Matthew 9: Jesus' Authority and Power

Matthew 9: Jesus' Authority and Power

Collin Leong. March 29. 2025

v1-7: Jesus Can Forgive Sins (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26)

(v1-3) Jesus arrived at his own town after leaving the region of the Gadarenes. (Note: Capernaum became a central hub for His ministry during Jesus' adult life. It was a bustling fishing town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and served as His home base while He traveled and preached throughout the region.)

A paralyzed man was brought to him on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man: “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”  However, the teachers of the law said that Jesus is blaspheming, as only God can forgive people. 

(v4) Jesus knew what they thinking, and asked them why do they entertain evil thoughts in their hearts? 

There are two types of thinking: if you think with your mind, it can be easily changes once you understand the truth. However, if you think with your heart, then even when you know the truth, your heart will prevent you from believing it. You have a hardened heart. That's what Jesus was saying to the teachers or the law. 

(v5-8) Jesus asked them whether it is easier to say "you are forgiven" or to say "get up and walk?"

The answer is, of course, easier to say "you are forgiven" as nobody will know if he was or was not forgiven! However Jesus said to prove that he has the authority to forgive sin, he asked the man to stand up and take his mat and go home. 

The paralyzed man got up and went home! When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God, who had given such authority to man. (At this point, they still think Jesus is just a human prophet.) 

v9-13: The Calling of Matthew (Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)

(v9) In this passage, Matthew was recounting the moment when Jesus called him to follow Him. This probably happened before Jesus' sermon of the beatitudes. At that time, Matthew (or Levi, his Hebrew name) he was working as a tax collector, a profession often looked down upon by society due to its association with corruption and collaboration with the Romans. 

Yet, Jesus saw beyond societal labels and extended His invitation, saying, "Follow me."  Matthew's response is immediate—he gets up and follows Jesus, leaving behind his old life.  This act of faith and willingness to change becomes a significant turning point for him, as he later becomes one of Jesus' twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

(v10-13) Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and many tax collectors and His disciples as well. The Pharisees saw what happened and questioned his disciples why their teacher eats with tax collectors and sinners? Jesus heard them and told the Pharisees that he came as a doctor for the sick, not for the healthy. He told them: "For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  

Jesus asked them to analyze what  ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' means.  This is quoted from Hosea 6:6 - "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings"

This verse emphasizes that God values compassion, mercy, and genuine relationship with Him over mere ritualistic practices or outward displays of religiosity. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the Law, often focused on the external observance of religious rules, though the Torah never said anything about not eating with sinners. 

Jesus wanted the Pharisees to understand that true worship is rooted in compassion and a heart aligned with God's will, rather than in rigid adherence to rituals. This message remains a powerful reminder of the importance of mercy and genuine faith over outward appearances.

v14-17: Jesus Questioned About Fasting (Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39)

(14-15) One day, John's the Baptist disciples asked Jesus why they and the Pharisees fast often, but his disciples do not fast? 

Jesus gave an metaphor to explain.  He compares Himself to a bridegroom and His disciples to the wedding guests. Jesus is telling them that His time with His disciples is a time of joy and fellowship, much like a wedding celebration where fasting and mourning would be inappropriate. However, He also acknowledges that a time will come—when He, the bridegroom, is taken away—when fasting will be appropriate again. This likely refers to His crucifixion and ascension.

Jesus highlights the significance of the moment and shifts the focus from rigid practices to the deeper meaning behind them. He continued to use two other metaphors to help them understand His ministry:

(v16-17)

1. Unshrunk Cloth on an Old Garment: If you sew a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment, the patch will shrink over time and tear away, making the tear worse. This signifies that Jesus' teachings and ministry cannot simply be "patched" onto old religious practices or traditions without creating conflict or disruption.

2. New Wine in Old Wineskins: New wine needs fresh wineskins, because as the wine ferments, it expands. Old wineskins, which are already stretched and brittle, would burst if filled with new wine. This illustrates that Jesus' new way of thinking—a message of grace, inclusion, and the kingdom of God—requires new structures and attitudes, not just an adaptation of existing ones.

These metaphors reinforce the idea that Jesus is introducing a new era—a time of joy and transformation—where old frameworks and rituals don't apply in the same way.

v18-26: Jesus Heals the Sick Woman and Raises The Dead Girl (Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)

(v18-19)  While Jesus was speaking with John's disciples, a synagogue leader interrupted Jesus and knelt before Him. He said his daughter is dying and asked Jesus to lay His hand upon her so that she can be healed. Jesus and His disciples got up and and went with him. 

Luke 8:41 told us the name of the synagogue leader was Jairus. His role as a synagogue leader would likely have involved overseeing the synagogue's operations, including arranging worship services, maintaining the building, and possibly teaching or assisting with religious instruction.

