As Jesus begins His second tour of Galilee, we find the twelve with Him. Obviously, all twelve men had been selected by now, Luke 8:1-3. They travel from one village to another, “bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God,” Luke 8:1.
Luke tells us that some women who had been healed of evil spirits ministered to them by providing the things they would have needed, Luke 8:2-3. They no doubt were grateful for the cures they had received.
Luke says Mary had seven demons removed, Luke 8:2. This must have been a very extreme case. Three of the women are named Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna, Luke 8:3.
The ministration of these women indicates the poverty of Christ and the apostles and explains how they were able to devote themselves entirely to the work of teaching without having to engage in secular work for support.
Joanna was the wife of a man named Chuza, Luke 8:3, who must have been a high-ranking person since he was a manager of Herod’s household. Her financial support was probably quite significant.
All financial contributions were placed under the care of Judas Iscariot and would go for food, clothes, supplies, lodging if necessary and taxes. Mary Magdalene was often associated with Jesus. She would be the first one to witness His resurrection, Mark 16:9.
Of more importance is the status given by Jesus to women. He included them in his conversations and work. No priest, rabbi, scribe, Pharisee or Sadducee would have done such. Jesus placed women on a higher level than ever before in the history of mankind.
Jesus came into contact with a man who was possessed by a demon, Matthew 12:22-37 / Mark 3:22-30 / Luke 11:14-23. He was doubly cursed by this demon. He was both blind and dumb, Matthew 12:22.
The recovery was immediate. The man spoke and saw, Matthew 12:22. The result was that the multitude was amazed, Matthew 12:23. They asked, “Is this the son of David?” Matthew 12:23. Thus, the Messiah they expected.
The reaction of the Pharisees was just the opposite. They said it was by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the demons, that Jesus did these things, Matthew 12:24.
They admit to a miracle, but they attribute this power to Beelzebub instead of God. Jesus employs two arguments in answer to their thoughts. If he is casting out demons by Beelzebub, then He is in conflict with Beelzebub; thus, Satan is divided against himself, Matthew 12:25-29.
Also, some of the Pharisees claimed to cast out demons, and no one implied anything wrong about their doing this. Whose power were they doing this by? If they could cast out demons, why was it wrong for Jesus to do the same?
Blasphemy is injurious and malicious speaking. They had just done this against Christ and God by attributing the miracles to Beelzebub, Matthew 12:24. The question is, what will you do when the Christian age arrives with the coming of the Holy Spirit?
If they reject the Holy Spirit and His teachings, then they will reject their last hope. God’s provisions of mercy are exhausted with the coming of the Holy Spirit. There will not be another age in which they can repent, Matthew 12:31-32. It is now or never.
Blasphemy is not some specific words one may speak, but is an attitude. The attitude that “I don’t care what the Scriptures say, I will not change or accept their teachings” places a person in the position where he will never repent. The attitude of wilful unbelief will condemn them.
A high-handed rejection of God’s purpose is the problem and not some specific words spoken. Jesus further states that He has overpowered Satan by plundering his possessions, Luke 11:21.
Jesus gives a parable where Satan is a strong man, Luke 11:22, but Jesus has bound him. Whose side do you want to be on? Jesus is drawing a line in the sand and saying, “Get on his side or mine!”
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He plundered Satan’s domain. He bound him, Matthew 12:29 / Revelation 20:2, disarmed him, Colossians 2:15, destroyed his works, 1 John 3:8, freed his captives, Hebrews 2:14-15, and judged Him, John 12:31. Satan took a severe fall. His only effective weapon now is his deception, Matthew 24:24 / Revelation 20:8.
Again, Jesus is mobbed by the crowd, Mathew 12:46-50 / Mark 3:20-21 / Mark 3:31-35 / Luke 8:19-21. His family hears about this. Hearing about so many of His confrontations with the religious leaders, they conclude He must be beside Himself from religious enthusiasm, Mark 3:21.
They no doubt were fearful for His life due to the animosity that had developed among the Pharisees and others against Him. Their visit, no doubt, was to persuade Him to quit His work.
