Matthew 15 verse 22

 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

Verse 22: When our Lord Jesus Christ was on the coasts of Tyre and Sidon there came a woman from Canaan. She knew that He was there and she cried to Him this: Have mercy on me Lord and she knew He was the son of David that's why she called Him the son of David. David was the king of Israel and she understood that the Lord would sit on the throne of David. How did she knew this all. She must have heard from Him and from all the things He had done especially the healings. No one could do such miracles. Her daughter was grievously vexed with a devil. A lot of people in the time when our Lord on earth had His ministry 3 years long, were vexed with a devil. Our Lord healed a lot of those persons who were possessed by the devil. This woman hoped that the Lord would heal her daughter and believed in Him that He could do that. 

Matthew 15 verse 23

But He answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Verse 23: Our Lord didn't answer her, so He gave her not a word. Why He is doing this? The answer we read later. His disciples came to Him and request Him earnestly: Send her away because she crieth after us.

Matthew 15 verse 24

But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Verse 24: Our Lord Jesus Christ answered to them and said: I am only send to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. I am send to the Jews, not to the Gentiles with other words. Inhabitans outside Israel were Gentiles or strangers. 

Matthew 15 verse 25

Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me.

Verse 25: The woman came to Him, our Lord, and honoured Him and said Lord help me. This was a sign of hopelessness and she believe that He could help. 

Matthew 15 verse 26

But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Verse 26: Our Lord answered this woman and said. It is inappropriate to take the children's bread. The children's bread stands for the folk Israel. They had the Scriptures and the Law and to give the Word of God to the dogs and that are Gentiles is wrong. The Gospel of the Kingdom was only preached to Israel.  Ephesians 2:11 and 12. The Gentiles were in that dispensation without God in this world. God was not dealing with the Gentiles but with Israel. 

Matthew 15 verse 27

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Verse 27: The woman answered Him back with the words: true Lord. And immediately she said that the Gentiles (dogs) eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table. They picked up also Scriptures from the Word of God and believed them. This was a reality and therefore the Lord Jesus Christ answered her again in the next verse. 

Matthew 15 verse 28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Verse 28: The Lord answered this: O woman, your faith (trust) is very great. What you asked or wilt it will be done. From that hour her daughter was healed. What a joy this must have been for this woman to see her daughter healed, no more possessed by the devil!

Matthew 15 verse 29

And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.

Verse 29: Our Lord went away from Tyrus and Sidon (now Lebanon) and came nigh the sea of Galilee. There He went up into a mountain and sat down there. He sat on top of the mountain. 

Matthew 15 verse 30

 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Verse 30: There on the top of the mountain there came a great multitude of men and they had taken with them lame persons, blind persons, dumb persons, maimed persons and many others who were sick and brought them to the feet of our Lord and the Lord Jesus Christ healed them all. What a miracle or wonder He did there! 

Matthew 15 verse 31

Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

Verse 31: The multitude of men who were with our Lord Jesus Christ Who did all the healings were amazed because they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed were whole, the lame could walk and the blind could see and they glorified God. The God of Israel. They acknowledged that no man could do this alone the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 15 verse 32

Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Verse 32: The Lord Jesus Christ called His disciples unto Him. He said to them that He had a pity on the multitude of men who were with Him at that moment 3 days and they had no food to eat. Man had also to eat for his own body. There was not enough food for them. Our Lord would not send them away without food because then they would starve from hunger on the way back to their homes. This shows the divine and human side: His compassion on the multitude of men. 

Matthew 15 verse 33

And His disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

Verse 33: His disciples answered Him and said where can we find so much bread in this desert to feed so a great multitude of men? That was impossible in men's eyes. 

Matthew 15 verse 34

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Verse 34: The Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples how much bread you have now and they answered 7 (that is a sacred number!) and a few small fishes. 7 is always in the Bible a sacred number. 

