Daily Writing

Friday, 25 April 2025

And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:26

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And this saying, it went out into all that land” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus had seized the hand of the damsel, at which time she arose. The tragedy for the parents had ended in joy. With that complete, Matthew next begins his final words of this short account with the words, “And this saying.”

This is a new word in Scripture that will only be seen again in Luke 4:14, phémé, a report, fame, a saying, a rumor, etc. It is derived from the verb phémi, to say. This event became a spoken word that was retold time and again as “it went out into all that land.”

The child was reported as having died. Reliable witnesses, not a few in number, who had seen the dead before confirmed it. The parent was a ruler of the synagogue and would be considered trustworthy in his testimony. And his once-dead daughter being alive was evidence to the fact concerning what occurred.

Because of the circumstances, the event became a spoken word and a testimony to the matter.

Life application: Though Matthew and Mark omit the age of the girl, Luke gives her age as about twelve. The woman with the issue of blood who had just been healed was likewise afflicted for twelve years.

Without trying to read too much into this, it appears that a progression of thought is being presented concerning the dispensations of time. It was noted in the comments on verse 9:22 that the woman with the issue of blood was typical of the church.

She was brought directly from a state of uncleanness to a state of salvation and being deemed clean. There are no works involved, and the one who is far away is brought near by the blood of Christ.

In this account, which encompasses the account of the woman, having begun in verse 18 (before the account of the woman) and which is completed now (after the healing of the woman), can be equated to the restoration of Israel.

The ruler has a child who is sick, an accurate description of Jerusalem (the seat of power of the Jewish people) throughout her history, and who is also equated to a daughter (such as in Lamentations 2 and elsewhere) –

“How shall I console you?
To what shall I liken you,
O daughter of Jerusalem?
What shall I compare with you, that I may comfort you,
O virgin daughter of Zion?
For your ruin is spread wide as the sea;
Who can heal you?
¹⁴ Your prophets have seen for you
False and deceptive visions;
They have not uncovered your iniquity,
To bring back your captives,
But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.
¹⁵ All who pass by clap their hands at you;
They hiss and shake their heads
At the daughter of Jerusalem:
‘Is this the city that is called
“The perfection of beauty,
The joy of the whole earth?”’” Lamentations 2:13-15

While Jesus is tending to the woman who believed by faith and was saved (being equated to the church of those who believe by faith), the daughter dies. Likewise, the spiritual connection of Israel to God was severed. However, Jesus says that the girl is not dead but only sleeping. Israel, likewise, was separated from God but not cut off entirely. She will be raised after the church age –

“And you, O tower of the flock,
The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,
To you shall it come,
Even the former dominion shall come,
The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4:8

The girl, being about twelve years old, has the same symbolism as that of the woman. Twelve is the number of perfection of government or governmental perfection. It thus represents the state of Israel after Jerusalem, the seat of power, is again raised to life –

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37-39

Jesus’ life and actions as He interacts with Israel, and as He moves around to various areas within the land, are like a walking parable. His very movements and actions form their own typology for us to consider. If the picture presented here for Israel is valid, it demonstrates that there is still a plan for Israel in the future.

As the people of Israel have been returned to the land of Israel, it appears that it will not be long before the church age comes to its end. And may that day be soon.

Heavenly Father, how wonderful it is to read Your words, seeking out hints of what You are telling us concerning the times, events, and interactions between You and Your people that are ongoing in the stream of time. Help us to not jump ahead and form illogical conclusions, but to consider Your word from what is clearly presented so that we can make sound conclusions about what is veiled. May it be so. Amen.

Thursday, 24 April 2025

But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. Matthew 9:25

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And when He ejected the crowd, having entered, He seized her hand, and the damsel, she arose” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus told those mourning the death of the damsel that she was not dead but only sleeping. In response, they derided Him. Matthew next says, “And when He ejected the crowd.”

Mark’s gospel adds the following –

He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹ Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Mark 5:40, 41

Therefore, there were seven people in the room at the time of the raising. These were Jesus, Peter, James, John, the two parents, and the damsel. Once these were free of the commotion of the mourners, it next says, “having entered, He seized her hand.”