Perhaps there was some jealousy there also with His brothers. Joseph is not mentioned. Many think he was dead at this time. Jesus had four half-brothers: James, Joses, Judas and Simon, Matthew 13:55. He also had sisters. He uses this occasion to show that spiritual ties are far more important, binding and sacred than are fleshly ties, Matthew 13:48-50.
The connection of any saint with Jesus is greater than the ties of blood relationship. Jesus is not disregarding His own family. The Jews had deep respect for their parents. Rather, He is exalting those who hear and obey the word of God that their spiritual relationships will far exceed all physical relationships in eternity.
Jesus has just claimed to cast out demons by the power of God, Matthew 12:38 / Luke 11:29-32. It is natural that the Pharisees again ask for some verification of such a bold claim, Jesus says, requesting that such was wickedness on their part, Matthew 12:38-39.
What was so wicked about seeking a sign? Jesus has already demonstrated time and again His claims to deity with signs. To seek a sign now is to disbelieve what Jesus has done before.
They are seeking, but not wanting to find. They are not looking for evidence to believe in Jesus. They are looking for an excuse to criticise Him and thus dissuade the crowds from following Him.
The sign of Jonah is an obvious reference to His resurrection, Matthew 12:39. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so Jesus will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, Matthew 12:40. The only thing is that the men of Nineveh repented, Matthew 12:41, where His sceptics would not repent.
Next comes a group of lakeside parables, Matthew 13:1-53 / Mark 4:1-34 / Luke 8:4-18. Entering a boat, He taught a great multitude, Matthew 13:1-2. By being in the boat a short distance from the shore, they would all be able to see and hear Him as they stood on the beach. Jesus had taught parables before, but this seems to be the first time he put several together to form a discourse.
The word parable comes from a Greek word “parabole.” Which means to “place beside.” Thus, a parable is a placing of a story describing an ordinary event beside a spiritual truth for the purpose of illustrating a spiritual truth.
This was one of the most common modes that Jesus employed in His teaching. Often, His critics did not comprehend the application of His parables, but Jesus so instructed his loyal disciples that they did understand.
The scribes and Pharisees were not interested in truth, so Jesus often employed parables simply because of their disinterest in truth. Many times, they were aware that he was talking about them, but they could not understand. This confused and irritated them. These may be termed Kingdom Parables.
The parable of the sower reveals how the kingdom would be received, Matthew 13:3-9. The parable of the lamp warns to watch how you listen, Mark 4:21-25. The parable of the seed reveals that God gives the kingdom its growth, Matthew 13:1-23.
The parable of the tares reveals that the good and evil in the kingdom will be separated in the end, Matthew 13:24-30. The parable of the mustard seed shows the spontaneous growth of the kingdom, Matthew 13:31-32.
The parable of the leaven shows its quiet growth, Matthew 13:33. The parable of the hidden treasure shows its great value, Matthew 13:44. The parable of the costly pearl shows its priceless value, Matthew 13:45-46. The parable of the dragnet shows that good and evil in the kingdom will be separated in the end, Matthew 13:47-50.
It has been a long and tiresome day for Jesus, Matthew 8:23-34 / Matthew 9:18-34 / Mark 4:35-5:43 / Luke 8:22-36. He gave command to depart for the other side of the sea that He might rest, Mark 4:35.
It seems that some of the multitude followed Him in other boats, Mark 4:36. Wearied from the day of strenuous toil, Jesus fell asleep in the stern of the boat on a cushion, Mark 4:37-38.
This is the only place we read of Jesus sleeping, which is in a way amazing since the boat is being tossed about on the waves, Mark 4:37. A great storm can suddenly come upon this lake.
It was a common occurrence. The lake is six hundred and eighty-five feet below sea level, surrounded by hills two thousand feet high. When the winds come across those hills, they can sweep down and quickly, with great force, and cause the sea to become dangerous.
Thirteen men in a fishing boat would certainly be a crowd. As the waves lashed over the sides of the boat, it would begin to sink. The disturbed disciples awake Jesus and say, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown”, Luke 8:24.
