In these last two miracles, Matthew foreshadows the growing conflict with the Pharisees. While the crowds are excited and amazed, the Pharisees reject Jesus as working with the devil. Ultimately the unbelief of the Jewish leadership will be a crucial part of the story.
You’re probably aware that many classic commentaries are free online, but did you know many modern commentaries (written after 1970) are also online?
Even if you don’t know biblical Greek or Hebrew, you can do a lot with the original languages, if you understand some basic grammar and have a few good tools.
In the raising of Jairus’s daughter, we learn that death should no longer command fear and power over us, because we follow a savior with authority over death.
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb: to fear, phobeó G5399.
Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” In a metaphorical way, he asks it still. You can try to touch his robe and then run away. But if you do, you’re missing the greatest gift of all: salvation.
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for coming, parousia G3952.
In these stories, Jesus challenges the religious culture and practices of the Pharisees, not the Old Testament. His understanding is so fundamentally incompatible with the Pharisees that if he tried to reform their their views, he would only destroy them.
The Olivet Discourse is a conversation Jesus had with his disciples shortly before his crucifixion. As they sat on the Mount of Olives looking across at the temple, Jesus explained many things about the coming destruction of the temple. While Matthew provides the fullest account, this teaching is found in all three synoptic gospels.
As we continue studying the miracles recorded in Matthew 8-9, watch for how the miracles both point backward to the prophets (e.g. Isaiah 35:3-6) and ahead to the fullness of the promise to come.
Jesus sat and ate among the tax collectors with the message, repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and that is a message we do well to share. The most loving thing we can do is to help people deal with their real problem.
What is hesed? The Hebrew word is important in the Old Testament. If hesed was a recipe, it would have three ingredients.
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.