This is a new word, krateó, to seize. It is derived from kratos, which signifies power, might, dominion, strength, etc. Therefore, this is an act where strength is employed. He didn’t just touch her hand, but He grasped as if to pull her into an awakened state. Such an act would cause a person under the law to be defiled –

“Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain by a sword or who has died, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.” Number 19:16

In such a state, a rite of cleansing was to be performed according to the next verses of Numbers –

“And for an unclean person they shall take some of the ashes of the heifer burnt for purification from sin, and running water shall be put on them in a vessel. ¹⁸ A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave. ¹⁹ The clean person shall sprinkle the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, wash his clothes, and bathe in water; and at evening he shall be clean.” Numbers 19:17-19

However, Jesus had just said to those gathered that she had not died but was sleeping. Because of this, as a person might awaken another, He seized her by the hand to rouse her. Having done so, it next says, “and the damsel, she arose.”

It is not uncommon for scholars to use the word “resurrect” here. This is incorrect. This was a restoration of life to the body, not a resurrection. Paul says that Christ is the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. His resurrection was a unique occurrence based on a sinless life. It is a complete conquering of death.

Those who were raised, both in the Old Testament and the New eventually died again. Their restoration of life was granted by God to serve His purposes, but they remained stained with sin. Only after Christ’s work was complete could the permanency of a resurrection be applied to others. And that will only occur, as Paul says, “at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23).

As for this damsel, her restoration was temporary until whatever time she had lived her life and died. But Jesus has shown that He possessed power over the state of death. In His resurrection, He has demonstrated that it is permanent. We are being incrementally shown what God is doing in His marvelous work through His Messiah.

Life application: We must be careful about what we believe concerning dead people being raised. There are those who have died on the operating table but who have been brought back. Their physical body is worked on, and if done quickly enough, the life can return.

However, there is a point where it is no longer possible to bring a person back. The brain quickly begins to break down. After a short amount of time, if a person is brought back, there will be permanent brain damage. There are exceptions, such as being in a very cold environment. But even then, other things quickly break down.

So, stories of people being raised who had been dead for extended periods of time or who had already been embalmed (as mentioned some years ago by “Evangelist” Reinhard Bonnke on the 700 Club) are to be rejected outright.

Further, people who have died and claimed to have gone to heaven or hell are not to be listened to. If someone went to heaven, that means he bypassed the judgment seat of Christ, which all believers must face.

As hell, meaning the Lake of Fire, is something that will not be meted out until the end of days (as recorded in Revelation 20), then we can be absolutely positive that no person has yet gone to hell. It is appointed for man to die, face the judgment, and that is that. If you are tempted to buy the book, don’t. You are wasting your money as well as time that you could spend reading your Bible.

Such things are sensational, and they often enrich those telling these tales, but they have no basis in biblical reality. Stick with the Bible. It is sensational enough, and it is the truth of God because it is His word.

Lord God, help us to have our thinking caps on. Keep us from being duped by people who want to get rich by spreading falsities about heaven, hell, or powers on earth that are not true. There is no need to listen to such nonsense. May we focus on Jesus, who possesses all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Amen.

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. Matthew 9:24

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“He said to them, ‘You withdraw! For not she died, the damsel, but she sleeps.’ And they derided Him” (CG).

In the previous verse, Matthew noted that when Jesus came into the house, He saw the pipers and those tumultuating. Now Matthew continues the thought, saying, “He said to them, ‘You withdraw!’”

In place of the idea of withdrawing, Mark’s gospel reads a bit differently, saying, “When He came in, He said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep?’”

There is no contradiction because both thoughts can easily be sewn together. Matthew focused on one thing, Mark on another. Thus, the entire thought could be expressed as, “When  He came in, He said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep? You withdraw!’” Understanding this logical and harmonious sequence of thought, Jesus continues with, “For not she died, the damsel, but she sleeps.”

In these words, Jesus uses a new word to describe the girl, korasion. It is a diminutive form of the word koré, a maiden. It will be seen only in Matthew and Mark. As an explanation of the word, Strong’s Lexicon says –

“The term ‘korasion’ is used in the New Testament to refer to a young girl or maiden. It is a diminutive form, often implying youth or smallness, and is used to describe a girl who is not yet of marriageable age. The term is used in contexts that highlight the innocence and vulnerability of young girls.”

A word that suitably translates this Greek word would be damsel. As for Jesus’ words, in saying that she is not dead, it would be misleading unless the thought is fully understood. The girl is dead in the sense that her soul has departed. There was no life left in her body. However, because of Jesus’ power and authority, she was not “dead and gone.”