They are not only surprised that He is sleeping, but also they seem a bit peeved. The elements obey Jesus, and all is calm, Mark 4:39. Jesus’ authority over nature made His disciples even more aware of His divinity, Mark 4:41. Mark records that Jesus rebuked their lack of faith, Mark 4:40.
Coming to the eastern shore, they set foot on the land of the Gadarenes, Mark 5:1 (Gentile territory), which was opposite Galilee. The area has a narrow bank, met abruptly by high limestone cliffs full of caves.
Here, Jesus is confronted by two men possessed by demons, Mark 5:2. Mark and Luke concentrate only on one of them. The man lived in tombs. No one could bind him. He would tear the chains apart when bound, Mark 5:3.
He was so violent that no one dared pass near him, Mark 5:4-5. He runs and falls on his knees before Jesus, Mark 5:6. The demons cried out, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Mark 5:7.
They seemed to be deeply afraid of Jesus. They begged Jesus that He would not send them to the “abyss,” Mark 5:10. The word means “bottomless.” It refers to the place of the dead.
Evidently, they were not ready yet to go there but wanted to remain on earth. Seeing a herd of pigs, they requested that they be allowed to enter the pigs, Mark 5:11-12. He grants their request.
Immediately, the pigs being possessed rush down the slope into the lake and are drowned, Mark 5:13. Why make such a request and then immediately bring destruction on themselves? It may be that they knew Jesus would be blamed for this, and they are trying to cause trouble for Jesus.
Does this make Jesus guilty of destroying two thousand pigs? Jesus only permitted it; he did not cause it, Mark 5:13. This was Satan’s work. Pigs were unclean animals to the Jews, Deuteronomy 14:8. Jesus considers the soul of one man more valuable than two thousand pigs.
Those who tended the pigs reported this to the city, Mark 5:14. Everyone came out to see what had happened, Mark 5:14. At the same time, they found the demon-possessed man “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind,” Mark 5:15.
This brought even more fear to the people, and they asked Jesus to leave, Mark 5:16-17. The man begged Jesus that he might be with Him, Mark 5:18. Jesus sends him home. He can then tell all what Jesus had done for him, Mark 5:19-20.
Jesus now crosses over to the western shore and returns to Capernaum, Mark 5:21. A large crowd is awaiting Him, Mark 5:21. A ruler of the synagogue by the name of Jairus came pleading that he would heal his twelve-year-old daughter, who was very sick, Mark 5:22-23.
The crowd follows, pressing very hard upon Jesus, Mark 5:24. Suddenly, an unnamed woman brings everything to a halt. She had been bleeding for twelve years, Mark 5:25.
The Levitical law would have restricted her social activities as she would be considered unclean, Leviticus 15:25-28. She had spent all her money on doctors and had not gotten any better, Mark 5:26. She reaches out and touches Him, Mark 5:27-30.
Jesus, being aware that power had left him, asks who touched me? Mark 5:31. Jesus would have known, but he gave this woman a chance to express her faith. She immediately confesses, Mark 5:33. He removes her fear of touching Him, Mark 5:34.
While this event takes place, men come from the house of Jairus to tell him that his daughter is dead, Mark 5:35. Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well,” Mark 5:36.
Arriving at the house, Jesus only allows Peter, James and John, along with the parents, to be with Him, Mark 5:37. Outside, there is a big commotion. They would, according to custom, begin to make a wailing noise, Mark 5:38.
Jesus tells them to stop their mourning because she was not dead but only sleeping, Mark 5:39. They begin to laugh at Him, Mark 5:40. Jesus took the child by her hand and said, “Child, arise,” Mark 5:41. Her spirit came back, and she arose, Mark 5:42.
He then commanded that they give her something to eat, Mark 5:43. The parents were astonished, but He “Charged them to tell no one what had happened,” Mark 5:43. This is the second of three raisings Jesus performed. The third will be His personal friend Lazarus in Bethany, John 11.
Next occurs the healing of two blind men and a deaf-demoniac. Two blind men follow him, crying out, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” Matthew 9:27. Considering the large crowd, they must have had much difficulty in locating Jesus.
Jesus asks if they believed He was able to do this? Matthew 9:28. They did, and he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith, let it be to you,” Matthew 9:28-30.