Matthew 15 verse 35

And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

Verse 35: The Lord Jesus Christ directed the multitude of 4000 men to sit down on the ground!! What a authority He was in that time because they obeyed Him immediately. For a man in general this is not possible to command a multitude of 4000 persons to sit down on ground because you want that. He was a special Man, a Rabbi and had a lot to say and He did a lot of wonders, healings and other things to let people know that He was and is God Himself. 

Matthew 15 verse 36

And He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

Verse 36: The Lord took with His hands the 7 bread and the fishes. Then He gave thanks to the Father and brake the bread and also the fish and gave to His disciples. The disciples thereafter gave it to the multitude of men who were 4000 persons. This was again a miracle the Lord did because every person there got bread and fish. 

Matthew 15 verse 37

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Verse 37: They all eat the bread and fish and were filled! They had no hunger after this meal. The disciples picked up the broken meat and seven baskets were full left. What a miraculous wonder the Lord did. 

Matthew 15 verse 38

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

Verse 38: All the men 4000 persons without women and children eat there near the Lord on the ground. They were filled and could after this filled to their homes. 

Matthew 15 verse 39

 And He sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Verse 39: After 3 days and after that meal the Lord Jesus Christ send the multitude of men that were 4000 people to their own homes in villages, places. And He took a ship and came into the coasts of Magdala. Magdala was a fishing village situated on the west bank of the Sea of Tiberias or Galilee. During the Jewish war it was destroyed. 

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Matthew Chapter 16

Matthew 16 verse 1

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

Verse 1:  Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him. They enticing desired from Him that He could shew them a sign from heaven. Jews required always a sign. In I Corinthians 1 verse 22 we read this: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. Now these two sects of the Jews desired a sign from heaven from our Lord. And what did the Lord do. Read in the following verse what His answer is. 

Matthew 16 verse 2

 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

Verse 2: But He, the Lord, answered these Pharisees and Sadducees and said to them: If you see the evening and the sky is red than you say it is nice weather. 

Matthew 16 verse 3

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

Verse 3: In the morning if it will be foul weather because the sky is red and lowering. And then He said to these Pharisees and Sadducees this: ye hypocrites, ye can see from the face of the sky if it will be good weather  or bad weather but you cannot divine the signs of the times?  They looked very devout persons those Pharisees and Sadducees but in fact they were hypocrites and the Lord said they were hypocrites. 

Matthew 16 verse 4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Verse 4: Immediately the Lord said this: a wicked and adulterous generation and that was Israel in that time require a sign but there sall no sign be given unto them than the sign of the prophet Jonas. That was on that moment that He said enough to them and departed from them. What was the sign of Jonas? Three days and three nights in the belly of the big fish (whale) and the Lord shall be three days and three nights be laydown in the grave and then be alive from the death as Jonas came out of the fish after three days. 

Matthew 16 verse 5

And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Verse 5: The Lord had left the Pharisees and Sadducees and was gone to the other side of the sea of Galilee. When His disciples came to the other side they had no bread because they forgot to take bread with them. 

Matthew 16 verse 6

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Verse 6: The Lord said to His disciples and warned them with this Word that they had not to accept the things of the Pharisees and Sadducees which make people believe. That was very dangerous. They were hypocrites. What they tried to convince people was just real but it was a lie. 

Matthew 16 verse 7

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

Verse 7: The disciples reasoned among themselves and said to themselves that they were the guilty because they had not taken bread with them. 

Matthew 16 verse 8

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Verse 8: The Lord knew, knows everything. He sees the heart and know everything a man think in himself. He said unto His disciples: ye have little faith. Why you reasoned among yourselves because of the fact that you brought no bread with you? They had not to worry about food or clothes etc because God would provide for this. 

Matthew 16 verse 9

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Verse 9: The disciples of the Lord didn't understand that they had to take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees and thought because they had no taken bread  they reasoned among themselves because they had not taken bread. The Lord remembered them about the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets of loaves (bread) were over? 