Rather, like Lazarus in John 11, he was dead but with the surety of being restored to life –

“When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’”
…
Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” ¹³ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
¹⁴ Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” John 11:4 & 12-15

Understanding the usage of the word by Jesus, He replaces the thought of death with that of sleep. Those gathered to mourn, however, knew what the state of being dead meant and what it looked like. Being mourners, they would have been around enough dead to identify the state with ease. Therefore, hearing Jesus’ words, they would have thought He was off His rocker. Thus, it says, “And they derided Him.”

Not knowing who Jesus is or the power He possessed, it would be like any other person coming into a bedroom or morgue where a dead person lay. The life had departed, and the end had come. If the person said, “This child is alive,” it would be a ridiculous proposition, and those hearing it would scold the speaker and tell him he had no idea what he was talking about.

However, the difference between such a scenario and the arrival of Jesus is infinite in scope. The Lord God had entered the death chamber.

Life application: It is extremely difficult for us to get our minds around the state of death. This is especially true when it is sudden and unexpected. Here is a vibrant child, brother, friend, coworker, etc. Each day you get up, and he is there. His not being there is the last thing one would think of because we are geared towards normalcy in such situations.

However, there may come a day when that person is suddenly dead. When this occurs, our minds actually shut down in various ways. The process of accepting that death has occurred can take a while. Even if we know it is true, we keep resurrecting the memory of the life that was, trying to reinstate it and mentally overcome what has taken place.

Eventually, there is the thought of complete loss because the state of death is fully accepted, and the connection is severed. Depending on the person, there are all kinds of things our minds will then make up. There are scenarios where the person is “in a better place,” is free from some enemy he may have faced (such as a physical limitation of some sort), etc.

For the Christian dealing with a departed believer, however, there is no need to make up such things in the mind. They are actually a reality that exists. The Bible absolutely assures us that because of Jesus, believers have entered a state of sleep that is only temporary in nature.

Whatever physical or mental trials we faced in life are set aside. And whatever supposed permanency the state of death brings about for others is voided in Christ. In Him is life. When a person comes to Jesus through belief in the gospel, His life is transferred to that person. The physical death we experience cannot overcome the spiritual life we have been granted.

Therefore, when the call is made at Jesus’ coming, it will be impossible for the believer to remain physically dead. Jesus’ word is the command of life. Nothing can override it, and nothing can block what He commands. Have faith in this. In Christ, death is defeated. Our separations may be painful, but they are temporary blips on the way to eternal glory –

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

We are so grateful to You, O God, for giving us life, even while we live in these bodies of death. Unless Jesus comes first, we are set to return to the dust. But because of what He has accomplished, that will be a short nap leading to an eternal state of wonder and delight. Death? No fear here! Jesus has prevailed. We shall rise again. Hooray for Jesus! Amen.

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, Matthew 9:23

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Jesus, having come into the house of the ruler, and having seen the pipers and the crowd tumultuating.” (CG).

The previous verse noted that the woman who was bleeding for twelve years was saved through her act of faith. Now, the narrative returns to the death of the ruler’s daughter from verses 18 & 19. It continues with, “And Jesus, having come into the house of the ruler.”

Again, Matthew focuses on the overall narrative concerning Jesus’ actions but omits other details recorded by Mark and Luke. For example, Mark records the narrative this way –

“And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.’
³⁵ While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’
³⁶ As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’ ³⁷ And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸ Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue…”

Now, understanding the expanded context that falls between Matthew 9:22 and 9:23, it next says, “and having seen the pipers.”

Here the aulétés, pipers, are introduced. The word is from auleó, to play the flute or pipe. A single word that carries the correct meaning is piper. These people are only mentioned by Matthew. Mark and Luke focus on the mourners instead.

The Pulpit Commentary, citing several sources, says, “Even the poorest among the Israelites [his wife being dead] will afford her not less than two pipes, and one woman to make lamentation.” This, then, would be a sign of respect and something that a family would not do without. Along with these pipers, it also says, “and the crowd tumultuating.”

This would be the family and any paid professional mourners. These mourners are noted in Ecclesiastes 12:5 –

“For man goes to his eternal home,
And the mourners go about the streets.”

Mourners are mentioned elsewhere, such as in the Book of Jeremiah. As for the word translated as tumultuating, it is also a new word, thorubeo. It signifies to be in a tumult, disturb, clamor, make an ado or uproar, etc.

In this case, there would be wailers of various sorts, but the most tumultuating of the tumultuators would be the tumultuous women famous in the Middle East for their extremely loud (like a shrill) ulululululululu sounds.

