Notes on Matthew Ch.12-20
Ch.12
3-8.Read Hebrews 4
Jesus will fulfill the Sabbath, providing Rest for all who will receive him - not a physical rest, but a spiritual one: a rest for the soul.
But now he confronts those who are at least partially responsible for keeping the people out of this rest, by placing unnecessary burdens upon them, which did not even come from God through Moses - but came from man.
See Matthew 15:1-20; 23:1-4,13-15, 23-28
1Samuel 16:6-7
5-6. In Jesus Christ we have obtained a Sabbath Rest for our souls; and from out of this place, come good works done for him in his name, as much on the Sabbath as any other day. So yes, just like the priests in the Temple, we do the works of God, within the greater Temple (Jesus Christ) See John 2:18-22
- and in doing so, we do not break God’s Law: We uphold it. This will be further verified in vs.9-13
7-8. Jesus is quoting from Hosea 6:6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
In other words, outward appearances mean nothing to the One who knows the most inward things of the heart. And it is the heart that the Lord wants to heal...it is from out of the heart that he wants to see goodness come forth.
10-14. The Sabbath: the very day the points to the finished work of redemption in the cross...the Sabbath Rest for the soul of humanity, these teachers of the Law, have turned into a law for themselves: a means of controlling the people, for their own benefit.
Of how much more value is a man than a sheep!
Apparently, very little, or none, to these so called teachers of the Law. How utterly tragic!
20-21. A picture of Israel at that time, who have been bruised by the Lord , but not broken; doused - but not completely put out. He has preserved a remnant on Israel, who will embrace the cross, receive salvation and take this good news, first to the people of Israel, then out to the gentile nations. This is the over arching plan of the Lord.
24. The highest blasphemy is to see clearly the works of the Holy Spirit of God and deliberately, out of hatred and jealousy, refer to him as Satan.
To reject the Son of Man (God in the flesh) is natural at first, due to us in our carnal minds, not being able to recognize or comprehend God becoming a mere mortal. (Remember 1Samuel 16:6-7 & Isaiah 53:2-3)
The supernatural working of the Holy Spirit however, is a different matter entirely. Look at Nicodemus’s words in John 3:2 “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
To say that these signs - performed before their very eyes and clearly coming from the supernatural power of the Lord - are demonic, is a willful rejection of the Lord and blasphemy to the Holy Spirit, who is performing them.
The Holy Spirit is the manifestation of God Himself. Having seen him, there can be no excuse for rejecting him: They have simply chosen to do so.
33-34. See Revelation 3:15-22
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
This is hypocrisy
This is why he says in Jeremiah 31:33
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And in Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
This is something that only the Lord can do!
37. This could also easily say: “by you lack of words you will be justified. The tongue, according James 3:1-12, gets us into more trouble than anything else. So, in order to remain blameless - without fault - it is best to say nothing at all.
38-39. Jesus has just finished speaking to them about the inward intentions of the heart. Now, as if to prove his point, this very same sect of people are demanding a sign; not because they want to glorify God, but because they are looking for some way to trap him. Jesus of course, knows full well the intentions of their hearts.
This is why he answers them thus:
“An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
41-42. See again Matthew 11:20-24
Under the Old Testament, they saw as if, through a glass darkly. Now, here the Lord stands, among them - and they do not recognize him; or worse still: They recognize him and willfully refuse to receive him. John 1:9-13
43-45. This tragic illustration of unbelieving, unrepentant Israel, will reach its climactic fulfillment in 70AD, with the sacking of Jerusalem, and horrific massacre of most of its inhabitants.
One could argue that this is still the state of unbelieving Israel today; whom having rejected the Messiah, allowed Satan to come in and fill the void with all manner of divination and mysticism.
Romans 8:29-30
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
50. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
What is the fundamental basis of his will?
John 6:28-29
“What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
what is Jesus saying here -
See John 9:35-41
39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
...For the one who does not SEE
This is verified by what Jesus says next:
vs.13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14-17. This is why time and again, Jesus says: “The one who has ears to hear - let him hear:
Their spiritual eyes and ears have become dull: Weighed down by the things of this world, they have lost their desire for things of Heaven / the things of God!
