9. Notes_Gospel of Matthew_NABRE Chapter 9

Read Chapter 9: The Gospel According to Matthew

മത്തായി അദ്ധ്യായം- 9 P. O. C ബൈബിള്‍

Matthew Chapter 9 Study Notes

1. Healing of a Paralytic (Verses 1-8):

   - Setting: Jesus enters a boat and comes to his own town.

   - Scene: People bring a paralytic on a stretcher. Jesus, seeing their faith, forgives the man's sins.

   - Controversy: Some scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy.

   - Jesus' Response: He demonstrates his authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic, who then goes home.

   - Result: The crowds are awestruck and glorify God.

2. Call of Matthew (Verses 9-13):

   - Encounter: Jesus sees Matthew at the customs post and invites him to follow. Matthew responds and hosts a meal.

   - Controversy: Pharisees question Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners.

   - Jesus' Response: He explains his mission, quoting Hosea: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Jesus came for sinners, not the self-righteous.

3. Question About Fasting (Verses 14-17):

   - Question: Disciples of John ask why they and the Pharisees fast, but Jesus' disciples do not.

   - Jesus' Answer: Compares himself to a bridegroom and foretells a time for fasting. Uses metaphors of old cloaks and wineskins to illustrate new ways.

4. Official's Daughter and Woman with Hemorrhage (Verses 18-26):

   - Request: An official seeks Jesus to heal his daughter. A woman with a hemorrhage believes she'll be cured by touching Jesus' cloak.

   - Healing: Jesus commends the woman's faith and heals her. He goes to the official's house, declares the girl asleep, and raises her from the dead.

   - Result: News of these miracles spreads.

5. Healing of Two Blind Men (Verses 27-31):

   - Plea: Two blind men cry out for Jesus' mercy as the "Son of David."

   - Belief: They express faith in Jesus' ability to heal.

   - Healing: Jesus touches their eyes, and their sight is restored.

   - Caution: Jesus warns them not to spread the news, but they do anyway.

6. Healing of a Mute Person (Verses 32-34):

   - Demoniac: A mute person possessed by a demon is brought to Jesus.

   - Healing: Jesus drives out the demon, enabling the mute person to speak.

   - Reactions: The crowds are amazed, but the Pharisees attribute the healing to demonic influence.

7. Compassion of Jesus (Verses 35-38):

   - Ministry: Jesus travels, teaching, proclaiming the gospel, and healing the sick.

   - Compassion: Jesus is moved with pity for the troubled and abandoned crowds, likening them to sheep without a shepherd.

   - Commission: Jesus urges disciples to pray for more laborers for the abundant harvest.

Memory Aid:

   - Paralytic: Boat, stretcher, forgiveness, authority, awe.

   - Matthew's Call: Customs post, Pharisees' question, mercy not sacrifice.

   - Fasting Explanation: Bridegroom, new ways, old and new.

   - Healings: Official's daughter, hemorrhaging woman, blind men, mute person.

   - Compassion of Jesus: Teaching, healing, pity, abundant harvest.

[9:27] Son of David: this messianic title is connected once with the healing power of Jesus in Mark (Mk 10:47–48) and Luke (Lk 18:38–39) but more frequently in Matthew (see also Mt 12:23; 15:22; 20:30–31).