Matthew (Written)

Thursday, 10 April 2025

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9:11

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 the Pharisees, having seen, they said to His disciples, ‘Through what, your Teacher, He eats with the taxmen and sinners?’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus reclined at the table. While there, it noted that many taxmen and sinners also reclined with Him and His disciples. Because of this, a bit of a stir arose. Matthew next says, “And the Pharisees, having seen.”

This is now the third time the Pharisees have been mentioned. The first was in Matthew 3:7 when John called them and the Sadducees a brood of vipers. In Matthew 5:20, Jesus spoke to the people about their need for having a righteousness that exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, implying that the Pharisees’ righteousness was not righteous enough.

Now, they are aware of Jesus’ company. Having just noted them as taxmen and sinners, they question the matter. Matthew records that “they said to His disciples, ‘Through what, your Teacher, He eats with the taxmen and sinners?’”

The meaning in standard English is essentially, “What allows your Teacher to do this?” It is a note that He, being a Teacher, should know better. If He is teaching, then what on earth is He doing sitting around with these profane and unrighteous people?

The issue here is that of familiarity and acceptance. People dine with those they are familiar with or intimate with or who they have accepted personally for one reason or another. It may be a social reason, a friendship reason, etc. However, having a meal together generally signifies a bond has been established between those gathered.

The Pharisees would have been incredulous that Jesus was reclining with such people. The term “Pharisee” by its nature means this would have been reprehensible to them. It is from the Hebrew word parash, to separate. Thus, they considered themselves purists and supposedly “separate from sin.”

By default, they would then be separated from sinners, not intermingling with them because of their own supposed holiness. Jesus’ actions probably had them apoplectic.

Life application: Some years ago, the pastor of a large church, James MacDonald, decided to test the congregation by coming to the church dressed like a real bum. He had on old clothes, a fake beard and long hair, along with all the things associated with a homeless person. As he sat outside the church, nobody tended to him.

When church started, he walked in, through the congregation, and to the pulpit where he began removing his hobo attire. He explained that God is giving the same grace to the bums on the street that He is giving to those who had walked by, ignoring the plight of the homeless man.

The Bible reveals this truth throughout its pages. Noah may have found grace in the eyes of the Lord, but so did his son Ham, whose morals were found to be questionable. People from the lines of both of Lot’s daughters entered into the genealogy of Jesus, one of whom was Rahab the harlot when she was spared at the destruction of Jericho.

These and other examples show us that God’s attention is not focused on the self-righteous, wealthy, powerful, or famous. Rather, He is focused on reconciling humanity despite these things. He even did it for a Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the apostle.

If God can save an angry, violent, and self-righteous man like Paul, He can save anyone. But He has placed us in the position of conveying this message to the world. Let us be responsible enough to at least share the message with those we may not agree with or even like.

Jesus sat with taxmen and sinners. Can’t we at least give a tract to them as well? Let us consider those around us as more than enemies when they don’t fit into our life circles. Maybe they don’t, but they can fit into the halls of heaven if we are willing to share the good news with them.

Lord God, thank You for Your wonderful kindness to sinners like us. We brought about the separation and enmity, and yet You have worked in human history to bring that to an end. Help us to remember this and to be willing to help others hear the good news as well. Amen.

Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. Matthew 9:10

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 it was, He – reclining in the house. And, you behold! Many taxmen and sinners, having come, they co-reclined with Jesus and His disciples” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus called on Matthew to follow Him, which he did. Now, the narrative continues with, “And it was, He – reclining in the house.”

The NKJV, following the KJV, incorrectly includes the name of Jesus. It simply says, “He.” Further, a new word, anakeimai, is used. It comes from ana, up, and keimai, to lie. Thus, it means to recline. It is true that this was normally at a dinner table, but it doesn’t say that, despite many translations inserting that into their translation.

Luke 5:29, however, does reveal that this was a dinner. There, it says, “Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house.” Matthew, being the author, does not draw attention to himself but leaves this notable detail for others to include.

While reclining at a meal, which may have included any sort of talk, Matthew next records, “And, you behold! Many taxmen and sinners.”

