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Bible Commentary for Malachi 1 thru Matthew 17

Malachi Chapter 1

Scholars believe that Malachi prophesied after 515 BCE because temple worship had been restored and the priests were officiating at the temple. He may have been contemporary with Ezra or Nehemiah because he condemns the same sins that these two prophets encountered.

Malachi begins his prophecy by giving Israel reassuring words that Jehovah does love them. They may have begun to doubt Jehovah’s love for them because they questioned it. Jehovah reminds them that He chose Jacob over Esau although Esau was the firstborn of the two. Esau had been so wicked that the land that he was given had been turned into a wasteland where desert animals lived. Even if Esau attempted to rebuild their homeland, Jehovah vowed that He would demolish whatever they rebuilt. They will be known as the ‘people who are always under Jehovah’s wrath.’ Israel will see this and acknowledge that Jehovah rules beyond the borders of Israel.

Malachi directs his attention to the priests who are not giving Jehovah the honor due Him and are despising His name. This is a charge that they do not believe that they are guilty of so they ask Jehovah how are they despising His name. He tells them that when they sacrifice defiled food on His altar, animals that are blind, diseased and crippled, it is tantamount to saying that Jehovah’s table is contemptible to them. Would they take such sacrifices to their governor and expect that he would be pleased with it? Then why would they expect that Jehovah would be pleased with this kind of offering? (Leviticus 22:17-25)

It would be better for them if someone would simply close the doors to the temple because what they are offering to Jehovah was not pleasing to Him and He would not accept anything that they offered. But Jehovah says that His name is going to be honored. People of the nations will offer pure and acceptable sacrifices to Him because they will show the greatest respect for His name. Again Jehovah reprimands these priests for their total disrespect of Him and the Israelite that brings this type of sacrifice to the priests will be cursed. Jehovah is the Great King and His Name is be feared by all peoples.

Malachi Chapter 2

Jehovah admonishes the priests to listen and repent, setting their hearts to honor Him. If they choose not to do this, then He will take action against them. He was already overturning the blessings that they pronounced on the people by turning them into curses. He would cut off their descendants and would spread the fecal matter from the animals that they killed on their faces, defiling them. They would then have to be removed from the courtyard just as they removed the animal offal. He would do this in order to continue the covenant that He has made with Levi. This covenant required that the Levites give Him the proper reverence due Him, which they had done in the past. They had held Him in awe and had taught truth and had walked in uprightness before him. (Exodus 32:28, 29; Numbers 25:11-13; Deuteronomy 33:8-11)

The priests had a heavy responsibility before the people. They were the messengers of Jehovah whose responsibility was to teach truth to the people. (Leviticus 10:11) But those priests now serving in the temple had turned from doing what was right and their teachings had caused many people to sin rather than turning them from sin thus breaking the Levitical covenant. They were also perverting the law by showing partiality in interpreting it. Because of this Jehovah had humiliated them before the people and caused them to despise their priests.

Malachi now turns his attention to the people of Judah as they were profaning the covenant by breaking faith with one another. They were desecrating Jehovah’s sanctuary by marrying foreign women and yet continuing to bring offerings to Jehovah as though they were doing no wrong. The ones doing this Jehovah would cut off from the people. (Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:23-25, 27)

The people were also weeping because they knew that Jehovah did not accept their offering and they said that they did not understand why He would not. Malachi told them that it was because they had broken the marital covenant with the wives that they had married in their youth. They were probably divorcing their older wives so that they could marry either younger women but more probably it was to marry foreign women. Jehovah had made them one flesh so that their offspring would be godly, which would not have been true if they were married to foreign women. He made it clear that He hated divorce because He saw it as acting in a violent way toward their mates. They also needed to be careful of the words that they spoke against Jehovah accusing Him of being pleased with those who do evil or questioning whether He would act in justice against evildoers. (Zephaniah 1:12)

Malachi Chapter 3

Jehovah’s answer to them was that He was going to send His messenger to prepare the way for Him, the one that they were desiring, the messenger of the covenant. But the problem would be which of them would be able to endure that day. For this one would be like the fire a refiner uses when he is purifying silver or gold to remove all the dross or impurities. He would purify the Levites so that they would be fit to bring offerings to Jehovah in righteousness and Jehovah would find the offerings of the people acceptable as He had done in times past.

Jehovah Himself would afterwards come for judgment against the people. He will bring charges against the sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who defraud their workers of their wages, those who oppress widows and orphans and those who do not treat aliens justly.

Jehovah reminds the people that He has not changed. They have not been completely destroyed because He keeps His promises. They however do not, as they have not kept His law and have been sinning for a long time. But Jehovah still holds out the invitation to them to repent and return to Him and He would return to them. They still show that they do not believe that they could be so wrong because they asked Him how should they return.

Jehovah does not answer that question but He ask them why are they robbing Him and of course they ask how are they doing this. He tells them that they are not bringing the tithes and offerings that they agreed to bring to His house. (Nehemiah 13:10) Therefore they were all under a curse because of this. But if they would bring His food to His house so that the priest could eat, then He would remove the curse that they were under. He would open up the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing on them such that they would not have room to store it all. He would bless their crops so that the pests would not devour them and their vines would not drop their fruit. They would have so much that the nations around them would call them blessed.

Malachi now points out the harsh words the people were speaking against Jehovah. They were complaining that their worship was futile and that they did not gain any benefits from for it. They were going around like people in mourning and the wicked and arrogant were prospering and even those who defied God were escaping punishment. But there were those who feared Jehovah and honored His name and they began speaking to one another, probably words of encouragement to continue serving Jehovah, and He heard them. The names of these persons were recorded on a scroll of remembrance before Jehovah. Jehovah said that these ones He would spare when He comes for judgment and they would become His treasured possession. Israel would see the differences between those who are righteous and those who are not and between those who serve Him and those who do not.

Malachi Chapter 4

Jehovah’s Day of Judgment is likened to a fiery furnace that will set on fire all of the arrogant ones and every evildoer among the people; nothing will be left of them, neither branch nor root. But those who have shown proper fear of His Name will be joyful and will receive a spiritual healing. When Jehovah brings these things about, the righteous will trample on the ashes of those who experience His judgment. Israel is reminded to remember all of the ordinances and statutes that He gave through Moses. But before that dreadful day of Jehovah comes, He will send Elijah the prophet to turn the hearts of the people back to Him before He comes and have to destroy them.

