so easie to convince another by a thing not seen, as by a thing by the eye discernable.

Matthew 9:6

the son of man] See notes on Chap. 8. 20.

power] Gr. authority.

on earth] Though he abide here on earth, and live here among men.

take up thy bed] That men may know thou art perfectly cured. See on Chap. 8. 15.

Matthew 9:8

unto men] That is, unto a man, as Judg. 1. 7. Psalms 1:3. Chap 21. 7. and 27. 44. It appears hence, that they did not yet beleeve him to be God, for all this miracle wrought by him.

Matthew 9:9

And as Jesus passed] Mark 2:14. Luke 5. 27.

named Matthew] He is called Levi in the other Evangelists. He had two names.

sitting at the receit of custome] At the table, where the custome used to be paid. It seems to be by the sea-side, Mark 2:13. It may be he was to receive the customes due from passengers or merchants.

and followed him] He adviseth not with flesh and blood, saying, How shall I live, whether shall I be led away, how shall I bear the malice of the Pharisees, who bate Christ, and all his followers? but goes after him instantly, Galatians 1:16.

Matthew 9:10

in the house] In Matthews house, who made a feast for him, Luke 5. 29.

many Publicans and sinners] Some conceive two sorts of men here to be meant. By the Publicans they understand Matthews fellow-officers, and by sinners, many known to be of bad and loose life. Others, think them to be all one, and the Publicans were called sinners, because they were imployed by the Romans to gather tribute, and for the most part did it with much cruelty, to the hurt of the people of God.

Matthew 9:11

when the Pharisees saw it] It is not likely that the Pharisees would go into the house of a Publican to see it: but either they heard Matthew invite him, and saw him go along with him, or else they knew it by report from others.

they said unto his disciples] They durst not ask Christ, because they knew they were not able to deal with him, but ask his disciples, and labour to draw them away from their master.

Matthew 9:12

when Jesus heard that] From his disciples, or overheard the Pharisees speaking to them.

they that be whole need not a Physician] I must converse with these, because they are spiritually sick, and I am the Physician of the soul. They are sinners, I am their Saviour. Others, have not so much need of me.

Matthew 9:13

I will have mercy] Hosea 6. 6. Chap. 12. 7.

and not sacrifice] More, or rather then sacrifice, as it is expounded, Hosea 6:6. See the like phrase, Genesis 32:28. Proverbs 8:10. Luke 14:12. 1 Corinthians 1:17. Chap. 6. 19, 20.

I am not come to call the righteous] Such as you Pharisees, who think your selves righteous, but such as the Publicans, who acknowledge themselves to be sinners. Or, I come not to convert such as are in an holy course already, but such as have not yet repented: And how shall I do that, if I converse not with them? Though they that are converted be infirm, yet they have not so much need of my help and presence, as those that yet are desperately sick in soul.

but sinners to repentance] 1 Timothy 1:15.

Matthew 9:14

the disciples of John] Matthew names these onely, because they were the speakers. Luke names the Pharisees onely, because they set them on work, that they might disgrace Christ, by that authority which John had with the people. Mark names both, for both had an hand in it.

Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft] Mark 2:18. Luke 5:33.

but thy disciples fast not?] Either thy way, or ours, taught us by John, is not right. They use not to fast, as Mark 14:12. and Mark 15:6.

Matthew 9:15

Can the children of the bride-chamber] Your master John taught you, that I am the bride-groom, and that I have now by my incarnation, taken the bride to me, and that this time of my living here on earth, is the time of my espousals, John 3. 29. My disciples are my principall guests, admitted into the bride-chamber. How can they mourn then till these feasting dayes be over? When I am gone from them, they shall fast and mourn. Now it is not a season for it, Eccles. 1. 3, 4. By the children of the bride-chamber, is not meant the children of the bride-groom, but those that converse most familiarly with him, as children do with their parents. See Chap. 9. 12.

mourn, as long as the bride-groom is with them?] Can they be in heavinesse all that while, and besides that, compelled to endure hunger and thirst? 1 Corinthians 4:11. 2 Corinthians 6:5. and 2 Corinthians 11:27. Can they use solemn fastings publike and private? Acts 13. 2, 3. and 14. 22. 1 Corinthians 7:5.

Matthew 9:16

a piece of new cloth] Or, raw, or, unwrought cloth. Some interpret the two following similitudes, thus. As new cloth is not sit to patch upon an old suit, nor new wine to be put in old bottles, because of the inconveniences coming to both, mentioned in the text: so it was not fit for me to teach this doctrine of the Gospel newly revealed, to you and the Pharisees, who stand too much upon old traditions. Others thus (and better,) As old cloth cannot long endure a new patch, nor old vessels new wine, because of their weaknesse: so my disciples cannot yet submit themselves to this austere discipline, till I be ascended into heaven, and send down the gifts of my spirit in a more plentifull measure upon them.

Matthew 9:17

Neither do men, &c.] See on verse 16.

Matthew 9:18

While he spake these things] Mark 5:22. Luke 8. 41. While the Pharisees go about to disgrace Christ, God offers a double occasion to him, to manifest his divine power.

a certain ruler] Jairus a ruler of the synagogue. See in Mark and Luke.

worshipped him] By falling down at his feet. In Mark.

lay thy hand upon her] His faith was short of the Centurions, though he were a ruler of the synagogue. The Centurion desired Christs word onely, Chap. 8. 8.

