The Book of Matthew

by 

J.W.Weeda

Introduction:

The apostle Matthew wrote the book. The book is one of the 4 gospels or the description of our Lord's birth, His 3 years earthly ministry, His dying on the cross, burying and ressurection and  His ascencion into heaven.

Matthew chapter one:

From verse 1 till verse 18 is is about the gynaelogy of our Lord Jesus Christ from Abraham to Joseph. From verse 18 we read about the miraculous conception of Mary and about Joseph's doubts which are satisfied by an angel who declared the name and office of Christ: Jesus is born. 

Matthew chapter 1 verse 1:

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Verse 1: The book of Matthew begins with the book of the generation of Jesus Christ. What is the meaning of a generation? Answer: “How Many Years Is a Generation?” defines a biblical generation as “about thirty years, as one generation will be parents to the next. Here we read the generation of Jesus Christ. The family after men here named. He, Jesus Christ is the son of David and David is the son of Abraham. With Abraham God began His folk and later it is called Israel. In Genesis 12 verse 1, 2 and 3 we read this: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. David the king of Israel was a descendent of Abraham. In Luke 1 verse 32 we read this: He (that is the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David. In Isaiah 11:1 the prophet tells us far before the Lord Jesus Christ came on earth this: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Matthew 1 verse 2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Verse 2: The son of Abraham when he was 100 years old when he begat Isaac and Sarah his wife was 90 years old. What a miracle of God that they got a son in such a age. Isaac begat Jacob. He begat also Esau but God dealt with Jacob and from him the 12 patriarchs were born and also the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob begat Judas and his brethren. In Genesis 29 verse 35 we can read about this: And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise theLord: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. The wife of Jacob Leah bare him the son Judah. 

Matthew 1 verse 3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

Verse 3: This is the line of the chosen people of God, the Jewish folk. It began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After Jacob Juda, Phares and Zara of Thamar. Phares begat sons like Esrom and Esrom got a son named Aram. And now the meanings of the Names: Juda means thanksgiving or praise. Phares his son means a breach. Zara means blooming. He got this children of Thamar. The son of Phares was Esrom and that means dart of joy. Aram the son of Esrom refers to the intellect. 

Matthew 1 verse 4
And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

Verse 4: Aram begat Aminadab which means my people are noble. Aminadab got a son Naason. Naason means an ancestor of Christ helper. Salmon the next man means raiment: a garment. 

Matthew 1 verse 5

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Verse 5: Salmon got Booz from Rachab his wife. Booz means: quickness. Booz the son of Salmon begat a son of Ruth and his name was Obed. Obed means servant of God. Obed got a son named Jesse means gift. 

Matthew 1 verse 6

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;

Verse 6: Jesse the son of Obed begat David. Jesse had more sons but David was chosen to be king over Israel.  David was anointed by Samuel to be king over the folk Israel. At that moment David was very young and on that time not able to be king but he became it later. The name David means beloved. He was beloved by God.  David got a son of Bathsheba. She was the wife of Uria. David committed adultary with Bathsheba. David let the husband of Bathsheba be killed for this and took Bathsheba as his wife. For this fact God punished him.  David confessed this sins to God.  He deeply regretted these sins. The first son of David and Bathsheba died. Later he begat Solomon of Bathsheba. Solomon means peaceful. Solomon became after David king of Israel. He was the one who builded the temple in Jerusalem. 

Matthew 1 verse 7

And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

Verse 7: Solomon begat Roboam. Roboam means the people are enlarged. Later Roboam became king. Rehoboam did not reach the same level of faithfulness to God as David or even Solomon.Initially, Rehoboam's reign went well despite the sins that divided Israel from Judah. And Roboam got later a son who's name was Abia which means God is my Father. And Abia begat Asa. Asa means doctor and healer. Who was Asa? King Asa was a descendant of David and the third king of the southern kingdom of Judah. He ruled for forty-one years . Read 1 Kings 15:10  and “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” 2 Chronicles 14:2

Matthew 1 verse 8

 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;

Verse 8: King Asa begat a son named Josaphat. This name means Jaweh is judge. He is the son of Asa, and the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah. He was a good king and faithful worshipper of God who furthered the religious reforms his father initiated. However, to his disgrace, Jehoshaphat made a disastrous alliance with Ahab, King of Israel. You can read this in I Kings 15:24 - 22:50 and 2 Chronicles 17:1 - 21:1. Josaphat's son was Joram. The name Joram means elevated or Jehovah is exalted. Joram or Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah. He began to rule in the fifth year that Joram son of Ahab was king of Israel. Jehoram was 32 years old when he began to rule. He ruled eight years in Jerusalem. And Johoram begat Ozias. The name of Ozias means my power is Yaweh. Ozias,  was King of Juda (809-759 B.C.), son and successor of Amazias. On the latter's death he was chosen king though he was only sixteen years of age  Read 2 Kings 14:21, where, as in chapter 15 also, the name Azarias appears instead of Ozias, probably through a copyist's error;  2 Chronicles 26:1.

Matthew 1 verse 9

And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;

Verse 9: And Ozias got a son named Joatham. What is the meaning of Joatham? The perfection of the Lord. Jotham prepared his ways before the Lord; there wasforethought, consideration, and purpose. He was not governed by circumstances; but he carefully arranged his paths according to the will of God. And Joatham's son was Achaz. What does the name Achaz means? He has grasped. Ahaz was an evil king of Judah who became king at the age of 20 and reigned for 4 years with his father, Jotham, from 735 to 731 BC, and 16 years on his own, from 731 to 715 BC. Achaz son was Ezekias: meaning the might of Jehovah. He was also named Hezekiah. In 2 Kings 18:5-6 we read : Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.  He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses.

Matthew 1 verse 10

And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;

Verse 10: Hezekiah got a son Manasse: The thirteenth king of Judah, son of Hezekiah, ( 2 Kings 21:1 ) ascended the throne at the age of twelve, and reigned 55 years, from B.C. 608 to 642. Meaning of Manasse is forgetting. This king Manasse got a son whose name was Amon. Amon means Trustworthy; Faithful; Long-Lasting. About Amon the son of Manasse we read in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33 . He was king of Judah. He was an evil king, the son of Manasseh and father of Josiah. Josiah who was he? He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” This is why Josiah is described as walking in all the ways of his father David, not turning to the right or to the left (2 Kings 22:2). Josiah means Yaweh supports

Matthew 1 verse 11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

Verse 11: Josias got a son Jechonias and more sons. It was just before the carry away to Babylon. 70 years in captivity what Israel suffered.  Who was he? He wasthe son and successor of King Jehoiakim, and the grandson of King Josiah. Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah meaning "God will fortify". He was one of the last kings of Judah. He became king at age 18, but only reigned for three months. During his reign the armies, of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon besieged the city of Jerusalem.

Matthew 1 verse 12

And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

Verse 12: The 2 tribes Judah.  They were brought to Babylon to be in exile for 70 years. Jechonias who was for very short king of Judah namely 3 months when he was in Babylon to serve the king Nebuchadnezzar. That was really a change for him first to be king and now a slave of another king in a strange country namely Babylon. He got a son whose name was Salathiel which means: I have asked of God. During the Babylonian captivity, Shealtiel was regarded as the second Exilarch(or king-in-exile), following his father. And Salathiel begat Zorobabel which means this: A stranger at Babylon, dispersion of confusion.

Matthew 1 verse 13

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;

Verse 13: Zorobabel who was a stranger in Babylon got a son who's name was Abiud. Abiud means Father of praise. All praise was and is to God. He was a son or grandson of Zerubbabel, and member of the Davidic line. Abihud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim the son of Abiud means God will establish; God rises. And Eliakim got a son who's name is Azor. Azor means 'helper'. He was an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is mentioned as the son of Eliakim and the great-grandson of Zerubbabel; he is the father of Zadok.

Matthew 1 verse 14

And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;

Verse 14: Azor which means helper got a son Sadoc. Who was Sadoc? His name means right; straight; just; righteous; upright; good; justified; vindicated. He was ancestor of Ezra. He was a descendant of Zerubbabel. And Sadoc got a son who's name was Achim. Achim means presumably"he will make" or "he will set up" in Hebrew. And Achim begat Eliud which means God is my praise. The Bible doesn't provide further information about his life, deeds, or circumstances that surround him.

Matthew 1 verse 15

 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;

Verse 15: Eliud got a son Eleazar which means this : God helps, God has helped. He is  a relatively unknown figure in the Bible, he represents an important link in the genealogy of our Lord Jesus Christ. His mention in the Gospel of Matthew bridges generations and contributes to the complete picture of Jesus's lineage. Eleazar got also a son who's Name is Matthan: Matthan is identified in Matthew 1:15 as the son of Eleazar and the father of Jacob. Interestingly, his grandson through Jacob is Joseph, the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus Christ. This positions Matthan in the direct lineage of Jesus Christ our Lord. The name means giving. And Matthan begat Jacob. Jacob means "to supplant, It can also mean "may God protect.

Matthew 1 verse 16

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Verse 16: This Jacob son of Matthan got a son who's Name was Joseph. Did Joseph know Jesus was the son of God? He does not realize, yet, that this child is Christ, and that she is pregnant by a miracle of the Holy Spirit. God interrupts Joseph's honorable plans to divorce Mary, and tells him through an angel in a dream not to fear taking her as a wife and that the child is from God. He became the husband of Mary and here we read that from Mary was born our Lord Jesus Christ. What does the Name Jesus means? The Hebrew Name is  Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Jehoshua, meaning 'God is salvation. What means Christ? "anointed one". The word is derived from the Greek verb χρίω (chrī́ō), meaning "to anoint."

Matthew 1 verse 17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

Verse 17: From Abraham until Christ are 42 generations. How long is generation in the Bible? Answer: In Deuteronomy 1:35 and 2:14 stands that a generation is a period ofthirty-eight years.” Almost 40 years. Thus from Abraham until Christ is a period of 1596 years! Almost 16 ages long!

Matthew 1 verse 18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 18: Here in this verse we read clearly that the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was different from that of any other Jewish boy named in the genealogy. What we here read in this verse is that it is pointed out  that Joseph did not begat Jesus Christ. Joseph was the spouse of Mary of whom was born our Lord Jesus who is called Christ. Our Lord was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father. This is known as the doctrine of the Virgin birth. Jesus Christ existed before Mary and Joseph or any of the ancestors lived. If our Lord Jesus Christ were conceived  and born just as any other bay then He could not be God. So Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. In Luke 1 verse 35 the angel said to Mary this: And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1 verse 19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Verse 19: Joseph the spouse of Mary. It is written here that he was a just man. He didn't believe that Mary his wife was pregnant without him but the Holy Ghost had accomplished this. This was unbelievable for him and he wanted to divorce from her because this was a shame and if the public knew it then. So in his mind he was putting her away 

Matthew 1 verse 20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 20: Joseph thought about it. With other words he worried about this. But the angel of the Lord appeard unto him in a dream. Under the previous dispensation our Lord handled with his folk Israel and this was accompanied with dreams, signs and wonders because the Jews desired signs. In I Corinthians 1 verse 22 we read this: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. God made under this dispensation a lot known to persons by angels. So also Joseph in a dream and the angel of the Lord said to Joseph this: Joseph thou son of David fear not. You can imagine that everyone under that dispensation who saw a angel was afraid to die. The angel said fear not Joseph to take Mary unto thee thy wife and now it comes that the angel said to him that wich is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. It could not be otherwise because the Lord Jesus Christ was and is God Himself without sin. So it could not in a another way like this. And the angel continued to tell

Matthew 1 verse 21

And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Verse 21: She shall bring forth in the world a Son. The Son of God and thou shalt call His Name Jesus. Jesus means God is salvation. He shall save His people Israel from their sins. That was and is the purpose. We read in Galatians 4 verse 4 and 5:  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. In the first place He came for His people to save them from their sins. And did they believe Him when He came to them? In John 1 verse 11 we read: He came unto His own, and His own received him not. His own is the folk Israel, His people. 

Matthew 1 verse 22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Verse 22: Concerning Gods Son Jesus Christ Whom He would send to earth and that He was born by the virgin Mary was foretold by the prophets because the Lord hath spoken through them about this!!

Matthew 1 verse 23

 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Verse 23: Behold. This verse is also written in Isaiah 7 verse 14 where it says this: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Through  the wife of Joseph Mary the virgin was and is our Lord Jesus Christ born. Through the Holy Ghost God accomplished this. 

Matthew 1 verse 24:

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Verse 24: Joseph woke up from his sleep where he had seen the angel of the Lord who had urged to take Mary as his wife and he did this after he woke up from his sleep. It was clear now for Joseph too. 

Matthew 1 verse 25:

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Verse 25: Joseph and Mary had no sexual contact till Mary had brought forth her firstborn. And the called their Son Jesus as the angel of the Lord had told them to do. Later Joseph and Mary got sons and daughters after their own image (sin nature) Later sure 2 of their sons became believers in Christ like James and Jude. 

