1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Chapter 9 of the Book of Matthew in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a powerful testament to the ministry, authority, and compassion of Jesus Christ. It is laden with numerous miracles, teachings, and profound encounters that underline the central themes of faith, forgiveness, healing, and discipleship. This chapter is not just a chronicle of events but a rich tapestry of spiritual truths and divine wisdom that offers profound insights into the person, works, and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 9 commences with the healing of a paralytic. When Jesus sees the faith of the man and his friends, He not only heals the man's physical ailment but also forgives his sins, demonstrating His divine authority to forgive sins. This miracle, like the others that follow, serves to validate Jesus' divinity, asserting that He is more than just a man, but the Son of God with authority over both the physical and spiritual realms.
The miracles that Jesus performs in this chapter are not only demonstrations of His divine power but also manifestations of His compassion. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, and even raises a girl from the dead. These miracles reveal that Jesus' authority extends over sickness, death, and even nature itself. They also attest to His deep compassion for the suffering and His desire to restore wholeness and life.
Chapter 9 also features several teachings and controversies that further illuminate the character and mission of Jesus. The calling of Matthew, a tax collector, underscores Jesus' mission to call sinners to repentance. His dining with tax collectors and sinners, much to the chagrin of the Pharisees, reveals His inclusive love that transcends societal divisions and religious prejudices.
The controversies that ensue from Jesus' actions and teachings expose the hypocrisy and legalism of the religious leaders of the time. They criticize Jesus for forgiving sins, associating with sinners, and not adhering to traditional fasting practices. In each instance, Jesus responds with wisdom and authority, challenging their narrow views and pointing them to the true essence of faith and spirituality.
Faith, forgiveness, and healing are recurring themes in this chapter. The healing miracles of Jesus are often predicated on faith. He tells the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, "Your faith has made you well" (thy faith hath made thee whole). Similarly, He tells the two blind men, "According to your faith let it be to you" (According to your faith be it unto you). These instances underscore the power of faith in the process of healing and restoration.
Forgiveness is another central theme in this chapter. Jesus' forgiveness of the paralytic's sins signifies the spiritual healing that accompanies physical healing. It also affirms His divine authority to forgive sins, a claim that triggers controversy among the scribes. Yet, Jesus stands firm in His claim, emphasizing the inseparability of physical healing and spiritual forgiveness.
In the latter part of the chapter, Jesus talks about discipleship and the Kingdom of God. He likens the Kingdom to a harvest field that is ripe but lacks laborers. He urges His disciples to pray for more laborers, signifying the urgency and importance of the mission to spread the Good News. The calling of Matthew and the sending out of the twelve disciples at the end of the chapter exemplify the call to discipleship and the task of proclaiming the Kingdom.
In conclusion, Chapter 9 of the Book of Matthew is a remarkable blend of miracles, teachings, and encounters that reveal the divine authority, compassion, and mission of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the themes of faith, forgiveness, healing, and discipleship, offering profound insights into the Kingdom of God. Each story, each miracle, and each teaching in this chapter invites us to a deeper understanding and experience of Jesus and His Kingdom. It challenges us to respond in faith, embrace His forgiveness, experience His healing, and commit to His call to discipleship, thereby participating in the unfolding of His Kingdom.
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