Matthew 9: Forgiveness, Matthew's call, a daughter, two blind men and the harvest
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Greek. How to read a study
What happens?
Jesus tells a paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven and then tells him to get up and go home, calls the tax collector Matthew to follow him, and eats with tax collectors and sinners. He answers questions about fasting, takes a ruler's daughter by the hand so that she gets up, heals a woman who touched his garment, opens the eyes of two blind men, and frees a man who could not speak. Seeing the crowds like sheep without a shepherd, he tells his disciples that the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few.
Who is speaking?
No verse is in gold: nothing in this chapter is marked as the Father's own voice. The narrator tells the story. Jesus speaks in verses 2, 4 to 6, 9, 12 to 13, 15 to 17, 22, 24, 28 to 30 and 37 and 38. The scribes speak in verse 3, the Pharisees in verses 11 and 34, John's disciples in verse 14, the ruler in verse 18, and the woman speaks within herself in verse 21. The two blind men speak in verses 27 and 28, and the crowds in verse 33. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1He entered into a boat and crossed over, and came into his own city.
In plain English: Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own city.
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2Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”
In plain English: They brought to him a paralyzed man lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven."
The Greek word: "Cheer up" is tharseō, which the dictionary gives as to have courage. In Matthew it is in 3 verses: here, and , and this Bible has "cheer up" in all 3.
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3Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
In plain English: Some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man blasphemes" (speaks against God, or: insults).
The Greek word: "Blasphemes" is blasphēmeō, which the dictionary gives as to vilify, and especially to speak impiously. In Matthew it is in 3 verses: here, and , and this Bible says "blaspheme" or "blasphemy" in all 3.
What changes: Read as "vilify", the scribes say he insults someone. Read as "speak impiously", they say he speaks against God. The plain line gives both.
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4Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
In plain English: Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
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5For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
In plain English: For which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
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6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”
In plain English: But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." (the sentence is left unfinished; then he said to the paralyzed man) "Get up, take up your mat, and go to your house."
Good to know: This is the second place in Matthew where Jesus speaks of the Son of Man; the first is . The word for "authority", exousia, is the one in . The verse breaks off in the middle of Jesus's sentence, and the next words are addressed to the paralyzed man.
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7He arose and departed to his house.
In plain English: The man got up and went away to his house.
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8But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
In plain English: When the crowds saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men (see the note).
Good to know: "To men" is tois anthrōpois, the ordinary words for people or human beings. The text does not say whether the crowds have Jesus alone in mind or people in general.
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9As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him.
In plain English: As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, "Follow me." The man got up and followed him.
Good to know: and tell of a tax collector sitting at the tax office whom Jesus calls with the words "Follow me", and name him Levi. Matthew names the tax collector here as Matthew, and has "Matthew the tax collector" in a list of names.
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10As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
In plain English: While Jesus was sitting at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
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11When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
In plain English: When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
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12When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.
In plain English: When Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do.
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13But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
In plain English: But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance (or: to a change of mind)."
Good to know: The words "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" are in , which in this Bible reads, "For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." The same words are in .
The Greek word: "Repentance" is metanoia. The dictionary gives it as regret for guilt, including a change of ways, and as a reversal of a decision. It is in 3 verses of Matthew (, and here) and in 24 verses of the New Testament, and this Bible gives "repentance" in 23 of the 24.
What changes: Read as "repentance", the sinners are called to turn from wrong. Read as "a change of mind", they are called to think differently. The plain line gives both.
Good to know: Tischendorf's Greek text, which is also in this site's database, does not have the words "to repentance" here. The Greek text that this page's word cards follow has them, and so does .
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14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
In plain English: Then John's disciples came to him and said, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"
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15Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
In plain English: Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom (literally: the sons of the bridal room) mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
The Greek words: "The friends of the bridegroom" is, word for word, "the sons of the bridal room" (huioi tou nymphōnos). The dictionary gives nymphōn as the bridal room. In this Bible has "the groomsmen" and has "the friends of the bridegroom".
What changes: Read as "friends", they are the bridegroom's companions at the wedding. Read word for word, "sons of the bridal room", they are those who belong to the wedding chamber. The plain line gives both.
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16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made.
In plain English: No one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear is made.
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17Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
In plain English: People do not pour new wine into old wineskins either. If they do, the wineskins burst, the wine is poured out, and the wineskins are ruined. But they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
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18While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
In plain English: While Jesus was saying these things to them, a ruler came, bowed down to him (or: worshiped him), and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."