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Matthew chapter 2

Matthew 2 verse 1:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Verse 1: In the time the wise men came to Jerusalem our Lord Jesus Christ was with Joseph and Mary still in Bethlehem. Now in a house. These wise men thought that he was born in Jerusalem . They came from the east. The Bible doesn't say exactly where they came from. Anyway they came in Jerusalem in the days of Herod the king. Who was this man Herod? He was also called Herod the Great. His father was named Antipater and was of the stock of Edomite, the descendants of Esau. They occupied a southern district of Palestine known as the Negeb. These people embraced the Jewish religion. They were called half Jews by the real Jews. Herod was appointed procurator of Galilee. He was a sort of king but not originally Jew but had his palace in Jerusalem. He reconstructed the temple in Jerusalem. He had a passion for architecture and monuments. He was a cruel man. The wise men didn't know this and thought that Herod knew that a special baby was born who was a king, the King of the Jews. 

Matthew 2 verse 2:

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Verse 2: Thus these wise men asked Herod the king where is he that is born King of the Jews? They had seen his star in the east and came to Jerusalem to worship Him. They didn't know that He, our Lord was born in Bethlehem because they had never seen the land of Palestine. 

Matthew 2 verse 3

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Verse 3: We see here in this verse the reaction of Herod the king. He heard the things the wise men told him. He became troubled in his spirit. You can imagine Herod must be very shocked. Not only he was troubled: all Jerusalem with him. This had so great effect on all the inhabitans of Jerusalem! How could it be that there was born a child who is King of the Jews? We didn't know this. They were shocked by this news

Matthew 2 verse 4

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Verse 4: King Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people. And King Herod give them the order to find out where Christ should be born. This was a sign that King Herod was not informed that Christ was born. He could have known this but with all dictators and that was Herod also they thought only of power and might for themselves. He was very egocentric and suspicious. Maybe also paranoid. For sure he was a killer of men and used by the devil. 

Matthew 2 verse 5

 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Verse 5: These chief priests and scribes of the people could gave king Herod a answer: In Bethlehem of Judaea because that was written by the prophet. The Jews had the Scriptures of God like the Scriptures of the prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and others. In that Scriptures they found the answer for the king. Why the king Herod not himself searched the scriptures about this birth of Christ? Maybe he was to proud. Anyway he didn't believe in God. Why should he read the Scriptures? 

Matthew 2 verse 6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Verse 6: The prophet was Micah who had foretold this which should happen later: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. So our Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Ephratah. Now king Herod knew where this other king was born who would to be ruler in Israel. That was a shock for king Herod. 

Matthew 2 verse 7

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Verse 7: Herod knew now where this Christ was born and he called the wise men and they only stood alone with him and he asked them eagerly when they had seen the star. when the star appeared on which time.

Matthew 2 verse 8

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Verse 8: King Herod send these wise men to Bethlehem and said. Go now to Bethlehem and search for that young child very carefully. When you have found the child come back to say where I can find this child and I will come and worship him too like you will do. Was it to really to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. No it wasn't. He wanted to kill the Savior of the world. But these wise men knew not that this king in Jerusalem was so cruel. Later they came to know. 

Matthew 2 verse 9

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Verse 9: So these wise men had listened to the king and departed to Bethlehem and again the star which they had seen in the east went before them to let them know where the child was because the star stood over where the young child was. Our Lord Jesus Christ was at that moment not a baby anymore but a child and about 2 years old. Joseph, Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ were not in the stable anymore but in a house they lived in Bethlehem. 

Matthew 2 verse 10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Verse 10: These wise men saw the star again and were so glad that they rejoiced with a exceeding great joy. It was not for nothing that they had searched for the Child. And now they were very near the place where the Lord was to worship Him. 

Matthew 2 verse 11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Verse 11: The wise men came into the house and saw the Lord Jesus Christ as young child with Mary his mother. They felled down and worshipped Him. They knew it was the Lord Who would reign over Israel and would be their King. So they had gifts for Him: Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold stands for the Lord's Jesus Christ the King status, Frankincense for His divinity and Myrrh for His incarnation. Also the last gift is a reference to His death: myrrh was a precious resin, the dead were rubbed with myrrh ointment. 

Matthew 2 verse 12

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Verse 12: These wise men slept that night somewhere and God warned these men in a dream: do not return to Herod the king in Jerusalem but depart from here through another way to your own country. And they did this. They didn't return to Herod to tell him where the child was. The plan of king Herod was to kill the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only Him but all the Jewish boys of that age. Herod's anger was because of his pride. he couldn't permit anyone to get the best of him. That was the reason of killing the boy babies and he hoped that by the killing the Lord Jesus Christ would also be killed. Herod  was a cruel man. 

Matthew 2 verse 13

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Verse 13: The wise men departed from the house where Joseph, Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ as child were. The Lord after this departure appeared to Joseph in a dream. He said to Joseph. Arise, take the young Child Jesus and His mother Mary your wife and flee to Egypt. Wait there when I tell you to go back to the land Palestine. King Herod is seeking for Him and want to kill Him. So the life of the Lord Jesus Christ was in danger and God knew this. He knows everything. He is omniscient! So Joseph, Mary and the child the Lord Jesus Christ flee to Egypt to live there for a time and to wait for the moment God would tell them to go back. 

Matthew 2 verse 14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

Verse 14: Joseph arose from his sleep. Before they left Joseph would have explained to Mary and the Lord Jesus that they had to flee to Egypt because king Herod would come and his plan was to kill the Lord Jesus. So they departed by night. This was the savest travel because during the day to flee was more dangerous because then they would be recognized. During the night no one could recognize them. So they departed into Egypt. 

Matthew 2 verse 15

 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Verse 15: Joseph, Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ were in Egypt until the death of king Herod. After that God's prophecy about His son to call Him out of Egypt became reality. But first we read in the coming verses what happened after Joseph, Mary and the Lord as child fled to Egypt. 

Matthew 2 verse 16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Verse 16: Herod became very angry when he saw that the wise men never came back to him where he could find the Lord Jesus Christ. He saw that he was mocked cheated of the wise men. He became so angry that he gave the assignment to slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, the boundaries of whole Bethlehem. All the children of two years old and under the two years were killed by king Herod. He had calculated the time of the wise men when they had seen the star in the east until the time they asked him where they could find the king of Israel. That all the children were killed was an unprecedented drama. What a cruel king. He wished no other person on the throne in Jerusalem. With this killing he hoped to have killed also the Lord Jesus Christ but it wasn't. 

Matthew 2 verse 17

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

Verse 17: Jeremiah the prophet had spoken about this killing of all the children from 2 years and under 2 years in Bethlehem. We can read this verse in Jeremiah 31 verse 5 and in the next verse it is repeated. 

Matthew 2 verse 18

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Verse 18: The first mention of Bethlehem  in scripture is in connection with the death of Rachel Jacob's favorite wife. Rachel gave birth to a son whom she named Benoni which means son of my sorrow. Jacob renamed his son Benjamin: son of my right hand. Both of these names relate to the Lord Jesus Christ for He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and now He is the Son of God's right hand. Jeremiah's prophecy was given about 600 years before Christ was born. Now it was Rachel  who was weeping in Ramah. She represented the mothers of Israel who were weeping  because their children were no more because they were killed. Bethlehem  reminded few people of the birthplace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He died in our place on the cross for our sins, yes for us, was buried and rose again from the dead and now is sitting on the right hand of His Father. Believe this and you will have also eternal life in Him I Corinthians 15:3,4. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Yes saved forever! Do it now before it is to late! 

Matthew 2 verse 19

 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Verse 19: Herod's life came to an end like every human life and he died. After his death an angel of the Lord, a messenger of God appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt.  In Egypt all the time when king Herod reigned and he killed all the children of 2 years and under, Joseph, Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ as child were save. But now the angel appeared again to Joseph to tell him and that we read in the next verse. 

Matthew 2 verse 20

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

Verse 20: The angel said to Joseph: arise and take the young Child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. So go back to Israel because it is now save to dwell in the land of Israel because alle the persons inclusive king Herod died who sought to kill the Lord Jesus Christ and would take His life. 

Matthew 2 verse 21

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Verse 21: And he that is Joseph took the young Lord Jesus Christ and Mary his wife and mother and travelled to the land of Israel and came back into the country. He obeyed God and went back with his family to the land Israel. When they were in the land of Israel again something happened. This is what we read in the next verse. 

Matthew 2 verse 22

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

Verse 22: Then Joseph heard that Archelaus who was the son of king Herod did reign in Judaea and was sitting in the room of his father king Herod in Jerusalem, Joseph became afraid to go back to live in Judaea. But he was again warned of God in a dream and God said that he had to go to Galilee. So Joseph took again the Lord Jesus Christ as child and his mother Mary his wife and went into the parts of Galilee to have a save place there. In the next verse we read that this the city of Nazareth was. Originally Mary and also Joseph came from this city. 

Matthew 2 verse 23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Verse 23: Joseph came in the city of Nazareth Galilee in the company of his wife Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son as child. This was a fulfilling that they should live there in Nazareth. A fulling which the prophets had said about it that the Lord Jesus Christ shall be called a Nazarene (from Nazareth). The term Nazarene was applied both to the Lord Jesus and His followers Acts 24:5 and He was often called Jesus of Nazareth. But maybe Matthew, lead by the Spirit of God saw a spiritual connection of the Name Nazarene with the Hebrew word Netzer which means a branch  of shoot. Read Isaiah 4 verse 2: In that day shall the branch of theLordbe beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. Anyway our Lord grew up in the city of Nazareth and He was identified with that city. The enemies of the Lord thought that He was born in Nazareth. If they had known the Scriptures they would known that He was born in Bethlehem. So here ended the second chapter verse by verse study of the book of Matthew. 

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Matthew 3 verse 1

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Verse 1: In those days. Which days? It were the days just before the Lord's Jesus Christ earthly ministry.  In those days John the Baptist came. Who was John the Baptist? First this: 400 years the nation Israel had not heard the voice of a prophet. The last prophet was Malachi. Then John the Baptist came and a great revival took place. His message was preaching on repentance of the people of Israel adn the kingdom of heaven. His authority was based on the prophecy gven in Isaiah 40 verse 3 because in a spiritual sense John was Elijah who was to come. And he came in the spirit of Elijah. John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and the greatest of them. He was baptizing Jews. The baptism was a baptism of repentance: it prepared the nation Israel for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation.  Read John 1:31. He mentioned also 2 other baptisms: the baptism of the Spirit and the baptism of fire. We read that in Matthew 3 verse 11. The baptism of the Spirit came at Pentecost and the other will be in the future for the judgment in Matthew 3 verse 12.  John baptized also the Lord because it was the will of the Father. The baptism of our Lord was that He identified Himself with  the sinful nature, the people of Israel. With this baptism John bore witness to Jesus Christ  as the Son of God. 

Matthew 3 verse 2

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Verse 2: This is what John the Baptist said to the people of Israel, the Jews: repent ye. Go back to God. For 400 years they had not heard a prophet like him. They had left God and now it was the right time to repent, to go back to Him and believe on Him. Also the kingdom of heaven is at hand. That was their promise, Israel's promise that the kingdom of heaven should come on earth: a everlasting Kingdom on earth. But first they had to repent, Israel had repent from their sin. To change their minds

Matthew 3 verse 3

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Verse 3: 

John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy given in Isaiah 40 verse 3. In a spiritual sense was John Elijah who was to come for he came in the spirit of Elijah. John was crying in the wilderness and he was preparing the way of the Lord and made hsi pathts straight. As told he was the last prophet of the Old Testament and the greatest of the prophetst till then. 

Matthew 3 verse 4

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Verse 4: John the Baptist lived in the wilderness. His clothing was of camel's hair. Now the camel in the Middle East like Israel isof three species of large ruminating hoofed mammalsof arid Africa and Asia known for their ability to go for long periods without drinking. The Arabian camel, or dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), has one back hump. So John wear the hair of the camel in his clothing. For the rest John had a leathern girdle about hsi loins. His meat were locusts and wild honey. Locusts are still commonly eaten in Arabia. Eaten either raw or roasted they are quite nutritious and a source of many vitamins. Most of the insects were considered unclean under Mosaic law. We read in Leviticus 11:22 this: Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.  Here it is written that locusts are permitted to eat. And for the rest John eat wild honey. The food going into John's mouth represented the message coming out of John's mouth. Those who received John's message with faith would taste its sweetness and experience God's blessing, like honey. Those who refused John's message would experience God's judgment, like locusts.

Matthew 3 verse 5

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Verse 5: To John the Baptist came people from Jerusalem, from all Judaea and the regions round Jordan. John the Baptist baptized Jews. His baptism was authorized from heaven. It was not something which John thought or derived. It was the baptism of repentance!! And looking forward to the Messiah's coming. The baptism fulfilled two purposes: it prepaired the nation for Christ and it presented Christ to the nation. In John 1 verse 31 we read: And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. This was something a lot of the Jewish people came to him! The message he had must have been very strong. It was the Word of God and that is powerful!  Let us read Hebrews 4 verse 12:  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Matthew 3 verse 6

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Verse 6: All the people who were sincere according what John said and listened were baptized of him in Jordan river and confessed their sins. They regretted what they had done namely: to forsake God. 

Matthew 3 verse 7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Verse 6: All kinds of people came to him: also the Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism. John called them generation of vipers. The Pharisees were the traditionalists of their day while the Sadducees were liberal. The wealthy Sadducees controlled the temple business. John's message to them was on of judgment. Israel had sinned and needed to repent and the religious leaders  ought to lead the way. His question to them was direct; who had warned you to flee from the wrath of God to come to me? These groups of men wouldn't repent so John refused them to be baptized.  In the next verses he told them more things. 

