Interpretive Study of Matthew's Gospel - Summary.

Jesus Fulfilled God's Law and Proved that He was / is God's Christ.

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, God.

Prior Summary Chapters

Chapter 8 Summary : Jesus acts like a King.

Our chapter starts with the transition from the 'Sermon of the Mount' to the report of Jesus doing His ministry by acting like the King of the kingdom that he just gave the rules for. in this chapter we have several reports of Jesus healing the sick and of Jesus casting devils out of people. We also have reports of people having different levels of true Biblical faith and of their willingness to sacrifice the things of this world in order to follow Jesus and become part of His kingdom. Thus, Jesus is providing proof that He will provide the blessings promised to people who become part of His kingdom. We also see Him rejecting people who want to receive the blessings of His kingdom but who also refuse to fulfill His requirements for being part of His kingdom. Notice what Matthew reports in this chapter.

In Matthew 8:2-4, Jesus cures a single man of leprosy. This is symbolic of someone who has grown cold in their relationship with God wanting to restore the relationship.
In Matthew 8:5-13, we are told that Jesus healed the centurion's servant because of the level of true Biblical faith that the centurion displayed. We are also told that the Jews, who relied on their religious traditions, would be rejected.
In Matthew 8:14-15 we read that Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter and then she ministered to them. Thus, we see healing given to people of the kingdom and we see the expectation that the people of the kingdom serve Jesus.
In Matthew 8:16-17, we see Jesus fulfill prophecy. Thus, we see that everyone in the kingdom will do the will of God the Father.
In Matthew 8:19-22 and Luke 9:57-62, we read about people claimed to want to be a 'disciples of Jesus Christ', but, apparently, they were not willing to dedicate their lives to Jesus. They were rejected because they were not willing to fulfill the requirements.
In Matthew 8:23-27, we read about a test of faith given to the disciples. All who are part of the kingdom need to expect various tests to prove our true Biblical faith, which is the basis of our receiving blessings which are denied to others.
In Matthew 8:28, we read about Jesus freeing 'the mad man of Gadara' from many devils. He served Jesus in His kingdom out of gratitude.
In Matthew 8:29-34, we read about Jesus letting the devils go into a herd of swine and of the swine killing themselves and of the people of the whole city asking Jesus to leave. Thus, we see that sinners who enjoy their sin want nothing to do with Jesus and His kingdom.

Remember that this chapter is telling us the immediate after results of the 'Sermon of the Mount', which is where Jesus told us what is required in order to be part of His kingdom. As shown in the summary, above, those people who were willing to fulfill His requirements received the blessings of the kingdom and those people who were not willing to fulfill His requirements were refused the blessings of the kingdom. Thus, as the sermon taught us, those who were willing to sacrifice more and have greater faith received greater blessings while those people who made excuses for holding onto the things of this world did not receive the blessings.

in this chapter, we have several miracles. As seen in the Miracles in the Gospels, I provide more links to miracles than can be found anywhere else and my table is more accurate than any other reference work which is available. I do not write this to brag but to inform the reader of the basis for what I write next. John tells us that Jesus did many more miracles than what are reported in all of the Gospel accounts. That means that the Gospel writers chose miracles to report and deliberately reported them where they are reported. This is because, as I have discovered, every reported miracle is a hat it might be fulfilled physical demonstration of the doctrine that it is in context with.

As explained in the Detailed Notes for this chapter, every one of these miracles were done to show that Jesus was their God given King and He was offering them the promised kingdom. The promise was later removed because the Jews rejected Jesus was their God given King. However, the theme of this chapter is: 'Jesus acts like a King' and, at the time of this chapter, He was offering the kingdom to the Jews. And, as explained in the notes for each miracle, these miracles are reported where they are because they are a physical demonstration of what Jesus was offering. They support the doctrine of the chapter.

Many of the incidents reported in Mark 5 and Luke 8 are also reported in Matthew 8. However, there are also incidents reported in those chapters which are not reported by Matthew until later. It is important to remember that none of the Gospel accounts are in a strict time sequence and that each Gospel writer wrote his gospel for a different purpose. Therefore, each writer reported incidents when they supported the message which they were presenting.

In Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45 and Luke 5:12-14, Jesus cures a single man of leprosy. The account in Matthew is definitely a different, but similar account to the accounts in Luke, and in Mark.

Matthew 8:5-17; Mark 1:21-38; Luke 4:31-44 and Luke 7:1-10 all tell the account about the ministry of Jesus in Capernaum. Capernaum is a city of Galilee like Nazareth is. Jesus began His ministry in Nazareth and traveled back and forth between it and Capernaum and the Gospel accounts aren't exact about the time sequence of His travels. However, after the people of Nazareth tried to kill Him, He kept His base of operations in Capernaum. That is also where He called His first four disciples. When the people of Capernaum failed to believe that Jesus was God's Messiah / Christ, He cursed them (Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:17).

In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 we are told that Jesus healings the centurion's servant.

In Matthew 8:11 and Luke 13:28-29, Jesus said that God (in response) would take the Kingdom of Heaven from the Jews and give it to Gentiles.

In Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:37-38 we are told about Jesus and His disciples going to the home of Peter and Andrew where they found Peter's mother-in-law sick and where Jesus healed her. I do not believe that we can be dogmatic about the timing of this but I believe it was after Jesus called His first four (4) disciples but before He named the twelve who were to become Apostles. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about this, and similar, miracles.

Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 12:15-23; Matthew 14:14, Matthew 35-36; Matthew 15:30-31; Matthew 21:14; Mark 1:32-34, Mark 1:39; Mark 3:9-21; Luke 4:40-41 and Luke 6:17-19 report that Jesus healed many diseased and possessed by devils. Please see the Doctrinal Study called Miracles in the Gospels for Bible references where we read that Jesus performed miracles other times. Please also see the Section called Jesus and Devils in the Significant Gospel Events Study.

Matthew 8:19-22 give us incidents where people claimed to want to be a 'disciples of Jesus Christ', but, apparently, they were not willing to dedicate their lives to Jesus. Luke 9:57-62 also tells us about these type of people but provides some differences in the details provided.

Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Mark 6:45-56 and Luke 8:22-25 all tells us about times that Jesus calmed a tempest. Please also see the Miracles in the Gospels, which provides links to all miracles which are reported in the Gospels.

Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 tell us about Jesus freeing the mad man of Gadara from many devils. There was actually a second man, according to Matthew, but he wasn't important enough for Mark nor Luke to mention.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-4. Christ cleanses the leper;
5-13. heals the centurion's servant,
14-15. Peter's mother in law,
16-17. and many other diseased;
18-22. shows how he is to be followed;
23-27. stills the tempest on the sea;
28-30. drives the devils out of two men possessed;
31-34. and suffers them to go into the swine. '.

C8-S1 : Jesus had many followers at this time.
1. The phrase When he was come down from the mountain means: 'This was after Jesus gave His sermon which is reported in Chapters 5-7'.
2. The phrase great multitudes followed him means: 'at this time, the people wanted to hear more of His doctrine'. Since they were following Him, Jesus started acting like God's King, as our chapter reports, and started giving them the benefits of God's kingdom such as healing and freedom from devils which possessed the people. It is only after the religious leaders convinced the people to reject His doctrine that Jesus removed the offer of the kingdom. The kingdom will come when He returns to reign for 1,000 years.
C8-S2 : A leper worshipped in order to receive a miracle.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the first reported ace of Jesus fulfilling His role as God's King.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to what is added here'.
3. The phrase there came a leper and worshipped him, saying means: 'Leprosy made people insensitive and allowed injuries which the people were not aware of. As a result, their bodies were corrupted by injuries and disease. Spiritually, Leprosy represented religious traditions making people insensitive to God and allowed doctrinal errors to corrupt their spirits. By curing the leper, Jesus was showing that he would spiritually heal the insensitive religious people and get them back to responding personally to the leading from God in their personal lives'.
4. The phrase Lord means: 'This man accepted this role of Jesus and agreed to obey Him'.
5. The phrase if thou wilt means: 'He accepted and acknowledged that Jesus could do this, but it was His choice if He did cure the man or not'.
6. The phrase thou canst make me clean means: 'He recognized that Jesus could do for him what he could not do for himself'. Our sentence makes it clear that this was part of his worship. In addition, the phrase make me clean means: 'is not limited to removing the current corruption of leprosy and the consequences of it but it also includes the removal of the cause'. When Jesus makes us spiritually clean, He does not just change our spiritual record in heaven and remove the consequences here in this physical reality. He also removes the cause of out ongoing sin.
C8-S3 : Jesus granted the requested miracle.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report that Jesus fulfilled his request.
2. The phrase And Jesus put forth his hand, and ouched him, saying means: 'Jesus acted physically so that others could see that the cleansing came from Him'. But, as we read in Matthew 8:5-10, His physical touch was not required for the miracle. It was done as a witness, to the surrounding Jews, of the true source of the cleansing.
3. The phrase I will means: 'Jesus made this decision. We can not make demands of God but only request with the understanding that it is His choice if He does what we request'.
4. The word be is: 'a verb of ongoing existence'. The phrase be thou clean means: 'Go on living as a physically, and spiritually, clean person'. There is absolutely no reason for God to clean up our life if we are going to return to the same sin which caused our problems in the first place.
C8-S4 : the miracle was done immediately. Our sentence says: And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. God wants to clean up our life and will start as soon as we truly ask.
C8-S5 : Jesus commands the man to obey the Mosaic Law.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the command to fulfill the requirements of the Mosaic Law because that was how, at that time, people manifested their personal relationship to God.
2. The phrase And Jesus saith unto him means: 'This was the instruction from Jesus'.
3. The phrase See thou tell no man; but go thy way means: 'Don't take the time to tell others but immediately do what is commanded in the Mosaic Law'.
4. The phrase shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded means: 'This is the specific command that he was to obey, which came from the Mosaic law'.
5. The phrase for a testimony unto them means: 'Here's why. God does things orderly. That is why the Gospel was given to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). And, that is why Jesus sent a witness to the priests first'.
C8-S6 : A non-Jew asks for a miracle.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of the next miracle.
2. The phrase And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum means: 'Jesus returned to the city where He was living at that time'.
3. The phrase there came unto him a centurion means: 'He was a Roman and not a Jew. Jesus was sent to the Jews (Matthew 15:26). But, He chose to fulfill this request where He responded to the Gentile woman differently. Again, we see that God can chose to deal with different people different ways. Here, Jesus chose to grant this request because it also allowed Him the teach the doctrine which we see in context of this miracle'.
4. The phrase beseeching him, And saying means: 'Notice that this centurion was begging (beseeching)'. He did not take the superior attitude that other Roman soldiers and governors had. In the report from Luke (Luke 7:3-6), we read: And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, that he was worthy for whom he should do this: forhe loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. Thus, in this case, Jesus was actually responding to a request from Jews. Yes, the centurion asked, but he asked through the Jews, which was the right way to ask. Sometimes, the way that we do something is critical in our receiving our request
5. The phrase Lord means: 'Here the centurion addressed Him as God in human flesh'. Notice the capitalization on the word Lord.
6. The phrase my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented means: 'Here we see that he was concerned for his servant at a time when people had slaves and servants didn't get much better consideration, especially when the servant was from a conquered people and the master was from the conquering people'.
C8-S7 : Jesus agrees to grant the request.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. It adds the response from Jesus.
2. The phrase And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Luke reports that Jesus said this to the Jewish leaders but he also said it the centurion through them. Notice that the centurion sent his message while Jesus was still on the way. That means that some servant ran and brought the message to the centurion so that he could respond while Jesus was still on the way
C8-S8 : the centurion expresses his faith.
1. The phrase The centurion answered and said means: 'An answer was sent back from the centurion while Jesus was still on the way'.
2. The phrase Lord means: 'Again, the centurion addressed Him as God in human flesh'. Notice the capitalization on the word Lord.
3. The phrase I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof means: 'Here we read that he humbled himself'.
4. The phrase but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed means: 'The second next sentence has the response from Jesus and people are so busy arguing their wrong opinions that they do not take the time to consider the true doctrine which is taught here'. The Jews demanded a sign. That is why the first miracle, which is reported in this chapter, includes the phrase And Jesus put forth his hand, and ouched him. They had to see something physical. However, this centurion clearly said that he understood power and authority well enough that he did not need a sign. He understood that, since Jesus was truly 'God in human flesh', He could do things spiritually which had no physical evidence of His working. His producing the end result was sufficient. The Jews did not have that level of understanding and, therefore, did not have his level of faith. Now, please prayerfully consider the note for C8-S10 because there are preachers of today who are claiming foolish things in order to cling to a wrong doctrine and, like the Jewish religious leaders, refuse correction from the word of God.
C8-S9 : the centurion explains the basis of his faith.
1. The phrase For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me means: 'He understands authority above him and authority below him'. He understands the differences between authority above and authority below. However, he also understands the more abstract part of authority which is the same whether it is above or below.
2. In John 3, Jesus used the wind to explain to Nicodemus that spiritual things must be understood abstractly. You can not see the wind but you can see it applied to things which are blown around. You can not see a number but you can see it applied to things like two chairs or two men. You can not see the laws of Mathematics, but they control our physical reality. They never change for any reason and they are part of the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world (1Corinthians 2:7). Many people have trouble understanding abstract concepts, which is why they have trouble truly understanding how the spiritual laws affect this physical reality. Many people are like the Jews were and had to see things in the physical reality before they could believe. However, this centurion proved that he understood abstract spiritual principals of authority and how they applied to this physical reality. That is why he said: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. He clearly demonstrated that he understood the relationship between the abstract and the concrete and the relationship between the spiritual and the physical. That is an understanding that the Jews lacked and that many people lack even today. And, that is why Jesus marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. While many preachers deny what this sentence clearly says, their lack of understanding and lack of true Biblical faith does not change what is literally written here. Please see the note for the next sentence for more on this subject.
3. The phrase and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth means: 'When he gives a command to those under him, they obey exactly what he commands'. What he is illustrating is his true Biblical faith that Jesus, as 'God in human flesh', has authority over all of the physical reality. He says, with this illustration, that he believes that the authority of Jesus is so absolute that all that Jesus needs to do is speak the word.
4. The phrase and to another, Come, and he cometh means: 'This is a second illustration of the same level of true Biblical faith'. He believes that Jesus, as 'God in human flesh', has authority over all of the physical reality. He says, with this illustration, that he believes that the authority of Jesus is so absolute that all that Jesus needs to do is speak the word.
5. The phrase and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it means: 'This is a second illustration of the same level of true Biblical faith'. He believes that Jesus, as 'God in human flesh', has authority over all of the physical reality. He says, with this illustration, that he believes that the authority of Jesus is so absolute that all that Jesus needs to do is speak the word.
6. We have here three witnesses of the understanding and true Biblical faith of this man. In our next sentence, Jesus clearly makes a comparison with the level of faith that He found in Israel. Now, for those people who disagree, find at least two people who have a Doctorate in English who will publish that what I write here is wrong and have them also include a note from their Doctorial school supporting such a claim. Preachers can claim what they want, but they do not have the authority to alter the basic understanding of the English language. And, those who claim that they do have that authority only prove that they are fools before God.
C8-S10 : Jesus marvelled at the expressed faith.
1. The phrase When Jesus heard it means: 'This is when Jesus reacted'.
2. The word marvel is defined as: 'A wonder; that which arrests the attention and causes a person to stand or gaze, or to pause'. The phrase he marvelled means: 'Jesus stopped and thought about what He heard before He responded'. The response in this sentence is not a casual remark and, the second next phrase makes it something to be used in the court of God. Only people acting foolish deny the true meaning of this sentence.
3. The phrase and said to them that followed means: 'This phrase includes the disciples of Jesus and people like the women who ministered unto him of their substance (Luke 8:3) and others who left homeans followed Jesus in order to hear His teaching'.
4. The phrase Verily means: 'This has been verified and that you need to verify it also because it can be used when you are judged by God'. The phrase Verily I say unto you means: 'Jesus personally verified the next phrase'.
5. The phrase I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel means: 'The true Biblical faith demonstrated By this Gentile centurion was greater than the faith demonstrated by any Jew that Jesus had met up to that point in His life'. Now, there are some foolish preachers who claim that Jesus was not comparing levels of faith with this statement. And, they will give an answer for their claims (Luke 8:3), and their influence on others, especially the children of God, at the judgment seat of Christ. They claimed that there was not a comparison because the Jews had 'no faith'. Now, they did not explain how that claim prevents comparison of the levels of faith. In addition, they need to explain their claim that the people following Jesus had 'no faith', when that group included His disciples, probably included the women who which ministered unto him of their substance (Luke 8:3), and included people who left homeans followed Jesus in order to hear His doctrine.
6. Please understand that the preachers who disputed this interpretation were sure that their opinion had more authority than a proper analysis of what is actually written. I have written the rules for analysis and they are part of the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world (1Corinthians 2:7). These rules never change for any reason just like the rules of Mathematics never change. And, these are the rules which I use in this Study and throughout this web site. Further, as I told them, I back my doctrine with my literal life. Let God kill me if the methods of analysis which I do, and teach, are wrong. But also realize that I have seen God remove four pastors from the pastorate, literally killed four people, and brought lesser judgments upon others. In every case, the people were sure that God would not judge them. But, in every case, the judgment was for refusing to let what the word of God literally says to correct their personal belief. Therefore, the reader is warned to do what this sentence says to do and verify what they chose to believe because choosing to believe error can result in a worse judgment that the reader cares to receive.
C8-S11 : Jesus explains the consequence of lack of faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. This sentence adds the everlasting results of different levels of faith, which was expressed in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And I say unto you means: 'Jesus is adding this testimony'.
3. The phrase That many shall come from the east and west means: 'This identifies other Gentiles'.
4. The phrase and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven means: 'They will have important positions in Heaven'.
C8-S12 : Jesus explains the ultimate results for a lack of faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But and continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. One foolish claim put forth is the first phrase of our sentence (But the children of the kingdom) has nothing to do with the last phrase of our prior sentence (in the kingdom of heaven). That is perverting the word of God. No one has the authority to change such a basic and often used word in the English language such as the word but. And, that is what is literally being done when someone claims that there is no relationship between what precedes the word but and what follows it.
2. The phrase But the children of the kingdom means: 'This is a title which the Jews claimed for themselves. While they believed that most, if not all, Jews would go to the kingdom of heaven, and the comments from Jesus indicated otherwise, Jesus did not get into that discussion at this time. He simply used their commonly accepted identifying phrase to identify the Jews who lived at His time and did go to Heaven'.
3. The phrase shall be cast out into outer darkness. There is more than one group arguing that their opinion is more authoritative than what is literally written in the word of God. There are various motivations for each opinion but any opinion which opposes what God literally wrote in His word is wrong and leads others into doctrinal error (1Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9).
4. I got into a big argument about this phrase. because lots of different people have lots of different opinions about what it means and their opinions have nothing to do with the definitions of the words within the phrase. God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, every word in the Bible has only one definition and no two words have the same definitions. In addition, according to the rule of context, the definition of a phrase, within the word of God, must be the combination of the definitions of the words within the phrase with the relationship between the words defining the relationship between the definitions. And, because God does not change, the definition of a phrase, within the word of God, must be the same every place that it is used. Yes, there are different applications of the phrase, but no application defines the phrase. So, the people who claim that this phrase has three different definitions are wrong. Likewise, the people who claim that this phrase has a definition which is totally unrelated to the definitions of the words within it are also wrong. Please see the Message called Outer Darkness about this phrase. This phrase only occurs three times and all are within the Gospel of Matthew.
5. The phrase there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth means: 'This phrase is clear but is the source of much debate'. Many people believe the lie of: 'No tears in Heaven'. The fact is that there will be no tears in the second Heaven. But God does not wipe away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 21:4) until after the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11) when the only people left are the saved people in Heaven. God can not wipe away tears unless they exist. Therefore, there must be weeping and gnashing of teeth in Heaven before the great white throne judgment. All of the arguments are due to saved people refusing to accept the truth of what God literally wrote in His word, even while they claim salvation based upon their believing what God literally wrote in His word.
C8-S13 : Jesus grants the request because of the faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds, to the doctrine of the prior sentences, what Jesus did as a result of true faith.
2. The phrase And Jesus said unto the centurion means: 'This was the response from Jesus to the person who demonstrated true Biblical faith'.
3. The phrase Go thy way means: 'Continue in life as if the source of your concern has been taken care of'.
4. The phrase and as thou hast believed means: 'The results of true Biblical faith are directly proportional (as) to the amount that we truly believe what God promises'.
5. The phrase so be it done unto thee means: 'You will get what you truly believed'.
C8-S14 : Our sentence adds the results of the promise from Jesus. Our sentence says: And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
C8-S15 : the circumstance of the next miracle.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of a third miracle in this chapter. First, Jesus healed a leper and showed that, in His kingdom, people would have the spiritual strength to serve God. Next, He healed the servant of the centurion and showed that the results of true Biblical faith are proportional to the level of our belief. Now, Jesus is showing that healing is so that we can serve God. God has not motivation to heal those people who refuse to serve.
2. The phrase And when Jesus was come into Peter's house means: 'This is when and where the next miracle happens'. Notice that this is in private with only the disciples present. God does not only act in public.
3. The phrase he saw his wife's mother laid means: 'The Roman Catholics claim that Peter was the first pope and that priests, including popes, can not marry'. They have the minds of their followers so closed that the followers will not reject even an obvious lie. And, all religions do this to their followers.
4. The phrase and sick of a fever means: 'This was what needed healing'. This shows us that even a little thing can keep us from serving God. God wants is right in all parts of our life, even the little things.
C8-S16 : the result of a believer receiving a miracle.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds what Jesus did when He saw the need and how she responded to His healing.
2. The phrase And he touched her hand, and the fever left her means: 'Jesus healed her with a touch. He is, again, dealing with Jews who require a sign'.
3. The phrase and she arose, and ministered unto them means: 'This is the correct response to receiving a miracle from God'.
C8-S17 : Jesus fulfilled prophecy. This sentence is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 53:4. Please also see the Doctrinal Study called Miracles in the Gospels for Bible references where we read that Jesus performed miracles and cast out devils. Please also see the Section called Jesus and Devils in the Significant Gospel Events Study..
1. The phrase When the even was come means: 'This is when people came to Jesus'.
2. The phrase they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils means: 'This shows their belief that Jesus had the power to cast out devils'. Once more we see that religious leaders could not do this even though they claims to have greater authority to represent God.
3. The phrase and he cast out the spirits with his word means: 'Jesus proved that He had more power and authority than any other being except God the Father'.
4. The phrase and healed all that were sick means: 'Jesus demonstrated what they could expect to receive if He gave them the kingdom (1,000 years reign of Christ)'.
5. The phrase That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet means: 'This is a referenced to what the Jews understood to be a kingdom prophecy'. This reference is in this sentence to make it clear that the report in the prior phrases are directly tied to the offer of the kingdom. Remember that the theme of our chapter is 'Jesus acts like a King' and our chapter directly follows three chapters where Jesus explained the rules for His kingdom.
6. The phrase saying, Himself took our infirmities means: 'This is part of the true Gospel. Jesus does for His true people what they can not do for themselves'.
7. The phrase and bare our sicknesses means: 'This is what else He heals'. Infirmities cause us to not have strength and sicknesses corrupt us to the point that we can not work. Jesus fixes both, spiritually, for His people.
C8-S18 : Jesus did not build a big work in one place.
1. The word Now means: 'after you understand what was said prior'. This means that we need to understand the miracles and how Jesus was acting like God's King. We need to understand His 'Sermon on the Mount', which was His rules for His kingdom. Following this sentence, we have people wanting to be part of His kingdom, but many people who want that are not willing to pay the price. Following those reports, we see Jesus test the true Biblical faith of His disciples with a storm. In order to be part of His kingdom, we must pass the tests of true Biblical faith. After that, we have a report of Jesus casting our devils and the owners of a heard of swine asking Jesus to leave because they preferred the results of sin to being part of His kingdom. Thus, we see manythings which separate the kingdom of Jesus Christ from the results of this world and sin. And, our sentence starts with the word Now so that we will think about the true spiritual message of this chapter before we go on with the details.
2. The phrase Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him means: 'This is what motivated Him to act'.
3. The phrase he gave commandment to depart unto the other side means: 'Jesus was not seeking admiration from men, like most leaders do, but He was seeking to spread God's message to as many as he could reach'.
C8-S19 : the reaction of the religious.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of someone wanting the benefits of serving Jesus.
2. The phrase And a certain scribe came means: 'He is typical of pastoral staff'. Many religious people want the benefits of serving Jesus. While our report does not say what decision he actually lived, most people in this position are not willing to pay the price.
3. The phrase and said unto him, Master means: 'Notice that he calls Jesus Master and not Lord'. He was willing to learn but not to obey unconditionally.
4. The phrase I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest means: 'This is what he promised before he knew the price, since Jesus told him the price in the next sentence'.
C8-S20 : the requirement explained by Jesus.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus. we are not told how he reacted, but since the prior sentence says that he addressed Jesus as Master, and not as Lord, there is a good chance that he was not willing to pay the price. This sentence, and the next sentence, are similar to what is reported in Luke 9:57-62.
2. The phrase And Jesus saith unto him means: 'What follows is the response from Jesus. Notice that He tells the person the cost of following and does not say if the person should follow or not'. Jesus tells all to consider the cost of following and the cost of not following because following has a short-term immediate cost while not following has an everlasting cost at a later time.
3. The phrase The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests means: 'This is an illustration of what God provides for animals in this immediate world. They are not going to Heaven and do not need to worry about long-term Heavenly rewards'.
4. The phrase but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head means: 'Jesus did not have short-term immediate provisions but was promised joy in Heaven as an everlasting reward'.
C8-S21 : A request to delay service to God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds another request, which indicates that both requests were for the results while not paying the price.
2. The phrase And another of his disciples said unto him means: 'As a disciple, this person knew the cost'.
3. The phrase Lord means: 'He addressed Jesus correctly and recognized his proper relationship with Jesus'.
4. The phrase suffer me first to go and bury my father means: 'There is no indication that the father was dead nor that he was dying. This is actually a request for God to accept second-place in his life'. God never accepts second-place.
C8-S22 : the response from Jesus. This response, obviously, must be understood spiritually. There is no reason to believe that the father, mentioned in the prior sentence, was dead or even dying. And, given the response from Jesus, the father probably wasn't even close to dying. No, this was a request for God to wait until the man had devoted his life to pursuing the things of this world and when he was old and worn out, the man would serve God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our sentence gives us the response to the prior sentence, from Jesus, while telling us that He refused the request.
2. The phrase But Jesus said unto him means: 'Jesus answered with a refusal'.
3. The phrase Follow me means: 'This is a command to become a disciple'.
4. The phrase and let the dead bury their dead means: 'Let the spiritually dead (lost) worry about pleasing family members in order to get an inheritance. People who truly devote their life to the service of God don't have to worry about an inheritance in this world'.
C8-S23 : True disciples follow without question and without delay.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And when he was entered into a ship means: 'This was what Jesus said that they would do back in C8-S18 '. The sentences between that sentence and this sentence appear to have happened as Jesus and His disciples went to the boat.
3. The phrase his disciples followed him means: 'Apparently, they did not know why Jesus wanted to cross the lake, but they obeyed without question'. That is the attitude that God desires from all true disciples.
C8-S24 : Jesus tests the faith of the disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding the report of a spiritual test to the doctrine and miracles reported earlier in this chapter. As explained for the earlier miracles, Jesus is using the miracles to demonstrate to the Jews, including His own disciples, what God will make available to them if they accept the kingdom (1,000 years reign of Christ) with Jesus as their God given King. We also saw Him excluding those Jews who refused to accept Him as their God given King and He excluded those Jews who wanted the benefits of the kingdom but were not willing to devote their entire life to the service of the kingdom and King. In addition, after this test, our chapter ends with a report of Jews who rejected Jesus as their God given King. Thus, the entire chapter is telling us various ways that Jesus used to determine if the Jews would accept Him as their God given King, or if they would reject Him. Finally, this current test is to determine if those with Jesus truly trust Him to protect them like a King is responsible to protect His people.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to what is added here'.
3. The phrase there arose a great tempest in the sea means: 'This was the test. But, like many tests from God, it was not obviously a test'.
4. The phrase insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves means: 'This tells us how much of a test it was'.
5. The phrase but he was asleep means: 'Jesus was not concerned about the test'.
C8-S25 : the disciples fail the test. Please realize that it is a lot easier to say how a person should react when you are not the person in the test. The person who claims that they never failed a test of life is a lying fool.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction by the disciples.
2. The phrase And his disciples came to him means: 'They were desperate because they realized that this storm was beyond their ability to survive'.
3. The phrase and awoke him, saying means: 'I've heard preachers say that they should have known that they would make it to the other side because, at the start, Jesus said Let us pass over unto the other side (Mark 4:35)'. And, yes they failed the test. However, unless someone has personally been in a similar life-and-death test, they don't really understand what the experience is like.
4. The phrase Lord, save us: we perish means: 'Here we see that they addressed Him as God in human flesh in recognition that it will take His power to save them'.
C8-S26 : Jesus rebukes them for their failure.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds Jesus telling them that they failed the test and why they failed it.
2. The phrase And he saith unto them means: 'Jesus said this to His disciples'.
3. The phrase Why are ye fearful means: 'This was their reaction'. Experiences that some people find thrilling others find to be fearful.
4. The phrase O ye of little faith? means: 'Think back to Matthew 8:10-13 '. Without a doubt, some of the Jews were offended with what Jesus said then. However, the results of this test only confirmed what He said earlier.
C8-S27 : Jesus ends the test.
1. The phrase Then he arose means: 'Jesus got up after they awoke Him. Since they were Jews, and required a sign (1Corinthians 1:22), He arose so that they could see Him calming the storm. Compare this with the demonstrated faith of the centurion which was demonstrated earlier in this chapter'. Since that event, our chapter reports Jesus doing several miracles and proving His power. This is in addition to His proving that He did not need to be there to do a miracle and he did not have to give a sign, but speak the word only. Yet, even with all of those lessons, His disciples did not learn to increase their own faith.
2. The phrase and rebuked the winds and the sea means: 'End of test'.
3. The phrase and there was a great calm means: 'Proof of His power and authority'. What they apparently missed is that He caused the storm in the first place in order to test if their true personal faith had been increased with the lessons reported in this chapter. The disciples had not reached the level of faith which the centurion had demonstrated and still needed signs like the rest of the Jews.
C8-S28 : the disciples marvel at the demonstration of faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. It is continuing the subject of the power demonstrated by Jesus while changing the perspective from Jesus to the disciples.
2. The phrase But the men marvelled, saying means: 'The disciples were astonished and considered the power and demonstration, but still did not completely understand'.
3. The phrase What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! means: 'They were still considering Jesus as a man and not as God in human flesh'. The demonstrated power was that of God. The demonstrated power for all of the miracles which are reported before this also required the power of God. Yet they still did not understand that God thinks differently than man does. They saw the demonstrated power, but still did not understand that their own faith was being tested and that God wanted them to increase their own faith to the level of the centurion. In the future, Jesus will be gone and they will need enough true Biblical faith for God to do miracles through them even when they do not have a sign first. God wants us to increase the level of our faith so that he can do miracles through our lives and use that to draw people to Jesus and to salvation.
C8-S29 : Jesus is challenged by two devil-possessed men. The other Gospel accounts only tell us about the one man who was freed from devils and demonstrated a changed life.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the account which goes through the end of the chapter to the report of Jesus demonstrating His power and authority. The many devils who were in these men challenged the authority and power which Jesus just displayed. And, all of them combined could not defeat Him.
2. The phrase And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes means: 'This was when and where the devils challenged Jesus'.
3. The phrase there met him two possessed with devils means: 'This was who met Him and their spiritual condition'.
4. The phrase coming out of the tombs means: 'This was where they lived. Devil possessed people prefer the dead to the living'.
5. The phrase exceeding fierce means: 'This was their general disposition'.
6. The phrase so that no man might pass by that way means: 'This was their power and effect on other men'.
C8-S30 : the devils speak through the men.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the challenge issued by the devils to Jesus. The next sentence is also included in this challenge.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to this challenge which was added to the appearance of Jesus'. If you bring the message from Jesus to an area and society controlled by devils you better be prepared for a challenge.
3. The phrase they cried out, saying means: 'They made their challenge loud and direct. This is a form of intimidation and we see it even today in pre-fight interviews'.
4. The phrase What have we to do with thee means: 'Their complaint was that they didn't go to the area which he controlled and challenge Him. Therefore, He shouldn't go to the area and people which they controlled and try to free the people'.
5. The phrase Jesus, thou Son of God? means: 'They knew that Jesus was personally (thou) the Son of God. As such, they also knew that He had more power and authority than they had combined'.
C8-S31 : the devils demand that Jesus tell them His purpose. Our sentence says: art thou come hither to torment us before the time? means: 'They knew that they weren't to be locked in the lake of fire until His second coming. Their only effective objection was that it was not time for that event. And, Jesus did not do that but he did free the men from their control'.
C8-S32 : the circumstances at that time.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds another part of the circumstances for us to consider.
2. The phrase And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding means: 'The Jews were commanded to not eat the swine. Therefore, they should not have been raising then. The loss of the heard was not against the will of God'.
C8-S33 : the request of the devils.
1. The phrase So the devils besought him, saying means: 'The devils made this request based upon the prior sentence and the note associated with it'.
2. The phrase If thou cast us out means: 'They were hoping that Jesus would not do that. However, they understood that He probably would and were looking for the best deal that they could get'.
3. The phrase suffer us to go away into the herd of swine means: 'This was the request of the devils'.
C8-S34 : Jesus grants their request. Our sentence says: And he said unto them, Go..
C8-S35 : the swine refuse possession.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the fact that the devils obeyed Jesus.
2. The phrase And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine means: 'This is what the devils did'.
3. The phrase and, behold means: 'Pay close attention to the reaction of the swine when they were possessed by devils'.
4. The phrase the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea means: 'They reacted immediately before the devils could take complete control of them'.
5. The phrase and perished in the waters means: 'They preferred death to possession'..
C8-S36 : the swine-herds report the results.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction of the workers.
2. The phrase And they that kept them fled means: 'The workers ran away' (John 10:12-13.
3. The phrase and went their ways into the city means: 'This is where they ran seeking help and protection from judgment by Jesus'.
4. The phrase and old every thing means: 'They made sure that everyone knew everything that happened, especially that it was Jesus Who made the swine drown themselves'.
5. The phrase and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils means: 'They reported what happened to the men and what happened to the swine'.
C8-S37 : the people prefer devils to Jesus.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of how the people in the city reacted.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to all that is reported as a reaction to what happened in the prior sentences'.
3. The phrase the whole city came out to meet Jesus means: 'It was not just the owners of the swine'.
4. The phrase and when they saw him means: 'This is when they made their request'..
5. The phrase they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts means: 'They begged Jesus to do this because they realized that even all of them together did not have enough power to order Jesus to leave'.