Jesus spoke of John the Baptist as being a fulfillment of this prophecy. The angel told his father before his birth that John would ‘go before Jehovah in the spirit and power of Elijah.’ (Luke 1:17; Matthew 11:14) Since there was not a restoration of all things in John’s day, there must still be a future fulfillment of these words. (Matthew 17:11)

Matthew Chapter 1

The name, Matthew, is drawn from the Hebrew word Mat-tith-yah, meaning “Gift of Jah.” Matthew was one of the original 12 apostles and he was an eye-witness of Jesus’ entire earthly ministry. Its not known precisely when he wrote this particular book but we know it was written primarily for a Jewish audience. We see from verses 2 thru 6 of the first chapter, Jesus’ lineage (through his foster father Joseph’s line) from Abraham to King David, some 14 generations. Then we note, from King David up to the deportation from Babylon proves to be another 14 generations (verses 6b to verse 11). Finally, we note another 14 generations starting from the return to Palestine (from Babylon) up to Jesus. – Matthew 1:17

The miraculous birth of Jesus is always an amazing story to relate. Verse 18 shows us the simple fact that Mary is chosen by Jehovah God to become a surrogate mother for baby Jesus. In our modern age, we can finally understand exactly what must have occurred when Jehovah took this most unusual action toward Mary, in making her the first and only woman impregnated by “holy spirit.” Yes, the bible says Mary was “found to be pregnant by holy spirit.” Of course, Jewish Law demanded when an unmarried woman was found to be pregnant, serious consequences would follow resulting perhaps in the lost of her life even. Therefore, Jehovah Himself would have to take special steps to ensure that this did not happen, since Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph at that time. The bible shows us that Joseph was a “righteous” man and did not want to make Mary a “public spectacle,” when he learned of the apparent pregnancy of Mary. Therefore, he wanted to “divorce her secretly.” True, a “divorce,” would be needed since under Jewish Law, engaged couples were considered as already married and thus, a “divorce” would be necessary in Joseph’s eyes to annul his future marriage to Mary.

Because of this situation, Jehovah God intervened and through a miraculous “dream” gave explicit instructions to Joseph to marry his bride immediately (take her home), and to give the new baby the name “Jesus,” as the name means “Jehovah is Salvation.” Of course, Joseph was told this child was actually from God, as he was told that Mary was made pregnant by “holy spirit.” The bible accounts shows us Joseph now woke from his miraculous dream, and carried out all of the instructions given him through the dream. Naturally, Joseph was to have no marital relations with his new wife, till after the baby Jesus was to be born. – Matthew 1:24, 25

In verse 21, the angel told Joseph that this child would save his people from their sins, that is, the people of Israel. Contrary to popular belief, this is what Jesus himself emphasized concerning his ministry. At Matthew 15:24, he said: “I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” For further scriptural proof for this statement, see the article “For Whom Did Jesus Die?” at this link:

http://www.livingwatersforum.com/phpBB3 ... .php?t=179

Matthew Chapter 2

Jesus’ birth occurred during the reign of Herod the Great, an Idumean or Edomite, who had been appointed by the Roman Senate in 40 BCE to be king of the Jews. Astrologers came to Jerusalem because they had seen a star that they associated with the rulers of the Jews. Since Jerusalem was the capital of the nation, it is natural that they would come here to pay homage to this new king. Of course, this disturbed Herod and he called the chief priest and the scribes, the teachers of the law, and asked where the christ was to be born. They quoted a prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2 that states that one who would shepherd Israel would be born in Bethlehem. Secretly, Herod then summoned the Astrologers to determine exactly when they had seen the star.

He then told them to make a careful search for the child and when they had found him, they were to report back to him so he could go and worship him. They went their way and the ‘star’ that they were following stopped above a house where the child was. They went in and paid homage to him giving him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. They were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod but to return to their land by a different route.

After the men left, an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to take his wife and son and escape to Egypt. He was to stay there until Jehovah gave him permission to come back. They left that night and went into Egypt where they remained until Herod died. The prophecy recorded at Hosea 11:1 would then have a fulfillment, which says: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When the Astrologers did not return to him, Herod was furious and he gave the order to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and the surrounding area who were two years of age and under. Another prophecy recorded in the book of Jeremiah (31:15) would be fulfilled as a result of Herod’s action.

After the death of Herod, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him that he and his family could return to the land of Israel. After he returned he learned that Herod’s son was ruling in Judea, so he decided not to return there but instead, after receiving a warning, went to the district of Galilee and settled in a town called Nazareth. It is stated that Jesus would be called a ‘Nazarene,’ although this statement is not recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures. According to the NIV footnote for verse 23: “Some hold that in speaking of Jesus as a “Nazarene,” Matthew is referring to the word “Branch” (Hebrew neser) in Isaiah 11:1.”

Matthew Chapter 3

Some thirty years later, a man by the name of John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness that Israel should repent because the kingdom of the heavens was near. He was carrying out a fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 as the “voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way for Jehovah.” He wore the clothing of a prophet, an outer garment of camel’s hair with a leather belt girded around his waist. His diet consisted of locust and wild honey. All the people would come to him to confess their sins and to be baptized in the Jordan River. Their confessions of sins had to do with their violating the Mosaic Law covenant that they were under obligation to obey.

Even the Pharisees and Sadducees came to him and John asked them if they were trying to flee the coming wrath. If they were truly repentant, they must produce fruit that befit repentance. They could not hide behind the fact that they were natural descendants of Abraham because Jehovah could bring forth children for Abraham out of stones. Jehovah’s judgment was already upon them and any tree that did not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. John was baptizing in water as a symbol of repentance but this was only the first step for these people. Another one was coming after him who would baptize them with holy spirit or with fire. This one would do a separating work whereby he would gather the wheat-like ones into his storehouse and the chaff or worthless ones would be consumed as if by fire.

Jesus then came to the Jordan to be baptized by John but John wanted to refuse his request because he felt he needed Jesus to baptize him. John also knew that Jesus had not broken the Law of Moses and he was baptizing those who were repenting of these sins. But Jesus assured him that this was the righteous thing to do so John consented and baptized him. As soon as Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened up and John saw God’s spirit in the form of a dove come and alight on Jesus. Then he heard a voice from heaven say, “This is my son whom I love; and I am well pleased with him.”

There are two other instances mentioned in the Bible, during this time period, where Jehovah spoke audibly to humans. The second instance was to Jesus at the transfiguration when he had Peter, James and John with him. At this time Jehovah also identified Jesus as His son and the one that they should listen to. (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:36) The third time was shortly before the last Passover that Jesus celebrated when he was praying to Jehovah to glorify His name. The voice responded saying “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27, 28) Jesus told the crowd standing around that the voice had been for their benefit.