Matthew 3 verse 8

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Verse 8: This is what John said to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. If you want to believe and turn from your sins and want to be baptized first you do works which bring fruits meet for repentance.  John the Baptist knew they were not believers. They believed in themselves in self righteousness and not in the living God Who alone is righteous and can save people. 

Matthew 3 verse 9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Verse 9: With other words John told them this that they had not to think or say that they had Abraham as their father to hide behind it. God is able he said to them to make of the stones who are laying here raise up children unto Abraham. God can do everything. Out of nothing to make something.  What God cannot do is lying. He cannot lie. 

Matthew 3 verse 10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Verse 10: The ax was lying at the root of the tree and if the tree and that is Israel did not bear good fruit it would be cut down. Our Lord spoke these words also in a parable in Luke 13 verse 6-10. We read there the following verses: He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

Matthew 3 verse 11

 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Verse 11: John baptized the people with water unto repentance. This was waterbaptism. John said to the people who were with him there and were baptized or had to be baptized that the One who was coming after him would basptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 3 different baptisms we read here: waterbaptism unto repentance which John did, the baptism with the Holy Spirit which the Lord would do on Pentecost Acts 2 and the baptism with fire. This last baptism had to do with the judgment of the Lord.  He John said that that Person was mightier than him and he was not worthy his shoes to bear. 

Matthew 3 verse 12

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Verse 12: This verse is speaking about the judgment of Christ and He shall do this on the Day of the Lord when He will come the second time on earth and with the final judgment: He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

Matthew 3 verse 13

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Verse 13: Then the Lord Jesus came to John the Baptist from Galilee to Jordan because John was baptizing there people of Israel and preaching. And the Lord came to John to be baptized of him. Why was this? We see the answer later in this chapter why the Lord had to be baptized by John. 

Matthew 3 verse 14

But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Verse 14: John was amazed that the Lord came to him to be baptized. John forbad Him and said I have need to be baptized of Thee. Why comest Thou to me? John was a sinner and need to be baptized of the Lord but the Lord Jesus wasn't a sinner. He never sinned. He couldn't sin! He was God Himself. Why was He baptized by John the Baptist. The answer will come in the next verse. 

Matthew 3 verse 15

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Verse 15: The Lord answered John and said: Don't hinder it with other words because it is to fulfil all righteousness. The Lord Jesus had to be baptized because it was to be identified with the people. To be one of them. He identified Himself with them so that He later could die for them and for the whole world. John said in his Gospel that He was the Son of men. So John the Baptist not longer hindered Him and he baptized Him in the river Jordan after He had said this. 

Matthew 3 verse 16

And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:

Verse 16: 

Our Lord was baptized by John the Baptist and after that He came immediately out of the water. And then this happened: the heavens were opened unto Him and the Lord Jesus Christ saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove  lighting upon Him.The Spirit of God came like a dove on that moment when the Lord came out of the water. There came no dove litteraly as we know there so many pictures  of doves who came upon the Lord at that moment. 

Matthew 3 verse 17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Verse 17: Beside the Spirit of God descending upon Him the Lord Jesus Christ came also the voice of God the Father and said: This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. It pleased God that He had send His Son to the earth to save the world. And here ended chapter 3 of the book of Matthew. 

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Matthew 4 verse 1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Verse 1: By God's Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ was led up into the wilderness. The purpose was that the devil would tempt Him after He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights. From the high and holy blessing at the Jordan river He now was led into the wilderness and that for testing. 

Matthew 4 verse 2

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred.

Verse 2: He fasted 40 days and 40 nights! That is very long.  After that He had hunger. That is logic.  Normally a human being can fast this: to keep yourself safe, especially if you are new to fasting, consider limiting your fast periods to24 hours or fewer. So our Lord fast so long. Man was after such a period dead. 

Matthew 4 verse 3

 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Verse 3: The tempter and that is the devil came to Him our Lord. He said if thou be the Son of God. If means that the devil didn't believe He was the Son of God. He said if thou be the Son of God command that these stones made bread. That they would be changed into bread. The Lord Jesus met the devil in the terrible wilderness, not as Adam met him in the beautiful garden of Eden. Adam had everything he needed but our Lord had hunger after 40 days and 40 nights of fasting. Adam lost the battle from the devil and sinned and died spiritually. But our Lord Jesus Christ won this first battle from the devil and went on to defeat satan in more battles and at last His final victory on the cross. 

Matthew 4 verse 4

 But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Verse 4: We read here about the first defending from our Lord Jesus Christ toward the tempter, the devil. He said very strong this: it is written that man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. His Word. This was a very strong Word of our Lord. He didn't use His divine powers to overcome the enemy. No He uses the Word of God, the power of God's Word. 

Matthew 4 verse 5

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Verse 5: This second tempation of the devil  was even more subtle. The devil took the Lord Jesus to the pinnacle  of the temple and there satan quoted from Psalm 91 verses 11 and 12 whre God promised to care for His own. 

Matthew 4 verse 6

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Verse 6: With words like this the satan said this: If You really the Son of God and believe the Scriptures then jump. Then we can see if the Father cares for You. He will send his angels to charge concerning thee. They shall bear thee up. You will not crush with your feet against a stone. And look now to verse 7 what the Lord answered to the devil! 

Matthew 4 verse 7

 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Verse 7: The second defending from our Lord. Again He comes with the Word of God and said to the devil who wanted to tempt Him: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. In Deuteronomy 6 verse 16 it is written: Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. So the Lord took the Word of the Lord which was spoken to Israel.

Matthew 4 verse 8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Verse 8: Again for the third time the devil took Him up into a high mountain and there he let Him see all the kingdoms of the world and all the glory of the kingdoms. This was the third temptation our Lord Jesus Christ had to undergo.

Matthew 4 verse 9

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Verse 9: The satan said to Him: I will give you all the kingdoms if thou wilt fall down and worship me like men. The satan hoped that the Lord would do this but what said the Lord against him?  We read this in the next verse. 

Matthew 4 verse 10

 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Verse 10: The third defending from our Lord and this defending is strong because the Lord said to the satan: Get thee hence satan for it is written. Again the Word of God because that is the best defending: Thou shalt wordship the Lord thy God and Him alone you shall serve!

Matthew 4 verse 11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Verse 11: The devil, satan, left Him because he was defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ. His plan to tempt the Lord 3 times had failed . And after that angels of God came and ministered unto the Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 1 verse 14 we read this: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Matthew 4 verse 12

 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

Verse 12: The Lord Jesus Christ had heard that John the Baptist was cast into prison. But why was John in prison? In Luke 3 verse 18-20 we read exactly why he was put in prison : And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. 

Matthew 4 verse 13

And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

Verse 13: The Lord Jesus Christ left Nazareth where He was grown up. Later He said to the people that a prophet was not loved or accepted in his own city. That was maybe the reason that the Lord dwelt in Caparnaum which is near the sea of Gallilee.  More than 5 years ago my wife and me were in the old Capernaum. We saw the rests of the synagogue. It was very impressive to see the old Capernaum and to realize that the Lord Jesus Christ walked there more than 2000 years ago. It was situated in the border of Zabulon and Nephthalim. 

Matthew 4 verse 14

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

Verse 14: The Lord Jesus had left Nazareth and now He was in Galilee Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee and that was exactly the fulfilling which was spoken through the prophet Esaias long before the Lord cam on earth. 

Matthew 4 verse 15

The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

Verse 15: 

In Isaiah 9 verse 1 and 2 we read this: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. This all was foretold and now in Matthew verses 14 -16 it became reality!!

Matthew 4 verse 16

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Verse 16: This through the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ:  that the people which were living there in Capernaum and surroudings saw a Great light of God and that was the Lord Himself. The people sat in darkness! Our Lord Jesus Christ brought the light to them because He is and was the Light. In Galilee there was a mixed population taht was despised by the racially pure citizens of Judea. How did our Lord Jesus Christ brought the Light to Galilee? In Matthew 4 verse 23 we read that through His teaching, preaching and healing He did this. We read there that He healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease and there was no case too difficult for Him. 

Matthew 4 verse 17

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Verse 17: From that time the Lord Jesus Christ began to preach. What was He preaching? The Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24? No not at all because that was not made known by Him. Why not? That was hidden with God before the world began. 2 Timothy 1 verse 9. This was before the cross and God was busy with his folk Israel as people. Their hope was earthly because the kingdom of heaven would come on earth and that's why the people of Israel had to repent. To turn back to God, believe on Him and as the whole nation should do that the Kingdom of heaven should come on earth and Christ as King over the Kingdom. 

Matthew 4 verse 18

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Verse 18: The Lord Jesus Christ was walking near the sea of Galilee. He saw two brethren. How He knew they Simon called Peter and Andrew were brothers? The Lord Jesus Christ was God Himself so He knew and knows everything. They were fishermen and were busy to cast a net into the sea. The Lord saw them doing this and He called them with a voice and they heard Him calling them. 

Matthew 4 verse 19

And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Verse 19: What did He say to them? Here is the answer in this verse: He saith unto Peter and Andrew his brother: Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. They had to give up their business of fishing and had to follow Him literal. And did they do that? Were they not thinking at that moment but I cannot left my profession, my business? No in the next verse we see what happened. What does it mean I will make you fishers of men? Fishing for men is but one of many pictures of evangelism in the Bible. To catch other men by teaching and persuasion. 

Matthew 4 verse 20

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Verse 20: And immediately after the Lord's call they left their nets and followed Him without asking why they had to follow Him. Our Lord spoke as an authority. It was so convincing those words: I will make you fishers of men and they didn't doubt about it. 

Matthew 4 verse 21

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Verse 21: And from the place He called Peter and James his brother the Lord Jesus Christ walked further near the sea of Galilee and again He saw two other brethren James and John the sons of Zebedee their father in a ship. They were repairing their nets and He called them James and John. The call of our Lord must have been impressive and that is the call of God because our Lord we told already was God Himself in the flesh. God's calling of men is now through His Word and that is also impressive. If you read the Bible or you hear a Bibleverse than you hear God speaking through the Word. 

Matthew 4 verse 22

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Verse 22: James and John his brother immediately left the ship when they heard the call of our Lord. He called them to follow Him and they did. They left not only their ship, also their father. That was quite for this father to see your sons left you. One moment they were together working and then the other moment after the call of the Lord they left him and followed the Lord. I think for this father it was very difficult to say goodbye to his sons. 

Matthew 4 verse 23

 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Verse 23: The Lord Jesus Christ went in all Galilee. He teached in the synagogues and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom: the Kingdom of heaven is near. That it would come to earth and He as King. He healed all manner of sickness and all manner of disease under the people. These were all the features below the Gospel of the Kingdom what we here read. Miracles and wonders and signs there were because God was busy with his folk Israel

Matthew 4 verse 24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Verse 24: The Lord Jesus Christ became known throughout Syria. That was something special! They heard that He preached among the people, that He healed the sick people. How they had heard this so quick? It passed from word of mouth. They, people from Syria came to Him and brought unto Him all sick people with different kind of diseases and torments and also people were brought who possessed were with devils. And people who were lunatick and those who had the palsy. And the Lord healed them all. 

Matthew 4 verse 25

And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

Verse 25: A lot of people followed Him! We read of a great multitude!  We read here in this verse about four places where people came to Him and followed Him. From Galilee where He was and where He preached and healed the sick people. From Decapolis: near Galilee but on the other side of the river Jordan. Jerusalem and Judaea and beyond Jordan.  So here ended the fourth chapter of the book of Matthew. 

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Matthew Chapter 5

Matthew 5 verse 1

And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ saw the multitudes of men and then He went to the top of the mountain. There on the mountain the Lord Jesus Christ gave His sermon to the disciples. The Lord was a master in teaching and here in this chapter we can read it. His teaching was for His disciples, later the 12 apostles. This mountain corresponds with the mountain of olives. It was the Gospel of the Kingdom He preached to His disciples after they came unto Him on the mountain. 

Matthew 5 verse 2

And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying,

Verse 2: He opened His mouth at first and taught His disciples and in the next verses we can read what He taught them. It was with a lot of authority. They had to listen to His teaching. It is the proclamation  of the kingdom. 

Matthew 5 verse 3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 3: Blessed here means happy. In Hebrews the word is Ashrey. Greek makarios which is happy. So if men are poor in spirit the kingdom of heaven which will come on earth it is for them. The poor in spirit means to be humble. It doesn't mean to be poor spirited. Poor in the spirit is the opposite of the world's attitude of self praise  and self assertion. It is honesty of men of themselves in in this case because God was dealing with Israel . If the Hebrews, Jews, had this attitude and believe in God the Kingdom of heaven would to be for them. 

Matthew 5 verse 4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Verse 4: Blessed are the people that mourn. What is mourn? Grieve or sorrow. They that had sorrow they shall be comforted in the kingdom of heaven which shall come to earth. In that kingdom there is no mourn anymore. What a great hope Israel have in the future when the Kingdom will be established on earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 5

 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Verse 5: Blessed are the people (Jewish) who are meek. People who are humble are blessed because they shall inherit the earth when the Kingdom of heaven shall be established on earth.  God will bless them all who are meek in that time. They shall posess the earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Verse 6: Blessed are they (Jewish) under the tribulation period who have hunger and thirst because they cannot buy without the mark of the beast and had to fly to the mountains. In the kingdom of heaven on earth they shall be filled. In that kingdom they shall have no hunger of thirst because God will give them that. This is another promise of God. 

