Notes On Matthew 19-27
Ch.19
4-9. The hearts and consciences of the people have become hardened and seared - likely because of the years of pagan captivity, resulting in a watering down, or outright distortion of God’s Law: So Jesus will take them right back to the beginning - to the original foundation: The Laws by which the nation of Israel was first established; and from here, he will teach them.
Vs.6 shows us the seriousness...the weightiness of the covenant of marriage, in the eyes of the Lord.
11-12.Again, emphasizing the seriousness and weightiness of marriage - so much so, that some are advised not to marry at all: That it is better to go without a wife, than to fall into sin through divorce.
Marriage has been given to us by the Lord - and cannot be embarked upon, or be successful, without the Lord being the center:
See Ephesians 5:22-33
12. Here is a very strange saying, implying that not everyone was created by the Lord for the purpose of being attracted, or united in matrimony, to the opposite gender. This does not excuse or provide for the behavior spoken of by Paul in Romans 1:26-27 - but does throw some insight into why certain people fall into sins such as those mentioned in Romans.
What is a eunuch?
From BibleRef.com
The word eunuch generally refers to a man who has been castrated, meaning that his sexual organs have been surgically removed and/or disabled. In some ancient Eastern courts, male servants who tended royal women were castrated in order to avoid the possibility of sexual activity. Advisors and others close to kings were also made eunuchs, so they would not be corrupted by sex or distracted by a family. These are the most literal kind of eunuchs, those "made…by men."
Jesus expands on the concept of a eunuch here, describing some men as being born eunuchs, meaning those who naturally lack sexual desire or the ability to have sex. This would seem to include those who are born with physical complications, as well as those with sexual desires incompatible with marriage.
Then Jesus adds a third kind of eunuch, those who have made themselves so for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Given the broader sense in which Jesus is using the word, He does not mean literal castration. Rather, He is speaking figuratively of those who have set aside their sexual desire and right to be married in order to serve the Lord with a more single-minded devotion. He concludes by saying that the person who can receive this condition should do so.
Paul says something very similar in 1 Corinthians 7. He describes his ability to be unmarried and unburdened by overwhelming sexual desire as a gift from God that allows him to be undistracted in his ministry. He makes it clear, though, that not everyone has this gift and that they should marry instead of "burning with passion" and risking sexual sin (1 Corinthians 7:7–9).
14. See note on Matthew 18:13
16-26. Here is a classic question that so many of us have asked: How “good” do I need to be?...How many good things do I need to do...to get into Heaven?
Jesus’s response is surprising - and also somewhat disconcerting: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.”
In this, he is referring to God, and thereby closing the door on any effort or attempt by anyone, at being “good” themselves.
But notice too, that in defining the standard of “good”, Jesus points - not to himself - but to God. Had this young man truly been searching for God, it is likely that Jesus would have revealed himself as such; but it is plausible that the young man wasn’t searching so much for God, as he was for a seat in Heaven - and, as we shall later on see - there is a difference. See Matthew 20:20-28
(Remember Matthew 18:1-5)
As if, to demonstrate this point, Jesus lovingly confronts the man with the commandments; primarily those concerning “love thy neighbor”
What does he still lack? Matthew 22:37-40 He could not have been truly keeping the second commandment without first keeping the First Commandment. Had he been truly keeping the first, he would have had no “lack”.
His reaction to Jesus’s “invitation” in vs.21 shows us that, in his heart, he had really been keeping neither commandment: It is the heart that matters - not the outward appearance or display of righteousness (that this young man had apparently shown) - and it is the heart that Jesus has come to - not heal - but make completely new! (Ezekiel 11:19; Jeremiah 31:33)
Vs.21 If you want to be “perfect”: Jesus now takes this, from the inference of God being “good” to Himself, as being the Way to perfection. Because the truth is, that there is only good (God) and bad (Satan), only Light and darkness; only the perfect and the imperfect: There is no gray...no in-between, except the one we have created.
What is Jesus saying?
If you want to be perfect, this is impossible. BUT: Discard this world...throw off your love of it (because in loving this world, we are enslaving ourselves to its prince - Satan - John 16:8-11)
- And follow the One who is not of this world: The only One who is “good” and Perfect; and who will, as the image of the invisible God in human flesh, fulfill the Law, to the last jot and tittle, PERFECTLY! Colossians 1:13-23; Matthew 5:17-19
This, we cannot do ourselves (vs.26): Because: “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
The “eye of a needle”:- This gate is so small that everyone passing through it, will have no choice but to make themselves small.