Matthew Chapter 4

In this particular chapter, Jesus is led to the “wilderness” to be tested by Satan the Devil himself. But first, Jesus fasts for a 40-day period – a miracle in itself. Now, Satan comes to him and poses the question: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” In other words, Satan wanted to play upon the fact that Jesus would by this time, be very, very hungry and would allow self-motive to lead him to perform a miracle or “sign” for Satan, to prove that He was indeed, God’s Son. However, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy. 8:3 (the words of Moses) which says: “Man must live not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.” By saying this, Jesus showed that adherence to God’s Word should always be given first place in one’s life, even if one is personally malnourished or famished in a physical sense. Therefore, in this case as in all others, Jesus never performed a miracle to BENEFIT himself, personally. But Jesus always performed miracles to BENEFIT OTHERS.

Next, Satan challenges Jesus by quoting Psalms 91:11, 12, and suggested that Jesus, yes “hurl” himself down from the Battlement of the temple, and allow the “angels” from heaven an opportunity to catch him in mid-air. Oh yes, this would be a grand display of God’s protection of Jesus as the Son of God. However, this would be a spectacular display, done just to prove to Satan that he was, indeed, God’s Son. Again, Jesus refuses by pointing out such an act would, if he were to carry this out, be wickedly “putting God to the test.” Apparently, after Jesus gave these two answers, Satan is now convinced that this human to whom he is talking to was indeed who he claimed to be, the actual Son of God from heaven. Therefore, Satan is now ready to make the big offer, namely to offer Jesus all the kingdoms or governments of the world. And all that he would require of Jesus was to “fall down and do an act of worship” to him. What blasphemy on Satan’s part!

Jesus appropriately responds to such a wicked request from Satan with the words: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, "It is Jehovah your God you must worship,” and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” At this time, Satan left Jesus, and the angels from heaven came to “minister” to him.

After Jesus learned of the arrest of John the Baptist, he now took up residence in Capernaum in Galilee, fulfilling the prophecy, “O land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the road of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people sitting in darkness saw a great light, and as for those sitting in a region of deathly shadow, light rose upon them.” Thus, from that time on, Jesus began preaching, “repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” – Isaiah 9:1, 2

While walking alongside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came upon Simon and Andrew, two fleshly brothers. Now Jesus gives the official invite for these fishermen to now join him in his most illustrious work. Yes, Jesus now gives the invite, “come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And of course, Peter and his fleshly brother, Andrew, respond to this invitation immediately. Next, Jesus came upon James, who is a son of Zebedee and his brother, namely John. Again, they at once, began to follow Jesus to become “fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:23 now shows Jesus beginning His Grand Galilean Ministry, going about teaching God's Word in the synagogues of Galilee and declaring the “good news of the kingdom, performing cures of every kind in that area. Consequently, verse 24 says: “and the report about him went out into all Syria; and they brought him all those faring badly, distressed with various diseases and torments, demon-possessed and epileptic and paralyzed persons and he cured them.” Amazing! Therefore, the word began to be spread and “great crowds” of people followed him from: Galilee, Decapolis, and Jerusalem and Judea and from the other side of the Jordan River.

Matthew Chapter 5

The first nine statements in this chapter are called the ‘happiness’’ and are statements that deal with the spiritual attitude of those who would be Jesus’ disciples. Those who are poor in spirit or who recognize that they are in need of spiritual help or guidance will be rewarded. Those who mourn because of the lack of spiritual help will be given such. Those who recognize the value of humility will be receive an inheritance. Those who have a strong desire for truth and willing to search for it will be filled. Those who know how to show mercy will themselves be shown mercy. Those whose hearts are single-minded and free from deceit will know that they are imitating God. Those who strive to keep a peaceable relationship with others will be known as sons of God. Those who are willing to accept persecution for the sake of righteousness will be assured of a place in God’s kingdom. To rejoice in the face of insults, slander and persecution shows that this person is imitating the course of righteousness.

Jesus likened his disciples to salt. Salt was used to enhance the taste of food and as a preservative keeping food from decaying. But He warned them that they could loose their saltiness or their ability to help others. He also compared them to light. They would be a light to the world in that they would be used to reveal divine truth that would aid those who would listen gain life. So they were not to keep this information to themselves but would tell it out so that men might see their good works and give praise to Jehovah.

Jesus told his followers that he came to fulfill the law and the prophets not to abolish them. Jehovah’s words would all be fulfilled even to the smallest particle of a letter or stroke of a pen, everything would be accomplished. Anyone who does not teach others to give full regard to all of these commands would be considered as an insignificant person in the kingdom while the one who stresses the importance of all of these commands will be viewed as someone great in the kingdom. Jesus also assured his disciples that their righteousness must surpass that of their leaders as these leaders believed that they could attain righteousness by keeping every detail of the law without giving attention to developing the spiritual characteristics that were required to be a complete spiritual person.

The people all knew that murder was wrong but Jesus emphasized that there were certain attitudes that would contribute to a person receiving the same judgment as a murderer would. Being angry with one’s brother could cause a person’s offering to Jehovah to be rejected so Jesus stressed the importance of settling whatever differences one would have with his brother quickly such that it does not lead to more serious problems.

Jesus also highlighted that the actual commission of adultery is not the only sin a person can commit. He stated that a person could develop immoral desires in his heart that would lead to sin. His advice was if one’s eye, the organ that one sees with, causes him to sin, then he should pluck it out, that is, he should not allow it to roam indiscriminately but should exercise control over it in order to save himself from destruction. The same advice would be applicable for the hand or other body part that could cause a person to sin. Jesus stated that the Jews were dealing treacherously with their wives by divorcing them on any ground that they chose. But he showed them that the law did not allow for such frivolity. Divorce can be obtained only on the grounds of marital infidelity because any other reason given for the divorce would make her subject to become an adulteress if she remarries.

On keeping oaths, Jesus stated that it was not necessary to swear by heaven or by God’s throne, or by Jerusalem to show that one would uphold his oath. He should simply let his ‘yes’ mean ‘yes’ or his ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Also the ‘eye for eye’ rule was not designed to be used for personal vengeance. He recommended that a person be yielding in dealing with someone who has evil intent, that is, if a person insults you, it is not necessary to respond in kind. If a person wants to take you to court, you could avoid this by simply giving this person what he demands. Or if someone asks for monetary assistance, you should be willing to help and not try to gain by charging exorbitant interest on what is borrowed. Lastly, Jesus showed that in order to imitate our Father, Jehovah, we should be loving towards all even to those who hate us and not just to those who show love to us.

Matthew Chapter 6

Jesus warns his disciples not to display their righteous works in front of people. The religious leaders were known for making sure that they were seen when they did their ‘good deeds’ so that men would honor them. Jesus said that this would be the only reward they would have. His advice was that whenever you do something for someone, it should be done in such as way that ‘even the right hand would not know what the left hand was doing.’ Then Jehovah who sees all would be the One who would reward them. Even when praying to Jehovah, one would not want to put on a big display of it as the Pharisees did, nor would one want to use many words or repeat them over and over again thinking that this would help God to hear then better. You don’t need to use many words because God already knows what you need even before you ask Him. Jesus then showed his disciples how to pray using a few words that covered all the essentials.