Matthew 5 verse 7

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Verse 7: As we read in these verses here it is all conditional. If you are merciful as Jewish believer then ye shall obtain mercy from the Lord in the Kingdom on earth. The Kingdom Gospel or the Gospel of the Kingdom is accompanied by works. If you do good works which God pleased then you receive things of God. This is under the Gospel of the Kingdom accompanied with the law of Moses.

Matthew 5 verse 8

 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Verse 8: The pure in heart they are blessed. The pure in heart are focused from the inside out on one single thing. In this case, that thing is God. The Lord Jesus Christ promises here that, when the kingdom of heaven arrives, those who are pure in their devotion to God will see Him.

Matthew 5 verse 9

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God

Verse 9: The ones under the Jews who make peace shall be called the children of God in the Millenium Kingdom. First work and then be called children of God. We as members of the Body of Christ have not to work to be the sons of God because God had saved us by His Grace by faith alone and in Christ alone Ephesians 2:8-9. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 5 verse 10

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 10: If believers under the Gospel of the Kingdom will be persecuted and punished because they believe the righteousness of God they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven on earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 11

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Verse 11: Men shall revile believers. What does it mean to revile? Answer: criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner. And persecute them and say all evil against them falsely for His sake. This means this: in order to help or bring advantage to someone. The Lord was talking to His 12 disciples here and in the next verse also

Matthew 5 verse 12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Verse 12: Rejoice! It is rejoice in the Lord also in the days that these men who believe in the Lord will be persecuted. The reward is heaven on earth. They have their earthly hope and can rejoice and be exceeding glad if they think about it. All the prophets of the past before them, before the 12 disciples later apostles were persecuted and killed. The last prophet was John the Baptist and also he was killed by king Herod. He was beheaded. This is what the Lord told His disciples. 

Matthew 5 verse 13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Verse 13: This is what the Lord Jesus Christ said to his 12 disciples. They were the salt of the earth. Salt is salt and when salt lost his savour. He said that they were different than the world wherein they lived. They were the children of God. If they are not the salt anymore He said how shall it be salted, with what? Then it is good for nothing. After all, this is about good works. They had to do good works so that they would stay the salt of the earth otherwise they would be trodden under foot of men. The Lord knew their weakness. Good works and we see this again in verse 16 that the people should see it. With us as members of the Body of Christ we may walk in the work which God had prepaired for us. Ephesians 2: 10. We cannot do good works. It is God Who works in us and remind us to be gentle to all men and be glad because of eternal salvation and all the blessing we have in Christ. 

Matthew 5 verse 14

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Verse 14: The Lord is telling His disciples here that they are the light of the world. A city, a place on a hill or mountain you can clearly see from everybody who see it. The Lord Jesus Christ is telling His disciples that they are compared with that city because people can recognize them as light of the world.

Matthew 5 verse 15

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Verse 15: A candle is put on a candlestick and give light unto al that are in the house. You never do you candle which gives light under a bushel because then the light is not seen. So these disciples were compared with a candle in a candlestick so that everyone could see them because they were the light of the world. 

Matthew 5 verse 16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Verse 16: So the disciples had to let their light to shine before men so that people could see their good works. From the good works people could recognize God in it and should also glorify the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ which is in heaven. They have to do good works. It was faith and works. Now today under the Dispensation of the Grace of God See Ephesians 3:1-3 we are saved by His work for us. Ephesians 2;8-9. It is now only by faith without works to be saved. Romans 4 verse 5

Matthew 5 verse 17

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Verse 17: These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. His purpose of coming was not to destroy the law of Moses or what the prophets said. No He was to fulfil that. What was that? Christ came to Israel to fulfill prophecies: 1—“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. 2—“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2. 3—“He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2. 4—“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. 5—“And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” Zechariah 13:6. 6—“And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Zechariah 11:12 and 13 and Matthew 26:5. 7—“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7. 8—“For dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.” Psalm 22:16.

Matthew 5 verse 18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Verse 18: What does this mean here in this verse? All had to be fulfilled. This is what we already seen in verse 17. When the Lord fulfilled all things on earth with the death of His cross for mankind then all was fulfilled. Until the death on the cross the Law was not passed away that's why it is saying that one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law. In Colossians 2 verse 14 we read now: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Matthew 5 verse 19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 19: What the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples here is it the law of commandments. It you break the law and teach men about keeping the law then he or she shall be named the least in the kingdom which would come on earth. The keeper of the law and doing the things of the law is good and if a person teach others also to do this then he or she shall be called the great in the kingdom of heaven which would come on earth. It was under the Gospel of the Kingdom not only to believe but also keeping all the commandments of the law by doing good works. 

Matthew 5 verse 20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 20: The Lord said to His disciples that they were not better than the scribes and the Pharisees naturally. They had to be righteous then they shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees because Scribes and Pharisees were unrighteous. Otherwise they had no case to enter into the kingdom of heaven when it comes to the earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 21

Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Verse 21: The Lord Jesus Christ continued here that they had known the Law which said that they had not to kill and the one who killed was in danger at the judgment because he or she must also be killed according the Law of God. 

Matthew 5 verse 22

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Verse 22: This is much stricter than the previous verse 21! If someone is angry with his brother without a case he is at danger at the judgment or he of she shall say to his brother Raca.  What is Raca? Answer Aramaic which means ' worthless' or ' empty. Also if a person said this to his brother or sister was also in danger of the council. But the one who shall say to his brother thou fool that was more dangerous because of hell fire. This shows that there is with the law of God not to be trifled with. This was under the law. We as members of the Body of Christ live not under the Law of Moses but under Gods Grace. In Romans 6 verse 14: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. We live under God's oikonomia of Grace or Dispensation of Grace!  We are saved by Gods Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ Who died our death on the cross, was buried and rose from the death I Corinthians 15:3-4. We are the most lucky persons in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Matthew 5 verse 23

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Verse 23: This was a instruction from the Lord here in this verse and the next verse to the disciples. It is important to bring a gift or present to the altar in the temple. But if the person who do this the Lord said,  remembered that his brother hath something against him. Then he or she must do something about it. The just handling under the law was what we read in the next verse. 

Matthew 5 verse 24

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Verse 24: This was the right thing to do the Lord told His disciples: first leave the gift/offer before the altar. Second go the way to thy brother. Third reconcile yourself or making peace to thy brother. Fourth: go back to the altar and offer the gift or offer to the Lord. We see here in these verse the works of the believer under the law of Moses. In Galatians 3 verse 12:  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. This verse was for the disciples to handle according the law and the Lord teached them this. This brothers and sisters is not the teaching for us today. The Lord told us otherwise through the apostle Paul this in Galatians 4 verse 24-26:  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children (sons) of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5 verse 25

 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Verse 25: With other words be friends or friendly with your other party when you are on the way with him because otherwise the other party can deliver you to the Judge and the judge can deliver you to the officer and then you are cast into prison. That is the danger when you wrangle with the other party. Don't do that the Lord warned His disciples for this. 

Matthew 5 verse 26

Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Verse 26: The Lord Jesus Christ warned here everyone of the disciples:  who will be cast into prison will not come out till the moment he or she had paid the last money for it, the last cent. So it is better not to be cast into prison. Do it good, be friendly and agree with thine adversary very quick this will not happen to you. 

Matthew 5 verse 27

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Verse 27: The Lord Jesus Christ told this to His disciples when He was alone with them and He remembered them about adultery. In Exodus 20 verse 14 we read: Thou shalt not commit adultery. The Lord quoted exactly what was written in the law of Moses which began in Exodus 20. What does it mean adultery? Adultery is engaging in sexual relations outside the confines of marriage. Nowadays we speak here in the Netherlands about cheating. Today we see it very often in the world wherein we live. It is the order of the day. Because of this we see a lot of marriages or relations break down. Now we live not under the law of Moses as these disciples and the Lord when He was on earth. We live under God's Grace. Under the Grace of God we read this in I Corinthians 7 verses 10 and 11: And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. These are also rules. The advice God gives us is this: Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he tht committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. Adultery is fornication my brother and sister. We have to do like Joseph when he runned away from Potiphar's wife because she wanted to have sex with him. We have read here in this verse that the Lord remind them on the law of Moses because of adultery or fornication. 

Matthew 5 verse 28

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Verse 28: The Lord Jesus Christ continued saying that whosoever look to a woman as a lust object had already committed adultery with this woman already in his heart. A example of this we read in II Samuel 11 verses 2-5: And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. David the king committed adultery when he saw Bathsheba and she became a lust in his eyes. We are no better than David. We too are sinners but we are not under the law but under God's Grace. Still the  consequences of fornication are still great today under God's Grace. That's why God said flee fornication because you sin against your own body! Consequences like diseases like venereal disease are possible! So a warning for us all brothers and sisters don't do it!  

Matthew 5 verse 29

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Verse 29: These are strong words from our Lord Jesus Christ unto His disciples. To offend thee means  causeth to thee to stumble. Thus as the eye hinders cast it from thee. This is what the disciples had to do and that was better than that all the members should perish. This had to do with sin. The sins of the body can lead to eternal judgment: be cast into hell. 

Matthew 5 verse 30

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Verse 30: Again this also applies to the hand. The same instructions the Lord gave to His disciples. This all had to do with adultery when we read the context in which this is said from the Lord. 

Matthew 5 verse 31

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Verse 31: It hath been said in the law of Moses this in Deuteronomy 24 verse 1: When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. If a man would divorce his wife he had to give her a writing of divorcement. This was according the law of Moses. 

Matthew 5 verse 32

 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Verse 31: These are very clear words of our Lord to His disciples. Whosoever shall put away his wife for another reason than fornication the consequences are that she will commit adultery. The one who will marry a divorced woman shall commit adultery because the original man still lives. That was forbidden. But you may ask, what about today? These were the words of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth to His disciples. Have we to follow them too? Well brother and sister we don't live under the law of Moses but under God's Grace. Also the Grace of God has rules. We read in I Corinthians 7 verse 10 and 11 this: And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Matthew 5 verse 33

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Verse 33: They, the disciples had heard of old time through the law of Moses. What they had heard? Not forswear themselves but perform unto the Lord their oaths. This was told to them but the Lord had more to say about it in the next verse we read this

Matthew 5 verse 34

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

Verse 34: The Lord Jesus Christ forbade them to swear: not at all. Also not by heaven because heaven is God's throne.

The problem for the Lord was this: the only objection the Lord Jesus had with the law was that it did not go deep enough. His teaching remedied this by going to the motives of the heart (Matt.5:22,28,32,34,39,44). That's why we read those verses here in Matthew chapter 5. The motive of the heart of persons was more important why do not things than accept things blindly from the law. The disciples had to keep the law and all the commandments which the Lord told them during His 3 years of ministry on earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 35

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Verse 35: A continuation of not swearing at all: nor by the earth because the earth is the footstool of God. Not to swear by Jerusalem for this city is the city of the great King in the Kingdom on earth. 

Matthew 5 verse 36

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Verse 36: Another instruction of the Lord to His disciples not to swear by their head. Why not. The answer comes directly here: thou cannot make one hair white or black. In the Bible is most of the time white hair is a symbole of wisdom, age, spiritual maturity. Black hair is for healthy, youth and vitality. 

Matthew 5 verse 37

 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Verse 37: After the commandment not to swear the Lord Jesus Christ gives here a very special commandment to His disciples. He said let your communication be or let your word be yes yes or no no. Be direct, not vague in your communication. No is no and not yes! And vice versa. In James 5 verse 12 we read this: But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Whatsoever is more than yea, yea; nay, nay is evil. This is what the disciples had to do. Then they seemed credible. 

Matthew 5 verse 38

 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Verse 38: What does this mean? Answer: when someone injures another, the same injury should be inflicted on him. This the disciples had always heard. But the Lord told them otherwise. Read the next verse

Matthew 5 verse 39

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Verse 39: The Lord Jesus Christ learned His disciples this that they had not to resist evil. He asks him for accountability, not to belittle him but that the other man who does evil begin to think about his behavior. This is what our Lord exactly did when He died on that cross on Calvary. He allowed himself to be crucified because to save sinners like you and me!  That's why He had done this! 

Matthew 5 verse 40

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Verse 40: This is the principe what the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples: if someone wanted their coats. They had also to give their cloaks. With other words it is better to give than to receive. 

Matthew 5 verse 41

 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Verse 41: The Lord said this when He was talking to His disciples and gave them a lot of instructions what had to do with the Gospel of the Kingdom over how to behave to other people. If someone press you to go with him a mile, go 2 miles with him and not one.

Matthew 5 verse 42

 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Verse 42: Give to the person who ask something from you the Lord told His disciples. Under the Kingdom program this was a commandment. Nowadays we give not always things to persons who asks us for something. Now it works different under this Dispensation of Grace than under the foreign Dispensation. The second is don't turn away from the person that would borrow, lean from you. Nowadays you will not lean to everyone who wants to lean from you. If I now lean someone money then the person who wanted to learn has to sign for it. This had to do on script because not every person is to trust in the world full of corruption. 