Good to know: Matthew has the ruler say, "My daughter has just died." has him say, "My little daughter is at the point of death", and says that she "was dying".
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19Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples.
In plain English: Jesus got up and followed him, and so did his disciples.
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20Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
In plain English: A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years (literally: had a flow of blood) came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,
The Greek word: "Fringe" is kraspedon, which the dictionary gives as a margin, and so a fringe or tassel. In Matthew it is in 3 verses: here, and . says that the children of Israel should "make themselves fringes on the borders of their garments".
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21for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”
In plain English: for she was saying within herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well (or: saved)."
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22But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
In plain English: Jesus turned around, saw her, and said, "Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well (or: saved you)." And the woman was made well from that hour.
The Greek word: "Made you well" is a form of sōzō, which the dictionary gives as to save, to deliver, or to protect. In Matthew it is in 14 verses, and this Bible gives "save" in 12 of them and "made well" in 2 (verses 21 and 22). The same word is in "Save us, Lord!" ().
What changes: Read as "made well", she is healed. Read as "saved", she is rescued. The verse uses the same word again at its end, "the woman was made well from that hour". The plain line gives both.
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23When Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd in noisy disorder,
In plain English: When Jesus came into the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a noisy disturbance,
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24he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him.
In plain English: he said to them, "Go away, because the girl is not dead but sleeping." They were laughing at him.
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25But when the crowd was sent out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose.
In plain English: But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in, took her by the hand, and the girl got up.
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26The report of this went out into all that land.
In plain English: The report of this went out into all that land.
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27As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
In plain English: As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, "Have mercy on us, son of David!"
The Greek words: "Son of David" is huios Dabid. The dictionary gives huios as a son, used very widely of near or distant kinship, so it can also mean a descendant. In Matthew the words "son of David" are in 9 verses of this Bible, and the book opens with them: .
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28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”
In plain English: When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."
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29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.”
In plain English: Then he touched their eyes and said, "Let it be done to you according to your faith."
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30Then their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.”
In plain English: Their eyes were opened. Jesus gave them a strict order (see the note), saying, "See that no one knows about this."
The Greek word: "Strictly commanded" is enebrimēsato, from embrimaomai. The dictionary gives it as to be indignant, to blame, to sigh in annoyance, or to order sternly. It is in 5 verses of the New Testament and in 1 verse of Matthew. This Bible gives "strictly" in 2 of them, here and .
What changes: Read as "order sternly", Jesus gives a firm command. Read with the other meanings, there is also indignation or deep feeling in how he said it. The plain line says "a strict order".
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31But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
In plain English: But they went out and spread the news about him through all that land.
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32As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.
In plain English: As they were going out, a man who could not speak (or: could not hear; see the note) and who had a demon was brought to him.
The Greek word: "Mute" is kōphos, which the dictionary gives as blunted: in hearing, deaf, or in speech, dumb. In Matthew it is in 6 verses, and this Bible gives "mute" in 5 of them and "deaf" in 1. In the whole New Testament it is in 12 verses, with "mute" in 9 and "deaf" in 5.
What changes: Read as "mute", the man could not speak, and verse 33 says he spoke. Read as "deaf", he could not hear. The plain line gives both.
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33When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
In plain English: When the demon had been cast out, the man spoke. The crowds marveled and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!"
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34But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”
In plain English: But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of the demons."
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35Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
In plain English: Jesus went around all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
The Greek word: "Good News" is euangelion, which the dictionary gives as a good message, and also as the gospel. In Matthew it is in 4 verses: , here, and . This Bible gives "Good News" in 72 of the 74 verses of the New Testament that have the word, and never "gospel".
Good to know: has almost the same sentence about Jesus going about, teaching, preaching the Good News and healing.
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36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
In plain English: When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered (or: troubled and thrown down), like sheep without a shepherd.
The Greek word: "Moved with compassion" is splanchnizomai. The dictionary gives it as to have the bowels yearn, so to feel sympathy or pity. In Matthew it is in 5 verses: here, , , and , and this Bible says "compassion" in all 5.
The Greek words: "Harassed" is skyllō, which the dictionary gives as to flay, and in a figure, to harass. "Scattered" is rhiptō, to fling or toss, and so to disperse. The word cards give them as "troubled" and "cast away". Rhiptō is also in , where they "put them down at his feet".
What changes: Read as "scattered", the crowds are spread out in different directions. Read as "thrown down", they are flung to the ground. The plain line gives both.
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37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
In plain English: Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
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38Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”
In plain English: So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest."
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