17. See 1Peter 1:20-12
19-23.vs.19: a description of most of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law at this time.
vs.20-22 Both of these, describe a heart that is comprised:fear of man over God; lover of this world over God 1John 2:15-17; Matthew 10:28
vs.23: a description of the true disciple of Christ. John 6:60-69
“He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
How does this happen?
John 12:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
We can only yield fruit when we die to our own lives.
Matthew 16:24-25
24-30. The type of weed growing here would likely have been darnel - a weed that looks like wheat: see 1John 2:18-19; anti-christs people who look and act like the true believers the word (anti, meaning next to or alike)
But the merely take up the space, producing nothing edible; while at the same time, sucking the life from those around them; their roots running deep into the earth (they are carnal): This however, should not be a problem to the true believers as we do not belong to this earth, and do not ultimately get our sustenance from earth but from Heaven: see Deuteronomy 8; Matthew 6:19-33; John 17; John 18:36; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-16
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” See Matthew 3:11-12;
We will both grow together until the final harvest.
31-32. See John 12:24-26
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
This implies - not glory, as we in our carnal, earthly minds would understand it - but the glory of humility; the willingness to be small, unseen, beneath, for the sake of others: This is a concept that would have been utterly alien to his disciples, as it surely is for us today. This is why we must first allow ourselves to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20-21; Colossians 2:20-23), so that we can be born again to a life that is not of this world, and a way of thinking that is likewise. (Colossians 3:1-4). Through his ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus Christ has led the way here, for all of us to follow.
This is verified by Jesus in these next verses:
25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
33. Just as we are hidden in Christ, we also live as sojourners in this world - we are among them physically, but spiritually separate: In the world but not of it: John 17:6-23
And when we choose to live our lives like this (Galatians 2:20-21) - like the leaven, it is only a matter of time before the effect of righteousness begins to show among those around us - that the Lord has given us.
35. See Revelation 13:8
Here is a mystery; implying only one thing: The Lord was not taken by surprise when Adam and Eve fell; and there was no “plan B” that he suddenly had to resort to, because of their fall: There was only One Plan, from the very beginning.
Why?
So that humanity would have knowledge of good and evil - and, through the mercy of the Cross, they would choose good: They would CHOOSE God!
44-46. Matthew 19:16-26
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Why did the individual in the first parable cover it up?
See Matthew 7:6
Action is required first and foremost, within our own hearts: If we truly believe and understand what it is we have found, we will abandon everything else in pursuit of it; putting bo trust in earthly things; and our whole lives into the hands of the Lord and all our hope into his Salvation.
To stop and reason with people first, will only throw stumbling blocks in our way:
See also Luke 9:59-62
52. Old and new treasure?
The Old and New Testament: Because Jesus has come to fulfill the Old, and create the New, through his own shed blood.
They - the disciples of Jesus - are the scribes (teachers) who are being trained for the kingdom of Heaven, and following his resurrection, he will “open their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45-48) - in other words, they will be able to see the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus;
And - like the scribes throughout Biblical history - their teaching and writing (the Gospels, Epistles and John’s revelatory work) will also teach us, so that we can know this Truth - which sets us free!
Ch.14
14. This is where - through Jesus the Son - we see the deep live and compassion of the Lord for his lost sheep
John 15:12-13
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
16-20. Does this not show us that the Lord desires to be with us - to Tabernacle with us? (See Leviticus 23:33-44)
And when we fellowship with him, he will provide for us, exactly as he did for Israel in the wilderness. (See Deuteronomy 8:1-18)
He who is the Word (John 1:1) is also the Bread of Life (John 6:22-58) and when we put our lives in his hands, he will provide: Matthew 6:33; 16:24-26
“you give them something to eat.” This is also a picture of Matthew 19:28-29. The disciples will “feed” the people.
20-21. 12 baskets: Enough to feed all twelve tribes of Israel all over again...and again.