Matthew 5 verse 43

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

This is taken from Leviticus 19 verse 18 which says: Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am theLord. Love thy neighbour. This is what they had to do according the law and to hate their enemies. 

Matthew 5 verse 44

 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Verse 44: This was the most difficult commandment the Lord told His disciples: Love your enemies, the ones that curse them, the ones that hated them. And also pray for these enemies who despitefully use them and persecute them. The disciples when they heard those commandments lived before the cross. Now on basis of the cross you can love people with the love of Christ according Gods Grace. Christ Who died for everyone in this world and is alive and is now in heaven I Corinthians 15:3,4. 

Matthew 5 verse 45

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Verse 45: If you love your enemies, bless the ones that curse you and do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you said the Lord to His disciples ye may be the children of the Father which is in heaven. It is if you do according the commandments then you will be the children of the Father in heaven. The Father of heaven let the sun rise on them which are evil and which are good and send also rain on the just and on the unjust. This is still the same today under this Dispensation of Grace that the sun will rise on the unbelievers and believers in Christ and who are righteous and who are unrighteous. This let you see what God Himself does! with His creation. 

Matthew 5 verse 46

 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Verse 46: The Lord is again preaching here to His disciples. It is not enough to love the ones who love you because what kind of reward they would receive. The publicans did the same. What is then the difference between them and you He asked His disciples. They had to be different then publicans or landlords. 

Matthew 5 verse 47

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Verse 47: This is the same as verse 46: if they (the disciples) would only salute the bethren they were not more than other people like landlords. The thing is that they would be different then other people in the daily life. 

Matthew 5 verse 48

 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Verse 48: The last commandment: be ye therefore perfect like your Father in heaven is perfect. The disciples had to be perfect like the heavenly Father and that was the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. 

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Matthew chapter 6

Matthew 6 verse 1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Verse 1: With other words look out that ye do not your alms or gifts before men. a work of beneficence before men. Let it not seen to them because ye do it for your Father which is in heaven . Otherwise they had no reward. It must be like this because of reward of the Father. This was also a commandment from the Lord to His disciples. 

Matthew 6 verse 2

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Verse 2: The instruction about alms continued here in this verse: if they do alms thus a work of beneficence this is not with a loud sound like a trumpet as the hypocrites did in the synagogues and in the streets. Because these hypocrite persons had glory of men but the Lord said to them they have their reward and that is not a good reward. These hypocrites will not have a reward from the Father Who is in heaven because they seek glory of men. Today there are a lot of people who do the same like those hypocrites more than 2000 years ago. 

Matthew 6 verse 3

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

Verse 3: This verse is also about the alms, giving alms or doing alms. This has to be secretly that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand doeth. This is how the disciples had to do it. This was a commandment from the Lord Jesus Christ for them. The motive from them must be to serve God in love and please Him and not people. It must be with the good motive

Matthew 6 verse 4

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Verse 4: That their alms had to be in secret. What does that mean in secret? The question for these disciples and other followers was: was it wrong to give openly? A great example was Barnabas in Acts 4 verses 34-37. It is the motive and manner in which this had done. A bad example were Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 verses 1-11: They used their gift to make people think they were more spiritual  thatn they really were and gave not everything they had to give. They were punished for this by death. 

Matthew 6 verse 5

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Verse 5: And now the Lord told His disciples when they prayed to God how to do it. Not like the hypocrites because they love to pray and stand in the synagogues or corners of streets so that men could see them. They had their reward. This was a bad example for the disciples to follow. They had to do it differently and the Lord told them how to do it.

Matthew 6 verse 6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Verse 6: The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples how it must be when they prayed to God the Father. Enter into their closet. Go to a storage room and shut the door He said to them. Pray to their Father which is in secret and the Father will reward them openly. This is what they had to do. Very important to do it in secret and not openly like the hypocrites like the Pharisees. 

Matthew 6 verse 7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Verse 7: Here the Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples how they had to pray: not with vain repetitions like the Gentiles of that time because the heathen think that they shall be heard for a lot of speaking. So the disciples had to  pray differently then the heathen. How? You will read it in the next verse(s)

Matthew 6 verse 8

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Verse 8: Be ye not like unto them. With other words be different like them. The Father in heaven knows all things and also what they needed. Before they asked Him He knowed it already before. This let you see that God knows everything. He is omniscient. 

Matthew 6 verse 9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Verse 9: This prayer which the Lord gave His disciples how they could pray is prayed in this world many times per day. This prayer was a example which the Lord gave to His disciples. He gave it never to us as members of the Body of Christ that we have to pray this. It is also called Our Father. Millions of people use this prayer as standard on the table for the meal, with funerals or to sing it. People don't know when they pray this prayer. For sure God the Father is in heaven. Your Name will be hallowed. His Name is Holy. Under this Dispensation of Grace we pray different then this prayer. We cannot pray this because this prayer belongs to the former Dispensation and under the Gospel of the Kingdom. We live under the Dispensation of Grace and our Gospel is the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24, Romans 16:25-26

Matthew 6 verse 10

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Verse 10: This they could pray to God the Father: Thy Kingdom come. This was and is the hope of Israel: the Kingdom on earth and Christ as King. This will come in the future but now at this moment

we as believers in Christ cannot pray this because our hope is in heaven and not on earth. We are not looking as Israel for the kingdom on earth. Our hope is in heaven and we are in the heavenly kingdom. We belong to this. Our hope we can find in Philippians 3: 20-21: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. And in I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 we read:But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. This is our hope. The Kingdom will happen in the future after the Rapture of the Church whereto we belong. So that's why we cannot pray this: Thy kingdom come. This is not for us as believers but for these disciples, later apostles. For Israel this is true. 

Matthew 6 verse 11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Verse 11: They, the disciples in the future , in the Tribulation period when they cannot buy or sell things they have to ask God the Father for their daily bread otherwise they will die of hunger. God will give them bread just as He did when His folk Israel was in the desert 40 years. He gave them Manna. In the Tribulation period He will also give this daily bread so that they can survive. We as members of the Body of Christ have not ask God to give us our daily bread. We live under a different kind of Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Grace of God or administration of God and we have to work for this and we can buy with our own money our bread. We can thank God for every meal. 

Matthew 6 verse 12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Verse 12: They, the disciples had to ask God for forgiveness. The Law condemned them and brought them because they were sinners like we, quilty before God. So they had to ask for forgiveness. They had aso to forgive the ones who are debtors to them or are quilty to them. They could not be forgiven of God if they forgave not others. Nowadays under the Dispensation of the Grace of God we read in Ephesians 1:7 this: In Whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;   In Christ we have the redemption through His blood. That means the forgiveness of sins according the riches of His Grace. We have the forgiveness of sins. Christ paid the prize for our sins. He died on the cross on Calvary for our sins and has forgiven all our sins from past, present and future. We are not quilty anymore. We are righteous in Christ! So that we can read this in Ephesians 4: 32: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Matthew 6 verse 13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Verse 13: To fall into temptation. It is very easy. Also for those believers in the Tribulation period. They have to pray this that God will deliver them from evil. That they fall not into temptation of the devil and become the mark of the Beast. They have to pray that the Kingdom will come and the power and the glory for ever. If they do not they can be lost. We as members of the Body of Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13, 14. We can never be lost. God lives in us through His Holy Spirit. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit. We can also sin and everyday we do but our sins are forgiven for all time. This gives us as believers in Christ not the quarantee to sin. No, we have to flee from sin and serve the Lord. 

Matthew 6 verse 14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Verse 14: This is conditional. If they, that are the disciples, He is speaking to,  forgive men their sins then the heavenly Father shall forgive them. Otherwise they shall not be forgiven. This is the opposite of Ephesians 4 verse 32: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. We are as members of the Body of Christ forgiven through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shed for us on Calvary! So this verse is not for us but for the disciples and when God shall again deal with Israel as folk after the Rapture of the Church. 

Matthew 6 verse 15

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Verse 15: They, the disciples and all the others who will live in the future, in the Tribulation period, Israelites and proselytes have to forgive men's sins otherwise the Father in heaven will not forgive their sins. It has to be done. Conditional!  For us it is unconditional under this Dispensation of Grace. We are saved by Grace, by Faith and in Christ alone and all our sins are forgiven that's why we can forgive others. 

Matthew 6 verse 16

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Verse 16: Be not as the hypocrites with fasting. They make a show of it to let people see: they disfigure their faces when they fast. They have their reward. That is not a good reward what they will receive. The disciples were warned not to act or behave like them. Fasting in that time was for some days. The Lord did this 40 days. What is exactly fasting? Answer: Fasting is for a period to stop or decrease with eating and drinking. 

Matthew 6 verse 17

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

Verse 17: When the disciples had to fast the Lord told them this instruction anoint their heads with oil and they had to wash their faces. And they had to do it according the following instruction in the next verse.

Matthew 6 verse 18

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Verse 18: The instruction was for the disciples this: when they fast not to appear to men but unto God the Father in secret. God the Father Who is in secret and Who sees everything, omnicient,  shall reward them openly. They had to trust in God the Father when they fast! Now the question for us do we have to fast as members of the Body of Christ? We read in Romans 14 verse 6 this:  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. If we eat or not eat but fast everything is to the Lord and you give God thanks for what you have in Christ namely righteous, eternal life, sins forgiven from past, present and future, a heavenly hope etc. 

Matthew 6 verse 19

 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Verse 19: The disciples had not to gather treasures upon earth. The treasures will decay into rust. Thieves will steal those treasures. It is still nowadays: thieves are looking for treasures like money, jewellery of gold etc. In the Kingdom they these disciples, then apostles,  would have everything in Christ as King. The urge to have things is not there in the kingdom of heaven on earth. For us as members of the Body of Christ we live under a different Dispensation namely the Dispensation of Grace and we can enjoy the things we have on earth but moreover all that we have in Christ is much more sufficient. 

Matthew 6 verse 20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Verse 20: The disciples had to lay up for themselves treasures in heaven. These treasures cannot be corrupted by moth or rust and thieves cannot break through  or steal it. It was a matter where their heart was: was that on earth to gather treasures or was it in heaven and the treasures there?  We read that in the next verse. 

Matthew 6 verse 21

 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Verse 21: Then the Lord said this where their treasure is: on earth or in heaven there will be their heart. This He said to His disciples to learn them that they had to learn to lay up for themselves treasure in heaven instead on earth. 

Matthew 6 verse 22

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Verse 22: This means this: as the body is through the eye this is what man does and does not do guided and directed by the mind. Read Luke 11 verse 34. So if they are in the light of God it has influence on them all and they shine 

Matthew 6 verse 23

 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Verse 23: But if someone in darkness, everything in him or her is darkness. The light is the eye and if this eye be darkness how great is that darkness! It is blindness and corrupt in that man. 

Matthew 6 verse 24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Verse 24: It was impossible to serve 2 masters said the Lord here in this verse to Hid disciples. No one can do that. This is as a bondservant. You serve one Person. Or it is God or it is the mammon. What is the mammon? The mammon is the riches in this world, worldly riches. Money or wealth, which can become an idol for people. One you can serve said the Lord to His disciples. The one you serve you love and the other you hate. 

Matthew 6 verse 25

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Verse 25: This is what the Lord Jesus Christ said to His 12 disciples that they had not to be worried about their lives what food or what drink. Also not what kind of clothes they had to wear on their bodies. The life through Christ was more than food, and the body more than the raiment.  It is very clear that they had not to be worried about it. 

Matthew 6 verse 26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Verse 26: See the Lord told His disciples that they had not to be worried about their lives like food and drink. Thats why He let them see the fowls of the air. They are not sowing, reaping or gather things in barns because the heavenly Father feed them. Men like the disciples were more than fowls. 

Matthew 6 verse 27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Verse 27: Who of these disciples the Lord asked them can add one cubit: this is the length of the arm , add unto his stature? The answer is no one could do that from these disciples. Also He said this in the case of not to worry about things. We as members of the Body of Christ have also not to worry and if we worry we can pray to God. We read this in Philippians 4 verse 6 and 7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6 verse 28

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

Verse 28: In general people in that time and also the disciples were worried about their raiment. The Lord told them not to be worried and to look to the lilies of the field how they grow. They do nothing to grow because they cannot. The Lord gives them water and ligth to grow. 

Matthew 6 verse 29

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Verse 29: The Lord told His disciples that even Solomon, king of Israel when he was in all his glory when he reigned was not like the lilies of the field how they were coated. They were more beautiful then how Solomon was clothed. 

Matthew 6 verse 30

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Verse 30: God clothe the grass of the field, also the lilies of the field and let it grow. He takes care of it. If He can do this shall He not much more clothe you disciples little of faith? With other words trust Him because He takes care of you. The Lord knew they were of little faith. When we go further in the book of Matthew we read that. 

Matthew 6 verse 31

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Verse 31: Again the Lord said to His disciples not to be worried about what shall we eat or drink or with what clothes to be clothed. They had not be worried about it but trust God because He takes care of this. They had not to take care about it. The Lord did it. Nowadays under this Dispensation of Grace we as members of the Body of Christ have to work for our living like food, clothes, drink till the time of retirement.  In II Thessalonians 3 verse 10 -12 we read this: For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. You see the difference brothers and sisters. When the Lord was on earth He took care about persons with eating, drinking and clothing. Nowadays the Lord is heaven and we are urged to work for our living so that we can pay with our money food, drink and clothes. 