Jesus also emphasized the importance of being forgiving of others just as Jehovah is forgiving. If we are unable to be forgiving then we have no basis for asking Jehovah for forgiveness. When the Jews fasted they believed that they should be somber and disfigure themselves so that everyone would know what they were doing. Jesus’ advice was just the opposite. There should not be any outward show that they were fasting because then no one would know what they were doing as they were not fasting for the sake of man but to Jehovah.

Worldly possessions are not what we should put all of our emphasis on. Spiritual treasures are worth infinitely more and these cannot be destroyed or corrupted or stolen. Whatever a person treasures is what he will put his heart into. So we are admonished to keep our eye simple then we would not have a problem with putting too much emphasis on material things. Jesus stressed that a person cannot serve two masters as he will love one and hate the other. A person cannot love money and love God at the same time.

Jesus also advised that worrying about what we will eat, drink or wear would not guarantee that we would have these things. Jehovah has been providing the necessities of life for even the plants that do no work of any kind. Would He not rather provide for those who serve him? So he advised the people to put God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and Jehovah would provide their daily needs. This is certainly what the Law covenant stipulated.

Matthew Chapter 7

Jesus warned against condemning others because we would be judged by the same standards. What one condemns others for he is most likely guilty of also so he should examine himself first and take care of his own problems before he offers to help his brother or to even criticize him. Giving sacred things to those who have no appreciation for them is a waste. Since they cannot digest this information they become angry and abusive towards the giver of this information. Jesus told his disciples to be persistent when asking Jehovah for help. They should ask, seek and knock and they would be rewarded. Certainly Jehovah is more righteous than human fathers are who will not ignore their children’s requests or give them something that would be harmful for them. So His servants could expect that Jehovah would provide that which is good for those who ask Him. To be assured of having Jehovah’s help, they should treat their fellow humans in the same respectful manner that they wish to be treated. This is what the Law and the prophets were directing them to do.

Those who would be granted life will have to be willing to struggle to be successful as Jesus liken the road to life as entering upon a road through a narrow gate with the road itself being cramped. They would have to follow strict standards, exercise self-control and be self-sacrificing in order to remain on it. The road to destruction did not require any effort to remain there. Those on the road to life would have to keep on the watch for false prophets who look like sheep but who are dangerous to their faith. They would recognize these individuals by their fruit. Not everyone who acknowledged Jesus as Lord would be worthy of entering the kingdom. Jesus stated that they must do the will of his father, which must include more than prophesying, casting out demons or performing powerful works. Those who stressed doing these works only would not even be recognizable to Jesus.

It is not enough to simply listen to Jesus’ words. If they were to be a real foundation upon which one would build his hopes, he must put them into practice. Jesus liken the one who put into practice what he heard to one who built his house upon a foundation of rock and no matter how severe the weather was, the house would stand. But for those who heard but did not practice what they learned, they were likened to those who built their houses on a sandy foundation and the first storm that came alone would cause it to topple. These words of Jesus caused the crowd to be amazed because he spoke with authority not as one of their teachers whose teachings had to be based upon the authority of those who preceded them.

Matthew Chapter 8

After coming down the mountain where he had spoken to the crowds, a man with leprosy came toward him and said to him that if he were willing, he could heal him. Jesus said that he was willing and he healed his leprosy. He then told the man not to tell anyone what he had done but he was to go to the priest and offer the sacrifice that was required by the Mosaic Law. (Leviticus Chapter 14) He entered Capernaum and a centurion, a Roman officer who had one hundred soldiers under his command, came to him and asked him for help. His servant was very ill and he wanted Jesus to heal him. Jesus was agreeable to go with him but the centurion did not feel worthy of his entering his house so he said that Jesus could just say the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus was surprised at the faith of this man who was not a Jew. He said to those with him that many will come from the east and west and will be seated in the kingdom with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob while the sons of the kingdom would be thrown into the darkness outside where they would weep and gnash their teeth. Jesus was here indicating that people from the nations would be acceptable to Jehovah and would replace Israelites in the kingdom. The centurion’s servant was healed just as he believed would happen.

Jesus went to Peter’s house and found that his mother-in-law was ill with a fever. He healed her and she got up and began waiting upon him. That evening many were brought to him that were sick and demon possessed. He healed them all and drove out the demons such that the words of Isaiah 53:4 were applied to him. There were some who desired to follow Jesus but he knew that they were not as fully committed as they needed to be to endure the hardships that following him meant or that they would put other things ahead of their commitment to be his follower. When Jesus and his disciples got into a boat, a storm came up while Jesus was sleeping. His disciples woke him and said to him that they were about to drown. He got up and rebuked the wind and waves and they became calm. His disciples were amazed that Jesus even had authority over the elements.

They arrived in the region of the Gadarenes where they encountered two demon-possessed men who were very violent and would not allow anyone to pass that way. When the demons saw Jesus they asked him if he had come there to torture them before the appointed time. The demons knew that this would happen but they had associated it with a later period of time. There was a herd of pigs in the area and they requested that Jesus allow them to go into them as they knew that he would drive them out of the two men. Jesus allowed this and as soon as they entered the pigs the whole herd rushed down the steep embankment and fell into the lake and were all drowned. The men who were tending the pigs ran into town and told everyone what had happened. All of the people came out to where Jesus was and begged him to leave their vicinity.

Matthew Chapter 9

Jesus returned to Capernaum, his adopted home town (4:13), and a paralytic was brought to him. Because of his faith Jesus said to him that his sins were forgiven. The teachers of the law who were listening were appalled at this statement and said among themselves that Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus was aware of their thoughts and he asked them why were they thinking evil thoughts in their hearts. To say that a person’s sins are forgiven is the same as saying to him to get up and walk. So Jesus said to the man ‘get up, take your mat and go home.’ When the crowd saw this, they gave praise to Jehovah for giving a human this authority.

Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth and said to him ‘become my follower’ and he did. Later while Jesus and his disciples were eating a meal at Matthew’s house along with other tax collectors and ‘sinners,’ the Pharisees took exception to this. They asked his disciples why their teacher ate with sinners and Jesus responded that the healthy don’t need a physician only the sick do. He suggested that they go and learn the meaning of the words recorded at Hosea 6:6, words that they had overlooked. Jesus was interested in sinners, those in need, and not the righteous, those who believed they were free of any guilt against the Law.