Jesus tells them not to tell anyone, Matthew 9:30, as he does not need any more publicity at this time, but they began to spread the news around the country, Matthew 9:31.
A man possessed by a demon who is unable to talk is brought to Jesus, Matthew 9:32. It seems the demon caused this man’s physical disability. When the demon is driven out, the man begins to speak, Matthew 9:33.
The crowd was amazed, Matthew 9:33, but the Pharisees said it was done by the prince of demons, Matthew 9:34. Jesus doesn’t respond to the accusation of the Pharisees. He continues to go from village to village, teaching in their synagogues and healing the diseased, Matthew 9:35.
Jesus again returns to his home village of Nazareth, Matthew 13:54-58, spring AD. 29. He entered the synagogue and taught them from the Scriptures, Matthew 13:54.
This may have been the synagogue where Jesus would have received his early education and training. The synagogue served as a school where boys were taught to read and write Hebrew. They were also required to commit to memory many passages of Scripture.
The people’s familiarity with Christ’s humanity made it hard for them to believe His divinity. Wasn’t He the son of a carpenter? Where did He suddenly get all this knowledge? Matthew 13:55.
Here, the brothers of Jesus are named, and mention is made of His sisters and His mother, Matthew 13:55-56. We learn here also that Jesus had been a carpenter, Matthew 13:55.
He would have learned the trade from His father Joseph, although Joseph is not mentioned. So violent became the people in response to His teaching that they attempted to destroy Him, but He escaped unharmed and returned to Capernaum.
Because of their unbelief, He was not able to do many miracles there, Matthew 13:57. It must have been very disappointing to Jesus to come back to His home village and to be received in such a hostile way. Jesus said that a prophet is without honour in his own country, Matthew 13:57.
In this visit to Nazareth in the spring of A.D. 29, Jesus begins the third and final year of His ministry. There are at least forty-two events mentioned as taking place in this third year. This has been called the year of opposition in contrast to the previous year of popularity.
Matthew 9:35-11:1 is a discourse Jesus had with the disciples before sending them out to preach in Galilee. This is the second of Matthew’s five great discourses. Mark and Luke give very abbreviated accounts. This will be the third tour of Galilee.
Jesus, being overwhelmed by the needs of the people, asks His disciples to pray for workers, Matthew 9:37-38. The great need for helpless people, combined with a lack of preachers, was and still is a great need in our day.
Jesus tells them that if they acknowledge Him here on earth, He will acknowledge them before the Father, Matthew 10:32. We cannot even put family before God, Matthew 10:32. Jesus will send them out in pairs, Luke 10:1. He empowers and commissions them to do two things.
1. Preach the Kingdom of God, Matthew 10:7.
2. Heal every disease and sickness, Matthew 10:8.
It seems Matthew lists the apostles in the actual pairs that were sent out. There is no indication that Judas healed or preached any differently than the rest. It is to be a short, quick trip.
Therefore, there is no need to take with them more than was essential, Matthew 10:9-10. A host in each town would feed and house them for a few days, Matthew 10:11-12.
If they were not welcomed in a home or city, then they were to leave it, Matthew 10:13-14. Such people who have no interest in the gospel will receive a harsher judgment than even Sodom and Gomorrah, Matthew 10:15.
Jesus also reflects further into the future after He is gone from the earth, Matthew 10:16-20. He tells them there will be division and betrayal in families where some are Christians, Matthew 10:21.
They will be hated, but if they stand firm, they will be saved in the end when the “Son of Man comes,” Matthew 10:22-23. This probably refers to the coming judgment and fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
They are told, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell,” Matthew 10:28.
What we do for Jesus on earth (even a cup of water), he will do for us in heaven, Matthew 10:42. Loyalty to God. We, too, are called upon to take up our cross and follow Him, Matthew 10:37-39.
After hearing this discourse, they go out in pairs and accomplish what Jesus sent them to do, Mark 6:12. Mark mentions the mode by which the sick were healed. They were anointed with oil, Mark 6:13. This is interesting in view of what James has to say, James 5:14.