These words include a second new word, hamartólos, sinners. The word comes from the verb hamartanó. It means to miss the mark and thus err. Erring before God is sin. These were people who were defined by missing the mark. Thus, they were the type who sat in the bars all night, caroused with women, stole, prostituted, etc.

Matthew lumps the taxmen in with sinners. In doing this, it shows the really disgraceful nature of the business he was in. One can see that he shied away from the more noble details, but he was unafraid to include himself in the details that highlighted the base nature of his previous life.

These sinners were people living their lives without considering their position before God. It appears that Matthew was so excited about his calling and his new direction in life that he wanted those he associated with to also know about Jesus and to meet Him personally. Therefore, “having come, they co-reclined with Jesus and His disciples.”

Here is a third new word, sunanakeimai. It is formed from the same word translated as reclined above, but it is prefixed by sun, meaning together or with. Thus, they joined in reclining. Saying co-reclined gets the point across.

Life application: Matthew’s words give us some great insights into how we too should conduct our lives. We were all sinners before God, having lived lives that marked us for condemnation. And yet, by His grace, we have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Why should we shy away from admitting our past and using it to show others how far we have come? Some in churches think they are so holy that they can ignore the fallen plight of others and revel in their own supposed goodness. But according to the Bible, that is a ridiculous proposition. Even Paul, who was a Pharisee, admitted his past was just like everyone else –

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1-3

Another point about Matthew’s words is that he didn’t just admit his past and move on. Rather, he joyfully brought the sinners he associated with to a meeting with Jesus. What is the point of getting saved and then secluding yourself away from the very people who need him as you once did?

But this is the doctrine of so many churches. It is as if a clean break from the past is necessary to make one holy. Paul again says otherwise –

“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. ¹⁰ Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.” 1 Corinthians 5:9, 10

Paul understood that we live in a fallen world, and we had every right and responsibility to associate with those who were unsaved. In fact, Paul’s duties as a missionary would have been completely pointless if he only went to believers… because there were none where he normally went.

Rather, Paul continues in his epistle saying –

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.” 1 Corinthians 5:11

The people we need to avoid are those who profess to be Christians but who do not live up to the standard they are called to. Too often, the church gets this completely upside down.

Glorious God, may we do what is right and proper in Your presence. When we fall short, may we acknowledge it and press on in Your grace. But help us to remember to bring along those who have not yet known You or Your grace. May we faithfully witness concerning Your goodness to those around us. Amen.

Tuesday, 8 April 2025

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Matthew 9:9

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, passing thence, He saw a man sitting upon the tax-booth, being called Matthew. And He says to him, ‘You follow Me.’ And, having arisen, he followed Him” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that the multitudes marveled and glorified God who had given such power to men as to heal the paralytic. As noted, the healing was both physical and spiritual. Jesus had said that the man’s sins were forgiven. The fact that He healed the man physically substantiated His words concerning forgiveness. Thus, the crowds marveled. Next, it says, “And Jesus, passing thence.”

A new word is found here, “paragó.” It is derived from para, beside, and agó, to lead, bring, carry, etc. Therefore, it signifies “to lead near.” Strong’s Lexicon says –

“The verb ‘paragó’ is used in the New Testament to describe the action of leading or bringing something or someone alongside or past a certain point. It can imply a physical movement or a metaphorical passage, such as the passing of time or events.”

To understand the metaphorical meaning, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:31, “For the form of this world is passing away [paragó].”

Looking at the eight literal uses of the word in the gospels, each gives the sense of passing near a person or persons who become a part of the ongoing narrative. Such is the case here where Matthew next records, “He saw a man sitting upon the tax-booth.”

Here is another new word, telónion. It is derived from telónés, the dreaded tax collector who seems to pop up in every society. In this case, the word telónion refers to his place of business. Today, we might say “tax office.” In the case of Israel at the time, it was probably a booth or a table where taxes were collected. Of this person, a typical dreaded and disdained publican, it next says, “being called Matthew.”

In Mark, the name is Levi the son of Alphaeus. Luke simply calls him Levi. They are the same person, but Matthew anticipates his designated apostolic name at this time. In the selection of the apostles, both Mark and Luke will call him Matthew. Of him, he next records, “And He says to him, ‘You follow Me.’”