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Chapter 9 Summary : the scribes and Pharisees start their doctrinal fight with Jesus.

Matthew 9; Mark 2 and Luke 5 all report many of the same things.

In Chapters 5-7, Jesus gave the 'Sermon of the Mount', which were the rules for being part of His kingdom. Then, in the prior chapter, we read that 'Jesus acted like a King'. He cast out devils and healed people who were willing to accept Him as their King, while warning the Jews of the consequences if they rejected Him as their king. And, at the end of the chapter, Jesus freed two men from many devils but the local Jews begged Him to leave because they preferred their life of sin to being part of His kingdom.

Now, in the start of this chapter, Jesus returns homeans devils motivate the religious leaders to start doctrinal fights with Jesus. The first thing that they had a fit over was His saying: Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. As the religious leaders knew, Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21). However, they also knew that God's King would be the Son of God and, therefore, able to forgive sins. And, as part of this incident, Jesus told them, But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24). With this, Jesus was proving to the religious leaders that he was God's Christ and God's King. But, they rejected the evidence and, foolishly, believed that they could force God to give them the kingdom and let them rule while God's true King was only their puppet and there to take the blame for their errors.

While the religious leaders rejected Jesus, the common Jew (public and and sinners) were glad to receive Him and accept His God given position. Following this, our chapter tells us how Jesus did miracles, including raising the dead (symbolically showing that He gave spiritual life to the lost) and giving sight to the blind (symbolically showing that He gave spiritual understanding to true believers). And, with all of these evidences for Whom he truly was, the religious leaders tries to explain away the evidences by declaring He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. Thus, we see the chapter start with Jesus reaching out to the religious leaders but ending up in a non-stop fight because they refused to accept the evidence of Whom Jesus was. With that reaction, Jesus turned to the common man and old His disciples to do the same. Our chapter ends with Jesus saying: 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. Jesus wants us to be part of His kingdom but that includes our working for His kingdom.

Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 all give us the account of men tearing up the roof and lowering their friend so that Jesus could heal him. (This event happened right after Jesus moved His ministry into the wilderness because the crowds were getting too large to meet indoors. This is also when Jesus attracted the religious leaders attention enough that they started sending members of their group to spy on Him.) the detailed analysis of these accounts is in the note for Luke 5:17. At the end of that analysis is the time sequence of events leading up to Jesus calling Matthew to discipleship. Please see that note in order to understand the time sequence which is reported.

Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6; Luke 5:21 and John 8:3 all report that the scribes and the Pharisees started to accuse Jesus of blasphemy Other earlier places we are told that they reacted poorly but these are the first reports of this accusation.

In Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-15 and Luke 5:27-32 we read about the call of Matthew as a disciple who would become an apostle. Matthew gave a party, to celebrate his call and to introduce his friends the Jesus.

Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17 and Luke 5:30-32 tell us that Matthew gave a feast for his friends and Jesus and His disciples did eat and drink with public and and sinners. As a further result of this, the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus about not keeping their traditions.

In Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22 and Luke 5:33-39 we read about the disciples of John asking a similar, but different question and asking it for a different reason and with a different attitude. As a result, they received a different type of answer.

In Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19 and Luke 5:34 we read about 'The Children of the Bride-Chamber'.

In Matthew 9:15 we have a prophecy which is similar to what we find in Luke 5:35; Luke 13:35; Luke 17:22; John 7:33-36; John 8:21-24; John 12:35; John 13:33; John 16:5-7; John 16:16-22; John 17:11-13

In Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22 and Luke 5:36-39 we read two parables which Jesus gave to explain the differences between the old religion of the scribes and Pharisees as compared to the religious attitudes that were expected in the New Testament Church. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for these parables.

In Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21 and Luke 5:36 we read the parable about 'New Cloth and Old Garment'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22 and Luke 5:37-39 we read the parable about 'New Wine in Old Bottles'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56 tells us about Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Please see the notes for each sentence within this account for contextual requirements and links to related Studies, except the link to the Study called the Miracles in the Gospels; which is here. Please see the note for Luke 8:51 for a step-by-step sequence of events in the last part of this miracle. The sequence of earlier events is straight-forward and do not need a special outline.

Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48 tell about the healing of the woman with an issue of blood while Jesus, and a throng of people, were on the way to heal the daughter of Jairus.

In Matthew 9:26; Matthew 9:31; Mark 1:28 and Luke 5:15 we read went there a fame abroad of Jesus. Later in His ministry, this would not be true, but, at this time, people flocked the Jesus.

In Matthew 9:27-31, Jesus restores sight to two blind men who proved their faith. This particular miracle is only reported here in Matthew. Please also see the Miracles in the Gospels, which provides links to all miracles which are reported in the Gospels.

In Matthew 9:32-34 and Luke 11:14, we read that Jesus cast out a dumb devil. This then led to the Pharisees, and other people, claiming that He used the power of Beelzebub to cast out devils.

In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus is offering the kingdom to the Jews (preaching the gospel of the kingdom). However, as explained in the note for Matthew 9:36, the Jews did not respond by accepting Jesus as their King. And, because of their unbelief, Jesus started the church, according to the next chapter.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-8. Christ cures one sick of the palsy;
9. calls Matthew from the receipt of custom;
10-13. eats with public and and sinners;
14-19. defends his disciples for not fasting;
20-22. cures the bloody issue;
23-26. raises from death Jairus' daughter;
27-31. gives sight to two blind men;
32-35. heals a dumb man possessed of a devil;
36-38. and has compassion on the multitude.'.