Matthew 16 verse 10

 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

Verse 10: The Lord remembered His disciples of the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets they took up? They had little faith in Him. It was surreal for them to take it all in. 

Matthew 16 verse 11

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Verse 11: The Lord Jesus Christ asked His disciples why they didn't understand that He spoke not concerning bread litteraly but He warned them about the leaven = doctrine which the Pharisees and Sadducees told the people. That was misleading people because they were hypocrites. 

Matthew 16 verse 12

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Verse 12: After the Lord Jesus Christ explained His disciples about the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees they understood from that moment what He was talking about and that He was not talking about bread but about the doctrine which He told the people, the Gospel of the Kingdom. 

Matthew 16 verse 13

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Verse 13: The Lord Jesus Christ went to the coasts of Caesarea. The coasts of the Middle Sea. Then He had a question for His disciples: Who do men said that I the Son of man am? With other words who said this because His disciples stayed always with Him and heard a lot of people when the Lord came somewhere to preach or did miracles like healings etc. 

Matthew 16 verse 14

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

Verse 14: His disciples answered and said that some people called Him John the Baptist, others Elias or Jeremiah or some ot them one of the prophets. Most people in the country of Israel didn't know who He was. 

Matthew 16 verse 15

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Verse 15: After that hearing the Lord Jesus Christ wanted to really know from His disciples whom He was that's why he asked them: whom say ye that I am? 

Matthew 16 verse 16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Verse 16: Simon Peter was always one of the first to react and he said this: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. That was right what he said to the Lord. 

Matthew 16 verse 17

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ gave His answer Peter and said: Blessed art thou Simon Barjona. Not your flesh and blood hath made this known but my Father (His Father) which is in heaven have made this known unto Peter. 

Matthew 16 verse 18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Verse 18: The Lord personally said to Peter this: thou art Peter. Upon this rock He said He will build His church. Which rock? That was Himself. He is the rock!  From which church the Lord was talking about? The church of the Kingdom. That started later in Jerusalem the so called Jerusalem church. The gates of hell shall to achieve victory over this church. 

Matthew 16 verse 19

 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Verse 19: Peter  was given special keys. These keys represented kingdom authority to bind and loose here on earth. Peter used that authority  at the day of Pentecost as Christ's apostle and as representative of the 12 apostles.  In Acts 2 verse 14 we read this: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Matthew 16 verse 20

 Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Verse 20: The Lord forbade His disciples that they should tell it to no man that He was Jesus which means God saves and Christ=the Anointed One. He was and is the Savior and Anointed One. This is what they had not to tell anybody. 

Matthew 16 verse 21

 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Verse 21: For that time one the Lord Jesus Christ showed His disciples that He had to go into Jerusalem and would suffer many things from the elders and chief priests, the sect of scribes of the folk Israel and that He would be killed by them and that He would raise from the death the third day. He was telling the rest of His plan what would overcome Him.  What was the reaction of the disciples upon this saying? Read on

Matthew 16 verse 22

Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee.

Verse 22: Peter who was always the first of the disciples catched Him and began to reprimand Him and said to the Lord: Be it far from thee Lord: this shall not happen to Thee. Peter understood nothing from which the Lord had spoken of. He could not believe that.  Peter didn't know about God's plan that His Son the Lord Jesus Christ must suffer and be killed and then after 3 days would raise from the death. 

Matthew 16 verse 23

But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Verse 23: The Lord turned Himself and said to Peter. Get thee behind me satan. The Lord was not directly to Peter but unto satan who wispered that Peter. Satan was an offence to the Lord. Satan savourest not things that be of God but that be of men. He twists the Word of God. That he did this from the beginning on. He is a men killer. 

Matthew 16 verse 24

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Verse 24: The Lord Jesus Christ said unot His disciples this: If any man will come after Me, to follow Me litteraly he must deny himself, he must not live for himself anymore, to give yourself wholly to Christ and share in His shame, rejection and death. This is what the Lord told them. 