Matthew 6 verse 32

 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Verse 32: The Gentiles our Lord told His disciples are concerned by what they eat, drink or which clothes they can wear and seek it. This namely with fear and anxiety as if their happiness lay therein They are only busy with this the Lord told His disciples but He said to them that the Father knew what they need all those things. They had the Lord and could bring every worry to Him in prayer what the Gentiles didn't do. 

Matthew 6 verse 33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Verse 33: Seek ye first the kingdom of God. The kingdom which will be on earth. That to seek and God's righteousness. If they seek these things first than the heavenly Father will give them the things like food, drinking and clothing. That shall be added unto them. They had to trust God the Father in this. We as members of the Body of Christ had not to seek first the kingdom of God. What we have to do is this under this Dispensation of Grace is this: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.. This is what we have to do my brothers and sisters: to be busy with God's Word of Grace and rightly dividing the Word of Truth 2 Timothy 2:15 and Romans 16:25-26. Think we are citizens of heaven, not of the earth. Our hope is not on the earth but in heaven and we are looking for the Savior Jesus Christ that He will bring us in heaven with the Rapture of the Church of which we are members!  Read for yourselves  I Thessalonians 4:13-18!!!

Matthew 6 verse 34

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Verse 34: With other words the Lord told His disciples to take no thought for the morrow. Think not of the day tomorrow. Make no worries about that because everyday is a day of evil said the Lord Jesus Christ to them and everyday take care about the things of itself. Everyday has enough of the evil thereof. Now under this Dispensation of Grace the days are also evil. So as members of the Body of Christ we have to pray to the Lord Philippians 4 verse 6. Read this verse again!

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Matthew chapter 7

Matthew 7 verse 1

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Verse 1: The Lord Jesus Christ continued His preaching to the 12 disciples in this chapter. They had not to judge because otherwise if they do this they, the disciples', will be judged. With other words:

prevention is better than cure! They if they will be judged the Lord will judge them. We as members of the Body of Christ, believers are declare righteous by God through His Son Jesus Christ. We will not be judged. We will give later at the Rapture a account for what we have done for Him. 

Matthew 7 verse 2

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Verse 2: With the same judgment the disciples for example  judge someone they shall be judged. Also with what measure they shall mete they shall be measured with the same. There was no point in doing this. This shows us that they were under the law. We as members of the Body of Christ under this Dispensation, are not under the Law but under Gods Grace. 

Matthew 7 verse 3

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Verse 3: They, the disciples learned here from the Lord Jesus Christ Who told them not to judge the little flaws of another brother. Considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye. The meaning of this is the big flaws who are in themselves they see not or consider not. See Luke 6 verses 41 and 42. 

Matthew 7 verse 4

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Verse 4: The Lord sais to His disciples: How can you say to your brother let met take the little flaws of your eye away and not consider that you have big flaws like a beam in you own eye. They couldn't do that. The solution lays in verse 5

Matthew 7 verse 5

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Verse 5: It is allways easier to see the little flaws of another person, brother and to help to get rid from it but if you forget your own big flaws you have then this is the solution first to get rid from your own big flaws and then to help your brother with the little flaws. This is how they had to handle this. 

Matthew 7 verse 6

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Verse 6: This is another warning from the Lord to His disciples what not to do. First give not that which is holy unto the dogs. Who were the dogs? Answer the heathen or gentiles. The holy things were only for Israel when God was dealing with them. God was not dealing with the Gentiles under that Dispensation of the Law when the Lord was on earth. And now neither cast ye your pearls before swine. What does that mean? Answer: When you give something valuable to someone who does not appreciate it, it is a wasted effort. They will trample this under their feet and turn and rend them (disciples etc)

Matthew 7 verse 7

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Verse 7: Then the Lord said this to His disciples that they can ask what they want and it shall be given unto them. Seek and ye shall find. knock and it shall be opened unto you. What does this really mean? Everything they need they shall receive. Nowadays under this Dispensation it is different how God deals with us. We read  in Ephesians 3: 20 that God does far beyond what man asks or thinks. Nevertheless you can make everything known unto God the Father. Not everything we ask for we receive. The Lord does more than we pray or ask for. 

Matthew 7 verse 8

 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Verse 8: The disciples could 100% trust the Lord Jesus Christ at His Word here: everyone of them and also every Jew or proselyte in the future who is saved can ask things from the Lord and it shall be given. If someone seeketh he will find and if someone knocketh it shall be opened. It is a condition to enter the Kingdom of heaven on earth. People had to believe till the end of the Tribulation period. They have to be in constant in contact with our Lord. So persevere to the end! And what shall people receive then? In Matthew 10: 22 we read the answer: And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. We as members of the Body of Christ under this Dispensation of Grace we are saved from the Tribulation period, the wrath to come. I Thessalonians 1:10 tells us this:And to wait for his Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Read also 1 Thessalians 4: 13-18! We have a heavenly hope. In daily life when we fall as believers it is very important to know this in 2 Timothy 2 verse 13: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself. Once a son or daughter of God, always a son or daughter of God because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30 till the day of redemption with the Rapture of the Church. 

Matthew 7 verse 9

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Verse 9: If people asked in those days in the future in the Tribulation period when the Prophetic clock again will tick: the Jews who believe in God will receive the things from God. God will not give them anything else. That's why this example if a son of a man asked for bread he will give him no stone! God will meet their needs. 

Matthew 7 verse 10

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

Verse 10: A continuation of the verse above the Lord told His disciples in the sermon on the mount. The son asks his father for a fish to eat and the father gives him a serpent? That would be crazy or foolish. For sure the father will give him the fish. 

Matthew 7 verse 11

 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

Verse 11: The principe the Lord wanted to make known unto His disciples is that you give good gifts unto them that asks for this. This is what God does and He compared this with the gifts men gives to their children: they are good gifts and not bad. The disciples were evil. Why ? They all were sinners like we under this Dispensation of Grace. 

Matthew 7 verse 12

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Verse 12: With other words: As you would like to be treated, you should also treat others. That people are nice to you you have to be nice to them also. This said the law and also the prophets proclaimed this in the Scriptures. This attitude the Lord learned His disciples. The Lord knew that His disciples who were also sinners hadn't this attitude natural. That's why He learned this them. 

Matthew 7 verse 13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Verse 13: The Lord told His disciples also about the two gates. This is the broad and the narrow way. There are a lot of pictures and paintings from it. In the past in my youth I learned about this and here we have this verse: the wide gate is the broad way and leads to destruction and many people go that way the Lord told His disciples. Everlasting destruction the Lord meant. Why are many people following this way. The answer we read in the next verse

Matthew 7 verse 14

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Verse 14: Because means a confirmation that the other gate or door is strait also but narrow is the way which lead unto life and few people find this way and followed this way. This way leads to everlasting life. This people keep believing until the end. They will not keep up the belief in our Lord. 

Matthew 7 verse 15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Verse 15: The Lord told His disciples to watch for false prophets because they will come in sheep's clothing but inside they are wolves. Wolves are dangerous animals. How could they, the disciples and the people in the future in the Tribulation period, recognize them? The answer is in the next verse. 

Matthew 7 verse 16

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Verse 16: Here is the answer of verse 15. They, the disciples and other people in the Tribulation period will recognize them by their fruits. And right after it can you see the difference between grapes with thorns or figs with thistles? There is a enormous difference between them. 

Matthew 7 verse 17

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Verse 17: Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit. That is true and it is also true for the ones who believe in God and stay in contact in Him and will belief till the end of the Tribulation period. You can recognize them by their fruits because they bring good works forth. But the corrupt tree and this stands for the ones who doesn't believe: they bring forth evil fruit. 

Matthew 7 verse 18

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Verse 18: Someone who believes cannot bring forth corrupt or evil fruit. The ones who believe are under control of the Holy Spirit and cannot sin and bring good works.   A corrupt person who believe not bring not good fruit. His works are corrupt. This is under the Kingdom Gospel which our Lord preached and will be preached later after the Rapture of the Body of Christ whereunto we as members of that Body of Christ to belong.

Matthew 7 verse 19

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Verse 19: These are the persons who bring corrupt things with their works. They shall be judged by the Lord and will be cast into the fire, the everlasting destruction. In Revelation 20 verse 11-15 we read this:And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This shall happen to the unbelievers in the future when the Lord shall judge them. 

Matthew 7 verse 20

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Verse 20: The Lord told His disciples this that they would recognize the people who will bring not forth good fruit. These are the works and by the works you can recognize it. This shall also work in the future when believers will live under the Tribulation period before the Kingdom will come on earth. 

Matthew 7 verse 21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Verse 21: Many in that time of the Tribulation period shall ask the Lord if they personally will enter into the kingdom of heaven on earth. Only the ones who do the will of the Father which is in heaven. How do people know what is the will of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? Through the Scriptures, the Bible they can know it just like we know what is the will of God for today through the epistles of the apostle Paul which is our spiritual food. For them it is the 4 gospels, the book to the Hebrews, the Law to keep, books like James, John, Peter, Jude. Prophetic books. 

Matthew 7 verse 22

 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Verse 22: Many stands for many people/persons will say to the Lord in that day. Which day the Lord is speaking here? The day of judgment just before the Kingdom of heaven will begin on earth. A lot of people will say: have we not prophesied in Thy Name and in Thy Name cast out devils and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? They want to show this that they are worth it to enter the Kingdom of heaven on earth. They think they are good enough. And what is the answer of the Lord. We read that in the next verse

Matthew 7 verse 23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Verse 23: The Lord shall honestly say to them: I never knew you so depart from me. With other words go away because you work a work of iniquity and that is corruption. He will not let them enter into this Kingdom of heaven on earth. These people will be lost forever and will wait until the Great white throne in Revelation 20: 11-15

Matthew 7 verse 24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Verse 24: The disciples and other persons who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ not only must believe in Him and what He was saying but must also do the things with other words believe and works were together under the former Dispensation. If a person did this then the Lord liked him or her unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock. The rock is Himself the Lord Jesus Christ here. 

Matthew 7 verse 25

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Verse 25: To trust/believe the Lord Jesus Christ in His Name is like you have your house built on the rock and nothing can destroy it. This is true because no flood, wind which blew and beat upon that house. It cannot fell because it is founded upon a rock. So it is with Christ. If any man trust and stay in Him, He is the Rock, what we have read above then that man will not be lost.  

Matthew 7 verse 26

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Verse 26: The Lord here in this verse is very direct. One that hear the words of our Lord  and not doing it what the Lord asked, the commandments etc is like a foolish man whose house is built upon sand. This is not stable we know to built your house on sand. The Lord compared not doing it to built a house on sand. Sand is not solid ground. 

Matthew 7 verse 27

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Verse 27: Because sand is not solid ground like a rock the results are very great: the rain came down, the floods came, the wind blew and beat upon such a house built on sand and the hous will fell and this is a very big fall. So it is for everyone the Lord told His disciples who hear the words of the Lord but do them not: not keeping His commandments and the law. Result he or she will be lost forever. Under the teaching of our Lord on earth it is believe and works otherwise you are not saved for all eternity. 

Matthew 7 verse 28

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Verse 28: After these saying of the Lord Jesus Christ the people who heard His Word were amazed. Amazed because of His doctrine. How did He know this all? So there must be probably more people who listened to the Lord on the mountain then alone the 12 disciples. 

Matthew 7 verse 29

 For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Verse 29: When they heard the Lord Jesus Christ speaking to them He spoke with authority and having also authority. The scribes didn't have this. They were hypocrites and came across as authoritarian. That was the difference between the Lord Jesus Christ and the scribes. What the Lord spoke was real and true and what the scribes told the folk was not the truth but the lie. 

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Matthew Chapter 8

Matthew 8 verse 1

When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

Verse 1: The Lord had told a lot on the mountain. This is the so called sermon on the mount. After this He came down from this mountain and a lot of people followed Him literal. They walked after Him. We do not know how much exactly a great multitude is but this could be thousands of people

Matthew 8 verse 2

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Verse 2: This leper who came to the Lord worshipped Him. He believed that the Lord could heal him. What is a leper in the Bible?  This is someone who is affected by leprosy. What is leprosy? Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae. Still we have people in this world today who has this disease. How can you be infected by this disease? Answer: It's believed that the disease spreads when a person who has leprosy coughs or sneezes. Can leprosy be healed today? Leprosy can be cured. In the last 2 decades, 16 million people with the disease have been cured. The World Health Organization provides free treatment for all people with leprosy. In the time of the Lord on earth a lot of people had this disease and there was no medicin for this. That's why this man came to the Lord and believed/ knew the Lord could make him clean. He had heard that the Lord healed a lot of people in the country so he believed also that he could be healed by Him. 

Matthew 8 verse 3

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Verse 3: What did the Lord do to this man? He put forth His hand and touched the man who had leprosy and said: I will be thou clean. And immediately the man's leprosy disappeared and he was cleansed by the Lord. This was a wonder, a miracle and the whole multitude could see it because it was on the street. The Lord Jesus Christ could heal because He was God Himself and Israel asked always for signs and wonders. It was also important for the ones who believed in Him to enter later the Kingdom of heaven on earth clean. This is thus another wonder the Lord did. 