C9-S1 : Jesus returns to his own city.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding the reports of this chapter to the reports of the prior chapter where Jesus was asked to leave because the people preferred their life of sin to the kingdom of God. Our sentence says: And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. This means: 'Jesus returned home'.
C9-S2 : Jesus forgives the sins of a man who was sick of the palsy. Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 also cover this incident and give us details which Matthew does not report.+
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Friends brought this man to Jesus as soon as He arrived home.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to what Jesus did'.
3. The phrase they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed means: 'This disease appears to be like polio'. The other accounts tell us that they had to go to the roof, tear up the roof and lower him because of the press of people who were there.
4. The phrase and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy means: 'Notice that it was the faith of the friends'. Our true faith affects how God deals with those around us.
5. The phrase Son, be of good cheer means: 'Jesus always starts with encouragement'.
6. The phrase thy sins be forgiven thee means: 'This is what he needed even though it was not what he was seeking'. Jesus not only gave him what he needed but also used the incident as a witness to the religious leaders and others who were there.
C9-S3 : the scribes judge Jesus for blaspheme.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding the reaction by the religious leaders.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to what they said to themselves. They did not question but immediately condemned'.
3. The phrase certain of the scribes said within themselves means: 'Luke tells us that there were also Pharisees. Thus, this was a reaction common to the religious leaders who relied on their traditions instead of evidence from God'. Further on in this incident, we read that Jesus gave them indisputable evidence from God. However, they rejected that evidence and proved themselves to be fools.
4. The phrase This man blasphemeth means: 'This was their condemnation. They did not understand what Jesus did and did not wait until they were offered understanding backed by evidence. Instead, they immediately condemned and their pride prevented them from backing away from their condemnation after they were shown proof of the truth'. Thus, we see here the foolishness of condemning too quickly.
C9-S4 : Jesus tells them that their thoughts are evil.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus to their reaction.
2. The phrase And Jesus knowing their thoughts said means: 'Some might say that this was special revelation because He was Jesus. However, being good at reading body and face reactions would also allow Him to know their reactions'.
3. The phrase Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? means: 'Their thoughts were evil because they judged Him, and His deed, and they judged before they knew the full truth. Such judgment is called prejudice. In addition, Jesus started this question with the word Wherefore because prejudice is evil anywhere that you see it'.
C9-S5 : Jesus poses a question to them.
1. The phrase For means: 'Here's why their thoughts were evil. They failed to consider all of the miracles which Jesus had already done and what their own religious traditions told them His position had to be'.
2. The phrase whether is easier, to say means: 'Both of the following options require the power of God. Therefore, since Jesus had proven repeatedly that He could do the one option, it should have been obvious that he could also do the other option'.
3. The phrase Thy sins be forgiven thee means: 'This is offering salvation, which the religious leaders thought they had because of their birth'.
4. The phrase or to say, Arise, and walk? means: 'This is identifying the miracles which require toe power of God just like salvation does. The main difference is that people can see miracles, which are physical in nature, but can not see salvation because it is a spiritual act'.
C9-S6 : Jesus heals a man who was sick of the palsy.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Where Jesus is still talking about proof that He is the Son of God, He switches from telling them how to judge to providing proof for them to base their judgment upon.
2. The phrase But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins means: 'This was said to the critical religious leaders and tells them that this is the proof which they are to use for judgment'.
3. The phrase (then saith he to the sick of the palsy) means: 'Here, Jesus switches whom He is talking to'.
4. The phrase Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house means: 'This is the command that Jesus gives'.
C9-S7 : the healed man obeyed Jesus. Our sentence says: And he arose, and departed to his house.
C9-S8 : the multitude glorified God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentences told us the reaction of the religious leaders and the reaction of the man who was healed. Our sentence is continuing the subject of reaction while changing who reacted to the multitudes.
2. The phrase But when the multitudes saw it means: 'This is when they reacted'.
3. The phrase they marvelled means: 'This is how they reacted emotionally'.
4. The phrase and glorified God means: 'This is when they reacted in action'.
5. The phrase which had given such power unto men means: 'This is why they reacted'.
C9-S9 : Jesus calls Matthew to discipleship.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding the report of the call of Matthew to the prior report where the religious leaders criticized Jesus and rejected God given evidence of Whom He was. This report, in context to the prior report, is showing the different reactions by different types of people.
2. The phrase And as Jesus passed forth from thence means: 'Jesus left the house He was at, with the critical unbelieving religious leaders'.
3. The phrase he saw a man, named Matthew means: 'Jesus went to where Matthew was'.
4. The phrase sitting at the receipt of custom means: 'Matthew was a tax collector, a government employee'. That is why Matthew's gospel concentrates on how Jesus fulfilled the law.
5. The phrase and he saith unto him means: 'Jesus said this to Matthew'.
6. The phrase Follow me means: 'This is a call to discipleship'. It should be believed that Matthew already believed in Jesus and this was a call to leave his job and devote his life to the service of Jesus and God's kingdom.
C9-S10 : Matthew left all to follow Jesus. Our sentence says: And he arose, and followed him. Our next sentence, and the matching accounts in the other Gospel accounts, tell us that the first thing that Matthew did was throw a dinner party to introduce all of his friends and acquaintances to Jesus.
C9-S11 : Matthew gave a meal to introduce his friends to Jesus.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of Jesus, and His disciples, accepting the invitation.
2. The phrase And it came to pass means: 'This was the result'.
3. The phrase as Jesus sat at meat in the house means: 'This is when the result happened'.
4. The word: behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
5. The phrase many public and and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples means: 'This is what the religious leaders claimed would spiritually define anyone'. Jesus and His disciples proved that they rejected the doctrinal error taught by the religious leaders.
C9-S12 : the Pharisees criticized.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction of the religious leaders.
2. The phrase And when the Pharisees saw it means: 'This is when they reacted'.
3. The phrase they said unto his disciples means: 'This is how they reacted'. They no longer had the courage to challenge Jesus.
4. The phrase Why eateth your Master with public and and sinners? means: 'They are asking why Jesus rejected their additions to God's law'.
C9-S13 : Jesus answers their criticism.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. They were afraid to ask Jesus, but he heard them anyway and answered instead of letting His disciples. He answered them with a parable, which they probably misinterpreted like the lost and carnal usually do. There are three parables in this chapter and all deal with the difference between following religious traditions as opposed to receiving the new spirit of the New Testament. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to the other parables given in the Gospel accounts. .
2. The phrase But when Jesus heard that means: 'This was when Jesus heard the religious leaders questioning His disciples'. He answered with a parable in this sentence and the next. Without a doubt, most lost and carnal people will miss the spiritual meaning of this parable.
3. The phrase he said unto them means: 'This was the answer from Jesus to their accusation that Jesus and His disciples were spiritually defiled by eating a meal with people that they considered to be sinners. Without a doubt, most lost and carnal people will miss the spiritual meaning of this parable'.
4. The phrase They that be whole need not a physician means: 'You don't need a physician when you are not sick. Likewise, people don't need a Saviour when they are not sinners. The Pharisees were sure that they were not sinners and, therefore, did not need a Saviour. However, the public and and sinners knew that they needed a Saviour. Therefore, Jesus spent time with people who would receive His message and ignored the self-righteous religious leaders'.
5. The phrase but they that are sick means: 'These are the people who, physically recognize their need for a physician. Likewise, the spiritual message is that the public and and sinners knew that they needed a Saviour'.
C9-S14 : Jesus tells them to learn the true meaning of scripture.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. In our prior sentence, Jesus told the Public and that they were sure that they did not need a Saviour. in this sentence, He is still talking about their need only now He is telling them how to realize their true need.
2. The phrase But go ye and learn what that meaneth means: 'Go find the true spiritual meaning of the next phrase'.
3. The phrase I will have mercy, and not sacrifice means: 'This is an indirect quote of Hosea 6:6 and a reference to Micah 6:6-8 '.
4. The phrase for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance means: 'This is the application of the prior quote'. The self righteous thought their sacrifices made them OK with God and guaranteed them a home in Heaven. The people who recognized that they needed mercy, were the sinners. They had the attitude which God accepted while the self righteous had and attitude which God rejected.
C9-S15 : the disciples of John the Baptist have a doctrinal question.
1. The phrase Then came to him the disciples of John, saying means: 'They had a legitimate question because they obeyed the command but did not truly understand the spiritual purpose of fasting'.
2. The phrase Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft means: 'They were looking at the similarity of physical activity but did not consider the difference in spiritual relationship with God'.
3. The phrase but thy disciples fast not? means: 'The disciples of Jesus had a different physical activity because they had a different spiritual relationship with God'.
C9-S16 : Jesus answers them differently because of their different attitude of heart. Yes, He still answered in a parable, but He gave them the answer without doctrinal correction like he did with the Pharisees.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And Jesus said unto them means: 'This was the answer from Jesus'.
3. The phrase Can the children of the bridechamber mourn. God had ordered the Jewish males to spend the first year of their marriage making their bride happy. It was to be a year-long honeymoon. And, children born in that year would be young and tender during that year. Therefore, their fussing would be taken care of immediately and they could not morn.
4. The phrase as long as the bridegroom is with them? means: 'This means during the first year'. Jesus was the bridegroom (John 3:29). His disciples did not fast while He was with them but, as the next sentence says, they would fast after He returned to Heaven. They did not need to fast in order to get Him closer to them while He was alive on this Earth. The true purpose of fasting was to deny the flesh the pleasures of the flesh in order to draw closer to God. It was not just a religious thing. And, Jesus used the word morn because that is what the flesh does when we truly fast.
C9-S17 : Jesus makes it clear that applications change with circumstances.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Jesus is still talking about the disciples fasting while explaining when their behavior will change.
2. The phrase but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them means: 'This was when Jesus returned to Heaven'.
3. The phrase and then shall they fast means: 'The saved are to fast today, not as a religious act but to draw closer to God'.
C9-S18 : Jesus gives an example of the precept involved. Jesus added this parable in order to introduce the spiritual difference in the relationship between God and saved people under the New Testament. Jesus had just told the disciples of John the Baptist the difference in fasting between a religious act and a spiritual act to draw closer to God. Now, Jesus is adding two parables in order to tell the main difference that will exist. However, since He is talking in a parable, the lost and carnal will probably misinterpreted it like they usually do with parables. There are three parables in this chapter and all deal with the difference between following religious traditions as opposed to receiving the new spirit of the New Testament. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to the other parables given in the Gospel accounts.
1. The phrase No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment means: 'Here's what was not done in that culture and time'.
2. The phrase for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment means: 'Here's why'.
3. The phrase and the rent is made worse means: 'Here's the end result'. . . .
4. The symbolic meaning of this phrase is: 'God will hot put His Holy Spirit, which is the covenant of the New Testament, into old religious practices because God's Holy Spirit will be stronger than the results of obeying religious rules and will cause a division between the people keeping the traditional religious rules and those obeying the commandments from God's Holy Spirit. The end result will be the destruction of religious people trying to keep the traditional religious rules'. We read about this division in the book of Acts and the reports of the three times when Paul returned there after becoming God's missionary and apostle to the Gentiles. As a result of the third time, the religious people trying to keep the traditional religious rules threw a riot, Paul was arrested and sent to Rome where he was beheaded and God sent the Roman Army to tear down the Temple and make it impossible for Jews to keep their religious traditions. And, we are indirectly informed that God had those Jews killed or scattered. That is, the saved Jews who were demanding people keep doctrinal error. That made the parable complete (the rent is made worse.).
C9-S19 : Jesus gives a second example of the precept involved. This is one of three parables, in this chapter, which all deal with the difference between following religious traditions as opposed to receiving the new spirit of the New Testament. This is a second parable which teaches the same lesson as the parable in the immediately prior sentence. Therefore, the spiritual meaning is part of God's Law and will be used when God judges men. Please see the note above for more of an explanation of these two parables. This parable adds more about the final result of the saved Jews who insisted that Jews keep their religious traditions and those saved people who insisted that we are to follow the commands of God's Holy Spirit.
1. The word Neither means: 'Not either'. Just like people do not do the action of the prior parable, so also do they not do the action of this parable. And, both actions are for the same reasons.
2. The phrase Neither do men put new wine into old bottles. At the tile and in the culture when Jesus spoke, the bottles were made from animal skins. Therefore, it was easier for the Jews of that day to understand that the bottles were used symbolically for men. And, this phrase means: 'God will not put His Holy Spirit, of the New Testament, into men who insisted that salvation was through keeping religious traditions'. There were many Pharisees and scribes and priests who were saved, but after being saved, they went back to a doctrine of keeping religious traditions. That is why, after three times of sending them a message to correct their doctrine, God destroyed the Jerusalem Church and killed off most of those people who taught a works salvation.
3. The phrase else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish means: 'This is why they did not do this act in the physical world and why God did not do this act in the spiritual world'.
4. The phrase but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved means: 'This is what they did in the physical world and why God does this in the spiritual world'. A lesson to pay attention to is that the truly saved must keep obeying God's Holy Spirit if that want God to preserve them. Yes, there are a lot of people preaching doctrinal error such as a works salvation. But, who can say that they are truly saved? Who can deny that God preserves such to use as a test of others, especially since we read of God doing exactly that throughout the Bible?
C9-S20 : the start of the next incident. Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56 also tells us about this incident. Please see the note for Luke 8:51 for a step-by-step sequence of events in the last part of this miracle. The sequence of earlier events is straight-forward and do not need a special outline.
1. The phrase While he spake these things unto them means: 'This is while Jesus was giving parables about the changes that God will require in the New Testament'.
2. The word: behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying means: 'This ruler was part of the Jews who were picking Doctrinal fights with Jesus. Obviously, they didn't all agree with those rulers who fought Jesus'.
4. The phrase My daughter is even now dead. Mark reports that he said My little daughter lieth at the point of death. Luke reports she lay a dying. Most likely, the father said what Mark reports and then added that she probably had died by the time he met Jesus, which would give us what Matthew reports.
5. The phrase but come and lay thy hand upon her means: 'This is what the Jews thought was required for miraculous healing'. Mark reports the same phrase and Luke skips lay thy hand upon her.
6. The phrase and she shall live means: 'The father had true faith that Jesus could save or restore her life'.
C9-S21 : Jesus and His disciples, and other Jews, went to fulfill his need. Our sentence says: And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. The other Gospel accounts are where we read that a lot of other Jews also followed.
C9-S22 : On the way, a woman was healed.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention because this is a unique miracle'.
3. The phrase a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years means: 'This was far beyond a woman's standard period'.
4. The phrase came behind him, and ouched the hem of his garment means: 'She didn't ask for healing like most Jews did. We see later that it was because she felt unworthy but was desperate. Her faith was half way between the standard Jew and the Roman centurion why said that Jesus didn't even have to be there. This Jewish ruler thought Jesus had to be there and that He had to lay hands on the girl. And, that is what most Jews thought. This Jewish woman thought that Jesus had to be there but she had faith that He did not have to touch her. Thus, her faith was between the faith of the centurion and the faith of the typical Jew'.
5. The phrase For she said within herself means: 'Here's why. This was all that her faith required'.
6. The phrase If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole means: 'She believed that a touch was required but did not believe that Jesus had to lay His hand on her. She did not require that sign'.
C9-S23 : Jesus said that her healing was due to her faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence told us that she tried to be sneaky while this sentence says that Jesus knew what she did. There were more details reported by the other Gospel accounts which happened between the prior sentence and this sentence, or between the phrases of this sentence. Please remember that it is not an error if a Gospel writer doesn't report certain details.
2. The phrase But Jesus turned him about means: 'He looked at all of the people to get their attention before He turned to her'.
3. The phrase and when he saw her means: 'He identified her and gave her personal message'.
4. The phrase he said means: 'Jesus said this'.
5. The phrase Daughter means: 'He identified her this way because she had received the type of faith that God wants everyone to have and this was a saving faith, which made here a child of God'.
6. The phrase be of good comfort means: 'Jesus always tried to encourage and comfort those who truly believed right'.
7. The phrase thy faith hath made thee whole means: 'She not only was healed physically but she was saved'.
C9-S24 : She received her healing after Jesus spoke. Our sentence says: And the woman was made whole from that hour. Notice that it does not say immediately. She had to have faith until the healing was completed. God does not always heal immediately and I write this from many personal experiences.
C9-S25 : Jesus tells the people who mourned that the girl was not dead.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is returning us to the prior sentences about Jesus going to the house of the ruler and adding more to that account.
2. The phrase And when Jesus came into the ruler's house means: 'This is when He acted'.
3. The phrase and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise means: 'This is what caused Him to act'.
4. The phrase He said unto them, Give place means: 'This is what He did. He put them out of the house (give place)'.
5. The phrase for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth means: 'This is the reason that Jesus gave for what He did'.
C9-S26 : the reaction by the people put out of the house. Our sentence says: And they laughed him to scorn. The basis of their scorn was valid from the point of view of this physical world. However, they failed to believe that Jesus was / is 'God in human flesh' and, therefore, is not limited to the rules of this physical reality.
C9-S27 : Jesus raised her from the dead.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. It is continuing the subject which caused the people to scorn, while reporting that their scorn was the wrong reaction.
2. The phrase But when the people were put forth means: 'This is when Jesus acted'. The other Gospel accounts give more details and more explanation of why Jesus acted like He did.
3. The phrase he went in, and took her by the hand means: 'This is what Jesus physically did to raise the girl from the dead'.
4. The phrase and the maid arose means: 'She was resurrected'. She is one of three people that Jesus raised from the dead. The other two being the widow's son and Lazarus. That matches the number of people raised from the dead in the Old Testament and makes Jesus be the seventh person raised from the dead.
C9-S28 : the response to the miracle. Our sentence says: And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land. in this chapter we see Jesus still acting like God's King. And, the religious people can not argue against the evidence which Jesus produces until they tell the lie which we read at the end of the chapter (But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils).
C9-S29 : the start of the next incident.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And when Jesus departed thence means: 'This is when the next miracle happened'.
3. The phrase two blind men followed him, crying, and saying means: 'This is who received the miracle and why'.
4. The phrase Thou Son of David means: 'This was a Jewish title for God's Christ and God's King. They were recognizing the claim of Jesus which the religious leaders rejected'.
5. The phrase have mercy on us means: 'They were begging for a miracle which was to be part of God's kingdom on Earth'.
C9-S30 : the two blind men proved their faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a test to the action described in the prior sentence. These blind men followed Jesus all the way from the house of Jarius to the house of Jesus And, Jesus still questioned them. Sometimes God puts us through multiple tests so that no one can say that our miracle came from anyone but God.
2. The phrase And when he was come into the house means: 'This is when the incident happened'.
3. The phrase the blind men came to him means: 'They followed Jesus all the way begging for mercy'.
4. The phrase and Jesus saith unto them means: 'Jesus demanded a public testimony before they received their miracle'.
5. The phrase Believe ye that I am able to do this? means: 'This was what they had to testify publically'. Remember that the disciples were with Jesus. Therefore, they, at least, were an audience to what these blind men said.
C9-S31 : the two blind men answered Jesus. Our sentence says: They said unto him, Yea, Lord. The word yea is a stronger version of the word yes. They believed this very strongly. They also believed that Jesus was 'God in human flesh' because they addressed Him as Lord and strongly believed that He could do miracles.
C9-S32 : the two blind men received their miracle.
1. The phrase Then touched he their eyes, saying means: 'Jesus gave them the sign which the Jews required in order to truly believe'.
2. The phrase According to your faith be it unto you. The word accord. The functional definition for this word is: 'Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note'. Our phrase means: 'The level of miracle received is agreeing with the level of true Biblical faith that a person has. The more faith that a person has, the greater will be their miracle. And, the less faith that a person has, the less will be their miracle'. This is a Biblical truth that many people do not understand and that many even preach against. However, those people who preach against this truth have not experienced any miracles beyond salvation and I have experienced many miracles in my life.
C9-S33 : Jesus commanded them to tell no one.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the results of their faith to the report of what they did to receive a miracle.
2. The phrase And their eyes were opened means: 'They were able to see physically'.
3. The phrase and Jesus straitly charged them, saying means: 'The next phrase is what Jesus told them at this time'. At other times and with other miracles Jesus gave different instructions such as when He told the people to go see the priests and offer what the Mosaic Law required when someone received cleansing from leprosy. The best that i can guess at is that He didn't want them to get into a doctrinal argument with the religious leaders like happened with the impotent man that Jesus healed in Jerusalem.
4. The phrase See that no man know it means: 'This is what Jesus commanded but our next sentence says that they disobeyed'.
C9-S34 : the two blind men disobeyed. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentence told us what Jesus told them to do while this sentence tells us that they did differently. Our sentence says: But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
C9-S35 : the start of the next incident.
1. The phrase As they went out means: 'The next person in need arrived as they left. It was almost like they lined up in order to receive miracles'.
2. The word: behold means: 'Pay close attention. It takes the power of God to cast out a devil'.
3. The phrase they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil means: 'This man could not speak because of the devil'. Devils lie and promise people power if they let the devil possess them. However, the devils do not reveal the true cost such as this man losing the ability to speak.
C9-S36 : the miracle caused the multitudes (to) marvel.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the results of Jesus casting out this devil.
2. The phrase And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake means: 'Jesus removed the problem when He removed the devil'.
3. The phrase and the multitudes marvelled means: 'The multitude were amazed because they saw more power than they expected to see'.
4. The phrase saying, It was never so seen in Israel means: 'Jesus did miracles that no one had ever done before in their history'. This should have convinced them that he was greater than anyone prior including Moses and Elijah.
C9-S37 : the Pharisees blasphemed about the miracle. We see this accusation dealt with in Matthew 12:25-28; Mark 3:23-26 and Luke 11:15-20.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Jesus provided evidence of Who He was while the Pharisees told lies so that people would not believe the truth.
2. The phrase But the Pharisees said means: 'These were the religious leaders who represented doctrines from devils so long as it kept them in their position among men. They accused Jesus of using their own source of spiritual power'. As spirits, devils can do miracles unless God stops them. However, the results of their miracles are not good for man nor do they bring glory to God.
3. The phrase He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils means: 'This is the lie which they claimed'.
C9-S38 : Jesus went about His ministry and ignored them.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how Jesus reacted to the lie about Him and His ministry. Sometimes, the worst thing that you can do is to try and defend yourself. Sometimes you have to ignore lies, knowing that wise people will figure out the truth and only fools will believe the lies. Please see the Study called What Did Jesus Do? for more references to how Jesus is our example of how to deal with different circumstances in life.
2. The phrase And Jesus went about all the cities and villages means: 'Jesus continued His life and ministry and ignored the lies'.
3. The phrase teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people means: 'He continued doing the same things as before with no changes'. Please also see the Table Of Miracles about other places in the Gospel accounts which tell us that Jesus did many miracles.
C9-S39 : Jesus had compassion because of the spiritual condition.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence told us what Jesus was doing while this sentence tells us that He did not have the feelings which one would expect from all of His accomplishments.
2. The phrase But when he saw the multitudes means: 'This is when Jesus reacted'.
3. The phrase he was moved with compassion on them means: 'This is how Jesus reacted'.
4. The phrase because they fainted means: 'This is why Jesus reacted'.
5. The phrase and were scattered abroad means: 'This is the additional condition of God's people'. This is the result of doctrinal error. Each person goes their own way and chooses their own belief and God's people are not united like a single herd of sheep are united.
6. The phrase as sheep having no shepherd means: 'God related His people to sheep. God's people acted like they had no central person providing one direction and protection and commands'.
C9-S40 : Jesus commanded our first step in missions.
1. The phrase Then saith he unto his disciples means: 'This is when and why Jesus said this command'. Lots of people preach this verse but few preach this first phrase. Like Jesus, God's preachers need to see God's people scattered by competing doctrinal error. Like Jesus, God's preachers need to deliver God's message and not their own doctrinal opinion.
2. The phrase The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few means: 'Harvest requires long and hard work but the work is simple and repetitive. It does not require a new doctrine nor a new type of service nor a new way of preaching. It requires people who will deliver the message from God and make sure that their audience understands that the message is from God and not from the person nor from the religion. They need to understand that when they reject the message they are truly rejecting God and not the messenger nor the religion'.
3. The phrase Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest means: 'Each and every one of us personally are commanded that God will convince His people to do the work of missions'. God gave this command to all saved people and not just to preachers. If people can not go then they can support with prayer and finances. Please see the book titled SbS-Non-Preacher Missionaries for more details on this truth.
4. The phrase that he will send forth labourers into his harvest means: 'Even those people who are not church staff are to be soul winners'.

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Chapter 10 Summary : the start of the spiritual life of the church.

The true church is spiritually alive. All forms of life start at conception. Birth is when the life is brought out into the world. They are two separate events for all forms of life. And, there are a few really stupid doctrines based upon people denying this obvious fact about all forms of life. I will not go into arguing those stupid doctrines at this time but will simply state that Pentecost (Acts 2) was the birth of the church. I do not believe that the Gospels tell us the exact instance when Jesus conceived ('gave spiritual life') to the church, but this chapter starts with Jesus sending out the twelve to do 'The Great Commission' and the chapter continues with things which are given to the church. Therefore, that truth is the basis of the title that I have given to this chapter.

Matthew 10:1-23; Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 9:1-6 report that the twelve were commissioned and sent out to do the work of missionaries. The note for Luke 9:1 gives an outline of this commissioning of the twelve. In addition, Luke 10 tells us that Jesus did the same thing with another seventy disciples. However, in Luke 22:35-38 Jesus changed the instruction from that point forward for the 'Church Age'. The difference is due to the twelve and the seventy going to Jews, in their culture, but missionaries, during the 'Church Age', would deal with different cultures. Therefore, the application had to change

In Matthew 10:8; Mark 3:15; Mark 6:13; Mark 9:38; Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1; Luke 9:49; Luke 10:17-18; Jesus gave His disciples power to cast out devils.

Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19 and Luke 6:12-16 report the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus.

All of Matthew 10:17-23; Matthew 24:1-25:30; Mark 13 and Luke 21 are dealing with prophecies of future events. Within those prophecies, Matthew 10:17-23; Matthew 24:4-13; Mark 13:5-13 and Luke 21:8-19 have prophecies of events before the 'Rapture'. Please see the Prophecies Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more related Bible references.

Matthew 10:17-23; Matthew 24:4-13; Mark 13:5-13 and Luke 21:8-19 have prophecies of events before the 'Rapture'.

Matthew 10:28; Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 Jesus prophesied the experience called 'Transfiguration of Jesus Christ'. That promise was fulfilled in Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:3-13 and Luke 9:28-36. These references also prophesy the return of Jesus as ruling Lord (Also called the 'Second Coming of Christ' and the start of the '1,000-years reign of Christ'.) Many commentators also name other places which talk about the Second Coming of our Lord. Please see the Prophecies Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more related Bible references.

In Matthew 10:24-25; Luke 6:40 and John 15:20 we read The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Matthew 10:25 tells us that Jesus referenced the incident which is reported in Luke 11:15-66; Matthew 12:24 and Mark 3:22-30. There, we are told that the Pharisees or other people claimed that Jesus did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Following that accusation we have the doctrinal rebuttal from Jesus.

Matthew 10:26-36; Mark 8:15-21 and Luke 12:2-9 all report that Jesus taught that we are to fear God but not fear man. Jesus taught pretty much the same doctrine to His disciples at different time and under different circumstances. Therefore, what we have here is doctrine which was taught more than once, which shows the importance of these doctrines.

Matthew 10:37-42 tells us we are to be willing to lose this life, and everything in it, if we want to enjoy life in our incorruptible body and be part of the 1,000-years reign of Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-4. Christ sends out his twelve apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;
5-15. giving them their charge, teaches them;
16-39. comforts them against persecutions;
40-42. and promises a blessing to those that receive them. '.