A camel, when passing through the “eye of a needle”, must first shed its entire load and bend at the knees…and also at the neck! (that we would no longer be a stiff-necked people - Exodus 32:8-9). We cannot take anything of this world - whether physical or of the heart - into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Paul the Apostle called this crucifying the flesh. (See Romans 6:1-8, Galatians 2:20) We must, not only forsake this world - but die to it...see John 3:3-4 - and be born again to another.
This is why, in vs.25, the disciples ask in amazement: Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
See Revelation 20:1-6
Other scriptures on the millennial reign of Christ:-
Genesis 49:8-12
Ezekiel 34:11-30
Psalm 2; 9; 14:7; Psalm 46; 47; 48:- Note, vs.13-14 (for this purpose is the Millennial reign of Christ)
Psalm 50 (a separation of true Israel from false
Psalm 102
Psalm 110
Psalm 113
Psalm 114:5-8 (The remembrance of Israel’s journey from Egypt into the Promised Land, leads the Psalmist into prophecy concerning the return of Jesus.
Psalm 115:12-18
Psalm 122
Matthew 15; 25:31-46
2Thessalonians 2:1-12
29. Refer back to the rich young ruler: Everyone who has sought first, the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness. This is a polar opposite Way to that of the world:- We do not hold on to ANYTHING of it; not only physical (wealth, land, position and possessions), but in the way we think, behave and live: I.e. “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
See 1Kings 19:19-21 - another who left everything to follow the LORD
Ch.20
8-16. Because it is never about who was first or last
When looking through the eyes of Scripture…through the Sacrifice of the Cross…we are all absolutely equal: Each of us sinners, in need of a Savior; We are all weighed and measured by the same weight and measure: Our acceptance of, and surrender to, the Cross of Christ (1John 1:5-9)
And so, it is all superficial to consider who does what; and where; and WHEN in the kingdom.
“Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.”vs.10
It is superficial - and futile to think of ourselves at all.
Christ is all that matters - and he lives in all of us. (Colossians 3:11)
See also Luke 15:11-32 -
And consider, not only the younger son, but also the older son’s attitude, towards his father: Because , if we are serving God for ourselves (what we can get out of it) then we are not truly serving: It is only LOVE, that truly serves.
Compare this also to the previous conversation the disciples have with Jesus, concerning this exact same issue: Matthew 19:27-30
“What is in it for us?”
The disciples, as the first ones hired, are proving the point of this parable perfectly!
To which (just like the parable) Jesus responds with the same solemn warning: the first will be last and the last first.
‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ vs.12
Again, as sinners saved by God’s grace, the cross of Christ is our equalizer:
As for “bearing the burden of the day” - there is no greater burden ever borne than the weight of our sin, that Jesus Christ carried at Calvary.
If we are feeling “overly burdened” - as did those servants hired first - as did the eldest son in Luke 15, then it is likely that our burden and our servitude is not one of Love for our Lord: We must return to our Father - who, while we were still sinners - had already expressed the fullness of his unconditional Love for us - by paying in full, the price of our transgressions.
We must humble ourselves and return to the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
vs.14
“Take what belongs to you and go.
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?
Compare the master’s words to the father in Luke 15:31 Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
So, Don’t ever feel, as a Child of God, that He has forgotten you, or that your good works go un-noticed by Him -
But don’t mistake your good works as a means to earn God’s love - or to compare yourself with others. This is a deception.
Vs.13 “Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Compare
“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:32
18-19. Bit by bit, Jesus slowly begins to remove the veil from the eyes of his disciples: Isaiah 6:9-13; 53:1
This mystery is about to be revealed, in the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah. Hosea 6:1-2
21. Consider the parable and lesson of before, which can be summed up with one word: HUMILITY:
Our prideful, selfish natures…so polar opposite to that of Christ Jesus…are being expressed clearly and plainly in Jesus’s own disciples.
And, as always, Jesus is not taken by surprise by this request; indeed, nothing his disciples say or do, will ever take Jesus by surprise - because: Psalm 103:13-14; John 2:23-25
22. A common trait amongst the disciples...and among all of us: for who could ever understand or attain to the Ways of the Lord? We cannot - no matter how hard we try - scale the heights to where he is;
Which is why He has come down, to where we are!