Matthew 8 verse 4

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Verse 4: After the Lord Jesus healed the leper He saith unto him that no man had to come to know that he was healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. He had to go his way and shew himself to the priest and offer a gift which Moses law commanded for a testimony unto them. He was forbidden to trumpit it to everyone that he was healed. He had to do it in silence. 

Matthew 8 verse 5

 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

Verse 5: Then the Lord Jesus Christ entered into Capernaum. This was near the sea of Galilee. When He was in Capernaum a centurion, a Roman soldier begged Him. Strange that a centurion, a Gentile was begging Him. The Lord Jesus Christ came alone for the lost sheep of the house of Israel and now a gentile came to him, a uncircumcised man beseeched Him. There was something serious because otherwise this man had not begged Him. 

Matthew 8 verse 6

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

Verse 6: This officer/centurion. What was a centurion under the Roman soldiers? He was the head of 100 men. Like a sergeant nowadays. This centurion had a servant who was very sick laying at home. What is his disease? Answer palsy and grievously tormented. Palsy is paralysis or tremors. Grievously tormented means that he was in a miserable afflicted condition. This centurion was desparate but knew that the Lord came to Capernaum. He believed that the Lord could heal his servant. He had heard that the Lord healed many people in the country who were sick. The Lord Jesus Christ was the only One who could heal his servant. That's why he came to Him. 

Matthew 8 verse 7

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

Verse 7: It is striking that the Lord  answers immediately that He will come and heal his servant. The Lord was in the first place send to the lost people of the folk Israel. He was not send in His earthly ministry to the Gentiles. Yet He goes to the house of this Gentile to heal his servant. 

Matthew 8 verse 8

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

Verse 8: The centurion knew his position towards the Lord. He knew that the Lord was not sent to Gentiles but lost people of the folk Israel. That's why he sas that he was not worthy that the Lord would come in his house. So he said speak only the Word and my servant shall be healed. What a great faith/trust this man had in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 8 verse 9

For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Verse 9: This centurion was very honest to the Lord. He said that he was a man and under authority. He had several persons above him. And he had soldiers under him. The commandments he gave to his man they did. They fully obeyed him. Why was that? Maybe the manner how he said to his men what to do and if they disobeyed they could be punished. Also this man was good for his soldiers and servants so willingly they obeyed him. If he was a tyrant probably they would not have obeyed him. 

Matthew 8 verse 10

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Verse 10: The Lord Jesus Christ heard the centurion and when the centurion had everything said the Lord amazed about him and there were a lot who followed Him inclusive the 12 disciples and then He said verily I say to you all. I have not found such a great faith then this man has in Israel. So this was very special for the Lord. 

Matthew 8 verse 11

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 11: The Lord was speaking about the future namely the kingdom of heaven on earth and He as King over that Kingdom which will endure 1000 year of reign. Many people will enter this kingdom. They will come from the east and west and shall sit down in that kingdom with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These are all the believers who will come through the Tribulation period and didn't stop to believe. Some of these believers will be killed in that Tribulation period but will be resurrected when the Lord will come back on earth and will enter with the patriarchs and other believers in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. 

Matthew 8 verse 12

 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Verse 12: Of whom the Lord is speaking here in this verse? These are the Jews who believe not. The unbelievers in Israel. What will happen with them: they shall be cast out into outer darkness, separated from God. What shall they do there in that awful place the outer darkness? There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Only misery will be there for all who don't believe and do not the works of God. 

Matthew 8 verse 13

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Verse 13: The Lord Jesus Christ said unto the centurion. You can go home because you hast believed in Me, trust Me that your servant will be healed by Me. So this will happen unto your servant and the centurion's servant was healed in that same hour when the Lord told him that. So the Lord went not to the house of the centurion because the centurion believed that the Lord was able to heal his servant from a distance. He believed His words!! Nowadays under this Dispensation of Grace we have the complete Word of God, the whole Bible. In Romans 10:17 we read: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 8 verse 14

 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

Verse 14: After the Centurion's servant was healed our Lord Jesus Christ came into the house of Peter in Capernaum and Peter's mother in law was sick of fever. Maybe high fever. She laid there in the house probably upon a bed. The Lord saw her lying there. 

Matthew 8 verse 15

 And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

Verse 15: The Lord Jesus Christ healed her. He could do this because He was and is God Himself. As long as God was dealing with His folk Israel there were signs and miracles like healings and also the mother in law of Peter was healed by the Lord. He touched her hand and the fever left her body. She arose from the bed and immediately she attend to the needs of our Lord and Peter and the rest who were with the Lord in the house. 

Matthew 8 verse 16

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

Verse 16: When it became evening people brought unto the Lord many persons who were possessed with devils. Under the former Dispensation of the Law whereunder the Lord lived a lot of people were possessed with the devil or devils. The Lord had the power to cast out these evil spirits with His Word. The devils disappeared out of these persons. Later the Lord gave also that power to His 12 disciples. We can read this in Mark 16:16-18. Supernatural powers God would gave His 12 apostles later to do this as signs for the folk. Everyone who was believing in Him had to enter the Kingdom on earth clean! So the Lord made all of them better and healed also the ones who were sick. 

Matthew 8 verse 17

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ took all the infirmities and bare the sickness of all the people of Israel. This was foretold by the prophet Esaias. In Isaiah 53 verse 4 we read this:Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. This exactly came out and we read about this here in Matthew 8 verse 17 when our Lord was on earth, in His earthly ministry. 

Matthew 8 verse 18

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

Verse 18: A great multitude of people surrounded the Lord and the Lord saw it. He gave the commandment to the disciples to depart from there Capernaum to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This was the opposite of Capernaum. The land of the Gergesen. So they, the disciples would sail with our Lord to this land opposite Capernaum. But first there was a person under this multitude of people who say something to our Lord. This was can read in the next verse. 

Matthew 8 verse 19

And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Verse 19: The scribe here described was very serious because he wanted to follow the Lord. He called Him Master. He wanted to follow Him whereever the Lord would go. But what is the answer of the Lord to this man? We read this in the next verse. This man, scribe, is a volunteer he would do it

Matthew 8 verse 20

 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Verse 20: The Lord let him know that He was the Son of man, Whom he is eager to follow had not where to lay His head. In other words it was impossible to follow Him. The Lord and His disciples had no homes to sleep. They were dependent on the hospitality of other people who let them sleep in their homes. 

Matthew 8 verse 21

And another of His disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Verse 21: The Lord Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry had more disciples then the 12 disciples. What was the definition of a disciple? First we have to know this. What is a disciple? Answer:  someone who is following the Lord Jesus in His earthly ministry on earth. Who had left house, family  and become a literal follower. In Luke 14 verse 26, 27, 33 we read this: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. This is the definition of a disciple. This so named disciple said unto Him this: let me first go and bury my father because he passed away (died). What is the answer of our Lord? 

Matthew 8 verse 22

But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Verse 22: But the Lord Jesus Christ said unto this disciple the following: Follow me and let the dead bury their dead. What does that mean. You have to leave this and follow me. It means let the ones who are spiritually dead bury the dead corporally; let worldly offices be left to worldly people. With other words do not thou encumber thyself with them. Burying the dead and especially a father who is dead is a good work but it is not thy work at this time for a disciple. 

Matthew 8 verse 23

And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him.

Verse 23: He, the Lord Jesus Christ entered into the ship and left the multitude of people. His 12 disciples followed Him and went also into the ship. They, these 12 disciples followed Him literal and had left everything as family, house, money etc. For 3 years they followed Him in His earthly ministry and became later His 12 apostles. 

Matthew 8 verse 24

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Verse 24: So they all were on board the ship on the sea of Galilee and suddenly there arose a great storm and that caused large waves. The ship was covered by waves. The Lord Jesus Christ was sleeping on board. 

Matthew 8 verse 25

And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

Verse 25: His disciples were very afraid of their lives and woke the Lord up from His sleep and said if He would save them from this big storm on the sea. They thought they would die so afraid they were. It is very natural for men to be afraid of something. We know all these moments in our lives. 

Matthew 8 verse 26
And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Verse 26: The Lord Jesus Christ awoke and said to them this: why are you so afraid. Ye have little faith! This the disciples had and we should react the same if such overcome us. After this saying to them the Lord stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea and the weather changed immediately in calmness. What a wonder the Lord did here!  In Mark 4 verse 37 until 41 we read this passage there also:  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Matthew 8 verse 27

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!

Verse 27: They were asthonished, His disciples,  because they saw the miracle He did! And then as reaction to this miracle they said what kind of Man is He that even the winds and the sea obey Him. We cannot do this and He can. By which power He does this? Who is He they asked themselves! 

Matthew 8 verse 28

And when He was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

Verse 28: They came with the ship to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes. What kind of country this was? The Gadarenes or Gardara. Two possessed men met the Lord Jesus Christ there. They came out of the tombs, out of their graves! They were so fierce. Every person was afraid to pass that way so they didn't. These two possessed persons from the devil formed a unnatural barricade because of the behavior. It must have been very frightening for people. So they came to the Lord Jesus Christ, they met Him there outside their tombs. 

Matthew 8 verse 29

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Verse 29: They cried out! They knew exactly that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Yes the devil knows it. They said what we have to do with Thee? Do you came here to hither torment us before the time? Which time? The Judgment of the Great White Throne. That's what they talked about . At the Great White Throne God will judge the devil and his hosts. In Revelation 20 verse 10 we read this: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Matthew 8 verse 30

 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

Verse 30: There was a herd of many swine feeding. This was far away from the place the Lord Jesus Christ and those who were possessed with devils. These devils knew where those swines were. 

Matthew 8 verse 31: 

So the devils besought Him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

Verse 31: The devils had a request. It was a entreaty. What was that entreaty? They said If thou cast us out of these men,  because the Lord could cast out devils, can we go into these swines and possessed them?  What was the Lord's answer to them? We read this in the next verse

Matthew 8 verse 32

And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.

Verse 32: The Lord cast them out and said Go. They came out of these men and they went into the swines. This was a herd of swine. But the whole herd of swine ran down from the steep place and went into the sea and all died. This was realy something! Apparently these swines could no longer live after being possessed by devils. 

Matthew 8 verse 33
And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

Verse 33: There were men who kept the herd of swine . When this happened they fled into the city and told all the inhabitans of the city what happened to the swines who were possessed of the devils and ran violently down a steep place into the seas and died. These swines drowned in the sea of Galilee. This must have been horrible for these men because they lost all their swines. You can imagine they were not happy with this. 

Matthew 8 verse 34

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Verse 34: And see the whole city came out. All the inhabitans of this city and they meet the Lord Jesus Christ outside this city. When they saw Him they begged Him that He would leave their country. They didn't want Him because of this miracle He did. So He could nog longer stay there and went back to the ship. 

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 Matthew chapter 9

Matthew 9 verse 1

And He entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into His own city.

Verse 1: The Lord entered into the ship and sailed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and the city He was most times was Capernaum. In Matthew 4 verse 13 we already read this: And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim. So Carpernaum was His own city. Nazareth was the place He was grown up and later He said that a prophet was not honoured in his own city or place. So when His ministry began His new own city was Capernaum near the sea of Galilee. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 2: So He was again in Capernaum and some men brought to Him a sick man of paralysis (tremors). The Lord saw their faith in Him, inclusive the man who was sick and He said to this man who had this palsy: Son be of good cheer your sins are forgiven. Christ could forgive sins because He is and was God Himself. Faith was always the main reason for God to forgive the sins. The Lord on that moment hadn't died for mankind. That was and is the purpose of His first coming to die for all the world, to bear the sins of this world upon Himself. 

Matthew 9 verse 3

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

Verse 3: Certain of the scribes who were there said in themselves that Christ blasphemeth God because of this saying. They thought evil in their thinkings.  They didn't believe that He was the Son of God Who was send to this earth to save the world. He was the only One Who could forgive sins because Christ was God Himself without sin. 

Matthew 9 verse 4

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Verse 4: The Lord Jesus Christ knew their thoughts. He is and was God Himself and He knows everything. He is omnicient beause He is God and that's why He asked them: wherefore think ye evil in your hearts. He knew their hearts and their thoughts that they were evil and He confronted them with it. They must be amazed when He said this to them. We men cannot know the hearts of other people, only God knows every heart of men. Nothing is hidden for Him also now at this moment! 

Matthew 9 verse 5

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Verse 5: What is easier to say the Lord asked them: thy sins be forgiven or to say arise and walk. These both are equally heavy. The scribes couldn't give a answer to that because they had not the knowledge of God. Christ was coming in this world to heal and to save. That's what He was saying to these scribes. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 6: He, Christ said it that He hath the power on earth to forgive sins. He was and is the Son of man. He was without sin, He was sinless, so He could forgive sins! Then He said to the sick man: arise, and take up thy bed and go to thy house. And just after this the man was healed. Christ send this man back to his house so that this man now became a blessing to his family because for such a long time he was a burden to them. Now he was healed. So what did the man do? We read this in the next verse

Matthew 9 verse 7

And he arose, and departed to his house.