Some of John’s disciples came to Jesus wanting to know why his disciples did not fast. He answered that that the friends of the bridegroom do not mourn while he is with them. Only when he has been taken away from them would they fast. Jesus used an illustration to show that he was introducing new ideas that would not fit with what had long been acceptable. He said that one would not sew a new patch on an old garment or put new wine into an old wineskin. Both of these actions were inappropriate due to the differences between the old and the new material. Wine expands as it ferments and old wineskins can not, hence new wine needs new wineskins.

One of the rulers came to Jesus and told him that his daughter had died and he wanted Jesus to bring her back to life. Jesus agreed to go with him and while on the way, a woman, who had been bleeding for twelve years, came up behind him and touched him believing that she would be healed. When he saw her, he told her that her faith had healed her. When he entered the home where the child had died, he had the mourners removed and he took the girl’s hand and she woke up. This news spread like wildfire throughout the region.

Later he met two blind men who wanted their sight returned. Jesus asked them if they really believed that he could do this and they answered that they did. So on the basis of their faith, he restored their sight. A demon-possessed man, who could not speak, was brought to him. After driving the demon out of the man, he began to speak and this caused great amazement among the crowd because they had never seen anything like this but the Pharisees were cynical and attributed this ability to Jesus being under the power of the prince of the demons.

As Jesus continued going through Israel teaching the people, preaching the good new of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and sickness, he noticed the terrible spiritual condition of the people and he knew that there was a lot of work to be done. So he said to his disciples that the harvest was plentiful but the workers were few. They were to beg Jehovah to send out more workers into His field to help with the harvesting.

Matthew Chapter 10

Jesus called the twelve disciples together to prepare them for participating in the harvesting work. The names of the twelve were Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John, sons of Zebedee, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. He gave them authority to drive out demons and to heal every disease and sickness. They were instructed to preach only among the Israelites and were not to go to the Gentiles and Samaritans. The theme of their message was that the kingdom of heaven had drawn near and as they preached, they would heal those who were sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and drive out the demons. They were not to take with them any extra clothes or money as the people that listened to them would provide for them.

When they came upon someone who wanted to listen to them and was hospitable, they would stay with this person until they had completed their teaching in this town or village. They would let their peace rest upon this house. When they entered a town of village and they did not find anyone who was worthy of their company, then they would leave there and shake the dust of the city or town off of their feet and clothes. They would then be symbolically indicating that this Israelite town was no different than a pagan city that a Jew would consider as polluted and worthy of destruction. According to the NIV Bible Commentary, Volume II, page 49, “A pious Jew, on leaving Gentile territory, might remove from his feet and clothes all dust of the pagan land now being left behind, thus dissociating himself from the pollution of those lands and the judgment in store for them.”

Jesus reminded his followers that they would be like sheep sent among wolves and that would require them to combine the characteristics of the snake and the dove. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 49, says this about this command: “Doves are retiring but not astute; they are easily ensnared by the fowler. So Jesus’ disciples, in their mission as sheep among wolves, must be ‘shrewd,’ avoiding conflicts and attacks where possible; but they must also be ‘innocent,’ i.e., not so cautious, suspicious, and cunning that circumspection degenerates into fear or elusiveness.”

They also could expect opposition from the local governments of the towns that they visited as well as from the Gentile rulers. But they were not to worry about how they would respond to these authorities as what they were to say would be given to them through Jehovah’s holy spirit. Their own family members would also betray them and have them put to death. All of this hatred would be heaped upon them because they were representing Jesus and it would require their being determined to stand firm to the end. Because of this persecution they would be obliged to flee from one city to another and would not reach all of the cities of Israel before the son of man returned. Many of the problems mentioned here did not occur until after Jesus was resurrected and they were given a much wider territory to cover. (Matthew 28:19, 20) They would then face Jews who lived among Gentiles but who did not believe these ones were worthy of hearing the good news. (Acts 6:12-15, 59; 8:1; 12:1-4; 13:50; 14:2, 19, 20; 17:13; 18:5, 6)

They had been taught by Jesus, who was their teacher and they were to imitate the example that he had left for them. They could not expect to excel above him. They would receive the same treatment in their ministry as he had encountered in his. So they were to be fearless as he was and what he told them they were to exclaim vocally as though from the rooftops. The only thing that humans could take away from them was their present physical life, not their eternal future. Jehovah was concerned for all of his creation and even the death of an insignificant animal such as the sparrow was not outside of His purview. Would He not be more concerned about His human servants and how they fared, hence they were not to be afraid. The assignment that they were given would make them unpopular with men but if they were not afraid to acknowledge him before men, he would acknowledge them before his Heavenly Father. If they disowned him before men, he would disown them before Jehovah.

Jesus recognized that his ministry would cause divisions within families as a son would turn against his father, a daughter against her mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law as it had been foretold in the scriptures that “a man’s enemies would be members of his own household.” (Micah 7:6) Since they knew that families would be divided over who Jesus was, then anyone who preferred to keep the family united rather then cleave to truth then this person could not be called a disciple of Jesus. He was not willing to bear up under the burden that losing his family would bring upon him. If he puts more importance on his current life than his future life and does not want it to change because he does not want to face persecution or the loss of his family then he will lose his hope of eternal life.

Those who accepted these ‘sent forth ones’ were in effect accepting Jesus and Jehovah, which showed that they recognized these ones as their representatives and Jehovah would not fail to reward them for this insight. Giving one of these something as insignificant as a cup of cold water simply because they were disciples of Jesus would bring a reward to that person.

Matthew Chapter 11

After instructing his disciples, Jesus continued teaching and preaching in Galilee. When John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard what Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the ‘coming one’ or were they to expect someone else. Jesus told them to go back and tell John that scriptures such as Isaiah 35:5, 6 and Isaiah 61:1 were being fulfilled. If anyone understood the fulfillment of these scriptures differently than the way that Jesus was fulfilling them, Jesus said that they would be blessed if they did not stumble over him.

Jesus then spoke to the crowd about John. When they went out to the wilderness to John, they did not expect to find a man who was not stable in his faith nor a man wearing the mantle of a noble. No, they expected to find a prophet and this is exactly what John was and even more. Jesus showed that he was the messenger that Malachi spoke of who would prepare the way for Jehovah. (Malachi 3:1) He also said that John was the greatest prophet up to that time yet the one who was least in the kingdom of the heavens would be greater than he is. Since John would die before Jesus did, he would miss out on the opportunity of going to heaven to rule with Jesus.

Jesus said that since the time that John began his ministry until the present time, men have been striving to attain to the kingdom. The opportunity had now presented itself. The law and prophets had all pointed to this. And Jesus went a step further and stated that if their understanding would allow for it, John is ‘Elijah who was to come.’ (Malachi 4:5) His next statement showed that it would require that they would need keen spiritual discernment to understand what he was saying to them. John, in a typical way, was Elijah in that his work came before the destruction of the nation of Israel in his day, but Malachi was speaking of a day coming when the restoration of all things would occur where the entire world of mankind would be affected. Therefore, we expect to see another Elijah come in our modern times in harmony with Jesus words at Matthew 17:11.