C10-S1 : Jesus gave the twelve power to be missionaries.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds this chapter to the prior chapter. The prior chapter ended with Jesus instructing the saved to Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Now, this chapter is starting with Jesus doing exactly that.
2. The phrase And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples means: 'This is whom Jesus sent out first'. Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 9:1-6 report the same thing. In addition, Luke 10 tells us that Jesus did the same thing with another seventy disciples.
3. The phrase he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease means: 'Jesus gave them power to do the signs that they represented God's kingdom and that their message truly came from God'.
C10-S2 : the twelve are identified. Our sentence says: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Please see the Detailed Note for more about each of these men. Please note that God keeps records of who is sent to do His work, even if they are lost and have the soul of a devil.
C10-S3 : the twelve are commanded and sent out.
1. The phrase These twelve Jesus sent forth means: 'Jesus sent Judas with the others because he had not yet betrayed Jesus and it was not, yet, time to reveal his betrayal'.
2. The phrase and commanded them, saying means: 'This was not just a suggestion. Too many people who claim the be saved show by their actions that they believe that the 'Great Commission' is a suggestion'.
3. The phrase Go not into the way of the Gentiles. Romans 1:16 says: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. God offered the kingdom to the Jews until they rejected God's kingdom and God's King. However, they had not yet rejected Jesus and God still had the offer open to the Jews. That is why Jesus commanded what He did in this sentence. Later, after God removes the offer to the Jews, Jesus will send the church to others and He will change the command on how they are to go.
4. The phrase and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not means: 'Jesus brought salvation to the Samaritans but His disciples were not yet ready for the reaction of the Jews to that offer'.
5. The phrase But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel means: 'Go to the lost Jews and offer salvation'. The salvation they were to offer is in the following sentences.
C10-S4 : the main message that they are to preach.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds what they were to preach to the command to go.
2. The phrase And as ye go means: 'They were to not await until they arrived at some place but were to deliver the message to everyone whom they met on the way'.
3. The phrase preach, saying means: 'This is what they were to do and our next phrase is the summary of what they were to preach'.
4. The phrase The kingdom of heaven is at hand means: 'This is the basic message of salvation'. The Jewish religious leaders taught that Jews were saved simply by being born and claimed that their birth position in society determined their position in eternity. That is why very few Jews tried to develop a personal relationship with God such as king David displayed in the Psalms.
C10-S5 : the main evidence that God backs their message.
1. The phrase Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils means: 'These were the same things as Jesus was doing to show them that God was offering then the 1,000 years reign of Christ (the kingdom). As the reader should know, the Jews rejected Jesus as their God given King and, thereby, rejected the kingdom. Likewise, many foolish people of today claim to be saved and think they will get a mansion and that they will rule with Christ, even while they also reject Jesus as their God given King. They will not receive the kingdom just like God refused to give it to the Jews'.
2. The phrase freely ye have received, freely give means: 'This is directly opposite of the doctrine that the Jewish religious leaders taught. They were full of pride and felt that what God gave them freely made them better than other people. They refused to give to anyone freely. Their religious doctrine was based upon the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of this world and not on the Spirit of God'.
C10-S6 : they were to trust God to work through His people in order to provide for their needs. This was true at that time and in that culture but Jesus changed the instructions when He sent the disciples into the world.
1. The phrase Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses means: 'Don't take any physical money'.
2. The phrase Nor scrip for your journey means: 'Don't take any paper money'.
3. The phrase neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves means: 'Don't take any extra physical provisions'.
4. The phrase for the workman is worthy of his meat means: 'Expect God to provide based upon your working for God'. . . .
C10-S7 : How to react to their response.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how they were to be provided for after Jesus told them how to not be provided for.
2. The phrase And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy means: 'Chose who to stay with based upon their character and not their wealth'.
3. The phrase and there abide till ye go thence means: 'Stay with them while in that city'.
C10-S8 : Honor your hosts first thing. Our sentence says: And when ye come into an house, salute it.
C10-S9 : the promise of God's peace.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. This sentence adds the condition for bringing God's peace to a house. It must be understood spiritually and God must provide the actual peace because we do not have that ability in our physical bodies.
2. The phrase And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it means: 'The peace of the apostles came from God and is to go to the people who believed the Gospel'.
3. The phrase but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you means: 'People who reject the Gospel do not get God's peace'.
C10-S10 : the warning that God will judge them.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how to deal with people who do not receive the messengers of God.
2. The phrase And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words means: 'This is specific ways that they are rejected'.
3. The phrase when ye depart out of that house or city means: 'This is when they are to act'.
4. The phrase shake off the dust of your feet means: 'This is how they are to act. This is a visible sign to the Jews that God has nothing to do with them because God's messengers will not take even the dust from their city since they would not receive the message that God sent'. Our next sentence tells us the consequence of this act.
C10-S11 : the start of prophecy about future reception by lost men.
1. The phrase Verily I say unto you means: 'Jesus has personally verified that the following judgment will happen'.
2. The phrase It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city means: 'The Jews living in the days of Jesus, who rejected God's Gospel, will have a more painful judgment from God than the people from Sodom and Gomorrha'. We have here a principal found elsewhere in the Bible but which is easily overlooked. Luke 12:48 says: For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. People who have a greater revelation from God will have a greater punishment if they reject the revelation from God. The people from Sodom and Gomorrha had no written Bible. The people in the days of Jesus had the Old Testament and the many miracles as signs that the message came from God.
C10-S12 : the provision for their future answers.
1. The word Behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
2. The phrase I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves means: 'This was the conditions which Jesus sent them into'.
3. The phrase be ye therefore wise as serpents means: 'Know when to avoid danger'.
4. The phrase and harmless as doves means: 'Do not be offensive because the truth is offensive enough to lost and carnal people'.
C10-S13 : Who will truly answer the lost.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentence told the disciples how to act while this sentence is turning to the actions of others. This sentence is the start of prophecy about future events. Please see the Prophecy Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to related prophecies.
2. The phrase But beware of men. means: 'Pay attention to men who will try to hurt you'.
3. The phrase for they will deliver you up to the councils means: 'Men will take you before councils so that they can condemn and hurt God's messengers'.
4. The phrase and they will scourge you in their synagogues means: 'This is the physical punishment they will do in the name of religion'.
5. The phrase And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake means: 'Men will use the laws of governments to hurt God's messengers'.
6. The phrase for a testimony against them and the Gentiles means: 'Here's why God will allow it. Their actions will be recorded and used when God judges them'.
C10-S14 : the type of future betrayal.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence told us what other men would do and this sentence tells the disciples the different actions which they are to take.
2. The phrase But when they deliver you up means: 'This is the circumstances when this promise will take effect'.
3. The phrase take no thought how or what ye shall speak means: 'Don't worry. Don't make plans. Truly prove that you rely upon God by obeying these commands'.
4. The phrase for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak means: 'This is the promise but God's messengers have to fulfill the requirements of this sentence in order to receive this promise'.
C10-S15 : Here's why the promise in the prior sentence is true. Our sentence says: For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
C10-S16 : Another prophecy of future persecution.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death means: 'The lost physical family of the truly saved will turn against them even when it means death'. This has happened, at times, throughout history but the main time when it will happen, I believe, is during the great tribulation.
C10-S17 : the type of future trials.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake means: 'This is what each and every one of them personally will experience. It is reported that John was boiled in oil alive and then sent to Patmos to be worked and starved to death. And, reportedly, all of the others, except Judas Iscariot, died a martyr's death'.
3. The phrase but he that endureth to the end shall be saved means: 'Many people misapply this phrase. This was spoken to the twelve disciples as a personal prophecy. The phrase he that endureth to the end excluded Judas Iscariot. All of the other disciples were saved'.
C10-S18 : How to survive persecution.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence spoke about men saying their feelings while this sentence talks about their acting on those feelings.
2. The phrase But when they persecute you in this city means: 'This identified when they are to obey the instructions of this sentence'.
3. The phrase flee ye into another means: 'This is what each and every one of them are to personally do'.
4. The phrase for verily I say unto you means: 'Jesus has verified this'.
5. The phrase Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel means: 'This is what the twelve will not personally accomplish'. What others did since their deaths is not included in this prophecy.
6. The phrase till the Son of man be come means: 'This speaks about the Second Coming'.
C10-S19 : the precept that applies to these prophecies. Our sentence says: The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. This sentence s explained in the next couple of sentences.
C10-S20 : How we are to gage our success in life.
1. The phrase It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master means: 'We are to learn to be like Jesus in our character. We will not be judged by God for how popular we are nor by any other standard than how much we become like Jesus'.
2. The phrase and the servant as his lord means: 'We must learn to serve God like Jesus did. That is what our judgment will be based upon'.
C10-S21 : the comparison we are to use.
1. The phrase If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub means: 'This is what the religious liars called Jesus'.
2. The phrase how much more shall they call them of his household? means: 'Think about what the liars will say about you when you become like Jesus'.
C10-S22 : God will reveal the truth at their judgment.
1. The phrase Fear them not therefore means: 'Don't fear men as a result of the lies that they tell about you'.
2. The phrase for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed means: 'It doesn't matter how powerful their friends are, God is more powerful. Their friends may do things to keep the truth from being revealed to men, but God will expose the truth and judge them for their wrong'.
3. The phrase and hid, that shall not be known means: 'It does not matter how well they hide the truth, God sees all and will reveal all at the time of judgment by God'.
C10-S23 : Loudly proclaim what Jesus reveals.
1. The phrase What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light means: 'Tells people in the light of Day the things which God reveals to you as you privately meet God and study and pray'.
2. The phrase and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops means: 'What God sends to you through a Godly messenger, preach to others also'.
C10-S24 : Fear God, not man.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a warning to God's messengers. Men will be angry at the message from God and threaten God's messengers. However, the punishment from God for not delivering the message from God, or for perverting it, will be far greater than anything that men can do.
2. The phrase And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul means: 'This identifies literal physical men'. We are to not fear them.
3. The phrase but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell means: 'This identifies Jesus Christ'. We are to fear Him.
C10-S25 : An illustration of relative worth so that we keep the right perspective. Our sentence says: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? It means 'Sparrows have very little value'.
C10-S26 : God's knowledge of what we value little. Our sentence says: and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. This means that God the Father controls what happens to each sparrow.
C10-S27 : Assurance of God's knowledge of all that happens to us. Our sentence starts with the word But. While the prior sentences told us the little value of sparrows, this sentence provides a contrast and tell us that we have a high, relative, value to God. Our sentence says: But the very hairs of your head are all numbered If all of the hairs of your head are all numbered, then we have a relatively high total value.
C10-S28 : Our relative value to God. Our sentence says: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. This means: 'God will not waste our life. Anything that happens in our life is for God's glory and out good. The things which happen to the saved and that they feel are bad in this physical world, result in greater rewards in Heaven so long as those things happen as a result of our serving God'.
C10-S29 : Assurance of Jesus Christ representing us before God's throne. The next sentence must also be considered in context with this sentence.
1. The phrase Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men means: 'Whosoever has a lifestyle which identifies them with Jesus Christ' this identification starts with Baptism. Please see the Message called: Basic doctrine of Baptism.
2. The phrase him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven means: 'When Satan accuses us of sin before God the Father, Jesus Christ will claim us as His own and assure God the Father that He will deal with His children. Satan will not be allowed to punish them'. Please see the Message called: Baptism Gets God's Mercy.
C10-S30 : Assurance of Jesus Christ denying some before God's throne.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our sentence is telling us the different way that Jesus will respond for some people such as the lost and carnal who refuse to have their life identified with Him.
2. The phrase But whosoever shall deny me before men means: 'This identifies people who make a profession of salvation but don't get baptized. It also includes people who claim to be 'backslidden''.
3. The phrase him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven means: 'Jesus will let God the Father send Satan to give such people an attitude adjustment'. Romans 9:13 says: As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. God reacted this way because Esau valued the things of this world above the things of God. Likewise, people of today should expect God to react the same way when they act the same way.
C10-S31 : Jesus Christ came to involve us in the spiritual war.
1. The phrase Think not that I am come to send peace on earth means: 'Don't believe the 'Health and Welfare Gospel'. Yes, God loved the world but His love is not applied on a personal basis until someone is saved. Religious people are willing to murder people who disagree with their religious doctrine. And, such people get very upset when you tell them that their religion will take them to hell'.
2. The phrase I came not to send peace, but a sword means: 'Jesus came to get us involved in the spiritual war between God and all devils'.
C10-S32 : Jesus Christ will divide family loyalties.
1. The phrase For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law means: 'People will fight family over religion and spiritual matters'.
C10-S33 : Our families will be our enemies because of Jesus Christ. Our sentence says: And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
C10-S34 : the relative importance that Jesus Christ must have. Luke 14:26 is equivalent to this sentence.
1. The phrase He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me means: 'People love their parents because their parents took care of them when they could not take care of themselves. In addition, the parents taught them how to provide for themselves and gain the things of this world. However, parents can only teach about this physical reality. It takes God to teach us about the spiritual reality and what we will have for evermore. It takes God to provide for what we have in eternity. And, everything of God comes through Jesus Christ'.
2. The phrase and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me means: 'The truths of the prior phrase also apply to this phrase. Jesus added it as a separate phrase because many people are more willing to die for a child than they are for a parent. Regardless of your relationship to any other person, Jesus is to be more important than anyone else'.
C10-S35 : the requirement for personal sacrifice.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds further clarification as to what God demands.
2. The phrase And he that taketh not his cross means: 'This was, reportedly, the most painful way to die ever devised by man. Jesus demands that we be willing to suffer in this life and die a martyr death. That is what he did for us'.
3. The phrase and followeth after me means: 'We are to walk like He walked and go where He tells us to go, no matter what the circumstances not cost is'.
4. The phrase is not worthy of me means: 'If we do not fulfill these requirements, then we are not worthy of Jesus. And, we should not expect everlasting rewards nor should we expect to return with Him for the 1,000 years reign'.
C10-S36 : the promise of future results. Luke 17:33 and John 12:25 are the equivalent of this sentence. In addition, we find a matching doctrine in Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38 and Luke 9:23-26. (The second set of references tell us to follow Jesus Christ while the first set tell us to lose our current life in order to follow Him.)
1. The phrase He that findeth his life shall lose it means: 'The person who devotes current physical life to the pleasures of this life will lose all spiritual rewards that God pl and on giving them and will not be allowed to return with Christ for His 1,000 years reign'.
2. The phrase and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it means: 'Anyone who gives up all of the pleasures of this current physical life in order to serve Jesus Christs will find everlasting rewards in Heaven, which will increase their everlasting pleasure, and they will be allowed to return with Christ for His 1,000 years reign'.
C10-S37 : the relationship between God and His messenger. Our sentence says: He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. Many people foolishly think that they can reject the messenger from God and not reject God. However, this sentence, and other places in the Bible, tell us that rejecting God's messenger is also rejecting God.
C10-S38 : the precept that is the basis of the prior promises.
1. The phrase He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward means: 'The prophet was tasked by God to tell God's people the law of God and the consequences of disobeying God's Law. The person who receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, stops their sinning and is rewarded by God'.
2. The phrase and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward means: 'This is the same principal as the prior phrase but it lets us know that God wants us to accept any messenger that He sends and it does not matter if the messenger has an ordained position or not'.
C10-S39 : the promise of everlasting rewards.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple means: 'If you help the smallest child as a true disciple of Jesus'.
3. The phrase verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward means: 'Jesus has verified that you will not lose your heavenly reward'.

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Chapter 11 Summary : Two different reactions to evidence provided by God.

The prior chapter told us that Jesus sent out the twelve (12) disciples to do missionary work. Now, our chapter starts with Jesus going into their cities to preach. The spiritual lesson is that true missionaries can depend on Jesus preaching to their loved ones while they devote their life to doing His missionary work. After that start, we have several sentences which give us what Jesus said was the testimony of John the Baptist. We know that God had His word written in the sentence format and, starting in 200-AD, devil motivated men chopped God's word into at least three different versions of verses. God allowed the verse format to stay for the same reason why Jesus preached in parables. That is: so that lost and carnal people would be led into doctrinal error while those who acct the interpretation from God's Holy Spirit would learn that God uses the sentence format to teach His people.

(Please see the lessons under the Hermey tab for the details of this truth.) Now, while I could put the word of God into sentence format because the punctuation gives us the end of sentences, I had no way of knowing where the original chapter divisions were. Therefore, I did not try to correct them. That written, I believe this is one of the rather obvious places where the devil motivated people who chopped up the word of God also moved the chapter division. It should be obvious that this first sentence actually matches the subject of the prior chapter and does not match the subject of this chapter. Therefore, the first sentence should be considered in context of the prior chapter and ignored as far as contextual requirements of this chapter.

As we see in the grouping of sentences, below, which divide this chapter into sub-subjects, the true subject of this chapter starts with the report of John the Baptist sending from prison asking for assurance. he knew that he probably would not be set free and most likely would die for telling the truth. Therefore, it should be understandable that he wanted some assurance before he died. We need to remember that He did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and comfort him and he was, in fact, under the Old Testament spiritual relationship with God. Therefore, it would be wrong to judge his request using the blessings and relationship that God provides in the New Testament.

Next, we have a section where Jesus told the crowd what God thought about John the Baptist. Devil motivated religious and political people were trying to destroy the testimony of John the Baptist and our section lets us know that lies from men will not affect God's record of our service. So, what we see here is evidence of our chapter theme with the disciples of John the Baptist accepting the evidence from God and the religious leaders rejecting the evidence from God with the result of the people being confused about what they should believe. However, instead of praying and thinking for themselves, they stuck to traditions, which led them into error and their own destruction. This is why the word of God instructs us to stop listening to anyone once they have been proven to be a religious liar. Such people are ministers of devils.

Next, Jesus said that the generation of Jews refused to be satisfied no matter what type of messenger God sent them. The truth was that it did not matter what type of messenger God sent them because they were actually following religious leaders who rejected God and God's message but claiming that their rejection was due to the messenger.

The last part of our chapter tells us about Jesus says Woe! to the people who had received the most evidence that He was God's Messiah / Christ and, yet, still refused to believe. As just mentioned, when the people were confused, they should have prayed for God's help and used their own brains to figure out the truth. Instead, they chose the comfort of traditional leaders, which led to Jesus says Woe! to them. Thus, we have a contrast in the attitudes and claims between those who believed and obeyed as opposed to those who refused to believe and obey. And, people were blessed or destroyed because of the leader that they chose to follow.

In Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:20-23 we are told that John the Baptist sent from prison and asked Jesus if He was the Christ.

In Matthew 11:4-5 and Luke 7:21 we are told about Jesus healed the diseased and cast out devils as proof He is Christ for John the Baptist's disciples.

In Matthew 11:7-15 and Luke 7:24-30 we are told about Jesus telling the crowd what God thought about John the Baptist.

In Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:30-35 we are told about Jesus asking But whereunto shall I liken this generation?

In Matthew 11:20-24 and Luke 10:13-15 Jesus says Woe! to the people who had received the most evidence that He was God's Messiah / Christ and, yet, still refused to believe. Thus, we have a contrast in the attitudes, and resulting judgment by God, between those who believed and obeyed as opposed to those who refused to believe and obey.

In Matthew 11:25-30 and Luke 10:21-22 Jesus tells us that God the Father hid the truth from those who are wise according to this world. Jesus then invites all to Come unto me...and I will give you rest. The rest comes after we accept and obey the truth that God hid and that only Jesus reveals.

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The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-6. John sends his disciples to Christ.
7-15. Christ's testimony concerning John.
16-19. the perverse judgment of the people.
20-24. Christ upbraids Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;
25-27. and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,
28-30. he calls to him all such as feel the burden of their sins. '.

C11-S1 : Jesus went to different cities from where He sent His disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds what Jesus did after sending out the twelve.
2. The phrase And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciple. means: 'This is what He did after sending out the twelve'.
3. The phrase he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities means: 'Jesus ministered in the cities of the disciples'. When God sends us to a mission field, we can believe that He will minister to our loved ones at home, so long as we are faithful in our service to Him.
C11-S2 : John the Baptist asked for assurance.
1. Our sentence starts with the word Now, and is the true start of this chapter.
2. The phrase Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ means: 'John the Baptist understood that he would never be set free. Therefore, since his life would be required, he sent for some assurance'.
3. The phrase he sent two of his disciples means: 'These were who he could rely upon to do the job and to return with an honest answer. John sent two because God commands that things be done with two or three witnesses'.
4. The phrase And said unto him means: 'This was the message that John the Baptist sent to Jesus'.
5. The phrase Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? means: 'He asked if Jesus was truly God's Christ'.
C11-S3 : Jesus provides signs from God as assurance to John the Baptist.
1. The phrase Jesus answered and said unto them means: 'This is the answer sent by Jesus after He did many miracles, including those listed in this sentence'. Luke 7:20-23 tells us that Jesus did these miracles first so that John's disciples would be first-person witnesses and not just reporting what they were told.
2. The phrase Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see means: 'They heard the reports from others and also personally witnessed these things'. Just repeating a report that you hear might be spreading a lie. That is why courts require first-person witnesses.
3. The phrase The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up means: 'These are the miracles which Jesus did in front of the disciples from John the Baptist'.
4. The phrase and the poor have the gospel preached to them means: 'This is the doctrine which they heard preached and this is whom Jesus preached to'.
C11-S4 : Jesus assures John the Baptist of God's blessings.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. In our sentence, Jesus adds assurance of the blessing which John the Baptist will receive.
2. The phrase And blessed is he means: 'This is the promise to anyone who fulfills the next phrase'. . . .
3. The phrase whosoever shall not be offended in me means: 'The world will try to make us offended and will persecute someans some, like John the Baptist, will have to die. However, all such are assured of blessings from God'.
C11-S5 : Jesus testifies to the multitude about John the Baptist.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence, and several more, add the testimony from Jesus about John the Baptist.
2. The phrase And as they departed means: 'This is when Jesus started speaking'.
3. The phrase Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John means: 'This is to whom and the subject that Jesus started speaking about'.
4. The phrase What went ye out into the wilderness to see? means: 'He asked this question first in order to get people thinking'.
C11-S6 : Jesus asks a question to make people think. Our sentence says: A reed shaken with the wind?. It means: 'Would you really go to that much effort for such a common thing?'. Jesus wants people to realize that John the Baptist was a very unusual man.
C11-S7 : Jesus asks another question to make people think. Our sentence says: But what went ye out for to see? means: 'Stop listening without thinking and really think about these questions'.
C11-S8 : Jesus asks a third question to make people think. Our sentence says: A man clothed in soft raiment? means: 'Think about the testimony of John the Baptist'.
C11-S9 : Jesus points out the difference between John the Baptist and rulers. Our sentence says: means: 'behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses'. While not said directly, this included the religious leaders.
C11-S10 : Jesus repeats a prior question to get people to really think. Our sentence says: But what went ye out for to see?. This is the third time that Jesus asks this question. Anyone who still refuses to think about this question will have no excuse when they are judged by God.
C11-S11 : Jesus asks what should be obvious. Our sentence says: A prophet? Our next sentence has the answer from Jesus.
C11-S12 : Jesus says that John the Baptist was more than just a prophet. Our sentence says: yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
C11-S13 : Jesus says that John the Baptist fulfilled prophecy. Luke 7:27 is an equivalent sentence which says the exact same thing.
1. The phrase for this is he means: 'Here's why Jesus said what He did about John the Baptist'.
2. The phrase of whom it is written this sentence is quoting Isaiah 40:3.
3. The word: behold means: 'Pay close attention'. This prophecy is about John the Baptist but it is also a Messianic prophecy (about Jesus Christ.
4. The phrase I send my messenger before thy face means: 'This was the job of John the Baptist.'
5. The phrase which shall prepare thy way before thee means: 'He was the herald sent to prepare God's people to meet their King'.
C11-S14 : Jesus says the relative value of John the Baptist.
1. The phrase Verily I say unto you means: 'Jesus has personally verified that the following statement is true'.
2. The phrase Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist means: 'No man, other than Jesus, had more power with God than John the Baptist'.
3. The phrase notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he means: 'Angels in Heaven had more power with God than any living man had, other than Jesus'.
C11-S15 : Jesus speaks about the spiritual war.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds that devils are fighting against the kingdom of Heaven.
2. The phrase And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence means: 'Earlier in this chapter we had evidence that John the Baptist was still alive. Therefore, the time of this violence started when John the Baptist started his ministry'.
3. The phrase and the violent take it by force means: 'The devils were trying to force Heaven to submit to them'.
C11-S16 : Jesus speaks about the reason why the devils were attacking Heaven. Our sentence says: For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John means: 'The devils understood prophecy well enough to know that the Old Testament was ending and, if Jesus gave the Jews the promised kingdom, then they only had 1,000 years before they were locked into the lake of fire for all eternity. Therefore, they were fighting based upon the belief that their time of freedom was almost over'.
C11-S17 : Jesus speaks about the fulfillment of prophecy. Our sentence says: And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. This sentence is a direct reference to Malachi 4:5-6. The phrase if ye will receive it means: 'If you understand spiritual truth in order to truly understand the fulfillment of prophecy'. Please see the Prophecies Fulfilled Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more prophecies which were fulfilled according to the Gospel accounts.
C11-S18 : Jesus says that His prior comments must be spiritually heard. Our sentence says: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. It means: 'If you can hear and understand spiritual truth then understand the prior sentences spiritually'.
C11-S19 : Jesus starts to condemn people who refuse to hear spiritually.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Jesus was talking about what the devils were doing in prior sentences. Now, He is switching to what the Jews of that generation were doing.
2. The phrase But whereunto shall I liken this generation? means: 'Jesus is going to give them a picture of their generation from a spiritual perspective'.
C11-S20 : Jesus gives an illustration.
1. The phrase It is like unto children sitting in the markets means: 'At that time, and in that culture, many children who were old enough to go to the market by themselves were also old enough to do chores and help around the homeans with a garden. The fact that they were children sitting in the markets means that they were most likely unruly and sent out by their mothers because they were too much trouble for the mothers to make them work. These types are seen in all societies and all times and are the main source of future criminals.'.
2. The phrase and calling unto their fellows means: 'They are the type to mouth off to strangers and encourage each other to be as disrespectful as they can get away with being'.
3. The phrase And saying means: 'These are the types of things that they said in that day'.
4. The phrase We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced means: 'They complained that people did not waste their days in dancing but chose to be productive with their time. They did not understand the consequence to society if everyone stopped working and spent their time playing and partying'. Spiritually, the equivalent is religious leaders claiming that a man can not be a true man of God if he spent his time doing what God truly required and did not devote his life to keeping all of their additions to God's law.
5. The phrase we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented means: 'They complained when everyone didn't agree that their priorities were the most important thing in the world. They mourned when they didn't get their own selfish way and expected everyone to agree that such was a tragedy. Likewise, the religious leaders did the same like when they complained that Jesus and His disciples did not keep their rules for the sabbath. For example, multiple times they complained when Jesus healed on the sabbath. If they personally were not suffering, then they wanted others to suffer for the rest of their life if that was required to obey their additions to God's law about the sabbath'.
C11-S21 : Jesus illustrates their judgment of John the Baptist.
1. The phrase For means: 'This sentence and the next sentence tell us why Jesus said the prior sentences about that generation of Jews'.
2. The phrase John came neither eating nor drinking means: 'This is how John the Baptist acted. He avoided the food and the wine which everyone else partook of because he was a true Nasserite'.
3. The phrase and they say, He hath a devil means: 'This is what they said about John the Baptist because of where he lived and what he ate and his refusal to value the things of this world like they did'.
C11-S22 : Jesus illustrates their inconsistent judgment of Jesus.
1. The phrase The Son of man came eating and drinking means: 'Jesus ate and drank the same as everyone else in His society. He was not a Nasserite'.
2. The phrase and they say means: 'These are the half truths which the religious people made up about Him'.
3. The phrase Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber means: 'They claimed that He ate and drank in excess with no evidence. Remember that they believed that they would become spiritually unclean if they ate with certain people like Jesus did. Therefore, they did not eat with Jesus and had no personal experience to base their lies on. They told as observed truth what they only assumed'.
4. The phrase a friend of public and and sinners means: 'This much was true and was the reason why they told the lies which are reported in this sentence'.
C11-S23 : Jesus says that they are not wise.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentences told us about religious people who claimed to be godly and wise but produced physical and spiritual children who had the character of devils. What is implied, as a contrast, it the fact that the truly wise produce children who have the character of God.
2. The phrase But wisdom is justified of her children means: 'The character oh the children produced proves if someone is truly wise or not'.
C11-S24 : Jesus upbraids cities which were most foolish. We also see this in Luke 10:13-15.
1. The phrase Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done means: 'Jesus warned them of future judgment and being destroyed by God'.
2. The phrase because they repented not means: 'This is why they will be judged'.
3. The phrase Woe unto thee, Chorazin! means: 'This is the first city that Jesus mentioned'.
C11-S25 : Jesus condemns Bethsaida. Our sentence says: woe unto thee, Bethsaida!. This is the second city and the note for the prior sentence also applies here.
C11-S26 : Why.
1. The phrase for if the mighty works, which were done in you means: 'This is why He said Woe! in the prior two sentences. They had more evidence of God working than anyone else received'.
2. The phrase had been done in Tyre and Sidon means: 'These were two cities that the Jews regarded as totally depraved'.
3. The phrase means: 'they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes'. They would have realized the truth and done everything they could to repent and avoid judgment by God. However, because the Jews believed a wrong definition of sin and a wrong relationship that they had with God, they saw no nee to truly repent.
C11-S27 : their relative judgment.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Where the prior sentence told us about the Jews believing the wrong standard of judgment used by God, this sentence tell the true standard which is used by God.
2. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'This is the warning from Jesus'.
3. The phrase It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment means: 'They will get a lesser punishment'.
4. The phrase than for you means: 'The Jewish cities will get a greater punishment'.
C11-S28 : Jesus condemns Capernaum.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding a special judgment for the city which Jesus lived in.
2. The phrase And thou, Capernaum means: 'This is a personal judgment for that city'.
3. The phrase which art exalted unto heaven means: 'This was their past'.
4. The phrase shalt be brought down to hell means: 'This was their future'.
5. The phrase for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee means: 'Here's why'.
6. The phrase had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day means: 'Here's the comparison which God tells them to make'.
C11-S29 : their relative judgment.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence said what blessings Capernaum had received. This sentence tells the judgment that they will receive because they refused to truly repent.
2. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Jesus is telling them the judgment they will receive'.
3. The phrase That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee means: 'Many religious people claim that sodomites are the worst type of sinner. However, our sentence says that God considers the unrepentant religious person to be worse'.
C11-S30 : Jesus thanks God the Father for His righteous judgment.
1. The phrase At that time Jesus answered and said means: 'Jesus is answering God the Father for His revealed truth about how He acts and judges'.
2. The phrase I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth means: 'This identifies Whom Jesus is praying to'.
3. The phrase because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent means: 'Jesus is identifying the wise and prudent of this world. God has hid spiritual truth from them. This is the same way that Jesus used parables to lead the lost and carnal into doctrinal error and only reveal spiritual truth to saved people who turn to God for understanding'.
4. The phrase and hast revealed them unto babes means: 'God reveals some spiritual truths to spiritual babes'.
C11-S31 : Why God judges as He does. Our sentence says: Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
C11-S32 : Only Jesus can show us the true nature of God the Father.
1. The phrase All things are delivered unto me of my Father means: 'God the Father is the most powerful being anywhere. What the Father delivered to the Son can not be changed in any way by any other being'.
2. The phrase and no man knoweth the Son means: 'No human, and probably no devil nor angel, completely understood how Jesus was completely the Son of God and completely the Son of Man at the same time'. . . .
3. The phrase but the Father means: 'God the Father was the only Being Who completely understood because He made it to happen'.
4. The phrase neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son means: 'God the Son was the only being who completely understood God the Father'. We live in four dimensions (height, length, width and time) and have trouble understanding the spiritual which encompass those four dimensions and more. Our thinking is limited to the four dimensions and can not comprehend the extra dimensions of the spiritual. At least, not with our own natural reasoning.
5. The phrase and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him means: 'Only the Son can give us spiritual understanding including any understanding of God the Father'.
C11-S33 : An open call to everyone. This sentence, and the next two sentences, give us a promise that lots of people like to 'claim' However, many people use as non-Biblical definition for the word rest and, as a result, do not receive this promise. In addition, many people fail to realize that the requirement given in the next sentence (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me) is a mandatory requirement for receiving this promise.
1. The phrase Come unto me means: 'This is a call to salvation and to discipleship. We can only receive the promise of this sentence if we truly devote our life to the service of Jesus'.
2. The phrase all ye that labour and are heavy laden means: 'People feel this way when they are trying to deal with the problems of this life all on their own. Forsome reason, most people fail to realize that God designed us to be dependent upon Him. When people do not have an ongoing personal relationship with God, they do not have the help that they need to deal with this life. Jesus offers the solution to that problem'.
3. The phrase and I will give you rest means: 'The true Biblical meaning of rest is that we don't have to worry about our physical needs because God supplies everything that we need. However, God only does that for saved people who are truly serving Him'.
C11-S34 : the requirements of the call in the prior sentence and of the promise in the next sentence.
1. The phrase Take my yoke upon you means: 'A yoke for two animals locks them into matched steps and has them share a burden. Jesus is telling us to get into locked steps with Him and share His burden. He will do all of the spiritual work through us if we let Him do so. '.
2. The phrase and learn of me means: 'This is the true purpose of the word of God. It is also the only way that we will mature spiritually and increase our everlasting rewards'.
3. The phrase for I am meek and lowly in heart means: 'This is what we need to become in order to get greater position and rewards in Heaven'.
4. The phrase and ye shall find rest unto your souls means: 'Our soul is what Jesus came to save along with our spirit. The salvation of our soul is what Jesus is working on from the instant that we become a true child of God until we leave this physical reality'.
C11-S35 : Why we should answer the call. Our sentence says: For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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Chapter 12 Summary : Judgment according to religious rules versus judgment according to spiritual truth.