(v20-22) A crowd followed Jesus while he was on his way. Among the crowd was a woman with an issue of blood for twelve years. In modern terms, she has a chronic condition of menorrhagia (prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding) or uterine bleeding. She have been having this condition for 12 years, and obviously she has sought physicians and ate all kinds of medicine, but they did not help. She believed if she can touch the fringe of his garment, she will be whole.  And the woman was healed immediately.  Jesus felt someone touched the hem of his garment, and turn around and said to her: "Take heart, daughter. your faith has healed you." (v22)

Exp: Luke 8:46 says that Jesus asked who was it that touched him, for He felt the power has gone out of him. Among the crowd, many people had touched him, unintentionally and deliberately, but Jesus knew this touch is special. He is aware that someone had been healed from his divine power.

Why did she know that touching the fringe of Jesus' garment will make her well? Some believe that she has read Malachi 4:2 - “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” The word "wings" in Hebrew was "kanaf" which can also mean “corners” or “edges” of a garment — the same place where tassels were attached. She believe that the corners of Jesus garment would carry healing. Note that Malachi did not mentioned tassels (Tzitzit) in his paragraph. Many Jews knew this and all the sick wanted to touch the fringe of Jesus' cloak, and all who did it were healed. (Mat 14:36).   

(v23) When Jesus entered Jairus house, he saw the noisy (people wailing) and people playing pipes. The pipes were likely part of the mourning rituals in that time and culture. It was customary for families to hire professional mourners who played instruments (like pipes or flutes) and openly grieved to signify the loss and honor the deceased. In fact, Luke 8:49-50 says that someone had gone to tell them that the girl has died while they were on the way.

(v24-26) Jesus told the mourners to leave, and that the girl is not dead but asleep. They all laughed at Him. Once they have left, he held the girl's hand and she got up. This news spread through all the regions.

Both the woman and Jairus faith in Jesus of exceptional, and Jesus rewarded them with what they asked for. Do we have such a great faith when we pray and ask God for our needs?

v27-34: Jesus heals the Blind and the Mute (Isaiah 35:1-10; Mark 7:31-37)

(v27-31) As Jesus went on from there, two blind men called out to Him to have mercy on them. He went indoors and asked them if they believe He is able to do make the see. They told the Lord, "yes."  Jesus touched their eyes and said: "According to your faith let it be done to you."   

Their sights were restored and Jesus told them not to tell others about this healing. However, they went out and spread the news about Jesus.  

(v32-33) Another person who was demon-possessed and mute was brought in to Jesus. Jesus cast the demon out and the mute man spoke. The crowd was amazed and said: “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” (v32-33)

(v34) However, the Pharisees said that Jesus was invoking the prince of demons to cast out demons, instead of his divine power! In Matthew 12:22-29, Jesus explained that if Satan casts out Satan, his kingdom will not stand. While it is true that Satan's kingdom will crumble for different reasons, Jesus' purpose was to highlight the illogical mind of the Pharisee. (However, it appears that the Pharisee's thinking is that Satan's kingdom will stand as they did not refute Jesus. For if they believed that Satan's kingdom cannot stand, then they can use Jesus argument to prove why the Satan's kingdom will crumble.)

The Pharisee's accusation reflects their skepticism and refusal to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority, despite the miraculous works they witnessed.

v35-38: The Workers Are Few (Luke 10:2)

(v35-36) Jesus went through all the towns and thought at the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease. When he saw the crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd. 

The term "harassed" here can be understood as referring to their state of distress and confusion. They were weighed down by the burdens of life, lacking guidance, support, and protection. The Pharisees and other leaders often imposed strict legalism, emphasizing rituals over compassion. Consequently, many people were left spiritually disoriented, struggling to find genuine connection with God.

Sheep without a shepherd are exposed to danger, unable to find sustenance, and prone to wandering aimlessly. Similarly, the crowd was lost and in need of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who could guide, care for, and protect them.

(v37-38) He said to his disciples that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, and to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field. 

The "Lord of the harvest" in Matthew 9:38 refers to God the Father. God is the one who orchestrates the spiritual harvest, calling laborers to share His word and bring people into the fold. By instructing His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest is a reminder that the mission of spreading the Gospel is both a human effort and a divine partnership.

Jesus repeated his words “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." in Luke 10:2. It is a different time from Matthew's quote. In Luke, it was during the time He sent the seventy two to places He intends to go; while Matthew was when he saw the helpless crowd while healing them. 

This chapter shows the mercy of Christ on people who is not deserving or are "unclean". By ending with harvest is plentiful but workers are few, He is asking us whether we are willing to go and extend His mercy to the world.