23-27. Jesus will separate himself in this manner regularly; communing with his Father in Heaven. Mountain tops are desolate places, and Jesus didn’t climb them to elevate himself as God (as with the worshippers of idols): He climbed them to SEPARATE himself as the One True God.
What he was praying about, is not disclosed. But there are times when the Lord separates himself in order to REVEAL himself; to give us a glimpse of his deity: Here is one of those profound moments; where Jesus will reveal himself as God - not the God of judgement, but of compassion and mercy: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
See Psalm 103:8-14; Psalm 145:8-9
25-26. See Luke 1:78-79
“because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
28-33. Why would Peter do this? Because he is desperate for proof that Jesus Christ is who Peter already believes him to be: God in the flesh...Immanuel - God who has come to dwell among us. This entire scene shows us Peter’s desperate desire to know the Lord.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Psalm 103.14
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
It is because of this, that we need the Lord’s intervention; we need his redemption
Psalm 103:4-5 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
We do not deserve such mercy from the Lord - yet he gives it anyway...to all who fear Him; who abhor their own sinful state and hunger and thirst after his righteous. It is these whom, through the power of the Cross, the Lord will redeem, justify and sanctify.
30-33. Could this also be a hidden picture of crucifixion and resurrection? First the Lord’s, then ours:
Psalm 40:1-3
Psalm 16:7-11
30-31. The Name of the Lord: Yeshua - my Salvation.
O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 28:17
36. Compare this to the woman in Matthew 9:20-22: We know from Numbers 15:37-41, that the fringes on the garments were to remind the people of the perfect Law of God - and humble them with the realization that they were under it; And this woman recognizing the fringe of Jesus’s garment, lunged at it…
(Read Leviticus 15:25-33)
Here we see a paradox: It wasn’t that she broke the Law in pressing through the crowd - this woman already knew she had broken the Law! (see Psalm 51:5) She knew she was already unclean…born into sin;
but she also knew, as did Rahab in Joshua ch.2, that in Christ there was redemption…That:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(But)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8–9
“Against you - and You alone have I sinned…”King David ~ Psalm 51:4
Therefore, to honor the Law is to acknowledge that we have broken it.
In touching the fringes of the Lord, she was not only honoring the Law but throwing herself on the mercy of the One who wrote the Law - and who would fulfill it to the letter; who would, through her confession of her fallen state, cleanse her from the curse of it (Galatians 3:13)…and not only externally ~ but INTERNALLY.
I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am Yahweh your God.”
It is the Lord who sets us free:
In lunging at the Lord’s tassels, she saw past the external (her weak and broken body ~ see Matthew 15:11); She knew where the real healing was needed: her heart.
In short, she was not afraid to gaze into God’s perfect (fulfilled) Law and recognize her need for mercy. Compare also with Rahab in Joshua ch.2 and to the bronze serpent on a pole in Numbers 21:4-9
Remembering back to Matthew 9:1-8: Because we know it is ultimately not our bodies that need healing: It is our souls; this sickness, not being physical, but spiritual - and leading to eternal Death.
Ch.15
3-9. He is breaking the tradition of the elders, to bring these lost sheep back to the pure Law of God.
The Pharisees were using their traditions to control the people, while at the same time making themselves look pious and holy: See Matthew 23.
Jesus has come, not only to uphold the Law, but fulfill it - every jot and tittle - perfectly;
And in doing this, he will expose the true thoughts and intentions of everyone.
Vs.4-9
In “pretending” to keep the Law, (through appearing righteous) Jesus is showing them that they have broken it at its most fundamental level.
The traditions of the elders: The Oral Torah: extra laws and traditions, said to be handed down from Moses along with the Ten Commandments; these were not written - but spoken. As a result, these can be changed and added to, by the teachers if the Law, whenever it suits them: But we know that the Word of God does not change - as surely as God does not change.
Psalm 91:10
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Read: Psalm 119:9-12
We could read the whole of this Psalm, and see the same thing: a desire…a hunger; for the Word…the Law; not written by men - but by God!
