Matthew
Jesus Loves Jerusalem
In our next woe Jesus gives an analogy of the Pharisees who appeared righteous on the outside. (like unto whitewashed tombs) however they were corrupt and decaying on the inside (vv. 27-32). It was a tradition for the Pharisees to build and decorate the tombs of the martyrs. However, it was …
Clear Teaching of The Word
Here we find Jesus pronouncing condemnation against the cities in which some of His most significant miracles had occurred (vv. 20-24). Chorazin was a village about two and a half miles north of Capernaum; Bethsaida was about three miles east. All three cities had witnessed Jesus’s …
Jesus is Sentenced to Die
Pilate was trying to decide what to do with Jesus. As he pondered, a delegation approached, requesting that he honor the custom he had perpetuated, that a prisoner be released at Passover. Seizing this opportunity to release Jesus, Pilate presented the crowd with what he thought was an …
Peter’s Test
Jesus was taken to the home of Annas, the former high priest who was father-in-law to Caiaphas, the current high priest (v. 57) (John 18:13). From there he was taken to Caiaphas’ house. The Sanhedrin were hastily assembled. They already had the verdict (guilty), but they wanted to go …
The Baptism of Christ
We find Jesus going south from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized (v. 13). When John learned that Jesus wanted to be baptized, he didn’t want to do it because he felt unworthy (v. 14). Jesus said it is necessary to fulfill what God wanted them to do (v. 15). While He walked this earth …
Christ’s Transfiguration
Discipleship involves a cost (vv. 24-26). Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (v.24). To deny self does not necessarily mean to give up things but to give yourself wholly to Christ and identify in His shame and death …
Jesus Begins His Ministry
A widespread persecution of the followers of John and Jesus took place at this time. When Jesus heard about John’s imprisonment, He went from Nazareth to live in Capernaum (v. 12-13). Luke explains the reason for Jesus leaving Nazareth was an attempt on his life (Luke 4:16-31). From …
A Professing Christian vs a True Christian
The Scribes and Pharisees had fooled themselves into believing they were righteous and others were sinful. They believed they were righteous on account of their race and their circumcision. Jesus used three pictures to help demonstrate the choice between His kingdom and the world …
The Foolish Bridesmaids
Jesus illustrates the Kingdom of Heaven with a story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom (v. 1). Five were foolish and took no oil for their lamps (vv. 2-3). The other five were wise and took extra oil for their lamps (v. 4). As they waited, they all laid …
Healing Miracles of Christ
In chapters 8 and 9 Matthew records 10 miracles. The first two miracles of healing were:
1. The Healing of the Man with Leprosy (vv. 1-4). After the sermon on the mount, Jesus had great crowds of people following him (v. 1). Therefore, what happened next was extremely unusual …