Galilee was ruled by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, Matthew 14:1-12 / Mark 6:14-29 / Luke 9:7-9. Word reached Herod about the great things being done by Jesus, Matthew 14:1.
Also, some were saying John the Baptist had come back from the dead, Matthew 14:2. This made Herod nervous because he had beheaded John not long before. He had imprisoned Herod a year before to appease his wife because John spoke out against Herod’s illegal and illicit marriage, Matthew 14:3-5.
John had said clearly, “It is not lawful for you to have her,” Matthew 14:4. It seems, however, that he had been reluctant to have him put to death, Matthew 14:5.
Things changed when he decided to give himself a birthday party, Matthew 14:6. It turned out to be something, probably people came from afar off. Female dancers in the East are still a part of birthday parties.
The dancer on this occasion was Salome, Mark 6:22-24 / Matthew 14:6, the daughter of Philip, Herod’s brother, and Herodias, now wife of Antipas, thus his stepdaughter. Her dance was sensual enough to cause Herod to make a rash promise, Matthew 14:7.
Once an oath had been made, a king could not go back on his word or else he would lose face in the sight of those who were present. Salome was prompted by her mother’s demand for the head of John, Matthew 14:8.
Thus, Herod had John executed, Matthew 14:9-10. Later, we learn that he was “grieved” by what he had done, Matthew 14:9. John’s disciples carry the body and place it in a tomb, Matthew 14:12.
This is the only event prior to the last week of Jesus’ life that is recorded in all four gospels, Matthew 14:12-21 / Mark 6:30-44 / Luke 9:10-17 / John 6:1-13. With the need for rest and the return of the disciples from their tour through Galilee, along with the news about John, Jesus proposed that they go to a secluded location, Matthew 14:12. So they entered a boat and crossed the sea to a small town called Bethsaida.
From this point on, Jesus will spend little time in Galilee. He will return from time to time, but His main work there is completed. As they departed, the crowds saw which direction they were going, and some ran ahead around the north side of the lake to the other side before Jesus did.
He is moved by their need for teaching and moves to a mountainside, which would be suitable for teaching. Again, this would have formed an amphitheatre situation. It must have been quite a sight, five thousand men plus women and children.
John tells us it was near the Passover Feast, John 6:4. This was likely April, A.D. 29, thus one year before Jesus’ death. Jesus will not go to Jerusalem for this Passover, because on His previous visit, they had attempted to kill him, John 5:1 / John 5:18.
The disciples came to him, saying it was late. Let the people go to secure food and lodging. Jesus tells them to feed the multitude. They seemed stunned. It would take eight months’ wages to feed this crowd, Matthew 14:14-15.
They find a little boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish, John 6:7-9. The loaves and fish both would have been small. Jesus takes them and gives thanks, and then distributes to those seated on the grass in groups of hundreds and fifties, John 6:11.
This must have been a very impressive scene with everyone seated on the grass and eating. As he was able to transform water into wine in Cana, John 2:1-11, so here he is able to multiply a boy’s lunch so the five thousand plus could be fed. Remember, the five thousand represented only the men, John 6:10.
We do not know how many women and children were present. So the number could have been well over ten thousand. Jesus saw that nothing was wasted and had the disciples gather up all that was left over. It filled twelve baskets, John 6:12-13.
The crowd was so excited about being fed that they wanted to take Jesus and make Him king, Matthew 14:22-36 / Mark 6:45-56 / John 6:15-21. He stops their ambitious effort by sending the disciples in a boat to the other side of the sea while he remained behind and dismissed the crowd, and then disappeared into the mountain, Matthew 14:22-23.
From this vantage point, Jesus could see the disciples rowing their boat against the wind, making little headway, Matthew 14:24. A full moon accompanied the time of the Passover so Jesus could see a good distance. They were about halfway across the sea and were blown off course.
It seems Jesus sets out across the middle of the lake, Matthew 14:25. This is not some smooth surface. One moment he would be on top of a wave and the next in the valley of the waves.
When they see Him, they think He is a ghost, Matthew 14:26, but they are calmed by His voice, “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid,” Matthew 14:27. Peter now wants to walk to the Lord on the water and is granted permission, Matthew 14:28-29. He begins, but is quickly distracted and begins to sink, Matthew 14:29-30.