23. Jesus assures James and John that they will (eventually) drink from his cup - but not yet; Because none of them is ready…and who in earth would be ready? They have not yet been baptized into the Love of John 15:13; but again, Jesus’s promise to James and John… “You shall indeed drink from my cup…” is assurance that one day they will all be ready.
25-28. This is not only about the power of God, but also the NATURE of God; and he will not entrust us with the first until we are fully walking in the second - Matthew 7:21-23
Again, Jesus describes a Kingdom…a way of living - and thinking…that is so radical…so far removed from our natural, carnal self-centered ways, that it can only possibly be achieved through dying to our lives - and being born again, into a new life. (John 3:3)
See also Note on John 13:1-17: Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.
30-34. Note: They could not see; but they could HEAR; and it was through hearing that they - not only recognized Jesus - but found faith to cry out to him for healing! (Romans 10:17)
What else can we surmise about these men?
~They had understanding of the Scriptures; recognizing Jesus as the prophesied “Son of David” See 2Samuel 7
~They had understanding of their unworthiness : “Son of David have mercy...” (see also, the note on John 9:1-3)
~They had Faith: What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
They had hunger (Matthew 5:6) - they were truly, from their hearts, searching for God (Jeremiah 29:12-14a)
And their hearts were right with God. How do we know? See James 4:1-12 - and Matthew 5:8! (Psalm 37:3-4; Matthew 7:7-11)
Sheep:
In healing them, Jesus shows them “pity” or compassion - which means to be stirred deeply - within the heart. We read of a very similar occurrence in Matthew 9:36: In this instance, the people are likened to sheep - not goats - but sheep...in need of a shepherd.
Both these - the blind men, and the people of Ch.9 - came like sheep, looking for their shepherd; and they recognized him in Jesus Christ: see John 10:1-5, 11-18
Goats - who are naturally curious, adventurous and independent, do not behave like this - neither were we ever meant to: See Genesis 3:1-7
Ch.21
2. As heralds going ahead of a king, these two disciples will obediently do as instructed; Just as John the Baptist - Malachi 3:1, Luke 7:26-27 -
But: see Matthew 24:45-51 (& Matthew 23)
3. The Lord has prepared his heralds (his disciples) - but he has also prepared those who will listen to them...who are prepared and ready for the king. We will never know who owned the donkey and her foal...But we do know that they were waiting and preparing for Malachi 3:1; and in doing so, they have profoundly fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This person obeyed the heralds - but their own servitude, faith and obedience will go unheralded in this life.
5. Donkeys and mules were traditionally used by kings during periods of peace. Messiah’s first coming was neither on mule or donkey, but on a donkey’s foal...the ultimate expression of humility and meekness...like a lamb to the slaughter...to bring the ultimate expression of peace - not to the earth (Matt10:34-36)... but peace between God and man(Luke2:14)... peace to the soul.
His second coming will NOT be so.
Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. (See Isaiah 63:1-4; John1:1) 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
8-11. This is a pivotal moment; one anticipated by Israel for hundreds of years. Read Psalm 118:25-26
However, if they are looking for and expecting a ruler who will strike down the Romans and overturn the ruling authorities, they are about to be disappointed.
They are likely thinking about Psalm 118:10-13; what they are neglecting is the latter part of vs. 27: Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
This Sacrifice is Jesus!
They have been waiting for Daniel 9:25 - but everyone has missed Daniel 9:26
12-14. Here is the perfect combination of judgement (over the desecration of the Temple) and mercy (for the lame and blind; whose problems, Jesus knows are not fundamentally physical, but spiritual: See John 9:39-41)
Here is the true nature and character of the Lord.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 35:5 (here is a foreshadowing of this scripture)
15-16. Psalm 41:1-4
For, the Messiah didn’t come for those who saw themselves as healthy...He came for those who knew they were sick - not just in body, but in soul: Matthew 9:9-13; John 9:34-41
He came for those who knew their need of God...who knew their need of Him! Matthew 5:3-6
See: 1Corinthians 1:20-31 & Matthew 19:13-15
19. Immediately after the incident in the Temple and the complaints of the Jewish leaders, Jesus curses a fig tree.
The symbolism of the fig tree:
Luke 13:1-9
Jeremiah 24:1-10,
Hosea 9:10
The fig tree, representing the nation of Israel, its Temple and its sacrificial system, is failing to produce - not only good fruit - but any fruit at all! Read
Matthew 21:43
Matthew 23
Matthew 24:32-35
Because it is time for the institution of a New Covenant, where a perfect sacrifice will be offered once, for all time, for everyone...and where the Law will be re-written; not in tablets of stone, but in the hearts of people.