To make room for His Word, is to make room for HIM - to KNOW Him; and in Psalm 119:11, we see something very beautiful: The more we make room for the Lord and his Word in our hearts, the less room sin will have, to work in us.
6-7. This would be comparable to the evil sons of Eli, who violated the offering of the Lord, entrusted to them by the people, to fill their own bellies. See 1Samuel 2:12-17
10-11. So it is not what we eat or drink that will ultimately bring condemnation upon us: It is the sinful condition of our hearts - revealed through what we say. Luke 6:45; James 3
This heart condition is something we have all inherited from Adam and Eve, and which the Lord, through his sacrifice on the cross, is about to deal with - once and for all. John 3:3-8,16-21
13-14. This is best described by John the Baptist in Luke Ch.3:
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
See Luke 3:3-17
And Jesus himself has given us another poignant demonstration of this in Matthew 21:18-19
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
A change of Covenant is coming! And those who are not looking for it, will not be able to see it, nor will welcome it, when it comes (Luke 4:16-30)
14. In John 9 , Jesus will rescue a literal blind man from falling into the pit that his “blind guides” had led him to; and in doing so, he will expose these “blind guides” for exactly who they are.
Read John 9:39-41
He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.
24-28. Here is faith comparable to that of the woman in Matthew 9:20-22, who:
Knew who she was;
Already knew she wasn’t worthy;
Broke the Law, to reach him anyway.
This Canaanite woman does likewise, and her faith, operating through truth and humility, reaches into the heart of the Lord.
She is one of several gentiles who will do this: A fulfillment of Isaiah 65:1 and a precursor to Acts 10
29-31. See Isaiah 35:5-6; 42:6-7; 61:1-3
31. This is how we can be sure that we are truly doing the works of God (see Acts 3:6-13)
32-38. 2Kings 4:42-44 A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD.
32-38. Again we see the three days pattern: Hosea 6:2; Luke 18:32-33
On the third day, Jesus, who is the Bread of Life (according to John 6) will feed those who have followed him thus far (the seven loaves also pointing toward Jesus’s perfect sacrifice and finished work on the Cross Hebrews 4:1-13);
Likewise, after 3 days in the tomb Jesus will rise again, and give eternal life to this disciples who have followed him to the end, and to all who will follow him in the future!
A precursor to Salvation through the resurrection of Christ; (The seven baskets left over, also symbolizing the Lord’s perfect Salvation complete: Revelation 21-22)
See also, note on Matthew 14:16-20
Ch.16
4. See note on Matthew 12:38-39
He has told them once; he will not waste time and energy - nor fall into any trap they are attempting to lay - by telling them the same thing (that they do not want to hear) again.
6-11. The disciples - true to form - are worrying about things in the natural (remember Matthew 6:19-34) As usual, they have missed the true meaning behind Jesus’s statement concerning leaven - which goes far beyond the body, and what we put into it: Jesus is using leaven to describe the condition of the soul.
In Exodus 12:14-20, directly following the Passover, we are introduced to the feast of unleavened bread: An extremely solemn festival, pointing to our sanctification through the Blood of Jesus; whereby all leaven must be removed from God’s people and their homes: Symbolic of how the Lord has DELIVERED them from the bondage of sin (Egypt) and SEPARATED them as a holy people for him! Anyone found with leaven on their person or in their homes during this time, would be cut of from Israel! This tells us how serious this festival, its meaning - and what it is pointing to - is! The fact that Jesus is describing the teachers of the Jewish law as “leaven” - the very substance that the Jews were instructed to remove themselves from, gives us a clear and horrifying picture of the state of their hearts - and the current state of Israel, whom they claimed to be shepherds of! Just as with the feast of unleavened bread, Jesus now instructs his OWN disciples: “Leave them” - separate yourselves from this “leaven”. This is huge; marking the beginning of something radical and new: A New Covenant! See also Matthew 21:18-19
9. An exhortation to REMEMBER
13-19. {In a place called Caesarea Philippi…the epicenter of emperor worship…the very heart of paganism itself, surrounded by shrines and symbols to gods of fertility, above the noise of idolatry (see Exodus 32) Simon Peter confesses his Faith - in Jesus Christ and Him alone. This is why Jesus goes on to say:
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
These keys will be given to those - and ONLY to those - who in the midst of a rebellious and idolatrous world, that is pulling in every direction except that of Christ and his Cross, standing in the face of “the gates of Hedes”will maintain their testimony, boldly as Simon Peter did, continuing to declare unashamedly, that Jesus is the Messiah - the Son of the Living God!