Our chapter starts with a report on the Pharisees picking a doctrinal fight with Jesus. Therefore, they, obviously, did not come to Jesus and take His yoke, as the last chapter ended with. This chapter shows us that they were the (worldly) wise and prudent, whom God the Father hid spiritual truths from.

First, they picked a fight claiming that disobeying their additions to the Mosaic Law were not lawful. Instead of arguing about the Law, Jesus told them what king David did, which was similar, and he was not punished for it. Of course, they would have to also condemn king David if they continued to condemn the disciples.

Next, they picked a fight because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. They should have known, and we need to recognize, that such healing requires spiritual power and not physical power. The Mosaic Law, and their additions to it, specified how things were to be done in the physical reality. Therefore, using spiritual power to heal could not be against the law. However, Jesus used a different argument because they might not have understood what I just wrote. Instead, when they asked Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?, He answered with what they regularly did and, then concluded with: Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Then we are told that the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him, but Jesus went elsewhere to minister and avoid the fight at that time. And, as part of His ministering, Jesus did miracles. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, this fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. In response, Jesus answered with evidence to prove that their claims were lies. Then, He said how men will be judged by God.

at this point, certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. They had lots of signs before that time, which were the miracles which He had already done. Therefore, they were not, really, seeking a sign, but were trying to establish a basis for claiming that they had greater authority than Jesus had by claiming that He had to do miracles when they demanded. Of course, Jesus knew what they were trying to do and He refused to fulfill their request and old them that the only sign that they would see is His being in the Earth for three days and nights. In addition, He told them the witnesses who would testify against them when they were judged by God. Finally, His physical family came and tried to take precedence over His ministry. Thus, we see that even good people can be used by devils.

As this summary shows, the religious people were fighting against the authority of Jesus. They kept trying to claim that they had greater authority and Jesus kept telling them the evidence and witnesses that would be used against them when they were judged by God. Therefore, the warning for today is: 'Don't try and claim greater authority than God gives to you'.

Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5 report that Jesus and His disciples pick and eat corn on the Sabbath day. Those accounts also have the accusation by the Pharisees that Jesus and His disciples violated the Law about the Sabbath. The answer from Jesus includes the fact that the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Please see the note for Matthew 12:8-LJC about how Jesus dealt with the sabbath in the gospels.

Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11 all tell the story about Jesus healing a man of a withered hand on the sabbath. The reports of this miracle immediately follow Jesus showing that the Pharisees had a withered understanding of God's law. Please see the note for Luke 6:6 for a comparison of how this incident is reported in each Gospel account and for the various things reported assembled into a time sequence. Please also see the Table Of Miracles about this miracle and related miracles.

Matthew 12:15-23; Mark 3:7-21 and Luke 6:17-49 tell about Jesus healing, teaching and casting out devils.

In Matthew 12:22-24; Mark 3:22-30 and Luke 11:15-16, we are told that the Pharisees or other people claimed that Jesus did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Following that accusation we have the doctrinal rebuttal from Jesus. This incident was also referenced by Jesus in Matthew 10:25.

In Matthew 12:25-28; Mark 3:23-26 and Luke 11:17-26, we have the parable of the 'House Divided Against Self'. This parable is part of the doctrinal rebuttal by Jesus to their lie that He did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Many might miss that this is a parable, but Mark tells us that it is. In addition, this parable is part of the doctrinal rebuttal by Jesus to their lie that He did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub.

In Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27 and Luke 11:21-22, we read the 'Parable about Robbing a Strong Man's House' (No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.) this was a prophecy that Jesus would bind Satan and lead captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8) When He took all of the Old Testament saints from Paradise to Heaven after His resurrection.

In Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23, we read that Jesus said: He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10 tell us what is the Biblically true 'Unforgivable Sin'. While people will not admit the truth, many teach a doctrine which makes other sins, such as divorce, the 'Unforgivable Sin'.

In Matthew 12:33; Matthew 7:16-20 and Luke 6:43-45 we read the 'Parable of the Good Tree and Corrupt Fruit'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 12:34-37 and Luke 6:44-45, Jesus tells us how our fruit will be used to judge us.

Matthew 12:38-40; Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:10-13 and Luke 11:29-32 tell us that Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. Jesus refused other than to say that they would receive the sign of the prophet Jonas.

Matthew 12:39-40 is one of several places where we read that Jesus prophesied His own betrayal, persecution, death and resurrection. Please see the Prophecy, Prophecy Fulfilled Sections of the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to related Bible references. Please also see the section called Appearances of Jesus Christ After the Resurrection for more references about on resurrection.

Matthew 12:40; Matthew 26:61; Matthew 27:40; Matthew 27:63; Mark 14:58; Mark 15:29; John 2:19 all tell us that Jesus would be in the grave three days and three nights. Please see the Prophecies Fulfilled Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more related Bible references.

Matthew 12:41-45 and Luke 11:24-26 tell us the judgment that will be brought upon that generation because they rejected Jesus. Included within the message is the parable of 'The Unclean Spirit'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21 tell us about the mother and brethren of Jesus showing up and wanting to interrupt His ministry so that they could talk to Him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-2. Christ reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the sabbath,
3-8. by scripture,
9-12. by reason,
13-21. and by a miracle.
22-23. He heals a man possessed that was blind and dumb;
24-35. and confuting the absurd charge of casting out devils by Beelzebub, he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven.
36-37. Account shall be made of idle words.
38-45. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46-50. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.'.

