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Matthew 9

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

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

And he arose, and departed to his house.

But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

What does Matthew 9:13 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 9:13 contains a powerful message from Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry.

In this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who were criticizing Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners.

Jesus responds by quoting Hosea 6:6, which says, "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." The literal meaning of Jesus' response is that He values acts of mercy and understanding over ritualistic practices and offerings.

On a deeper level, this verse underscores the heart of Jesus' mission: to bring redemption to those who recognize their need for it, rather than to call on those who consider themselves already righteous.

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Historical Context

Matthew 9:13 is situated in the context of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, a period marked by His teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.

The Pharisees, a group of Jewish leaders known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, often opposed Jesus, disapproving of His association with those they deemed unworthy.

Tax collectors were particularly despised as they were seen as traitors to their people and collaborators with the oppressive Roman authorities.

In this setting, Jesus challenges the existing religious norms and the Pharisees' understanding of righteousness and holiness.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the concept of grace in Christianity, that salvation is not earned by the outward acts of sacrifice but received through God's mercy. It highlights Jesus' role as the one who calls sinners to repentance and offers forgiveness.

While the Pharisees focused on the letter of the law, Jesus brought attention to its spirit, prioritizing compassion over ritualistic piety. This contrast has been a subject of reflection on the nature of true faith and the essence of a relationship with God across various Christian denominations.

Practical Applications

Applying the teachings of Matthew 9:13 to everyday life might involve prioritizing love, compassion, and forgiveness in one's actions.

It suggests that believers should extend grace to others rather than judging them by their outward compliance with religious practices.

The verse encourages individuals to reflect on their attitudes towards others, particularly those who are marginalized, and emphasizes the importance of humility and the recognition of one's own need for grace.

Cross-References

Hosea 6:6: "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Luke 5:32: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Matthew 12:7: "But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "mercy" is "ἔλεος" (eleos), which implies compassion or pity, especially as expressed in actions rather than merely feelings.

The word "sacrifice" is "θυσία" (thusia), referring to religious offerings or rituals.

"Righteous" translates to "δίκαιος" (dikaios), which means just, virtuous, or upright.

The term "sinners" is from "ἁμαρτωλός" (hamartolos), typically indicating those who have missed the mark or are offenders against God's law.

The Greek nuances these terms in a way that reveals a contrast between genuine compassion and mere religious formalities.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing Matthew 9:13 to other ancient traditions, one might consider similar themes within Judaism, as Jesus was referencing the Hebrew Scriptures. Other religious systems such as Buddhism also emphasize compassion over ritual.

However, the uniqueness of this verse in Christianity lies in Jesus' personification of God's mercy and His role as the mediator of repentance and salvation, a concept distinct from other religious teachings of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives often do not directly intersect with matters of theological interpretation.

However, modern psychology acknowledges the benefits of compassion, forgiveness, and inclusive behaviors highlighted in Matthew 9:13 for both individual well-being and societal harmony. These principles align with findings on the positive effects of prosocial behavior in communities.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on Matthew 9:13, offering interpretations that align with the verse's focus on mercy over ritual.

John Calvin comments on the need for inward piety rather than external observances.

Matthew Henry emphasizes God's pleasure in mercy towards sinners rather than in sacrifices.

Contemporary commentators often discuss how Jesus' ministry challenged the religious status quo of His time and centered on inviting all, especially those considered outsiders, to experience God's redemption.

Matthew 9

Matthew 9

What does Matthew 9:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 9:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?