Matthew shows us both the faith and the failing of Peter. Suddenly, they are at Gennesaret instead of their original destination near Capernaum, Matthew 14:34.
This was located by a fertile plain on the west side of the sea. Jesus is recognised, and the crowds begin to gather, bringing their sick and diseased with them, Matthew 14:35-36.
Jesus tells them he had spent much time serving their physical needs, John 6:26-7:1. He does some very plain talking to them. They were only seeking Him because of what they wanted out of Him, rather than to receive His teachings. Even His disciples (those outside of the twelve) were attracted to what he could do for them.
Instead of physical bread, they should be seeking the bread of heaven. His real purpose of coming into the world was to save people’s souls. They needed spiritual bread, not physical.
They wanted Him to be their king. It would be wonderful if they could have a king who would feed them miraculously every day, as the children of Israel were fed in the wilderness, John 6:49 / Exodus 16:4-31.
Jesus said their main work was to believe in Him, John 6:28-29. But they wanted a sign before they were willing to believe in Him. He tells them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you also have seen Me and do not believe,” John 6:35-36.
Jesus’ claim to be “The bread of life,” John 6:35, is the first in a series of “I am” statements in John’s Gospel, revealing His identity as God. They begin to grumble, John 6:41, which demonstrates a lack of trust. They could only see him as the son of Mary and Joseph, human, not the Son of God, John 6:42.
How could it possibly be that He came down from heaven? John 6:42. They responded, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” John 6:60. Sadly, we learn that many of His disciples went back and no longer followed Him, John 6:66.
This is perhaps the most unsuccessful sermon ever preached by Jesus. He started with thousands and finished with a handful. Jesus turns to His disciples and asks, “Do you also want to go away?” John 6:67.
Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” John 6:68-69.
Jesus now remains close to Galilee to stay away from Judea because the Jews were plotting to take His life. He must be cautious, as it will be another year before He will finish the work He was sent to do here on earth.
The news of the feeding of the five thousand and the many other miracles creates a stir among the Jews, Matthew 15:1-20 / Mark 7:1-23. They send a delegation to check things out.
Upon arriving, they observe that some of His disciples were eating food with hands that were “unclean”, which makes them critical of the disciples, Matthew 15:1-2.
Oral tradition had a very elaborate system for washing hands. Unfortunately, their oral traditions became more important than the Word of God. They demand to know why Jesus’ disciples were not abiding by the “tradition of the elders, instead of eating their food with unclean hands?” Matthew 15:2.
The washing of hands was not for sanitary purposes, but was purely a religious ritual. It was not prescribed in the Law of Moses but was their own invention. Jesus hits back with two arguments.
1. They were hypocrites, Matthew 15:7.
They put on a mask of honouring God, but their true nature is self-serving.
2. He quotes Isaiah 29:13, that they were teaching the rules (traditions) of men, Matthew 15:8-9.
He illustrates by the avoidance of Moses’ law, “Honour your father and your mother”, Matthew 15:4-6, by labelling something as Corban, you had already promised to give it to God. They were putting their tradition above God’s law, Matthew 15:6. They could dismiss God’s law by a human tradition.
Jesus saw no danger in becoming defiled by eating with unwashed hands. What makes a man unclean is what enters into his mind and comes out of his mouth via the heart, Matthew 15:11. The disciples informed Jesus that the Pharisees were offended by what he had said, Matthew 15:12.
Obviously, they were afraid of what these Pharisees might do not only to Jesus but even to them. Jesus tells them to leave them alone. Don’t follow them because they are blind guides and would only lead them to destruction, Matthew 15:14.
Sometime later, Jesus enters a house, and Peter asks the Lord what the parable meant that Jesus had given to the Pharisees, Matthew 15:15. Jesus seems disturbed that they did not understand what he was saying, Matthew 15:16. Jesus points out that it is what comes out of a man and not what goes into him that defiles, Matthew 15:17.
He says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man,” Matthew 15:18-20.
This issue of clean and unclean will come up again after the church is established. Even Peter has to be reminded of what is clean and unclean, as we see in Acts 10-11. It’s not about food, it’s all about what people say and do.