Jesus said that the present generation of Israelites were like disgruntle children who were not satisfied with what they were given. John had lived a rather simple life not caring about what he ate or drank, but the people accused him of being demon possessed. Jesus, who did sit down with the people to eat and drink, was accused of being a drunk and a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. The people had no solid ground for rejecting either of them on the basis of their lifestyle. Their righteous works would vindicate them.

Jesus had performed many miracles in the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida but they had not repented of their sins. Jesus told them that the wicked cities of Tyre and Sidon would have been more responsive to him had he preached to them than these Israelites cities had been. So their judgment would be harsher than that of Tyre and Sidon. He then compares Sodom to his home town of Capernaum stating that Sodom, if they had been given the opportunity that Capernaum had, they would still be existence up to this day. They too would receive a lighter judgment than Capernaum. The Israelite cities were inexcusable in their rejection of Jesus after seeing all of his miraculous works.

Jesus praised Jehovah because He has chosen to reveal divine truth to those that were not considered wise in the eyes of the nation leaving the so-called wise men in the dark as they chose not to exercise faith in Jehovah. It was Jehovah’s will to commit all things in Jesus’ hand and since Jesus was the only one who really knew Jehovah, he could choose to reveal Him to whomever he chose. Jesus invites any that desired to come to him and he would provide refreshment and rest for them because following him would not be burdensome for them. Their load would be much lighter than what their religious leaders were currently putting on them. (1 John 5:3; Matthew 23:4)

Matthew Chapter 12

Jesus and his disciples passed through a field of grain and because they were hungry they picked some grain and ate it. The Pharisees saw this and condemned them for breaking the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them that David and his companions had eaten the showbread that was reserved for the priests alone when they were hungry, yet they did not condemn him for doing this. The priests constantly desecrate the Sabbath by what they do in the temple yet they are remain innocent. Jesus again reminds them that they do not understand what it means to be merciful. (9:13) Anyway, Jesus tells them that he is Lord of the Sabbath and hence knows what is lawful and what is not lawful to do on that day.

Again Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath. He was about to heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath when the people asked him if it is lawful to do this on the Sabbath. He asked them if it was lawful for them to pull one of their animals out of a pit on the Sabbath. If they could do this on the Sabbath then he could heal a man on the Sabbath as he was certainly more valuable that an animal. He restored the man’s hand and the Pharisees hated him so much that they decided to figure out a way to kill him. Jesus being aware of their plan decided to leave that place and many followed him and he continued to heal them, charging them not to make him known. This was to fulfill the prophecy recorded at Isaiah 42:1-4, which states in part, “He will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”

When he cured a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute the people were again astounded and wondered if Jesus might possibly be the ‘son of David.’ The Pharisees again objected to the conclusion that the people drew and they attributed his power to the prince of the demons. (9:34) Jesus knows their thoughts and he says to them that if Beelzebub is giving him his power, then he is working against himself. Some Jews also claimed to be able to exorcise demons from people, so he asked them who gave them their power. But if they are wrong and they learn that it is God who is behind him, then the kingdom of God has slipped upon them and they are unaware of it.

Jesus told them every sin would be forgiven them except blasphemy against the spirit. They could speak words against him and that would be forgiven them but whoever speaks a word against the holy spirit would not be forgiven in this present age nor in the age to come. They were speaking against holy spirit when they attributed the visible works of God’s holy spirit to the demons. Jesus called these men a brood of vipers that could not speak words that were good because their hearts were wicked and Jesus made sure that they knew that they spoke from what was in their hearts. In the judgment they will have to give an accounting for every thoughtless word that they spoke.

Some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law told Jesus that they needed to see a sign from him. He called them a wicked and adulterous generation because of this. The only sign that they would be given was the sign of the prophet Jonah. Just as he was in the belly of the fish for three day and three nights, so the son of man would be in the heart of the earth. In the judgment, the people of Nineveh would condemn this generation because they repented when Jonah preached to them but these people had refused to do so. The Queen of Sheba would also condemn them because she traveled from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Yet this generation had someone who was greater than Solomon with them and they had little or no appreciation for him.

Jesus likens the generation that he is dealing with to a man that had been exorcised of a demon. This demon, unable to find another place to go, decides to return to his original place of lodging. When he returns to it, he finds that it is unoccupied, clean and in order. So he brings even more demons with him that are more wicked than himself and they take over this man. His condition now is much worse than it was at the beginning. The nation initially had one demon occupying it but now they have seven more demons and so are worse off that they originally were because they refuse to commit to do Jehovah’s will.

When Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers came to talk to him. When he was told this, he looked at the people around him and said that they were his mother and his brothers. Anyone doing the will of his Father in heaven was his family.

Matthew Chapter 13

The crowds that gathered around Jesus were so large that he got into a boat on the lake so that he could he could talk to them all. He spoke to them in parables or illustrations as it had been prophesied that he would. (Psalms 78:2) He gave them an illustration of the farmer who sowed seed and some of it falling on a pathway and the birds ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky places that had little soil depth. Although the seed did sprout, the heat from the sun caused it to wither because it had no root. Some seed fell among thorns that choked the plants. Other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and others one hundred-fold. To understand this parable would require keen spiritual discernment.

The disciples later asked him why he spoke to the people in parables and he replied that it had been granted to them to understand what he was saying but understanding was not granted to the general populace. Deuteronomy 29:4 showed that the understanding of the nation during Moses’ day was dull and Jesus showed that nothing had changed for them since then. He applied the words recorded at Isaiah 6:9, 10 to them. Their hearts had become callous, their ears could hardly hear and they had shut their eyes. If they had not allowed this to happen to them, then they would have been able to get the sense of what Jesus was saying and so Jehovah would have healed them. This is a description of a people who were called by God's name and had had this privilege for some 1500 years. (Numbers 6:27)

The disciples had not been guilty of this so Jesus said that their ears and eyes were blessed because they could both see and hear the things that the prophets and other righteous men had wanted to hear and see. He then explained to them the meaning of the parable of the sower. It dealt with the heart condition that those who heard the message about the kingdom would evince. The seed sown on the pathway represented the heart reaction of the one who did not understand and Satan came and took away what little he did have. The seed that fell on rocky soil represents the one who hears the word and accepts it with joy but since he has no root, persecution will cause him to fall away quickly. The seed that fell among the thorns is the one who hears the word but allows the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth to choke it so it produces no fruit. The seed that fell on the good soil is the one who hears and understands the word and he is fruitful, producing a large crop.

