Bible Commentaries

Came back to Capernaum. After his first teaching tour through Galilee.

So many people came together. For the healing of this paralyzed Matthew 9:2-8, Luke tells us that there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there, who had come from every town in Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem. They came to investigate this Jesus. The whole incident teaches us: (1) Christ had God's authorization. He could declare he forgave sins without speaking against God. (2) The difference between Christ and his apostles—none of whom claimed to forgive sins (compare Acts 8:22-24). (3) Those who claim to forgive sin, would have the ability to instantly heal the body of the effects of sin.

A tax collector, Levi. Soon to be an apostle. For the call of Matthew and Matthew's feast, see notes on Matthew 9:9-17. Compare Luke 5:27-39.

Was having a meal. Matthew has gathered a large number of his friends and associates for this feast. Outcasts. People who had been expelled from the synagogue.

Fast . . . But yours do not. See notes on Matthew 9:14-15.

No one uses a piece of new cloth. Jesus was not attempting to "patch up" Judaism. See notes on Matthew 9:16-17.

Jesus was walking through some wheat fields. See notes on Matthew 12:1-8. Compare Luke 6:1-11.

When Abiathar was the High Priest. 1 Samuel 21:1-9. [This passage speaks of Ahimelech as high priest. Abiathar was the son. But the "Church Fathers" said that both father and son had both names [Abiathar Ahimelech] (compare 1 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 18:16).

For the good of man. It was not just an arbitrary law, as the Pharisees had made it. It was designed for the good of the people. It was symbolic to the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 5:15). There is no mention of "Sabbath breaking" in the catalog of sins in the New Testament.

Is Lord even of the Sabbath. This declares the Divine nature of Jesus. Only God is Lord of his own Law. [Jesus is the Eternal Logos (John 1:1).] Since Jesus is the Lord, he has the right to do with the Sabbath as he pleases. The "Christian Sabbath" comes in the Eternal World (Hebrews 4:1). Sunday was named the "Lord's Day" by the early Christians, because Jesus rose from death on Sunday.