Jesus now probably, for the first time, sets foot on foreign soil. With mounting opposition from the Jews, He needs to be alone with His disciples. He goes to Phoenicia, which today is Lebanon, Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30. It bordered on Galilee on the northwest. He is now surrounded by Gentiles.
His presence is immediately noted. A woman had a little girl who was possessed by a cruel demon, pleaded, “Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed,” Matthew 15:22.
The term, Syrophoenician, distinguished Phoenicians from other citizens of the Syrian province of which they were a part. According to Matthew, she kept shouting, Matthew 15:23. She is very persistent. The conversation between them would appear to indicate that Christ deliberately insulted her, Matthew 15:24.
First, Jesus ignores her, and the disciples try to get rid of her, Matthew 15:23. Nothing stops this woman from begging for help, Matthew 15:25. Jesus says the children (Jews) must be fed first rather than give to the little dogs (Gentiles), Matthew 15:26.
Later, the Gentiles will have their opportunity. Instead of becoming angry, this mother gives a clever answer. “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs,” Matthew 15:27.
You wonder if a smile did not cross the face of Jesus. He replied, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter,” Matthew 15:28. Some seem puzzled at the way Jesus spoke to this woman. It would seem He is testing her faith.
It is one of the two times Jesus commended someone’s faith, Matthew 8:10. He wanted His disciples to see great faith, and of all places, in a Gentile. They had demonstrated weak faith so many times that they needed to see her faith.
To escape the crowds, Jesus moves to the east shore of the sea. This is also Gentile territory, Matthew 15:29-31 / Mark 7:31-37. It was an area dominated by Greek culture and religion. He had been there once before when he healed the wild demoniac.
However, He is still unable to avoid the crowds. They brought their lame, crippled, blind, and mute, laying them down at His feet, Matthew 15:29-30. This gave Jesus an opportunity to preach, which He did by going up into a mountainside where he could be heard by all. They marvelled at his miracles and glorified God, Matthew 15:31.
An unusual case of healing takes place. A man who seems to have a speech impediment, which was no doubt a result of being deaf, is brought to Him. They beg Jesus to place His hand on him, Mark 7:31-32.
Mark says, “He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, `Be opened,” Mark 7:33-34. The Greek text does not indicate where He spat, nor does it say what He did with the saliva.
Why did Jesus put His fingers in the man’s ears, and why did He spit? We do not know. The “sigh,” Mark 7:34, indicates the Lord did not heal without feelings. His heart was touched by every person who struggled with physical or spiritual problems.
The compassion of Jesus is once again extended when a large crowd gathered to hear Him, Matthew 15:32-39 / Mark 8:1-9. They were with Him for three days. Rather than send them away weak from not eating, He turned to His disciples to supply them with food, Matthew 15:32.
They are perplexed as they are in a desolate area where no food is available, Matthew 15:33. Jesus asks. “How many loaves do you have?” They only had seven, but that is enough, Matthew 15:34.
He commanded the people to sit down on the ground, Matthew 15:35. He expressed thanks, broke the loaves with a few small fish, and everyone was able to eat and be filled, Matthew 15:36-37.
This was four thousand men plus women and children, Matthew 15:38, which could have exceeded eight thousand who were fed. This time, those being fed were Gentiles.
Jesus now goes to the opposite side of the sea to Magadan, Matthew 15:39-16:12 / Mark 8:10-21. The Pharisees and Sadducees came ready to argue with and test Jesus.
These two sects were bitter enemies of one another, but since they regarded Jesus as a threat, they suddenly became allied together. As usual, they are demanding a sign, Matthew 16:1.
According to Mark, it caused Jesus to sigh “deeply in His spirit,” Mark 8:12. No matter how spectacular a miracle might be, Jesus knew it would not satisfy them. They really do not want to believe in Jesus.
Their motive was to “test” Him, Matthew 16:1. They hoped to find fault where they could accuse Him of some violation. They make it look as if they are asking for some reasonable evidence, not a miracle, but for a sign from heaven.