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C12-S1 : the start of this incident.
1. The phrase At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn means: 'This is when and what they were doing'.
2. The phrase and his disciples were an hungred means: 'This was their physical condition'.
3. The phrase and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat means: 'This was they did'.
C12-S2 : the Pharisees condemn the disciples for violating their religious rules.
1. The phrase But when the Pharisees saw it means: 'This started the dispute'.
2. The phrase they said unto him means: 'The Pharisees started the fight with Jesus. They claimed authority which they really did not have'.
3. The word Behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day means: 'The disciples were violating their religious traditions which they added to God's Law'. With their additions, they were claiming to have the authority of God, which is required to make or change God's Law.
C12-S3 : Jesus answers based upon scripture. This sentence is referencing 1Samuel 21:3-6
1. The phrase But he said unto them means: 'This is the answer from Jesus'.
2. The phrase Have ye not read what David did means: 'Jesus referenced scripture, which is where God's true Law was written down'.
3. The phrase when he was an hungred, and they that were with him means: 'This gave them the exact place in scripture which Jesus referenced. It also gives us the reason for the precedent'.
4. The phrase How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread means: 'This is what king David did'.
5. The phrase which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him means: 'This was the law which God allowed an exception to'.
6. The phrase but only for the priests? means: 'God did not judge them for that act. That made it a precedent'. Obviously, God allowed this exception, which meant that a similar exception was also allowed. With this answer, Jesus showed them that they did not understand how law worked as well as they thought that they did. They were not the legal experts which they claimed to be.
C12-S4 : Jesus cites another precedent.
1. The phrase Or have ye not read in the law means: 'They started an argument about the law. Therefore, they were claiming to be experts and had no excuse for not knowing all of the law including decisions about the law which God had made. Once an exception to the law is made, others can use that same exception'.
2. The phrase how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath means: 'God allows exceptions to what they were claiming was an absolute rule with no exceptions allowed. Yet, this is an exception which is written as part of the very law which they claim had no exceptions'.
3. The phrase and are blameless? means: 'Since God assigned no blame, neither could any man assign blame'.
C12-S5 : Jesus gives His authority over religious rules. This is seen in the complete answer which includes the next two sentences.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. This word means that Jesus is still talking about God's law while changing the detail being spoken about.
2. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Now, as author of God's law, Jesus is giving then a legal precedent'. He had the authority to add to God's law, or to change it, while that did not have that authority.
3. The phrase That in this place is one greater than the temple means: 'The Jews centered their religious practices on the physical building of the Temple. Jesus is letting them know that the God of the Temple is greater than the Temple'. True worship is directed at the person of God and not physical things like buildings. However, religious people always change the focus from a Spiritual God to a physical place.
C12-S6 : Jesus tells them that they don't understand scripture.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. This word means that Jesus is still talking the authority of about God's law while changing from the building, and written law, to the Spiritual God Who wrote the law. in this sentence, Jesus is revealing the character of God and His stated preferences. . .
2. The phrase But if ye had known what this meaneth means: 'They did not really understand the purpose of the law which they claimed to be experts of'.
3. The phrase I will have mercy, and not sacrifice means: 'This is written in: Isaiah 1:11-17; Hosea 6:6 and Micah 6:6-8 '.
4. The phrase ye would not have condemned the guiltless means: 'This error they would have avoided if they had truly understood what they claimed to understand'.
C12-S7 : Jesus tells them that He has authority which they do not have. Our sentence says: For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. means: 'Here's why He can tell them the true meaning and why he has the authority to change God's law about the sabbath day'.
C12-S8 : the start of the next incident which resulted in a miracle. Like all miracles reported in the Gospels, this miracle is a physical example of the doctrine that it is in context with.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. After Jesus corrected their doctrine outside about the sabbath, our Gospel reports His doing the same in the synagogue.
2. The phrase And when he was departed thence means: 'Jesus left the field where the Pharisees went to start a doctrinal fight. He had answered their challenge to His authority, even though they did not understand His answer'. Now, Jesus is going to demonstrate the different results which true authority can produce versus the results of falsely claimed authority. Someone who truly has God's authority will also have God working in and through their life.
3. The phrase he went into their synagogue means: 'This was the place where Jews met to learn about God and the worship God'.
4. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
5. The phrase there was a man which had his hand withered means: 'The Jewish religious leaders had this man there so that they could start a doctrinal fight'. Jesus used this circumstance to show the difference between the results of Godly authority and the results of religious authority. This man had a withered hand and religion could do nothing about it. Symbolically, this man could do no true work for God and religion could not give him that ability. However, Jesus personally was capable of fixing the problem and our personal relationship with Jesus is what enables us to truly have God do spiritual work through our life.
C12-S9 : the religious leaders started a religious argument. Our sentence says: And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? It means: 'Here they challenged Jesus about the law'. Please see the note for Luke 6:6-11 about how this discussion went between them and Jesus.
C12-S10 : Why. Our sentence says: that they might accuse him means: 'They were not looking for truth but for a way to bring a false accusation against Jesus'. Obviously, Jesus knew their intentions and uses this occasion to show them the error of their reasoning. It was possible, though not very likely, that one, or more, of then would see the error of their reasoning and truly repent. However, those who refused to consider what He told them would not be able to claim ignorance when they were judged by God. We need to remember that this physical life is one long test by God. First, where we spend eternity is determined by our accepting or refusing to accept an ongoing personal relationship with God. Then, our level of reward or punishment, in Heaven or in Hell, is determined by our level of obedience and service to God. Therefore, how they responded to the message of Jesus would affect their judgment and everlasting results.
C12-S11 : Jesus turns their question back on them.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds Jesus calling the religious leaders on their doctrinal challenge.
2. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'Jesus asked this question to make them think'.
3. The phrase What man shall there be among you means: 'This question was asked in general but applied to each personally'.
4. The phrase that shall have one sheep means: 'This is the circumstance which Jesus presented which was common enough that it probably happened in the life of each of them, or something similar happened'.
5. The phrase and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day means: 'This is the condition which would require them to act'.
6. The phrase will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? means: 'This is the act which each of them would do in spite of it violating the very rule that they tried to impose upon Jesus and His disciples. Without question, this act would require far more work than what the disciples did and their objection was based upon the amount of work done by the disciples'.
C12-S12 : Jesus asks them the relative worth of a man. Our sentence says: How much then is a man better than a sheep?.
C12-S13 : Jesus clearly answers their question. Our sentence says: Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days means: 'This was an answer that they could not dispute'.
C12-S14 : Jesus commands the man whom the religious leaders used to start a doctrinal fight. Our sentence says: Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. It means: 'Jesus made it very clear that He would not submit to their religious rules which they added to the Law of God'.
C12-S15 : Jesus heals the man. Our sentence says: And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. It should have been obvious that the laws restricting work on the sabbath dealt with physical work. However, healing required spiritual work using the power of God. And, the sabbath was established so that men had a time to meet with God and deal with God on a personal level. Therefore, spiritual healing fit within the true purpose of the sabbath and the religious leaders were perverting the law to forbid people fulfilling the very purpose of the sabbath.
C12-S16 : the religious leaders react.
1. The phrase Then the Pharisees went out means: 'They hid and acted in secret where Jesus acted openly for all to see'. We see in this difference the difference between the spirit from God and the spirit from a devil.
2. The phrase and held a council against him means: 'Luke implies that the scribes were with them and Mark reports that the Herodi and were part of the council'. The Pharisees objected to the government while the Herodi and supported it. We see here that devils can motivate people to put aside their differences in order to destroy the Godly.
3. The phrase how they might destroy him means: 'This is what their council sought'.
C12-S17 : Jesus avoided a fight and went elsewhere to minister.
1. The phrase But when Jesus knew it means: 'Our sentence is continuing the subject of the religious people seeking the destroy Jesus while changing whom is talked about and the different action'.
2. The phrase he withdrew himself from thence means: 'Jesus did not fight them and did not hide but left their judgment up to God the Father'. Please see the Study called What Did Jesus Do? for more references to how Jesus is our example of how to deal with different circumstances in life.
3. The phrase and great multitudes followed him means: 'Many people liked His doctrine and wanted to see, or experience, His miracles'.
4. The phrase and he healed them all means: 'Jesus did this to show them what would be available if they accepted Him as their God appointed King and He brought in the kingdom. This is contrasted with their current condition which was the result of their following the doctrinal error of the Pharisees and other religious leaders'.
5. The phrase And charged them that they should not make him known means: 'Jesus made it clear that He was not looking fort a reputation but for people who would accept His doctrine'.
6. The phrase That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying means: 'This sentence is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Isaiah 42:1 '.
7. The phrase Behold my servant, whom I have chosen means: 'Jesus devoted His life to the service of God the Father and did not seek anything that He desired in His own flesh'.
8. The phrase my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased means: 'God the Father only said this about Jesus'. Please see the Detailed Note for references to where the word of God reports this truth.
9. The phrase I will put my spirit upon him means: 'Jesus had God's Holy Spirit without limit and He used the power of God's Holy Spirit to do all of the miracles which He did'.
10. The phrase and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles means: 'This was the job that God saved the Jews to do and which they refused to do but which Jesus did, and is doing, through the church'.
C12-S18 : this sentence is a continuation of quote of Isaiah and the entire chapter of Isaiah is applicable here. Our sentence says: He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this quote.
C12-S19 : this sentence is a continuation of quote of Isaiah and the entire chapter of Isaiah is applicable here. Our sentence says: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this quote.
C12-S20 : this sentence is a continuation of quote of Isaiah and the entire chapter of Isaiah is applicable here. Our sentence says: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this quote.
C12-S21 : Jesus cast out a devil and fixed the damage.
1. The phrase Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. This miracle, like all miracles reported in the Gospel accounts, is a physical example of the surrounding context. This man was controlled by a devil and God's people were controlled by devil-motivated doctrines. Jesus suffered without complaint, like the prior quote of Isaiah says, and did it to free God's people from control of devils and their doctrines. He also did it to bring God's message to Gentiles, which God's people were supposed to do but refused to do. Devils had made God's people spiritually blind, and dumb. Jesus came to free all people and make them able to spiritually both speak and see. The theme of this chapter is: 'Judgment according to religious rules versus judgment according to spiritual truth'. in this chapter we see the fight over doctrine between the devil motivated religious leaders and Jesus. And, even today, we see a doctrinal fight between 'good, godly, Bible believing, KJV only Baptists' and what the Bible literally says. Go ahead and find anyone else who publishes as complete and accurate Table Of Miracles as you will find on this web site. Find anyone else who will write and publish that reported miracles are a physical example of the surrounding doctrine. And, you will also find differences about parables and other doctrines with everything on this site based strictly on a set of analytic rules.
C12-S22 : the people start to get the idea that Jesus is God's Messiah / Christ. Our sentence says: And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? the phrase son of David was used by the Jews for God's Christ. And the people were taught that God's Christ would be the God's Son of God. That is why our next sentence reports their trying to explain away the miracles and other evidences of God the Father working through Jesus and, thereby, showing His approval on the ministry of Jesus.
C12-S23 : the Pharisees accuse Jesus of using the power of Satan.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But and continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. The prior sentence tells us the reaction of the common Jew while this sentence tells us the reaction of the Pharisees.
2. The phrase But when the Pharisees heard it, they said means: 'When the Pharisees heard the Common Jews speculating that Jesus was God's Christ, they started telling the lie in this sentence'.
3. The phrase This fellow doth not cast out devils means: 'They claimed that Jesus could not cast out devils by His own power and that he did not use the power of God the Father'.
4. The phrase but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils means: 'The only spiritual power that they knew was from devils. Therefore, they claimed that Jesus used the power of the most powerful devil that they knew about. They also made this claim to deny the opinion of people that Jesus was God's Christ'.
C12-S24 : Jesus gives reasoning to reveal their lies.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus to the lie from the Pharisees. Notice that people have to actually think about this response and not just pick their favorite answer or they will most likely be led into error.
2. The phrase And Jesus knew their thoughts means: 'While it is possible that Jesus picked up their thoughts based upon their displayed character and body language, it is unlikely because of the details found in this sentence'. Please see the Non-Prophecy Godly Knowledge Section of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more related Bible references.
3. The phrase and said unto them means: 'This is the answer that Jesus provided'.
4. The phrase Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation means: 'This is a precept. It may take time but this is true for every kingdom'.
5. The phrase and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand means: 'This is another example of the precept. Divorce starts with the married couple each taking a stand against the other instead of both working together to solve problems of life'.
6. The phrase And if Satan cast out Satan means: 'This is another way of saying what the Pharisees said in the prior sentence'.
7. The phrase he is divided against himself means: 'This is an absolute result if the prior conditional statement is true'.
8. The phrase how shall then his kingdom stand? means: 'This is the demand that people actually think and come to the only reasonable result'. Anyone who denies this truth proves themselves to be a fool.
C12-S25 : Jesus relates their lie to the consequences to their own children.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a personal application to the reasoning of the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils means: 'If people agree with the Pharisees then they need to answer the question in the next phrase'. Jesus personally displayed the character of God. If they could claim that He represented the devil then the less Godly religious Jews definitely represented the devil.
3. The phrase by whom do your children cast them out? means: 'How do you justify claiming that other Jews did any Godly act?'.
C12-S26 : Jesus prophesies their future due to their telling lies. Our sentence says: therefore they shall be your judges means: 'Their own children will judge them for bringing the curse of God upon Jews in general'.
C12-S27 : Jesus gives the true conclusion from His act.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. It is continuing the subject of casting out devils while changing the source of the power to do so.
2. The phrase But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God means: 'If Jesus is actually using the power of God to cast out devils'. The religious leaders were telling lies about Jesus because He demonstrated approval by God the Father when He did miracles and the religious leaders were trying to deny Hiss approval so that people would believe that they were a greater authority representing God.
3. The phrase then the kingdom of God is come unto you means: 'This is what the Jewish religious leaders were claiming that they were seeking from God. However, when God gave them their request, they rejected it because they refused to accept a true King appointed by God and demanded a puppet king that they could control'.
C12-S28 : Jesus prophesies His future defeat of Satan.
1. The phrase Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods means: 'When Jesus died on the cross, devils took His soul and spirit into Hell. He did not break in because God is always righteous. After Jesus was in Hell, He took back His own power and authority as God. (He had set them aside to be conceived and live and die as a literal physical man.) Once He had His own power, He bound Satan and all of the devils. He took the keys of hell and of death from Satan (Revelation 1:18). He led Old Testament saints from Paradise to Heaven (Ephesians 4:8)'.
2. The phrase except he first bind the strong man? means: 'This phrase states what Jesus had to do to Satan, and all of the devils, before He could do the things referenced for the prior phrase'.
C12-S29 : Jesus prophesies the result of His defeat of Satan. Our sentence says: and then he will spoil his house. The note for the prior sentence explains this sentence and gives applicable Bible references.
C12-S30 : Jesus provides the personal application. Very few people really consider the application of this sentence.
1. The phrase He that is not with me is against me means: 'Jesus leaves no wiggle room in this phrase. Even so, liars try to claim that they are not really against Jesus when they argue against the clear doctrine taught by Jesus. They also argue the same when they refuse to devote their current physical life to the service of God, when that is exactly what Jesus did and old us that He did'. There are many more applications of this phrase if people really pray and think about it. But, the main contextual fight of this chapter was over religious traditional doctrine versus the literal doctrine taught by Jesus. Therefore, the main application is for people who claim to belong to God and yet insist upon clinging to their traditional religion when God has someone show them where and how their traditional doctrine goes against what the word of God literally says. And, since Jesus is literally the Word of God (in human flesh), going against what the word of God literally says is being against Jesus.
2. The phrase and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad means: 'There are many different religious doctrines which all claim to be 'Christian', and yet disagree with all others as well as disagreeing with what the word of God literally says'. That is what Jesus meant by the phrase scattereth abroad. The physical phrase is used symbolically for the doctrinal spreading of false doctrines.
C12-S31 : Jesus proclaims the spiritual consequence of following the Pharisees.
1. The word Wherefore means: 'This result will be seen wherever you look after this sin has been done'.
2. The phrase I say unto you means: 'Jesus is telling us this as the primary messenger from God'.
3. The phrase All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men means: 'We can be forgiven for claiming that what God the Father did, or what was done by Jesus Christ was actually done by someone else. We can also be forgiven for claiming that something done by a devil was done by God the Father or what was done by Jesus Christ'.
4. The phrase but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men means: 'If we do the same against God's Holy Ghost then there will be no forgiveness'.
C12-S32 : Jesus adds to His warning.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. It adds another warning to the warning of the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him means: 'Jesus Christ reacts differently than God's Holy Ghost'.
3. The phrase but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost means: 'This phrase is continuing the subject of speaketh against which changing Whom is spoken against'.
4. The phrase it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come means: 'This is the result of the prior phrase'. Please realize that the phrase neither in the world to come is speaking about Heaven for the saved person. There is a doctrinal error believed by many which claims that 'Jesus has to forgive all sins of anyone who makes a profession. Therefore, it does not matter if you live for all of the sins that you want to do'. This sentence, as well as other Bible references, proves that claim to be a lie and a doctrine from devils.
C12-S33 : the results are directly related to the source. This sentence is, obviously, using symbolic language. The word tree is used for 'the source of what we produce in life'. The word fruit is used for 'The living results of how we live our life'.
1. The phrase Either make the tree good, and his fruit good means: 'We will produce Godly fruit (what is good) only if our life is dedicated to the service of God'. . .
2. The phrase or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt means: 'Our life will produce corrupt fruit if our life is dedicated to the lusts of the flesh or to the lusts of this world or to doctrines from devils'. Our life will be dedicated to one or more of these things if it is not dedicated to the service of God.
3. The phrase for the tree is known by his fruit means: 'Here's why. This is why the word of God warns us that our life will be judged by our works'.
C12-S34 : Jesus applies the prior precept to the people.
1. The phrase O generation of vipers means: 'This is, obviously, symbolic language for religious people who produced poisonous doctrine which appeared to be very attractive, like poisonous snakes appear to be attractive'.
2. The phrase how can ye, being evil means: 'This was how the religious leaders acted'. Notice that this is still the response from Jesus to their claim that the power of God's Holy Ghost was the power of Beelzebub. Their claim was what Jesus was calling evil. They claimed to represent God the Father, which means that the next phrase should have been true about them. However, they did not have the character of God the Father. Therefore, they could not truly speak for God the Father.
3. The phrase speak good things? means: 'This means speak what actually comes from God'. Our next sentence tells us why Jesus said this sentence.
C12-S35 : Jesus says that our heart is the source of our speech. Our sentence says: for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh means: 'This is why Jesus called the Pharisees evil in the prior sentence. What they had claimed was an evil lie. That showed that their hearts were evil. In addition to that truth, Jesus adds further clarification in the next dew sentences'.
C12-S36 : Jesus says that our speech reveals our heart.
1. The phrase A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things means: 'If your heart is good then you will speak good things'.
2. The phrase and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things means: 'If your heart is evil then you will speak evil things'.
C12-S37 : Jesus says that God will judge us for our words.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But because Jesus is still answering the lies of the Pharisees. They thought that they could tell lies against God's Holy Ghost with no consequences to them in this life and no consequences in eternity. Jesus is still speaking about the consequences of out words while warning them about everlasting consequences which they thought did not exist.
2. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'in this sentence, Jesus gives a warning'.
3. The phrase That every idle word that men shall speak means: 'We will answer for every idle word and everything else that we do in this life which has greater impact than just an idle word'.
4. The phrase they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment means: 'God has angels keeping an accurate record (account) of everything that our life produces. That record will reveal everything including the motivations of our heart and we will have to answer to God for all of it (thereof). Many people are foolish and believe that there will be no accounting because they have not had to answer for their attitudes and actions yet. However, the day of judgment has not yet arrived for anyone who is still alive in this physical reality'.
C12-S38 : Here is why Jesus gave the prior warning. Our sentence says: For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned means: 'Your personal words will be used to condemn or to justify you when you are judged'.
C12-S39 : the scribes and of the Pharisees demand that Jesus produce a sign at their command.
1. The phrase Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying means: 'This was their answer to the warning that Jesus gave'. They did not, because they could not, disagree with the just form of judgment which Jesus spoke about because the same principals of law were in the Mosaic Law for how their own judges were to judge matters. So, since they could not disagree they tried to deflect the attention of listening Jews by bring up another subject. They asked Jesus to produce a miracle just because they demanded it. If He had done so, then they would claim that he truly submitted to them because He produced miracles when they demanded. If He refused, then they would claim that His doctrine was not truly from God since God did not back His doctrine when proof was asked for. And, never mind that none of them could do miracles even while they claimed to speak for God. Thus we see a typical method used by hypocrites. They demand that others do the impossible while refusing to fulfill their own demands.
2. The phrase Master, we would see a sign from thee means: 'This was their demand'. They used the word sign to mean 'a miracle'. They used the word Master to mean 'Teacher'. They were refusing to address Him as Lord, even though they demanded that He act as Lord.
C12-S40 : Jesus tells them that the resurrection is the only sign that religious lost people will receive.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But because Jesus answered their demand while refusing to fulfill their demand. They thought that they had trapped Him in a position where any answer that He gave they could use against Him. However, he proved that religious people can not trap God into doing their will.
2. The phrase But he answered and said unto them means: 'This was the answer from Jesus'. They thought they had Him trapped where He had to do what they demanded or refuse to do so. However, He answered that He would give them a sign in the unknown future and it would be a sign that they could not figure out. This is how all unfulfilled prophecy is. We can understand much of unfulfilled prophecy but there is some part which is not revealed ahead of time and God never reveals exactly when He will fulfill a prophecy ahead of time. Please see the Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled Sections of the Significant Gospel Events Study for more related Bible references to this prophecy.
3. The phrase An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign means: 'Jesus said that they were evil and adulterous because they did not keep their covenant vow to serve God (adulterous) and they did not recognize someone who came with the character and doctrine from God (evil)'. They seeketh after a sign for the wrong reasons and then refused to acknowledge that they had already been given many signs which they refused to acknowledge because they refused to submit to God's message.
4. The phrase and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas means: 'Here, Jesus says that they will receive a sign but are not told when. Therefore, they can not complain that He refused them but they also can not claim that He submitted to them and produced a sign on demand. In addition, they did not understand His prophecy about the sign and, when they were given the sign, they rejected it and lied about God giving it to them'.
5. The phrase For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly means: 'This is their type of a future sign. The type was given in the past but they did not understand that it showed them what God would do in the future'.
6. The phrase so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth means: 'Jesus was in Hell for three days and three nights'. The Roman Catholics messed up on their so-called 'Good Friday' (Mark 2:28-LJC). They read that Jesus was crucified the day before the sabbath, but failed to read that the Friday was a high sabbath (John 19:31). Therefore, they claim that Jesus was crucified on a Friday and refuse to recognize that their doctrine woes not allow Jesus to be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth and still rise on Sunday.
C12-S41 : Jesus prophesies their judgment by other men.
1. The phrase The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it means: 'When we are judged by God, and try to make excuses, God will call others to testify against us. God will not testify and God will not condemn without testimony from others. However, there are enough people who have lived that someone will be able to testify against any excuse'.
2. The phrase because they repented at the preaching of Jonas means: 'This is the reported testimony of the men of Nineveh'.
3. The phrase and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here means: 'That generation of Jews had far less excuse for rejecting the doctrine of Jesus'. And, people of today have even less excuse for neglecting the truth of the Gospel.
C12-S42 : Jesus tells of another future judgment by men.
1. The phrase The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it means: 'This is a second witness, which fulfills God's legal requirement for condemning someone'.
2. The phrase for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon means: 'It would have been dangerous to travel at that time but she did it'. No one will have any excuse for not finding the testimony of God.
3. The phrase and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here means: 'Jesus had God's wisdom, which was greater than the wisdom of Solomon'.
C12-S43 : Jesus explains how a devil acts and how the so-called protection of religion makes people worse than they were.
1. The phrase When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man means: 'This is the result of religion casting out a devil'.
2. The phrase he walketh through dry places means: 'The devil searches for another place but doesn't like what he finds'.
3. The phrase seeking rest, and findeth none means: 'The devil is not comfortable anywhere he finds to stay'.
C12-S44 : the devil returns to his enjoyment.
1. The phrase Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out means: 'He decides to return where he was cast out'.
2. The phrase and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished means: 'The person has cleaned up his life using human methods'.
C12-S45 : the devil makes the life of the possessed worse.
1. The phrase Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself means: 'The devil gets many more and worse devils so that religious methods can not cast them out'. This was the state of Mary Magdalene when Jesus freed her (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2).
2. The phrase and they enter in and dwell there means: 'Now the person has more than one devil and he is forced to do even more wicked acts'.
3. The phrase and the last state of that man is worse than the first means: 'Here is the end result of relying on religion'. Remember that all of this chapter is telling us the conflict between religion and a personal relationship with Jesus.
C12-S46 : A wicked generation, which relies upon religion, will suffer the same fate. Our sentence says: Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. means: 'God turned the Jews of that generation over to devils and removed His protections from any who refused to be truly saved'.
C12-S47 : the physical relatives of Jesus try to interrupt His ministry.
1. The phrase While he yet talked to the people means: 'Jesus was busy teaching and disputing with the religious leaders and devils motivated His lost physical family to also try to disrupt His work'.
2. The word Behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase his mother and his brethren stood without means: 'The Roman Catholics deny this truth with their claim that Mary was an eternal virgin'. Matthew 13:55-56 names the physical brothers and also says that there were multiple sisters.
4. The phrase desiring to speak with him means: 'They did not want to wait but demanded that they be given higher priority'.
C12-S48 : Jesus is told that they want Him. Our sentence says: Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
C12-S49 : Jesus refuses to be distracted.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Jesus is responding to the interruption while refusing to let it stop Him from what He is currently doing.
2. The phrase But he answered and said unto him that told him. This answer goes through the end of this chapter.
3. The phrase Who is my mother? means: 'Jesus asks this question to make people think that He has a different answer than what is obvious'.
C12-S50 : Jesus demands people evaluate who is true family. Our sentence says: and who are my brethren?. This is added to the question of the prior sentence. 'Jesus asks this question to make people think that He has a different answer than what is obvious'.
C12-S51 : Jesus declares the spiritual family to be the true family.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus to the questions which He asked.
2. The phrase And he stretched forth his hand oward his disciples, and said means: ''. . . .
3. The phrase Behold my mother and my brethren! means: 'Pay close attention to this answer. Spiritual family are more important than physical family'.
C12-S52 : Jesus declares how to become pare of His spiritual family.
1. The phrase For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven means: 'Here's why Jesus said that the spiritual relationship was what is most important'. The true child of God has a God caused changed life which results in their doing the will of God the Father which is in heaven.
2. The phrase the same is my brother, and sister, and mother means: 'These are the true children of God'. Those people who claim that all which is required is a profession are calling Jesus a liar.

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Chapter 13 Summary : What the kingdom of heaven is like.

Our chapter starts by telling us: The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake manythings unto them in parables. Thus, we see that this chapter tells us that Jesus was speaking to great multitudes. Now, Matthew 13:10 says: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them. Thus, people might think that Jesus spoke, what followed that sentence, to just His disciples. However, Matthew 13:36 says: Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. therefore, almost everything said before that, within this chapter, was said to great multitudes with only Matthew 13:11-23 said to the disciples only.

Matthew 13:24 says: Another parable put he forth unto them, which lets us know that Jesus is, again, speaking to the great multitudes until Matthew 13:36, where we read: Then Jesus sent the multitude away. Thus, it is important to know what Jesus said to everyone and what he said only to His disciples because He spoke in parables to the multitudes but gave the explanations only to His disciples. It is as Matthew 13:11 says: Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Parables use symbolic language to teach us. The use of parables is also explained in the Table of Parables in the New Testament and in the Message called How to Know Parables. Jesus used parables to hide the truth from lost and carnal people while revealing truth only to saved people who maintain their relationship with God. Only God's Holy Spirit can reveal the spiritual truth to the saved person (Matthew 13:11-17). In addition, this chapter has two, out of the three times, that Matthew reports Jesus saying: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And, our chapter ends with the people of the home town of Jesus rejecting Him, in spite of all of the miracles that He did, because they saw Him growing up and saw that His physical family were just like them.

The last chapter ended with Jesus saying that His true family was not His physical family but His spiritual family. Thus, our chapter is telling us that people who judged Jesus by physical means did not understand Who He really was and they could not understand the spiritual messages that He taught. However, those who accepted Him and sought God's help to understand spiritual messages were able to understand the truth. Therefore, we see a division between saved and spiritually maturing people as opposed to others and the division is based upon their willingness to receive spiritual help in order to understand spiritual truth.

Most of this chapter contains parables about the kingdom of heaven. We read the phrase the kingdom of heaven in: Matthew 13:11; Matthew 13:24; Matthew 13:31; Matthew 13:33; Matthew 13:43; Matthew 13:44; Matthew 13:45; Matthew 13:47; Matthew 13:52. In all except two of those references, Jesus is saying: the kingdom of heaven is like. Thus, this chapter is telling us What the kingdom of heaven is like.

Matthew 13:3-23 is the parable of the seed that fell on 4 different types of ground. One type of ground is those that are obviously lost. Another represents those that are obviously saved and produce spiritual fruit. The other two represent people that some claim are lost and others claim are saved but unproductive.
Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43 is the parable of the wheat and tares that shows saved and lost in the world when Jesus Christ returns to rule the world. There is a secondary application about them being in the church together.
Matthew 13:31-32 is the parable of the mustard tree.
Matthew 13:33 is the parable of leaven in a loaf.
Matthew 13:34-35 tells us that Jesus sent away the multitude and spoke to His disciples for the rest of the chapter.
Matthew 13:44-46 give 2 parables about selling all to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 13:47-50 is a parable of end times and the separation of wicked from the just.
That leads to this verse where Jesus asked them Have ye understood all these things? Notice that their answer is Yea, Lord because they understood that the Lord decided who was accepted into His kingdom and who did not. Since that was the main theme of these parables, they would not have understood them if they called Him anything but Lord.

Matthew 13:1-2; Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:1-2 tell us about Jesus getting ready to teach. Most of the rest of the three chapters contain parables that He used to teach.

Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20 and Luke 8:2-15 tell us the 'Parable of the Sower' with the explanation of it in the note for 4:11-12, which includes how to understand parables. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 13:10-17 the disciples asked Jesus Why speakest thou unto them in parables? and Jesus answered them. This question and answer are unique to this part of this Gospel.

Matthew 13:13; Matthew 13:33-34 and Mark 4:33-34 tells us that Jesus only taught the people in parables. Please see the notes for those sentences to understand why He did this.

Matthew 13:24-30 tells us the 'Parable of the Wheat and Tares'. This parable teaches about the kingdom of Heaven. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament and the Message called The Wheat and Tares Parable for an explanation of this parable.

In Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-34 and Luke 13:18-19, we read the 'Parable of the Mustard Seed'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament. This parable teaches about the kingdom of Heaven. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21, we read the '`Parable of Leaven'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 13:34-35 and Mark 4:33 we are told that Jesus speaking to people in parables is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Psalms 49:4 and in Psalms 78:2.

In Matthew 13:36-43, the disciples ask for an explanation of the 'The Wheat and Tares Parable'. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament and the Message called The Wheat and Tares Parable for an explanation of this parable.

In Matthew 13:44 tells us that Jesus gave the 'The Parable of Hid Treasure'. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament about this parable.

In Matthew 13:45-46 tells us that Jesus gave the 'The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price'. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament about this parable.

In Matthew 13:49-50 tells us that Jesus gave the 'The Parable of the Draw Net'. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament about this parable.

Matthew 13:51-53 Jesus verified the understanding of the disciples and finished His teaching.

Matthew 13:54-58 tell us about Jesus teaching near His homeans the people refusing to believe. Their unbelief restricted the works He could do there. This sentence is continuing the wrong reasoning which is started in Matthew 13:54 and continues through Matthew 13:57. As a result, In Matthew 13:57; Mark 6:4; Luke 4:24 and John 4:44 all tell us: Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house..

In Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 and Luke 4:22 they said Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-17. the parable of the sower and the seed;
18-23. the exposition of it.
24-30. the parable of the tares;
31-32. of the mustard seed;
33-35. of the leaven;
36-43. exposition of the parable of the tares.
44. the parable of the hidden treasure;
45-46. of the pearl;
47-52. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53-58. Christ is contemned of his own countrymen.'.

