HarperCollins Study Bible
Page 438
7.23 I never knew you. See 25.11–12. Evildoers, lit. “workers of lawlessness” (see 13.41;23.28; 24.12; see also note on 5.17–20).
7.24–27 Cf. Lk 6.47–49.
7.24 On hearing and acting or doing, see Rom 2.13; Jas 1.22–25.
7.27 Great was its fall. See Prov 14.11.
7.28 When Jesus had finished. Each of the five great discourses in Matthew is concluded by a similar closing formula reminiscent of Moses’ words in Deut 31.1; 32.45. See Mt 11.1; 13.53; 19.1; 26.1. On the likeness to Moses, see Introduction; note on 2.16–18. Crowds. See note on 4.25.
7.29 Authority. See 28.18. Not as their scribes. See 5.20; note on 2.4.
MATTHEW 8
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
1When Jesusa had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; 2and there was a leperb who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” 3He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately his leprosyc was cleansed. 4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” 7And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 10When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no oned in Israel have I found such faith. 11I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.
Jesus Heals Many at Peter’s House
14When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. 16That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Would-Be Followers of Jesus
18Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19A scribe then approached and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Jesus Stills the Storm
23And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
Jesus Heals the Gadarene Demoniacs
28When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,e two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
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a Gk he
b The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
c The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
d Other ancient authorities read Truly I tell you, not even
e Other ancient authorities read Gergesenes; others, Gerasenes
8.1–9.34 From Mark and Q (see Introduction) the author creates a collection of ten miracles, recalling the ten miracles of Moses in Egypt (Ex 7.8–11.10). See note on 2.16–18. The stories are associated with locations on and around the Sea of Galilee and recall Elijah and Elisha; cf. note on 11.5. For Jesus’ social ranking in the Roman Empire, which he as healer ignores or reverses, see Introduction.
8.1–17 The first three healings, concluding with a “formula quotation” (see note on 1.22–23).
8.1–4 Cf. Mk 1.40–44; Lk 5.12–14.
8.1 Great crowds. See note on 4.25.
8.2 A leper (see text note c) was considered ritually unclean and was excluded from the community; see Lev 13–14; 2 Kings 5.1–14. Lord. See note on 7.21.
8.3 Touched…“Be made clean!” The author avoids words or actions that would suggest that Jesus was a magician, as later rabbinic tradition charged; see v. 16; 9.34.
8.4 Say nothing, a frequent command in Mark (see note on Mk 1.34), but less prominent in Matthew (but see 9.30). Gift that Moses commanded. See Lev 14.4, 10. Moses was believed to be the author of the Pentateuch.
8.5–13 Cf. Lk 7.1–10; 13.28–29; Jn 4.46–54.
8.5 Capernaum. See note on 4.13. A centurion commanded one hundred Roman infantry (see v. 9).
8.6 Lord. See note on 7.21.
8.10 Truly I tell you. See note on 5.18. For another instance of a Gentile’s faith, see 15.28.
8.11 Many…from east and west includes Gentiles; see 2.1; note on 3.9; also Isa 2.2–4; 25.6; Mic 4.1–4; Zech 8.20–23. Will eat, at a future heavenly “messianic banquet” see, e.g., 11.19;22.1–14; 26.29; Ps 107.1–9; Isa 25.6–8; 62.1–9; Rev 19.9. Kingdom of heaven. See note on 4.17.
8.12 Heirs, Israelites, or more specifically Pharisees; see 23.29–36. Weeping and gnashing of teeth, the author’s favorite expression to evoke the horror of the final punishment; see 13.42, 50; 22.13; 24.51; 25.30; Ps 112.10.
8.14–15 Cf. Mk 1.29–31; Lk 4.38–41.
8.14 Peter’s house. See note on 4.13. Mother-in-law. Paul also indicates that Peter (“Cephas”) was married; see 1 Cor 9.5.
8.15 Touched. See note on 8.3.
8.16–17 Cf. Mk 1.32–34; Lk 4.40–41.
8.16 Another summary statement; see note on 4.23–25. With a word, i.e., without magical manipulation; see note on 8.3. Cured all. See 4.23; 9.35;10.1; 12.15; 15.29–31.
8.17 The eighth formula quotation (see note on 1.22–23), Isa 53.4.
8.18–9.8 The second group of three miracles.
8.18–22 Cf. Mk 4.35; Lk 9.57–60.
8.19 Usually in Matthew, scribes rank among Jesus’ opponents (see note on 2.4; but cf., e.g., 13.52; 23.34). Jesus is often addressed hypocritically or mockingly as teacher by his opponents (see 9.11; 12.38; 17.24; 22.15–18, 24, 36; cf. 23.8).
8.20 Foxes, birds. See Gospel of Thomas 86. Jesus frequently refers to himself as Son of Man in one of three different senses: as the final judge, usually reflecting Dan 7.13–14 (see, e.g., 24.30–31); as the one who must suffer, usually from prophecies in Mark about his death (see 16.21); or, as here, with reference to his present circumstances, from an Aramaic idiom for speaking about oneself as hu
man, perhaps with humility, modesty, or allusion to danger or death (see Ezek 2.1, text note a).
8.21 Lord. See note on 7.21.
8.22 Follow me introduces vv. 23–27. See note on 4.19. Let the dead bury their own dead. Jesus’ words challenge the traditional and honorable duty to bury one’s parents (see, e.g., Tob 4.3–4).
8.23–27 Cf. Mk 4.35–41; Lk 8.22–25. The author’s handling of this miracle shows that he interprets it as an allegory for following Jesus; see notes on 8.22; 8.23.