Although it is only speculation, it is possible that this calling actually comes after some sort of previous interaction. It may be that Matthew has heard Jesus speak, or they may have personally conversed about some matter or another.

Whatever is the case, Jesus knew that this person was ready to leave his duties as a tax collector and take on a completely different pursuit. And so, it next says, “And, having arisen, he followed Him.”

Matthew made the wisest decision he could possibly have made. He may not have even realized it at the time. Or it may be that in hearing that this man could forgive sins (based on the previous passage), he may have thought, “This is what I need. I’m a reprobate to my society and a sinful man.” Whatever prompted him, he heard the call and responded.

Life application: There is a calling to come to Jesus to be saved. If you have responded to that through belief, you are saved. But there may be an additional calling upon you. You may have the inner desire prompting you to become a missionary, tell others about the word, become a preacher, or plaster your car with Jesus bumper stickers.

Whatever you are prompted to do, if it is glorifying of God and not contrary to the Bible, don’t quench it. Rather, respond in a manner that will get the ball rolling and then continue to do what is necessary to keep it going. Fan the flames of the passion within you.

Matthew was asked to follow, and He did. You may have been designed by God in your makeup, time, position, etc., to follow Him in a particular way. So, get up and go!

As a bonus concerning tax collectors and what Matthew was brought out of, take time today to listen to Taxman by the Beatles. A couple thousand years after Matthew was brought out of his life of taxing others, people still write about what they think about this profession. If a taxman can be called by Jesus to do other, greater things, so can you.

Lord God, You have called sinners to come unto You through the precious shed blood of Christ. I’m a sinner! I responded on that glorious day. Now, help me to continue to follow closely beside You all my days. To Your glory, I pray. Amen.

Monday, 7 April 2025

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men. Matthew 9:8

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 the crowds having seen, they marveled, and they glorified God, the ‘having given such authority’ to men” (CG).

In the previous verse, the healed paralytic arose and departed to his house. With his healing and ability to arise and depart, Matthew next records, “And the crowds having seen, they marveled.”

This wasn’t something done in a corner. Rather, there were many witnesses including the scribes. Because of this, it could not later be denied that it took place. And more, because all three synoptic gospels record the event, there is a reliable, historical witness to the fact in the pages of the Bible.

But for the immediate time, what the crowds saw stunned them. As it was in a city, it would have been known that this man was a paralytic. It wasn’t as if it could have been faked by shipping him in from another town. Rather, he went to his house, meaning he was a local. Because of the obvious miracle that took place, it next says, “and they glorified God.”

This is the reason why God does what He does. He did not need to create, but He did. He did not need to create sentient life, but He did. When man fell, God was under no obligation to bring him back to a state of restoration. Despite Israel’s constant and continuous rejection of Him, God has maintained them as a people, just as He said He would when He covenanted with them.

God’s glory and the recognition of it is the purpose of all such things. But it is not a selfish glory that demands it to be given. Rather, free will is associated with man’s ability to glorify or reject God. For those who glorify God, they share in the goodness of what God has done. Thus, it is not a one-sided thing that takes place. Understanding this, the reason for their glorifying God is next stated, saying He is “the ‘having given such authority’ to men.”

A new word, toioutos, is introduced here. It is a demonstrative pronoun translated as “such.” It is derived from toi, the, and houtos, this.  As such, it signifies “truly this,” and thus, “of this sort.” It denotes character or individuality.

In other words, God made Himself and His power evident through a particular Man. Thus, He has brought glory to Himself in this manner. At this point, it was still not known what sort of Man Jesus is. Instead, they assumed that God was working through a man who could have been any man.

Eventually, those who continued to follow and experience the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus would learn the full details of who Jesus is.

What may be the more relevant issue that is being dealt with here, however, is not the physical healing of the paralytic. Jesus has already been recorded as having done that. He has also healed many others in a similar manner.

The more important issue is that He had just said that the man’s sins were forgiven. This is what got the scribes upset, accusing Him of blasphemy. Jesus prodded them concerning which was easier. The implication was that His words concerning forgiveness were.