16. Abraham believed the Promise of God:
Peter recognized that Promise, in Yeshua.
17. The Mystery of Election
See:
John 6:37-40, 44-45, 63-65, 67-69; 10:14-16, 26-29; 17
21. ✝️Jesus the suffering sacrifice: see Matthew 17:12
Following Peter’s prophetic confession, and the other disciples’ agreement of it - evidence that they do not follow Jesus, of their own reasoning or volition - they are now ready for truth of a higher and much deeper level.
“he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Peter’s immediate reaction however, is far from spiritual:
“Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
If Peter had momentarily lost sight of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so evidently working through him - Jesus swiftly brings him back on track, by rebuking - not Peter - but the one speaking through his flesh: Satan.
Even after we are born again and baptized, the struggle between spirit and flesh is ongoing...so how much more so, for these disciples, who are not yet born again, on the resurrection side of the cross?
“For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
What is the answer? How do we overcome the flesh that is bound to this world?
By dying to this world, so we can be born again to the next : Galatians 2:19-21; Romans 6:3-11; Colossians 3:1-4; John 3:3-8; 1Peter 1:23-25
24-27. Now Jesus begins to build upon this shocking foundation stone he has just laid: One that looks, not like life, but death!
And why this reference to a cross?, the disciples could possibly be thinking. Crucifixion was a common part of living under Roman rule - reserved for the most serious offenses, and being the cruelest and most dreaded form of punishment. This reference to a cross would have likely shaken his disciples - as it was meant to do - and given them reason to at least begin, to think differently: Not of saving their own lives, but...of losing them?
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
This is comparable to Jesus’s earlier words of Matthew 6:19-34 -
But now they seem so much more personal...with much more of an urgency! And, most profoundly, Jesus is talking - not about the body - but about the soul!
(Link to Matthew 1:21)
And Jesus continues to build with what he says next, in vs.27: “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
For what purpose will he come, except to judge: this is extremely sobering.
And then we get to vs.28: Suddenly hope...which will lead us directly into the next chapter
28. What is Jesus talking about here? We will find out immediately, in the next chapter.
“there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:28
Here and now, is this moment; and here are those who will see...
3-8. Peter makes the mistake of placing Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus. The Lord quickly rectifies this, by telling Peter: “THIS is my Beloved Son - the One Moses and Elijah have been waiting for: The only One we build a tabernacle for is Him.”
Compare Leviticus 23:33-44 and Revelation 21-22: This is what the feast of Tabernacles is pointing toward!
Following this “correction” from the Lord, the disciples are naturally terrified;
but - and here we see the mercy that is coming through the Cross - Jesus touches them and reassures them: All is well: - for reference see Isaiah 6:5-7 and Revelation 1:16-17
How did the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah without anyone apparently telling them? Matthew 16:17
vs.4 See Revelation 11:3-13: Could it be that Moses and Elijah are the “two witnesses”? - and that this scene will happen all over again (in Revelation 11) as a testament - not to this remnant of three - but to the whole of Israel?
vs.6 Here is the glory of God (Revelation 1:9-18); that one of the three - John - will see again, through writing the Revelation of Jesus Christ. They are seeing quite literally, into the future - the future glory of the Lord!
vs.8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Because the Son of God has also come as the Son of Man; the glory of God, cloaked in human form; until through the redemption of the Cross; through the sanctification of the Blood; the veil is removed, and we are finally able to behold his glory - face to face. (2Corinthians 3:16-18; 1John 3:1-3
This is why he goes on in vs.9 to say: Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”
It is almost time - but not yet.