C13-S1 : Jesus went to where the people could gather to hear Him preach. Our sentence says: The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side means: 'This was the same day that Jesus said that His true family were the saved and not His physical family'.
C13-S2 : the people gathered to hear Jesus preach.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds that the multitudes came where Jesus was at.
3. The phrase And great multitudes were gathered together unto him means: 'They came to hear His doctrine'.
4. The phrase so that he went into a ship, and sat means: 'This was the same thing that He did just before calling Peter, Andrew, James and John to discipleship. Jesus took the position, which was accepted in that day, of a teacher'.
5. The phrase and the whole multitude stood on the shore means: 'The multitude took the positions of learners'.
C13-S3 : Jesus starts the 'Parable of the Sower'. Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:2-20 and Luke 8:2-15 tell us the 'Parable of the Sower' with the explanation of why Jesus taught in parables given in the note for Mark 4:11-12, which includes how to understand all parables, according to Jesus.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding how Jesus taught.
2. The phrase And he spake manythings unto them in parables, saying means: 'This was how Jesus taught the multitudes'. As Jesus explains later, this method led the carnal and lost into doctrinal error while allowing the saved, who seek explanation from God, to understand the truth.
3. The phrase Behold, a sower went forth to sow means: 'As explained later, this happened in the physical world and it symbolically represents a soul winner spreading the truth of the word of God'.
4. The phrase And when he sowed means: 'This is when the results were caused'.
5. The phrase some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up means: 'As explained later, this happened in the physical world and it symbolically represents people with a hard heart who hear the truth of the word of God, and reject it'.
6. The phrase Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth means: 'As explained later, this happened in the physical world and it symbolically represents people with no depth of character'.
7. The phrase and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth means: 'These people are easily swayed with every wind of doctrine'.
8. The phrase And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away means: 'They quit church as soon as they have the least trouble'.
C13-S4 : Jesus finishes the 'Parable of the Sower'.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the rest of this parable.
2. The phrase And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them means: 'As explained later, this happened in the physical world and it symbolically represents people who value the things of this world more than the things of God'.
3. The phrase But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold means: 'As explained later, this happened in the physical world and it symbolically represents the people who are truly saved and serving God'.
C13-S5 : Jesus instructs people to hear, and understand, spiritually. Our sentence says: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear means: 'If you can hear and understand spiritual truth then understand the prior sentences spiritually'.
C13-S6 : the disciples seek to understand why Jesus teaches like He does. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a request for clarification. Our sentence says: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? they asked this in private..
C13-S7 : God instructs saved and spiritual differently from lost or carnal.
1. The phrase He answered and said unto them means: 'This is the reason given by Jesus'.
2. The phrase Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given means: 'God makes differences in what He gives to different people. Unfortunately, many people believe the lie that God gives the same to everyone regardless of how they act. If that were true then no one would go to Hell. And, while many people believe they will go to Heaven, they also believe this lie for everyone who goes there. Just check for yourself and see how many people believe the lies of: 'no tears in Heaven' or 'all saved are promised a mansion''.
C13-S8 : this is to show God's way of judgment.
1. The phrase For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance means: 'When we are judged by God, anyone who brings a spiritual profit to God will be given an abundant everlasting reward'.
2. The phrase but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath means: 'Saved people who do not bring God a spiritual profit will lose the spiritual gift that God gave them at their initial salvation. Since they did not use it to generate a spiritual profit for God, they will have proven that the gift was wasted on them'.
C13-S9 : Jesus teaches in parables because people refuse the spiritual truth.
1. The phrase Therefore speak I to them in parables means: 'Jesus taught in parables for the exact same reason why God will judge different saved people different ways'.
2. The phrase because they seeing see not means: 'They saw the miracles but did not see the spiritual effect of those miracles'.
3. The phrase and hearing they hear not means: 'They heard the doctrine but only heard it in this physical reality and did not hear the spiritual message'.
4. The phrase neither do they understand means: 'They did not understand that it was the spiritual message which was designed to change them. And, because they did not receive the spiritual truths, they were not changed. Therefore, all of God's spiritual efforts were wasted on them'.
C13-S10 : the quote from scripture explains why.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a reference to prophecy which tells us that God warned the people but they choose to ignore the warning.
2. The phrase And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith means: 'while Matthew directs us to Isaiah 6:9-10, we also find the same doctrine in Ezekiel 12:2. In addition, Paul quotes the same Bible reference, for the same reason, in Acts 28:27 '.
3. The phrase By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand means: 'This prophecy was that the people would hear the doctrine physically but not understand the spiritual message'.
4. The phrase and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive means: 'This prophecy was that the people would see the miracles physically, but not understand the spiritual message'. The word perceive means: 'To know; to understand; to observe things which change and to understand the change'. The miracles which are reported in the Gospel accounts were each chosen and reported where they were reported because they then became a physical example of the doctrine which they were in context with. Like most people of today, they read about the miracles and read the doctrine and don't understand the contextual relationship.
5. The phrase For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed means: 'This is how the people were in the days of Isaiah and in the days of Jesus and are even today'.
6. The phrase lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart means: 'If people choose to believe error, God will not take away their free will by forcing them to understand'.
7. The phrase and should be converted means: 'Such people remain lost or carnal'.
8. The phrase and I should heal them means: 'Such saved people do not have God remove the corruption which is due to their life of sin'.
C13-S11 : those people who hear and understand spiritually are blessed. Our sentence starts with the word But and tells us how God treated the disciples different from the multitudes and why. Our sentence says: But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Our sentence tells us that 'Only the saved people who hear and see and understand spiritually are blessed by God'.
C13-S12 : the disciples, and us, are given understanding which Old Testament prophets did not receive.
1. The phrase For verily I say unto you means: 'Jesus verified this'.
2. The phrase That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see means: 'They fulfilled God's requirement for how to live, but God did not grant their prayer wish'.
3. The phrase and have not seen them means: 'God said NO'. God does not reveal everything and only reveals them when He determines that it is the right time and way. This sentence supports the doctrine of 'Progressive Revelation'.
4. The phrase and to hear those things which ye hear means: 'They fulfilled God's requirement for how to live, but God did not grant their prayer wish'.
5. The phrase and have not heard them means: 'God said NO'. God does not reveal everything and only reveals them when He determines that it is the right time and way. This sentence supports the doctrine of 'Progressive Revelation'.
C13-S13 : Jesus explains the parable. Our sentence says: Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower means: 'Hear the spiritual meaning and not just the physical story, which most people hear'.
C13-S14 : Failure to understand leads to loss of the truth.
1. The phrase When any one heareth the word of the kingdom means: 'This is how to be saved but, more than that, it is how to mature spiritually, and receive the blessings of the kingdom. These blessings were what Jesus was demonstrating when He did miracles'.
2. The phrase and understandeth it not means: 'Such people heard physically but did not receive spiritual understanding from God'.
3. The phrase then cometh the wicked one means: 'This is the work of the devil, especially with the saved'. Satan hates the saved because he can not send them to Hell. The lost don't matter as much because he can easily keep their mind blinded and make sure that they end up in Hell. Satan can not cause us to lose our salvation but he can cause us to lost our everlasting rewards by keeping the saved from truly understanding the spiritual message.
4. The phrase and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart means: 'God sows the truth in the hearts of the saved. But, if they do not obey, even while not understanding, then they do not live / walk by faith, and a devil can cause them to forget what they do not understand'.
C13-S15 : Jesus explains the symbolism of the prior sentence. Our sentence says: This is he which received seed by the way side. If you remember the initial parable, 'This person had a hard heart'. This is the type who never responds to an invitation or the person who goes forward for an altar call but does not fulfill whatever they commit to God.
C13-S16 : Jesus explains about the stony places.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentences described someone with one type of heart while this sentence describes another person with a different type of heart.
2. The phrase But he that received the seed into stony places means: 'Jesus is identifying the second type of heart represented in His parable'.
3. The phrase the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it means: 'This is the type of person who makes a profession at a special meeting or when a soul winner gets them to listen'.
4. The phrase Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while means: 'This person but rarely goes to church'.
5. The phrase for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word means: 'This person gets offended with messages on giving or on being more active in the ministry. Church hopers are a good example of this type of person'.
6. The phrase by and by he is offended means: 'He gets mad, pouts and leaves'.
C13-S17 : Jesus explains the symbolism of the thorns.
1. The phrase He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word means: 'This person understood the spiritual meaning of the message'.
2. The phrase and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches means: 'These are the things which prevented him from obeying'.
3. The phrase choke the word means: 'Those things prevent God's word from having any true effect upon the person's life'.
4. The phrase and he becometh unfruitful means: 'This is a type of person who claims to be saved but lives for the sins of this world and never produces any new spiritual life in others'.
C13-S18 : Jesus explains about the good ground.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentences described someone with one type of heart while this sentence describes another person with a different type of heart.
2. The phrase But he that received seed into the good ground means: 'This is the symbolic identification of another type of heart'.
3. The phrase is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it means: 'This person receives true spiritual understanding. Also notice our next phrase which says that such a person produces spiritual fruit. Anyone who claims to understand, but does not produce spiritual fruit, is a liar and a minister of Satan'.
4. The phrase which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth means: 'His life is used by God to produce now spiritual life in others and to also bring that spiritual life to spiritual maturity'.
5. The phrase some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty means: 'This is how much. Notice that the amount varies, which means that the exact amount is not what is important so long as it is more than one'.
C13-S19 : Jesus gives the 'Parable of the Wheat and Tares'. Please see the summary for C13-S31, below, for the explanation from Jesus.
1. The phrase Another parable put he forth unto them means: 'This was said to the multitude. Matthew skipped forward in time in order to explain the meaning of the prior parable. Now he is returning to the time when Jesus told several parables to the multitude'.
2. The phrase saying, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field means: 'Pay attention to the fact that all of these parables are dealing with the kingdom of heaven and not with the kingdom of God. All of these parables are dealing with men getting into Heaven and the rewards that they will, or will not, receive. The symbolic meaning of this phrase is that God uses a man to give the true word of God to people and God uses that to put His word into their heart (his field)'.
3. The phrase But while men slept means: 'This is while God is letting people consider what he gave to them spiritually and while the man, whom God is using, has not yet reached some people with the truth'.
4. The phrase his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat means: 'The devil sowed false doctrine into the heart of some people, including some church members'.
5. The phrase and went his way means: 'The devil is satisfied when people believe his lies'.
C13-S20 : the tares were found after the wheat was up.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence told us about when men could not tell the difference in what people received spiritually while this sentenced tells us when the difference becomes evident.
2. The phrase But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit means: 'This is when the difference between wheat and tares becomes evident. They each produce a different type of fruit. Likewise, the effect of doctrine, on the life of a person and on their effect upon others, shows if they received their doctrine from God or from a devil'.
3. The phrase then appeared the tares also means: 'The evidence of doctrine from Devils only becomes evident after some time'.
C13-S21 : the servants question the householder.
1. The phrase So the servants of the householder came and said unto him means: 'Preachers and Godly people ask God why corrupt people and corrupt doctrine appears in the church'.
2. The phrase Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? means: 'They know that the sermons which they preached / heard were Godly'.
C13-S22 : the servants ask about the source of the tares / corrupt doctrine. Our sentence says: from whence then hath it tares?
C13-S23 : the householder explains the source of the problem. Our sentence says: He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. It means: 'The devil uses devil motivated men to preach doctrinal error and corruptions of God's word'.
C13-S24 : the servants want to destroy the tares.
1. The phrase The servants said unto him means: 'More than one preacher has prayed for permission to drive out a lost church member'.
2. The phrase Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? means: 'This is what the Godly want to do but God does not allow it'.
C13-S25 : the householder says to leave the tares.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentence said what the servants wanted to do while this sentence says the negative answer from God.
2. The phrase But he said, Nay means: 'God tells His preachers to not do that'.
3. The phrase lest while ye gather up the tares means: 'The next phrase can happen while driving out the devil motivated people'.
4. The phrase ye root up also the wheat with them means: 'Such people can influence good people to also leave, especially if the good people are spiritually immature'.
C13-S26 : the reapers will separate the two.
1. The phrase Let both grow together until the harvest means: 'Leave both types of people in the world until Jesus Christ returns to rule the world. Another application is a command to leave both types of people in the church until they die'.
2. The phrase and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers means: 'God will sort them at death'.
3. The phrase Gather ye together first the tares means: 'Get all the lost people who do not produce Godly fruit'.
4. The phrase and bind them in bundles to burn them means: 'Send them to Hell'.
5. The phrase but gather the wheat into my barn means: 'Bring the Godly people who produce Godly new life into Heaven'.
C13-S27 : Jesus gives the 'Parable of the Mustard Seed'.
1. The phrase Another parable put he forth unto them, saying. Please see the Detailed Note for this parable. As explained there, it is about the kingdom of heaven and not the kingdom of God. This parable is about the 1,000 years reign of Christ, which is part of the kingdom of heaven. The Detailed Note explains why this is true.
2. The phrase The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed means: 'What Jesus planted, when He started the church, was so small that it is represented by the smallest of herb seeds'.
3. The phrase which a man took, and sowed in his field means: 'Jesus planted His church in His world (field). It is His because He created it'.
4. The phrase Which indeed is the least of all seeds means: 'The true church started out smallest of all religions'.
5. The phrase but when it is grown means: 'When Jesus returns with His church to take over rule of the world'.
6. The phrase it is the greatest among herbs means: 'His rule will be greater than any religion'.
7. The phrase and becometh a tree means: 'It will become larger than any religion'.
8. The phrase so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof means: 'All of nature will be restored to what it was in the original creation (Isaiah 11)'.
C13-S28 : Jesus gives the '`Parable of Leaven'.
1. The phrase Another parable spake he unto them means: 'This is another spiritual lesson which most lost and carnal people misunderstand'. The child of God needs to be careful about the interpretation of parables which they accept because most have a wrong interpretation published somewhere.
2. The phrase The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven means: 'In modern language we call this yeast'.
3. The phrase which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal means: 'Spiritually, this is talking about God's Holy Spirit putting spiritual truth into the three parts of a saved person (body, soul and spirit)'.
4. The phrase till the whole was leavened means: 'God's Holy Spirit continues to work on the truly saved until the die or the things of God's kingdom are involved in all parts of their life'.
C13-S29 : Jesus used parables to fulfill prophecy.
1. The phrase All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables means: 'This is how Jesus taught the multitudes'.
2. The phrase and without a parable spake he not unto them means: 'This is the only way that Jesus taught the multitudes'.
3. The phrase That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying. This is a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Psalms 49:4 and in Psalms 78:2.
4. The phrase I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world means: 'This is the quote. It has the same message although the words are different'.
C13-S30 : the disciples seek understanding.
1. The phrase Then Jesus sent the multitude away means: 'This is what Jesus did at the end of the day'.
2. The phrase and went into the house means: 'He was ready to relax'.
3. The phrase and his disciples came unto him, saying means: 'They waited until they were alone with Jesus'.
4. The phrase Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field means: 'This is the second parable, in this chapter, which is reported about their asking for clarification'.
C13-S31 : the explanation of the parable. Our sentence says: He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. means: 'This is the explanation of the parable from Jesus. Please see the earlier notes for this parable, and all related Detail Notes for more details'.
C13-S32 : the time of the parable.
1. The phrase As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire means: 'This is the physical example used to illustrate the prophecy of the next phrase'.
2. The phrase so shall it be in the end of this world means: 'When Jesus Christ returns to rule this world, He will send to Hell everyone who rejected an ongoing personal relationship with God'.
C13-S33 : the first results of the parable.
1. The phrase The Son of man shall send forth his angels means: 'When Jesus Christ returns to rule and reign in this physical world, He will use his angels to enforce His law. No devil and no human man has the power to fight against his angels'.
2. The phrase and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend means: 'This is not just what is illegal but includes everything that is the least offensive to the righteousness of God'.
3. The phrase and them which do iniquity means: 'These are all people who do lifestyle sins'.
4. The phrase And shall cast them into a furnace of fire means: 'This is a description of Hell'.
5. The phrase there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth means: 'This will be the reaction of everyone who is cast into Hell'.
C13-S34 : the second results of the parable.
1. The phrase Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father means: 'Everyone who is left alive on this physical world will physically see the difference between people who have a glorified body, and returned from Heaven with Jesus, and those people who go into the 1,000 years kingdom in their natural human body'.
C13-S35 : Jesus says that we must hear this truth spiritually. Our sentence says: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear means: 'If you can hear and understand spiritual truth then understand the prior sentences spiritually'.
C13-S36 : the 'Parable of the Hid Treasure'.
1. Our parable is teaching us that receiving the kingdom of Heaven, and having treasure there waiting for us, is more valuable than everything else that is in our life. In addition, this parable is symbolically teaching the proper attitude to have about putting treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20; Matthew 13:44; Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:33; Luke 18:22). It is not enough to get to Heaven but we want to have something when we get there or we will be poor for all of eternity. While some might call this a good idea, we are actually commanded to lay up treasure in Heaven (Hebrews 12:2-LJC and the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven). Therefore, anyone who fails to do this is disobeying the commandment of God and our position in the society of Heaven is determined by our attitudes and actions while we are alive. The more a truly saved person obeys God in this life, the greater his position in Heaven will be.
2. The phrase Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto means: 'This is another lesson on the same subject of the kingdom of heaven. is giving another picture (like) which does not completely describe the subject but gives us a partial description. This is like a selfie in that it gives people an incomplete idea of what you are like'.
3. The phrase treasure hid in a field means: 'The man finds what is already in the field. Symbolically, this is finding true spiritual salvation which God has already published in His field, which is this physical reality'.
4. The phrase the which when a man hath found means: 'This is what the man does after he finds the treasure. Symbolically, this is how a truly saved person acts after they become a true child of God who is promised everlasting treasure in Heaven for serving God in this life'.
5. The phrase he hideth means: 'This person does not tell any of his friends nor family so that they don't try to steal his treasure. Symbolically, this is how a truly saved person keeps his family and friends from talking him out of devoting his life to the service of God. Yes, many people can lead their family and friends to salvation, but not all can and some are actively discouraged from devoting their life to the service of God. Therefore, all truly saved need to be ready to leave family and friends (he hideth) if that is required in order to truly serve God'.
6. The phrase and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. The words selleth buyeth end in th, which means that these are 'lifestyle actions'. In addition, the word joy means: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'. Thus, our phrase means: 'The truly saved will be willing to give up everything that they have in this physical life (selleth) in order to gain everlasting (buyeth) rewards in Heaven (joy) and will devote their life to this effort'.
C13-S37 : the 'Parable of the Pearl of Great price'.
1. The phrase Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto means: 'This is another lesson on the same subject of the kingdom of heaven. is giving another picture (like) which does not completely describe the subject but gives us a partial description. This is like a selfie in that it gives people an incomplete idea of what you are like'.
2. The phrase a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls the word pearl is: 'a jewel from the stony concretion in a species of oyster. This is the result of a living thing suffering in this physical reality. Symbolically, this is the spiritual result of a truly saved person being willing to suffer in this physical reality in order to have a greater treasure in Heaven'. Therefore, Our phrase means: 'This parable is about a saved person doing what is required in order to have the greatest treasure in Heaven'.
3. The phrase Who, when he had found one pearl of great price means: 'This is what a Godly saved person will do when God requires him to make a great sacrifice (take up thy cross and follow me) in order to accomplish God's will for their life'.
4. The phrase went and sold all that he had, and bought it means: 'Such a person is willing to give up everything that they have in this physical reality in order to receive the greatest reward in Heaven'.
C13-S38 : the 'Parable of the Drawn Net'., Our next sentence starts with the phrase So shall. That means that what this sentence says is an illustration of the next sentence. Therefore, the two sentences need to be interpreted together. That written, there is a secondary application which is provided because this parable also fits that other meaning.
1. The phrase Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto means: 'This is another lesson on the same subject of the kingdom of heaven. is giving another picture (like) which does not completely describe the subject but gives us a partial description. This is like a selfie in that it gives people an incomplete idea of what you are like'.
2. The phrase a net means: 'symbolically represents God catching everyone. No one will avoid the judgment of God'.
3. The phrase that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind means: 'Our next sentence is in context with this sentence and, therefore, symbolically puts the time of this parable at the end of the 1,000 years reign of Christ. At that time, all living people, who do not have a glorified body, will be gathered.'. A secondary application can be: 'all kinds of people will come to church and to hear about going to Heaven'.
4. The phrase Which, when it was full means: 'symbolically represents the end (full) of the 1,000-years reign of Christ. In the secondary application, this phrase symbolically represents the end of life'.
5. The phrase they drew to shore, and sat down means: 'This is symbolic of the angels preparing to separate the lost from the saved. This also applies to the secondary application except that the separation is done at individual death instead of all beings separated at the same time. This is also true for the next phrases of this sentence'.
6. The phrase and gathered the good into vessels means: 'This is symbolic of sending the saved to Heaven'.
7. The phrase but cast the bad away means: 'This is symbolic of casting the lost into Hell'.
C13-S39 : the judgment at the end of the world.
1. The phrase So shall it be at the end of the world. The phrase the end of the world means: 'at the end of the 1,000 years reign of Christ. That is when God destroys this world and created a new world'. Therefore, our phrase means: 'What happens at the end of the world was described in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase the angels shall come forth means: 'This is who will do this work for God'.
3. The phrase and sever the wicked from among the just means: 'They will separate the lost from the saved'.
4. The phrase And shall cast them into the furnace of fire means: 'The lost are cast into Hell until they face the great white throne judgment. Then they will be case into the lake of fire'.
5. The phrase there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth means: 'This is how people will react in Hell and into the lake of fire'.
C13-S40 : Jesus confirms their understanding. Our sentence says: Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things?.
C13-S41 : the disciples confirm their understanding. Our sentence says: They say unto him, Yea, Lord..
C13-S42 : True religious teachers teach what they were taught and what they learn from God's Holy Spirit.
1. The phrase Then said he unto them means: 'Jesus said this to His disciples'.
2. The phrase Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven means: 'the modern day preacher, and most pastors, are like the scribes in the days of Jesus'. The main job it to teach God's people how to apply the word of God. Tothe circumstances of their life so that they get blessed and mature spiritually (Ephesians 4:12).
3. The phrase is like unto a man that is an householder means: 'The pastor and preacher have the responsibility of a householder over the church (Hebrews 13:17)'.
4. The phrase which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old means: 'There are some preachers who give their people truths from the Old Testament and from the New Testament. There are also some preachers who tell their people to hold to religious traditions, which our sentence describes as things old. And, if there is a popular new doctrine, which they agree with, then they tell their people to hold to the new doctrine, which our sentence describes as things new'.
C13-S43 : Jesus left that place.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the ending of Jesus telling these parables.
2. The phrase And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables means: 'This is when Jesus returned home'.
3. The phrase he departed thence means: 'Jesus left where He had been teaching'.
C13-S44 : the people in his own country recognized His wisdom but refused to accept that He had it.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction which Jesus received at home.
2. The phrase And when he was come into his own country means: 'This is when the incident in this sentence happened'.
3. The phrase he taught them in their synagogue means: 'Jesus taught in the local church'.
4. The phrase insomuch that they were astonished, and said means: 'This was the reaction of His neighbors'.
5. The phrase Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? means: 'They asked this question because they rejected the obvious answer. The miracles could only be done by the power of God. The wisdom could only come from God because it was proven to be true even while it did not agree with the teachings of the religious leaders. However, prejudice won over obvious evidence from God. And, as the rest of the chapter reports, they rejected the evidence from God because it proved their prejudices to be wrong. And, while many people will condemn the Jews, the fact is that most people ace the same way even today'.
C13-S45 : Why they refused to accept the obvious truth. Our sentence says: Is not this the carpenter's son? means: 'Yes, children inherit certain traits from their parents but sometimes they inherit a trait from an ancestor which is not shown in the parents. For example, my niece is a light blonde while both of her parents have dark brown hair. However, in this case, Jesus did inherit from His Father, whom was God the Father. (The Roman Catholic claim that Mary is 'the mother of God' is a lie. She gave Jesus His humanity while all of His traits as God, including His spirit, came from God the Father)'.
C13-S46 : they knew His mother. Our sentence says: is not his mother called Mary? this is true. However, no person inherits from only one parent. Therefore, this truth had not effect upon His God-given abilities.
C13-S47 : they knew His physical brothers. Our sentence says: and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Again, who the physical siblings are has no effect upon a person's abilities and this is especially true for their spiritual abilities. This sentence proves that the Roman Catholic claim that Mary is 'an eternal virgin' is a lie.
C13-S48 : they knew His physical sisters. Our sentence says: And his sisters, are they not all with us? Again, who the physical siblings are has no effect upon a person's abilities and this is especially true for their spiritual abilities. This sentence proves that the Roman Catholic claim that Mary is 'an eternal virgin' is a lie.
C13-S49 : they proved to be fools. Our sentence says: Whence then hath this man all these things? As already written, all of these things obviously came from God because only God can provide the power and wisdom demonstrated by Jesus.
C13-S50 : their foolishness caused them to react wrongly. Our sentence says: And they were offended in him. This reaction prevented them from being saved and brought the curse of God on them (Matthew 11:21; and Luke 10:13-15).
C13-S51 : 'Familiarity breeds contempt'. Jesus explains the cause of their foolishness.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. While several prior sentences described the reaction of Jews who knew His family, and were sure they were right in their judgment, this sentence explains why they were wrong.
2. The phrase But Jesus said unto them means: 'Jesus said this and we need to accept it as the word of God'.
3. The phrase A prophet is not without honour means: 'God makes sure that His true prophets have honour because they are His messengers and God wants people to listen to His messengers'.
4. The phrase save in his own country means: 'However, the prejudice of familiarity overcomes all, even evidence from God'.
5. The phrase and in his own house means: 'The prior reason is more true for family than it is for neighbors because family has more intimate knowledge of God's prophet and how they acted as a child'.
C13-S52 : the result of their foolishness. Our sentence says: And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Think about this truth. Our refusal to have true Biblical faith limits how much, and how, God works in and through our lives.

Home

Chapter 14 Summary : the introduction of the New Testament.

Our chapter is just one of the places in the Gospel accounts where we see Jesus be an example of how we are to react to the circumstances of life. (Please see the Study called What Did Jesus Do? for more references to this subject within the Gospel accounts.)

Our chapter ends with the report of a miracle and oo many people think it can be preached independent of the rest of the chapter. But that is wrong. First, Jesus heard of the murder of John the Baptist, which He said ended the Old Testament. Then Jesus preached and taught the people His doctrine because He was moved with compassion toward them, even thought they interrupted His time to be alone with his disciples so that they could morn the murder of John the Baptist. Thus, we see that the New Testament is identified with the compassion of God even to the point of making His ministers suffer. Then, we saw Jesus feed the five thousand men, beside women and children, which demonstrated God's promise of provision in the New Testament. Next, we see Jesus forcing His disciples into a test while He goes to pray for them. This is also a consistent theme of the New Testament. in this test, we see the disciples failing to deal with the storm when Jesus is not in the boat with them. But, when He gets into the boat, there is an instant calm and they arrive at their destination. Thus, we see the need to have Jesus involved in all of our life, during the New Testament, and that is especially true during the storms of life. And, once at their destination, there is immediately a need to minister. Thus, this chapter introduces the start of the New Testament and each incident of this chapter spiritually teaches us things which are important parts of the New Testament.

