Matthew 7-9

Matthew 7

 “Judge not” (μὴ κρίνετε)

• Not rejecting all judgment ( John 7:24), but hypocritical judgment
• “Log” vs. “speck” 
• Sequence: examine yourself first then help others 

Discernment required

• “Dogs… pigs” unclean imagery 
• Do not give holy things to those that cannot receive it

Ask, Seek, Knock

• God as Father (πατήρ) gives good gifts
• Contrast: human fathers (imperfect) vs. God (perfect)

“Whatever you wish that others would do, do also to them…”

• Summary: “the Law and the Prophets”
•  Lev 19:18 (love neighbor)

Narrow gate vs. wide gate

•  Deut 30:19 (life vs. death)
• Few find life 

 False Prophets

• “Wolves in sheep’s clothing”
• Fruit (καρπός) is evidence of nature

True vs. False Disciples

• “Lord, Lord” can be seen as apparent devotion to God
• But God will say “I never knew you”:

Two Builders

• Rock vs. sand , hearing and doing vs. hearing only
• Storm imagery,  judgment 

Authority of Jesus: Teaches with ἐξουσία (exousia) = authority

• Unlike scribes 

Matthew 8

Cleansing a Leper

• Leprosy was seen as an impurity (Lev 13–14)
• Jesus touches the lepor and says “Be clean” 
• He sends to priest (still upholds law)

 Centurion’s Faith

• Gentile has faith in Jesus’ power
  • Greater than Israel
• “Only say the word” showing Jesus’ authority recognized
• “Sons of the kingdom” cast out → warning

Peter’s mother-in-law healed, as well as others

• Summary: Isaiah 53:4
  • “He took our illnesses”

Cost of Discipleship

• “Son of Man” (Dan 7:13) has no place to lay head
  • Not easy 
  • “Let the dead bury their dead”- the time to follow Jesus is now

Calming the Storm

• Chaotic storm, but Jesus was asleep
• Jesus rebukes wind as He has divine authority
• Disciples: “What sort of man…?” 

Demons and pigs  (Mark 5 gives more detail)

• Demons recognize Jesus as Son of God
• Pigs are unclean animals (Lev 11)
• Town rejects Jesus giving into fear over faith

Matthew 9

Healing the Paralytic

• Jesus heals paralytic man (Mark and Luke go into more detail)
• “Son of Man has authority… to forgive”. This angers the leaders.
• Greater burden is sin
• Jesus came to heal and forgive
• Psalm 103:3

 Calling Matthew

• Tax collector meaning he was a social/religious outsider
• “Follow me” lead to  immediate response by Matthew/Levi
• When eating with sinners, Hosea 6:6 quoted:“I desire mercy, not sacrifice”

 Fasting Question

• Why don’t Jesus’ disciples fast?
• Bridegroom imagery (Isa 62:5)
• New vs. old:
  • garment patch
  • wineskins
• New kingdom

Daughter Raised / Woman Healed

• NEW WORD Intercalation (story within story)
• Mark and Luke give longer account
• Woman with blood disease said “Your faith has made you well”
• Jesus raises dead girl to life, despite jeers from mourners

Two Blind Men are healed

• Call Jesus “Son of David”  

Mute Demoniac healed

• Division:
  • crowds marvel
  • Pharisees accuse Him of demonic power 

Ends with summary of ministry 

• “Harassed and helpless”:
  • sheep without shepherd (Num 27:17; Ezek 34)
• Harvest imagery:
  • laborers needed
  • prayer and make disciples

Application

We see Jesus’ authority over many areas – including sin, suffering, and chaos. He calls us to have faith and trust Him fully.