Matthew 16 verse 25

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Verse 25: To save yourself for your own sake then a man shall lose his life but if a man lose his life for Christ he shall find the life. It was a call for the disciples to come after Christ and identify himself with Him in His shame, rejection and the death. 

Matthew 16 verse 26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Verse 26: If a man gain the whole world the result of this is that he shall lose his own soul and lose the reward of God. He shall lose his life. In Psalm 49 verse 7-9 we read this:None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him. (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)  That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 

Matthew 16 verse 27

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Verse 27: The Lord Jesus Christ is talking about Himself: the Son of man! He Himself shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels. This will be when He will come back to earth again, the second time! This will be the day of judgment: every man shall have a reward according to his works. Every man shall be judged by Him. 

Matthew 16 verse 28

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Verse 28: Truly the Lord said to His disciples and maybe others who listened to Him: there were persons at that moment who shall not taste death until they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. 

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Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew 17 verse 1

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ took Peter, James and John with Him into a high mountain. Peter, James and John were the pillars of the 12 disciples, later apostles. Later this James was killed by king Herod in the Acts period and replaced by another James, the Lord's half brother. Here in this chapter Matthew records Christ was transfigured before them. It means to change ones form, fashion, appearance, metomorphosis. 

Matthew 17 verse 2

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Verse 2: The Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured before Peter, James and John . His appearance was different from what they always saw of Him. His deity was allowed to shine forth. His chothes were as white as the light. 

Matthew 17 verse 3

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Verse 3: At the same time Moses and Elias appeared and talked to Christ. Moses represented the Law, or the books of Genesis until the end of Deuteronomy. Elias, not a writing prophet, was the prototype after which John  the Baptist came. 

Matthew 17 verse 4

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Verse 4: Peter was the first who answered this seeing and said to the Lord that it was good for them to be there on the mountain and see it. If thou wilt. If it is Your will we will make tabernacles for You, Moses and Elias. Peter wanted to do something for the Lord, Moses and Elias. 

Matthew 17 verse 5

 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Verse 5: While Peter spoke there came on that moment a bright cloud which overshadowed the 3 disciples. Then there came a voice out of the cloud which declared this: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. It was God the Father Who said this from His Son, His beloved Son and in Him God the Father was well pleased because His Son was the One Who did the will of the Father and could do this because He was God Himself: to die for mankind first and after three days rise from the dead and later be the King of kings on earth. The disciples had to hear, listen to Him. 

Matthew 17 verse 6

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Verse 6: When the disciples heard this from God the Father about His Son they fell on their face. What does it mean to fell on their face? It means this:  it ishumbling and desperate intersession before God. And they were sore afraid. What does it mean sore afraid? They were terribly afraid. We as members of the Body of Christ, believers have never seen the glory of God. Only read about it the Bible. They, Peter, James and John had seen the glory of God and that made them very afraid. They saw the glory of His majesty! This frightened them! 

Matthew 17 verse 7

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Verse 7: After Peter, James and John had fallen on their faces and were so afraid because what they heard and had seen the Lord Jesus Christ stood with them  and touched them and said: arise and be not afraid! 

Matthew 17 verse 8

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Verse 8: And when Peter, James and John did their eyes open they saw only the Lord Jesus Christ and the other two Moses and Elias who were with Him were disappeared. They saw them no more. This must have been very strange for Peter, James and John. 

Matthew 17 verse 9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Verse 9: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples Peter, James and John came down from the mountain but the Lord demanded them not to tell any man about the vision they had seen until the Son of man and that was the Lord Himself, be risen again from the dead, in His resurrection. They had to held this secret before men. 

Matthew 17 verse 10

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Verse 10: His disciples when He was again with them all asked Him this question: according the scribes we have heard that Elias must first come. Why is this? The disciples didn't understand this that's why they asked the Lord about it and expected from Him that He would answer them. 