Once the New Covenant comes, the Old will become null and void forever. Hebrews 10:1-22
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29). This monumental mountain (the sins of the world) will not only be moved, but utterly cast into the sea, through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus!
What must we do to produce good fruit? What does it look like? Matthew 3:8-10, Luke 3:8-9
21-22. Jesus then goes on to explain to them, that through Him...through faith in his Name (Salvation) and his sacrifice...not only will their prayers be answered, but he will work his good, pleasing and perfect will through them; because his will...his Law...is now written on their hearts.
This is how they will be able to “move mountains” in his Name.
...and how they (and also we) are able to “curse”...to put to death...the dead works of the flesh. Romans 8:13-14
This is the beginning of a New Covenant - open and available to all who believe: Old things are passing away; the new is coming! 2Corinthians 5:15-17
23-32. These chief priests and elders have already made up their minds about Jesus - and Jesus perfectly knows this. He knows the hardness of their hearts and their willful unbelief. This is why he takes this challenge back to the grassroots; not of his ministry - but the one who came before him, to prepare the Way for him: John the Baptist (See Matthew 11:7-15)
John the Baptist came, to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the Lord...the Messiah: But, if they did not recognize or listen to the herald, they will not be able to receive the King!
This is borne out by Jesus’s words to them in vs.31-32 “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him”
This parable, of vs.28-30 is a classic example of what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 15:7-9, 23:3 Just like the second son in this parable, they deal with their father deceitfully: They say what sounds like the right thing - but then turn around and do the opposite!
vs.26 “But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
See Proverbs 9:10, 29:25 - what a tragic state of affairs: These people are the so-called “shepherds” of Israel - and as the shepherds go, so go the sheep - Matthew 15:12-14
But the LORD: the Chief Shepherd, has come for his own, right on time, and at exactly right time! John 10:1-6, 11-18, 24-30 - and Romans 5:6
See also Matthew 10:24-28: Jesus’s assurance: As he, the Shepherd goes, so we (his sheep) will also follow; but His Way, will lead to Life everlasting. Psalm 23, John 14:6
33-44. Isaiah 5:1-7 ESV
Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. ...
Vs. 34-36 - read:
Matthew 23
34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
38 See, your house is left to you desolate.
39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Vs.37-39
Refer back to Matthew 22:42-45
Where Jesus asks a peculiar question:
“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,
44
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
Jesus is using the Scriptures to slowly and deliberately lift the veil:
He is the Stone the builders will reject; He is the Master’s Son - murdered by the tenants...
We know the Jewish leaders are aware of this: In the Gospel of John, these very plans were being put into place before Jesus had even entered into Jerusalem. See John 11:45-53 (John 12:12-15)
Vs.40-41
Refer back to Jesus’s warning through the cursing of the fig tree: Everything - the temple, the altar, the sacrificial system - everything will - like the fig tree without figs - be brought to nothing, in favor of the New and far better Way to Salvation; which Jesus himself will provide through his Sacrifice on the Cross.
And when we study history and the events of AD70, we realize what a truly “miserable death” will be brought to those who will persistently rebel against the Lord , through holding on to the Old System and not receiving One, Perfect, True Sacrifice of the New.
Vs.43
How are these “people who will produce its fruits”?
“in Jerusalem and in all Judea” See Acts 1, Acts 2,
“in Samaria” see Acts 8
“and to the end of the earth.” See Acts 10
Vs.44 (a) “And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces;”...
See Acts 2:37-39
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
vs.44(b) “and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
See Revelation 6:12-17 &!Luke 23:28-31
Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’
Ch.22
4-6.Continuing the theme recognizing the Messiah:
When we love this world and what it offers, we cannot love or look forward to the next one; when we are lovers of pleasure, we cannot be lovers of God.
These people were not look for a Messiah who didn’t look like them!
...so much so, that they stoned and killed those sent to them by God (the prophets) - and will shortly kill the Messiah Himself.
See Matthew 21:18-19, with note and Mark 11:12-14
8-10. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple with its system, the invitation to the Kingdom of God, will extend beyond Jerusalem:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
See Acts 8:1-8, 26-40; Acts 10
11-14. Examples
John 13:21-30; Acts 8:9-24; 1John 2:18-19; Matthew 7:13-27
And: Matthew 25:1-13
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