3. Moses and Elijah: A foreshadowing of Revelation 11:- Just as these two witnesses point the disciples - not to them, but to the Messiah - the witnesses of Revelation 11 will point the Jews - not to them - see Deuteronomy 18:15; Malachi 4:5 => John 1:21
They will perform signs like those of Moses and Elijah - but they will direct Israel, for three and a half years, back to Yeshua the Messiah.
What is their “testimony”?
Luke 9:31 - the Cross.
Moses: See Exodus 34:1-9, 29-35
Moses, a foreshadowing of Jesus (Deuteronomy 28:15-19)...the one who faithfully carried and stewarded the Commandments of the Lord, also foreshadows him here.
10-13. Malachi 4:5-6
The last words of God written under the Old Covenant, speak of the first voice of God that will be raised to prepare for the New: John the Baptist.
vs.13 How did the disciples realize this without Jesus actually telling them? Remember Matthew 16:17
12. For the second time, Jesus speaks of his suffering ✝️
See Matthew 17:22-23
22-23. ✝️Jesus’s death and resurrection
For a third time, Jesus makes mention of his suffering; and for the second time, his death and resurrection.
But the disciples will focus only on the “death” part - the part they understand: The concept of resurrection - although looked forward to, by people like Abraham, Israel and King David, is beyond the comprehension of the very disciples who stand in the Presence of the one these Patriarchs were waiting for. What a sorry state Israel has become.
This is possibly why Jesus refers to them (their generation) as “unbelieving and perverse”.
26-27. Jesus confirming here, that he truly is greater than any man; as Peter so truly confessed: “you are the Christ, the Son of God” - therefore, technically he is above any taxes; but: see John 17:14-16
We must live in the world, as disciples of Christ, obeying the laws of the land - even though we do not belong to it. But, Jesus also demonstrates something else here: That he is able to keep those who are his - and also provide for them!
“Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
See also: Matthew 15:37; 22:15-22; 1Peter 2:13-25
Ch.18
1-6. Here is a question, within the heart of all of us at at least one time in our lives: “Who is the greatest? Am I greater than him? Where do I fit on this scale?” Because in our minds, it is all about us: But Jesus, bearing the heart and mind of the Lord, will turn this selfish prideful notion completely on its head:
Like a child? They are not wise...nor strong...nor intelligent:-
Children know how to TRUST...in the One who cares for them. They cannot take care of themselves - nor would the smallest child want to: No, they are reliant entirely upon their parent - and content to be so.
This is HUMILITY - and why Jesus makes this revolutionary statement in Matthew 6:31-32 &
Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.” &
John 20:17
“unless you turn (Repent) and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Repent from what? Making ourselves our own god, to do things our own way. And yet Jesus says in Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, (those who recognize their need for God) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
And
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
And
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
4. See Matthew 20:20-28; 23:5-12
5-6. See Matthew 20:28 - Jesus - the Messiah - the Son of the Living God - is likening himself - not to a great king or a warrior - but to a little child.
The ultimate lesson of humility and one that is at first, extremely difficult to grasp, because it is so polar opposite to our natural carnal nature.
He then takes this even further, placing the value of a little child on the highest level (Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me), while giving warning of the most severe punishment for those who would mistreat or lead astray such as these. The Lord places value on things seen as having less in our society.
8-9. Jesus does not speak literally here, but rather, uses the analogy of body parts, - a cutting away of sin, in a way which could be likened to circumcision: But we know that it is not outward circumcision that truly counts for anything - but rather, the inward circumcision - purification - of the heart, that through Jesus’s sacrifice for sin, will be available to all of us. See Romans 2:22-29
Paul also refers to this, as crucifying our flesh - or carnal nature, (Galatians 2:20-21) which continually lusts after the things of this world, is continually tempted by them, and therefore, cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.(1Corinthians 15:50)
Remember Matthew 16:26
So, through this shocking illustration, Jesus is demonstrating, most powerfully and shockingly, the seriousness of sin - which only makes the relevancy and weightlessness of his sacrifice for us, even more incredible! 1John 2:15-17
10. When we consider issues such as abortion, we can see clearly, that the Lord is warning us ahead of time: There are consequences to harming the most vulnerable of creation; those who are unable to speak for or defend themselves, are protected by the father himself - apparently regardless of whether they have received the cross or not. And the consequences here, appear more serious than any other sin.