Matthew 17 verse 11

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Verse 11: The Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples immediately answer and said to them that Elias shall come first and restore all things. This is true. In Malachi 4: 5-6 we can read that this was promised unto men: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Matthew 17 verse 12

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Verse 12: The Lord told His disciples this that Elijah already came in the person of John the Baptist read Matthew 11:10-15 and Luke 1:17. The nation of Israel  permitted John to be killed, and would ask for Jesus to slain. Yet God's program would be fulfilled in spite of the deeds of sinful leaders. 

Matthew 17 verse 13

 Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Verse 13: Then after this saying the disciples understood that the Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to them about John the Baptist. That the folk of Israel had killed him who was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 17 verse 14

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Verse 14: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples joined again the multitude of men and their appeared a man and kneeled down to the Lord and said this. We can read this in the next vers. The fact that this man kneeled down that he had a lot of respect for the Lord. The Lord was not just anyone. 

Matthew 17 verse 15

 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Verse 15: The man said to the Lord this: have mercy on my son. He is a lunatick. With other words he is handicapped with epilepsy. He is sore vexed. Due to the epileptic seizures he falls into the fire and often into the water. This was really a helpquestion this man had for the Lord to heal his son. 

Matthew 17 verse 16

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Verse 16: The man said that he brought his son to the disciples but they could not heal him of his disease. They had on that moment not the believe in God so they couldn't heal this sick young boy. Later in de days of Pentecost they could do it because in that time they were under controle of the Holy Spirit and have that gift to heal after the Lord was ascended in heaven to His Father on the right hand. 

Matthew 17 verse 17

Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ answered rightly o faithless and perverse generation. The nation Israel was full unbelief. And then how long shall I be with you the Lord asked them. How long shall I suffer you He asked them. Afther that saying the command from Him to bring the boy to Him. 

Matthew 17 verse 18

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Verse 18: You read here again that the Lord did a healing by rebuking or scolding the devil to get out of the boy's live and the devil departed out of this boy. Nowadays under this Dispensation of Grace God is in general not doing this. It is known that 50 milion people today have a form of epilepsy. This is the result that we live in a broken sin world. In the case of this young boy it was a falling disease caused by the devil. De devil departed from the child and the child was healed from that very hour. What a joy this must have been for the father to see his son healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 17 verse 19

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

Verse 19: The disciples had again seen that the Lord Jesus Christ healed the boy from his disease caused by the devil. Then they came to Him apart and asked Him why they couldn't cast the devil out of this boy? 

Matthew 17 verse 20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Verse 20: The Lord's answer to them was very clear: because of your unbelief. If they had faith as a grain of mustard seed they could say until a mountain remove and hence to yonder place and the mountain should remove. With faith nothing should be impossible for them. 

Matthew 17 verse 21

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Verse 21: But this kind goeth not out. What does that mean? It means that the devils will not go out but by prayer and fasting. It is a firm and strong faith that will cause this: to cast out devils from people. In that time when God was dealing with Israel healings and wonders were every day specially when the Lord was on earth. The devil was resisting very strong against God because the Kingdom of heaven was at hand.  Nowadays God is not dealing anymore with Israel as folk under this Dispensation of Grace. Nowadays He is dealing with individuals through His Gospel of the Grace of God and that persons will learn the truth through the Gospel. God is now not working with signs as before He did with Israel because they required signs I Corinthians 1: 21. Nowadays it is not possible to do this: cast out devils from people. People have to hear the Gospel of Grace and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior for their lives 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. I Corinthians 15:3-4 by believing what He has done for them and us!!

Matthew 17 verse 22

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

Verse 22: When the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples were again in Galilee the Lord told them that the Son of man should be betrayed and will come in the hands of men. He was speaking to them what would happen to Him later. This is what would happen later in Jerusalem that they would judge Him and will kill Him at a cruel tree. He told them this again. If they understood this was the question on that moment. 

Matthew 17 verse 23

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Verse 23: He told Him that He would be killed and the third day after His death he shall be raised again from the dead. These words of the Lord made the disciples very sad. This is that they didn't understood His words that's why they were exceeding sorry about His words. 