Jesus then spoke another illustration where he likened the kingdom of heaven to a man who sowed good wheat seeds in his field. At a later time, someone came along and sowed weed seed in the field. When the wheat seed sprouted and formed a head, then the servants noticed the weeds. They told the owner what they saw and asked if he knew who had done this. He told them his enemy had done it. When asked if he wanted them to pull them up, he said that if they did they would also uproot the wheat at the same time. They were to wait until the harvest when he would tell the harvesters to collect the weeds and bundle them so that they could be burned. Then they were to collect the wheat and put it into the storehouse.

The NIV Bible Commentary, page 68, gives an explanation for why the owner chose to wait before pulling up the weeds. It says: “What he (the enemy) sowed in the field was almost certainly bearded darnel, which is botanically close to wheat and difficult to distinguish from it when the plants are young. The roots of the two plants entangle themselves around each other; but when the heads of grain appear on the wheat, there is no doubt which plant is which. As the growing takes place, the servants tell their master or the head of the house about the weeds.”

In Jesus’ explanation of this illustration (see verses 37-42), he said that the sower is the son of man, the field is the world, the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom, the weed seed represents the sons of the wicked one, the enemy is Satan, the harvest is the end of an age and the harvesters are the angels. The son of man will send forth his angels to weed out everyone who does evil and they will be thrown into the fiery furnace where they will gnash their teeth. The righteous ones will then shine brightly like the sun. Again keen spiritual discernment is needed to understand this saying.

In another illustration, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that a man planted in his garden. The seed itself is very small but when it grows it becomes a large enough tree that the birds perch on its branches. He likened the kingdom of heaven to yeast that a woman works thoroughly into the dough she is making. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a treasure that a man finds in a field. He sells all of his belonging so that he can buy the field. It is also likened to a man who finds a valuable pearl and he sells all that he has so that he can buy it.

Another illustration likens the kingdom to a net that was let down into the lake and all kinds of fish were collected in it. The good fish was put into baskets and the bad fish was thrown away. In the same manner as with the parable of the wheat and weeds, at the end of the age there will be a separating of the wicked and the righteous and the wicked will be thrown into a situation where they weep and gnash their teeth at the righteous.

Jesus asks his disciples if they understand his parables and they said that they did. He then told them that every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven can now pull together the information from the law and the prophets and add it to the recent information that he has received and he will be able to understand the whole gamut of the teachings about the kingdom.

When Jesus returned to his hometown and began teaching in the synagogue, they could not understand why he had so much wisdom and power as he was simply the son of a carpenter and they all knew his family of whom none showed those same capabilities. So they stumbled over him and he said to them that ‘a prophet receives honor everywhere except in his own home or hometown. As a result of their lack of faith, he could not do many miracles. This was an inexcusabele attitude on the part of these people. Their rejection of Jesus stemmed from the fact that they did not know Jehovah nor did they recognize truth when they heard it.

***©2005 by YORWW Congregation

Matthew Chapter 14

Herod Antipas, who ruled a fourth part of his father, Herod the Great’s kingdom, heard reports about Jesus and he thought that John the Baptist had been resurrected from the dead. Herod had had John arrested and put in prison because John told him that it was not lawful for him to be married to his brother’s wife, Herodias. (Leviticus 18:16) John probably regularly reminded him of this sin and Herod believed that his political career was in jeopardy so he wanted to get rid of him but he was afraid to do so because the people regarded John as a prophet.

A comment from Harper’s Bible Dictionary, under the title, Herod, helps us to understand why John spoke to Herod the way that he did. It says: “The Idumeans had been forcibly converted to Judaism by John Hyrcanus (134-104 B.C.), and thus the family of Herod was, at least technically, Jewish.”

During his birthday celebration, Herodias took a hand in manipulating the situation so that Herod would kill John, against his better wishes. She had her daughter, Salome, dance for Herod and he was so pleased with her that he promised to give her whatever she asked for. At her mother’s urgings, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod was distressed at this request but he had to honor it because of his oath. So he had John killed and he gave her John’s head on a platter. John’s disciples came to the prison and took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.

When Jesus heard this news, he went to an isolated place to be alone but the crowds followed him. When he saw them, he felt pity for them and began healing their sick. Towards evening, his disciples urged him to send the crowd away so that they could find food for themselves. Jesus told them that it would be better if they feed them but his disciples told them that they did not have enough food to feed all of them. What they did have, he told them to give it to him. He then had the crowd to recline on the grass and he gave thanks to God and began giving pieces of bread and fish to his disciples to distribute among the people. After the five thousand people had eaten, they gathered up twelve baskets of food that was left over. Some scholars believe that is wives and children were included, the number may have been upwards of 15,000 people in total.

After sending the crowd away, Jesus told his disciples to get in the boat and go to the west side of the Sea of Galilee. However, he went upon the mountain so that he could pray. The disciples had rowed a considerable distance but they were having problems because the wind was against them. When Jesus finally started towards them it was around three a.m. in the morning. He came towards them walking on the water and when the disciples saw him they thought they were seeing a ghost and so became very fearful. But Jesus told them not to be afraid as it was only him. Peter, in his impetuous manner, said that if he were Jesus, then he should command him to come to him by walking on the water. Jesus then commanded him to come to him. Peter got out of the boat and began walking on the water, but when he saw how the wind was moving the water, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus reached out to help him and he chided him about his lack of faith. This act of Jesus’ walking on water served to impress on these men just who he was, that he was really the son of God. When they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus and they began bringing their sick to him for them to be healed.

Matthew Chapter 15

Some of the Pharisees and scribes approached Jesus regarding the fact that his disciples did not observe the oral traditions of the elders with reference to the way that they washed their hands before eating a meal. The NIV Bible Commentary, page 74, tells us this: “The ‘tradition of the elders’ refers to the great corpus of oral teaching that commented on the law and interpreted it in detailed rules of conduct, often recording the diverse opinions of competing rabbis. This tradition in Jesus’ time was largely oral, but the Pharisees viewed it as having authority very nearly equal to the canon.” Jesus’ response to them was to ask them why did they violate the commands of God for the sake of their traditions.

He then cited a case where they were guilty of this. God’s law stated that children should honor their parents and anyone cursing his parents should be put to death. According to their tradition, a man could say to his parent that the help he might have given them has been given as a gift devoted to God so that he would not have to honor his parents by using this gift to help them. In this way they nullified God’s law by putting their traditions ahead of it. He then applies Isaiah 29:13 to them which says in essence that the people honored Jehovah with their lips and not their hearts. Their worship was in vain because they followed teachings of men rather than those of God.

