Matthew
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 the …
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 …
Motives of Service
Jesus healed Peterās Mother-in-law (vv. 14-17). When He saw her lying in bed sick with a fever he touched her, and she was healed. She immediately got up from her bed and began waiting on the Lord and the many disciples who were with Him. Matthew saw this as a fulfillment of …
Need for Personal Relationship with Jesus
Jesus told a parable of a demon who had been driven out but finding no place to rest returns with seven other spirits (vv. 43-45). In other words, it is not enough to clean house: we must also invite in the right tenant. The Pharisees were proud of their “clean houseā, but their hearts were empty …
The Genealogy of The Messiah
By tracing Jesus’ ancestry back to King David, through the line of Davidic kings, Matthew connects Jesus with his royal heritage (vv. 1-17). Jesus is thus the fulfillment of Godās promise to raise up a king through Davidās line. The genealogy in this passage is traced through Joseph, Jesus’ …
Jesus Pays The Temple Tax
When Jesus and His disciples arrived back at Capernaum, the tax collectors were waiting for them (v. 24). Every Jew 20 years or more of age was required to pay a temple tax of half a shekel (Exodus 20:13-24). Apparently Peter and Jesus had not yet paid their tax for that ye …
Joseph and Mary Escape with Jesus to Egypt
A special divine revelation in the form of a warning was given both to the wise men and to Joseph in the form of a dream (vv. 13-15). He is warned to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt (v. 13). The reason being that Herod would be searching for the child to kill him. The question might be, …
The Biblical Principles for Church Discipline
Children are important to God. To demonstrate the importance God attaches to them, the Lord gave the disciples the following illustration (v. 10). Suppose a man who owns one hundred sheep suddenly discovers that one is missing (vv. 11-12). Will he not leave them and search for the one …