Matthew 17 verse 24

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

Verse 24: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples came in Capernaum near the sea of Galilee. The ones who received money came to Peter. They saw in Peter the point of contact for the disciples. So they came to him and asked him this question: doth not your master pay tribute? 

Matthew 17 verse 25

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Verse 25: Peter answered them with yes. After this he went into the house where the Lord was and the Lord Jesus Christ checked Peter and and asked him the question: what thinkest thou Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth  take custom or tribute? Do they take custom or tribute from their own children or of strangers?

Matthew 17 verse 26

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 

Verse 26: Peter answered of strangers. The Lord said after this unto Peter: then are the children free. Christ is the Son of God and Heir of all things and therefore not obliged to pay this tax for teh service of the temple. Thus Christ asserts His right. 

Matthew 17 verse 27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Verse 27: The Lord said further to Peter this: despite that we should offend these money inners you go to the sea of Galilee and cast an hook. Take up the fish that first comes up and when thou hast opened the mouth of the fish you will find a piece of money and take that and give it to them, that piece of money, that it is from Me and from thee. 

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Matthew chapter 18

Matthew 18 verse 1

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Verse 1: The disciples asked our Lord Jesus Christ this: who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The logo for Christ's kingdom of heaven on earth might well include a little child. His answer came in verse 2

Matthew 18 verse 2

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Verse 2: The Lord called a little child unto Him. The child came and He set the child in the midst of them. What was His intention with this? We read this in the next verse. 

Matthew 18 verse 3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 3: Here we have the answer of the Lord and His intention of this. He said to His disciples looking to the child probably you have to be changed, converted and become as little children like this child. To have faith 100 procent trusting God what children do, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven on earth. They had to have the faith of a little child. By no means did Christ disparage children nor minimize their import to or in the kingdom. These children could and did believe on Christ as Messiah.

Matthew 18 verse 4

 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 4: The person who humbled himself as the little child the Lord let see is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven on earth.  The Lord emphasizes on humbleness. That's the most important a person can do to be the greatest in the Kingdom on earth. 

Matthew 18 verse 5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Verse 5: The Lord told His disciples this lesson that they had to receive such little child in His Name and then they receive Him. They welcomed Him if they have this attitude the Lord told them. 

Matthew 18 verse 6

 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Verse 6: A unspoiled child has the characteristics that make for humility: trust. By nature man is rebels and wanted t be celebrities instead of servants. It is a dangerous thing to look down on the children the little ones which believes in Christ. To offend these little ones the Lord told His disciples it was better for such persons that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that person was drowned in the depth of the sea. You see this is a judgment of the Lord. 

Matthew 18 verse 7

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Verse 7: In the world there are a lot of offences and it is a need that there be offences but regret to that man by whom the offence cometh. That is not good the Lord told His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 8

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Verse 8: What does this verse mean? Many prevailing temptations to sin arise from within ourselves. The disciples had to drawn away of their own lusts. The inward lusts must be mortified. The outward of sin must be avoided.  To mortify  the deeds of the flesh. This is what the Lord meant with it and this He told His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 9

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Verse 9: This verse is a continuation of verse 8 and means the same what we here read. The disciples had to drawn away of their own lusts, the world outside and mortify the deeds of the flesh. This is what was told by the Lord to His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 10

 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 10: The disciples had to learn not to despise or neglect of these little ones. Who were the little ones? That were the children who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. They trusten in Him as the Son of God.  The angels of these little onse always behold the face of the Father which is in heaven. The angels have always access to God the Father that He command them to protect those little ones. 

Matthew 18 verse 11

 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 

Verse 11: The Son of man, Christ Himself said here that He is come to save the lost. That's why He came to earth. In I Timothy 1 verse 15 the apostle Paul through the Lord told us this: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Christ is the Savior of the world! Is He your Savior too?