8.23 His disciples. See notes on 4.19; 5.1.
8.24 A windstorm often represented the evil waters of chaos (see Gen 1.1; Jon 1.4–16).
8.25 Lord. See note on 7.21. Save us. See note on 1.21.
8.26 You of little faith. See note on 6.30; cf. 8.10, 13. Here, as elsewhere, the author softens Mark’s criticism of the disciples (Mk 4.40); see also Mt 13.10–11; 28.16–20. Rebuked, a word also used to exorcise demons (see, e.g., 17.18). On stilling the sea, see Job 26.11–12; Ps 89.8–9; Isa 51.9–10.
8.28–9.1 Cf. Mk 5.1–17; Lk 8.26–37.
8.28 Gadarenes. Gadara lay not on the edge of but six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee; hence other locations appear in the manuscripts; cf. text note a (the traditional site, Gergesa, modern Kursi, on the east coast would be more appropriate). Two. See note on 4.18–22. Tombs, thought to be the habitations of demons.
8.29 Son of God. See note on 3.17. Here Jesus is recognized by a supernatural power; cf. 16.16. To name someone was thought to provide power over that person; thus the demoniacs seek here to gain power over the exorcist.
8.30 Swine. See note on 7.6.
8.32 Water. Demons were usually associated with arid regions; see 4.1.
MATTHEW 9
1And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7And he stood up and went to his home. 8When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
The Call of Matthew
9As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
10And as he sat at dinnera in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sittingb with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
The Question about Fasting
14Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often,c but your disciples do not fast?” 15And Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. 17Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
18While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogued came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” 30And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” 31But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.
Jesus Heals One Who Was Mute
32After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. 33And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” 34But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”e
The Harvest Is Great, the Laborers Few
35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
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a Gk reclined
b Gk were reclining
c Other ancient authorities lack often
d Gk lacks of the synagogue
e Other ancient authorities lack this verse
9.1 His own town, Capernaum; see note on 4.13.
9.2–8 Cf. Mk 2.1–12; Lk 5.17–26.
9.2 Their faith precedes the miracle; see 8.10–13; 9.22, 28.
9.3 Scribes. See note on 2.4. Blaspheming usually involved dishonoring God’s name (see Ex 20.7; Lev 24.16); here Jesus’ implied claim to be able to forgive sins evokes the charge (see Mk 2.7; see also Mt 26.65).
9.4 Hearts. See note on 5.8.
9.6 Son of Man. See note on 8.20. Authority…to forgive sins. See 1.21; 28.18.
9.8 Crowds. See note on 4.25; see also 7.28–29.
9.9 Matthew. See 10.3; cf. Mk 2.14; Lk 5.27. Follow me. See note on 4.19.
9.10–13 Cf. Mk 2.15–17; Lk 5.29–32.
9.10 Tax collectors and sinners, i.e., social and moral outcasts; see note on 5.46; see also 11.19; 18.17; 21.31–32.
9.11 Your teacher. See note on 8.19.
9.12 Similar sayings are found in Greek literature.
9.13 I desire mercy, not sacrifice (repeated in 12.7). See Hos 6.6 (Septuagint). The righteous. See note on 1.19.
9.14–17 Cf. Mk 2.18–22; Lk 5.33–39.
9.14–15 See Gospel of Thomas 104.
9.14 Disciples of John (the Baptist). See 11.2; Acts 18.25. Your disciples do not fast. See 11.19.
9.15 Wedding guests, lit. “the sons of the bridegroom,” his attendants who joyfully celebrate with him. Jesus is often described as a bridegroom; see notes on 25.1;25.5; 25.10; see also Jn 3.29; 2 Cor 11.2; Rev 19.7. Then they will fast. These words provide a rationale for fasting in the early churches after Jesus’ death; see also 6.16�
��18; Didache 7.4–8.1.
9.16–17 Two sayings interpret v. 15 and stress that the old cannot contain the new; see also 13.52; Gospel of Thomas 47.
9.18–34 Four healings conclude the section begun in 8.1.
9.18–26 Cf. Mk 5.21–43; Lk 8.40–56). The author incorporates a Markan technique of placing one story inside another (intercalation); a woman healed (vv. 20–22) interrupts a girl restored to life (vv. 18–19, 23–25). For women in Matthew, see Introduction; other stories are 15.21–28; 26.6–13; 27.55–56, 61;28.1–10; see also notes on 1.2–6a; 1.3; 1.5; 1.6b; 1.16;1.18–25; 23.37.
9.18 Leader of the synagogue, probably a civil administrator (the text does not mention the synagogue; see text note b); see note on 4.13.
9.20 Hemorrhages, i.e., a continuous flow. If menstrual (that is not explicit), the woman is unclean and should not be touched. See Lev 15.19–30; Ezek 36.17; Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Document (CD) 4.12–5.17; Temple Scroll (11Q19) 48.15–17; Josephus, War 5.227; Against Apion 2.103–4; Mishnah Niddah; Mishnah Zabim 4.1; cf. Acts of Pilate 7 (named Bernice). Fringe, the tassels of Jesus’ outer garment, a customary part of the dress of Israelite men in Palestine; see Num 15.37–41; Mt 23.5.
9.21 If I only touch his cloak. Healing power resided even in the healer’s clothing; see 14.36; Acts 5.15; 19.12.
9.22 Faith. See note on 8.10.
9.23 Flute players accompanied professional mourners (see 11.17).
9.25 See note on 8.3.
9.27–31 The author creates this version of the miracle story; cf. 20.29–34; Mk 10.46–52; Lk 18.35–43; see note on 9.32–34. Two. See note on 4.18–22.
9.27 Have mercy on us, Son of David! This request and title, expanded from Mk 10.47–48, is usual in the Gospel’s healing miracles; see 12.23; 15.22;17.15; 20.30–31; cf. 21.9. Mercy. See v. 13; 12.7.