Matthew 9:20

with an issue of bloud twelve yeers] She had been a long time sick, and as appears in the other Evangelists, had tried many physicians, and no money left to spend on others. She was in a desperate case, yet Christ heals her.

came behinde him] As ashamed to confesse her womanly disease unto him, Verse 21. Mark 5:27-28.

touched the hemme] See Malachi 4:2.

Matthew 9:21

I shall be whole] The physicians could not cure me with means, but a touch of his garment can do it. See the strength of her faith, verse 22.

Matthew 9:22

turned him about] To see who touched him, and was healed by him. He knew it before, but he would have the people know it also, that God might be glorified, and that the weak faith of Jairus might be strengthned, and he the more confidently look for the raising up of his daughter.

he of good comfort] See verse 2.

thy faith hath made thee whole] See on Chap. 8. 13.

from that hour] She was presently cured, and never troubled with that sicknesse more.

Matthew 9:23

saw the minstrels] A thing usuall among both Jews and Gentiles, to make use as well of minstrels as of mourners, Jere. 9. 17. and 48. 36.

Matthew 9:24

not dead, but sleepeth] She is not dead for good and all, but as it were laid in a sleep, and shall immediately be raised up by me.

Matthew 9:25

when the people were put forth] Either he did imitate the physicians, who take liberty to put forth company, when they come to heal the sick: or, he put them forth, because they erided him, verse 24. and therefore were unworthy to see the miracle done: or, because he would be more private in the doing of it.

took her by the hand] And called her aloud, Luke 8:54. As we use to wake them that are asleep by calling them, and touching them.

and the maid arose] As one out of sleep. Thus death it self yeelds to Christ divine power.

Matthew 9:26

the fame hereof] Or, this fame, Verse 31.

Matthew 9:27

when Jesus departed thence] Christ never wants occasion of manifesting his divine power. Every place affords it him.

followed him crying] He answereth not these two men till he came into the house, verse 28. that they might be the more earnest, and esteem more of the benefit, when they should receive it.

Thou son of David] They do not mean, that he was born of the seed of David onely, for so were many more: but that he was the Messias. That seed of David, that was in speciall manner promised to be the Saviour of Gods people. See Chap. 1. 1. For now Christs frequent, and strange miracles, began to work in men an opinion that he should be the Messias, Chap. 12. 23. John 7:31. Matth. 20. 30, 31.

Matthew 9:28

to do this] To open your eyes; for so Christ understands their request, put up unto him for mercy, verse 27. though they named not this particular favour.

Matthew 9:29

Then touched he their eyes] He could have done it without, but he doth it sometimes by words, sometimes by deeds, that men might know he was not tyed to any means, or manner of performance.

According to your faith] See on Chap. 8. 13.

Matthew 9:30

their eyes were opened] That is, they could see. For the Jews called blinde eyes shut ones, John 9. 26, 30. Thus that is fulfilled, which is spoken, Psalms 146:8. Isaiah 35:5.

He straitly charged them] He forbad them with an earnest commination.

See that no man know it] Either Christ would not have this miracle published, or not to the inhabitants of those parts: for all things are not to be published at all times, nor to all persons. See Chap. 8. 4.

Matthew 9:31

But they] They contrary to his charge published it all abroad.

Matthew 9:32

As they went out] Luke 11. 14. See on verse 18, 27.

a dumb man possessed with a devil] Either he was dumb by nature before, or made dumb by the devil, when he took possession of him, that so he might deprive him of the use of his tongue, which is mans glory, and wherewith he honours God: The latter is most likely, because Christ is not said to loose his tongue, but onely to cast out the devil, and then he speaks, verse 33.

Matthew 9:33

It was never so seen in Israel] No prophet ever did the like before.

Matthew 9:34

But the Pharisees said] These learned men judge worse of Christs miracles, then the people did, who were more ignorant.

He casteth out the devils] Chap. 12. 24. Mark 3:22. Luke 11:15. It seems this was not spoken in Christs hearing, because he gives no answer to it, as Chap. 12.

the prince of the devils] There seems to be an order among devils, the authours of all disorder. They rob God of his glory, and accuse Christ for a Magician, who had entred into covenant with the prince of devils, and so had got power to cast out inferiour devils.

Matthew 9:35

And Jesus went about, &c.] Mark 6:6. Luke 13. 22. See on Chap. 4. 23.

in their synagogues] They had synagogues in villages, as well as in cities. So Christians had churches, Romans 16:1.

among the people] He was not like covetous physicians, who are very carefull of rich patients, but neglect the poor. He healed the poorest also.

Matthew 9:36

But when he saw the multitudes] Mark 6:34.

moved with compassion] On their souls, because they wanted instruction.

fainted] Or, were ired and lay down.

as sheep having no shepherd] Numbers 27:17. Scattered abroad, not knowing where to get food, and exposed to many dangers. So are people without a pastour, 1 Kings 22:17. They had teachers, but none that tendered their good.

Matthew 9:37

The harvest truely is plenteous] Luke 10. 2. It pitied him to see so many Galileans like corn, ready to be brought into Gods barn, by conversion; and harvest-men, that is, ministers, wanting to bring them in, John 4. 35. The peoples mindes were stirred up to expectation of better teaching, by Johns preaching, and Christs doctrine and miracles. This seems to be the occasion of sending his apostles abroad, Chap. 10. 15.

Matthew 9:38

that he will send forth labourers] Word for word, cast them out, for men are very slow in so holy a work.