Matthew 18 verse 12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Verse 12: The owner of the hundred sheep the Lord spoke to His disciples, that lost one sheep go after to find the one sheep.  He will not give up to find this sheep. 

Matthew 18 verse 13

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Verse 13: And as he found the sheep he is greatly pleased when he has found it and he is more glad that this sheep is found than all the sheep who were not lost. Israel was always compared with sheep. God wanted in that time too that every one of the folk Israel would be saved. That was His will for that dispensation too just like now under the dispensation of Grace Ephesians 3:1-3, I Timothy 2:3-4.

Matthew 18 verse 14

 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Verse 14: It is the same the Lord spoke to His disciples and listeners that God the Father doesn't want that one of these little children will be lost forever. No God is a God of life, eternal life and everyone under that Dispensation of the Law would be saved. 

Matthew 18 verse 15

 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Verse 15: Another command from the Lord to His disciples: if a brother sinned against you. Immediately go to tell him his fault or sin between you and him alone. Then he will hear you about it and if he shall hear you and will do it not again then you have gained your brother.

Matthew 18 verse 16

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Verse 16: If your brother the Lord told His disciples will not hear then take one or two  people to say it to him because in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  With other words: the word will exists when there are more than one person who tells the truth. 

Matthew 18 verse 17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Verse 17: If the Lord spoke to them, if the brotehr shall ignore to hear those witnesses of 3 people tell this unto the church and if the brother will ignore to hear the church consider him as a heathen and publican. 

Matthew 18 verse 18

 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Verse 18: What does it mean these words of the Lord? It is not a prayer promise, as so many Christians mistakenly believe. That was the Lord telling them that after He ascended into heaven, they could make official decisions in His absence if there was a quorum of two of the twelve present to make them.

Matthew 18 verse 19

 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 19: That means there is simply no way that the twelve would do anything official. Two apostles were enough, of course, since “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (Deut.17:6; 19:15; II Cor. 13:1). Indeed, the Lord had instructed the apostles that where “two or three” of them were gathered together in His name, they had the authority to act officially in His absence (Matt. 18:18-20).

Matthew 18 verse 20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Verse 20: According Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19 verse 15: in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established and now the Lord said also that He is in the midst of these 2 or three persons who gathered together. This He learned and preached this to His disciples. 

Matthew 18 verse 21

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Verse 21: Peter who was one of the first of the disciples asked Him again a question: how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Do I have to forgive my brother 7 times? Seven times might be sufficient. 7 was holy in that time. But we read in the next verse this. 

Matthew 18 verse 22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Verse 22: The Lord saith unto Peter not seven times. He said seventy times seven. This had a great precendence in Israel. With this seventy times seven number in Peter's mind the Lors spoke about another Kingdom parable. The phrase the kingdom of heaven is like we read in the next verse. 

Matthew 18 verse 23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Verse 23: The kingdom of heaven is likened proves to be a absolute essential of a parable. The cerain king which would take account of his servants. 

Matthew 18 verse 24

 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Verse 24: The King began to reckon and there was brought a servant of him who owed him ten thousands talents. Ten thousand talents is 600 golden crowns. That's a lot brothers and sisters! That was the value of 10 thousands talents! 

Matthew 18 verse 25

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Verse 25: The servant couldn't pay so the lord commanded him to sell his most precious possession he had namely his wife, children and all he had for a payment to his lord. He had to pay with this as a means of payment. Is this not cruel or unrighteous? We read in the next verses what happened, what the Lord told His disciples about it. 

Matthew 18 verse 26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Verse 26: The servant felled down, worshipped his lord and said to his Lord that his Lord had to have patience with him and then he would pay everything back to his lord. With other words if his lord have mercy on him. This let you see that God Who is Lord is perfect and the servant who is man is a sinner and far from perfect. 

Matthew 18 verse 27

 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Verse 27: After the servant had said this what we had read in the last verse the lord of this servant was moved with empathy and loosed his servant and forgave the debt the servant had. This is how it will work in the kingdom of heaven.