14. Because, unlike us, the Lord notices and cares for the little, less significant things: He will leave the 99 for the sake of one - because, every-ONE matters to God, and is noticed by him. (See Genesis 21:15-20; Matthew 10:29-31
Remembering back to Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:4-7 & also Matthew 5:21-24
We must, as much as we are able, work for peace within the Body if Christ.
Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”
Now Jesus reverts to their own Jewish law - by which all charges against a person must be established by witnesses (see Deuteronomy 19:15) and takes his stand firmly upon it.
17. Here we are one step further; and here is the righteous and just way of dealing with sin in the congregation: In this way, there is no opportunity for gossip or slander, and offense is not allowed to fester to the point of sin. In this way, through righteousness and justice, the offended party is able to forgive, and the offender, through disciplinary measures, is given opportunity to repent: - How can sin be acknowledged as sin, and repented of, if it is not first confronted - brought into the Light?
For a good example of this, see 1Corinthians 5:3-5
Peter and the other disciples were to continue Christ’s work on earth in preaching the gospel and declaring God’s will to men and they were armed with the same authority as He possessed. In Matthew 18:18, there is also a reference to the binding and loosing in the context of church discipline. The apostles do not usurp Christ’s lordship and authority over individual believers and their eternal destiny, but they do exercise the authority to discipline and, if necessary, excommunicate disobedient church members.
It’s not that the apostles were given the privilege of changing God’s mind, as if whatever they decided on earth would be duplicated in heaven; rather, they were encouraged that, as they moved forward in their apostolic duties, they would be fulfilling God’s plan in heaven. When the apostles “bound” something, or forbade it on earth, they were carrying out the will of God in the matter. When they “loosed” something, or allowed it on earth, they were likewise fulfilling God’s eternal plan. In both Matthew 16:19 and 18:18, the syntax of the Greek text makes the meaning clear: “Whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens” (Matthew 16:19, Young’s Literal Translation). Or, as the Amplified Bible puts it, “Whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”
Jesus taught that the apostles had a special task on earth. Their words of authority, as recorded in the New Testament epistles, reflect God’s will for the church. When Paul declared an anathema on those who pervert the gospel, then we know that anathema was already declared in heaven (see Galatians 1:8–9).
From https://www.gotquestions.org/binding-loosing.html
So all of this authority actually comes from us knowing the will of God, which only comes through humble obedience and submission to Him: The Lord’s authority comes only through HUMILITY See Matthew 28:18-20
More about this in the next two verses
19-20. Continuing on the topic of authority through humility:
The key to verse 9 is in verse 10: Where two or more are gathered in HIS Name - not their own; surrendered to his will - not their own:-
In this place is surrender, comes the Holy union of agreement.
When we are gathered in his name, we are surrendered to his will
When we are surrendered to his will, we will ask according to his will - not our own.
See also: 1John 5:14-15; James 4:1-3
21-35. Seventy seven times: Seven (and its multiples) are seen in the Bible as the Lord’s perfection: In other words : there is no higher standard to be attained; no greater work to be done.
The Lord has demonstrated this to us: Through his perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins, there is perfect and everlasting forgiveness for us - over and over again (provided that: 1John 1:8-9). So also, should we who gave been perfectly and everlastingly forgiven, demonstrate that perfect and ongoing forgiveness towards our fellow believers? Jesus perfectly illustrates this for us, in the following parable.
“I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?”(vs.32-33)
Seventy time seven reminds us of the finished work of the cross: offering forgiveness to all mankind not only seven times - but seventy seven -for all eternity.
Seventy times seven shows us, not only perfect completion - but continuous...on and on and on - forever.
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
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