Jesus then turned to the crowd and spoke a parable to them that they were to listen to and get the meaning of. He told them that what made a man unclean was not what goes into him through his mouth but what comes out of him through his mouth. The disciples then told Jesus that the Pharisees had been offended by what he said. Jesus replied that since they were not a plant that Jehovah had planted, they would be uprooted. They were blind guides and would only mislead others who were blind so they should not follow them. Peter then asked him to explain the parable that he had just spoken. He said that what is put into the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated from the body. But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart and these things make a person unclean. Because from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, etc., and these things defile the person, not eating with unwashed hands.

Jesus traveled to the area of Tyre and Sidon where he encountered a woman whose daughter was suffering because of being demon-possessed. She constantly cried out to him and the disciples wanted him to send her away. Jesus told her that he has been sent to help the lost sheep of Israel only. She continued to beg him to help her and he said to her that it was not right to give the children’s food to dogs. She replied that the dogs did get the crumbs that fell from the table. Jesus was amazed at her faith and he healed her child.

Jesus left Tyre and traveled to the Sea of Galilee where great crowds came to him bringing all of the sick, lame, blind and crippled and he healed them all. The people were amazed at seeing these miraculous works and they gave praise to the God of Israel. The crowds had been with Jesus for three days and had nothing to eat and he was concerned about them. He did not want to send them to their homes hungry as they might collapse on the way. His disciples knew that there was no place close by where they could get enough food to feed them all. Jesus asked what provisions did they have and they told him. He had the crowd to sit down and then took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks to God, broke them in pieces and had his disciples began distributing the food to the people. After all four thousand people had eaten to satisfaction, the disciples gathered up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Then Jesus sent the crowd away and he proceeded to the city of Magadan.

Matthew Chapter 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees, though they never acted in concert before, came to Jesus to test him. They wanted him to prove to them who he was by giving them a sign from heaven so they were probably looking for something spectacular. Jesus reminded them that they were very capable of interpreting the signs that indicated what the weather would be like but they could not interpret the signs concerning the times in which they lived, many of which they were already aware of. Their needing to see a sign indicated that they were wicked and the only sign that they would see would be the sign of Jonah. (12:39)

As Jesus and his disciples continue on their journey, the disciples realize that they had forgotten to bring any bread with them. Then Jesus, with his mind on the Pharisees, told them to be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They missed the point of his statement because their minds were on physical bread. Jesus realized that they did not understand what he was saying so he reminded them that whether or not they had bread with them did not matter. Didn’t they remember that Jehovah had fed four thousand people on one occasion with very little and another five thousand people on another occasion with a small amount? He was talking to them about the yeast of the Pharisees, their corrupting teachings. They finally got the point.

When they arrived in Caesarea Phillipi, Jesus asked his disciples who were the people saying he was. They said that some were saying that he was John the Baptist, others said Elijah, and others thought he was one of the prophets. Then he wanted to know who they thought he was. Peter answered that he was the Christ, the son of the Living God. Jesus called Peter blessed because this knowledge had not been revealed to him by men but by Jehovah. Although Jesus pointed to Peter as being a rock, as this is what his name means, the rock that the congregation would be built upon was the solid stone of Jesus as the son of the living God. But Peter, along with others, would be used in this building work; he would be given the keys of the kingdom to unlock doors for others to gain entry into this congregation or kingdom.

This verse (18) is used by some religions to prove that Peter was the first Pope of Rome. Ephesians 2:20 shows that the congregation had been built upon the foundation of all the apostles and prophets but the chief cornerstone of this building was Jesus himself. - See also 1 Peter 2:4-6. The cornerstone is the most important stone in a building.

After Jesus made this revelation, he began to tell his disciples what the future held for him. He told them that he had to go to Jerusalem and would suffer much at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed and raised on the third day. Peter, not understanding the scriptures at this time, corrected Jesus by saying the he would not have this destiny at all. Jesus told Peter that his thoughts were not those of Jehovah but were from Satan and he did not want to be sidetracked by allowing wrong thoughts to influence him.

Jesus emphasized to his disciples that following him meant a life of self-denial and hardship. They would have to be willing to view their current life as being of no importance and must put the interest of the kingdom first. In this way they will lose their life but at the same time gain their souls. Those who were not willing to do this would be saving his ‘life’ but will lose his soul. When the son of man came in his glory, he would reward in accordance with what each one had done. He then told them that some of them would have a unique experience relative to his coming in kingdom power before they died.

Matthew Chapter 17

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain where he was transfigured before them. His face became like the sun and his clothes became as radiant as light. Moses and Elijah appeared there and were conversing with him. Peter thought it would be a good idea to erect a tent for each of them. Then a cloud enveloped them and for the second time, they heard a voice from heaven assure them that Jesus was the son of God, that Jehovah loved him and was well-pleased with him. They were told that they should listen to him. The disciples were terrified at hearing this and fell to the ground. Jesus came and touched them and told them not to be afraid. Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until after he had been resurrected from the dead. Peter would later comment on the importance of this experience in his second letter to fellow believers. (2 Peter 1:16-21)

The disciples then asked Jesus why did the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come before the kingdom would come? He told them that Elijah would come and restore all things at a future time. But in one sense, Elijah had already come but the teachers did not recognize him and they mistreated him. In this same way they would also mistreat him. They realized then that he was talking to them about John the Baptist in his role as Elijah.

A man approached Jesus and asked him to be merciful and help his son as he was having seizures, falling into the fire and into the water. He had asked his disciples to help the boy but they were unable to do so. Jesus rebuked the demon and he came out of the boy. The disciples were puzzled as to why they were unable to drive the demon out and Jesus told them they lacked the faith to do this. He told them that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could tell a mountain to move from one place to the other and it would happen. The mustard seed was reputed to be the smallest of all the vegetable seeds that the Jews used. (Matthew 13:32) He again spoke to them about his manner of death and resurrection.

After Jesus and his disciples returned to Capernaum the man who collected the temple tax asked Peter if Jesus paid the two-drachma tax and Peter said that he did. The two-drachma coin was equivalent of two days wages and was used for the upkeep of the temple. When Peter entered the house where Jesus was, Jesus asked him who did the kings collect taxes and duty from, their own sons or from others? Peter told him that it was from others and Jesus said that then the sons were exempt from the tax. But he did not want to cause offence so he told Peter to go to the lake and throw in his line and bring up the first fish he caught. Inside of its mouth he would find a four-drachma coin which he would use to pay the temple tax for them both. (Exodus 30:13; 2 Chronicles 24:9; Nehemiah 10:32)


NOTE: Bible translations used in this commentary are the New American Standard Bible (NASB), the New International Version (NIV), and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

***©2005 by YORWW Congregation