Our chapter starts with the account of John the Baptist being murdered because a foolish government official was maneuvered into doing so by a devil motivated woman. She determined to murder John the Baptist because he publicly called her behavior sin. Like many sinful people, she felt that her importance in human society enabled her to live a life of sin with no consequence and got mad at being corrected.

John the Baptist was probably the closest human friend that Jesus had. In addition, many of the disciples of Jesus were disciples of John the Baptist first. Therefore, this murder affected them all very deeply. After the disciples buried the body of John the Baptist, they wen and old Jesus what happened. He took them to a desert place for them to have time to morn, but selfish people went to where they were and demanded that they be ministered to. Jesus was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Then, Jesus and His disciples went to the other side of the lake, to morn in private, and the people chased them again. Thus, they had to minister continually and were allowed no private time to morn.

Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29 and Luke 9:7-9 report the beheading of the John the Baptist. Please use the link provided to see the full Study on John the Baptist, including links to notes which deal with every place in the Bible where he is named. Luke 9:7-9 tell us that the head of the local civil government confused Jesus with John the Baptist.

In Matthew 14:12 and Mark 6:29 we are told that the disciples of John the Baptist buried his body then went to Jesus. Some of these may have been the disciples of Jesus who had been the disciples of John the Baptist before and these may have included some disciples of John the Baptist who now became disciples of Jesus.

Matthew 14:13 and Mark 6:33; Luke 9:10 and John 6:1-3 tell us that, after Jesus received the news, He took all of them to a desert place by ship in order to morn the death of John the Baptist, but the people followed them and refused to give them time to mourn his death. However, the people followed them and they were denied a time alone to morn.

Matthew 14:14 and Mark 6:34 and Luke 9:11 tell us that, when the people followed, Jesus...was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd and he began to teach them manythings and he healed their sick. Please also see the Table Of Miracles for references to other places where the Gospels tell us that Jesus did many miracles without naming the specifics.

Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:45-53; Luke 9:12-17 and John 6:5-13 tell us that after Jesus taught all day long, He fed the 5,000 men (plus women and children).

Matthew 14:20; Luke 9:17 and John 6:13 all tell us that there were twelve baskets of fragments left over.

Matthew 14:21; Luke 9:14 and John 6:10 all tell us that there were about five thousand men. In Mark 8:14-21 and Matthew 16:8-11 Jesus makes reference to this miracle and asks His disciples How is it that ye do not understand?

Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-53 and John 6:16-21 tell us that after feeding the 5,000 men, Jesus went across the sea again for a time alone with His disciples. This is also when we read about Jesus and Peter walking on water but only Matthew tells us about Peter walking on water. In spite of His crossing the lake again, the people followed Him again and that was when He rebuked them for following only to get free bread. This is when he told them I am the bread of life and most were offended by the spiritual truth and stopped following.

Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:54-56 and John 6:22-71 report Jesus returning to His home region after feeding the 5,000 men and walking on the water. However, the account in John's Gospel includes many details and teachings not reported in other Gospel accounts. This Gospel also reports the people of Gennesaret seeking Jesus for healing, even while they rejected His teaching.

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The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-2. Herod's opinion of Christ.
3-12. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.
13-14. Jesus departs into a desert place,
15-21. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.
22-33. He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34-36. and landing at Gennesaret, heals the sick by the touch of the hem of his garment.
Herod. this was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, by Malthace, and tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, which produced a revenue of 200 talents a year. He married the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, whom he divorced in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, who was still living. Aretas, to revenge the affront which Herod had offered his daughter, declared war against him, and vanquished him after an obstinate engagement. this defeat, Josephus assures us, the Jews considered as a punishment for the death of John the Baptist. Having gone to Rome to solicit the title of king, he was accused by Agrippa of carrying on a correspondence with Artabanus king of Parthia, against the Romans, and was banished by the emperor Caius to Lyons, and thence to Spain, where he and Herodias died in exile. Mr 6:14-16; 8:15; Lu 9:7-9; 13:31-32; 23:8-12,15; Ac 4:27
Tetrarch. Lu 3:1'.

C14-S1 : King Herod reacts to reports about Jesus.
1. The phrase At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus means: 'He was the Roman ruler at that time'.
2. The phrase And said unto his servants means: 'Like many foolish people, he said what he believed without first verifying his basis for his belief. In addition, he believed that i did not matter what he said unto his servants because he believed that they did not matter because of their low social class. However, he did not know, or did nor believe, what Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment)'. Therefore, his words were important and his judgment wrong because he failed to consider God and spiritual judgment.
3. The phrase This is John the Baptist means: 'His identification was wrong but he believed this, as our next sentence explains, because of a guilty conscience'.
4. The phrase he is risen from the dead means: 'He believed in resurrection in spite of the doctrine of the Sadducees'.
5. The phrase and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him means: 'He knew that the miracles done by Jesus required the power of God. He was foolish in that he failed to listen to the doctrine taught by Jesus'.
C14-S2 : Why king Herod reacted like he did.
1. The phrase For Herod had laid hold on John means: 'He arrested John the Baptist'..
2. The phrase and bound him, and put him in prison means: 'He kept John the Baptist in prison'. This was an abuse of power but people still do the same today.
3. The phrase for Herodias' sake means: 'He did this to satisfy a woman'.
4. The phrase his brother Philip's wife means: 'She was mad at John the Baptist for publically identifying her sin'.
C14-S3 : John the Baptist had rebuked the king.
1. The phrase For John said unto him means: 'Here's why the prior sentence is true. John did this publically because their sin was publically known and God requires a public rebuke for a public sin'.
2. The phrase It is not lawful for thee to have her means: 'This is a summary of John's rebuke'.
C14-S4 : the king was afraid of the reaction of the people.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response that Herod wanted to do but feared doing.
2. The phrase And when he would have put him to death means: 'This is what Herod wanted to do'.
3. The phrase he feared the multitude means: 'This is why Herod did not do what he wanted to do'.
4. The phrase because they counted him as a prophet means: 'This is why Herod was prevented from doing what He wanted. The people were liable to riot if he killed a man of God and brought God's judgment upon the people'.
C14-S5 : the king was pleased by the dance of a girl.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Our prior sentences told us what Herod wanted to do but didn't do. This sentence tells us of his change in action and why he changed.
2. The phrase But when Herod's birthday was kept means: 'This is when this decision was made'.
3. The phrase the daughter of Herodias danced before them means: 'The indication was that she danced a sexually lustful dance but was too young to have sex. Apparently, her mother taught her this dance in a plot to have John the Baptist beheaded. That a mother would use her young daughter this way tells us a lot about her character. This is in addition to leaving her husband in order to marry his brother'.
4. The phrase and pleased Herod means: 'Herod was drunk and showing off to his political friends and all were dreaming of having sex with the young girl'.
C14-S6 : the king made a foolish oath. Our sentence says: Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. means: 'He gave the oath because of the prompting explained in the prior sentence'. This is only one reason to avoid getting drunk.
C14-S7 : the daughter did as her mother had instructed.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds why the girl made the request that she made.
2. The phrase And she means: 'Here is who made the request'.
3. The phrase being before instructed of her mother, said means: 'Here's why'.
4. The phrase Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger means: 'Here's the request'.
C14-S8 : the king did foolishly.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the result of her request.
2. The phrase And the king was sorry means: 'He felt bad about making a foolish oath in front of important witnesses'.
3. The phrase nevertheless for the oath's sake means: 'At that time, and in that culture, people understood that oaths were enforced by God. And, they still are today. However, God often does not bring judgment for violating an oath until after death. Therefore, devils, and ungodly men, have convinced others that God ignores oath breakers. As a result, many people of today have nor concern for making an oath when they know that they will violate it'.
4. The phrase and them which sat with him at meat means: 'In addition to his concern for possible judgment by God, he was more concerned about possible consequences if his highly politically influential guests saw him violate his oath. such an action could be political suicide'.
5. The phrase he commanded it to be given her means: 'Because of these reasons, he had John the Baptist beheaded'.
C14-S9 : the king kept his foolish oath. Our sentence says: And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
C14-S10 : the mother had vengeance. Our sentence says: And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. However, as the Chapter Summary Note from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge says, God had the last say in the matter.
C14-S11 : the disciples buried the body of John the Baptist.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding the reaction by the disciples of John the Baptist. Remember that these included several of the disciples of Jesus, such as Peter, Andrew, James and John. In addition, the disciples of Jesus were out doing mission work that Jesus had assigned to them. Therefore, this was Satan's way to end a successful missions effort. While many people don't realize it, and many deny, Satan controls the governments of this world and uses them in his spiritual war with God. Think about the Chinese Communist Revolution which stopped missions works in China which were being very successful. Think of the ongoing anti-God culture which is ongoing. Realize that the spiritual war is far more important than any human conflict and that human conflicts are minor parts of that never-ending spiritual war.
2. The phrase And his disciples came, and took up the body means: 'They left their assigned mission work to take care of the body of John the Baptist'.
3. The phrase and buried it means: 'There had to be immediate burial as they did not have preservation methods, like refrigeration, which exist today'.
4. The phrase and went and old Jesus means: 'This is the other thing that they did'. John the Baptist was probably the closest human friend that Jesus had. More than any other human, John the Baptist understood the spiritual nature of the ministry of Jesus.
C14-S12 : Jesus sought to be alone, with His disciples, to mourn.
1. The phrase When Jesus heard of it means: 'This was when Jesus reacted'.
2. The phrase he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart means: 'This was how Jesus reacted'.
3. The phrase and when the people had heard thereof means: 'This was when the people reacted to the action by Jesus'.
4. The phrase they followed him on foot out of the cities means: 'This was how the people reacted to the action by Jesus'. Think of how many people of today would take the time and effort to walk for several miles into a desert in order to hear a preacher.
C14-S13 : Jesus was moved with compassion even when He wanted to be alone.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how Jesus reacted to the people chasing Him into a desert place.
2. The phrase And Jesus went forth means: 'He went and personally looked to see the people and their attitude'.
3. The phrase and saw a great multitude means: 'He saw lots of people with lots of different needs and attitudes'.
4. The phrase and was moved with compassion toward them means: 'His feelings for their spiritual needs was greater than His own human need to morn the murder of His best friend'.
5. The phrase and he healed their sick means: 'Jesus gave them evidence that His message was from God'.
C14-S14 : the disciples made a suggestion based upon circumstances.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And when it was evening means: 'This is when the disciples reacted'. They had been seeking privacy and a time to morn and these selfish people denied them even that simple consideration after they deliberately went into a desert place. They've had enough of ministering to selfish people and want to end it.
3. The phrase his disciples came to him, saying means: 'They went to Jesus with their desires, which was the right thing to do'.
4. The phrase This is a desert place means: 'They explained the circumstance'.
5. The phrase and the time is now past means: 'They explained the length of time spent ministering to others'.
6. The phrase send the multitude away means: 'They said their request'.
7. The phrase that they may go into the villages means: 'They gave the reason for their request'.
8. The phrase and buy themselves victuals means: 'They gave the need of the people'.
C14-S15 : Jesus told them to do the impossible.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. Jesus recognized the need specified in the prior sentence while demanding a different solution to the problem.
2. The phrase But Jesus said unto them means: 'Jesus ordered a different plan'.
3. The phrase They need not depart means: 'He said that the need which the disciples specified did not exist'.
4. The phrase give ye them to eat means: 'Jesus demanded that they do the impossible'. John 6:6 says: And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. God often does this with His servants so that they recognize their dependence upon Him and ask Him to do the impossible through them. This miracle was to prepare the disciples for their need which is reported later in the chapter. Unfortunately, they failed to remember the lesson when they needed it.
C14-S16 : the disciples told Jesus what they had to work with. Our sentence says: And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. Mark 6:45-53; Luke 9:12-17 and John 6:5-13 also tell us about this miracle and provide more details. With this miracle, Jesus proves that he can provide for all of our physical needs.
C14-S17 : Jesus told them what to do next. Our sentence says: He said, Bring them hither to me. Jesus can do things which we can not do because He is 'God in human flesh'. We need to trust Him to do miracles, if needed, to provide for our needs.
C14-S18 : Jesus commanded that things be done orderly.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds what Jesus did after the little was given to Him.
2. The phrase And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass means: 'God does everything orderly and commands us Let all things be done decently and in order (1Corinthians 14:40)'.
3. The phrase and took the five loaves, and the two fishes means: 'Jesus handled what He would work with so that there would be no doubt about His providing a miracle. He did what was required in order to have the people truly believe (For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom (1Corinthians 1:22)'. Remember that Jesus started out offering the kingdom to the Jews. But they rejected Him as their God given King. Therefore, He removed the offer and started the church during the Gospel time. In Matthew 11:12 and Luke 16:16, Jesus said The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Just before this miracle, we read that Jesus was told that John the Baptist was murdered. That means that the Old Testament ended. The birth of the church did not happen until Pentecost, but life starts at conception and grows in a protected environment until it is ready to interact with the world. That is when birth happens. Thus, Jesus to these people, and doing this miracle, is actually part of the New Testament even though the church is not yet spiritually born. Here we see Jesus provide for the needs of the people and the doctrinal lesson is that He will provide for the needs of His people in the new Testament. Also, we see Him giving to His disciples and having them give to the people. This shows us that Jesus will work through His true disciples, which are usually preachers. Finally, our miracle shows us that God does things orderly. Many lessons in the Book of Acts show us that God works through His ordained authority structure. Thus, this miracle is actually giving us a physical example of how God will provide for His church in the New Testament.
4. The phrase and looking up to heaven, he blessed means: 'Jesus showed the people that all true blessings, and provisions, come from Heaven'.
5. The phrase and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples means: 'Jesus provided to each disciple what they needed to distribute to the needs of the people'. Remember that there were twelve (12) disciples and only five loaves, and two fishes. Therefore, each disciple had less than one loaf and only a little bit of fish. Yet, they ended up with twelve (12) baskets of fragments after everyone ate their fill. Thus, the miracle of multiplying food happened as the disciples passed out the food. And, in the New Testament, God usually works through His appointed servants.
6. The phrase and the disciples to the multitude means: 'In the New Testament, we have to do our part or the needs of the people will not be provided for. God has chosen to make His people part of His plan and anyone can be part of God's plan so long as they are saved and true disciple and willing to devote their life to the service of God like the twelve did'.
C14-S19 : All of the people were fed and left-overs were more than they started with.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the result of the disciples and people obeying Jesus.
2. The phrase And they did all eat, and were filled means: 'Everybody had all that they wanted'.
3. The phrase and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full means: 'This proves that God provides an abundance'. People complain that God does not provide enough, but the truth is that God does not provide enough for people to be wasteful. The commandment from Jesus, as reported in the other Gospel accounts, is that nothing was to be wasted. People complain that God does not provide enough. The truth is that God provides an abundance but people do not have because they are wasteful with the provision from God.
C14-S20 : How many people were fed.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the number of people who were fed so that there can be no question about this being a miracle. Many liars try to deny miracles and claim that people can do something similar today with modern technology. But Jesus did not have modern technology to help Him. In addition, people can not duplicate this miracle today, even with modern technology. We need to believe the word of God as God wrote it and quit trying to force God into the limits which we live with.
2. The phrase And they that had eaten were about five thousand men means: 'At that time, and in that culture, it was common to count only the men'.
3. The phrase beside women and children means: 'This phrase reminds us that there were many more people than the 5,000 which most people present as the total number of people fed'.
C14-S21 : Next, Jesus made a test for His disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds what Jesus did after He fed the five thousand men, beside women and children.
  Too many people think this next miracle can be preached independent of the rest of the chapter, but that is wrong. First, Jesus heard of the murder of John the Baptist, which He said ended the Old Testament. Then Jesus preached and taught the people His doctrine because He was moved with compassion toward them, even thought they interrupted His time to be alone with his disciples so that they could morn the murder of John the Baptist. Thus, we see that the New Testament is identified with the compassion of God even to the point of making His ministers suffer. Then, we saw Jesus feed the five thousand men, beside women and children, which demonstrated God's promise of provision in the New Testament. Now, we see Jesus forcing His disciples into a test while He goes to pray for them. This is also a consistent theme of the new Testament. in this test, we see the disciples failing to deal with the storm when Jesus is not in the boat with them. But, when He gets into the boat, there is an instant calm and they arrive at their destination. Thus, we see the need to have Jesus involved in all of our life, during the New Testament, and that is especially true during the storms of life. And, once at their destination, there is immediately a need to minister. Thus, this chapter introduces the start of the New Testament and each incident of this chapter spiritually teaches us things which are important parts of the New Testament.
2. The phrase And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side means: 'This was not a stated desire. Neither was it a command which they could choose to disobey. Jesus forced them into this test even though they did not realize that it was a test. And, God does the same thing to saved people who are trying to serve Him. And, while it might seem to be cruel, God does this to increase our faith and to cause us to mature spiritually'.
3. The phrase while he sent the multitudes away means: 'They had received their spiritual lesson along with the disciples. Now, the disciples will receive a further lesson in private because the average (Jew / church member) is not spiritually mature enough to receive the spiritual lesson'.
C14-S22 : Jesus prayed for His disciples during their test.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how Jesus ended a spiritual lesson for the multitude then started a spiritual lesson .
2. The phrase And when he had sent the multitudes away means: 'This ended the prior miracle and starts the report of the next miracle'.
3. The phrase he went up into a mountain apart to pray means: 'This was what Jesus was doing to help His disciples with the test they were in'.
4. The phrase and when the evening was come means: 'I can not be doctrinal but believe that this was several hours after He sent the people away'.
5. The phrase he was there alone means: 'Physically, Jesus was alone but, spiritually, He was with God the Father'.
C14-S23 : the conditions of the test.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentences told us about the circumstances that Jesus was in. This sentence continues about circumstances while changing to the circumstances which the disciples were in.
2. The phrase But the ship was now in the midst of the sea means: 'This is where they were at'.
3. The phrase tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary means: 'This is what they were experiencing'.
C14-S24 : Jesus starts the next part of the test.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds another important consideration to the report.
2. The phrase And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them means: 'This is when and what Jesus did'.
3. The phrase walking on the sea means: 'This is how Jesus did it'.
C14-S25 : the disciples react.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction of the disciples to what the prior sentence reported that Jesus did.
2. The phrase And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea means: 'This is when the disciples reacted'.
3. The phrase they were troubled, saying means: 'This is how the disciples reacted'.
4. The phrase It is a spirit means: 'This is what the disciples believed'.
5. The phrase and they cried out for fear means: 'This was their next reaction'. We need to remember that they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit to protect them. Possession by a devil was a very real and fearful possibility at that time and much more so then than now. This is because God's Holy Spirit, being in the world, restricts much of the activity of devils.
C14-S26 : Jesus assures the disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence said how the disciples reacted while this sentence reports what Jesus told them that their reaction should be.
2. The phrase But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying means: 'Jesus immediately dealt with their very real fear'.
3. The phrase Be of good cheer means: 'Here is how to react'.
4. The phrase it is I means: 'Here's why'.
5. The phrase be not afraid means: 'Here is how to not react'.
C14-S27 : Peter asks for a miracle in order to verify what he heard. This is the way that we are supposed to react but too many people fail to verify what they hear before they accept and believe what they hear. That type of error is why so many people believe doctrinal error.
1. The phrase And Peter answered him and said means: 'This is who spoke'.
2. The phrase Lord means: 'This is the right title to use when you ask for a miracle'.
3. The phrase if it be thou means: 'Here Peter expresses his doubt and asks for verification'.
4. The phrase bid me come unto thee on the water means: 'This was Peter's way to verify'. Please realize that Jesus was not offended with this request. The truth is that God is pleased when His people verify what they hear before accepting and believing.
C14-S28 : Jesus agrees to the request. Our sentence says: And he said, Come means: 'Jesus told Peter to walk on water'.
C14-S29 : Peter walks on water.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds that Peter did walk on water.
2. The phrase And when Peter was come down out of the ship means: 'Peter had to deliberately climb down to the water'.
3. The phrase he walked on the water means: 'Peter did what no other man, Jesus, had done'. We should keep this in mind with the realization that if we have enough true Biblical faith, and we are acting to bring glory to God, we should expect God to do miracles in and through our life.
4. The phrase to go to Jesus means: 'This is where Peter was going'.
C14-S30 : Peter messes up. Lots of people preach about how Peter messed up and hope that no one notices that they don't have any evidence that they would get out of the boat. The eleven (11) disciples who never got out of the boat had no basis for criticism and we should also be careful of our criticism.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But. The prior sentence told us about Peter acting on true Biblical faith while this sentence tells us about his faith failing.
2. The phrase But when he saw the wind boisterous means: 'This is what the devil used to distract Peter'. When we are doing a great work for God we need to remember to not get distracted until after the work is done.
3. The phrase he was afraid means: 'This was the reaction of Peter'.
4. The phrase and beginning to sink means: 'This is what happened when his faith declined. Peter still had faith, just not enough for what he was trying to do'.
5. The phrase he cried, saying means: 'This is how Peter reacted to his failing faith'.
6. The phrase Lord, save me means: 'This is how we all should reacted to our own failing faith'.
C14-S31 : Jesus physically saves Peter.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the immediate reaction by Jesus to the prior prayer.
2. The phrase And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand means: 'Jesus responded immediately'.
3. The phrase and caught him, and said unto him means: 'Jesus said this after Peter knew that he was safe'.
4. The phrase O thou of little faith means: 'Peter had enough faith to start but not enough to finish. That is what Jesus calls little faith'.
5. The phrase wherefore didst thou doubt? means: 'Why did you doubt after you had enough faith to get this far?'. (Please see the Detailed Note for the definition of wherefore).
C14-S32 : the test ends.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the result of having Jesus in the ship.
2. The phrase And when they were come into the ship means: 'This is when it happened'.
3. The phrase the wind ceased means: 'This is what it happened'.
4. Again, we need to apply this miracle to how God works in the New Testament and not only have enough true Biblical faith to have God start a miracle in or through out life, but we need to keep enough true Biblical faith for God to finish His work. That means keeping out eyes on Jesus and making sure that everyone knows that it is not out own power but God working through us.
C14-S33 : the spiritual results of the miracle.
1. The phrase Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying. Someone said that the basic definition of worship is: 'recognizing worth-ship. That is, verbally saying the value the other person gives to your life'. Therefore, our phrase means: 'They recognized all that Jesus was / is and what He provided to their lives beyond basic salvation'. If we can't say what Jesus added to our life since we became a child of God then we have a problem with our salvation. We either are not saved or we are not allowing the life from God the change us.
2. The phrase Of a truth thou art the Son of God means: 'They recognized that He proved that He had the character, power and authority of God and that He used those things for their good'.
C14-S34 : they all arrived at shore. Our sentence says: And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. That is the same side of the sea as where Jesus lived but further away from His home. This tells us where the next sentence happened.
C14-S35 : People in the area came for miracles.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction which Jesus received. This place was supposedly near the cities which Jesus cursed because He did many miracles there but they refused to believe His doctrine. Therefore, while our sentence says that these people sought His miracles, it does not tell us if they believed His doctrine or not.
2. The phrase And when the men of that place had knowledge of him means: 'This is when they acted'.
3. The phrase they sent out into all that country round about means: 'This is how they acted'.
4. The phrase and brought unto him all that were diseased means: 'This is why they acted'.
5. The phrase And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment means: 'This was their request'.
6. The phrase and as many as touched were made perfectly whole means: 'This was the result of them going to Jesus for help'.

Home Summary Continuation

Interpretive Study of Matthew's Gospel - Summary.

Jesus Fulfilled God's Law and Proved that He was / is God's Christ.

Chapter 8 Summary : Jesus acts like a King.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 9 Summary : the scribes and Pharisees start their doctrinal fight with Jesus.

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Chapter 10 Summary : the start of the spiritual life of the church.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 11 Summary : Two different reactions to evidence provided by God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 12 Summary : Judgment according to religious rules versus judgment according to spiritual truth.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 13 Summary : What the kingdom of heaven is like.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 14 Summary : the introduction of the New Testament.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

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