The weather in Palestine generally comes from the west, off the Mediterranean Sea. At dawn, a mini cloud from the west reflects a reddish colour as a result of the morning sun.
In the evening, that same reddish colour would indicate the sky was clear in the west, Matthew 16:2-3. While they could foretell the weather, they could not see the signs of a Messiah, Matthew 16:3. His miracles and teachings were clear evidence as to who He was. Because He did not fit their concept of a Messiah, they rejected Him.
They hated Him because His preaching cut through their hypocrisy and traditions. They were also jealous that He drew a large following. They are more attentive to the weather than the Messiah, although they have plenty of reasons to believe in Jesus.
Jesus sharply rebukes them with the statement. “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah,” Matthew 16:4. Again, Jesus says that the resurrection will be the only sign they will receive, even though it will be concealed from unbelievers.
Leaving them behind, Jesus gets into a boat to cross to the other side of the sea, Mark 16:13. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread except for one loaf, Mark 16:14.
Jesus uses this as an opportunity to warn them against the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees,” Mark 16:15. As usual, they are unable to make any connection with what had just transpired, Jesus rebukes them. “Oh, you of little faith,” Matthew 16:9.
Leaven often refers to influence, especially any negative influence. Jesus had in mind the biased influence of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, Matthew 16:6, which kept many from accepting Jesus as the Messiah.
Arriving at Bethsaida, they are met by a group who request that Jesus heal a blind man, Mark 8:22-26. What makes this miracle different is that it is a two-step process of healing. Why, we do not know.
Jesus takes him outside the village, Mark 8:23. Jesus’ use of spit may sound strange to us, Mark 8:23. But in their custom, spittle was supposed to have some healing powers.
The fact that the man sees people as if they were walking trees, Mark 8:23, may indicate he is nearsighted and not born blind, since he can describe men as trees walking. Jesus lays His hands on his eyes, and he can now see clearly, Mark 8:25.
Jesus now withdraws north to Caesarea Philippi, which was at the base of Mount Hermon, Matthew 16:13-20 / Mark 8:27-30 / Luke 9:18-21. He is now well into His third year of ministry.
To date, His disciples still do not have a clear understanding of who He is. He asks them who people thought He was, Mark 8:27. They answered that some thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets, Mark 8:28.
Then he asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Mark 8:29. Peter gives what has been called the “Great Confession.” “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Mark 8:29.
Jesus commends Peter. He says it had not been revealed to him by men but by the Father, Matthew 16:17. God had revealed this to Peter through the life, teachings and miracles of Jesus. (Peter’s faith is now growing.)
Jesus says further, “And I also say to you that you are Peter. And on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” Matthew 16:18
Jesus uses two Greek words that are very significant: “Peter” is petros, a small rock, while “upon this rock” is the word petra, a massive rock. The first word is masculine gender and the second is feminine gender.
Jesus is making a play on words. Peter, you are a little rock, but I am going to build My church on a large, massive rock, that rock being the truth that I am the Son of God.
Some, in an attempt to prove Jesus would build His church on Peter, argue that Jesus spoke in Aramaic and there is but one word for rock in Aramaic. The fact remains, however, that the New Testament Scriptures were written in Greek and inspired by the Holy Spirit.
There is no original Aramaic text. Why would the Holy Spirit make this distinction between the rocks unless it was to illustrate the above truth that the church was to be built on Christ?
This is the first announcement of His intention to establish the church and is the first use of the word “church” in the New Testament. Jesus promises that the “Gates of Hades shall not prevail against it,” Matthew 16:18.
Hades is the unseen realm of the dead. The death of Jesus would not destroy or prevent it. Neither the death of church members can destroy it. Even if every member were killed, the seed of the church (the Word) remains, so it can continue to exist.
Jesus tells Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew 16:19. Keys give access to something. Peter had the privilege of preaching the first gospel sermon announcing the terms for entering the kingdom on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38 / Acts 2:41 / Acts 2:47.
Those who say that Jesus substituted the church for the kingdom are unable to see that the words church and kingdom are used interchangeably by Jesus as he spoke to Peter, Matthew 16:18-19 / Mark 9:1 / Revelation 1:9.