Mat 9:13 | JFB | STEP | 13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth — ( ), I will have mercy, and not sacrifice —that is, the one rather than the other. "Sacrifice," the chief part of the ceremonial law, is here put for a religion of literal adherence to mere rules; while "mercy" expresses such compassion for the fallen as seeks to lift them up. The duty of keeping aloof from the polluted, in the sense of "having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness," is obvious enough; but to understand this as prohibiting such intercourse with them as is necessary to their recovery, is to abuse it. This was what these pharisaical religionists did, and this is what our Lord here exposes. for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance —The italicized words are of doubtful authority here, and more than doubtful authority in ; but in they are undisputed. We have here just the former statement stripped of its figure. "The righteous" are the whole; "sinners," the sick. When Christ "called" the latter, as He did Matthew, and probably some of those publicans and sinners whom he had invited to meet Him, it was to heal them of their spiritual maladies, or save their souls: "The righteous," like those miserable self-satisfied Pharisees, "He sent empty away." . DISCOURSE ON FASTING. See on . . THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD HEALED. —THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS RAISED TO LIFE. ( = ). For the exposition, see on . . TWO BLIND MEN AND A DUMB DEMONIAC HEALED. These two miracles are recorded by Matthew alone. Two Blind Men Healed ( ).

Matthew 9:13

13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth— (Ho 6:6),

I will have mercy, and not sacrifice—that is, the one rather than the other. "Sacrifice," the chief part of the ceremonial law, is here put for a religion of literal adherence to mere rules; while "mercy" expresses such compassion for the fallen as seeks to lift them up. The duty of keeping aloof from the polluted, in the sense of "having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness," is obvious enough; but to understand this as prohibiting such intercourse with them as is necessary to their recovery, is to abuse it. This was what these pharisaical religionists did, and this is what our Lord here exposes.

for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance —The italicized words are of doubtful authority here, and more than doubtful authority in Mr 2:17; but in Lu 5:32 they are undisputed. We have here just the former statement stripped of its figure. "The righteous" are the whole; "sinners," the sick. When Christ "called" the latter, as He did Matthew, and probably some of those publicans and sinners whom he had invited to meet Him, it was to heal them of their spiritual maladies, or save their souls: "The righteous," like those miserable self-satisfied Pharisees, "He sent empty away."

Mt 9:14-17. DISCOURSE ON FASTING.

See on Lu 5:33-39.

Mt 9:18-26. THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD HEALED.—THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS RAISED TO LIFE. ( = Lu 8:40-56; Mr 5:21-43).

For the exposition, see on Mr 5:21-43.

Mt 9:27-34. TWO BLIND MEN AND A DUMB DEMONIAC HEALED.

These two miracles are recorded by Matthew alone.

Two Blind Men Healed (Mt 9:27-31).