Verse 7: The man arose! He took up his bed and departed from the Lord and went to his house. This must have been the luckiest day of his life for this man and for his family!!

Matthew 9 verse 8

 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Verse 8: This impressed the multitude of people who saw this healing. They were amazed and glorified God what He had done for this man. They recognized not that He, the Lord Jesus Christ was God Himself so they admired Him not as God or the Son of God but as a man to whom God hath given this power. God had to be glorified  in all the power that is given  to men to do good that was the reason that they glorified God. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 9: From where the Lord Jesus Christ healed the sick man He went from there  and then He saw a man named Matthew. Matthew, the author of this book Matthew God choose to be His disciple and later apostle. He saith to Matthew: follow me and Matthew arose and followed Him. Matthew was a publican and most of these inners of money from men where not loved by the folk. In general they hated those persons and now He called this publican Matthew and made him a disciple of Him. This is wonderful and this let us see how God loves man in general. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 10: The Lord Jesus Christ sat in the house with the meal and not alone but with publicans and sinners. They came to this house where the Lord was and sat down with Him and His disciples there in the house. The Lord loves sinners, this is how God loves sinners to sit down with them and eat with them a meal (meat). This was strange to some people who saw this. We read this in the next verse.

Matthew 9 verse 11

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Verse 11: These people were the Pharisees who saw this. They came not to the Lord why He did this. The Pharisees had not the courage to ask Him directly this. No they asked His disciples first why their Master eat with publicans and sinners? They criticised Him eating with sinners and publicans. In their eyes this was wrong. This is not what they were doing: eating with sinners and publicans. They feeled themselves better than these publicans and sinners. And they were angry at the Lord that He did. 

Matthew 9 verse 12

But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Verse 12: The Lord defense this by saying that He saw the need of these sinners and publicans: lost sinners and sick men . The publicans were sick and they need help and be healed. Sin is the sickness of the soul. Christ came into this world to save sinners. This was behind this. He was God Himself who later paid the prize for sinners  the cross on Calvary. He loved sinners and sick men as publicans. Who were whole needed not a physician. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Physician and Savior. This verse let us see this. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 13: The Lord was very clear to the Pharisees: go and learn what is say: I will have mercy and not sacrifice. Mercy has God and He was to call sinners to repentance and He was not come for the righteous people. He is not calling them. This these Pharisees had to learn. 

Matthew 9 verse 14

Then came to Him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but Thy disciples fast not?

Verse 14: Then there came other people to the Lord with the question about fasting.  For them it was strange that the Lord's disciples never fasted and they, the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees ofthen fasted. They could not understand this. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 15: The Lord had to answer that question of the disciples of John why His disciples fast not. And then He said this what we here in this verse read. What does that mean? Christ answer is so framed as that it might sufficiently justify the practice of His own disciples and not condemn the instutition  of John. The children of the bridechamber are His disciples and they were invited to the wedding feast and welcome there. The ones who are the followers of Christ and are called His children have a continual feast while they who are not followers of Him have the spirit of bondage and fear and cannot rejoice. The disciples of Christ had the bridegroom and the disciples of John had them not because their master was into prison. Such a day would come for the disciples of Christ when He will not be with them and then they shall fast! 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 16: What Christ is telling those disciples of John here in this verse and the next verse is that His disciples were not able to bear these severe exercises so well as hose of John and of the Pharisees. Putting a piece of new cloth unto an old garment is wasting time and is in vain. This is also for the next verse.

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 17: To do this is doing things which are in vain. You know that this will not work. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 18: While the Lord spoke those things to the disciples of John and His own disciples and others there came a man who was a leader of the synagogue. This man worshipped Him and said that his daughter died but that he believed that the Lord would wake his daughter up by laying His hand upon her and she shall again live.  This man trusted the Lord and believed in this miracle. 

Matthew 9 verse 19

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

Verse 19: The Lord arose and followed the ruler to his house and also His disciples followed that man. Where the Lord was there were also His disciples. They followed Him litteraly. They had to do this because He had His ministry on earth and they followed Him 3 years. We as members of the Body of Christ cannot follow litteraly the Lord because He is now in heaven on the right hand of the Father. We have to follow Paul as he followed Christ in the revelation of the mystery Romans 16:25. The Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24

Matthew 9 verse 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:

Verse 20: When the Lord went with this ruler of the synagogue to his house to wake up his daughter there came a woman after Him and touched the hem of His garment. She was ill for 12 years because of an issue of blood.

Matthew 9 verse 21

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

Verse 21: She thought by herself if I touch His garment than I shall be healed from my disease and she did it! 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 22: The Lord Jesus Christ knew that someone had touched His garment and He turned around and saw the woman who was ill. Then He said to her and that is very beautiful to see here: Daughter. Daughter He said to her! Be of good comfort. Don't be afraid is what the Lord said to her. Thy faith, thy trust in Me that I can heal you hath made thee whole. The faith was always the first under the Gospel of the Kingdom and then followed the works! The woman was healed from that moment on! As long as God was busy with His plan with Israel and that was under the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth these healings and miracles happened and also because the Jews require signs and wonders otherwise they wouldn't believe. 

Matthew 9 verse 23

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

Verse 23: Our Lord came into the ruler's house. The tradition when someone had died that they hired people who sad whistled and people were weeping and lamenting. There was a lot of noise which those people who were hired made. This is what the Lord saw. 

Matthew 9 verse 24

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Verse 24: The Lord said to them that they had to leave the place of the ruler of the synagogue and stop with this noise making. He said that the girl was not dead but sleeps. They couldn't believe His words and began to laugh at Him and to scorn. What does that mean? Answer: Scorn isopen disrespect for someone who say something. They had no respect for Him. It couldn't they had thought that the girl was sleeping and not dead. For the Lord Jesus Christ the girl wasn't dead. He knew within Himself  what He would do and could do. This sleep is the sleep of the body but not of the soul and spirit. The Lord has the power over life and death. 

Matthew 9 verse 25

 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

Verse 25: The people went away. He send them away from the house and He went into the house of the ruler and went to the daughter of the ruler who was laying in bed. The Lord Jesus Christ took her by the hand and she arose from the sleep. He woke her up! What a wonder this was and is. 

Matthew 9 verse 26

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Verse 26: This miracle the Lord did to wake this girl up from the dead became known in all the land. Everyone knew what happened. It made a lot of impression to the people. 

Matthew 9 verse 27

 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Verse 27: The Lord Jesus Christ departed from the house of the ruler after He woke up the daughter of the ruler and then 2 blind men followed Him and screamed and said: Thou son of Daved have compassion on us. They wanted that the Lord could heal them so that they could get their eyesight! 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 28: So the Lord Jesus Christ entered a house and the blind men came after Him in the house. The Lord asked them: Do you believe that I am able to give you your eyesight so that you may see and they said yes we believe it Lord. This was really sincere what those 2 men answered Him. So in the next verse the Lord did another healing and we read there the following verse. 

Matthew 9 verse 29

 Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Verse 29: He touched their eyes! He had the power to do this because He was God Himself. And He said to them according to your faith you will be healed. You shall see from now on. He was not only able to do it, He did it also and made a lot of sick men whole. 

Matthew 9 verse 30

And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

Verse 30: Their eyes were opened. They were no longer blind. The Lord after doing this charged them and said that no man had to know it that He had healed them.  Did they do this, did they obey Him? We shall read that in the next verse

Matthew 9 verse 31

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

Verse 31: No they didn't obey Him. They departed and could see for the first time in their lives and were glad but spread His fame, the fame of our Lord Jesus Christ in all that country near the sea of Galilee so people knew that they were healed by the Lord Jesus Christ and that He is the Healer and do miracles. A lot of people knew through all the stories that He was Someone special. 

Matthew 9 verse 32

As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

Verse 32: When the 2 men who were given their eyesight went out or went away from Him people brought to Him a man who was in a  physical condition of speechlessness associated with deafness and possessed by the devil. Sickness was a real problem in the time when our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth. The cause was that the priests in the temple didn't do their job very well. They could heal also people but didn't do that. That's why you read about a lot of diseases in Israel at the time when our Lord was on earth. This sick man had three handicaps: he could not hear nor speak and was possessed by the devil. That must be very awful for this man and the people who brought him before our Lord and the man himself hoped to be healed by our Lord. 

Matthew 9 verse 33

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

Verse 33: The Lord Jesus Christ casted out the devil from this sick man and this man began to speak after this and could also hear. What a wonder this was. The multitude of people were so amazed by seeing this and hearing the man speaking that they say that they naver had seen this before in Israel. So the man was healed by the Lord. 

Matthew 9 verse 34

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

Verse 34: But there was a lot of critisism and that came from the Pharisees who said: He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.  This was not possible because the Lord was God Himself and He was the Only One who could cast devils out by the power of God. The Pharisees didn't believe in Him and saw in Him a big enemy and a dangerous person for the folk Israel. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 35: The Lord Jesus Christ went in all the cities and villages and in all those villages and cities were synagogues. Buildings where Jewish people gathered together on the Sabbath's day. The Lord preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. The good news about the Kingdom of heaven which will come on earth and included also what the Lord did: healing every sickness and every disease among the people of Israel. To enter later the Kingdom of heave on earth everyone of them must enter the kingdom clean. 

Matthew 9 verse 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.

Verse 36: But then this. The Lord saw the multitude of people around Him and that was for Him to move with compassion on all the people. Why? Because they fainted. They were so weak  and they were scattered abroad. They had no shepherd.  They went their own way but had no shepherd. They were the lost sheep of the folk Israel. He the Lord Himself was and is the Shepherd. The people had no direction in their lives. 

Matthew 9 verse 37

Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Verse 37: After seeing this said the Lord to His disciples this that there is a multitude of people who wanted to listen but there are so few people who can explain to them the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom and what they had to do. 

Matthew 9 verse 38

 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Verse 38: The Lord Jesus Christ said to them His disciples this that they had to pray to God because of all the people who had no shepherd that the Lord will send labourers into His harvest. That the labourers could explain the Word of God to the people. 

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Matthew chapter 10

Matthew 10 verse 1

And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Verse 1: He, the Lord Jesus Christ called His 12 disciples, later apostles. We read here that He gave His 12 disciples the power to cast out unclean spirits, to heal manner of sickness and all manner of disease. This was very special because before this He had only this power to do this. Now in His Name they could also do it. 

Matthew 10 verse 2

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Verse 2: For the first time we see here all the names of the 12 apostles, specially called by the Lord on earth. The first and also leader of the 12 apostles was Peter, then Andrew the brother of Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother. 4 persons mentioned here from the 12 apostles. As apostles He gave them more power what we have read in the first verse of this chapter. Why the Lord choose 12 men to be His apostles? Because these men represent the 12 tribes of Israel. They will reign with Christ in the Kingdom on earth  later over the 12 tribes of Israel which is 144.000!  people. Each tribe consists about 12000 people. 

Matthew 10 verse 3

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Verse 3: Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew. Matthew was the publican who was also called by the Lord. James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus. The name of this apostle was also Thaddaeus. 

Matthew 10 verse 4

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Verse 4: Simon one of the Canaanites and the one who betrayed Him and that was Judas Iscariot. 

Matthew 10 verse 5

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Verse 5: These twelve men the Lord send them into the country of Israel and commanded them this: Go not into the way of the Gentiles and not in any city of the Samaritans. They were forbidden to come in the cities of the Samaritans. Who were the Samaritans? What kind of people were they that these 12 apostles were forbidden to visit their cities? The Samaritans were colonists brought by the king of Assyria in place of the deported Israelites. These colonists had their gods in their houses and in high places. They had their own religion and had the places of the former Samaritans. The Samaritans the Lord spoke of to His disciples or apostles were the descendants of these colonists. So the 12 apostles had not to go to these Gentiles or heathen who were called Samaritans. What was the purpose first? We read this in the next verse. 

Matthew 10 verse 6

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Verse 6: This was the purpose and also for the Lord. God was busy with His folk and they had to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom and had to repent. If Israel as a whole repented to God than they would be a blessing for the Gentiles. So Israel as folk had to obey God and that's why the 12 apostles as the Lord had to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Matthew 10 verse 7

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Verse 7: As the Lord Jesus Christ said already the 12 apostles had to go with this message, this good message to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Soon it will be on earth.

Matthew 10 verse 8

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Verse 8: They had not only to say: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. He had given also them the power to heal the sick, to cleanse the lepers, to raise the dead, to cast out devils. They had freely this given by the Lord and they had to freely to give. They had to do this because it was under this Gospel of the Kingdom. Every person of Israel had to enter the Kingdom of heaven on earth clean. 

Matthew 10 verse 9

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

Verse 9: The Lord gave His 12 disciples (apostles) all kinds of instructions. Here in this verse also: Provide neither gold, nor silver:  namely to stock up on their journey. They had to take nothing with them. Also not brass in their purses. The Jews wear purses. In that purses they had their money and now the Lord instructs His disciples not to have gold, silver nor brass. They  must make no provision for it themselves. Christ teached them to act under the conduct of human prudence. 

Matthew 10 verse 10

 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Verse 10: The disciples when they were on journey have not to take a travelbag with them, not 2 coats, nor shoes, nor staves. The workman is worthy of his meat. To act in dependence  upon Divine Providence. they must be taught to live without taking thought for life.