Therefore, in healing the man, it is implied that the forgiveness Jesus spoke of previously was granted as well. This would then lead to the marveling of the crowds. What authority God has given to Man. Indeed!

Life application: The Bible is the written record of what has occurred in redemptive history. It details God’s workings in and through Christ in order to reconcile us to Himself. Is it reliable? If you are unsure, it is incumbent upon you to verify it in your own mind. Or, if you are challenged by someone as to why you believe it, can you defend your faith? Even if you cannot, if someone challenges you, the onus is on that person to make his claims for or against the word.

This was the case with Simon Greenleaf. He was a non-believer, but he was one of the greatest legal minds in history. He was a principal founder of Harvard law school. At one point, he was challenged by a student to look at the gospels from a legal standpoint.

As an intellectually honest person, he took the challenge, setting aside any presuppositions or biases. In doing so, he concluded that the gospels hold the topmost weight of legal accuracy. His basis for this was that “Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.”

His conclusion was that the gospels bore this stamp of authenticity and were, in fact, what they claimed to be. As such, he states –

“The foundation of our belief is a basis of fact – the fact of the birth, ministry, miracles, death, resurrection by the Evangelists as having actually occurred, within their own personal knowledge it was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually rose from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.”

Simon Greenleaf surrendered his life to Christ, knowing that no legal case could suitably challenge the Bible’s genuineness.

Be sure of your faith by being sure of what the basis for your faith is. Read this word, study this word, and cherish this word. Be ready to defend it and also be ready to challenge those who dismiss it. Implore them to be as intellectually honest as Simon Greenleaf and to do their own evaluation of it – to the glory of God.

Lord God, we know Your word is true, but we also need to know how to defend what we believe. Help us in this endeavor. Remind us of the things we know, and help us to build upon that knowledge from day to day so that when we are challenged, we can respond in a manner that glorifies You. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Sunday, 6 April 2025

And he arose and departed to his house. Matthew 9:7

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, having arisen, he departed to his house” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the paralytic to arise, take up his bed, and go to his house. In response to that, it now says, “And, having arisen, he departed to his house.”

With the healing accomplished, the man was fully compliant with the directive given. Matthew focuses on the healing and obedience to the exclusion of all else. Mark provides a note that the man did this immediately, something quite common in his epistle. Luke provides the most detail, saying, “Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.”

The three accounts complement each other, providing a sound witness that the event took place just as recorded. The man, returning to his house, would have completely surprised those who knew him. He left being carried on a bed, and he returned carrying that same bed.

The victory over his paralysis was immediate and it was complete. He needed no extended rehab in order to adjust back to normal life.

Life application: This physical healing mirrors the greater spiritual healing that Jesus provides. When a person whose life is marked with sin comes to Christ through faith in Him and His finished work, he is spiritually healed from that moment. Paul gives details of this process –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

The moment we believe, we are saved and sealed with a promise, and which is a guarantee. The guarantee belongs to the believer. Saying that it is until the redemption of the purchased possession signifies that the salvation is eternal. It will not be taken away from the one who believes. To say otherwise is to say that God’s word is untrue.

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:29, 30

In God’s view, the moment we respond to the calling, we are saved. Upon salvation we stand justified before God. And more, in God’s view, we are glorified at that moment. God’s decrees are eternal in scope. Therefore, in entering the New Covenant through faith in Christ’s work, the deal is done. This is possible because…

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19

In coming to Christ, we are reconciled to God. The separation that existed since Adam fell is ended. But more, in this process of redemption through Christ, no law is given. It is a redemption of grace. Therefore, because the wages of sin is death (meaning spiritual death and separation from God that leads to physical death), and because it is by law that sin is imputed (Romans 5:13), then we can no longer lose our salvation. The salvation is eternal.

One plus one will always equal two in proper theology.

Let us thank God for the full, final, finished, and forever salvation that has been procured for us through the giving of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord God, we thank You for what You have done for us in the giving of Jesus. May we never fail to praise You for Your wonderful kindness in the grace that has been bestowed. Thank You, O God. We praise You now and forever. Amen.