These are produced by screaming while moving the tongue in such a way as to be exceedingly tumultuous. This calls attention to the location so that others will know an event is taking place. This loud ululululululu sound is heard at feasts of joy (such as weddings) as well as times of great mourning and lamentation.

Life application: If you have never heard the sounds referred to above, go to YouTube and type in something like “Ululation.” Up will come videos of women really going at it. That way, you can find out what it would have been like at such an event as described in this narrative.

Understanding the context, you can then practice making the same sound. Once you have it perfected, be sure to try it at church on Sunday morning while the pastor is meticulously interpreting Scripture. Maybe he will designate a special place for you for future sermons.

Lord God, it is a real treat to visit various parts of the world or even churches in our land that have people of other ethnic backgrounds as they worship and praise You from their own cultural backgrounds. You have sent Jesus, the Christ of the nations, to bring You glory, praise, and honor from all tongues. Be glorified in our praise, O God. Amen.

Monday, 21 April 2025

But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:22

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Jesus, having turned and having seen her, He said, ‘You take courage, daughter. Your faith, it has saved you.’ And, the woman, she was saved from the very hour” (CG).

In the previous verse, the woman with the hemorrhaging said to herself, “If only I shall touch His cloak, I will be saved.” Matthew now continues with, “And Jesus, having turned and having seen her.”

Matthew goes to the heart of the matter, omitting a few details provided by Mark and Luke. In Luke’s account, it says –

“And Jesus said, ‘Who touched Me?’
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, ‘Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, “Who touched Me?”’
⁴⁶ But Jesus said, ‘Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.’ ⁴⁷ Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.” Luke 8:45-47

Only after all of this occurred does the following, as recorded by Matthew, continue the narrative, “He said, ‘You take courage, daughter.’”

Here are two new words, one right after the other. The first is the verb tharseó. It signifies to have courage or be encouraged, coming from tharsos, confidence, boldness, etc. The next new word is thugatér, a female child. In this case, Jesus would have spoken it as a Hebraism signifying a kindly address. Having said that, He next says, “Your faith, it has saved you.”

Most translations say, “made well,” “healed,” or something similar. The word, however, is sózó, to save, rescue, deliver, etc. An object lesson is being given to the reader as he follows Jesus’ words. This is confirmed again in the next words, saying, “And, the woman, she was saved from the very hour.”

The meaning of “that very hour” is explained in the verses from Luke noted earlier, meaning immediately. Her healing was instant, and it continued on from that time. It is an expression seen elsewhere, such as in Acts 16 –

“And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

In two verses, the word sózó has been used three times. It is thus a witness to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. It isn’t the touching of the tassel that brought about the change, except in her faith that it would be so. In the turning of Jesus to the woman, the emphasis is on the Person, Jesus, nothing else.

She needed to be saved, she believed that He could do it, her touching His tassel is the equivalent of her presenting her need to Him, but without wanting to be recognized in the process. Thus, her faith was in the capability of the Person, who then, in fact, saved her.

Life application: The woman had an issue of blood for twelve years. She, by faith alone, was brought to a state of complete healing. One could make a general comparison of her to those in the church. The narrative doesn’t say it, but it is clear from the events that the woman merely heard about Jesus, believed that He was capable of saving her, and she, by faith, reached out for salvation.

She can be used as a symbol of the church who have only heard of Jesus and what He is capable of and who, by faith alone, reaches out to Him for healing. The word is heard, the message is believed, and the salvation is realized.

Her twelve years of hemorrhaging can be equated to the church (the number of government), which is brought directly from a state of uncleanness to a state of salvation and being deemed clean. There are no works involved, and the one who is far away is brought near by the blood of Christ.

This woman was set apart from the congregation because of her issue. Thus, she can be considered as being brought near in this regard. God is giving us object lessons to understand what He is doing and will do through the coming of Christ to save the people of the world.

Pay heed to the simplicity of the message of this woman’s healing. There is nothing in the account that says we need to come through a pope, a rite of baptism, or anything else that some churches lay upon the people as some sort of requirement for being saved. Instead, the purity of the gospel stands. All are saved by grace through faith with nothing added. Be sure to keep the gospel simple. God in Christ has done it all. Hallelujah and Amen.

Lord God, thank You for making the process of salvation so simple. Jesus did the work, we hear the message, we believe the word, and we are saved. From there, we are sealed with Your spirit, cleansed and purified unto eternal salvation. Hooray for Jesus! Amen.